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INTERVIEW INSIDE... APRIL 2015 ISSUE 352 352 ISSUE sOn ’ .co.uk

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www. STAFFORDSHIRE What THE MIDLANDS ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE ENTERTAINMENT ULTIMATE MIDLANDS THE Staffordshire Cover .qxp_Staffordshire Cover 23/03/2015 16:52 Page 1 Page 16:52 23/03/2015 Cover .qxp_Staffordshire Cover Staffordshire STAFFORDSHIRE WHAT’S ON ISSUE 352 APRIL 2015 PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS @WHATSONSTAFFS WWW.WHATSONLIVE.CO.UK Boyzone (FP-April).qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 16:51 Page 1 Contents APRIL Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 17:28 Page 1

April 2015

Editor: INSIDE: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Editorial Assistants: Bouncers is back! Brian O’Faolain Godber classic on tour... [email protected] 01743 281701 interview p10 Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Jamie Ryan [email protected] 01743 281720

Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703

Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Subscriptions: Jonny Cole Adrian Parker [email protected] talks humour 01743 281714 interview p8 Managing Director: Paul Oliver [email protected] 01743 281711 Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan [email protected] 01743 281710

Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell Alexandra Burke talks about having the best time of her life in Chris Atherton The Bodyguard - interview page 6. Accounts Administrator Julia Perry [email protected] TO GET THE VERY 01743 281717 News p4 Contributors: LATEST LISTING Graham Bostock: Theatre INFORMATION, A Siege Of Callais James Cameron-Wilson: Music p13 VISIT: English Touring Opera Film; Eva Easthope, in p20 Jessica Aston, Patsy whatsonlive.co.uk Moss, Jack Rolfe, Jan Comedyp22 Watts, Simon Carter INCLUDING Head Office: BOOKING ONLINE 13-14 Abbey Foregate, Theatre p25 Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE The Midlands’ most Tel: 01743 281777 comprehensive p40 e-mail: [email protected] entertainment website Dance

Follow us on... Film/DVD p43 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is Visual Arts p51 produced without the use April 2015 of elemental chlorine. Wolverhampton Events p55 We endorse the recycling & Black Country MTWTFSS of our magazine and @whatsonwolves would encourage you to 12345 Staffordshire p65 pass it on to others to Eating Out 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 read when you have @whatsonstaffs finished with it. Shropshire 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 ’ @whatsonshrops 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 WhatsOn 27 28 29 30 MAGAZINE GROUP All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. News April Region two.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 19:54 Page 1

News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Best Family Day Out in Ironbridge - it’s official! Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust has won a prestigious Hudson’s Heritage Award in the Best Family Day Out category. The annual awards are an independently judged national scheme celebrating the UK’s very best historic houses, gardens, muse- ums and heritage sites. Commenting on the award, Paul Gossage (pictured), director of Marketing and PR for Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, said: “Winning one of these awards demonstrates the high standards and commitment we offer our visitors to ensure their experience is the very best. It’s an acknowledgment and recognition that our museums are amongst the elite of heritage attractions in the UK.”

Duncan James to star in Priscilla... Former Blue singer Duncan James is returning to the Midlands stage, this time to star in Priscilla Queen Of The Desert. Duncan, whose stage credits include Legally Blonde and , will play Tick in the heartwarming adventure, which follows the friendship shared between three pals who hop aboard a battered old bus and head off in search of love and romance. The show originally opened in 2006 in , running there for two years before hitting the West End stage. With its dazzling array of costumes and a glorious selection of Diary date for foodies dancefloor favourites - including It’s Raining Men, Say A Little Prayer, Go West, Hot Stuff and Always On My Mind - Priscilla Queen Of The Desert shows at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on- Midlands-based foodies should put a date in Trent, from Monday 21 to Saturday 26 September and New Alexandra Theatre, , their diary to attend the Great British Food from Monday 20 to Sat 24 September. Festival, which takes place at Staffordshire’s Shugborough Estate in July. The popular event features over eighty local Visitor numbers give cause to oration with West producers, cookery lessons, children’s activi- Yorkshire Playhouse ties, live music and top chef demos from rejoice at museum trust... and shows at The REP Great British Bake Off finalist Luis Troyano Bosses at Birmingham Museum Trust are from Friday 15 to and Master Chef’s Luke Owen. For those celebrating after newly released figures show Saturday 30 May. wishing to show off their baking skills, the that more than one million people have visit- Tickets cost from £7 to festival hosts a Cake Off competition, while ed the Trust’s nine museum sites in the past £35 and can be pur- anybody feeling brave enough can take part twelve months. The news coincides with the chased from the box in various Men vs Food Challenges for both launch of the new Spitfire Gallery at Tahitian, office on 0121 236 men and women throughout the weekend. one of the Trust’s nine venues. The other 4455, or online at The Great British Food Festival takes place eight sites are , Museum of the Birmingham-rep.co.uk. at Shugborough over the weekend of 11 & Jewellery Quarter, Blakeslee Hall, Sarehole 12 July. Mill, , , Birmingham Museum Collection Centre and Names announced for Made Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Birmingham Tub on a hot Brum roof A festival reaffirming Birmingham’s reputa- One of Birmingham’s iconic rooftops is set tion as a groundbreaking, innovative and to get steamy next month, courtesy of the Corrie stars in fine voice at diverse hub makes a welcome return this city’s first ever rooftop hot tub cinema. Super summer. Made Birmingham debuted in 2014 Spa Cinema will be situated atop Fort The REP... and returns to the Digbeth Triangle on Dunlop and promises an evening like no Former Coronation Street favourites Vicky Saturday 25 July. Festival Director Pete other. Guests are invited to take to the roof Entwistle and Chris Gascoyne are set to star Jordan has promised that this year’s event of the one hundred-foot building to enjoy ‘an in a brand new Birmingham Repertory will ‘step up a few gears and become some- evening of experimental entertainment and Theatre production of Jim Cartwright’s thing that the city will truly be proud of’. Held cult cinema’. Taking place between Friday 22 Olivier Award-winning play, The Rise And Fall in association with Rainbow Venues, the and Sunday 24 May, the unique event fea- Of Little Voice. midday-to-midnight event features a fusion tures a host of themed activities, including a Vicky, who played Janice Battersby in the of live music and DJ performances. Beat- Tom Cruise cocktail flairing and hook-a-shark long-running ITV soap, and Chris, who boxer Beardyman, legendary dub ambassa- competitions. There’s even the chance to starred as Peter Barlow, will be joined in the dor David Rodigan and ’s Trojan enjoy the thrills and spills of mastering the show by Nancy Sullivan as Little Voice. Sound System crew are just some of the waves on ’s surfboard simulator. Nancy has previously starred at The REP in well-known names who’re performing at the For further information, visit fortdunlop.com The Wizard Of Oz. event. For tickets and further information, The new show has been produced in collab- visit madebirmingham.com

4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk News April Region two.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 19:54 Page 2

The carnival comes to town... Telford and Wrekin Council has announced plans for Carnival Of Giants on Saturday 6 June. A procession of big folk and magical creatures will set off from the recently launched Southwater development and make its way to Telford Town Park. Aided by Liverpool Lantern Company, local schools and community groups will work together in the run up to the event to create giants and puppets. The carnival will also host the Telford Big Dance, a community event which aims to bring young people together from across the region to perform and dance as a large group. Commenting on the carnival, Councillor Liz Clare, cabinet member for leisure services and culture, said: “Our ambition was to involve the com- munity in creating something spectacular to West End musical coming to the Midlands celebrate where they live. We hope this will One of the biggest musical hits ever to grace the West End stage visits Birmingham next year become a regular part of our growing as part of its first ever UK tour. Written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, Mamma Mia! events calendar. I’d urge everyone to get is based on the songs of legendary Swedish pop group ABBA. Band members Benny creative and join the carnival.” Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus were both heavily involved in the show's development. Set on a Greek island, the feelgood story follows bride-to-be Sophie as she searches for her real father. Since opening in 1999, Mamma Mia! has been seen by over fifty-four million people, with forty-nine productions having been mounted in fourteen different languages. To date, the show has grossed more that $2billion dollars. Commenting on Mamma Mia!’s visit to the Midlands, Chief Executive Stuart Griffiths said: “The Hippodrome has a great reputation for staging the city’s big summer musical, and we’re thrilled to continue that tradition by presenting this hugely popular show.” Mamma Mia! runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from 28 June to 3 September 2016.

IN BRIEF Guillem bows out in Brum... Photo of previous Liverpool Lantern Company parade Dance supremo Sylvie Guillem has announced she’s to present Mary Webb her last ever UK performance on the Birmingham Hippodrome fundraiser hopes to stage in September. Eclectic line-up for Lichfield help win back hill Guillem, who will receive a special award for her lifetime achieve- Two world premieres performed by the City Bellowhead’s Benji ments at this month’s Olivier Awards (12 April), began her career of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Ex Kirkpatrick this month as a ballerina before diversifying into the world of contemporary Cathedra feature in the programme for this goes solo when he dance. Her extensive repertoire includes numerous iconic roles in year’s Lichfield Festival. takes to the stage in a ballets by Kenneth MacMillan, The 2015 event takes place at various loca- fundraising event for Maurice Béjart, Frederick Ashton, tions across Staffordshire (from 3 to 12 the Pontesford Hill William Forsythe and Mats Ek. July) and sees Sonia Stevenson taking on Appeal. Taking place Contemporary offerings include the role of Artistic Director for the very first at Pontesbury Village the acclaimed 6000 Miles Away, time. Well-known names appearing at the Hall on 10 April, which Sylvie performed at festival include comedian Markus Queen Of The Desert International Dance Festival Brigstocke, folk musician Eliza Carthy, features an illustrated Birmingham in 2014. author Michael Morpurgo and theatre com- talk by Mary Webb- Sylvie’s final show is Life In pany The Malachites. For full festival details, expert Gladys Mary Progress, which she’ll perform at visit www.lichfieldfestival.org Coles and dramatised the Hippodrome on Tuesday 8 readings by and Wednesday 9 September. Pontesbury Players. The presentation features both Markus Brigstocke The event is the latest existing and new works by chore- in a string of fundrais- ographers who have influenced Photo credit: Lesley Leslie-Spinks ing activities organised her contemporary career. by locals to help buy back the area of out- standing beauty which Golden ticket offers chance to meet the Forestry Commission sold off Irish pop sensations to a private investor in “We love playing outdoors during the summer, so I’m looking for- 2010. To date, various ward to a great night in Telford,” says Boyzone frontman Ronan activities have helped Keating of the group’s 27 June gig at the QEII Fields In Trust raise £230,000 Town Park Arena. Fans who purchase a ticket before midnight on towards the £265,000 10 May are in with a needed. Tickets, chance of winning a Love Me Tender on tour priced £10, can be ‘golden ticket’, A brand new musical inspired by and featur- purchased by calling which will allow ing the music of Elvis Presley is coming to 01952 419078 or visit- them to meet the region this summer. From the producers ing www.wegottick- Boyzone before the of Hairspray, Jersey Boys and West Side ets.com/event/303942 group take to the Story, Love Me Tender features twenty-five stage. Tickets cost- of Elvis’s best-loved hits and is described as ing £35 for adults ‘a hilarious feelgood show’. The production and £30 for a child runs at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, aged sixteen or from Monday 29 June to Saturday 4 July, under are available and at New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from www.thep- from Monday 24 to Saturday 29 August. Benji Kirkpatrick lacetelford.com.

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 5 Alexandra Burke interview.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 17:23 Page 1

interview

Alexandra Burke having the best time of her life in The Bodyguard...

Winning The X Factor in 2008 propelled London-born singer Alexandra Burke to overnight success, with her debut release, Hallelujah, becoming the top-selling single of that year. Currently receiving great critical acclaim for her portrayal of pop diva Rachel Marron in the touring production of hit musical The Bodyguard, Alexandra reveals to What’s On why she originally turned down the role made famous by Whitney ...

6 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Alexandra Burke interview.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 17:23 Page 2

How has life changed for you since That was the turnaround point, where I Zoe Birkett will be stepping in for matinee winning The X Factor back in 2008? realised I was worthy enough to have more in performances and will take the lead in It’s been incredible so far. My life’s changed my life if I worked at it. If I really want Stoke. What’s the chemistry like between completely - and all for the better. I’m much, something, through working hard, I can get the two of you? Do you mirror each other’s much happier. I’m content and I’m doing it. When they offered it to me the second performances? what I love. It’s a lot of hard work - success time, they just gave me the job. I told them We’re really good friends, and it’s so lovely doesn’t come on a silver platter - but the that they needed to audition me, and that that we get along. Our portrayals are different rewards are there when you put the work in. they couldn’t just give me the job based on but we put the same amount of energy into my name. So they auditioned me - and two the show. I love her interpretation of Rachel. Since The X Factor, you’ve notched up six hours later, I got the job. Learning this part together has been a really top-ten hits, three of which were number nice, fun and enjoyable experience. We ones. Did you ever imagine you’d be so This is a role that you played in the West support one another, and long may that successful? End. How does the touring production continue. No, not at all. I always used to say, ‘no differ? expectations, just high hopes’. That’s the way It’s a revamped version of the West End Will musical theatre continue to play a big I’ve always lived my life - never expecting show. I think it’s an even better show. Not a part in your career? anything, doing what I love and putting one lot has changed, but the changes we’ve Who knows? Music is my priority. I’m hundred-and-ten percent into everything I do. made have had a great impact. I really feel in releasing a free EP called Renegade for my What comes out of it, whether it be ups or my element. I urge people who’ve already fans. It’s just a thank you for their time and downs, I take as it comes. I take the good seen it in London to come and see it again patience whilst I’m doing other projects. It with the bad and always try to remain because it’s different. just depends on what the project is, really. focused. played Rachel in the film Is there a particular role that you’d love to Is being a popstar/actress everything you version. Was she an inspiration to you? play? imagined it would be? Absolutely. She was an inspiration to me in If something like Motown came to London, or Yes, and more. I’m at a point in my life where terms of the vocal. I’ve listened to Whitney Dreamgirls or The Color Purple, I’d I’m very, very happy and content. Don’t get since I was a kid, and she’s someone I absolutely jump at the chance to audition. me wrong, there have been ups and downs - always looked up to. I deliberately didn’t not only personally but with my career too. watch the film when I got the part because I How about releasing new material? Have You learn from each and every thing that you wanted my depiction of Rachel to be you got another in the pipeline? do. completely different. My interpretation of the That’s the reason I’m taking the month of character is so different. I’ve made her diva- May off, away from the musical. I’m off to You’ve also been nominated for, and won, ish and rude. By the end of Act One I’m New York to record an album. Yes, there’ll be a considerable number of awards since hoping people fall in love with her and realise a new album out soon. I’m not quite sure the start of your career. How does it feel to that she’s only human and wants to find love. whether it’ll be at the end of this year or the be held in such high regard? It’s been an interesting journey to create that beginning of next. It all depends on when I It’s lovely. I never read anything negative or character. It’s about keeping her sexy, and can dedicate the time to promote it. anything positive - I just do what I do. For me, that’s one of the reasons why I dance so that works. After I won The X Factor, I’d find much in the show. And how about a tour? negative things online to read, and that Absolutely. I’m talking with my agent about a would put me in a really bad place. So now I Do you have anything in common with tour next year. I’m doing two dates in don’t read anything at all. I just be myself and Rachel? September at the Jazz Café in London. do everything to the best of my ability. It’s The love she has for her team and her child. I Those are just a taster of what the new lovely when I get great feedback, such as don’t have children but I have nieces and album’s like. awards nominations, but then I take it with a nephews. I swear by my family, and that’s pinch of salt and keep on moving. I don’t how Rachel comes across to me in parts of You’ve achieved so much during the past ever want to believe my own hype. the show - more so in the second act. That’s seven years. What’s been the highlight? something I can relate to. Her being a diva? It probably has to be having my own sell-out You’re currently starring as Rachel Marron Nope. Her feistiness I can relate to, because tour. And this Bodyguard tour, actually. It’s in The Bodyguard musical. Was musical when I want something to go well, I get feisty done a lot for my happiness, and it gives me theatre always on your radar? and put everything into it. In those respects the opportunity to show how much I love It was always on my radar but not something we’re similar. acting. that I thought I’d be doing at this point in my life. I remember discussing musical theatre What’s your favourite part of The What single piece of advice would you with a management company I was with a Bodyguard story? give to someone considering auditioning few years ago, and thought I’d probably be The fact that she falls in love with someone for The X Factor? doing it when I was in my thirties. But it’s who she never expected to. I’m a sucker for Just be yourself. The camera can always pick come around now and I’m having the best love stories, and it’s a beautiful moment up when someone isn’t who they say they time of my life. For me, you can never say when she realises that there’s more to life are. You need to stick to who you are. Oh, never. I don’t disregard anything - especially than her career. Love can be the answer too. and know what you want too. now that I’m doing The Bodyguard, which I That’s definitely one of my favourite parts. never expected to be doing. You never know what can come out of opportunities like this. The show comes to Wolverhampton, Because of it, I’m in a great place. It’s been a Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham, Nottingham great journey so far. and Leicester. Do you enjoy your time Alexandra Burke stars in The Bodyguard at when touring in the Midlands? Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Tues You originally declined the offer to play Yeah! I enjoy my time, or try to, everywhere I 21 April to Sat 2 May, and at Birmingham Rachel. Why? go - simply because I don’t get the chance to Hippodrome, Wed 5 to Sat 22 August. I didn’t have the confidence to do it. I didn’t visit these cities very often. I’m doing six Zoe Birkett will play certain matinee think I could take on such an iconic role and shows a week. The only time I’ll get to myself performances and take the lead as Rachel do it justice. I wasn’t in the right mental space is towards the end of the week, when I’ll when the musical plays Regent Theatre, to take on the job. Taking a year out of music chance going out and stuff. But yes, I’m Stoke-on-Trent, from Tues 19 to Sat 30 and moving to New York certainly helped me. really excited to be coming back to May. Whilst I was there, I studied life coaching and Birmingham. And Wolverhampton I can’t wait that completely changed everything for me. for!

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 7 Jonny Cole interview.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 17:25 Page 1

interview

Jonny Cole on why Black Country people have the best humour in the world... A Black Country lad through and through, comedian/singer/songwriter Jonny Cole uses everyday life in the region as the basis for his ‘catchy songs and cheeky melodies’. Initially grabbing the public’s attention with his viral hit, The Wednesbury Song, Jonny is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with, both locally and further afield. In addition to his programme of solo shows, he this month takes to the road as part of A Black Country Night Out. What’s On caught up with him to find out more…

8 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Jonny Cole interview.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 17:25 Page 2

How would you describe your brand of Country accent. I played at the Blackpool hundred pound German woman called the comedy? Grand and I just had to slow everything down Alpha Female. Check her out online! She’s It’s difficult for me to put it into an industry- a bit. I do a song about a woman leaving me scary! standard soundbite. There are a lot of people because she found out I was playing away We’ve started filming a documentary for it. who love Black Country humour and who’d and she took the TV remote to be spiteful. I It’s going to be half about me putting on an love to go into a rough and ready Black follow that up with a version of No Woman, event and how difficult that can be - with a Country pub just to listen to the banter, and No Sky. That works all over the country. comedic twist, of course - and half about that’s exactly what I do. I’ve absorbed Black visiting Women’s Aid, seeing all the good Country humour the whole of my life. I take it Have you ever offended anyone with your work they do and explaining what else they out of that pub where people wouldn’t dare songs? could do if they had more funding. go in case they got their teeth knocked out, Never ever, and I think that’s testament to the and I put it into a safe, controlled Black Country humour. Generally, the people How much are you hoping to raise? environment where they can enjoy it. I think who’re laughing the most are the ones who I haven’t really worked it out, but anything it’s just a case of getting back to the basics of I’m taking the piss out of. They’re the ones over five grand I’d be happy with. Anything good banter. Black Country folk have got buy you a pint afterwards. over that is a bonus. best humour in the world. They can laugh at themselves before anyone else, which is why Your style has been compared to that of a Will people who come along to see the I can get away with it. young Jasper Carrott. Has he inspired you new tour of A Black Country Night Out see in your work? the same material you use in your one- What’s the biggest misconception about I was a massive fan of Jasper when I was man show? Black Country people? very young. I wouldn’t follow him around or You’ll see a cleaner slice of what’s in my one- That they’re stupid. I think the accent lends go looking for his stuff, but everything that man show. A Black Country Night Out is very itself to that. On the TV, if there’s ever anyone came my way by him I really enjoyed. I met much geared towards a family audience, and who needs to be depicted as being a bit him once. My sister had cystic fibrosis and I’ve got to be careful not to upset anyone in slow, they get given a Black Country accent. was in the Birmingham Children’s Hospital that respect. I think it’s a common misconception. It’s the quite a lot. One weekend Jasper took time Peter Lee is the compere. He’s older than only accent in the world that makes good out after shopping to come to the hospital to God’s dog. We wheel him out once a year. I news sound like bad news. see the kids and cheer them up. So I’ve think we might be doing a song together this always had my eye on him because I’d met time round, which I’m looking forward to. When did you first realise that you were him. I really loved his early stuff but I never Last year was my debut on the show and I funny? thought I could do that kind of stuff myself, was the warm-up. This year is kind of exciting I don’t really know that I am. The Black nor even imagined I would want to. As I said, because I’ll be the last on. Country’s funny and I just tell people about it. I fell into it by accident, but I definitely think I’ve always been a bit of a prankster. At he influenced me. So as a Black Country chap, what are you school I was just an idiot with a guitar, and I most proud of about the region? used to get told off for that. Nobody tells you How do you keep your material fresh? I’m proud of the Black Country people. that if you get really good at being an idiot You hear the old boys in the pub having They’re happy to stick together. They look with a guitar, people might start paying you banter with each other, or you hear a woman after their own and I think it should be for it one day. shouting something really common at her kid celebrated. There’s Brummies and there’s in a shop. Anything like that. Another gag I Black Country folk. Brummies hate to be So when did they start paying you? came up with recently is, ‘You notice all the thought of as Black Country and vice versa. I I woke up one morning with a bit of a kids in Walsall have the same second name - think we know we’re safe together and we hangover and decided to write this song Get here! And then every now and again you look out for each other. And we’re funny, called The Wednesbury Song - just for hear a posh one with a double-barrelled we’re really funny. We should celebrate that. myself, just for a laugh. I recorded it in about name - Get here-now!’ twenty minutes in my home studio and It’s all there. You’ve only got to look. In a way Talking of celebrating, last year saw the emailed it to my dad. We put it on YouTube it feels like cheating. first ever Black Country Festival taking for a laugh, and a couple of days later I saw place. How was that for you? that it had got a couple of thousand hits. My You’re involved in Women’s Aid. Tell us The best thing about the festival was that dad said to me, “Son, I’m not being funny but about that. nobody outside of the Black Country gave a you want to write some more of this because It’s all very exciting. Although I’m not going to shit. Nobody funded it very much. It was just nobody likes your other stuff”. So I wrote make anything out of it personally, it’s the Black Country people getting out of the another one called How Can I Tell Her It’s most exciting thing that’s happening for me house and having loads of fun, thinking of Over When I’ve Still Got My XBox At Her this year. When you become known as a what they could do for their own people. It House?, which went viral as well. I started comic, you get lots of charities approach you wasn’t aimed at the masses, it was just for slipping these songs into the cover sets I was to do stuff. You’d like to say yes to them all, us. That’s the spirit of the Black Country that doing around the pubs, and they were going but if you did you’d be so busy and so skint I’m proud of. down better than the covers! It all evolved because you’d never have time to work for from there, really. yourself! So I try and choose one charity It’s back this year, ‘bigger and better’. every year. Last year I did Help For Heroes What’s going to be your involvement? There’s a lot going on in your life at the and this year I’ve chosen Women’s Aid. I’m not sure yet but I’ve just started doing an moment. Do you feel like you’re being It all came about during a drunken evening online radio show at Black Country Radio. carried along on a wave? with a good mate of mine. I said ‘how am I They have a lot to do with the festival, so I’m Yeah, It’s the best feeling in the world. I don’t going to make lots of dough for this sure I’m going to be roped into doing all like planning for anything because it means Women’s Aid?’, and he said, ‘It’s for battered sorts of things. I’ve got to stick to plans, and that’s not in my women, ain’t it? Well you want to get battered personality. This is a positive thing, by a woman then, don’t yer. Get a kickboxer One last question. What’s your guilty everyone’s enjoying it and I’m getting some to kick hell out of yer’. I said I couldn’t see pleasure? great feedback. I’ve got a brilliant team Women’s Aid advocating violence between a The Jeremy Kyle Show. It’s a great source for around me and I don’t know where it’s going. man and a woman as a way of stopping my material. That’s fun and very exciting. It’s a blast and violence between men and women. He said, .. I’m the luckiest man alive as far as I’m ‘Well what about one of those women concerned. wrestlers? That’s like pantomime, innit. That Jonny Cole stars in A Black Country Night would be a laugh’. So we looked on the Out which shows at various venues across Your comedy is very focused on the Black internet and found this picture of the female the Midlands this month, including Roses Country. Does it travel well? champion wrestler. We sent her an email and Theatre, Kidderminster Wed 8 April; It’s not all focused on the Black Country, it’s within the hour she got back to us and said Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Shropshire Fri just delivered from a Black Country ‘Yeah, just pay my airfare and I’ll be there and 10 April; Lichfield Garrick Thurs 16 April; perspective. I talk about travel, things that do it for free’. I hadn’t even sobered up and it The Robin, Bilston Tues 28 April. happen in pubs, relationships - all of which had been arranged. For full tour dates, visit brianyeates.co.uk are universal. It just comes with a Black She’s from . She’s a six-foot-two, two

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Bouncers interview.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 17:25 Page 1

interview John Godber on why Bouncers remains so popular...

I grew up in a mining “ village, and my experience was that everybody lived for the weekend. You drank a lot of alcohol, possibly found a partner, possibly got successful. ”

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One of Britain’s most prolific playwrights, John Godber’s gritty and humorous dramas are a staple in the repertoire of professional and amateur theatre companies up and down the country. His first and best-known work, the award-winning Bouncers, is this month making a welcome return to the Midlands. What’s On caught up with John to find out why the play remains so popular with audiences - thirty-eight long years after he wrote it...

Why do you think Bouncers continues to the integrity of writing for my own taste. I Have you got a novel in you? be your most popular play? guess that’s the difficulty. No, not at all. I did try but was told it wasn’t a Well, nothing’s changed. Although it was novel. I got the message so thought I’d better written more than thirty years ago, it feels like You’re credited with bringing a different stick to plays. There’s a lot of exposition and it could be about any Friday or Saturday type of person into the theatre - a person a lot of writing, and I think I like the liveliness night in any town or city up and down the whose first and foremost idea of a good of my work being performed in front of country. A generation on, the bacchanalian night out maybe would’ve been to head people. nature of the night, the hunt and the way we down the pub... celebrate it - on programmes like A Weekend I certainly did here, over the time I was How did your background as a teacher In Ibiza and Geordie Shore - show that it’s running Hull Truck. The journey took me from benefit your playwriting? still a current phenomenon. ‘When I initially working in a pretty tough comprehensive Only in the sense that you’re forever wrote Bouncers, it was a cautionary tale - a school to running a venue where the performing to a captive audience, so you look at how we behave. It’s not a class thing. audience figures were appalling. I had to look know when you’re getting feedback. I think a It’s not just about the behaviours of people at how to get people into the theatre who play is a conversation with a group of people, with no money and low education. If you take weren’t necessarily interested. and the best teaching is a conversation with a look at the film Posh, or how they behave at Alan Ayckbourn famously said he was very a group of people. I guess that’s what I took the Bullingdon Club in , you’ll see that lucky because he wrote plays for people who from teaching. it seems to be a universal epidemic. Being went to the theatre. I was daft enough to write drunk isn’t just one nation’s problem. plays for people who didn’t go to the theatre. Which fellow playwright has inspired you Over time we’ve broken down quite a lot of most in your work? So what personal experiences aided you barriers, especially where I live. It’s not rocket I’m a huge Brecht fan, but I’m a fan of the in writing Bouncers? science. If in a city that’s keen on rugby, you theory rather than the work. I think the work I grew up in a mining village, and my write a play about rugby, there’s a likelihood can be quite dry. I’m also a big Berkoff fan experience was that everybody lived for the that people will come and see it because it’s and I love Neil Simon, but there’s not one weekend. You drank a lot of alcohol, possibly about rugby. However, if in that city you write particular person that I’ve modelled myself found a partner, possibly got successful. a play about being lost inside yourself in the on. You’d either get successful, get a kebab or wilderness, maybe fewer people will connect. get a smack in the mouth. That trio of Is there any new writer out there who opportunities still seems to be out there. I We’re fast approaching a general election. you’d like to champion? had years and years of unsuccessful How have the politics of the last twenty- Only my daughter but that’s just for blood going. I usually came away with the kebab or five years amended Britain, and how has ties. She wants to write but at the moment the smack in the mouth. I never came away your writing changed as result of that? she’s in denial. She has a fantastic ear for with the girl. My writing has become much more angry, a dialogue. She wrote a play two years ago kind of amphicentric vision of how we are. and won an award. Just because mum and Your repertoire is vast. What sets a John Every day, you pick up the papers and dad do it she doesn’t necessarily want to Godber comedy apart from other there’s another politician been caught red- pursue it - but in fact it might be the most observational offerings? handed. You just lose any kind of sympathy natural thing for her. She’s writing a novel at It’s not for me to say. I wrote a lot of plays or confidence. So you keep your head down the moment, but it may well be that she when I was with Hull Truck simply to keep the and get on with your own work. I’m just discovers, somewhere along the line, that theatre going. Most of them I wrote for next to about to start rehearsing a new play called she’s actually a playwright. She’s resisting at nothing, or for less commission than the Shafted, about what’s happened to the north the moment. She’s twenty-one and doesn’t norm because I was passionate about since the miners’ strike. There have been a want anything to do with what we’re doing.. keeping Hull Truck going. That’s why there lot of plays about the miners’ strike per se .. was so much output. I was feeding an but nothing about what happened next. audience that wanted that style of work. The When the television cameras went away, it same way that a certain playwright from was almost like, ‘well you’ve had your Stratford fed his audience’s hunger for his moment’s coverage, now get on with your theatre. It’s always circumstances that create lives’. So this is a very vitriolic play about a body of work. what’s happened to the north since the strike. Why is championing the underdog such a prominent feature in your work? Are the same opportunities there for I come from a mining background. I failed my young aspiring playwrights as they were eleven-plus and knew that I wanted to be for you? involved with the theatre. It wasn’t like my I think if you want to write, then what’s dad was a Knight of the Realm who could stopping you? If you want to put on a play, r point me in the right direction. I taught in then get on and do it. comprehensive education for a long time and came to live in Hull. It’s an area that hadn’t Do you keep an eye on what’s out there? been touched and not really looked at in I do. I know that there are young writers theatrical terms. coming through. I know what they’re doing at the National. If you live in Hull you have to What’s the knack of striking the balance know what’s on the radar, but only that. I between good writing and commercial don’t have to assimilate it in any way. There’s appeal? a lot of multimedia stuff out and about. Some You write the work that you want to see of it works and some of it doesn’t, but it’s not yourself. There’s some terrific writing out anything I need to worry about anymore. John Godber. Photo credit Adrian Gatie there, but it’s not all something that I would necessarily like to go and see. There are Where are you at your most creative? other things that I’ve seen which have been In a rehearsal room. I feel completely at John Godber’s Bouncers shows at The Old great but not for my palate. I write the work home there. Rep, Birmingham, on Wed 15 - Sat 18 that I’d be happy watching in a theatre. I like April and Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, to add gristle and muscle, so I have to have from Mon 13 to Tues 14 April.

