Cover May 2018.qxp_Birmingham Cover 23/04/2018 18:31 Page 1

MICHAELEL MCINTYREMCINTYRE PLAYSPLAYS Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ARENARENA BIRMINGHAMBIRMINGHAM

BIRMINGHAM WHAT’S ON MAY 2018 Birmingham ISSUE 389 MAYAY 20182018 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD Onbirminghamwhatson.co.uk

PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

PHOENIX DANCE celebrates 70 years of multicultural Britain WTE:@WHATSONBRUMTWITTER:

AnDIFFERENT Officer And A Gentleman ‘GERE’ - from hit movie to 80s musical! FACEBOOK:@WHATSONBIRMINGHAM

GET 40% OFF admission to the National Sea Life Centre! Voucher inside... BIRMINGHAMWHATSON.CO.UK Contents May Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:41 Page 1 Contents May Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 16:15 Page 2

May 2018

Contents

Phoenix Dance - celebrate the 70th anniversary of Windrush... more on page 31

Calixto Bieito Gaz Coombes Dancing in the streets the list

on bringing sex, anxiety and a Supergrass frontman takes the return of Birmingham Your 16-page string quartet to The REP World’s Strongest Man on tour International Dance Festival week-by-week listings guide feature page 8 page 17 feature page 31 page 51 inside:

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

@whatsonbrum fb.com/whatsonbirmingham @whatsonmediagroup Birmingham What’s On Magazine Birmingham What’s On Magazine What’s On Media Group

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 MEDIA GROUP Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Ellie Hutchings [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Lauren Cole, Steve Adams, Jack Rolfe, Elly Yates-Roberts, Daisy Sparkle, Carol Lovatt, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee, Patsy Moss Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Birmingham May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 19:26 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

Les Misérables heading back to Birmingham The phenomenal Les Misérables is making a welcome return to next year. Cameron Mackintosh’s hit musical, based on the novel by Victor Hugo and written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, will visit the Hurst Street venue from 2 April to 11 May. The part of Jean Valjean will be played by Kil- lian Donnelly, who is currently starring in the role in the West End production. Les Mis has been seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 45 countries and 22 lan- guages. The epic show features a raft of now-classic songs, including I Dreamed A Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear The People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs At Empty Tables and Master Of The House. Tickets for the show’s Hippodrome performances are on general sale from 21 June and can be purchased by calling 0844 338 5000 or visiting birminghamhippo- drome.com

CBSO to perform outdoor Team-up offers insight More microscopic magic fiesta programme into the life of a pianist from renowned local artist The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Royal Birming- A Midlands artist who’s become internation- will perform an ‘outdoor fiesta’ programme ham Conserva- ally renowned for his microscopic sculptures when they headline Sutton Coldfield’s 2018 toire and has created a beautiful ballerina for his latest Concerts In The Park celebration, with more Elmhurst Ballet work. performers set to be announced in the com- School are Dr Willard Wigan’s Tiny Dancer was made ing weeks. teaming up for using miniature handmade tools and the The popular two-day community event takes a second time to artist’s own eyelashes, attached to an place in Sutton Park on Saturday 30 June and provide music acupuncture needle and used as a paint- Sunday 1 July. students with brush. To purchase tickets, ring 0121 296 9543 or the chance to The sculpture will eventually be auctioned to visit townhallsuttoncoldfield.co.uk. experience the working life of a professional raise funds for young ballet students, partic- ballet pianist. ularly those who need financial assistance in The venues’ Placement For Pianists Pro- order to realise their dance dreams. gramme offers students a very rare opportu- nity to explore ‘the highly specialised artistry and technique of ballet pianism’ during men- Michael Jackson tribute toring, observational and practical sessions. A ‘spectacular music tribute’ to Michael Jack- Commenting on the programme, Julian Lloyd son is coming to the Midlands this month. Webber, Principal of Royal Birmingham Con- The Michael Jackson History Show is a full- servatoire, said: “I am delighted that this scale stage production featuring a playlist of partnership with Elmhurst has come to the King of Pop’s greatest hits, including fruition - the combination of some of the Thriller, Billie Jean, Bad, Beat It, ABC and country’s best young dancers and pianists Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough. The show working together is simply electrifying, and stars highly regarded impersonator Dantanio exemplifies our joint ethos of wanting to fur- and visits the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre ther embed ourselves within the city we on 6 May. serve.”

4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 19:26 Page 2

First Word

Museum initiative supports visitors with autism An award-winning Birmingham museum founded by world fa- mous chocolate-maker George Cadbury is to launch a series of resources to support visitors with autism. Commenting on the innovation, Daniel Callicott, Manager of Museum, said: “We hope that these resources, once launched, will make the mu- seum even more accessible and enjoyable to all.” To find out more about the mu- seum, visit sellymanormu- seum.org.uk

Conservatoire’s opening festival now under way Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s opening festival is now under way. A 15 month-long event, the festival features performances by, among many others, Sir Lenny Henry, Julian Lloyd Webber, Peter Donohoe, Nitin Sawhney and Jennifer Walshe. The event’s programme also includes the Flatpack Film Festival and the Supersonic Festival. For more information, visit Fundraising with bcu.ac.uk/opening-festival Fun Family 5 walk Birmingham Children’s Hospital Region set to Charity is calling on people to Tickets now on sale for annual Birmingham get involved in its second an- benefit from festival of European performing arts nual Fun Family 5 five-kilometre new railways Tickets are now on sale for Birmingham’s forthcoming BE Festival. walk. The West Midlands The annual event, which comprises five days of European performing arts Taking place in Sutton Park on region is set to benefit Saturday 16 June, the event will and culture, takes place at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 3 to 7 July. from seven new rail- raise vital funds for the sick At the time of going to print, festival organisers were adding the final children and families at the hos- ways, one of which touches to the 2018 programme. For more information about purchasing pital, and aims to raise in excess would serve West tickets and to keep up to date with developments, visit befestival.org. of last year’s near-£20,000 total. Midlands Safari Park. To sign up for the event and re- The multi-million ceive a fundraising pack, visit pound proposals rest bch.org.uk/Event/funfamily5 on the outcome of ‘feasibility assess- ments’ currently being undertaken. If the project gets the green light, it would also mean 20,000 extra seats and stand- ing room being made available for an addi- tional 50,000 peak- time passengers in and around Birming- ham.

whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Birmingham May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 19:26 Page 3

First Word

Champion boxes clever in Brum A man once considered by many to be boxing’s greatest ever pound-for-pound fighter is telling his story in Birming- ham this month. Legendary world champion Roy Jones Jr appears at The Hagley (IBIS) on Thursday 24 May. Tickets for the event are being sold at showfighter.co.uk/rjj

Birmingham Rep launches autumn/winter programme of shows A new written-for-the-stage story featuring novelist company Stan’s Cafe. Ian Rankin’s popular detective Rebus features Commenting on the season, The REP’s Artistic Di- among the highlights of Birmingham Repertory rector, Roxana Silbert, said: “New work is the Theatre’s autumn/winter season of shows. lifeblood of theatre, and The REP is honoured to be Other notable offerings in a high-quality package of working with the best writers of their generation, Drag superstar productions include Hugh Dennis, Lesley Garrett with 11 new plays across our three stages, of which Ginger presents a and John Marquez starring in a new staging of six will be premiering at the venue.” Glamorous Gran Patrick Barlow comedy The Messiah (pictured), and For full details of the recently announced season a brand new visual story by celebrated local theatre and to book tickets, visit birmingham-rep.co.uk Birmingham’s Symphony Hall is this month hosting a lively collection of original children’s stories inspired by Tackling the Blockbuster movie The Hunger Games in the lives of LGBTQIA+ people taboos of death concert at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall (Sunday 27 May). Glamorous Gran And Other and dying... Blockbuster movie The Hunger Games is Tall Stories is written and being screened at Birmingham's Sym- A Birmingham arts & cul- performed by ‘nightmare in phony Hall this summer, complete with ture festival is this month nylons and drag superstar’ live musical accompaniment from a full aiming to tackle the Ginger Johnson. symphony orchestra. taboos of death and Ginger describes the show as The hit movie, which stars Jennifer dying. featuring “gutsy, hilarious Lawrence and Woody Harrelson, will be A Matter Of Life And stories for switched-on kids screened in HD on Sunday 15 July. Death (various venues that just so happen to feature For more information, visit thsh.co.uk across the city, 10 - 26 queer characters”. May) aims to encourage Visit thsh.co.uk for more in- ‘open and honest conver- formation. sation about death and Birmingham Design Festival set to launch dying’ through an exten- The first Birmingham Design Festival takes place at various venues around sive programme of the city next month (7 - 10 June). events. The festival in- A celebration of the industry, the event will include contributions from cludes theatre, film, food, printmakers, illustrators, typesetters, animators, architects, product de- art & crafts, exhibitions, signers and digital talent. tours and discussions. Commenting on the festival, its organiser, Daniel Alcorn, said: “Birming- For more information and ham is starting to act and feel like the creative powerhouse it has always tickets, visit had the potential to become. It's been a long road but we're nearing the fin- brumyodo.org.uk ish line, and we have been blown away by the support for the festival.” To find out more, visit birminghamdesignfestival.org.uk 6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 19:26 Page 4 String Quartet DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:56 Page 1

A HUMAN CONDITION Calixto Bieito talks about bringing sex and anxiety to The REP

8 whatsonlive.co.uk String Quartet DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:56 Page 2

by Patsy Moss

Anxiety - a ‘feeling of worry, nervousness or will be on the stage all of the time. They are since his formative days in northern Spain, unease about something with an uncertain characters. They’re not just the orchestra where he studied history of art and philology outcome’ - is a human condition that seri- making the soundtrack of the piece.” at university. ously intrigues Catalan director Calixto Famous for his operatic productions - he’s “When I was very young, I was influenced Bieito. So much so, in fact, that it’s become worked with all of Europe’s major opera very much by Luis Bunuel, the filmmaker. the focus of his latest work - a co-commis- houses - Calixto’s repertoire is impressive but Through art, Francisco Goya has been very sion with Birmingham Repertory Theatre and not always without criticism. His infamous strong for me for the lighting, and has influ- Holland Festival. staging of Macbeth (Barbican, 2003) and enced the way I light the stage. Music has Making its debut at The REP next month and provocative interpretation of Verdi’s A played a big part too, especially the work of fusing drama and music - four actors and a Masked Ball were described by some as Ligeti, but I suppose my biggest influence is string quartet - The String Quartet’s Guide To ‘scandalous’, with his use of illicit content the human race. My work takes me to lots of Sex And Anxiety explores where anxiety and referred to as ‘pornographic sensationalism’. places, and I’m constantly learning from my depression come from, and how our ‘inner- Others have praised his work as ‘revelatory’. everyday environment and the people I most thoughts wage battle with our artistic meet.” “This is just the need of society to put a label impulses’. on things and people. If people look at my With his diary currently fully booked until What’s On recently caught up with Calixto to curriculum, they’ll see that it includes a vari- 2023, does Calixto ever get anxious about his talk about his latest production and his repu- ety of different things and styles. I’m not al- hefty workload? tation as one of Europe’s most ambitious the- ways doing nudity or violence. “No. It’s a privilege to be doing what I do. I atre directors... “I did Carmen, which was a spiritual show love my work very much, and I’m fortunate and nothing to do with nudity. I see myself “About three or four years ago, I was talking to work in the best opera houses and the- like a painter, and sometimes I’m painting a to The REP, who were asking me to come atres on the continent.’ nude. Nobody goes to a museum and says, back and do another show. We started talk- ‘Oh my God, I want to destroy this picture of Home for Calixto is now Basel, on the border ing about how anxiety is affecting our lives. a woman because it’s full of nudity!’ of Switzerland, Germany and France. His How all of us have a moment in our life “When you create a label, people may come house overlooks the Rhine, and it’s this where we ask existential questions: Why are to see my shows full of prejudices. They may stretch of water that helps him relax and es- we here? What is the sense of what we’re know nothing about me but just go with cape the everyday world. “I love to look at doing? Is it normal to have fear about our what they’ve read and therefore have a very the flow and get lost in thought. It relaxes me own death and have fear about losing the closed mind. I feel sorry for them. a lot, and I also like to walk - both into the people we love? “My Macbeth many years ago was full of vio- city or the forest nearby. I like to walk, and “We now know that anxiety disorder is a very lence, and a lot of people were scandalised. sometimes, if I can’t sleep, I’ll walk in the common issue and is affecting a lot of people Now you have the new movie, which is full of night. I’m a little bit boring, I think.” for a lot of reasons - genetics or economics, violence, and people are used to it.” Calixto is looking forward to returning to the for example. I thought, why not do a show Another label that seems to have attached it- Midlands this month - his last REP produc- about anxiety as an illness? A show about self to Calixto relates to his style as a direc- tion, Forests, showed at the city’s anxiety as an existential language. I decided tor, which on occasion has seen him likened Theatre in 2012 whilst the Centenary Square this was an important issue to address, and to Quentin Tarantino. venue was closed for renovation. “I have to in doing so, I think I’ve created a sort of sym- confess that I like to work in Birmingham. phonic poem.” “I’m quite a humanistic director. I do so They’re a good team at The REP!” many different things and my style changes One could assume that a dark and weighty to fit whatever it is I’m doing. I get likened to So what lasting impression does he hope to production awaits audiences at The REP. Cal- Tarantino, but my style is nothing like leave this time round? “I think the one thing ixto claims not. “It will be both dark and Tarantino. You will never, ever read anything I’d like audiences to take away is that you light because anxiety is not just about dark- about me where I’m trying to get self-public- can share your anxieties with people. Maybe ness. It’s humanistic. It’s a poem that has ex- ity. Nothing. encourage them to talk about anxiety and treme beauty when combined with the music “I’m always very relaxed in rehearsals. I try our fears in society today. from the Heath Quartet.” to encourage an atmosphere of generosity, “For me, I just want to produce the best show Award-winning British chamber ensemble but at the same time, discipline. Everybody that I can, and share with the audience a fan- the Heath Quartet will be at the forefront of must feel that they’re a creative part of the tastic poem.” the production. In addition to showcasing project.” their musical prowess - performing string While English scholar and author Robert quartets by Beethoven and Ligeti - the quar- Burton’s essay, Anatomy Of Melancholy tet will also make their debut in an acting ca- The String Quartet’s Guide To Sex And (1621), and Byung-Chul Han’s The Burnout pacity. Anxiety shows at Birmingham Repertory Society (2015), are documented influences on Theatre from Saturday 12 to Saturday 19 this current piece, Calixto cites numerous “They are so passionate about the music, May. and this is our second collaboration. They others who’ve had an effect on his work

