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JO CAULFIELD BRINGS HER UNINFORMED OPINIONS TO THE REGION... Matthew Bourne’s Matthew production revised Midlands the in arrives MIDLANDS WEST ART NEW region’s the showcasing talent... artistic having a whip-cracking a having Jane Calamity as time inside... interview EDWARD SCISSORHANDS EDWARD JODIE PRENGER JODIE 12 FEBRUARY 2015 2 42 92 grandtheatre.co.uk ISSUE 350 350 ISSUE 0190 sOn ’ MON 16 - SAT 21 FEBRUARY 21 SAT - 16 MON & BLACK COUNTRY BLACK & Box Box Office BOOK ONLINE AT ONLINE BOOK .co.uk

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www. WOLVERHAMPTON WOLVERHAMPTON What THE MIDLANDS ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE ENTERTAINMENT ULTIMATE MIDLANDS THE Wolves & B'Cntry Cover .qxp_Wolves & B/Country 02/02/2015 15:10 Page 1 Page 15:10 02/02/2015 & B/Country .qxp_Wolves Cover B'Cntry & Wolves WOLVERHAMPTON & BLACK COUNTRY WHAT’S ON ISSUE 350 FEBRUARY 2015 PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS @WHATSONWOLVES WWW.WHATSONLIVE.CO.UK Manford Comedy Club (FP-Feb).qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 17:16 Page 1 Contents Feb Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 18:11 Page 1

February 2015

Editor: INSIDE: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Editorial Assistants: Curious Incident... Brian O’Faolain Simon Stephens talks [email protected] 01743 281701 about his stage adaptation Lauren Foster interview p6 [email protected] 01743 281707 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703

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Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Managing Director: New Art West Midlands Paul Oliver [email protected] showcasing the region’s 01743 281711 artistic talent... p51 Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan [email protected] 01743 281710

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Accounts Administrator Jo Caulfield - comedian talks about bringing her Uninformed Opinions to Julia Perry [email protected] the Midlands. Interview page 10 01743 281717 Website Development: Eddie Payne TO GET THE VERY Contributors: News p4 Graham Bostock: Theatre LATEST LISTING James Cameron-Wilson: INFORMATION, Half-Term Fun Film; Alev Dervish: Music Music p13 activities aplenty at Eva Easthope, Jessica VISIT: Aston, Patsy Moss, Jack World Heritage site p55 Rolfe, Jan Watts, Reggie whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy p22 White, Simon Carter INCLUDING Head Office: BOOKING ONLINE 13-14 Abbey Foregate, Theatre p25 Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE The Midlands’ most Tel: 01743 281777 comprehensive p40 e-mail: [email protected] entertainment website Dance

Follow us on... Film/DVD p43 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is Visual Arts p51 produced without the use February 2015 of elemental chlorine. Wolverhampton Events p55 We endorse the recycling & Black Country MTWTFSS of our magazine and @whatsonwolves would encourage you to 1 Staffordshire p65 pass it on to others to Eating Out 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 read when you have @whatsonstaffs finished with it. Shropshire 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 ’ @whatsonshrops 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 WhatsOn 23 24 25 26 27 28 MAGAZINE GROUP All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. News January Davina.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 18:14 Page 1

News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Carl Fogarty to lead Bike4Life Fest I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! winner and seven-times World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty is appealing to riders from across the region to join him at this year’s Bike4Life Fest. The twenty-three mile motor- bike procession from Shrewsbury to RAF Museum Cosford takes place on Sunday 26 April and will be raising funds for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC). Last year more than eight thousand bikers, their families and friends from across the UK took part in the event, making it one of the biggest and best biker rides in the country.

Lucy and Christopher Key West End professionals looking for local talent As West End Resident Director and Worldwide Associate Director of hit musical Les Miserables, Christopher Key is no stranger to the world of musical theatre and all it entails. Now Christopher and his wife Lucy are looking to share their skills and extensive knowledge of the industry with youngsters from Shropshire who have a passion for the performing arts. The Much Wenlock-based couple recently launched Key Theatre Academy at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn, for young people aged between eleven and twenty-one. The Saturday per- Bach Choir extends invitation forming arts course is run by West End professionals, including leading lady Erica Deakin, Birmingham Bach Choir is inviting singers whose credits include Mamma Mia!, Billy Elliot, Oliver! and Spend, Spend, Spend. Using its from across the West Midlands to join its direct link to the West End, television and film, Key Theatre Academy is promising to be a annual Come And Sing event this month. local performing arts course like no other. Anyone wishing to register or find out more can do Taking place at Selly Oak Methodist Church so by emailing info@keytheatreacademycom on 7 February, the afternoon event explores Faure’s Requiem via an informal for the coming season, workshop/rehearsal led by the choir’s including a sound-and- Hippodrome boss steps down Musical Director and conductor, Paul Spicer. light show in the famous after twelve ‘exciting and Also in attendance will be Birmingham Singing Cavern. The Conservatoire soloists Elizabeth Adams and new show is being rewarding’ years Tim Emberson. launched during this Birmingham Hippodrome’s Chief Executive, A booking form and more information about month’s half-term holi- Stuart Griffiths OBE, has announced he’s to the event can be found at www.birming- day. An ‘exciting’ programme of events is step down after twelve years in his current ham.bachchoir.com also planned for the remainder of the year. post to become Programming Director for Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG). Stuart will join ATG in July and will work alongside Michael Lynas (Managing Director, New display explores aviation Content) to deliver top-quality productions to during the First World War the group’s thirty-nine venues, including Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre and A new exhibition area celebrating the the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent. achievements of Britain’s air services has Commenting on his time at the Hippodrome, been unveiled at the Royal Air Force Stuart said: “I feel hugely privileged to have Museum Cosford. had the opportunity to work with a fantastic A permanent fixture at the museum, First team at Birmingham for over twelve years, World War In The Air allows visitors to find which have out about the often-overlooked role of air been the most Dudley Canals celebrates power during the 1914/18 conflict. Stories exciting and from the men and women who served and rewarding of visitor success protected the nation, documents, film and my career. I’ve Dudley Canal Trust enjoyed a significant photographs all feature in the exhibition, been very increase in visitor numbers last year. A twen- illustrating the way in which aviation lucky to have ty-three percent rise in the last quarter of changed the character of war forever. been gener- 2014 is being attributed to the success of the Highlights of the display include three iconic ously support- Trust’s annual Santa boat trips. The boats First World War aircraft - the Sopwith Pup, ed throughout sold out as early as November, with extra Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter and the Bristol M.1c. that time by dates being added to cope with demand. Also displayed are personal items belonging wonderful col- Continuing to expand its visitor offer, the to Second Lieutenant Kevin Robert Furniss leagues and Trust has revealed numerous new attractions of the RFC, who lived only a few miles from Trustees”. Cosford, in Wolverhampton. 4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk News January Davina.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 18:14 Page 2

Exhibition explores railway links in the 1800s An exhibition of lithographs, original sketches and wash drawings by John Cooke Burne (1814-1896) is to be displayed at the Coalbrookdale Gallery in the Ironbridge Gorge Museum. Drawn from the collections of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and the National Railway Museum, To Check The Tide Of Prejudice (showing from 30 April to 10 September) explores how Bourne’s work presented the railway in a picturesque fashion for the very first time. It also provides a rare glimpse into the construction of early railways and the lives of the navigators who built them.

