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Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ISSUE 370 OCTOBER 2016

Birmingham

RICH HALL ’ COMIC GENIUS’ OUT ON TOUR... WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On birminghamwhatson.co.uk

inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

CULT MUSICAL COMES TO THE NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE Alton Towers F/P Oct.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 14:09 Page 1 Contents October Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 11:28 Page 1

October 2016

Contents

Birmingham Comedy Festival - return of the UK’s longest-running comedy festival page 23

Jean-Michel Jarre Polica Grand Designs the list

godfather of electronic music play the Midlands in support of Kevin McCloud hosts leading Your 16-page talks about his world tour latest album, United Crushers contemporary home show week-by-week listings guide Interview page 8 page 15 page 43 page 51

inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 20. Comedy 26. Theatre 37. Film 40. Visual Arts 43. Events

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First Word

Dudley-born Josie Lawrence headlines Birmingham’s first improv festival Birmingham is hosting its first Improv Festival this month. The brand new three-day event, comprising 10 shows and eight workshops, sees Dudley-born actress and ‘improv queen’ Josie Lawrence making a welcome return to the Midlands. Presented in the intimate setting of the Jewellery Quarter’s Blue Orange Theatre - from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 October - the festival features plays, musicals, sketches, puppets and costume dramas. Commenting on the event, its director, Jon Trevor, said: “This is a unique opportunity for people to be part of the first festival of its kind in what I believe to be a great festival city. Audiences can expect the unexpected, with lots of twists and turns. In fact, nobody knows how each performance will pan out - it really is relying on audience participation. I want people to immerse themselves and just have a really memorable and fun night out.” The festival culminates in a special charity showcase in aid of Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Kara Tointon to star in Celebrating 25 years of Gaslight at the New Alex contemporary music in Former EastEnders favourite Kara Tointon, the city... Merlin actor Rupert Young and one-time A concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of hellraiser Keith Allen visit the Midlands next Birmingham Contemporary Music Group’s year in a revival of Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 (BCMG) Sound Investment crowdfunding psychological thriller, Gaslight. scheme is one of the highlights of the ensem- West End leading lady Kara, whose career ble’s recently announced 2016/17 season. has also seen her win Strictly Come Dancing, The Thomas Adès-conducted concert, taking will take the part of Bella Manningham, the place on Saturday 10 December at the CBSO role memorably played by Ingrid Bergman in Centre, will feature several Sound Phillip and Holly to bring the classic 1944 film adaptation. Investment pieces and the world premiere of This Morning to the The UK tour of Gaslight begins at the New a new work by Francisco Coll. Midlands Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, where it Other new-season highlights include world plays from 6 to 14 January. premieres by Colin Matthews, Kevin Volans A lifestyle show inspired by ITV1’s This and Helen Grime, as well as numerous fami- Morning programme will make its debut at ly concerts and composing workshops for Birmingham’s NEC next spring. children. Featuring live appearances by Phillip Commenting on the forthcoming pro- Schofield and Holly Willoughby - the presen- gramme, the ensemble’s new artistic direc- ters of the popular daytime television series - tor, Stephan Meier, said: “The season cele- the event will also feature numerous lifestyle brates the extraordinary contribution that elements, including fashion & style, food & BCMG, and its many Sound Investors, have drink, home, gardening, pets, beauty, and made to creating the music of today, for the health & wellbeing. audiences of now and tomorrow. Commenting on the new four-day show, “It’s invigorating to lead into the future an Emma Gormley, ITV Daytime Managing ensemble that, by its nature, sails in Director, said: “This Morning is one of ITV's uncharted waters, and I’m very much look- most loved and iconic brands. With our fan- ing forward to navigating further BCMG tastic presenting talent and the wonderful adventures alongside international com- mix of content that we'll be taking on the posers, musicians and audiences of all road, this event promises to delight fans of ages.” the show across the country.” To find out more about BCMG and its new This Morning Live takes place at the NEC season, visit bcmg.co.uk from 18 to 21 May.

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Entertainment news from around the region

Sing your heart Hippodrome highlights... out in Yardley West End favourite Sheridan Smith starring in A free singalong event described Funny Girl, a new tour of Sir Cameron as ‘a fusion of The Dubliners and Mackintosh’s legendary musical Miss Saigon, Mr Bill’s Beer Keller’ is taking place and the first UK production of The Addams in Birmingham this month. Singing Your Heart Out sees a Family are among the highlights of Birmingham dozen folk musicians performing a Hippodrome’s 2016/17 season. dozen traditional tunes from The forthcoming months also see Matthew around the British Isles, with the Bourne making a return to the venue with a new songs’ lyrics projected onto a big production of The Red Shoes and Welsh screen so that the audience can National Opera performing Cole Porter’s Kiss Me join in. The event takes place at Our Lady Kate. of Lourdes church in Trittiford There’s an eclectic selection of dance works to Road, Yardley Wood, on Friday 14 enjoy as well, including Material Men - a virtu- October, starting at 8pm. oso piece bringing together classical Indian Although Singing Your Heart Out is dance and hip-hop - and the return of Dance free to attend, interested parties Sampled, an opportunity for audiences to check are requested to book their tickets out a mixture of dance styles. online, so that the organisers have an idea of how many people will For the theatre’s complete line-up of shows and be attending. The event’s website to book tickets, visit is singingyourheartout.webs.com birminghamhippodrome.com. Tickets can also be booked on 0844 338 5000. A fashionable show indeed! The Bear that High Street art to make you smile gives... A free, family-friendly local arts festival in the Birmingham suburb A Midlands arts venue is of Harborne is this month making a welcome return. asking people to ‘give the Organised by local arts group Artscoop Central, the Harborne gift of theatre this Artsmile is an annual event which sees talented local artists set Christmas’. themselves up in various shops along Harborne High Street. mac Birmingham is seek- Previous Artsmile festivals have showcased doll-making in vintage ing donations to fund furniture shops, photography in opticians, chair embellishing in tickets for local children pizzerias, painting in pubs, in challenging circum- storytelling in cafes, sculpture-making in restaurants stances to see its and youth quartets performing Christmas production of outside coffee houses. the Raymond Briggs story, The event takes place on The Bear. Saturday 22 October from All donations will be 12pm to 4pm. matched by a generous The Midlands Fashion Awards take For full programme details, legacy from a mac sup- place in Birmingham this month. visit artsmile.org.uk Now in its ninth year, the event porter, to ensure the offers a platform for local designers opportunity can be to showcase their collection to fash- enjoyed by as many ion industry professionals. young people as possible. “We’ve seen so many previous win- Arts groups and organisations urged ners go on to develop their own Donations can be made to bid for new project funding careers,” says show founder Jenny when booking tickets, or Eason. “We’re giving creatives a online at the venue’s Just Birmingham’s council and Arts Council England (ACE) have joined chance to excel in their field as well Giving page. together to offer funding for art & culture projects in the Aston as on their home turf. Often the and Newtown areas of the city. pressure for designers and creatives Until recently, the districts were served by The Drum arts centre, to move to London is overwhelming, but following the venue’s closure earlier this year, the city council, but there are so many potential opportunities right here in the ACE and local stakeholders have been working to identify priori- Midlands. An event like this proves ties for cultural development in both areas. that there’s a melting pot of talented Arts groups and organisations - either new or established - wish- individuals just waiting for their ing to engage with residents in Aston and Newtown can now chance to shine.” apply for grants from a £500,000 funding pot. Applications must The event takes place at the CBSO be made by 10 October. All applicants must be able to demon- Centre on Friday 7 October. Tickets are available from midlands- strate a 20 percent contribution from other sources and satisfy the fashionawards.co.uk criteria for funding. For further information, visit birminghamculture.org whatsonlive.co.uk 5 FIRST WORD October B'ham.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 12:19 Page 3

First Word

TV favourites to star in The Exorcist Popular television and theatre actors Jenny Seagrove and Peter Bowles will star in this month’s production of The Exorcist at Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Seagrove is perhaps best known as QC Jo Mills in the television series Judge John Deed, while Bowles has enjoyed starring roles in numerous TV shows, including To The Manor Born, The Irish RM, The Bounder, Rumpole Of The Bailey and Only When I Laugh. The Exorcist is receiving its UK premiere at The REP, where it shows from Friday 21 October to Saturday 5 November. Tickets can be booked by ringing 0121 236 4455 or online at birmingham- rep.co.uk

Birmingham celebrates First celebrity Black History Month... Bear announced With its international reputation as one of the UK's most diverse cities, for Big Sleuth Birmingham is once again seizing the opportunity to acknowledge the cultur- Bear Grylls will be making a al contributions of its many communities by celebrating Black History Month. contribution to Following the recent deaths of Prince and A Tribe Called Quest's Phife Dawg, Birmingham’s Big Sleuth events and performances across the city will this year tie in with the theme of trail of bear sculptures next black music icons, with full listings and details available at birmingham- Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze summer. blackhistorymonth.co.uk. Poetry, theatre, dance, cinema screenings and more The popular explorer has is being funded by Birmingham City Council, and led and produced by teamed up with Retail Birmingham Blackstory Partnership, a passionate collective of organisations Birmingham, the organisa- and individuals including Inspiring A New Generation, Strawberry Words Ltd, tion which represents retail- Paulette Francis Green and mac Birmingham. ers in the city centre, to Here are just a few of our highlights... design one of the 165cm-tall sculptures. Family Awareness Day & Beatfreeks present Poetry Jam Malcolm X Youth Conference The sculpture-trail initiative Cultural Market Java Lounge, Colmore Row, Thurs 6 Oct Birmingham City University, Sat 15 Oct is a collaboration between mac, Birmingham, Sat 1 Oct Pop along and jam with a community For its second annual youth confer- Birmingham Children’s Enjoy a free exhibition, arts and crafts of young creative minds at Beatfreeks' ence, the Organisation of Black Unity Hospital Charity and creative for children, poetry, a craft market and monthly open mic session, themed commemorates the legacy of Malcolm producers Wild In Art. The a screening of Black Britain On Film to around Black History Month for X and the 50th anniversary of the Black organisations previously celebrate the start of Black History October. All kinds of poetry, rap and Panther Party with an afternoon of Month spoken word are welcome. Arrive early teaching, performance and discussion. teamed up to present The to sign up for a slot. Big Hoot, a trail of owl Rosa Parks: The Hidden Homelands Showcase sculptures that inspired resi- Journey 946: The Amazing Story Of The Old Rep, Tues 18 Oct dents and tourists to uncov- Adolphus Tips mac, Birmingham, Sat 1 – Sun 2 Oct Homelands explores the heritage of er Birmingham’s cultural Birmingham REP, Thurs 6 – Sat 15 Oct Celebrating the 60th anniversary of four contemporary, black, UK-based gems and discover areas of From the acclaimed Kneehigh Theatre music artists through film and music. Rosa Parks' defiance on the the city they may not have comes an enchanting stage adaptation The Homelands tour followed journeys Montgomery bus, Jude Freeman's explored before. thought-provoking play is back by pop- of Michael Morpurgo's much-loved to the motherlands of grime artist MC The sun bear sculptures are ular demand after sell-out performanc- World War Two novel. This poignant Saskilla (Senegal), Mercury-nominated es in 2015. Directed by Lorna Laidlaw, tale of the courage and love of one R’n'B star Terri Walker (Jamaica), pro- intended to serve the same this new production has been extended young girl and her adventurous cat is ducer Diztortion (Suriname) and MOBO purpose. and adapted, making it even more brought to life on stage with music and award-winning singer Shakka vibrant. puppetry. (Dominica), documenting them in films that will be screened alongside per- National Poetry Day Gala with BEX LIVE Enterprise formances of specially commissioned Jean 'Binta' Breeze And Lifestyle Expo tracks. Holiday Inn, Sun 9 Oct Birmingham REP, Thurs 6 Oct Nubyond and Inspiring A New Explore a marketplace packed with Previously described as a ‘one-woman Generation Black History Family over 70 different exhibitors at the UK's festival’, the acclaimed Jean ‘Binta’ Day Breeze brings her powerfully personal premier event championing the creativity and entrepreneurship of people of Nubyond Universal Creativity, Unit 4 and political work to Birmingham REP. The Square, Broad Street, Sat 29 Oct Breeze will read selections from her colour. This vibrant event features eight books of poems and stories, companies in areas ranging from fash- Mark the end of Black History Month including her latest collection, The ion & beauty to health and wealth cre- with this city centre family fun day, Verandah Poems. ation. Live stage shows and competi- featuring craft stalls, performances, tions take place throughout the day, music, an arts auction, free arts & while an interactive kids' area keeps lit- crafts for children, refreshments and tle ones entertained. more.

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FEATURE

Jean-Michel Jarre

The godfather and pioneer of electronic music this month stops off in Birmingham as part of his world tour. What’s On recently caught up with the music icon to ﬁnd out more...

You’re bringing your tour to Barclaycard Arena this month, Jean-Michel. What can your Birmingham audience expect from your upcoming show? I’ve spent a lot of time working on what I believe to be an exciting stage design. I’ve always been involved in the visual aspect of my work. It’s very important nowadays, with technology allowing us to push the boundaries even more than when I started out. It’s a very exciting challenge to be able to explore different directions. On this new production, I want to share with the audience a totally different experience from what I’ve done in the past, and also, hopefully, a totally different experience from a usual electronic or rock music show. I want to immerse the audience in my music and performance. I’m going to do my best to deliver a show that will satisfy them beyond their expectations. I know how big their expectations are, so I’m going to try not to disappoint them. This is your first live show for six years. Why the break? Quite simply, I’ve spent the last few years in the studio and travelling the world to compose and produce my double Electronica album, with over 30 collaborators from the electronic music scene who are legends and/or newcomers, and with whom I share a common music DNA. Believe me, it was far from a break! The Electronica project took over my life these past few years, and I’m delighted to have worked with so many wonderful musicians and to have made great friends along the way.

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by Lauren Foster

‘‘ I’m addicted to making and performing my music - it consumes my life daily ” Your recent releases, Electronica 1: The ence of the multimedia concert as we the Great Pyramids. Now Birmingham hope- Time Machine and Electronica 2: The know it today. What was the original in- fully will be another great moment! Heart Of Noise, have seen you collaborate spiration behind the idea? with an eclectic mix of artists, including With electronic music, you are not confined Hans Zimmer, Moby, Massive Attack, Pet to the acoustics of a concert hall, and that Your album, Oxygène, was released by a Shop Boys and Edward Snowden. Can inspired me to bring my music performance French independent label, having previ- you tell us a bit about how that came outdoors. Also, I’ve always been inspired by ously been turned down by every major about? architecture and how we perceive our envi- record label. What were their reasons for The project came from an idea I started ronment, whether man-made or natural. rejecting it? some time ago, gathering around me musi- That's where the idea initially came from for At the time, Oxygène was considered a to- cians, artists and collaborators who’ve been my Cities In Concert concept - hijacking a tally ‘far out’ concept. What was ‘in’ at the and who are an ongoing source of inspira- public space for a night and deploying all time was disco, hard rock and the early days tion to me - linked, directly or indirectly, to the tools available to me to create a unique of punk. And moreover, Oxygène was instru- technology and electronic music covering sound-and-vision spectacle and experience. mental. And I was French! different generations. Because everyone Before your professional career, you said yes, the project became much bigger The album has since gone on to sell 12 studied classical musical composition than I had imagined, and I decided to divide million copies and was presumably one and fronted punk act The Dustbins. Clas- Electronica into two separate albums. Vol- of the pinnacle moments of your career... sical, electronic and rock/punk are all ume one was released in October 2015, and Oxygène was the meteorite that indeed completely different sounds. Why did volume two in May 2016 with another bunch launched my career, and this year is its 40th you choose to go down the electronic of great collaborators. The essence of the anniversary, for which I have plans to cele- music route? double album was to physically travel to brate, but cannot say more at this moment. meet with those artists I’d invited on board, I am an explorer, a sound-hunter. I love all Watch this space! spending time in their working environment genres of music, but with technology, I dis- You’ve compared music to a ‘hard drug’. and sharing a creative process physically - covered that I could also create something Can you explain what you mean by this? merging our DNA through a piece of music. I new sound-wise. My classical education was composed the first demo for every artist a great foundation to compose with sounds I I’m addicted to making and performing my with my fantasy of their music and touch in could record from nature, voices and other music - it consumes my life daily. means, creating my own notes and personal mind, to start from something as a platform, Your live concert is something spectacu- sound. while leaving enough space for him or her to lar, featuring synthesizers and large- add their part. You’ve played a countless number of con- scale audio-visual shows. Are there any Electronic music festival Sónar saw the certs throughout your four-decade ca- plans to evolve it further? world premiere of your new show back in reer. Can you name some particularly I invite you to see the evolution on this tour! June this year. Why Sonar? memorable shows and venues? And finally, what does the future hold for That’s not easy to answer for me, as all of Sónar is one of the most renowned elec- Jean-Michel Jarre? tronic music festivals in the world, and they my concerts and shows are quite singular The future is here and now. kindly invited me to headline this year’s edi- and memorable, but this year is the 30th an- tion, showcasing my new music and kicking niversary of the Houston concert which I did off my brand new stage production. with NASA in front of the amazing down- town skyline of skyscrapers. The London Jean-Michel Jarre plays Barclaycard You’re the pioneer of electronic music Docklands concerts were also a most memo- Arena, Birmingham, on Saturday and were the first to create the experi- rable moment, as was Millennium Night at 8 October. whatsonlive.co.uk 9 FOOD September - Brum October .qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 16:32 Page 1

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Food

Old Joint Stock Pub voted one of the best... A Birmingham pub which hosts theatrical performances in its upstairs room has been voted one of the West Midlands’ top hostelries. The Old Joint Stock on Temple Row West is the only Birmingham pub to be included in The Good Pub Guide 2017. Commenting on the success, Jonathon Swaine, Managing Director of Fuller’s Inns, which owns the pub, said: “This is an amazing accolade for The Old Joint Stock. Being crowned one of the best pubs in the country is fantastic, but to be the only Birmingham pub to be recognised demonstrates just how much hard work, enthusiasm and passion the team have put into ensuring that the pub is a cut above its competitors.”

REVIEW: Zen Metro, Cornwall Street, Birmingham and coconut cream. The Pad Thai (£8.95) is great value for Restaurant ticks all the right boxes... money, a huge mound of noo- dles stir-fried with tofu, eggs and tamarind - at once sticky, rich and filling. The white chocolate & raspberry cheesecake (£5.95) finished my bloke off. Good as it was, he should’ve gone for the fried banana with coconut ice cream, served in a dainty brandy-snap basket. If I’m being picky, though, I would’ve liked it to have been drowned in syrup. After all the coconut cream in this meal, what’s a little extra sugar? A word about our waitress; she was brilliant. Friendly, attentive, enthusiastic about the menu, and all in a second language (she’s Polish). This woman deserves a pay rise. The new Zen Metro is smart and welcoming, with solid cooking and speedy service - just the place to head to for that crucial business dinner. The word ‘stal- Metro Bar & Grill has had a created it’. Hmm. is the classic raw papaya and wart’ will doubtless follow it facelift, and the result is not The reality is that the restaurant peanut salad, and be warned - it around for many years to come. what you might expect. This has had a welcome lick of paint, is hot. Lip-swelling, tongue-siz- Helen Stallard long-established after-work a blossoming tree has been zling, oesophagus-burning hot. restaurant has been a stalwart of Which is just as it should be. planted in the dining room, and Food: n n n n n Birmingham’s business district Som tum is never a salad for the whilst the lunch menu remains Service: n n n n n for years, the place for solicitors, chilli-dodger. Just one bite made European, the dinner menu has Ambience: n n n n n property developers and finan- me lurch onto the deliciously become Thai, which is a good Overall value n n n n n ciers to chow down on steaks gooey garlic & chilli chicken choice. There are very few places OVERALL n n n n n and forge deals. Now, surpris- doing this kind of food in this (£5.95) just to cool down a little. ingly, they’ve come over all part of town. The mains are less fiery. There’s Buddhist. Well, that’s what the There aren’t many surprises on a good selection of lighter, fish- website says anyway: Metro Zen, the menu, but what they are based dishes, but greedy as we Zen Metro as it’s now known, is inspired by doing, they are doing well. If we are, we opted for the rich, indul- 73 Cornwall Street the Zen Buddism Ens : ‘a circle measure value for money in gent massaman curry (£14.95). Birmingham drawn with one continuousō B3 2DF terms of ‘pounds spent’ against It’s made with lamb rather than brush stroke to express a partic- Tel: 0121 200 1911 ‘points on the Scoville scale’, the more usual beef, with fantas- ular moment in time that is as then the Som tum (£5.95) would tic depth of flavour from the individual as the person that come out very well indeed. This wealth of slow-cooked spices whatsonlive.co.uk 11 FOOD September - Brum October .qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 17:52 Page 3

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Food

Glynn Purnell to Spanish venue wins Best Restaurant title at become ‘Secret Chef’ prestigious Birmingham Awards ceremony Michelin-starred Birmingham chef Spanish eatery El Borracho de Oro has scooped the Best Restaurant title at this year’s Birmingham Glynn Purnell will host his own tele- Awards. vision show on ITV1 next year. Held recently at the city’s Vox Conference Centre, the awards aim to bring the pride of Secret Chef will see Glynn teaching a Birmingham together under one roof, recognising everything from small businesses to the best complete novice how to cook and restaurants and also including categories such as Excellence In Media. prepare a lavish meal for their family Commenting on the Edgbaston venue’s win, owner Emma Yufera-Ruiz said: “We’re absolutely and friends, entirely from scratch. delighted and thrilled. I would like to thank all of the hard-working team at El Borracho de Oro, “This was probably the most difficult most especially our General Manager, Leo, and our Head Chef, Ignacio.” TV job I’ve had,” says Glynn. “I’ve taught my children to chop vegeta- bles and help out in the kitchen - and they are better cooks than the person I was teaching! I had six weeks to teach this person to cook. At the end of it, he had to surprise his friends and family with a meal they thought that I’d cooked!” As well as his new TV show, Glynn is making a welcome return to BBC’s Saturday Kitchen next month. He’s also published a new cookery book, Rib Ticklers And Choux-Ins - available now, priced £19.99.

Marco’s New York Italian launches new menu Marco Pierre White’s restaurant at Birmingham “If I had to choose only one cuisine to eat for Airport’s Holiday Inn has launched a new the rest of my life, it would be Italian,” says menu. Marco. “My mother was Italian, and I spent a Alongside old favourites such as Baked New lot of time in Italy with her when I was a boy. York Italian Meatballs and Lasagne Bolognese My New York Italian is all about creating a Al Forno, diners at Marco’s New York Italian comfortable environment for friends and fami- can now enjoy a selection of new dishes. These ly to relax and enjoy some of my favourite include Chicken Milanese Burger, New Orleans Italian and American foods.” Seafood Kebab, Classic Spaghetti Napoletana, For more information, visit Seared Seabream with Caponata and The Long mpwrestaurants.co.uk/restaurants/birming- Island Seafood Platter. ham-airport A vegan’s delight in Wolverhampton The ninth annual West Midlands Great Gusto! New Brum Vegan Festival takes place at restaurant and cocktail Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall this month (Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 bar opens for business October). Contemporary Italian restaurant group Gusto has The two-day event will feature 120- opened a new restaurant in Birmingham. plus stalls offering hot and raw food, The 130-cover eatery is located on the ground floor of cakes, confectionary, footwear, cloth- the iconic Grand Hotel development in the Cathedral ing, cosmetics and toiletries. Quarter of the city. The festival also includes 10 cookery Commenting on the new restaurant, Gusto’s managing demonstrations, 40 talks, a selection director, Sue Crimes, said: “We’ve had our sights set on of live, on -stage entertainment Birmingham for some time and are excited to be spear- throughout the weekend, a vegan heading the ongoing food and drink renaissance of the bar, alternative therapies and numer- area. We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to further ous kids’ activities. expand into one of the fastest developing cities in the For more information, visit mid- UK.” landsveganfestival.org.uk

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Gigs

The Sunshine Underground O2 Academy, Birmingham, Thurs 20 October It’s 10 years since Shropshire band The Sunshine Underground released their debut album, Raise The Alarm. Although both that and second album Nobody’s Coming To Save You showcased an indie rock sound, the boys took a different direction a couple of years back and focused on their first love - electronic music. Following the release of their fourth (and last) album, Luminescent, the band is this month embarking on their farewell tour. Commenting on the split, lead singer Craig Wellington said: “Musically, we’ve become a very different band to the one we started out as, and 10 years since the debut album felt like the right time to say ‘that was a good progres- sion from album one to four, and now it’s time to do something different’.” Read the full interview at whatsonlive.co.uk

Jamie T MØ O2 Academy, Birmingham, Sat 1 October The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham, Sat 15 October Danish singer-songwriter Karen Marie Ørsted - or MØ, as she’s more commonly known in the music world - released debut album No Mythologies To Follow back in 2014. Its unique blend of soul, punk, electro, R&B and pop harmonies was greatly praised by the critics, launching a career that’s since seen her collaborating with artists such as Iggy Azalea and winning over festival crowds and pop fans alike. The co-writer and voice of worldwide hit Lean On by Major Lazer, MØ visits the Midlands as part of a new world tour, taking place ahead of the release of her highly anticipated second album. Nickelback Genting Arena, Birmingham, Fri 14 October Comprising guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist, keyboardist and backing One of the most distinctive voices in British vocalist Ryan Peake, bassist Mike Kroeger music, Jamie T released his debut album, and drummer Daniel Adair, multi-platinum- Panic Prevention, in 2007 to great critical selling Canadian rock band Nickelback bring acclaim. their No Fixed Address world tour to Best known for singles such as If You Got Birmingham. The Money, Sheila and Sticks’n’Stones, the The band were originally due to play the city London-born singer-songwriter has since last November but were forced to cancel due released a further three albums - Kings & to Chad needing an extended period of vocal Queens (2009), Carry On The Grudge (2014) rest following voicebox surgery. and this year’s Trick, a highly praised fusion Having sold more than 50 million albums of rock, punk, reggae, rap and pop, in sup- worldwide and notched up the fourth best- port of which he’s playing this gig and tour- selling song of the 21st century’s first decade ing the UK. - 2001’s How You Remind Me - the fellas are a must-see experience for any rock fan. 14 whatsonlive.co.uk Music - October - Birmingham LF.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 11:32 Page 2

Gig previews from around the region

Backbeat Sound System Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Mon 17 October

Backbeat Sound System are an uptempo reggae band from Cornwall Level 42 Arena for 21 nights and sold over 30 million who take their influences from gen- albums worldwide. res including funk, ska, pop and dub Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Tues 11 October This month’s Birmingham gig comes in sup- to create a fun and original sound. port of their recently released EP, Sirens II, To say ’80s pop legends Level 42 have had a They’re a well-known name on the and showcases new material alongside a successful career would be an understate- UK festival circuit and, since forming selection of their greatest hits. in 2008, have appeared at many of ment. The band have released 27 albums, the more high-profile summertime had 18 top-40 singles, sold out Wembley get-togethers, including Glastonbury, Boomtown Fair, Beautiful Days and Secret Garden Party. The band visit Birmingham’s Hare & Poliça Heidi Talbot Hounds this month for what promis- O2 Institute, Birmingham, Thurs 20 October Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 8 October es to be an explosive, high-energy Former singer of Irish-American musical show. group Cherish The Ladies, Heidi Talbot is a well-known name in the folk world. She’s currently touring her new LP, Here We Nell Bryden Go, 1, 2, 3, for which she was joined by a The Glee Club, Birmingham, host of musicians and co-writers, including Sun 9 October; Huntingdon Hall, Louis Abbott (Admiral Fallow), Duke Special Worcester, Fri 14 October and Boo Hewerdine. In 2012, Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter Nell Bryden released Sirens - a song based on her experiences of living in New York in the aftermath of 9/11. The track caught the attention of many an artist - Gary Barlow, Jools Holland and Counting Crows, to name but a few. Buzzcocks Nell has since become a Radio Two listeners' favourite, gaining plenty of The Copper Rooms, Coventry, Tues 18 October acclaim for her powerful, soaring Pop-soul outfit Poliça play the Midlands in vocals and accomplished songwrit- support of their latest album, United Forming, along with the Sex Pistols and the ing. Crushers, following a triumphant perform- Clash, the original holy trinity of British ance at the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival last punk, Buzzcocks are genuine, twenty-four month. carat punk rock royalty. Superstar groups The band, which comprises Channy such as REM, Nirvana and Green Day have Leaneagh, dual drummers Drew all been happy to acknowledge the influ- Christopherson and Ben Ivascu, Chris ence which the Bolton-originated band had Beirden on bass and producer Ryan Olson, on their music. Influential in terms of both collectively wrote the album in Minneapolis the independent record movement and the in the winter of 2015, during their first true Manchester music scene, the band were break from touring in two long years. once hailed ‘the Beatles of punk’, their The new album builds on Poliça’s signature sound being described as a fusion of pop synthesizer and percussion-heavy sounds craftsmanship and rapid-fire punk energy. with more complex arrangements and a big- They stop off in Coventry as part of their ger, crisper, hi-fi punch. 40th Anniversary World Tour.

