Warwickshire Cover Online.qxp_Warwickshire Cover 23/09/2015 11:38 Page 1 THE MIDLANDS ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE WARWICKSHIRE ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sOnISSUE 358 OCTOBER 2015 MEERA SYAL TALKS ABOUT ANITA AND ME AT THE REP

GRAND DESIGNS contemporary home show at the NEC

INSIDE: FILM COMEDY THEATRE LIVE MUSIC VISUAL ARTS EVENTS FOOD & DRINK & MUCH MORE!

HANDBAGGED Moira Buffini’s comedy visits the Midlands interview inside... REP (FP) OCT 2015.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 10:32 Page 1 Contents October Region 1 .qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 21:49 Page 1

October 2015

Strictly Nasty Craig Revel Horwood dresses for Annie Read the interview on page 42

Jason Donovan Moira Buffini Grand Designs stars in Priscilla Queen Of The talks about Handbagged Kevin McCloud back at the NEC Desert page 27 interview page 11 page 69

INSIDE: 4. News 11. Music 24. Comedy 27. Theatre 44. Dance 51. Film 63. Visual Arts 67. Days Out 81. Food

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

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News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Whitby Jet amongst highlights at Winter Fair This popular event, which makes a welcome return to the venue next month for its Winter Fair, is famed for its pottery, porcelain and glass. The recent addition of twentieth centu- ry and contemporary specialists has encour- aged a more diverse range of buyers and designers. Among the Winter Fair highlights is a Whitby Jet exhibition. The display tells the story of the world’s largest fashioned and rough Jet specimen collection of over two hundred pieces, most of which are being shown in public for the first time. Antiques For Everyone’s Winter Fair takes place at the NEC from 19 to 22 November.

25 Years Of Costume showcased in Brum As part of its twenty-fifth anniversary celebrations, Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) is exhibit- ing a selection of costumes worn by its dancers during its quarter-century residency in the New venue for gaming event city. The UK’s biggest gaming festival is relocat- The intimate exhibition has been designed to provide members of the general public with the ing to Birmingham’s NEC, having outgrown chance to find out how the costumes are made, from initial sketches through to finished its current home at the Ricoh Arena in product. Coventry. Insomnia Gaming Festival is a Commenting on the exhibition, BRB’s Head of Costume, Elaine Garlick, said; “This is an twenty-four-hour event ‘combining all the extraordinary opportunity to display the time, effort and craftsmanship that goes into each best bits of video-gaming’. It takes its NEC and every costume that we put on stage.” bow in December. Birmingham Royal Ballet: 25 Years Of Costume runs at House of Fraser, Birmingham, until 11 Commenting on the relocation, the founder October. Admission is free. and CEO of Multiplay, Craig Fletcher, said: “The Insomnia Gaming Festival has enjoyed an incredible journey in recent years. Ticket The programme has been designed to pro- World premieres feature in sales have soared in the last three years and vide pupils and students with immersive we’re expecting to welcome a total of over opportunities not available in school class- new concert season one hundred thousand visitors through our rooms. A work of classical music based on Samuel doors in 2015.” Commenting on the new programme, Taylor Coleridge’s epic poem, The Rime Of Insomnia Gaming Festival takes place at the Andrew Fowles, the Trust’s Learning The Ancient Mariner, is one of no fewer than NEC from 11 to 14 December. Manager, said: “All of our activities have thirteen world premieres being presented by been designed to support the National Birmingham Contemporary Music Group in Curriculum. We can’t wait to welcome school its 2015/16 season. groups to our stunning attractions to be The verses of Shakespeare and AE inspired by science, art and history.” Housman - author of A Shropshire Lad - will also be set to music and performed by the highly rated ensemble. New sporting event aims BCMG kicked-off their season at the end of to inspire youngsters last month with a performance of new piece Requiem To Let at Birmingham Weekender, The Sports Show, taking place at the NEC the city’s free arts festival. from 24 to 26 June, has been created to inspire youngsters ‘to play sport, love sport and live sport’. The event will bring together a wide range of sports activities under one Museum Trust launches roof, with a number of former and current new education programme sports stars also on hand to offer their advice and expertise. The chance to take ‘a magical journey’ Commenting on the new event, Sports Show through the starry night sky and enjoy some Director Ed Rusling said: “The show is going hair-raising fun experimenting with static and to be a playground of fun for kids across the current electricity are just two of the activities country. We’ll be taking over most of the featured in Birmingham Museums Trust’s NEC and plan to pack every inch with as 2015/16 education programme. many different sports as we can.”

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Going Dutch... Renowned Netherlands band The Busquitos are this month presenting a ‘unique, one- off’ show in Birmingham. The band are real flag-wavers for Netherlands music and have appeared on international promotion tours of South Korea, Italy and Turkey. They’re scheduled to tour Malaysia, South Korea and Suriname during 2016. They perform at El Borracho de Oro in Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Tuesday 27 October.

Get Inked in Leamington Celebrating children’s theatre in Coventry A Midlands art gallery and UK tattoo blog The Coventry Belgrade is this month hosting a festival of theatre for children and young peo- are collaborating to host a tattoo art exhibi- ple (19 - 31 October). tion in Leamington Spa this month. The festival is part of a year-long fiftieth anniversary celebration of the birth of Theatre In Inked Palette is a collaboration between Education (TiE) at the Belgrade. Deasil Art Gallery and Inkluded To tie in with the children’s festival, the venue is also presenting a special two-day conference (inkluded.co.uk) which showcases the work on 21 and 22 October. The conference brings together policy makers, teachers, young peo- of tattoo artists through different mediums. ple, academics and theatre educators to discuss the vital role of drama and theatre in schools Commenting on the show, contributor and the marginalisation of the arts in the national curriculum. The event includes a range of Shaun Von Sleaze said: “It’s nice for there activities and discussions as well as an opportunity to see some of the work produced as part to be a physical place where the general of the TiE celebration. public can have access to the work we can create. Art is art, regardless of place- ment, and it would Take a trip down Abbey Road - in Brum... be nice to show that we’re artists, not A live re-staging of The Beatles at Abbey Road studios will visit Birmingham’s Barclaycard what an outdated Arena next May as part of a UK tour. stereotype likes to Part blockbuster stage show, part access-all-areas musical documentary, The Sessions is set portray.” in a state-of-the-art reproduction of the iconic Abbey Road Inked Palette shows studio. The show features new live renditions of the time- at Deasil Art Gallery, less albums which The Beatles recorded there. Leamington Spa, Commenting on the production, Show Director Kim Gavin from 3 to 20 said: “It’s really exciting to bring to life some of The October. Beatles’ most iconic recording sessions, and offer the audience a unique glimpse into the band’s creative process.” A star-spangled adventure The Sessions shows at Barclaycard Arena on 13 May. One of Birmingham’s newest visitor attrac- tions is set to become distinctly ‘star-span- IN BRIEF RSC commemorative season announced gled’ this half-term holiday. The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced details of its The Wonderful World Of Trains & Planes - Ignite your passion spring/summer 2016 season, which will commemorate the four offering an interactive journey through a with Glee... hundredth anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. world of models - is hosting a special US- The Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) season will start with A themed experience to celebrate the start of An event offering a Play For The Nation, an initiative bringing together fourteen ama- its new American layout. platform for fervent teur companies from across the UK to present one of The week of special events and activities speakers to talk on a Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, A Midsummer Night’s includes modellers explaining and demon- subject they’re passion- Dream. strating how they’re building the new layout. ate about makes its The RST will also stage new versions of Hamlet and Cymbeline, Children can make flags to take home, and debut at Birmingham’s while the adjacent Swan Theatre’s programme comprises pro- budding air cadets can fly down the Las Glee Club this month. ductions of Doctor Faustus, Don Quixote and The Alchemist. Vegas Strip or over one of the Great Lakes Ignite has been a sell- Other spring/summer attractions include the reopening of RSC in the visitor attraction’s flight simulators. out success at the Glee studio theatre The Other Place and a new exhibition revealing Club in Cardiff over the secrets and stories from over one last year and arrives in hundred years of theatre-making his- Brum on 27 October. tory in Stratford. Each speaker is allo- There’s also a fun-packed day of cated five minutes to free outdoor events to enjoy on 23 talk about any subject April, the four hundredth anniversary that takes their fancy. of Shakespeare’s death and also the For further information, date on which his unknown birthday visit ignitebrum.com is celebrated. For more information about the spring/summer pro- RSC Deputy Artistic Director, gramme, visit www.rsc.org.uk. Erica Whyman

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interview

in conversation with... Kids like me growing up “ didn’t have any role Meera models. We didn’t see anybody who was like us being regarded as Syal beautiful by the media or working in the media.” 6 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Meera Syal Interview DPS Oct (CHRIS).qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 21:52 Page 2

Actress, comedian and writer Meera Syal is probably best known for two TV comedy series - Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars At No 42 - and her debut novel. Published in 1996, Anita And Me is this month coming to the stage for the very first time. It takes its inspiration from the novelist’s own upbringing in the Black Country mining town of Essington. Meera here talks to What’s On about her experience of growing up - as she once put it - “an exotic flower in Midland soil”...

Anita And Me was arguably the first novel write it, is a dear friend. She’s a brilliant So looking back on your career, what have by a woman of British Asian origin to enjoy playwright and I knew she could do a much been the highlights? high-profile international success. What do better job than me. Also, I was in the midst of There are so many. I still wake up feeling a you think made it so appealing, Meera? writing my third novel at the time Anita And very lucky woman. It’s such an insecure It’s a universal story - and although it’s Me was being developed for the stage, so profession and I’ve been in it a while now. I’m ostensibly about a little Indian girl in a mining timing-wise I wasn’t free to do it. Even if I had gratified that I’m still managing to make a village, I think many people relate to it on been, I still think I’d have said Tanika was the living out of something I never thought I different levels, be it Indian or English. It’s right person. And she’s done a terrific job. would do and something that I love so much. about a British way of life that disappeared But there are lots of highlights. Goodness with the close of the rural mining Was playing a part in the play not an Gracious Me has been groundbreaking for all communities. It’s also about friendship - the option for you? of us. It turned around all of our careers and pain and the joy of that. I don’t know if that would’ve been just too changed the landscape a little bit. Personally, weird; it’s already like therapy on stage! I doing my first Shakespeare a couple of years Reviews of the novel made comparisons don’t know if I’d want to take it a step further ago, playing Beatrice at the RSC, was a great between Anita And Me and To Kill A than that and actually be in it. highlight because I’d never done any Mocking Bird. Harper Lee’s classic novel Shakespeare before. To do Shakespeare at is even mentioned briefly by Meena in the But you played Meena’s aunt in the film... the RSC, and play that iconic part, was pretty story. How great an influence was Mocking I did - because it was a fun sort of part. But special. Shirley Valentine was another Bird on you? no, I’m quite happy just to let people take it amazing experience. So there have been a It was a huge influence. We all have one of and run with it. few lovely things. those life-changing books, and that was the one for me. Up until that point, I hadn’t Going back to the storyline - when Meena Quite diverse as well - Shirley Valentine, a actually read a book that I felt spoke to me is asked what she wants to be when she bit of Shakespeare... and connected with how I felt as a first- grows up, she replies ‘Blonde’. What life As an actor you want to keep pushing generation immigrant growing up here. Even opportunities was a young Asian girl likely yourself and surprise people occasionally - though it was written by a southern writer in be denied in early-1970s Britain that and obviously surprise yourself. You need to the States many years before, it was Scout’s would’ve made her want to grow up to be be kept on your toes. That’s how you learn. story - the pain of growing up, understanding white? what racism was about and discovering the I think most kids just want to fit in. Nobody Have you got to the point in your career need to do what’s right - that really struck a likes being different. It’s no different in 2015 where you’ve stopped worrying about chord with me. It changed the way I felt about than it was in 1972. We all have a pack where the next job is coming from? myself and how I looked at society. mentality - particularly as teenagers. Kids like I wish I had reached that point. I’m a woman me growing up didn’t have any role models. of a certain age, I’m a woman of colour, so What motivated you to write Anita And Me? We didn’t see anybody who was like us being it’s never going to be straightforward. You Was there an event or person in your regarded as beautiful by the media or always have to keep pushing. Success for childhood that influenced you to write it? working in the media. As far as acting, writing me would be knowing what I’m doing for the I wrote it because an editor approached me and presenting were concerned, we were next year. If I could look ahead and go, ‘I’ve after he’d seen something I’d written for pretty invisible. When you don’t see positive actually got work for a year and I’m doing this television. He asked me if I’d ever thought of reflections of yourself out there, you begin to and that and then I’m having a holiday’, that, writing prose and whether there was think you’re invisible - or that how you are for me, would be the definition of success. I something I’d like to write about. I isn’t beautiful or important. That’s the sort of haven’t reached that yet, so you have to keep immediately thought of my childhood. It was mindset that Meena’s in, to some extent. knocking on that door. At least they open it so extraordinary, so influential, so unusual, Even though she has so much spark and now, which is great. and I liked the idea of preserving that little potential, in Jackie magazine the pretty girls piece of British history. I suppose I needed to are always blonde, so that’s what she thinks Have you ever turned down a role and then tell the story because I didn’t know if anybody is pretty. later regretted it? would ever write it down again. I wanted I’ve had to turn down quite a few lovely roles people after me to know what it was like to While at university you won the National because of my kids and tag-teaming it with grow up in that environment at that particular Student Drama Award for your an actor husband, but that’s just par for the time. A lot of the book is fiction. The setting is performance in One Of Us. How did that course. As a working mother there are some autobiographical and a lot of the emotion is feeling of accomplishment compare to things you just can’t do - or at least that’s the autobiographical, but there’s plenty in the when you received your CBE at the start of choice I’ve made while I’ve still got young book that I made up. I suppose the influential this year for your service to drama and children. event which I cover in the book that really did literature? happen in my life sees ten-year-old Meena in I suppose the first one is sort of almost more Going back to Anita And Me, is the play hospital because she’s broken her leg, as I significant because I was on the verge of true to the book? did when I was four. I met a boy in hospital having a completely different life. I had an MA It’s really faithful to the book, which is who passed away when I was there. It was place booked and a teacher training course. I delightful. Tanika said the hardest bit was my first experience of mortality. I was only was all set to go off and have a sensible life. choosing what to keep in and what not to four but I remember understanding then that The award was quite a shock at twenty-two keep in. What she’s done beautifully is ease life was short - and that it was a gift and I because I didn’t know if I was any good at out the friendship and the story and the life of shouldn’t waste it. acting. I didn’t know if anybody would get that village and kept all of the humour. I think what I was trying to do, so the fact that people will get in the play exactly what they You wrote the film adaptation of Anita And people thought what I was doing was quite loved about the book, which is obviously Me. Were you ever tempted to be the interesting sort of changed the course of my what you’d hope. person who also wrote the stage life. The CBE was lovely. It’s gratifying when adaptation? your work reaches people, but that first Anita & Me shows at The REP, No, not really. I’ve never really written award was the one that actually made me Birmingham from Fri 9 - Sat 24 October anything for the stage, other than a one- think I might have a shot at doing this for a Meera Syal and Tanika Gupta are. In woman show many years ago. It’s not a living. conversation at The Rep on Sat 10 October medium I know well. Tanika Gupta, who did

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interview

One of the joys of “ watching Handbagged is seeing four fantastic actresses in one play, talking about global politics and being really brilliant and funny”

8 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Moira Buffini Interview DPS Oct LW.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 20:18 Page 2 Moira Buffini talks to Heather Kincaid about bringing her West End comedy to the Midlands

Moira Buffini’s Handbagged is a raucous comedy that speculates about the relationship between the Queen and Mrs Thatcher. The play visits the Midlands this month after enjoying rave reviews in the West End. Moira here talks to What’s On about the show, the subject of women in politics and her commitment to ‘monsterism’ - a movement campaigning for theatres to commission more large-scale work from new writers...

What first got you interested in the admire her conviction politics without women in politics now. Even the relationship between Margaret Thatcher supporting what she did. Conservative party has got a female Home and the Queen? Secretary, which you couldn't imagine I was asked to write a play as part of a Mrs Thatcher very much made her views happening in Thatcher's day. But then, no season at Tricycle Theatre called Women, known, whereas the royals have a much one could imagine Thatcher happening in Power And Politics. I knew I was going to more neutral public image. Was it difficult Thatcher's day! write about Thatcher, but I didn't want to write writing the Queen? about Thatcher and men. Right from the What I found with Mrs Thatcher was that You're known for writing stories with focal start, she made sure there were no women in everybody wanted to tell me their Thatcher female characters, and in this case, you're her cabinet, so the only longstanding, story, but when it comes to the Queen, writing about mature women. Do you think political relationship she had with another everyone's really circumspect. There are far there's still a lack of stories being told woman was with the Queen. fewer books and resources about the Queen, from those perspectives? and publicly she's not allowed to declare her Yes, definitely. One of the joys of watching As you started researching, did you find own opinions about anything. So I thought it Handbagged is seeing four fantastic more similarities or differences between would be much harder to write her, but actresses in one play, talking about global them? actually I found it great fun imagining the politics and being really brilliant and funny. Looking at them on paper, you'd think there private behind the public persona. Her There's an amazing generation of female must be similarities. They were both born in character is much more of a work of writers coming up, and things will change, the same year, lived through the war, had imagination, but wherever I've been able to but currently I'm still among the ten to fifteen very strong relationships with their fathers, get facts, or quotes, or anything - even per cent of screenwriters who are women. I and are very traditional in many ways and hearsay - I’ve used it. think there are so many interesting stories completely groundbreaking in others. But in not being told because of the gender of the terms of their actual personalities, I think Mrs Thatcher died a few months before tellers. they're chalk and cheese. For example, the the full-length version debuted. Did that Queen is well known for her sense of affect the finished play? You're part of the ‘monsterist’ playwrights' humour, and Mrs Thatcher didn't really have Absolutely. I did the bulk of the work during a movement which started some years ago. one. They're very different in the way they residency at Tricycle Theatre, and she died Do you think it's been successful in deal with people. just days into that, so I began it watching her achieving its aims? funeral and seeing how much all of that old I do. I think the landscape is really changing, What kind of a relationship do you think division was still there. I wanted to explain to and there's a new generation of writers they had? my own children why people hated and getting exposure on big stages. We've still The animosity between them is well- revered this woman so much. got further to go, but if new writers aren't documented. And yet, it was complicated, given big stages and big budgets, we'll lose because Thatcher revered the Queen. She Do you see any similarities between her a generation of writers who are able to write was a real royalist, and I think she was government and our current Conservative plays of scale, and not just little plays to be terribly disappointed that the Queen didn't leadership? put on in black boxes. We've got to be able really like her or agree with her. I'm not sure Mrs Thatcher would approve of to fill big theatres with new work about the current government. She was never a fan people living in our world and dealing with How did you find the experience of writing of old Etonians. She was a revolutionary in our issues, otherwise they'll just become about real people as opposed to fictional her party, and the people she liked were heritage boxes and will slowly die. There will characters? working class Tories like Norman Tebbitt and always be companies specialising in heritage I loved doing all the research and being able John Major. I think she'd be quite shocked at theatre, but even The Globe and the RSC are to use words they really said, as well as what her policies have done. putting on far more new work and allowing trying to write between the lines. It's quite writers big budgets now. irreverent. I think my feelings about Mrs The subject of women and politics has Thatcher are clear, but I did feel a great been in the news again lately. Do you obligation to be fair. It's the first time I've think we've moved on at all since then? done it, but I don't think it'll be the last. I think change has happened, but the battle is still on. It's still a very male world run along Actress Susie Blake (pictured left) stars as Did writing Handbagged change your male lines, and female politicians have to The Queen in Moira Buffini’s Handbagged perspective on them at all? cope with much more abuse - often about which shows at the Belgrade Theatre, It's certainly made me more respectful of the petty things like what kind of shoes they Coventry from Tues 6 - Sat 10 October. Queen. It's made me... admire some of Mrs wear or how low their neckline is, rather than Thatcher's personal qualities. And I can about their policies. But there are a lot more

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Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Fri 9 October The Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers are the UK’s first and only professional touring taiko group. They fuse thundering rhythms on huge taiko drums with layers of percussive soundscapes and the delicate sound of the shinobue bamboo flute, all of which are brought together in an impressive theatrical style.

Mallory Knox Fall Out Boy Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Tues 6 October Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Fri 2 October Mallory Knox played Reading and Leeds in 2013, American rock band Fall Out Boy rose to fame in 2005 after the release of second album as well as SummerJam, Burn Out Festival, Chaos From Under The Cork Tree. The album produced two hit singles - Sugar We’re Goin and Coventry’s Godiva. The band also released a Down and Dance Dance - and went double platinum, transforming the group into world- deluxe edition of their album, Signals, featuring B- famous stars. sides, acoustic tracks and live recordings from the Follow-up offering Infinity On High landed number one on the Billboard 200, whilst Folie à album release show. Deux, the band’s fourth album, generated a mixed response. They may have missed out that same year to After a three-year hiatus, the band re-grouped in 2013 to release fifth album (and second Lower Than Atlantis for the Kerrang! Best British number one) Save Rock And Roll. Their sixth studio collaboration, American Beauty/American Newcomer award, but the disappointment certainly Psycho, was released earlier this year and also made the top spot. didn’t hold them back. They’ve since released sec- ond album Asymmetry and played the main stage at Download this summer. The band here return to the UK on their Homecom- ing tour.

James Bay O2 Academy, Birmingham, Thurs 8 October After a number one debut album with Chaos And The Calm, twenty-four-year-old singer-songwriter James now heads out on tour. This year’s winner of the BRIT’s Critics’ Choice award, Bay also made numerous festival appear- ances during the summer months, including one on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage. Support comes from Elle King and Samm Hen- shaw.

The Unthanks Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 26 October Northumbrian folk band The Unthanks are marking their tenth anniversary with a short tour of small, intimate spaces and a pared-back line-up. Very much a family affair, with sisters Rachel and Becky at the forefront, the band’s long list of celebrity fans includes Elvis Costello, Colin Firth, Dawn French, Al Murray, Ade Ed- mondson and Nick Hornby.

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Music PREVIEWS Ron Sexsmith The Glee Club, Birmingham, Wed 21 October Even though fiftysomething Canadian Ron Sexsmith can count Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello among his fans, he’s so far failed to achieve widespread commercial success. Not that he’s particularly bothered. “I mostly feel grateful,” Ron recently revealed to theartsdesk.com. “I was thirty when I got signed, which is considered old in the music business, so I was just glad to get in the door and have a career. It never really bothered me. I never really expected to be filling stadi- ums or anything like that.”

Bass Festival 15 various venues across Birmingham during October The region’s month-long celebration of Black music and art annually attracts an audience of around fifteen thousand people and in 2015 is celebrating its tenth anniversary. The festival comprises performances from around one hundred-and-fifty artists and this year UB40 features, amongst others: Mad Professor Meets Channel One Sound System (pictured The Copper Rooms, Coventry, Fri 23 October above); The Lowdown; My Ten Radio; Carroll Thompson; and Victor Romero Evans. It's thirty-plus years now since UB40 per- Find out more about BASS 15 in our interview with Ammo Talwar on page 46. formed their first gig - at a Birmingham pub for the birthday of a friend - and the boys are still going strong. Seckou Keita Hot 8 Brass Band Their big break came in a pub too, when mac, Birmingham, Sat 10 October Kasbah, Coventry, Fri 30 October Chrissie Hynde spotted them and gave them Award-winning Senegalese musician Seckou the chance to perform as support with The Transcending genres and trends, Hot 8’s Keita is a true master of the kora - a twenty- Pretenders. rocking sound and indomitable energy are two-stringed West African harp - and has Blending pop and reggae, the band continue renowned across the world. played and appeared with an impressive to perform across the world, helping to The New Orleans-based collective have per- array of hugely talented spread the reggae word to places as far-flung formed with a wide range of artists, including performers, including as Russia and South America. Lauryn Hill and Mos Def, and released three Yossou N’Dour, Miriam albums: Rock With The Hot 8, Tombstone Makeba and Neil Finn. and The Life And Times Of The Hot 8 Brass This UK tour follows on Band. The latter was nominated for a from his highly praised Grammy in 2013. collaborative project with They appear in Coventry as part of a tour to Welsh harpist Catrin support fifth album Vicennial, released this Finch. month. Sons Of Kemet Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Thurs 22 October MOBO award winners Sons Of Kemet here present a mix of music that spans jazz, rock, dub, Caribbean folk and traditional African di- asporan history. Bruce Cockburn The four-piece’s debut album, Burn, was re- The Robin, Bilston, Mon 5 October leased in autumn 2013 and received an im- Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cock- pressive variety of nominations and awards. burn’s output has been impressively eclectic Expect an electric performance from the boys since he burst onto the scene way back in in Birmingham this month. the 1960s, successfully embracing the gen- res of folk, country, reggae, jazz, rock and Marcus Miller blues. Along the way he’s sung about all Birmingham Town Hall, Wed 28 October manner of injustice, fought hard for worthy Marcus Miller’s often been called the most causes and visited war-torn countries across successful living jazz musician - and with the globe. over five hundred recording credits to his “It's kind of amazing,” reflects Bruce, a Chris- name and performances alongside the likes tian since the early 1970s. “There was a time of Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin and when the idea of living to be forty seemed ab- Snoop Dogg, it’s easy to see why. solutely absurd, yet here I am well into my Marcus is here performing material from re- sixties and still doing the thing I love. And cently released album Afrodeezia, the mak- what’s more, it still feels fresh. Old hat or bor- ing of which saw him collaborate with ing it most definitely is not.” musicians from West Africa, South America and the Caribbean. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Music October Region One Davina 1.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 15:05 Page 5 Music October Region One Davina 1.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 22:01 Page 6

Hounds, Birmingham GIG REVIEWS CHEMKILL, EYES OF THE Music Music LISTINGS RAVEN, PYRAH, INSUNA, AONIA, HIDDEN, ELLIE For full listing information on gigs, DOWEN AND MORE The Roadhouse, B’ham For further reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk including times and dates, SMOKED MANGO, AARON visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk HOPPER, DOM KELLY, PERERA, BRADLEIGH & Benji Kirkpatrick mac, Birmingham ASTON The Rainbow deTHURS 1 OCT MIDNIGHT MAGPIE Hare Venues, Birmingham Bellowhead guitarist Benji Kirkpatrick's new & Hounds, Birmingham Arts Council-funded project sees him chan- PETER HOOK AND THE MON 5 OCT JO HARMAN AND THE LIGHT The Assembly, nel the legendary Jimi Hendrix with master- COMPANY The Robin, Leamington Spa NORTHLANE The Asylum, ful string-playing. The brilliantly titled Bilston AFRONAUT & JAYSON Birmingham “Bendrix” is a stripped-back reimagining of RICH ROBINSON The As- WYNTERS Hare & BRUCE COCKBURN The Hendrix's hits on assorted traditional instru- sembly, Leamington Hounds, Birmingham Robin, Bilston Spa ments, aiming in part to highlight his often- SQUEEZE WITH DR JOHN ALEXANDER The Insti- NAVI Bedworth Civic tute, Birmingham forgotten talents as a songwriter. COOPER CLARKE Sym- Hall phony Hall, B’ham BENJAMIN FOLKE Original songs dominate the first half, with JENN GRANT The Sun- KICK UP THE 80'S The THOMAS Hare & effortlessly accomplished musicianship as flower Lounge, B’ham Robin, Bilston Hounds, Birmingham reminiscent of Richard Thompson as it is of THE PICTUREBOOKS The THE ENGLISH BEAT O2 JOHNNY MARR The Insti- Slade Rooms, other, more acknowledged inspirations. Then in the second half, Kirk- Academy, Birmingham tute, Birmingham Wolverhampton THE BONFIRE RADICALS patrick revives iconic Hendrix numbers, along with a few less familiar, KNOTSLIP O2 Academy, UK SALUTES FRANK! Birmingham The Crescent Theatre, bluesy tracks, on a combination of bouzouki, mandolin and banjo. The Malvern Theatres WILL AND THE PEOPLE Birmingham last of these, he muses, might have been something Hendrix himself YIDDISH TWIST ORCHES- The Oobleck, B’ham turned to if not for his untimely death forty-five years ago. Or perhaps TRA mac, Birmingham PARADISE LOSTWulfrun TUE 6 OCT not. Either way, each of Kirkpatrick's instrumental choices is excellent, WALK OFF THE EARTH Hall, Wolverhampton The Institute, B’ham FALL OUT BOY Barclay- adding something new to every song. THE STRYPES The Rain- WILLE & THE BANDITS bow Venues, B’ham card Arena, B’ham This second section is also accompanied by intricate, kaleidoscopic Hare & Hounds, B’ham EAST INDIA YOUTH The WHEATUS O2 Academy, artwork by Shropshire artist Esther Thorpe, projected onto a screen at BEATS & PIECES Hare & Tin Music And Arts, Birmingham the back of the stage. Each sequence has been specially designed to Hounds, Birmingham Coventry JOGLARESA Royal Spa match the songs on the set list, and together they create an appropri- CHANTEL MCGREGOR The KAST OFF KINKS Tam- Centre, Leamington Institute, Birmingham worth Assembly Rooms Spa ately psychedelic, 60s vibe. THE LEMONHEADS The ED ASKEW The Tin The show's one disappointment comes when Kirkpatrick cuts out “Lit- CHAS AND DAVE Royal Institute, Birmingham Spa Centre, Music & Arts, Coventry tle Wings”' extended final solo. Despite his argument that no other gui- MAD ABOUT THE MUSI- Leamington Spa STANLEY BRNKS AND THE tarist has ever matched Hendrix's “unique” performance, the song CALS Palace Theatre, KICK UP THE 80'S The WAVE PICTURES Hare & comes to an oddly abrupt halt without something to follow the lovely Redditch Robin, Bilston Hounds, Birmingham CLAY THE INFERNAL SEA, DENI- but rather short lyrical section. Moreover, based on what we've already The Oobleck, MR BEN The Jam Birmingham GRATA & MERCILESS TIDE seen him do by this point, it's hard to believe Kirkpatrick's own take House, Birmingham JACK SAVORETTI The In- The Rainbow Venues, would have been anything short of show-stopping. FRI 2 OCT stitute, Birmingham Birmingham Nevertheless, as a whole, it's undoubtedly a stunning achievement, BY THE RIVERS, KIOKO & ROZI PLAIN The Tin EC-LECTRICITY: DJ HAZ- guaranteed to captivate die-hard Hendrix fans and enthusiastic new- ARD The Institute, Birm- LOBSTER The Rainbow Music And Arts, Venues, Birmingham comers alike. Heather Kincaid nnnn Coventry ingham THE WEDDING PRESENT ESSENTIAL HOLLIES WED 7 OCT The Assembly, Huntingdon Hall, Leamington Spa Worcester WISHBONE ASH The As- Martin Simpson, Andy Cutting & Nancy Kerr BERT CAMEMBERT'S ALL- PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT sembly, Leamington STARS The Assembly, The Assembly, Spa mac, Birmingham Leamington Spa Leamington Spa ERJA LYYTINEN & HER JANE WEAVER Hare & THE BOHICAS The Insti- BAND The Robin, Bilston Each accomplished artists in their own right, the union of leading folk tute, Birmingham lights Martin Simpson, Nancy Kerr and Andy Cutting offers the perfect Hounds, Birmingham MIKE PRINCE Palace THE WONDER STUFF THE BAND OF THE WEST Theatre, Redditch blend of masterful musicianship, historical folk knowledge and inven- Student Union Copper MIDLANDS FIRE SERVICE SIMPLY SOWETO ENCHA tive song-writing. Rooms, Coventry ANNUAL CONCERT: mac, Birmingham Folk superstar and guitar legend Martin Simpson leads the set with JILTED GENERATIONThe BRASS, WIND & FIRE Sut- RALEIGH RITCHIE The In- Roadhouse, B’ham ton Coldfield Town Hall stitute, Birmingham the atmospheric Dark Swift and Bright Swallow, where a stroll on a ADAM BARNES, CHRIS beach prompts reflections on wartime tragedy and life's many com- THE RED SHOES - KATE BARENAKED LADIES The AYER, LUCY ANNE SALE Institute, Birmingham ings and goings. Later, Simpson swaps his guitar for a banjo, for BUSH STORY The Robin, Bilston Fargo Village, Coventry JOHN SPIERS Kings some superb renditions of songs from across the pond. He explains MALLORY KNOX Wulfrun INKERMAN, THE CLAUSE, Heath Cricket Club, that working with Cutting and Kerr has finally enabled him to perform Hall, Wolverhampton SHORE SCENE & MOON- Birmingham music he has loved since his teens. THE COAST ROAD Palace SHINE The Rainbow THE VRYLL SOCIETY The Venues, Birmingham “The great thing about working with these two is that they're not fazed Theatre, Redditch Sunflower Lounge, BICEP, MARTYN, MARK E & Birmingham by anything,” he says. “I'll play them something and they'll go, 'Oh MR BEN The Jam House, Birmingham ADAM REGAN The Rain- JIM JONES, THE RIGHT- yeah,' and play it back to me.” LETHAL BIZZLE The Insti- bow Venues, B’ham EOUS MIND & SUZIE STA- On fiddle, Nancy Kerr's string sounds are easily a match for Simp- tute, Birmingham OUGHT Hare & Hounds PLETON The Rainbow son's own, but it's her exquisite singing and poetic sensibility that EROL ALKAN Hare & SUN 4 OCT Venues, Birmingham make her performances extraordinary. Named Folk Singer of the Year Hounds, Birmingham GORDON HENDRICKS IS EEK, MEME DETROIT & at the Radio 2 Folk Awards, Kerr has earned a reputation for her tal- MARTY WILDE AND THE ELVIS Artrix, MIDSUMMER Hare & WILDCATS Evesham Arts Bromsgrove Hounds, Birmingham ents, and both Dark Honey (referring to inner-city bees that visit cola Centre, Worcestershire LAND OF THE GIANTS cans) and Not Even the Ground (commissioned for the Magna Carta MIDGE URE Wulfrun Hall, GOD DAMN, MAX RAPTOR Wolverhampton Hare & Hounds, Birm- anniversary celebrations) are choice examples of her always excellent & GLEAM The Rainbow DMS ANNIVERSARY CON- ingham song-writing. Venues, Birmingham CERT - A FUSION OF THUR 8 OCT On accordion and melodeon, the two-time Folk Musician of the Year BLUE NATION O2 Acad- MUSIC AND DANCE Sym- emy, Birmingham and ever entertaining Andy Cutting offers the best explanations for his phony Hall, B’ham BILLY MITCHELL AND RAY GREN BARTLEY Ort Cafe, SNARKY PUPPY The Insti- songs' origins, from traditional tunes picked up in the pub (work is as Birmingham LAIDLAW: THE LINDIS- tute, Birmingham FARNE STORY Solihull good an excuse as any for a visit), to original compositions invented BELINDA CARLISLE Birm- while walking his dog (to the bemusement of passers-by). Among his SAT 3 OCT Arts Complex ingham Town Hall RAGLANS The Rainbow selected tunes are an old favourite, the Staffordshire Hornpipe, and a THE ZZ TOPS The Road- LEGENDS LIVE 2015 Bar- Venues, Birmingham new piece called Seven Years, written for the trio's album, Murmurs. house, Birmingham claycard Arena, B’ham LONELADY The Rainbow A showcase of exceptional talent from performers all at the top of GORDON HENDRICKS IS GABRIELLE APLIN The In- Venues, Birmingham their game, the Murmurs tour is a outstanding collaboration that is not ELVIS Artrix, stitute, Birmingham THE DRIFTERS Royal Spa ALDWYN VOICES to be missed. Heather Kincaid nnnnn Bromsgrove Centre, Leamington "WEIRD AL" YANKOVIC O2 Worcester Cathedral Spa Academy, Birmingham GERRY COLVIN Hare & LEO SAYER - RESTLESS YAZZ AHMED CBSO Cen- Hounds, Birmingham YEARS TOUR 2015 The tre, Birmingham LAYLA TUTT Hare & Robin, Bilston For full music listings in the West Midlands, visit. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Music October Region One Davina 1.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 15:05 Page 7