Faith In The Forest... Multi-talented songstress Paloma Faith has announced she’s to perform at the Forestry Commissions series of outdoor concerts this summer. The Perfect Contradiction star will play seven woodland locations, including Cannock Chase Forest in Staffordshire (10 July) as part of Forest Live. Income from ticket sales is spent pro- tecting, improving and expanding England’s forests and woodlands, increasing their value both to people and wildlife. Of her involvement in the events, Paloma said: “I’m so excited to do the forest tour. I did it before and had such a wonderful time. We’re so very lucky in Britain Second outing for to have such a beautiful and diverse landscape, and I’m so excited to play for you there after-hours festival again. See you all in the summer!” For further information and to purchase tickets, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/music Organisers behind a UK-wide series of events celebrating arts, culture and heritage have added a new date to the calendar. Museums At Night, which traditionally takes IN BRIEF Dempsey to star in Arthur Miller classic place in May, will now also take the form of Michael Brandon, the star of 1980s TV cop show Dempsey And a two-day festival on 30 and 31 October. Wiggle away in the Makepeace, is next month taking top billing in Arthur Miller’s A Now in its seventh year, the event offers visi- West Midlands Bridge Too Far at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (24 to 28 March). US-born Brandon, who in real life is married to his tors an opportunity to explore museums, Leading charity Action Dempsey And Makepeace co-star Glynis Barber, will play Alfieri in galleries and historic spaces out of hours, For Children has Miller’s chilling masterpiece. Jonathan Guy Lewis takes the role of and also features a series of programmed announced it’s teamed Eddie Carbone in the Touring Consortium Theatre Company pro- events. up with The World Of duction. To find out what’s happening in your area, Eric Carle™to encour- visit www.museumsatnight.org.uk age West Midlands children’s centres, nurseries and groups DanceXchange announce new season for the under-fives to All-male troupe 2Faced Dance, Charlotte Vincent’s Dance Theatre host a Giant Wiggle on and a production from award-winning director Benji Reid feature 19 March. The event amongst an eclectic and exciting spring programme from will celebrate the UK’s Birmingham-based DanceXchange. most-read children’s A sure-to-be highlight, and book, The Very bringing the passion and Hungry Caterpillar™. heat of Spain to the Brigitte Gater, UK West Hippodrome’s Patrick Director of Children's Centre, flamenco star Jesus Services at Action For Fernandez promises a nos- A Summer In The South Children, said: “By talgic view of his home town hosting a sponsored in a piece of work titled at The REP Giant Wiggle you will Cadiz - a high energy per- This month sees two of Britain’s most help us to support vul- formance of music and acclaimed actors come together to host a nerable children, dance. For further informa- tribute to one of France’s greatest writers. young people and tion on the spring pro- Robert Powell and Sian Phillips will pay families in the heart of gramme, visit homage to Sidonie-Gabrielle Collete in A communities in the www.danceXchange.org.uk Vincent Dance Theatre Summer In The South at Birmingham West Midlands and Repertory Theatre on 15 February. across the UK.” Devised and directed by Midlands theatre A similar event in Plans for Brierley Hill Civic Hall unveiled critic Richard Edmonds, the two-hander is March 2014 raised Dudley Council has approved a partnership agreement allowing a described as ‘fusing dark and disturbing £80,000 for Action For community group to run Brierley Hill Civic Hall. stories with colourful and amusing ones to Children. For more As part of an entertainment masterplan, the authority has agreed create a haunting mosaic of prose and information on how to that Dudley Council for Voluntary Service (DCVS) can manage the dramatised passages’. get involved, visit running of the building for an initial eighteen-month period. It’s A Summer In The South made its debut at www.actionforchil- hoped that DCVS will use its community contacts to bring more Bromsgrove Festival. It’s since received a dren.org/giantwiggle shows, acts and business to the complex. The council will consult warm welcome at the Edinburgh Festival with community groups throughout the pilot period to evaluate and Hampstead’s Kenwood House. how well the project is working.

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 5 Simon Stephens interview (CA).qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 18:14 Page 1

Simon Stephens playwright talks about adapting The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time for the stage...

It’s a decade now since Mark Haddon’s groundbreaking book, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, snuck out of the publisher’s warehouse and surprised everybody. It was an unlikely novel, with an even less likely leading lad. What at first appeared to be a naïve narrative soon revealed itself to be the personal testimony of a fifteen- year-old boy with Aspergers syndrome. It was a work of fiction, but it was so lovingly researched you’d never have known it. Contesting Haddon’s claim that the story was ‘un-stageable’, playwright Simon Stephens took on the task of adapting The Curious Incident... for the stage. Directed by the award-winning Marianne Elliot, of War Horse fame, the play opened at the National Theatre in 2012 to tremendous acclaim. What’s On caught up with Simon ahead of the show’s arrival in the Midlands this month as part of a national tour.

I was daunted by the “ book’s celebrity and fascinated by the challenge of how one dramatises a novel. ”

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What inspired you to adapt Mark Haddon’s Tell us something about the staging and why Do you have particular connections with any The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The you think Marianne Elliott was the right of the venues that Curious is touring to? Night-Time for the stage? choice to direct the play... Well, I was brought up in Stockport, not Mark asked me to write it for him. I was Marianne has an innate sense of democracy. far from Salford. I went to university in York immensely flattered, as I loved the book and She combines a fearlessly and ferociously between 1989 and 1992, and my mum had been inspired by it in earlier plays before I’d theatrical imagination with a real concern for her and her side of our family is from Belfast. even met him. I was daunted by the book’s audience. She and designer Bunny Christie, celebrity and fascinated by the challenge of together with the rest of the artistic team, I understand you were a teacher? How did how one dramatises a novel. I also very much committed completely to trying to get into that inform your writing, and how did you wanted to find out what Christopher’s parents Christopher’s head and dramatise his world make the leap from teaching to becoming looked like, and thought a good way of doing from within. That’s what watching the play feels a playwright? that would be to dramatise them. like. It feels like you’re in Christopher’s brain. I think both writing and teaching operate from the same optimism. The writer and the teacher How did you set about adapting a novel How involved were you with the creative work from the assumption that they can make which Mark himself had described as process? the world better and can change people. I loved ‘un-stageable’? I was at a fair few rehearsals - mainly to offer teaching. The kids I taught continue to live with The innate dramatic charge of his dialogue occasional re-writes and a very few insights into me in my imagination and inspire my work. means his work is eminently stageable. the progression. Marianne and her team were I never stopped writing while I was teaching. I spent some time trying to separate the so robust that they didn’t need me too much. I After a while, Ian Rickson at the Royal Court narrative from the prose of the book. I worked mainly turned up late and made tea. Theatre read my plays and asked me to be his through it and listed all of the events that resident dramatist, a post which I willingly happened in the story. I then spent some time How do you feel about the show touring accepted and took up in January 2000. I do still transcribing the direct speech. around the UK and Ireland? see some of the teachers I worked with and I had this hunch that in the direct speech there It means the world to me. The whole notion of occasionally some of the kids I taught. would be clues as to the book’s dramatic heart. the tour seems to resonate beautifully with It was through this that I came up with the idea Christopher and his sense of adventure and Who was your favourite teacher and how of using Siobhan as a narrator. She’s one of bravery in the novel. The book is a road story have they influenced your life? only three people in the novel who read and we’re hitting the road. That it started at the A teacher called James Siddely taught me Christopher’s book, and her viewpoint is so Lowry in Salford, so near to where I was born A-Level General Studies. He was the first much like that of the novel’s readers. I also think and raised, means the world. I took sixteen person I ever told that I wanted to be a writer that the idea of a favourite teacher is one many members of my family, including my ninety-four- and he encouraged me without reservation. people can relate to. She’s a peripheral year-old Grandma, to opening night. In fact the Late in his life, he came to see several of character in the novel but central to the play. show started at the Lowry just so she could see my plays in Manchester and we would have it! lunch. That was very special. He remains What do you think the story is about and why an inspiring presence in my work. does it appeal to readers and How did you feel about the success of the theatre-goers? show; from the Cottesloe - the National What other projects are you working on at I think it’s a story about family. It’s about what Theatre’s smallest space - to the West End the moment? it’s like to raise a child or be raised; to parent or and then on to Broadway? I’ve four new plays opening this year. Carmen have parents. I also think it’s a celebration of the I‘m very proud of it. And proud that we never Disruption at London’s Almeida Theatre in April. capacity for bravery in the most unlikely of compromised anything to have it succeed. It Song From Far Away, performed by environments. Stories of bravery and stories of wasn’t our intention to succeed with the play. Toneelgroep Amsterdam, opens in Sao Paulo in families both resonate. We just tried to tell the story as well as we March. A play called Heisenberg opens in New could. I think the bravery and sense of York, and then a version of Ödön von Horváth’s How much did you and Mark collaborate experiment comes through in the performance, Karsimir And Karoline, that I’ve called The on the stage adaptation? and the idea that bravery like that appeals to Funfair, opens at Manchester’s HOME Theatre Hardly at all. He told me I could do what I people is inspiring. in May. wanted. While he was supportive, I kept a beautiful distance. He read early drafts and was very encouraging.