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Blue Rose Code Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Wed 22 April “Blue Rose Code is more of a name for my music than for me,” reveals -born songwriter Ross Wilson in an interview with thankfolkforthat.com. “I have a collective of people who I’m lucky enough to have believe in me and want to play with me.” Ross has made a welcome return to the music scene after a few years in the wilderness, during which period substance abuse robbed him of his natural impulse to pick up a guitar and play. His appearance at Henry Tudor House is in sup- port of his latest album, The Ballads Of Peckham Rye - Live At St Pancras.

Seasick Steve Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Wed 29 April This is ’s first full UK tour in four long years and comes in support of brand 4 Parts Guitar new album Sonic Soul Surfer, released only last month. Lichfield Garrick, Staffs, Fri 10 April “The whole record is mostly me and my longtime drummer, Dan Magnusson, sitting there Take four talented guitarists, four guitars and four drinking and playing,” says Steve. “There ain’t a whole lot of producing going on! But I chairs, bring them all together on a stage and pro- know what I’m doing and I know what I want.” gramme an evening of solo, duo and quartet A memorable evening of authentic folk-blues music awaits... pieces. All things being equal, the result should be an evening of musicmaking to remember. The quartet in question are Ray Burley, Clive Car- & roll, John Etheridge and Gordon Giltrap, four of the Genting Arena, Birmingham, Sun 12 April UK’s most influential guitarists. Expect an evening Long-time pals Paul Simon and Sting here offer fans a ‘two superstars for the price of of style, spontaneity and technical brilliance. one’ package, courtesy of their On Stage Together tour. Originated at the Robin Hood Foundation benefit in 2013, the show features thirty-plus songs, including Boy In The Bubble, , , Mother & Child Reunion, Desert Rose, Every Breath You Take, and Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes. Reviews of the The Robin, Bilston, Fri 10 April show have, on the whole, been positive - but then what else would you expect when you Presenting an eclectic fusion of dub, reggae, bring together two songwriting giants and a back-catalogue of pure gold? techno, folk and , Dreadzone formed in 1993, during their early years employing backing vocalists who included Melanie Blatt, Denise van Outen and Alison . Their second album, 1995’s Second Light, was championed by the legendary John Peel, who cited it as one of his favourite of all time. Twenty years on and the band’s magic remains resolutely intact, with recently released seventh studio album Escapades being well received by . both old and new fans alike.

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APRIL LICHFIELD GUILDHALL Fri 10th April 8.00pm 4 PARTS GUITAR Gordon Giltrap, Ray Burley, Clive Carroll and John Etheridge

Sun 19th April 8.00pm MÁIRE NÍ CHATHASAIGH AND CHRIS NEWMAN

Sat 25th April 8.00pm THE JAR FAMILY £13.00

MAY LICHFIELD GUILDHALL Fri 1st & Sat 2nd May SPRING BEER FESTIVAL

Sat 9th May 8.00pm PAUL LAMB & £15.00 THE KING SNAKES

JUNE VARIOUS VENUES 25th - 28th June LICHFIELD BLUES AND JAZZ FESTIVAL Four days of great Blues and Jazz with..

n The Blues Band n Sleaze Bros n Jay Phelps Quartet n Tommaso Starace Quartet n John Etheridge Organ Trio n Steve Ajao n Climax Blues Band n Nick Dewhurst Band n Walsall Jazz Orchestra n Blast Off

For a programme or further information contact: Donegal House, Bore Street, Lichfield. WS13 6LU BOX OFFICE 01543 262223 www.lichfieldarts.org.uk registered charity no 1156217

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Music PREVIEWS Maz O’Connor Stafford Gatehouse, Mon 13 April It was while reading English at Cambridge that rising star Maz O'Connor fell in love with the folk songwriters of the 1960s and ’70s - , Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, Neil Young. “I just loved the storytelling in their music,” she says. “It’s been a real inspiration for me, along with the more modern influence of Kate Rusby, whose singing style com- pletely enchanted me when I was younger.” Support on the night comes from Polly Bar- rett, who released her debut album, Mr Book- shop, in 2012.

Marc Almond Town Hall, Birmingham, Fri 14 April Although he’s nowadays well established as a solo artist and international DJ specialising in electro-clash, the elfin Marc Almond nonetheless remains best known for his Soft Cell collab- orations with the far more anonymous-looking Dave Ball. Drug addiction, alcoholism and a Jimmy Webb major nervous breakdown brought the Soft Cell days to an end and, save for a brief reunion a Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 12 April decade ago, Almond’s pretty much been flying solo ever since. Sinatra, Streisand, The Supremes, Glen Campbell, Linda Ronstadt, Joe Cocker, Orquesta Buena Soul:ution , The Fifth Dimension and Art Garfunkel are among the numerous artists Vista Social Club The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury, Thurs 2 April and megastars who’ve enjoyed hits with Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Mon 13 April Promoters Perception Music have been pro- Jimmy Webb songs. The enigmatic ensemble have decided to call viding Shrewsbury with the best in drum and Nowadays boasting a multi-platinum playlist, time on their stellar career, so are here visit- bass for almost four years now, bringing the Webb first came to prominence way back in ing Birmingham to say a fond farewell. The likes of Fabio, Grooverider and Calibre to the 1965, since which time the hits have flowed Adios tour is being described as ‘a distillation town. like fine wine from his talented songwriting of more than a thousand shows over sixteen One of the two headline DJs appearing at fingertips. years and involving more than forty musi- this special Easter event - Marcus Intalex - is So if you appreciate songs such as The High- cians’. Musical director, band leader and no stranger to The Buttermarket, having per- wayman, Up, Up And Away, Wichita Lineman, trombonist Jesus ‘Aguaje’ Ramos once again formed in its legendary Cellars a number of MacArthur Park, By The Time I Get To helms the ensemble, and is joined for the oc- times. By contrast, second headliner dBridge Phoenix, Galveston, The Worst That Could casion by, amongst others, veteran diva is making his Shropshire debut. Happen and All I Know, why not check out Omara Portuondo, trumpeter Guajiro Mirabal A perfect start to the Easter celebrations for this evening of memorable music and sure- and laúd virtuoso Barbarito Torres. any drum and bass fan, the night features to-be-amusing anecdotes. An evening of Cuban musical tradition cele- support from Perception residents Conspire You will, without question, be spending the brated with flair and élan is most definitely on and Jay Dubz. night in the company of a twenty-four carat the cards... songwriting legend. Young Kato The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 17 April; The Rainbow, Birmingham, Mon 13 April sextet Young Kato had their de- voted fanbase waxing lyrical with the recent release of the Sunshine EP, since which time they’ve been going from strength to strength. Other career highlights include performing at a gig in an episode of hit reality TV series Made In Chelsea and tours supporting and Rixton. “Our sound is pretty Marcus Intalex much pop,” explain Young Kato. “We try to make music that’s fresh and upbeat, and we absolutely thrive off hooks and melodies.” Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, The band play the Midlands in support of Portico Sun 26 - Tues 28 April new album Don’t Wait ’til Tomorrow. Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Tues 28 April Over the years, plenty of X Factor’s aspiring Comprising three young musicians from stars have found that scoring a success on South London, Portico pride themselves on the hit TV series is no guarantee of a future in creating a truly unique sound and are always the limelight. Not so Olly Murs, who’s impres- looking to explore new sonic territories. sively transformed from talent-show Blending jazz and folk styles for their first two to celebrity musicmaker in his own right. albums, the boys have since turned to elec- Olly’s appearing in Birmingham in support of tronic, synthpop and ambient genres. new album Never Been Better and is joined They appear in Birmingham in support of for the gig by the BRIT Award-winning Ella new album Living Fields, released this very Eyre. month.

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MusicGIG REVIEWS Music LISTINGS WED 8 APR BIPOLAR SUNSHINE The Institute, Birmingham For further reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk For full listing information on gigs, SLEEPING WITH SIRENS including times and dates, O2 Academy, B’ham visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk EDGAR BROUGHTON The Robin, Bilston The Script SUPERFOOD The Rain- Genting Arena, Birmingham bow Venues, B’ham SARY TOUR Symphony GHOSTPOET Hare & Striding past screaming fans and followed by a spotlight. It was an en- WED 1 APR Hall, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham trance that even Rocky Balboa would’ve appreciated! Playing to an RAINBOW VENUES CHAP- GURT, BONG CAULDRON & BARLUATH The Red Lion arena packed with mostly young women, charismatic Irish frontman TER XI Featuring; Loco PIST & CONJURER Folk Club, Birmingham Dice, Ben Klock, Seth Scruffy Murphys, B’ham Danny O’Donoghue was on fine form, launching into Paint The Town DANNY VAUGHN & DAN Troxler, Steve Lawler, CLARENCE CLARITY Hare Green, Before The Worst and Breakeven. His voice was fizzing with REED The Slade Rooms, Bicep and more... The & Hounds, Birmingham Wolverhampton energy - although sometimes drowned by poor acoustics. We Cry and Rainbow, Birmingham PIERCE THE VEIL O2 YOUNG GUNS The Sug- If You Could See Me Now were solid, as was Nothing - a popular tour IN HINDSIGHT O2 Acad- Academy, Birmingham armill, Stoke-on-Trent stunt where Danny sang to a fan’s ex-boyfriend, along with the fans! emy, Birmingham TRASH BOAT, NATHAN DE- THE CRAZY 88S & THE PARTYNEXTDOOR The In- TROIT & MAYCOMB The But it was a moving rendition of monster hit The Man Who Can’t Be HIGH FLYING ACES The stitute, Birmingham Flapper, Birmingham Moved that proved to be the showstopper - an example of The Script Jam House, B’ham BUDDY & THE ILLEGAL GOSPEL CENTRAL The at the very top of their game. No Good In Goodbye and For The First FERRYMAN, CANCEL TO- CRICKETS Prince Of Jam House, B’ham MORROW, STRANGER IN Time featured towards the end of the show, with proceedings being Wales Centre, Cannock NEW MOTION The DEATH Scruffy Murphys, rounded off with the spectacular Hall Of Fame. THE BOWIE EXPERIENCE Oobleck, Birmingham Birmingham Theatre On The Steps, One thing was for certain - The Script were Superheroes that night! THE WEDDING CRASHERS Malaka Chowdhury nnnn Bridgnorth, Shropshire THU 9 APR House, B’ham TORANAGA, D.A.M, SOLI- TARY, SUICIDE WATCH, IAN PARKER & HIS BAND THU 2 APR BLOODROCTRED & HOT- The Robin, Bilston BRIBRY & DODIE CLARK LARRY MILLER The COPS The Asylum, Birm- O2 Academy, B’ham Robin, Bilston ingham OBEY THE BRAVE The CHARLI XCX The Insti- KICK UP THE 80'S The Oobleck, Birmingham tute, Birmingham River Rooms, Stour- TOSELAND The Asylum, KING PLEASURE & THE bridge Birmingham BISCUIT BOYS The Jam GURDAS MAAN Civic RETOX The Sunflower House, Birmingham Hall, Wolverhampton Lounge, Birmingham THE VIEW The Sugarmill, ARRON ERSKINE O2 SUBURBAN LEGENDS & Stoke-on-Trent Academy, Birmingham MC LARS The Rainbow, JOSH HARTY & KELLY THE BLUE COLLARS The Birmingham MACRAE DUO Kitchen Sugarmill, Stoke-on- OPHEON, THE FINAL Garden Cafe, B’ham Trent CHAPTER, VEXXEN & THIS SWIM DEEP The THE STRIKE, LOBSTER, MEMORY The Flapper, Oobleck, Birmingham SHOOZE, THE UNDER- Birmingham MARCUS INTALEX & CLASS & ABBI BAKER The BURY TOMORROW The DBRIDGE The Buttermar- Institute, Birmingham Sugarmill, Stoke-on- ket, Shrewsbury JUBILEE CLUB The Insti- Trent LOST DIALS O2 Acad- tute, Birmingham SHALAMAR The Jam emy, Birmingham SYLVIA The Sunflower House, Birmingham ONDAHWUN, DIRTY SAINT Lounge, Birmingham & THE MIGHTY YOUNG SAXONIZED Route 44, The Roadhouse, B’ham Birmingham FRI 10 APR Ryan Adams SUN 5 APR MARILLION WEEKEND UK FRI 3 APR Civic Hall, Wolverhamp- Civic Hall, Wolverhampton ton ELO AGAIN The Robin, RAINOVER, TEMPERANCE, TALON - THE BEST OF EA- It was 2007 when Ryan Adams last performed in Wolverhampton. Bilston SEVENTH SIN, DIVIDED GLES Wulfrun Hall, Since then he's married and split from actress-singer Mandy Moore, DAVID LACEY Lichfield WE FALL & ROSE AVALON Wolverhampton Garrick, Staffs The Roadhouse, B’ham battled drug and drink problems, taken a hiatus from music and been 4 PARTS GUITARLichfield OF MICE & MEN O2 DEFINITELY MIGHT BE treated for a career-threatening ear condition. With all of this behind Guildhall, Staffs Academy, Birmingham AND ADORED The Robin, him, it was a relaxed Ryan who was greeted by a lively Civic crowd. THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN B'SPOKE The Jam Bilston Stafford Gatehouse The set launched with a snarling Gimme Something Good (the lead House, Birmingham JOEY NEGRO Hare & Theatre track from his self-titled new album) and Stay With Me - both Tom STEEL PULSE The Insti- Hounds, Birmingham THE WOMBATS O2 Acad- Petty-style rockers which showcased the more straight-ahead, hard- tute, Birmingham DJ ALPHA BIRTHDAY emy, Birmingham OCCOEUR, THE ELEGANT BASH The Institute, rock style of the new record. Birmingham Backed by an incredibly tight four-piece featuring the talents of singer CHAOS & FREE SUN RIS- ING Route 44, B’ham LIMEHOUSE LIZZY The and guitarist Mike Viola - and with the stage decked with two giant NICKI MINAJ The Bar- River Rooms, Stour- fender amps, vintage arcade machines, a stuffed leopard and the claycard Arena, B’ham bridge now-customary stars-and-stripes CND flag draped over the organ - 90'S NIGHT PRESENTS: A BOX OF LIGHT O2 Acad- emy, Birmingham Adams effortlessly slid between gentle folk and soulful rock. Magnolia VERY GOOD FRIDAY The Institute, Birmingham BENNY JACKSON Kitchen Mountain's extended jam, with its glistening, shimmering guitar inter- Garden Cafe, B’ham play, was a nod to The Grateful WE WILL ROCK YOW The River Rooms, Stour- JERU THE DAMAJA The Dead. Songs from his two bridge Oobleck, Birmingham Grammy-nominated albums, KHAOS THEORY, SISTER The Wombats Heartbreaker and Gold, were SHOTGUN, CELESTRIAL MON 6 APR WISH & EVERLUST well represented in a nicely ZOAX The Underground, SUPERONIT - OASIS TRIB- Scruffy Murphys, B’ham paced twenty-two-song set. Stoke-on-Trent UTE Route 44, B’ham THE ATLANTIC PLAYERS TUFF LOVE The Sun- SOLID SOUL The Jam A solo winding wheel gave the Hare & Hounds, B’ham flower Lounge, B’ham House, Birmingham audience a chance to find their JOURNEY 2 TOTO & AN- DREADZONE The Robin, voice. DREW P DONE The Road- TUE 7 APR Bilston house, Birmingham Impressive support act Natalie MARIUS NESET CBSO JACK MCNEILL & CHARLIE Prasse returned to sing backing ouse, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham HEYS Kitchen Garden SAT 4 APR AARON SNAPES Hare & vocals on Oh My Sweet Car- Cafe, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham olina, while La Cienga Just B'SPOKE The Jam A PLACE TO BURY THE FOOD FIGHTERZ The Smiled was beautifully mes- House, Birmingham STRANGERS The Rain- River Rooms, Stour- THE SMITHS LTD The bow Venues, B’ham merising. A rousing finale of bridge Roadhouse, B’ham ZOAX Alfie Bird's, B’ham Come Pick Me Up brought the JUKEBOX JURY & THE DIRTY DC - TRIBUTE TO AC TOVEY BROTHERS The two-hour set to a close. DELRAY ROCKETS The / DC The Robin, Bilston Jam House, B’ham David Davies nnnnn THE SOLID SILVER 60S Roadhouse, B’ham SHOW 30TH ANNIVER SHEBREW, MORASS OF MOLASSES, VICTORIAN

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Garden Cafe, B’ham BURDEN OF THE NOOSE, Music LISTINGS BOYCOTT THE BAPTIST, SEALCLUBBER & A HORSE CALLED WAR Scruffy For full listing information on gigs, Murphys, Birmingham including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk MON 13 APR ORQUESTA BUENA VISTA WHORE DOGS & RESUR- Shropshire SOCIAL CLUB Symphony RECTION MEN Scruffy SHOWADDYWADDY The Hall, Birmingham Murphys, Birmingham Place, Oakengates The- YOUNG KATO The Rain- SAMOANS, ENQUIRY, MAY- atre, Shropshire bow Venues, B’ham ORS OF & DRENGE The Institute, MAZ O'CONNOR Stafford POCKET APOCALYPSE The Birmingham Gatehouse Theatre Flapper, Birmingham ANDREW MCCORMACK MARK OLSON Kitchen MATTHEW EDWARDS & TRIO WITH JULIAN SIEGEL Garden Cafe, B’ham THE UNFORTUNATES Hare The Hive, Shrewsbury NORTH SEASONS The & Hounds, Birmingham MEGHAN TRAINOR The In- Flapper, Birmingham QUILL Rose Theatre, stitute, Birmingham Kidderminster PERMAGEDDON The TUE 14 APR CIRCUS JUNKIE REBELS River Rooms, Stour- The Sugarmill, Stoke- bridge CIRCA WAVES The Insti- on-Trent HOT CLUB DE SWING tute, Birmingham DISCHARGE The Under- Hare & Hounds, B’ham SKELETONWITCH, GOAT- ground, Stoke-on-Trent NATHAN SYKES The Insti- WHORE & MORTALS The THE ASSIST The Rain- tute, Birmingham Oobleck, Birmingham Brett Dennen - Glee Club, Birmingham bow, Birmingham HOWL, BEARDMORE & THE GLOWROGUES The Jam House, B’ham SAMOANS, ENQUIRY, MAY- SPIRIT KREEK Scruffy TO FALL Scruffy Mur- Regent Theatre, Stoke- LIANS, SUNSHINE FRIS- ORS OF TORONTO & Murphys, Birmingham NIGHT AT THE MOVIES The Roadhouse, B’ham phys, Birmingham on-Trent BEE LASERBEAM, SWAMP- POCKET APOCALYPSE The PURPLE VELVET & ADAM BENIGHTED, CANCEROUS CHICAGO BLUES BROTH- MEAT FAMILY BAND, TURNER Flapper, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, WED 15 APR WOMB & ABHORRENT ERS New Alexandra THREADS Hare & Birmingham DECIMATION The Flap- Theatre, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham SAT 11 APR EKKAH The Sunflower THE SEARCHERS Theatre per, Birmingham DIRT The Asylum, Birm- ESTABLISHMENT, THEIR Lounge, Birmingham Severn, Shrewsbury ingham SOULS ARE GOLD & TIDES MARILLION WEEKEND UK DAYLIGHT ROBBERY, LAW- ANDY IRVINE The Red FRI 17 APR CHAMPIONS OF ROCK APART SEASONS The In- Civic Hall, Wolverhamp- LESS & SHYNE Route 44, Lion Folk Club, B’ham Wolverhampton Grand stitute, Birmingham ton Birmingham UB40 The Barclaycard STOURPORT BRASS BAND LARKIN POE Hare & Theatre BOGUS BLOOZE Route Hounds, Birmingham Arena, Birmingham THE COUNTERFEIT 44, Birmingham Rose Theatre, Kidder- SUN 12 APR THE SOLID SILVER 60S minster BRETT DENNEN The Glee STONES The Robin, Bil- Club, Birmingham SHOW 30TH ANNIVER- ston SUN 19 APR SOLID SOUL The Jam MARILLION WEEKEND UK SARY TOUR Wolver- House, Birmingham Civic Hall, Wolverhamp- PLANES The Rainbow, ELKIE BROOKS Lichfield Birmingham hampton Grand Theatre Garrick CURVED AIR The Robin, HEY BEATLES Crescent ton THE HOLLIES Symphony Bilston Theatre, Birmingham MARIANA SADOVSKA mac NADINE SHAH The Rain- THU 16 APR Hall, Birmingham bow, Birmingham TEXAS Symphony Hall, WINTER WILSON Birch- - Midlands Arts Centre, THE FORTUNES - PAST & Birmingham meadow, Broseley, Birmingham YOUTH MAN The Sun- BENJAMIN FOLKE PRESENT Lichfield Gar- flower Lounge, B’ham Shropshire LA VILLA STRANGITO The THOMAS Hare & rick, Staffs T.REXTASY The Robin, Robin, Bilston JAMES BAY The Institute, Hounds, Birmingham CHICAGO BLUES BROTH- Birmingham Bilston PAUL SIMON & STING STEVE HOWE The Robin, ERS Regent Theatre, SIMPLE MINDS O2 Acad- Genting Arena, B’ham DAVE SHERIFF Birch- Bilston Stoke-on-Trent meadow, Broseley, emy, Birmingham JIMMY WEBB Theatre DEMORALISER The FRED ZEPPELIN The THE SOLID SILVER 60S Severn, Shrewsbury Shropshire Oobleck, Birmingham Roadhouse, B’ham BOOTLEG BLONDIE The SHOW 30TH ANNIVER- BALTHAZAR The Sun- SIGMA The Institute, MARC ALMOND Birming- SARY TOUR Regent The- flower Lounge, B’ham Roadhouse, B’ham Birmingham ham Town Hall THE MERSEY BEATLES atre, Stoke-on-Trent FINLEY QUAYE The THERAPY? The Rainbow GROUPER The Jam ULTIMATE ELTON & THE Oobleck, Birmingham SHOW Theatre Severn, Venues, Birmingham House, Birmingham Shrewsbury ROCKET BAND Theatre BEN WALKER & JOSIENNE TOSELAND The Sug- ANDY WHITE Kitchen Texas On The Steps, Bridg- CLARK Henry Tudor THE SKINTS The Insti- armill, Stoke-on-Trent Garden Cafe, B’ham tute, Birmingham north, Shropshire House, Shrewsbury ROO PANES The Sun- YOUNG KATO The Sug- MÁIRE NÍ CHATHASAIGH & NIK TURNER'S SPACE RIT- OZZMOSIS The Slade DIZZY LIZZY The Road- flower Lounge, B’ham armill, Stoke-on-Trent CHRIS NEWMAN Lichfield house, Birmingham UAL The River Rooms, Rooms, Wolverhampton ADAM ANT The Slade DIRT BOX DISCO The Asy- PVRIS O2 Academy, Guildhall, Staffs FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS Rooms, Wolverhampton lum, Birmingham Stratford Theatre Severn, ANGLAGARD The Robin, Birmingham THE OFFICIAL RECEIVERS THE MERSEY BEATLES VIN GARBUTT Newhamp- Artshouse Shrewsbury Bilston The Jam House, B’ham SHOW Prince Of Wales GREG RUSSELL & CIARAN DENNIS ROLLINS' VELOC- BARS AND MELODY O2 ton Arts Centre, Wolver- ENGRAVED DISILLUSION, Centre, Cannock hampton ALGAR The Hive, ITY TRIO Ludlow Assem- Academy, Birmingham WHITE NOISE THEORY, MAINLY MADNESS The Shrewsbury bly Rooms, South WALK OF FAME Kitchen NATHAN CARTER The OFFSHORE & DISTANCE Robin, Bilston Place, Oakengates The- GEORGE CLINTON & PAR- THE SHIRES The Insti- atre, Telford, Shropshire LIAMENT FUNKADELIC O2 Balthazar - The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham tute, Birmingham NADINE SHAH The Rain- Academy, Birmingham GHOSTS IN DAYLIGHT Ort bow Venues, B’ham QUARTZ The River Cafe, Birmingham CHRIS TYE Ort Cafe, Rooms, Stourbridge THE LEISURE SOCIETY Birmingham STURMTIGER, NNGNN, The Rainbow Venues, THE DECADES BAND The CHRISTGRINDER & EXQUI- Birmingham River Rooms, Stour- SITE ENDING Scruffy GORDON HENDRICKS IS bridge Murphys, Birmingham ELVIS The River Rooms, HORDES, SLOW WORM, XOVA Hare & Hounds, Stourbridge FVNERALS & COLOSSLOTH Birmingham FIRE RED EMPRESS The Scruffy Murphys, B’ham DANNI NICHOLLS Kitchen Slade Rooms, Wolver- GURDAS MAAN Genting Garden Cafe, B’ham hampton Arena, Birmingham THE NATURAL EMOTIONS STEREO KICKS O2 Acad- The Roadhouse, B’ham emy, Birmingham The Rain- BLOOM O2 Academy, bow, Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham CALLAGHAN The Sun- MON 20 APR flower Lounge, B’ham OZZMOSIS Route 44, The Bar- Birmingham claycard Arena, B’ham KRIS DREVER & BOO SAT 18 APR HEWERDINE Hare & Hounds, Birmingham GROUPER The Jam Gurdas Maan The Institute, House, Birmingham Birmingham UFO Wulfrun Hall, NAI HARVEST The THEM WOLVES, BLACK Wolverhampton Oobleck, Birmingham MEKON, THE CASTIL- BEYOND THE BARRICADE CROOKED HOUSE Cres-