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lum, Birmingham GO WEST AND NIK KER- Music LISTINGS SHAW TOGETHER IN CON- CERT WITH SPECIAL For full listing information on gigs, GUEST T'PAU Symphony Hall, Birmingham including times and dates, TANKUS THE HENGE Hare visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk & Hounds, Birmingham JAMES BAY O2 Acad- SHOW Bedworth Civic WED 14 OCT emy, Birmingham Hall STARSAILOR Wulfrun CAUSE TO EFFECT The THE UPBEAT BEATLES Hall, Wolverhampton Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton Grand METRIC The Institute, Wolverhampton Theatre Birmingham BRADLEY ZERO Hare & MAJOR LAZER O2 Acad- MARTIN STEPHENSON & Hounds, Birmingham emy, Birmingham THE DAINTEES Hare & HOT CLUB DE SWING NEW MODEL ARMY The Hounds, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, B’ham Assembly, Leamington WHITNEY - QUEEN OF THE BONSAI KITTEN, SPIRIT Spa NIGHT New Alexandra BOMB, THE TEENAGE JOE STILGOE Artrix, Theatre, Birmingham ZOMBIES, COMPLETE Bromsgrove DYSFUNCTION & BLOOD- MARTIN TURNER’S WISH- FRI 9 OCT THIRSTERS The Rainbow BONE ASH The Robin, Venues, Birmingham Bilston LEFTFIELD The Institute, JOY ORBISON, FOLD, GOSPEL CENTRAL The Birmingham ADAM SHELTON & LEWIS Jam House, B’ham The Robert Cray Band - Birmingham Town Hall MICHAEL MONROE The OXLEY The Rainbow SPECTOR The Institute, Institute, Birmingham Venues, Birmingham Birmingham DETROIT SOUL The Jam Jam House, B’ham CHRIS CONNOR AS ELVIS HOSPITALITY The Rain- STEP UP TO THE MIC - House, Birmingham SUN 18 OCT ANTI FLAG, RED CITY Solihull Arts Complex bow Venues, B’ham STEPS INTO THE MUSI- CIRCA WAVES The Insti- RADIO, TROPHY EYES & T'PAU FEATURING CAROL MC TRIGGA’S BIRTHDAY CALS Albany Theatre, tute, Birmingham ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW THE HOMELESS GOSPEL DECKER The Robin, BASH O2 Academy, Coventry A$AP ROCKY & WIZ KHAL- AND THE LOW RIDERS CHOIR The Institute, Bilston Birmingham INTERPLAY No1 Shake- IFA Genting Arena, The Robin, Bilston Birmingham ELIZA AND THE BEAR O2 NOTHING BUT THIEVES speare St, Stratford - Birmingham MUTOID MAN & PALM RON SEXSMITH The Glee Academy, Birmingham Kasbah, Coventry upon-Avon LEONORE PIANO TRIO READER The Rainbow Club, Birmingham YEARS AND YEARS O2 PROTOJE & THE INDIG- Artrix, Bromsgrove Venues, Birmingham FIGHTSTAR Wulfrun Hall, Academy, Birmingham SUN 11 OCT GNATION O2 Academy, PAUL POTTS - LIVE IN BLACK HONEY The Rain- Wolverhampton DAVY O'LIST The Assem- Birmingham bow Venues, B’ham ONE DIRECTION Barclay- CONCERT Wolverhamp- THE GRANDMOTHERS OF bly, Leamington Spa THE AUSTRALIAN PINK ton Grand Theatre KID INK O2 Academy, INVENTION - THE MUSIC AGAINST THE CURRENT card Arena, B’ham FLOYD SHOW Barclay- Birmingham RAE MORRIS The Insti- INTERNATIONAL GUITAR OF ZAPPA The Robin, The Asylum, B’ham card Arena, B’ham NIGHT Huntingdon Hall, THE SHIRES The Insti- Bilston MUGENKYO TAIKO DRUM- tute, Birmingham MARTHA TILSTON Red tute, Birmingham MARTIN CARTHY & DAVE Worcestershire MILE HIGH CLUB Hare & MERS Royal Spa Centre, Lion Folk Club, B’ham NATHANIEL RATELIFF AND SWARBRICK Warwick CIRCA WAVES O2 Acad- Hounds, Birmingham Leamington Spa emy, Birmingham THE NIGHT SWEATS The DMA’S Hare & Hounds, URBAN INTRO The Jam Arts Centre, Coventry r Institute, Birmingham RAINTOWN The Slade THURS 15 OCT WOOKIE Hare & Hounds, Birmingham House, Birmingham Birmingham THE OLD DANCE SCHOOL TANKCSAPDA The Insti- Rooms, Wolverhampton ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE MON 19 OCT GRAVE PLEASURES The MAD PROFESSOR MEETS Red Lion Folk Club, tute, Birmingham The Robin, Bilston CHANNEL ONE SOUND Birmingham Oobleck, Birmingham RYAN MCGARVEY BAND CHINA CRISIS Hunting- MIGUEL O2 Academy, SYSTEM The Rainbow R5 O2 Academy, The Robin, Bilston don Hall, Worcester Birmingham Venues, Birmingham THURS 22 OCT Birmingham REEL BIG FISH The Insti- FEARFEST 2015 The Asy- FEROCIOUS DOG The 99 SOULS, ICARUS, RHODES, JP COOPER & tute, Birmingham lum, Birmingham Rainbow Venues, Birm- KIDEKO, LFM & MALI & GAGA Palace Theatre, BENJAMIN YELLOWITZ CUPIDS Kasbah, TOM JONES Symphony ingham MISTANOIZE The Rain- Redditch The Rainbow Venues, Coventry Hall, Birmingham VOODOO ROOM - HENDRIX bow Venues, B’ham GUNS 2 ROSES The CRAIG CHARLES Hare & Birmingham & CREAM Solihull Arts SALENE & FRET & FIDDLE Robin, Bilston WHILE & MATTHEWS Hounds, Birmingham Complex SAT 17 OCT Crescent Theatre, SONS OF KEMET Hare & GLORY DAYS The Road- Crescent Theatre, Birm- VONDA SHEPARD Hunt- Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham house, Birmingham ingham ingdon Hall, Worcester WARTOUR 2015 The YO LA TENGO Warwick WOLFSBANE The Asy- DUSKY The Rainbow FRAZEY FORD The Glee GRAHAM PARKER & THE Flapper, Birmingham Arts Centre, Coventry lum, Birmingham Venues, Birmingham Club, Birmingham RUMOUR The Assembly, HOOSIERS The Oobleck, MEMORIES ARE MADE OF CATTLE & CANE The KARNATAKA JOHN MCCULLAGH & THE The Robin, Leamington Spa Birmingham THIS Solihull Arts Com- Rainbow Venues, ESCORTS, SAVANNAH AND Bilston BESIDE ALL HOPE O2 NO JACKET REQUIRED - plex Birmingham KIMBERLY ANNE RITUALS The Rainbow Hare & Academy, Birmingham THE PHIL COLINS TRIBUTE SIMONE FELICE The Glee DUKE SPECIAL Student Venues, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham RICH HOMIE QUAN The The Robin, Bilston Club, Birmingham Union Copper Rooms, THIS FEELING FT SUGAR- Institute, Birmingham MAN OVERBOARD Kas- HABITATS, OCEANIA & Coventry MEN, BROKEN WIT MON 12 OCT TREVOR BURTON The bah, Coventry OCEAN STATE The Rain- RIDE The Institute, Birm- REBELS, THE ASSIST & bow Venues, B’ham ONE DIRECTION Barclay- Roadhouse, B’ham BLOSSOMS The Institute, ingham REGALE The Rainbow Birmingham FOREVER CAME CALLING DEAN FRIEDMAN Hunt- card Arena, B’ham & BOSTON MANOR O2 Venues, Birmingham JOSEF SALVAT O2 Acad- FRI 16 OCT RONI SIZE Hare & ingdon Hall, Worcester EMMA STEVENS Academy, Birmingham The emy, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham GODSPEED YOU! BLACK Oobleck, Birmingham BRING IT ALL BACK: THE DETROIT SOUL The Jam EMPEROR Warwick Arts ENCHANT & HASSE ULTIMATE 90S SHOW TUE 20 OCT FROBERG & MUSICAL House, Birmingham Centre, Coventry mac, Birmingham SWIM DEEP The Insti- GA GA Palace Theatre, SAT 10 OCT COMPANION The Robin, MEMORIES ARE MADE OF STEVE AJAO BLUES GI- tute, Birmingham Redditch Bilston THIS Solihull Arts Com- ONE DIRECTION Barclay- ANTS Symphony Hall, LOGICALTRAMP Hunting- REAL LIES Hare & GENGAHR Hare & plex card Arena, B’ham Birmingham don Hall, Worcester Hounds, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham CRADLE OF FILTH Wulfrun PORT ISAAC'S FISHER- PANIC ROOM The Insti- ROCK OF AGES EXPERI- DAVE MCCABE & THE ULCERATE The Asylum, Hall, Wolverhampton MAN'S FRIENDS tute, Birmingham ENCE Evesham Arts RAMIFICATIONS The Insti- Birmingham RAVEN The Asylum, Birmingham Town Hall THE ROBERT CRAY BAND Centre, Worcestershire tute, Birmingham JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR Birmingham DARK SIDE OF THE WALL Birmingham Town Hall THE COMPLETE STONE THE DEMON BARBERS XL Artrix, Bromsgrove GONG The Robin, The Roadhouse, MIDGE URE The Assem- ROSES The Slade Birmingham Town Hall KWABS The Institute, Bilston Birmingham bly, Leamington Spa Rooms, Wolverhampton Birmingham FRANK CARTER & THE PEACE Civic Hall, BON GIOVI The Road- THE OASIS EXPERIENCE FRI 23 OCT DU BLONDE & GOODNIGHT RATTLESNAKES The Wolverhampton house, Birmingham The Roadhouse, B’ham LENIN Hare & Hounds, Rainbow Venues, SECKOU KEITA mac, EDITORS O2 Academy, THE ELO EXPERIENCE BEN MONTAGUE The Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Palace Theatre, Glee Club, Birmingham BRAWLERS & ALLUSON- CHICO & THE GYPSIES URBAN INTRO The Jam THE PRETTY THINGS The Redditch GORDON DAVIS AS ELVIS DRUGS The Rainbow Birmingham Town Hall House, Birmingham Robin, Bilston LONGSHOT The Rainbow PRESLEY The Robin, KEITH SWEAT AND BLACK- Venues, Birmingham PALACE The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham WED 21 OCT Bilston STREET The Institute, Venues, Birmingham RABID The Rainbow THE JON SPENCER BLUES Birmingham TUE 13 OCT EXPLOSION The FRED ZEPPELIN The Venues, Birmingham THE PROCLAIMERS BLUE BROTHERS EXPERI- Oobleck, Birmingham JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR Slade Rooms, HOLD YOUTH, DIEGO Warwick Arts Centre, ENCE Artrix, Bromsgrove UB40 Student Union Artrix, Bromsgrove Wolverhampton KRAUSE, ADAM SHELTON Coventry REGGAE CITY 2015 Alfie Copper Rooms, 911 The Institute, THE STARS FROM THE & LOPASKI The Rainbow GHOST TOWN O2 Acad- Bird's, Birmingham Coventry Birmingham COMMITMENTS Palace Venues, Birmingham emy, Birmingham NICK HARPER The Tin SIMON & OSCAR FROM THE PAT MCMANUS BAND Theatre, Redditch DARWIN DEEZ The Rain- Music & Arts, Coventry OCEAN COLOUR SCENE The Robin, Bilston SOUL LEGENDS Malvern bow Venues, B’ham JOHNNY CASH ROAD- Warwick Arts Centre, COUNTERPARTS The Asy- Theatres JOCELYN BROWN The For full music listings in the West Midlands, visit. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Music October Region One Davina 1.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 15:05 Page 9

LICHFIELD FESTIVAL OF FOLK FEATURING Friday 16th October l The Exmouth Shanty Men from 7pm

Saturday 17th October l Merry Hell from 12.30pm l TRADarrr from 7pm Sunday 18th October l Melrose Quartet from 12.30pm l Blackbeards Tea Party from 7pm 16th- 18th OCT Plus: Workshops, music cafe, procession and dancing AT LICHFIELD GUILDHALL in Lichfield City Centre… see website for full details.

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER CONCERTS AT LICHFIELD GUILDHALL

Sat 10th Oct The Little Unsaid Sat 24th Oct Stomp and Holler Sun 25th Oct Ashley Hutchings

Sat 7th Nov An Evening with Christian Reilly (followed by a disco)

Sat 28th Nov Idiot & Friend

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MERRY HELL Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham Music LISTINGS MARCUS MILLER Birmingham Town Hall For full listing information on gigs, RADKEY Hare & Hounds, Birmingham including times and dates, BELLA HARDY Artrix, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Bromsgrove PETE OXLEY & NIC Coventry Rainbow Venues, MIERER No1 Shake- HUMPHREY LYTTELTON Birmingham speare St, Stratford- BAND Warwick Arts Cen- THE STORMS The Rain- upon-Avon tre, Coventry bow Venues, B’ham TURBOWOLF O2 Acad- CARCASS Wulfrun Hall, ALEX ARNOUT, BUNNY, emy, Birmingham Wolverhampton BLEEPZ & CROFT, CASSY, LADY LESHURR The Insti- HOTHOUSE FLOWERS & CLIVE HENRY, ENZO SIRA- tute, Birmingham RAINY BOY SLEEP GUSA, HECTOR AND MORE NOTHING BUT THIEVES Symphony Hall, B’ham The Rainbow Venues, The Rainbow Venues, THE WEST END OF Birmingham Birmingham BROADWAY Palace The- BONDAX & FRIENDS The SAMOANS, FREEZE THE atre, Redditch Rainbow Venues, ATLANTIC, BLANK PARODY ROCKET The Jam Birmingham & OFFSHORE The Rain- House, Birmingham bow Venues, B’ham DELAIN The Institute, SUN 25 OCT Birmingham THURS 29 OCT WISHBONE ASH Hunting- ELLA HENDERSON O2 don Hall, Worcester Academy, Birmingham SETH LAKEMAN The ADAM WEDD, STEVE KING KING Student Robin, Bilston PLEDGER, GEMMA LEAHY Union Copper Rooms, LAZULI The Assembly, Fargo Village, Coventry The Copper Rooms, Leamington Spa BEDWORTH BRASS Coventry THE BILLY FURY YEARS Bedworth Civic Hall FOCUS FEAT THIJS VAN Solihull Arts Complex THE NOISE NEXT DOOR LEER The Robin, Bilston DEL CAMINO The Jam The Slade Rooms, JOE STILGOE The Slade House, Birmingham Wolverhampton Rooms, Wolverhampton AMBER RUN The Insti- HORSE MEAT DISCO Hare JOHN BRAMWELL The In- tute, Birmingham & Hounds, Birmingham stitute, Birmingham FOXES O2 Academy, THE WYTCHES, SPEEDY Birmingham ORTIZ, CHASTITY BELT MON 26 OCT KYMBERLEY MYLES O2 Hare & Hounds, Academy, Birmingham THE UNTHANKS Artrix, SPEAR OF DESTINY The Birmingham Bromsgrove Ella Henderson - O2 Academy, Birmingham NICKY BLACKMARKET Slade Rooms, SONGHOY BLUES Hare & The Institute, B’ham Wolverhampton Hounds, Birmingham THE GHOST RIDERS IN METZ Hare & Hounds, BACK:N:BLACK The THE IAN SIEGAL BAND SKARLETT RIOT, THE STEPHEN HOUGH Birmingham Robin, Bilston Huntingdon Hall, RAVEN AGE, SISTER SHOT- THE SKY & COLD YEARS Symphony Hall, B’ham CORTINA NIGHTS The As- DAPPY O2 Academy, Worcester GUN & WINTER STORM The Rainbow Venues, IN HINDSIGHT & ADEL- Birmingham sembly, Leamington Birmingham THE UPBEAT BEATLES The Rainbow Venues, PHIA, 4TH STREET, SALLY Spa TOM ROBINSON & BAND Evesham Arts Centre, Birmingham ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE PEPPER & MARTY JACK- The Rainbow Venues, LA BÊTE BLOOMS The Assembly, Leam- Worcestershire SON O2 Academy, Birmingham The Tin Music And Arts, ington Spa LUSTS The Sunflower SAT 24 OCT Birmingham Coventry SHIRLEY ACOUSTIC GUI- Lounge, Birmingham FROM THE JAM The As- GLENN HUGHES FEATUR- FRI 30 OCT HOT 8 BRASS BAND TAR CLUB Dovehouse LUKE JACKSON TRIO sembly, Leamington ING DOUG ALDRICH The Kasbah, Coventry Theatre, Solihull Artrix, Bromsgrove Spa Robin, Bilston STEVE HACKETT Sym- THE SEARCHERS Palace THE KOMMITMENTS The A FOREIGNERS JOURNEY THE VINTAGE CARAVAN phony Hall, B’ham SAT 31 OCT Theatre, Redditch Roadhouse, B’ham The Rainbow Venues, THE CLONE ROSES O2 KILLING JOKE The Insti- THE LURKERS The Rain- The Roadhouse, GINGER WILDHEART'S THE Birmingham Birmingham Academy, Birmingham tute, Birmingham bow Venues, B’ham HIGH HOPES The Asy- FLEETWOOD BAC NIGHTMARE BEFORE HAL- THE LANCASHIRE HOT- THE HAUTING BIRMING- QUADROPHENIA NIGHT LOWEEN & HALLOWEEN Kasbah, Coventry lum, Birmingham Huntingdon Hall, POTS + THE BAR-STEW- HAM: BLONDE, MY NU Worcestershire HOOTENANNY The Slade ARD SONS OF VAL LENG, TAZER, WOZ AND DIGBY FAIRWEATHER'S Rooms, Wolverhampton HALF DOZEN Solihull Arts TUES 27 OCT GINGER WILDHEART'S THE DOONICAN The Institute, MORE The Rainbow NIGHTMARE BEFORE HAL- SOLID SOUL The Jam Birmingham Venues, Birmingham Complex House, Birmingham SOUL'D OUT The Robin, PINK FAIRIES The Robin, LOWEEN & HALLOWEEN Bilston Bilston HOOTENANNY The Slade A BORN DISASTER O2 SLUG The Rainbow Ven- Rooms, Wolverhampton Academy, Birmingham ues, Birmingham Y&T The Robin, Bilston Music Venues Box Office Across The Midlands ELVIS TRILOGIES Albany RICHARD HAWLEY The THE QUEEN EXTRAVA- Theatre, Coventry Institute, Birmingham GANZA The Assembly, THE REAL THING Artrix, THE PEATBOG FAERIES Leamington Spa 0121 270 6665 Huntingdon Hall, HARRY MANX The Glee Birmingham Warwickshire Bromsgrove THE RAINBOW Worcester Club, Birmingham 02 ACADEMY THE ASSEMBLY, LEAMINGTON COASTS The Institute, 0121 622 8250 0121 772 8174 01926 311311 Birmingham SESSION AMERICANA STORMZY The Institute, THE ACTRESS & BISHOP RED LION FOLK CLUB THE KASBAH, COVENTRY Hare & Hounds, B’ham Birmingham 0121472 4253 JOE STILGOE mac, 0121 236 7426 024 7655 4473 Birmingham EAVES Hare & Hounds, DREADZONE Student THE ROADHOUSE Birmingham Union Copper Rooms, ALFIE BIRD’S NAILCOTE HALL, ROCKET The Jam 0121 270 6665 0121 246 2273 SETH LAKEMAN The As- Coventry BERKSWELL House, Birmingham ROUTE 44 02476 46 6174 FRED ZEPPELIN The THE ASYLUM MORGAN HERITAGE O2 sembly, Leamington 0121 233 1109 0121 708 0108 Spa Roadhouse, B’ham STRATFORD CIVIC HALL Academy, Birmingham BARCLAYCARD ARENA THE SUNFLOWER LOUNGE 01789 207100 SANTA CRUZ & LIBERTY ALL STAR 60'S New THINK FLOYD - WISH YOU 0121 780 4141 0121 632 6756 Alexandra Theatre, WERE HERE 40TH AN- THE TIN MUSIC & ARTS, LIES The Slade Rooms, BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL SYMPHONY HALL COVENTRY Wolverhampton Birmingham NIVERSARY Artrix, 0121 780 3333 0121 780 3333 02476 230 699 JUDY COLLINS Malvern STEVE ‘N’ SEAGULLS The Bromsgrove FLAPPER Theatres Slade Rooms, Wolver- CLAIRE TEAL AND TRIO 0121 236 2421 Black Country Worcestershire EAST INDIA YOUTH, hampton CELEBRATE DORIS DAY GENTING ARENA CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE MONEY, DORCHA, FREE Stratford Artshouse 0121 780 4141 0870 320 7000 01527 577330 SCHOOL & CHARTREUSE WED 28 OCT CHAINSKA The Oobleck, THE GLEE CLUB DUDLEY CONCERT HALL HUNTINGDON HALL / SWAN Birmingham 0871 472 0400 01384 815577 THEATRE 01905 611427 Hare & Hounds, SOUL LEGENDS New WAXAHATCHEE The Rain- HARE & HOUNDS NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE MARR’S BAR, WORCESTER Birmingham Alexandra Theatre, SYNKRO bow Venues, B’ham 0121 444 2081 01902 572090 01905 613336 Hare & Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham RICHARD DIGANCE THE INSTITUTE ROBIN 2, BILSTON THE RIVER ROOMS, KING HEAVY The Asylum, 01902 401211 MODERN MINDS The In- Palace Theatre, 0121 643 0428 STOURBRIDGE Birmingham SLADE ROOMS stitute, Birmingham Redditch IRISH CENTRE 01384 397177 BABAJACK The Robin, CLAUDE BOURBON Palace 0121 622 2314 WOLVERHAMPTON CABALLO BLANCO, FLIGHT 0870 320 7000 Bilston Theatre, Redditch THE JAM HOUSE 15, CHEVY CHASE STOLE STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL HOOTON TENNIS CLUB SOLID SOUL The Jam 0121 200 3030 MY WIFE & GHOST OF THE 01384 812812 For additional information Hare & Hounds, B’ham House, Birmingham THE KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE AVALANCHE The Rain- WULFRUN HALL, and to find out What’s On ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION 0121 443 4725 bow Venues, B’ham BERNIE TORME The Insti- WOLVERHAMPTON at these venues. Warwick Arts Centre, THE OOBLECK THE COMPUTERS tute, Birmingham 0870 320 7000 Visit: The Coventry www.whatsonlive.co.uk

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PREVIEWS Robert Levin Classical Music Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Conserva- toire, Tues 6 October Robert Levin is one of America’s leading pianists and music polymaths. Both cham- pioning and composing contemporary music, Levin has famously reconstructed Mozart choruses from sketches, including the Amen fugue in the Requiem. Arriving in Birmingham direct from Wig- more Hall, Levin here presents a specialist programme alternating Mozart’s Preludes and Sonatas. Included is: Four Preludes, K.284a; Sonata in B flat, K.333; Sonata in E flat, K.282; and Sonata in C, K.330.

Riccardo Chailly conducts Gewandhausorchester Leipzig perform Strauss Symphony Hall, Mon 19 October The oldest symphony orchestra in the world, Germany-based Gewandhausorchester was founded in 1743 by sixteen musical philanthropists. Renowned for its diverse repertoire, the Stratford Music Festival orchestra presents over two hundred performances each year and assumes three different Various locations, Stratford-upon-Avon, guises - concert orchestra in the Gewandhaus, orchestra of the Leipzig Opera, and orchestra Sat 10 - Sat 24 October for the weekly services of the cantatas of JS Bach. Whether your interest is in early music or This month Gewandhausorchester follows the monumental success of its Beethoven Cycle current-day sounds, Stratford’s annual fes- (2011) and Brahms Cycle (2013) with a homage to Richard Strauss and Wolfgang Mozart. tival has it covered. Under the direction of Italian conductor Riccardo Chailly - and with accompaniment from Por- This year marks the event’s twentieth tuguese pianist Maria João Pires - the orchestra here performs Strauss’ Don Juan and Ein Hei- anniversary and, to celebrate, organisers denleben and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No 27 in B flat. have compiled a truly eclectic programme. Performances by both rising and interna- tionally established stars are complement- Ex Cathedra: The Grand Tour ed by a lunchtime concert series, a fringe festival and free buy-a-beer recitals in local Symphony Hall, Birmingham, pubs, hotels and cafes. Sun 11 October Main programme artists include: early- British choir and early music ensemble Ex Cathe- music specialists Duo Dorado; acclaimed dra has based its reputation on the performance pianist Martin Roscoe; cellist Laura van of choral music from the fifteenth century der Heijden (BBC Young Musician of the onwards. The choir comprises between twenty Year 2012); classical guitarist Laura Snow- and forty singers and regularly commissions new den; and award-winning violinist Joo-Yeon works. Sir. In The Grand Tour, Ex Cathedra takes audiences For full programme details, visit stratford- on ‘a magnificent journey’ to discover afresh the musicfestival.com works of some of Europe’s finest composers. The programme comprises: Handel’s Zadok The Tamsin Whaley Cohen performs Elgar Concert Hall Priest; Mondonville’s Venite adoremus; Lalande’s La Grande pièce royale; Gabrieli’s In ecclesiis; Allegri’s Miserere mei; and Handel’s Dixit Domi- English Symphony Orchestra nus. Hereford Cathedral, Wed 7 October; Malvern Theatre, Thurs 8 October; Elgar Concert Hall, University of Birmingham, Fri 9 - Sat 10 October Worcestershire-based English Symphony Orchestra is this month visiting three Mid- lands venues with a concert celebration of Edward Elgar’s life and music. Included alongside some of the Worcestershire-born composer’s most iconic pieces are music by his contemporaries, new commissions and a world premiere (University of Birm- ingham, 9 Oct). Principal Conductor Kenneth Woods is the man with the baton. For details of all concerts, visit eso.co.uk Laura van der Heijden

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ESO at Elgar Concert Hall, University of Birmingham

Friday, 9 October at 7:30pm

Brahms- Piano Quartet in G minor, opus 25 Elgar- Piano Quintet in A minor, opus 85

Alexander Sitkovetsky violin Tamsin Waley-Cohen violin Louise Lansdown viola Matthew Sharp cello Clare Hammond piano

Saturday, 10 October at 4pm

English Symphony Orchestra Kenneth Woods conductor Njabulo Madlala baritone

Bach/Elgar: Fantasia and Fugue in C minor, opus 86 Mahler- Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of a Wayfarer) Elgar / Fraser- Symphonic Realization of Piano Quintet in A minor, opus 84 (world premiere)

Part of ESO’s Elgar Pilgrimage series

TICKETS for each: £20, £15, £10 from Town Hall/Symphony Hall 0121 345 0600 www.eso.co.uk

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Moore & featuring Symphony Hall, B’ham ford-upon-Avon Birmingham LISTINGS Sarah Farmer on violin, MONDAY SHOWCASE: CBSO: BRAHMS’ GERMAN VALERY GERGIEV & THE Classical Tues 13 Oct, Recital RACHNANINOV, COPLAND REQUIEM Programme MARIINSKY ORCHESTRA Hall, Birmingham Con- & BEETHOVEN Pro- includes works by Programme includes servatoire gramme includes works Mozart & Brahms, works by Debussy, For full listing information on classical CBSO: DVORAK’S SIXTH by Beethoven, Copland Thurs 22 Oct, Sympho- Tchaikovsky, concerts, including times and dates, Programme includes & Rachmaninov, Mon ny Hall, Birmingham Mendelssohn, Verdi & visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk works by Mozart, 19 Oct, Recital Hall, IRINA LANKOVA PIANO Liszt, Wed 28 Oct, Nielsen & Dvorak, Wed Birmingham Conserva- RECITAL Programme Symphony Hall, B’ham 14 Oct, Symphony Hall, toire includes works by BINCHOIS CONSORT: THE CBSO SIBELIUS' FIFTH includes works by B’ham EEDEN STRING QUARTET Rachmaninov, Scriabin BATTLE OF AGINCOURT Programme includes Brahms, Rachmaninov THE SCHUBERT ENSEM- Programme includes & Chopin, Fri 23 Oct, Featuring Andrew works by Mendelssohn, & Beethoven, Thurs 8 BLE Programme works by Haydn & Bramall Music Building, Kirkham (conductor), Mozart & Sibelius, Oct, Warwick Arts Cen- includes works by Beethoven plus new Birmingham James Hall & Tim Tra- Thurs 1 Oct, Symphony tre, Coventry Mahler, Enescu & Schu- work by Student com- LAURA SNOWDEN (GUI- vers-Brown (alto), Will Hall, Birmingham KALEIDOSCOPE ENSEM- mann, Thurs 15 Oct, poser Joe Cutler, Mon TAR) & JOO-YEON SIR Balkwill, Dominic Bland, CBSO WIND ENSEMBLE & BLE Programme com- Malvern Theatres, 19 Oct, Town Hall, (VIOLIN) Programme Tom Raskin & George LARS VOGT Programme prises Stravinsky’s The Worcester Stratford-upon-Avon includes works by Pooley (tenor), Wed 28 includes works by Soldier’s Tale: Suite for WARWICK SCHOOL LUCY PARHAM, HENRY Bach, Paganini & Schu- Oct, The Barber Insti- Debussy, Thurs 1 Oct, violin, clarinet & piano, CHAMBER CONCERT GOODMAN & JOANNA bert, Fri 23 Oct, St tute, Birmingham CBSO Centre, B’ham Thurs 8 Oct, CBSO Thurs 15 Oct, Bridge DAVID Featuring work Helen’s Church, Strat- CBSO - PICTURES AT AN RUSSELL WATSON Fri 2 Centre, B’ham House Theatre, War- inspired by Lucy’s life- ford-upon-Avon EXHIBITION Programme Oct, Royal Spa Centre, ROYAL STRING QUARTET wick long passion for the YU-MIEN SUN & WAI LAM includes works by Dvo- Leamington Spa Programme includes CBSO CENTRE STAGE: THE music of Schumann & (VIOLINS) Programme rak, Brahms & Mus- LUNCHTIME CONCERT works by Bach, Haydn SOLDIER’S TALE Pro- Brahms, Mon 19 Oct, includes works by sorgsky, Thurs 29 Oct, WITH CLARA MOURIZ and Beethoven, Fri 9 gramme comprises Holy Trinity Church, Arnold & Walton, Fri 23 Symphony Hall, Birm- (MEZZO-SOPRANO) & Oct, Royal Pump Stravinsky’s The Sol- Stratford-upon-Avon Oct, Adrian Boult Hall, ingham JOSEPH MIDDLETON Rooms, Leamington dier’s Tale: Suite for vio- ORCHESTRA OF THE Birmingham Conserva- BIRMINGHAM CONSERVA- (PIANO) Programme Spa lin, clarinet & piano, SWAN: BATTLE OF AGIN- toire TOIRE SYMPHONY includes works by ENGLISH SYMPHONY Thurs 15 Oct, CBSO COURT Programme APOLLO SAXOPHONE ORCHESTRA Programme Respighi, Mompou, ORCHESTRA: ELGAR PIL- Centre, B’ham includes works by Wal- QUARTET Fri 23 Oct, includes works by Ravel & Montsalvatge, GRIMAGE Featuring Tam- CBSO: FRIDAY NIGHT ton & Vaughan Barber Concert Hall, Vaughan Williams, Fri 2 Oct, The Barber sin Waley-Cohen, CLASSICS - STAR WARS Williams, Tues 20 Oct, Birmingham Elgar & Britten, Thurs Institute, Birmingham Alexandra Sitkovetsky, Featuring Mark Seal Stratford Artshouse THE CASSIA STRING 29 Oct, Symphony Hall, ARMONICO CONSORT Louise Lansdown & (conductor) & Marc Silk ALESSANDRO RUISI (VIO- QUARTET Programme Birmingham WITH CATRIN FINCH Fri 2 Matthew Sharp, Fri 9 (presenter), Fri 16 Oct, LIN) & DINA DUISEN includes works by BIRMINGHAM CONSERVA- Oct, Malvern Theatres, Oct, Bramall Music Symphony Hall, B’ham (PIANO) Tues 20 Oct, Schubert & Dvorak, Fri TOIRE RECORDER Worcestershire Building, Birmingham LEONORE PIANO TRIO Town Hall, Stratford- 23 Oct, Birmingham DEPARTMENT: VIVA RICHARD STRAUSS’ ENSEMBLEF2: DISCOVER- Programme includes upon-Avon Museum & Art Gallery I‘ITALIA! Thurs 29 Oct, SALOME Presented by ING DANZI Programme works by Beethoven, TOBY YOUNG & CONTEM- FIDELIO PIANO TRIO Pro- Recital Hall, Birming- the Bournemouth Sym- includes works by David Matthews & PORARY CONSORT Wed gramme includes works ham Conservatoire phony Orchestra & fea- Danzi & Mozart, Fri 9 Mendelssohn, Fri 16 21 Oct, Shakespeare by Beethoven & KATHRYN ELLIS, SUE turing an all-star cast Oct, Barber Concert Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove Institute, Stratford- Mendelssohn, as well ROBERTSON AND DAVID including Lise Lind- Hall, The Barber Insti- DAUTRICOURT TRIO Pro- upon-Avon as new work, Fri 23 BORSADA Lunchtime strom as Salome, Fri 2 tute, B’ham gramme includes works LUKA OKRAS (PIANO) Oct, Town Hall, Strat- recital, 30 Oct, Holy Oct, Symphony Hall, BEAUCHAMP SINFONIETTA by Schumann, Jean- Programme includes ford-upon-Avon Trinity Church, Leam- Birmingham & ANNA NOAKES Pro- Frederick Neuberger & works by Schumann, CBSO: BRAHMS’ GERMAN ington Spa ADRIAN MOORE ORGAN gramme includes works Ravel, Fri 16 Oct, Bar- Chopin, Schubert & REQUIEM Programme INSTRUMENTAL: AN CONCERT Fri 2 Oct, Holy by Mozart, Wagner, ber Concert Hall, The Liszt, Wed 21 Oct, includes works by EVENING WITH JAMES Trinity Church, Leam- Damase & Haydn, Sat Barber Institute, B’ham Town Hall, Stratford- Mozart & Brahms, Sat RHODES Fri 30 Oct, ington Spa 10 Oct, St Nicholas MAGGIE BARTMANIS Fri upon-Avon 24 Oct, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Town Hall MET OPERA LIVE: IL Church, Warwick 16 Oct, Holy Trinity COULL QUARTET Pro- Birmingham TAKAHASHI, STRINGFEL- TROVATORE (VERDI) Sat ENGLISH SYMPHONY Church, Leamington gramme includes works EBORACUM BAROQUE LOW & WHIFFEN Pro- 3 Oct, Warwick Arts ORCHESTRA: ELGAR PIL- Spa by Debussy, Hallgrims- Programme includes gramme includes works Centre, Coventry GRIMAGE Sat 10 Oct, OPERA LOKI Present son & Beethoven, works by Handel, Pur- by Jacquet de la ST JAMES’ SINGERS & Bramall Music Building, Puccini’s La Boheme, Thurs 22 Oct, Warwick cell & Vivaldi, Sat 24 Guerre, Senaillé & CHARLES MATTHEWS Birmingham Sat 17 Oct, St. Nicholas Arts Centre, Coventry Oct, Holy Trinity Rameau, Fri 30 Oct, (ORGAN) Sat 3 Oct, St FESTIVAL OF VOICES Sat Church, Warwick SARAH THURLOW (CLAR- Church, Stratford-upon- Barber Concert Hall, Mary’s Church, Preston 10 Oct, All Saints WARWICKSHIRE SYM- INET) & JONATHAN MUS- Avon The Barber Institute, on Stour, Warwickshire Church, Leamington PHONY ORCHESTRA Pro- GRAVE (PIANO) Pro- LUNCHTIME ORGAN CON- Birmingham BLAKE Sun 4 Oct, Spa gramme includes WSO gramme includes works CERT WITH THOMAS FRIGHT NIGHT CLASSICS Roses Theatre, Tewkes- WIHAN STRING QUARTET Space Odyssey, by Schumann & TROTTER Programme WITH CBSO Sat 31 Oct, bury Programme includes Richard Strauss’ Brahms, Thurs 22 Oct, comprises works by JS Symphony Hall, B’ham JOGLARESA Tues 6 Oct, works by Mozart, Schu- Sprach Zarathustra & Town Hall, Stratford- Bach, Mon 26 Oct, HALLOWEEN SPECIAL St Mary’s Church, War- bert & Beethoven, Sat Holst’s Suite The Plan- upon-Avon Symphony Hall, Birm- WITH NIGEL OGDEN Rare wickshire 10 Oct, All Saints ets, Sat 17 Oct, All LAURA VAN DER HEIJDEN ingham opportunity to see a big ORCHESTRA OF THE Church, Leamington Saints Church, Leam- (CELLO) & ALISON RHIND STEPHEN HOUGH IN screen showing of The SWAN & TAMSIN WALEY- Hastings ington Spa (PIANO) Programme RECITAL Programme Phantom of the Opera, COHEN Programme BEAUCHAMP SINFONIETTA MALCOLM ARNOLD FESTI- includes works by includes works by accompanied by a includes works by & ANNA NOAKES Sun 11 VAL SYMPHONY ORCHES- Beethoven, Glinka & Schubert, Franck, unique soundtrack, Sat Mendelssohn & Mozart, Oct, Town Hall, Leam- TRA Sat 17 Oct, St Rachmaninov, Thurs 22 Debussy & Liszt, Mon 31 Oct, Birmingham Tues 6 Oct, Stratford ington Spa Matthew’s Church, Oct, Town Hall, Strat- 26 Oct, Symphony Hall, Town Hall Artshouse EX CATHEDRA Pro- Northampton ROBERT LEVIN (FORTEPI- gramme includes works BIRMINGHAM ICKNIELD ANO) Tues 6 Oct, Adrian by Handel, Mon- MALE VOICE CHOIR Boult Hall, Birmingham donville, Lalande, ANNUAL CONCERT Fea- Conservatoire Gabrieli & Allegri, Sun turing special guest ORCHESTRA OF THE 11 Oct, Symphony Hall, Lesley Delo, Sat 17 SWAN & TAMSIN WALEY- B’ham Oct, Adrian Boult Hall, COHEN Programme LUNCHTIME ORGAN CON- Birmingham includes works by CERT WITH THOMAS BIRMINGHAM PHILHAR- Mendelssohn & Mozart, TROTTER Programme MONIC ORCHESTRA: Wed 7 Oct, Birmingham includes works by CLASSIC & ROMANTIC Town Hall Boëllmann, JS Bach, Programme includes CBSO: ELGAR’S FIRST Messiaen, Holloway & works by Beethoven, Programme includes Liszt, Mon 12 Oct, Strauss & works by Wigglesworth, Birmingham Town Hall Mendelssohn, Sun 18 Britten & Elgar, Wed 7 FRONTIERS: LEGACIES IN Oct, Bramall Music Oct, Symphony Hall, TECHNOLOGY XIV.II Fea- Building, Birmingham B’ham turing Horacio Vag- MARTIN ROSCOE PIANO ENGLISH SYMPHONY gione, Stephane Roy & CONCERT Programme ORCHESTRA PLAY ELGAR François Bayle, Mon 12 includes works by & BRAHMS Thurs 8 Oct, Oct, Recital Hall, Birm- Bach, Beethoven, Malvern Theatres, ingham Conservatoire Chopin, Ravel & Worcestershire FRONTIERS: LEGACIES IN Debussy, Sun 18 Oct, DRESDEN PHILHARMONIC TECHNOLOGY VIX.IV Stratford Town Hall & ANDREI KOROBEINIKOV Mixed works curated & GEWANDHAUSORCHESTER (PIANO) Programme diffused by Adrian LEIPZIG Mon 19 Oct,