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time shows at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, from Mon 9 - Sat 14 February, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Mon 16 - Sat 21 February; Birmingham Hippodrome from Tues 26 May - Sat 6 June.

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 7 Jodie Prenger interview.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 18:50 Page 1

I’ve met the “ Queen, but I was more excited about meeting Vera Lynn and Liza Minnelli”

Jodie Prenger having a whip-cracking time as Calamity Jane...

Jodie Prenger was catapulted to overnight fame after winning the BBC TV series I’d Do Anything. Her subsequent performance as Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh’s West End production of Oliver! earned her great critical acclaim - as did her portrayal of the Lady of the Lake in Monty Python’s Spamalot and Dolly in the tour of One Man, Two Guvnors. Jodie’s now back on the road as the whip-cracking Calamity Jane - a role made famous by her all-time idol - and visits the Midlands both this month and next. What’s On recently caught up with the Blackpool-born actress/singer to find out more... How does the stage version of Calamity about Adelaide Adams which is just butter. I something that I’ve never experienced in a Jane differ from the 1953 film? know people have seen the film but they’re show before. All of the great music is there but sadly Doris actually getting more for their money when Day is not, so audiences have to put up with they come and watch the show. Do you share any character traits with me. A few of Sammy Fain’s songs didn’t Calamity Jane? make it into the original film due to editing, You’re a big fan of Doris Day. What’s it like I Googled Martha Jane, the original Calamity but they’re here in the musical and they’re playing a role made famous by one of Jane, and yeah, I think we’re very similar. brilliant. There’s one called Careless With your icons? Everything bar being an alcoholic and a The Truth, which everyone who sees the It was quite daunting stepping into her shoes smoker - Martha, that is. Oh, and I think they show thinks is such a phenomenal number. because I don’t just love the woman, I adore referred to her as a prostitute... She was fiery They think they remember it from the film but her. But it’s been so lovely playing to such and probably spoke her mind too much. it never featured. There’s another one with warm audiences. It’s a really warm show, Frances Fryer, the guy who comes into town more so than any other show I’ve done. It’s How do the demands of playing Calamity dressed as a woman. He’s got a brilliant just got that magic about it. We get compare to previous roles? song, Everyone Complains About The audiences aged from four to one hundred- It’s tough physically and it’s very full on. I Weather. And there’s a serenading song and-four who come and sing along. It’s got think the longest time I’m off stage is about

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two minutes. In other shows, you get to go life. Oh, and then there was Vera Lynn, who I me and I don’t ever want to change. backstage and powder up your make-up actually met. I accosted her in a toilet and and get ready to go back on. Not with this that was awful. I was a physical wreck and If things hadn’t panned out the way they show. Once the buckskins are on, they stay did a curtsy. She was like the Queen. I’ve did, what do you think you’d be doing on. But it’s great and I never get tired of it. I met the Queen, but I was more excited now? think that’s due to the brilliant cast. I’m on about meeting Vera Lynn and Liza Minnelli. I’d probably have started my animal stage and doing a show but I’m still able to sanctuary a lot earlier than planned and still listen to Sioned play the piano and pick up So do you ever get star-struck working in be singing in gay bars. They were the only the sax. Then Bobby comes along and does the West End? places where I could sing my big show tunes the weather dance, which always amazes I always say, we all come into this world the and get away with it. I loved it when I used to me. And then there’s Tom, who’s just a same way and we all go out the same way, start up New York New York or Don’t Rain On brilliant Bill Hickok. All of these characters but yes, there are a couple of occasions My Parade. I’d still be singing those songs are just a delight to share the stage with. For where that’s happened. One was meeting because I genuinely loved doing it. me, that’s what keeps it alive. Vera Lynn, the other was Liza Minnelli. Both times I went a bit silly and cried after All of which has earned you quite a big We hear that audiences get to enjoy your meeting them. The rest of them I’d take for a gay following... instrumental skills... fish and chip butty. Yeah, I think I’m a trapped drag queen I play spoons, I play the ukulele and, wait for I always remember meeting the Queen. I myself. My nan used to know Danny La Rue. it, I have a tinkle on the ivories. In for a went ‘Hiya, Your Highness’. I don’t know I remember being there when I was really penny, in for a pound, that’s me. what she must have thought but she was young, seeing the big season shows with lovely. Two weeks later she came to see One Brian Conley and Russ Abbot and thinking Are all of these new-found skills? Man, Two Guvnors, so I must have said ‘wow, this really is entertainment, it’s live, it’s I could play the piano but I only read a little something right. great’. I remember my nan taking me to see music, so it’s mainly by ear. Not literally of I think I’d probably go to pieces if I met 42nd Street when it was on at the Winter course, that would be quite painful! The Doris Day. I’d probably have convulsions. Gardens. It’s all of those little memories from ukulele is only a few chords, in all fairness. Ironically, she’s now doing what I’d like to being a child. Of course, growing up in As for the spoons, I learned to play watching do. I’ve had three dreams in life. I used to be Blackpool I did see quite a few drag queens. YouTube, believe it or not. It’s amazing. twenty-two stone and my first goal was to I think that’s probably where it all stems When you’re working with these magical lose weight and be healthy. That I achieved from. maestros, you do actually pick up quite a on The Biggest Loser. My second was to bit, but much of it was a learning curve for star in the West End as part of an ensemble, So was becoming a performer always on me. I love a challenge. never thinking I’d be a leading lady. My third your radar? is yet to happen, and that’s to open my own I think it’s either always in you or it’s not. I Do you have a pre-show routine to animal sanctuary. That’s my bucket list, with can’t watch a film or a show without psyche yourself up before going on other bits in between. That’s exactly what twitching. Even when I’m putting petrol in my stage? Doris Day has done; she’s opened an car, and I often don’t realise that I’m doing it, I think it’s just getting out there and getting animal sanctuary in California, which I think I’m swaying from side to side to the music. I on with it. It’s a lovely cast and we have a is just amazing. think it’s just in me - I can’t help it. So thank lovely vocal warm-up. Then it’s just a case of you to all those people who pay to buy a - pardon the pun - cracking on with it. Is that last goal attainable quite soon? ticket. You’re paying to feed my addiction to No, not in the near future. It would require being on stage. Forget the fags and the The road to fame was a bit of a winding total commitment and I’d have to hang up booze, just give me a show tune! one for you. When you finally arrived, was my hat, which I’m not ready to do yet, but it all you’d expected it to be? definitely in the future. Were your parents always supportive of Yes, and then some. One thing that I did your ambition to perform? expect was that everybody would be What’s your most vivid memory from the Yes, they were always very encouraging - but snobby, but they were just so welcoming. first time you stepped on to the West End then they supported me just as much when I For me, performing in the West End has stage to play Nancy? was training as a nail technician. When it been like gaining another big family. I My nerves. I was so unbelievably nervous came to performing, my obstacle was that I expected it to be hard work. My nan always that night. My mum’s still got the picture of went to an all-girls school. Sadly, in those used to say ‘Get your sleeves rolled up and the first bow I ever took, and when I look at early days as a performer, I played lots of get stuck in’, and that’s what I’ve always my face it’s just pure happiness. When it’s ‘a leading men. Nancy was my first female done. I’ve always worked really hard at dream come true’, it’s very difficult to put leading role. everything I do, and hopefully it pays off. into words, and that’s exactly how it was with that night. What advice would you give to someone Was the overnight success that came with hoping for a career in musical theatre? winning I’d Do Anything easy to deal You’ve been referred to on a number of Gain as much knowledge as you can. Don’t with? occasions as ‘one of the best-loved limit yourself to one thing. Maybe try TV or It shocked me. I hate the saying ‘it was like leading ladies in the West End’. Does it straight theatre. Get as much experience as a whirlwind’, but it was. I have hardly any feel surreal when you hear people talking you can and always have a back-up plan, recollection of the night I won. I went into about you in that way? like I do. Not only will I have an animal genuine shock. I hate being called famous; I We just all get on. If you lead a happy ship sanctuary, the nails will be amazing! just feel grateful that the show gave me the and you have a good time it makes the job opportunity to do the things I’ve always half the trouble, it really does. I’ve been You’ve mastered Nancy in Oliver!, the dreamed of doing. I think if you keep your lucky. In all the shows I’ve done, they’ve Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, and now feet firmly planted on the floor you’ll have a been like big families. I probably play the Calamity Jane. What other roles have you great time. I think there are people out there mother hen, which is a nice role to play. got your eye on? who want to be famous just for the sake of There are a couple of things that are coming being famous, and that’s so, so wrong. I In Oliver! you were described as ‘the up, but I’m not able to say anything - apart enjoy just enjoying it. nation’s Nancy’. What qualities do you from that it’s all quite exciting. It’s a bucket think made people take you to their list for a leading lady - but Calamity runs until Which stars had a big effect on you as an hearts? the end of this year, so I’ll be cracking my adolescent growing up in Blackpool? I really don’t know. Maybe it’s because I whip for quite some time yet. It’s nice to have someone who you can look speak my mind. It’s nice to be important, but up to as a kid. When I was growing up, I it’s important to be nice, even when you’re looked up to people like Bette Midler, Doris having a bad day and you want to tell Calamity Jane shows at New Alexandra Day and Liza Minnelli, who I love so much. I people to go and stick it where the sun don’t Theatre, Birmingham, from Tues 17 to Sat even looked up to Danny La Rue! I mean, shine. You’ve just got to roll up your sleeves 21 February, and Regent Theatre, Stoke- drag queens have a lot to answer for in my like my nan said and get on with it. I’m still on-Trent, from Tues 10 to Sat 14 March