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Food May Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:45 Page 1 Food May Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:45 Page 2

Food

Restaurant business given green light for Birmingham premises Restaurant business Pint Shop has been given the green light to open a venue in Birmingham. Specialising in meat, bread and beer - and with restaurants already established in Cambridge and Oxford - Pint Shop is set to open in a three- storey Grade II-listed building on the city’s Bennett’s Hill. The venue will be open from 7am to 1am Sunday to Thursday and 7am to 2.30am Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit pintshop.co.uk

New cocktail bar opens in Birmingham Cocktail bar chain Dirty Martini has opened in the Birmingham premises formerly occupied by the Viva Brazil restaurant. Offering a bespoke range of martinis and signature cocktails, the city centre venue is the chain’s 11th UK Trendy Chinese eatery to open premises in Birmingham branch. The Grand Hotel's 5,000 sq ft basement is set to become home to trendy Chinese restaurant & bar Tattu by the end of the year. Described as a ‘modern Chinese' eatery, the venue will be Birmingham’s biggest single-level bar & restaurant. ‘Home of the real meal Having already opened two other UK sites, in Manchester and Leeds, Tattu offers a menu featuring deal’ opens in the city yuzu black cod, szechuan lobster, chef’s cut wagyu beef and red pepper lamb chops. A new cafe has opened in Birmingham. Each Tattu has its own identity, ‘taking guests on a sensory journey from East to West through its Situated on Holloway Circus, award-winning interior design and astute attention to detail’. Holloway's describes itself as 'the home For more information, visit tattu.co.uk of the real meal deal', and is open from Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4pm. The new venue offers lunchtime meal Tropical tipple set deals at £3.49, including either a to make special sandwich, toastie, tortilla, mega bap, panini or baguette with a drink and night ‘a rum do’! kettle crisps, or a jacket or sweet potato An evening featuring Ian Burrell jacket with one filling and a drink. and celebrating ‘all things rum’ Breakfast deals, a 99p range and a takes place at MAC Birmingham selection of vegetarian and vegan on Saturday 26 May. options are also available. In addition to being creator of UK RumFest, the world’s first international rum festival, Ian is the rum & cocktail specialist on Channel Four’s Sunday Brunch. Visitors to the event will learn all they need to know about the ever- popular tropical tipple, along the way getting to sample a selection of world-class varieties. The event is strictly for over-18s only. Tickets can be bought online at macbirmingham.co.uk. whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Titanic DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 16:12 Page 1

TITANIC THE MUSICAL drops anchor at Birmingham Hippodrome

12 whatsonlive.co.uk Titanic DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 16:12 Page 2

by Lauren Foster

In the final hours of 14 April 1912, the RMS So he moved from Walsall to , took what the Titanic looks like. I think the musi- Titanic, on her maiden voyage from an undergraduate course at Rose Bruford cal version very beautifully tells us every- Southampton to New York, collided with an College, and following his graduation started thing we need to know about the Titanic iceberg. The ‘unsinkable ship’ slowly sank. It work on the London fringe. “Making my own story, and anything that we can’t do is left to was one of the most tragic disasters of the shows is sort of where Titanic was born. It the imagination. 20th century, with 1,517 men, women and was in a very small theatre, and then it sort “For the production I was very insistent that children losing their lives. of took over. It’s been very lovely that, for the we didn't replicate the sinking. I think past five years, the show has been my life Based on real people aboard the most leg- there’s a line of taste there. I suppose the and has taken me around the world. It’s been endary ship in the world, Titanic The Musical success of the show is testament to the mate- tremendously exciting. is described as ‘a stunning and stirring pro- rial, and it just proves that you don’t need to duction focusing on the hopes, dreams and “I was on holiday in New York in 2001 and do anything literally. What Maury Yeston’s aspirations of her passengers, who each bought an original souvenir brochure for a music and lyrics do - and Peter Stone, who boarded with stories and personal ambitions dollar from the original Broadway produc- wrote the script - is tell you every piece of in- of their own.’ tion of Titanic. I looked at it and thought, formation in many ways. Musically, you feel “Oh my god - this is the most lavish and like you really are part of this ship. The musical, with music and lyrics by Maury huge-scale show!” I’d heard about it but had- Yeston and a book by Peter Stone, first “It seems like every week there’s a TV pro- n’t heard any of the music. I needed to hear opened on Broadway in 1997 and won five gramme stating that there’s new information what the show was like. How is it even possi- Tony Awards, including best musical, best about the Titanic. There are all sorts of con- ble to do a musical about the Titanic story? I score and best book. spiracy theories: Was there a fire in the immediately went across to the record store boiler? Was it a big insurance job? The This new production, helmed by the artistic in Time Square, bought the CD, the original beauty of the Titanic story is that we will director of Charing Cross Theatre, Thom cast recording, went back to my hotel room never know. The show never tries to point Southerland, and coming direct from Lon- and listened to this music. As always with blame and always tries to give the overview. don, has enjoyed critical acclaim across the Maury Yeston’s music, he gives you every- It allows us not even to try and think about board. The production visits Birmingham, thing, and suddenly I became rather ob- whose fault it was, but just to comprehend Thom’s home town, next month as part of its sessed with the musical. I asked him whether what lessons we can learn from the Titanic.” UK tour. we could do the show in London in a 200- seat theatre and he said yes.” Thom always likes to ask previous cast mem- “We did it at Southwark Playhouse in 2013,” bers back. “I think that’s really important. says Thom. “Since then, it’s been across to Thom is keen to point out that the produc- The success of the show is because of the ac- Toronto, Tokyo and many other theatres in tion is a very long way away from the 1997 tors who were involved in those original pro- Japan, then back to London - and now it’s smash-hit blockbuster movie. “This version ductions. The iconic and incredibly detailed embarking on its first UK tour. I think it’s re- doesn’t fictionalise anything. The Titanic fa- performances are so crucial. We’ve had more ally important that she finally sails around mously had more than 2,500 people on than half returning - this is a bigger produc- the country. board. There’s so much drama and so many tion, so there are five extra people in the stories that Peter Stone and Maury Yeston de- show - and we have some newbies, which al- “It’s so lovely that I’ve been able to work in cided they would base everything in the mu- ways creates a very lovely dynamic in the the US and go around the world with it, but sical version on fact. There are more than 150 cast. It's a true ensemble piece. The actors when I had the phone call to say that it’s characters played by 25 actors, and they all play so many different roles, and everybody going to be in Birmingham, I was just ec- come on stage at certain points and tell us gets their moment. There are no stand-out static. It’s in Birmingham over my birthday about their own personal journey and what leading characters.” week, and it was always my birthday treat to the Titanic meant to them. Of course, the go and see something at Birmingham Hippo- story is the same and there’s no spoiler alert - So what’s next for Titanic The Musical? drome. It’s beyond my wildest dreams, and everybody knows what happens at the end. “Another production is heading to Japan. It’s it’s going to be very emotional when the going to be revived there, and we’re just show finally arrives there. I never, ever “I think what’s so wonderful and absorbing about to announce another season at Char- thought it would happen, I sort of dreamed about this version is that it tells you some- ring Cross. I think when you’ve done a show it, but to think it’s my piece that’s coming thing that you don’t already know about the as big as Titanic, there’s nothing that can home is really quite special.” Titanic. There are so many conspiracy theo- rival that.” ries, but this just tells you the information as Thom was encouraged to become a director it happened and allows us to indulge in by his teachers and his family. “I loved these wildly romantic stories about people watching theatre and desperately wanted to who set off for a new life in a new world. Titanic The Musical drops anchor at be a part of it. I was a terrible actor, but I When I listened to the score, I realised that it Birmingham Hippodrome from needed to find some way into the industry was all about people, and that you didn’t Monday 4 to Saturday 9 June. whereby I could still work in a theatre. It was need to really see the ship - everybody knows my first love.”

whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Festivals MAY-2.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 18:20 Page 1 Festivals MAY-2.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 18:20 Page 2

Festivals

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

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

whatsonlive.co.uk 15 GIGS May Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:43 Page 1 GIGS May Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:43 Page 2

Gigs

Gaz Coombes Josh T Pearson O2 Institute, Birmingham, Mon 21 May The Glee Club, Birmingham, Wed 16 May Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes is embark- “In the last years, I learned to dance, take ing on a series of UK headline dates this drugs, make love… choose life,” explains month in support of his third solo album, American musician Josh T Pearson. “I got rid World’s Strongest Man. Released on 4 May, of the beard, cut my hair and started wearing the record is inspired by, amongst other colour. I burned down all my idols and re- things, Grayson Perry’s The Descent Of Man, alised in the process that I needed to burn my Frank Ocean’s Blonde, Californian weed, reputation.” British woodlands, unchecked toxic mas- Described as ‘the greatest male vocalist of our culinity and hip-hop. time’ by Elbow’s Guy Garvey, Pearson has re- “I shot the Deep Pockets video on a leased two solo albums since his work with shoestring, mostly in LA at the end of 2017. critically acclaimed band Lift To Experience. The idea came from the lyrics and memories He visits Birmingham following the release of of weird night drives over the years - a never- new record The Straight Hits!. ending car journey laced with paranoia, in- termittent hallucinations and unexpected car pooling. Echo And The Bunnymen Scott Matthews Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 26 May St Paul’s Church, Birmingham, Sun 20 May Echo And The Bunnymen’s new studio album, The Stars, The Oceans & The Moon, sees them revisiting, rearranging and trans- forming some of their greatest songs. “I’m not doing this for anyone else,” ex- plains Ian McCulloch. “I’m doing it because it’s important to me to make the songs bet- ter. I have to do it.” The band, still led by McCulloch and Will Sergeant, are bringing their dark, swirling fusion of post-punk and Doors-inspired pop psychedelia to Birmingham as part of a na- Scott Matthews’ new record, The Great Un- tional tour. told, has been described as ‘a masterclass in Noel Gallagher’s honesty, instinct and reflection’, and is the High Flying Birds sixth studio album by the Ivor Novello , Tues 1 May Award-winning singer-songwriter. Here’s a man who requires no introduction. “It’s a collection of songs that lots of people Having now released three chart-topping will relate to,” says Scott. “It’s a real mood- albums under the solo moniker of Noel Gal- shift of a record. The songs always start from lagher’s High Flying Birds, the former Oasis a personal angle, but listeners will hear lead guitarist brings his Stranded On The them in different ways.” Earth world tour to the second city this month. For those not in the know, the band’s name is taken from the 1963 song High Flying UK Subs Bird, a number most famously recorded by The Robin, Bilston, Thurs 3 May psychedelic ’60s band Jefferson Airplane. With 2016 marking their 40th anniversary, Bryan Adams UK Subs, led by 70-year-old Charlie Harper, represent the true spirit of punk rock. Genting Arena, Birmingham, Fri 25 May With a new lineup in place - of Charlie, The Ultimate Tour sees megastar Bryan Steve Straughan on guitar, Alvin Gibbs on Adams return to Birmingham to perform a bass and Jamie Oliver on drums - the band set that features both new material and an continue to entertain, enlighten and en- array of hits from his extensive back cata- thuse audiences around the world. logue. Expect old favourites including Sum- Expect to hear classics from albums such as mer Of 69, (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, Brand New Age and Crash Course, as well as Can’t Stop This Thing We’ve Started and tracks from more-recent offerings Yellow Heaven. Leader and Ziezo.

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

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

Looking back on the last decade, how What will the show “Lee Mead – 10 Years – Now you’re starring in Holby City. How did would you encapsulate it? The Anniversary Tour” consist of? you land that role? I’m very happy with the way my career has I’ll be doing more than 20 songs. I really I was a guest in an episode of Casualty, gone. I don’t feel that I have had to believe in giving people their money’s worth. playing Harry, a schoolteacher. Afterwards I compromise along the way. I’ve been I’ll be doing the songs that have had an got a handwritten letter from Oliver Kent, the approached a few times to do reality TV and I impact on me over the last 10 years - for executive producer. He wrote, “We were so love watching some of those shows, but I’m instance, I’ll be performing Maria from West impressed with what you did. You were such not sure I would do very well on something Side Story which is one of, if not the, greatest a gentleman on set. We’ll keep our eye on like I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! The musical ever written. I thought it would be you.” I thought, “Yeah, you hear that all the idea of eating crocodile testicles is not on my really nice to perform my own take on that time.” But two years later, the producers agenda! Touch wood, I like to think that over particular song. asked, “Could you come and audition? We the last 10 years I’ve made the right career have a character called Lofty who we think choices. might be up your street.” Within two weeks, I You also have a new album out - tell us was in Cardiff filming my first scene with about the songs you have chosen on your Derek Thompson. He’s a lovely guy and has When you won the role of Joseph on the new album? become a close friend. TV show Any Dream Will Do, how did you Amongst the tracks are Dancing Through The opportunity to move over to Holby which feel? Life from Wicked, Hushabye Mountain from is filmed close to London has been fantastic Weird things go through your head when Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Close Every Door as it allows me to spend more time with my Graham Norton says, “The winner is…” I was from Joseph, Bring Him Home from Les daughter Betsy. I see my life as a pyramid, thinking, “If I don’t win this, I don’t care Miserables, and As Long As You’re Mine, a and Betsy is at the top of that. I’m fortunate because I’ve had the most wonderful duet with Rachel Tucker from Wicked. I loved in that I have a very busy career. It’s great to experience.” Then Graham said, “3 million working on the album. have work, but if ever I feel I’m not getting people have voted.” the balance right, I check myself and get Are you looking forward to reconnecting back to the idea of the pyramid. Betsy always Did it feel like fate that you won Any with your very loyal fans on tour? comes first. Dream Will Do? Absolutely. Every singer needs that support. Yes. If I may say so, it did feel like it was my If you’re lucky enough to have it, then it’s time. Everything came together. Joseph was fantastic. People come to see me from LA, Lee Mead brings his 10 Years - The the first show I’d seen. It was my favourite Norway, Holland. There are about 400 of Anniversary Tour to Malvern Theatres, show and had always been part of my life. I them who are hard-core fans. They come lots Worcester on Sunday 20th May and Palace simply love performing it. of times to every show I am in. Theatre, Redditch on Sunday 28th October. Classical MayBirmingham.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 19:29 Page 1

Classical

Orchestra of the Swan featuring Julian Lloyd Webber Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Mon 28 May As well as being held in high regard for their championing of new music, having presented more than 70 world premieres, the Stratford-based Orchestra of the Swan are also much admired for their perfor- mances of works by such legendary com- posers as Berlioz, Brahms, Mozart, Strauss, Schumann and Vaughan Williams. This latest concert sees them presenting a programme that features pieces by Elgar, Haydn and Vivaldi. Julian Lloyd Webber conducts, with cellists Jian Wang and Ju- lian’s wife, Jiaxin, also contributing.