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Ruby Wax: Sane New World Comedy The REP, Birmingham, Sun 25 October; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Thurs 29 October Box Office In a career that’s never really seemed to slow down, Ruby Wax has been not only a stand-up ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 01527 577 330 comedian but also, among other roles, a chat BELGRADE THEATRE, show host, an actress and a script editor. COVENTRY She’s nowadays forging a career for herself 024 7655 3055 away from the limelight too, having studied BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0121 345 0600 Psychotherapy and gained a Master’s degree in BLUE ORANGE THEATRE, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioural BIRMINGHAM Therapy from Oxford University. 0121 212 2643 Reflecting her new-found knowledge, this tour- BRAMALL MUSIC ing show explores how people’s own thinking BUILDING, BIRMINGHAM 0121 342 0495 can sometimes sabotage their sanity. CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000 THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM Leamington Spa 0121 333 2444 DUDLEY TOWN HALL Comedy Festival 01384 815577 Various venues, Leamington Spa, EVESHAM ARTS CENTRE, WORCESTERSHIRE Sat 10 - Sat 17 October 01386 446 944 A host of top names are taking part in THE GLEE CLUB, Leamington’s annual comedy festival - a sure BIRMINGHAM sign that the event’s reputation continues to 0871 472 0400 HUNTINGDON HALL, grow. Included among the funny-bone ticklers WORCESTER, visiting the spa town for this year’s comedy get- 01905 611 427 together are Henning Wehn, Mark Watson, JONGLEURS COMEDY Jimeoin, Scottish Falsetto Socks and Gary CLUB, BIRMINGHAM Delaney. 0870 011 1960 MAC, BIRMINGHAM A comedy club for kids ensures youngsters get 0121 446 3232 a chance to exercise their chuckle muscles too. MALVERN THEATRES Birmingham Comedy Festival 01684 892 277 Various venues, Birmingham, Fri 2 - Sun 11 October O2 ACADEMY, BIRMINGHAM Tickling the ribs of Midlanders since 2001, this annual event is one of 0121 622 8250 the longest-running comedy festivals in the UK. In the past it’s played NEW ALEXANDRA THE- host to high-profile laughter merchants including Peter Kay, Lee ATRE, BIRMINGHAM Evans, Michael McIntrye, Lenny Henry, John Bishop, Miranda Hart 0844 871 3011 and Jimmy Carr, all of whom have strutted their comedic stuff in the THE OLD JOINT STOCK, BIRMINGHAM name of second-city fun. 0121 200 1892 Returning this month to provide another ten days of marvellous THE OLD REP THEATRE, mirth, the festival features performances from the legendary Weird Al BIRMINGHAM Yankovic (pictured), Germany's comedy ambassador Henning Wehn, 0121 359 9444 PALACE THEATRE, Frankie Boyle, Lee Nelson, Chris Ramsey, Andrew Maxwell, Rob REDDITCH Beckett and Daniel Sloss. 01527 65203 PLAYERS BAR, BIRMINGHAM Festival Of The Spoken Nerd 0121 643 6871 Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 9 October; Warwick Arts Frankie Boyle THE REP, BIRMINGHAM Centre, Coventry, Thurs 22 October Symphony Hall, 0121 236 4455 Described as ‘a comedy night for the fearlessly Birmingham, THE ROSES THEATRE Sat 10 October TEWKESBURY inquisitive’, this hugely popular show brings 01684 295 074 together stand-up mathematician Matt Parker, Scottish funnyman Frankie ROYAL SPA CENTRE, geeky songstress Helen Arney and experiments has managed to make it LEAMINGTON SPA guy Steve Mould. These three nerdy performers big on the telly despite his 01926 334 418 hope to find the answers to questions such as: reputation for peddling THE SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON How can you use a parabola to set stuff on fire? material which can often 0870 320 7000 How does the angler fish make love? And how be spectacularly tasteless STRATFORD ARTSHOUSE dangerous can things get with just numbers? and incredibly insulting. 01789 207 100 Printable jokes include, SYMPHONY HALL, BIRMINGHAM “Nobody thought Mel 0121 345 0600 Gibson could play a Scot, THE TIN MUSIC AND ARTS, but look at him now! COVENTRY Alcoholic and racist!” 02476 230 699 Boyle is here bringing to WARWICKS ARTS CENTRE, COVENTRY the Midlands his brand 024 7652 4524 new show, Hurt Like You've WULFRUN HALL, Never Been Loved, written WOLVERHAMPTON as a response to Kendrick 0870 320 7000 Lamar’s last album.

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Club, Birmingham FRANKIE BOYLE Sat 10 Comedy LISTINGS Oct, Symphony Hall, Birmingham ALFIE MOORE Sat 10 For full listing information on comedy Oct, Warwick Arts gigs including times and dates visit Centre, Coventry www.whatsonlive.co.uk MANFORD’S COMEDY CLUB (ACTS TBC) Sat 10 ROB BECKETT Thurs 1 OSBORN & JAY HANLEY Oct, Players Bar, Oct, Evesham Arts Sat 3 Oct, Coventry Birmingham Centre Showcase KATHERINE RYAN Sat 10 ANDY PARSONS Thurs 1 ALFIE MOORE Sun 4 Oct Oct, Royal Spa Centre, Oct, Royal Spa Centre, The Slade Rooms, Leamington Spa Leamington Spa Wolverhampton PETE OTWAY, TIM CLARK, HARDEEP SINGH KOHLI THE NOISE NEXT DOOR CARLY SMALLMAN & Thurs 1 Oct, Artrix, Mon 5 Oct, Station CHRIS WASHINGTON Sat Bromsgrove Pub, Sutton Coldfield 10 Oct, Coventry NISH KUMAR, MARK SEAN LOCK Tue 6 Oct, Showcase MAIER & COMEDY Evesham Arts Centre CHRIS RAMSEY Sun 11 CAROUSEL WITH ANDY RICE N PEAS N CAVIAR Oct, The Old Rep ROBINSON Thurs 1 Oct, Tue 6 - Thurs 8 Oct, Theatre, Birmingham The Glee Club, B’ham Old Joint Stock NINA CONTI Sun 11 Oct, KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY Theatre, Birmingham Warwick Arts Centre, NIGHT Thurs 1 Oct, ROB BECKETT Wed 7 Coventry Stourbridge Town Hall Oct, The Glee Club, ALBERT EINSTEIN: RELA- Ruby Wax, The REP, Birmingham JETHRO Fri 2 Oct, The Birmingham TIVELY SPEAKING Civic Hall, W’hampton Palace Theatre, 27 Oct, Artrix, Roses Theatre, DOUG STANHOPE Wed 7 Sun 11 Oct, mac, HENNING WEHN Fri 16 Redditch Bromsgrove Tewkesbury Oct, O2 Academy, Birmingham Oct, Royal Spa Centre, ROB BECKETT Tue 20 ED BYRNE Wed 28 Oct, MILTON JONES Fri 2 Oct, Birmingham JETHRO Sun 11 Oct, Leamington Spa Oct, Warwick Arts Royal Spa Centre, Dudley Town Hall SEAN LOCK Wed 7 Oct, The Courtyard, HOWARD READ, JENNY Centre, Coventry Leamington Spa TOM STADE Fri 2 Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove Hereford COLLIER, GEORGE RIGDEN JO BRAND Wed 21 Oct, ONE MAN BREAKING BAD Station Pub, Sutton JUSTIN MOORHOUSE ALEX HORNE Mon 12 & BECKY BRUNNING Fri Stratford Artshouse, Wed 28 Oct, Wulfrun Coldfield Thurs 8 Oct Artrix, Oct, Warwick Arts 16 Oct, The Royal Pug, Stratford-upon-Avon Hall, Wolverhampton JARLATH REGAN, HAYLEY Bromsgrove Centre, Coventry Leamington Spa FESTIVAL OF THE SPOKEN DAVE SPIKEY Wed 28 ELLIS & HARRIET DYER DANIEL SLOSS Thurs 8 LOUDEEMY SOUP MARK SMITH, TONY NERD Thurs 22 Oct, Oct, The Glee Club, Fri 2 Oct, The Oct, The Glee Club, COMEDY NIGHT Mon 12 JAMESON & DANNY Warwick Arts Centre, Birmingham Courtyard, Hereford Birmingham Oct, The Blue Orange DEEGAN Fri 16 Oct, The Coventry ED BYRNE Wed 28 Oct, BIRMINGHAM COMEDY IVAN BRACKENBURY, IAN Theatre, Birmingham Courtyard, Hereford ANDY ZALTZMAN Thurs Royal Spa Centre, FESTIVAL BREAKING D MONTFORT & CHRIS TONY JAMESON Tue 13 ALISTAIR BARRIE, STEVE 22 Oct, The Glee Club, Leamington Spa TALENT AWARD 2015 Fri TURNER Thurs 8 Oct, Oct, Royal Spa Centre, SHANYASKI, INEL Birmingham JAMES ACASTER Thurs 2 Oct, The Glee Club, Bramall Music Building, Leamington Spa TOMLINSON & DAVID DAMIAN CLARK, GEOFF 29 Oct, The Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham TIERNAN DOUIEB Wed 14 MORGAN Fri 16 Oct, NORCOTT & COMIC TBC Birmingham ANDREW BIRD, DOMINIC JOHN FOTHERGILL, DAVID Oct, The Royal Pug, Jongleurs Comedy Thurs 22 Oct, The Glee DAN CLARK Thurs 29 WOODWARD, WAYNE THE HADINGHAM & COMEDY Leamington Spa Club, Birmingham Club, Birmingham Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove WEIRD & ANNETTE FAGON CAROUSEL WITH ANDY DANA ALEXANDER, BEC MICHAEL LEGGE, FOIL TIM VINE Fri 23 Oct, MILTON JONES Thurs 29 Fri 2 Oct, Abbey ROBINSON Thurs 8 Oct, HILL, JENNY COLLIER & ARMS AND HOG, MATT Civic Hall, W’hampton Oct, Royal Spa Centre, Theatre, Nuneaton The Glee Club, B’ham CERYS NELMES Wed 14 REED & OLA Fri 16 - Sat THE NOISE NEXT DOOR Leamington Spa NISH KUMAR, MARK JIMMY CARR Fri 9 Oct, Oct, Royal Spa Centre, 17 Oct, The Glee Club, Fri 23 Oct, The Slade BEN NORRIS, FREDRIK MAIER, ALISTAIR BARRIE Civic Hall, W’hampton Leamington Spa Birmingham Rooms, W’hampton ANDERSSON & COMEDY & BRENDAN DEMPESY Fri ANDREW MAXWELL Fri 9 JOE LYCETT Wed 14 Oct, COMEDY CLUB FOR KIDS STUART MITCHELL, KEVIN CAROUSEL WITH ANDY 2 - Sat 3 Oct, The Glee Oct, The Glee Club, The Glee Club, B’ham Sat 17 Oct, Royal Spa GILDEA, RUDI LICKWOOD ROBINSON Thurs 29 Oct, Club, Birmingham Birmingham SHAZIA MIRZA & Centre, Leamington & JEFF INNOCENT Fri 23 The Glee Club, RED BASTARD Fri 2 - Sat NINA CONTI Fri 9 Oct, MAUREEN YOUNGER Wed Spa Oct, Jongleurs Comedy Birmingham 3 Oct, mac, B’ham Wulfrun Hall, 14 Oct, Kitchen Garden ALISTAIR BARRIE, STEVE Club, Birmingham RUBY WAX Thurs 29 JOHN MOLONEY, JAVIER Wolverhampton Cafe, Birmingham SHANYASKI, INEL DAMIAN CLARK, GEOFF Oct, Palace Theatre, JARQUIN, ROGER FESTIVAL OF THE SPOKEN JIMEOIN Thurs 15 Oct, TOMLINSON & COMIC TBC NORCOTT, TANYALEE Redditch MONKHOUSE & ANDREW NERD Fri 9 Oct, Artrix, Royal Spa Centre, Sat 17 Oct, Jongleurs DAVIS & MATT GREEN Fri PADDY MCGUINNESS O'NEILL Fri 2 - Sat 3 Bromsgrove Leamington Spa Comedy Club, B’ham 23 - Sat 24 Oct, The Thurs 29 - Fri 30 Oct, Oct, Jongleurs Comedy SIMON MUNNERY Fri 9 MICHAEL LEGGE, FOIL, MARK WATSON, STUART Glee Club, Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre, Club, Birmingham Oct, mac, Birmingham ARMS & HOG & COMEDY GOLDSMITH, GARY STUART MITCHELL, KEVIN Birmingham LEE NELSON Sat 3 Oct, JOHN FOTHERGILL, DAVID CAROUSEL WITH ANDY DELANEY, FELICITY WARD GILDEA, RUDI LICKWOOD JIMMY CARR Fri 30 Oct, The Old Rep Theatre, HADINGHAM, JAY ROBINSON Thurs 15 Oct, & MATT RICHARDSON Sat & ALISTAIR WILLIAMS Warwick Arts Centre, Birmingham HANDLEY & LARRY DEAN The Glee Club, B’ham 17 Oct, Royal Spa Sat 24 Oct, Jongleurs Coventry JASON BYRNE Sat 3 Oct, Fri 9 - Sat 10 Oct, The MATT FORDE Thurs 15 Centre, Leamington Comedy Club, B’ham JO BRAND Fri 30 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall Glee Club, Birmingham Oct, The Glee Club, Spa JOE LYCETT Sat 24 Oct, Evesham Arts Centre FELICITY ETHNIC, ATHENA GEOFF BOYZ, DANE Birmingham ANDREW O'NEILL Sat 17 Solihull Arts Complex JOJO SUTHERLAND, TOM KUGBLENU, KEVIN J & BAPTISTE, BRENDAN THE BIG LAUGHTER Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove PATRICK KIELTY Sat 24 PRICE, MARK NELSON & AXEL BLAKE Sat 3 Oct, RILEY & THE RAYMOND AFTERNOON Thurs 15 IVO GRAHAM, ROBERT Oct, Huntingdon Hall, ANDY ADDY VAN DER The Drum, Birmingham AND MR TIMPKINS REVUE Oct, Belgrade Theatre, WHITE, NICK PAGE & Worcester BORGH Fri 30 Oct, ROGER MONKHOUSE, Fri 9 - Sat 10 Oct, Coventry LAURA LEXX Sat 17 Oct, HENNING WEHN Sat 24 Jongleurs Comedy MATT RUDGE, MATTHEW Jongleurs Comedy ALAN CARR Fri 16 Oct, Malvern Theatres Oct, The Courtyard, Club, Birmingham LITTLE HOWARD'S BIG Hereford BEN NORRIS, FREDRIK SHOW FOR KIDS Sat 17 MICKEY SHARMA Sat 24 ANDERSSON, ANDRE Oct, Royal Spa Centre, Oct, mac, Birmingham VINCENT & STEVE HARRIS Leamington Spa FRED MACAULAY Sat 24 Fri 30 - Sat 31 Oct, The BARNSTORMERS COMEDY Oct, Royal Spa Centre, Glee Club, Birmingham NIGHT Sat 17 Oct, Artrix, Leamington Spa JOJO SUTHERLAND, TOM Bromsgrove HAYLEY ELLIS, ANDY PRICE & MARK NELSON NICK DOODY, JOE WHITE, TOM PRICE & Sat 31 Oct, Jongleurs BROMEHEAD, CIAMH AMY HOWERSKA Sat 24 Comedy Club, B’ham MCDONNELL & GARRETT Oct, Coventry TIM VINE Sat 31 Oct, MILLERICK Sat 17 Oct, Showcase Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Showcase LEE NELSON Sun 25 Oct, Coventry TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Warwick Arts Centre, HARRY ENFIELD AND Sun 18 Oct, The Blue Coventry PAUL WHITEHOUSE Sat Orange Theatre, B’ham PATRICK KIELTY Sun 25 31 Oct, Civic Hall, DANNY 'SLIM' GRAY, Oct, The Glee Club, Wolverhampton WAYNE ROLLINS, AXEL Birmingham MILTON JONES Sat 31 BLAKE, JUDY LOVE & RUBY WAX Sun 25 Oct, Oct, New Alexandra SMASH Sun 18 Oct, The The REP, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham THE LAUGHING SOLE Sun ROB ROUSE, JACK SARAH MILLICAN Mon 19 25 Oct, mac, CAMPBELL, GARETH Oct, Malvern Theatres Birmingham RICHARD & ARCHIE RICHARD HERRING Mon JIMEOIN Tue 27 Oct, MADDOCKS Sat 31 Oct, 19 Oct, Warwick Arts Stratford Artshouse, Coventry Showcase Centre, Coventry Stratford-upon-Avon Ed Byrne, Palace Theatre, Redditch ED BYRNE Tue 20 Oct, STEWART FRANCIS Tue For more comedy listings, visit, www.whatsonlive.co.uk 25 B.Hipp.October Vrs4:Layout 1 21/09/2015 17:34 Page 1

Autumn 2015 A new look for a new season

Thu 8 - Sat 10 Oct Variations Triple Bill

Mon 28 Sep Tue 13 - Mon 2 - - Tue 6 Oct Sat 31 Oct Sat 7 Nov From £19 From £20 From £18

Tue 10 & I puritani Wed 11 Nov Bellini From £15 Orlando Handel NEW PRODUCTION

Thu 19 - Sat 21 Nov Sweeney Todd Tue 17 & Fri 27 Nov - Thu 12 - Sondheim Sat 14 Nov Wed 18 Nov Sun 13 Dec £23 NEW PRODUCTION From £16.50 From £19

Sat 19 Dec - Tue 9 - Wed 9 Mar - Sun 31 Jan Sat 13 Feb Sat 23 Apr From £14 From £18.50 From £25

0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p/min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre October Davina 1.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 18:52 Page 2 Theatre

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 20 - Sat 24 October Jason Donovan this month resumes the role of Tick in this interna- three pals, who hop aboard a battered old bus together and head off tionally acclaimed feelgood musical. in search of love and romance. Based on the movie of the same name, Priscilla the stage show has The show originally opened in Australia in 2006 - running there for wowed both West End and Broadway audiences, picking up a covet- two years before hitting the West End stage - and comes complete ed Olivier Award and an equally prestigious Tony Award along the with a dazzling array of costumes and a glorious selection of dance- accolade-strewn way. floor favourites, including It’s Raining Men, Say A Little Prayer, Go At its heartland is an uplifting story of the friendship shared between West, Hot Stuff and Always On My Mind...

Love For Love Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Wed 28 October - Fri 22 January William Congreve's Restoration comedy scored a significant success when it debuted in 1695. Indeed, during the play- wright’s life it was actually viewed more favourably than The Way Of The World, the work for which Congreve has since become best known. The play follows the adventures of the dissolute Valentine, who finds himself taking drastic action to retain what’s right- fully his after being persuaded by his father to sign away his inheritance. Selina Cadell makes her RSC directorial debut. Nicholas Le Prevost (below) stars as Sir Sampson Legend.

Annie Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 13 - Sat 31 October Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood stars as the far-from-pleas- ant Miss Hannigan in this latest version of the oft-touring Broadway hit. A heart-warming rags-to-riches tale about a little girl who finds herself trans- ported from a New York orphanage to the luxurious world of millionaire Oliver Warbucks, the show features plenty of memorable songs, including It's A Hard Knock Life and the legendary Tomorrow. Lesley Joseph (Birds Of A Feather) will play Miss Hannigan in all Saturday performances (17, 24 & 31 October)

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Theatre PREVIEWS Anita And Me rehearsal shot A Clockwork Orange Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 28 - Sat 31 October It may be best known in its cult 1971 Stanley Kubrick-directed cinematic incarnation, but this latest version of A Clockwork Orange uses Anthony Burgess’ original novella as its main reference point. Tin Robot Theatre and the Old Joint Stock Theatre are the ensembles behind the pro- duction, which presents a corrupt state and a bankrupt civil society in which, to be young and to survive, you have to be violent, drunk, drugged and debauched.

Fire In The North Sky: Epic Tales From Finland mac, Birmingham, Thurs 8 October Celebrated storytelling company Adverse Chamber here bring to life traditional stories from the Kalevala, an epic nineteenth century Anita And Me Finnish poem presenting tales of folklore and The REP, Birmingham, Fri 9 - Sat 24 October mythology. The production sees leading sto- Meera Syal’s poignant coming-of-age novel has been adapted by award-winning playwright ryteller Nick Hennessey teaming up with Tanika Gupta and is here being staged for the very first time. three virtuoso Finnish musicians to present a Set in a Black Country mining village in the early 1970s, Anita And Me follows the story of a blend of ‘offbeat fun, enchantment, and young girl named Meena as she grows up in the village’s only Punjabi family. Meena spends music that moves between dancing flutes, her days happily enough, getting into scrapes with other local children - but when the impos- intoxicating rhythms and hauntingly beautiful sibly cool Anita enters her life, the young girl finds her world suddenly turned upside-down... sung melodies’.

The Silver Sword Sweeney Todd: The Demon The Old Rep, Birmingham, Thurs 22 - Sat 24 October Barber Of Fleet Street Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Puppetry, projections and a cast of talented Thurs 29 October - Sat 7 November actor/musicians are here brought together in a brand new stage version of one of the Described as a musical thriller, this hugely most famous children’s books of the twenti- enjoyable Stephen Sondheim production eth century. was a big hit on Broadway. It follows the dia- Set during the immediate aftermath of World bolical endeavours of demon barber War Two, the story follows the Balicki chil- Sweeney Todd and his pie-making accom- dren as they suffer an existence of hardship plice Mrs Lovett, as they slice and bake their and deprivation fending for themselves on way through Victorian London... the streets of Warsaw. This particular version of the show is being And This Is My Friend But when they meet a fourteen-year-old boy presented by Blue Orange Arts in association Mr Laurel named Jan, they suddenly see a glimmer of with Night Project Theatre. Solihull Arts Complex, Wed 21 October hope on the horizon... “I loved the way Olly thought he was smarter Every Brilliant Thing than Stan when in fact he was far more stu- Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 28 October pid,” says Jeffrey Holland. “It always made me laugh.” Paines Plough and Pentabus here come Hi-de-Hi favourite Jeffrey is here starring as together to produce this contemplation on the legendary Stan Laurel in a one-man the subject of depression. When a six-year- show which he’s co-written with award-win- old girl finds that her mother’s been taken to ning playwright Gail Louw. hospital having ‘done something stupid’, she A loving homage to one of the twentieth cen- determines to make a list of everything that’s tury’s greatest comedy duos, the production brilliant about the world. Twenty years later, has received plenty of positive reviews since the list takes on a life of its own... making its debut last year. Every Brilliant Thing involves the participation Set in Olly’s bedroom, it finds Stan visiting of members of the audience, a fact which his sick friend and recalling their glory days ensures each performance is unique. together on the silver screen. “Stan and Olly became my friends Bad Jews - metaphorically Malvern Theatre, Mon 26 - Sat 31 October speaking, of Joshua Harmon’s highly praised comedy course,” continues recently became the best-selling play in the the Walsall-born history of London’s St James’s Theatre. Jeff, recalling his An extended run at the West End’s Arts The- childhood days. “I atre then offered further evidence of its always looked for- impressive credentials. ward to Laurel and Set in a Manhattan apartment, the play Hardy films. If there focuses on the characters of Daphna, Liam wasn’t one, I was and Jonah, who find themselves engaged in bereft!” a vicious brawl over issues of faith, family and legacy.

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BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA, OCTOBER FORTHCOMING LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE 2015 EVENTS FOR 2015

Friday 9th October Saturday 10th October Sunday 11th October TICKET HOTLINE: FESTIVAL OF THE BLUES BROTHERS COPPELIA 01789 403416 SPOKEN NERD EXPERIENCE GEEKY TRIO RETURN WITH COME AND SHAKE A TAIL PRESENTED BY THE VIENNA JUST FOR GRAPHS FEATHER AT ARTRIX FESTIVAL BALLET 25 Sept - 3 Oct | 7.30pm | £12 / £10 concs APRIL IN PARIS A romantic comedy, written by John Godber

30 Oct - 7 November | 7.30pm 2.30pm Mat 31 Oct | £12 / £10 concs RELATIVELY SPEAKING A comic masterpiece by Alan Ayckbourn

Saturday 17th October Wednesday 28th October Saturday 31st October 11 - 14 November | 7.30pm | £10 / £8 concs ANDREW O’NEILL BELLA HARDY DRACULA: CYRANO DE BERGERAC THE KISSES… A Second Thoughts Drama Group Production. SURREAL & SILLY STAND-UP AWARD-WINNING SPEND HALLOWEEN WITH SHOW MINDSPIDERS FOLKSINGER’S ‘WITH THE THE SCARY LITTLE GIRLS DAWN’ TOUR 21 - 22 November | 7.30pm | £12 MEET ON THE LEDGE Descibed as ‘the world’s first stadium folk band’

4 - 12 December | 7.30pm | £12 / £10 concs BRIEF ENCOUNTER Noel Coward’s Brief Encounter, adapted by Emma Rice FORTHCOMING CINEMA: FROZEN SINGALONG (PG) // RICCI & THE FLASH (12A) BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (12A) // THE COLOUR PURPLE (15) // INSIDE OUT (U) MR HOLMES (PG) // A WALK IN THE WOODS (TBC) // DOREEN - THE MOVIE (15) 18 December | 7.30pm | £10 / £8 concs

FORTHCOMING SCREENINGS: Le Nozze di Figaro (ROH Live) // Hamlet (NT Live) DID WE MENTION THE The Barber Of Seville (ENO Live) // Henry V (RSC Live) // The Mikado (ENO Live) // Jane Eyre (NT Live) FREE MINCE PIES Join The Bear Pit for some festive fun at their annual Download the Artrix brochure on www.artrix.co.uk comedic concert www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 The Bear Pit Theatre, Rother Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ Free parking on-site 6LU www.thebearpit.org.uk

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Theatre PREVIEWS Vanity Bites Back The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 22 October Helen Duff’s solo debut has been described as ‘a bold, subversive and very funny clown cookery show about searching for self-worth in a cheesecake’. Duff plays an aspiring TV cookery host, using the character as a means of exploring the complexities of anorexia nervosa. The eating disorder is one from which the play- wright and actress herself has suffered. “The clowning and comedy has allowed me to celebrate skills in which I was never able to place any confidence when I was ill,” explains Helen. “Even though it’s ten years ago that I suffered with the illness, it’s only in the past two years that I’ve been able to openly discuss it.” Your Fragrant Phantom The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 23 - Sat 24 October Legendary American author F Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda were the very epitome of the Roaring 20s. They led a lifestyle that was seemingly as wild, self-indulgent and elaborate as that of the writer’s most famous fictional character, the Great Gatsby. This brand new work not only offers an intriguing insight into two lives lived in the fast lane but also takes a thought-provoking peek behind the glitz and the glamour, revealing what happened to the Fitzgeralds when the party was finally over.

The Faithless Healer The Smallest Show On Earth The Holy & Horny Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Farewell Tour Wed 28 - Sat 31 October Tues 13 - Sat 17 October Fresh Blood theatre company describe their One-time Bergerac star Liza Goddard teams The Drum, Birmingham, Sat 10 October dark new comedy as an exploration of ‘blind up with former Coronation Street actor Brian Tonya Joy Bolton here returns with a highly faith, growing up and trying to find your Capron for a show inspired by the 1950s acclaimed work examining concepts of iden- place in a confusing world’. Peter Sellers movie of the same name. tity, gender, religion and culture. The outlandish village of Finklebury in North Two innocent newly-weds can’t believe their When Sheila, a frustrated Christian, embarks Wartfordshire is the home of Mary Smith- good fortune when they discover they’ve on a series of disastrous dates, she discov- Longstone, a young girl inherited a cinema - only to find that the ers that the experiences lead to unexpected whose inexplicable healing venue in question is nothing more than a and life-changing consequences... powers make her the talk of decrepit flea-pit. Undeterred by their discov- The show contains strong language and sex- the town. But when a secret is ery, the couple hatch a plan to restore the ual content, and has been deemed suitable revealed on her eighteenth cinema to its former glory - a challenge for audience members aged fifteen-plus. This birthday, Mary suddenly finds which requires production shows as part of Black History herself in grave danger... them to enlist Month. See page for 46 for further detail. the assistance of both the venue’s eccentric man- Hecuba ageress and its Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, unreliable pro- until Thurs 15 October jectionist... Clas- The RSC’s inventive telling of Euripides’ tale sic Irving Berlin of ‘war, womanhood and courage’ has been numbers Blue adapted by Marina Carr and is helmed by Skies, Shakin’ Erica Whyman, who enjoyed a roaring suc- The Blues Away cess with 2014’s The Christmas Truce. and Steppin’ Written by Euripides around 424 BC, the play Out With My finds the Trojan War at an end and the great Baby all feature queen Hecuba imprisoned by charismatic in the show. victor Agamemnon. Her sons are dead and her daughters face a world they no longer Nosferatu understand. Although Agamemnon has The Hundred Years’ War mac, Birmingham, Wed 28 October slaughtered his own daughter to win the The DOOR at The REP, Birmingham, The renowned 1922 German Expressionist war, another sacri- Thurs 8 October movie of the same name - and, of course, fice is now demand- Poetry and theatre are here combined to cre- the classic Bram Stoker novel, Dracula - pro- ed... ate a show that’s being described by its pro- vide the inspiration for this new theatrical The production con- moters as ‘a distinctive and deeply moving offering from Proper Job Theatre. tains some violence portrayal of life under fire’... Featuring original music and libretto, live and distressing Comprising thirty-five war poems written musicians and the sleight-of-hand magic of a scenes, and has between 1914 and 2013, The Hundred Years’ talented illusionist, the show explores the been deemed suit- War is a new production featuring three per- psychological relationship that evolves able for audience formers, live music and striking imagery. between a group of sailors as they journey members aged The production is appropriate for audience from Varna to Whitby with an unknown and twelve and older. members aged fourteen-plus. mysterious cargo...