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I’m rude, I swear and can be very “ harsh, but I’m not that crude. I tend not to do graphic sex stuff, because it doesn’t make me laugh.”

Jo Caulfield brings her Uninformed Opinions to the Midlands...

One of the most successful and instantly recognisable female comedians in the country, Jo Caulfield is a regular on TV favourites Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow. About to head out on tour with her latest show, Uninformed Opinions, Jo recently took time out to chat to What's On... Tell us about your uninformed opinions... that I don’t actually know that sort of thing, that would make my mum laugh, or if I was I’d imagined I would slowly get wiser over but I like being consistently wrong about funny at school amongst friends. I think I got the years, but have now realised that doesn’t most things. It doesn’t bother me. I still like more of a kick out of it than was normal for a happen. Information just leaves my brain to make rash judgements about things. For well-balanced person. continually. I think I realised that a couple of example, someone will talk about a book years ago, watching quizzes on TV. I and I’ll think ‘I haven’t read it but know the Were you quite a show-off as a child? remember thinking, ‘oh, I like a quiz. I’m gist of it’. Then maybe I’ll start arguing about I was one of those odd kids who would quite intelligent, I’m well read...’. Then I it. Then I realise I’m really up to my neck show off amongst my group. I could be realised I didn’t remember anything. Now I with it and think to myself, ‘why did I say I’d quite shy in other areas. I remember a find quizzes quite annoying. I just watch read it?’ teacher saying to my mum that she’d seen them to see if there are actually people more me with my peer group and I wasn’t the way stupid than me. I’m also always adamant When did you first realise you were I was in class, where I’d be very quiet. I also that I’m right about something, and I never funny? moved around a lot as a kid and went to seem to learn that I’m nearly always wrong. I always liked being funny. I think that’s the different schools, and saying something Especially when it comes to directions and thing with a lot of comedians. Even as a kid funny was a way of breaking the ice with who’s in what films. I never seem to learn I’d get a thrill out of it, like if I did something new classmates. I think quite often comics

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interview...