For the complete gig guide visit whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Classical Birmingham October.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 11:29 Page 1

Classical Music

Max Reger Festival Various venues including Birmingham Conservatoire, Fri 14 - Tues 18 October Although Max Reger’s output was prolific during what proved to be a tragically short life - he died of a heart attack at the age of 43 - relatively few of his compositions have seen the light of day in the 21st century. This five-day celebration of the last of the great German organ masters is taking place to mark the centenary of his death. Distinguished contributors include Thomas Trotter, Johannes Goritzki and Ulrich Walther (pictured). The festival sees Reger’s organ works being placed in the wider context of his CBSO: Symphonie fantastique chamber and solo music, and focuses on Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 19 October different aspects of his compositions. Norwegian classical violinist Vilde Frang (pictured) lends her sublime talent to this Nicholas Collon-conducted CBSO performance of Symphonie fantastique, a piece written by an opium-fuelled Hector Berlioz as a reaction to a deeply affecting romantic failure. The evening’s programme also features Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin - each movement of which is dedicated to the memory of a friend lost during the Great War - and Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Violin Concerto, a work influenced by the music which the composer had previously written for Hollywood movies.

Tamsin Waley-Cohen Birmingham In Recital Philharmonic Birmingham Town Hall, Mon 3 October Orchestra The Bramall, Birmingham University, Sun 16 October Berlin Philharmonic Birmingham Philharmonic Wind Quintet Orchestra’s latest concert features The Barber Institute, Birmingham, three works selected by its music Wed 19 October director, Michael Lloyd. The rousing overture from Wagner’s comic opera, The Mastersingers Of Nuremberg, is presented alongside a selection of French folk songs arranged for soprano voice by Joseph Canteloube. Bartók’s masterful and nostalgic Concerto For Orchestra completes the In a glittering career, acclaimed violinist programme. It took over 100 years for the Berlin Tamsin Waley-Cohen has performed with The Philharmonic is joined by Philharmonic to establish its first perma- some of the UK’s most esteemed orchestras, Dublin-born soprano Alison Roddy, nent wind quintet. Since coming into including the Royal Philharmonic and the whose impressive CV features a per- being in 1988, during Herbert von London Concert Orchestra. She’s well known formance of Handel's Messiah with Karajan’s time as musical director of the in this neck of the woods for her work with the City of Birmingham Symphony orchestra, the quintet have cemented the Stratford-based Orchestra of the Swan, Orchestra. their position as a major player on the with whom she’s been associate artist. world stage. Tamsin performs in Birmingham this month They’re here making their debut at the with her regular partner, pianist Huw Barber with an eclectic programme for Watkins, presenting the following pro- flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn. gramme: Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No 5, The evening features Mozart’s Fantasy For Spring; Elgar’s Violin Sonata in E minor; A Mechanical Organ KV 594, Kalevi Aho’s Ravel’s Violin Sonata No 2 in G major; and a Wind Quintet No. 2, Tomasi’s Cinq danses selection from Gershwin’s Porgy And Bess Profanes et Sacrées, and Paul Taffanel’s (arr. Heifetz). Quintette.

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whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Dance October Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 11:34 Page 1

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Dance Dance previews from around the region

Aneckxander DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Fri 7 October Cartwheels and nudity combine in this solo performance by Belgian dancer and circus artist Alexander Vantournhout. “Aneckxander questions the way in which identity can be reduced to physical charac- teristics,” explains Vantournhout. “I have two short legs, two short arms and a long neck, and it’s these disproportions that I make use of to provide a creative answer to the reduction of identity.” The piece sees Vantournhout performing all manner of gymnastics as a means of convey- ing the way in which the body exposes itself to prying eyes; eyes from which it also tries to escape...

Jasmin Vardimon: Aditi Mangaldas Dance Romeo And Juliet Pinocchio Company: Inter_rupted Albany Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 20 October; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Sat 22 October; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 29 October Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, The Core Theatre, Solihull, Wed 26 October; Sun 30 October Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, Thurs 27 October; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Wed 9 “For kathak dance to be appealing to new November; Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, audiences and young people,” explains Thurs 19 January Indian dance revolutionary Aditi Mangaldas, “it’s essential that their minds and their pre- conceived notions of classicism are challenged.” Mangaldas’ latest kathak work is an exploration of ‘fragility, disintegration and renewal’. Featuring seven dancers, it perfectly exemplifies the choreographer’s ongoing commitment to the task of infusing traditional dance with modern sensibilities, com- "I find unique curiosity in rediscovering this bining 21st century sound, rhythm and light original 1883 classic tale,” says Jasmin with an art form that’s existed since at least Vardimon in speaking about Carlo Collodi's 400 BCE. famous story of Pinocchio. “The original “New audiences, young audiences, need to novel allows us to critically examine the be drawn into a world of imagination,” Aditi assumptions of ourselves and others about continues, “a world which engages them what it means to be human.” and demands their immediate attention. Jasmin’s company here combines physical Dance is different from a book, a painting or a piece of music in that it’s intangible - it’s theatre and quirky characterisation with Innovation is definitely the name of the innovative technologies, text and dance to presented and then it’s over and finished with. That’s why it’s so important to trans- game for Leicestershire dance company create a hugely accessible work. Ballet Theatre UK. The ensemble draw their port young viewers and transform their “We have so many audience members telling inspiration from classical dance, theatre, minds. One of the best ways to do that is to us it’s the first time they’ve ever seen dance, popular culture and literature, all of which refashion a traditional dance form like and that they didn’t realise they’d enjoy it so feed into their critically acclaimed produc- kathak by producing contemporary work much,” says Jasmin. “You can see that tions of timeless ballets. which is based upon it.” they’re emotionally attached or intellectual- The company is this season joining the year- ly engaged and want to speak and talk about long celebrations to mark four centuries of it more. And that’s exactly what I always Shakespeare’s legacy by presenting this hope to do with my art. I want to make peo- brand new version of Romeo And Juliet. ple think and ask questions; I don't want to Expect exquisite dancing, stunning cos- give answers. At the end of the day, I see tumes and imaginatively designed stage myself as a storyteller and communicator sets. about things that are important to me.”

whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Michael Morpurgo DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/09/2016 17:17 Page 1

FEATURE

MICHAEL MORPURGO

talks about Adolphus Tips, the story of how 946 American soldiers lost their lives during World War Two...

At first glance Adolphus Tips seems a pretty grim story for a family audience. What made you choose it? At first glance you’re right. One of the great challenges of writing about serious subjects for young people is to find a way of telling the story without patronising, and without senti- mentalising. In this case, I came across the story of a cat called Adolphus Tips who was owned by a farmer’s daughter at Slapton. This cat had to be left behind when the family, along with hundreds and thousands of others, were moved from their homes and farms and villages so that the Americans could practise life-like landings from the sea on the beach at Slapton sands. The true story is that the families were gone from their houses over a year, and all that time Adolphus Tips, the family cat, was left in a live exercise area with bombs falling all around. The cat survived and was found again by the family when they came home after the D-Day landings, after all the American soldiers were gone. During these exercises, the US soldiers and local people got to know one another and to like one another, and it was during that year of exercises that Opera- tion Tiger happened, during which German e- boats surprised the American ships and landed craft at sea and attacked them. Nine hundred- and-forty-six died, and this event was hushed up by the US and the British for a long time. So yes, a grim story, but on the other hand, a time when people from different lands and different cultures got to know one another well and when friendships were made. I concen- trated my story on that family and the relationship between them and two black American GIs and their search for the missing cat, for the farmer’s daughter. It was a way into telling the story, I felt, maintaining the seriousness of what happened, about the loss, but also about the love and the triumph of love over loss. Michael Morpurgo DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/09/2016 17:17 Page 2

Michael Morpurgo

The story’s about displaced people. the Asylum at the wonderful Heligan Gar- Which of your books is your favourite? Given the current situation regarding mi- dens in Cornwall, where Kneehigh put on All my books are special to me - they are all grants and refugees, is there any signifi- some of their shows. It was a huge hit there, my babies if you like. Often it’s the latest cant message within Adolphus Tips that wonderfully received and universally ac- one that I’ve written that’s my favourite. I’d we may do well to heed in 2016? claimed. Shortly afterwards, she was ap- been dreaming it for so long, living and Everyone in the story of Adolphus Tips is, pointed as artistic director at the Globe, and breathing its story, so that when it finally ar- for one reason or other, obliged to leave I believe felt it important to reach out to a rives as a newly published book, smelling home. The Americans over here, thousands wider audience at that theatre, a brave and wonderful and fresh out of the box, there is of miles from home and family. The farming important decision. There will be many fam- nothing like it. However, if I was to mention families expelled from their houses and the ilies who saw 946 at the Globe and loved the some favourites, War Horse would be up evacuee children finding refuge in the vil- spirit and energy of it and will no doubt be there, and the prequel to War Horse - Farm lage. So everyone in the story is in one sense back to see Shakespeare there. Boy - and Private Peaceful. War Horse is my a migrant, and everyone is supporting wife’s favourite too and that means a lot. For people who loved the stage version of everyone else. Is there a message in that? I War Horse and might be hoping that Is there a children’s book that you wish hope so. Adolphus Tips is a similar experience, in you’d written? Why Kneehigh? what ways will the production satisfy I wish I’d written The Iron Man, which I ad- What I love about Kneehigh is their wonder- their desire? mire because of its epic quality, its economy ful inventiveness and the way they weave to- In every way, but it is significantly different of writing and the beauty of the language. gether wonderful acting and glorious music as a show, smaller in scale, more intimate, What advice would you give to a would- and song. And terrific dance, and a script funnier, but like War Horse deals with seri- be writer of children’s stories? that never puts a foot wrong. ous issues. In War Horse, the puppets took Write from the heart and get it down, with- centre stage and were huge. In 946, the pup- Are the techniques and devices you use out worrying too much. Settle on an idea pets were important but not so significant in to engage a young reader different from that you care about, that you’re really pas- the production. They were also infinitely the ones used to engage a young theatre- sionate about, then research around it and smaller, especially the sheep and the mice! goer? dream it out in your mind. Don’t plan out No difference. When you write or make a As with Adolphus Tips, you feature ani- the plot too much, rather let it emerge as play for whatever audience, all that’s impor- mals in a number of your stories. What you write. Try and live inside your story, tant is that you mean it and that you write do you feel they bring to your books? hear and feel it all around you and become and act with total commitment, that you I think for many children, an animal helps the characters. never talk down to any audience and treat them go to places they would otherwise not them with the respect and sensitivity they venture into. With a dog, horse or cat as a deserve. companion, a young reader can empathise more readily, and so for a writer it does Earlier this year, Adolphus Tips was the 946: The Amazing Story Of Adolphus allow me to engage with subjects that might first ever family-friendly production to Tips is at Birmingham Rep from Thurday otherwise be too difficult or traumatic for be staged at the Globe, a theatre more 6 until Saturday 15 October and Warwick younger readers. Also, I am fascinated by usually associated with Shakespeare Arts Centre from Tuesday 8 until the relationship between animals and hu- plays. What prompted the venue to Saturday 12 November mans and how it affects us. How we can choose the story for its first foray into give and receive affection and trust. family entertainment? Emma Rice created the play last year for at Comedy October.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 12:08 Page 1

Comedy

Dane Baptiste Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 8 October; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 30 October With a new sitcom hitting TV screens recently and this touring show enjoying a positive response from critics and audiences alike, it’s fair to say 2016 is working out well for Dane Baptiste. It’s certainly been a whirlwind couple of years for the London-born funnyman. In 2014, he became the first ever black comedian to be nominated for the Foster's Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Fringe, a success achieved with his debut solo show, Citizen Dane. “This is my second show,” says Baptiste of the currently touring Reasonable Doubt, “so essentially it’s like my second album. And the pressure’s cranked up because the first show did so well. I’ve pretty much always wanted to be a comic, so there’s no alternative for me - I’ve got to make sure this goes well...”

Six of the best...

Kerry Sam Miles Jupp Godliman Simmons Birmingham Town Hall, Sat 29 October Artrix, Warwick Arts Bromsgrove, Sat Centre, Coventry, Once described by 8 October; The Fri 14 October the Evening Glee Club, Birmingham, Fri Junkie seagulls, Standard as having 14 October cherry tomatoes the distracted air of Comedian and on a train station bewilderment you actress Kerry platform and the might expect of a Godliman’s new heavily medicated man ‘who’d fallen touring show, Stick Or Twist, zeroes in on years of Brian Wilson featured among the asleep in the 1950s to the sound of cricket on why people take certain decisions and make subjects visited by Aussie funnyman Sam the village green and had only very recently particular choices - especially when it comes Simmons when he performed his latest show, woken up’, Miles Jupp wears tweeds and is to that potentially life-transforming (or ruin- Not A People Person, in Edinburgh this sum- posh. He’s also a hugely popular stand-up ing) moment when they start to think about mer. comedian, entertaining his audience with a moving house, city or country. Having last year bagged the Foster’s style of presentation that’s disarmingly polite “I was prompted by whether I should move Edinburgh Comedy Award and the Barry (given which fact, it’s perhaps a little surpris- out of London with my family,” explains Award at the Melbourne International ing that one of his best chums on the circuit Kerry, “but it opens up beyond that to why Comedy Festival, great things were under- is the bile-spewing Frankie Boyle!). people live where they live. Some people standably expected at the 2016 Fringe - Miles is visiting the Midlands with his latest choose it, others are forced to stay where although the show did prompt a surprisingly touring show, Songs Of Freedom. Expect they are or forced to move. Whether I’m mixed bag of reactions. ungainly attempts at being laddish and opin- happy where I live is the $64million ques- Sam’s style of comedy is off the wall, to say ions on all manner of subjects, from astro- tion.” the least. If you’ve enjoyed him before, this nauts and poo to lost stuff and other stuff. Kerry’s TV work includes the Ricky Gervais Midlands gig is an event not to miss; if you’re comedies Extras, Life’s Too Short and Derek. a first-timer, get yourself along, take a suit- She appeared in the latter as care home man- ably open mind with you and, in accordance ager Hannah. with Sam’s motto, embrace the chaos.

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Rich Hall New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme; Mon 3 October; The Glee Club, Birmingham, Tues 4 October; William Aston Hall, Wrexham, Thurs 6 October; Theatr Hafren, Newtown, Powys, Fri 7 October; The Place, Telford, Shropshire; Thurs 13 October; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Fri 21 October His official biography somewhat less than modestly describes American funnyman Rich Hall as ‘a comic genius’, albeit a ‘grouchy, deadpan’ one. It also explains that he ‘quit his job as a hurricane-namer for the United States meteorological service’ more than two decades ago - since which time, it’s fair to say, the sun has been smiling rather warmly on the hugely talented Virginian. With much of his comedy centring on making fun of life across the pond in his homeland, Rich is perhaps best known for his creation of Otis Lee Crenshaw, a bourbon-swilling red- neck jailbird from Tennessee whose many wives have all been named Brenda. Rich’s jokes include: “A hotel mini-bar allows you to see into the future and find out what a can of Pepsi will cost in 2020”.

Mark Zoe Lyons Joel Watson Artrix, Bromsgrove, Dommett Thurs 27 October Brewhouse Arts The Glee Club, Centre, Burton- High on confidence Birmingham, Fri 21 upon-Trent, Fri 7 and blessed with a October; Stafford October; Royal Gatehouse Theatre, Spa Centre, razor-sharp wit, Zoe Sat 29 October Leamington Spa, Lyons creates funny Thurs 13 October routines based on “I absolutely love A regular contrib- astute observation performing in utor to the of life’s absurdities. small, intimate Edinburgh Fringe, Mark Watson has the curi- Her latest show, titled Little Misfit, looks spaces,” says Joel Dommett, once the face of ous distinction of having performed stand- back on her experiences as the ‘awkward gay MTV - until he was sacked at the age of 27 for up shows which have lasted for a period in kid at school’ whose feeling of being differ- being ‘too old’. “I’d far rather do a small gig excess of 24 hours. ent was heightened by a severe bout of in front of 50 people, but be doing new stuff, “Comedy is certainly a time-consuming ele- alopecia and, consequently, a less-than- than do old stuff in front of 5,000 people.” ment of my life,” he admits, “but then while attractive comb-over. She also harboured Joe’s extremely committed to the business of I’m out touring and on stage, I’m not having secret desires for Charlie’s Angels - “The keeping his act fresh. “I’m working on mate- to do the far less glamorous things at home. blonde one mostly,” she admits, “but with a rial pretty much all the time,” explains the There have certainly been times when I’ve comb-over, who can afford to be fussy? one-time warm-up act for Justin Bieber been very happy to say, ‘Of course I’d like to Described by one reviewer as ‘Alan Bennett whose television work includes Skins, Live stay and help out with that plumbing crisis, on speed’, Zoe’s jokes include: ‘The old blind In Chelsea and Impractical Jokers UK. “In but Burton awaits!’” fisherman liked nothing more than coming fact, I try to put in something new every time home and putting on a pair of his favourite I go on stage. If there’s something new in kippers.’ there, it brightens up the whole set and gives it more energy and excitement.”

For more comedy listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Omid Djalili DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/09/2016 17:20 Page 1

FEATURE

Omid Djalili talks about being a Schmuck For A Night

Award-winning funnyman Omid Djalili is probably one of the most subversive comedians currently doing the rounds on the UK comedy circuit. An actor as well as a comic, Omid has appeared in numerous box office blockbusters, including Gladiator, The Mummy, Sex And The City 2 and the James Bond movie, The World Is Not Enough. He visits the Midlands this month with his brand new stand-up show, Schmuck For A Night. What’s On met up with him to find out more... Your new show's called Schmuck For A Night. Why Schmuck? I like the word ‘schmuck’. It means ‘fool’ or buffoon. You have to be a schmuck to do comedy in today’s climate. I’m embracing the schmuck in me to take on the big issues of our day. Plus, it’s a word that ends with ‘uck’, which can only be a good thing. The show is mellower than your other tours. Is that fair to say? I've become less frenetic. I used to dance every two minutes in between the stand-up. I can’t even remember why. It was mentioned to me that when I danced, audiences were laughing at me, not with me. So it was either stop dancing or ban my manager from the gigs. You touch on Brexit, ISIS and Trump in the show. It's a long tour - will the show change while you’re on the road? I think the show will change even while I’m on stage. It’ll be so current sometimes that audiences won’t laugh until they get home and turn on the TV. Are you looking forward to that challenge? Of course - although my main challenge is getting the audience in a good mood again after my support act, Boothby Graffoe, has been on. Sometimes people haven’t finished booing until a few minutes into my act! Omid Djalili DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/09/2016 17:20 Page 2

You produced a show known as the Iraq matter. The documentary We Are Many Shepperton Studios. I walked straight on Out & Loud Project at the Edinburgh was about the 2003 protests against the stage in my film costume. I went on stage in Fringe, which involved reading the war in Iraq. Are you proud of the film? full 1930s Egyptian prison warden garb. I Chilcot report in full, 24 hours a day. How It’s not a comedy, but you could easily say even heard an audience member say, “Well at did the idea come about? it’s my crowning achievement so far. I’ve least he’s making an effort.” I was on the phone to Boothby in July and worked on the project for the last five years - Away from stand-up, you have an impres- said, “We should do a show at next year’s Ed- countless edits, screenings, meetings, discus- sive acting CV, having worked with Rus- inburgh Festival where we just read the sions. The fact that Universal Pictures bought sell Crowe, Brad Pitt, Robert Redford, Chilcot report 24 hours a day.” He mentioned it, that it’s been so well received and hit Johnny Depp, Mike Myers and Sarah Jes- it to a promoter called Bob Slayer, rang me number one on iTunes in about 10 different sica Parker. Who’s been the most fun to back and said, “There's a guy called Bob countries, you could say I’m very proud of it. work with? who's mad enough to do it this year.” So A film promoting worldwide public opinion That’s a tough one. I’d say - and anyone while Bob was building a shed to stage it in, as a ‘second superpower’ has got to be doing who’s worked with him as an actor would we were contacting all our friends in comedy good. agree - that Keith Richards from the Rolling to read it and kick the idea off. It took 285 Will the film and the Chilcot report read- Stones was probably the most extraordinary. hours and 1,444 people to read it. I read too. ing make a difference, do you think? He played the father of Captain Jack Sparrow It was a truly one-off experience. You can never quantify the impact of such - Johnny Depp - in Pirates Of The Caribbean It was a great idea. The Edinburgh Com- things, but certainly it felt like they were im- 3. His character shoots and kills my character edy Awards judges certainly thought so, portant projects to be part of. In this life for no reason. This seemed to bother him. In awarding it the Panel Prize. you're either a problem or a solution. I’d like fact, he shot me about 14 times, and after At my age, winning an award! What a pleas- to think these projects - which raise more each take he’d come up to me and say, “Lis- ant surprise - although I’ve found that when questions than answers - are firmly en- ten, you do know I don't mean this?” After an idea is really good, it's no longer your trenched in the solution camp. Or at least try- every take. It was almost like a joke, but it idea. The idea belongs to the collaborators. ing to be! wasn’t. Bang! and he’d shuffle up and say, In fact, the idea felt like it belonged to the “Nothing personal mate, I hope you realise.” Your stand-up isn't particularly political comedy industry. Comics do nutty things all Then, after another take, with the same sin- or agenda-based, though... the time at the festival. Sometimes it’s a 24- cerity and intensity, “It’s all acting. You know Well, yes and no. I'm not party political, if hour show, sometimes mad benefit gigs, but that? You’re not upset with me, are you?” On that’s what you mean. I have no party politi- sometimes an idea really captures the zeit- one occasion he shot me and just said, “For- cal agenda. But I'll talk about what's going geist. Comedians are very adept at smelling give them, Lord, they know not what they on around us, trying to contribute to the dis- bs - by which I mean sensing when we’re do.” The final time he shot me, he just stood course. In fact, that’s what the show should being fobbed off - so it was important to us over me and mumbled, “We’ve all got issues. have been called: Schmuck Talks About that the readings were a simple, non-politi- It’s all about mummy, innit?” How right he What’s Going On Around Him, Trying To cal, people-powered public service. was. Contribute To The Discourse. Did you find anything funny in such a se- You’ve just been cast in The Nutcracker rious report? with Morgan Freeman and Keira Knight- Yes. It was in the final moments of the read- Omid Djalili brings his Schmuck For A ley. How’s it going to feel, filming and ings, after 285 hours and 1,444 people. The Night tour to Civic Hall, Wolverhampton then showing up at a theatre to do stand- very last paragraph of the Chilcot report is: on Sat 22 October; Royal Spa Centre, up? ‘How to read the Chilcot report’! It was a Leamington Spa on Sat 29 October; Palace You’d think it’d be weird, but it has never great punchline. Theatre, Redditch on Fri 4 November and fazed me. Once, in Barnet years ago, I was Huntingdon Hall, Worcester on Tues 15 You were involved as executive producer late, so didn’t change and came straight to November. on another project about similar subject the theatre from the set of The Mummy at More dates at whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy October.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 12:08 Page 3