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Josh Widdicombe Fred MacAuley Thursday 5 Friday 13 November November 8pm 8pm

An Audience With Ruby Wax Nick Owen Saturday 21 November Friday 20 November 8pm 7.30pm

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Theatre for younger audiences

The Snow Dragon Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Fri 23 - Sat 24 October

Tall Stories have previously presented hit shows The Gruffalo and Room On The Broom. The company here returns with the enchanting story of a young goat named Billy and his encounter with the legendary Snow Dragon.

Disney On Ice: Worlds Of Enchantment Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Wed 21 October - Sun1 November Jurassic Adventures Solihull Arts Complex, Fri 23 October Get your skates on for the return of Disney’s ever-popular ice spectacular, complete with high- energy music, glittering sets, dramatic choreography and four of the Mouse House’s best- A large-scale show for children, Jurassic loved stories: Cars, The Little Mermaid, Toy Story and Frozen. Adventures tells the story of what happens when hunters stumble across a dinosaur. The production features large and small- How The Koala Learnt calls to mind both the surrealist Pythons and scale dino-puppets. To Hug an evening of festive-season panto fare. mac, Birmingham, Sat 3 October There are plenty of new songs to enjoy too, presented alongside the cult Shrek anthem Based on Steven Lee’s book of the same I’m A Believer. title, this regularly touring show features a host of puppet characters, numerous games, singalong songs - and a considerable amount of top-quality hugging! Marty MacDonald’s Farm Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 26 - Wed 28 October

A colourful farmyard, loveable puppet charac- The Owl Who Was Afraid ters and the voice of CBeebies’ Justin Fletch- er (aka Mr Tumble) all feature in a show that Of The Dark sees Marty, Pongo the Pig, Molly-Moo the Malvern Theatre, Worcestershire, Cow and Sheena the Sheep trying to find a Tues 20 October; Roses Theatre, Tewkes- way to rescue the corn and save their farm. bury, Sat 8 November

Jill Tomlinson’s bestselling children’s classic is here brought to the stage by the talented The Selfish Giant Blunderbus. The ensemble utilise music, The Hive, Worcester, Thurs 29 October puppetry and storytelling to present the delightful tale of a baby barn owl who’s not Sea Legs Puppet Theatre Company present as comfortable with the darkness of night as the much-loved story of a giant who builds a maybe he should be... wall to keep children out of his garden. The production combines puppets, music and sto- rytelling. The Basil Brush Show The Regal Cinema, Evesham, Sun 25 Octo- Light Show ber; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Fri 30 Octo- Belgrade Theatre, ber; Solihull Arts Complex, Sat 31 October Coventry, Tues 27 - Wed 28 October Every child’s favourite fox is Shrek The Musical Light Show is part of the nowadays Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Belgrade’s October Festi- accompanied by until Sat 11 October val of Theatre for Children Mr Stephen (aka & Young People. The Chris Pizzey). The popularity of this family-friendly West show invites its audience Basil’s roadshow Ender is hardly a surprise. After all, Dream- into a magical paper brings together works’ animated Shrek movies - inspired by palace, where the sensory songs and story- cartoonist William Steig's 1990 book - were delights of nature provide telling with plenty absolutely huge. a fully immersivece. of humour. Pretty much retelling the story of the first film, experien the stage show peddles a line in humour that www.whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Theatre October Davina 1.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 15:11 Page 9

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Theatre LISTINGS The Hundred Years’ War - The REP, Birmingham For full listing information on theatre productions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Commencing THUR 1 OCT

SEEING THE LIGHTS An uplifting drama about a fami- ly's attempt to arrange a rare get-together for their mum's birthday, until Sat 3 Oct, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme THE SILVER SWORD A stage production of Ian Serail- lier’s highly acclaimed and much-loved children’s novel, until - Sat 3 Oct, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry THE GLENN MILLER STORY An extraordinary take on the world's most famous big band leader, until Sat 3 Oct, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION until Sat 3 Oct, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham BEFORE THE PARTY An adaptation of a short story by Somerset Maugham, until Sat 3 Oct, Malvern The- atres APRIL IN PARIS Anne Bowen stars in John Godber’s comic masterpiece, until Sat 3 Oct, The Bear Pit WOMEN AT THE EDGE songs, dance and laugh-out-loud comedy, Tues 6 - Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Two funny women, two mono- Sat 10 Oct, The Swan Theatre, Worcester THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Oscar Wilde's logues, several songs... Fri 2 Oct, Old Joint Stock CONFUSIONS Human frailty is laid bare in Alan Ayck- much-loved and brilliantly witty masterpiece, direct Theatre, Birmingham RED BASTARD bourn’s ‘sharp, sad and funny’ play, Tues 6 - Sat 24 from the West End. Starring Nigel Havers, Sian After five-star reviews and sold-out Oct, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme Phillips and Christine Kavanagh, until Sat 3 Oct, shows across North America, Europe and Australia, MINISTRY OF SCIENCE LIVE! From the creators of Belgrade Theatre, Coventry America's premier bouffon delivers on his promise DEAD DOG IN A SUITCASE (AND OTHER LOVE SONGS) in this critically acclaimed show, Fri 2 - Sat 3 Oct, Brainiac Live comes a brand new show which takes an anarchic approach to science communication Kneehigh with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse mac, Birmingham BLACK ROSES whilst looking at the inventors & engineers who present Carl Grose's A New Beggar's Opera, until Steven Downs' moving play focusing have shaped and inspired the modern world, Wed Sat 3 Oct, The REP, Birmingham on the role of women during the miners' strike of 7 Oct, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury HOW TO BE A HERO Tessa Walker directs the world 1984, Fri 2 - Sat 10 Oct, Hall Green Little Theatre, NELSON: THE SAILOR’S STORY One-man show written premiere of Bernadette Russell and Gareth Brier- Birmingham HOW THE KOALA LEARNT TO HUG & performed by Nicholas Collett, Wed 7 Oct, Forest ley's play, which draws on real stories of heroism A charming tale Arts Centre, Walsall from Birmingham and beyond, until Sat 3 Oct, about the magic of family and, of course, the THE FOOTSIE CLUB Evening of burlesque, variety & The REP, Birmingham importance of a nice warm hug! Sat 3 Oct, mac, cabaret, with special guest performances from BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET’S SWAN LAKE Filled with Birmingham CLAPPER BOX Velma Von Bon Bon and Kiki Lovechild, Wed 7 Oct, exquisite ensembles, lyrical pas de deux and Fetch Theatre fuse puppetry and Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham bravura solos, until Tues 6 Oct, Birmingham Hippo- object manipulation to present a curious, interactive STALAG HAPPY The true story of artists Sir Terry drome puppet-booth experience, Sat 3 Oct, Wigmore Vil- Frost and Adrian Heath whilst interned at World BRIEF ENCOUNTER Noël Coward’s play, adapted for lage Hall, Herefordshire CAPTAIN CRAB’S TREASURE War Two prisoner-of -war camp Stalag 383, Wed 7 - the stage by Emma Rice. Combining the love story Fun, songs & audience Thurs 8 Oct, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Muse- from the classic 1945 film with comedy, dance and participation for two-to-nine-year-olds, Sat 3 Oct, um song, until Sat 3 Oct, Lichfield Garrick Swan Theatre, Worcester THE BASIL BRUSH SHOW WEAKLINGS The world premiere of Chris Goode and BLUE STOCKINGS Powerful new play exploring the Britain's most loveable fox is company's new show. A show loosely based role of women, until Sat 3 Oct, Dream Factory, War- back on the road along with his TV chum Mr around the notorious blog of the writer Dennis wick Stephen (aka Chris Pizzey). Together they promise Cooper, Wed 7 - Thurs 8 Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, SUNSHINE ON LEITH Following the highs and lows of to take audiences on a journey of laughs, story- Coventry Ally and his friend Davy as they return home to telling & song in a brand new stage show, Sat 3 OLIVER! Alcester Musical Theatre Company present Leith from the army, until Sat 3 Oct, Crescent The- Oct, Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock TREE FU TOM LIVE the stage musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' atre, Birmingham New show starring the world's Oliver Twist, Wed 7 - Sat 10 Oct, Palace Theatre, SHREK THE MUSICAL The popularity of this family- smallest superhero, direct from the smash-hit Redditch friendly West Ender is hardly a surprise. After all, CBeebies series, Sat 3 Oct, Palace Theatre, Red- HALF A SIXPENCE CLOC Musical Theatre Company Dreamworks’ animated Shrek movies - inspired by ditch OH DEAR DIARY present an amateur version of the popular musical cartoonist William Steig's 1990 book - were An evening of embarrassing, angst- comedy based on HG Wells' novel, Kipps, Wed 7 - absolutely huge, until Sun 11 Oct, Wolverhampton ridden and often unintentionally hysterical real-life Sat 10 Oct, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham Grand Theatre stories, as brave volunteers read aloud from their THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Live from Lon- HECUBA Erica Whyman directs Marina Carr's teenage diaries, Sat 3 Oct, Old Joint Stock Theatre, don's Vaudeville Theatre, David Suchet stars as the reimagining of the legend of Hecuba in a visceral Birmingham BUGSY MALONE formidable Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde's much- new play. A searing version of war, womanhood Get Your Wigle On present an ama- loved masterpiece, Thurs 8 Oct, Warwick Arts Cen- and courage, until Sat 17 Oct, The Swan Theatre, teur production of Alan Parker's gangster hit, Bugsy tre, Coventry & Malvern Theatres Stratford-upon-Avon Malone, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Oct, Theatre Severn, Shrews- AN EVENING WITH ADAM HENSON Farmer and presen- HENRY V Alex Hassell returns as Henry V in Gregory bury METAMORPHOSIS ter from BBC TV's Countryfile, Adam Henson, talks Doran's continued exploration of Shakespeare's his- The Crescent Theatre Company about farming life, his TV career and British agricul- tory plays, until Sun 25 Oct, Royal Shakespeare present Berkoff’s adaptation of Kafka’s literary mas- ture, Thurs 8 Oct, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon terpiece, Sat 3 - Sat 10 Oct, The Crescent Theatre, ADVERSE CHAMBER: FIRE IN THE NORTH SKY Tradition- AN EVENING WITH RUTH PADEL Poet Ruth Padel reads Birmingham al Finnish tales of epic heroes and the dark river of from her celebrated verse biography of Charles the underworld, Thurs 8 Oct, mac, Birmingham Darwin, Thurs 1 Oct, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Week Commencing MON 5 OCT THE ENCOUNTER Simon McBurney follows Loren MAD ABOUT THE MUSICALS Celebrating the very best McIntyre's journey into the Amazon rainforest. An songs from the shows. Starring Gareth Gates and exploration of nature, time and our own conscious- Michael Courtney, Thurs 1 Oct, Palace Theatre, THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Live broadcast of one of ness, Thurs 8 - Sat 10 Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, Redditch Mozart's great masterpieces, directly from the Royal Coventry EDMUND THE LEARNED PIG A ‘darkly pleasant’ tale Opera House, Mon 5 Oct, Malvern Theatres HERO’S WELCOME The latest addition to Alan Ayck- based on a poem by Edward Gorey, Thurs 1 Oct, HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL New production of the bourn’s extensive repertoire is a ruefully comic view Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton smash-hit musical comedy. Starring Claire of the human predicament, Thurs 8 - Sat 24 Oct, THAT'LL BE THE DAY A musical romp through the Sweeney as Velma Von Tussle, Mon 5 - Sat 10 Oct, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme youthful days of Rock’n’Roll in the ’50s, on through Malvern Theatres LA TRAVIATA The Russian State Ballet & Opera the Swinging ’60s and into the taste-free days of RELATIVELY SPEAKING Amateur production of Alan House present Verdi's haunting tragedy, Fri 9 Oct, the 1970s, Thurs 1 - Fri 2 Oct, Stafford Gatehouse Ayckbourn’s comedy of confusion and mistaken Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Theatre identity, Mon 5 - Sat 10 Oct, The Rose Theatre, Kid- EMMA Hotbuckle return to Shrewsbury to present BOUNCERS John Godber’s classic comedy, Thurs 1 - derminster one of Jane Austen's most perfect novels, Fri 9 Oct, Sat 3 Oct, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre HANDBAGGED Moira Buffini's Olivier Award-nominat- Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY Presented by Euro- ed comedy is a wickedly funny new play, examining THE SECOND BEST BED Worcester Repertory Compa- pean Arts Company and adapted by Oscar Wilde's the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and ny present a one-woman play about Anne Hath- grandson, Merlin Holland, Fri 2 Oct, Artrix, Broms- Margaret Thatcher, Tues 6 - Sat 10 Oct, Belgrade away on the night of husband William Shake- grove Theatre, Coventry speare's funeral, Fri 9 Oct, Malvern Theatres WWI OLD TIME MUSIC HALL Fri 2 Oct, Stourbridge ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE An amateur production from THE PICTURE OF DOREEN GRAY LipService Theatre Town Hall the Worcester Musical Theatre company filled with

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ANNIE Starring Craig Revel Horwood as the tyranni- PLAYING WITH WORDS Stories & songs for all the LISTINGS cal Miss Hannigan. Lesley Joseph (Birds Of A family with Sally Tongue, Sun 18 Oct, Ludlow Theatre Feather) will play Miss Hannigan in all Saturday Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire performances (17, 24 & 31 October), Tues 13 - Sat For full listing information on theatre 31 Oct, Birmingham Hippodrome HOW TO BE A HERO Story inspired by real-life vigi- Week Commencing MON 19 OCT productions, including times and lante groups who often cause more trouble than dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk they prevent, Wed 14 Oct, Arena Theatre, Wolver- DOREEN: THE MOVIE! A must for Doreen fans, indie hampton movie fans, and lovers of Black Country comedy, return with a comedy about the life of Doreen Gray, THE GAME'S AFOOT Mad Cow Productions present Mon 19 Oct, Lichfield Garrick a fifty-year-old radio show host whose career takes an amateur production of Ken Ludwig's comedic POCKET MERCHANT A condensed version of Pro- a turn for the worse, Fri 9 Oct, Brewhouse Arts thriller, Wed 14 - Sat 17 Oct, Theatre Severn, peller’s critically acclaimed 2009 production brings Centre, Burton-upon-Trent Shrewsbury one of Shakespeare’s darkest plays to life using the ALL OUR HEROES Physical theatre, verbatim MOONLIGHT ON THE CUT New play which tells a tale company’s unique revelatory style, Mon 19 Oct, accounts and vibrant storytelling come together to of love against the odds, Wed 14 - Sat 17 Oct, The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry recount what it was like for the men of the Indian Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham MICHAEL PORTILLO - LIFE: A GAME OF TWO HALVES sub-continent who left their homes to fight for the LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS Marches Theatre Com- Mon 19 Oct, Palace Theatre, Redditch British Raj on continents far away, Fri 9 Oct, Arena pany present a staging of what is described as one RISE UP Theatre Centre presents a new play about Theatre, Wolverhampton of Neil Simon’s funniest plays, Wed 14 - Sat 24 Oct, the Freedom riders – principled young Americans DICKENS ABRIDGED A high-speed comic journey The Wightman, Shrewsbury in the 1960s who peacefully challenged the racism through Dickens' greatest hits, written and directed ONLY FOOLS AND BOYCIE An intimate evening with of the deep South, Mon 19 - Wed 21 Oct, Belgrade by Adam Long, Fri 9 Oct, Malvern Theatres John Challis, Thurs 15 Oct, Lichfield Garrick Theatre, Coventry MISTER MAKER Evolution Productions presents Mis- MINISTRY OF SCIENCE LIVE! From the creators of THE GLENN MILLER STORY An extraordinary take on ter Maker and The Shapes Live, Fri 9 - Sat 10 Oct, Brainiac Live comes a brand new show which takes the world's most famous big band leader, Mon 19 - New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham an anarchic approach to science communication Sat 24 Oct, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre OUR MAIN STORY TONIGHT A brand new play inspired whilst looking at the inventors & engineers who’ve CRACKED A new play by Mike Kenny & Julie Boden by whatever major story is dominating the news shaped and inspired the modern world, Thurs 15 about a first episode of psychosis & cultural differ- that week, Fri 9 - Sat 10 Oct, Belgrade Theatre, Oct, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre ence, Tues 20 Oct, The REP, Birmingham Coventry GRANDMA REMEMBER ME Fusion of drama, puppetry THE OWL WHO WAS AFRAID OF THE DARK ANITA AND ME New adaptation of Meera Syal’s & storytelling reflecting on a special relationship A blend of live music, puppetry and storytelling, much-loved novel, Fri 9 - Sat 24 Oct, The REP, between a grandma and her granddaughter, Thurs based on the classic children's book by Jill Tomlin- B’ham 15 Oct, The Hive, Worcester son. Suitable for children aged three to seven, Tues MEERA SYAL AND TANIKA GUPTA IN CONVERSATION Join NT LIVE: HAMLET Benedict Cumberbatch takes the 20 Oct, Malvern Theatres the duo as they discuss their remarkable careers title role in Shakespeare's greatest tragedy, Thurs CAN I START AGAIN PLEASE Coffin dark humour, a and the process of bringing Anita And Me to the 15 Oct, poetic script delivered in BSL, and choreographed stage, Sat 10 Oct, The REP, Birmingham Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry theatre combine to reveal a tale of silence and THE PICTURE OF DOREEN GRAY LipService Theatre BERYL: A ROMANCE ON TWO WHEELS West Yorkshire childhood sexual abuse, Tues 20 - Wed 21 Oct, return with a comedy about the life of Doreen Gray, Playhouse present a celebration of the life of cyclist Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry a fifty-year-old radio show host whose career takes Beryl Burton, Thurs 15 Oct, The Talbot Theatre, ROUND THE HORNE Step back in time to the BBC’s a turn for the worse, Sat 10 Oct, Theatre Severn, Whitchurch Paris Studios for a spoof-tastic experience celebrat- Shrewsbury WAITING FOR GODOT London Classic Theatre present ing the fiftieth anniversary of the comedy classic, THE KING OF TINY THINGS Metta Theatre bring an Samuel Beckett’s reflection on the random futility of Tues 20 - Wed 21 Oct, Lichfield Garrick enchanting story to life aided by circus, puppetry existence, Thurs 15 - Fri 16 Oct, Arena Theatre, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT Feelgood interna- and song. Suitable for children aged three-plus, Sat Wolverhampton tional musical direct from the West End and Broad- 10 Oct, Malvern Theatres COPACABANA Amateur production of the Barry way. Jason Donovan stars as Tick, Tues 20 - Sat 24 THE HOLY & HORNY FAREWELL TOUR One-woman Manilow musical, Thurs 15 - Sat 24 Oct, The Rose Oct, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham show which tells of love, longing & ultimate betray- Theatre, Kidderminster SUNSET BOULEVARD WODS present Andrew Lloyd al, Sat 10 Oct, The Drum, Birmingham TALBOT HOUSE: A HOME FROM HOME Webber's hit musical, Tues 20 - Sat 24 Oct, The DOWN TO EARTH: AN EVENING WITH MONTY DON Hear Peter Gill's drama about the house in Poperinge, Swan Theatre, Worcester Monty's stories about his travels and visits to gar- Belgium, which became a refuge for Allied troops ROMEO & JULIET The Worcester Repertory Company dens all over the world, Sat 10 Oct, Huntingdon during the Great War, Fri 16 Oct, mac, Birmingham presents its version of the world’s greatest love Hall, Worcester UNDER MILKWOOD Guy Masterson brings Dylan story, Tues 20 - Sat 24 Oct, Worcester Cathedral Thomas’ timeless masterpiece vividly to life to mark HYPNOSIS A Lichfield Players production of David the centenary of Wales’ greatest poet, Fri 16 Oct, Week Commencing MON 12 OCT Tristram’s mesmerising thriller, Tues 20 - Sat 24 Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire Oct, Lichfield Garrick THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Presented by Fired AND THIS IS MY FRIEND MR LAUREL One-man play SALLY MORGAN: PSYCHIC SALLY ON THE ROAD Mon 12 Up Theatre, Fri 16 - Sat 17 Oct, Lichfield Garrick performed by Jeffrey Holland, Wed 21 Oct, Solihull Oct, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury EDITH PIAF - THE SONGS Eve Loiseau performs the Arts Complex THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY European Arts present works of France’s most popular singer, Sat 17 Oct, THE FOREST Multi-sensory tale which immerses their adaptation of Oscar Wilde's classic play using Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire audiences in a world of new sights, sounds, smells a cast of five versatile actors, Mon 12 Oct, Stafford SING-A-LONG-A FROZEN A full screening of the Disney & sensations, Wed 21 - Thurs 22 Oct, Arena The- Gatehouse Theatre sensation, complete with on-screen lyrics to help atre, Wolverhampton MACBETH: BLOOD WILL HAVE BLOOD One-man adapta- you sing along with Anna and Elsa during the film, EVITA TADLOP present an amateur staging of tion of Shakespeare's story of ambition, greed and Sat 17 Oct, Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical, Wed 21 - the abuse of power, Mon 12 - Tues 13 Oct, mac, I SPY! All-acting, all-dancing, all-singing spectacular, Sat 24 Oct, The Place, Oakengates, Telford Birmingham Sat 17 Oct, Solihull Arts Complex DISNEY ON ICE: WORLDS OF ENCHANTMENT Be swept OUR HOUSE Stratford Musical Theatre Company CAROL ANN DUFFY & JOHN SAMPSON A demonstration away with your favourite Disney stories, including present an amateur production of the Madness of eclectic, iconoclastic, profound and moving The Little Mermaid, Disney/Pixar’s Cars and Toy musical, Tues 13 - Sat 17 Oct, Stratford Artshouse poetry - accompanied by a selection of music, from Story, Wed 21 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, Barclaycard Arena, AVENUE Q Tony Award-winning musical that centres medieval to modern, Sat 17 Oct, Ludlow Assembly Birmingham on a group of loveable yet hopeless characters on Rooms, South Shropshire VANITY BITES BACK Unique solo debut from Helen a downtown New York street, Mon 12 - Sat 17 Oct, BERYL: A ROMANCE ON TWO WHEELS West Yorkshire Duff, described as a ‘bold, subversive and very Malvern Theatres Playhouse present a celebration of the life of cyclist funny’ clown cookery show about searching for CERI DUPREE: EYECONS Female impersonator Ceri Beryl Burton, Sat 17 Oct, SpArC Theatre, Bishops self-worth in a cheesecake, Thurs 22 Oct, The REP, Dupree presents an evening of visual comedy, Castle, Shropshire B’ham impressions, music and thousands of pounds CLAPPER BOX Fetch Theatre fuse puppetry and PELLÉAS ET MELISANDE English Touring Opera pres- worth of jaw-dropping costumes, Tues 13 Oct, object manipulation to present a curious, interactive ent Debussy’s only finished opera, Thurs 22 Oct, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre puppet-booth experience, Sat 17 Oct, Ludlow Malvern Theatre THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF VARIETY New stage show Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire THE HATE PLAY Developed in partnership with Essex featuring the legendary Duggie Brown, Tues 13 CARMEN Ellen Kent Productions present their ver- Police. An interactive performance portraying the Oct, Dudley Town Hall sion of Bizet's passionate opera, Sun 18 Oct, New devastating impact of victimisation and hate crime OF MICE AND MEN John Steinbeck’s powerful and Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham on a group of young friends, Thurs 22 - Sat 24 Oct, gripping masterpiece tells the story of two outsiders HIMALAYAN JOURNEYS Ben Osbourne presents the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry in search of the American Dream, Tues 13 - Thurs stories of two journeys, with images and com- THE SILVER SWORD A stage production of Ian Serail- 15 Oct, Palace Theatre, Redditch pelling commentary, Sun 18 Oct, Theatre Severn, lier’s highly acclaimed and much-loved children’s THE FULL MONTY Amateur production presented by Shrewsbury novel, Thurs 22 - Sat 24 Oct, The Old Rep Theatre, the Lichfield Operatic Society, Tues 13 - Sat 17 Oct, BERYL: A ROMANCE ON TWO WHEELS West Yorkshire Birmingham Lichfield Garrick Playhouse present a celebration of the life of cyclist MINDGAME Staging of Anthony Horowitz’s gripping THE SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH Liza Goddard & Beryl Burton, Sun 18 Oct, Conquest Theatre, Here- thriller, Thurs 22 - Sat 31 Oct, Sutton Arts Theatre, Brian Capron star in a brand new version of Irving fordshire Sutton Coldfield Berlin’s musical comedy, Tues 13 - Sat 17 Oct, Bel- THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA A light-hearted & zany MONOLOGUESLAM UK AUTUMN 2015 Witness the grade Theatre, Coventry reinterpretation of the classic fairytale, Sun 18 Oct, brightest new acting talent and watch as the actors SWEENEY TODD Stafford & District Operatic Society’s The Dream Factory, Warwick go head to head, competing to be crowned the amateur staging, Tues 13 - Sat 17 Oct, Stafford WEBBER STREET New production based on a host of winner of their respective rounds. Visit triforcepro- Gatehouse Theatre colourful characters and their comings and goings motions.co.uk for more information, Fri 23 Oct, The AN INSPECTOR CALLS JB Priestley’s award-winning on Webber Street. Featuring songs from Cats, REP, Birmingham thriller, Tues 13 - Sat 17 Oct, Regent Theatre, Starlight Express, Oliver! & Joseph, Sun 18 Oct, JUMP! WE’LL CATCH YOU Insightful and moving play Stoke-on-Trent Artrix, Bromsgrove

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CBeebies series, Mon 26 Oct, Theatre Severn, journey through his life, Thurs 29 Oct, Stratford Shrewsbury Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon Theatre LISTINGS MARTY MACDONALD’S FARM Children’s theatre featur- DR SEUSS'S THE CAT IN THE HAT Lively and engaging ing the voice of CBeebies star, Justin Fletcher, as theatre experience for young children aged three- For full listing information on theatre Pongo the Pig, Mon 26 - Wed 28 Oct, Belgrade plus, Thurs 29 - Sat 31 Oct, Belgrade Theatre, Theatre, Coventry Coventry productions, including times and BAD JEWS Joshua Harmon’s best-selling play stops SWEENEY TODD Blue Orange Arts in association with dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk off in the Midlands as part of a national tour, Mon Night Project Theatre present the story of the 26 - Sat 31 Oct, Malvern Theatre Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Thurs 29 Oct - Sat 7 exploring the role of theatre in the mental health THE FULL MONTY Sheffield Theatres present a Nov, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham system and asking what it is to be normal, Fri 23 staged version of Simon Beaufoy's award-winning DON QUIXOTE Based on episodes from Miguel de Oct, The REP, Birmingham film, Mon 26 - Sat 31 Oct, Regent Theatre, Stoke- Cervantes' famous novel Don Quixote de la Man- CERI DUPREE: EYECONS Female impersonator Ceri on-Trent cha, Fri 30 Oct, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Dupree presents an evening of visual comedy, BLOOD BROTHERS Willy Russell's musical, set in his FALLEN VOICES Local performers re-enact the experi- impressions, music and thousands of pounds native Liverpool. Maureen Nolan & Marti Pellow star, ences of those living during the First World War, Fri worth of jaw-dropping costumes, Fri 23 Oct, The- Mon 26 - Sat 31 Oct, Wolverhampton Grand The- 30 Oct, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa atre Severn, Shrewsbury atre DINOSAUR DETECTIVES Using rod puppets, shadow JURASSIC ADVENTURES Lively & fun show for young NOTHING TO HYDE 4Front Theatre present a modern play & children’s toys, Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre dinosaur fans, Fri 23 Oct, Solihull Arts Complex adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale, invite audiences to join them on a journey of dis- DICKENS ABRIDGED A high-speed comic journey exploring the war that rages within us, Mon 26 - Sat covery, Fri 30 Oct, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South through Dickens' greatest hits, written and directed 31 Oct, Malvern Theatres Shropshire by Adam Long, Fri 23 Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove SID’S SHOW Join Sid from Cbeebies live on stage in DUCK IN THE TRUCK Children’s theatre based on the FLANDERS AND SWANN: AT THE DROP OF A HIPPOPOTA- a fun-filled adventure that promises to knock your bestselling book by acclaimed children’s author Jez MUS Evening of wit and piano playing from pianist socks off!, Tues 27 Oct, Stourbridge Town Hall Alborough, Fri 30 Oct, Solihull Arts Complex Duncan Walsh Atkins & comedian Tim Fitzhigham, OH, WHISTLE Two supernatural tales by MR James, THE AMAZING BUBBLE MAN The international hit show, Fri 23 Oct, Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury the master of the English ghost story, Tues 27 Oct, with bubble art, magic, science and lots of fun, Fri TALES OF HOFFMAN English Touring Opera present a Lichfield Garrick 30 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall dark comedy from the masters of French operetta, PUSS IN BOOTS Join CBeebies star Patrick Lynch as TREE FU TOM LIVE! New show starring the world’s based on the brilliant, bizarre stories of fantasy he adds a new spin to this much-loved classic, smallest superhero, direct from the smash-hit author ETA Hoffman, Fri 23 Oct, Malvern Theatre Tues 27 Oct, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre CBeebies series, Fri 30 Oct, Bedworth Civic Hall THE CANTERBURY TALES Impulse Collective present a LIGHT SHOW Oily Cart present a fully immersive the- DRACULA: THE KISSES... Scary Little Girls turns the contemporary take on Chaucer’s fourteenth century atre experience for three-to-eleven-year-olds, Tues Dracula myth on its head in this new production classic, Fri 23 Oct, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton 27 - Wed 28 Oct, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry featuring an all-female cast, Fri 30 Oct, The Old Rep YOUR FRAGRANT PHANTOM Passionate story of love, DEAD DOG IN A SUITCASE (AND OTHER LOVE SONGS) Theatre, Birmingham loss & legacy which explores the life and times of F Kneehigh Theatre presents John Gay's blazing new WILL SEAWARD'S SPOOKY GHOST TALES Storyteller & Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda - one of the show, based on the Beggars Opera, Tues 27 - Sat comedian Will Seaward presents a 'mighty dose of most iconic couples of the Roaring ’20s, Fri 23 - Sat 31 Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry spine-tingling, blood-soaked, torch-wielding come- 24 Oct, Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham POLES APART John Godber’s scorching new comedy dy spookiness’, Fri 30 Oct, mac, Birmingham THE SNOW DRAGON Tall Stories combine storytelling, sees two worlds collide when the scaffolders from DRACULA Rabbit Theatre present a new adaptation comedy & songs to create a magical, mysterious hell descend on a quiet theatre, Tues 27 - Sat 31 of Bram Stoker’s classic tale, Fri 30 Oct, Snailbeach world for children aged three-plus, Fri 23 - Sat 24 Oct, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme Village Hall, Shropshire Oct, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry PETER PAN Amateur production, presented by the I WISH I HAD A MOUSTACHE A coming-of-age story ROMEO & JULIET The Flanagan Collective present an Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre Company, Tues 27 that explores beauty, gender anxieties and the all-female production of one of the greatest love - Sat 31 Oct, Lichfield Garrick taboo of body hair, Fri 30 - Sat 31 Oct, Belgrade stories ever told, Fri 23 - Sun 25 Oct, mac, Birming- ABIGAIL'S PARTY An amateur production of Mike Theatre, Coventry ham Leigh’s story of 1970s suburbia, Tues 27 - Sat 31 THE SNOW DRAGON Tall Stories combine storytelling, THE AMAZING BUBBLE MAN The international hit show, Oct, The Swan Theatre, Worcester comedy and songs to create a magical mysterious with bubble art, magic, science and lots of fun, Sat DRACULA’S GHOST Don’t Go Into The Cellar present world for everyone aged three-plus, Fri 30 - Sat 31 24 Oct, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury an original stage play concerning the story of Count Oct, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre THE HOLLYWOOD SPECIAL EFFECTS SHOW An interac- Dracula, Wed 28 Oct, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre RELATIVELY SPEAKING Bear Pit Theatre Company tive family show offering a behind-the-scenes look NOSFERATU Proper Job Theatre Company blend present Alan Ayckbourn's comic masterpiece, Fri 30 into how some of the special effects in your original music and illusion to present a new touring Oct - Sat 7 Nov, The Bear Pit Theatre - The United favourite films have been created, Sat 24 Oct, show inspired by F Murnow's renowned German Reformed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon Palace Theatre, Redditch Expressionist film of the same name - which, in THE BASIL BRUSH SHOW Britain's most loveable fox is WERTHER English Touring Opera present turn, was inspired by Bran Stoker's Dracula, Wed back on the road along with his TV chum Mr Massenet’s domestic story of a seemingly idyllic 28 Oct, mac, Birmingham Stephen (aka Chris Pizzey). Together they take middle-class family torn apart by uncontrollable EVERY BRILLIANT THING Paines Plough and Pentabus audiences on a journey of laughs, storytelling & passion, Sat 24 Oct, Malvern Theatre Theatre Company present a play about depression song in a brand new stage show, Sat 31 Oct, Soli- LOVERS ROCK MONOLOGUES Join Janet Kay, Carroll and the lengths people will go to for those they hull Arts Complex Thompson & Victor Romero Evans as they fuse love, Wed 28 Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove MAD ABOUT THE MUSICALS Celebrating the very best timeless music with theatrical storytelling. This ONCE UPON A TIME Fiercely unapologetic show songs from the shows. Starring Gareth Gates and event forms part of Punch Records BASS 15, Sat about ageing and the passing of time, Wed 28 Oct, Michael Courtney, Sat 31 Oct, Malvern Theatres 24 Oct, The REP, B’ham Malvern Theatre RUMMAGE Language Alive! and Theatre Company I BELIEVE IN UNICORNS Sat 24 Oct, Number 8 Com- THE FAITHLESS HEALER A dark comedy about a Blah Blah Blah fuse creative storytelling & puppetry munity Arts Centre, Evesham young girl with inexplicable healing powers, Wed 28 to explore the imaginative possibilities of the things MORBID CURIOSITIES Don't Go Into The Cellar pres- - Sat 31 Oct, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry we throw away every day, Sat 31 Oct, The REP, ent a theatrical anthology of classic ghost and hor- AS YOU LIKE IT Presented by Shropshire Drama Birmingham ror stories, Sun 25 Oct Company, Wed 28 - Sat 31 Oct, Theatre Severn, DRACULA: THE KISSES... Scary Little Girls turns the Croft Castle, Leominster Shrewsbury Dracula myth on its head in this new production THE SCARECROW'S WEDDING Scamp Theatre present PARADE Forest Arts Theatre Company present an featuring an all-female cast, Sat 31 Oct, Artrix, a stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson & Axel amateur production of the award-winning musical, Bromsgrove Scheffler's new best-selling book, Sun 25 Oct, The Wed 28 - Sat 31 Oct, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall UNEXPECTED OPERA Opera Naked present a fusion Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham ORPHEUS Acclaimed company Little Bulb Theatre of singing, true stories & comedy, Sat 31 Oct, Strat- THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA A light-hearted & zany are here joined by French guitarist Django Rein- ford Artshouse reinterpretation of the classic fairytale, Sun 25 Oct, hardt & songstress Yvette Pepin in a musical re- DRACULA Rabbit Theatre present a new adaptation The Dream Factory, Warwick imagining of the Greek myth, Wed 28 - Sat 31 Oct, of Bram Stoker’s classic tale, Sat 31 Oct, The Mar- ALIENS LOVE UNDERPANTS Family fun with stunning The REP, Birmingham ket Theatre, Ledbury, HR8 2AQ effects, madcap action, original music and more... A CLOCKWORK ORANGE Tin Robot Theatre in collabo- GREAT EXPECTATIONS The Crescent Theatre Compa- Sun 25 - Mon 26 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall ration with the OJS Theatre present a radical ny present an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ clas- retelling of Anthony Burgess's masterpiece for the sic tale, Sat 31 Oct - Sat 7 Nov, The Crescent The- modern day, Wed 28 - Sat 31 Oct, Old Joint Stock atre, Birmingham Week Commencing MON 26 OCT Theatre, Birmingham LOVE FOR LOVE Selina Cadell makes her RSC direc- Tree Fu Tom Live - Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury LITTLE FRANKENSTEIN Lempen Puppets present a torial debut with Congreve's restoration comedy, gentle horror which promises to tickle the imagina- where love for love is stronger than love for money. tion of everyone from five to one hundred-and-five, Nicholas Le Prevost stars, Wed 28 Oct 2015 - Fri 22 Mon 26 Oct, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolver- Jan 2016, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon hampton THE SELFISH GIANT Children’s theatre presented by ERROR 404 ARC Stockton present a Polka Theatre Sea Legs Puppet Theatre Company, Thurs 29 Oct, production which encourages audiences to look The Hive, Worcester again at everything they thought they knew, Mon 26 THE BASIL BRUSH SHOW Britain's most loveable fox is Oct, mac, Birmingham back on the road along with his TV chum Mr HOW THE KOALA LEARNT TO HUG A charming tale Stephen (aka Chris Pizzey). Together they take about the magic of family - and, of course, the audiences on a journey of laughs, storytelling & importance of a nice warm hug! Mon 26 Oct, song in a brand new stage show, Thurs 29 Oct, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury TREE FU TOM LIVE! New show starring the world’s BRIAN BLESSED: ABSOLUTE PANDEMONIUM Join the smallest superhero, direct from the smash-hit larger-than-life actor as he takes audiences on a www.whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Theatre October Davina 1.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 18:58 Page 15