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cent Theatre, B’ham CONCERT Forest Arts Birmingham Laura Marling - The Institute, Birmingham GIRL FRIEND The Sun- Centre, Walsall MANIFEST The Drum, flower Lounge, B’ham THE SMYTHS O2 Acad- Birmingham CALLAGHAN Stafford emy, Birmingham THE JAR FAMILY Lichfield Gatehouse Theatre DEREK RYAN Irish Cen- Guildhall, Staffs tre, Birmingham SCOPYONS & RECKLESS TUE 21 APR SUE RICHARDSON Birch- HEART The Roadhouse, meadow, Broseley, Birmingham THE LIFE & MUSIC OF JIM Shropshire NATIONAL YOUTH JAZZ REEVES Solihull Arts TRU GROOVE The Jam ORCHESTRA Theatre Complex House, Birmingham Severn, Shrewsbury PRONG O2 Academy, THE BUDDY PRESLEY THE ROAD TO BLISS- Birmingham SHOW The Roadhouse, FIELDS 2015 The Sug- POLAR BEAR Hare & Birmingham armill, Stoke-on-Trent Hounds, Birmingham THE EARLY NOVEMBER THE CRUXSHADOWS The KYSHERA, BROKEN The Slade Rooms, Institute, Birmingham CHORDS & GOODING The Wolverhampton CRACKED ACTORS The Robin, Bilston INTO THE SHADOWS The- , Birm- THE SWELLERS The atre On The Steps, ingham Rainbow Venues, Bridgnorth, Shropshire THE BLUES BAND Festival B’ham YAMATO DRUMMERS Vic- Drayton Centre, North THE BLATHERSKITES & toria Hall, Stoke-on- Shropshire CHARLIE AND THE FUNK Trent ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW FACTORY The Jam RALEIGH RITCHIE The In- Ludlow Assembly House, Birmingham KARMA TO BURN The STEVENS The Glee Club, stitute, Birmingham Rooms, South Shrop- TUE 28 APR Oobleck, Birmingham Birmingham VALOUR, IMPURITAS, THE BIRTHDAY MAS- shire MONASTRIES & MERCI- HEIDI BROWNE Festival CC SMUGGLERS Hare & SACRE, THE RED PAINT- VON HERTZEN BROTHERS OLLY MURS The Barclay- Drayton Centre, Shrop- Hounds, Birmingham LESS TIDE Scruffy Mur- INGS, AMONG THE The Slade Rooms, card Arena, B’ham phys, Birmingham shire EMILIA MARTENSSON ECHOES & THE DEAD Wolverhampton PORTICO Hare & Hare & Hounds, B’ham BETAS The Institute, KWABS Hare & Hounds, Hounds, Birmingham WED 22 APR Birmingham Birmingham THU 30 APR BEN POOLE The Robin, NUALA HONAN & BETH QUERCUS Arena Theatre, WED 29 APR Bilston PORTER Ort Cafe, B’ham Wolverhampton HIGHER ON MAIDEN & WHILE SHE SLEEPS & THE 80'S HERE & NOW JOHN MCCULLAGH & THE MAN OVERBOARD The SAXONISED The Robin, CANCER BATS The Insti- The River Rooms, ESCORTS Newhampton Slade Rooms, Wolver- Bilston tute, Birmingham Stourbridge Arts Centre, Wolver- hampton DEL CAMINO The Jam ENCHANTE The Red Lion SWAMP DELTA O2 Acad- hampton THE SANDY DENNY SONG- House, Birmingham Folk Club, Birmingham emy, Birmingham THE MIGHTY WRAITH, BOOK Kitchen Garden CALABRESE The Slade ECHOSMITH O2 Acad- HOWL The Flapper, CHEMKILL, TOLEDO Cafe, Birmingham Rooms, Wolverhampton emy, Birmingham Birmingham STEEL, NEVERSTAR, HID- Photo by Yu Tsai SEASICK STEVE Civic OUR LAST NIGHT The BLUE ROSE CODE Henry BUFFALO SUMMER The DEN & GEE HARLIQUIN Hall, Wolverhampton Oobleck, Birmingham Tudor House, Shrews- Oobleck, Birmingham Scruffy Murphys, B’ham CHRIS MURRAY Hare & DAMAGE O2 Academy, DANGEROUS GIRLS Hare bury WRETCHED SOUL, JUKEBOX AND BOBBYSOX Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham & Hounds, Birmingham SKINNY LISTER The Rain- ERADIKATOR, INVASIVE & Prince Of Wales Centre, THEORY OF A DEADMAN JULIE FELIX The Red THE LOST NOTES, SMALL bow Venues, B’ham KILLER HURTS Scruffy Cannock The Institute, B’ham Lion Folk Club, B’ham CHANGES & KATE BARRY SASHA MCVEIGH & SONIA Murphys, Birmingham IVOR & LYNN’S CLASSIC THE KILKENNYS Prince GIRLS WITH GUITARS The The Roadhouse, Birm- LEIGH Hare & Hounds, ALAN BENZIE TRIO Sym- ROCK DISCO Route 44, Of Wales Centre, Can- Robin, Bilston ingham Birmingham phony Hall, Birming- Birmingham nock BLAIR DUNLOP & EMMA PATSY FULLER & THE ham REVELATORS The Jam MAHALIA The Rainbow, SUN 26 APR Birmingham House, Birmingham NICK HARPER Henry POLAR The Under- BELLA HARDY mac - Mid- lands Art Centre, B’ham Tudor House, Shrews- Music Venues Box Office Across The Midlands ground, Stoke-on-Trent bury OLLY MURS The Barclay- THU 23 APR card Arena, B’ham Birmingham Black Country Staffordshire THAT'LL BE THE DAY JACK JONES Birmingham 02 ACADEMY CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, LEEK 0121 622 8250 0870 320 7000 01538 386112 Stafford Gatehouse Town Hall CONCERT HALL Theatre SIMON GOODALL PER- THE ACTRESS & BISHOP LICHFIELD GUILDHALL 0121 236 7426 01384 815577 01543 262223 NAJMA AKHTAR Kitchen FORMS THE CLIFF ADRIAN BOULT HALL FOREST ARTS CENTRE Garden Cafe, B’ham RICHARD SONGBOOK THE SUGARMILL, HANLEY 0121 331 5901 0845 111 2898 STOKE-ON-TRENT QUILL Theatre Severn, , Birm- ingham THE ASYLUM NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE 01159 454 593 Shrewsbury 01902 572090 ZERVAS & PEPPER The 0121 233 1109 TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY ROOMS STATUS QUO Civic Hall, BARCLAYCARD ARENA ROBIN 2, BILSTON 01827 709618 Wolverhampton Bella Hardy Rainbow Venues, Birm- 01902 401211 ingham 0121 780 4141 VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY FIVE The Institute, Birm- SLADE ROOMS 0870 060 6649 ingham DURAN Route 44, B’ham SHAWN SMITH Hare & WOLVERHAMPTON 0121 780 3333 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE DONA OXFORD The Jam Hounds, Birmingham 0870 320 7000 THE INTERRUPTERS O2 CBSO CENTRE 01785 254653 House, Birmingham SAT 25 APR 0121 780 3333 STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL Academy, Birmingham 01384 812812 THE BLUES BAND New FLAPPER TRU GROOVE The Jam GREN BARTLEY Kitchen WULFRUN HALL, Warwickshire Vic Theatre, Newcastle- 0121 236 2421 WOLVERHAMPTON THE ASSEMBLY, LEAMINGTON under-Lyme House, Birmingham Garden Cafe, B’ham SYMMETRY GENTING ARENA 0870 320 7000 01926 311311 RENAISSANCE The SERPENTYNE The Hive, O2 Acad- 0121 780 4141 Shrewsbury emy, Birmingham THE KASBAH, COVENTRY Robin, Bilston THE GLEE CLUB Shropshire 024 7655 4473 AMPLIFIER The Slade THE 80'S HERE & NOW WALSALL JAZZ ORCHES- 0871 472 0400 The River Rooms, TRA Symphony Hall, BIRCHMEADOW, BROSELEY NAILCOTE HALL, Rooms, Wolverhampton HARE & HOUNDS Stourbridge Birmingham 01952 882210 BERKSWELL TOM WILLIAMS Ort Cafe, 0121 444 2081 02476 46 6174 INTO THE SHADOWS The- THE BUTTERMARKET, Birmingham THE INSTITUTE SHREWSBURY atre On The Steps, STRATFORD CIVIC HALL MERCILESS TIDE O2 MON 27 APR 0121 643 0428 01743 355055 01789 207100 Bridgnorth Academy, Birmingham IRISH CENTRE THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, HOT WAXX The Institute, OLLY MURS The Barclay- THE TIN MUSIC & ARTS, WILL BUTLER The Insti- 0121 622 2314 MUCH WENLOCK COVENTRY Birmingham card Arena, B’ham 01952 728911 tute, Birmingham MIKE & THE MECHANICS THE JAM HOUSE 0247 655 9958 NOAH STEWART Birming- 0121 200 3030 HENRY TUDOR HOUSE STEALING SHEEP The Symphony Hall, B’ham Rainbow, Birmingham ham Town Hall THE KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE SHREWSBURY Worcestershire LADY SINGS THE BLUES 01743 361666 DON’T TOUCH THE WALLS LOVEBITE O2 Academy, 0121 443 4725 ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE New Vic Theatre, New- THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY Stafford Gatehouse Birmingham THE RAINBOW 01527 577330 YO! & KEIRON BOOTH castle-under-Lyme 0121 772 8174 01743 234970 Theatre MOON DUO Hare & HUNTINGDON HALL / SWAN Hare & Hounds, B’ham RED LION FOLK CLUB LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS THEATRE 01905 611427 Hounds, Birmingham 01584 878141 ROCK 'N' ROLL PARADISE 0121472 4253 MARR’S BAR, WORCESTER FRI 24 APR PURITY RING The Insti- THEATRE SEVERN, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on- THE ROADHOUSE 01905 613336 tute, Birmingham 0121 246 2273 SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 THAT'LL BE THE DAY Trent THE RIVER ROOMS, DRUM GOT SOUL FEATUR- PALMA VIOLETS The ROUTE 44 THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, Stafford Gatehouse TELFORD 01952 382382 STOURBRIDGE Theatre ING OMAR The Drum, Sugarmill, Stoke-on- 0121 708 0108 01384 397177 Trent SYMPHONY HALL WEM TOWN HALL GERRY MCAVOY'S BAND Birmingham 01939 232299 OF FRIENDS The Robin, YEALLOW, NATIVE WRECK, LAURA MARLING The In- 0121 780 3333 stitute, Birmingham For additional information Bilston MYTH CITY, LIGHT THE THE VICTORIA and to find out What’s On THE STAFFORDSHIRE SKIES, BESIDE ALL HOPE TELLISON The Rainbow, 0121 633 9439 at these venues. Birmingham BAND - ST GEORGE'S DAY & HIVE O2 Academy, Visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

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PREVIEWS English Touring Opera Classical Music Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 13 - Tues 14 April English Touring Opera travels to more regions and plays more venues than any other English opera company, presenting as many as one hundred-and-ten perform- ances every year. The company’s stated aim is to make opera accessible to every- one. It achieves this not only via its varied repertoire of professional productions but also through an ambitious outreach pro- gramme that comprises an average of one hundred-and-seventy workshops and per- formances each year, ranging from full- scale community operas to intimate per- formances in care facilities. This month, the company returns to the Midlands to present a new production of Puccini’s La Boheme - a masterpiece fea- turing Ilona Domnich as Mimì and David Butt Philip as Rodolfo and a revival of Donizetti’s The Siege Of Callais - a tale of heroism in the face of defeat.

Alison Balsom London Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring Alison Balsom Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 21 April Regarded as one of ‘the most distinctive and groundbreaking musicians on the international cir- cuit today’, Hertfordshire-born trumpet soloist Alison Balsom this month joins the esteemed London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) for an evening of American-influenced music. A Classic BRIT recipient and three-time winner at the Echo Klassik Awards, Alison studied trum- pet at the Conservatoire and is currently a fellow at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Her career to date has seen her perform with some of the world’s greatest conductors, including Lorin Maazel, Sir Andrew Davis and Sir Roger Norrington. Under the direction of conductor Marios Papadopoulos, Alison here accompanies the LPO in Bramwell Tovey’s Songs Of The Paradise Saloon for trumpet and orchestra. Praised for its evo- cation of the ‘atmosphere and characters found in a turn-of-the-century American dive bar’, the piece is adapted from Tovey’s opera, The Inventor, which is based on the real-life story of a nineteenth-century con artist. The concert also features Bernstein’s Overture to Candide and Dvorak’s Symphony No.9 (From The New World). Piano Trio Henderson Hall, Moor Park, Ludlow, South Shropshire, Sat 25 April image from ETO’s Donizetti’s The Siege Of Callais Comprising Stefan Mendi (piano), Matthias Gredler (cello) and Bogdan Bozovic (violin), the Ensemble 360 Vienna Piano Trio formed in 1988 and has since Maidment Hall, Shrewsbury School, toured extensively across Europe, the Americas, Sun 19 April Australia and the Far East. Usually associated with the repertoire of composers closely associ- With a fast-growing reputation for its ability ated with , the trio this month make a wel- to engage with different audiences and age come return to south Shropshire to perform the groups, Ensemble 360 comprises eleven following: Mozart’s Piano Trio in C major, K.548; musicians of international standing who Turina’s Piano Trio No.1, Op.35; and Schumann’s share the belief that concerts should be Piano Trio No.1 in D minor, Op.63. Greg Skidmore informal, friendly, relaxed and, where possi- ble, performed ‘in the round’. This evening concert sees the ensemble Ex Cathedra: Good Friday present three of Mozart’s most well-known St Matthew Passion works: Flute Quartet in D, written for Dutch surgeon and amateur flautist Ferdinand de Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 3 April Jean; Piano Quartet in A, Op81, his myste- A favourite at Easter, Bach’s moving rious Adagio for Cor Anglais; and the Ada- retelling of Christ’s betrayal and death is gio & Rondo in C - the last piece of cham- one of classical music’s most profound ber music written by the composer prior to experiences. Sung in German with English his untimely death in 1791. surtitles, St John Passion is here per- formed by the Ex Cathedra Choir and Baroque Orchestra. Under the direction of conductor Jeffrey Skidmore and featuring Jeremy Budd (Evangelist), Greg Skidmore (Jesus) and James Geidt (Pilate), the much-celebrated early music ensemble present a new approach to the composer’s piercingly beautiful work. 20 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Classical April Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 19:30 Page 2

Classical LISTINGS

For full listing information on classical concerts, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk GOOD FRIDAY BACH ST Coates, Vierne, Ketel- MATTHEW PASSION Ex bey & Bonnal, Mon 13 Cathedra Choir and Apr, Birmingham Town Baroque Orchestra. Hall Featuring Jeffrey Skid- LA BOHEME English more (conductor), Jere- Touring Opera present my Budd (Evangelist), a new production of Greg Skidmore (Jesus) Puccini's romantic & James Geidt (Pilate). opera. Sung in Italian Programme includes JS with English surtitles, Bach - St Matthew Pas- Mon 13 Apr, Wolver- sion 180', Fri 3 Apr, hampton Grand Theatre Symphony Hall, Birm- THE SIEGE OF CALAIS ingham English Touring Opera THE REUNION TOUR present Donizetti's Sun 5 Apr, Birmingham opera in three acts Town Hall which tells the story of Carducci Quartet - Shrewsbury School RIGOLETTO Opera and the citizens of Calais Ballet International who offer up their lives by Mozart & Dvorak, Guillaume (violas) & CONCERT Featuring Birmingham Town Hall present Verdi's tragic to save their city from Sun 19 Apr, Maidment Kate Setterfield & Bewdley Concert Band, BLAKE Wed 29 Apr, tale of misunderstand- the besieging English Hall, Shrewsbury Corinne Frost (cellos), Birmingham Icknield, Lichfield Garrick, Staffs ing, revenge & sacrifice. army. Sung in Italian School Fri 24 Apr, CBSO Cen- Cradley, Solihull, New- CBSO: SYMPHONIE FAN- Sung in Italian with with English surtitles, BORODIN QUARTET Pro- tre, Birmingham port, Hadley & District TASTIQUE Featuring English surtitles, Wed 8 Tues 14 Apr, Wolver- gramme includes works BCMG: THE MIRACLE OF & Gentlemen Songster Nikolai Znaider (con- Apr, Regent Theatre, hampton Grand Theatre by Shostakovich & THE ROSE Programme Choirs, Sat 25 Apr, ductor) & Jian Wang Stoke-on-Trent HMS PINAFORE Trinity Beethoven, Tues 21 includes works by Symphony Hall, B’ham (cello). Programme MADAMA BUTTERFLY Operatic Society pres- Apr, Birmingham Town Stravinsky, Perle & NOAH STEWART Concert includes works by Dvo- Opera and Ballet Inter- ent an amateur staging Hall Henze, Sat 25 Apr, featuring some of rak & Berlioz, Wed 29 - national present Pucci- of Gilbert & Sullivan's APRIL SINGS FOR SPRING CBSO Centre, Birming- opera’s most celebrat- Thurs 30 Apr, Sympho- ni's heart-breaking and comic opera, Wed 15 - AND SUMMER From the ham ed arias, Sat 25 Apr, ny Hall, Birmingham dramatic story. Korean Fri 17 Apr, Newhamp- moving contemplation VIENNA PIANO TRIO Pro- Birmingham Town Hall PIRATES OF PENZANCE soprano Elena Dee and ton Arts Centre, Wolver- of Barber's Adagio for gramme includes works CBSO FAMILY CONCERT: Tinkers Farm Opera Japanese soprano Miki hampton Strings to the final high by Mozart, Turina and BITE-SIZE CLASSICS II present a modern inter- Mori star, Thurs 9 Apr, CBSO MENDELSSOHN'S spirits of Copland's Schumann, Sat 25 Apr, Sun 26 Apr, Symphony pretation of Gilbert & Regent Theatre, Stoke- MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S Appalachian Spring, Ludlow Assembly Hall, Birmingham Sullivan's operatic mas- on-Trent DREAM Programme this concert encom- Rooms. Shropshire LUNCHTIME ORGAN CON- terpiece, Wed 29 April - CBSO BAROQUE ENSEM- includes Mendelssohn’s passes some of the BIRMINGHAM ST CERT FEATURING TOM Sat 2 May, Crescent BLE Programme The Fair Melusina Over- greatest American GEORGE’S DAY ANNUAL WINPENNY Mon 27 Apr, Theatre, Birmingham includes works by Pur- ture, Serenade and music of the 20th cen- cell, Locke & Matteis, Allegro Giojoso, Piano tury. Featuring Orches- Fri 10 Apr, CBSO Cen- Concerto No 1 & Inci- tra Of The Swan. Pro- tre, Birmingham dental Music to A Mid- gramme includes works MICHAEL BALL: IF EVERY- summer Night's Dream, by; Barber, Adams, Bar- ONE WAS LISTENING Thurs 16 Apr, Sympho- ber, Gershwin & Cop- TOUR Sun 12 Apr, Sym- ny Hall, Birmingham land, Wed 22 Apr, Birm- phony Hall, Birming- CBSO MENDELSSOHN'S ingham Town Hall ham MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S CBSO ELGAR'S CELLO CARDUCCI: II JOURNEY TO DREAM Programme CONCERTO Programme ENLIGHTENMENT Pro- includes Mendelssohn’s includes works by gramme includes works The Fair Melusina Over- Elgar, Bridge & Tippett, by Haydn, ture, Serenade and Thurs 23 Apr, Sympho- Schostakovich & Allegro Giojoso, Piano ny Hall, Birmingham Beethoven, Sun 12 Apr, Concerto No 1 & Inci- CZECH PHILHARMONIC Maidment Hall, Shrews- dental Music to A Mid- PERFORM MAHLER Pro- bury School summer Night's Dream, gramme includes works MICHAEL PETROV & ASH- Sat 18 Apr, Symphony by Bruch & Mahler, Fri LEY FRIPP Mon 13 Apr, Hall, Birmingham 24 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Town Hall CANOLDIR 49TH ANNUAL Birmingham THOMAS TROTTER: BELLS CONCERT Sat 18 Apr, CBSO CENTRE Featuring AND WHISTLES Pro- Birmingham Town Hall Zoë Beyers & Elizabeth gramme includes works ENSEMBLE 360 Pro- Golding (violins), by J S Bach, Byrd, gramme includes works Amy Fawcett & Myriam

Blake - Lichfield Garrick

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Matt Forde Comedy Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Thurs 2 April; Box Office The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Fri 10 April Nottingham-born Forde is this month returning ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE to the Midlands with a show that brings togeth- 01527 577330 er topical stand-up and political debate (Forde BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL is a one-time political advisor to the Labour 0121 780 3333 Party). “I’ve been lucky enough to be joined in THE BEAR PIT, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON the show by some of the most colourful charac- 01789 403416 ters in politics,” he says, “including Nigel CIVIC HALL, Farage, Alistair WOLVERHAMPTON Campbell and Michael 0870 320 7000 COURTYARD THEATRE, Fabricant.” Away from HEREFORD the spotlight of live 01432 340555 stand-up, Matt writes THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM gags for shows like 0121 333 2444 Russell Howard’s DRUMMONDS BAR, WORCESTER Good News, 8 Out Of 01905 28190 10 Cats and Stand-Up THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, For The Week. He also MUCH WENLOCK, SOUTH hosts radio SHROPSHIRE show Extra Time. 01952 728911 EVESHAM ARTS CENTRE, WORCESTERSHIRE 01386 446944 Lee Nelson FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, Shappi Khorsandi Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sat 4 April; LEEK, STAFFS The Place, Telford, Fri 10 April Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Sun 5 April 01538 386112 Iranian-born comedian Shappi found herself liv- THE GLEE CLUB, Lee Nelson is the hugely popular creation of former medical doctor BIRMINGHAM ing in the UK after her father, the poet and Simon Brodkin. After years of wearing cheap bling and drinking 0871 4720400 satirist Hadi Khorsandi, wrote a poem that was Stella like it's going out of fashion, Nelson is now moving up in the HIGHLIGHT, BIRMINGHAM perceived as being critical of Iran’s revolutionary world, with Brodkin deciding to ‘suit and boot’ the character for this 0844 844 0044 regime. Shappi’s a regular contributor both to HUNTINGDON HALL, latest tour. Nelson is joined in the show by various other Brodkin WORCESTER, radio and television alter-egos, including pitch-invading Premier League footballer Jason 01905 611427 programmes, with Bent, bigoted pastor Daniel Doolay and unhinged club rep Chris KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE, credits including Loose Young from Kicking Off In Kavos. BIRMINGHAM 0121 443 4725 Ends, You And Yours, Speaking about the experience of touring a show, South London Midweek, Just A LUDLOW ASSEMBLY geezer Lee said: “There’s no bigger buzz in the world than turning ROOMS, Minute, The Now up in a new city, making two thousand people laugh and then sleep- SOUTH SHROPSHIRE Show, The News Quiz ing with about five of them afterwards. The only downside’s 01584 878141 and Have I Got News Chlamydia.” MAC, BIRMINGHAM For You. She’s also the 0121 446 3232 OAKENGATES THEATRE, author of the best-sell- TELFORD, SHROPSHIRE ing A Beginner’s Guide 01952 382382 To Acting English. PALACE THEATRE, REDDITCH 01527 65203 PLAYERS BAR, Andy Parsons BIRMINGHAM 0121 643 6871 Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Mon 23 April; THE ROSES THEATRE Theatre Hafren, Powys, Tues 24 April TEWKESBURY With complimentary reviews (sort 01684 295074 of) including such observations as ROYAL SPA CENTRE, LEAMINGTON SPA ‘what he lacks in hair, he more 01926 334418 than makes SHOWCASE, COVENTRY up for in 0871 220 1000 originality’, THE SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON Andy Parsons 0870 320 7000 is a sharp and SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX topical comedian 0121 704 6962 who's well known from TV STRATFORD ARTSHOUSE shows such as BBC's Mock 01789 207100 Milton Jones THEATRE SEVERN, The Week and Live At The SHREWSBURY Apollo. Jokes include: Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 16 April; 01743 281281 Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Fri 17 April “Combined bus and cycle WARWICK ARTS CENTRE lanes - what a crap idea that With a style of humour that’s mainly based around puns and one- 02476 524524 liners, Milton Jones has established himself as one of Britain’s most WULFRUN HALL, is! It’d be like having a WOLVERHAMPTON path in the jungle for in-demand funnymen. Not only a comedian but also a writer and 0870 320 7000 walkers and lions.” actor, his stand-up bears testimony to his cutting-edge wit, not to mention his taste for the surreal and the nonsensical.

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Players Bar, Birmingham Comedy LISTINGS LOUDEEMY SOUP COMEDY NIGHT Mon 13 Apr, The Blue Orange For full listing information on comedy Theatre, Birmingham gigs including times and dates visit JULIET MEYERS & AARON www.whatsonlive.co.uk TWITCHEN Mon 13 Apr, Old Joint Stock Pub, JETHRO Wed 1 Apr, LEE NELSON Sun 5 Apr, Birmingham Prince Of Wales Centre, Wulfrun Hall, DAN NIGHTINGALE, Cannock, Staffs Wolverhampton BRENNAN REECE, GARETH MATT FORDE Thurs 2 ALLYSON JUNE SMITH, BERLINER, HARRIET DYER Apr, Stafford Gatehouse ALICE FRICK, MAUREEN & COMIC TBC Tues 14 Theatre YOUNGER Wed 8 Apr, Apr, Rose Villa Tavern, IVAN BRACKENBURY, IAN Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham D. MONTFORT, JOSH Birmingham MILTON JONES Thurs 16 PUGH, LUCY THOMPSON ANDREW LAWRENCE Apr, Regent Theatre, & ANDY KIND Thurs 2 Thurs 9 Apr, The Slade Stoke-on-Trent Apr, Foxlowe Arts Rooms, DYLAN MORAN Thurs 16 Centre, Leek, Staffs Wolverhampton Apr, Theatre Severn, KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY ADAM BLOOM & ANDY Shrewsbury NIGHT Thurs 2 Apr, ROBINSON WITH COMEDY DAN NIGHTINGALE, LIAM Stourbridge Town Hall CAROUSEL & COMIC TBC WILLIAMS WITH ANDY HAL CRUTTENDEN, JOHN Thurs 9 Apr, The Glee ROBINSON & COMEDY RYAN, NIGEL NEEDHAM & Club, Birmingham CAROUSEL Thurs 16 Apr, Ray Peacock - Stafford Gatehouse Theatre ADAM KAY, JAMES, PETE OTWAY Thurs 2 The Glee Club, AWSUM WITH ANDY CANNELLONI, CHRIS Club, Birmingham DOWDESWELL & DAVID Apr, The George Hotel, Birmingham ROBINSON & COMEDY WALKER & RORY MATT REED, BARRY MORGAN Thurs 9 Apr, Lichfield MILTON JONES Fri 17 CAROUSEL Thurs 23 Apr, O'HANLON Fri 24 Apr, DODDS, CHRIS Bramall Music Building, IVO GRAHAM, IAN Apr, Civic Hall, The Glee Club, Jongleurs Comedy WASHINGTON & ANDREW Birmingham COPPINGER, ANDY Wolverhampton Birmingham Club, Birmingham BIRD Sat 25 Apr, GARY DELANEY Thurs 9 ROBINSON & COMEDY BOBBY MAIR, ANGELA GAVIN WEBSTER, JONNY COLE PARKER, ANTHONY Players Bar, Apr, Crewe Lyceum CAROUSEL Thurs 2 - Sat BARNES, MARK CRAM & AWSUM, JOE LYCETT & KING, SMURF DOCKER, Birmingham PATRICK MONAHAN Thurs 4 Apr, The Glee Club, CHRIS PURCHASE Fri 17 KATIE MULGREW Fri 24 TOMAS AHLBECK & DYLAN MORAN Thurs 30 9 - Fri 10 Apr, Birmingham Apr, Lichfield Garrick Apr, The Glee Club, ARCHIE MADDOCKS Fri Apr, Symphony Hall, Old Joint Stock SLIM, DANA MICHELLE COUNT ARTHUR STRONG Birmingham 24 Apr, National Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham ALEXANDER & REM Fri 17 Apr, New STEWART FRANCIS Fri 24 Brewery Centre, CHRISTIAN O'CONNELL RAY PEACOCK Fri 10 Apr, CONWAY Fri 3 Apr, Alexandra Theatre, Apr, Wulfrun Hall, Burton-upon-Trent Thurs 30 Apr, The Glee Stafford Gatehouse The Drum, Birmingham Birmingham Wolverhampton GAVIN WEBSTER, JONNY Club, Birmingham Theatre ALL ACTS TBC Fri 3 Apr, DIANE SPENCER, JUNIOR ANDY PARSONS Fri 24 AWSUM, JOE LYCETT & JO CAULFIELD Thurs 30 MATT FORDE Fri 10 Apr, Jongleurs Comedy SIMPSON, ANDY ASKINS Apr, Theatr Hafren, DAVID WHITNEY Sat 25 Apr, Theatre Severn, The Slade Rooms, Club, Birmingham & RAYMOND AND MR Powys Apr, The Glee Club, Shrewsbury Wolverhampton IVO GRAHAM, IAN TIMPKINS REVUE Fri 17 COMEDY IN THE MET LINE Birmingham MARLON DAVIS, ANDY SHAPPI KHORSANDI Fri COPPINGER, MATT Apr, Jongleurs Comedy UP TBC Fri 24 Apr, BRYAN LACEY, OTIZ ROBINSON Thurs 30 Apr, 10 Apr, The Place, RICHARDSON & ROMESH Club, Birmingham Stafford Gatehouse CANNELLONI & CHRIS The Glee Club, Oakengates Theatre, RANGANATHAN Fri 3 - Sat DAN NIGHTINGALE, LIAM Theatre WALKER Sat 25 Apr, Birmingham 4 Apr, The Glee Club, Shropshire WILLIAMS, LLOYD BRYAN LACEY, OTIZ Jongleurs Comedy Birmingham DAVE JOHNS, MARK LANGFORD & SEAN LEE NELSON Sat 4 Apr, NELSON, KEVIN GILDA & PERCIVAL Fri 17 - Sat 18 Stafford Gatehouse JIM SMALLMAN Fri 10 - Apr, The Glee Club, Theatre Sat 11 Apr, Jongleurs Birmingham JOHN LYNN, JOHN Comedy Club, PETE TECKMAN, HANNAH FOTHERGILL, MICHAEL Birmingham SILVESTER, JOSH PUGH & FABBRI & WAYNE DEAKIN ADAM BLOOM, MAFF JIMMY FRINTON Sat 18 Sat 4 Apr, Jongleurs BROWN & ERIC LALOR Apr, The Hollybush, Comedy Club, Fri 10 - Sat 11 Apr, Cradley Heath, Dudley Birmingham The Glee Club, DIANE SPENCER, JUNIOR DAVE HADINGHAM, CHRIS Birmingham SIMPSON, ANDY ASKINS TURNER, STEVE GRIBBIN TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, & GEORGE EGG Sat 18 & BRYAN LACEY Sat 4 DAVID TRENT, DANA Apr, Jongleurs Comedy Apr, Players Bar, ALEXANDER & DANNY Club, Birmingham Birmingham MCLOUGHLIN Sat 11 Apr, MICKEY D Sat 18 Apr, mac, Birmingham ANDY WHITE Sat 18 Apr, mac, Birmingham LOL COMEDY CLUB WITH MC DAMION LARKIN Sat 18 Apr, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent JOHN LYNN, BRENNAN REECE, ZOE LYONS & ED GAMBLE Sat 18 Apr, Players Bar, Birmingham LEE NELSON Sun 19 Apr, Crewe Lyceum KEVIN BRIDGES - WORK IN PROGRESS Sun 19 Apr, The Courtyard, Hereford TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 20 Apr, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham TIM VINE Wed 22 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham DARA O'BRIAIN Wed 22 - Thurs 23 Apr, De Montfort Hall, Leicester ANDY PARSONS Thurs 23 Apr, Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton SUSAN CALMAN Thurs 23 Apr, The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Shrops GAVIN WEBSTER, JONNY Jo Caulfield - Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury For more comedy listings, visit, www.whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Theatre April Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 17:32 Page 1 Theatre April Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 17:32 Page 2 Theatre

Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Tues 21 April - Sat 2 May; The Bodyguard Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 19 - Sat 30 May X Factor winner Alexandra Burke (Wolverhampton) and Pop Idol con- Based on the hit 1990s movie starring Kevin Costner and Whitney testant Zoe Birkett (Stoke) take turns in playing principal character Houston, the show features classic numbers including One Moment Rachel Marron in this touring production of the blockbuster West End In Time, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and the legendary I Will musical. Always Love You. The show received mixed reviews from critics when When ex-Secret Service agent Frank Farmer is hired to protect super- it opened in 2012 but has proved to be a real hit with its audiences - star Rachel from an unknown stalker, sparks soon fly between the so much so, in fact, that productions are now planned for Broadway, pair. Each expects to hold the whip-hand in the relationship; neither Australia, and the Far East to further extend its considerable expects to fall in love... fanbase. Read the interview with Alexandra Burke on page 6. Rebecca The Rep, Birmingham, Mon 27 April - Sat 2 May The always splendid Kneehigh Theatre here make a wel- come return to Birmingham to present a brand new produc- tion of Daphne du Maurier’s Cornwall-set masterpiece. The new Mrs Maxim de Winter feels threatened by the mem- ories of her husband’s first wife, the glamorous and now- deceased Rebecca. But when her jealousy prompts her to uncover the secrets of the house in which she is now the mistress, she soon comes to realise that all is not quite what it seems... Read our interview with Daphne du Maurier’s son, Kit, online at whatsonlive.co.uk

Blood Brothers Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 20 - Sat 25 April Filled with all of Willy Russell’s usual astute observations about the British class system, Blood Brothers is best described as a play with music. The story of twins separated at birth who spend their lives in contrasting social circum- stances but are inextricably drawn together, it has none of the trite sentimental- ity that typifies a lot of Russell’s work and is, in fact, incredibly moving and funny. If you haven't seen it before, check it out. If you have, you'll no doubt be going to see it again anyway! This particular production stars Maureen Nolan as Mrs Johnstone. Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow narrates. Photo credit: Steve Tanner

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Wed 15 April, 7.30pm Sat 18 April, 3pm & 7.30pm Sat 2 May, 7.30pm European Art Company Little Cauliflower Theatre The Picture of Dorian Gray Set in a decadent world of Victorian London, a beautiful, narcissistic, young man called Dorian BloodGray becomes and bats. infatuated Garlic and by gore. the exquisite Lunaticsportrait that and Basil flies. Hallward Sexy lady has vampires. painted of him. Coffins,He makes crypts a Faustian and the pact Count that himself. he will remain They'reforever allyoung here while in this the brand-new picture grows old. adaptation of Bram Stoker's gothic pot-boiler...

Cell After being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Dis- ease, Ted goes on the trip of a lifetime...and so does his pet fish. As the disease starts to cause his mobility to Freshold Theatre degenerate, Ted rushes to experience a world outside his comfort zone; from the markets of Collidoscope Lille to the romance of Venice. When an unexpected tragedy has everyone Humorous, heart-warming and uplifting, CELL talking about funerals and finger food, Anna features charming puppetry, physical theatre and seeks escape by becoming her idol, the 1930s an original musical score to tell the story of one Hollywood bombshell Madeleine Carroll.y. man’s final adventure.

Tickets: £10/£8 concs Tickets: £10/£8 concs Tickets: £10/£8 concs/£5 mats

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Theatre PREVIEWS The Ghost Train Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 7 - Sat 11 April To generations of fans, Arnold Ridley is best remembered as Private Godfrey in Dad’s Army. But decades before he joined Captain Mainwaring and the Home Guard, Ridley penned this classic comedy thriller about a group of travellers stranded in the waiting room of an isolated railway station on a dark and stormy night. Their plight isn’t helped by the station master’s spinetingling warning - that death will claim anyone who sets eyes on the ghostly train that haunts the line. Hi-de-Hi!’s Jeffrey Holland top-bills alongside his real-life wife, Judy Buxton.

The Producers New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 20 - Sat 25 April Jason Manford and Phil Jupitus are among the big-name stars heading up the cast in this lat- est touring version of Mel Brooks’ hit Broadway musical. When down-on-his-luck theatrical producer Max Bialystock and his hapless accountant Leo Bloom stage a theatrical show called Springtime For Hitler, they’re assuming it will be a great big flop, leaving the two of them to share out all the money they’ve raised to mount the pro- duction. Sadly for Max and Leo, things don’t turn out quite as they’d expected... “I’m basically Judy Garland - that’s who Leo Bloom is,” explains Jason Manford about his Cell character. “He’s brand new to showbusiness and is having his eyes opened very quickly to a Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 15 lot of things he’s never experienced before. My favourite line of his is, “Stop the world, I want April; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 17 April to get on”. It’s a really big moment for him, and you could just imagine a young Judy Garland saying it off camera, with a little glint in her eye...” Smoking Apples and Little Cauliflower are Louie Spence, David Bedella and Cory English also star. the companies behind this thoughtful explo- ration of one man’s experience of living with motor neurone disease. The Ladykillers Feed The Beast When Ted is diagnosed with MND, he deter- New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, The REP, Birmingham, mines to embark on the trip of a lifetime - Fri 10 April - Sat 2 May Thurs 16 April - Sat 2 May and takes his pet fish along with him. Smoking Apples and Little Cauliflower both This classic black comedy may be best Award-winning Sherlock and Doctor Who specialise in visual storytelling and here known as a 1950s Ealing film, but its stage writer Stephen Thompson is the man behind present Ted’s story via the use of a puppet. adaptation has nonetheless garnered plenty this brand new political comedy. It focuses “Different members of the team looked at dif- of praise too, enjoying a sell-out season in on the character of Michael, who, as the ferent aspects of MND,” explains Matthew the London West End. For those unfamiliar newly elected Prime Minister, is determined Lloyd, co-artistic director at Smoking Apples. with the legendary Alec Guinness film, it tells to avoid all media charm offensives in favour “I went to Putney and spoke to Helen Patter- the story of a sweet old lady, alone in her of concentrating on the real business of mak- son, a speech and language therapist who house, who finds her- ing the world a better place. Trouble is, his works with people living with the condition. self pitted against a family’s private life looks set to be the next That experience, plus speaking to and skyp- gang of criminal mis- big story. And when Michael is advised by a ing people living with MND, was a revelation. fits intent on pulling press secretary to “feed the beast before it It meant we were able to give the puppet a off a brilliantly con- turns on you”, he finds himself wondering range of movements which were as true as ceived heist... This whether his lofty principles are set to take a possible to the symptoms of the disease. new adaptation is serious tumble... brought to the stage by the New Vic and Hull Truck Theatre. The Picture Of Dorian Gray Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Sat 18 April The highly rated European Arts Company Back Down celebrate the one hundred-and-twenty-fifth Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton, anniversary of Oscar Wilde’s one and only Wed 1 April; Wem Town Hall, North Shrop- novel with this brand new adaptation. shire, Fri 17 April In the decadent world of Victorian London, The author of this brand new coming-of-age the beautiful Dorian Gray is painted in oil by play is Steven Camden, otherwise known as the artist Basil Hallward, who then introduces award-winning performance poet Polarbear. the young man to Lord Henry Wotton. It tells the story of three pals who decide to Impressed by the aristocrat’s hedonism, enjoy one final adventure together before Dorian enters into a Faustian pact which one of them heads off to university. The allows him to remain young while his paint- adventure in question involves conquering ing grows old. But as he engages in a life of Snowdon, an endeavour that sees them hav- amoral experiences, every one of his soul- ing to confront not only the challenges corrupting sins is recorded in his ageing por- posed by the mountain but also the real rea- trait... son they needed to make the trip... A Birm- This new stage version has been adapted by ingham Repertory Theatre production pre- John O'Connor and Oscar Wilde's grandson, sented in association with Roundhouse. Merlin Holland.

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Fri 8th May AN EVENING WITH GERVASE PHINN Time: 7.30pm

Thurs 14th May DEREK RYAN Time: 7.30pm

Sat 16th May TREE FU TOM Time: 1.00pm and 3.30pm

Fri 22nd May 80’S MANIA Time: 7.30pm

Wed 27th May THE DEMON BARBERS XL Time: 7.30pm

Thurs 28th May DOMINIC KIRWAN AND MARY DUFF Time: 7.30pm

Fri 29th May SEX IN SUBURBIA Time: 7.30pm

Sat 30th May CHOIR WITH BRASS CHARITY CONCERT Time: 7.30pm

Wed 3rd June THE LADYBOYS OF BANGKOK Time: 7.30pm

TWC GP 00944

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Theatre PREVIEWS Satin ’n’ Steel Lichfield Garrick, Tues 21 - Sat 25 April “I'm delighted Satin ’n’ Steel is embarking on its first British tour,” says its author, Notting- ham playwright Amanda Whittington. “It’s ten years since the first production, but the themes of the play are still relevant, perhaps more so in times of austerity. I've made a few changes to bring the story right up to date, and it’s been great to revisit the characters and think about where they are now. I'm look- ing forward to seeing how audiences around the country react to them.” When a karaoke competition brings together seasoned pro Vince Steel and talented beginner Teena White, the all-singing, all- dancing Satin ’n’ Steel are born. But with success on the horizon and love blossoming between the talented duo, a guilty secret threatens their designs on superstardom... Hit songs include Daydream Believer, The Wind Beneath My Wings, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, Time After Time, I Will Survive and Dirty Dancing Johnny B Goode. Birmingham Hippodrome, Thurs 30 April - Sat 23 May Seen by millions across the globe, Eleanor Bergstein's worldwide smash-hit musical tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds who come together for what will prove to be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Hit numbers include Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and I’ve Had The Time Of My Life. If you've not seen the show before, it's well worth checking out - its celebrity fans include Sir Ian McKellen, Judy Dench, Emma Forbes, Naomi Campbell, Alan Shearer, Graham Norton and Joanna Lumley, to name but a few. So if you enjoy the show, you'll certainly be in exalted company!

visiting his sick friend and recalling their glory days together on the silver screen. Dalloway “Stan and Olly became my friends - Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, metaphorically speaking, of course,” contin- Fri 17 April ues the Walsall-born Rebecca Vaughan here stars in a compelling Jeff, recalling his child- work of theatre that offers a feminine hood days. “I always response to the aftermath of the First World looked forward to Lau- War. Virginia Woolf’s celebrated map of rel and Hardy films. If hearts, minds and memories focuses on Rattle Of A Simple Man there wasn’t one, I was high-society woman Clarissa Dalloway as Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, bereft!” she prepares a party in Westminster. The Wed 15 - Thurs 16 April year is 1923, and as Clarissa goes about her This revival of Charles Dyer’s Rattle Of A Sim- business on a hot blue day in June, a man ple Man should make for an interesting expe- Dirty Dusting named Septimus Smith is diagnosed with rience, given that numerous past productions shell-shock. As the day proceeds, the memo- The Place, Oakengates, Telford, Fri 24 April; of the 1960s comedy have been criticised for Lichfield Garrick, Thurs 30 April ries and dreams of Clarissa and Septimus failing to update the story effectively enough. magically intertwine with those of fifteen other Dyer’s writing certainly has an old-fashioned When overzealous office manager Dave disparate souls, conjuring the hopes and feel to it, but there’s nonetheless plenty to decides to put his cleaners, Gladys, Elsie regrets of middle and upper-class London enjoy in this story of a northern football sup- and Olive, out to pasture, the three women some five years after the end of the war. porter whose weekend in the capital ends up wonder how they’re ever going to make ends including an encounter with a prostitute. meet. Until, that is, they have the brilliant idea Presented by Opus Theatre. of setting up The Telephone Belles - ‘a dirty sex chatline that really cleans up’! Disney On Ice Presents Benidorm favourite Crissy Rock stars. Magical Ice Festival Genting Arena, Birmingham, And This Is My Friend Wed 1 - Sun 5 April Mr Laurel Get your skates on and reserve your seats as Mickey and Minnie Mouse host the on-ice Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Thurs 9 April stories of princesses Ariel, Rapunzel and “I loved the way Olly thought he was smarter Belle. As an extra-special treat, Magical Ice than Stan when in fact he was far more stu- Festival also boasts an appearance by Anna pid,” says Jeffrey Holland. “It always made and Elsa from Disney’s hit movie, Frozen!. me laugh.” “In our more than thirty years of producing Hi-de-Hi favourite Jeffrey is here starring as Disney On Ice shows, we’ve been waiting for the legendary Stan Laurel in a one-man show a film like Frozen!,” says Feld Entertainment which he’s co-written with award-winning producer Nicole Feld. “The most exciting part playwright Gail Louw. A loving homage to of bringing characters like Anna and Elsa to one of the twentieth century’s greatest come- the ice for the first time is knowing that they dy duos, the production has received plenty have a powerful and inspiring message that of positive reviews since making its debut resonates with audiences, as the sisters dis- last year. Set in Olly’s bedroom, it finds Stan cover the true meaning of love.”

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ences on a journey into the Emerald City in a Theatre LISTINGS show packed with audi- ence participation and For full listing information on theatre laugh-out-loud comedy, productions, including times and dates, Sat 4 Apr, Wolverhamp- visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk ton Grand Theatre

Sun 26 April Week Commencing From Birmingham Hippo- MON 6 APR drome WED 1 APR DEATH OF A SALESMAN JUSTIN AND FRIENDS: MR Sir Antony Sher, Alex TUMBLE'S CIRCUS Tue 7 BACK DOWN Highly Hassell & Harriet Walter Apr, Genting Arena, anticipated first play by star in Arthur Miller's Birmingham-born Birmingham great American tragedy, THE CHUCKLES OF OZ Steven Camden, more until Sat 2 May, Children's TV stars Paul commonly known as Royal Shakespeare and Barry take audi- award-winning perform- Theatre, Stratford-upon- ences on a journey into ance poet Polarbear, Avon the Emerald City in a until Wed 1 Apr, PENELOPE RETOLD An show packed with audi- Newhampton Arts Cen- irreverent collision of ence participation and Shrek The Musical - Birmingham Hippodrome tre, Wolverhampton classic myth and con- laugh-out-loud comedy, A PASSION FOR BIRMING- temporary rage, written Tues 7 Apr, Regent The- The Roses Theatre, SING-A-LONG-A SOUND Sat 11 Apr, Welshamp- HAM An immersive, & performed by Caro- atre, Stoke-on-Trent Kidderminster OF MUSIC A screening ton Parish Hall, promenade production line Horton, Wed 1 & GREASE A Lichfield Gar- MADAMA BUTTERFLY of the classic Julie Ellesmere, North which reimagines one Thurs 2 Apr, The REP, rick Youth Theatre pro- Opera and Ballet Inter- Andrews film musical, Shropshire of the world's most Birmingham duction, Tue 7 - Sat 11 national present Pucci- complete with lyric sub- BOUNCERS AND SHAKERS important stories, the HUGLESS DOUGLAS Blun- Apr, Lichfield Garrick ni's heartbreaking and titles to help the audi- The Crescent Theatre life and death of Jesus derbus Theatre fuse PUSS IN BOOTS Lyngo dramatic story. Korean ence singalong... Fri 10 present two one-act Christ, until Fri 3 Apr, music, puppetry & Theatre use puppetry to soprano Elena Dee and Apr, Regent Theatre, plays devoted to the Old Joint Stock The- high-energy storytelling bring to life this 'classic Japanese soprano Miki Stoke-on-Trent men and women who atre, Birmingham in a new show for chil- furry tale', Tue 7 - Wed Mori star, Thurs 9 Apr, A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT work clubs up and THE ADDAMS FAMILY: THE dren, Thurs 2 Apr, The- 8 Apr, mac - Midlands Regent Theatre, Stoke- OUT Featuring Jonny down the country, Sat MUSICAL Worcester On atre Severn, Shrews- Arts Centre, Birming- on-Trent Cole, Dandy, Peter Lee, 11 - Sat 18 Apr, Cres- Stage provide a rare bury ham NO REGRETS: THE LIFE and introducing Kaylee cent Theatre, Birming- chance to see a new DISNEY ON ICE: MAGICAL KEY FOR TWO Stoke-on- STORY AND SONGS OF Cropper and The ham musical, fresh from ICE FESTIVAL In a new Trent Repertory Players EDITH PIAF A salute to Ronaldos, Fri 10 Apr, LOVE'S SACRIFICE Broadway, until Sat 4 twist on fairytale fun, present John Champ- the iconic French Ludlow Assembly Matthew Dunster Apr, Crescent Theatre, comical segments from man & Dave Freeman’s singer, this ‘bio-show’ is Rooms, South Shrop- makes his RSC debut, Birmingham everyone’s favourite farce concerning a a fascinating journey shire directing John Ford's BOUNCERS John God- Disney characters set woman canny enough through the life of a leg- MILKSHAKE PARTY LIVE rarely performed ber’s award-winning the scene for the show- to be kept by two men, end who’s still idolised Brand new musical revenge tragedy, Sat 11 comedy, until Sat 4 Apr, stopping on-ice stories Tues 7 - Fri 10 Apr, fifty years after her spectacular for children Apr - Wed 24 Jun, The New Vic Theatre, New- of princesses Ariel, Stoke Repertory The- death, Thurs 9 Apr, featuring new songs Swan Theatre, Strat- castle-under-Lyme Rapunzel and Belle, atre, Stoke-on-Trent Crescent Theatre, Birm- alongside old ford-upon-Avon THE JEW OF MALTA Thurs 2 - Sun 5 Apr, THE GHOST TRAIN Jeffrey ingham favourites, funky dance Justin Audibert makes Genting Arena, Birm- Holland & Judy Buxton THE SNAIL AND THE routines and plenty of Week Commencing his RSC debut to direct ingham star in Arnold Ridley's WHALE Tall Stories pres- laughter, Fri 10 Apr, Christopher Marlowe's THE COMPLETE HISTORY classic comedy thriller ent a theatrical experi- Theatre Severn, MON 13 APR subversive play, until OF COMEDY: ABRIDGED about a group of trav- ence for children Shrewsbury Tue 8 Sept, The Swan The Reduced Shake- ellers stranded at an packed with story- THE ASTOUNDING WORKS LA BOHEME English Theatre, Stratford-upon- speare Company isolated railway station, telling, live music and OF SIMON TROUT The Touring Opera present Avon embark on a ninety- Tue 7 - Sat 11 April plenty of laughs. For Owen Lewis’ Portable a new production of DERREN BROWN The minute rollercoaster Wolverhampton Grand kids aged four-plus, Theatre Company pres- Puccini's romantic award-winning master ride, deconstructing the Theatre Thurs 9 - Fri 10 Apr, ent a double-bill of orig- opera. Sung in Italian of psychological illusion entire history of come- RIGOLETTO Opera and Stafford Gatehouse inal one-act plays, with English surtitles, returns to the Midlands dy, Sat 4 Apr, Ludlow Ballet International Theatre including Better The Mon 13 Apr, Wolver- with a brand new show, Assembly Rooms, present Verdi's tragic DOGFIGHT MYK Produc- Devil You Know...? & hampton Grand The- until Sat 11 Apr, New South Shropshire tale of misunderstand- tions present a staging No Man’s Land, Fri 10 atre Alexandra Theatre, A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT ing, revenge & sacri- of Pasek and Paul’s Apr, Talbot Theatre, THE BASIL BRUSH SHOW Birmingham OUT Featuring Jonny fice. Sung in Italian with musical adaptation of Whitchurch Britain's most loveable BEAUTIFUL THING Featur- Cole, Dandy, Peter Lee, English surtitles, Wed 8 the 1991 film of the THE LADYKILLERS A New fox is back on the road ing Charlie Brooks, and introducing Kaylee Apr, Regent Theatre, same name, which fol- Vic & Hull Truck The- along with his TV chum Thomas Law, Sam Cropper and The lows six young Marines atre production of Gra- Mr Stephen (aka Chris Jackson & Gerard Stoke-on-Trent Ronaldos, Sat 4 Apr, A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT on one final wild night ham Lineham’s staging Pizzey). Together they McCarthy, until Sat 11 Walmley Club, Sutton OUT Featuring; Jonny of debauchery before of the classic Ealing take audiences on a Apr, Birmingham Hip- Coldfield Cole, Dandy, Peter Lee, their deployment to comedy, Fri 10 Apr - journey of laughs, sto- podrome THE CHUCKLES OF OZ and introducing Kaylee Vietnam, Thurs 9 - Sat Sat 2 May, New Vic rytelling and song in a SHREK THE MUSICAL Vis- Children's TV stars Paul Cropper and The 11 Apr, Arena Theatre, Theatre, Newcastle- brand new stage show, iting the Midlands direct and Barry take audi- Ronaldos, Wed 8 Apr, Wolverhampton under-Lyme Mon 13 Apr, Lichfield from the West End, until ANNE OF GREEN GABLES CHRIS & PUI Brand new Garrick Redhead Reach pres- show packed with BOUNCERS John God- ent a new staging of songs, games and a ber’s classic comedy, this bestselling coming- few surprises! Sat 11 Mon 13 - Tues 14 Apr, of-age tale, Thurs 9 - Apr, Prince of Wales Theatre Severn, Sat 11 Apr, mac - Mid- Centre, Cannock Shrewsbury lands Arts Centre, Birm- BETA TESTING Described KEY FOR TWO Stoke-on- ingham as an ‘hilarious mix Trent Repertory Players ANNIE Get Your Wigle between a juggling present John Champ- On present an amateur show and a TED talk’, man & Dave Freeman’s staging of the much- featuring mind-boggling farce concerning a loved musical, Thurs 9 - projections, bizarre woman canny enough Sat 11 Apr, Theatre Heath Robinson-style to be kept by two men, Severn, Shrewsbury contraptions and a Mon 13 - Sat 18 Apr, AND THIS IS MY FRIEND smattering of mild fish- Stoke Repertory The- MR LAUREL Jeffrey Hol- based violence, Sat 11 atre, Stoke-on-Trent land's one-man play, Apr, Kinokulture Cine- PINOCCHIO Brand new which portrays his idol ma, Oswestry, North production bringing the Stan Laurel. Set In Oliv- Shropshire timeless tale to life. er Hardy's bedroom, DOROTHY’S WAR Drama Lichfield’s favourite the play provides an in- based on the extraordi- dame, Ian Adams, stars depth, humorous and nary true story of a as Renata the Ring-mis- touching account of the woman’s amazing jour- tress, Tues 14 Apr, Lich- comedian's life, Thurs 9 ney into the heart of a field Garrick Apr, Wolverhampton man’s war, told through OUR HOUSE The Arts Reduced Shakespeare Company - Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Shropshire Grand Theatre songs of the period, Centre Telford present

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BASIL BRUSH GATEHOUSE THEATRE Fri 3 April APRIL

Wed 15 April, 7.30pm Vamos Theatre

Nursing Lives 11am & 2.30pm Tickets: £10.00 £14 /£12 concs / family £42 Britain's most loveable fox is back on the road along with his TV chum Mr. Stephen (aka Chris Pizzey). Together they will take you on a journey of laughs, storytelling and song in a brand new spe- Thurs 23 April, 8.00pm cially written 'live' stage show packed with fun and excitement. Fun for all the family and you'll also be able to meet Basil and Mr. Jive Aces Stephen after the show. Tickets: £15.00 THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE GATEHOUSE THEATRE Thurs 9 & Fri 10 April Fri 24 April, 8.00pm 4+ Bucket Club: Lorraine & Alan

Tickets: £10.00 Thurs 1.30pm & 4.30pm Fri 10.30am and 1.30pm £10 / family £35 Sat 25 April, 8.00pm A tiny snail longs to see the world, so she hitches a lift on the tail of a humpback whale. But when the whale gets beached, how Madhouse presents will the tiny snail save him? Follow the tiny snail’s amazing jour- Keith James ney, as seen through the eyes of a very adventurous young girl, who’d love to be going round the world with her seafaring Tickets: £10.00 father...Storytelling, live music and lots of laughs, in a show for everyone aged 4 and up. RAY PEACOCK MAY THE MET STUDIO Fri 10 April Ray Peacock has been a very 12 - 16 May, 7.30pm naughty boy recently and it's time to find out why. Join the Mellow Drmatics presents quadruple Chortle Award nom- Bad Girls inated comedian as he takes you through a myriad of mis- Tickets: £12.00 chief and misdemeanours. 'Incessantly hilarious' 8.00pm, £12.00 Fri 22 May, 7.30pm THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN Mess GATEHOUSE THEATRE Tickets: £12.00 Fri 10 April Featuring more chart toppers than ever before, starring the music of the Four Tops, Thurs 28 May, 8.00pm Supremes, Temptations, Jack- son 5, Isley Brothers, , Marvin Gaye, Diana Susan Calman - Ross, Lionel Richie and more, Lady Like the show marks the official 8.00pm, £22.50 Tickets: £14.00 arrival of Motown style, sophisitcation and musical brilliance to these shores. EARLY BOOKING ADVISED BOOK NOW, and reach out for the magic of Motown. RATTLE OF A SIMPLE MAN THE MET STUDIO Tue 15 & Wed 16 April Percy, a 42-year-old Manchurian soccer fan is never vulgar in front of a lady; respect one's elders, and is always loyal to the family. Whilst visiting Lon- don to see a football match, Percy accepts a £50 bet from his mate to spend the night with a prostitute. With the help 7.30pm, £10/£8 concs of a little Dutch courage he meets Cyrenne and goes back to her flat. Despite Percy's protes- tations that he has been with hundreds of women, he is now feel- ing shy and awkward and wishes to talk first. Will she lure him into bed? Will he win his bet? CELL THE MET STUDIO

Fri 17 April 11+ After being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, Ted goes on the trip of a lifetime...and so does his pet 7.30pm, £12.50/£10 concs Brewhouse Arts Centre, Union Street, fish. As the disease starts to cause his mobility to degenerate, Ted rushes to experience a Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire DE14 1AA world outside his comfort zone; from the markets of Lille to the romance of Venice. Humorous, heart-warming and uplifting, CELL Box office: 01283 508100. features charming puppetry, physical theatre and an original musi- www.brewhouse.co.uk cal score to tell the story of one man's final adventure. BOOKONLINE Box Office 01785 619080 www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk

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Old Joint Stock The- atre, Birmingham Dalloway - Theatre Severn, Shrews- Theatre LISTINGS TWELVE Kali Theatre bury take a look at the sub- For full listing information on theatre ject of ‘honour-based violence’. This perform- productions, including times and dates, ance comprises twelve visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk moving, touching and sometimes humorous an amateur staging of Wed 15 - Thurs 16 Apr, monologues which tell the 2003 Olivier Award- Stafford Gatehouse stories of friendship, winning musical, Tues Theatre first love, defiance, 14 - Fri 17 Apr, The CELL Little Cauliflower death and survival, Place, Oakengates, Theatre fuse puppetry, Thurs 16 - Fri 17 Apr, Telford, Shropshire physical theatre and an mac - Midlands Arts THE WITCHES OF EAST- original musical score Centre, Birmingham WICK Stafford & District to tell of one man's final DIFFERENT IS DANGER- Operatic Society pres- adventure, Wed 15 Apr, OUS Two's Company & ent an amateur produc- Arena Theatre, Wolver- The Drum present a tion based on the 1987 hampton devised piece of theatre movie of the same MAGNIFICENT MUSIC which offers a unique name, Tues 14 - Sat 18 HALL Evening of song, insight into the idiosyn- Apr, Stafford Gatehouse dance, magic & laugh- cratic life of the Asian Theatre ter featuring stars of community living in THE SIEGE OF CALAIS BBC’s The Good Old Leeds, Thurs 16 Apr, English Touring Opera Days, Wed 15 Apr, New The Drum, Birmingham present Donizetti's Vic Theatre, Newcastle- A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT opera in three acts, under-Lyme OUT Featuring Jonny telling the story of the OCTONAUTS AND THE Cole, Dandy, Peter Lee, a compelling feminist THE PRODUCERS Mel Institute, Church Stret- citizens of Calais who DEEP SEA VOLCANO and introducing Kaylee response to the after- Brooks' smash-hit musi- ton, Shropshire offer up their lives to ADVENTURE A brand Cropper and The math of the First World cal comedy based on THE 39 STEPS Amateur save their city from the new stage show based Ronaldos, Thurs 16 War, Fri 17 Apr, Theatre the Academy Award- production of the besieging English army. on the popular CBee- Apr, Lichfield Garrick Severn, Shrewsbury winning movie, Mon 20 award-winning comedy, Sung in Italian with bies TV show, Wed 15 - CELL Little Cauliflower TOP GIRLS Caryl - Sat 25 Apr, New Thurs 23 - Sat 25 Apr, English surtitles, Tue 14 Thurs 16 Apr, Wolver- Theatre fuse puppetry, Churchill’s muscular Alexandra Theatre, The Belfrey Theatre, Apr, Wolverhampton hampton Grand The- physical theatre and an and moving study of Birmingham Wellington, Shropshire Grand Theatre atre original musical score success in Thatcher’s SATIN ‘N’ STEEL Tom THE TURN OF THE SCREW GODSPELL Presented by HMS PINAFORE Trinity to tell of one man's final , the compro- Roberts (Emmerdale, Blue Orange Arts fuse Telford And District Operatic Society pres- adventure, Fri 17 Apr, mises we made and Doctors) & Kilke John shadow puppetry and Light Operatic Players ent an amateur staging Stafford Gatehouse what happened to (Crazy For You) star in projection to tell Henry (TADLOP), Tues 14 - of Gilbert & Sullivan's Theatre those left behind, Fri 17 Amanda Whittington’s James' gothic classic, Sun 19 Apr, The Place, comic opera, Wed 15 - BACK DOWN Highly - Sat 25 Apr, Hall Green bitter-sweet comedy Thurs 23 Apr - Sat 2 Oakengates, Telford, Fri 17 Apr, Newhamp- anticipated first play by Little Theatre, Acocks which mixes real emo- May, The Blue Orange Shropshire ton Arts Centre, Wolver- Birmingham-born Green, Birmingham tional drama with clas- Theatre, Birmingham THE ASTOUNDING WORKS hampton Steven Camden, more BY THE RIVERBANK First sic tunes, Tues 21 Apr - THAT'LL BE THE DAY OF SIMON TROUT The FEED THE BEAST World commonly known as Stages present a multi- Sat 25 Apr, Lichfield Rock'n'roll spectacular Owen Lewis’ Portable premiere of Steve award-winning perform- sensory adventure Garrick combining music from Theatre Company pres- Thompson's fiercely ance poet Polarbear, Fri inspired by Kenneth THE KING AND I Lichfield the ’50s, ’60s & ’70s ent a double-bill of orig- funny look at the rocky 17 Apr, Wem Town Hall, Grahame's much-loved Operatic Society pres- with wacky comedy inal one-act plays, relations between our North Shropshire classic, The Wind In ent an amateur staging routines, Thurs 23 - Fri including Better The press and politicians in CHARLES DARWIN: THE The Willows. Suitable of Rodgers & Hammer- 24 Apr, Stafford Gate- Devil You Know...? & a world of spin-doctors ORIGIN OF SPECIES Tan- for children aged three stein’s classic musical, house Theatre No Man’s Land, Wed and Leveson Inquiries, gram Theatre Company to six, Sat 18 Apr, The Tues 21 - Sat 25 Apr, MY FATHER AND OTHER 15 Apr, Kinokulture, Thurs 16 Apr - Sat 2 present a musical com- REP, Birmingham Lichfield Garrick SUPER HEROES A one- Oswestry, Shropshire May, The REP, Birming- edy about the life and THE PICTURE OF DORIAN THE BODYGUARD Alexan- man show that innova- BOUNCERS John God- ham works of the biologist, GRAY European Arts dra Burke stars in the tively fuses storytelling, ber's classic comedy, ANATOMY OF THE PIANO Charles Darwin, Fri 17 - Company present their lead role as Rachel physical theatre and Wed 15 Apr - Sat 18 Part piano recital, part Sat 18 Apr, Old Joint adaptation of Oscar Marron, Tue 21 Apr - contemporary spoken Apr, The The- fantasy lecture, pianist Stock Theatre, Birming- Wilde's classic play, Sat Sat 2 May, Wolver- word in a powerful one- atre, Birmingham Will Pickvance brings ham 18 Apr, Arena Theatre, hampton Grand The- hour performance, RATTLE OF A SIMPLE MAN his sell-out Edinburgh DALLOWAY Dyad Pro- Wolverhampton atre Thurs 23 Apr, The Opus Theatre present Fringe show of virtuosi- ductions present an I BELIEVE IN UNICORNS Drum, Birmingham Charles Dyer's sex ty, dissection and adaptation of Virginia Theatre Alibi present a PALACH Newman Uni- comedy, in which sex is charmingly surreal Woolf’s celebrated map Week Commencing staging of Michael Mor- versity Second Year explicitly on the menu humour to the Mid- of hearts, minds and purgo's spellbinding Drama presents Alan but never achieved..., lands, Thurs 16 Apr, MON 20 APR memories, which offers story about a Unicorn Burns' neglected exper- THE BOY WHO BIT PICAS- Lady who arrives in imental work, Thurs 23 SO With storytelling, town with a sackful of - Fri 24 Apr, Crescent music and lots of magical tales, Tue 21 - Theatre, Birmingham chances to make your Wed 22 Apr, mac - Mid- YAMATO DRUMMERS The own art, this hands-on lands Arts Centre, Birm- ancient art of taiko family show introduces ingham drumming is brought one of the twentieth HAIRSPRAY Stafford- bang up to date in an century’s most influen- shire’s Stage Produc- exhilarating display of tial artists through the tions present an ama- expertise and athleti- eyes of a young boy. teur staging of the hit cism which has thrilled Be sure to wear some Broadway musical, audiences worldwide..., play-clothes because Tues 21 - Sat 25 Apr, Fri 24 Apr, Victoria Hall, it’s going to get Regent Theatre, Stoke- Stoke-on-Trent messy!, Sun 19 - Mon on-Trent DIRTY DUSTING Heart- 20 Apr, mac - Midlands NICHOLAS NICKLEBY warming comedy star- Arts Centre, Birming- Birmingham Ormiston ring Crissy Rock, ham Academy present a Dolores Porretta, Leah BLOOD BROTHERS Willy contemporary staging Bell & Jason Jones, Fri Russell's musical, set in of Dickens’ comic mas- 24 Apr, The Place, Oak- his native Liverpool, terpiece, Wed 22 - Fri engates, Telford, Shrop- Maureen Nolan & Marti 24 Apr, Old Rep The- shire Pellow star, Mon 20 - atre, Birmingham THE ASTOUNDING WORKS Sat 25 Apr, Theatre THE ASTOUNDING WORKS OF SIMON TROUT The Severn, Shrewsbury OF SIMON TROUT The Owen Lewis’ Portable TWO The Nonentities Owen Lewis’ Portable Theatre Company pres- present an amateur Theatre Company pres- ent a double-bill of orig- production of Jim ent a double-bill of orig- inal one-act plays, Cartwright’s witty explo- inal one-act plays, including Better The ration of northern life, including Better The Devil You Know...? & Mon 20 - Sat 25 Apr, Devil You Know...? & No Man’s Land, Fri 24 Roses Theatre, Kidder- No Man’s Land, Thurs Apr, Theatre Severn, Back Down - Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton; Wem Town Hall, Shropshire minster 23 Apr, Silvester Horne Shrewsbury

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2 May, Belgrade The- atre, Coventry Theatre LISTINGS I BELIEVE IN UNICORNS Theatre Alibi present a For full listing information on theatre staging of Michael Mor- productions, including times and dates, purgo's spellbinding visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk story about a Unicorn Lady who arrives in town with a sackful of IN CONVERSATION WITH talgia, Sun 26 Apr, magical tales, Tues 28 STEVE THOMPSON An Huntingdon Hall, Apr - Sat 2 May, insight into the working Worcester Malvern Theatre process of the award- A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT winning writer of Feed Week Commencing OUT Featuring Jonny The Beast, Sherlock Cole, Dandy, Peter Lee, and Doctor Who, Sat MON 27 APR and introducing Kaylee 25 Apr, The REP, Birm- Cropper and The ingham ROMEO AND JULIET Ronaldos, Tues 28 Apr, GLASS MOUNTAIN Bro- Encore live screening The Robin, Bilston ken Glass Theatre of a 'dazzling' modern- POETRY SLAM Hosted by Company present an day take on one of former Birmingham original fairytale com- Shakespeare's best- Poet Laureate SPOZ, bining storytelling with loved plays, Sun 26 Tues 28 Apr, Palace puppetry and a live Apr, Warwick Arts Cen- Theatre, Redditch musical soundtrack, Sat tre, Coventry ARCH 468: CUDDLES 25 Apr, Crescent The- REBECCA Kneehigh The- Debut play from Capital atre, Birmingham atre present Emma Award-winning young SHACKLETON'S CAT Eng- Rice's adaptation of playwright Joseph lish Touring Opera Daphne du Maurier's Wilde, Wed 29 - Thurs present a new one-act timeless tale, Mon 27 30 Apr, mac - Midlands opera for seven-to- Apr - Sat 2 May, The Arts Centre, B’ham eleven-year-olds and REP, Birmingham PIRATES OF PENZANCE Disney On Ice Presents: Magical Ice Festival - Genting Arena, Birmingham their families, in cele- THE KING’S SPEECH Tinkers Farm Opera Cole, Dandy, Peter Lee, Louise May Alcott’s DIRTY DANCING Eleanor bration of the centenary Jason Donovan & Ray- present a modern inter- and introducing Kaylee classic tale, Thurs 30 Bergstein's smash-hit of the voyage of The mond Coulthard star in pretation of Gilbert & Cropper and The Apr - Sat 2 May, The West End musical tells Endurance to the a new staging of the Sullivan's operatic mas- Ronaldos, Thurs 30 Old Rep Theatre, Birm- the classic love story of Antarctic. The opera story of one man's terpiece, Wed 29 Apr - Apr, Aston Wood, Sut- ingham Baby and Johnny. This includes moments of struggle to overcome Sat 2 May, Crescent ton Coldfield NEVILLE’S ISLAND Tim touring production fea- participation, science his personal affliction Theatre, Birmingham THE PICTURE OF DOREEN Firth’s comedy, which tures brand new chore- and participatory and, in his country's GREEN LEAVES FALL GRAY Brand new pro- follows the misadven- ography performed songs, Sat 25 Apr, War- darkest hour, deliver a Strictly Arts Theatre duction from the award- tures of four out-of-con- alongside a host of wick Arts Centre, speech to inspire his Company present a winning LipService The- dition, out-of-their-depth memorable tunes - Coventry people, Mon 27 Apr - debut play which atre, Thurs 30 Apr, The businessmen on an including the award- MET OPERA: MASCAGNI Sat 2 May, Malvern explores two of the Roses Theatre, Tewkes- out-of-control team- winning (I've Had) The CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA Theatre most pressing social bury building exercise, Thurs Time Of My Life, Thurs & LEONCAVALLO I PAGLI- OUR HOUSE Solihull On issues of our time - LITTLE WOMEN Birming- 30 Apr - Sat 9 May, Sut- 30 Apr - Sat 23 May, ACCI Opera’s most Stage present an ama- inequality and unem- ham Ormiston Acade- ton Arts Theatre, Sutton Birmingham Hippo- enduring tragic double- teur production of the ployment, Wed 29 Apr - my present a staging of Coldfield drome bill returns in an evoca- Madness musical, Tues Sat 2 May, Belgrade tive new production 28 Apr - Sat 2 May, Theatre, Coventry from Sir David McVicar, Solihull Arts Complex CURIOUS Half Moon who sets the action THE SECRET ADVERSARY presents a Tam Tam Theatre Box Office across two time periods The Watermill Theatre Theatre production, a but in the same Sicilian in association with play with a few words, village, Sat 25 Apr, Eleanor Lloyd Produc- an imaginative world Birmingham NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL Malvern Theatre tions present Agatha where kitchen meets 01902 572090 024 7637 6707 WELL REALLY, CAPTAIN Christie's gripping garden and where dirt ALEXANDRA THEATRE MAINWARING! Dad’s thriller, which follows 0844 871 3011 OLDBURY REP, OLDBURY BELGRADE THEATRE, is good, Wed 29 Apr, 0121 552 2761 COVENTRY Army vicar Frank the adventures of BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME Newhampton Arts Cen- 024 7655 3055 Williams invites you to Tommy & Tuppence 0844 338 5000 tre, Wolverhampton Shropshire BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE, join him for an after- Beresford in 1920s Lon- BIRMINGHAM REP A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT THE BELFREY, WELLINGTON WARWICK 01926 776438 noon of television nos- don, Tues 28 Apr - Sat OUT Featuring Jonny 0121 236 4455 01952 222277 THE DREAM FACTORY THE BLUE ORANGE THEATRE THE EDGE, MUCH WENLOCK 01926 419555 0121 212 2643 01952 728911 ROYAL SHAKESPEARE CRESCENT THEATRE THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY THEATRE, 0121 643 5858 01743 234970 STRATFORD-UPON-AVON DOVEHOUSE THEATRE LUDLOW ASSEMBLY 0844 800 1110 0121 706 7139 ROOMS 01584 878141 ROYAL SPA CENTRE THE DRUM 0121 333 2444 THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, LEAMINGTON 01926 334418 HALL GREEN LITTLE TELFORD 01952 382382 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE, THEATRE THEATRE SEVERN, COVENTRY 02476 524524 0121 707 1874 SHREWSBURY MAC 0121 446 3232 01743 281281 Worcestershire OLD JOINT STOCK THEATRE ARTRIX ARTS CENTRE, 0121 200 0946 Staffordshire BROMSGROVE OLD REP 0121 359 9444 LICHFIELD GARRICK 01527 577330 SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX 01543 412121 THE HIVE 0121 704 6962 NEW VIC, NEWCASTLE- 01905 822866 SUTTON ARTS THEATRE, UNDER-LYME 01782 717962 HUNTINGDON HALL, SUTTON COLDFIELD PRINCE OF WALES WORCESTER 0121 355 5355 CENTRE, CANNOCK 01905 611427 01543 578762 MALVERN THEATRE Black Country REGENT THEATRE, STOKE 01684 892277 0870 060 6649 ARENA THEATRE NORBURY THEATRE, WOLVERHAMPTON RUGELEY ROSE THEATRE DROITWICH 01902 321321 01889 584036 01905 770154 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE BLOXWICH THEATRE PALACE THEATRE 01785 619080 01922 653183 REDDITCH 01527 65203 STOKE REPERTORY THEATRE DUDLEY CONCERT HALL ROSE THEATRE, 01782 209784 01384 812812 01562 743745 FOREST ARTS CENTRE, SWAN THEATRE, WALSALL Warwickshire WORCESTER 01922 654555 ALBANY THEATRE, 01905 611427 GRAND THEATRE, COVENTRY 01902 429212 024 7601 6222 Arch 468: Cuddles - mac, Birmingham www.whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Theatre April 1.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 19:19 Page 13 Theatre April 1.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 19:19 Page 14

Theatre REVIEWS CONT...

Below are reviews of theatre productions we checked out last month. For further theatre reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk One Man, Two Guvnors Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

One Man, Two Guvnors secured its writer, Richard Bean, the 2011 Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play and the 2012 Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers’ Choice Award for Best New Comedy. Expectations, therefore, were understandably high. The play centres on the not-too-bright and easily confused Francis Henshall. Francis, who’s recently entered the employ of one Roscoe Crabbe, finds Top Hat himself in , assisting Roscoe recover a Birmingham Hippodrome large debt. The debtor is Charlie ‘The Duck’ Clench, who’s reneged on an arrangement in which his Set in the 1930s, Top Hat is a musical that recreates the glamour and decadence of daughter was to marry Roscoe. From here on in, the age. The production, based on the 1935 film of the same name starring Ginger life gets ever more complicated for Francis - and Rogers and Fred Astaire, is a non-stop thrill-ride from start to finish. getting himself an additional guvnor only adds to his From New York to London and finally Venice, the musical follows tap star Jerry Travers dilemma. as he moves from Broadway to the West End to star in a new show produced by What unfolds is a fast-paced farce in which a befud- Horace Hardwick. He meets and pursues gal-about-town Dale Tremont and follows her dled Francis takes centre-stage, with those around to Venice, where the classic tale of mistaken identity takes plenty of twists and turns. him seemingly oblivious to his predicament. Hilari- With stunning scenery that evokes the glitz of Hollywood’s heyday, rich satin and silk ous dialogue and great physical comedy are in costumes that glide sensuously across the performers’ sinewy bodies, and an even plentiful supply here. There are scenes that involve grander soundtrack, Top Hat is a dazzling spectacle. The original score by musical the audience, but I thought these were unnecessary maestro Irving Berlin has spawned numerous hits - Puttin’ On The Ritz, Cheek To and drawn out - they certainly distracted from the Cheek and Let’s Face The Music And Dance - making it a musical that can be enjoyed play itself. But Gavin Spokes, who plays Francis, by all. steals the show with a fantastic and very energetic Dale is played by Charlotte Gooch, who’s sensational both in looks and movement, performance. gliding around the stage and performing effortless high kicks - as well as delivering One Man, Two GuvnorsTed Finlayis a riot n nfrom n n start to finish. wise-cracking put-downs with aplomb. Alan Burkitt plays the endearing Jerry, his charm Catch it if you can! and charisma winning the affection of the audience. Added to this mix are Horace Hardwick and his hardball-playing wife, Madge, who have a jaded view on marriage. “A man is incomplete until he’s married,” proclaims Horace, “after that he’s finished.” Another shining star is John Conroy as Bates, the classic butler archetype who goes one step further, donning costumes - including that of a gondolier and a waiter - in his efforts to serve Mr Hardwick. Providing even more comedy is Sebastien Torkia’s Alberto Beddini, whose exaggerated flamboyance steers the show into the realms of farce. A glitzy affair with plenty of style and pizazz, Top Hat is a spectacle that shouldn’t be Alev Dervish n n n n n missed.

Milked Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury It’s tough being twenty in the countryside; especially if you’re straight out of university with a useless degree, or a local lad struggling to identify an ambition. Author Simon Longman presents us with two pals with precious little purpose, suffer- ing from the uselessness of youth. They were clearly unprepared by their school for life beyond (a predicament which may have rung more true a generation ago) and are Cirque Berserk already nostalgic for their lost childhoods. Paul (Adam Redmore) is making hundreds of pointless phone calls in search of jobs The REP, Birmingham beyond his experience and Snowy (Oliver Mott) does know what to do with himself This was definitely one berserk circus, and I was other than succumb to parental pressures. clapping like a happy at each death-defying Longman gives them some very witty, machine gun dialogue – much of which I stunt! The clubby vibe and pulsating music provid- ‘remembered’ from my own youth…though I was surprised by the residual levels of ed a contemporary twist to the more-traditional acts childishness in their conversation. I would have pitched the naivety of their dialogue to - and the audience went wild. be more like that of young teenagers. With a supernaturally talented troupe of internation- But their sense of frustration is very palpable…until a chance encounter with a downed al performers, it felt like a transatlantic mystique cow gives them a ‘project’. The poor beast is clearly ill and - rather than use adult sen- had landed in Brum for one night only. The Cuban sibility and call for assistance – they try to help it themselves; hopelessly. What is ini- Tropicana Troupe were truly thrilling, catapulting off tially an empowering experience only deepens their sense of failure. a springboard and somersaulting through the air It’s a very clever, amusing and original device. I enjoyed the banter; and the business with perfect grace. The Timbuktu Tumblers were of finding a plastic glove big enough to do a particularly mucky job is reliably funny… my favourite, drawing gasps as they limboed under as toilet humour generally is. fire, dived through hoops and back-flipped around The trouble is the central scenario is totally unlikely. Cows cost money. No farmer the confined stage. Other acts included awesome checking his herd twice a day would leave one lying around to fade away. Good com- acrobatics, knife throwing and a more-exciting- edy is based on reality…and the cow’s ultimate fate is laughable for all the wrong rea- than-it-sounds handstand. Tweedy the clown con- sons. tributed too - but it was the Globe Of Terror, with I came away with a sense that the play was piggy backing on real rural issues rather four motorbike riders zooming in dizzy directions, than dealing with them head-on to an audience that already gets the picture. that really had the crowd cheering! Increasingly in Pentabus productions, we don’t actually see anything happen; and this Daring and dramatic, this was dynamite entertain- show also feels a bit like a pilot for a radio drama. ment in a league of its own. Ultimately it’s an amusing but incomplete evening in the theatre. Malaka Chowdhury n n n n Chris Eldon Lee n n n www.whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Theatre April 1.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 19:19 Page 15

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Theatre WEST END Mark Rylance back in the West End Hot on the heels of his performance as Thomas Cromwell in the BBC2 adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, Mark Rylance has announced he’s to return to the stage to star in Claire van Kampen’s new play, Farinelli And The King. The production - which transfers to the West End in the autumn from the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe - sees Rylance starring as King Philippe of Spain. Set in eighteenth century Spain, the play tells the story of Carlo Broschi - stage name, Farinelli - who at the time was the world’s most famous castrato and one of the greatest celebrities of the age. Farinelli And The King will show at the Duke of York’s Theatre for a limited season from Sep- tember. Rylance’s recent theatre credits include John- ny ‘Rooster’ Byron in Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem (Royal Court, West End and Broad- way).

Ex-Dr Who star Peter Davison joins Gypsy All Creatures Great And Small favourite and one-time Dr Who actor Peter Davison has joined the cast of the Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of Gypsy. Davison will star as Herbie, opposite Imelda Staunton as Rose, in an eagerly anticipated staging of the classic musical. Boasting music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents, this new production is the first West End staging of Gypsy in forty years. Based on the true-life memoirs of legendary burlesque entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee, the show tells the story of Momma Rose and her two daughters, Baby June and Louise, as they trek across America in their family vaudeville act. But times are changing, audi- ences are expecting more, and the two girls have their own ambitions in mind. The rise of burlesque is upon them, and nothing will ever be the same again for Momma Rose... Gypsy shows at the Savoy Theatre and is currently booking until 18 July.

Women On The Verge... for longer

Producers of hit musical Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Break- down have announced that the production has extended its booking period at the Playhouse Theatre until 22 August. Directed by Tony Award-winner Bartlet Sher and starring Tamsin Greig and Haydn Gwynne in the lead roles, Women On The Verge... is based on Pedro Almodovar’s film of the same name. Set in Spain in the 1980s, the story follows the messy love lives of several women, including Pepa (Greig), an actress and singer who struggles to deal with being dumped by her boyfriend. At the time of going to print, both Greig and Gwynne have been nom- inated for Olivier Awards, Greig for Best Actress In A Musical and Gwynne for Best Supporting Actress In A Musical.

Casting announced for The Spalding Suite A new show inspired by UK basketball culture is to make its debut at London’s Southbank Centre this month before heading out on a nationwide tour. Written by spoken-word artist Inua Ellams and directed by the award- winning Benji Reid, The Spalding Suite is described as ‘a physical theatre show com- bining original poetry with contemporary movement to explore the elegance and beau- ty of basketball’. Featuring UK Beatboxing Champion and World Finalist MC Zani, Marcquelle Ward (E4’s Banana) and Emmanuel Akwafo (Forev- er, Cuckoo), The Spalding Suite shows at the Southbank Centre from 29 April to 2 May. On tour, it shows at Birmingham’s DanceX- change from 14 to 16 May.

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Rosie Kay Dance - 5 Soldiers: The Body Is The Frontline The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 23 - Sat 25 April The award-winning Rosie Kay Dance Company this month returns to The production has seen the company working in partnership with the region to present a highly acclaimed work exploring how the theatres, military bases and the Army Welfare Service. The tour human body remains essential to war in the twenty-first century. model comprises two months of community outreach work in each Created in 2010, 5 Soldiers: The Body Is The Frontline is a moving location, followed by a weekend of events, community performances, and thought-provoking work of dance theatre featuring one female professional presentations and post-show talks with Kay, the cast and and four male dancers. Looking at the physical training that’s under- a local commanding officer. taken in preparation for war, the show blends moments of great “We aim to make an impact with this tour,” says Rosie, “and make humour and brutal honesty, all delivered in Kay’s inimitable dance people see conflict and the repercussions of war in a new way.” style.

Pasha Kovalev Solihull Arts Complex, Tues 7 April; Lichfield Garrick, Sat 2 May; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Tues 5 - Wed 6 May; Malvern Theatre, Fri 8 May; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 12 May; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 6 June; Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, Thurs 18 June. A firm favourite on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, Siberian-born Pasha Kovalev’s forte is ballroom and latin dance. Having toured with the Strictly team in 2012 and then with professional dance partner Katya Virshilas in 2013, Pasha is currently on the road with his brand new show, Life Through Dance. Promising non-stop Maati (Earth) action, the production mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Thurs 30 April features ‘breathtaking choreography, sensa- According to The Independent, ‘If you only see Kathak once, make sure it’s tional music and amaz- Nahid Siddiqui dancing it.’ ing costumes’. Described as Pakistan’s ‘face of Kathak dance’, Siddiqui fuses traditional and Pasha is joined by fel- contemporary techniques to extend the Kathak repertoire and develop its univer- low dancers Anya sal appeal. Garnis, Ryan In this new work, based on the writings of seventeenth-century Eastern philoso- Hammond, Marcella pher and poet Hazrat Bulleh Shah, Siddiqui presents a ‘haunting baafi’ which Solimeo, James Wilson unveils the phenomena of earth and questions the fundamental truths of human and Leila Stewart. existence.