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Birmingham Comedy Festival

Tickling the ribs of Midlanders since 2001, this annual event is one of the longest-running comedy festivals in the UK. Previous contributors include Peter Kay, Lee Evans, Michael McIntrye, Lenny Henry, John Bishop, Miranda Hart and Jimmy Carr. The festival returns this month to provide another 10 days of marvellous mirth across the city, and features performances by Justin Moorhouse, Simon Munnery, Kerry Godliman, Tony Law, Jason Byrne and many more... Birmingham Comedy Festival runs from 7 to 16 October at various venues across the city. Here are just a few of our festival favourites. For full listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk

Birmingham Comedy Neighbourhood Watch Atomic Magic Festival Breaking Talent Cherry Reds, The Electric Cinema, Award Tues 11 October Thurs 13 October The official publicity Thom Peterson’s alter The Glee Club, Fri 7 October for Neighbourhood ego of The Amazing Watch carries the Guy isn’t to be con- Birmingham comedy warning that ‘this fused with your com- legend Jasper Carrott show will make you mon-or-garden super- is among the judges laugh out loud a lot!’ Comic Theatre hero. There’s no catch- Stand-up running the rule over a Described as ‘an ing of speeding bullets hand-picked selection eccentric, madcap, character comedy show’, in his bare hands. What there is, however, is of emerging acts from Stand-up the production features Brassy Brenda, the a level of mind-twisting, wow-factor magic across the West Bumsville villagers, bingo, songs and ample that’s seen him become a regular performer Midlands. The competitors have been select- opportunities for audience participation. at Hollywood’s world famous Magic Castle. ed for their ‘gag-writing skills, observational And this being the BCF, you can expect plen- chops, deft delivery and potential to break ty of ‘uproarious comedy’ too. out’. LoveHard: Murdered By Murder Croft And Pearce Barry Bling, Mr Velvet And The Victoria, Old Joint Stock The Orchestra Of Chaos Tues 11 October Theatre, No strangers to the Sat 15 October The Spotted Dog, Digbeth, Fri 7 October Birmingham Comedy Hannah Croft and Festival, madcap dou- Fiona Pearce are cer- Local lads Barry Bling ble-act LoveHard tainly creating a (on keyboards) and Mr make a welcome splash in the sketch- Velvet, pictured, (on return with a 1930s-set show world at the drums) are the rather Sketch Show tale of a murder-mys- Comic theatre moment. Much small Orchestra Of tery party that goes admired at the Edinburgh Fringe, the duo Chaos, presenting an Musical Odyssey horribly wrong. Expect an absorbing night of last year won the BBC Audio Drama Award act that’s often been laughter-inducing mayhem. for Best Scripted Comedy after participating described as 'Pulp Fiction meets Phoenix in Radio Four’s Sketchorama, a success that Nights'. Their Birmingham Comedy Festival earned them their very own show. appearance sees the boys performing their first ever musical odyssey, from the Swinging Simon Munnery ’60s to the 21st century. The Victoria, Tues 11 October Tony Law Simon Munnery’s lat- The Station Pub, Suttoncoldfield, Rough est show features ‘an Fri 14 October opening to die for, Zany alternative come- Works seven wry observa- dy is Canadian funny- The Glee Club, tions, a tone poem, man Tony Law's stock- Sun 9 October four fresh skits and in-trade, a fact which A presentation of new two new command- Stand-up means his audience is material from ments’. Stand-up guaranteed an evening Midlands comics, His bag of gags include: “Beware the smile of of truly off-the-wall, boundary-defying Rough Works is curat- Stand-up a waiter. It means he's pissed in your soup,” stand-up. Jokes include: “My kid was looking ed by Birmingham's very own Jo Enright. and “In love, as in fighting, the winner has at me with doey eyes - we'd been baking that Alongside her stand-up career, Jo’s also an an eight-foot pole”. morning”. actor, appearing in television comedy series including Phoenix Nights, I’m Alan Partridge and Life’s Too Short.

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FEATURE Memories Are Made Of This

Million Dollar Quartet, the Vegas, West End and Broadway hit, arrives in the Midlands

The fourth of December 1956. Record pro- bumptious and never shuts up, and at this ducer Sam Phillips makes musical history point in his career, Elvis is still an extremely by uniting four rock’n’roll icons at his Sun polite, shy young man. It's almost hard to Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. believe it when you think of all those pic- Inspired by an astonishing real-life event, tures of him at the end of his career, bloated Million Dollar Quartet brings to life on stage and addled with drugs and so on. But that's the legends that are Elvis Presley, Johnny what he was like at this point. Sam Phillips I Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. see as quite a grisly, tough guy who wants to control them all. He's very possessive.” Following successful runs in Vegas, the West End and on Broadway, this smash-hit It might create moments of inspiration or musical is visiting Malvern Theatres and even genius, but to some extent, putting Birmingham Hippodrome this month as four megastars together in one room is part of a new UK tour directed by Ian Talbot. bound to lead to clashes. For the most part, We spoke to Talbot to find out more. this is a laid-back jamming session where all of the musicians get their chance to “What I've tried to do with this version is shine, but it's certainly not without its ten- make it less like a concert and more like a sions. play with music,” he says. “In previous productions on Broadway and in the West End, “I actually didn't know until I came to direct they've had stand mics down the front, the play that Blue Suede Shoes was origi- which they'd go to every time they came to nally written and recorded by Carl Perkins, do a number. They don't do that in this ver- and that he'd already had a hit with it before sion - it's more about exploring the relation- Elvis did. One day, when Carl was on his ships between the four singers and Sam way to perform the song on The Perry Como Phillips. One of our cast members has been Show, he got caught in a really bad car acci- in the show in Vegas for four years, and our dent. Later, while he was still lying in hospi- Musical Director, John Mayer, worked on it tal, he was watching television and up came in London, and they both say that this pro- Elvis singing Blue Suede Shoes on The Ed duction is entirely different.” Sullivan Show. Pretty much from then on, whenever Carl sang it, everybody thought By placing the relationships between the he was covering Elvis. So there’s quite a bit characters centre stage, Talbot is able to ex- of animosity between them.” plore each one individually in greater depth, drawing out the personalities behind Nevertheless, if there's one thing to unite the public personae. people, it's a common grievance, and even Carl and Elvis are brought together by their “What I've tried to cultivate is distinct per- mutual irritation with another member of sonalities. Carl is kind of the moody one, the quartet. Johnny is the silent one, Jerry is really “I think all of them would quite like to

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by Heather Kincaid

bump Jerry Lee Lewis on the head,” laughs Of course, we also know that Elvis left Sun called Marilyn Evans. Talbot. “He's just so cocky - any opportunity, Records too, at which point the Colonel took “I think she was probably more of a showgirl he'll pop up and say, 'Oh, shall I play you an- over his career, and he started making what than the play indicates, but she stayed very other song?' or 'I've done this...' or 'I'm many people see as pretty awful movies - a quiet and never used the publicity. There's gonna be the best!' And indeed he was, but lot of people would say that he sold out. an iconic photograph of her sitting on the he creates quite a lot of the humour in the “Sun Records is very small in comparison piano, but after that she just sort of disap- piece.” with RCA and Colombia, but Phillips hangs peared.” Nicknamed ‘The Killer’, Lewis was once de- on to it like a terrier with a bone. He really But if Million Dollar Quartet takes some liber- scribed as ‘rock & roll's first great wild man’ did discover all these stars, and during the ties with the truth, it's all in the name of and is widely acknowledged to be one of play he also mentions that he's just signed good storytelling and creating an exhilarat- popular music's most influential pianists. At up a guy called Roy Orbison, so he obviously ing live experience that has thrilled audi- the age of 80, he's now the one surviving had this great knack for spotting people. All ences on both sides of the Atlantic. It might member of the quartet, and remains musi- the big record companies want to know how not be the first jukebox musical of recent cally active to this day. he does it, and of course he won't tell them, years, but it might just be one of the most ir- “Apparently he's still as erratic as ever. I which amuses him no end.” resistible. think he's cultivated that. From what I hear, In addition to the five men, there's also a “I think a lot of [the rise of jukebox musicals] he's quite deaf, and when he's waiting to give sixth, female character - Elvis' girlfriend is about nostalgia - I know I love Jersey Boys a performance he just sits in a corner quietly, who, within the context of the show at least, because that was my era. But I think when until somebody comes and says, 'Okay Jerry, is a singer called Dyanne. they fail is when they take all those songs you're on'. Then suddenly this miracle hap- “Dyanne has come with Elvis because she's and try to pin them to a story that isn’t very pens and he leaps to the floor, plays the going to meet his parents, and my take on good. This show has a great book, but also piano and then scuffles back and sits in his her is that she's the most sensible of the lot every song that's sung is a huge hit. There's a corner again.” of them. When you get these five men to- great sort of mega mix at the end which is in Lewis might ruffle a few feathers in his way, gether, there's an element of them all behav- the form of a concert, culminating in Jerry but there's deeper trouble brewing at Sun ing like overgrown schoolboys, whereas she's Lee Lewis doing Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' Records. As an independent producer with got a wise head on her shoulders. It's her On, and I defy anybody to stay in their seat relatively limited resources, Sam Phillips that's able to get Sam Phillips to calm down, by the end. Above all, this is the sort of show made himself the envy of the big guns like and when Jerry Lee tries to come on to her, that you can't help coming out of with a big RCA and Colombia with his talent-spotting she gives him this withering put-down and smile on your face, which I think is quite a ability. Unfortunately, his work was such a he immediately sits down and feels rather nice thing in this time we live in.” soaring success that it wasn't long before his silly. But she's still 'one of the boys' in the boys became too big for him. sense that she's got a fantastic voice, and she “The story really revolves around how Sam sings two hit numbers, Fever and I Hear You Million Dollar Quartet is at Malvern Phillips built Sun Records. At this point, he's Knocking.” Festival Theatre from Monday 17 until hoping to get Johnny Cash to renew his con- This isn't strictly true to life. In reality, the Saturday 22 October, and Birmingham tract, but what he doesn't know is that both girlfriend Elvis brought with him to the Hippodrome from Monday 24 until Cash and Perkins are going off to Colombia recording session was a dancer from Vegas Saturday 29 October.

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

946: The Amazing Story Of Adolphus Tips The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 6 - Sat 15 September; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 8 - Sat 12 November Lily Tregenza’s life on a farm in Slapton is pretty idyllic, even though beyond the picturesque seaside village’s boundaries the Second World War is raging. Lily’s dad is away and her school is being attended by evacuee children - but other than that, her world remains untouched by the terrible conflict. Until, that is, the villagers are told to leave their homes so that the allies can use Slapton to practise their landings for D-Day. When Lily’s cat finds her way beyond the ‘keep out’ signs and through the barbed wire, the 12-year-old girl thinks little of her own safety as she searches for her beloved pet... Michael Morpurgo’s delightful story is here presented by the ever-inventive Kneehigh theatre company, who clev- erly combine music, puppetry and ‘foolishness’ to recount a tale that’s been described by The Times as a life-affirming piece of theatre.

Method In Madness The Rocky Horror Show Fall Out mac, Birmingham, Tues 11 - Wed 12 October; The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs 20 - Friday 21 October Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 19 - Mon 10 - Sat 15 October Thurs 20 October Hook up your fishnets, tighten your corsets and prepare to ‘do The Time Warp again’ - The Rocky Horror Show is returning to Birmingham. Richard O Brien’s cult production tells the tale of the straight-laced Brad and the deliciously corruptible Janet, who arrive at the castle of alien transvestite Frank N Furter and witness the birth of the monster, Rocky. This latest work from Midlands-based Highly Along the way, they take the audience Sprung Performance Co has been produced through a selection of love-’em-or-loathe-’em in response to what the company describes musical numbers, including Sweet as a growing concern about young people Transvestite, Damn It Janet and The Time becoming disempowered - ‘no longer having Any actress who accepts the role of Hamlet’s Warp. a voice, or control over their own future’. Ophelia needs to be ready and able to under- Great fun’s a guarantee - particularly if you The story focuses on three teenagers on the take a necessary plunge into her own psyche. get into the spirit of things and attend the roof of a nightclub, thrown together through So when a young Hollywood starlet in Blitz- show dressed in your very best stockings and circumstance, who’re all searching for an ravaged London struggles to connect with suspenders (as many patrons do)! answer to the same question - who, if any- Shakespeare’s enigmatic and ultimately trag- This touring production stars The Voice’s body, cares? A young revolutionary named ic character, she turns for salvation to Liam Tamne as Frank N Furter, S Club 7’s Jay thinks he knows how to bring about ‘method acting’, a technique that sees the Paul Cattermole as Eddie/Dr Scott and come- change: “Thousands of us,” he says, “on the actor aspire to complete emotional identifi- dian Steve Punt as the Narrator. cation with the role they’re playing. Her last day of exams - we’re all gonna jump. resulting performance is sensational - but it They’ll have to listen to us then, they’ll have isn’t long before the boundaries between the- no choice...” atre and her own reality become disturbingly Set in empty studio spaces, Fall Out com- blurred... bines physical theatre performance with the Fusing Shakespearean text and new writing experience of a club night. with physical theatre, dance and mask/pup- “Audiences are invited to enter a nightclub,” petry work, Method In Madness is presented Highly Sprung explain. “Dance becomes against a soundtrack of haunting music by interspersed with story, movement and dia- folk singer-songwriter Laura Marling. logue, and action takes place around and above the audience. It’s a self-contained, interactive, promenade experience.”

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Avant Garde Dance Company and The Place present Fagin’s Twist

Sat 1 - Thu 20 & Mon 10 - Sat 8 Oct Fri 21 Oct Sat 22 Oct From £16 £12 From £18

Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate

Mon 24 - Tue 1 - Thu 10 - Sat 29 Oct Sat 5 Nov Sat 12 Nov From £14 From £12 From £16.50

performance!Extra Thu 17 Nov 2pm

“Uproariously entertaining – Mon 14 - Tue 25 Nov Mon 19 Dec every inch a whopping hit” Sat 19 Nov - - Sun29 Jan Daily Telegraph From £16 Tue 13 Dec From £15.50

Everyone’s Welcome

0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre October.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 12:12 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

The Sound Of Music Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 4 - Sat 8 October One of the most popular family musicals of all time, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound Of Music is best known, of course, from its mid-1960s film version starring Julie Andrews. It tells the story of the Von Trapp family’s World War Two flight across the mountains of Austria, along the way featuring hit songs including My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Every Mountain and The Lonely Goatherd. This touring version of the show stars The Voice’s Lucy O’Byrne as Maria and former Coronation Street actor Andrew Lancel as Captain Von Trapp.

On The Edge Of Me sidered to be his finest work. Henceforward... Using the struggles of one particular family Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, as a focal point, Dickens’ explores the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Thurs 13 October Tues 11 - Sat 29 October human drama of the revolution in all its myr- “Stigmas such as gender, race and class are iad forms. And having had such rich and Not exactly one of Alan Ayckbourn's best transcended by mental health issues,” dramatic subject matter at his disposal, it’s known or most performed plays, explains Yolanda Mercy, who fuses story- hardly surprising that the resulting story Henceforward... is a curious offering that's telling, poetry, live music and audience par- makes for compelling theatre. set in a futuristic world devoid of human ticipation in this one-woman show. Although The show’s music is provided by Oscar-win- contact. the production focuses on the subject of ning composer Rachel Portman. With both his family and his inspiration mental health in the context of graduate gone, lonely composer Jerome Watkins is a unemployment, Yolanda is keen to point out desperate man - and it's hard to imagine that that she hopes the piece speaks to a wide Seriously Dead his deranged android childminder is ever audience. “It isn’t a play that’s exclusively for The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire, likely to help him regain the person who unemployed graduates,” she says. “I hope Sat 15 October matters most to him... On The Edge Of Me doesn’t just re-educate Benidorm favourite Crissy Rock takes top Alan Ayckbourn himself directs this much- but gives people something to identify with.” billing in a new comedy that she co-wrote anticipated revival of the 1987 comedy. It’s with Leah Bell, who also stars. presented by Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph When bank robber Albert Blunderstone Theatre, of which Ayckbourn is the long- returns home from abroad to attend a funer- standing artistic director. al, he runs into Betty, the former wife of his accomplice, a small-time crook called Nodger Wilson. Suddenly alert to the possi- The Hound Of The bility of finally finding out what happened to Baskervilles his share of the loot, Albert befriends Betty and her husband, Billy Blenkinsopp. But as Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, Thurs 13 - Fri 14 October you might expect, the course of true crime never runs smooth... Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes is One-time Emmerdale actor Frazer Hines and one of literature’s most enduring characters, comedian Billy Pearce co-star. The Hound Of The Baskervilles his most famous adventure. Yet no matter how many A Tale Of Two Cities actors don the deerstalker and solve the mys- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, tery of the monstrous moorland beast, the Wed 19 - Sat 22 October story remains a popular choice for both stage Charles Dickens’ name is probably best and screen adaptation. known to the wider population via all man- This latest version finds the ever-reliable ner of Christmas Carol adaptations and the Ambient Night Productions bringing a wel- hugely successful stage musical version of come dose of humour to the lonely waste- Oliver Twist. But it’s A Tale Of Two Cities - an land of the desolate moors... epic story of love, sacrifice and redemption set during the turbulent days of the French Revolution - which the author himself con-

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Theatre

Blood Brothers Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 10 - Sat 22 October Although it’s effectively a class-driven ‘scouse melodrama’, to describe Blood Brothers as such is to greatly underestimate the emotional response it produces within its audience. This touring production stars one-time New Seeker Lyn Paul as Mrs Johnstone, an unfor- tunate mother compelled to give away one of her twins. The show also features adult actors playing children, a narrator who wan- ders through the scenes with warnings of impending doom, a good helping of sharp social awareness to counteract the sticky sentimentality and a raft of much-loved musical numbers, including Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged Tell Me It’s Not True.

Paradise described by the RSC as ‘A Midsummer The show was a massive success in Night’s Dream meets Fight Club’, and with Edinburgh this summer, where it made fun Of The troubled lovers, woodland scenes and mortal of the radio programme its name recalls - Assassins combat all playing a part, it’s easy to see “Next: Judi Dench talking about her men- Belgrade Theatre, why. strual cycle” - and presented such concepts Coventry, When Duke Theseus of Athens is victorious as the pink, gender-specific Kinder Egg, com- Thurs 13 - Sat 15 in battle with King Creon of Thebes, the 'two plete with the surprise ‘gift’ of a message October noble kinsmen' - cousins and Thebans informing the not-so-lucky recipient that The former associate Palamon and Arcite - find themselves impris- she’s fat. artistic director of oned. Looking from their window, they see a Commissioned by Camden People’s Theatre, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Anthony beautiful woman with whom they both fall the show promises an evening of imaginative Clarke, is the man behind this chillingly res- instantly in love. In so doing, they set in sketch-based comedy that hits the funny onant stage adaptation of a century-old tale. motion a chain of events that will see one of bone far more times than it misses. Clarke’s company, Theatre Accord, has them win her hand in marriage and the other teamed up with Tara Arts to present the lose his head... story, written by Abdul Halim Sharar in 1899. Sharar’s novel focuses on a young man Shooting With Light named Hussain who finds himself faced with Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, the decision of a lifetime - whether to live Women’s Tues 11 October without his beloved Zamurrud or to join her Hour The long-neglected story of pioneering pho- in Paradise. But choosing the latter comes Warwick Arts Centre, tojournalist Gerda Taro is here presented via with a heavy price attached - if he wishes to Coventry, the use of innovative staging, physicality and be reunited with her, he must first join The Tues 25 - Wed 26 multimedia. October Assassins... Fleeing from Germany to Paris in the early This thought-provoking reflection on the The female-led Sh!t 1930s, Taro soon found herself using her price people are willing to pay for Utopia Theatre are quite camera to record the tyranny of fascism in contains scenes of a violent nature and sexu- open about the fact the Spanish Civil War. But it was the fellow al references. As such, it’s not recommended that their on-stage refugee with whom she undertook the dan- for anybody under the age of 12 product is intention- gerous project, a man called Robert Capa, ally a little bit, er, sh!t. Their style of presen- whose name would become synonymous tation aims to be reflective of life - and life, with compelling and The Two Noble Kinsmen too, can sometimes be a little bit... well, you provocative war pho- get the drift. tography. Taro, mean- Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, A cabaret piece of ‘giddy, freewheeling silli- until Tues 7 February while, would be all ness’, Women’s Hour takes the format of but forgotten... Chaucer’s Knight’s Tale was Shakespeare’s Radio Four’s morning magazine programme Presented by the inspiration for this rarely performed tragi- of a similar name. Along the way it makes highly rated Idle comedy, written in collaboration with John the point that dedicating 60 radio minutes Motion theatre com- Fletcher only a couple of years before the per day exclusively to women hardly consti- pany. Stratford bard’s death. tutes a prime example of equality in action... This latest version of the play is being 30 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre October.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 12:12 Page 6 Theatre October.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 18:15 Page 7

theatre for younger audiences...

We’re Going On A Bear Hunt

Disney On Ice: Frozen The Curious Adventures Of Pinocchio

Disney On Ice: Frozen surprising to find him embarking on his first Penguin! Elephant! ever live tour, bringing along with him his Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, pugs, his close friend Dr Trayaurus and lots Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton, Tues 25 - Sun 30 October Sun 2 October; Bridge House Theatre, of other characters from his children-focused Warwick, Sun 16 October Disney On Ice’s latest extravaganza brings Diamond Minecart gaming channel. “Goblin theatre company believes that imagi- the snowy wastelands of the hugely popular Plenty of bums on seats at these touring nation inspires imagination,” says its movie Frozen to the Midlands this month. shows is pretty much a guarantee and will founder and producer, Matt Borgatti, “so we The company promises a production replete further swell an annual income that’s esti- aim to create shows that will make young with ‘dazzling’ special effects and ‘astonish- mated to be somewhere between £160,000 people want to tell stories, be characters, ing’ skating - not to mention, of course, the and £1.6million. make up songs and remember the experience cast of ever-popular characters from the Daniel’s also got a graphic novel coming out long after the performance finishes.” Academy Award-winning film. this month - DanTDM: Trayaurus And The Goblin’s currently-touring show for children But wait, there’s more; Mickey and Minnie Enchanted Crystal. are on hand to host proceedings, with the aged three-plus is an energetic celebration of Mouse House’s beloved Princesses making ‘difference’, telling the story of a selfish pen- guest appearances too. With characters from The Adventures Of Walter guin that has its black-and-white world all-time favourites like Toy Story, Finding Lemonface turned upside down by the arrival of a big, Nemo and The Lion King also getting their messy, colour-loving elephant. skates on, this is one winter wonderland that mac, Birmingham, Sun 23 October Food based-mess, a ‘magical’ balloon ride should definitely warm the cockles of any If you’re looking for something a little differ- and a fish-finger rap add to the fun. youngster’s heart. ent for your kids to enjoy, check this out. Walter Lemonface is a fun and friendly character with a lemon for a head. An older-than- Gangsta Granny We’re Going On A the-hills adventurer, fearless inventor, con- Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, noisseur of carrots and hunter of rhubarb Wed 12 - Sun 16 October; Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 22 - Sun 26 March Bear Hunt ogres, he lives in a purple shed at the bottom Old Rep, Birmingham, of a waterfall. And his adventures very much The ever-popular Birmingham Stage Thurs 20 - Sat 22 October depend on the suggestions called out by the Company make a welcome return with their Suitable for children aged two-plus, this youngsters in the audience. critically acclaimed adaptation of David Little Angel Theatre adaptation of Michael The refreshingly imaginative 154 Collective Walliams’ best-selling book. Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s popular picture are the company behind this hit show, a win- Ben’s no lover of Friday nights - and why book follows the exciting adventures of a ning blend of live animation, music and sto- would he be? After all, Friday night means family as they head out on an intrepid quest rytelling that’s suitable for children ‘aged having to stay at Granny’s house, where he’s to find a bear. Catchy songs and enchanting three to 93’. not only bored senseless but also has to eat puppets are combined with no shortage of an unholy trinity of cabbage dishes - cabbage swishy swashy grass and oozy, squelchy mud soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake. in a show that seems certain to keep young- The Curious Adventures But experiences can sometimes be deceptive, sters entertained. and Ben soon finds out that there’s way more Of Pinocchio to his boring old Granny than he’d ever imag- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, ined... Dan TDM Tour Fri 28 - Sat 29 October A singular visual flair, an inventive use of Birmingham Hippodrome, Sun 23 October props and an interactive approach to per- Coventry-based Daniel Middleton is one of formance are the trademark features of the world’s most viewed YouTube creators. Lyngo theatre company’s productions for A professional gamer who goes by the han- children. dle The Diamond Minecart (DanTDM), he has This latest show brings to life the much- over 12 million subscribers and has accumu- loved tale of the puppet-boy whose nose lated around seven billion views across his grows whenever he tells a porky-pie. two YouTube channels. CBeebies’ Patrick Lynch is the man pulling Given such massive popularity, it’s hardly the strings. Gangsta Granny

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whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Film Oct- GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 17:37 Page 1

To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk

Win!