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

Benjamin Grosvenor Michael Poll: & Friends Bach On 7 Strings , Sat 26 May The Bramall, , Fri 11 May The winner, aged 11, of the keyboard sec- Bruckner Orchestra Linz tion of the BBC Young Musician of the Year Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 6 May 2004 award, Benjamin Grosvenor is a still- Now under the baton of new chief conduc- rising star of the UK’s classical music scene. tor Markus Poschner, this long-estab- The evening’s programme features pieces lished orchestra hails from Anton by Schubert, Brahms and viola player Brett Bruckner’s home town (Linz) and has gar- Dean, who also performs in the concert. nered a worldwide reputation for perform- ing the composer’s work with a level of unparalleled insight. This latest concert is one which any Bach’s lute works in E major and E Minor for Bruckner admirer will want to catch, in- seven-string guitar are featured in this con- cluding, as it does, his majestic Eighth cert by the London-born Michael Poll. Symphony. Mozart’s Haffner Symphony “I was 14 when I started noticing special also features. patterns in the music of Bach,” Michael re- calls. “Sequences. Cyclical progressions. Harmony. An approach to composition that mimics nature, using the Golden Ratio, Phi, as a guiding structure. The complexity and intricacy of Bach’s music, and the years re- quired to study and understand it, make it antithetical to the breakneck pace of mod- ern life.” 18 whatsonlive.co.uk Classical MayBirmingham.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 19:29 Page 2 Comedy May .qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:33 Page 1

Comedy

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

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

20 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy May .qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:33 Page 2

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

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

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

an officer & a gentleman

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

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

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

DELIVERED BIRMINGHAMBIRMINGHAM WOLVERHAMPTONWO TO YOUR DOOR EVERY MONTHMONTH STAFFORDSHIRESTAFFORDSHIRE SHROPSHIRES

All you need to do now is choose the regional edition you would like... BIRMINGHAM WHAT’S ON WORCESTERSHIRE WHAT’S ON WARWICKSHIRE WHAT’S ON WOLVERHAMPTON WHAT’S ON STAFFORDSHIRE WHAT’S ON SHROPSHIRE WHAT’S ON

WARWICKSHIRE WORCESTERSHIRE

At just £2 an issue to cover postage and packing, there’s never been a better time to get your What’s On magazine delivered! It’s easy - just call our Subscription Hotline on 01743 281714

YouYou jjustust ppayay fforor tthehe ppostageostage aandnd ppacking!acking! 6 Months £12, 12 Months £24, 2 Years £45

SIMPLY PAY THE POSTAGE AND PACKING COST OF £2 PER ISSUE BY DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD! Theatre May Davina 2.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:31 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

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

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

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre May Davina 2.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:31 Page 2 The Magic Flute DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 11:12 Page 1 The Magic Flute DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 11:12 Page 2

The Magic Flute FollowingFollowing theirtheir criticallycritically acclaimedacclaimed EnglishEnglish mortals,mortals, manipulatingmanipulating themthem andand theirtheir AllAll thisthis isis notnot toto say,say, ofof course,course, thathat therethere isn’tisn’t llanguageanguage rreimaginingseimaginings ooff LaLa BohemeBoheme andand dedesiresires.s. InIn thisthis version,version, ourour hero,hero, Tamino,Tamino, isis plentyplenty forfor operopera enthusiastsenthusiasts toto enjoy.enjoy. ThisThis isis CCarmen,armen, tthehe OOlivierlivier AAward-winningward-winning drdraawnwn ttoo tthehe fflickeringlickering neonsneons ofof thethe night,night, stillstill a high-qualityhigh-quality interpretationinterpretation ofof a cclassiclassic OOperaUpCloseperaUpClose nnowow ttakeake oonn TheThe MagicMagic FluteFlute attractedattracted llikeike a mmothoth ttoo tthehe llifeife ooff tthehe rrichich byby a hugelyhugely acclaimedacclaimed companycompany – oonene tthathat iinn aann iinnovativennovative nnewew pproductionroduction hheadedeaded fforor aandnd ffamous.amous. IInn tthehe ooriginal,riginal, TTaminoamino ffindsinds aaimsims ttoo rremainemain ffaithfulaithful ttoo tthehe ccomposer’somposer’s tthehe BBelgradeelgrade TTheatreheatre nnextext mmonth.onth. ttruerue lloveove aatt tthehe eendnd ooff hhisis qquest.uest. InIn ourour ooriginalriginal vvision,ision, wwhilehile aatt tthehe ssameame timetime RRunningunning iinn CCoventryoventry fforor oonene nnightight oonly,nly tthishis vversion,ersion, hhee rrealisesealises itit wwasas therethere allall along,along, hehe oofferingffering eestablishedstablished aaudiencesudiences a ddifferentifferent innovative reworking of Mozart’s much-loved just needed to think he’d lost it to realise how way of looking at the work. flight of fancy uses new orchestration with much it meant to him in the first place.” electronic & urban sounds, stylish design There could hardly be a better time to bring a “People who know the opera really well and a poetic new libretto by Glyn Maxwell show like this to Coventry. Recently named as already have a very particular experience. bring the story firmly up-to-date. Ahead of its UK’s next City of Culture in 2021, the city’s You can hear them recognising references arrival on Saturday 12 May, director Valentina whole campaign for the title hinged upon its and being tickled by the innovations we’ve Ceschi tells us more about what to expect youthfulness, creativity and diversity – all made in our new version. It’s like a spot the from the production… very much in keeping with the OperaUpClose difference puzzle for them – they feel “Its youthful energy is exhilarating!” she ethos. complicit in the process somehow, and it exclaims. “For me it was all about harnessing If you’re unsure about opera or classical becomes a fun game.” this energy and bringing it to today’s music, this is a company that prides itself on In fact, as Ceschi herself argues, in some audience. We did an early R&D with some the accessibility of its productions. Aiming to ways, there’s a greater “authenticity” to this singers from a group of young people from provide an entry point for even total opera production than there is to some more high- Soho Young Company. It was important for newcomers, the company revitalise profile operas nowadays. For one thing, the me that this version of ours appealed to the established classics to create visceral mischievousness of her direction and new generation.” theatrical experiences that feel relevant to Maxwell’s writing are very much in keeping First staged at London’s Soho Theatre, the contemporary audiences from all walks of with the irreverent spirit of a composer well production shifts between states of confused life. Just take Valentina herself as an known for his colourful personality. For reality and disturbed dreams, recasting the example. another, opera hasn’t always been the way hero, Tamino, as a young man dazzled by the “I don’t have any formal music training,” she we tend to imagine it today. world of the rich and famous. Invited behind confesses. “I read music but not very well. I “I got involved with [OperaUpClose] a few the velvet rope at London’s “most exclusive” mostly rely on what I hear. I’ve grown up years ago when I worked on reviving La nightclub, The Queen of the Night, he has with a love and understanding of music from Boheme. This production made me fall in little time for beggars, paparazzi, or even his my family for which I am very grateful, but love with the company. It was in a tiny girlfriend, Pamina. our big thing as a family was musicals like theatre above a pub and part of it was even At the end of the night, following a blazing Guys and Dolls and Singin in the Rain.” performed in the pub itself during the row, the couple head to bed, only to relive the “I approach directing opera in very much the interval. events and encounters of the evening in same way as directing theatre, making sure “I loved the intimacy and the impact the dreams made extraordinary by the lateness the storytelling is clear and the audience music and the singing can have when you are of the hour, their befuddled senses, and of have a good time. There are more limitations up close. Opera really started in much course, a touch of magic. in opera but those restrictions can be smaller spaces than the big opera houses, so “I always thought the story in the original strengths and opportunities for invention there is also an authenticity to what we do. was problematic,” says Ceschi. “I don’t think and fun. I’ve learnt that the music, much like We aren’t as radical as people think.” I’ve seen one version where I understood the the text of a play, usually has all the answers plot or thought the characters’ journeys you need. So when in doubt, go back to what really made sense. Setting it in a dream (or the music is telling you.” various people’s dreams) meant we didn’t “I would say, like Shakespeare, if done well, The Magic Flute is at the Belgrade Theatre have to solve all the problems in the original, opera is no different to any other genre, and for one night only on Saturday 12 May. but it solved a few and freed us up to have a after that short shock of, ‘Gosh, it’s people Tickets are available to book now by bit of fun. singing instead of talking!’ it feels very calling the box office on 024 7655 3055, or by visiting www.belgrade.co.uk, where “In our version, just like in the original, there normal. I’d also say if you like musicals you’ll prices are even cheaper are forces of ‘good’ and ‘evil’ that play upon probably like opera.” Theatre May Davina 2.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:31 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

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

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

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

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

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

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

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

26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre May Davina 2.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:31 Page 6

Theatre for younger audiences

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

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

whatsonlive.co.uk 27 Amelia Lily DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 10:50 Page 1 Amelia Lily DPS.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 10:50 Page 2

FEELING GREEN

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

What do you hope to bring to the role of How does it feel to be joining the tour of quite honest, I don’t know how I’m going to Princess Fiona? Shrek the Musical? do that without laughing on stage, so that’s definitely one of my favourite songs. I love So many incredible females have taken on Shrek is such an upbeat and energetic show the whole soundtrack and I think it’s very the role and have put their own stamp on it and I’m really looking forward to it because rare to love every song equally. and I’d love to do the same. I’m quite young, it’s so iconic. Shrek is famous all around the only being 23, so I definitely want to bring a world and to step into a role like Princess young essence to the part and just have fun Fiona is just amazing. It’s a dream come true Why should everyone come and see Shrek with it. for me and I think I’m going to have such a the Musical? laugh on stage. We’ve got an incredible cast and I feel so What do you think the musical offers that lucky to be working with them and the the film doesn’t? Was a stage career something you ever director, Nigel Harman. It’s a great company envisaged after your success on the X with so much talent and so much joy as well. You really feel like you’re a part of the stage Factor? This is such a big show and for me, it’s a production. The beauty of Shrek is that it’s dream come true. I can’t wait to get on the suitable for anyone of any age but when you Before I entered the X Factor, I was looking to road and have the best time. go and watch something live, you feel more go to drama school so a stage career was involved and, as an audience member, it’s so always on the cards. The fact that the X important to feel like you’re a part of the Factor happened was a blessing in disguise Do you have any other projects in the show. as it got my foot in the door and gave me so pipeline? many opportunities. Now, to be able to go down the route that I always planned has just Shrek is taking up most of my time from now You’ve been on tour as both a musical been incredible. This is my fourth musical until the end of the year. No doubt I’ll start a theatre performer and as a solo artist, and I’m very grateful I was able to do both Christmas panto at the end of the year but what do you most and least enjoy about music and musical theatre. this is definitely my main priority right now. touring? My least favourite part is travelling! How would you describe the show to What drew you to the part of Princess Travelling tires you out and when you’re someone who hasn’t seen Shrek on stage Fiona? doing eight shows a week, the last thing you before? want to be is tired. Saying that, I find touring What I love about Princess Fiona is that she really exciting because you get to see all If you want to go to the theatre and leave is not your average princess. She wears the these different places around the country. with a smile on your face and have a blast all iconic green dress but still has this tomboy the way through, then this is the show for element to her character which I relate to. I you. You don’t even have to be a Shrek fan - remember watching Shrek for the first time If you could play any other character in it’s an amazing piece of theatre, and I’ve and loving her unpredictable nature. Shrek is the show, who would you want to play? never heard a soundtrack like it. It’s one of not your average fairytale yet it’s set in this fairytale land with lots of famous fairytale It would have to be Donkey. When I was my favourite musical theatre soundtracks characters. I would definitely say I’m like younger, he was always my favourite in the and it appeals to all ages. Fiona in many ways and I can’t wait to wear a film, with Eddie Murphy bringing so much princess frock every night AND burp on humour to the character. I’ve been quoting What’s your favourite moment or song in stage! his scenes since I was a little girl so it would the show and why? definitely have to be him. I’ve known Marcus for years who’s playing Donkey on the tour, The first time I heard ‘I Think I Got You Beat’ Amelia Lily stars as Princess Fiona in I’ll have to ask him one day if he wants to I couldn’t stop laughing because Princess Shrek The Musical, which will be at the swap roles one evening! Fiona and Shrek have a burping and farting Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent from competition. I was in hysterics and, to be Wednesday 2nd - Sunday 13th May Sea Life Centre DPS NEW.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 16:08 Page 1

UNDER THE SEA

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

28 whatsonlive.co.uk Sea Life Centre DPS NEW.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 16:08 Page 2

by Jenny Ell

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

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

whatsonlive.co.uk 29 Dance May 2018 .qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:28 Page 1

30 whatsonlive.co.uk Dance May 2018 .qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:28 Page 2

Dance previews from around the region Dance

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

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

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

Artistic Director Lucie Mirkova tells all...

32 whatsonlive.co.uk FINAL BIDF 4 page feature.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 16:26 Page 2

by Patsy Moss

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

whatsonlive.co.uk 33 FINAL BIDF 4 page feature.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 16:26 Page 3

birmingham international dance Festival highlights...

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

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

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

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

34 whatsonlive.co.uk FINAL BIDF 4 page feature.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 16:27 Page 4

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

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

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

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

whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Film May - ONLINE.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 11:34 Page 1 Film May - ONLINE.qxp_Layout 1 30/04/2018 11:34 Page 2

Film

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

Film highlights released in May...

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

Film highlights released in May...

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

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

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

Film

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

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

Visual Arts previews from around the region

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

38 whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts May 1.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:30 Page 2

Visual Arts

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

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

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

whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Dippy (single image) DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:32 Page 1

40 whatsonlive.co.uk Dippy (single image) DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:32 Page 2

by Ellie Hutchings

DIPPY THE ROCK STAR!