Theatre REVIEWS

Below are reviews of theatre/dance productions we checked out last month. For further theatre reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Crush Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

If Crush isn’t a huge hit, I’ll eat my hockey stick... naked... in public. This new musical comedy has all the heart-warming elements of those charming girls’ boarding school novels of yesteryear; laced with hearty humour, singable songs and nifty dance routines. Maureen Chadwick and her composing companion, Kath Gott, have transformed the Girl’s Own Annual formula into something far more compelling. It’s the early ’60s and a horrible headmistress (Miss King Charles III The REP, Birmingham Bleacher, masterfully played by Rosemary Ashe) has taken command at Dame Dorothea Stunning choral music sets a sombre tone at the start of King Charles III, quickly Dosserdale’s School for Girls with a harsh mission undercut by Prince Harry's comically late arrival at his grandmother's funeral. This shift- to dominate and destroy; and there certainly won’t ing mood characterises Mike Bartlett's fascinating state of the nation play, as it does be any of ‘that’ in her school. the fickleness of public opinion and the press, who are the largely unseen heart of this Rallied by lovely deputy head Miss Austin (a perfect production. part for Sara Crowe), the distraught girls vow to The premise is interesting if not wholly convincing: it takes time to get past disbelief at vanquish their tyrant. But they hadn’t reckoned on a modern monarch's attempt to wield parliamentary influence, particularly over a bill the dastardly deeds of school sneak Brenda... a pertaining to press freedom. Nevertheless, as the story progresses, the power of cute comedy character of which Georgia Oldman Robert Powell's performance in the title role is such that it's easy to forget it isn't makes the absolute most. Charles himself on stage. Powell is magnetic, deftly conveying conflict, reflectiveness Kath Gott has created twenty new songs for this and, perhaps most importantly, frailty. show and there are no makeweights. Like The King's Speech, this is a story of the imposition of royalty and hereditary She and choreographer Richard Roe clearly recall celebrity. It's tough enough for Charles's sons (excellently portrayed by Richard Glaves the thwack of hockey sticks and the clatter of studs and Ben Righton), but the effective exercise of sovereignty in one's seventies seems on changing room tiles - and have conjured up a an impossible ask. Unlike his mother, Charles hasn't had decades to learn the ropes - fabulously jokey tap routine, led with gusto by Kirsty and with the modern world in constant flux, the new King is instantly out of his depth. Malpass as the mysterious gym mistress who’s At the other end of the spectrum is Prince Harry, destined never to be king but still to come to save the school. bear the family burden. He and his newfound ‘common’ love, Jess (aptly studying at The only obstacle I fear might stand in this excellent St Martin's College, with Lucy Phelps sparkling in the role), are among the most sym- new show’s way to pathetic characters - though the Falstaffian quality of their forbidden friendship creates the West End is a sense of foreboding. Tim Treloar, too, makes a wonderfully grounded Prime Minister, the title. ‘Crush’ is his principled, working-class persona reflecting increased favouring of Jeremy Corbyn such an ugly word and left alternative parties. with other, crueller Shakespearean references are woven throughout, among them parental ghosts, other- meanings. There wordly promises of kingship, and Katherine's Lady Macbeth-like qualities. Jennifer Bry- has to be some- den's Kate is the most pantomime character, but here a point is made: her plastic shell thing better. of a public persona could hide anything beneath. Equally deliciously dastardly is Giles Chris Eldon Lee Taylor as the scheming Mr Stevens. Less effective is the stylised writing: the blank n n n n n verse works best when least apparent, with poetic archaisms sometimes jarring. Among the most memorable scenes is one in which the disillusioned Harry unfolds his woes to a kebab shop server. In Parth Thakerar's earnestly delivered reply, unlikely par- allels are drawn between the royals' existential angst and that of the teeming masses, Sylvie Guillem Birmingham Hippodrome lost and redundant in a world that is yet busier and better connected than ever. This From being the youngest ever étoile (highest rank- drawing on the general confusion of our times is perhaps the play's greatest strength: ing female dancer) at the Paris Opera House to in his frustrated impotence, the King really does seem to speak for his people. Associate Artist at London’s Sadler’s Wells, Sylvie Heather Kincaid n n n n Guillem has enjoyed a career of which any dancer would be proud. So when the decision came to say goodbye to dancing, one last world tour was the only way to do so. Waiting For Godot Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Life In Progress opened with Akram Khan’s brand new work, Technê - made specifically for Guillem. A London Classic Theatre’s version of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting For Godot was spot on. key figure in Sylvie’s career, it’s no surprise Akram’s It made for a hypnotically meditative evening when it showed at Shrewsbury’s Theatre choreography made an appearance in the show. Severn - although stamina was required to see it through. Guillem effortlessly managed to capture all the The main characters - two tramps - were a delight. Richard Heap (as a northern, no- qualities we’d expect from a Khan work, amplifying nonsense Estragon) and Peter Cadden (as the light, intellectual Vladimir) appeared to them in her own unique way. understand every word of Beckett’s convolutions, even making sense of the bits that Duo2015, meanwhile, featured two wonderful male don’t make sense. dancers; Guillem sat this one out. Desperately waiting for something to happen, the bowler-hatted, love-hate duo passed Russell Maliphant is another choreographer who’s the timedid by speculating about the mysterious Godot’s arrival. had a massive impact on Sylvie. Her performance Who turn up was Pozzo, played with loud, boorish bluster by Jonathan Ashley. in his Here And After was one to remember. Pozzo is used by Beckett in the play to point up the inequality of our social structure. Guillem danced the final work, Mats Ek’s Bye, with This arrogant ringmaster had his poor serving boy, Lucky, on a long lead and treated all great passion, after which she left the Hippodrome three fellows with contempt - until, that was, he desperately needed them in Act Two. stage for the very last time. Waiting For Godot will never be a crowd pleaser. It’s a play for the connoisseur rather This show isn't a ‘best of’. It’s a thank you and trib- than the casual theatregoer. But this sixtieth anniversary production is as good as it ute to the choreographers who’ve helped create, gets and proves that you can please most of the people for much of the time. You just mould and define the career of Sylvie Guillem, a have to remember you’re watching a pivotal piece of theatre history. dancer truly deserving of legendary status. The play simply wouldn’t have worked if it had been written today... One of the tramps would surely have texted Godot to ask him what the hell he was playing at. Jamie Ryan n n n n n Chris Eldon Lee n n n n 40 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre October Davina 1.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 18:53 Page 16

Theatre WEST END What the Dickens! It must be Christmas... Jim Broadbent is to return to the West End to star in a new produc- tion of A Christmas Carol. The Academy Award-winning actor will play Ebenezer Scrooge in Patrick Barlow’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ tale of greed, ghosts and redemption. Directed by the Olivier Award-winning Phe- lim McDermott (Shockhead Peter), A Christmas Carol shows at the Noel Cow- ard Theatre from 30 November to 30 Janu- ary. Further casting is yet to be announced.

Holy puppet! Hand To God to open in West End

Robert Askin’s controversial and blasphemous play, Hand To God, is to transfer to the West End early next year. The play is currently proving a hit on Broadway and has been described by The New Yorker as ‘Sesame Street meets The Exorcist’. Its story concerns a shy teenager named Jason who’s surprised to find his Bible School project, a puppet named Tyrone, taking on a shocking, truth-telling personality all its own. The puppet forces everyone in its path - and especially Jason’s mother, Margery - to confront their own demons in a search for redemption. Featuring some genuinely shocking twists, Hand To God is performed for the final time on Broadway on 3 January. The play then opens at London’s Vaudeville Theatre on 5 February.

War-time classic at Duke of York’s Theatre Chichester Festival Theatre’s much-acclaimed production of Good- night Mr Tom is to return to the West End in December for a ten- week season. Based on Michelle Magorian’s modern classic, David Wood’s stage version beautifully brings to life the World War Two story of William Beech. A young boy evacuated to the idyl- lic English countryside, William forges a heart-warming relationship with elderly recluse Tom Oakley, played by David Troughton. William’s life seems perfect - until, that is, he’s suddenly summoned by his mother to return to London. Goodnight Mr Tom shows at Duke of York’s Theatre from 11 December to 20 February.

Sounds of Burt Bacharach at the Criterion A New York Theatre Workshop production paying homage to one of America’s finest songwriters is transferring to the West End’s Criteri- on Theatre this month. Close To You: Bacharach Reimagined arrives at the Criterion follow- ing a successful run at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Described as ‘a dynamic, uplifting and magical journey’ through over thirty classic Burt Bacharach hits, Close To You is directed by the Olivier Award-winning Steven Hoggett. It features a (yet to be announced) cast of multi-talented musicians, all of whom are led by visionary composer and performer Kyle Riabko. Featured Bacharach classics include Alfie, Anyone Who Had A Heart, I Say A Little Prayer, Walk On By, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head and What’s New Pussycat?. For further information about Close To You (Criteri- on Theatre, 3 October - 10 January) and to purchase tickets, visit criterion-the- atre.co.uk

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Craig Revel Horwood Interview DPS Oct LW.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 22:53 Page 1

interview Craig Revel Horwood

Whether it’s via his acerbic comments as a Strictly judge or by playing a menacing character in panto, Craig Revel Horwood certainly knows how to make himself the villain of the piece. Craig’s currently, er, revelling in the rave reviews he’s getting for starring as the emotionally challenged Miss Hannigan in a new touring production of Annie. Recently catching up with him to talk about this latest role, What’s On was pleased to discover that, in direct contrast to his well-managed public persona, Craig is really rather nice...

What appeals to you most about the role of Miss Hannigan, Craig? I like the fact she’s a villain. I love playing villains because they’re just a lot more fun. There’s a lot of depth to the character, which is good too. I also find the fact she’s a gin- swigging woman who lusts after men and hates children attractive.

So what qualities do you have that make you ideal for the role? I play her just as any actor would play her. I’ve invested in the character and hopefully the audience will believe in me. It’s not a drag role, it’s just me playing Miss Hannigan, that’s all. There’s no sight of Craig Revel Horwood in the show at all.

So how did the chance to play the part come about? Were you surprised to be approached? Was it an instant yes from you or did you need some time to think about it? When I was first approached, my initial thought was that they were going to ask me to direct and choreograph. I’d done panto but hadn’t done any serious acting for a long time, because I love directing and I love choreographing. I took a week to think it over. I read the script and really did love the character, so I thought, ‘Yeah, why not, let’s give it a bash and see how we get on’. That’s how it came about and it’s been a huge success.

42 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Craig Revel Horwood Interview DPS Oct LW.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 22:53 Page 2

I love playing villains because they’re just a lot more fun

Where did your research for Miss in my key and all the keys were specifically is a delight. I’m seeing some really lovely “Hannigan take you? chosen for my vocal ability. It’s something I lines, some lovely arms and some lovely” feet, I have an alcoholic father, so I’m quite ‘in the used to do way back when anyway. I was in so that’s good. A couple of them got in a few know’ about alcoholism. I know how Miss Saigon for a long time, and I was also in high kicks too, which is wonderful. Then, alcoholics react because I lived with it as a Cats. At the end of the day, though, it’s up to equally, there are people who don’t have child and grew up with it. I guess I’m a the person who’s listening, not me, to make a much rhythm - so it should be fun seeing the fountain of knowledge when it comes to that decision on my vocal ability, but I do enjoy it. dancers teaching them. Peter Andre looks like sort of thing. I’ve played women before. I he’ll be good. I suppose he could become a once created a character called Lavish, but You’re used to directing. How are you finalist because of his popularity - as well as that was just for clubs so is slightly different to adapting to taking instructions from the fact he can move quite well. He certainly what I’m doing here. For Miss Hannigan, I others? looks like a front runner. studied the New York accent and visited an It did take some getting used to, but I go back accent coach for guidance. to being professional and listening to the Which previous dancer and/or routine still director and the choreographer and doing gives you a chuckle? How’re you finding the heels and make- what I’m told. They criticise me and give me Ann Widdecombe. She’s funny. I just think of up? notes, but that’s what it’s all about. They do it her and it makes me laugh. She’s actually I’ve danced in heels before. I was doing a to make me better. I suppose that’s why I’m become a friend now, because we did panto show where I first learned to dance as a so harsh on Strictly, because I’m hard on for two years after she was on Strictly and we woman, because it’s very different to dancing myself in that way. danced together on the tour. We did forty-two as a man. Heels, of course, are a very big part shows dancing together on the tour and forty- of that, so I had a lot of blisters to begin with. Where are you most comfortable - in front two panto shows. We’ve sort of become a They’ve subsided now and I’ve got used to it. of or behind the stage? double act - and an unlikely one at that, which Quite frankly, it’s like putting on a pair of I prefer being in the dark, making people I think is quite good. She makes me laugh slippers now. I apply all my make-up myself. It better, than performing, but that’s because because she’s just out there having fun and took me a while initially but with practice it I’ve had such a long step off the stage - apart having a laugh with it. That’s a great becomes faster. I arrive ninety minutes before from with panto, of course. It’s been great approach. the show as it takes that long to get ready. and I’ve loved being on tour. Every week is different. We get to go to another place and Who would be your ideal contestant on a They say you should never work with discover these lovely cities all over again. I’m future show? children or animals. How’re you finding the enjoying that side of it. Simon Cowell. He would be fantastic. experience? That would be excellent. Yes, they would be right! They’re As you mentioned earlier, you enjoy unpredictable, but the kids in the show are playing the villain. You played the Wicked There’s been a call for same-sex couples absolutely incredible and are really, really Queen in Snow White, now Miss Hannigan to be featured on the show. What’s your talented. There are three different Annies and in Annie, and later this year you’ll be opinion? three groups of orphans who play three days playing Captain Hook in Peter Pan. Do you I think it’s a good idea. I have no problem with each. Each group then has a week off, so it ever yearn to play someone who’s nice? it because there are same-sex competitions, works out perfectly well. They’re tutored on No, not at all. I like the villains. They get the and Strictly Come Dancing isn’t entirely a the road as well, so that’s pretty cool. They’re best lines and the best parts. Being dark, dance competition. The winners aren’t going actors and aspiring actors who’ve been sometimes sinister, is much more fun; far to become world champions and do dance selected from all over the UK and who want to better than playing some boring old love tours around the world, are they? I can’t see go on and do this as a career, so they’ve interest. any reason why it should be an issue on the been trained very, very well. show, although I can professionally. At that Do you ever get tired of being called ‘Craig level it raises points about lifts and stuff like Do you have a pre-show routine that you Revel Horrid’? that, and certain things they do in the rule go through to get into character? No, I don’t care. It’s like water off a duck’s book. As for Strictly, I say bring it on. Miss Hannigan opens the show at four back. o’clock in the morning, absolutely Post-Annie, what’s next for Craig Revel slaughtered out of her head - so I can’t Has being back on the stage given you a Horrid, er, Horwood? completely get into character until I’m at the taste for more in the future? I go into panto in High Wycombe, where I’ll door, otherwise I’d be falling all over the Yeah, definitely, I would most certainly be doing two shows a day, every day - except place! Mainly I just concentrate. I have a bit of consider doing it again, as I’ve enjoyed it Saturdays because I’ll be doing Strictly. Then, quiet time before getting into character and enormously. It would be great to do a West when Strictly finishes at Christmas, I continue going on stage. End run, but we’ll see what happens in the in panto until the beginning of January. Then future. That’s the beauty of this business and there’s Strictly Come Dancing Live, which Miss Hannigan loves gin. What’s your why I like it so much. You never know what tours arenas across the country up until favourite tipple away from the stage? you’re going to be doing or what February. I’ll then be off to Berlin to I like vodka. Vodka and anything diet so that opportunities there will be. As one door choreograph a dance show. After that I’m it’s not as many calories, because I have to closes, another one opens and vice versa, so doing Hood The Musical, a new show all watch my weight. That or Sauvignon Blanc. it’s all very good. about Robin Hood which opens in June. In July/August I’m directing and choreographing Do you suffer pre-show nerves? What’s the worst criticism you’ve received a new version of Sister Act The Musical. Then I always do because it’s a live crowd and you as a performer? we’re back into Strictly, panto and the Strictly never know what’s going to happen. Each The worst criticism was about my first tour again. Talking through my diary with you audience is different and the show itself is a performance. It was by a newspaper and in makes me realise I need to sort a holiday. little bit different every day, but I do think it’s bad taste. They said I had varicose veins, that Phew! good to be nervous. It’s my job to get up I couldn’t dance, I couldn’t sing, I couldn’t act there, to play the character and play the part and was too fat. It really was just a two-page well, so I do get nervous. blast off, but they had thousands of Craig Revel Horwood stars as Miss complaints from readers. Hannigan in Annie at Birmingham You’ve got a proven record when it comes Hippodrome from Tues 13 - Sat 31 to dancing, choreography and directing, What are your initial thoughts about the October. Of A Birds of a Feather star Lesley but how’s your singing? quality of this year’s Strictly contestants? Joseph will play Miss Hanniganin in all I think it’s fantastic! I love it because it’s right Well, some of them can actually dance, which Saturday performances.

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Dance October.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 16:17 Page 1 Dance

Rambert Presents: Rooster & Other Works The REP, Birmingham, Wed 28 - Sat 31 October Britain’s oldest dance company makes a welcome return to the properties. Alexander Whitley’s Frames dissects the process of the- Midlands this month to perform a triple bill of works - including its atre making, with dancers using metal structures to construct and most popular and best-loved piece, Rooster. deconstruct a stage within a stage. Christopher Bruce’s colourful celebration of the Swinging ’60s was Closing the programme, Kim Brandstrup’s Transfigured Night is a first performed in 1994. It features sharp-suited, snake-hipped men dramatic love story in which intimate duets are complemented by coming together with strong, sassy women to perform courtship ensemble dancing, all of which amplify the beauty and romance of dances to hits by the Rolling Stones. Arnold Schoenberg’s brilliant score, Verklärte Nacht. Next up is an innovative work from one of British dance’s hottest

Without Stars/There Coppelia Lichfield Garrick, Thurs 8 - Fri 9 October; Artrix, We Have Been Bromsgrove, Sun 11 October; The Place, DanceXchange, The Patrick Oakengates, Shropshire, Tues 13 October Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Fri 16 - Sat 17 October Delibes’ enchanting comic ballet has delighted audiences for generations. Love, loss and loyalty are When Dr Coppelius leaves mechanical doll explored to great effect in this Coppelia on his workshop balcony, she's soon double-bill of works by James causing a stir in the village - particularly in the Cousin Company. heart of the red-blooded Franz and the mind of Two stories telling the tale of two his jealous fiancee, Swanilda - who's mistaken the lovers, both works are inspired by mannequin for a flesh-and-blood rival... Haruki Murakami’s best-selling This particular production is brought to the stage novel, Norwegian Wood. by Vienna Festival Ballet. Featuring a talented Without Stars is presented from a array of young female perspective, as a quartet dancers, the of dancers provide an intimate company was glimpse into a secluded world of founded in 1980 fragile dependency. by Austrian By contrast, There We Have Been dancer Peter opens the door on the male ver- Mallek and typi- sion of events. cally spends Presented as a mesmerising duet, eight months of the male and female bond is the year perform- explored in an incredible feat of ing works from its stamina and choreographic inven- extensive reper- tion, with the female form not toire in smaller touching the floor once through- venues across out the piece. the UK.

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

MANA: THE POWER WITHIN A double bill featuring two emotive and spiritual works directed by Gail Parmel, presented as part of Birmingham Black History Month 2015, Thurs 1 Oct, DanceXchange, Birmingham VARIATIONS TRIPLE BILL Featuring work from George Balanchine, Alexander Whitley and Frederick Ashton, Thurs 8 - Sat 10 Oct, Birmingham Hippodrome COPPELIA Vienna Festival Ballet present the captivating story of an eccentric toymaker and his beloved doll, Thurs 8 - Sat 10 Oct, Lichfield Garrick ner of Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures THE NUTCRACKER The Russian State Ballet present SUPERNATURAL Performance artists Simone Choreography Award, Fri 16 - Sat 17 Oct, the all-time family favourite, Thurs 29 Oct, Stafford Aughterlony and Antonija Livingstone explore the DanceXchange, Birmingham Gatehouse Theatre meeting place between choreography and perform- CSCAPE DANCE: TASTE The tapestries of Grayson BROMANCE Crying Out Loud & Barely Methodical ance art in an elegant use of movement, coupled Perry are the inspiration behind this exploration of Troupe present a jaw-dropping show which promis- with challenging physical action that dissects our what defines our identity, Tues 20 Oct, Roses es to take British circus to new heights, Thurs 29 - perceptions of gender, Fri 9 Oct, DanceXchange, Theatre, Tewkesbury Fri 30 Oct, DanceXchange, B’ham Birmingham THE NUTCRACKER Presented by Vienna Festival C-12 DANCE THEATRE: SHHH! Contemporary dance COPPELIA Vienna Festival Ballet present Ballet, Thurs 22 Oct, Bedworth Civic Hall story of a library that’s closed down, with five the- the captivating story of an eccentric toymaker and THE SNOW QUEEN Ballet Theatre UK present a re- atrical performers manipulating the set and sur- his beloved doll, Sun 11 Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale roundings to create an innovative and powerful ...IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU Hagit Yakira Dance pres- ballet, Fri 23 Oct, Albany Theatre, Coventry piece of dance theatre, Thurs 29 Oct, mac, ent a poignant work which focuses on the nature of A DANCE FOR ALL SEASONS Showcase of work by the Birmingham human experience, Tues 13 Oct, Arena Theatre, Bloxwich-based Russon Dance School, Sat 24 - DON QUIXOTE The Russian State Ballet & Opera Wolverhampton Sun 25 Oct, Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock House present a ‘new & vibrant’ production based COPPELIA Vienna Festival Ballet present THE SNOW QUEEN Ballet Theatre UK present a re- on episodes from the novel Don Quixote de la the captivating story of an eccentric toymaker and telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale Mancha, Fri 30 Oct, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury his beloved doll, Tues 13 Oct, The Place, ballet, Mon 26 Oct, Palace Theatre, Redditch SWAN LAKE The Russian State Ballet and Opera Oakengates, Shropshire THE SNOW QUEEN Ballet Theatre UK present a re- House perform Tchaikovsky's world famous ballet, PHOENIX DANCE THEATRE: MIXED PROGRAMME 2015 telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale Sat 31 Oct, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Wed 14 Oct, Malvern Theatres ballet, Tues 27 Oct, Solihull Arts Complex INFUSION EMPORIUM A locally developed world WITHOUT STARS & THERE WE HAVE BEEN James THE SNOW QUEEN Ballet Theatre UK present a re- fusion dance event showcasing some of the most Cousins Company. Inspired by the best-selling telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale innovative contemporary choreographers to have novel, Norwegian Wood, by Haruki Murakami, this ballet, Wed 28 Oct, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury emerged from the scene, Sat 31 Oct, Arena double bill portrays two sides of a tender story of RAMBERT PRESENTS: ROOSTER & OTHER WORKS Wed Theatre, Wolverhampton love, loss and loyalty. Cousins is the inaugural win- 28 - Sat 31 Oct, The REP, Birmingham

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Ammo Interview DPS Oct LW.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 22:57 Page 1

interview Ammo Talwar

I’m proud to be a “ Brummie because Brummies keep it real.” 46 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Ammo Interview DPS Oct LW.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 22:57 Page 2

A cultural entrepreneur whose venture into music and arts ‘evolved organically’, Ammo Talwar is the Chief Executive of Punch Records and the man at the helm of BASS, the UK’s leading annual Black arts festival. This month the festival marks its tenth anniversary by staging ten live events paying homage to Black icons. What’s On recently caught up with Ammo to reflect on, among other subjects, the festival’s journey to date and his aspirations for BASS’s future.

Tell us about the origins of twenty-five. We want it to be an authentic the connectivity between theory and practice, BASS Festival, Ammo... youth voice. We’ve got partnerships with and between learning and getting a job. It was the result of conversations with young Access to Music, BOA and BCU. It’s running Does the educational side play a big role people - particularly from Afro Caribbean twenty-four/seven, with dedicated talk-and- in the wider scheme of things with Punch? communities - in terms of representation in music shows from eight to ten pm, then we Absolutely. We have four core values at the arts and commissioning new work. What go to specialist shows that cover niche Punch. Those are written through everything we wanted to do as an arts company was sounds. It’s all very exciting, and I know when we do and aren’t just about our business create something that would connect young we launch on 4 October it’s going to be really plan. To us, it’s all about creating work, people to mainstream arts organisations good for the city. touring work, educating through work and through a commissioning process. We showcasing through work. wanted to commission new work, individuals, The festival has a different theme each Not everything we do is in Birmingham, but producers, to create something that year. In 2015, it’s Icons. Tell us about when we tour artists nationally we make sure connected their art form to the broader arts yours... there’s always a Birmingham flavour or community. That was the idea in theory. The I have quite a few. In terms of values it has to feeling. first couple of years, we were making it up as be Mahatma Ghandi. In politics it’s Malcolm we went along, but over the years it really has X. In music it’s Public Enemy. All those Which up-and-coming local artist excites become a defined part of Birmingham’s personal icons have helped shape my you most? cultural offer. business, obviously all in different ways. Lady Leshurr. She’s someone who I think is going to take the city to another level Has it been easy to maintain that original Looking back at the festival over the past internationally. Laura Mvula has done it in one ethos? ten years, what would you say has been particular theme, but Leshur is definitely one It’s been a bit up and down. Some years were your highlight? to watch from an international perspective. easier because there was more momentum, We did something called the Decypher there was a lot more investment and there Collective in our first year. It was about You were awarded an MBE in 2008 for were a lot more partners. Venues like The bringing grime music into a theatre space. It contributions to music and young people. Drum or The REP would come on board and was a collision of ideas and people. We had What was your first reaction on hearing help co-commission work. Some years have grime artists next to theatre makers and we about the honour? been hard primarily because we’ve not got created this great work. A lot of those artists I thought it was a joke at first because I’ve got sponsorship or we’ve not got support from have now achieved bigger and better things. some quite bizarre friends who do all sorts of the local authority. But during the last three or They’ve toured and gone on to carve careers weird and wonderful things. When I realised it four years we’ve really been able to define the out of these art forms, either working in wasn’t a prank, I was genuinely surprised. It festival. theatre or spoken word. That was in our first was obviously reflective of the work we were We were always acutely aware that we didn’t year and it definitely remains a highlight. doing at the time. Although it was good to want to create a two-day, weekend festival. receive it, it was always about the impact we What we wanted to do was put together What's your favourite festival - apart from were having on our locality and the quality of beautifully crafted small events across a BASS, obviously? the work we were producing. I never planned period of time. The best one I’ve been to is a performing arts to work in music or the arts. I never planned festival in Graham’s Town in South Africa. On to run a festival, set up a radio station or The festival historically takes place in a local level, I enjoy Mostly Jazz, Simmer publish books. It all just sort of evolved June, so what was behind the decision to Down - all of the festivals where community organically. move this year’s event to October? meets good music. Because it’s the tenth anniversary we wanted Where would you like to see the festival in it to be special. We also wanted to get a bit Birmingham is renowned for its cultural ten years’ time? more for our buck, and we knew that by diversity and eclectic artistic offer. What do At the moment we’re quite boutique, with staging it during Black History Month we’d you think could and should be done to some small-scale commission events locally. get a bit more media support. further improve this? I’d love to bring more international artists to We’d already planned to produce a radio I think the arts need to be statutory. We need Birmingham, to get a feel of what the city’s station - mytenradio - throughout October to to teach more arts in schools and we need about. I’d like bigger, higher quality events, give young people an opportunity to talk the art work in the city to be more reflective of some outdoors. It’s about keeping it fresh. about real issues. Birmingham’s airwaves are the city. We need to reflect what’s going on in pretty poorly represented in terms of youth Alum Rock, Nechells, Handsworth, Kings Finally, what are you most proud of about voice. We have a lot of commercial stations Heath etc. I think a local agenda really is the being a Brummie? and we have a lot of niche radio stations, but future. I'm proud to be a Brummie because nothing that represents the youth voice. So Brummies keep it real. we decided on Radio Ten. We did something What contribution does Punch make to similar two years ago with BASS FM and it local education? was one of the best things we’ve done - so We work in schools and work closely with much so that we thought we’d do it again for teachers and academies, helping them to BASS 15 takes place across various 2015. look at the curriculum specifically in relation venues in Birmingham until 25 October. The station will be driven by the youth; we to music. It’s all about us as a business or Find out more at punchbass.com have a remit that you have to be under local arts organisation ensuring we look at

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Black History Month (BHM) made its UK debut in London in the late 1980s and has since grown into a nationwide celebration. The event is designed to honour the achievements, contributions and struggles of African, Asian and Caribbean people within the context of their diversity and heritage. Birmingham’s 2015 programme of BHM events has been jointly developed by the city council and intercultural arts centre The Drum. Its highlights include the showing of a looping video projection, Crossing Boundaries, against the exterior of the University of Birmingham’s Watson Building. The projection explores the subject of diversity on the university’s campus. Other BHM events in Birmingham include a number of local libraries displaying The Black Pioneers - a series of stories about inspirational black men and women who overcame prejudice. There’s also a special exhibition entitled RACE 50 which takes a look at ‘race relations half a century on’. An ‘accessible and engaging’ University of Birmingham talk explores the changing face of racism, while Celebrating The Light sees young musicians investigating the way in which the issue of race relations has diversified British music over the past fifty years. Birmingham’s BHM 2015 celebration is launched at The Drum on Friday 2 October with a keynote speech by sociology lecturer Dr Kehinde Andrews. Dr Andrews will be talking about the visit of Malcolm X to Smethwick fifty years ago. He will also explore how attitudes to racial discrimination have changed in Birmingham since the passing of the Race Relations Act in 1965. HIGHLIGHTS

MANA - ONE MANY PEOPLE 3 THE HARD WAY STOGIE KENYATTA THE POWER WITHIN ‘THE WORLD IS MY Bramall Music The Drum, HOME - THE LIFE The Patrick Centre, Building, Birmingham, Birmingham, OF PAUL ROBESON’ Birmingham, Thurs 1 October Thurs 29 October Thurs 1 October Bramall Music Building, Birmingham Fri 30 October www.whatsonlive.co.uk 49 MCM Brum (FP) OCT 2015.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 20:55 Page 1 Film - Oct.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 20:52 Page 1 Film

Released from Fri 2 Oct

By Our Selves CERT 15 (83 mins) Starring Toby Jones, Freddie Jones, Alan Moore, Iain Sinclair Directed by Andrew Kötting (UK) Considering that the pastoral poet John Clare ended up in a lunatic asylum, it is perhaps apt that Andrew Kötting’s film is quite mad. Kötting is one of Britain’s most distinctive filmmakers (Gallivant, This Filthy Earth, Ivul), although he refuses to pi- geon-hole himself as a feature filmmaker. He does make a lot of experimental shorts. Here, he’s cast Toby Jones as Clare, who wanders, on foot, from Epping Forest to Northampton in the year 1841, al- though the passing traffic and visibility of the cam- era operator Anonymous Bosch detracts from the period feel. The film’s ace card, though, is the presence of the eighty-seven-year-old Freddie Jones (Toby’s father) who reads Clare’s work on EDITOR’S screen. As much a comment on insanity and the CHOICE filmmaking process as on the poet, the film will prove far too self-indulgent for most tastes. Spectre CERT tbc Starring Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Andrew Scott, Léa Seydoux, Monica Bellucci, Naomie Harris, Dave Bautista, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear, Jesper Chris- tensen Directed by Sam Mendes (UK/USA) The last James Bond movie, Skyfall, is now the highest-grossing film in the UK of all time. So it’s good news that Skyfall’s director, Sam Mendes, is back behind the camera for the twenty-fourth official Bond movie. Daniel Craig returns (for the last time) as 007 and is sent on a mission to uncover a secret organisation (Spectre) that is really, really bad news. The theme song, Writing’s On The Wall, will be sung by Sam Smith, making him only the second male solo English artist (alongside Matt Monro) to have had the honour. Filming took place in Morocco, Mexico City, Rome, Austria, London and Oxford- shire. And, of course, Dame Judi will be sorely missed. Released 26 October

The Intern CERT 12a (121 mins) Starring Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo, Adam DeVine, Christina Scherer, Nat Wolff Directed by Nancy Myers (USA) Robert De Niro is back in comedy mode, this time playing a seventy-year-old who’s not all that con- tent with retirement. So he enrols himself as an in- tern at a fashion-based e-commerce company founded by the somewhat younger Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway). The director, Nancy Myers, is a past mistress at frothy comedy, having previously brought us What Women Want and The Holiday. And so the music is relentless, the running time a little generous (one hundred-and-twenty-one min- utes) and the gloss as thick as the contents of a tin of industrial Dulux. Still, De Niro and Hathaway do EDITOR’S generate a genuine warmth and chemistry, the dia- CHOICE logue sparkles and De Niro proves to be a rather Suffragette CERT 12a (106 mins) adept light leading man. Who would have thought? Starring Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Brendan Gleeson, Anne-Marie Duff, Meryl Streep, Ben Whishaw, Romola Garai Directed by Sarah Gavron (UK) The opener for this year’s London Film Festival, Suffragette focuses on the working women who fought for equal rights for their sex in the early part of the twentieth century. Starting off in 1912, the film takes a fictitious wife and mother, Maud Watts (Mulligan), and charts her involvement with key figures in the movement. However, the scenarist Abi Morgan has failed to find a sufficiently gripping narrative to thrust the story forward, other than to detail the misery of Maud’s life. Edu Grau's photography is also pretty mis- erable, a drab and grainy affair, captured via an agitated hand-held camera - presum- ably in an effort to inject a newsreel immediacy. It’s all very worthy, of course, but nowhere near as compelling as it should be. Released 12 October

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FilmNEW RELEASES

Macbeth CERT 15 (113 mins) Starring Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotil- lard, Paddy Considine, Sean Harris, Elizabeth Debicki, David Thewlis Directed by Justin Kurzel (UK) A Scottish thane lusts for power and thanks to the goading of his flaky wife and some premonitions, embarks on a path of consid- erable tragedy and much blood-letting. Words by William Shakespeare.