Tickets to Cabaret XXL: East Tickets to Mugenkyo Taiko A meal for 2 at Sabai Sabai, End Cabaret Drummers Stratford-upon-Avon

Closes Friday 14 Cctober Closes Friday 14 Cctober Closes Friday 28 October

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FEATURE

BIRMINGHAM ROYA

posed to be drowning, basic Storms, spells & shipwrecks: Birmingham Royal Ballet that's how I start,” he adds.

“Just the thought of it's mak present the world premiere of David Bintley's The Tempest feel sick!” laughs Mackay. Fo

for him, Prospero doesn't ha With 2016 marking one of the biggest Shakespeare milestones to date, it's little wonder that any flying. In fact, as often a just about everyone's been getting stuck in to the 400th anniversary celebrations, particu- the one who's making other

larly in the playwright's native West Midlands. Back in April, Birmingham Royal Ballet In addition to the choreogra

dancers Elisha Willis and Tyrone Singleton performed a preview from David Bintley's brand there's also the design to con

and for this production, Bint new Shakespeare Suite, which sets snapshots of Shakespeare's best-loved couples to a assembled a stellar team, at swinging Duke Ellington soundtrack. Then in July, the company revived John Cranko's lively of which is award-winning W 1969 ballet of The Taming of the Shrew to rave reviews designer Rae Smith.

“The designs are stunning. H Now the BRB continues its focus on choreographer,” says Iain Mackay, which Bintley has always excelled. down this is the best costum the Bard with a full season of shows who plays the ageing magician Pros- Among the more unusual aspects of had!” says Mackay. “The firs inspired by some of Shakespeare's pero. “He does allow us to find our this production is its extensive use of she showed me was a pictur most iconic plays. Two sets of three own way, but he's so aware of the text aerial choreography. movie with Clive Owen in it, short ballets sandwich the autumn and how he's going to bring out the “We've done flying ballet before, but I thought it was brilliant. I've season with a mix of new and estab- story in dance that sometimes I think guess that's what you'd call quite basic amazing cloak, and there ar lished works by Bintley, José Limón, the best thing to do is just be led by stuff. Generally you're up and off, like incredible masks in it too. I t Frederick Ashton and Jessica Lang, him. If you want to understand how in Aladdin or The Nutcracker, whereas guy who made them does th but the jewel in its crown will be the he wants it, one of the best things to in this, it's very choreographic and Doctor Who and stuff like th world premiere of Bintley's full-length do is just to watch him. He's amazing, there's the whole element of the char- They're unbelievable!” adaptation of The Tempest. especially with the acting: all of a sud- acter still moving in the way that he den he just gets up and completely be- “I think they've tried to keep In some respects, it's hard to conceive should,” says Mackay. comes the character – and then he period-ish, but it's a stylised a better choice to translate into a phys- does the other ones as well!” “It seems difficult at first, but actually that,” says Caley. “It can't be ical medium. Wild, wonderful and a it's easier than I thought it was going because I've got to be able to little bit weird, Shakespeare's last solo “I think with a production like this, to be. We have really, really good in- around and lift my arms up i play is set on an isolated island where because the play is so complicated, structors,” says Joseph Caley, who they're going for that look.” Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, probably half the people in the com- plays Prospero's shipwrecked nephew lives in banishment with his daughter, pany have no idea what's going on for For most ballet dancers, star Ferdinand. “It's all about where you Miranda. There, he practises magic, some of it!” says Jenna Roberts, who world premiere would be som put your weight – the harness can re- conjuring island spirits to do his bid- plays Miranda. “But when you're a that happens only on an occ ally rub on your hips, but once you get ding, foremost among them the myste- lead character, you definitely need to basis, but at BRB, the compa the technique down, it's quite fun. I rious Ariel, whom Prospero rescues know what the part entails and the customed to regularly taking think for the Ariels, they have to do from captivity. Also under his com- emotions they're feeling. David did ex- creations and new challenge this sort of dive which can be quite dif- mand is the earthy island child Cal- plain some of it - in the very first re- ing the dancers (quite literal ficult to control, just tipping your body iban, a “thing of darkness” born to the hearsal we discussed what kind of their toes. and holding it there, whereas I do cruel witch Sycorax. Yet at the same person Miranda was, but I don't think tumbling, so it's just somersaults.” “It's part of what makes it go time, The Tempest's complexity can he did that with everyone. I like to in this company – it's excitin make it an unwieldy and difficult read about it, watch the play and “After I've done all my tumbling, we new and the rep's constantly piece to stage even as a play, let alone watch movies so I can get a really have these strange fish characters that ing,” says Mackay. “If we did in other forms. Fortunately, the com- good idea of them.” grab on to me and start rocking me Lake from now until next Au pany's ever-inventive artistic director and moving me around. They've also The storms, spells and shipwrecks all be pulling our hair out, a is well-equipped for the challenge. put some bungee cord in so there's a that fill The Tempest's scenes demand so would the audiences.” kind of buoyancy effect to it. I'm sup- “David is like a dramaturg as well as a bold creative choices – something at BRB DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/09/2016 17:18 Page 2

HAM ROYAL BALLET

posed to be drowning, basically – “We've done quite a lot recently – am Royal Ballet that's how I start,” he adds. we've had Cinderella and Aladdin too, but generally I guess it's not that com- “Just the thought of it's making me y's The Tempest mon. We're really lucky to have feel sick!” laughs Mackay. Fortunately David,” Roberts agrees. for him, Prospero doesn't have to do it's little wonder that any flying. In fact, as often as not, he's “The thing is, with a new production celebrations, particu- the one who's making other people fly. like this, we don't know how it's going to be. It's a journey for us as well. With mingham Royal Ballet In addition to the choreography, anything else, you can go and watch David Bintley's brand there's also the design to consider, YouTube videos of the dancers you and for this production, Bintley has est-loved couples to a love so you can see their take on it – I assembled a stellar team, at the heart d John Cranko's lively could go and look up how Carlos did of which is award-winning War Horse Shrew to rave reviews something and wish that I could do it designer Rae Smith. like him. Whereas if you've got some- “The designs are stunning. Hands thing new that's come straight from ley has always excelled. down this is the best costume I've ever the man at the front of the studio, more unusual aspects of had!” says Mackay. “The first thing you've got no idea what you're going ction is its extensive use of she showed me was a picture from a to be doing,” Mackay adds. eography. movie with Clive Owen in it, and I In this regard, the opportunities that ne flying ballet before, but I thought it was brilliant. I've got an BRB presents for young talent are al- s what you'd call quite basic amazing cloak, and there are all these most unparalleled. Not only does rally you're up and off, like incredible masks in it too. I think the being part of the company provide or The Nutcracker, whereas guy who made them does things for them with a steady position and a very choreographic and Doctor Who and stuff like that. chance to work with one of Britain's whole element of the char- They're unbelievable!” most celebrated living choreogra- moving in the way that he “I think they've tried to keep it sort of phers, it's also a relatively small, tight- ays Mackay. period-ish, but it's a stylised take on knit team where everyone gets a

difficult at first, but actually that,” says Caley. “It can't be exact, chance to shine on stage.

han I thought it was going because I've got to be able to move “We're not like the Royal Ballet – ave really, really good in- around and lift my arms up in it, but there's only 60 of us, and David often says Joseph Caley, who they're going for that look.” brings through young dancers. I've pero's shipwrecked nephew For most ballet dancers, starring in a been here for 17 years now – I got my “It's all about where you world premiere would be something first principal role when I was 20,” eight – the harness can re- that happens only on an occasional says Mackay. “It's a really talented your hips, but once you get basis, but at BRB, the company is ac- company, and while David always que down, it's quite fun. I customed to regularly taking on new picks whoever he thinks will be best he Ariels, they have to do creations and new challenges, keep- for a role, he's got the luxury that dive which can be quite dif- ing the dancers (quite literally) on everyone in the company is really ntrol, just tipping your body their toes. strong. There are a lot of young mem- g it there, whereas I do bers who are phenomenal, but also so it's just somersaults.” “It's part of what makes it good to be dancers that have been here a long in this company – it's exciting, it's time who are better than ever now.” done all my tumbling, we new and the rep's constantly chang-

strange fish characters that ing,” says Mackay. “If we did Swan me and start rocking me Lake from now until next August we'd Birmingham Royal Ballet perform g me around. They've also all be pulling our hair out, and I think The Tempest at Birmingham Hippo- ungee cord in so there's a so would the audiences.” drome from Saturday 1 until Satur- oyancy effect to it. I'm sup- day 8 October. Film Oct- GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 17:37 Page 2

Film

Southside With You CERT 12a (84 mins) Starring Parker Sawyers, Tika Sumpter, Vanessa Bell Calloway Directed by Richard Tanne (USA) With just one month to go before the presidential blood- bath, this is one film that fans of the current administration will want to seek out. If you can imagine Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise trilogy peopled not by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy but by Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson, then you will get the picture. It is 1989 on Chicago’s Southside and the future commander in chief is working as a young law associate alongside the beautiful attorney Michelle. The young man is obviously smitten with his colleague and invites her out on a date disguised as a trip to a local community assembly. Throwing in a visit to an exhibition of Afro-Centric art and a picnic in the park, Barack has just a few hours to win the attorney’s heart. If there’s any justice in Hollywood, newcomer Parker Sawyers should be heading for an Oscar nomina- tion for his performance as Obama - he not only nails the man’s mannerisms but gives him a credible humanity, vul- nerability and passion, to boot. The film - superbly written and directed by Richard Tanne - is also an intelligent look at what it was to be black and motivated in 1989 with no idea of what the future held. Now showing

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in October...

The Girl On The Train War On Everyone CERT 15 (112 mins) CERT 15 (112 mins) Starring Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Starring Alexander Skarsgård, Michael Peña, Bennett, Justin Theroux, Luke Evans, Édgar Theo James, Tessa Thompson, Caleb Landry Ramírez Directed by Tate Taylor (USA) Jones, Paul Reiser Directed by John Michael McDonagh Not to be confused with the 2009 French film (UK/Ireland) of the same name, this thriller is based on The corrupt cops Terry Monroe (Skarsgård) the 2015 novel by Paula Hawkins. Emily and Bob Bolaño (Peña) don’t mess around. If Blunt plays a divorcee who, on the same they can’t catch their man, they’ll frame him. train each day, fantasises about the couple Then they come across an adversary who’s just down the street from where she and her even meaner than they are. Possibly. We ex-husband used to live together. Then she expect great things from this, as the director witnesses something quite shocking… previously brought us The Guard and Tate Taylor previously directed the award- Blood Father Calvary. Shot in New Mexico. winning The Help (2011). CERT 18 (88 mins) Released Fri 7 October Released Wed 5 October Starring Mel Gibson, Erin Moriarty, Diego Luna, Michael Parks, William H Macy, Elisabeth Röhm Directed by Jean-François Richet (France) It all sounds rather familiar. An ex-con on parole attempts to bond with his estranged 17-year-old daughter while saving her from the clutches of some very nasty drug dealers. Although the film is technically French, it was shot in English in New Mexico. Released Fri 7 October

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Film

American Honey CERT 15 (164 mins) Starring Sasha Lane, Shia LaBeouf, Riley Keough, Raymond Coalson, Arielle Holmes Directed by Andrea Arnold (UK/USA) A new film from Andrea Arnold (Red Road, Fish Tank) is always worth seeking out. Here, she cast the waitress Sasha Lane as Star, a teenager from an abusive home who links up with a magazine subscription sales team. As they travel across the American Midwest, Star falls in with their hard-partying antics and brushes with petty crime… As usual with Arnold, much of the film was improvised. Winner of the Jury Prize at Cannes. Released Fri 14 October

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Marvel Comics’ Stephen Vincent Strange, Doctor Strange CERT tbc the neurosurgeon-turned-sorcerer. And Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Tilda Swinton Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton, Michael in the mix, it should certainly be more Stuhlbarg, Benjamin Bratt lively than Batman v Superman. Indeed, Directed by Scott Derrickson (USA) when the film’s trailer was first released, Scott Derrickson has made some pretty it caused a storm in nerdland. duff movies (The Day The Earth Stood Apparently, even Benedict says he got the Still, Deliver Us From Evil) but Doctor shakes watching it. Benedict Wong plays Strange is likely to change his fortunes. Wong, Doctor Strange’s valet. In 3D. The film has certainly got an intriguing Released Fri 28 October cast, with Benedict Cumberbatch as

Inferno CERT 12a (121 mins) Storks CERT U (90 mins) Queen Of Katwe Starring Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones, Irrfan With the voices of Andy Samberg, Katie Crown, CERT PG (124 mins) Khan, Omar Sy, Ben Foster, Sidse Babett Kelsey Grammer, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Starring David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o, Knudsen Directed by Ron Howard (USA) Peele, Jennifer Aniston Directed by Nicholas Madina Nalwanga Stoller and Doug Sweetland (USA) Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon, Professor of Directed by Mira Nair (USA/South Africa) Religious Iconology and Symbology, is back Just the presence of David Oyelowo (Selma) in a new adventure. This time Langdon (Tom and the Oscar-winning Lupita Nyong’o (12 Hanks, for the third time) follows in the foot- Years a Slave) alone should make this film steps of Dory and Jason Bourne and wakes worth seeking out. But the true-life story of up with amnesia in an Italian hospital. Then, Phiona Mutesi (Nalwanga), a poor girl from like Jason Bourne, he discovers that he is the Uganda whose father died of Aids, sounds target of a major manhunt. Luckily, our very simply inspirational. With her family unable own Felicity Jones is on hand to help out. In to afford her schooling, Phiona, aged nine, 3D. enrolled in a chess programme organised by Released Fri 14 October the Sports Outreach Institute. And she turned out to be rather good at the game… Released Fri 21 October

While Amazon is revving up its drone infra- structure, this computer-animated fable has the eponymous birds delivering packages for the global internet giant Cornerstore.com. Then, when a mishap produces a real live baby, Junior (voiced by Andy Samberg) is forced to deliver the infant. Like in the old days. In 3D. Released Fri 14 October

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Film releases in October

Jack Reacher: Daniel Blake After Love CERT tbc CERT 15 (100 mins) Never Go Back CERT tbc Starring Bérénice Bejo, Cédric Kahn, Marthe Starring Dave Johns, Hayley Squires, Keller, Catherine Salée Starring Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders, Danika Dylan McKiernan, Briana Shann Directed Directed by Joachim Lafosse (Belgium/France) Yarosh, Robert Knepper Directed by Edward by Ken Loach (UK/France/Belgium) Zwick (USA) It’s a tricky situation. After 15 years of mar- In spite of the first film’s disappointing box- riage, Boris and Marie are in the process of office (for a Tom Cruise vehicle, that is), Jack divorce. However, they are forced to stay in Reacher is back and in trouble. Here, he’s the same house - until they can resolve their accused of a 16-year-old homicide and must differences over the property. The Belgian clear his name and uncover a major govern- writer-director Joachim Lafosse previously ment conspiracy. Edward Zwick previously brought us the intelligent and absorbing Our directed Cruise in The Last Samurai (2003). Children (2012), which also dealt with people from different backgrounds sharing a con- Released Fri 21 October fined space under unusual circumstances. Released Fri 28 October

Winner of this year’s Palme d'Or at Cannes, Ken Loach’s latest film features Dave Johns as the titular carpenter. When Daniel Blake falls foul of heart disease, he attempts to untie the red tape that would enable him to benefit from Employment and Support Allowance. And, along the way, he befriends a single mother who is also Ouija: Origin Of Evil CERT tbc battling the system. Typical Ken Loach Starring Elizabeth Reaser, Annalise Basso, fare who, amazingly, is now 80 years Lulu Wilson, Henry Thomas, Kate Siegel Directed by Mike Flanagan (USA) old. Burn Burn Burn CERT tbc Time for another horror film, and a sequel at Released Fri 21 October that. Set almost 50 years prior to the events Starring Laura Carmichael, Chloe Pirrie, Jack Farthing, Joe Dempsie, Hannah Arterton featured in Ouija (2014), a mother and her Directed by Chanya Button (UK) two daughters introduce a new scam into Keeping Up With The Marking the directorial debut of Chanya their séance sessions. And, lo and behold, Joneses CERT tbc Button, this is a bittersweet road movie in the younger daughter finds herself possessed which Seph and Alex set out across Britain by a very real entity… Starring Jon Hamm, Zach Galifianakis, Gal Gadot, Isla Fisher, Maribeth Monroe with a singular mission in mind. They are Released Fri 21 October Directed by Greg Mottola (USA) accompanied by the ashes of their friend Dan, who has instructed them to scatter his remains across his favourite old haunts. Trolls CERT tbc Released Fri 28 October With the voices of Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, Russell Brand, James Corden, Gwen Stefani Directed by Mike Mitchell and Walt Dohrn (USA) After The Boxtrolls of 2014 we now just have Trolls. This cartoon musical animates the plastic so-called ‘gonk trolls’ available in every good toyshop. Here, a grouchy troll called Branch (voiced and sung by Justin Timberlake) teams up with the flighty Poppy Neighbours ain’t what they used to be. (Kendrick), princess of the Trolls, to help Suburban couple Jeff and Karen save the future of Troll Town. In 3D. Gafney (Galifianakis, Fisher) find themselves caught up in a world of Released Fri 21 October espionage when they discover that their new neighbours are secret agents. Not to be confused with The Joneses (2009) in which Demi Moore and David Duchovny played suburbanites who were not entirely who they said they were… Released Fri 28 October

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40 whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts October.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 12:18 Page 2

Visual Arts

Roy Lichtenstein Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 22 October - Sun 26 February Renowned for works based on comic strips and advertising imagery coloured with his signature Benday dots, Roy Lichtenstein was one of the most radical and influential artists of the 20th century and a leading figure in the Pop Art movement. This exhibition of his art is drawn from Artist Rooms, a collection of international modern and contemporary art owned by National Galleries of Scotland and Tate on behalf of the public. Commenting on the show, Wolverhampton council- lor John Reynolds, cabinet member for City Economy, said: “This is the fourth time the art gallery has hosted an Artist Rooms exhibition, and we’re delighted the Lichtenstein works, newly added to the collection, are coming here this month. They were first displayed at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh in 2015, and this will be the first opportunity for visitors to see the works at an Artist Rooms associate venue.” Roy Lichtenstein Reflections on Crash 1990. ARTIST ROOMS, Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. Lent by The Roy Lichtenstein Foundation Collection 2015

Sara Barker Peter Kennard: The Human Document Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, Off Message Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, until Sun 27 November Fri 7 October - Sat 10 December mac, Birmingham, until Mon 27 November “The point of my work,” explains Peter Kennard, “is to use easily recognisable iconic images, but to render them unacceptable; to break down the image of the all-powerful missile, in order to represent the power of the millions of people who are actually trying to break them.” The image of the Broken Missile to which Kennard refers is perhaps the artist’s most famous work, a 1980 photomontage he pro- When it was created in 1937, the primary duced for the Campaign for Nuclear objective of the US’s Farm Security Disarmament (CND). Administration (FSA) was to combat Kennard is widely considered to be Britain’s Depression-era rural poverty. The agency most important political artist, producing, attempted to do this by means of rural reha- for nearly half a century, images which have bilitation, farm loans and subsistence home- been deployed on placards and banners by stead programmes. For all of its good work in activist groups and organisations throughout this regard, the FSA during this period is per- The boundary between sculpture, painting the UK. His distinctive photomontages have haps best known for its collection of photo- and drawing is the place where Sara Barker been published extensively in newspapers graphs documenting rural conditions. The makes her art. and magazines, while his collaborations photos not only promoted the agency’s pro- The Glasgow-based artist often draws on the with artists including Banksy offer evidence grammes but also provided a record of the written word for inspiration, dipping time of a persisting desire to present art which is people, cultures and landscapes of rural and again into the works of Virginia Woolf, relevant and topical. America. Gertrude Stein and Doris Lessing, authors This new retrospective exhibition, produced As well as presenting a selection of these who write about their own creative space. by mac birmingham and curated by Craig famous photographs, The Human Document “It’s also a crutch to coax the work,” Sara Ashley, features examples of Kennard’s work also explores the fascination of modern-day told The List, “to distract away from the between 1968 and the present day. photographers with the FSA images - a col- work, to allow my mind to think more clearly lection created as much to awaken human about what I need to do. It’s very multiple.” emotions as to provide a historical record of Sara here presents existing installations as a desperate period in 20th century American well as a new work made especially for Ikon. history. For more visual arts listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 41 ICHF NEC XMAS16 A4 (4SHOWS):Layout 1 26/09/2016 11:33 Page 1

THURS 3 - SUN 6 NOVEMBER 2016 9.30am - 5.30pm (5pm Sun)

4 SHOWS FOR THE PRICE OF 1 Christmas at the NEC Birmingham

KIDS GO t WORKSHOPS FREE!* t JEWELLERY & BEAD MAKING t PAPERCRAFTS t DEMONSTRATIONS t KNITTING & STITCHING

t FESTIVE FOOD & DRINK t GIFT WRAPPING t CHRISTMAS PRODUCT SHOWCASE t BAUBLE MAGIC! t LIVE MUSIC

t DEMONSTRATING ARTISTS t PYROGRAPHY WORKSHOPS t ART SUPPLIES t SAA WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT! t ARTISTS, GUILDS & SOCIETIES

t WORLD’S LARGEST CAKE COMPETITION t CAKE INTERNATIONAL THEATRE t BAKING, DECORATING & SUGARCRAFT SUPPLIES t APPEARANCES FROM 4-6 NOVEMBER 2016* TOP CAKE ARTISTS

Adults £12 in advance, £14 on the door Seniors £11 in advance, £13 on the door BOOK NOW AND *Children under 16 go free when accompanied by a parent Buy tickets online www.ichfevents.co.uk SAVE £2 or phone 01425 277988 OFF EACH ADULT *Cake International is open from Friday 4 - Sunday 6 November. Thursday visitors will be able to attend Cake International on the Friday, Saturday or Sunday. AND SENIOR TICKET Events October.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 17:03 Page 2

Events

READERS’ OFFER DISCOUNTED TICKETS QUOTE ‘WHATS241’

AT GRANDDESIGNSLIVE.COM T&Cs APPLY

Grand Designs Live Kevin hosts various events in the show’s Grand Theatre, where guest speakers offer tips and advice on a variety of homebuilding issues. NEC, Birmingham, Wed 19 - Sun 23 October This year’s show also features tons of inspiring ideas to help visitors The UK’s leading contemporary home show makes its annual visit to create stylish interiors for their homes, state-of-the-art bathroom Birmingham this month, with design guru Kevin McCloud once again products, suggestions for making the most of available kitchen space, presiding over proceedings. and ‘must have’ products for gardens and outdoor spaces.

Weston Park Horse Trials Flame And Thunder Brick Live Weston Park, Staffordshire, Santa Pod Raceway, Northants, NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 27 - Sun 30 October Sat 18 - Sun 19 October Sat 29 October This haven for LEGO fans boasts numerous This annual two-day event features the Blue interactive features. Attractions include Chip Central North West BE80(T) Challenge brick pits - enabling visitors to showcase and the Mitsubishi Motors Cup BE90 & BE100 their inner master builder - a movie zone, a Regional Finals. fan zone, LEGO Minecraft, a museum of Commenting on the show, internationally LEGO history, a collection of well-known renowned course designer and Weston Park film and television characters recreated in Horse Trials organiser Janet Plant said: LEGO, and race ramps on which to test cus- “Every year we’re faced with a slightly differ- tom-built cars. ent course depending on the weather during New for 2016 is the LEGO League - in which V Festival in August, which always keeps the teams compete to design, build and program ” course interesting and different! an autonomous robot to solve a series of A regular on the Santa Pod calendar, missions - and LEGO Mindstorms, demon- the family-focused Flame And Thunder strating how to build a robot. show brings together monster trucks, jet cars and drag cars for plenty of spectacular main-track action. Away from the circuit, entertainment comes courtesy of (alongside numerous other attractions) a wall of death, a funfair, helicopter pleasure flights and a kids’ Halloween disco. The event is brought to a close with a ‘huge’ firework display and ‘massive’ bonfire.

whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Events October.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 17:03 Page 3

Events

Birmingham Oktoberfest Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, Wed 12 - Sun 16 October Munich is coming to Birmingham this month. Well, sort of. Oktoberfest is the legendary Munich beer festival providing the inspiration behind this popular annual event, which organisers promise will be a ‘truly unique’ experience. Expect huge steins, Bavarian lager, German games, authentic German food and plenty of lederhosen...

The Horse Of The Year Show Genting Arena, Birmingham, a display at the show in 2008, the Drive per- Wed 5 - Sun 9 October formance had previously been presented from A spectacle reminiscent of the traditional driv- the 1950s until 1999. ing tasks asked of heavy-breed horses in a This year’s Horse Of The Year Show also fea- bygone era is making a welcome return to the tures international showjumping, the finals of Horse Of The Year Show. the national Showing and Showjumping The Musical Drive sees the jingling of the Championships, a line-up of equestrian enter- chains created by the heavy horses’ majestic tainment and a performance by the West End footing providing a harmonious accompani- cast of hit Abba musical Mamma Mia! Festival Of Flight ment to military-style drill music. Last seen as For more information, visit hoys.co.uk Spectacular Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, Sat 1 - Sun 2 October Motorhome And World War One Top display pilots from around Caravan Show History Weekend the world will be flying into the Midlands for this two-day family NEC, Birmingham, Tues 11 - Sun 16 October British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire, air show. Sat 1 - Sun 2 October Attracting huge crowds and filling numerous Featuring aerobatic displays on halls of the NEC, the Motorhome And Caravan both days and a World War Two Show is this year being opened by cyclist and pyrotechnics display, the event Olympian Sir Bradley Wiggins. also includes a craft fair, a small The six-day event offers visitors the chance to funfair for children, an on-site check out all the new 2017 caravan, camping facility and a ‘spectacu- motorhome, holiday home, trailer tent and lar’ fireworks and light show, folding caravan models, as well as to access illuminating the skies on the plenty of free help and advice on all aspects of Saturday night. touring. The show also features a space in which visitors can enhance their motorhome manoeu- vring skills, the opportunity to sample a virtual The British Motor Museum this month joins in reality zipwire experience, and the chance to with the ongoing national World War One com- check out a wide range of accessories - many of memorations via this family-friendly weekend. which will be available at show-only prices. Attractions include the opportunity to check out a ‘Battle Bus’ on loan from London Transport Museum, and to find out from a ‘tommy’ in the trenches what life was like for soldiers on the Front Line. There’s also the chance to visit a Field Hospital and discover how injuries sustained in battle led to the discovery of new medical techniques, including plastic surgery. Numerous ‘dynamic’ displays and re-enactments also take place across the weekend, presented by the Royal Warwickshire Regiment 1914-1918 Living History Group.