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

42 whatsonlive.co.uk Events May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:27 Page 2

Events previews from around the region Events

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

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

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

whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Events May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:27 Page 3

44 whatsonlive.co.uk Events May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:27 Page 4

Events previews from around the region Events

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

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

whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Events May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:27 Page 5

46 whatsonlive.co.uk Events May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:27 Page 6

Events previews from around the region Events

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

whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Events May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:27 Page 7

48 whatsonlive.co.uk Events May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 12:27 Page 8

Events previews from around the region Events

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

Malvern Spring Festival Fascinating stats connected to the show include the fact that the festival site is the size of a stag- Three Counties Showground, Malvern, gering 40 football pitches, while on average vis- Thurs 10 - Sun 13 May itors consume around 18,000 cups of tea and One of the venue’s first major shows of the year, 6,000 pieces of cake every year. the RHS Malvern Spring Festival is described as So if all that strolling around leaves you need- ‘opening the door to the summer season’. ing a breather, it’s safe to assume the festival’s Visitors can enjoy a walk around the show gar- light refreshments are well worth sampling - so dens, gain inspiration from exhibitors in the many thousands of tea drinkers and cake eaters floral marquee and access hints and tips via a surely can’t be wrong! range of talks and demonstrations. First World War Activities RAF Museum, Cosford, Red By Night Sat 26 May - Sun 3 June Black Country Living Museum, Half-term highlights at Cosford Dudley, Sat 19 May museum include a range of World War One-related activities. The Black Country Living Museum this month As well as the chance to gain an in- opens its doors after hours, to provide ‘an atmo- sight into the life of an RAF pilot spheric evening of industrial demonstrations, during the Great War, visitors can good food, living history and more’. take part in drop-in virtual-reality Visitors to the Red By Night evening will be in- sessions, viewing the content of a vited to step inside period houses and shops to World War One aircraft. discover how Black Country folk used to live. There’s also a ‘spot the slang’ trail The event also features street entertainment and to follow, highlighting the wartime the chance to try the museum’s 1930s-style fish use of slang by service personnel and chips! from different countries and back- The Coventry grounds. Steampunk Carnival Coventry Transport Museum, Sat 19 - Sun 20 May A subgenre of science fantasy that reimagines modern technology powered by 19th century steam, steampunk is all the rage nowadays. So why not get along to this three-day event and find out what all the fuss is about. There’s plenty of live entertainment to enjoy, in- cluding performances by the splendidly named Ichabod Steam And His Animatronic Band. Shopaholics, meanwhile, are sure to find some- thing to their liking in the steampunk market. whatsonlive.co.uk 49 The List Cover May Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:52 Page 1 The List Cover May Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:52 Page 2

YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide

MayMay 22018018 thelist B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival 2018 at Birmingham Hippodrome - Wed 9 - Sun 13 May 13 Sun - 9 Wed - Hippodrome Birmingham at 2018 B-SIDEFestival Hip-Hop

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

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

The Vamps at Genting Arena, La Voix at Crescent Theatre, Diljit Dosanjh at Arena Slam Dunk Festival at NEC, Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Fri 4 May Thurs 10 May Sat 19 May Mon 28 May

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List Birmingham Tues 1 - Sun 6 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:46 Page 1

thelist THROUGHOUT MAY Gigs

digital projections of paintings, pho- ALL OUR YESTERDAYS Visual Arts tographs, documentary film clips and Mon 30 Apr - Tues 1 multimedia works by 11 contempo- May, The Core The- Birmingham Museum & atre, Solihull Art Gallery rary visual artists of Caribbean de- scent, Tues 8 May - Sun 1 July DALEY & ETTA BOND NEW ART WEST MIDLANDS A mixed- Tues 1 May, Hare & media exhibition including painting, RBSA Gallery Hounds, Birmingham sculpture, digital and sound installa- JIMMY LIVINGSTONE tions, assemblage, photography & NEW ERIC GASKELL ARBSA Eric's work Tues 1 May, Kitchen prints by 28 selected artists, all of combines colour, drawing and com- Garden Cafe, B’ham whom are recent graduates from the position to create bold and vibrant region’s six university art schools, lino-cut prints and mixed-media YO LA TENGO Tues 1 until Sun 6 May pieces, Mon 7 May - Sat 16 June May, Birmingham The Vamps - Genting Arena, Birmingham NEW CAROLE BAKER RBSA Town Hall VANLEY BURKE: PHOTOGRAPHING BIRM- Carole re- ERIC BIBB Thurs 3 May, NIRVANA) Sat 5 May, INGHAM (1968 - 2011) Exhibition show- sponds instinctively to capture the NOEL GALLAGHER'S Birmingham Town Hall O2 Academy, B’ham ing how Burke has documented the movement, liveliness and mystery of HIGH FLYING BIRDS Tues HENRI HERBERT & THE ECHO GECCO Sat 5 May, poignant and everyday moments of the places she visits. This new body 1 May, Arena B’ham FURY Fri 4 May, The The Sunflower life in Birmingham. Burke’s pho- of work is inspired by the effect of RITCHIE, PARRISH & Night Owl, B’ham Lounge, Birmingham tographs capture scenes of child- light on the landscape, Mon 7 May - RITCHIE Wed 2 May, hood, crowds, community and faith, Sat 16 June The Red Lion Folk BLACK PARADE – 00'S OCCOEUR Sat 5 May, power and protest, as well as portray- NEW PRIZE 2018 Annual exhibition fea- Club, Birmingham EMO ANTHEMS Fri 4 Route 44, B’ham ing influential men and women of our May, The Asylum, turing artworks in a range of media, AN EVENING WITH PUD- PINKSHINYULTRABLAST time, until Sun 1 July Birmingham including jewellery, ceramics, textiles, DLES PITY PARTY Wed 2 Sat 5 May, The Castle NEW DIPPY ON TOUR: A NATURAL HIS- drawing, painting and printmaking, May, O2 Institute, COME TOGETHER Fri 4 & Falcon, Birmingham TORY ADVENTURE The Natural History Thurs 10 May - Sat 23 June Birmingham May, The Night Owl, JAZZIE B Sat 5 May, Museum’s famous Diplodocus, Birmingham HER'S, PIZZAGIRL & Hare & Hounds, Birm- known as Dippy, is taking a road trip The Barber Institute CHARTREUSE Wed 2 CRAZY FOR GERSHWIN ingham to Birmingham. This is a free ticketed SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS: ARTIST AND May, Hare & Hounds, Fri 4 May, Symphony MEME DETROIT Sat 5 event, but advanced booking is COLLECTOR When The Royal Birmingham Hall, Birmingham May, The Night Owl, strongly advised, Sat 26 May - Sun 9 Academy was founded in 1768, it WOES Wed 2 May, The SINNER BOY Fri 4 May, Birmingham Sept elected Sir Joshua Reynolds, Eng- Flapper, Birmingham Route 44, Birmingham WHITNEY - QUEEN OF land’s most prominent painter at the DJ RUSSKE LIVE Fri 4 THE NIGHT Sat 5 May, Ikon Gallery time, as its first president. To cele- HONKY TONK ROSE Wed 2 May, The Jam May, O2 Academy, The Core Theatre, LANGLANDS & BELL Exhibition of new brate its 250th anniversary this year, House, Birmingham Birmingham Solihull work by artists Ben Langlands and the Barber brings together four fine BRUNO MAJOR Fri 4 WILLIAM MCCARTHY Nikki Bell, featuring the new iconic ar- Reynolds paintings from their collec- MC LARS Wed 2 May, May, O2 Institute, Sun 6 May, The Castle chitecture of global technology com- tion, along with a number of other The Asylum, B’ham works that once belonged to the Birmingham & Falcon, Birmingham panies such as Apple, Facebook, TEEDRA MOSES Thurs 3 artist himself, until Tues 8 May Alibaba and Google. The show ex- May, Hare & Hounds, THE ATLANTIC PLAYERS THE MICHAEL JACKSON plores the increasingly profound in- WORKING IN COLOUR The language of Birmingham & PRODIGAL SCUM Fri 4 HISTORY SHOW Sun 6 fluence these huge companies have colour across four centuries of print- May, Hare & Hounds, May, Wolverhampton LE CLUB FONDUE Thurs on our lives in the age of ‘Big Data’, making is explored in a display that Birmingham Grand Theatre 3 May, Hare & until Sun 10 June complements The Rhythm Of Light Hounds, Birmingham FALSE MODESTY Fri 4 AMANDA PALMER Sun 6 (see above), until Sun 10 June May, The Actress & May, Birmingham VUNDABAR Thurs 3 MAC, Birmingham THE LAST ROMAN Emperor Justinian I Bishop, Birmingham Town Hall May, The Sunflower (527 - 565 AD), the so-called ‘last NEW FROM A SMALL ISLAND Exhibition Lounge, Birmingham THE VAMPS Fri 4 May, THE ROMANO VIAZZANI by award-winning photographer An- Roman emperor’, rose from peasant Genting Arena, B’ham ENSEMBLE Sun 6 May, beginnings in Serbia to become the KALEIDOSCOPE #4 drew Jackson, who presents a new THE UNDERCOVER HIPPY Pizza Express Live, most powerful man on earth, until Thurs 3 May, The series of work exploring identity, mi- Fri 4 May, The Castle & Birmingham Sun 14 Apr 2019 Night Owl, B’ham gration, memory and family. Follow- Falcon, Birmingham MOVEMENTS Sun 6 ing a visit to Jamaica in 2017, he SOUNDING IMAGES Listen to four paint- FISCHER-Z Thurs 3 May, DEARIST + TO THE WALL May, The Asylum, investigates the identities of Ja- ings in the gallery, including the Henri O2 Academy, B’ham Fri 4 May, The Flapper, Birmingham maican Diaspora since the post-war Matisse loan, Landscape In Corsica, HIBUSHIBIRE, ONE Birmingham DISCO PUSSY Sun 6 migration to Britain, and the lives of on this audio tour, Fri 27 Apr - Sun 17 UNIQUE SIGNAL & YEL- May, Hare & Hounds, second and third generation migrants June LOW6 Thurs 3 May, KLASSIDE Fri 4 May, O2 born here, Sat 5 May - Sun 8 July Academy, Birmingham Birmingham NEW NEW YORK CITY LIFE Exhibition of Hare & Hounds, Birm- MOTOWN'S GREATEST NEW AMPERSAND PROJECTS: GREEN prints by John Sloan which provides ingham SHANE FILAN Sat 5 HITS - HOW SWEET IT IS LUNGS A project that introduces re- fascinating historical insights into May, New Alexandra NOVELISTS Thurs 3 Sun 6 May, New cently settled refugees to the city’s Manhattan life in a period of rapid so- Theatre, Birmingham May, The Asylum, Alexandra Theatre, green spaces through creative activ- cial change, Fri 25 May - Sun 16 Sept Birmingham DIG? Sat 5 May, The ity. The exhibition presents new work Birmingham MEXRRISSEY - MEXICO Night Owl, B’ham created collaboratively by partici- Other VISUAL ARTS CASPIAN Sun 6 May, pants and artists which explores their GOES MORRISSEY Thurs IO EARTH AND THE OR- The Flapper, B’ham NEW WHEN TIME STANDS STILL Exhibi- 3 May, O2 Institute, CHESTRA OF SOUND & experiences in the landscape, Mon 7 WE ARE SCIENTISTS Sun tion of work by Linden Road Artists, Birmingham EMOTION Sat 5 May, May - Sat 28 July 6 May, O2 Institute, Wed 23 May - Mon 11 June, The Crescent Theatre, NEW NEGOTIATING CARIBBEAN IN/SECU- EDDI READER Thurs 3 Birmingham Core Theatre, Solihull May, Artrix, Broms- Birmingham RITIES THROUGH CREATIVITY The FULL 100 2018! WITH NEW INHERITED PREMISES Two-person grove SHREYA GHOSHAL Sat 5 CARISCC exhibition includes com- TARRUS RILEY Sun 6 show by Rami George and Tako Taal, May, Symphony Hall, missioned work by sculptural artist BRAINSTORM Thurs 3 May, O2 Academy, Fri 25 May - Fri 3 Aug, Grand Union, Birmingham Sonia E Barrett. Also displayed are May, O2 Academy, Birmingham Fazeley Street Birmingham NOVANA - (A TRIBUTE TO 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham Tues 1 - Sun 6 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:46 Page 2

Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 May

HAWKINS Fri 4 May, Cherry Reds THE BAND Cafe-Bar, Birmingham Tim Classical Music Firth’s new Film NOTES ON COMEDY IN AID OF CANCER SIR SIMON RATTLE & THE LONDON SYM- musical, fea- RESEARCH Fri 4 May, The Core The- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: PHONY ORCHESTRA: MAHLER’S NINTH turing the atre, Solihull Tues 1 May, Symphony Hall, B’ham music of Take ISLE OF DOGS (PG) Animation/Adven- ROB ROUSE, STEVE GRIBBIN, MICKEY That, Tues 1 - ture. With the voices of Bryan EMERGING DIRECTORS: FOREST SHARMA & RADU ISAC Fri 4 May, The Sat 12 May, Cranston, Yoko Ono. Mockingbird LABYRINTH Featuring Veronika Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham Cinema, Birmingham, Fri 4 - Thurs 10 Tabakova (director & producer), Rox- Hippodrome May anne Korda & Rosemary Wilkes (so- RICK KIESEWETTER, BETHANY BLACK & THE DRILL pranos), Maja Pluta & Anna-Maria CHRIS PURCHASE Fri 4 May, Wolver- Award-winning multimedia WESTERN (12a) Drama. Starring Mein- Olsson (violins), Kate Allsop hampton Grand Theatre theatre-makers Breach consider anxi- hard Neumann, Reinhardt Wetrek. (recorder) & Weining Pi (MyoSpat ROB ROUSE, STEVE GRIBBIN, MICKEY eties around security and terrorism, Foreign language, subtitled. MAC, armband), Tues 1 May, Royal Birm- Wed 2 - Sat 5 May, The REP, B’ham Birmingham, until Thurs 3 May SHARMA & COMIC TBC Sat 5 May, The ANTIGONE ingham Conservatoire Glee Club, Birmingham The Young Rep presents its READY PLAYER ONE (12a) Action/Sci-Fi. SIBELIUS' SECOND Featuring the City of SOL BERNSTEIN, DARREN WALSH, GOR- version of Sophocles' tragedy, which Starring Hannah John-Kamen, Ben Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, DON SOUTHERN & JAMES ALDERSON centres on fractured relationships and Mendelsohn. Mockingbird Cinema, Edward Gardner (conductor) & Baiba Sat 5 May, The Comedy Loft, B’ham a city in turmoil, Wed 2 - Sat 5 May, Birmingham, until Thurs 3 May Skride (violin). Programme includes The REP, Birmingham CURTIS WALKER, BABATUNDE & NADZ DYLAN THOMAS: CLOWN IN THE MOON GHOST STORIES (15) Drama/Horror. works by Strauss, Prokofiev & Sat 5 May, MAC, Birmingham Starring Alex Lawther, Martin Free- Sibelius, Wed 2 - Thurs 3 May, Sym- A dramatic portrait of the poet's man. MAC, Birmingham, until Thurs 3 phony Hall, Birmingham chaotic, frequently hilarious and all- May COMMUTER CONCERT; CONDUCTOR’S too-brief life, Thurs 3 May, The Core THE SHAPE OF WATER (15) Drama/Fan- ENSEMBLE Featuring Josef Javora & Theatre, Solihull PLAYHOUSE CREATURES tasy. Starring Sally Hawkins, Octavia Giannis Giannopoulos. Programme Theatre Amateur stag- Spencer. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 1 - includes works by Copland & Wag- THE FANTASTIC FOLLIES OF MRS RICH ing of April De Angelis’ moving Wed 2 & Fri 4th May ner, Thurs 3 May, Royal Birmingham restoration comedy, Sat 5 - Sat 12 MARY & THE WITCH'S FLOWER (U) Ani- Conservatoire Mary Pix's comedy of manners, com- May, Oldbury Rep mation/Adventure. With the voices of bining mischief-making and a mind- CBSO CENTRE STAGE Featuring Colette Hana Sugisaki, Ryûnosuke Kamiki. bending plot, until Thurs 14 June, The Overdijk & Bryony Morrison (violins), Foreign language, subtitled. Electric Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Adam Römer & Amy Thomas (violas), THE DUCHESS OF MALFI Cinema, Birmingham, from Fri 4 May Hetty Snell & Helen Edgar (cellos). Maria Aberg Dance JOURNEYMAN (15) Drama/Mystery. Programme includes works by directs John Webster's tale of re- Starring Paddy Considine, Jodie Strauss & Schoenberg, Fri 4 May, venge, which asks how anyone can ENCORE: A 3RD YEAR PERFORMING ARTS Whittaker. Mockingbird Cinema, CBSO Centre, Birmingham survive in a world where masculinity SHOWCASE The 17 strong cast per- Birmingham, Fri 4 - Thurs 10 May CAMILLE RAVOT (HARPSICHORD) Pro- has become toxic, until Fri 3 Aug, form a range of diverse dance works, PLANET OF THE APES (PG) gramme comprises a selection from Royal Shakespeare Theatre, including Elite Syncopations, chore- Adventure/Sci-Fi. Starring Charlton 6 Sonates A l’usage des Dames by C Stratford-upon-Avon MACBETH ographed by Sir Kenneth MacMillan Heston, Roddy McDowall. Electric P E Bach, Fri 4 May, The Barber Insti- Shakespeare’s psychologi- with the music of Scott Joplin, Tues 1 Cinema, Birmingham, Sun 6 May tute, University of Birmingham cal thriller marks Christopher Eccle- May, MAC, Birmingham ston’s RSC debut and Niamh BEAUTY AND THE BEAST SIR LENNY HENRY: PETER AND THE Midlands The- Cusack’s return to the company, until WOLF Sir Lenny Henry narrates the atre Ballet present a choreographed Tues 18 Sept, Royal Shakespeare Royal Birmingham Conservatoire version of the much-loved fairy story. Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon opening concert. Christopher Hould- ROMEO AND JULIET Tues 1 - Sat 5 May, The Old Rep ing conducts. Programme includes Shakespeare's Theatre, Birmingham Events most famous story of love at first sight JV2 works by Bernstein, Copland, Jasmin Vardimon Company pre- STEALTH - FINDERS KEEPERS! Put your explodes with intense passion in a Prokofiev, Elfman & Williams, Fri 4 sent a triple bill showcasing works by criminal minds together to pull off contemporary production with heart- May, Royal Birmingham Conserva- Vardimon and two emerging choreog- Birmingham's biggest heist, Wed 2 - breaking consequences. Erica Why- toire raphers - Yunkyung Song and André Thurs 3 May, Centrala, Birmingham man directs, until Fri 21 Sept, COALVILLE MALE VOICE CHOIR Pro- Rebelo, Wed 2 May, Arena Theatre, SUPERNATURAL OFFICIAL CONVENTION Royal Shakespeare Theatre, gramme includes Benedictus,(Carl Wolverhampton Meet the stars from the show, includ- Stratford-upon-Avon WINDRUSH: MOVEMENT OF THE PEOPLE Jenkins), Morte Christe, Lascia Ch'io THE THRILL OF LOVE ing Jensen Ackles and Jared The Crescent Pianga, Gwhodidad, You Raise me Phoenix Dance present a new con- Padalecki, Fri 4 - Sun 6 May, NEC, Theatre Company presents its ver- Up, Rhythm of Life, The Rose, Let it temporary dance piece which focuses Birmingham sion of Amanda Whittington's heart- be Me, Sat 5 May, Birmingham on the story of some of the first Ja- JEWELLERY QUARTER HERITAGE WALK wrenching play, which looks at the life Cathedral maican people who came to Britain, Sat 5 May, Museum of the Jewellery and times of Ruth Ellis, the last BRUCKNER ORCHESTRA LINZ Featuring Fri 4 - Sat 5 May, MAC, Birmingham Quarter, Birmingham woman to be hanged in Britain, Sat ASIAN SPRING DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA Markus Poschner (conductor), Pro- 'FEAST' STREET FOOD AND DRINK FESTI- gramme includes works by Bruckner 28 April - Sat 5 May, Crescent The- atre, Birmingham Sampad’s popular showcase features VAL Sat 5 May, Enginuity Museum, & Mozart, Sun 6 May, Symphony YVETTE Kathak and Bharatanatyam dance, Ironbridge, Shropshire China Plate present a one- Hall, Birmingham Sun 6 May, Royal Birmingham Con- woman show based on a true story MAKERS CENTRAL A brand new event servatoire about a stolen childhood and growing bringing together thousands of mak- up with a secret, Tues 1 May, MAC, ers, Sat 5 - Sun 6 May, NEC, B’ham Birmingham SWASHBUCKLING PIRATES A weekend BLOOD MONEY Comedy Thriller where nothing of pirate activities, Sat 5 - Mon 7 May, Talks Cadbury World, Birmingham ROB ROUSE, STEVE GRIBBIN & COMIC is as it seems, Tues 1 - Sat 5 May, TBC Thurs 3 May, The Glee Club, Lichfield Garrick AN EVENING WITH 'EDDIE THE EAGLE' ED- IRONBRIDGE GORGE WALKING FESTIVAL DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE WARDS A programme of 53 free walks in and Birmingham Phil Daniels Fundraising talk in aid of Age around the World Heritage Site, Sat 5 IVO GRAHAM Fri 4 May, The Glee Club, takes the lead in this staging of UK Solihull, Thurs 3 May, The Core - Sun 13 May, Ironbridge Gorge, Birmingham Robert Louis Stevenson's classic Theatre, Solihull gothic thriller, Tues 1 - Sat 5 May, Shropshire JACK BARRY, SIMON LOMAS & HARVEY Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List Birmingham Mon 7 - Sun 13 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:50 Page 1

thelist BOX & SPILT MILK SOCI- RAIN (LIVE MOD BAND) CRAZY FOR YOU Gigs ETY Thurs 10 May, The Sat 12 May, The Night Classical Tom Chambers, Sunflower Lounge, Owl, Birmingham Claire Sweeney and Charlotte Wake- Birmingham field star in a new touring production NF - PERCEPTION THE SMALL FAKERS Sat Music of the hit musical, Tues 8 - Sat 12 WORLD TOUR Mon 7 DON MCLEAN Thurs 10 12 May, Artrix, Broms- May, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre May, O2 Institute, May, Symphony Hall, grove MIDDAY MUSIC; EMILY SUN (VIOLIN) AVENUE Q Amateur staging presented Birmingham Birmingham INK. Sat 12 May, The Also featuring Jennifer Hughes (piano). Programme includes works by Lichfield Operatic Society, Tues 8 ANNA BURCH Mon 7 LAURENCE JONES Thurs Flapper, Birmingham by Mozart, Fauré & Igor Frolov, Tues - Sat 12 May, Lichfield Garrick May, Hare & Hounds, 10 May, Hare & CRIMES UNDER THE SUN RISCAS + PARIS YOUTH 8 May, Royal Birmingham Conserva- Comedy Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham FOUNDATION + CANDID toire thriller featuring four actors playing JOHN WHEELER Mon 7 NICKELBACK Thurs 10 + THE CLAUSE Sat 12 CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- multiple ‘outrageous’ characters, May, The Glee Club, May, Genting Arena, May, The Castle & Fal- CHESTRA: BARTÓK'S PIANO CONCERTO Wed 9 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove Birmingham Birmingham con, Birmingham ONE WOMAN SEX AND THE CITY Featuring Kazushi Ono (conductor) A par- CONAN AND MONOLORD THE FUREYS Fri 11 May, FOR RICHARD "DUB" & Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano), ody on love, friendship and shoes, Mon 7 May, Mama The Core Theatre, MORAN: MORE THAN A Wed 9 May, Symphony Hall, B’ham Wed 9 May, The Core Theatre, Soli- Roux's, Birmingham Solihull MEMORIAL Sat 12 May, hull Scruffy Murphys, Birm- THE OPERA BOYS Thurs 10 May, The HELLO LA VOIX BEN DRUMMOND Tues 8 BEYOND FAITH (GEORGE ingham Core Theatre, Solihull An evening with the May, The Jam House, MICHAEL) Fri 11 May, MICHAEL POLL: BACH ON 7-STRINGS Fri larger-than-life star from Absolutely Birmingham The Civic, Stourport RUBELLA MOON Sat 12 Fabulous The Movie, Thurs 10 May, May, The Actress & 11 May, The Bramall, Birmingham CHRISTY MOORE Tues 8 NADINE COYLE Fri 11 Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Bishop, Birmingham LUCA LUCIANO (CLARINET) & YUKIKO May, Symphony Hall, May, O2 Institute, OSEDO (PIANO) - LUNCHTIME CONCERT Birmingham Birmingham METHODS Sat 12 May, The Sunflower Programme incudes works by Schu- RADIATOR HOSPITAL DAVID BROWN AND ELIO Lounge, Birmingham mann, Debussy & Luca Luciano, Fri Tues 8 May, Hare & PACE PERFORM THE 11 May, The Barber Institute, Univer- Hounds, Birmingham BILLY JOEL SONGBOOK JUNGLE Sat 12 May, sity of Birmingham Fri 11 May, Artrix, O2 Institute, B’ham GANG OF YOUTHS Wed Bromsgrove 9 May, O2 Institute, MERCURY - THE ULTI- Birmingham THE TESKEY BROTHERS MATE QUEEN TRIBUTE Fri 11 May, The Sun- Sat 12 May, New BROOKE BENTHAM + flower Lounge, B’ham Alexandra Theatre, JESSIE REID + OLIVER Birmingham Comedy ONE WOMAN SEX AND THE CITY RUDGE Wed 9 May, BAREFOOTIN' WITH JOSH JOHN FOTHERGILL, HENRY PARKER, A par- The Sunflower PYE, DAVE LE MODERNE, JASPER IN THE COM- CAREY MARX & STEVE SHANYASKI Wed ody on love, friendship and shoes, Lounge, Birmingham ADAM ADAM Fri 11 May, PANY OF OTHERS Sat 12 Thurs 10 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove The Night Owl, B’ham May, The Marr's Bar, 9 May, The Glee Club, Birmingham GODSPELL BULLY & DUDE YORK Worcester KEITH FARNAN, COMEDY CAROUSEL Presented by Momentum Wed 9 May, The Sun- VIDA Fri 11 May, The WITH ANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC Performing Arts Production in associ- flower Lounge, B’ham Actress & Bishop, PARTNER Sun 13 May, ation with South Staffordshire Col- Birmingham The Sunflower Thurs 10 May, The Glee Club, B’ham EDDIE SEAMAN & LUC lege, Thurs 10 - Fri 11 May, Lichfield Lounge, Birmingham MICHAEL MCINTYRE Thurs 10 - Sun 13 MCNALLY Wed 9 May, DISCO SUCKS: PART 3 Garrick May, Arena Birmingham THE WEDDING RECEPTION The Red Lion Folk Fri 11 May, Hare & CATRIN FINCH & SECKOU Immersive Club, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham KEITA Sun 13 May, SUZI RUFFELL & ANGELA BARNES Fri 11 experience from the team behind Birmingham Town Hall May, The Glee Club, Birmingham BROTHERS OSBORNE THE GRIND LIVE WITH C4 Fawlty Towers The Dining Experi- Wed 9 May, O2 Fri 11 May, Hare & MAKE IT REGGAE! Sun KEITH FARNAN, BEC HILL, DANNY ence, Thurs 10 - Fri 11 May, The Academy, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham 13 May, The Night MCLOUGHLIN & MARKUS BIRDMAN Fri REP, Birmingham Owl, Birmingham 11 - Sat 12 May, The Glee Club, OUR HOUSE VULVODYNIA Wed 9 BLOXX Fri 11 May, The Youth Onstage present Birmingham May, The Asylum, Castle & Falcon, Birm- BLACK COFFEE Sun 13 an amateur staging of the Tim Firth Birmingham ingham May, O2 Institute, ELEANOR CONWAY Sat 12 May, Artrix, musical set to the songs of Madness. Birmingham Bromsgrove Thurs 10 - Sat 12 May, The Old Rep CHK CHK CHK Wed 9 EVYLTYDE, REPAIR TO ROGER MONKHOUSE, BOBBY MAIR, Theatre, Birmingham May, Hare & Hounds, RUIN Fri 11 May, THE CARPENTERS STORY EVENING OF MEDIUMSHIP WITH NIKKI BARRY CASTAGNOLA & LAURA LEXX Sat Birmingham Scruffy Murphys, Birm- Sun 13 May, New KITT ingham Alexandra Theatre, 12 May, The Comedy Loft, B’ham Fri 11 May, MAC, Birmingham NAP EYES & HALEY Birmingham HEROES HEYNDERICKX Wed 9 DIZZY LIZZY Fri 11 May, The Crescent Theatre Com- May, Hare & Hounds, Route 44, Birmingham pany present Tom Stoppard's trans- Birmingham lation of Gerald Sibleyras' play, Sat 12 - Sat 19 May, Crescent Theatre, ROOKES + DIDI DOUBLE Theatre Birmingham HEADLINE TOUR Wed 9 THE STRING QUARTET'S GUIDE TO SEX May, The Castle & Fal- PYAR ACTUALLY AND ANXIETY con, Birmingham A sparkling new com- New production from edy by Sukh Ojla, Tues 8 - Sat 12 one of Europe's most exciting theatre PROTOMARTYR Wed 9 May, The REP, Birmingham directors, Calixto Bieito, Sat 12 - Sat May, Mama Roux's, 19 May, The REP, Birmingham Birmingham MARY CHAPIN CARPEN- TER Wed 9 May, Birm- ingham Town Hall Kids Show FANGCLUB Wed 9 - Thurs 10 May, The HOOT OWL Inventive show for chil- Flapper, Birmingham dren featuring original songs, colour- BEDROOM/BOREDOM, ful puppets, animation and rapid ECHO BEACH, JACK IN A costume change, Sat 12 May, Stour- John Wheeler - The Glee Club, Birmingham bridge Town Hall 54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham Mon 7 - Sun 13 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:50 Page 2