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Exploration of Irish co-existence, Thurs 23 LISTINGS myths through narra- Apr, mac - Midlands Dance tion, Irish music and Arts Centre, Irish dancing, Sun 12 Birmingham For full listing information on dance, Apr, Wolverhampton SNOW WHITE Midland including times and dates, visit Grand Theatre Theatre Ballet's inter- www.whatsonlive.co.uk SUITE FROM SNOW pretation of the much- WHITE (SCHNEE- loved Grimm fairytale, WITTCHEN) A BALLET IN Thurs 23 - Sat 25 Apr, VIENNA FESTIVAL BALLET the Strictly star as he FOUR ACTS World pre- Crescent Theatre, Thirty-fifth anniversary transports audiences miere of music for bal- Birmingham gala featuring excerpts into the world of let set to the original 5 SOLDIERS - THE BODY from the world’s most Ballroom & Latin dance Brothers Grimm version IS THE FRONTLINE Rosie beloved Tchaikovsky in a new production of Snow White, Tues 14 Kay Dance Company ballets, Wed 1 Apr, The featuring 'fabulous cho- Apr, The Old Rep, present a powerful Roses Theatre, reography, sensational Birmingham dance theatre produc- Tewkesbury music & amazing cos- IVAN THE TERRIBLE (LIVE) tion that explores the A NIGHT OF DIRTY tumes', Tue 7 Apr, Live screening from the physicality of modern DANCING Dancing Solihull Arts Complex Bolshoi Ballet in warfare, Thurs 23 - Sat ESSENCE OF extravaganza present- Moscow. Recently 25 Apr, The REP, ed by an all-star cast, Exploration of Irish revived, Ivan The Birmingham Tangomotion - The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury including West End myths through narra- Terrible is an essential NEVER GOING HOME performers, Thurs 2 tion, Irish music and part of the company’s AGAIN Rutherford Apr, Palace Theatre, Irish dancing, Sat 11 repertoire, a twentieth- Dance Company here Dance Box Office Redditch Apr, Palace Theatre, century classic and a celebrate diversity and PASHA KOVALEV: LIFE Redditch wonderful theatrical investigate differences ESSENCE OF IRELAND THROUGH DANCE Join experience, Sun 19 Apr, defined by sexual ori- ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE STAFFORD GATEHOUSE Royal Spa Centre, entation, Mon 27 Apr, 01527 577330 THEATRE Stopgap: Artificial Things - mac, Birmingham 01785 254653 Leamington Spa Artrix, Bromsgrove CRESCENT THEATRE TANGOMOTION Journey MAATI (EARTH) PRESENT- 0121 643 5858 THEATRE SEVERN, into the heart of Tango ED BY NAHID SIDDIQUI MAC, BIRMINGHAM SHREWSBURY Argentino with world- Acclaimed Kathak 0121 446 3232 01743 281281 famous dancers dancers and choreog- NEW ALEXANDRA THE OLD REP, Giraldo Escobar, rapher Nahid Siddiqui THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM Christina Bensan, present a new work 0121 230 9082 0121 359 9445 Richard Manuel and developed on the writ- PALACE THEATRE THE REP, BIRMINGHAM Pauline Reibel, Thurs ings of seventeenth- 01527 65203 0121 236 4455 23 Apr, The Roses century Eastern ROYAL SPA CENTRE, THE ROSES THEATRE, Theatre, Tewkesbury philosopher & poet LEAMINGTON SPA TEWKESBURY STOPGAP: ARTIFICIAL Hazrat Bulleh Shah, 01926 334418 01684 2955074 THINGS In this cinematic whose poetry highlights SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX WARWICK ARTS CENTRE, and evocative produc- his spiritual journey 0121 704 6962 COVENTRY tion, Stopgap Dance through Sufism, Thurs 02476 524524 Company create a 30 Apr, mac, compact world of rid- Birmingham For full venue information dles that questions our visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk notions about unity and

M motionhouse @ motionhousedt motionhouse

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

FROM FRI 24 APRIL

The Avengers: Age Of Ultron CERT tbc Starring Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, James Spader, Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Cobie Smulders, Hayley Atwell, Idris Elba, Stellan Skarsgård, Tom Hiddle- ston Directed by Joss Whedon (USA) The film of the year? Considering that Avengers Assemble (2012) is now the planet’s third highest-grossing movie of all time, one might think so. Thankfully, Joss Whedon is once again at the helm and has reunited the original Sensational Six - Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk, Captain Amer- ica, Black Widow and Hawkeye - to fight a new threat to mankind. The villain better be good to sustain this tentpole and he comes in the form of James Spader as the eponymous Ultron. Ultron is another sentient robot (cf. Ex Machina, Big Hero 6, Chappie), and although programmed with some of the personality traits of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr), his aim is to save our planet by extinguishing humanity. He has a point… The film was primarily shot in Surrey (at Shepperton Studios), as well as on location in South Africa, , South Korea, Bangladesh, New York and Norwich. A truly global phenomenon, then. TOP 5 FILM BOX OFFICE

The Second Best Exotic 1 Marigold Hotel (PG) 2 Run All Night (15) 3 Focus (15) 4 Suite Francaise (15) From FRI 3 APR 5 Fifty Shades Of Grey (18) Fast & FuriousCERT 7 tbc Starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Lucas Black, Jason Statham, Kurt Russell, Djimon Hounsou Directed by James Wan (USA) As Fast & Furious 6 (2013) grossed over $788million at the global box-office, the producers could afford to pay for this astonishing cast of heavyweights. Indeed, the budget finally came in at a wallet-buckling $250mil- lion. Jason Statham is the new hardman to beat and you can smell the testosterone from here. He plays the brother of Owen Shaw (played by Luke Evans in the last film) and is out for revenge for Owen’s death. Sadly, Paul Walker - who plays Brian O’Conner - died during production (in a car, no less) and filming was put on hold for four months while the writers figured out a way to explain his departure from the story (no spoilers here). Filming took place in Abu Dhabi, Toronto, Colorado, Tokyo, Atlanta and California. Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel www.whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Film - April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 16:31 Page 3

FilmNEW RELEASES Released from Fri 3 April

Kidnapping Freddy Heineken CERT 15 (93 mins) Starring Anthony Hopkins, Jim Sturgess, Sam Worthington, Ryan Kwanten, Jemima West Directed by Daniel Alfredson (UK//) Freddy Heineken was not small beer. In fact, his abduction resulted in the largest ransom ever paid out for a single person. Sir Tony plays the brewing bigwig of the title, his kid- napping chronicled by the investigative jour- nalist Peter R de Vries, on whose two books the film is based. If you can’t remember, it all happened in 1983.

From FRI 3 APR

Jauja CERT 15 (110 mins) The Water Diviner CERT 15 (91 mins) Starring Viggo Mortensen, Viilbjørk Malling Starring Russell Crowe, Olga Kurylenko, Agger, Ghita Nørby Yılmaz Erdo an, Cem Yılmaz, Jai Court- Directed by Lisaandro Alonso ney Directedğ by Russell Crowe (Aus- (/Argentina//Mexico/USA) tralia/USA/Turkey) You don’t often come across existential Danish Having worked with , Ron films shot in Argentina, but this is one such. Howard, Michael Mann and Peter Weir, Viggo Mortensen (whose father is Danish) plays Russell Crowe now takes up the directo- While We're Young Gunnar Dinesen, an engineer working for the rial reins himself for this historical drama. CERT 15 (97 mins) Danish army who is posted to a remote outpost He plays the father of three boys who Starring Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts, Adam of Patagonia. Then his fifteen-year-old daughter went missing during the Battle of Gallipoli Driver, Amanda Seyfried, Charles Grodin, (Agger) elopes with a soldier and so Dinesen and travels to Turkey to find them. Adam Horovitz Directed by Noah Baumbach (USA) embarks on an epic journey through the desert to find her. Winner of the FIPRESCI Prize at last Having written and directed The Squid And The year's Cannes festival. CERT 15 (100 mins) Whale, Margot At The Wedding and Frances Good Kill Ha, Noah Baumbach has carved himself a nice Starring Ethan Hawke, January Jones, Zoë Kravitz, Jake Abel, Bruce Greenwood little niche in critically acclaimed indie cinema. Directed by Andrew Niccol (USA) Here, he’s cast Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts as a (gasp) middle-aged couple who have em- The writer-director Andrew Niccol (Gattaca, braced the technology available to them. How- S1m0ne, In Time) likes to explore ideas of ever, their lives are turned around when they technology and morality. Here, he casts meet a twentysomething pair who are really into Ethan Hawke (Gattaca, Boyhood) as a drone vinyl, typewriters and all that old stuff. Pre- pilot who begins to question the ethics of his dictably, the film has received rave reviews in job. We can’t wait. the States.

Hot Tub Time Machine 2 CERT 15 (102 mins) Starring Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Adam Scott, Chevy Chase Directed by Steve Pink (USA) The original film, released in 2010, was a one- joke comedy about three guys transported back to 1986 via a magic hot tub. The sequel - which received withering reviews in the US - sees Corddry, Robinson and Duke now trans- Released from Fri 10 April ported into the future. So they have to alter the Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 future in order to save the past. John Cusack, CERT PG (94 mins) the original star (and producer), is nowhere to Starring Kevin James, Molly Shannon, Neal CERT 15 (93 mins) be seen. McDonough, Daniella Alonso, Raini Ro- Lost River driguez Directed by Andy Fickman (USA) Starring Christina Hendricks, Saoirse Ronan, Iain De Caestecker, Matt Smith, Eva Mendes, Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) was pretty well Ben Mendelsohn panned by the critics - yet it still managed to Directed by Ryan Gosling (USA) gross $183million worldwide. Anyway, this time Who would have thunk it? Ryan Gosling direct- security guard Blart (Kevin ing Doctor Who? Matt Smith plays a well-honed James, who also co- thug called Bully (at one point he shouts “look scripts) takes his daughter at my muscles!”), but the story really belongs to on vacation in Las Vegas. Christina Hendricks' Billy, a single mother However, what was meant drawn into a “macabre and dark fantasy under- to be a time of relaxation world.” The film was panned at Cannes. Oh, turns out to be something and expect some pretty strong violence. of a busman’s holiday…

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Woman In Gold CERT 12a (109 mins) Starring Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds, Daniel Brühl, Katie Holmes, Tatiana Maslany, , Jonathan Pryce Directed by Simon Curtis (UK/USA) Don’t be fooled: Dame Helen Mirren is still only sixty-nine. However, here she plays Maria Alt- mann, a Jewish octogenarian who, with the help of an American lawyer (Reynolds), takes on the Austrian government in order to reclaim Gustav Klimt's Portrait Of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, stolen from her family by the Nazis. Based on a true story.

From FRI 10 APR Released from Fri 17 April A Little Chaos CERT 12a tbc John Wick CERT 15 (101 mins) Starring Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, Starring Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, CERT 15 (137 mins) Alan Rickman, Stanley Tucci, Helen McCrory, Alfie Allen, Bridget Moynahan, Ian Mc- Jennifer Ehle Shane, Willem Dafoe Starring , , Noomi Ra- Directed by Chad Stahelski (USA) pace, , Paddy Considine, Directed by Alan Rickman (UK) Jason Clarke, Vincent Cassel There just aren’t enough films about landscape John Wick (Keanu) is a hitman who’s thrown Directed by (USA/UK) gardeners. This one pits Kate Winslet’s Sabine in the towel. However, when Russian gang- Filmed in the Czech Republic, this hard-hit- against the designs of André Le Nôtre (Schoe- sters shoot his beagle puppy - a gift from his ting thriller takes as its subject a spate of naerts, recently seen in Suite Française), both late wife - he unpacks his shooter. The action- child murders. Tom Hardy plays Leo Demi- of whom are com- thriller - co-directed by an uncredited David dov, a disgraced intelligence agent in the peting to win the Leitch - takes much of its inspiration from Stalin-era Soviet Union who takes it upon prize of constructing anime and martial arts films as well as from himself to investigate the killings. Based on a new a fountain at the oeuvre of John Woo. the 2008 novel by Tom Rob Smith. the Palace of Ver- sailles. Alan Rick- man plays King Released from Fri 24 April Louis XIV and also directs, following his debut behind the The Good Lie CERT 12a (110 mins) camera with The Starring Reese Witherspoon, Corey Stoll, Winter Guest (1997). Sarah Baker, Maria Howell Directed by Philippe Falardeau (USA) Based on true events, this is the story of a brassy American woman (Witherspoon) who The Salvation CERT 15 (92 mins) assists in the relocation of four young Su- Starring Mads Mikkelsen, Eva Green, Eric danese refugees. Corey Stoll, the male lead, Cantona, Mikael Persbrandt, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jonathan Pryce previously played Ernest Hemingway in Woody Directed by Kristian Levring Allen’s Midnight in Paris (Denmark/UK/South Africa) The Last 5 Years CERT 12a (94 mins) Any new film starring Mads Mikkelsen is good Starring Anna Kendrick, Jeremy Jordan, Na- news, but it’s a surprise to see him in a West- Stonehearst Asylum talie Knepp, Alan Simpson ern. And not just any Western: this is a Danish CERT 15 (101 mins) Directed by Richard LaGravenese (USA) cowboy drama shot in South Africa. Mikkelsen Starring Kate Beckinsale, Jim Sturgess, Bren- Adapted from the Off-Broadway musical, this is plays a settler whose family is murdered and so dan Gleeson, Ben Kingsley, Michael Caine, an intriguing concept for a film, with or without he takes the law into his own hands… Expect David Thewlis songs. Essentially a deconstruction of a roman- strong violence. Directed by Brad Anderson (USA) tic relationship, the story unfolds through the Based on Edgar Allan Poe's short story, The songs of an aspiring actress (Kendrick), whose System Of Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether version of events are played backwards, while Glassland CERT 15 (93 mins) (1845), this violent thriller is set in the mental in- her beau (Jordan) sings the songs that lead up stitution of the title. Here, Edward Newgate to the culmination of their liaison. Starring Jack Reynor, Toni Colette, Will Poul- ter, Michael Smiley (Sturgess), a re- Directed by Gerard Barrett (Ireland) cent medical From the director of Pilgrim Hill (2013), Glass- school graduate, land is the story of a taxi driver (Reynor) arrives to take caught up in up residency. He the world of is then immedi- human traffick- ately drawn to ing. In addition, the very beauti- he is resolved ful Eliza Graves (Beckinsale), a to wean his woman diag- mother (Col- nosed with ‘fe- lette) off the male hysteria’… bottle.

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image courtesy of Shrewsbury Folk Festival All hail the festival season... They’re big news in the UK and come in many guises, with some of the very best taking place right here in the Midlands. Yes, we’re talking festivals - and the festival season is very nearly upon us... Theatre, dance, comedy and film all play their part in ensuring the When it comes to beautiful surroundings, the Lunar Festival at Um- Midlands offers a diverse and vibrant festival scene. And when it berslade Park (Tanworth-in-Arden, near Solihull, 5 to 7 June) takes comes to music - regardless of your preference, be it jazz, indie, folk, some beating. Set in the spiritual home of Nick Drake, Lunar offers an classical, world or pop - you’re almost certain to find a festival to suit eclectic programme of peripheral activities alongside an impressive your taste. line-up of performers, with Dr Feelgood founder Wilko Johnson head- Meanwhile, an abundance of food festivals across the region play lining the weekend. their part in helping to satisfy the nation’s insatiable appetite for all An event on a smaller scale, though no less impressive, is the Lich- things culinary. field Blues & Jazz Festival (Lichfield Cathedral, Guildhall and But the Midlands festival scene doesn’t cater only for adults, with George Hotel, 25 to 28 June). Contributors include the Tommaso more and more organisers programming their events to ensure they Starace Quartet, John Etheridge, Steve Ajao and the Climax Blues offer plenty of family-friendly fun for youngsters to enjoy. Band. If it’s noise you’re after, Slam Dunk (Wolves Civic, Wulfrun Hall and Something for all... Civic Bar, 25 May) might be right up your street. Described as the Well established as one of the UK’s top ten summer festivals, UK’s ‘loudest’ festival, the event this year features You Me Shrewsbury Folk (West Midland Showground, 28 to 31 August) at- At Six, and . tracts some of the biggest names in the business. This year’s event One of the biggest pop events in the country, (Weston sees the Richard Thompson Electric Trio making a welcome return as Park, Staffordshire, 22 to 23 August) regulary attracts the creme de la the Sunday night headliners. A family-friendly event, Shrewsbury Folk creme of popular music. Grammy Award-winner Sam Smith, Paloma Faith and the man with The Voice, Tom Jones features Pandemonium! and Refolkus - two ‘festivals within a festival’ , all feature amongst the for children and teenagers to enjoy... line-up.

Pick of the month... Pick of the month... Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Montpellier Gardens, 29 April to 4 May Boasting a typically bold programme, Cheltenham Jazz Festival fea- area, and the Take Five Tent - hosting talks, workshops and family tures a range of exclusive one-off performances, unique collabora- activities. tions, special commissions and debut UK appearances from a Although the main action takes place in the tented village, a number heady mix of established stars and emerging talent. of festival shows are taking place at various venues around the Taking place across six days, this year’s festival is hosted in a tented town. village and presents a balance of classic and contemporary jazz, blues, soul and pop from an impressive line-up of pioneering acts. Performers appearing at the festival include million-selling singer- songwriter Rumer, Dutch superstar Caro Emerald, experimental pro- ducer and composer Squarepusher, ‘queen of soul’ Martha Reeves, world-renowned DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson, former Dr Feel- good guitarist Wilko Johnson, Californian blues-rocker Beth Hart and consummate jazz singer and broadcaster Clare Teal. The festival also features a jazz arena, a food, drink and market

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Helden, Jamie Jones & cludes; Paul Carrack, Shadow Child, Fri 22 - Big Country, Show Of Festivals Listings Sun 24 May, Donington Hands & From The Park Racing Circuit, Jam, Fri 19 - Sun 21 For full listing information on festivals, Derby Jun, Uttoxeter Race- THE COLOUR FESTIVAL course, Staffordshire including dates and line-up, visit Line-up to be an- LINTON MUSIC FESTIVAL www.whatsonlive.co.uk nounced, Sat 23 May, Line-up includes; Wilko The Rainbow Arena, Johnson, Andy Fair- NANTWICH JAZZ, BLUES & FUDGESTOCK Line-up in- Birmingham weather Low & The Low MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up cludes; AKA Skaface, SLAM DUNK Line-up in- Riders, The Hoax & includes; Thea Gilmore Bethan and The Mor- cludes; You Me At Six, Ryan McGarvey, Fri 19 - & her band, Connie gans, Hot Rocks & spe- Taking Back Sunday, Sun 21 Jun, The Alma Lush, Andy Fairweather cial guest tba, Sun 3 Architects & , Inn, Herefordshire Low & FM, Thurs 2 - May, The Robin, Bilston Mon 25 May, various 100 ABOVE (LAINFEST) Mon 6 Apr, various ven- FULL ON Line-up in- venues and locations Line-up includes; ues around Nantwich cludes; Ferry Corston, around the city centre, Amber Run, Bipolar MARILLION WEEKEND UK Ben Gold, Menno De Wolverhampton Sunshine, Laurel & Line-up includes; The Jong & Angry Man, Sat WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL Bwani Junction, Fri 19 - Steve Rothery Band, 9 May, Boxxed Ware- Line-up includes; UB40, Mon 22 Jun, Gopsall Ginger Tom & Synaes- house, Birmingham Tom Jones - V Festival, Weston Park, Staffordshire , Lady- Hall Farm, Warwickshire thesia, Fri 10 - Sun 12 STOURBRIDGE BLUES smith Black Mambazo KINETON MUSIC FESTIVAL Apr, Civic Hall, Wolver- FESTIVAL Line-up in- CAMPER JAM Line-up to various venues around & Ghostpoet, Fri 29 - Line-up includes; Hot hampton cludes; Tom Walker be announced, Fri 3 - Warwick Sun 31 May, Chel- Tubes, The Folly Broth- CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTI- Trio, Big Wolf Band, The Sun 5 Jul, Weston Park, NOZSTOCK FESTIVAL tenham Racecourse ers, Neighbourhood VAL Line-up includes; Mentulls & Rebecca Staffordshire Line-up includes; The LUNAR FESTIVAL Line-up Cotch & The Har- Caro Emerald, Laura Downes Band, Sat 16 GODIVA FESTIVAL Line- Wu Tang Clan, Martha includes; Tinariwen, vesters, Sat 20 Jun, Mvula, Wilko Johnson & May, Old Halesonians up to be announced, Fri Reeves and The Van- Wilko Johnson, Public Kineton Sports and So- Gregory Porter, Wed 29 RFC, Stourbridge 3 - Sun 5 Jul, War Me- dellas, Beardyman & Service Broadcasting & cial Club, Warwickshire Apr - Mon 4 May, Mont- BEARDED THEORY morial Park, Coventry London Elektricity, Fri Line- Sun Ra Arkestra, Fri 5 - LICHFIELD BLUES AND pellier Gardens, Chel- up includes; New BLUES AT THE FOLD Line- 24 - Sun 26 Jul, Brom- Sun 7 Jun, Umberslade JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up tenham Model Army, James, up includes; Jack yard, Hereford Farm Park, Warwick- includes; The Blues CLUN GREEN MAN FESTI- Afro Celt Sound System Blackman, The King MADE BIRMINGHAM Line- shire Band, Jay Phelps Quar- VAL Line-up includes; & Cara Dillon, Thurs 21 Biscuit Boys, Swamp- up includes; Beardy- VALEFEST Line-up to be tet, Tommaso Starace Whalebone, The End- - Sun 24 May, Catton candy & Will ‘Harmon- man, Claude announced, Sat 6 Jun, Quartet & Steve Ajao & ings and more to be an- Hall, Derbyshire ica’ Wilde Band, Sat 4 VonStroke, David Rodi- The Vale, Birmingham Climax Blues Band, nounced, Sat 2 - Mon 4 BREAKING BANDS FESTI- Jul, The Fold, Worces- gan & Julio Bashmore, LEAMINGTON PEACE FES- Thurs 25 - Sun 28 Jun, May, various venues VAL Line-up includes; ter Sat 25 Jul, The Digbeth TIVAL Line-up to be an- various venues around throughout Clun, Voodoo Vegas, Monu- L FEST Line-up to be an- Triangle, Birmingham nounced, Sat 13 - Sun Lichfield Shropshire nounced, Fri 17 - Mon SHREWSBURY FOLK FES- ment, Breed 77 & The 14 Jun, Leamington UPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL SWINGAMAJIG Line-up Heretic Order, Fri 22 - 20 Jul, Uttoxeter Race- TIVAL Line-up includes; HOLI ONE FESTIVAL BIRM- Line-up includes; Alan includes; Chinese Man, Sun 24 May, Stoke Prior course, Staffordshire Richard Thompson, La INGHAM Line-up to be Barnes, Old Hat Jazz Electric Swing Circus, Country Club, Broms- WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL Bottine Souriante, Kate announced, Sat 13 Jun, Band, Chris Pearce The Correspondents & grove Line-up includes; Billy Rusby & Sharon Shan- The Rainbow Venues, Quartet & Gypsy Fire, Ed Solo, Sun 3 May, OUTBREAK FESTIVAL Bragg, Lil’ Jimmy Reed non, Fri 28 - Mon 31 Birmingham Fri 26 - Sun 28 Jun, The The Custard Factory, Line-up includes; Sven Band, The Demon Bar- Aug, West Midland THE ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL Riverside, Upton-upon- Birmingham Vath, Armand Van bers XL & Nancy Kerr, Showground, Shrews- OF BRITAIN Line-up in- Severn Thurs 23 - Sun 26 Jul, bury

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Face To Face Dudley Museum & Art Gallery, until Sat 27 June “This exhibition spans two hundred years of art,” says Councillor Hilary Bills, cabinet member for envi- ronment and culture, “and walking through the doors is a real feast for the eyes. There are large- scale portraits which announce themselves to the viewer and modest pieces which manage to quietly capture the personality of the sitter.” Comprising fifty-one portraits, most of which are painted in oils, Face To Face features images of ‘the great and the good of Dudley’, some of whom will be recognisable to visitors, others who’re now famil- iar only to local historians. Famous pieces in the exhibition include a portrait by renowned eighteenth century artist JJ Zoffany, a lith- ograph of a dancer by Henri Matisse, and a David Hockney etching showing the artist sitting naked at a table with a fully-clothed Picasso.

Love Is Enough: Andy Warhol and William Morris Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Sat 25 April - Sun 6 Sept Citing both Andy Warhol and William Morris as significant influences on his work - which explores socio-political aspects of contemporary culture - artist Jeremy Deller has here curated an exhibition designed to compare and contrast the interests and ideas of the two men. Love Is Enough brings together significant and iconic works by both artists, including some rarely seen pieces. It also features archival material owned or made by Warhol and Morris that sheds light on their influences and working practices. Staffordshire Hoard Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, The Current Situation until Sun 10 May Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Wed 1 April - Sat 27 June Terry Herbert struck paydirt in 2009 when his “All the works on show in this exhibition talk about the current situation in which we live metal detector alerted him to potential buried today,” explains Yara El-Sherbini, “the politics, the power relations and multi-culturalism.” ‘treasure’ in a Hammerwich field. The treasure Eager to create accessible artwork, Yara has focused on ensuring her installations are turned out to be three thousand, five hundred playful in nature and can be enjoyed by all. Everyday objects such as toilet locks and gold and silver objects from Anglo-Saxon times... books are utilised by the artist to provoke important socio-political debate. This latest The Staffordshire Hoard is now being celebrated exhibition brings together a in Shropshire via this special show - and it really is selection of five artworks an exhibition well worth checking out. Alongside a which are connected by the collection of replica pieces, Treasure also features common theme of exploring numerous dis- the here and now. play panels - “My work is concerned with explaining how knowledge production and the discovery knowledge as commodity,” was made - and explains Yara. “By re-activat- a variety of inter- ing and playfully destabilis- active features ing our relationship to to enjoy. There knowledge, I aim to facilitate are even some debate and dialogue around Anglo Saxon politically contentious and clothes available socially driven ideas, ques- for youngsters to tioning various social and dress up in. political systems of power.” www.whatsonlive.co.uk 51 Visual Arts April Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 17:34 Page 2

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

MAT JENNER: DREAMS COLLECTOR’S PRINTS Tove Jansson: Tales From TIME FREE until Fri 3 EXHIBITION Featuring Apr, Grand Union, contemporary works by The Nordic Archipelago Birmingham Picasso, Dame Wednesbury Museum & Art Gallery, YOU ARE HERE A series Elisabeth Frink & Sat 4 April - end of June of newly commissioned Patrick Procktor, until audio & video portraits Sat 18 Apr, Twenty Original unseen photographs and material Twenty Gallery, Much relating to the life and work of Moomins cre- by Chris Paul Daniels of residents and workers Wenlock, South Pop In Space... - Wolverhampton Art Gallery ator Tove Jansson are here presented in from Digbeth and Shropshire ongoing celebration of the hundredth Bordesley Village, until WILL SHANNON: THE EXHIBITION BY SHREWS- MADE AT MAC: TEXTILES anniversary of her birth (in 1914). The includ- Fri 3 Apr, A3 Project CLOSET CRAFTSMAN In BURY RAILWAY HERITAGE Featuring work from ed images were taken over a sixty-year peri- Space, Digbeth, this new exhibition for TRUST Featuring a num- mac’s From Paper To od, capturing a flavour of the existence which Birmingham Birmingham, Shannon ber of items on loan Fabric course, until Sun produces Market she enjoyed on her private island in the ELIZABETH ROWE from the Trust’s exten- 3 May, mac, Disparate images care- Factory. Resonating sive collection at Abbey Birmingham archipelago of Finland. The rare family pho- with Birmingham’s her- fully selected from Foregate Station, until DISRUPTED Curated by tographs reveal the story of an extraordinary itage as a place for women’s magazines, Sun 26 Apr, Noemi Lakmaier, this trade and making life. National Geographic Shrewsbury Museum & exhibition invites visi- things, the new work- volumes and old books Art Gallery tors to encounter the space manufactures feature at the heart of ONE HUNDRED THOU- ‘other’ - that which is limited-edition chairs for Elizabeth Rowe’s work, SAND WELCOMES An different and unfamiliar, sale, until Sun 19 Apr, until Sun 5 Apr, New Art exhibition showcasing until Sun 3 May, mac, Forgotten Spaces, mac, Birmingham Gallery, Walsall collected welcomes Birmingham SIKANDER PERVEZ Debut Community Places SARANJIT BIRDI - COGN, I from Birmingham & FOUND Bringing togeth- solo exhibition which Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until late April Using drawing, dance beyond, until Sun 26 er seven contemporary sees the artist create a and digital media, this Apr, mac, Birmingham artists who work with brand new sculptural A thought-provoking exhibition including multimedia work inves- SECRET EGYPT EXHIBI- found images, until Sun installation, until Sun 19 work from community groups, primary tigates cognition and TION Showcase of over 3 May, New Art Gallery, Apr, New Art Gallery, schools, students and local architects, habit, until Mon 6 Apr, one hundred-and-fifty Walsall The Drum, Birmingham Walsall Forgotten Spaces looks at ways in which objects which contest ROBERT GROVES: GOLDEN AK DOLVEN Anne Katrine BIRMINGHAM SHOW modern misconcep- YEARS Constellation of Wolverhampton’s abandoned and derelict Dolven exhibits her Large-scale group exhi- tions about Ancient small golden paintings buildings could be regenerated for the bene- paintings, films, videos, bition, until Sat 11 Apr, Egypt, until Sun 26 Apr, (c.1965) which reflect fit of the community. photographs and Eastside Projects, Shrewsbury Museum & the artist’s strong inter- sound installations “The aim of the project,” explains student Birmingham Art Gallery est in Middle Eastern & alongside the extraordi- Mariah Hussain, who submitted a concept for REVOLUTIONISING FASH- South Asian culture, JERWOOD ENCOUNTERS nary landscapes of fel- ION Display of elegant until Mon 4 May, Ikon a steel artwork that resembles a tree, “was to 3-PHASE SHOW 1 First of low Norwegian artist eighteenth & early-nine- Gallery, Birmingham encourage people to look up as they’re walk- two exhibitions by and nineteenth-century teenth century British ing; to make them appreciate the landscape, emerging artists - in painter Peder Balke, JOHN RATTIGAN - PEOPLE miniatures by the likes this case, Kelly Best until Sun 19 April, Ikon PRIZE WINNER 2014 as well as to get people to slow down. This of Richard Cosway, and Georgie Grace, Gallery, Birmingham Exhibition showcasing creates a visual display and invites tourists to until Sat 11 Apr, George Engleheart & NÁSTIO MOSQUITO: DAILY examples of circular visit.” Eastside Projects, John Smart, until Sun artwork together with LOVEMAKING Exhibition Birmingham 26 April, The Barber paintings that explore fusing music, photogra- Institute, Birmingham formats such as unusu- SIGN, SYMBOL & SCRIPT phy, film and perform- DARREN BANKS: THE ally tall, thin or elongat- David Walton’s large ance poetry to reflect Gothic Exhibition RAVEN A body of work ed canvases, until Mon abstract paintings, on the nature of the inspired by the legacy 4 May, Newcastle , based on the symbolic globalised world, and of Churton Fairman - Borough Museum & Art Tues 7 April - Sat 2 May marks on ancient how lovemaking can better known by his Gallery, Staffs stones, until Sat 11 Apr, act as an antidote to With a new version of Daphne du Maurier’s alias, Mark Raven, until Wolverhampton Art corruption and ON THE RIGHT TRACKS Sun 26 April, New Art Gothic romance Rebecca this month being Gallery hypocrisy, until Sun 19 Exhibition exploring Gallery, Walsall staged at the adjacent Repertory Theatre, the PAINTING WITH WORDS Apr, Ikon Gallery, Wolverhampton’s Library of Birmingham is hosting an exhibi- An open exhibition cel- Birmingham BIRMINGHAM WATER- involvement in the COLOUR SOCIETY EXHIBI- tion exploring differing approaches to the ebrating the influence STEPHEN LAW SOLO growth of the railways, TION Selling exhibition until Sun 10 May, Gothic - from literature and film to architec- and inspiration of litera- EXHIBITION Featuring of members’ work, until Bantock House ture and language on works in oils, acrylics & ture, art and Goth culture. Wed 29 Apr, The Museum, the visual arts, until Sat watercolours, until Mon The interdisciplinary show is being presented Granary Gallery, Wolverhampton 11 Apr, Willow Gallery, 20 Apr, The Gallery, Weston Park, by Birmingham City University artists. Oswestry, North Festival Drayton, North RPS INTERNATIONAL Staffordshire A special Gothic Day on 2 May offers an Shropshire Shropshire PRINT 157 Featuring one THE POETIC IMPOSSIBILI- opportunity to investigate the subject in INTERLACE BY RUTH ANDREW MATHESON hundred images select- TY TO MANAGE THE INFI- ed by a panel of profes- greater depth. SINGER & BETHANY Showcase of stoneware NITE Exhibition which sionals, until Sun 10 WALKER New collabora- & porcelain pieces, documents our quest May, Shire Hall Gallery, tion between textile until Sat 25 Apr, RBSA to penetrate the astro- Stafford artists Ruth Singer and Gallery, Birmingham Bethany Walker which- physical reality of the STONES & BONES EXHIBI- NEW ART WEST MID- features a combination universe in order to bet- TION Discover more LANDS Showcase of of delicate, manipulat- ter understand time, about the early history work by thirty of the ed textiles set into con- space & matter, until of the Midlands and region’s best emerging crete, until Sat 18 Apr, Sat 2 May, how that history was artists, until Sat 25 Apr, Bilston Craft Gallery Wolverhampton Art uncovered, recorded Wolverhampton Art Gallery and told by prominent FACING THE SUN Gallery Exhibition of new oil BILSTON’S HAPPY HOUS- local geologists and paintings by Edward ECHOES OF WAR ING: OTTO NEURATH’S scientists, until Sun 17 Bell, until Sat 18 Apr, Focusing on the major VISION FOR POST-WAR May, Library of Silk Top Hat Gallery, contribution that Stoke- MODERN LIVING Birmingham on-Trent made to the Ludlow, South Exhibition which pres- NEW ART WEST MID- war effort through its Shropshire ents Neurath’s ideas, LANDS Showcase of infirmary and the role of examples of his famous DEBORAH WALKER work by thirty of the the Millicent Sutherland isotypes, and memories Exhibition of water- region’s best emerging Ambulance, until Sun of people who’ve lived colours, until Sat 18 artists, until Sun 17 26 April, Potteries on Bilston’s Stowlawn Apr, Silk Top Hat May, The Barber Museum & Art Gallery, Estate, until Sat 2 May, Gallery, Ludlow, South Institute, Birmingham & Stoke-on-Trent Bilston Craft Gallery Shropshire Birmingham Museum &