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more events from around the region

Birmingham Literature The International Festival Astronomy Show Various locations across Birmingham, Thurs 6 - Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Sun 16 October Fri 14 - Sat 15 October This annual event features appearances by a “We have a full lecture pro- host of well-known names, this year including gramme running both days of Hans Rosenfeldt - writer of hit Nordic noir televi- the show,” says Martin Stirland, sion series The Bridge - and Elif Shafak, the one of the organisers of this most widely read woman writer in Turkey. annual event. “We also have The 2016 festival celebrates an impressive range over 30 trade vendors from of subjects - from the creativity of concrete to Europe and the UK selling all what makes Birmingham a great speech-making things astronomy - telescopes, city. binoculars, eye pieces, mounts, Other festival highlights include an appearance cameras, clothing. We even by Waterstones Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell have meteorites and astro and the National Poetry Day Gala. Launching images available for sale - the 11-day event, the gala features the framed and ready to hang on announcement of the new Birmingham Poet your wall. There are also kids’ Laureate and Young Poet Laureate. booths, the purpose of which is to make space simple, and vendors selling space jewellery.” Martin has been running the event with his friend, Graham Destination Star Museums At Night Smith, since 2012. “It’s very Trek Europe Various locations across the Midlands, much a show organised by Thurs 27 - Sat 29 October astronomers for astronomers,” NEC, Birmingham, Fri 7 - Sun 9 October This annual after-hours celebration of arts, says Graham, “I’ve been an history and heritage sees hundreds of muse- amateur astronomer for nearly ums and galleries across the UK staying open 40 years and I’ve attended a lot late and hosting special events. of events, most of which are in Midlands highlights include a spooky trail London or near Scotland. We’re around St John’s House Museum in Warwick, proud to have created some- code-cracking fun at Worcester’s Infirmary thing that’s far more central.” Museum, and a line-up of ghoulish characters appearing and disappearing in the ghostly gaslight of Blists Hill Victorian Town in Diwali Shropshire. Soho Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, Sun 16 October For a full run-down on events taking place in the region, visit museumsatnight.org.uk Diwali (the festival of lights) cel- Birmingham is surely offering a special kind of ebrations will be much in evi- heaven on earth for Trekkers this month. dence across the Midlands this This homage to all things Star Trek beams into month, with the biggest event the city’s NEC complete with interactive taking place in Handsworth, exhibits, two 50th anniversary parties and all Birmingham. manner of fascinating information about the Diwali is an ancient Indian fes- long-running franchise’s impact on science, tival which celebrates the tri- space and technology. umph of good over evil. Its The absolute highlight of the three-day event, dates change each year in accor- though, must surely be the appearance of dance with the Hindu lunar cal- Captain James Tiberius Kirk himself, aka actor endar. This Diwali celebration William Shatner... will include live performances ‘The Shat’, as he’s affectionately known by his Dive Show from Punjabi artist Roshan legion of fans, will be taking to the stage on NEC, Birmingham, Sat 22 - Sun 23 October Prince and local artist Jaz the Saturday night to present his hit one-man Dhami. As well as a variety of Broadway show, Shatner's World. Boasting over three hundred exhibitors - street food and Indian cuisine Other well-known actors from the Star Trek including manufacturers and retailers of div- on offer, a fun fair and a range universe who’re scheduled to appear at the ing equipment and travel agents offering dive of family activites to enjoy. event include Walter Koenig and George Takei holiday options - the Dive Show also features (Mr Chekov and Mr Sulu in the original series) an unrivalled programme of guest speakers. and Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis and Will Popular in-hall features include the Try Dive Wheaton (Dr Beverley Crusher, Deanna Troi Pool, the Rebreather Pool, a photo zone and a and Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: The Next new-product showcase. Generation). Themed travel and dive training areas are also included.

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Halloween spooky goings-on around the region

As the late American children’s author Harry Behn observed in his famous poem, Halloween is the night ‘when dead leaves fly like witches on switches across the sky’... And it wasn’t just broomstick-riding witches that Harry made As you’d expect, there’ll be no shortage of freaky and frightening reference to either, pointing out that ‘ghoul and ghost and goblin other-worldly creatures and characters in evidence at Halloween host’ were other supernatural entities that featured prominently happenings across the Midlands this month. Check out some of in the All Hallows’ Eve mix. the region’s eeriest events in the following few pages...

The Haunting The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham, Sat 29 October Organisers of The Haunting are promising that their show will feature a haunted circus, a ghost train, a haunted house, black magic, voodoo witchcraft and more ‘terrifying treats’ than you can shake a witch’s broomstick at. More than 50 actors, acrobats and performers will ensure a real sense of the theatrical is much in evidence, while an impressive line-up of DJs is headed by Wilkinson. Attending in fancy dress is very much encouraged.

Ghostly Gaslight Haunted Castle Halloween Nights Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Shropshire, Sat 29 October Mon 24 - Fri 28 October Fri 28 - Sat 29 October A spine-tingling but family-friendly experi- With a well-established reputation for ence awaits visitors to Ironbridge Gorge’s effectively evoking whatever atmosphere Blists Hill Victorian Town this half-term holi- any one of its numerous themed events day. Included among the popular venue’s may require, the Black Country Living Halloween-related attractions is a ghost story Museum is an obvious place to visit if trail, providing participants with the chance you’re looking for some hair-raising, to learn about the supernatural tales that spinetingling, knee-trembling and utterly were so beloved of the God-fearing ghoulish fun this Halloween. Victorians. There’s also the chance to find Highlights of the event include the chance out about curious Halloween customs of the to descend into the depths of the venue’s Victorian era, and to enjoy a selection of ‘spooky’ mine, a competition to decide Shropshire ghost stories and spooky scenes who’s the best-dressed ghoul in the from Sweeney Todd, courtesy of the Prince Halloween costume parade, and perform- Albert Players. ances by street entertainers, fire jugglers and magicians.

Castles are great settings for spooky Halloween capers, as Tamworth’s proves every October. End-of-month visitors to the venue will find themselves challenged by hags to make spells and play ping pong eye- balls. Ghoulish characters making their presence felt include St Editha and the eerie executioner.

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Halloween

Creepy Carnevil Waterworld, Hanley, Stoke-on- Trent, Thurs 27 - Fri 28 October Waterworld is evidently intend- ing to make a big splash this Halloween - and judging by its line-up of creepy characters, the popular Stoke-on-Trent visitor attraction has every chance of doing just that. Killer clowns, insane ringmas- ters, psychotic puppet masters, supernatural puppets, zombie showgirls and crazy fortune- tellers are all present and correct in a show that’s being advertised as ‘not for the fainthearted’.

Halloween at Hickman Park Hickman Park, Bilston, Alton Towers Scarefest Sat 29 October Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire, Sat 8 - Sun 9, in which small groups venture through the It’s time to get out your needle Sat 15 - Sun 16 and Fri 21 - Mon 31 October darkened corridors of a forgotten ruin and dis- and thread and start sewing - Alton Towers’ hugely popular Halloween attrac- cover the terrifying secret of ‘what lies within’. the organisers of Hickman Park’s tion makes a welcome return this month. Featured alongside the three mazes are two Halloween event will be on the Highlights of this year’s Scarefest include equally spinetingling scare zones. lookout for the best-dressed Altonville Mine Tours - presenting ‘the chilling Dark Apocalypse sees quarantine procedures ghoul, ghost or witch when they tale of the Skin Snatchers’ - Sub-Species: The implemented as a deadly virus gets out of hand. host this family-friendly get- End Games - featuring a post-apocalyptic, Freak Show, meanwhile, dares visitors to walk together at the end of the month. sewer-dwelling community infested by a species among the freakishly fascinating misfits of a The best costume will win a from another world - and Terror Of The Towers, travelling circus sideshow. prize, with categories for under eights, under 16s and adults. Other highlights of the event include a pumpkin parade for Dudley Canal Trust Lockdown II - Sanatorium youngsters and their families, Dudley Canal Tunnel and Limestone Mines, Dana Prison, Shrewsbury, the lighting of a dozen cauldrons Dudley, Fri 28 - Mon 31 October Thurs 27 - Sun 30 October prior to an ‘impressive’ firework What better way can there be to get into the If you fancy scaring the living daylights out of display, and plenty of family Halloween spirit than by exploring Dudley yourself, Shrewsbury’s former prison, the Dana, entertainment from Signal FM Canal Trust’s naturally spooky tunnels and cav- could well be the venue for you this Halloween. breakfast show host Dicky Dodd erns? Part of a three-event story arc called Lockdown, and his team. The Trust is running special children’s boat Sanatorium presents participants with the chal- trips lasting between 45 minutes and an hour lenge of finding the formula for a ‘cure’, after this half-term holiday (28 to 31 October), during the country has been plunged into a post-apoc- Red Ditch which youngsters will encounter some truly alyptic nightmare. impressive glow-in-the-dark Halloween pup- The only trouble is, Halloween pets. The boat trips are ‘spooky’ but not scary, the clues to the for- Film Festival and should be suitable for children over three mula’s whereabouts Palace Theatre, Redditch, years of age. lie with the inhabi- Fri 28 - Sat 29 Oct And the fiendish fun doesn’t end there. On the tants of Sanatorium, Big Frog Films are the organisa- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings of all of whom have tion behind this cinematic half-term week (25 - 27 October), families can been driven to insan- spookfest, promising not one enjoy a 45-minute heritage boat trip and get cre- ity... but two evenings of ‘the best ative with a selection of Halloween-themed This 90-minute zom- short horror films from around craft activities. Each child will get to make a bie fest is followed the world’. The event is hosted witch or wizard hat, have a go at creating an by a short Scare by Redditch undertaker Weird animal superpower potion and add a spooktac- Maze experience, Mortimer Balmer. Guests who ular creation to the Trust’s truly ghastly ghostly bringing to life the dress to scare ‘may be reward- gallery. origins of the ed’... Lockdown story arc.

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spooky goings-on around the region

Seance Centenary Square, Birmingham, Tues 18 - Sat 29 October “We won’t prey upon the paranoid, the bereaved, the credulous, the wide-eyed, the weak or the inbred,” promise performers David Rosenberg and Glen Neath of Seance, their third collaboration, “but in return we ask that you proceed with an open mind. Seance is an entertainment only, and we cannot hold the medium responsible for the out- come.” Having previously scored successes with projects Ring and Fiction, Rosenberg and Neath present this 15-minute ‘event’ (for up to 20 people) in a shipping container, in complete darkness. Expect a tingle or several in the region of your spine... Drayton Manor More Trick Than Treat Note: Seance is recommended for ages 18- Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire, Sat 15 - Sun 30 Oct plus and, as stated above, is an entertain- Drayton Manor Park is inviting families to dust off their broomsticks and batwings and ment only. treat themselves to some ghoulish Halloween fun this month. As well as providing ‘creepy arts and crafts, spooky sweet treats and pumpkin donuts’, Spooky Science Night the Staffordshire venue is also staging a fireworks spectacular, presenting ‘the animals of the night’ and transforming its popular Thomas Land attraction into the ‘spooktacular’ Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham, Island of Sodor. And if that little lot isn’t enough to give you the heebie jeebies, you can Sat 29 October always give yourself the fright of your life by trying out one of the theme park’s stomach- Thinktank is calling on all mad scientists, churning white-knuckle rides! witches and wizards to come together for a spooky party featuring tricks, treats and opti- cal illusions. Highlight of the venue’s Halloween offering Halloween Pokemon Go The Haunting is its Science Of Fright show, ‘where making Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, Heart of England Conference and Events a monster is all a matter of choosing the right Sat 29 October Centre, Coventry, Fri 28 - Sat 29 October ingredients’. Visitors can also make their This Halloween-themed charity With an arrival cocktail, three-course carvery own family light photos and create their own fundraiser follows on from the Pokémon meal, music and party games all featuring on sample of blood to take home, while those in Go-inspired walk that took place in July. The Haunting’s programme of entertain- fancy dress have the opportunity to be As with the inaugural walk, donations ment, there’s certainly more than a ghost of a entered into a ‘fantastic’ prize draw. are in aid of Birmingham Children’s chance that you’ll head for home at the end Hospital. of the night having had a thoroughly enjoy- “We love how the Pokéwalk team have able experience. And in true Halloween spir- taken the latest social media craze and it, the event also features a seance. Guests ingeniously turned it into a fundraiser,” are invited to help a medium make contact says Miranda Williams, Public with the restless spirit of a lady who Fundraising Manager at Birmingham drowned her children in the lake, burying Children’s Hospital Charity. “The money them somewhere in the grounds before hang- donated from the last Pokémon Go walk ing herself in the boathouse. Fancy dress, by will make a massive difference to our the way, is compulsory... brave young patients and their families, so we’re certainly excited about this Spookfest Halloween event!” The Halloween Pokéwalk takes place in Lower Drayton Farm, Nr Stafford, Sat 22 - Sun 30 October Birmingham on Saturday 29 October from 1pm, with an open-to-all, family- Award-winning horror-maze creators Twisted friendly after-party at Second Cup cafe Attractions have designed a Halloween show from 5pm until midnight. especially for very young children to enjoy. For more information about the event, SpookFest is a daytime event with a ‘boo fac- visit birminghampokewalk.com tor’ designed to keep little ones happy and engaged, but without running the risk of keeping them awake at night. Highlights of the show include three ‘scary’ attractions, children’s entertainers, a soft-play area and the chance to enjoy the popular Halloween practice of pumpkin carving.

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Your week to week listings guide October 2016 thelist

BRB’s The Tempest at Birmingham Hippodrome - Sat 1 to Sat 8 October 8 Sat to Tempest1 The Sat BRB’s - Hippodrome Birmingham at

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

What’s On Sat 1 to Sun 9 October Mon 10 to Sun 16 October Mon 17 to Sun 23 October Mon 24 to Mon 31 October

James Acaster at The Glee Franco B: Milk + Blood at mac, We’re Going On A Bear Hunt at Jake Bugg at O2 Academy, Club, Birmingham Birmingham The Old Rep, Birmingham Birmingham Wed 5 October Thurs 13 October Thurs 20 - Sat 22 September Mon 24 October

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List 1 - 9 Oct - BIRMINGHAM ONLY VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 12:03 Page 1

thelist Saturday 1 - Sun 9 October Hounds, Birmingham Oct, The Flapper, THROUGHOUT OCTOBER Gigs BLUE ROSE CODE Tues 4 Birmingham Oct, Kitchen Garden HIGHER ON MAIDEN Fri 7 nal printed artworks within the UK, Cafe, Birmingham Oct, Route 44, B’ham Visual Arts Wed 19 Oct - Sat 12 Nov 02:31 5TH BIRTHDAY Sat 1 Oct, The Rainbow CARL SINCLAIR DUO PILGRIMAGE WITH mac, Birmingham Venues, Birmingham Tues 4 Oct, The Jam YOUNG PILGRIMS + Birmingham Museum & House, Birmingham HANS PYRA + FISTFUL NEW DIALOGUE: DÉRACINER Exhibition DEFINITELY MIGHTBE Sat Art Gallery FEEDER Tues 4 Oct, O2 OF DYNAMITE Fri 7 Oct, by the Anglo/French group Dialogue, 1 Oct, O2 Academy, Institute, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, B’ham CELEBRATING GANESHA A touring exhi- a collaboration focused on ideas and Birmingham BOB MOULD Fri 7 Oct, bition across seven venues around objects associated with borders, THE ENGLISH BEAT Sat 1 THE HUNNA Tues 4 Oct, O2 Academy, B’ham the UK. Part of the British Museum’s mapping and historical references Oct, O2 Institute, O2 Academy, B’ham National Programmes, until 8 Jan between France and England, Sat 1 Birmingham SPOTTED DOG JAZZ THIS BURNING AGE Fri 7 Oct, O2 Institute, BIRMINGHAM PEOPLE AND CHANGE IN Oct - Sun 27 Nov STOP STOP Sat 1 Oct, TUESDAYS Tues 4 Oct, Birmingham THE INNER-CITY Birmingham People The Slade Rooms, The Spotted Dog, explores the ways in which ordinary BOM (B’ham Open Media) Wolverhampton Birmingham AURORA Fri 7 Oct, O2 Brummie folk have been represented NEW LIFE ECHO Justin Wigan's first ULTIMATE PAINTING Tues Institute, Birmingham in art during the 20th and 21st cen- AGAINST THE CURRENT solo show is a groundbreaking 4 Oct, Hare & Hounds, MOTOR CITY DRUM turies. Change In The Inner-City Sat 1 Oct, The Asylum, experiment in sound and memory. Birmingham ENSEMBLE Fri 7 Oct, focuses on the four inner-city wards Birmingham The exhibition features specially The Rainbow Venues, of Ladywood - Nechells, Soho, Aston SOULED OUT 2 FUNK Sat JAKE QUICKENDEN Wed designed pods and invites the public Birmingham and Ladywood, until Fri 31 Mar 2017 1 Oct, The Roadhouse, 5 Oct, O2 Academy, to participate in a fascinating experi- Birmingham Birmingham THE WEDDING PRESENT ment by creating their most powerful Sat 8 Oct, The Slade THE MAGIC GANG Sat 1 BOO HEWERDINE Wed 5 Grand Union life memory triggers, Wed 26 Oct - Rooms, Oct, O2 Institute, Oct, Kitchen Garden Sat 28 Jan Wolverhampton MITRA SABOURY: PULLING WALLS The Birmingham Cafe, Birmingham first solo exhibition of Saboury’s FIREBALL - FUELLING ANDY C Sat 8 Oct, The work to be presented outside the Museum of The Jewellery THE REVOLUTIONARY THE FIRE TOUR Wed 5 Rainbow Venues, US. It’s curated by the Birmingham- Quarter ARMY OF THE INFANT Oct, O2 Academy, Birmingham based Anneka French, until Fri 4 Nov COLLECTING BIRMINGHAM: STORIES JESUS Sat 1 Oct, Birmingham FREE AT LAST Sat 8 Oct, THAT SHOULD BE SHARED Centrala Gallery & The first in a Route 44, Birmingham Ikon Gallery series of four exhibitions showcasing Cafe, Birmingham GABRIEL BRUCE Wed 5 objects collected from local people, ONLY MEMORIES / Oct, The Rainbow RHINO AND THE RANTERS ŽILVINAS KEMPINAS Exhibition com- telling their stories of life in ECHIDNA / PARRHESIA Venues, Birmingham Sat 8 Oct, Hare & prising a number of installations rep- Birmingham, until Sat 31 Dec Sat 1 Oct, The Asylum, LEEE JOHN Wed 5 Oct, Hounds, Birmingham resenting natural phenomena such Birmingham The Jam House, B’ham JEAN-MICHEL JARRE Sat as light and the circulation of air, until 8 Oct, Barclaycard Sun 27 Nov Other VISUAL ARTS JAMIE T Sat 1 Oct, O2 MURA MASA Wed 5 Oct, Academy, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, B’ham Arena, Birmingham PHILIPPINE HAMEN French design stu- TIM PEAKE'S PHOTOS FROM SPACE HARRY WOLFMAN Sat 8 dent Philippine Hamen presents a Celebrating Tim Peake's mission to POP WILL EAT ITSELF THE MILE ROSES Wed 5 Oct, Hare & Hounds, new hybrid piece of furniture inspired the International Space Station, the Sun 2 Oct, The Robin, Oct, The Red Lion Folk Birmingham by David Lodge’s short story, The images in this exhibition show Bilston Club, Birmingham Man Who Wouldn’t Get Up (1998), remarkable landscapes on Earth RED FANG Sun 2 Oct, ANDY MORTON’S JAZZ THE REGULARS Sat 8 taken from space and life on board until Sun 27 Nov O2 Institute, B’ham BALLADS Wed 5 Oct, Oct, O2 Academy, the space station, until Sat 31 Dec, Birmingham NEW MITTI KA GUR - CLAY HOUSE A Blue Piano Restaurant Thinktank at Millennium Point, HATFUL OF RAIN Sun 2 scaled replica of a traditional And Bar, Birmingham THIS IS MADCHESTER Birmingham Oct, Kitchen Garden Pakistani clay house, showcasing Cafe, Birmingham THE COMPUTERS Thurs Sat 8 Oct, O2 THE EXTRAORDINARY LIVES OF miniature clay houses made by visi- 6 Oct, Hare & Hounds, Academy, Birmingham EVERYDAY PEOPLE Exhibition explor- NANCY KERR AND THE tors to The Auspicious Journey this Birmingham GARAGE GATHERING Sat ing the extraordinary lives of every- SWEET VISITOR BAND summer, presented by Mahtab 8 Oct, Civic Hall, day Birmingham people, until Sat 1 Sun 2 Oct, mac, B’ham NANNA RADLEYS Thurs 6 Hussain, Tues 25 Oct - Sun 6 Nov Wolverhampton July 2017, Soho House, Birmingham LOYLE CARNER Sun 2 Oct, The Jam House, Birmingham KATE JACKSON & THE NEW PRODUCTION SHOW: Oct, O2 Institute, The Library of Birmingham WRONG MOVES Sat 8 PROTOTYPING/DISCOVERING/ANALYSING Birmingham THE KILLS Thurs 6 Oct, BIRMINGHAM BIG ART PROJECT The Oct, The Rainbow Programme of relationships, com- BLADEFEST 2016 Sun 2 O2 Institute, B’ham exhibition presents the five shortlist- Venues, Birmingham missions, exhibitions and events Oct, The Roadhouse, ed artists’ proposals for a major new ERJA LYYTINEN WITH spanning two years which explodes Birmingham JANE MCDONALD Sun 9 work of public art for the city of HER BAND Thurs 6 Oct, as an active space of research, Oct, New Alexandra Birmingham, to be completed in MOOSE BLOOD Mon 3 The Robin, Bilston development, prototyping, manufac- Theatre, Birmingham 2018, until Sun 4 Dec Oct, O2 Institute, THE ACADEMIC Thurs 6 turing and display, Sat 1 Oct - Sat 10 Birmingham Oct, The Rainbow NELL BRYDEN Sun 9 Dec, Eastside Projects, Birmingham Oct, The Glee Club, RBSA Gallery CLARE MAGUIRE Mon 3 Venues, Birmingham NEW REIMAGING DONALD RODNEY A Birmingham NEW CHRIS SALMON ARBSA Distinctive Oct, The Glee Club, FOUR LAST SONGS Thurs programme of exhibition and events SORORITY NOISE Sun 9 new etchings from artist Chris Birmingham 6 Oct, Symphony Hall, exploring digital legacy and identity Oct, Hare & Hounds, Salmon, Mon 3 Oct - Sat 19 Nov MARIANAS TRENCH Mon Birmingham through the work of Black British Birmingham NEW GEORGE JACKSON ARBSA A selec- artist Donald Rodney (1961 - 1998), 3 Oct, O2 Academy, JERRY WILLIAMS Thurs DUA LIPA Sun 9 Oct, O2 tion of plinth and wall-mounted work Sat 8 Oct - Sat 5 Nov, Vivid Projects, Birmingham 6 Oct, The Sunflower Institute, Birmingham made using glass and ceramics, Birmingham JOHNNY LLOYD Mon 3 THE NEXTMEN Fri 7 Oct, THE SONGBOOK Mon 10 Oct - Sat 26 Nov NEW REMAINS Mark Murphy and John Oct, The Sunflower Hare & Hounds, B’ham COLLECTIVE Sun 9 Oct, NEW BAKER TO BARTLETT: THE Bennett present a series of contem- Lounge, Birmingham BLOOD YOUTH Fri 7 Oct, Hare & Hounds, B’ham CHANGING FACE OF RBSA PRINTMAKING porary collage works in paper and ALVAREZ KINGS Mon 3 The Asylum, B’ham Oct, The Rainbow THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: This year's annual exhibition of art- wood, Fri 14 - Sat 22 Oct, A3 Project SECRET AFFAIR Fri 7 works from the RBSA Collection Space, Birmingham Venues, Birmingham SYMPHONY OF THE GOD- Oct, The Robin, Bilston DESSES - MASTER QUEST showcases the variety of prints pro- NEW ‘PATTERNS IN NATURE' Exibition THE BIRTHDAY THIS FEELING Fri 7 Oct, Sun 9 Oct, Symphony duced by artists throughout the of textiles and embroidery created MASSACRE, THE RED The Sunflower Lounge, Hall, Birmingham Society’s history, Mon 17 Oct - Sat PAINTINGS, AMONG THE using traditional and contemporary Birmingham 12 Nov techniques by the members of ECHOES & THE DEAD BABEHEAVEN Sun 9 Oct, NEW PRINT PRIZE 2016 The biennial Solihull Embroiderer's Guild, Wed 19 BETAS Tue 4 Oct, O2 THE FOOD FIGHTERZ Fri The Sunflower Lounge, exhibition aims to champion and cel- - Mon 31 Oct, The Core, Solihull Institute, Birmingham 7 Oct, The Roadhouse, Birmingham Birmingham ebrate the exciting range of contem- WILLE & THE BANDITS porary printmakers producing origi- Tues 4 Oct, Hare & JOHNNY FOREIGNER Fri 7