Monday 7 - Sunday 13 May

& Fri 11 May Dance 70 YEARS FROM NAKBA: A PROGRAMME OF PALSTINIAN SHORTS This pro- B-SIDE HIP-HOP FESTIVAL 2018 Week- gramme of nine shorts includes the end takeover of dance and rap bat- work of young and established Pales- tles, live music, workshops & graffiti in tinian filmmakers. Foreign language, the streets around the Hippodrome. subtitled. MAC, Birmingham, Wed 9 Lots will be free, with some ticketed May and some paid-for events too, Wed 9 SLEEPY HOLLOW (15) - Sun 13 May, Birmingham Hippo- Adventure/Drama. Starring Johnny drome Depp, Christopher Walken. Electric TRANSLUCENT DANCE COMPANY: SUM- Cinema, Birmingham, Thurs 10 May MIT 18 Showcase of the very best in LEAN ON PETE (15) Adventure/Drama. youth dance from across Worcester- Starring Steve Buscemi, Charlie shire, Sun 13 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove Plummer. Electric Cinema, Birming- ham, from Fri 11 May A QUIET PLACE (15) Horror/Thriller. Starring Emily Blunt, John Krasinski. Mockingbird Cinema, Birmingham, Fri 11 - Thurs 17 May INDIANA JONES TRILOGY (12) Action/Adventure. Starring Harrison Ford. Mockingbird Cinema, Birming- ham, Sat 12 May CAROL (15) Drama/Romance. Starring Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara. High- bury Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 12 May A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS (15) Western. Talks Starring Clint Eastwood, Gian Maria MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEGENDS LIVE! Volontè. Electric Cinema, Birming- ham, Sat 12 May B-Side Hip-Hop Festival 2018 Five Midlands football legends talk THE ITALIAN JOB (PG) Action/Comedy. Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 9 - Sun 13 May about their careers - including Ron Starring Michael Caine, Noël Coward. Atkinson, Paul Merson and Peter Beacon Park, Lichfield, Sat 12 May Birmingham Hippodrome’s free annual festival celebrating all Withe, Mon 7 May, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham LOST BOYS (12) Comedy/Horror. Star- things hip-hop makes a welcome return. MONOLOGUESLAM MASTERCLASS 2018 ring Jason Patric, Corey Haim. Mock- Now in its third year, B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival features outdoor (PICTURED BELOW) ingbird Cinema, Birmingham, Sun 13 performances, pop-up dance events, interactive talks, live graffiti Workshop May analysing how to perform a mono- art and a programme of high-energy workshops. For more informa- logue, Sat 12 May, The REP B’ham tion, visit birminghamhippodrome.com/bside and NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: facebook.com/bside2018 Released from Fri 11 May, showing at selected cinemas BREAKING IN (15) Sun 13 May, NEC, Birmingham messages a beauty patch can tell you, Sat 12 May, Aston Hall, B’ham ENTEBBE (12a) BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS Sat 12 May, Birmingham Hippodrome GAYDON LAND ROVER SHOW Celebrat- HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS AT PARTIES (15) 400 YEARS OF ASTON HALL: GEORGIAN ing 70 years of the iconic Land Rover LIFE OF THE PARTY (12a) HOUSE PARTY Witness sword fight marque, with a huge range of models REDOUBTABLE (15) duels, learn the art of fan flirting, ex- on display, from 1948 to the present day, Sat 12 - Sun 13 May, British LIFE OF THE PARTY (12a) perience what went on in coffee houses, and find out what secret Motor Museum, Gaydon NARCOS - CAPTURING PABLO AND THE REDOUBTABLE (15) CALI CARTEL Meet the men who were SHERLOCK GNOMES (U) the inspiration behind hit Netflix TV THE CURED (15) series NARCOS, Sat 12 May, O2 Academy, Birmingham Events Film MAY DAY! Morris dancing, maypole INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: dancing, games and more, Mon 7 THE GREATEST SHOWMAN (PG) Musical. May, , Birmingham Starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron. MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS Grab a may- This showing is a sing-a-long. Electric pole ribbon and join the traditional Cinema, Birmingham, Mon 7 May dancers, Mon 7 May, Black Country THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, Living Museum, Dudley MISSOURI (15) Mystery/Thriller. Star- BODYPOWER EXPO 2018 Fitness event, ring Frances McDormand, Woody inspiring and motivating 90,000-plus Sarehole Mill, Birmingham Harrelson. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 8 health & fitness enthusiasts, Fri 11 - whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List Birmingham Mon 14 - Sun 20 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:51 Page 1

thelist Thurs 17 May, Kitchen WRITERS Sat 19 May, Town Hall Gigs Garden Cafe, B’ham The Bramall, B’ham Classical GLENN WOOL Fri 18 May, The Glee KNOW WONDER Thurs DILJIT DOSANJH Sat 19 Club, Birmingham CARTER SAMPSON Mon 17 May, The Jam May, Arena Birming- 14 May, Kitchen Gar- DALISO CHAPONDA Fri 18 May, Birm- House, Birmingham ham Music den Cafe, Birmingham ingham Town Hall U.S. GIRLS Thurs 17 LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH NORA FISCHER Mon 14 May, Hare & Hounds, THOMAS TROTTER Programme in- May, Birmingham Birmingham cludes works by Handel, J.C Pe- Town Hall pusch, W. Russell, A. Hollins & H. DEAN FRIEDMAN “WELL, THE NINTH WAVE Mon Mulet, Mon 14 May, Birmingham WELL,” SAID THE ROCK- 14 May, Hare & Town Hall ING CHAIR’ TOUR Thurs Hounds, Birmingham 17 May, Pizza Express MIDDAY MUSIC: BRAHMS, FAURÉ & ROSE DIVE Mon 14 May, Live, Birmingham TOMASI Featuring Doris Kuo (violin) & The Sunflower Ella Lee (piano), Mon 14 May, Royal MACHINE HEAD Thurs Lounge, Birmingham Birmingham Conservatoire 17 May, O2 Academy, THE BLUETONES Mon 14 CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- Birmingham SWEDISH DEATH CANDY May, O2 Institute, CHESTRA: MARVELLOUS MOZART Fea- ROGER MONKHOUSE, RUDI LICKWOOD, IAN MCNABB Thurs 17 Sat 19 May, The Sun- Birmingham turing Reinhard Goebel (conductor) PAUL MYREHAUG & MARK SIMMONS Fri May, Hare & Hounds, flower Lounge, B’ham & Mirijam Contzen (violin). Pro- 18 - Sat 19 May, The Glee Club, KELLY OLIVER Mon 14 Birmingham TERRY HALL AND THE gramme comprises J.C.Bach’s Birmingham May, Crescent Theatre, JOHN OTWAY & THE BIG GTS Sat 19 May, The Amadis de Gaule: Suite, 20’; Birmingham ROB ROUSE, TOM TOAL, TUDUR OWEN & BAND Fri 18 May, Artrix, Night Owl, B’ham Mozart’s Violin Concerto in D major, CAIMH MCDONNELL Sat 19 May, The ALBERT LEE Mon 14 Bromsgrove THE CUTKELVINS Sat 19 K.271a, 29’ & Symphony No. 36 in C Comedy Loft, Birmingham May, Artrix, Broms- CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. May, O2 Academy, Major (Linz), 28’; Mozart Idomeneo: grove ROOKIE Fri 18 May, O2 Birmingham ballet music, 10’, Wed 16 May, Sym- FOREIGNER Tues 15 phony Hall, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham SARA COX PRESENTS May, Symphony Hall, DIG? SOUL AND RETRO JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH PETER DONOHOE: MOZART PIANO CYCLE Birmingham CLUB NIGHT WITH SAM 80S Sat 19 May, O2 In- Thurs 17 May, Royal Birmingham CARMODY Tues 15 May, REDMORE Fri 18 May, stitute, Birmingham Conservatoire The Sunflower The Night Owl, Birm- WIEGEDOOD Sat 19 MIDLAND CHAMBER PLAYERS: THE Lounge, Birmingham ingham May, The Asylum, CZECH ROMANTICS Fri 18 May, The ASHLEY ALLEN BAND NICK PRIDE AND THE Birmingham Birmingham & Midland Institute Tues 15 May, The Jam PIMPTONES Fri 18 May, PLANET V Sat 19 May, CBSO CENTRE STAGE: MOZART’S HORN House, Birmingham The Night Owl, B’ham QUINTET Featuring Michael Kidd Hare & Hounds, Birm- BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Sat 19 BARRENCE WHITFIELD & (horn), Charlotte Skinner (violin), A PARAMORE PARTY Fri ingham May, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE SAVAGES Tues 15 Catherine Bower & Amy Thomas (vi- 18 May, Hare & GLASS CEILINGS + May, O2 Academy, olas) & Catherine Ardagh-Walter Hounds, Birmingham STRANGE GHOST + Birmingham (cello). Programme includes works ISLAND + SPECIAL EARLY DAYS + FRIDAY by Beethoven & Mozart, Fri 18 May, REMI HARRIS TRIO Wed GUESTS Fri 18 May, The Sat 19 May, The Castle CBSO Centre, Birmingham 16 May, Lichfield Castle & Falcon, Birm- & Falcon, Birmingham Guildhall ALEXANDER BAILLIE & JOHN THWAITES Theatre ingham MR BEN Sat 19 May, LUNCHTIME CONCERT Programme in- HITZ FROM THE BLITZ 1940’S MATINEE RITA ORA Wed 16 May, MINT Fri 18 May, The The Jam House, Birm- cludes works by James MacMillan, SHOW O2 Academy, B’ham Flapper, Birmingham ingham Bridge & Franck, Fri 18 May, The A nostalgic afternoon featuring JOSH T. PEARSON Wed TRANSMISSION (JOY DI- JUST FLOYD Sat 19 Barber Institute, University of Birm- wartime hits from Glenn Miller, Anne 16 May, The Glee VISION TRIBUTE), AN- May, Route 44, B’ham ingham Shelton, Vera Lynn and more, cour- Club, Birmingham tesy of Five Star Swing, Tues 15 THONY PRICE & ROY ORBISON & THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- DISORDER DJS Fri 18 May, Dudley Town Hall SARA COLMAN Wed 16 TRAVELLING WILBURYS CHESTRA: FAMILY FILM FAVOURITES HALF A SIXPENCE May, Symphony Hall, May, The Sunflower Sat 19 May, Artrix, Featuring Holly Mathieson (conduc- Solihull Theatre Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham Bromsgrove tor) & Catherine Arlidge (presenter). Company present an amateur stag- ing of the much-loved musical, Tues NILS LOFGREN Wed 16 MR BEN Fri 18 May, The STONE BROKEN Sat 19 Programme includes music from The 15 - Sat 19 May, The Core Theatre, May, Birmingham Jam House, B’ham May, O2 Institute, Incredibles, Harry Potter, Frozen, Pi- rates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, Solihull Town Hall DEAN FRIEDMAN “WELL, Birmingham AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN The Lion King, Wallace and Gromit, FEET & CYMBELINE Wed WELL,” SAID THE ROCK- TIPITINA Sat 19 May, Mary Poppins & The Hobbit, Sun 20 Nikolai Foster's musical staging of 16 May, The Sunflower ING CHAIR’ TOUR Fri 18 Pizza Express Live, May, Symphony Hall, Birmingham the Oscar-winning film starring Lounge, Birmingham May, Pizza Express Birmingham Live, Birmingham Richard Gere. Soundtrack includes NINA NESBITT Wed 16 HEAVEN 17 AND THE Up Where We Belong, Girls Just THE BORN AGAIN BEAT- May, O2 Institute, LIGHTNING SEEDS Sat Want To Have Fun & Material Girl, LES Fri 18 May, Lich- Birmingham 19 May, Uttoxeter Tues 15 - Sat 19 May, Birmingham field Guildhall SYLVAIN DARRIFOURCQ Racecourse Hippodrome SACK SABBATH Fri 18 Comedy LOVE FROM A STRANGER WITH TONY MALABY AND MOTHERSHIP - LED ZEP- Brand new May, Route 44, Birm- LEE NELSON Wed 16 May, The Old RICHARD BONNET Wed PELIN TRIBUTE Sun 20 production of Agatha Christie’s rarely ingham Rep Theatre, Birmingham 16 May, MAC, B’ham May, The Glee Club, seen thriller, Tues 15 - Sat 19 May, C-JAM Wed 16 May, OHHMS Fri 18 May, The Birmingham ROGER MONKHOUSE, COMEDY New Alexandra Theatre, B’ham Asylum, Birmingham CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON & SOME MOTHERS DO 'AVE 'EM The Jam House, Birm- SCOTT MATTHEWS Sun Joe COMIC TBC Thurs 17 May, The Glee ingham DIG? Sat 19 May, The 20 May, St Paul's Pasquale stars as the hapless Frank Club, Birmingham BELSHAZZAR’S FEAST Night Owl, B’ham Church, Birmingham Spencer and Sarah Earnshaw as his Wed 16 May, The Red ESPRESSIVO CHORUS: THE ONCE Sun 20 May, GEORGE EGG Fri 18 May, The Core long-suffering wife, Betty, in the stage Lion Folk Club, B’ham MUSIC OF THE LEG- The Sunflower Theatre, Solihull version of the hit 1970s sitcom, Tues WE ARE THE WILDLIFE ENDARY SINGER SONG- Lounge, Birmingham CHRIS RAMSEY Fri 18 May, Dudley 15 - Sat 19 May, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre 56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham Mon 14 - Sun 20 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:51 Page 2