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Art Gallery FAITH & ACTION: QUAK- 26 July, Birmingham collation of images of Annual exhibition fea- NIGEL YOUNG GODS AND HEROES ERS & THE FIRST WORLD Museum & Art Gallery Saltley & Alum Rock turing works by artists Landscape photogra- Seeking to uncover the WAR Exhibition which LOVE IS ENOUGH: ANDY over the past five to six seeking election to phy, Mon 20 Apr - Mon methods and motives uses original photo- WARHOL AND WILLIAM decades. Wed 8 Apr - become associates or 11 May, The Gallery, behind the representa- graphs, film interviews MORRIS Exhibition Thurs 7 May, The members of the Royal Festival Drayton, North tion of the superhuman & artefacts to tell the bringing together signif- Drum, Birmingham Birmingham Society of Shropshire and supernatural in art. compelling stories of icant and iconic works INDEFINABLE CITIES Artists, Mon 13 - Sat 25 ASCENTIS PROGRAMME Subjects drawn from Quaker men and by both artists, includ- Group exhibition pre- Apr, RBSA Gallery, LIFE SKILLS E1 both ancient mythology women during the ing some rarely seen senting works by six Birmingham Exhibition of the work and the Judo-Christian 1914-1918 conflict and pieces, until Sun 6 UK & Japanese artists, AIDEEN DORAN IM BAU completed by Entry tradition feature, until its aftermath, until Sun Sept, Birmingham curated by Amanda Aideen interrogates the One students at the Mon 25 May, The 7 June, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Francis (UK) & Koh idea of the city as a City of Wolverhampton Museum & Art Gallery Barber Institute, INHERITING ROME Yoshida (Japan), Fri 10 space for artistic, eco- College, Sat 25 Apr - Birmingham THE JEWELLERY QUAR- Exhibition which uses Apr - Sat 23 May, nomic & ideological Sat 23 May, Bilston ART FROM ELSEWHERE: TER DURING THE FIRST money to explore and AirSpace Gallery, production, Sat 18 Apr Craft Gallery INTERNATIONAL CONTEM- WORLD WAR Exhibition question our deep-seat- Stoke-on-Trent - Sun 14 June, Grand PORARY ART FROM UK of artefacts, images ed familiarity with the CANDIDATES EXHIBITION Union, Birmingham GALLERIES Touring exhi- and oral histories relat- Roman Empire’s bition which considers ing to the recruitment of imagery, until Sun 24 themes of global soldiers from the Jan 2016, The Barber Museums & Art Galleries change, postcolonial Jewellery Quarter, until Institute, Birmingham experiences and failed Sat 27 June, The Jewellery Quarter, CHINESE LIVES IN Birmingham Black Country Warwickshire utopias, until Sun 31 BIRMINGHAM EXHIBITION Birmingham ARTIFEX Sutton Coldfield BANTOCK HOUSE COMPTON VERNEY GALLERY May, Waterhall Gallery, Exhibition which looks Birmingham Museum & POP IN SPACE: WE 0121 323 3776 WOLVERHAMPTON 01926 645500 at the development of 01902 552195 Art Gallery CHOOSE TO GO TO THE the Chinese community BARBER INSTITUTE HERBERT ART GALLERY AHEAD OF THE CURVE: MOON Exploring artists’ 0121 414 7333 BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY COVENTRY 02476 832386 in Birmingham, Thurs 2 01902 552507 NEW CHINA FROM CHINA responses to the Space - Sat 25 Apr, Library of BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & LANCHESTER GALLERY, Unique exhibition Race during the Cold Birmingham ART GALLERY BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS COVENTRY showcasing contempo- War, until Sat 18 July, 0121 303 2834 MUSEUM, DUDLEY 02476 887831 Wolverhampton Art STAFFORDSHIRE ENJOY CASTLE GALLERIES 01384 812745 rary ceramics & glass ART EXHIBITION MEAD GALLERY WARWICK from emerging and Gallery 0121 248 8484 DUDLEY MUSEUM & ART 02476 524524 Showcase of work from GALLERY established Chinese SOLDIERS’ STORIES: GRAND UNION ROYAL PUMP ROOMS some of Staffordshire’s 01384 815575 artists, until Sun 31 BIRMINGHAM AND THE 0121 643 9079 01926 742700 finest talent, Fri 3 Apr - LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CENTRE May, Potteries Museum ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE Mon 4 May, Lord IKON GALLERY RUGBY MUSEUM & ART & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- REGIMENT 1914 - 1918 0121 248 0708 WOLVERHAMPTON GALLERY 01788 533201 Lichfield’s private cine- 01902 716055 Trent Exhibition which com- ma, Shugborough, NUMBER NINE THE GALLERY THE NEW ART GALLERY OPEN ART AND CRAFT memorates the cente- Staffordshire 0121 643 9099 Worcestershire nary of the First World WALSALL 01922 654400 EXHIBITION Open to all THE SALTLEY STORIES RBSA GALLERY WORCESTER CITY ART artists, makers & pho- War and recounts the 0121 2364353 RED HOUSE GLASS CONE experiences of Presenting the results 01384 812750 GALLERY 01905 25371 tographers who live, of a community history STRYX GALLERY, DIGBETH Birmingham men who WOLVERHAMPTON ART work or study in project which records [email protected] served in the regiment GALLERY 01902 552055 Staffordshire, until Sun the memories and THREE WHITE WALLS 31 May, Newcastle between 1914 and GALLERY 1918, using personal experiences of people Borough Museum, from all backgrounds 0121 200 3328 Staffordshire objects, medals & Visit whatsonlive.co.uk for venue website details memorabilia, until Sun and of all ages, and the

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Antiques For Everyone NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 9 - Sun 12 April Birmingham’s silversmiths, craftsmen and artisans are very much at Jungle Book, beautifully illustrated by wildlife artist Lute Vink. the heart of this month’s Antiques For Everyone (AFE) Spring Fair. Celebrating its thirtieth anniversary in 2015, Antiques For Everyone is Celebrating the comeback of ‘real tea’-making, AFE features an exhi- one of the largest events of its kind in the UK. The show features dis- bition titled The Story Of The Caddy Spoon c1775 - 2015. Around five plays of antique and decorative furniture, treen, ceramics, kitchenalia, hundred caddy spoons, ranging from the very plain to the incredibly silver, glass, jewellery and works of art, arms and armour, maps, ornate - and mostly in silver - will be on display at the show, with over dolls, bears and an array of vintage and decorative collectables. half of those showcased having originated in Birmingham. With more than two hundred-and-fifty dealers showcasing their wares For those interested in art and literature who’re looking for something - and with items ranging in price from as little as £10 right up to new to add to their collections, AFE Spring Fair is commemorating £100,000 for the more serious collectors - this ever-popular event the one hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of Rudyard Kipling by mak- offers the perfect opportunity to pick up some unusual gifts. ing available two hundred copies of a new edition of the author’s

Weston Park Transport Show Weston-under-Lizard, Sun 5 - Mon 6 April Now in its twenty-eighth year, the Weston Park Transport Show requires little by way of introduction. Boasting a host of family-friendly activities, this year’s event features a display of over one thousand, three hundred vehicles, live entertain- ment in the main arena, a funfair, an autojumble and trade area, inflatables and a children’s play zone. The show again plays host to the American Auto Club Spring National Event - displaying over fifty Club Cars. Alongside the event itself, all of Weston Park’s usual attractions will also be available, including the miniature steam railway, adventure playground, the lakes, follies and woodland walks.

St. George’s Day Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire, Sat 25 April There’s the chance to sample a taste of Mediaeval Britain at Tamworth Castle this month, as the venue celebrates Saint George’s Day. Attractions include weapons and armour demonstrations throughout the day and the Knight’s Tournament & Joust, with each warrior battling to emerge victorious. Within the castle, mediaeval households prepare laundry and armour, while Lady Freville offers a selection of games and activities for all the family to enjoy. Learn as much as you can and gain a place in the Knight’s Weapons drill.

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Events PREVIEWS Gadget Show Live NEC, Birmingham, Tues 7 - Sun 12 April Providing a platform on which to showcase the very best in cutting-edge technology, the Gadget Show Live sees more than two hun- dred top tech companies exhibiting their lat- est futuristic products - from TVs, toys and tablets to cameras, cars and consoles. Features for 2015 include the British Inventors Project, which profiles and cele- brates the UK’s innovators by showcasing new products before they hit the market. There’s also the Innovation Theatre - where inventors talk about and demonstrate their prototypes - and the Gadget Imaging Zone, in which visitors can learn about the very lat- est in photography technology.

Drayton Manor Theme Park Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tamworth, Open daily Drayton Manor Theme Park’s newly expanded Thomas Land attraction is opening to the public on 8 April. A celebration of the adventures of Thomas The Tank Engine and friends, Thomas Land is the only one of its kind in Europe. The massive £2.5million expansion increases its size by a whopping forty percent and includes three brand new rides - Flynn’s Fire Rescue, Captain’s Sea Adventure and Toby’s Tram Express - as well as a ‘stunning’ new two-storey Sodor Airport terminal. Drayton Manor Theme Park’s 2015 season started in late March and runs until Sunday 1 Bird Gliders November. RAF Cosford Museum, Mon 30 Mar - Thurs 2 April & Tue 7 - Fri 10 April asm to enjoy even more fun, then drop into As you’d expect at RAF Cosford, the busi- the ‘goods shed’ and make a unique shad- Easter Eggstravaganza ness of flying is central to the venue’s Easter ow lamp, lighting it up using a not-so- Dudley Canal Tunnel, entertainment package. Bird Gliders offers Victorian battery-operated tea light! Sat 28 March - Sun 12 April visitors the chance to take part in a glider- For the very first time, Dudley Canal Trust is making activity workshop, after which the housing an underground ‘eggsibition’ this gliders’ flying ability can be tested out by try- Easter. ing to land them in a specially designated Presented by the Trust in partnership with target zone. local primary schools from across Sandwell Other Easter attractions at Cosford include and Dudley, the underground feature shows Fun’n’Flight - an interactive gallery explaining off hundreds of hand-painted eggs. Visitors how aircraft stay in the air - a 4D experience to the Trust’s Easter attraction also have the and the Black Hawk simulator. chance to win a chocolatey prize.

Easter At The Follies Hawkstone Park, Shropshire, Fri 3 - Mon 6 April Hawkstone Park is this month once again playing host to its ever-popular Easter Egg Hunt. Families are invited to explore the pic- turesque grounds in search of all-important clues that will lead them to a reward of Easter chocolate. The hunt takes visitors all the way around the park and offers a great Blists Hill Victorian Town opportunity to enjoy some of Shropshire’s Harlem Globetrotters Blists Hill Victorian Town, Nr Ironbridge, most beautiful countryside. As well as the Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Shropshire, Sat 28 March - Sun 12 April hunt, the weekend also includes numerous Tues 21 April Join the residents of Blists Hill Victorian Town family activities and a sure-to-be-absorbing Having played exhibition basketball games this month for a whole host of Easter-themed treasure hunt. combining athleticism and comedy for the activities. best part of a century, the Harlem Kicking off the fun is egg dancing at the Print Globetrotters this month return to Shop. Watch the residents, blindfolded, the Midlands with a brand new dance across , attempting to avoid family show that takes fan interven- the eggs placed along their route. Everyone tion to a whole new level. Via can have a go - and there’s even a prize for pre-show online voting at harlem- completing the course! globetrotters.com/rule, The self-led ‘bunny hunt’, meanwhile, is a followers can decide which great way to explore the town. Follow the new game-changing rules trail correctly and find all the bunnies to col- they want to see introduced lect a prize. when the team stops off in And if you’ve still got the energy and enthusi- Birmingham.

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Weston under Redcastle, Nr Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 5UY 01948 841 700 www.principal-hayley.com/hawkstonepark

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Events PREVIEWS CSI The Science Of The Great War The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 25 April The scientific legacy of World War One is explored in this fascinating presentation, which brings together hands-on experience, interactive exhibits and expert talks. The event offers visitors the chance to learn about trench archaeology and the chemical development of poison gas, as well as to have a go at making their own periscopes and visit a frontline medical station. Some of the most significant developments in science and technology to have taken place over the last century are also examined... CSI The Science Of The Great War is the result of a unique collaboration between the Potteries Museum, Staffordshire and Keele Universities and Stoke-on-Trent Archaeology Service.

Egg-citing Easter Activities Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Sat 28 March - Sun 12 April Discover the Easter delights of the Black Country Living Museum, where a programme of fun events awaits. There’s the opportunity to win a prize in the Easter quiz, enjoy a classic Easter Egg hunt and egg-rolling competition, and to get crafty with egg-painting activities. There’s also the chance to discover what playtime was like in the Victorian era by finding out about traditional street games like hopscotch, skipping, cup-and-ball and whip-and-tops. Visitors can also test their skills in the hoop-and-stick challenge, to find out how long they can keep the hoop rolling. A journey ‘into the thick’, meanwhile, offers the chance to experience life in an 1850s coal mine.

surroundings of the Ceramic Crafts - Coalport China Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire LISTINGS Victorian Orangery. Events Price includes admis- sion to the house, park For full listing information on Events, and gardens and a including times and dates, visit guided tour of the his- www.whatsonlive.co.uk toric rooms. Pre-book- ing is required, Wed 1 - Shropshire Thu 2 Apr, Weston from FAMILY CRAFTS - EASTER Park, Weston-under- WED 1 APR MAGIC Wed 1 Apr, Lizard, Shropshire Red House Glass CERAMIC CRAFTS Make Cone, Wordsley, your own tea-light hold- OLAF AND THE SNOW Stourbridge er by sculpting a cot- QUEEN STORY TIME See FROZEN EASTER tage, castle or light- if you can spot Olaf, WORKSHOP Central house from clay. Once Anna, Kristoff, Sven Youth Theatre invites fired, you can put a and Elsa along the you to become your small candle inside way! This event will favourite character in your sculpture and involve a walk of one Frozen-themed drama, transform it into a beau- mile along woodland singing & dance work- tiful tea light holder, paths and slopes. shops, Tue 31 Mar - Mon 30 Mar - Fri 3 Join the egg hunt and Easter bonnets, bun- and fool the Egg Hunt Booking essential, Wed 1st Apr, April, Coalport China make easter chicks, nies and baskets com- Trail. Starting in the Wed 1 Apr, Severn Newhampton Arts, Museum, Nr Ironbridge, sun visors and bunny plete with chocolate Stones and Bones Valley Country Park, Nr Centre, Wolverhampton Shropshire boxes, Mon 30 Mar - eggs and fluffy Exhibition, through the Alverley, Shropshire EASTER ACTIVITIES EASTER AROUND THE Sun 5 Apr, Selly Manor, chicks.Temple Wood library and ending in SPORTY WEDNESDAY: Colour and make your WORLD Try out some , Birmingham will be home to an Sat 28 Mar - Sat 11 Apr, CLIMBING WALL Climb to own bird glider. Then Easter customs from SPOT THE SLANG TRAIL Easter Bunny trail Library Of Birmingham, the top of the climbing see how well your glid- other countries, includ- The First World War where children can fol- Birmingham wall and see Attingham ing kite flying & egg er flies by trying to land brought together serv- low the clues and find GROSS GAZUNDAS & from a whole new it on the roundel target racing, Mon 30 Mar - ice personnel from dif- the bunnies hiding out PUTRID PRIVIES Explore angle. The wall is in the zone, Mon 30 Mar - Fri 3 Apr, Shropshire ferent countries and in the woodland, Mon the interesting world of Shoulder of Mutton Thurs 2 April, RAF Hills Discovery Centre, backgrounds. Slang 30 Mar - Fri 10 Apr, gross gazundas and play field, Wed 1 Apr, Cosford, Shifnal, Craven Arms, words were used to Weston Park, Weston- putrid privies by follow- Attingham Park, Shropshire Shropshire help people to describe under-Lizard, ing the trail while taking Attingham, Shropshire PEPPA PIG DAYS Chance EASTER-THEMED TILE some of their experi- Shropshire a tour of the Back To NATURE ACTIVITY DAYS to meet Peppa and DECORATING ences. The word defini- EASTER EGG HUNT Backs, Wed 1 - Sun 12 A variety of nature- George pig, as well as WORKSHOPS Find out tions can be found Easter-themed treasure Apr, Birmingham Back themed activities, enjoy activities includ- about the tile decorat- amongst the exhibits hunt around the to Backs including pond dipping ing technique known as ing toy pig racing, pin during a visit, Sat 28 Museum of the LIGHT WORKSHOPS and bird watching, Wed the tail on the pig, craft ‘tube lining’ or ‘slip-trail- Mar - Fri 10 April, RAF Jewellery Quarter, Sat Celebrate the 2015 Year 1 Apr, Chirk Castle, corner and muddy pud- ing’, and produce a tile Cosford, Shifnal, 28 Mar - Sat 11 Apr, of Light and Light- Chirk, Shropshire dle challenge, Wed 1 - with your very own Shropshire Museum of the based technologies, EASTER HOLIDAY Thurs 2 Apr, Ash End Easter-themed design EASTER BONNETS, Jewellery Quarter, Sat 28 Mar - Sun 12 ACTIVITY DAYS Easter House Children's Farm, on, Mon 30 Mar - Sat 4 BUNNIES & BASKETS Birmingham Apr, Enginuity Museum, crafts to try - see what Tamworth, Staffordshire Apr, Jackfield Tile Children’s activities on DINOSAUR EGG HUNT Ironbridge, Shropshire you can make, Wed 1 AFTERNOON TEA Enjoy a Museum, Nr Ironbridge, weekdays during the TRAIL Test your EGG DANCING Enjoy the Apr, Dudmaston Estate, great British treat Shropshire holiday. Kids can make dinosaur knowledge unusual spectacle of Nr Bridgnorth, served in the stately EASTER EGGVENTURES

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60 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Events April Region 2 Jamie.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 18:19 Page 8

Events LISTINGS The Staffordshire Hoard - Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery

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

egg dancing. Once Hoard was found and blindfolded, the towns- saved for the nation, folk will dance across until - Sun 10 May, the street without step- Shrewsbury Museum & ping on eggs that are Art Gallery, Shrewsbury, carefully placed along Shropshire their route. After the SCIENCE OF SOUND demonstration, every- Until Fri 5 June, one can have a go, Sat Symphony Hall, 28 Mar - Sun 12 Apr Birmingham Blists Hill, Ironbridge, LAMB FEEDING Lots of Shropshire lambs to bottle-feed, THE GREAT EASTER Sat 28 Mar - Thurs 23 BUNNY HUNT Hunt for July, Park Hall Farm, the Easter Bunnies that Oswestry, Shropshire are hiding in the Blists PILOTS OF THE Hill woods and follow CARIBBEAN - the treasure hunt along VOLUNTEERS OF AFRICAN Sat 28 Mar - Sun 12 HERITAGE IN THE RAF A Apr, Blists Hill, new exhibition curated Ironbridge, Shropshire in partnership with EASTER-THEMED Black Cultural Archives ry and stories, Fri 3 - EASTER ON THE FARM site's twenty-eight bed- Living Museum, Dudley SHADOW LAMP MAKING which tells the inspira- Sat 4 Apr, Attingham Fri 3 - Mon 6 Apr, Acton rooms and offers a EASTER MONDAY RACE Make your own Easter- tional story of these vol- Park, Atcham, Scott Historic Working chance to learn about DAY: AFTERNOON RACING themed shadow lamp unteers, commemorat- Shropshire Farm Museum, Craven the Weston Park All-weather racing, with to take home, Sat 28 ing and celebrating CADBURY EASTER EGG Arms, South Shropshire Foundation, the charita- children's activities and Mar - Sun 12 Apr, Blists their vital contribution TRAIL Hunt high and EASTER ble trust that owns and pony rides, Mon 6 Apr , Hill, Ironbridge, to the defence of Britain low for eggs on these EGGSTRAVAGANZA maintains the venue, Wolverhampton Shropshire during two World Wars special Cadbury trail, An action-packed pro- Sun 5 Apr, Weston Racecourse EASTER TRAIL Hunt for and the subsequent Fri 3 - Mon 6 Apr, gramme of chocolatey Park, Staffordshire WWI DISCOVERY DAY the Easter rabbits hid- peace, until Sat 31 Oct, Sunnycroft, Wellington, fun for all the family, Fri EASTER TRAIL & CRAFTS Opportunity to handle den amongst the trees, RAF Cosford, Shifnal, Shropshire; Attingham 3 - Mon 6 Apr, Cadbury Easter trail and chil- weapons, try on uni- Sat 28 Mar - Sun 12 Shropshire Park, Atcham, World, Birmingham dren's crafts, Sun 5 Apr, forms and explore the Apr, Bodenham FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVITY: Shropshire; Chirk EASTER FUN Visit the , Stoke- museum’s fascinating Arboretum, EASTER BUNNIES Artist Castle, Chirk, fairytale friends and col- on-Trent collections, Mon 6 Apr, Kidderminster Lisa Broughton helps Shropshire; Carding lect gifts along the way. NEWCASTLE & DISTRICT The Staffordshire EGG-CITING EASTER families decorate their Mill Valley & The Plus, make and take CANINE SHOW Sun 5 Regiment Museum ACTIVITIES Activities own mixed-media 3D Shropshire Hills; along your Easter bon- Apr, Stafford Bingley CERAMIC CRAFTS Make include Easter egg Easter Bunny, Thurs 2 Biddulph Grange net for a chance to win Hall your own tea-light hold- hunt, Easter bonnet Apr, Museum of the Garden, Staffs; a prize, Fri 3 - Mon 6 FAMILY ACTIVITY DAY Try er by sculpting a cot- parade, egg painting, Jewellery Quarter, Trentham Gardens, Apr, Wonderland, something new and tage, castle or light- quizzes, egg rolling Birmingham Stoke-on-Trent; Telford Town Park, fun, like card-making, house from clay. Once and more, Sat 28 Mar - FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVITY: Wightwick Manor, Shropshire candle-making and rag- fired, you can put a Sun 12 Apr, Black SHIP A'HOY Celebrating Wolverhampton NATIONAL TERRIER SHOW rugging, Sun 5 Apr, small candle inside Country Living the discoveries made EASTER SPECIAL Explore Annual National Terrier Maws Craft Centre, your sculpture and Museum, Dudley by Tudor explorers, the great British coun- show which has been Ironbridge, Shropshire transform it into a beau- EASTER make your own sail tryside on a steam held in Stafford since CADBURY EASTER EGG tiful Tea Light Holder, EGGSTRAVAGANZA boat and check it floats train. Activities include 1975, Sat 4 Apr, TRAIL Hunt high and Mon 6 - Fri 10 Apr, Join the Easter fun at before taking it home, face painting and egg Stafford Bingley Hall low for eggs on this Coalport China Dudley Canal & Thu 2 Apr, Blakesley hunting, Fri 3 - Mon 6 EASTER CASTLE EGG special Cadbury trail, Museum, Shropshire Limestone Mines and Hall, Birmingham Apr, Foxfield Railway, HUNT Ruby the Sun 5 - Mon 6 Apr, CHILDREN'S EASTER FUN visit the underground FUSED GLASS BUNNIES Staffordshire Tamworth Castle Dudmaston Estate, Easter fun for all the ‘eggsibition', Sat 28 Thurs 2 Apr, Broadfield EASTER AT THE ESTATE Dragon has misplaced Bridgnorth, Shropshire family, including Easter Mar - Sun 12 Apr, House Glass Museum, Crack the eggy code her eggs. Join the hunt EASTER FAMILY WEEKEND trails, a bonnet parade Dudley Canal Tunnel Kingswinford for a special treat. Take to find them, Sat 4 - Family fun including and arts and crafts, and Limestone Mines, EGG ROLLING Shropshire part in traditional Easter Mon 6 Apr, Tamworth Easter egg trails, Punch Sun 5 - Fri 10 Apr, Dudley Wildlife Trust - egg activities in the Castle, Staffs and Judy show, sheep Birmingham Botanical TITANIC - THE MIDLANDS' rolling, fun for children Servants' Quarter, fol- NEWCOMEN IN STEAM racing and much more, Gardens CONNECTIONS Titanic of all ages, Thurs 2 Apr, low the spring trails The only full-sized Sun 5 - Mon 6 Apr, EASTER-THEMED TILE expert Andrew Lound The Quarry Park, around the estate, meet working replica of the National Brewery DECORATING reveals the engineering Shrewsbury, Shropshire the newborn animals world's first steam Centre, Burton-upon- WORKSHOPS Find out and people links BCA UNIVERSITY and help out with the engine can be seen in Trent about the tile decorat- between the Midlands NATIONALS DANCE AND bottle feeding at the action. Due to the EASTER EGG HUNT ing technique known as and the tragic ocean CHEER The British farm, Fri 3 - Mon 6 Apr, unpredictable nature of Search for the hidden ‘tube lining’ or ‘slip-trail- liner which sank in Cheerleading Shugborough Historic the Newcomen, please eggs, Sun 5 - Mon 6 ing’, and produce a tile 1912, Mon 13 Apr, Association 2015 Working Estate, check running details Apr, Whittington Castle, with your very own Walsall Local History National Staffordshire with the museum prior North Shropshire Easter-themed design Centre, Walsall Championships, RSPB WEEKEND Make to travelling, Sat 4 - EASTER EGG CHALLENGE on, Mon 6 - Sat 11 Apr, SPONGEBOB Thurs 2 - Sun 5 Apr, bug homes and learn Mon 6 Apr, Black Colour in a polystyrene Jackfield Tile Museum, SPONGEHUNT Telford International all about pollinators Country Living egg and challenge your Ironbridge, Shropshire Help Spongebob find Centre, Telford, and why bees love Museum, Dudley family and friends to an ATTINGHAM his friends, who’re hid- Shropshire Spring, Fri 3 - Mon 6 TRANSPORT SHOW In Easter egg and spoon ADVENTURES: KITE den throughout the GEOCACHE EASTER EGG Apr, Trentham Gardens, addition to the hun- race in front of the CREATORS Learn how to Sealife Centre, Fri 27 HUNT Working in teams, Stoke-on-Trent dreds of classic cars mansion, Sun 5 - Mon make your own amaz- Mar - Sun 19 Apr, use the handheld GPS EASTER FUN AT THE and vehicles on display, 6 Apr, Attingham Park, ing kites from recycled National Sea Life unit to navigate around MONKEY FOREST Collect this annual event prom- Shropshire and natural materials, Centre, Birmingham the park looking for all the clues from ises a wide variety of Tue 7 Apr, Attingham EASTER HOLIDAY FAMILY treasure chests holding around the forest to win arena entertainment, Week Commencing Park, Nr Shrewsbury FUN Family entertain- special eggs. All chil- a prize. Make sure the children's activities, a MON 6 APR PEPPA PIG DAYS Chance ment on offer every dren must be accom- cheeky monkeys don't funfair and trade to meet Peppa and day, Mon 30 Mar - Sun panied by an adult. point you in the wrong stands, Sun 5 - Mon 6 George pig, as well as 19 Apr, Cadbury World, Booking essential!å, Fri direction, Fri 3 - Mon 6 Apr, Weston Park, ROLLING MILL enjoy activities includ- Bournville, Birmingham 3 Apr, Severn Valley Apr, Trentham Monkey Staffs DEMONSTRATION ing toy pig racing, pin TREASURES OF THE Country Park, Nr Forest, Stoke-on-Trent UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS: Originally used to the tail on the pig, craft STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD Bridgnorth, Shropshire WILDERNESS SURVIVAL BEHIND THE SCENES amend and resize iron corner and muddy pud- An interactive touring SPRINGTIME STORIES SKILLS Learn how to TOUR Revealing what bars, the Rolling Mill is dle challenge, Wed 1 - exhibition which tells Enjoy a walk around survive without modern goes on behind the a typical Black Country Tues 7 - Wed 8 Apr, the fascinating story of the grounds and hear amenities, Fri 3 - Mon 6 scenes of a stately hand rolling mill from Ash End House how the Staffordshire some Springtime poet- Apr, Trentham Gardens, home, this unique tour around the 1900s, Mon Children's Farm, Stoke-on-Trent takes in some of the 6 Apr, Black Country Tamworth, Staffordshire