aren’t show-offs. They like attention, of ‘oh, that’s really personal, and I don’t know my own. Then afterwards I’ll chat to people. course they do - it’s an insane thing to do if whether we should go into this’. But if I’m interested in the people who’re you don’t like attention - but it’s a different they’re open to it, then we do. That’s then interested in me. I also think it’s polite. All of kind of thing. You might not necessarily be really exciting for the rest of the audience. It a sudden I’ll realise I’m exhausted - but to the most showy off person in the room, but makes it live, because we all come out say that seems so indulgent when you on stage is where you find it. knowing a lot more about each other than compare it to what some people have to do we did at the start of the evening. for a living. It’s the adrenaline that tires me How did you get into comedy? out - and the travelling. That was something I never really knew what I wanted to do, so How long does it take you to suss out an I didn’t consider when I moved to drifted around. I was a waitress for ages and audience and maybe who to target? Edinburgh. worked in nightclubs. I would always try and You can sort of see who looks eager. The be funny there, more so if I made goods tips last thing you want to do is talk to How would you define your audience? at night. I would be really fun then, but I somebody who doesn’t want to be talked to. A lot of the time I look at them and think, didn’t really know that comedy was a thing Often people’s body language offers them ‘oh, they’re like me’. Through Twitter you you could do as a job. I liked comedy, but up to you. Sometimes there can just be can get to know the people who come to there wasn’t much that I related to. Growing something about someone that’s slightly see you. I often have conversations with up, I really liked Dave Allen, which I think is quirky and you’re drawn to that. It’s a people where I find we have similar opinions very odd for a seven-year-old girl. I liked Les strange thing to talk about - but when you’re and sometimes the same taste in music. I Dawson too, but what he did seemed a doing it, you just kind of know where to go. think that the people who come to see me different thing and not something I could do. are more often than not quite cynical. They’d Then I went to a comedy club and saw Jack Is it usually the people at the front? probably like to have a good old rant about Dee. Without realising the craft involved in At comedy clubs people generally sit at the stuff. Something which I find quite weird is what he was doing, I thought to myself, front because they want to. But often at a the family element. People come with their ‘that’s just a bloke talking; I could do that’. tour show, it can be because they were the teenage kids - but I think a lot of that stems He made it seem like he was just your mate, last ones in and they’ve been put in those from when I was doing Mock The Week. moaning about stuff. I thought that seemed seats. I always ask if people have chosen to Teenagers really like the show, and they’d do-able. Also, the way into comedy seemed sit where they’re sitting. That way, I know come to see me because of that - often with very simple. It wasn’t like you had to pass that people aren’t necessarily sitting there their parents, because I’m of their age exams. You just had to phone someone up because they want you to talk to them. group. I think it’s really nice. There’s also and say ‘can I do an open spot?’, and they’d They’re sitting there because they’ve been another level of fun to be had in terms of say ‘yes, come down in a month and do it’. put there and they’re terrified, so I’ll leave who’s most uncomfortable with certain them alone and see who looks more open. elements of my material. You’re talking about a time when there Then again, sometimes people can want to weren’t many female comedians about. be involved too much. You have to slap Are there boundaries to your comedy? Did you feel daunted entering what was them down a bit and say, ‘it’s not about you. I think you have them in your head. I always predominantly male territory? It’s about me!’ question where the comedy’s coming from. I didn’t even think about it. It didn’t even Is it coming from a good place and is it a occur to me that that was the case. I think You’ve also written material for a diverse worthwhile target? I wouldn’t say to people you’re blissfully unaware that you’re very range of people... ‘don’t do jokes like this’ just because I bad, which is just as well. The first time I did I’ve only consistently written for Graham personally choose not to do them. I’m rude, it was for a competition, which I won. That Norton, and that’s because I knew him I swear and can be very harsh, but I’m not happens to a lot of comedians on their first beforehand. When he got a pilot years ago, I that crude. I tend not to do graphic sex stuff, gig because they’re so full of enthusiasm. did the warm up. They had trouble finding because it doesn’t make me laugh. I always The audience find you endearing because writers - the men at that time were writing for say I don’t do fluids, because I don’t find you don’t know what you’re doing. And you people like John Inman, and it was a very that funny. I also think it’s quite childish. I don’t even know that you don’t know what old-fashioned sort of ‘gay’. So they said to don’t think people are shocked by that kind you’re doing. After that, I became aware that Graham: ‘Jo knows you and she knows the of humour anymore. When comics think that I didn’t know what I was doing and realised show, let’s try her out’. I did trials as a writer, they’re being shocking, I just want to say, ‘I have to learn to do this’. When I look back then stayed for years and years and years ‘we’re not shocked; we’re just bored and at it now, I’m amazed that audiences didn’t doing it. Graham’s intonation is so strong, find it distasteful’. heckle more and weren’t more horrible. The and I find it quite easy to know what he only way to do comedy is in front of people, would think about things and who he would Do you ever squirrel away material for the and they’ve come for a night out. Even if like. In the writers’ room, there would be me future? you’re only doing five minutes, those five and the other writer throwing the lines in I should do. Other people are more minutes could ruin their evening. Graham’s voice. Graham would sometimes organised than me. Other people will try add things and maybe change things. It was something out, and if it works, they’ll squirrel What’s the best heckle you’ve ever a very easy process because he had such a it away for their next tour. I tend not to be received? strong style, so you knew where you were. able to stop myself using it, because I’m I don’t think people heckle as much as Then I got into doing things for myself, excited by new things. people imagine they do - and when they do, which actually excited me more. I decided I it’s often in a positive way. I’ve never really didn’t just want to be a writer for other Do you recycle much of your material? had a good ‘bad one’. You don’t really people. I wanted to perform more myself, so I do from a long time ago. When we moved remember what they say. It’s usually I moved towards doing that. house I found all of these comedy something unintelligible, or you repeat what notebooks in which I’d written down set lists they say and get out of it quite easily, Are you a different person off stage to on and ideas - stuff from maybe fifteen years because they’re very drunk and they’ve stage? ago. Suddenly I’m thinking ‘that’s a really never done this before. In terms of the People who know me would say I’m very good idea, and I could probably do it better interactions I’ve had with the audience, I’ve similar. It’s maybe a bit ‘heightened’, though. now. It’s obviously something I dropped, found out all sorts of amazing things about It’s like being in a pub on a good day - when and I know the reason I did that was people. I’m very into asking questions, you’re with your mates, saying stuff and probably because I didn’t know how to particularly of couples. I like talking about everything seems funny. You’re opinionated make it work then. But now I think I can relationships and what people argue about. and outrageous. It’s a sort of heightened make it work and maybe even add more.’ That can turn into a whole audience version of yourself. How I am on stage is discussion. Again, that’s about uninformed how I’d like to be all the time. opinions. I like to make judgements, and get Jo Caulfield plays mac, Birmingham, the audience to decide whether what Does the excitement you feel when you’re Fri 13 February; Comedy Junction, Sutton somebody does for a living is worthwhile or on stage ever become exhausting? Coldfield, Fri 20 March; Theatre Severn, not. There have been moments where It can do - especially when I’m doing a tour Shrewsbury, Thurs 30 April people tell you something and you think, show, because I do the whole evening on

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Ólafur Arnalds Glee Club, Birmingham, Tues 24 February If you’ve been enjoying the second series of Broadchurch on ITV1, you’ll already be familiar (even if you don’t know it) with the work of Ólafur Arnalds. He wrote the show’s score. Arnalds also wrote the score for the first series, picking up a BAFTA in the process, and has contributed music to hit Hollywood movies Hunger Games and 300: Rise Of An Empire. The Icelandic composer/performer first burst on to the music scene back in 2007, garnering plenty of praise for debut album Eulogy For Evolution. He’s since been widely praised for his impressive line in genre-crossing compositions, blending classical, pop and ambient/electronica influences to create a unique musical language.

Kaiser Chiefs Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Fri 6 February This is a band that needs no introduction - particularly since lead singer Ricky Wilson became a judge on BBC One’s The Voice. Primarily inspired by new wave and punk rock music of the late 1970s and 1980s, the band have released five original studio albums, including Employment (2005) - which reached number two on the UK album chart - and Education, Education, Education & War (2014). Having kicked off 2015 supporting one of the world’s biggest rock groups, Foo Fighters, in Brazil, the band have a busy few months ahead of them. Not only do they have a string of UK and US tour dates, they’re also currently working on their sixth studio album. Public Service Broadcasting support. Curtis Stigers Lichfield Garrick, Staffs, Thurs 5 February You Me At Six & All Time Low The Jam House, Birmingham, Wed 11 February Genting Arena (formerly LG Arena), Birmingham, Tues 10 February If his silver hair and chiselled jaw aren’t enough to make an impression on you, his breathy, husky “We can’t wait to hit the road with All Time Low,” says You Me At Six frontman Josh voice surely will be. Famous for the song This Life, Franceschi. “It’s the tour we know our fans want, and we’re so excited to be doing a full better known to thousands of Sons Of Anarchy arena tour.” fans as the theme tune to the hit show, Curtis has All Time Low’s frontman Alex Gaskarth is similarly enthused by the prospect of the joint been around since the 1990s, first entering the venture: “We've never managed to hit up the UK with the hometown boys in You Me At public psyche with the pop hit I Wonder Why. Six, so this is going to be a really amazing experience. I think the fan bases will come to- Since 2001 he’s made a name for himself as a jazz gether and make the shows unforgettable.” singer, so much so that he was named Jazz Artist With main influences including American rock bands Blink-182, Incubus and Thrice, You Of The Year 2007 by BBC Radio Two. Me At Six released debut album Take Off Your Colours in 2008, enjoying success with the He plays the Garrick with the support of his band. singles Save It For The Bedroom, Finders Keepers and Kiss And Tell. They’ve since released a further three albums, including last year’s Cavalier Youth. American pop punk giants All Time Low, meanwhile, are not a band to rest on their lau- Mariachi El Bronx rels, touring pretty much all year round. They followed up their 2005 debut album The The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 6 February Party Scene with a further four albums, and are due to release latest offering Future This six-piece are the Mexican alter-ego of South- Hearts in April. ern Californian hardcore punk band The Bronx. They’ve achieved enormous praise for their re- imaging, and released their third Mariachi album in 2014. Having recently toured the country supporting gypsy group Gogol Bordello, they now make a welcome return to the UK for this headline tour.