Monday 14 - Sunday 20 May

MACBETH THE WITCHES Birmingham Ormiston Amateur staging of Academy Acting Pathway Year 13 David Wood's version of the Roald presents its version of Shakespeare's Dahl classic, Fri 18 - Sat 26 May, bloodiest play, Wed 16 - Thurs 17 Hall Green Little Theatre, B’ham May, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE A DOLL'S HOUSE Interactive new New adaptation of show for all the family, Sat 19 - Sun Henrik Ibsen’s classic tale, presented 20 May, Birmingham Town Hall by Theatrical Niche Ltd, Thurs 17 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove TRUTH New show which looks at the once-simple notion of truth in the messy modern age of fake news, Dance Thurs 17 - Sat 19 May, The REP, BALLETBOYZ - FOURTEEN DAYS Birmingham Ballet- SHEN YUN Boyz are back with four brand new Featuring one of the world’s works and the return of an audience oldest art forms - classical Chinese favourite, Mon 14 May, Wolverhamp- dance, Thurs 17 - Sat 19 May, Inter- ton Grand Theatre national Convention Centre (ICC), PASHA KOVALEV'S THE MAGIC OF HOLLY- Birmingham WOOD RICH STOKES: I'M NOT FINE Lights, Camera... Ballroom. The Harlem Globetrotters - Genting Arena, Birmingham One-man Pasha Kovalev (from BBC TV's musical tackling the subjects of anxi- Strictly Come Dancing) returns with a NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Wolverhampton ety, masculinity, parenthood and brand new show packed with se- sewage through the medium of com- quins, glitz and glamour, Sun 20 May, Released from Tues 15 May, showing RED BY NIGHT Skilled craftsmen and edy, songs and storytelling, Fri 18 Wolverhampton Grand Theatre at selected cinemas live demonstrations bring the reality of ‘black by day, red by night’ to life, May, MAC, Birmingham DEADPOOL 2 (tbc) Sat 19 May, Black Country Living Mu- Released from Fri 18 May, showing at seum, Dudley selected cinemas INDUSTRIAL MIGHT Discover the awe- Talks ON CHESIL BEACH (15) inspiring industrial might of the Black KATIE PIPER: WHAT'S IN MY HEAD SUBMERGENCE (15) Country, Sat 19 - Sun 20 May, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley Katie embarks on her debut theatre MIDLANDS AIR FESTIVAL Air display, tour, to share what she’s learned and with classic WWI & II fighters, high- what helped her energy aerobatics, classic jets, flying remain positive circus, parachutes, helicopters and even through the Events gyrocopter. There will also be a full toughest of times, THIS MORNING LIVE Live version of the hot-air balloon festival, with up to 50 Fri 18 May, The This Morning TV show, Thurs 17 - balloons, Fri 18 - Sun 20 May, Ragley Old Rep Theatre, Sun 20 May, NEC, Birmingham Hall, Warwickshire Birmingham THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS Fri 18 THE COVENTRY STEAMPUNK CARNIVAL May, Genting Arena, Birmingham Steampunk-themed live entertain- JAMES PHELAN: TRICKSTER Nephew of BIG BANG VW festival featuring drag ment and music, Sat 19 - Sun 20 the late Paul Daniels, James presents Film racing with monster trucks and much May, Coventry Transport Museum a unique magical prank show, Sat 19 more, Fri 18 - Sun 20 May, Santa Pod BRITISH TARANTULA SOCIETY EXHIBI- May, The Old Rep Theatre, B’ham INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Raceway, Northants TION Bringing together spiders, in- CLUB CAIRO The Arabian Fantasy PERSONA (15) Drama/Thriller. Starring 100 COCKPITS AND CABS Get a closer sects and bugs galore, Sun 20 May, Dance Theatre retell the story of The Bibi Andersson, Liv Ullmann. Electric look inside 100 cockpits and vehi- Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, Serpent Slayer, a touching tale of Cinema, Birmingham, Tues 15 May cles, Sat 19 May, RAF Cosford, Nr Leamington Spa how hope can shine through the dark- THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, est of skies, Sat 19 May, Crescent MISSOURI (15) Mystery/Thriller. Star- Theatre, Birmingham ring Frances McDormand, Woody VERTIGO Birmingham Institute of The- Harrelson. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 18 atre Arts present a showcase of musi- May cal theatre, Sat 19 - Sun 20 May, WITHNAIL & I (15) Comedy/Drama. The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham Starring Richard E. Grant, Paul Mc- THE DAMNED UNITED Adaptation of Gann. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, David Peace’s ingenious novel about Sat 19 May; Mockingbird Cinema, legendary football manager Brian Birmingham, Sun 20 May Clough, Sun 20 May, Artrix, Broms- TRAINSPOTTING AND T2 DOUBLE BILL grove (18) Drama. Starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner. Mockingbird Cinema, Birmingham, Sat 19 May DIRTY DANCING (15) Drama/Music. Kids Shows Starring Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey. Beacon Park, Lichfield, Sat 19 SARAH AND DUCK'S BIG TOP BIRTHDAY May Brand new stage show featuring THE TWILIGHT SAGA (5 FILM MARATHON) characters from the BAFTA Award- (12) Drama/Fantasy. Starring Kristen winning CBeebies show, Mon 14 - Stewart, Robert Pattinson. Mocking- Tues 15 May, The Old Rep Theatre, bird Cinema, B’ham, Sun 20 May Big Bang VW Festival - Santa Pod Raceway, Northants Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Birmingham Mon 21 - Sun 27 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:55 Page 1

58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham Mon 21 - Sun 27 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:55 Page 2

thelist Monday 21 - Sunday 27 May May, The Red Lion Fri 25 May, The Core Club, Birmingham Gigs Folk Club, Birmingham Theatre, Solihull Classical Music ALLYSON SMITH, COMEDY CAROUSEL THE UP-BEAT BEATLES THE HANDSOME BEASTS WITH ANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC TOMMY EMMANUEL MIDDAY MUSIC: KAPUSTIN & SCRIABIN Thurs 24 May, Lichfield Fri 25 May, Route 44, Thurs 24 May, The Glee Club, Birm- Mon 21 May, Birming- Featuring Kuan Hua Li (piano), Yu- Garrick Birmingham ingham ham Town Hall Syuan (flute) & Fritz Chung (cello), YORUBA WOMEN'S THE SEX PISSED DOLLS ANDREW BIRD, WILL DUGGAN & CHRIS NILÜFER YANYA Mon 21 Mon 21 May, Royal Birmingham Con- CHOIR Thurs 24 May, Fri 25 May, The Robin, PURCHASE Fri 25 May, Wolverhamp- May, The Sunflower servatoire MAC, Birmingham Bilston ton Grand Theatre Lounge, Birmingham BEETHOVEN'S TRIPLE CONCERTO Featur- PEACE Thurs 24 May, GRETCHEN PETERS Fri CHRIS RAMSEY Fri 25 May, Stafford SAM EVIAN Mon 21 ing Hagai Shaham (violin), Arnon O2 Academy, B’ham 25 May, Birmingham Gatehouse Theatre May, Hare & Hounds, Erez (piano), Raphael Wallfisch Town Hall Birmingham COCO AND THE BUTTER- (cello) & David Curtis (conductor). LARRY DEAN Fri 25 May, The Glee FIELDS Thurs 24 May, THE DMA'S Fri 25 May, Programme comprises Beethoven’s Club, Birmingham THE UNDERGROUND O2 Academy, B’ham O2 Institute, B’ham Coriolan Overture, Op.62 & Triple YOUTH + HISTORY OF Concerto in C major, Op.56 plus SPITFIRE Thurs 24 May, THE HUNNA Fri 25 May, SEX Mon 21 May, The Mendelssohn’s Symphony No4 in A The Asylum, B’ham O2 Academy, B’ham Castle & Falcon, Birm- major, Op.90 'Italian', Wed 23 May, ingham LO MOON Thurs 24 May, BLUES CLUB WITH MID- Birmingham Town Hall Hare & Hounds, Birm- NIGHT CITY SOUL BAND LISA KNAPP Mon 21 CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- ingham Sat 26 May, The Night May, Kitchen Garden CHESTRA: PROKOFIEV AND BERNSTEIN Owl, Birmingham Cafe, Birmingham NANNA RADLEYS Thurs Featuring Ludovic Morlot (conductor) GAZ COOMBES Mon 21 24 May, The Jam DIG? Sat 26 May, The & Tasmin Little (violin). Programme May, O2 Institute, House, Birmingham Night Owl, B’ham includes works by Stravinsky, Bern- Birmingham JAPANESE BREAKFAST THE MICHAEL JACKSON stein & Prokofiev, Thurs 24 May, CLOUDBUSTING - A TRIB- Thurs 24 May, Hare & HISTORY SHOW Sat 26 Symphony Hall, Birmingham UTE TO KATE BUSH Tues Hounds, Birmingham May, The Core The- L’ERACLITO AMOROSO Featuring Mark 22 May, Artrix, Broms- JIZZY PEARL/LOVE/HATE atre, Solihull Chambers (counter tenor), Jamie grove Fri 25 May, The Asy- ECHO AND THE BUNNY- Savan (cornetto), Paula Chateauneuf CATHERINE NIGHTINGALE lum, Birmingham MEN Sat 26 May, Sym- (theorbo/guitar) & Steven Devine (harpsichord/organ). Programme in- & OZ MCGOWAN Tues BRYAN ADAMS Fri 25 phony Hall, B’ham cludes works by Ferrari, Merula & 22 May, The Jam May, Genting Arena, GEORGIA BURGESS Sat Strozzi, Fri 25 May, The Barber Insti- ALLYSON SMITH, ELLIOT STEEL, House, Birmingham Birmingham 26 May, O2 Institute, tute, University of Birmingham TANYALEE DAVIS & COMIC TBC Fri 25 - STACEY KENT Tues 22 LE FREAK Fri 25 May, Birmingham Sat 26 May, The Glee Club, B’ham JOSEPH CALLEJA AND THE CBSO Also May, Lichfield Garrick The Night Owl, B’ham GERD JANSON, ALEXAN- featuring Andrew Greenwood (con- SHAZIA MIRZA Sat 26 May, Artrix, DER NUT & BYRON THE THE REGRETTES Tues 22 CLARE TEAL AND HER ductor). Programme includes works Bromsgrove AQUARIUS Sat 26 May, May, The Sunflower TRIO Fri 25 May, Artrix, by Verdi, Massenet, Bizet, Cilea, Puc- NICK DOODY, DAVE LONGLEY, FUNMBI Hare & Hounds, Birm- Lounge, Birmingham Bromsgrove cini & Offenbach d’Hoffmann, Fri 25 OMOTAYO & ANDREW ROBINSON Sat 26 ingham AN EVENING WITH SI- CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. May, Symphony Hall, Birmingham May, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham THE RED LEMONS Sat 26 MONE FELICE Tues 22 LONDON BLACK Fri 25 THE OPERA BOYS Sat 26 May, Lichfield IMPROV COMEDY WITH BOX OF FROGS May, The Jam House, May, Hare & Hounds, May, O2 Academy, Garrick Sun 27 May, The Glee Club, B’ham Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham BENJAMIN GROSVENOR & FRIENDS: ENEMO J Sat 26 May, DIRE STRAITS UK Wed THE WEDDING PRESENT - BRAHMS AND SCHUBERT. Featuring O2 Academy, B’ham 23 May, The Glee "TOMMY" 30TH ANNIVER- Hyeyoon Park (violin), Brett Dean Club, Birmingham SARY TOUR Fri 25 May, THE KING OF POP Sat 26 (viola), Kian Soltani (cello) & Leon BUZZIN' HORNETS Wed O2 Academy, B’ham May, Artrix, Broms- Bosch (double bass), Sat 26 May, Theatre 23 May, The Jam THE RED LEMONS Fri 25 grove Birmingham Town Hall LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL House, Birmingham May, The Jam House, SAX IN THE CITY: THE Smash- EDWINA HAYES & ROS- Birmingham NOTEBENDERS Sat 26 hit musical starring Lucie Jones, Rita ALIE DEIGHTON Wed 23 WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN May, Symphony Hall, Simons and Bill Ward, Mon 21 - Sat Birmingham 26 May, New Alexandra Theatre, LITTLE CAVALIER FESTI- Comedy Birmingham SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL CURTAIN VAL 2018 Sat 26 - Sun TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 21 May, 27 May, The Flapper, The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham Liza Goddard & Robert Powell star, Birmingham SIMON EVANS Tues 22 May, The Glee Mon 21 - Sat 26 May, Malvern The- THE BEAT, BUZZCOCKS, atres THE SELECTER & STIFF LITTLE FINGERS Sun 27 May, Genting Arena, Birmingham AMBIENT STATE Sun 27 May, Ort Cafe, B’ham BATTLE OF THE BRITS: BEATLES VS STONES Sun 27 May, The Night Owl, Birmingham HUEY MORGAN'S NYC BLOCK PARTY Sun 27 May, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham Gretchen Peters - Birmingham Town Hall Legally Blonde The Musical - New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Birmingham Mon 21 - Sun 27 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:55 Page 3