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Saturday 1 - Sun 9 October

Mendelssohn Shostakovich & facility. Based on Stephen King’s PEARSON, COLIN HAVEY & RED RDMOND Beethoven, Fri 7 Oct, Royal Pump 1982 novella, until Sat 1 Oct, Classical Music Fri 7 Oct, The New Inn, W’hampton Rooms, Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand Theatre DAN NIGHTINGALE, THE NOISE NEXT CITY OF LONDON SINFONIA: GREAT DISCO PIGS A furious, funny and vio- ORCHESTRA OF ST JOHN: MARVELLOUS DOOR, MARLON DAVIS & BEN BRIGG Fri BRITISH CHORAL ANTHEMS Programme lent dash through a lifelong friend- MOZART Sat 1 Oct, St John’s Church, 7 - Sat 8 Oct, The Comedy Loft, includes works by Handel, Vivaldi, ship at the moment of its savage Bromsgrove Birmingham James MacMillan & Bach, Fri 7 Oct, destruction, until Sat 1 Oct, The REP, SUNDAY CLASSICS Presenting a range Lichfield Cathedral RICE N PEAS N CAVIAR (SECOND Birmingham of young stars of the future from the HELPINGS!) Sat 8 Oct, Old Joint THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SYMPHONY OF LADY GREGORY One-woman play classical world, ranging from opera Stock Theatre, Birmingham THE GODDESSES Sun 9 Oct, which recalls the greatest moments singers to violinists to harpists at the Symphony Hall, Birmingham PAUL F TAYLOR, ANDY ASKINS, ANDRE in the life of one of Ireland’s best- very start of their careers, Sun 2 Oct, VINCENT & DARIUS DAVIES Sat 8 Oct known dramatists, until Sat 1 Oct, The Spotted Dog, Birmingham The Glee Club, Birmingham Crescent Theatre, Birmingham LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH KERRY GODLIMAN Sat 8 Oct, Artrix, ROMEO & JULIET Amateur staging of THOMAS TROTTER Programme Bromsgrove Shakespeare’s classic tale, Fri 30 includes works by Bach (arr. M. SIMON MUNNERY Sat 8 Oct, mac, Sept - Sat 8 Oct, Hall Green Little Dupre), Bach, J. Francaix, C.H Parry Comedy Gigs Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham & Rossini (arr. Trotter), Mon 3 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall ELLIE TAYLOR Sat 1 Oct, Artrix, MARTIN HUBURN Sat 8 Oct, The CYMBELINE Melly Still directs Roadhouse, Birmingham Shakespeare's rarely performed MONDAY SHOWCASE: HANDEL, WAR- Bromsgrove romance, until Sat 15 Oct, Royal LOCK, MAHLER & SCHUMANN Featuring ROMESH RANGANATHAN Sun 9 Oct, PAUL TONKINSON, PHIL NICHOL, LLOYD Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- Joanne Sealey (piano) & Tommy Hill Birmingham Town Hall GRIFFITH & ALLYSON SMITH Sat 1 Oct upon-Avon (oboe), Mon 3 Oct, Recital Hall, The Glee Club, Birmingham PAUL RICHARDS Sun 9 Oct, Old Joint KING LEAR Birmingham Conservatoire Stock Theatre, Birmingham RSC Artistic Director PAUL MCCAFFERY, JARLETH REGAN, Gregory Doran directs Antony Sher TAMSIN WALEY-COHEN IN RECITAL GARETH RICHARDS & KANE BROWN Sat THE BIRMINGHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL in the title role, until Sat 15 Oct, Featuring Huw Watkins (piano). 1 Oct, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham HALF-DAYER - PART 1 Sun 9 Oct, The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Programme includes works by RICH HALL Tues 4 Oct, The Glee Victoria, Birmingham Stratford-upon-Avon Beethoven, Elgar, Ravel & Gershwin Club, Birmingham ADHAM FISHER Sun 9 Oct, Six Eight (arr.Heifetz), Mon 3 Oct, Birmingham THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN Based on Kafe, Birmingham Town Hall JAMES ACASTER Wed 5 Oct, The Glee Chaucer's The Knight's Tale, The Two Club, Birmingham Noble Kinsmen is attributed to John CBSO: FOUR LAST SONGS Featuring Fletcher and William Shakespeare Alpesh Chauhan (conductor) & Talise MANILLA ROAD COMEDY Thurs 6 Oct, and is best described as a tragicom- Trevigne (soprano). Programme The Victoria, Birmingham edy exploring the intoxication and includes works by Humperdinck, R. THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, ALISTAIR Theatre strangeness of love, until Tues 7 Feb, Strauss & Bruckner, Thurs 6 Oct, BARRIE, TOM LITTLE & JAMES MEEHAN The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- Symphony Hall, Birmingham Thurs 6 Oct, The George Hotel, DIAL M FOR MURDER Blue Orange Arts Avon THE SACCONI QUARTET Featuring Lichfield present Frederick Knott’s erotic tale THE ROVER Aphra Behn's anarchic Freddy Kempf (piano) & Double PAUL F TAYLOR, ANDY ASKINS & of betrayal, passion and murder - restoration comedy, rich with seduc- Bass. Programme includes Elgar's COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY best known from its 1954 Alfred tion, intrigue and danger, is set in the Piano Quintet & Schubert's Piano ROBINSON Thurs 6 Oct, The Glee Hitchcock-directed film version star- topsy-turvy world of the carnival, until Quintet in A Major 'The Trout', Fri 7 Club, Birmingham ring Ray Milland and Grace Kelly, Sat 11 Feb, The Swan Theatre, Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove MATT FORDE Fri 7 Oct, The Old Rep until Sat 1 Oct, The Blue Orange Stratford-upon-Avon LUNCHTIME CONCERT WITH JAMES Theatre, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham THE HARBINGER OF HUSSAIN TURNBULL & CLARE HAMMOND PAUL F TAYLOR, ANDY ASKINS, ANDRE DEAD SHEEP Steve Nailon and Ridhayatullah Theatre present a two- Programme includes works by VINCENT, DARIUS DAVIES & GUZ KHAN Graham Seed star in Jonathan part play exploring the life and times Poulenc, Thomas Hyde, Ninfea Fri 7 Oct, The Glee Club, B’ham Maitland's tale of love, honour, loyalty of the seventh century CE Muslim, Cruttwell-Reade, Robert Saxton & and revenge, which charts the story ibn Aqeel, who served as a selfless Dutilleux, Fri 7 Oct, The Barber BIRMINGHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL BREAK- of how Mrs Thatcher, once the most emissary to deliver a message of Institute, Birmingham ING TALENT AWARD Fri 7 Oct, The Glee Club, Birmingham powerful woman in the world, was peace and unity to lands in BEASTDOME: EMERGENCE Featuring brought down by Geoffrey Howe, her Mesopotamia, Sat 1 Oct, The OH DEAR DIARY Fri 7 Oct, Old Joint guest artist Denis Smalley, Fri 7 Oct, one-time friend and political soul Crescent Theatre, Birmingham The Dome, Bramall Music Building, Stock Theatre, Birmingham mate, with one of the greatest ROSA PARKS: THE HIDDEN JOURNEY Birmingham University JOHN HEGLEY Fri 7 Oct, mac, B’ham speeches ever made, until Sat 1 Oct, Thought-provoking exploration of the CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET Featuring BARRY BLING MR VELVET AND THE The REP, Birmingham civil rights movement, performed by Matthew Denton and Michelle ORCHESTRA OF CHAOS Fri 7 Oct, The THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION a community cast, Sat 1 - Sun 2 Oct, Fleming (violins) Eoin Schmidt-Martin Spotted Dog, Birmingham Examination of desperation, injustice, mac, Birmingham (viola) & Emma Denton (cello). SCOTT BENNETT, DANNY BEET, JON friendship and hope in the claustro- ABIGAIL’S PARTY Solihull Theatre Programme includes works by phobic setting of a maximum security

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thelist Saturday 1 - Sun 9 October Company present an amateur pro- Alexander Vantournhout & Bauke Drawing elements from West African Ring Craft Centre, Bromsgrove duction of Mike Leigh's satirical com- Lievens, this is a solo show in a mini- folk tales, this is the story of a very FLATPACK FESTIVAL - BIRMINGHAM ON edy play, Sat 1 - Sun 2 Oct, The mal setting for one acrobatic body, a small but very brave boy. When his FILM until Sat 15 Oct, Various loca- Core, Solihull handful of carefully selected objects village is terrorised by an evil sorcer- tions throughout Birmingham and three variations on a piece of ess, baby Kirikou sets off on an THE SOUND OF MUSIC Timeless family THE SOOTY SHOW: SOOTY IN SPACE Sat musical starring Lucy O'Byrne from piano music by Arvo Pärt, Fri 7 Oct, intrepid quest to save his friends and DanceXchange, Birmingham neighbours. With the voices of 1 - Sun 2 Oct, Cadbury World, BBC's The Voice and former Bournville, Birmingham Coronation Street actor Andrew WRIGGLE DANCE THEATRE: THE COLOUR Antoinette Kellermann & Fezele Lancel, Tues 4 - Sat 8 Oct, OF ME Interactive dance theatre per- Mpeka. mac, Birmingham, Sat 1 Oct KINGS HEATH FARMERS MARKET Sat 1 Wolverhampton Grand Theatre formance for young audiences, Sun BLACK BRITAIN ON FILM A specially Oct, All Saints' Church, Kings Heath, Birmingham SUNSET BOULEVARD Amateur produc- 9 Oct, mac, Birmingham curated archive compilation looking tion presented by Lichfield Garrick at the black experience in #LOSTANDFOUND: AN EVENING WITH Youth Theatre, Tues 4 - Sat 8 Oct, Birmingham. Drawing on a superb BRILLIANT YA TALENTS KATHRYN EVANS, Lichfield Garrick collection of original 16mm film shot EUGENE LAMBERT, PATRICE LAWRENCE, by ATV and Central Television from OLIVIA LEVEZ AND SUE WALLMAN A dis- ONE-MAN STAR WARS TRILOGY Actor Talks / the 1960s to 1980s that’s cared for cussion of identity, loss, and the Charles Ross single-handedly plays by the Media Archive for Central darkness inside, of self-discovery, all the characters, sings the music, England at the University of Lincoln. friendship, and hope for a better flies the ships, fights the battles and Spoken Word mac, Birmingham, Sat 1 Oct tomorrow as part of the condenses the plots of three films #LostandFound Book Tour, Sat 1 into just 60 minutes! Wed 5 Oct, BADDDDD: SONIA SANCHEZ An intimate NICHOLAS PARSONS Join raconteur Oct, Waterstones - High St, Artrix, Bromsgrove and revealing portrait of the poet and Nicholas Parsons for an evening of educator Sonia Sanchez. Amongst Birmingham RHUM & CLAY: 64 SQUARES A story anecdotal entertainment based on other events it recalls her days as a MINIATURA - THE INTERNATIONAL about memory, free will and how the his life and a career spent in an Black Panther and as a leading figure DOLLS' HOUSE MODELLING SHOW choices of our past define who we unpredictable and always fascinating in developing black studies and the Featuring workshops, old favourites are in the present. Accompanied by profession, Sat 1 Oct, Lichfield black arts movement of 1960s and skilled exhibitors from the UK a live jazz percussive score, Thurs 6 Garrick America. mac, Birmingham, Sun 2 and further afield, Sat 1 - Sun 2 Oct, Oct, mac, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM - BRICK LANE - Oct NEC, Birmingham THE RUBY DOLLS The acclaimed BANGLADESH Emerging local writers ALICE IN WONDERLAND (U) Lewis BIRMINGHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL cabaret ensemble here use unique share their narratives, exploring their Carroll's beloved fantasy tale is 2016 Sat 1 Oct - Sun 16 Oct, arrangements of songs by Nick family lives and personal journeys, brought to life in this Disney animat- Birmingham City Centre Cave, Amy Winehouse and Rage Sun 2 Oct, mac, Birmingham ed classic. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 2 Against The Machine to tell the cen- WORKSHOP: HOW TO TELL A GREAT QUEER'SAY A showcase of queer spo- Oct turies-old folk tale of Bluebeard, GHOST STORY Sun 2 Oct, The Custard ken word, to be recorded for Thurs 6 Oct, Old Joint Stock Theatre, THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS (15) Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham Resonance FM's award-winning Birmingham Adapted by MR Carey from his own CACTUS SHOW See a display of beau- LGBT magazine show. With Jasmine novel, this is another sci-fi thriller set tiful cacti, with experts on hand to HIM Actor Tim Barlow reflects on life Gardosi, AJ McKenna & Rosie Wilby, in a post-apocalyptic dystopian answer your questions, Sun 2 Oct, at 80 in a new collaborative work by Fri 7 Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove future. When a fungal infection wipes writer/theatre-maker Sheila Hill and Birmingham Botanical Gardens JOHN HEGLEY - NEW & SELECTED out most of mankind (check your photographer/videographer Hugo RELAXED @ NEWMAN BROTHERS A fac- POTATOES Performance poet, comedi- toenails!), a teacher and a scientist Glendinning, Thurs 6 - Sat 8 Oct, The tory tour designed specifically for an and musician John hits the road, set out on a journey of survival - with REP, Birmingham people on the autistic spectrum and mandolin in hand, to present medita- a young teenage girl (Nanua) unlike their families, Sun 2 Oct, Coffin 946: THE AMAZING STORY OF ADOLPHUS tions on subjects such as family, cel- normal human beings… Stars Works, Birmingham TIPS Kneehigh Theatre fuse music, ery and happier Daleks, Fri 7 Oct Gemma Arterton & Paddy Considine. puppetry and foolishness to tell mac, Birmingham mac, Birmingham, Fri 7 - Thurs 13 FLATBREAD MAKING Fun and informal Michael Morpurgo’s tale of war, prej- Oct baking class, Sun 2 Oct, Sarehole IN THE SPACE WITH NIKKI TAPPER BBC udice and love, based on his novel of Mill, Birmingham radio presenter Nikki Tapper hosts an the same name, Thurs 6 - Sat 15 evening of live music and conversa- "NOT A PUB" PUB QUIZ Waterstones' Oct, The REP, Birmingham NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: tion accompanied by dance and monthly quiz, Wed 5 Oct, Released from Wed 5 Oct, showing SETH KRIEBEL: A HOUSE REPEATED poetry, Fri 7 Oct, mac, Birmingham Waterstones, High St, Birmingham at selected cinemas Interactive performance-game com- HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW Wed 5 - bining the simplicity of bare-bones THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN (15) Sun 9 Oct, NEC, Birmingham storytelling with the limitless possibili- Released from Fri 7 Oct, showing at DIGBETH FIRST FRIDAY Exhibitions, ties of contemporary open-world selected cinemas computer games, Sat 8 Oct, mac, late-night openings, special events, Birmingham Film THE GREASY STRANGLER (tbc) culture in unexpected spaces, live MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE (15) music, street food and more, Fri 7 RICE N PEAS N CAVIAR (SECOND HELP- Oct, Digbeth, Birmingham INGS!) Character comedy taking a INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: WAR ON EVERYONE (15) satirical look at the lives of ladies DESTINATION ST AR TREK Featuring from the British Afro-Caribbean com- special guests, props, sets, talks, CAFÉ SOCIETY (12A) Woody Allen’s munity and a little further afield, Sat 8 photo shoots, autographs and more, 45th feature as writer-director sees Oct, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Fri 7 - Sun 9 Oct, NEC, Birmingham Jesse Eisenberg as a young man Birmingham KINGS NORTON FARMERS' MARKET Sat who leaves New York for Hollywood, Events 8 Oct, The Green, Kings Norton, where he falls in love with the secre- Birmingham tary of his uncle (Steve Carell). Bruce HEAVYCON until Sun 2 Oct, NEC, AZTEC WEEKEND Sat 8 - Sun 9 Oct, Willis was originally cast as the Birmingham uncle, but Woody fired him on Cadbury World, Bournville, Dance account of his prima donna behav- THE NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW With Birmingham iour. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 3, over 300 wedding specialists from Thurs 6 - Fri 7 Oct bridal boutiques and florists to jew- HUMANHOOD: ZERO New full-length ellers and photographers, this event THE CLAN (15) work exploring the relationship In an affluent suburb of is the ultimate wedding shopping between memory, space and time Buenos Aires in the early ’80s, a experience,until Sun 2 Oct, NEC, and choreography, lighting and seemingly normal family makes its Birmingham sound, Sat 1 Oct, mac, Birmingham living off kidnapping and murder. SHAKESPEARE RE-FASHIONED until Sun BRB: THE TEMPEST An original new Welcome to the home of the Puccios - and the astonishing true story of 2 Oct, The Bullring Shopping Centre, ballet in celebration of Shakespeare's Birmingham 400th anniversary, Sat 1 - Sat 8 Oct, Argentina’s most notorious crime Birmingham Hippodrome family. Foreign language, subtitled. SCULPTURE TRAIL Exhibition of dra- mac, Birmingham, until Thurs 6 Oct matic sculptures using a range of SCAREFEST Sat 8 - Sun 9 Oct, Alton ANECKXANDER Choreographed by Towers, Staffordshire KIRIKOU & THE SORCERESS (U) media, until Tues 4 Oct, The Jinney whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List 10 - 16 October - Birmingham Only VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 17:35 Page 1

thelist Monday 10 - Sunday 16 October SUBROSA, DARKHER, Oct, The Sunflower Mon 10 Oct, Cherry Reds Cafe-Bar, Gigs KROC, BAYONNEBLEEDER Lounge, Birmingham Classical Music Birmingham Wed 12 Oct, The SIGHTS AND SOUNDS & VIRGINIA IRONSIDE Tues 11 Oct, The Rainbow Venues, BOSSK Fri 14 Oct, The Core Theatre, Solihull RYAN MCGARVEY BAND MONDAY SHOWCASE: MOZART, BARTOK Birmingham Flapper, Birmingham Mon 10 Oct, The & MESSAIEN Featuring Georgia GRIMM UP NORTH PRESENTS - CHRISTY MOORE WITH Robin, Bilston RICHARD SMITH Fri 14 Hughes (flute) & Joanne Sealey NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH Tues 11 Oct, DECLAN SINNOTT & JIM Oct, Kitchen Garden (piano), Mon 10 Oct, Recital Hall, Cherry Reds Cafe-Bar, Birmingham PETULA CLARK Mon 10 HIGGINS Thurs 13 Oct, Cafe, Birmingham Birmingham Conservatoire VODKA, KGB AND MIND TICKLES Tues Oct, Birmingham Town Symphony Hall, B’ham Hall RISCAS, VEDA & THE ELSABE RAATH (VIOLA) Featuring 11 Oct, Everyman Theatre, B’ham SUZANNE VEGA Thurs 13 COMMON SOUNDS Fri 14 Robert Markham (piano). Programme LOVEHARD - MURDERED BY MURDER ADY SULEIMAN Mon 10 Oct, Birmingham Town Oct, The Rainbow includes works by Enescu, Brahms & Tues 11 Oct, The Victoria, B’ham Oct, O2 Institute, Hall Venues, Birmingham Hinemith, Tues 11 Oct, Recital Hall, Birmingham ROMESH RANGANATHAN Wed 12 Oct, ANTI-NO WHERE LEAGUE Birmingham Conservatoire YASHIN & VAMPIRES Birmingham Town Hall EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY Thurs 13 Oct, The EVERYWHERE Fri 14 Oct, ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN Featuring Mon 10 Oct, O2 Robin, Bilston ANNETTE FAGON, JOANNA NEARY, ALICE The Rainbow Venues, Lucia Caruso (piano) & David Curtis Institute, Birmingham FRICK & MAUREEN YOUNGER Wed 12 AKALA Thurs 13 Oct, Birmingham (conductor). Programme includes CHIP TAYLOR Mon 10 Oct, Kitchen Garden Cafe, B’ham O2 Institute, WILKO JOHNSON Sat 15 works by Salieri, Mozart & Haydn, Oct, Kitchen Garden DIRTY WHITE BOYS Birmingham Oct, Birmingham Town Wed 12 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall Wed 12 Oct, Old Cafe, Birmingham Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham 1-EYE REGGAE REVIEW Hall TCHAIKOVSKY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OCTOBER DRIFT Mon 10 Thurs 13 Oct, The Jam BROKEN WITT REBELS Programme includes works by ALEX AND SARAH Wed 12 Oct, Cherry Oct, The Sunflower House, Birmingham Sat 15 Oct, The Borodin & Tchaikovsky, Fri 14 Oct, Reds Cafe-Bar, Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham NINA NESBITT Thurs 13 Rainbow Venues, Symphony Hall, Birmingham JACOB LOVICK Wed 12 Oct, Cherry OTIS GIBBS Tues 11 Oct, Oct, O2 Academy, Birmingham SHAKESPEARE AND HIS Reds Cafe-Bar, Birmingham Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham IVOR & LYN'S CLASSIC CONTEMPORARIES Featuring Joel NATHAN CATON Thurs 13 Oct, The Birmingham WHILE & MATTHEWS ROCK DISCO Sat 15 Oct, Williams (tenor) & Duncan Appleby Glee Club, Birmingham TWIN ATLANTIC Tues 11 Thurs 13 Oct, Crescent Route 44, Birmingham (piano). Programme includes works TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, MICHAEL LEGG Oct, O2 Institute, by Dowland, Purcell arr. Benjamin Theatre, Birmingham METALHEADZ FEATURING & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY Birmingham Britten, Britten, Parry, Robert GOO GOO DOLLS Thurs LENZMAN, DOC SCOTT, ROBINSON Thurs 13 Oct, The Glee Busiakiewicz & Quilter, Fri 14 Oct, LEVEL 42 Tues 11 Oct, 13 Oct, O2 Institute, DOM AND ROLAND & MC Club, Birmingham The Barber Institute, Birmingham Symphony Hall, B’ham Birmingham CONRAD Sat 15 Oct, PATRICK MONAHAN Thurs 13 Oct, Old REGER CENTENARY FESTIVAL: FROM FRANKIE BALLARD Tues MUSO JAM NIGHT Thurs Hare & Hounds, B’ham Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham DARKNESS TO LIGHT Members of 11 Oct, O2 Academy, 13 Oct, The TONY HADLEY Sat 15 Birmingham Conservatoire Organ THE BIRMINGHAM COMEDIANS CHOIR Birmingham Roadhouse, B’ham Oct, Symphony Hall, Department perform works by JS Thurs 13 Oct, mac, Birmingham Birmingham GAVIN JAMES Tues 11 DEMOB HAPPY & TIGER- Bach, Mendelssohnm Schumann & ALEX HYLTON Thurs 13 Oct, Cherry Oct, The Glee Club, CUB Thurs 13 Oct, The THE RESCUE BLUES Sat Reger, Fri 14 Oct, St Chad’s Reds Cafe-Bar, Birmingham Birmingham Rainbow Venues, 15 Oct, The Slade Cathedral, Birmingham ZOE LYONS, ED HEDGES, MERYL Birmingham Rooms, W’hampton BEACH BABY Tues 11 MAX REGER CENTENARY FESTIVAL Visit O'ROURKE & CHRIS PURCHASE Fri 14 Oct, Hare & Hounds, MY DARLING MO Sat 15 Oct, The bcu.ac.uk for full listings, Fri 14 - Oct, Lichfield Garrick B’ham CLEMENTINE Thurs 13 Rainbow Venues, Tues 18 Oct, Birmingham KERRY GODLIMAN Fri 14 Oct, The Oct, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham LAKE KOMO & BLUE Conservatoire Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham NATION & RYAN SPAR- BABBU MAAN Sat 15 SUNDAY CLASSICS Presenting a range ROW Tues 11 Oct, The BON GIOVI Fri 14 Oct, Oct, Barclaycard of young stars of the future from the Sunflower Lounge, The Roadhouse, B’ham Arena, Birmingham classical world, ranging from opera Birmingham THE AUSTRALIAN PINK THE LOST NOTES Sat 15 singers to violinists to harpists at the LISA MILLS Wed 12 Oct, FLOYD SHOW Fri 14 Oct, Oct, Hare & Hounds, very start of their careers, Sun 16 The Robin, Bilston Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham Oct, The Spotted Dog, Birmingham GOSPEL CENTRAL Wed Birmingham MC TRIGGA BIRTHDAY BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHES- 12 Oct, The Jam LEFTFOOT & MOSTLY BASH Sat 15 Oct, O2 TRA Featuring Michael Lloyd (con- House, Birmingham JAZZ FESTIVAL Fri 14 Institute, Birmingham ductor) & Alison Roddy (soprano). Programme includes works by LLOYD COLE Wed 12 Oct, Hare & Hounds, ENEMY FEAT. KIT Wagner, Cantaloube & Bartok, Sun Oct, The Glee Club, Birmingham DOWNES, PETTER ELDH, 16 Oct, Bramall Music Building, Elgar NAOMI PAUL Fri 14 Oct, Old Joint Birmingham THE JANOSKIANS Fri 14 JAMES MADDREN Sat 15 Concert Hall, Birmingham University Stock Theatre, Birmingham THE PIGEON DETECTIVES Oct, The Asylum, Oct, CBSO Centre, Wed 12 Oct, The Birmingham Birmingham BEST OF BRUM COMEDY SHOWCASE Fri 14 Oct, Cherry Reds Cafe-Bar, Sunflower Lounge, KANO Fri 14 Oct, O2 SONIC BOOM SIX Sun 16 Birmingham Birmingham Institute, Birmingham Oct, The Rainbow TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, MICHAEL LEGG, JOSIENNE CLARKE & BEN NICKELBACK Fri 14 Oct, Venues, Birmingham HARRIET DYER & JOE WELLS Fri 14 - WALKER Wed 12 Oct, Genting Arena, B’ham RAGLANS Sun 16 Oct, The Red Lion Folk Sat 15 Oct, The Glee Club, ALL SAINTS Fri 14 Oct, O2 Institute, B’ham Club, Birmingham Birmingham O2 Academy, B’ham JAMIE LAWSON Sun 16 FIFTH HARMONY Wed 12 RUDI LICKWOOD, JIM SMALLMAN, STEVE ‘BIG MAN’ CLAY- Oct, O2 Academy, Oct, Barclaycard BARRY DODDS & ANDY ASKINS Fri 14 - TON Fri 14 Oct, Blue Birmingham Arena, Birmingham Sat 15 Oct, The Comedy Loft, Piano Restaurant And GILMORE & ROBERTS Birmingham GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, Bar, Birmingham Sun 16 Oct, Kitchen FUNK AND SOUL OPEN LEE NELSON Sun 16 Oct THE LAPELLES Fri 14 Garden Cafe, B’ham MIC NIGHT Wed 12 Oct, The Mockingbird, Birmingham Oct, The Rainbow LE BUTCHERETTES Sun The Night Owl, B’ham Comedy Gigs JASON BYRNE Sun 16 Oct, Venues, Birmingham 16 Oct, Hare & THE ARKYARD SESSIONS Birmingham Town Hall JONES Fri 14 Oct, Hare Hounds, Birmingham Wed 12 Oct, Hare & LOUDEEMY SOUP COMEDY NIGHT Mon KANE BROWN Sun 16 Oct, The Glee & Hounds, Birmingham DIVERSITY ROCKS Hounds, Birmingham 10 Oct, The Blue Orange Theatre, Club, Birmingham KARKOSA Fri 14 Oct, O2 Headlined by local leg- KERBDOG Wed 12 Oct, Birmingham PANEL BEATERS Sun 16 Oct, The Glee Academy, Birmingham end and 2 Tone icon, O2 Institute, B’ham Neville Staple and his ROADHOUSE COMEDY NIGHT: Club, Birmingham BOSTIN' DAYS 2 FESTIVAL THE DUKE SPIRIT + JOE Band, Sun 16 Oct, BIRMINGHAM COMEDY FEST' SPECIAL THE BIRMINGHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL Fri 14 Oct - Sat 15 Oct, GIDEON Wed 12 Oct, Belgrade Theatre, Mon 10 Oct The Roadhouse, B’ham HALF-DAYER: PART 2 Sun 16 Oct The Robin, Bilston The Rainbow Venues, Coventry FREEWHEELERS, IMPROV COMEDY NIGHT The Victoria, Birmingham Birmingham CC SMUGGLERS Fri 14

