Shropshire Cover December 2018.qxp_Shropshire Cover 20/11/2018 17:09 Page 1 TOM WRIGGLESWORTH Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands IN SHREWSBURY SHROPSHIRE WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2018 ON DECEMBER WHAT’S SHROPSHIRE Shropshire ISSUE 396 DECEMBER 2018 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On shropshirewhatson.co.uk PART OF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP GROUP MEDIA ON WHAT’S OF PART inside: ★★★★★ ‘ THE HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN!’ Yourthe 16-pagelist week loveshrewsbury.com by week listings guide FESTIVE CHEER Victorian-style entertainment at Ironbridge Gorge’s Blists Hill TWITTER: @WHATSONSHROPS TWITTER: RONI SIZE Mercury Prize winner makes his Shropshire club debut FACEBOOK: @WHATSONSHROPSHIRE CHRISTMAS IN SOUTHWATER return of the European markets SHROPSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK (IFC) Shropshire.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 17:35 Page 1 Contents December Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/11/2018 16:18 Page 2 December 2018 Contents Nativity! The Musical - hit West End show visits the Potteries... more on page 28 Izzy Wizzy... Roni Size Victorian Christmas the list Richard and Sooty conjure up Brit Award winner makes his plenty of festive cheer at Your 16-page some festive magic in Wolves Shropshire club debut Blists Hill Victorian Town week-by-week listings guide feature page 8 page 15 page 46 page 51 inside: 4. First Word 11. Food 15. Music 19. Comedy 24. Theatre 37. Film 40. Visual Arts 45. Events @whatsonwolves @whatsonstaffs @whatsonshrops Wolverhampton What’s On Magazine Staffordshire What’s On Magazine Shropshire What’s On Magazine Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 What’sOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 MEDIA GROUP Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Steve Adams, Lauren Cole, Nanci Davies, Jack Rolfe, Elly Yates-Roberts, Daisy Sparkle, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Wolverhampton December.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 15:31 Page 1 Entertainment news from around the region A grand 2019 line-up at Wolverhampton’s Grand! UK touring versions of Calendar Girls The Musical and The Rocky Horror Show (pictured) will visit Wolverhampton Grand Theatre next year. The productions are part of an impressive line- up of entertainment at the venue that also fea- tures appearances by Brian Blessed, Elkie Brooks, Tony Blackburn and Northern Ballet. Other 2019 highlights at the Grand include a first-ever visit by Birmingham Royal Ballet, who will be performing a double bill compris- ing new dance show Seasons In Our World and Prokofiev’s much-loved Peter And The Wolf. For more information about the Grand’s line- up of shows, visit grandtheatre.co.uk New Vic Theatre seeking Sales & Development Manager, Matt Clay, Bongo’s Bingo takes its said: “We are overjoyed at the generosity of associate artist for 2019 local businesses. The amount of sponsored bow in Wolverhampton The New Vic Theatre has opened applica- tickets we’ve received has exceeded our ex- An ‘insane’ mix of a live show, a rave and a tions for its artistic development programme, pectations.” heads-down game of bingo is debuting in The Kiln, and is now searching for a local Wolverhampton this month. artist, collective or company to become Asso- Bongo’s Bingo takes place at the city’s ciate Artist for 2019. Inviting applications Hangar venue on Friday 7, Saturday 8 & Mon- from local artists based in North Stafford- day 31 December, with the first of the three shire who are working in performance, the shows featuring an appearance by chart-top- New Vic’s artistic development programme ping electronic band N-Trance. offers a 12-month placement of bespoke sup- Other highlights include dance-offs, audi- port, tailored to the needs and ambitions of ence participation, ‘countless’ hands-in-the- the successful Associate Artist. air anthems and the opportunity to win a For more information about The Kiln, visit selection of prizes, among which are a pink newvictheatre.org.uk. Dickens at Mitton Manor unicorn, mobility scooters, boxes of Coco Pops and life-size cardboard cut-outs! Visit Staffordshire’s Mitton Manor Gardens is kick- bongosbingo.co.uk for more information. starting December by hosting a stage adapta- tion of Charles Dickens’ classic ghost story, A Christmas Carol. The highly rated Chapter- house theatre company are the ensemble pre- senting the production, which takes place at the venue on Saturday 1 December. For more information, visit mittonmanor.co.uk Theatre and businesses team up to help families Lichfield Garrick Theatre is working with businesses and charities to help families who are suffering bereavement, illness or trauma Sir Elton back on the road to attend the venue’s pantomime production Sir Elton John will visit the Midlands in 2020 of Dick Whittington this Christmas. with his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. The scheme has already been a huge success, The show stops off at Arena Birmingham on 9 with 13 local businesses sponsoring 26 fami- November 2020, and then at Resorts World lies. The sponsored family tickets will be dis- Arena two days later, on the 11th. tributed by local charities. For information about ticket availability, Commenting on the initiative, the Garrick’s visit theticketfactory.com 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Wolverhampton December.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2018 15:31 Page 2 First Word Ian McKellen turns 80 in the Midlands Sir Ian McKellen is to cele- brate his 80th birthday next year by presenting a new solo show on 80 stages across the UK, including Birmingham Repertory Theatre (on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 June). The Lord Of The Rings star is touring his production to raise money for theatres. Commenting on the news, The REP’s Artistic Director, Rox- ana Silbert, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Ian to Birmingham next year. This will be a special show and a rare and excellent opportunity to celebrate one of the UK’s greatest actors.” Jasmin Vardimon celebrates 20 years of dance creativity Choreographer Jasmin Vardimon makes a welcome return to the Midlands early next year with a show that reflects on the powerful feminine symbol of Medusa, both in terms of the myth itself and its various contemporary connotations. The production celebrates the 20th anniversary of Jasmin’s company and is being presented at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn on Monday 18 February. For more information, visit theatresevern.co.uk Steve Punt to Paul Weller to play Forest Live 2019 narrate Rocky Paul Weller will next year take part in Forest Live for the first time A feast of festive Horror in Stoke since 2014. The annual summer concert series, promoted by the Forestry Com- entertainment Comedian Steve Punt will mission, takes place in seven beautiful forests, including Cannock Birmingham’s Symphony Hall star as The Narrator in the Chase in Staffordshire and Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire. looks to have Christmas cov- UK tour of The Rocky Horror Commenting on his ered this month, presenting a Show when it visits Stoke- participation in the programme of entertainment on-Trent’s Regent Theatre 2019 concerts, Paul for the whole family to enjoy. from Monday 3 to Saturday said: “The Forest The festive celebrations begin 8 June. Commenting on his shows are always with Christmas Spectacular, involvement in the produc- great gigs for us. ‘the ultimate Christmas party tion, Steve said: “Rocky is a It’s been a while with a snow-filled finale’. Fol- show I've known for a long since I last did lowing that, there's Carols By time and always loved, so it them, so I’m really Candlelight - featuring an or- was a lovely thing to be looking forward to chestra in full 18th century asked to do it.” next year.” costume - Christmas Carol Sin- Tickets for The Rocky Horror galong with Jonathan Cohen, Show are now available at White Christmas - comprising the Regent’s box office, on- favourite Christmas songs and line or by calling 0844 871 ESL One returns to the Midlands carols - the big band sound of 7649. If you’re a fan of multiplayer online battle arena video game Dota 2, Glenn Miller, and Piano Leg- there’s a Birmingham Arena event happening next spring that you ends - including the music of, won’t want to miss. among others, Billy Joel and Hosted by esports organiser and production company ESL, the three- Elton John. day get-together at the venue (31 May - 2 June) will see 12 of the To check out Symphony Hall’s world’s best Dota 2 teams battling it out for a share of the $300,000 complete line-up of Christmas prize pool.