60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham Mon 21 - Sun 27 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:55 Page 4

thelist Monday 21 - Sunday 27 May ART CATALOGUE D’EMOJIS Nigel Havers, Denis Lawson and Interdisciplinary Stephen Tompkinson star in the music theatre event fusing traditional award-winning comedy, Mon 21 - Sat piano playing with text, movement, 26 May, Birmingham Hippodrome games and virtuosity, Sat 26 May, DELIVERED DOZEN - A MINERS' TALE Royal Birmingham Conservatoire URINETOWN THE MUSICAL The true story of the Nine Locks Or- Presented deal - a mining disaster in the Black by the Crescent Theatre Company, Country in 1869, Tues 22 May, Sat 26 May - Sat 2 June, Crescent Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Theatre, Birmingham GINGER JOHNSON: GLAMOROUS GRAN AND OTHER TALL STORIES A lively col- lection of original children’s stories in- spired by the lives of LGBTQIA+ people, Sun 27 May, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Kids Shows DISORDER: CLOUD BUSTING WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD Artrix Youth Join the Theatre Company present a theatrical woolly sheep, the hairy hog, the fat staging of Malorie Blackman’s chil- red hen and the dainty dog in this mu- dren’s novel of the same name, Tues sical adaptation of Julia Donaldson & 22 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove Lydia Monks' colourful farmyard ad- THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE Hayley venture, Wed 23 - Thurs 24 May, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Tamaddon takes the lead in the Tony FIRST STAGES - TOM THUMB Award-winning musical based on the Lyngo 1967 film of the same name, Tues 22 Theatre presents an innovative piece - Sat 26 May, Regent Theatre, of theatre for younger audiences - Art performed entirely on and under a Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 21 - Sat 26 May GOLDILOCK, STOCK & THREE SMOKING kitchen table, Sat 26 May, The REP, BEARS Original alternative comedy, Birmingham Nigel Havers, Denis Lawson and Stephen Tompkinson star in the MR SILLY PANCAKE AND THE LAND OF welcome return of Yasmina Reza's award-winning play. The story Wed 23 - Fri 25 May, Old Joint Stock CAKE AND BISCUITS Theatre, Birmingham Knees & Toes revolves around a seemingly unremarkable painting and the major DARK CORNERS New storytelling per- Theatre fuse original music & pup- dispute it triggers between three longstanding friends - a dispute formance from Polarbear (aka spoken petry to transport young audiences to that uncovers old grievances and crucial unspoken misunder- word artist Steven Camden) about the land of Cake And Biscuits, Sat 26 - Sun 27 May, MAC, Birmingham standings... how the decisions we're scared to PINOCCHIO make can come back to haunt us, Blue Orange Arts presents Wed 23 - Sat 26 May, The REP, Birm- its version of Carlo Collodi's much- AVENGERS MARATHON (10 FILMS) Ad- ingham loved children's tale, Sat 26 May - Sat cinemas nationwide from London's venture/Fantasy. Mockingbird Cin- OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD BFI Southbank, Sun 27 May, True story of a 2 June, The Blue Orange Theatre, ema, Birmingham, Sun 27 May MAC, Birmingham & Malvern The- group of convicts and a young officer Birmingham atres DARKEST HOUR (PG) who rehearse and perform Australia's PATRICIA ROUTLEDGE: FACING THE Biography/Drama. Starring Gary Old- first theatrical production, Wed 23 MUSIC man, Lily James. Artrix, Bromsgrove, May - Sat 2 June, The REP, B’ham Patricia Routledge in conver- Wed 30 May KING LEAR sation with writer and broadcaster Ed- Return of Gregory Doran's Dance ward Seckerson, Sun 27 May, acclaimed production, starring Antony Lichfield Garrick NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Sher, Wed 23 May - Sat 9 June, PASHA KOVALEV'S THE MAGIC OF HOLLY- HENRY BLOFELD - 78 RETIRED The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, WOOD Released from Thurs 24 May, show- Lights, Camera... Ballroom. golden voice of cricket shares un- Stratford-upon-Avon ing at selected cinemas Pasha Kovalev (from BBC TV's heard anecdotes from on and off the Strictly Come Dancing) returns with a pitch, Sun 27 May, MAC, Birmingham SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (tbc) brand new show packed with se- Released from Fri 25 May, showing at quins, glitz and glamour, Tues 22 selected cinemas May, The Core Theatre, Solihull SHOW DOGS (PG) THE BREADWINNER (12a) Film THE LITTLE VAMPIRE (U) Talks INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: DAN AND PHIL: INTERACTIVE INTRO- WINCHESTER (15) Biography/Fantasy. VERTS Starring Helen Mirren, Sarah Snook. Join the internet-dwelling nerds Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 25 & Wed 30 Events for an interactive experience of rants, May THE JEFF ASTLE STORY roasts, battles, stories and surprises, DUNGEON LATES ‘Scary storytelling’ is Celebration of Tues 22 May, Symphony Hall, B’ham AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (tbc) Adven- combined with ‘wicked humour and the life of the West Brom footballing MCKELLEN: PLAYING THE PART LIVE ture/Fantasy. Starring Robert Downey manic theatrics’ in this adults-only en- hero. All proceeds go to the Jeff Astle Jr, Karen Gillan. Mockingbird Cin- Celebrate one of Britain's true icons tertainment, blending special effects Foundation, Thurs 24 - Sun 27 May, ema, Birmingham, Fri 25 - Thurs 31 during his birthday weekend. Hosted with live performance art, Fri 25 May, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham May by Graham Norton and broadcast to Warwick Castle

whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Birmingham Mon 21 - Sun 27 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:55 Page 5

62 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham Mon 21 - Sun 27 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 14:55 Page 6

thelist Monday 21 - Sunday 27 May SHROPSHIRE COUNTY SHOW Celebra- FIRST WORLD WAR ACTIVITIES Insight tion of the rural community, highlight- into life as a pilot during the First ing the role it plays in our daily lives, World War, Sat 26 May - Sun 3 June, Sat 26 May, West Mid Showground, RAF Cosford, Nr Wolverhampton Shrewsbury WITSUN WEEK HALF TERM Craft activi- IAN BURRELL: THE GLOBAL AMBAS- ties and trails around the grounds, SADOR FOR RUM Learn all you need to Sat 26 May - Sun 3 June, Sarehole know about the tropical tipple, while Mill, Birmingham sampling a selection of world-class PIRATE FESTIVAL Arrive dressed as a varieties, Sat 26 May, MAC, B’ham pirate for a swashbuckling day, Sat IRONBRIDGE GORGE WWII WEEKEND 26 May - Sun 3 June, Hatton Adven- Community charity fundraising event ture World, Warwickshire in the historic Ironbridge Gorge, Sat THE MOTOR SHOW Featuring up to 600 26 - Sun 27 May, Ironbridge, Telford, vintage and classic cars, American, Shropshire kit & custom, motorcycles and com- QUEEN VICTORIA'S BIRTHDAY Join the mercial vehicles, plus club stands, residents of Blists Hill Victorian Town trade and autojumble stands, Sun 27 as they celebrate the birthday and May, Ragley Hall, Warwickshire long reign of their much loved Queen BUBBLE DISCO Featuring a DJ, danc- Victoria with great pomp and ing, glow sticks, games and bubbles, pageantry, Sat 26 - Sun 27 May, Sun 27 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge OAK APPLE DAY CELEBRATIONS Tradi- WARS OF THE ROSES LIVE Epic new tional celebration of the 1660 restora- live-action show, Sat 26 May - Sun 3 tion of the monarchy, Sun 27 - Mon June, Warwick Castle 28 May, The Commandery, Worcester MADE IN THE BLACK COUNTRY From CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL Victorian games door knockers to record-breaking and activities for all, Sun 27 - Mon 28 cars, celebrate the Black Country's May, Witley Court, Great Witley, manufacturing prowess, Sat 26 May - Worcestershire Sun 3 June, Black Country Living Mu- War Of The Roses Live - Warwick Castle seum, Dudley

whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Birmingham Mon 28 - Thurs 31 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 18:57 Page 1

64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham Mon 28 - Thurs 31 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 18:57 Page 2

thelist Monday 28 - Thursday 31 May John Hegley takes his audience on a Classical Music humorous journey through his living ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN Featuring library of poems, songs, stories and Julian Lloyd Webber (conductor) & animal drawings, Tues 29 May, MAC, Jian Wang & Jiaxin Lloyd Webber Birmingham 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD (cellos). Programme includes works Stefanie by Elgar, Haydn & Vivaldi, Mon 28 Powers stars in the stage version of May, Royal Birmingham Conserva- Helene Hanff’s bestselling book, Tues toire 29 May - Sat 2 June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre STOMP Smash-hit production, combin- ing dance, comedy and music, in which familiar objects - dustbin lids, plastic bags and newspapers - are used to create a universal language, Tues 29 May - Sat 2 June, Birming- ham Hippodrome FRANKENSTEIN 1899 Don’t Go Into The Cellar present a reimagining of Mary Shelley’s Gothic horror story, Wed 30 May, The Civic, Stourport-on-Severn The Magic Numbers - Hare & Hounds JOHN FILLMORE FLYING VISIT The writer May, The Glee Club, Wed 30 May, The and star of the award-winning BBC Gigs Birmingham Robin, Bilston radio programme brings his brand EMMA STEVENS Tues 29 THE LOVELY EGGS Wed new live show to the stage, Wed 30 SEAN MCGOWAN, May, The Robin, Bil- 30 May, Hare & May, New Alexandra Theatre, ANNA'S ANCHOR & MIKE ston Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham MALONEY Mon 28 May, MOUNTAINS: THE DREAMS OF LILY KWOK The Sunflower THE ACOUSTIC SES- LATINMOTION PRESENTS Lounge, Birmingham SIONS Tues 29 May, DEL CAMINO Thurs 31 CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- New play by award-winning writer In- The Jam House, Birm- May, The Jam House, CHESTRA: FAURÉ'S REQUIEM Featuring Sofko Chappell, telling the story of SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL ingham Birmingham Mirga Gražinyt -Tyla (conductor), the woman behind famous Manch- FEAT. GOOD CHARLOTTE, CBSO Chorus ė& CBSO Children's ester restaurant Sweet Mandarin, JIMMY EAT WORLD, REDFACES, KARKOSA & THE SHADES Thurs 31 Chorus. Programme includes works Wed 30 May - Sat 2 June, Belgrade FRANK CARTER & THE THE LIFE Tues 29 May, May, O2 Academy, by Boulanger & Fauré, Thurs 31 May, Theatre, Coventry RATTLE SNAKES Hare & Hounds, Birm- Birmingham Mon 28 Symphony Hall, Birmingham CONCUBINE May, NEC, Birming- ingham DANNY WRIGHT Thurs Amhara Spence's one- ham CHARLES WATSON Wed 31 May, Scruffy Mur- COMMUTER CONCERT: GOLDBERG VARIA- woman show exploring womanhood, TIONS Featuring Kurt Rampton sexuality and faith, Thurs 31 May - THE MAGIC NUMBERS 30 May, Hare & phys, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham (organ), Thurs 31 May, Royal Birm- Sat 2 June, The REP, Birmingham Mon 28 May, Hare & KENT DUCHAINE Thurs ingham Conservatoire MISCHIEF FESTIVAL Hounds, Birmingham PATSY FULLER & THE 31 May, Katie Fitzger- Double bill of new plays exploring global questions of A CHANGE IS GONNA REVELATORS Wed 30 ald's, Stourbridge truth, freedom and corruption, Thurs COME Tues 29 May, May, The Jam House, HEART OF A COWARD 31 May - Sat 23 June, The Other Birmingham Town Hall Birmingham Thurs 31 May, The Place, Stratford-upon-Avon BROOKE CANDY Tues 29 IAN PARKER & HIS BAND Asylum, Birmingham Comedy TIM VINE Wed 30 May, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent Kids Shows OLD MACDONALD AND THE THREE PIGS PLUS... Colourful interactive show for younger audiences which weaves to- gether two popular children’s nursery rhymes, Tues 29 May, Artrix, Broms- grove MY DAD THE MAGICIAN Inventive show for children featuring handmade magic tricks, live music, cassette ELF LYONS Thurs 31 May, Warwick players, DJ skills, audience interac- Arts Centre, Coventry tion and a rabbit called Horace, Thurs NICK DOODY, JIMMY MCGHIE & COMEDY 31 May, MAC, Birmingham CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 31 May, The Glee Club, Birmingham HAL CRUTTENDEN Thurs 31 May, Lich- field Garrick Film INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: PETER RABBIT (PG) Animation/Adven- ture. With the voices of James Cor- Theatre den, Fayssal Bazzi. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 30 May Frank Carter & The Rattle Snakes - NEC, Birmingham JOHN HEGLEY: ALL HAIL THE SNAIL Poet whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Birmingham Mon 28 - Thurs 31 May.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 18:57 Page 3

thelist Monday 28 - Thursday 31 May DARKEST HOUR (PG) CASTLE QUEST Mon 28 May - Fri 1 Biography/Drama. Starring Gary Old- June, Tamworth Castle man, Lily James. Artrix, Bromsgrove, PIRATE WEEK Mon 28 May - Sun 3 Wed 30 May June, Selly Manor, Bournville, B’ham MAY HALF-TERM CRAFTS Animal- themed craft activities, Tues 29 - Thurs 31 May, , Birm- ingham ANIMAL MANIA Mobile zoo including lizards, snakes, chinchillas, hedge- hogs, giant bunnies, tortoises, creepy crawlies and much more, Wed 30 May, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham PICTURE THIS! FAMILY DRAWING TOUR Have a go at drawing challenges, Wed 30 - Thurs 31 May, Aston Hall, Birmingham Operation Earth STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY SHOW Featur- ing JCB Dancing Diggers, Wed 30 - Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham, Mon 28 May - Fri 1 June Thurs 31 May, Staffordshire County Described by its organisers as ‘the ultimate interactive experience’, Showground Operation Earth is an exploration of environmental science, pro- LITTLE SKIPPERS - BOSTIN BLACK COUN- viding youngsters with plenty of information about how they can TRY Featuring activities and a boat help to keep the planet healthy. Events trip, Wed 30 - Thurs 31 May, Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust Activities include an indoor nature survey, air analysis and a mi- OPERATION EARTH SHOW New family croscopic look at ‘the world around us’. show exploring ‘the amazing stories MAY HALF-TERM FAMILY CRAFTS Have a go at bee-themed crafts, make a pot Children can also get creative with a themed craft and borrow one and science of the environment’, Mon of the event’s fun-filled backpacks, specially designed for young- 28 May - Fri 1 June, Thinktank Sci- and sow a seed to take home, Wed ence Museum, Birmingham 30 May - Fri 1 June, Wightwick sters aged between three and seven. Manor, Wolverhampton

66 whatsonlive.co.uk West Midlands Railway F/P May 2018.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 18:36 Page 1 BRB Romeo F/P Pride 2018.qxp_Layout 1 23/04/2018 18:35 Page 1