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thelist Monday 10 - Sunday 16 October HOUSE OF ORPHANS: A BED OF SHARDS Theatre The story of Ronnie and Button, two tower-block residents whose eviction to a brand new bungalow reveals THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Starring dark truths about their relationship, Diana Vickers as Janet, Ben Freeman Fri 14 Oct, mac, Birmingham as Brad, Richard Meek as Eddie/Dr Scott and Kristian Lavercombe as Riff LET’S TWIST AGAIN A full company of Raff, Mon 10 - Sat 15 Oct, New acclaimed artists and musicians Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham deliver a show combining music, fun and laughter, Sun 16 Oct, Lichfield BLOOD BROTHERS Willy Russell’s Garrick acclaimed musical, set in his native Liverpool and starring Lyn Paul in the iconic role of Mrs Johnstone, Mon 10 - Sat 22 Oct, Birmingham Hippodrome VIRGINIA IRONSIDE - GROWING OLD DIS- Dance GRACEFULLY One-woman grannie stand-up which addresses unlimited 2 FACED DANACE: RUN Triple bill cho- free drugs, fun funerals, grandchil- reographed by Tamsin Fitzgerald, dren and sex at 60, Tues 11 Oct, The Lenka Vagnerova and Rebecca 2Faced Dance: Run - DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Core, Solihull Evans, with original music by Angus FALL OUT Highly Sprung Theatre MacRae and Tomas Vychytil, Thurs see it on its completion in 1982. A explore the story of three young peo- 13 - Fri 14 Oct, DanceXchange, The picture of a romance at the cross- Events ple whose night out leads to a jour- Patrick Centre, Birmingham roads of a New York summer, it’s ney of self-discovery that tests friend- also a story of black lives, presented ships and questions notions of identi- with a sensitivity rarely seen even RICK STEIN SIGNING Rick’s in store to ty and loyalty, Tues 11 - Wed 12 Oct, today. mac, Birmingham, Fri 14 Oct sign copies of his new book, Long Weekends, Tues 11 Oct, mac, Birmingham GOSTA GREEN REVISITED (PG) When Waterstones, High St, Birmingham GUYS AND DOLLS Amateur production Talks / BBC Birmingham outgrew its first presented by Lichfield Operatic base on Broad Street, television pro- THE MOTORHOME AND CARAVAN SHOW Society, Tues 11 - Sat 15 Oct, Spoken Word duction moved to the old Delicia Tues 11 - Sun 16 Oct, NEC, Lichfield Garrick Cinema on Gosta Green. This after- Birmingham noon’s screening is a rare chance to 9 TO 5 - THE MUSICAL South Staffs GREGORY LEADBETTER: LAUNCH OF THE DAVID STARKEY: THE KING IS DEAD The sample a selection of Gosta Green’s Musical Theatre Company celebrates FETCH Wed 12 Oct, Waterstones - UK’s leading constitutional historian output, introduced by TV historian its 80th birthday with this stage ver- High St, Birmingham talks about royal death and succes- Lez Cooke. mac, Birmingham, Sat 15 sion of the hit Dolly Parton movie, OKTOBERFEST Wed 12 - Sun 16 Oct, sion under the Tudors, Sat 15 Oct Oct Tues 11 - Sat 15 Oct, Wolverhampton Artrix Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham LAUREL & HARDY ALL AT SEA (PG) Grand Theatre GEORGE CADBURY - HERITAGE TALK BELLOWS POETRY COLLECTIVE Three classic films with a nautical THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA Bournville Village Trust Chairman Showcase Birmingham’s first young theme from one the greatest double- Birmingham School of Acting pres- Duncan Cadbury gives a talk on poetry collective touches on themes act of all time, Stan Laurel and Oliver ents an amateur production of businessman and philanthropist of identity, compassion and history, Hardy... mac, Birmingham, Sat 15 Shakespeare exuberant romantic George Cadbury, focusing on his Sat 15 Oct, mac, Birmingham Oct comedy, Wed 12 - Sat 15 Oct, The contribution to the creation of a flour- BRUCE O'NEILL: BROMSGROVE WORDS Crescent Theatre, Birmingham EMPIRE ROAD (PG) Empire Road was ishing community in Bournville, The Director of Music at the Royal the first serious attempt at a long- STARTING OUT New piece of political Thurs 13 Oct, Selly Manor, B’ham Shakespeare Company considers running drama on British television theatre that shines a light on the REVEREND RICHARD COLES SIGNING the importance of music in addressing Britain's growing multi- experiences of young women enter- The Reverend Richard Coles signs Shakespeareʼs plays and its influ- racial society. This screening offers a ing the world of work in 2016, Wed copies of his new book, Bringing In ence on Stratford productions, Sun rare opportunity to see two episodes 12 - Sat 15 Oct, The REP, B’ham The Sheaves, Thurs 13 Oct, 16 Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove of the show on the big screen. Waterstones, High St, Birmingham MERCHANT OF VENICE Amateur pro- Followed by Q&A with actress duction presented by Birmingham Corinne Skinner-Carter. mac, BOOK TO THE FUTURE University of School of Acting, Wed 12 - Sat 15 Birmingham, Sat 15 Oct Birmingham’s annual festival of the Oct, The Old Rep Theatre, B’ham written and spoken word, Thurs 13 - SWEET BEAN (PG) Sweet Bean is the Sat 15 Oct, The University of THE WEST END OF BROADWAY Film name given to a delicious red paste Birmingham Crescendo Musical Theatre present in the middle of the dorayaki pan- an evening of ‘musical magic’, featur- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: cakes that Sentaro sells from his THE VAPER EXPO Europe’s biggest ing music from the 1940s to the cur- bakery to a small but loyal clientele. and best vape convention, attracting rent day, Thurs 13 Oct, The Core, He’s a remote man, for whom things exhibitors worldwide, Fri 14 - Sat 15 Solihull BRIDGET JONES'S BABY (15) Twelve change when the eccentric, 76-year- Oct, NEC, Birmingham FRANKO B: MILK & BLOOD An uncom- years on and Bridget is still compos- old Tokue responds to his ad for an JEWELLERY QUARTER HERITAGE WALK promising performance that ing her diaries. And this time she assistant. Stars Kirin Kiki & Masatoshi Sat 15 Oct, Museum of the Jewellery responds to personal traumas, socie- really does have something to write Nagase. Foreign language, subtitled. Quarter, Birmingham about: her bump. Scripted by the mac, Birmingham, Sat 15 - Sun 16 tal ills, corrupt politics and barbaric CADBURY CHARACTER WEEKEND Sat 15 redoubtable triumvirate of Emma Oct conflict, Thurs 13 Oct, mac, B’ham Oct - Sun 16 Oct, Cadbury World, Thompson, Helen Fielding and Dan Bournville, Birmingham Mazer, the romcom sees Bridget battling with her 40s but settling down to APPLE WEEKEND Sat 15 - Sun 16 Oct, a contented routine with her reliable NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, circle of friends. And then a dashing Birmingham American enters her life… Starring MIDLANDS BEAD FAIR Sun 16 Oct, Released from Fri 14 Oct, showing at Renée Zellweger & Colin Firth. National Motorcycle Museum, selected cinemas Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs Solihull 13 - Sun 16 Oct; mac, Birmingham, AMERICAN HONEY (15) BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL RECORD Fri 14 - Tues 18 Oct INFERNO (tbc) FAIR Sun 16 Oct, National Motorcycle LOSING GROUND Losing Ground by KATE PLAYS CHRISTINE (tbc) Museum, Solihull Kathleen Collins, one of the first STORKS (U) THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME FILM African-American women to direct a SCREENING Imperial War Museum’s feature film, will be a revelation to UNESCO-listed film screening, Sun audiences denied the opportunity to 16 Oct, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham

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thelist Monday 17 - Wednesday 23 October RASCAL + CRITICS Wed 21 Oct, O2 Institute, Gigs 19 Oct, Hare & Birmingham Classical Music Theatre Hounds, Birmingham BAD COMPANY Fri 21 THE TOM HILL TRIO Wed Oct, Genting Arena, JUSTIN BIEBER Mon 17 LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH DOMESTICA Highly anticipated new 19 Oct, Blue Piano Birmingham Oct - Tues 18 Oct, THOMAS TROTTER REMEMBERING MAX work from Sleepwalk Collective which Restaurant And Bar, Barclaycard Arena, BROTHERS OF THE REGER Mon 17 Oct, B’ham Town Hall asks what we might cling to and what Birmingham MOMENT Fri 21 Oct, O2 Birmingham CBSO SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE we might love in an ever-louder, ever- WHITNEY - QUEEN OF Academy, Birmingham STEVE MASON Mon 17 Featuring Nicholas Collon (conduc- accelerating new century the we THE NIGHT Wed 19 Oct, Oct, The Glee Club, TOM SPEIGHT Fri 21 tor) & Vilde Frang (violin). Programme already seem to be leaving, Mon 17 New Alexandra Birmingham Oct, Ort Cafe, includes works by Ravel, Couperin, Oct, The REP, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham THE HYENA KILL Mon Korngold & Berlioz, Wed 19 Oct, THE EXORCISM Supernatural thriller TOM WALKER TRIO Wed 17 Oct, The Sunflower THE FREESTYLERS Fri Symphony Hall, Birmingham presented by the Lichfield Players, 19 Oct, The Jam Lounge, Birmingham 21 Oct, Hare & BERLIN PHILHARMONIC WIND QUINTET Tues 18 Oct - Sat 22 Oct, Lichfield House, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham Garrick BACKBEAT SOUND Programme includes works by Mozart BILLY TALENT Wed 19 SYSTEM Mon 17 Oct, ROBERT CRAIG OULTON (arr. Hasel), Kalevi Aho, Tomasi & SÉANCE Tues 18 - Sat 29 Oct, The Oct, O2 Institute, Hare & Hounds, Fri 21 Oct, O2 Paul Taffanel, Wed 19 Oct, The REP, Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Institute, Birmingham Barber Institute, Birmingham LIVING WITH LUKE Critically acclaimed GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, THE CHORÕES Mon 17 ALL TVVINS Fri 21 Oct, LA VOCE Thurs 20 Oct, New Alexandra play about a father coping with his FUNK AND SOUL OPEN Oct, Kitchen Garden The Rainbow Venues, Theatre, Birmingham son’s autism, Wed 19 Oct, The Core, MIC NIGHT Wed 19 Oct, Cafe, Birmingham Birmingham ELGAR’S STRING QUARTET Programme Solihull The Night Owl, includes works by Bax & Elgar, Thurs A TALE OF TWO CITIES The Touring MIKE FLETCHER Birmingham THE LOUNGE KITTENS Fri QUARTET Tues 18 Oct, 21 Oct, The Sunflower 20 Oct, CBSO Centre, Birmingham Consortium Theatre Company pres- TRAP THEM + OKKUL- mac, Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham FRONTIERS TRIO Featuring David Le ents its version of Charles Dickens' TOKRATI + VENOM Page (violin), Mark Ashford (guitar) & French Revolution-set story of love, BEN MARKLAND'S ORTET PRISON Wed 19 Oct, BOOTLEG BLONDIE Sat Nick Stringfellow (cello). Programme sacrifice and redemption, Wed 19 Oct Tues 18 Oct, The Jam The Rainbow Venues, 22 Oct, The includes works by Vivaldi, Paganini, - Sat 22 Oct, Wolverhampton Grand House, Birmingham Birmingham Roadhouse, B’ham Monti & Piazzola, Fri 21 Oct, Recital Theatre THE CHRISTIANS 30TH THE TUBES Tues 18 BELINDA O’HOOLEY & Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire CYMBELINE Birmingham School of Oct, The Robin, HEIDI TIDDOW Wed 19 ANNIVERSARY TOUR Sat RICHARD JENKINSON & DAVID LE PAGE Acting present Shakespeare’s little- Bilston Oct, The Red Lion 22 Oct, O2 Institute, Programme includes works by Kodaly performed tale of adultery, betrayal Folk Club, Birmingham Birmingham INME, AARON & Ghys/Servais, Fri 21 Oct, The and banishment, Wed 19 - Sat 22 ANTARCTIC MONKEYS BUCHANAN & THE CULT AUSTIN LUCAS & Barber Institute, Birmingham Oct, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham CLASSICS & EMPIRE DREAMING SPIRES Wed Sat 22 Oct, O2 LA BOHEME Ellen Kent present a brand WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT Little Tues 18 Oct, The 19 Oct, Hare & Academy, Birmingham new production of Puccini's tragic Angel Theatre bring Michael Rosen's Rainbow Venues, Hounds. Birmingham SI CRANSTOUN Sat 22 tale, Sat 22 Oct, New Alexandra much-loved children's book to life in a Birmingham Oct, The Core Theatre, AUGUSTINES Thurs 20 Theatre, Birmingham new puppetry production featuring WE ARE SCIENTISTS Oct, The Rainbow Solihull music and lyrics by renowned singer- CBSO: THE SPIRIT OF ENGLAND Tues 18 Oct, The Venues, Birmingham GORGON CITY Sat 22 songwriter Barb Jungr, Thurs 20 - Sat Programme includes works by Ravel, Slade Rooms, Oct, O2 Institute, 22 Oct, The Old Rep, Birmingham THE CRAZY WORLD OF Elgar & Berlioz, Sat 22 Oct, Wolverhampton Birmingham ARTHUR BROWN Thurs Symphony Hall, Birmingham SPRING KING Tues 18 20 Oct, The Robin, HIDDEN CHARMS & THE THE SPIRIT OF ENGLAND Programme Oct, O2 Institute, Bilston VRYLL SOCIETY + THE includes works by Ravel, Elgar & Birmingham LIZARDS Sat 22 Oct, KEYWEST Thurs 20 Berlioz, Sat 22 Oct, CBSO Centre, The Rainbow Venues, JAY BRANNAN Tues 18 Oct, O2 Academy, Birmingham Oct, O2 Institute, B’ham Birmingham Birmingham THE SUNSHINE MAXIMUM RNB WITH SKIT RTKAL + CHINKY UNDERGROUND Thurs THE MANFREDS Sat 22 PIFF + OSCAR 20 Oct, O2 Institute, Oct, Birmingham Town Hall #WORLDPEACE + RIOS Birmingham Comedy Gigs METHOD IN MADNESS Fusion of MOB Tues 18 Oct, The POLICA Thurs 20 Oct, MAX GRAEF Sat 22 Oct, Shakespearean text and new writing Sunflower Lounge, Hare & Hounds, O2 Institute, TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 17 Oct with physical theatre, dance and Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham mask/puppetry work, Thurs 20 - Fri BARB WIRE DOLLS Tues KIKO BUN Sun 23 Oct, 21 Oct, Old Joint Stock Theatre, FIELD STUDIES Thurs HAL CRUTTENDEN Wed 19 Oct, Artrix, 18 Oct, O2 Academy, Birmingham 20 Oct, The Sunflower The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham Bromsgrove Lounge, Birmingham Birmingham MONOLOGUESLAM UK Check out the ELIS JAMES & JOHN ROBINS EXPERIENCE SPOTTED DOG JAZZ SIXTIES GOLD THE brightest new acting talent and see DUNE RATS Thurs 20 Wed 19 Oct, The Glee Club, B’ham TUESDAYS Tues 18 Oct, actors go head-to-head to be Oct The Rainbow SEARCHERS, BRIAN The Spotted Dog, JOJO SMITH, MIKE WILMOT & COMEDY crowned the winner of their respec- Venues, Birmingham POOLE & THE Birmingham TREMELOES, P.J. PROBY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs tive rounds, Fri 21 Oct, The REP, SUPER HANS Thurs 20 AMBER ARCADES Tues & GARY PUCKETT Sun 20 Oct, The Glee Club, B’ham Birmingham Oct, Hare & Hounds, 18 Oct, Hare & 23 Oct, Symphony RH COMEDY PRESENTS CABARET XXL - EAST END CABARET Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham Hall, Birmingham HOSTED BY LAURA MONMOTH Thurs 20 Featuring alternative, award-winning, HEAVEN 17 Fri 21 Oct, HOMELANDS Tues 18 THE ROOM Sun 23 Oct, Oct, The Roadhouse, Birmingham filth-mongering musical comedy duo Birmingham Town Hall Oct, The Old Rep The Robin, Bilston TOM ALLEN, SUZI RUFFELL Fri 21 Oct, Bernie & Victy, Fri 21 Oct, The REP, Theatre, Birmingham ROCKET Fri 21 Oct - BIRDY Sun 23 Oct, O2 The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton Birmingham Sat 22 Oct, The Jam LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III Institute, Birmingham JOEL DOMMETT Fri 21 Oct, The Glee ROMEO & JULIET The Pantaloons pres- House, Birmingham Tues 18 Oct, BROKEN TEETH Sun 23 Club, Birmingham ent Shakespeare's tale of ill-fated love LONELY THE BRAVE Fri with a twist. Featuring live music, Birmingham Town Hall Oct, The Flapper, JOJO SMITH, MIKE WILMOT, JONNIE 21 Oct, O2 Academy, audience interaction and, of course, THE TRAVELLING BAND Birmingham PRICE & MATT PRICE Fri 21- Sat 22 Birmingham the bit with the balcony, Fri 21 Oct, Oct, The Glee Club, Birmingham Wed 19 Oct, The TOM WOODMAN BAND Artrix, Bromsgrove A VISION OF ELVIS Fri Sunflower Lounge, Sun 23 Oct, Lichfield STEVE ROYAL, DANNY MCLOUGHLIN, 21 Oct, New LOST DOG: PARADISE LOST (LIES Birmingham Guildhall STEPHEN BAILEY & TUDUR OWEN Fri 21 Alexandra Theatre, UNOPENED BESIDE ME) One-man stag- STEEL PANTHER Wed 19 - Sat 22 Oct, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham FLASH OF THE BLADE ing fusing theatre, comedy and move- Birmingham Oct, Barclaycard Sun 23 Oct, The Slade ment to retell Milton’s epic play in just AQUILO Fri 21 Oct, O2 Arena, Birmingham Rooms, W’hampton BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Sat 22 75 minutes, Fri 21 - Sat 22 Oct, mac, Institute, Birmingham DROWNERS + SCARLET BLACK FOXXES + BIG Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove Birmingham MICHAEL KIWANUKA Fri 60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 17 - 23 October - Birmingham ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 12:05 Page 2

Monday 17 - Wednesday 23 October

THE EXORCIST Unleashed for the first Theatre, Birmingham time in a uniquely theatrical experi- DON’T DRIBBLE ON THE DRAGON The ence, Fri 21 Oct - Sat 5 Nov, The People’s Theatre Company present a REP, Birmingham musical adventure about growing up LOVERS ROCK MONOLOGUES Janet Kay, and the importance of family, Sat 22 Carroll Thompson and Victor Romero Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove Evans fuse timeless music and the- SING-A-LONG-A GREASE Interactive atrical storytelling to present an screening of the classic film starring account of the Lovers Rock lifestyle, John Travolta and Olivia Newton- Sat 22 Oct, The REP, Birmingham John, Sun 23 Oct, New Alexandra THE MAGNETIC DIARIES Contemporary Theatre, Birmingham exploration of one woman’s depres- DAN TDM ON TOUR One of the world’s sion, Sat 22 Oct, mac, Birmingham biggest YouTubers takes to the road THE COLOURS OF KENNY ROACH A with his pugs, Dr Trayaurus and lots warm, funny and deeply moving of other friends, Sun 23 Oct, drama about creativity, the nature of Birmingham Hippodrome the artist and the self-destructive THE ADVENTURES OF WALTER LEMON- impulse of addiction, Sat 22 Oct, Old FACE 154 Collective present a mix of Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham live animation, music and storytelling for children aged three-plus, Sun 23 Fagin’s Twist - The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome Oct, mac, Birmingham

on conservation, Mon 17 Oct, Talks / Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Dance Spoken Word Film FAGIN’S TWIST Avant Garde Dance CHRIS PACKHAM: TADPOLES NOT JANAK DULARI SITA Subrang Arts Company shed new light on Dickens’ INCLUDED The popular presenter of INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: present a dramatic staging of India’s Oliver Twist, Thurs 20 - Fri 21 Oct, Springwatch and The Really Wild timeless epic, told through musical The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Show talks about his encounters with storytelling, choreography and Hippodrome large hungry carnivores, his close HELL OR HIGH WATER (15) Chris Pine dance, Sat 22 Oct, The Crescent shaves with extinction and his views has already been through hell and

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Monday 17 - Wednesday 23 October

thehigh water this year (inlist the water- Birmingham, Fri 21 - Wed 26 Oct PHANTOM BOY (PG) MARTINA COLE SIGNING Martina Cole logged Finest Hours), but here the THE BLUE ROOM (15) An adaptation of THE QUEEN OF KATWE (PG) signs copies of her latest book, title proves to be a little more Betrayal, Fri 21 Oct, Waterstones - George Simenon’s taut 1964 novel of TROLLS (PG) metaphorical. He plays a Texan the same name. It follows the for- High St, Birmingham farmer whose business is facing fore- tunes of Julien, a modestly success- BEAR GRYLLS PRESENTS ENDEAVOUR closure, so he and his brother, an ex- ful man in provincial France running Sat 22 Oct, Genting Arena, B’ham con, set about acquiring some major his own agricultural business, living cash by somewhat unorthodox Events GCCF 40TH SUPREME CAT SHOW Sat 22 in a designer house with a young Oct, NEC, Birmingham means... mac, Birmingham, Mon 17 - family, who finds himself in the Thurs 20 Oct depths of an affair. Stars Mathieu AN EVENING WITH SIMON GARFIELD DIVE 2016 The UK's biggest event for TICKLED (15) Journalist David Farrier Amalric, Léa Drucker. mac, Simon takes a look at the worldwide divers, Sat 22 Oct - Sun 23 Oct, stumbles upon a mysterious tickling Birmingham, Fri 21 - Mon 24 Oct obsession with keeping time, Tues NEC, Birmingham competition online. As he delves JIMI: ALL IS BY MY SIDE (15) Outkast’s 18 Oct, Waterstones - High St, B’ham HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR Ghoulish deeper, he comes up against fierce André Benjamin stars as Jimi READ YOUR MIND: THE IDIOT BRAIN BY fun and eerie entertainment, Sat 22 resistance - but that doesn't stop him Hendrix in this revealing biopic from DEAN BURNETT Wed 19 Oct, Oct - Sun 30 Oct, Cadbury World, getting to the bottom of a story Academy Award-winning writer-direc- Waterstones - High St, Birmingham Bournville, Birmingham stranger than fiction. mac, B’ham, tor John Ridley (12 Years A Slave). HALLOWEEN CERAMIC WORKSHOPS Sat Wed 19 Oct GRAND DESIGNS LIVE Wed 19 Oct - The film covers a year in Hendrix’s Sun 23 Oct, NEC, Birmingham 22 Oct - Sun 30 Oct, Coalport China PRIMARY COLOURS (15) John Travolta life, from 1966 to ’67; from being an Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire leads an all-star cast (including unknown back-up guitarist playing SPEED-DATING SPECTACULAR - CELEBRATING 500 VERY SHORT FAMILY FUN DAYS - HALLOWEEN 2016 Oscar-winners Emma Thompson, New York’s Cheetah Club to making Spooky outdoor trail with take-home Kathy Bates and Billy Bob Thornton) his mark on London’s music scene, INTRODUCTIONS Learn about six subjects from experts in a variety of activities, Sat 22 Oct - Sun 30 Oct, on a wild race to the presidency in up until his Monterey Pop triumph. Baddesley Clinton, Solihull this savagely funny comedy. mac, Also stars Imogen Poots. mac, fields, including Shakespeare, ‘lead- Birmingham, Thurs 20 Oct Birmingham, Sun 23 Oct ership’ and ‘sound’, Thurs 20 Oct, FAMILY FUN DAYS - HALLOWEEN 2016 Waterstones - High St, Birmingham Spooky outdoor trail with take-home THE INFILTRATOR (18) Based on the BIG FICTION NIGHT IN A special event activities, Sat 22 Oct - Sun 30 Oct, autobiography of US Customs agent NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Packwood House, Solihull Robert Mazur (Cranston), this is the with four authors: Miranda Dickinson, story of an undercover operation in Released from Fri 21 Oct, showing at Lucy Diamond, Cathy Bramley and DIWALI FAMILY FUN DAY Family activi- which Mazur pretended to be a cor- selected cinemas Cressy McLaughlin, Thurs 20 Oct, ties, crafts and Indian food. With per- rupt businessman. His aim was to I, DANIEL BLAKE (15) Waterstones - High St, Birmingham formances of Indian dance and music, Sun 23 Oct, Artrix, expose a Colombian money-launder- IN PURSUIT OF SILENCE (tbc) READ YOUR MIND SEASON: AN EVENING ing drug cartel run by none other WITH LILY BAILEY An evening with the Bromsgrove than Pablo Escobar. Stars Bryan JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK (tbc) writer and model, Fri 21 Oct, Cranston & Diane Kruger. mac, OUIJA: ORIGIN OF EVIL (tbc) Waterstones - High St, Birmingham