FROM THU The Walk CERT PG (123 mins) OCT 8 Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley, Released from Fri 16 Oct Sicario CERT 15 (121 mins) James Badge Dale, Ben Schwartz, Charlotte Starring Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, Le Bon Directed by Robert Zemeckis (USA) Josh Brolin, Victor Garber, Jon Bernthal Of course, this is no ordinary walk. This is Hotel Transylvania 2 Directed by Denis Villeneuve (USA) the life-threatening, highly illegal saunter be- CERT U (89 mins) It sounds like a routine action thriller. An tween the Twin Towers of the World Trade Featuring the voices of Adam Sandler, Andy idealistic FBI agent (Emily Blunt) is en- Center taken by the funambulist (tightrope Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Steve listed to track down a nameless drug lord walker) Philippe Petit in 1974. The subject Buscemi, David Spade, Mel Brooks operating on the US-Mexican border. was previously explored in the Oscar-win- Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky (USA) However, the film has received ecstatic ning documentary Man On Wire in 2008. In You can’t escape Adam Sandler these days - acclaim and is being tipped for Oscar 3D. or cartoons. Here, glory, with Ms Blunt a front-runner for Count Dracula best actress. (Sandler) attempts to fine-tune the blood-sucking The Program CERT 15 (103 mins) skills of his half- Starring Ben Foster, Chris O'Dowd, Guillaume human grandson, Canet, Jesse Plemons, Lee Pace, Dustin Hoff- Dennis. In 3D. man Directed by Stephen Frears (UK/France) If nothing else, Lance Armstrong was a ter- rific inspirational speaker. He could look you The Lobster CERT 15 (118 mins) straight in the eye and convince you he was Starring Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Jessica telling the truth. At cancer seminars he pro- Barden, Olivia Colman, Léa Seydoux, Ben claimed: “The pain is temporary, quitting is Whishaw Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (Ireland/UK/Greece/France/The Netherlands) forever.” His other key line was that the Tour de France is “the hardest sporting event in Regression CERT 15 (106 mins) Contender for the world.” Armstrong not only contracted Starring Ethan Hawke, Emma Watson, David weirdest film of the stage three metastatic testicular cancer, but Dencik, David Thewlis year, The Lobster is he beat it - and then went on to win the Directed by Alejandro Amenábar (USA/Spain) set in the near fu- ‘Tour’ seven consecutive times. It’s a com- According to those in the know, Emma Wat- ture where single pelling narrative and, as Armstrong, the son comes of age as a serious actress in people must find a blue-eyed Ben Foster is more than up to the this thriller. She plays the daughter of a man mate or be turned task. More problematic is the act of com- (Dencik) who confesses to sexually abusing into a beast - or pressing such a big story into less than two her, even though he has no memory of it. In- crustacean. File it hours and to bring a freshness to a tale so triguing. Amenábar previously directed under ‘Absurdist often told. The masterly documentarian Alex Open Your Eyes and The Others. black comedy’. Gibney previously tilled the same ground with his acclaimed The Armstrong Lie (2013) - which leaves this slick undertaking little Pan CERT PG (111 mins) room to improve on. Starring Hugh Jackman, Garrett Hedlund, Rooney Mara, Levi Miller, Amanda Seyfried, Cara Delevingne Directed by Joe Wright (USA) Like its protagonist, the story of Peter Pan will never grow up. This edition reverts to Peter’s beginnings and explores how he be- came the airborne child that we all know and love. The director Joe Wright previously brought us Pride & Prejudice and Atone- ment. In 3D.

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to unleash a terrible plague. So it’s up to the CERT tbc Crimson Peak immortal witch hunter Kaulder (Vin Diesel) to Released from Fri 30 Oct Starring Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, team up with a beautiful witch in order to Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam, Jim Beaver, save New York City. Leslie Hope CERT tbc Directed by Guillermo del Toro (USA) Taxi Tehran Starring Jafar Panahi, Hana Saeidi It sounds like something a Brontë might Directed by Jafar Panahi (Iran) have written, but is actually the product of Following The Circle (2000) and Crimson Guillermo del Toro, the Mexican master of Gold (2003), Jafar Panahi was banned from fantasy. Here, Wasikowska (who once making any more films for twenty years (and played Jane Eyre on film) marries Sir from leaving Iran). So, he shot this drama in Thomas Sharpe (Hiddleston), and moves to the back of a taxi while driving around his crumbling mansion in the north of nine- Tehran, recording his passengers’ confiden- teenth century England (Cumbria). There, tial comments and opinions. Winner of the she discovers that her new sister-in-law Golden Bear (best film) at this year’s Berlin (Chastain) is bent on protecting the ominous film festival. secrets of the house...

Mississippi Grind CERT 15 (109 mins) Starring Ryan Reynolds, Ben Mendelsohn, Si- enna Miller, Analeigh Tipton, Alfre Woodard Directed by Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck (USA) A veteran gambler down on his luck (Mendelsohn) embarks on a road trip with a younger man (Reynolds) hoping to up his game. It’s quite a gamble, as most films about gambling don’t do very well at the box-office.

Paper Planes CERT U (97 mins) Released from Fri 23 Oct Starring Sam Worthington, Ed Oxenbould, Deborah Mailman, David Wenham Directed by Robert Connolly (Australia) The Last Witch Hunter CERT tbc The World Paper Plane Championships in Starring Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood, Japan are approaching and young Dylan Michael Caine, Rena Owen Webber (Oxenbould) is determined to com- Directed by Breck Eisner (USA) pete - in spite of a slew of setbacks, not least Unbeknownst to most people, our planet is his father (Worthington), who is grieving over still haunted by witches who are now about the loss of Dylan’s mother in a car crash.

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Celie (Whoopi Goldberg), derworld by his junkie fa- Thurs 16 Oct Street, Glaswegian barber an African-American ther. But things seem to Barney Thomson stum- FilmA-Z LISTINGS woman living in the South be looking up when he La Famille Bélier 12a bles into serial murder by who survives incredible finds himself drawn to the Being the only hearing accident. Following a All films are currently on general release abuse and bigotry. Also mysterious girl with kohl- member of a deaf and somewhat low profile on unless otherwise stated. For full listing stars Oprah Winfrey & brimmed eyes and billow- mute family, Paula is the big screen in recent struggling to find her information, including times and dates, Danny Glover. Showing at ing hijab. Stars Sheila years, Robert Carlyle (The Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs vand & Arash Manesh. voice and make her own Full Monty) comes back visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk 22 Oct Showing at Foxlowe Arts life decisions. After discov- with a bang, making his Centre, Leek, Staffs, Tues ering a talent for singing directorial debut to boot. 45 Years 15 whom she might just The Diary Of A Teenage 13 Oct and receiving encourage- Also stars Emma Thomp- Kate and Geoff Mercer share her secret… Stars Girl 18 ment from her choir son. Showing at Royal (Charlotte Rampling & Blake Lively & Michiel Longing for love, Minnie teacher, she decides to Spa Centre, Leamington Tom Courtenay) are plan- Huisman. Showing at sets her sights on her hip- pursue a singing career, Hotel Transylvania PG Spa, Sat 17 Oct ning their forty-fifth wed- Stourbridge Town Hall, pie mother’s boyfriend, leaving the family facing Dracula operates a high- ding anniversary when an Mon 5 Oct the happy-go-lucky Mon- numerous challenges. A Little Chaos 12a end resort away from the unexpected discovery roe. The ’70s palette of Stars Karin Viard & There just aren’t enough Appropriate Behaviour human world. He goes threatens to torpedo the burgeoning feminism, François Damiens. Show- films about landscape 15 into overprotective mode celebration, not to men- bad acid trips and brown ing at Warwick Arts Cen- gardeners. This one pits An offbeat comedy telling when a boy discovers the tion the couple’s mar- corduroy is enlivened by tre, Coventry, Fr2 2 & Sun Kate Winslet’s Sabine the tale of Shirin, whose resort and falls for the riage… Both Ms bursts of psychedelic ani- 4 Oct against the designs of family don’t know is bisex- count's teenaged daugh- Rampling and Mr Courte- mation that perfectly illus- André Le Nôtre, both of ual. Following her ter. Featuring the voices of Laurel & Hardy - In nay won best acting trate Minnie’s blossoming whom are competing to brother’s engagement, Adam Sandler & Kevin Trouble U gongs at this year’s Berlin imagination. Stars Bel win the prize of construct- Shirin embarks on a pri- James. Showing at The Three classic films from Film Festival. Showing at Powley, Alexander Skars- ing a new fountain at the vate rebellion... Stars De- Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 30 one of the biggest com- Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 2 - gård & Kristen Wiig. Palace of Versailles. Alan siree Akhavan. Showing at Oct edy double acts of all Sat 3 & Tues 6 Oct; War- Showing at The Courtyard, Rickman plays King Louis The Hive, Shrewsbury, Sat time, Stan Laurel and wick Arts Centre, Coven- Hereford, Sat 3 - Wed 7 XIV. Also stars Matthias 17 Oct The Imitation Game 12a Oliver Hardy, which find try, Fri 2 - Thurs 8 Oct; The Oct Schoenaerts. Showing at Based on the biography the duo in deep trouble Courtyard, Hereford, Sat 3 Stourbridge Town Hall, Far From The Madding Alan Turing: The Enigma with their long-suffering - Wed 7 Oct; Roses The- Mon 19 Oct Crowd 12a by Andrew Hodges, the wives. Chickens Come atre, Tewkesbury, Mon 5 - The last time Thomas film chronicles Turing’s Home (1931), Their First Me And Earl And The Sat 10 Oct; Royal Spa WATCH Hardy’s immortal 1874 part in winning the Sec- Mistake (1932) and Blotto Dying Girl 12a Centre, Leamington Spa, novel was adapted for ond World War (by help- (1930). Showing at mac, Social misfit Greg and his Tues 6 Oct; Festival Dray- THE FILM the screen was courtesy ing to crack the Nazi’s Birmingham, until Thurs 1 friend and ‘co-worker’ Earl ton Centre, Market Dray- of the modern-day, thinly Enigma code) and then Oct spend most of their time ton, Fri 9 - Sat 10 Oct TRAILERS AT disguised Tamara Drewe his criminal prosecution making hilarious parodies The Abominable Crime (2010), with Gemma for being homosexual. Legend 15 of arthouse films. When whatsonlive.co.uk Stars Benedict Cumber- Tom Hardy stars opposite A documentary that gives Arterton. Thomas Vinter- Greg’s mum urges him to batch & Keira Knightley. Tom Hardy in this biogra- voice to gay Jamaicans berg’s version is strictly of spend time with a girl who Showing at Forest Arts phical thriller about the who, in the face of en- the costumed variety, set has Leukaemia, an unex- Centre, Walsall, Fri 9 Oct notorious twins, Ronald demic anti-gay violence, in Victorian England. Stars pected friendship devel- 15 and Reginald Kray. Based are forced to flee their Biutiful Carey Mulligan & Matthias ops. Stars Thomas Mann, This is the journey of Inside Out U on John Pearson’s 1972 homeland. The film fol- Schoenaerts. Showing at Olivia Cooke & RJ Cyler. Uxbal, a conflicted man Largely set inside the book, The Profession Of lows Simone Edwards, a The Courtyard, Hereford, Showing at Roses The- who struggles to reconcile brain of an eleven-year- Violence: The Rise And mother, and Maurice Tom- Wed 14 - Thurs 15 Oct atre, Tewkesbury, Tues 13 fatherhood, love, spiritual- old girl, the film’s five pro- Fall Of The Kray Twins. linson, a human rights ac- Oct; Stoke Film Theatre, ity, crime, guilt and mortal- Girl Rising PG tagonists are the Also stars Emily Brown- tivist, as they navigate the Fri 16 - Sat 17 Oct ity amidst the dangerous From Academy Award- emotions that dominate ing. Showing at mac, conflict of loving their underworld of modern nominated director her actions: Joy, Fear, Birmingham, until Thurs 1 Manglehorn 12a homeland and staying Barcelona. His livelihood Richard E Robbins, Girl Anger, Disgust and Sad- Oct; Malvern Theatres, Al Pacino got terrific re- alive. Showing at The is earned out of bounds, Rising journeys around ness, each given its own until Thurs 1 Oct; Old Mar- views for this drama, in Drum, Birmingham, Wed his sacrifices for his chil- the globe to witness the voice. But there’s more to ket Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 2 which he plays an eccen- 21 Oct dren. Stars Javier Bardem strength of the human this set-up than meets the - Thurs 8 Oct tric, small-town locksmith mind, as Joy and Sad- Absolutely Anything 12a & Maricel Álvarez. Show- spirit and the power of ed- in Texas still mourning an ness get lost! Showing at Life 15 As an off-the-wall experi- ing at The Hive, Shrews- ucation to change the unresolved relationship of The Courtyard, Hereford, Based on a friendship ment, a gaggle of un- bury, Wed 28 Oct world. Viewers get to twenty years ago. Also Sat 10 Oct; Artrix, Broms- with Life photographer orthodox aliens decide to know nine unforgettable stars Holly Hunter. Show- U grove, Mon 26 - Tues 27 Dennis Stock. Celebrated confer a disenchanted, Cinderella girls living in the develop- ing at The Courtyard, Once upon a time... Oh, Oct photographer Anton Cor- human school teacher ing world: ordinary girls Hereford, Fri 9 - Tues 13 don’t let us spoil the plot bijn is the man behind the with the ability to do ab- who confront tremendous Oct for you. Let’s just say Irrational Man 12a camera. Corbijn previ- solutely anything. Stars challenges and overcome there are long work hours, Fans of William Barrett’s ously helmed the cele- Miss Julie 12a Simon Pegg & Kate Beck- nearly impossible odds to really horrible step-sisters 1958 eponymous book, a brated Control (2007) - August Strindberg’s play insale. Showing at Festival pursue their dreams. and a rather dashing study in existential philos- about Ian Curtis and Joy on class and gender has Drayton Centre, Market Showing at Foxlowe Arts prince. ‘This version actu- ophy, may thrill to Woody Division - and the reward- been filmed twice before Drayton, Fri 2 Oct; Artrix, Centre, Leek, Staffs, Wed ally adheres more to Dis- Allen’s latest comedy- ingly intelligent The Ameri- on the big screen, and is Bromsgrove, Tues 6 Oct 7 Oct ney’s classic cartoon drama. Here, Joaquin can, with George here directed by the ac- Phoenix plays an alco- The Age Of Adaline 12a version of 1950 than A Girl Walks Home Clooney. Stars Robert Pat- tress Liv Ullmann. Show- holic, unconventional phi- Some accidents come at Charles Perrault’s original Alone At Night PG tinson & Dane DeHaan. ing at Warwick Arts losophy professor who a price. The reclusive folk story. Stars Cate In the deadbeat Iranian Showing at Warwick Arts Centre, Tues 6 - Wed 7 embarks on an irrational Adaline Bowman, follow- Blanchett & Lily James. ghost town of Bad City, a Centre, Coventry, Sun 18 - Oct; Old Market Hall, act in order to salvage his ing an accident, is ren- Showing at Forest Arts lone female vampire Thurs 22 Oct Shrewsbury, Fri 9 - Thurs ego. Devotees of Niet- dered ageless, for all Centre, Walsall, Fri 30 Oct stalks the streets looking 15 Oct zsche may also get a kick The Legend Of Barney intents and purposes re- for prey. Across town, re- 15 out of Woody’s worldview. Thomson 15 Mr. Holmes 12a maining twenty-nine for al- The Color Purple luctantly and against his An epic tale spanning Showing at Warwick Arts Unlike Sweeney Todd, the Just when you think most eight decades. She better nature, Arash is forty years in the life of Centre, Coventry, Fri 9 - Demon Barber of Fleet they’ve tried every angle then meets a man with pulled into Bad City’s un-

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

54 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Film A-Z October.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 20:38 Page 2

on Sherlock Holmes, The Salvation15 Selma12a Timbuktu12a Shrewsbury, Sat 17 Oct where his dreams of along comes a new inter- This is a Danish cowboy The story of Martin Luther The story of a simple cat- greatness are mentored A Walk In The Woods12 pretation. In this version, drama shot in South King’s legendary march tle herder and his wife and by an instructor who will It’s hard to imagine Bill Holmes is retired and suf- Africa. Mads Mikkelsen from Selma to Mont- what happens to them stop at nothing to realise a Bryson’s 1998 memoir fering from dementia but plays a settler whose fam- gomery, Alabama, in when the Malian city of student’s potential. Stars being turned into a film, let still resolved to solve a ily is murdered, and so he 1965, to secure equal vot- the title is occupied by Is- Miles Teller & JK Sim- alone having Robert Red- fifty-year-old case. Stars takes the law into his own ing rights for black Ameri- lamic Jihadists. Set in mons. Showing at The ford play Bryson. The Ian McKellen, Laura Lin- hands... Expect strong vi- cans. Stars David 2012. Stars Abel Jafri & Edge Arts Centre, Much cuddly Bryson was in his ney.Showing at Artrix, olence. Also stars Eva Oyelowo & Tom Wilkin- Hichem Yacoubi.Showing Wenlock, Mon 12 Oct mid-forties then and Red- Bromsgrove, Thurs 29 Oct Green & Eric Cantona. son. Showing at The at Foxlowe Arts Centre, ford is seventy-eight now. Who Polices The Showing at Foxlowe Arts Drum, Birmingham, Thurs Leek, Staffs, Tues 20 Oct Peppermint Candy12a The walk in the woods Police? Centre, Leek, Staffs, Tue 6 15 Oct Backtracking from his sui- was actually a two thou- Sean Rigg died in a Oct Two Days, One Night15 cide as a broken and de- The SpongeBob Movie: Sandra has one week to sand, two hundred-mile caged area in Brixton Po- pressed man, this film The Second Best Exotic Sponge Out Of WaterU convince her workmates trek along the Ap- lice Station in August recounts the life of Yong- Marigold HotelPG You just can’t keep a to give up their bonuses palachian Trail, an amble 2008. Using powerful tes- ho, from his tragic demise The sequel in which the good sponge down. so that she can keep her that was somewhat com- timonies, poetry and a po- to his innocent and ideal- hapless Sonny Kapoor Here, the jolly yellow sea job... Stars Marion Cotil- plicated by the accompa- litical analysis of police istic youth, in reverse (Dev Patel) has opened sponge joins forces with lard & Fabrizio Rongione. niment of Bryson’s violence, the film explores order. Stars Kyung-gu Sol. the new hostelry of the his adversary Plankton to Showing at The Hive, dissolute ‘former’ friend, the tactics of the IPCC Showing at The Hive, title, in spite of his im- help retrieve his precious Shrewsbury, Fri 23 Oct Stephen Katz (Nick and, through the family of Shrewsbury, Wed 14 Oct pending marriage. Still, he ‘Krabby Patty’ formula. Nolte).Showing at War- Rigg, challenge its claim has a new co-manager, The villain of the piece - Tuplan12a wick Arts Centre, Coven- that it is independent of Ricki And The Flash12a the dauntless Muriel Don- pirate named Burger- Young Asa travels back try, Fri 9 - Thurs 15 Oct the police.Showing at The Having sung in Postcards nelly (Maggie Smith). Also Beard - is played by Anto- from the city to the steppe Drum, Birmingham, Thurs From the Edge, A Prairie The Way He Looks12 stars Judi Dench & Bill nio Banderas.Showing at where his family live a no- 29 Oct Home Companion, Leonardo and Giovana Nighy.Showing at The Forest Arts Centre, Walsall, madic life. He wants to Mamma Mia! and Into are best friends. Like all Wild15 Edge Arts Centre, Much Wed 28 Oct become a shepherd and The Woods, Meryl Streep teenagers they yearn for Adapted (by Nick Hornby) Wenlock, South Shrop- get married but encoun- returns to the music more independence and, from her own memoir, this shire, Mon 19 Oct Theeb15 ters some surprising ob- scene to play Ricki Ren- Theeb is a young stacles. Starring being blind, Leonardo is the story of Cheryl dazzo, a rocker who pur- Song For MarionPG Bedouin boy, engaged Tolepbergen Baisakalov & even more so. They Strayed, who hiked one sued her dreams of This dramatic comedy upon a perilous desert Samal Yeslyamova. dream of going abroad thousand, one hundred stardom over the needs of stars Vanessa Redgrave journey with his elder Showing at The Hive, and of experiencing love’s miles of the Pacific Crest her family. Then she at- as Marion, a woman brother Hussein, guiding Shrewsbury, Fri 9 Oct first kiss. Gabriel, the new Trail - alone. Reese With- tempts a reconciliation dying of cancer. Her hus- a secretive British officer boy at school, becomes erspoon, Laura Dern & with her daughter, Julie band (Terence Stamp), to a clandestine ren- Victim12 fast friends with them Thomas Sadoski star. (played by Streep’s real- curmudgeon that he is, dezvous, encountering In 1960s London, barrister both, but ultimately three Showing at The Edge Arts life daughter, Mamie agrees to join her senior Arab revolutionaries, Ot- Melville Farr’s life is near becomes a crowd... Stars Centre, Much Wenlock, Gummer).Showing at singing group because he toman mercenaries and perfect, with a loving mar- Fabio Audi & Ghilherme South Shropshire, Mon 26 Warwick Arts Centre, knows how happy it bloodthirsty raiders en riage and successful ca- Lobo. Showing at Old Oct; Foxlowe Arts Centre, Coventry, until Thurs 1 makes her. It’s really not route.Showing at Stoke reer. However, when Market Theatre, Shrews- Leek, Staffs, Tues 27 Oct Oct; The Courtyard, Here- his thing, though, and Film Theatre, Tues 13 Oct; blackmailers link Farr to a bury, Fri 16 Oct ford, Fri 9 - Thurs 15 Oct; he’s surprised by the ef- Roses Theatre, Tewkes- young gay man, every- Whiplash15 Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 18 fect it has on him.Show- bury, Mon 26 Oct thing Farr has worked for A promising young drum- - Tues 20 Oct; Roses The- ing at The Courtyard, is threatened. Stars Dirk mer enrolls at a cut-throat atre, Tewkesbury, Mon 19 Hereford, Tues 13 Oct Bogarde & Sylvia Syms. - Thurs 22 Oct Showing at The Hive, music conservatory

DVD NEW RELEASES Good People 15 Insidious Chapter 3 15 NB. If you stumble The second outing in this across a large cache of horror franchise received somebody else’s money a somewhat lukewarm and don’t tell anybody, reception. The film’s pro- the likelihood is that you ducers opted for a pre- will invite more trouble quel this time round. So into your life than you the psychic Elise Rainier can handle. At least, in (Shaye) finds herself re- the movies. And that’s luctantly aiding a what happens to Tom teenage girl badgered by and Anna Wright (James a malevolent supernatu- Franco, Kate Hudson), ral entity. an American couple liv- Released 12 Oct ing in London up to their ears in debt. Released 5 Oct

Mister Holmes PG Just when you think they’ve tried every angle on Sherlock Holmes, along comes a new inter- pretation. In this version, Mad Max: Fury Road 15 Holmes is retired and Thirty years after the last suffering from dementia Mad Max film and but still resolved to solve twenty-five years in ‘de- a fifty-year-old case. velopment hell’, Fury Based on the 2005 novel Road has arrived. Two A Slight Trick Of The Mind by Mitch Cullin. rebels - a man and a 12a Released 26 Oct Jurassic World woman - join forces to Jurassic World is the continuing story of the Costa Rica theme park, a somewhat different place than it circumnavigate the was twenty-two years ago. However, in spite of everything now running smoothly, visitor rates have de- desert in a post-apoca- clined. So, in an effort to sex the place up, the Masrani Global Corporation decides to create a hybrid di- lyptic universe gone nosaur, the Indominus Rex. Of course, it’s all a terrible mistake… Word has it that Steven Spielberg – mad… Stars Tom Hardy, along with the screenwriter Mark Protosevich – came up with a story idea for the film, but it was rejected. Charlize Theron and Zoë However, to honour Spielberg, director Trevorrow introduced sharks as scrummy morsels for the di- Kravitz. nosaurs. Stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. Released 5 Oct Released 19 Oct

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 55 Christmas Feature October.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 21:28 Page 1 Christmas Feature October.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 21:28 Page 2 Looking ahead to Christmas! It may only be October, but theatres around the region are already busying themselves with preparations for the festive season. And, as always, there are plenty of big names winging their way to the Midlands to appear in some of the best pantos in the land… A bumper treat awaits Midlands theatre-goers this Christmas, with a The RSC, for instance, is taking a more serious approach to JM Santa’s sackful of stars descending on the region. Barrie’s classic tale of the boy who wouldn’t grow up. Ella Hickson’s With its long-held reputation for hosting the country’s biggest pan- acclaimed production of Wendy And Peter Pan features Benidorm tomime, the Birmingham Hippodrome this year presents Aladdin. Its actor Adam Gillen as pirate’s cabin boy and Tink’s love interest, Martin. all-star cast features Wet, Wet, Wet frontman Marti Pellow, panto veter- Elsewhere, the award-winning Hairspray The Musical stops off at an Julian Clary, West End star Lee Mead and comic genius Matt Slack. Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre, a brand new production of The Up the motorway at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, meanwhile, Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe runs at the Birmingham REP, and comedy legends the Chuckle Brothers promise plenty of laughs as The Gruffalo’s Child enjoys an adventure at Warwick Arts Centre. And Starky and Smee in the swashbuckling tale of Peter Pan. The for those who like their festive tales good’n’ghostly, a new version of Chucklevision duo are joined by the ultimate Mr Nasty, John Altman - Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol shows at Birmingham’s Old Joint better known as EastEnders’ badboy Nick Cotton. Stock Theatre. Moving north of the region, Stoke’s much-loved son Jonny Wilkes A new kid on the block for 2015 is Cinderella, at the Barclaycard Arena. makes his near-annual ‘festive pilgrimage’ to his home town, this year Claiming to be the ‘world’s biggest pantomime’, the production fea- performing alongside regular sidekick Christian Patterson in another tures Bradley Walsh, Paul O’Grady, Dick & Dom and a cast of over one version of Peter Pan. hundred. If panto’s not your thing, fear not, as there are plenty of festive alterna- For more information on festive offerings in the region, visit tives available. whatsonlive.co.uk

JACK AND THE THE WITCHES Wed 9 THE LOST GIFT Sat 12 THE THREE MUSKE- LISTINGS BEANSTALK Sat 5 Dec - Dec - Sun 10 Jan, The Dec - Thu 31 Dec, TEERS Thurs 17 Dec - Festive show Sun 27 Dec, Bedworth Curve Leicester, from Warwick Arts Centre, Sun 3 Jan, Playbox Civic Hall, Warwickshire £12 - £16 Coventry, £12 - £14 Theatre, Warwick, £14 £8.25 - £22.25 ERIC’S CHRISTMAS £9 - £14.50, Family tick- JACK AND THE PETER PAN Starring The CINDERELLA Sat 19 PARTY Mon 30 Nov - Sat THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD ets £45 12 Dec, New Vic BEANSTALK Thurs 10 Chuckle Brothers and Dec - Tue 29 Dec, Prince Thu 26 Nov - Sun 3 Jan, Theatre, Newcastle- JACK AND THE Dec - Sun 20 Dec, John Altman, Sat 12 Of Wales Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre, under-Lyme, £16.00 BEANSTALK Sat 5 Dec - Forest Arts Centre, Dec - Sun 24 Jan, Cannock, £14 - £48 Coventry, £14.50 £22.50 Sat 2 Jan, Royal Spa Walsall, £5.50 - £7 Grand Theatre, PETER PAN Sat 19 Dec - CINDERELLA Sat 28 Nov Centre, Leamington, Wolverhampton, £17.00 WENDY & PETER PAN SANTA’S RUSTY ROBOT Sun 2 Jan, Blue Orange - Sat 2 Jan, Roses from £12.50 - £31.50 Tue 17 Nov - Sun 31 Presented by Imagine Theatre, Birmingham Theatre, Tewkesbury, Jan, Royal Shakespeare JACK AND THE Theatre, Thurs 10 - DICK WHITTINGTON £11 £11.50 - £24.25 Theatre, Stratford-upon- BEANSTALK Sat 5 Dec - Thurs 24 Dec, Belgrade Presented by All & ALADDIN Starring Marti Avon, £6 - £65 THE WIZARD OF OZ Sun 3 Jan, Lichfield Theatre, Coventry, £7.25 Sundry, Sun 13 Dec - Pellow, Julian Clary, Lee Mon 30 Nov - Sat 5 Dec, Garrick, Staffs, £12.50 - - £10.25 Sun 20 Dec, Artrix TREASURE ISLAND Mead and Matt Slack, Rose Theatre, £21.50, Family tickets Theatre, Bromsgrove, Presented by Scott PETER PAN Starring Sat 19 Dec - Sun 31 Kidderminster, £12.50 £63 £14 - £15, Family tickets Ritchie and BOA, Fri 20 Mark Moraghan and £43 - £47 Jan, Birmingham Nov - Sun 3 Jan, Old DICK WHITTINGTON JACK AND THE Hannah-Jane Fox, Hippodrome, £14 - £42 Rep, Birmingham, BEANSTALK Starring Thurs 10 Dec - Sun 3 HAIRSPRAY THE MUSI- Wed 2 Dec - Sun 10 DOREEN’S CHRISTMAS £15.95, Family tickets Jan, Theatre Severn, Eternal’s Vernie Bennett Jan, Malvern Theatres, CAL Mon 14 Dec - Sat 2 CRACKER Mon 21 Dec - £55 Shrewsbury £11.50 - £23 and X Factor’s Lloyd £10.34 - £26.88 Jan, New Alexandra Daniels, Mon 7 Dec - Theatre, Birmingham Tue 22 Dec, Rose ROBIN HOOD & MARIAN CINDERELLA: A Sun 3 Jan, Palace ALADDIN Fri 11 Dec - from £15 - £67.40 Theatre, Kidderminster, Sat 21 Nov - Sat 30 Jan, FAIRYTALE Thurs 3 Dec Theatre, Redditch, £18 - Sun 3 Jan, Solihull Arts £12.50 New Vic Theatre, Complex, £16 - £19 A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Sat 9 Jan, mac, £65.25 WE’RE GOING ON A Newcastle-under-Lyme, Birmingham, £8.50 - £21 Tue 15 Dec - Wed 23 £16 - £23 SNOW WHITE AND THE JACK AND THE Dec, Old Joint Stock BEARHUNT Tues 22 Dec GRIMM TALES Sat 5 - SEVEN DWARFS Tue 8 BEANSTALK Fri 11 Dec - Theatre, Birmingham, - Wed 13 Jan, Town Hall, BEAUTY AND THE Sat 19 Dec, Crescent Dec - Sun 3 Jan, The Sun 10 Jan, Stafford Peter£15 Pan, Regent Theatre Birmingham £12 - £14 BEAST Wed 25 Nov - Theatre, Birmingham, £8 Place, Oakengates, Gatehouse Theatre, £18 Sat 9 Jan, Belgrade - £15, Family tickets £36 Shropshire, £9.50 - (£14) Family tickets £58 Theatre, Warwickshire £17.50

Peter Pan, Regent Theatre Peter Pan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Aladdin, Birmingham Hippodrome www.whatsonlive.co.uk 57 Christmas Feature October.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 21:28 Page 3 Christmas Feature October.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 21:28 Page 4

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www.whatsonlive.co.uk 61 Visual Arts Region 1 October NEW.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 15:38 Page 1

62 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts Region 1 October NEW.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 15:39 Page 2 Visual Arts

Flinck In Focus The Barber Institute, Birmingham, Fri 23 October - Sun 24 January Seventeenth century portrait artist and history painter Govert Flinck was not only among Rembrandt’s most talented pupils but in his day also developed a reputation that was very much on a par with that of his master. The intervening centuries, however, have not been kind to Flinck - so much so, in fact, that today his name is relatively unknown... This new exhibition marks the four hun- dredth anniversary of Flinck’s birth and offers an ideal opportunity to learn more about one of the Dutch Golden Age’s most talented painters.