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SPRING & SUMMER PARTY NIGHTS 2015

Sat 14 Feb £35.00 MOTOWN LEGENDS PARTY with Soul Legend

Sat 21 Feb SWINGING 60’S £32.50 MOTOWN PARTY with The Krysalettes

Fri 6 Mar £32.50 OLLY MURS & BRUNO MARS with Robbie Glenn

Sat 14 Mar BACK TO THE £37.50 80’S PARTY with The 80’s Experience

Fri 20 Mar £32.50 MICHAEL BUBLE TRIBUTE with Jamie Flanagan

MAMMA MIA Fri 27 Mar PARTY £37.50 with Bootleg Abba An Abba Tribute

Fri 10 Apr SUPREME £32.50 MOTOWN & SOUL DIVA PARTY with The The Montellas

THE ULTIMATE Fri 24 Apr SOUL PARTY £37.50 with The Soul Suvivors and Mel Day SAT 9 MAY £32.50 MOTOWN LEGENDS PARTY with Soul Legend

SAT 16 MAY MAMMA MIA £37.50 PARTY with ‘Sensation’ Abba Tribute

DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE FROM OUR WEBSITE TICKET PRICES INCLUDE 4 COURSE MEAL WE WILL CATER FOR ANY SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS BY PRIOR ARRANGMENT BOOKING HOTLINE 02476 466174 www.nailcotehall.co.uk Nailcote Hall Hotel, Nailcote Lane, Berkswell, Warwickshire CV7 7DE

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Music PREVIEWS Jennifer Crook Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Sun 22 February Featured in The Guardian’s Folk Music Treats For Summer 2014 list, Jennifer’s album Carn- forth Station offered a winning blend of concert favourites (including Black Fly) and brand new material, all of which provided her incredible singing voice with plenty of opportunity to shine. The singer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist is an outstanding harpist, and composed much of the crowd-funded album on the lever harp. Presenting music informed by both English and American influences, she covers traditional folk topics such as love, loss and hope.

Ryan Adams Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Sat 28 February American singer-songwriter, musician and producer Ryan is a former member of alternative country band Whiskeytown and rock ensemble The Cardinals - but it’s undoubtedly as a solo performer that he’s enjoyed his greatest successes. Heading out on his own with the critically acclaimed Heartbreaker album in the year 2000, he’s gone on to compile a further thirteen Martin Simpson solo offerings, the latest of which was released in September last year to considerable critical Stafford Gatehouse, Mon 2 February acclaim. In the late 1980s, guitarist Martin Simpson waved a fond farewell to his successful career on the British folk circuit to start a new Damien Barber & Mike Wilson King Charles life in the States, where he improved his The Hive, Shrewsbury, Sun 8 February The Institute, Birmingham, Fri 6 February blues technique and worked with some fa- On a rare break from the mighty Demon Bar- The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 7 February mous names. He’s now back home on this bers and Wilson Family, Damien and Mike King Charles, born Charles Costa, is a singer- side of the pond, where he’s best known for deliver a rich, shared repertoire of traditional songwriter from West London. In 2009 he be- his work alongside the likes of June Tabor, songs - plus offerings from modern folk writ- came the first ever Brit to win the Steeleye Span, The Albion Band and Richard ers such as Bellamy, Ewan MacColl and Mike International Songwriting Competition in Thompson. A virtuoso guitarist, Simpson’s Waterson. With a nomination for Best Duo at Nashville (for his song Love Lust). Following exploration of the innovatory always gives his the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards 2012 and this victory he was signed by Universal Re- audience something to chew on. forty-plus years of experience to recommend public and recorded debut album Loveblood, them, it’s safe to say that this is a show well released in May 2012. He’s since been show- worth catching. casing his psychedelic indie-folk sound at venues across the UK, and is busily record- 10cc ing his eagerly awaited second album - in support of which comes this current UK tour. Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Mon 16 February Legendary British art rock band 10cc was formed in 1972 and initially consisted of four musicians - Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme. The band’s major successes were achieved in the following few years, when they majored in subversive pastiche, singing love songs in The Script which they declared they weren't in love and Genting Arena (formerly LG Arena), performing a reggae number on the subject Birmingham, Thurs 26 February of being terrified of black people. Comprising lead vocalist/pianist Danny O'- At the height of their powers, they brilliantly Donoghue, vocalist/guitarist Mark Sheehan blended wit, musicianship and invention with and drummer Glen Power, the Irish pop rock suitably melodic hooks - although it’s fair to band formed in 2001, and have pretty much say their music has perhaps aged less well Ezio been going from strength to strength ever than the sounds and lyrics of some of their The Robin, Bilston, Thurs 12 February since. Their 2008 eponymous debut album, contemporaries. Started up by Italian-born Ezio Lunedei and featuring hit songs The Man Who Can't Be Mark ‘Booga’ Fowell in Cambridge, folk band Moved and Breakeven (Falling To Pieces), set Ezio has stylistic similarities to Van Morrison them up for a career in which their music’s and Jeff Buckley. Lead singer and composer been featured in all manner of popular TV se- Lunedei has an uncanny ability to talk about ries, including 90210, Ghost Whisperer, Wa- the male condition, temptation and vulnera- terloo Road, EastEnders, Made In Chelsea bility - qualities that no doubt played their and The Vampire Diaries. Frontman Danny part in making Tony Blair a fan, a fact re- O'Donoghue, meanwhile, appeared as a vealed by the former Prime Minister on coach in the first two series of BBC One’s Desert Island Discs. Forerunners on the Saturday night talent show, The Voice. acoustic scene, Ezio boast a style all their This latest Script tour comes in support of the own, mixing rock and folk with intelligent trio’s fourth album, No Sound Without Si- lyrics, rhythmic power and acoustic lence. Labrinth support. melodies.