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glittering treasure to Who Do You Think You Are? Live 2015 - NEC, Birmingham take home, Thurs 9 Apr, Events LISTINGS , Birmingham For full listing information on Events, FAMILY CRAFTS - JACK including times and dates, visit AND THE BEANSTALK Thurs 9 Apr, Red House www.whatsonlive.co.uk Glass Cone, Stourbridge EASTER ACTIVITIES SPRING HAS SPRUNG! THE MEDIEVAL BOWMAN Colour and make your Make a grass head A fascinating look at own bird glider. Then bursting with green the weapons and tech- see how well your glid- ‘hair’ and a spring col- niques the Medieval er flies by trying to land lage to decorate Bowman would use it on the roundel target Ethelfleda’s Well. when in battle. Suitable zone, Tue 7 - Fri 10 Apr, Booking essential, Wed for children aged ten- RAF Cosford, Nr 8 Apr, Severn Valley plus, Thurs 9 Apr, Wolverhampton Country Park, Severn Valley Country EASTER ROCKSCHOOL Shropshire Park, Shropshire One-week course learn- STEAM CREAM LAND ANTIQUES FOR EVERYONE ing to play in a band CRUISE TRAIN Enjoy Including a display of and perform a live cream tea whilst travel- silverware from the show, Tue 7 - Fri 10 ling by steam train Soldiers Of Gloucester Apr, Newhampton Arts through the country- Museum, Thurs 9 - Sun Centre, Wolverhampton side, Wed 8 & Sun 12 12 Apr, NEC, THE GADGET SHOW LIVE Apr, Foxfield Railway Birmingham Country Park, Wildlife Trust for Bingley Hall Five-day event packed FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVITY: SPRING FAIR & Shropshire Birmingham and the CRITTERISH ALLSORTS with gaming celebrities, METAL POPPIES Artist CHILDREN'S TRAIL Join in SPRING HORSE TRIALS Black Country host a A variety of exotic ani- brand new games and Jolene Smith helps the fun with a day of Three-day event com- range of fun activities mals to meet and hold, top tournaments, Tue 7 families make poppies crafts, artwork and pho- prising dressage, for all the family, Sat 11 Sat 11 - Sun 12 Apr, - Sun 12 Apr, NEC, out of metal, wire and tography, Fri 10 Apr, cross-country and Apr, Library Of Trentham Gardens, Birmingham beads, Thurs 9 Apr, Birmingham Cathedral showjumping, Fri 10 - Birmingham Stoke-on-Trent SPORTY WEDNESDAY: Museum of the RAINBOW FUSED Sun 12 Apr, Weston MILL IN STEAM Watch SHROPSHIRE SCALE ARCHERY Try your aim Jewellery Quarter, COASTER Fri 10 Apr, Park, Staffordshire the mill fully operational MODEL SHOW With on the archery range. Birmingham Broadfield House Glass DROP-IN FAMILY ARTS with the added bonus around seventy model Suitable for children STONES & BONES Museum, Stourbridge Make your own artwork of a Spring event, Sat clubs attending the aged six-plus (at WORKSHOP: EXPLODING GEOCACHE EASTER EGG to take home and try 11 - Sun 12 Apr, Etruria show, plus some forty instructor's discretion), VOLCANOES! Find out HUNT Working in teams, out new techniques, Industrial Museum, traders selling every- Wed 8 Apr, about volcanoes at this use the handheld GPS Sat 11 Apr, Birmingham Stoke-on-Trent thing you need to build Attingham Park, Nr interactive workshop unit to navigate around Museum And Art STAFFORD ANTIQUES FAIR the perfect model, Shrewsbury and make your own to the park looking for Gallery With up to three hun- whether it be a tank, EASTER HOLIDAY take home, Thurs 9 Apr, treasure chests holding JEWELLERY QUARTER dred stands featuring a car or boat, Sun 12 Apr, ACTIVITY DAYS Easter Library Of Birmingham special eggs. All chil- HERITAGE WALK Sat 11 range of furniture, art, RAF Cosford, Nr crafts to try - see what FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVITY: dren must be accompa- Apr, Museum of the silver, glass and jew- Wolverhampton you can make. Wed 8 GLITTERING TREASURE nied by an adult. Jewellery Quarter, ellery. As seen on BBC HANG OUT WITH A HAWK Apr, Dudmaston Estate, Celebrate the discover- Booking essential, Fri Birmingham Bargain Hunt, Sat 11 - See breathtaking flying Nr Bridgnorth, ies made by Tudor 10 Apr, Severn Valley WILDLIFE WATCH The Sun 12 Apr, Stafford displays and discover Shropshire explorers and create a

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Apr, Broadfield House Glass Museum, Wedding Fair - The REP, Birmingham Events LISTINGS Kingswinford CAMERA FAIR The UK's For full listing information on Events, largest independent including times and dates, visit camera fair, featuring over one hundred www.whatsonlive.co.uk stands, Sun 19 Apr, Wolverhampton more about these With designer-maker Racecourse incredible creatures, Grace Page, Sat 18 Apr, THE HOUSE OF Sun 12 Apr, Attingham Museum of the BLACKSTAR - LIVING Park, Nr Shrewsbury Jewellery Quarter, HISTORY Medieval re- RAF ATCHAM: A WWII Birmingham enactment society cov- WALK Discover what’s MURDER MYSTERY ering the historical peri- left of the largest WWII DINNER EXPERIENCE od of 1240 to 1350, airbase in Shropshire Ideas for what should Sun 19 Apr, Whittington on a three-mile walk, be included in the Castle, Oswestry, North Sun 12 Apr, Attingham Annual Fair in a sleepy Shropshire Park, Nr Shrewsbury Hampshire village COUNTING BIRDS See GLASS CRAFTS - arouse jealousy and some of the native RAINBOW KEY-RING Sun unease - especially birds up close and per- 12 Apr, Broadfield those proposed by the sonal, Sun 19 Apr, House Glass Museum, Lord of the Manor, who Attingham Park, Nr Kingswinford has his own agenda. Shrewsbury WEDDING FAYRE If you're The result is murder! thinking of getting mar- Sat 18 Apr, ried and looking for a Shugborough Historic Week Commencing venue or service Working Estate, MON 20 APR providers, go along and Staffordshire meet the professionals, MIDLAND LABRADOR HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS Sun 12 Apr, Ludlow SHOW Featuring judges Witness history in the Castle, South Shaun Williamson and making as Washington Shropshire Leigh Lesley, Sat 18 Apr, Tamworth Castle, SHOW The world's DRIVE-IT DAY Featuring a Generals look for a SHEPHERD & WILLIAMS: Apr, Stafford Bingley Staffs largest classic bike collection of classic landmark victory over ANTIQUES & COLLECTORS Hall SOOTY'S FUN HOUSE event returns with a vehicles and a celebra- the Harlem FAIR The ideal opportu- POTTER AND PAINTER: Direct from CITV, The range of new elements, tion of British motoring Globetrotters, Tue 21 nity to find something THE ARTISTIC UNION OF Sooty Show returns, Sat 25 - Sun 26 April, heritage, Sun 26 Apr Apr, Barclaycard Arena, to complete your home, EVELYN AND WILLIAM DE Sat 25 - Sun 26 Apr, Stafford Bingley Hall National Memorial Birmingham collection or wardrobe, MORGAN Discover what Cadbury World, BIKE 4 LIFE FEST 2015 Aboretum, Stafford GUY DAY'S HINTS & TIPS Sun 12 Apr, made this couple such Birmingham In support of the RAF VINTAGE VEHICLE RALLY Guy demonstrates sea- Wolverhampton a force in English art, ANTIQUES IN THE PARK Museum and Midlands Featuring over thirty sonally inspired dishes Racecourse Sat 18 Apr, Wightwick Organised by Jaguar Air Ambulance. Ride vintage and military which include ingredi- WEDDING FAIR with a Manor, Nr Fairs, Sat 25 - Sun 26 out from Meole Brace vehicles, Sun 26 Apr, ents such asparagus, huge range of suppli- Wolverhampton Apr, Shugborough Shrewsbury at 11.30am The Staffordshire peas, watercress and ers, dress makers, pho- NATIONAL GARLIC DAY Historic Working Estate, to RAF Cosford, Sun 26 Regiment Museum soft fresh herbs, Tue 21 tographers, make-up The chance to taste lots Staffs Apr, RAF Cosford, Nr - Wed 22 Apr, Weston artists and cake makers of garlic products and CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE Wolverhampton Park, Staffordshire to help you plan your celebrate National THE ULTIMATE YOUNG big day, Sun 12 April, Garlic Day, Sat 18 - Sun ADULT LITERATURE QUIZ The Rep, Birmingham 19 Apr, Trentham A literature-themed Estate, Stoke-on-Trent quiz, Thu 23 Apr, WILD WEEKEND A variety Week Commencing Waterstones - High St, of activities hosted by Birmingham MON 13 APR Staffordshire Wildlife ADULT CRAFTS - GLASS Trust, Sat 18 - Sun 19 MOSAICS Fri 24 April, PENCIL AND WATER- Apr, Trentham Gardens, Broadfield House Glass COLOUR WORKSHOP Stoke-on-Trent Museum, Kingswinford Local artist Daphine OWL EXPERIENCE A FUN WITH FUSING Fri 24 Millington holds a work- hands-on experience of Apr, Red House Glass shop for people of all owl conservation, Sat Cone, Stourbridge abilities, Mon 13 Apr, 18 - Sun 19 April, TAI CHI Tai Chi lesson in Bodenham Arboretum, Trentham Monkey the peaceful setting of Kidderminster Forest, Stoke-on-Trent the Birmingham STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD IBFA 2015 SAXON Botanical Gardens, & CONSERVATION TOUR CLASSIC BODYBUILDING Sat 25 Apr, Birmingham Behind-the-scenes tour SHOW Sun 19 Apr, Botanical Gardens to find out the goings Stafford Gatehouse BRUMBATS A guided on of the Conservation Theatre walk with bat experts Studio, Tue 14 Apr, SPINNING WORKSHOP BrumBats, Sat 25 Apr, Birmingham Museum Learn how to spin sin- Martineau Gardens, And Art Gallery gle ply yarn and how to Birmingham GUIDED WALK Kinlet Hall ply yarns together FESTIVAL OF CHOCOLATE and New England using a drop spindle. Featuring chocolate- walk, distance 12.5 Spindles and fleece making workshops, miles, booking essen- provided, Sun 19 Apr, craft sessions, demon- tial, Wed 15 Apr, Severn Ford Green Hall, Stoke- strations and story- Valley Country Park, on-Trent telling, Sat 25 Apr, Selly Shropshire GARDEN DESIGN Manor, Birmingham WHO DO YOU THINK YOU WORKSHOP A one-day BARN DANCE SATURDAY ARE? LIVE 2015 Offering workshop with award- The Cat Whiskers Band expert advice to both winning garden design- host another evening of new and experienced er Clive Mollart on how food and dancing, family historians, Thurs to make the most of Sat 25 Apr, National 16 - Sat 18 Apr, NEC, your garden, Sun 19 Brewery Centre, Birmingham Apr, Trentham Gardens, Burton-upon-Trent CREATURES OF THE Stoke-on-Trent BAMMA 20 One of the NIGHT Learn about noc- GROWING IN THE WALLED biggest MMA events of turnal wildlife living at GARDEN: SEED SOWING the year returns with a the park. Listen to the Join the gardeners to huge headline fight fea- echolocation calls of help sow their spring turing Brett McDermott bats on the electronic seeds. Find out more and Marcin Lazars, Sat bat detectors. Don't about how the garden 25 Apr, Barclaycard forget your torch! grows, Sun 19 Apr, Arena, Birmingham Fri 17 Apr, Severn Attingham Park, Nr ST. GEORGE'S DAY Valley Country Park, Shrewsbury Tamworth Castle is Shropshire SIMPLE SCIENCE - brought to life with SILVER RING WORKSHOP KALEIDOSCOPES Sun 19 medieval fun, Sat 25

64 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Eating Out April Region Two.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 19:56 Page 1 Eating Out Mailbox welcomes new bar and restaurant A hotly anticipated new bar and restaurant has recently opened its doors in Birmingham’s Mailbox. Gas Street Social serves up seasonal European food alongside a range of international craft beers, fine wines and signature handcrafted cocktails. The venue, which has been opened with the support of the Regional Growth Fund, has a restaurant area catering for up to one hun- dred-and-twenty diners and an outdoor terrace accommodating up to thirty-six people.

Plenty to Nosh & Quaff in Brum... Birmingham is set to get its first dedicated lobster restaurant. The aptly named Nosh & Quaff prom- ises to get creative with the popular crustacean, using fresh and organic ingredients to bring a taste of the sea - with a special twist - to the Midlands. Also on tap will be a wide variety of beers selected both to complement the menu Top marks for Old Downton Lodge and quench the thirst. We’ve got high expecta- tions of this latest addition to the Birmingham eager to see what was on dent chef is clearly keen food scene, as it’s a new member of the award- REVIEW offer. to showcase his mastery winning Lasan Group. Other members are Lasan We started with duck with this menu, and we in the Jewellery Quarter, Fiesta del Asado on Think of fine cuisine in hearts, leeks and kohlrabi, certainly weren’t disap- Hagley Road and Raja Monkey on Stratford south Shropshire and followed by mackerel with pointed. Road. Nosh & Quaff is set to open on Colmore Ludlow’s award-winning rhubarb & horseradish. From the roaring log burn- Row at the end of May. restaurants soon spring to Both courses (particularly er and friendly smile that mind. But tucked away on the duck) were excellent, welcomed us in from the a pretty little lane just a delicately flavoured and cold, to the mighty timbers Wolves restaurant maintains few minutes south of the the perfect warm-up for of the medieval dining Michelin status town is a hidden gem that what was to become the room, the surroundings arguably tops them all. star of the show... and food at Old Downton Wolverhampton’s popular Bilash restaurant has For those looking for a The main course of beef Lodge are on a par with succeeded in maintaining its Michelin-star status dining experience that’s was magnificent. the county’s finest. for the fourteenth consecutive year. The family- pure escapism, look no Accompanied by pickled Visit now before everyone run eatery first opened its doors on Cheapside further than the utterly mushrooms, kale and gar- else discovers the place. over thirty years ago, in 1982, and has been charming Old Downton lic, the flavour and tender- Matthew Morris going from strength to strength ever since. Lodge. ness was superb. I don’t Specialising in Bangladeshi and Indian cuisine, A mix of Georgian, half- think I’ve ever had beef as Food: n n n n n the restaurant is popular with locals and visitors timbered and medieval good as this. Service: n n n n n alike. Bilash prides itself on offering ‘mouthwater- architecture, the beautiful- But we weren’t finished Ambience: n n n n n ing, innovative food’ - and obviously those in the ly restored barn and sta- there, as two sweet cours- Overall value n n n n n know at the Michelin Guide continue to be in bles are enchanting and es were to follow. The first OVERALL n n n n n agreement timeless. This secret world was chickory, with white with that has not gone completely chocolate and yogurt. The Old Downton Lodge assessment. unnoticed, though - the second was sumptuous Downton on the Rock So why not food here has recently chocolate and beetroot Ludlow sample some been awarded two AA sorbet with accents of Shropshire award-winning rosettes for culinary excel- orange and coriander. SY8 2HU dishes next lence. My wife and I were Both courses were very Tel: 01568 771826 time you’re in sampling the five-course well considered and per- the area? taster menu and were fectly executed. The resi-

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Restaurant LISTINGS Shropshire AFTAB 25 High St, For full listing information on restau- Ironbridge TF8 7AD rants, including opening times and 01952 432055 ALBRIGHT HUSSEY type of cuisine, visit: www.whatson- Ellesmere Rd, live.co.uk Shrewsbury, SY4 3AF 01939 290 523 FOUR STONES Adam’s BISTRO JACQUES 77/77a Hill,Clint, Stourbridge, Mardol, Shrewsbury SY1 DY9 9PS 01562 883260 1PZ 01743 272586 Black Country FRANZLS 151 Milcote Rd, BUTLERS Park St, Shifnal, Smethwick, B67 5BN TF11 9BA 01952 ARBOUR LIGHTS 127-128 0121 429 7920 Lichfield Street, Walsall 460128 WS1 1SY 01922 613361 FRENCH CONNECTION CASA NARANJO Barracks 3 Coventry St, Passage, Wyle Cop, BANKS BISTRO Chapel Stourbridge DY8 1EP Ash, Wolverhampton Shrewsbury SY1 01743 01384 390940 588165 WV1 4EP 01902 238433 FRENCH HEN Bromsgrove CASA RUIZ 45 High BELLA 82 Chapel Ash, Rd, Clent, Stourbridge Wolverhampton. 01902 DY9 9PY 01562 883040 Street, Bridgnorth, WV16 4DX 01746 218 084 427555 GOLDEN MOMENTS 2-3 BENGAL FUSION 174 High Ablewell St, Walsall WS1 CHEZ MAW Best Western St, Lye, Stourbridge DY9 2EQ 01922 640363 Valley Hotel, Buildwas Rd, Ironbridge, TF8 7DW 8LN. 01384 891111 THE HUNGRY BISTRO 81 01952 432247 BILASH 2 Cheapside, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 Wolverhampton, WV1 THE COTTAGE Tern Hill, Hadley House Hotel, Telford, Shropshire 1TU 01902 427762 1EQ 01902 546336 Market Drayton TF9 3PX 01630 638984 Shrewsbury SY2 6AE Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE ST16 2HY THE BLUE BRICK LE BRASSERIE 5 Lower 01743 355055 01785 253279 Broad Gauge Way, Mill Street, CROMWELLS 11 Dogpole, 01743 281744 Wolverhampton WV1 Kidderminster. DY11 Shrewsbury SY1 1EN THE HAYWARDS at The THE PLUME OF FEATHERS ESSENCE OF THE ORIENT 1AA 01902 875301 6UU 01562 744976 01743 361440 Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop, Harley, Shrewsbury SY5 27 Broad Eye, Stafford BRAVACCIOUS 4 Upper MADE IN THAI Darlington DA VINCI’S 26 High St, Shrewsbury SY1 1UY 6LP 01743 727360 ST16 2QB 01785 Green, Wolverhampton St, Wolverhampton WV1 Ironbridge, TF8 7AD 01743 353107 PORTER HOUSE 15 St 229988 WV6 8QQ 01902 4HW 01902 312512 01952 432250 HENRY TUDOR HOUSE Mary’s St, Shrewsbury, FOUR SEASONS Swinfen 756052 PARADISE BALTI 7 Lower DORRINGTON OLD HALL Barracks Passage SY1 1EQ 01743 358870 Hall Lichfield, WS14 9RE 01543 481494 CAFE CHAMPAGNE 253- Mill Street, Kidderminster PERSIAN CUISINE Main Shrewsbury SY1 1XA THE POUND AT LEEBOT- 255 Bilston Road, DY11 6UU 01562 60479 Road, Dorrington, 01743 361666 WOOD Leebotwood, Nr THE GREEN ROOM Castle Wolverhampton WV2 THE PIE FACTORY 50 Hurst Shropshire SY5 7JD HILL VALLEY HOTEL Church Stretton SY6 6ND Dyke, Lichfield WS13 2JN 01902 458024 Lane, Tipton DY4 9AB 01743 719100 Tarporley Road, 01694 751477 6HR 01543 412121 INDIAN VILLAGE CASA CASITA Upper 0121 557 1402 DRAPERS 10 St Mary’s St Whitchurch SY13 4HA RENAISSANCE, 29a 0844 879 9049 8 Lombard St, Lichfield. Gornal, Dudley. DY3 RED FORT Fold St, Shrewsbury, SY1 1DZ Princess St, Shrewsbury, WS13 6DR 01543 1UP 01902 676754 Wolverhampton, WV1 01743 344679 THE INN AT GRINSHILL SY11LW 01743 354289 4LP 01902 424440 The High Street, 253415 CATELLANI’S 6 School St, THE FEATHERS Brockton, ROMOLO Victoria , RISTORANTE ROMAGNA 4 Grinshill, Shrewsbury, INDICA Virage Park, Wolverhampton, WV1 Much Wenlock TF13 shrewsbury SY1 1HH 4LR 01902 428928 Upper Green, Tettenhall, SY4 3BL 01939 220410 Cannock. WS11 0HN 6JR 01746 785202 01743 233244 CINNAMON COURT Bentley Wolverhampton WV6 KING & THAI Avenue Rd, 08712 070417 FENNELS 8 Market Place, SARACENS Mill Way, Walsall WS2 8QQ 01902 756052 Broseley, Telford TF12 Shrewsbury LA DOLCE VITA 19 Stafford Shifnall TF11 9AZ Rd, SY4 4AG 01939 0BP 0121 568 6664 SAFFRON Wolverhampton 01952 463020 5DL 01952 882004 St, Stone ST15 8QW Road, Oldbury B69 4RR 210877 01785 817 985 THE COWSHED Clive THE FOX INN THE KNIGHTON HOTEL 0121 552 1752 46 High St, SEBASTIANS 45 Willow St, Farm Clive Rd, Much Wenlock TF13 Broad Street, Knighton, THE LODGE 24 Oswestry SY11 1AQ Birmingham Road, Pattingham, WV6 7EN SIMON’S 520 Chester Rd, 6AD 01952 727292 Powys LD7 1BL 01547 01902 701888 Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 520530 01691 655444 Shenstone. WS14 0LQ FRANK CAFE BAR 129 0PU 0121 580 9293 SHALIMAR 23 Abbey 01543 483334 THE CROOKED HOUSE Frankwell, Shrewsbury LA DOLCE VITA 35 Hills SPICES Hollywell Rd, Foregate, Shrewsbury MALABAR 1-2 Water Coppice Hill, Himley DY3 SY3 8JX 01743 354422 Lane, Shrewsbury SY1 4DA 01384 238583 Wednesbury. WS10 7PA 1QU 01743 249126 SY2 6AE 01743 366658 Street, Stafford, ST16 THE GOLDEN CROSS 14 0121 502 0720 SHERAZ 79 Wyle Cop, 2AG 01785 227 500/600 THE DITCH 1 Town Hill, Princess St, Shrewsbury, LA LANTERNA The Old THE SPRINGHILL Shrewsbury SY1 1UT MARLOES 13 London Walsall, WS1 2EU SY1 1LP 01743 362507 Vestry, St Julian's 01922 643215 Warstones Rd, Penn, Church, Shrewsbury 01743 242321 Road, Newcastle under GRANARY BAR & GRILL DON SALVO 25 Darlington Wolverhampton WV4 SY1 1UH 01743 233552 THE SILVERTON the Old Lyme, ST4 1LQ 01782 Weston Park, Weston- Street, Wolverhampton 4LB 01902 342530 LION & PHEASANT 50 661983 under-Lizard, Nr Shifnal, Dairy, 9-10 Frankwell, WV1 4HW 01902 712819 THE SUMMERHOUSE 92 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury Shrewsbury SY3 8JY THE MILL 1 Mill St, Stone, Gospel End Rd, Dudley TF11 8LE 01952 DUNSLEY HALL Dunsley SY1 1XJ 01743 770345 01743 248000 ST15 8BA 01785 DY3 4AN 01902 676 852107 Rd, Kinver, DY7 6LU THE LION QUAYS Moreton, 818456 102 TIN TINS Wellington Road, 01384 877077 THE GLUTTON CLUB 165- Oswestry SY11 3EN THE NAVIGATION INN THORNESCROFT 167 Frankwell, Telford TF2 8AJ FARADAYS The 01691 684300 01952 608688 Newport Road, Gnosall, Bridgnorth Rd, Shrewsbury SY3 8LG Stafford ST20 0BN Waterfront, , LOCH FYNE Talbot House, THE WALLS Wolverhampton, WV6 01743 361672 Welsh Walls, 01785 822327 Dudley, DY5 1UR 7EQ 01902 700 253 Market Street, Oswestry SY11 1AW 01384 482 882 HADLEY PARK HOUSE Shrewsbury SY1 1LG OLD VICARAGE 2 Main St, Claverley, 01691 670970 FIVE RIVERS Vicarage Hadley Park, Telford TF1 01743 277140 Branston, Burton, DE14 Wolverhampton WV5 6QJ 01952 677269 ZIZZI RISORANTE 39-40 3EX 01283 533222 Place, Walsall WS1 3NA 7DG 01746 710 553 LUDLOW KITCHEN High Street, Shrewsbury 01922 646164 HAVANA REPUBLIC PASCAL AT THE OLD VIC- Bromfield, Ludlow, SY2 SY1 1SF 01743 353232 18 Abbey Foregate, 2JR 01584 856020 ARAGE 2 Main Street, THE MALTHOUSE The Branston, Burton-upon- Wharfage, Ironbridge Staffordshire Tren 01283 533222 TF8 7NH 01902 433712 PASTICHE BISTRO 1 - 2 Mill NO 5 Gaol Mews, Stafford Street, Stafford, ST16 MOMO·NO·KI T19 Abbey ST16 3AN 01785 22 9900 (EST 86) Foregate,Shrewsbury, 2AJ 01782 263 737 95 HIGH GREEN THE DINNER CLUB SY2 6AE 01743 281770 Cannock. THE PEAR TREE Swinfen, A RECIPE FOR FINE FOOD AND GOOD COMPANY WS11 1BH 01543 Nr. Lichfield, WS14 9QR MORGANS 1 Bellstone, 573905 01543 481807 Shrewsbury SY1 1HU 1709 THE BASSERIE 3-5 PORTOFINO 38-40 Marsh 01743 231199 Lombard St, Lichfield. SINGLE? MR UNDERHILLS Dinham St Stoke-On-Trent, ST1 WS13 6DP 01543 1JD 01782 209444 Weir, Ludlow Shropshire 257986 For the more discerning SY8 1EH 01584 874431 THE RED ROOM 7 BELLA ITALIA 20 Greengate unattached person, age 40+ THE MYTTON & MERMAID Newcastle Road, St, Stafford, ST16 2HS Congleton CW12 4HN Atcham, Shrewsbury, 01785 211968 01260 297871 Events weekly include dining out, dinner dances, black tie SY5 6QG 01743 761220 CHANDLERS Corn THORNBURY HALL, RASOI balls,theatre, parties, weekends away and holidays abroad. THE OLD ORLETON INN balls,theatre, parties, weekends away and holidays abroad. Exchange, Conduit St, Lockwood Rd, Kingsley Holyhead Rd, Wellington, Lichfield, WS13 6JU Holt, Stafford ST10 2DH TF1 2HA 01952 255011 NOT A DATING AGENCY 01543 416688 01538 750831 THE OLD RECTORY HOTEL THE CORNER HOUSE WOLSELEY ARMS & RESTAURANT Lowe Hill Second Avenue,Burton- (Day) (Eve/W-end) Wolseley Bridge, Stafford 01244 677030 /01244 548816 Road, Wem, Shropshire On-Trent DE14 2WF ST17 0XS SY4 5UA 01939 233233 01283 542321 01889 883179 THE PEACH TREE 21 Abbey CURRY KUTEER 31 www.thedinnerclubuk.com Foregate, Greengate Street, Stafford 66 www.whatsonlive.co.uk p67 (IBC) R2.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2015 19:50 Page 1 grand_whatson FP April:Layout 1 06/03/2015 10:27 Page 1 Great Theatre at the Grand!

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