Punk Rock? So What!! Parkside Gallery, Birmingham, until Sat 31 October A selection of punk graphic and visual material spanning the past forty years is brought together in this engaging new exhibition. The show seeks to demonstrate connections, sty- listic conventions and patterns of engagement, as well as the evolution of punk’s visual language and identity across diverse regions and cultures. Enchanted Dreams Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Sat 17 October - Sun 21 February This is the first ever exhibition to be dedicated to Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Robert Display Show Hughes. Eastside Projects, Birmingham, Hughes has been largely overlooked since his death one hundred-and-one years ago, a until Sat 12 December fact which is somewhat surprising given his contribution to British art. This thought-provoking and, on a level, mind-bog- Among many of his hugely familiar and often-reproduced images is his 1908 fairy vision gling exhibition asks whether any object can be of Midsummer Eve, a painting which he exhibited in London just prior to the First World separated from the way in which it is shown, War. repaired, treated, classified, owned and valued. And it was Hughes who painted Birmingham Museums’ most popular watercolour, Night The presentation includes an ongoing survey of With Her Train Of Stars, produced by the artist just two short years before his death. radical display practices from the twentieth centu- This fascinating exhibition - accompanied by a programme of talks, special events and ry, such as those associated with Franco Albini, workshops - features numerous paintings, drawings and watercolours, many of which Lina Bo Bardi and Carlo Scarpa... have remained unseen in the hundred-plus years since Hughes’ death. Display Show is one of a series of group exhibi- tions and productions which have been designed ‘to effect change upon the existing conditions of Making It: Sculpture In Britain: 1977 - 1986 Eastside Projects’. Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 8 October - Sun 29 November A ten-year period during which a new generation of artists introduced a fresh approach to sculpture is explored in this new exhibition. Featuring sculptures by world-renowned artists including Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, Julian Opie, Cornelia Parker, David Nash and Richard Deacon, Making It highlights a time of great social, political and economic change. Commenting on the show, Fiona Venables, Deputy Curator at Mead Gallery, said: “The late 1970s and early 1980s was such a pivotal time for sculpture in this country. This is a good time to stop and reflect on the work of a pioneering generation of British artists.”

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continuously around the gallery, until Sun 29 Nov, VisualArts PREVIEWS VisualArts LISTINGS mac, Birmingham OF TIME AND THE RAILWAY BY ROBERT DAVIES A film about the railway line between Birmingham and For full listing information on Visual Art Aberystwyth, filmed by Robert Davies from the dri- Further exhibitions exhibitions, including times and dates, ver's cab of the train, recorded weekly over twelve visit whatsonlive.co.uk months, until Sat 5 Dec, Wolverhampton Art Gallery DISPLAY SHOW One in a series of group exhibitions War Games #NICKLINUNSEEN An outdoor photographic exhibi- and productions which have been designed ‘to Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry, tion showing a changing Birmingham in the 50’s & effect change upon the existing condition of Sat 10 October - Sun 17 January 60’s, Fri 2nd Oct - Jan 2016, Snow Hill Square, Eastside Projects’, until Sat 12 Dec, Eastside Birmingham Projects, Birmingham This highly interactive touring exhibition from A HISTORY OF US Miniature history of humanity pre- the V&A Museum of Childhood in London FLORE NOVE-JOSSERAND ‘CITY GROWTH BLUES’ A sented across a forty-four-metre display, until Sun 4 space created by artist Nove-Josserand, displaying explores the controversy surrounding child- Oct, Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry a number of architectural hoardings through draw- hood engagement IT'S ALL ABOUT THE HENS Exhibition about hens by ing, painting, photographing and constructing, until with war, examin- artists and 'hen-enthusiasts' Ali McQuail and Lady Sat 12 Dec, Eastside Projects, Birmingham ing the role of Jane Gray, until Sat 10 Oct, Harborne Art Gallery, CHINESE COLLECTION RE-DISPLAY Consisting of over armed conflict in Birmingham one hundred objects spanning over three thousand the games young- SIR TERRY FROST RA (1915-2003): A LEAMINGTON LAD years, until Sun 13 Dec, Compton Verney Gallery, sters play. This exhibition, in the year which marks the cente- Warwickshire Children visiting nary of the artist’s birth, includes a large number of LANDSCAPE WITH MACHINES Artworks by leading works which haven’t been displayed before, until the show are contemporary artists, such as Jeremy Deller and Sun 11 Oct, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum Tony Cragg, shown alongside selected pieces from encouraged to BRICK CITY: THE WORLD’S MOST ICONIC BUILDINGS & the museum’s nationally designated collection of dress up and par- LANDMARKS IN LEGO Celebration of some of the Industrial Art, until Fri 18 Dec, Coalbrookdale ticipate in a range world’s most famous buildings, Mon until Sun 11 Gallery, Ironbridge, Shropshire of thought-provok- Oct, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery BIRMINGHAM PEOPLE AND CHANGE IN THE INNER-CITY ing activities, to EMMA HART: BIG MOUTH Unique in every way, Display exploring the way in which ordinary investigate how Emma’s sculptures go where other pieces fear to Birmingham people have been represented in art games of war have tread, until Sat 31 Oct, Grand Union, Birmingham during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, until Thurs 31 Dec, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery evolved across the RE-MAKING THE PAST Six contemporary makers ages. respond to inspiration from pre-history, until Sat 31 20TH CENTURY BRITISH STUDIO CERAMICS A display of Oct, Bilston Craft Gallery seventy-eight pieces of studio ceramics made by twenty-nine potters working in England and Wales STILL WITH US: THE STORY OF YARDLEY PEOPLE IN during the twentieth century, until Thurs 31 Dec, WORLD WAR ONE until Sun 1 Nov, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Jet Rotmans: Birmingham THE AGE OF INNOCENCE Works by William Hogarth & HELEN SNELL: BURNT OUT A Tale Of Two Cities Digital laser and water jet John Brett feature in this exhibition, which explores cutting techniques are here used to explore themes Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, the evolving imagery of children and childhood, of imperialism, exploration, survival and the quest until Sun 13 December until 10 Jan, The Barber Institute, Birmingham for knowledge, until Sun 1 Nov, Shire Hall Gallery, Cementing a connection stretching back to Stafford MATT COLLISHAW Works in sculpture, photography, film & installation which ably test the richness and the sixteenth century but most particularly in BIRMINGHAM PASTEL SOCIETY Exhibition in the show- breadth of the artist’s practice, until Sun 10 Jan, evidence since the Second World War, the case gallery, until Sun 1 Nov, Red House Glass New Art Gallery, Walsall towns of Shrewsbury and Zutphen in the Cone, Stourbridge MADE AT MAC: PHOTOGRAPHY A showcase of work THE HOSPITAL IN THE OATFIELD Netherlands were twinned in 1977. Exhibition of ten from two Kate Green-led courses, until Sun 10 Jan, This new exhibition of work by Zutphen artist paintings by French artist Victor Tardieu, recently mac Birmingham Jet Romans seeks to compare and contrast acquired by the Florence Nightingale Museum, until Sun 1 Nov, Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford LOWRY & BERRY: OBSERVERS OF URBAN LIFE Works the two destinations, with much of the work by distinguished artist LS Lowry and his local coun- RBSA PRIZE FOR INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY, WIN- being exhibited in the form of Jet’s favourite terpart Arthur Berry are here brought together for NERS & RUNNERS-UP Awarded each year to gradu- medium, the artists’ book. The show also the first time, until Sun 10 Jan, The Potteries ates from Birmingham City University’s School of Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent features acrylic paintings, poetry and films, Jewellery, until Mon 2 Nov, RBSA Gallery, as well as a scrapbook of archive material. Birmingham A TOUCH OF TEXTURE CRAFT EXHIBITION Featuring jewellery made using alternative materials including ICON Solo exhibition of work by Ian McIntyre which leather, felt, cotton, wool, silk and velvet, until Sat responds to the British Ceramics Biennial’s theme 16 Jan, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham of The Production Line, until Sat 7 Nov, Airspace Fiona Banner: Scroll Down Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent THIS IS NOT A JOKE Exhibition that looks at how some contemporary artists use different facets of SOCIETY OF STAFFORDSHIRE ARTISTS And Keep Scrolling Exhibition of humour, until 16 Jan, The Barber Institute, society members’ work, until Sat 7 Nov, The Birmingham Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, Nicholson Museum & Art Gallery, Leek Sat 10 October - Sun 17 January INHERITING ROME Exhibition which uses money to FRACTURE: WWI TO 21ST CENTURY HEALING A new explore and question our deep-seated familiarity “This show isn’t a survey, more of an anti-sur- digital installation, working in partnership with the with the Roman Empire’s imagery, until Sun 24 Jan, vey,” explains Fiona Banner in talking about world-renowned RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital NHS The Barber Institute, Birmingham her new Ikon exhibition. “It suggests some- Foundation Trust, until Mon 9 Nov, Qube Gallery, Oswestry, North Shropshire EPSTEIN'S ROCK DRILL I TRANSFORMED BY WAR Rock thing objective, historical and fixed. This is Drill was destroyed by Epstein at the end of 1915 THE RICHES BENEATH US subjective; nothing else is possible.” Objects with a local con- and reformed into the truncated Torso In Metal from nection showing how the former collieries and lime- The most comprehensive exhibition of Rock Drill, until Sun 24 Jan, The New Art Gallery, stone quarries contributed to the assembly of Walsall Banner’s work to date, Scroll Down And astounding fossils, until Sun 15 Nov, Bantock Keep Scrolling re-presents some of the House & Park, Wolverhampton THE CLIVE BEARDSMORE GIFT The 2015 interventions into the Garman Ryan Collection is a selection from artist’s key early projects alongside recent HIROSHIGE’S JAPAN: 53 STATIONS OF THE TOKAIDO a substantial gift of artworks donated to the gallery ROAD and unseen works that span a period of Famous series from one of the great masters by a private collector, Clive Beardsmore, until Sun twenty-five years. of Japanese landscape print, until Sat 21 Nov, 24 Jan, The New Art Gallery, Walsall Wolverhampton Art Gallery Throughout the exhibition, Fiona revisits her MINTON ARCHIVE An interactive exhibition of some of JOHN HOPKINS ARBSA work with an engaging intensity and humour. Display of studio and ‘plein the museum’s Minton pieces, until Sun 27 Mar, The Commenting on the exhibition (but clearly air’ watercolours, until Sat 21 Nov, RBSA Gallery, Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham not taking his cue MENTAL SPACES An ongoing project containing work from Banner’s denial ILLUSTRATION BEATS EXPLANATION Featuring works by contemporary artists who use comics, story- produced by local artists affiliated to the Asylum Art that the show is a boards & drawings as a visual way to convey new Gallery, until Sat 2 Apr, Light House Media Centre, survey), Ikon Director ideas about the world, until Sat 21 Nov, Worcester Wolverhampton Jonathan Watkins City Museum & Art Gallery MINER’S TOOLS A range of equipment used by min- said: “This is a sur- PAUL NEWMAN: STAGE Drawing, painting, perform- ers over the years to extract coal, until Sun 10 Apr, vey of work by one of ance & installation are here used to explore the The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent the leading lights in idea of an internal landscape with occasional refer- WENDY RAMSHAW’S ROOM OF DREAMS An installation the British art scene, ences to historical paintings sourced from artists’ made up of many parts, from small jewels in postcards, until 22 Nov, mac, Birmingham at a pivotal moment frames to large, freestanding furniture, until Sun 22 May, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in her career.” STEENBECKETT Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan's installation of 35mm celluloid film which moves SOLO EXHIBITION BY COLIN SIMMONDS ARBSA

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Retrospective of the artist’s paintings over the past Paul Newman: Stage - mac, Birmingham twenty-five years, Mon 5 - Sat 17 Oct, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham THREE HEBRIDEAN ARTISTS A selling exhibition of work by David Greenall, Jane Harlington & Gareth Watson, Thurs 1 - Sat 31 Oct, Artifex Gallery, B’ham DRAWN TO STITCH Exhibition of recent works by Stewart Easton & Jo Roberts, Fri 2 - Sat 25 Oct, A3 Project Space, Digbeth, Birmingham SHREWSBURY COLLEGE ‘ART SCHOOL PORTRAITS’ EXHIBITION Displaying work from the art school community, including some staff work, Fri 2 - Sat 25 Oct, The Granary, Weston Park, Staffordshire INKED PALETTE Exhibition featuring work by a selec- tion of UK tattoo artists, Sat 3 - Tues 20 Oct, Deasil Art Gallery, Leamington Spa INCUNABULA New works by Tammy Woodrow, Sat 3 - Thurs 15 Oct, Rugby Art Gallery & Museum ABSTRACTION AT THE RBSA Showcasing how abstrac- STRING OF PEARLS: WOMBOURNE QUILTERS 30TH WOLVERHAMPTON SOCIETY OF ARTISTS Biennial exhi- tion within the RBSA and in Birmingham has ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION Sat 17 Oct - Sat 14 Nov, bition with a diverse range of styles, mediums and evolved since the mid-twentieth century. A touring Bilston Craft Gallery subject matter, Sat 24 Oct - Sat 27 Feb, exhibition from the Arts Council Collection, Thurs 8 ANTONIO ROBERTS Wolverhampton Art Gallery Oct - Sun 29 Nov, The Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts First solo exhibition, Sat 17 Oct - JUNE RIDGWAY ARBSA Centre Sat 23 January, BOM (Birmingham Open Media) A collection of new ceramic CONFECTED, BORROWED AND BLUE...AN INSTALLATION work identifiable via the artist’s distinctive use of CODE AND CARPENTRY Interactive exhibition by Anna BY PAUL SCOTT Exhibition organised by the soft colour against lines of black, Mon 26 Oct - Sat Horton and Sophie Bullock in partnership with 19 Dec, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham Fierce Festival, Thurs 8 Oct - Sat 7 Nov, BOM Holburne Museum, Sat 17 Oct - Sun 7 Feb, The THE MAGICAL WORLD OF MASKS AND PUPPETS (Birmingham Open Media) Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent ROBERT PERRY RBSA Featuring masks from Indonesia, Japan, Korea, DENNIS MINCHIN RBSA Solo work featuring a series Rob's work focuses on the phe- nomenon of intense sunlight and its effects in the Mexico and Italy, Mon 26 Oct - Sun 17 Jan, of still lives in oil, Mon 12 Oct - Sat 5 Dec, RBSA Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery Gallery, Birmingham context of coastal scenes, rivers, sky, mountains and other landscape features, Mon 19 - Sat 31 Oct, ROBERT PERRY: THE FIELDS OF BATTLE 1914-1918 TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT Portraits from the University RBSA Gallery, Birmingham Commemorating the centenary of World War One, of Birmingham, including works by Jacob Epstein, MEDICATE 2015 Contemporary collection exploring Mon 26 Oct - Fri 18 Dec, Museum Of Cannock Tom Phillips, Humphrey Ocean and Jennifer Chase McRae, Fri 16 Oct - Sun 17 Jan, The Barber the physical, societal & psychological effects of dis- OSWESTRY & DISTRICT SOCIETY OF ARTISTS Institute, Birmingham ease on people, as well as the values and practices Over forty of medical science, Fri 23 Oct - Sun 17 Jan, members exhibit works of landscape, portrait and SIMON KENNY EXHIBITION A vibrant, expressive, lyri- Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum abstract art, Sat 31 Oct - Sat 28 Nov, The Willow cal abstract collection of paintings, Sat 17 - Sun 18 WHOSE GAZE IS IT ANYWAY? Gallery, Oswestry, North Shropshire Oct, Whitewall Gallery, Birmingham Exploring the history of Arab pop culture through posters, notebooks, THE GREAT WAR Exhibition featuring dramatic dis- COVENTRY ARTS CONSORTIUM Exhibition of work by diaries, book covers, film and video, Sat 24 Oct - plays which bring to life the period between 1914 thirteen artists from four local art societies, Sat 17 Sun 10 Jan, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, and 1918, until Sun 11 Nov 2018 Dudley Museum Oct - Sun 1 Nov, Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent & Art Gallery Coventry

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READERS OFFER! SAVE £££’s OFF YOUR TICKET! ENTER PROMO CODE ‘WON1’ ONLINE Ticket offer available online only until 12 Oct Motorhome And Caravan Show 2015 NEC, Birmingham, Tues 13 - Sun 18 October Attracting huge crowds and filling numerous halls of the NEC, the Motorhome And Caravan Show 2015 features over four hundred UK exhibitors. The event offers visitors the chance to check out - hot off the production line - all the new 2016 caravan, motorhome, holiday home, trailer tent and folding caravan models. It also provides free help and advice on all aspects of touring - from finance, insurance and security to the best tow cars on the market - and boasts a wide range of accessories at show-only prices.

Birmingham Literature Festival Library of Birmingham, Thurs 8 - Sat 17 October This annual event features appearances by a host of well- known names, this year including Pulitzer Prize-winner and for- mer US Poet Laureate Rita Dove. The 2015 festival also celebrates the creative connections between words and music, with Sam Lee and Richard O’Neill discussing Romany Song And Story, and jazz soprano Lauren Kinsella combining music, poetry and the- Pulitzer Prize-winner Rita Dove atre. There’s a feast of food and foreign literature on offer at a special Baltic Breakfast get-together, while ‘literature in unusual locations’ is Brick 2015 celebrated via a poetry NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 29 October - Sun 1 November vintage bus tour This haven for LEGO fans boasts numerous interactive features. Attractions through the Black include brick pits - enabling visitors to showcase their inner master builder Country. - LEGO video games (including the latest releases), a fan zone, LEGO The festival also hosts a Minecraft, a museum of LEGO history, the Seven Wonders of the World special Writing Of recreated in LEGO, and race ramps on which to test custom-built cars. Protest event, which And with the event taking place over Halloween, visitors are also promised takes a look at the role ‘a haunting experience’, with plenty of spooky activities programmed. which storytelling plays Arrive dressed in your ghastliest ghostly outfit and you might even win in campaigning. yourself a prize...

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Christmas!

THURS 5 - SUN 8 NOVEMBER NEC, BIRMINGHAM 9.30AM - 5.30PM (SUN 5PM) KIDS GO FREE*

3 SHOWS FOR THE PRICE OF 1! ichfevents.co.uk 01425 277988 Tickets: Adults £10.50 in advance, £12.50 on the door Seniors £9.50 in advance, £11.50 on the door SAVE UP TO *Children under 16 FREE if accompanied by parent

THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR SUGARCRAFT AND CAKE DECORATING SHOW! £2 OFF! EACH ADULT AND SENIOR TICKET Fri 6 - Sun 8 ...... ORDERED BY 5PM MON 2 NOV separate november entry fee neC, birmingham adults: £12, £14 on the door Seniors: £11, £13 on the door cakeinternational.co.uk Events October Region 1 Davina.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 19:38 Page 4

Events PREVIEWS The National Wedding Show NEC, Birmingham, Fri 2 - Sun 4 October This month’s show features wedding experts aplenty offering advice on everything from flowers and favours to honeymoon hide- aways. Bridal boutiques, florists, jewellers, catwalk shows and the always-popular wed- ding theatre are all present and correct too, as is the vintage area, celebrating the ever- evolving trend for vintage-style weddings.

READERS OFFER! SAVE £6 OFF YOUR TICKETS! ENTER PROMO CODE ‘WON6’ ONLINE Ticket offer available Grand Designs Live online only until 7 Oct NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 8 - Sun 11 October The UK’s leading contemporary home show makes its annual visit to Birmingham this month, with design guru Kevin McCloud once again presiding over proceedings. Kevin hosts various events in the show’s Grand Theatre, where guest speakers offer tips and advice on a variety of homebuilding issues. Fierce Festival This year’s show also features: A brand new Green House, boasting plenty of interesting Venues across Birmingham City Centre, gadgets; tons of inspiring ideas to help visitors create stylish interiors for their homes; Wed 7 - Sun 11 October state-of-the-art bathroom products; suggestions for making the most of available kitchen space; and ‘must have’ products for gardens and outdoor spaces. No fewer than eight UK premieres from high- ly rated international artists feature in this year’s event, including Simone Aughterlony’s Ross explores faith traditions, and artist Jake Supernatural. A hotly anticipated dance Oktoberfest Lever invites members of the general public piece, the work presents a thought-provok- to create and share their own Soul Boat. ing exploration of the subject of gender The Old Crown, Digbeth, Birmingham, Fri 2 - Sun 4 and Fri 9 - Sat 10 October roles. Sleep With The Curator, meanwhile, invites Munich is coming to Birmingham this month. festival-goers to pack their sleeping bag and Well, sort of. The legendary Munich beer fes- Festival Of The Dead spend the night in the Eastside Projects tival of the same name is the inspiration Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry, Fri 16 October gallery in Digbeth. They’ll be joined there by behind this brand new event, which sees curator Gavin Wade for a selection of bed- popular Digbeth hostelry The Old Crown This special event is advertised as ‘a dark time stories. Gavin will also demonstrate his transforming its garden into a covered night with a Latin twist’. cooking prowess by rustling up bacon pan- German beer hall. Organisers are promising Visitors are being invited to ‘bring along their cakes the following morning! the event will be ‘truly unique’, with featured darkest desires’ and get dancing at the “This year’s Fierce festival will have a cele- attractions including huge steins, Bavarian ‘eerie’ masked ball. bratory feel to it,” says Fierce Director Laura lager, German games, authentic German Participants can also McDermott. “We’re making our festival hub food and live entertainment. There’s also tra- watch short horror at BOM, a really exciting new space for art, ditional bench seating for up to two hundred- films, try creepy science and technology near New Street and-fifty patrons. Lederhosen at the ready, sketching, get ‘up Station. Across the city there’ll be dance on folks... close and personal’ a car park roof, parties in warehouses and a with a taxidermy col- chance to sing karaoke to a video made by a lection, take a torch- Turner Prize-winning artist.” Great Electric Train Show lit tour and discover Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, dark stories and hid- Sat 10 - Sun 11 October den histories. More than thirty traders are taking part in this show, which also features twenty-five layouts. Building on the success of the 2014 get- Flame And Thunder together, the event’s organisers are this year SantaPod Raceway, Northampton, expanding the Skills Zone to include more Sat 31 October demonstrations and a greater number of dis- A regular on the Santa Pod calendar, Flame plays showcasing a wide range of modelling And Thunder brings together monster trucks, skills. jet cars and drag cars on the main track. Away from the circuit, entertainment comes courtesy of (among other attractions) danc- Something Good ing superheroes, a wall of death, a funfair, Dive Show Birmingham Cathedral, helicopter pleasure flights and a climbing NEC, Birmingham, Sat 24 - Sun 25 October Fri 2 - Sat 3 October wall. The event is brought to a close with a huge firework display and massive bonfire. Boasting over three hundred exhibitors - Birmingham Cathedral is celebrating three including manufacturers and retailers of div- hundred years at the heart of the city with ing equipment and travel agents offering this festival of outdoor arts. dive holiday options - the Dive Show also Live events taking place at dawn, solar noon features an unrivalled programme of guest and dusk are presented by a selection of speakers. artists from different faith backgrounds, Popular in-hall features include the Try Dive neighbourhoods and communities across Pool, the Rebreather Pool, a photo zone and Birmingham. Composer Dan Jones creates a a new-product showcase. new sound landscape for the city, visual and Themed travel and dive training areas are mural artist Mohammed Ali paints Nomad- also included. inspired sculptures, poet and writer Mandy

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Events PREVIEWS Tudor Terrors Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire, Mon 26 - Fri 30 October There’s no shortage of creepy Halloween fun to enjoy in the Midlands at the end of this month. And those ghoulish late-October delights are all the spookier when experi- enced in a suitably eerie environment. So enter... the ruined grandeur of nine hun- dred-year-old Kenilworth Castle; the perfect backdrop for some spinetingling autumn fri- volity. The castle team have put together ‘a feast of frightening fun’ for families to enjoy, from terrifying Tudor tales to creepy crafts and ‘spectacularly spooky activities’. A hair-raising half-term awaits...

Public Festival Of The Imagination University of Warwickshire, Coventry, Fri 16 - Sat 17 October A celebration to mark the University of Warwick’s fiftieth anniversary, the Public Festival Of The Imagination boasts a full programme of themed events focusing on imagining the future. The festival features a family-orientated interactive discovery zone, where visitors can check out innovative research and conduct their own science experiments. Celebrity input includes a contribution from BBC Saturday Kitchen regular Vivek Singh, who’ll explore the benefits to health and wellbeing of Indian spices. Selecter singer Pauline Black also takes part, reflecting on the social effect of the musical genre, while polar explorer Mark Wood answers questions about what life’s like in a freezer.

- Sat 3 Oct, Birmingham Cathedral Donington Park Racing Circuit, Warwickshire LISTINGS INDEPENDENT BREWERS FESTIVAL 2015 Taste around SHAKESPEARE FUN PALACE A free event celebrating Events fifty real ales and keg beers sourced from small Shakespeare's world with a range of hands-on independent brewers from across the UK, Fri 2 - activities in the Shakespeare Centre, Sat 3 - Sun 4 For full listing information on Events, Sat 3 Oct, National Brewery Centre, Staffordshire Oct, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Warwickshire including times and dates, visit NATIONAL FRANCHISE EXHIBITION A fantastic opportu- MINIATURA - THE INTERNATIONAL DOLLS' HOUSE nity for anyone considering franchising, from invest- MODELLING SHOW Highly specialised visitor attrac- www.whatsonlive.co.uk ing in a franchise to franchising an already suc- tion event established in 1983 and entirely dedicat- cessful business, Fri 2 - Sat 3 Oct, NEC, ed to the amazing hobby of domestic modelling in Week commencing THURS 1 OCT Birmingham 1/12th and related scales, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Oct, NEC, THE NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW Fri 2 - Sun 4 Oct, Birmingham DIESEL ENTHUSIASTS GALA Thurs 1 - Sat 3 Oct, NEC, Birmingham GTI FESTIVAL RWYB event for watercooled VWs and Severn Valley Railway, Worcestershire MCE INSURANCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP Show‘n’Shine, car clubs, auto jumble and more, CROOME'S OUTER EYE-CATCHERS: PANORAMA TOWER The penultimate race of the 2015 MCE Insurance Sun 4 Oct, Santa Pod Raceway, Northamptonshire Explore inside the outer eye-catchers which are British Superbike Championship, with a world class FREE OPEN DAY Explore Aston Hall for free, Sun 4 only open at certain times of the year, Thurs 1 - Sun field of riders, Fri 2 - Sun 4 Oct, Silverstone Circuit, Oct, Aston Hall, Birmingham 4 Oct, Croome Park, Worcester Northampton AUTUMN FLOWER FESTIVAL Sun 4 Oct, Birmingham SCULPTURE TRAIL Featuring one hundred sculp- THE MALVERN CARAVAN SHOW Four nights of camp- Botanical Gardens tures,Thurs 1 - Sun 4 Oct, The Jinney Ring Craft ing, two nights of entertainment, an exhibition area ANCIENT TREES OF ATTINGHAM WALK Sun 4 Oct, Centre, Worcestershire & lots to see & do locally, Fri 2 - Sun 4 Oct, Three Attingham Park, Shropshire GREAT BRITISH WALKS FROM UPTON Enjoy a stunning Counties Showground, Malvern RAF GUIDED WALK The fascinating story of the peo- five mile guided walk from Upton House, Thurs 1 - RUN WHAT YA BRUNG ple and events that took place at Croome during Sat 24 Oct, Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire Chance to take your car or motorcycle out on the the Second World War, Sun 4 Oct, Croome Park, NATURE FORCE Join the dedicated team of volun- famous quarter-mile dragstrip and test its perform- Worcestershire teers carrying out practical conservation on the ance limits in a safe and legal environment, Sat 3 MOTORSPORT MARSHALLING TASTER DAY Get closer to nature reserves every Tuesday, Wednesday and Oct, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton the action by becoming a marshall, Sun 4 Oct, Thursday, Thurs 1 - Thu 29 Oct, Brandon Marsh JEWELLERY QUARTER HERITAGE WALK Donington Park Racing Circuit, Warwickshire Nature Centre, Coventry Heritage walks that will transport you back to the RAF GAYDON EXPERIENCE DAY Tour of the airfield, a SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS Celebrating twenty- Jewellery Quarter's rich industrial past, Sat 3 Oct, visit to the former RAF Gaydon Control Tower, and five years of the house, Thurs 1 Oct - Mon 30 Nov, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham a lecture from the ‘Vulcan to the Sky’ team, Sun 4 Haden Hill House Museum, Crawley Heath AUTUMN HOOKING CRAFT WORKSHOP Join a craft spe- Oct, Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire BLACK WIDOW SPIDER cialist for a hooking workshop. Find out about this AN AFTERNOON WITH THE BACK ROOM BOYS Visit the Butterfly Farm's resident black widow spi- alternative to rag rugging and create something for Lecture from the ‘Vulcan to the Sky’ team, Sun 4 der, alongside hundreds of spectacular butterflies, yourself or your home, Sat 3 Oct, Birmingham Back Oct, Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire insects, reptiles & spiders, Thurs 1 Oct - Thurs 31 to Backs ANTIQUE AND COLLECTORS FAIR Sun 4 Oct, National Dec, Stratford Butterfly Farm, Warwickshire SHAKESPEARE TOUR OF STRATFORD Sat 3 Oct, Motorcycle Museum, Solihull BREWERY & COUNTRY PUB TOUR Go Cotswolds offers The Falstaff Experience, Stratford-upon-Avon CAMERA FAIR The UK’s largest independent camera scheduled and chartered day trips to the Cotswolds WILDLIFE TASTER SESSION: FUNGI An introductory talk fair, regularly featuring over one hundred tables and from Stratford-upon-Avon, Thurs 1 Oct 2015 - Sat about the fascinating world of fungi, Sat 3 Oct, a wide range of vendors, Sun 4 Oct, 30 Jan 2016, Alcester, Warwickshire Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, Coventry Wolverhampton Racecourse GLYNN PURNELL'S FRIDAY NIGHT KITCHEN WITH APPLE WEEKEND A celebration of the apple harvest FRIENDS Charity event which sees chef Glynn at Berrington, with local cider on sale, a range of Week Commencing MON 5 OCT Purnell and Michelin-starred chef and Master Chef fresh local produce and live folk music, Sat 3 - Sun judge Gregg Wallace join forces to serve up a live 4 Oct, Berrington Hall, Herefordshire APPLE WEEKEND SURVEY FORCE Join the Survey Force, a volunteer culinary experience, Fri 2 Oct, Villa Park, group carrying out wildlife surveys on Warwickshire Birmingham Apple-themed activities for children & families, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Oct, Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves, Mon 5 Oct, Brandon FIRST STEPS: A CHILD'S SWAN LAKE Birmingham Marsh Nature Centre, Coventry Royal Ballet’s introduction to this beautiful love Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, Birmingham SPORTS & SALOON CAR RACES The 750 Motor Club NATIONAL BRAILLE WEEK story specially adapted for children from aged Celebrate the work of Louis Braille and have your three-seven, Fri 2 Oct, Birmingham Hippodrome makes its second visit to Donington Park this sea- son for another weekend of racing from a selection name written using the systems, Mon 5 - Sun 11 SOMETHING GOOD Cathedral Square is transformed Oct, The Pen Museum, Birmingham by extraordinary sounds, words and visual art, Fri 2 of tin tops and sports cars, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Oct,

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Events LISTINGS

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

AN AUTUMN NIGHT AT THE CASTLE An evening guided tour around the picturesque ruins of Weoley Castle, Wed 7 Oct, Weoley Castle Ruins, Birmingham FIERCE FESTIVAL Wed 7 - Sun 11 Oct, Birmingham City Centre GRAND DESIGNS LIVE Thurs 8 - Sun 11 Oct, NEC, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL Thurs 8 - Sat 17 Oct, Library Of Birmingham AN EVENING OF MEDIUMSHIP WITH CRAIG MORRIS Fri 9 Oct, Palace Theatre, Worcestershire RUN WHAT YA BRUNG The chance to take your car or motorcycle out on the famous quarter-mile dragstrip and test its per- formance limits in a safe and legal environment, Sat 10 Oct, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton Great Electric Train Show - Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon SKETCH COVENTRY An informal day of sketching around Coventry city centre, Sat 10 Oct, Herbert Art GHOST HUNT WITH UK GHOST NIGHTS Sat 10 Oct, The Sun 11 Oct, Severn Valley Railway, Worcestershire Gallery & Museum, Coventry Falstaff Experience, Stratford-upon-Avon JAPSHOW FINALE The final round of Jap and FWD THE WARTBURG & TRABANT IFA AND BREAKFAST CLUB TOY STEAM AND TRADITIONAL HOBBIES DAY Drag series. Jap only RWYB competition, Jet Car, Enjoy a selection of up to forty Warties and Demonstrations, traditional crafts, children's activi- club displays, Show & Shine, Sun 11 Oct, Santa Trabbies from Eastern Europe, Sat 10 Oct, ties and much more..., Sat 10 Oct, Winterbourne Pod Raceway, Northampton Coventry Transport Museum House & Garden, Birmingham APPLE DAY Morris dancing, archery, plant sales, BREAKFAST CLUB AT COVENTRY TRANSPORT MUSEUM CAPTION 2015 The indie and small press comics hunt the golden apple and juice tasting from the Opportunity for classic car and motorcycle owners convention heads to Coventry, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Oct, Blakesley orchard, Sun 11 Oct, Blakesley Hall, to show off their cars, Sat 10 Oct, Coventry Fargo Village, Coventry Birmingham Transport Museum COUNT DUCKULA Children's TV classic live on stage CARRIAGED AWAY AT CROFT See the competitor's CLIMB TO NEW HEIGHTS: TREE CLIMBING AT CROOME for the very first time, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Oct, Cadbury horses and vehicles as they ride around Croft, Tree climb with skilled instructors from The Big Tree World, Bournville, Birmingham demonstrating the elegance of traditional, twenty- Company, Sat 10 Oct, Croome Park, Worcester NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE RACES (NO LIMITS RACING) first century driving, Sun 11 Oct, Croft Castle, YOUNG ARTISTS Learn new drawing, painting and Packed grids and adrenaline-fuelled action to close Worcestershire sculpture skills, Sat 10 Oct, Bilston Craft Gallery, the bike racing season in the East Midlands, Sat 10 ANCIENT TREE AND CARRIAGE-RIDE WALK A guided Wolverhampton - Sun 11 Oct, Donington Park Racing Circuit, walk through Croft's ancient parkland, Sun 11 Oct, EXCALIBUR COMPUTER FAIR Packed with computer Warwickshire Croft Castle, Worcestershire goods at trade prices, Sat 10 Oct, THE GREAT ELECTRIC TRAIN SHOW Returning for its WEDDING FAYRE A variety of suppliers exhibiting, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull third year, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Oct, Heritage Motor supported by bridal fashion shows, Sun 11 Oct, SHAKESPEARE TOUR OF STRATFORD Sat 10 Oct, Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire Highbury Hall, Birmingham The Falstaff's Experience, Warwickshire TORNADO STEAMS IN... COIN & BANKNOTE FAIR Take a ride behind an iconic locomotive, Sat 10 - Coin, banknote, medal and antiquity dealers from