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BLUES BROTHERS TRIB- QUINTET Town Hall, MACY GRAY Birmingham Roadhouse, B’ham LISTINGS UTE The Roadhouse, Birmingham Town Hall Music Birmingham ELLA ROOKE TRIO The MON 16 FEB ONE NIGHT ONLY The In- Spotted Dog, B’ham stitute, Birmingham 10CC Symphony Hall, Birmingham For full listing information on gigs, CASH (JOHNNY CASH WED 11 FEB TRIBUTE) O2 Academy, CHELSEA GRIN & VEIL OF including times and dates, Birmingham THE ILLEGAL EAGLES MAYA O2 Academy, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk CAPITAL SUN The Ac- Wolverhampton Grand Birmingham tress & Bishop, B’ham Theatre SIGNUM SAXOPHONE MICHAELA WYLDE Ha- WILLE AND THE BANDITS QUARTET Town Hall, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham vana Republic, Shrews- The Robin, Bilston Macy Gray SUN 1 FEB CURTIS STIGERS Lichfield bury SLOW CLUB The Sug- ONE NIGHT ONLY The In- armill, Stoke-on-Trent MIKE ADLINGTON QUIN- KOSHEEN The Institute, Garrick, Staffs TUE 17 FEB stitute, Birmingham KATE TEMPEST The Rain- TET Symphony Hall, Birmingham BLACK RIVERS The Sug- KING CHARLES The Sug- bow Venues, B’ham Birmingham STUART FORESTER, THE STUMBLE Lichfield armill, Stoke-on-Trent armill, Stoke-on-Trent CURTIS STIGERS The MORAL PANICS The Sug- CAROL ANDERSON & JOE Guildhall, Staffs SAXON Wulfrun Hall, GORGON CITY The Insti- Jam House, B’ham armill, Stoke-on-Trent TOPPING Stafford Gate- JOE O2 Academy, Bham Wolverhampton tute, Birmingham EDWINA HAYES & ROS- BLAIR DUNLOP Kitchen house Theatre OCTOBER FILE The Rain- SILENCE THE SPIRIT O2 SPACE WITCH The Asy- ALIE DEIGHTON The Red Garden Cafe, B’ham D'ANGELO O2 Academy, bow Venues, B’ham Academy, Birmingham lum, Birmingham Lion Folk Club, B’ham RICKY COOL & THE IN Birmingham ONE LIFE LEFT The MOOD INDIGO The Jam GREEN BAY - TRIBUTE TO OMG LIVE! The Place, CROWD Moochers, SONS OF BILL Hare & Roadhouse, Bilston House, Birmingham GREEN DAY Prince Of Oakengates Theatre, Stourbridge Hounds, Birmingham UNLIMITED VOICES Birm- THAT'LL BE THE DAY The Wales Centre, Cannock Telford, Shropshire FREE AT LAST Route 44, THE CRIBS The Oobleck, ingham Town Hall Place, Oakengates The- Chase I IS CINEMA Hare & Birmingham Birmingham PORCHLIGHT SMOKER atre, Telford, Shropshire ICONIC 80'S The River Hounds, Birmingham THE JOHNNY CASH ROAD- BEN MARKLAND'S ORTET Kitchen Garden Cafe, WAKE UP CALL, GLASS Rooms, Stourbridge SHOW The Place, Oak- The Jam House, B’ham Birmingham BULLET, THE 3RD DEGREE INCLEMENT QUARTET engates Theatre, KIERAN MCLEOD'S NEW GARETH JONES Havana & PURPLE STEREO The Roadhouse, B’ham Symphony Hall, B’ham THU 12 FEB Telford, Shropshire WORLD The Spotted Republic, Shrewsbury SLIMKID3 & DJ NU-MARK Dog, Birmingham THE CHEATING HEARTS & The Oobleck, B’ham THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN THE TERRORSAURUS FRI 6 FEB MAJOR TOMS Hare & Theatre Severn, SAT 14 FEB WED 18 FEB Hare & Hounds, B’ham THE LIBERTY LIES The Shrewsbury Hounds, Birmingham ROCKET The Jam Oobleck, Birmingham MOTOWN'S GREATEST ENTER SHIKARI Civic DAZ-I-KUE & ADAM ROCK- House, Birmingham MON 2 FEB KAISER CHIEFS Civic HITS - HOW SWEET IT IS Hall, Wolverhampton ERS Hare & Hounds, SCOTT BRADLEE & POST- Hall, Wolverhampton Victoria Hall, Stoke-on- GEORGE EZRA O2 Acad- MARTIN SIMPSON Birmingham MODERN JUKEBOX The LYDIA GLANVILLE QUAR- Trent emy, Birmingham Stafford Gatehouse BRONWYNNE BRENT Institute, Birmingham TET Symphony Hall, HAGLEY SCHOOL - THE THE DECEMBERISTS The Theatre Kitchen Garden Cafe, RICHARD & ADAM Birmingham MUSIC OF ELTON JOHN Institute, Birmingham JEFFERSON STARSHIP Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand BEN PORTSMOUTH IS Birmingham Town Hall GOSPEL CENTRAL The The Robin, Bilston THE ROVING CROWS Lud- Theatre ELVIS The Robin, Bilston BLACK LABEL SOCIETY Jam House, B’ham AMBER RUN The Rain- low Assembly Rooms, T'PAU FEATURING CAROL BEAR'S DEN The Insti- The Institute, B’ham BELINDA O'HOOLEY & JIM bow Venues, B’ham South Shropshire DECKER The Robin, Bil- tute, Birmingham EZIO LUNEDEI AND BOOGA BOYES The Red Lion MODERN MINDS The ston HANNAH FERMOR Ha- The Robin, Bilston Folk Club, Birmingham Rainbow Venues, Bham SOUL JUNCTION The TUE 3 FEB vana Republic, Shrews- HAMELL ON TRIAL The GET INUIT Hare & MOTORKILL & THE Roadhouse, B’ham bury Institute, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham SAM BAILEY Symphony SCREAMIN' ABDABZ GRUFF RHYS Hare & THE STAFFORDSHIRE CROWN THE EMPIRE The Hall, Birmingham Route 44, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham BAND - CLASSICAL BRASS Asylum, Birmingham SONGHOY BLUES The KICK UP THE 80'S The THU 19 FEB Forest Arts Centre, Wal- THE THREE DEGREES Sunflower Lounge, River Rooms, Stour- sall SUN 8 FEB Prince Of Wales Centre, THE BLUES BAND The Birmingham bridge THE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW Cannock Robin, Bilston PHIL BATES The Jam LIFESIGNS The Robin, 36 CRAZYFISTS The Asy- Birmingham Town Hal EMBRACE THE CHAOS SONGBIRD – THE EVA House, Birmingham Bilston lum, Birmingham KING CHARLES The Insti- The Roadhouse, Birm- CASSIDY STORY Theatre NAT JOHNSON & FRIENDS HUDSON TAYLORThe In- RYAN LESLIE The Insti- tute, Birmingham ingham Severn, Shrewsbury Kitchen Garden Cafe, stitute, Birmingham tute, Birmingham JOE GODDARD Hare & THE PARIS 1940S The DON BROCO O2 Acad- Birmingham NAOMI PUNK Hare & HEIDI BROWN Havana Hounds, Birmingham Jam House, B’ham emy, Birmingham MIKE ADLINGTON SEXTET Hounds, Birmingham Republic, Shrewsbury DAVID GARSIDE The Ac- THE SONGS OF NICK BARBARA DICKSON Lich- The Spotted Dog, Birm- BLACK DYKE BAND Sym- LEVI WEAVER The Sun- tress & Bishop, B’ham DRAKE Kitchen Garden field Garrick, Staffs ingham phony Hall, B’ham flower Lounge, B’ham PORTRAIT The Asylum, Cafe, Birmingham SHAKATAKThe Jam 36 CRAZYFISTS The Sug- MC TRIGGA, PRETTY P, Birmingham CAPITAINE ETC. Ort Cafe, House, Birmingham armill, Stoke-on-Trent CAPPO AKA SHAYDEE, DJ WED 4 FEB SOLID SOUL The Jam Birmingham BLOSSOMS The CASA LATINO The Road- SLY, MC BASSMAN, SUB House, Birmingham LEVERET mac - Midlands Oobleck, Birmingham TRANSATLANTIC SES- house, Birmingham ZERO AND MORE... O2 QUILL Lichfield Garrick, Arts Centre, B’ham REMI HARRIS PROJECT SIONS Symphony Hall, DAMIEN BARBER & MIKE Academy, Birmingham Staffs Hare & Hounds, B’ham Birmingham WILSON The Hive, HOT CLUB DE SWING Alfie DRESSED TO KILL - THE JEFF AID The Road- DREAMON DREAMER The Shrewsbury FRI 13 FEB Birds, Birmingham TRIBUTE TO KISS The house, Birmingham Oobleck, Birmingham BAILEY MCCONNELL & MALLEN The Slade River Rooms, Stour- SUPREME QUEEN The SALLY BARKER The Red RYKER SEAR The Insti- Rooms, Wolverhampton bridge Robin, Bilston Lion Folk Club, B’ham tute, Birmingham GET STONED Route 44, FRI 20 FEB COLDPLACE The Road- VIEON & CATALAN The LUCAS D & THE GROOVE ANDY O’BRIEN Havana Birmingham house, Birmingham Actress & Bishop, Birm- SHOWADDYWADDY Lich- GHETTO The Jam Republic, Shrewsbury MARIACHI EL BRONX The field Garrick, Staffs House, Birmingham HANK WANGFORD TRIO ingham Sugarmill, Stoke-on- THE ILLEGAL EAGLES SUN 15 FEB U2-2 The Robin, Bilston CROW BLACK CHICKEN Kitchen Garden Cafe, Vic- Trent toria Hall, Stoke-on- MICROBABY The Salop- The Robin, Bilston Birmingham BARBARA DICKSON The- DOLOMITE MINOR & BABY Trent ian, Shrewsbury atre Severn, Shrews- STRANGE The Rainbow LIBBY GILKSMAN Havana HANNAH FERMOR Ha- bury Venues, Birmingham MON 9 FEB Republic, Shrewsbury vana Republic, Shrews- JETTBLACK The Slade THE NAKED BEATLES ‘ROY ORBISON AND bury GAZ COOMBES The Glee Rooms, Wolverhampton Route 44, Birmingham FRIENDS Crewe Lyceum DARKSIDE - THE PINK Club, Birmingham THE DUBLIN LEGENDS JACK SAVORETTI The In- FLOYD SHOW Theatre On SAINT RAYMOND The In- Birmingham Town Hall stitute, Birmingham The Steps, Bridgnorth, SAT 7 FEB stitute, Birmingham WAVE PICTURES Hare & SONGBIRD – THE EVA Shropshire WATTER, HOLY SONS, Hounds, Birmingham SOLID SOUL The Jam CASSIDY STORY Lichfield BEYOND THE BARRICADE LILACS & CHAMPAGNE THE USED O2 Academy, House, Birmingham Garrick, Staffs Stafford Gatehouse Crow Black Chicken The Oobleck, B’ham Birmingham SID PEACOCK AND SURGE DEEP LOVE FOUNDATION Theatre ALEXANDER Hare & ANDY O’BRIEN Havana ORCHESTRA mac - Mid- The Salopian, Shrews- TV ON THE RADIO The In- Hounds, Birmingham Republic, Shrewsbury bury stitute, Birmingham lands Arts Centre THE SUNDOWNERS The THU 5 FEB THE GRIMETHORPE COL- STICKY WICKETT LITTLE OCCOUER & GUNNERS Sunflower Lounge, LAW Route 44, B’ham THE SECURITY PROJECT LIERY BAND Regent The- TUE 10 FEB BIG BAND Lichfield Birmingham TRU GROOVE The Jam The Assembly, Leam- atre, Stoke-on-Trent Guildhall, Staffs YOU ME AT SIX & ALL SOUTHERN TENANT FOLK House, Birmingham ington Spa JOE LONGTHORNE Lich- THE GODFATHERS Hare & TIME LOW Genting UNION Kitchen Garden FRED ZEPPELIN The SONGBIRD – THE EVA field Garrick, Staffs Hounds, Birmingham Arena (formerly LG Cafe, Birmingham River Rooms, Stour- CASSIDY STORY Regent THE COUNTERFEIT ROCKET The Jam Arena), Birmingham WALK OF FAME (THE BEA- bridge Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent STONES The Robin, Bil- House, Birmingham FALSE LIGHTS Hare & TLES) Kitchen Garden BOX O SNAKES & PURE TOYAH WILLCOX The ston THE KILLERZ The River Hounds, Birmingham Cafe, Birmingham PURPLE The Road- Robin, Bilston HAYSEED DIXIE The Rooms, Stourbridge KENT DUCHAINE The Jam THE BORN AGAIN BEATLES house, Birmingham RAE MORRIS The Insti- Slade Rooms, Wolver- THE TREMBLING House, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, B’ham MARTIN TROTMAN'S JUST tute, Birmingham hampton WILBURYS The Road- THE KENNY GARRETT LET VENGENCE RISE The GROOVE Symphony Hall, LUKE JACKSON Hare & THE JAKE & ELWOOD - house, Birmingham