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whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List 24 - 31 October.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 12:06 Page 1

thelist Monday 24 - Mon 31 October Wed 26 Oct, The Birmingham ALISTAIR BARRIE, CAIMH MCDONNELL & IVO GRAHAM Sat 29 Oct, The Comedy Sunflower Lounge, HALLOWEEN Classical Music Gigs Loft, Birmingham Birmingham HOOTENANNY Sat 29 STUART BARKER TRIO Oct, The Slade NINA CONTI Sun 30 Oct, Birmingham JAKE BUGG Mon 24 CBSO: SHOSTAKOICH’S EIGHT Featuring Wed 26 Oct, Blue Rooms, Town Hall Oct, O2 Academy, Cristian M celaru (conductor) & Akiko Piano Restaurant And Wolverhampton Birmingham Suwanai (violin).ă Programme includes Bar, Bimingham GEHTIKA Sat 29 Oct, SOUTHERN TENANT works by Liadov, Mendelssohn & SIMONE FELICE Thurs O2 Academy, FOLK UNION Mon 24 Shostakovich, Wed 26 Oct, Symphony 27 Oct, The Glee Club, Birmingham Oct, Kitchen Garden Hall, Birmingham Birmingham Theatre Cafe, Birmingham THE ROY FORBES TRIO THE ENGLISH CONCERT: BAROQUE VULA VIEL Thurs 27 Sat 29 Oct, Blue Piano ABC Mon 24 Oct, MASTERS Programme includes works Oct, mac, Birmingham Restaurant And Bar, by Purcell, Corelli, Telemann, Vivaldi, BARD’S BEST BITS OF ROMEO & JULIET Symphony Hall, Oddsocks fuse their signature comedy LADY LESHURR Thurs Birmingham Handel & JS Bach, Wed 26 Oct, The Birmingham and clowning in a 90-minute version of 27 Oct, O2 Institute, MAJOR TOMS Sat 29 Barber Institute, Birmingham JUSTIN BIEBER Mon 24 the world’s greatest love story, Mon 24 Birmingham Oct, Hare & Hounds, Oct, Genting Arena, THE BEETHOVEN QUARTETFEST Featuring Oct, The Core, Solihull ED GEATER, LADY SANI- Birmingham Krysia Osostowicz & Oscar Perks (vio- Birmingham HEADS WILL ROLL Told By An Idiot TY & ALEX RAINSFORD OBITUARY & EXODUS lins), Yuko Inoue (viola) & Richard THE DIVINE COMEDY explore the themes of delusion, vanity Thurs 27 Oct, The Sat 29 Oct, O2 Jenkinson (cello), Fri 28 Oct - Sun 30 Mon 24 Oct, and the corruption of power, Mon 24 - Rainbow Venues, Academy, Birmingham Oct, Artrix, Bromsgrove Birmingham Town Hall Wed 26 Oct, The REP, B’ham Birmingham TOM JONES TRIBUTE BY FRIDAY NIGHT CLASSICS: CLASSIC FM JAPANESE BREAKFAST BRUMMEGEM PALS New play written by CHRIS BOURNE Thurs MARTIN JARVIS Sat 29 HALL OF FAME Featuring Michael Seal Mon 24 Oct, Hare & Malcolm Stent and Don Maclean 27 Oct, O2 Academy, Oct, Genting Club, (conductor), John Suchet (presenter), Hounds, Birmingham about two ordinary boys caught up in Birmingham Star City, Birmingham Mihkel Poll (piano) & Zoë Beyers (vio- MATT BERRY & THE lin). Programme includes works by the horrors of war, Tues 25 - Wed 26 PUBLIC ACCESS TV MAXWELL & MARY J MAYPOLES Tues 25 Vaughan Williams, Uematsu, Oct, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Thurs 27 Oct, Hare & BLIGE Sat 29 Oct, Oct, O2 Academy, Rachmaninov, Elga, Sibelius, Grieg, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Smash-hit Hounds, Birmingham Genting Arena, B’ham Bruch & Shore, Fri 28 Oct, Symphony musical starring Jason Donovan as THE WICKED WHISPERS Birmingham BLIND BOY PAXTON Hall, Birmingham record producer Sam Phillips. The Thurs 27 Oct, Hare & GLAM 45 Sat 29 Oct, Tues 25 Oct, Kitchen STRING QUARTETS Programme includes story of how four stars made rock- Hounds, Birmingham The Roadhouse, Garden Cafe, B’ham works by Haydn & Britten, Fri 28 Oct, ’n’roll history, Mon 24 - Sat 29 Oct, FOLK & ROOTS CLUB Birmingham Birmingham Hippodrome See page 24 MADDIE & TAE Tues 25 Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Thurs 27 Oct, The Y&T Sat 29 Oct, The for details Oct, O2 Institute, LUNCHTIME CONCERT WITH DANIEL Roadhouse, B’ham Robin, Bislton Birmingham LEBHARDT Programme includes works SHARK IN THE PARK Family musical fol- FORT HOPE Thurs 27 LUCIANO, EATS lowing Timothy Pope and his tele- LISA HANNIGAN Tues 25 by JS Bach, Ades & Beethoven, Fri 28 Oct, The Slade EVERYTHING & scope, Tues 25 Oct, Artrix, Oct, The Glee Club, Oct, The Barber Institute, Birmingham Rooms, SOLARDO Sat 29 Oct, Bromsgrove Birmingham CBSO YOUTH ORCHESTRA: THE WOODEN Wolverhampton The Rainbow Venues, THE WIZARD OF OZ presented by Sutton LEO STANNARD Tues 25 PRINCE Featuring Cristian M celaru TRUDY AND THE Birmingham Coldfield Musical Theatre Company, Oct, The Sunflower (conductor), Martin James Bartlettă ROMANCE, FOX CHAPEL THE DELRAY ROCKETS Tues 25 - Sat 29 Oct, Lichfield Garrick Lounge, Birmingham (piano) & the CBSO Youth Orchestra. & SPILT MILK SOCIETY Sun 30 Oct, The Programme includes works by DISNEY ON ICE: FROZEN Tues 25 - Sun MARTHA FFION Tues 25 Thurs 27 Oct, The Actress & Bishop, Copland, Gershwin & Bartok, Sun 30 30 Oct, Barclaycard Arena, Oct, Hare & Hounds, Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham Oct, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham THEATRE OF HATE Sun LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT - THOMAS THE TELL-TALE HEART Tin Robot Theatre TYGERS OF PAN TANG OZZMOSIS Fri 28 Oct, 30 Oct, O2 Academy, TROTTER: HAPPY HALLOWEEN present a new adaptation of Edgar Tues 25 Oct, The Route 44, Birmingham Birmingham Progamme includes works by Bach, A. Allen Poe's psychological thriller, Wed Robin, Bilston FRED ZEPPELIN Fri 28 BEN MONTAGUE Sun 30 Guilmant, G. Edmundson, C. Saint- 26 - Sat 29 Oct, Old Joint Stock GOLD CLASS Tues 25 Oct, The Roadhouse, Oct, Hare & Hounds, Saens (arr, Lemare) & L. Boëllmann, Theatre, Birmingham Oct, The Flapper, Birmingham Birmingham Mon 31 Oct, Symphony Hall, MIDLAND OPERA PRESENT CAVALLERIA Birmingham Birmingham GEKO Fri 28 Oct, O2 ROB HERON & THE RUSTICANA & I PAGLIACCI Wed 26 - Sat MASSMATIKS + RORY Academy, Birmingham TEAPAD ORCHESTRA 29 Oct, The Old Rep, Birmingham INDIANA Tues 25 Oct, SUNSET SONS Fri 28 Sun 30 Oct, Hare & A BLACK COUNTRY FAIRYTALE... AY IT! The Rainbow Venues, Oct, O2 Institute, Hounds, Birmingham Fizzog Productions weave together Birmingham Birmingham ALIEN ANT FARM Sun various fairytales in one 'spectacular' BABAJACK Wed 26 Oct, Comedy Gigs production, Thurs 27 Oct, THE DOORS ALIVE Fri 28 30 Oct, The Slade The Robin, Bilston Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Oct, The Robin, Rooms, HANS TEEUWEN Mon 24 Oct, The Glee COOPE, BOYES AND Bilston Wolverhampton THE ADVENTURES OF SINBAD Puppetry, SIMPSON Wed 26 Oct, Club, Birmingham music and sound effects bring to life ASYLUMS Fri 28 Oct, NAO Sun 30 Oct, O2 The Red Lion Folk NICK DIXON, COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH the story of Sinbad and his epic The Rainbow Venues, Institute, Birmingham Club, Birmingham ANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC Thurs 27 encounters with a whale, a giant bird Birmingham THE LUMINEERS Sun 30 FOUR TOPS AND THE Oct, The Glee Club, Birmingham and an ogre, Thurs 27 Oct, The Core, BACK TO BACHARACH Fri Oct, O2 Academy, TEMPTATIONS Wed 26 JO CAULFIELD Thurs 27 Oct, The Core Solihull 28 Oct, Birmingham Oct, Genting Arena, Theatre, Solihull AN EVENING OF DIRTY DANCING: THE Wolverhampton Grand TOM CHAPLIN Sun 30 Birmingham TRIBUTE SHOW Homage to ‘the greatest Theatre Oct, The Glee Club, ZOE LYONS Thurs 27 Oct, Artrix, DMA'S Wed 26 Oct, O2 Bromsgrove movie soundtrack of all time’, Thurs 27 BADFINGER Fri 28 Oct, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham Oct, New Alexandra Theatre, B’ham The Core Theatre, SKYE AND ROSS FROM DAMIEN CLARK & LARRY DEAN Fri 28 FIRST STAGES: MAVIS SPARKLE M6’s EMMA BLACKERY Wed Solihull MORCHEEBA Sun 30 Oct, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre cosmic new production, mixing magic, 26 Oct, O2 Academy, Oct, Bramall Music TAIL FEATHER Fri 28 NICK DIXON, PHIL ELLIS, EDDY BRIMSON animation and laughter, urges its audi- Birmingham Building, Birmingham Oct, The Sunflower COMIC TBC Fri 28 - Sat 29 Oct, The ence to dust away doubts, follow their HORSE ORCHESTRA, Lounge, Birmingham GRUMBLE BEE Sun 30 Glee Club, Birmingham dreams and reach for the stars. Age KROKOFANT & BONDAX Fri 28 Oct, Oct, The Sunflower ALISTAIR BARRIE, MIKE NEWALL, CAIMH recommendation is four-plus, Thurs 27 STEPMOTHER JAG Wed The Rainbow Venues, Lounge, Birmingham MCDONNELL & IVO GRAHAM Fri 28 Oct, - Sat 29 Oct, The REP, Birmingham 26 Oct, Hare & Birmingham THE JAPANESE HOUSE The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham WHAT SHADOWS Roxana Silbert-direct- JP COOPER Sat 29 Oct, Mon 31 Oct, O2 MORGAN AND WEST Sat 29 Oct, The ed play starring Ian McDiarmid as KELLEY MCRAE Wed 26 O2 Institute, B’ham Institute, Birmingham Core Theatre, Solihull Enoch Powell, Thurs 27 Oct - Sat 12 Oct, Kitchen Garden Nov, The REP, Birmingham Read more BARS AND MELODY Sat PILE Mon 31 Oct, The MILES JUPP Sat 29 Oct, Birmingham Cafe, Birmingham on page 26 29 Oct, O2 Institute, Sunflower Lounge, Town Hall LET’S EAT GRANDMA Birmingham 64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 24 - 31 October.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 12:06 Page 2

Monday 24 - Mon 31 October

THE NOSE THAT NOBODY PICKED Surreal yarn for all the family, with Talks & songs and, we’re reliably informed, ‘snot’! Suitable for children aged five- plus, Fri 28 Oct, mac, Birmingham Spoken Word KICKING & SCREAMING An ‘honest, funny and touching’ show with a live LEVEL UP SEASON 4.5 VS TONGUE FU score played on children’s instru- Featuring some of the sharpest ments, Fri 28 Oct, Lichfield Garrick poets, storytellers, rappers and DRACULA: THE MUSICAL Amateur pro- comedians around, accompanied by duction presented by Blue Orange a live soundtrack from the Tongue Fu Arts and Night Project Theatre, Fri 28 Band, Tues 25 Oct, The REP, Oct - Sat 5 Nov, The Blue Orange Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham MICHAEL PORTILLO - LIFE: A GAME OF KNIGHTMARE LIVE: THE GAME HAS TWO HALVES Mon 31 Oct, Wulfrun CHANGED Critically acclaimed come- Hall, Wolverhampton dy stage adaption of the cult TV classic, Sat 29 Oct, mac, Birmingham MORGAN AND WEST - PARLOUR TRICKS Brand new show from the time-travelling magic duo, Sat 29 Oct, The Film Core, Solihull HENRY V The Crescent Theatre INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Company present Shakespeare’s epic history play, Sat 29 Oct - Sat 5 Nov, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham THARLO (PG) The titular Tharlo is a shepherd who heads to the city to CAPTAIN FLINN AND THE PIRATE obtain a government-issued ID card. DINOSAURS 2: THE MAGIC CUTLASS Les Once there, a chance meeting with Petits present an action-packed Yangchuo, a distinctly modern young Captain Flinn And The Pirate Dinosaurs 2 - Birmingham Town Hall adventure for children, a sequel to Tibetan woman, throws Tharlo into a Captain Flinn And The Pirate journey that strips his identity to the dealing with eccentric human behav- Dinosaurs, which, in turn, is based core. Stars Shide Nyima. Foreign lan- on the popular book by Giles iour, Louis won’t take no for an Events guage, subtitled. mac, Birmingham, answer when his request to enter the Andarea and Russell Ayto, Sun 30 Tues 25 - Wed 26 Oct Oct, Birmingham Town Hall Church of Scientology’s Los Angeles ATTACK THE BLOCK (15) Action-adven- headquarters is turned down. HALF-TERM FUN Crafts, games, nature THE MOUSETRAP Touring production ture movie that pits a teen gang Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues trails and more, Mon 24 Oct, of Agatha Christie's famous thriller - against an invasion of savage alien 25 - Wed 26 Oct; mac, Birmingham, Birmingham Botanical Gardens the longest-running show in the his- monsters. It turns a London housing Fri 28, Sun 30 & Mon 31 Oct tory of British theatre, Mon 31 Oct - GHOSTS AND GHOULS Be scared silly estate into a sci-fi playground and a JACKIE BROWN (15) Jackie Brown sup- with spooky tales and enjoy getting Sat 5 Nov, New Alexandra Theatre, tower block into a fortress under Birmingham plements her meagre income as a hands-on with creepy crafts and siege. Stars Nick Frost & Jodie stewardess by smuggling cash into activities, Mon 24 Oct - Fri 28 Oct, Whittaker. mac, Birmingham, Wed 26 the US for gunrunner Ordell Robbie - Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire Oct until the day an ATF agent and an LA HAUNTED CASTLE Ghostly goings on FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS (PG) Meryl cop bust her at the airport... Stars at the spooktacular haunted castle, Streep stars in the true story of Pam Grier & Samuel L Jackson. Mon 24 Oct - Fri 28 Oct, Tamworth Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York mac, Birmingham, Sat 29 Oct Castle, Staffordshire heiress and socialite who obsessive- HALLOWEEN (18) This cinema classic, MONSTER MAYHEM Halloween-themed ly pursued her dream of becoming a digitally restored and remastered by activities make a paper bag puppet, great singer. Convinced of her own the original cinematographer, fea- monster bookmark and a monster talent, the voice Florence heard in tures an exclusive extended interview mask. Join in the trail, play games her head was beautiful, while to and retrospective with filmmaker and delve into ‘yucky’ boxes, Mon 24 everyone else it was both hilarious John Carpenter. Stars Donald Oct - Fri 28 Oct, Selly Manor, and awful. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs Pleasence & Jamie Lee Curtis. mac, Bournville, Birmingham 27 Oct Birmingham, Sat 29 Oct HALLOWEEN FUN Discover the rare FELIX (PG) Felix Xaba, a brilliant BLADE (18) Starring Wesley Snipes as and wonderful world of bats, Mon 24 young self-taught musician, dreams a half-vampire, half-mortal man who’s Oct - Fri 28 Oct, Witley Court, of becoming a saxophonist like his out to avenge his mother's death and Worcestershire Dance late father, Zweli. But his world is rid the world of vampires. This is a LITTLE MONSTERS FUNFEST Get your turned upside down when he leaves drive-in showing. Artrix, Bromsgrove, gory gladrags on, Mon 24 Oct - Sun the comfort of Gugulethu township to Sun 30 Oct ROMEO AND JULIET Ballet Theatre UK take up a scholarship at a presti- 30 Oct, Birmingham Botanical present a passionate and innovative gious private school. Stars Hlayani Jr Gardens recreation of the world's greatest love Mabasa. mac, Birmingham, Thurs 27 HALLOWEEN SCREAM NIGHTS Uncover story, Wed 26 Oct, The Core, Solihull Oct NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: the haunting mystery of the Priory PINOCCHIO: JASMIN VARDIMON Fields, discover the gory secret of BADEN BADEN (15) After a failed Released from Wed 25 Oct, showing COMPANY A brand new adaptation of Mrs Piggot’s Pie Shop, feel the fear attempt at working on a foreign film at selected cinemas the classic tale, based on the original set, 26-year-old Ana returns to her on the ‘Destruction’ trailer ride, and book by Collodi and performed by hometown of Strasbourg. Over the DR STRANGE (tbc) risk never sleeping with the lights off Vardimon's multi-talented dancers, scorching summer that follows, she Released from Fri 28 Oct, showing at again when you visit the House of Sat 29 Oct, Theatre Severn, tries to get her life together. Stars selected cinemas Insomnia, Mon 24 Oct - Mon 31 Oct, Shrewsbury Lower Drayton Farm, Stafford Salomé Richard & Claude Gensac. AFTER LOVE (tbc) ADITI MANGALDAS DANCE COMPANY: Foreign language, subtitled. mac, AN EVENING WITH CHRIS BECKETT BOYZ N THE HOOD (15) INTER_RUPTED Mangaldas’s latest Birmingham, Fri 28 & Mon 31 Oct Author of the Eden series, Tues 25 piece contemplates fragility, disinte- MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE (15) BURN BURN BURN (tbc) Oct, Waterstones - High St, B’ham gration and renewal. The show fea- Incomparable British broadcaster KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES (tbc) FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVITY: WAX AND INK tures seven dancers, with musicians Louis Theroux hits the big screen in PORTRAITS Take inspiration from live on stage, Sun 30 Oct, Warwick his first feature documentary. Aston Hall’s historic paintings collec- Arts Centre, Coventry Following a long fascination with the tion to create bold and colourful por- religion, and with a lot of experience traits using wax and ink, Wed 26 Oct, whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List 24 - 31 October.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2016 12:06 Page 3

thelist Monday 24 - Mon 31 October Aston Hall, Birmingham Baddesley Clinton, Solihull CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN EVENING Get Oct, Black Country Living Museum, ZOMBIE DAY Arrive dressed as a zom- HALLOWEEN NIGHTS The popular visi- dressed up in your spookiest cos- Dudley bie and enjoy scary stories, craft tor attraction gets into the Halloween tume and enjoy the ghostly goings- TRICK OR TREAT Sat 29 Oct - Sun 30 activities and glassmaking, Wed 26 ‘spirit’, Fri 28 Oct - Sat 29 Oct, Black on around the castle, Sat 29 Oct, Oct, Red House Glass Cone, Walsall Tamworth Castle Oct, Red House Glass Cone, Country Living Museum, Dudley TORCH-LIT PUMPKIN WALK Sat 29 Oct - Stourbridge RED DITCH HALLOWEEN FILM FESTIVAL STEVE BACKSHALL'S WILD WORLD Mon 31 Oct, Bodenham Arboretum, CRAFTY KIDS WORKSHOP Wed 26 Oct - Fri 28 Oct - Sat 29 Oct, Palace Illustrated with photos and films from Kidderminster Thurs 27 Oct, Museum of the Theatre, Redditch his expeditions, Sat 29 Oct, Birmingham Town Hall SPOOKY HALLOWEEN Dress in your Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham THE MONSTER BALL Fri 28 Oct - Sat 29 best costume and be prepared for THE HANDSWORTH TIMES WITH SHARON Oct, West Midland Safari and Leisure THE WEST MIDLANDS VEGAN FESTIVAL some spine-tingling fun, Sun 30 Oct, DUGGAL Sharon Duggal discusses Park, Bewdley, Worcestershire Celebrating and promoting vegan Birmingham Botanical Gardens her novel, The Handsworth Times, lifestyles, Sat 29 Oct - Sun 30 Oct, FRIGHT NIGHTS AT ASTON HALL An Civic Hall, Wolverhampton DIVALI - CELEBRATION MUSIC, FOOD & Thurs 27 Oct, Waterstones - High St, immersive horror experience, Fri 28 DANCE FESTIVAL Sun 30 Oct, Birmingham Oct - Sun 30 Oct, Aston Hall, DOWN UNDER LIVE The UK’s number Birmingham Botanical Gardens one emigration event, Sat 29 Oct - HALLOWEEN HOCUS POCUS Thurs 27 Birmingham HALLOWEEN NIGHTS The popular visi- Oct - Fri 28 Oct, Dudley Zoological Sun 30 Oct, National Motorcycle HALLOWEEN FUN Carve a pumpkin or Museum, Solihull tor attraction gets into the Halloween Gardens have your face painted, Fri 28 Oct - ‘spirit’, Mon 31 Oct, Black Country BIRMINGHAM BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL Sun 30 Oct, Croome Park, MOSELEY FARMERS' & ARTS MARKETS Living Museum, Dudley Thurs 27 Oct - Sat 29 Oct, New Worcestershire Sat 29 Oct, Moseley Village Green, Birmingham HALLOWEEN TOURS Tales of ghostly Bingley Hall, Birmingham STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS apparitions, dastardly deeds and HALLOWEEN FRIGHT NIGHTS Hear tales Outdoor screening followed by a ASTON HALLOWEEN The Hall’s trans- ghoulish goings-on, Mon 31 Oct, of ghostly apparitions, dastardly ‘galactic’ firework and laser show, Fri formed into a haunted mansion, Sat Kenilworth Castle 29 Oct, Aston Hall, Birmingham deeds and ghoulish goings-on, 28 Oct - Sun 30 Oct, Drayton Manor HALLOWEEN STORY NIGHT Hear tales Thurs 27 Oct - Sat 29 Oct, Kenilworth Theme Park, Staffordshire GHOST WALK Sat 29 Oct, Museum of of ghosts, spirits and fairy-folk, Mon Castle, Warwickshire PUMPKIN FLOTILLA Watch pumpkins the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham 31 Oct, Martineau Gardens, B’ham BRICKLIVE Celebrating all things float across the Mill Pond at twilight, HALLOWEEN Featuring spooks, spi- GHOST SEARCH A ghost walk around LEGO, Thurs 27 Oct - Sun 30 Oct, Fri 28 Oct - Sun 30 Oct, Sarehole ders, pumpkin carving, face painting the medieval castle, with vigils con- NEC, Birmingham Mill, Birmingham and pumpkin pie, Sat 29 Oct, ducted in reputedly haunted rooms, READ YOUR MIND SEASON: AN EVENING CHILDREN'S HALLOWEEN Special kids’ Chedhams Yard, Stratford-upon-Avon Mon 31 Oct, Tamworth Castle WITH JULIAN BAGGINI Fri 28 Oct, boat trips through Dudley’s under- THE LOCKSMITH'S HOUSE - HORRIBLE SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL Mon Waterstones - High St, Birmingham ground caverns, Fri 28 Oct - Mon 31 HISTORIES Horrible Willenhall 31 Oct - Fri 4 Nov, The Old Rep BADDESLEY GHOST TOUR Creepy tales Oct, Dudley Canal Tunnel and Histories, a spooky, themed trail and Theatre, Birmingham and ghostly goings-on, Fri 28 Oct, Limestone Mines family-friendly ghost stories, Sat 29

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