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DRAWING FROM AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY Spend the day on display, Sun 18 Oct, Coventry Transport at the museum learning new drawing skills with Museum Events LISTINGS Richard Cook, an art teacher and accomplished APPLE DAY AND COUNTRY FAIR Apple displays and pen and ink sketcher, Sat 17 Oct, tastings, cultivation and gardening advice, competi- For full listing information on Events, Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire tions, children's activities, craft stalls and plants and including times and dates, visit WILDLIFE WATCH GROUP - MAMMALS Fun activities produce for sale, Sun 18 Oct, Hill Close Gardens, www.whatsonlive.co.uk and walks for children led by Richard Thorpe, Warwick Arboretum's Volunteer Wildlife Officer, Sat 17 Oct, BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL RECORD FAIR Sun 18 National Memorial Aboretum, Warwickshire Oct, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull the UK and Ireland, Sun 11 Oct, National SHAKESPEARE TOUR OF STRATFORD Sat 17 Oct, MIDLANDS BEAD FAIR Sun 18 Oct, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull The Falstaff Experience, Stratford-upon-Avon Motorcycle Museum, Solihull IMAGES OF EDWARD ELGAR Talk by Dr Jerrold EXTREME PERFORMANCE BIKE WEEKEND Straightliners SKI SEASON OPEN DAY Northrop Moore, renowned Elgar scholar and biog- RWYB and race series with a round of the ACU Tasters, demos, competitions, giveaways and much rapher. An Autumn in Malvern Festival event in Drag bike championships, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Oct, more, Sun 18 Oct, The Ackers, Birmingham association with the Elgar Society, Sun 11 Oct, The Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton OCTONAUTS TRAINING ACADEMY Enrol your little ones Elgar Birthplace Museum, Worcestershire TORNADO STEAMS IN at the all-new Octonauts Training Academy and AUTUMN WALK IN THE WOODS A tour of Blackwell's Take a ride behind this iconic locomotive, Sat 17 - they’ll learn what it takes to become a member of Wood, Sun 11 Oct, Upton House & Gardens, Sun 18 Oct, Severn Valley Railway, Worcestershire the crew, Sun 18 Oct - Sat 7 Nov, National Sea Life Warwickshire BRITISH RACING & SPORTS CAR CLUB Ten different Centre, Birmingham championships go head to head in the British Week Commencing MON 12 OCT Racing & Sports Car Club Finals, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Week Commencing MON 19 OCT Oct, Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire THE MOTORHOME AND CARAVAN SHOW Tue 13 - Sun COUNT DUCKULA Children's TV classic live on stage, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Oct, Cadbury World, Bournville, MICHAEL PORTILLO - LIFE: A GAME OF TWO HALVES 18 Oct, NEC, Birmingham Mon 19 Oct, Palace Theatre, Redditch DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG Birmingham SPORTS & SALOON CAR RACES (BRSCC) The British MEETING MARY ANN The last woman to be hanged Chance to practise drifting in safe and legal condi- on Whitley Common in Coventry, in 1831, Tue 20 tions on some of the Pod's thirty acres of open tar- Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC) returns to Donington Park for their ‘Finals’ weekend where Oct, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry mac, Wed 14 Oct, Santa Pod Raceway, BACK TO THE FUTURE NIGHT An evening to transport Northampton points will be at a premium as each championship has its deciding round of the season, Sat 17 - Sun you back in time and discover the history of the MIDLANDS MODEL ENGINEERING EXHIBITION 50s, the 80s and now... Wed 21 Oct, National Featuring nearly one thousand models, demonstra- 18 Oct, Donington Park Racing Circuit, Warwickshire Space Centre, Leicester tions, indoor & outdoor displays, Thurs 15 - Sun 18 CROOME'S SPELLBINDING HALLOWEEN TRAIL Follow Oct, Warwickshire Exhibition Centre COVENTRY ARTS CONSORTIUM 2015 The thirteenth exhibition of work by artists from four local art soci- the trail to find the ingredients to make a witch or HERBERT LATES An evening of art, music, drinks, wizard’s brew, Thurs 22 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, Croome talks, performances and history, Fri 16 Oct, Herbert eties, Sat 17 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry Park, Worcestershire Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry COVENTRY PEACE LECTURE 2015 Annual event for TEA WITH OSCAR WILDE Join ‘Oscar Wilde’ as he FAMILY SCREAM PARK A variety of halloween attrac- tions and activities, Sat 17 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, peace and reconciliation, Fri 23 Oct, St. Mary's interviews leading celebrities of the Victorian era Guildhall, Coventry and recounts a story or two... Fri 16 Oct, Highbury Twinlakes Family Theme Park, Warwickshire SCAREFEST Experience chills and thrills at Alton SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL Run What Ya Brung till Hall, Birmingham late. Track open from 9.30am-8pm, with evening MATCHROOM BOXING Towers with brand new scare mazes, scare zones and a horror escape experience alongside all your entertainment and camping, Sat 24 Oct, Santa Pod Sam Eggington and Frankie Gavin clash in an all- Raceway, Northampton Birmingham Welterweight championship fight, Sat favourite rides in the dark, Sat 17 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, Alton Towers, Staffordshire SHAKESPEARE TOUR OF STRATFORD Sat 24 Oct, 17 Oct, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham The Falstaff Experience, Stratford-upon-Avon THE REAPER Chance to try a 10k obstacle course, GREAT BIRMINGHAM RUN Sun 18 Oct, Birmingham City Centre 2HAUNTEDVENUES GHOST HUNT Sat 24 Oct, The Sat 17 Oct, Heart of England Conference & Events Falstaff's Experience, Stratford-upon-Avon Centre, Warwickshire THE CAMBRIDGE OXFORD OWNERS CLUB Classic cars

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MEET SHAKESPEARE'S GHOSTS Shakespeare's Dive Show - NEC, Birmingham Birthplace is being haunted by some of the spooki- Events LISTINGS est characters from his plays, Sat 24 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Warwickshire For full listing information on Events, ALL HALLOWS WEEK Carve your own pumpkin and including times and dates, visit take it along to hear the tale of Jack o'the Lantern, Sat 24 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, Mary Arden's Farm, www.whatsonlive.co.uk Warwickshire MAKE A HALLOWEEN PUPPET Create a spooky puppet EXCALIBUR COMPUTER FAIR Packed with computer to take home, Sat 24 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, Anne goods at trade prices, Sat 24 Oct, Hathaway's Cottage & Gardens, Warwickshire National Motorcycle Museum, Warwickshire HAUNTED HALL'S CROFT: GHOST STORIES Gather GCCF SUPREME CAT SHOW Sat 24 Oct, NEC, round the fireplace to hear spooky ghost stories Birmingham inspired by some of the objects found at Hall's DOWN UNDER LIVE Emigration event, Sat 24 - Sun 25 Croft, Sat 24 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, Hall's Croft, Stratford- Oct, National Motorcycle Museum, Warwickshire upon-Avon DIVE 2015 The UK's biggest event for divers, cover- FAMILY FUN DAYS - HALLOWEEN 2015 Spooky outdoor ing every aspect of the sport in the most innovative trail with take-home activities, Sat 24 Oct - Sun 1 and exciting ways, Sat 24 - Sun 25 Oct, NEC, Nov, Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire Birmingham HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR Arrive in fancy dress for NO TRICKS JUST TREATS some ghoulish fun across the whole attraction, Sat Halloween themed children's event, Sat 24 - Sun 25 24 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, Cadbury World, Bournville, Oct, Red House Glass Cone, Stourbridge Birmingham TORNADO STEAMS IN... FAMILY FUN DAYS - HALLOWEEN 2015 Spooky outdoor Take a ride behind this iconic locomotive, Sat 24 - trail with take-home activities, Sat 24 Oct - Sun 1 Sun 25 Oct, Severn Valley Railway. Worcestershire Nov, Coughton Court, Warwickshire GYMKHANA GRID FINAL HALLOWEEN TRAIL A spooky family trail around the The Gymkhana GRiD Final with appearances, sign- grounds, Sat 24 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, motorcycle out on the famous quarter-mile ings and performances from Ken Block and friends, Croft Castle, Worcestershire dragstrip and test its performance limits in a safe PUMPKIN WEEK Sat 24 - Sun 25 Oct, Santa Pod Raceway, Daily carving competitions, plus a and legal environment, Sun 25 Oct, Santa Pod Northampton pumpkin hunt and Hatton's Halloween Pumpkin Raceway, Northampton WEDDING FAYRE House, Sat 24 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, Hatton Adventure RAINWORTH SKODA DUKERIES RALLY Sat 24 - Sun 25 Oct, Twycross Zoo, Warwickshire World, Warwickshire The first competitive rally event at Donington Park CAR STORIES HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR Ghost stories, face Various family fun workshops where since 1998, Sun 25 Oct, Donington Park Racing painting, spooky trails, pumpkin carving, broom you can tell your own car stories, Sat 24 Oct - Sun Circuit, Warwickshire stick racing and more, Sat 24 - Sun 25 Oct, Croft 1 Nov, Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, AUTUMN WEDDING FAYRE Castle, Worcestershire Warwickshire Sun 25 Oct, St. Mary's Guildhall, Coventry PUMPKIN FESTIVAL FAMILY FUN DAYS - HALLOWEEN 2015 Spooky outdoor AUTUMN WEDDING FAYRE Carve a simply wicked pumpkin, take its innards trail with take-home activities, Sat 24 Oct - Sun 1 Sun 25 Oct, Heart of England Conference & Events home to make into soup, eat scary treats in the tea- Nov, Packwood House, Solihull Centre, Warwickshire THE HAUNTED CASTLE room and arrive dressed in your Halloween best, Featuring wanton witches, LARGE MODEL AIRCRAFT SHOW This annual indoor Sat 24 - Wed 28 Oct, Moseley Old Hall, scary tales and a brand new fire joust, Sat 24 Oct - show has over one hundred large- scale radio-con- Birmingham Sun 1 Nov, Warwick Castle trolled model aircraft on display, plus demonstra- HALLOWEEEN MACHIEEENE THE SKELETON MENAGERIE Help to create a spectac- The museum’s famous tions and aircraft simulators, Sun 25 Oct, Heritage ular spooky display as part of Herbert's Festival Of ‘find to win’ competition returns, Sat 24 Oct - Mon 2 Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire The Dead, Sat 24 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, Herbert Art Nov, The MAD Museum, Stratford-upon-Avon ROARING 20S AFTERNOON TEA An afternoon tea of RUN WHAT YA BRUNG Gallery & Museum, Coventry The chance to take your car or hedonistic pleasure, complete with decadent and

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Gardens, Warwickshire HAUNTED HALLOWEEN BANQUET Enjoy an evening of LISTINGS FAMILY FULL-MOON WALK haunted fun while feasting on a four- course meal, Events An evening walk around the parkland to discover Fri 30 Oct, Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry Croome after dark, Tue 27 Oct, Croome Park, MEDICINE & WITCHCRAFT IN SEVENTEENTH CENTURY For full listing information on Events, Worcestershire ENGLAND Dr Darren Oldridge explores the lost world including times and dates, visit HAUNTED HOUSE: THE WITCHFINDER VISITS BLAKESLEY of medicine & witchcraft in the age of the English HALL The year is 1645 and the Witchfinder General Civil War, Fri 30 Oct, University of Worcester www.whatsonlive.co.uk has descended upon Blakesley Hall in search of STRATFORD TOWN GHOST WALKS Fri 30 - Sat 31 Oct, delectable delights based on 1920s American witches, Tue 27 - Fri 30 Oct, Blakesley Hall, Hall's Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon favourites, Sun 25 Oct, Highbury Hall, Birmingham Birmingham TORCH LIT PUMPKIN WALK Featuring spooky fun and MIDLAND CLOCK AND WATCH FAIR Sun 25 Oct, HALLOWEEN SHOWS Tue 27 - Fri 30 Oct, The Falstaff games on the lakeside terrace, Fri 30 - Sat 31 Oct, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull Experience, Stratford-upon-Avon Bodenham Arboretum, Kidderminster WILDLIFE WATCH See what wildlife you can spot and SPOOKTACULAR 12 Three-course carvery & interac- work to achieve your Hedgehog Award, Wed 28 tive entertainment, Fri 30 - Sat 31 Oct, Heart of Week Commencing MON 26 OCT Oct, Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, Coventry England Conference & Events Centre, Warwickshire WILDLIFE WATCH See what wildlife you can spot and GHOST HUNT WITH HAUNTED HAPPENINGS Fri 30 - Sat 60 MINUTE MARVEL - PRICKLY FRIENDS Learn all about work to achieve your Hedgehog Award, Wed 28 31 Oct, The Falstaff Experience, Stratford-upon- hedgehogs' lives, build a home for them and play Oct, Brueton Park, Solihull Avon some nocturnal games, Mon 26 Oct, Brandon FAMILY FRIENDLY TOUR HALLOWEEN ACTIVITY DAYS Get messy carving your Marsh Nature Centre, Coventry Become an Elizabethan and take a tour around the own pumpkin to take home, Fri 30 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, HALF TERM HALLOWEEN FUN Fun for all the family hall, Wed 28 - Thurs 29 Oct, Harvington Hall, Croome Park, Worcestershire with hide-and-seek, trails through the gardens, Worcestershire FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR Fri 30 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, spooky stories and music, Mon 26 - Fri 30 Oct, CHILDREN'S ACTIVITY An autumnal exploration of the Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire Birmingham Botanical Gardens gardens, with games, wildlife spotting and bug FLAME & THUNDER SHOW SCARECROWS AND CRAFTS Discover the scarecrows hunting, Thurs 29 Oct, Spetchley Park Gardens, Sat 31 Oct, Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton hidden throughout Witley’s gardens, before getting Worcestershire ARTISAN FOOD & CRAFT MARKET Sat 31 Oct, Fargo creative by making your own, Mon 26 - Fri 30 Oct, COLOUR COLLECTORS CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP Village, Coventry Witley Court, Worcestershire Discover the colours of Autumn in the Gardens, ELIZABETH LIVING HISTORY EVENT See the hall TUDOR TERRORS Terrifying Tudor tales, hands-on Thurs 29 Oct, Hill Close Gardens, Warwickshire brought to life by Elizabethan period re-enactors, creepy crafts and spectacularly spooky activities, HALLOWEEN DARK DEEDS SPECIAL All new Dark Sat 31 Oct, Harvington Hall, Kidderminster Mon 26 - Fri 30 Oct, Deeds tours, not for the faint hearted, Thurs 29 Oct, HALLOWEEN STORY NIGHT Includes a ghost walk, ter- Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire Stoneleigh Abbey, Kenilworth rifying tales and light refreshments, Sat 31 Oct, WITCHES AND WIZARDS LATE AT THE GATE - YE OLDE TAVERN QUIZ The Martineau Gardens, Birmingham Make witches hats, creepy cauldron bags and Jerusalem Tavern will be selling a range of bever- MUSEUM LIVE A free open day to celebrate the jumping frogs, Mon 26 - Fri 30 Oct, Selly Manor, ages and snacks whilst the quiz master tests your anniversary of the museum opening, Sat 31 Oct, Birmingham team’s general knowledge, Thurs 29 - Fri 30 Oct, National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull PUMPKIN PARLOUR Pumpkin carving for your little Museum of the Order of St John, Warwick HALLOWEEN GHOST HUNT monsters, Mon 26 - Sat 31 Oct, Beckett's Farm, HALLOWEEN GHOST TOURS An after-hours journey A night of seances and ghost hunting in the west Birmingham back to Warwickshire's wicked past, Thurs 29 - Sat wing, Sat 31 Oct, Stoneleigh Abbey, Kenilworth HALLOWEEN KITCHEN A spooky session of pumpkin 31 Oct, Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire SHAKESPEARE TOUR OF STRATFORD Sat 31 Oct, carving followed with a cookery class making deli- GHOST TRAINS A thrilling ghost train ride into the The Falstaff Experience, Stratford-upon-Avon cious pumpkin muffins, Mon 26 - Sat 31 Oct, countryside, Thurs 29 - Sat 31 Oct, Severn Valley SPOOKY STORIES Beckett's Farm, Birmingham Railway, Worcestershire For young and old alike, prepare to be scared, Sat HALLOWEEN BANKING FOR VICTORY COIN TRAIL A chil- BRICK 2015 The UK's biggest LEGO show, Thurs 29 31 Oct, Winterbourne House & Garden, dren's trail to learn about wartime air raids and gain Oct - Sun 1 Nov, NEC, Birmingham Birmingham the next coin in your Banking For Victory trails col- HALLOWEEN HAUNTED TAVERN TOUR Fri 30 Oct, lection, Mon 26 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, Upton House & The Falstaff Experience, Stratford-upon-Avon

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80 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Eating Out Oct region 1.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 21:24 Page 1 Eating Out Five stars for Birmingham Carters of Moseley, located on St Mary’s Row, Wake Green Road, joins four other city restaurants - Purnell’s, Simpsons, Turners and Adam’s - in the Michelin Great Britain & Ireland Guide 2016. Run by chef Brad Carter and his partner and front- of-house manager Holly Jackson, Carters of Moseley was launched in 2010. The restaurant beat competitors from across the Midlands to become a 2014 Good Food Guide award winner.

An eclectic Latino-inspired menu... authenticity in every bite. Keep an eye out also for REVIEW Special mention must go the venue’s equally to the gluten-free gambas impressive range of side Las Iguanas is one of (butterfly shell prawns dishes, including spice- three new restaurant cooked in garlic, lemon dusted corn chips and the chains to set up home in and chilli) and fiendishly moreish patatas Restaurant finds permanent home Coventry’s newly refur- champinones (mush- bravas with smoked rooms sautéed in garlic chipotle sauce and aioli. Michelin-starred Birmingham city centre restaurant bished Cathedral Lanes chilli sauce), both classics Delicious! Adam’s is expected to move to its permanent Shopping Centre this in their own right. Our dessert option of tem- home in time for Christmas. Owner and chef Adam Autumn. The restaurant Opting for a main course bleque (coconut pudding Stokes and wife Natasha opened the restaurant - offers an eclectic menu of of braised chunky beef with mix berry and mango currently located on Bennetts Hill - in 2013, attain- Latino-inspired dishes, steak, minced beef and puree) was the perfect ing the Michelin star six months later. This was fol- covering everything from black bean with garlic rice, palate-cleanser; light, lowed in 2014 by the eatery being awarded three Mexican classics like tortilla, sour cream and refreshing and with just AA rosettes. The move to the new premises - at enchiladas, fajitas and pink pickled onion accom- the right hint of sharpness. New Oxford House on Waterloo Street, just off chilli right through to the paniment, the great In addition to the evening Colmore Row - will see the restaurant’s capacity refreshingly daring flavours just kept on com- food and cocktail menu, rise from twenty-five to thirty-eight covers. There Brazilian-inspired curry ing. My only criticism - if it Las Iguanas also offers a will also be a private dining area, offering space for menu - all washed down can be called such - was two-course a la carte an additional fourteen customers. by a carefully sourced cocktail selection. that there was simply too lunch menu, served until Entering the restaurant on much in the way of 6.30pm weekdays and a damp and drizzly accompaniments. In the priced from a very com- Pushkar - hot on the awards front Autumn evening, I was case of so rich a dish, less petitive £6 per main Indian fine-dining restaurant Pushkar is celebrating immediately warmed by is definitely more. course. after landing a coveted Diners’ Choice Award in the energy and exuber- But it was my partner’s Adding a touch of spice to the English Curry category. The Birmingham ance of my new surround- choice of main course that Coventry’s newly revi- restaurant bagged the Team/Service of the Year ings. The constant hum of was the real revelation of talised restaurant quarter, award for the West Midlands region. The winners drinkers, diners and wait- the evening: Creamy Las Iguanas is exactly the are selected via feedback from diners who booked ing staff provided the per- coconut curry with pep- type of venue the city’s through OpenTable. Pushkar is also one of four fect backdrop for a laid- pers, garlic and tomato been crying out for and eateries shortlisted to represent Birmingham in the back dining experience. accompanied by sweet you have a surefire recipe annual Curry Capital of Britain competition during We opted for a traditional plantain and a choice of for success. Katherine this month’s National Curry Week (12 - 18 starter of three mixed either sustainable white Ewing October). The restaurant will be showcasing its tapas. Both the variety fish and peeled prawns or signature dish. and quality of dishes was squash, palm hearts and Food: n n n n n apparent from the word spinach. A fiesta on a Service: n n n n n plate, every element of the Rai Singh - Creative Director go. Our choice of albondi- Ambience: n n n n n gas (Patagonian-style dish had been painstak- Overall value n n n n n meatballs with apple, mint ingly chosen for maximum OVERALL n n n n n and parmesan, braised in flavour and effect, from a rich tomato and chilli the sweet kick of the fried Las Iguanas, sauce) was an instant hit, plantain and the coconut- Cathedral Lanes surpassed only by the infused crunch of the faro- Shopping Centre, lamb, mint and chipolata fa right through to the Coventry, empanadas - fried in oil, quality of the seafood CV1 1LL rich in flavour and oozing itself. Tel: 02476 239 120

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1661 LISTINGS METRO BAR & GRILL 73 Restaurant Cornwall St, B3 2DF 0121 200 1911 For full listing information on restau- MINT Yew Tree Retail rants, including opening times and Park, Stoney Lane type of cuisine, visit: www.whatson- Yardley, B25 8YP live.co.uk 0121 789 8908 MOUNT FUJI The Bullring, Solihull, B91 3GS 0121 B5 4BH 0121 633 9853 Birmingham 704 0749 NUVO BAR 11 Brindley CHUNG YING Place, B1 2LP 0121 631 1600 24 CARAT BISTRO 27 16-18 Wrottersley Street, Warstone Lane, B5 4RT 0121 622 5669 OPUS 54 Cornwall St, Birmingham, B18 6JQ B3 2DE 0121 200 2323 0121 236 0519 CHUNG YING CENTRAL 126 Colmore Row, B3 3AP THE ORIENTAL The AALTO RESTAURANT Hotel 0121 400 0888 Mailbox, 128-130 La Tour, Albert Street, Wharfside St, B1 1RQ Vivaanta, Waterfront Walk, Birmingham Birmingham, B5 5JT CHUNG YING GARDEN 17 0121 633 9988 Thorpe St, B5 4AT Bright Street, B1 1BL LE BISTRO PIERRE Swans BINDLES BAR & BRASSERIE 0121 718 8000 PEACHY KEENS 0121 666 6622 1741 THE VAULTS Newhall Nest, Bridgford, Stratford 55 Sidbury, WR1 2HU AIR RESTAURANT LG Coventry Road, B26 Place, Newhall Hill, upon Avon, CV37 7LT 01905 611120 Arena, Bickenhill Rd CIELO 6 Oozells Square, 1DS 0121 764 5519 B1 3JH 0121 212 9837 01789 264804 BRAMBLINGS Hither Green 0844 338 0333 Brindleyplace, B1 2JB PENNY BLACKS WAGAMAMA Brindley MALLORY COURT Harbury Lane, Redditch, B98 9BE BALCONY BRASSERIE 0121 632 6882 The Mailbox, 132-134 Place, Birmingham, B1 Lane, Leamington Spa, 01527 406600 Selfridges on 4, The COAST TO COAST 9 Wharfside St, B1 1XL CV33 9QB, 01926 330214 BRIDGE INN Plough Road, Bullring, B5 4BP Brindleyplace, Broad 0121 632 1460 WATERS ON THE SQUARE Street, B1 2HJ Chad Square, Hawthorne MATRICARDIS 97 High St, Droitwich, WR9 7NQ BANK 4 Brindleyplace, PICCOLINO Henley in Arden, B95 5AT COTE The Mailbox, Rd, Edgbaston, B15 3TQ 01905 345874 B1 2JB 0121 633 4466 9 Brindleyplace, B1 2HS 01564 792735 B1 1RX 0121 631 1587 0121 634 3055 CHADDESLEY RESTAURANT BAR ESTILO 10-114 MERCHANTS Swan Street, CUCINA RUSTICA 24 Brockencote Hall Hotel, Wharfside St, The PITCHER & PIANO Warwickshire Warwick, CV34 4BJ Kidderminster, DY10 4PY Mailbox, B1 1RF 0121 Ludgate Hill, B3 1DX Brindleyplace, B1 2HP 01926 403833 01562 777876 643 3443 0121 233 2277 0121 643 0214 7 SQUARE 7 Old Square, NUMBER SIX Castle Street, THE CHASE INN Chase Rd, BARAJEE 265 Broad EASTZEAST 167 Broad POPPY RED Arcadian Warwick, CV34 4RA Street, Birmingham, B15 Warwick, CV34 4BP Upper Colwall, Malvern, Street, B1 2DS 0121 643 Centre, Birmingham, B5 01926 411 755 01926 497663 6699 1AY, 0121 643 4808 4TD 0121 687 1200 WR13 6DQ 01684 NO. 9 CHURCH STREET ONE ELM 1 Guild St, 540276 BELLA ITALIA 102 New EDMUNDS 6 Brindley PURNELL’S 55 Cornwall Stratford upon Avon, Stratford-Upon-Avon, CHESTERS 51 New St, Street, B2 4HQ 0121 place, B1 2JB 0121 633 St, B3 2DH 0121 212 Warwickshire, CV37 6HB CV37 6QZ 01789 404919 Worcester, WR1 2DL 643 1548 4944 9799 01789 415522 PREZZO 1-3 High St, 01905 611638 BERLIOZ Burlington FIESTA DEL ASADO 229 PURNELL’S BISTO 11 AGRA PLACE 12 Abbey Warwick, CV34 4AP CROWN & SANDYS Arcade, New St, B2 4JQ Hagley Road, Newhall Street, B3 3NY, Green, Nuneaton, CV11 01926 475867 Main Rd, Ombersley, 0121 633 1737 Birmingham, B16 9RP 0121 2000 1588 5DR 024 7635 0515 RESTAURANT 23 34 WR9 0EW 01905 62025 BLUE GINGER 32 Poplar, 0121 445 9331 RAJDOOT TANDOORI 78 - THE ALMANACK Abbey Hamilton Terrace, Holly Rd, Kings Heath, B14 FLEET STREET KITCHEN 79 George St, B31 1PY EWE AND LAMB Hanbury End North, Kenilworth, Walk, Leamington Spa, 7AD 0121 444 0999 Fleet Street, Islington 0121 236 1116 Road, Bromsgrove, B60 CV8 1QJ 01926 353637 CV32 4LY 01926 422422 4DN 01527 871 929 BLUE MANGO Regency Gates, B3 1JH 0121 236 THE RECTORY 50-54 St 0100 AUBERGINE 32 Smith St, RISTORANTE DA VINCI 50 THE FIG TREE 99 Church Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS Paul’s Sq, B3 1QS Warwick, CV34 4HS ITIHAAS 18 Fleet St, B3 Earlsdon Street, Coventry, Street, Gt Malvern, WR14 0121 633 4422 0121 605 1001 01926 400 086 1JL 0121 212 3383 CV5 6EJ 024 7671 3554 2AE 01684 569909 BLUE PIANO RESTAURANT RED PEPPERS 117 THE BELL Alderminster, JAMIE’S ITALIAN Middle ROBBIE’S RESTAURANT 74 FUSION BRASSERIE AND BAR 24-26 Harborne Wharfside St, B1 1RF Stratford-upon-Avon, Smith Street, CV34 4HU Hawbridge, Stoulton, Rd, B15 3AA 0121 454 Mall, Bullring Shopping 0121 643 4202 CV37 8NY 01926 400470 Worcester, WR7 4RJ 6877 Centre, B5 4BE SAN CARLO 4 Temple St, 01789 450414 0121 270 3610 ROOFTOP RESTAURANT 01905 840647 BUONISSIMO 1 Albany B2 5BN 0121 633 0251 BLUE BISTRO 21 Spon St, JIMMY SPICES Regency @ The RST, Waterside, THE INN AT STONEHALL Rd, Harborne, B17 9JX SHIMLA PINKS 215 Broad Coventry, CV1 3BA 024 Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS Stratford-upon-Avon, Stonehall Common, 0121 426 2444 St, B15 1AY 0121 633 7622 9274 0121 643 2111 CV37 6BB 01789 403449 Worcester, WR5 3QG CAFE OPUS 1 Oozells 0366 CARLUCCIOS 13 Waterside, LAS IGUANAS Arcadian SAFFRON GOLD Market St, 01905820462 Square, Brindleyplace, SIMPSONS, 20 Highfield Stratford-Upon-Avon, Centre, Hurst St, B5 4TD Westgate House, B1 2HS 0121 248 3226 Rd, Edgbaston, B13 CV37 6BA 01789 267424 KING CHARLES II King 0121 622 4466 Warwick, CV34 4DE Charles House, New St, CAFE SAFFRON 3DU 0121 454 3434 CATALAN 6 Jury St , LASAN 3-4 Dakota 01926 402061 Worcester, WR1 2D Wolverhampton Road, THE SLUG AND LETTUCE, Warwick, CV34 4EW Oldbury, B69 4RR Buildings, James St, St THE SAXON MILL 01905 22449 Brindley Place, 01926 498 930 0121 552 1752 Paul’s Square, B3 1SD Coventry Rd, Guys Cliffe, L’AMUSE BOUCHE 51 Birmingham, B1 2HL THE CHURCH STREET CARLUCCIO’S The Water’s 0121 212 3664 Warwick, CV34 5YN Graham Rd, Malvern, 0121 633 3049 TOWNHOUSE 16 Church Edge, Brindleyplace, THE LOFT LOUNGE 01926 492 255 WR14 2HU 01684 STRADA 109-111 Street, Stratford-upon- B1 2HP 0121 633 9262 143 Bromsgrove St, TAILORS 22 Market Place, 572427 Wharfside St, The Avon, CV37 6HB 01789 B5 6RG 0121 622 2444 Warwick, CV34 4SL CENTENARY BAR & Mailbox, B1 1XL 262222 LE BRASSERIE 5 Lower BRASSERIE Broad Street, THE LOST & FOUND 01926 410590 Mill Street, 0121 643 7279 COOMBE ABBEY Brinklow B1 2EP 0121 245 2080 8 Bennetts Hill, B2 5RS THE TREVELYAN Warwick Kidderminster, DY11 0121 643 9293 TGI FRIDAYS 180 Hagley Road, Coventry, CV3 2AB 6UU 01562 744976 CHI BAR & GRILL 61 Road, Edgbaston, B16 024 7645 0450 Rd, Stratford-upon-Avon, Newhall Street, B3 3RB LOVES The Glasshouse, 9NY 0121 454 1930 CV37 ONR 01789 295252 MAEKONG THAI 12 Browning St, B16 8FL CROSSED KHUKRIS GURKHA Worcester Road, 0121 233 3150 THAI EDGE 7 Oozells Sq, 115 Abbey Street, THE VINE INN 86 - 88 West CHIMICHANGA 41 Mill Lane 0121 454 5151 St, Warwick, CV34 6AW Bromsgrove, B61 7AE B1 2HL 0121 643 3993 Nuneaton, CV11 5BX 024 01527 578888 Arcade, Touchwood, MECHU 47 - 59 Summer 7634 4488 07873 219005 Row, B3 1JJ 0121 212 TURTLE BAY 81-91 John MASSALLA LOUNGE 35 EDWARD MOON 9 Chapel WARWICK SPICE 24 Smith Broad St, Worcester, Street, Stratford-upon- Street, CV34 4HS 01926 Avon, CV37 6EP 01789 491736 WR1 3NH 01905 267069 ZIZZI 85-87 Regent 729955 EGO 29 The Square, Square House, Parade, MUG HOUSE Claines Leamington Spa, CV32 Lane, Worcester, WR3 (EST 86) Kenilworth, CV8 1EF THE DINNER CLUB 01926 864463 4NL 01926 432532 7RN 01905 456649 FOR THE MORE DISCERNING UNNATACHED PERSON THE ENCORE Bridge Street, ON THE ROCKS 44 Stratford upon Avon, Worcestershire Worcester Road, SINGLE? CV37 6AB 01789 269462 Bromsgrove, B61 7AE FINEST CATCH B’ham Rd, ANAKARALI 47 The 01527 882412 Autumn Henley in Arden, B95 Tythings, Worcester, WR1 PARADISE BALTI 7 Lower 5QR 01564 793783 1JT 01905 21412 Mill Street, Kidderminster, FIVE RIVERS 20-22 Victoria ANGEL CHEF 1 Angel St, DY11 6UU 01562 60479 BLACK Terrace, Leamington Spa, Worcester, WR1 3QT & CV31 3AB 01926 431999 01905 731131 PORTWAY ITALIAN, Alcester Rd, Redditch, WHITE BALL HIGH PAVEMENT BAR & DIN- ANUPAM 85 Church B48 7HT 01564 824794 ING 3 High Street, CV34 Street, Malvern, WR14 Saturday 24th October 4AP 01926 494725 2AE 01684 573814 ROSADOS’S 2 Finstall Rd, Aston Fields, at Park Royal Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 4NS HELP OUT MILL Heather BACCHUS 44 Worcester Bromsgrove, B60 2DZ 7.30 for 8pm - Rd, Shakerstone, Road, Bromsgrove, B61 Pre-dinner drink, 3 course meal with £65 01527 889948 accom also Nuneaton, CV13 0BT 0TA 01527 877557 wine, coffee and dancing till late (disco)Park Royal Hotel, Warrington 01530 260666 SAFFRON BISTRO 15 New (01244) 677030 weekdays or 548816 eve/weekends available BENEDICTOS 34 Sidbury, St, Worcester, WR1 2DP Cheshire WA4 4NS INDIA RED 25 Abbey Worcester, WR1 2HZ 01905 610505 Street, Nuneaton, CV11 01905 21444 www.thedinnerclubuk.com 5BX 024 7634 2090 82 www.whatsonlive.co.uk grand_whatson FP Oct:Layout 1 21/09/2015 09:29 Page 1 Great Theatre at the Grand!

WED 30 SEPT - SUN 11 OCT TUES 13 OCT WED 14 OCT CERI DUPREE EYEcons

THURS 15 OCT FRI 16 OCT SAT 17 OCT

FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME EVER - THE BIGGEST BURLESQUE LEGENDS FROM AROUND THE WORLD ARE UNITED ON ONE STAGE AS BRITAIN’S NO1 BURLESQUE SHOW GOES GLOBAL.

MON 19 - SAT 24 OCT MON 26 - SAT 31 OCT SUN 1 NOV

BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS ‘Blood Brothers is a theatrical phenomenon’ duBlin Business post

Bill kenwright presents

starring marti pellow & maureen nolan ‘HE REMAINS A VERY GREAT STAR’ DAILY EXPRESS

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

Box Office 01902 42 92 12 BOOK ONLINE AT www.grandtheatre.co.uk MAC (FP-Oct).qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2015 10:31 Page 1