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Birmingham Kitchen Garden Cafe, The Script - Genting Arena (formerly LG Arena), Birmingham THE SLEAFORD MODS Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- THE STARVING RASCALS ingham Moochers, Stourbridge ESSENTIAL HOLLIES The GENERATIONS Route 44, Place, Oakengates The- Birmingham atre, Telford, Shropshire LAST CHANCE SALOON SUN 22 FEB The Blue Piano, B’ham JOSEPH CAPRIATI Next JENNIFER CROOK Henry Door, Birmingham Tudor House, Shrews- bury SAT 21 FEB ROCK OF AGES EXPERI- ENCE The Robin, Bilston DARKSIDE - THE PINK THE JAM PACT & INCREDI- FLOYD SHOW Theatre On BLE SKANK BROTHERS The Steps, Bridgnorth, The Robin, Bilston Shropshire SIX TIME CHAMPI0N The SHE’KOYOKH Alington Flapper, Birmingham Hall, Shrewsbury ORLA GARTLAND The In- School stitute, Birmingham THE DUNWELLS Hare & Hounds, Birmingham ROBBIE JONES Havana Republic, Shrewsbury ENRAPTURED, VEXXEN, CROWS & CROSSES The Shrewsbury School, SHOW Stafford Gate- Stourbridge OF BLUE SKIES AND Roadhouse, B’ham Shropshire house Theatre THE BLACK HOUNDS The YOUTH AND MORE... The THE SLEAFORD MODS BLUE NATION O2 Acad- THE HAIR ROCK EXPERI- Slade Rooms, Wolver- Roadhouse, B’ham The Sugarmill, Stoke- emy, Birmingham ENCE The Roadhouse, hampton KATHRYN ROBERTS & on-Trent KEZIASOUL Hare & Birmingham GAVIN JAMES The Insti- She’Koyokh SEAN LAKEMAN Kitchen YEARS & YEARS The In- Hounds, Birmingham BROKEN WITT REBELS, tute, Birmingham Garden Cafe, B’ham stitute, Birmingham DELS The Rainbow Ven- SILVERSHORES, TOMMO HARPER’S FERRY The TRU GROOVE The Jam LINDSAY ELL O2 Acad- ues, Birmingham BARNES, SHAUN WALSH Blue Piano, B’ham House, Birmingham MON 23 FEB emy, Birmingham AND THE PLAGIARISTS MARMOZETS The Insti- JOE LONGTHORNE Crewe COLOSSEUM FEATURING SAT 28 FEB The Actress & Bishop, tute, Birmingham Lyceum WALSALL JAZZ ORCHES- JON HISEMAN, CHRIS Birmingham RORY MCGRATH AND ELKIE BROOKS Birming- TRA Forest Arts Centre, FARLOWE, CLEM CLEMP- THE BEAT BROTHERS The PALMA VIOLETS, FAT PHILIP POPE The Edge ham Town Hall Walsall SON, DAVE GREENSLADE Jam House, B’ham WHITE FAMILY, THE AMAZ- Arts Centre, Much Wen- PETE ROCK Hare & FIGHTSTAR The Institute, AND MORE... The Robin, TRIO DA KALI mac - Mid- ING SNAKEHEADS & lock, South Shropshire Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham Bilston lands Arts Centre, Birm- SLAVES The Institute, THE HAIR ROCK EXPERI- BLACKHEART Birch- ANDREW MCMAHON The DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979 ingham Birmingham ENCE The Roadhouse, meadow, Broseley, Glee Club, Birmingham The Institute, B’ham LEFT FOR RED O2 Acad- TOCHA Havana Repub- Birmingham Shropshire FORT HOPE The Rainbow DEL CAMINO The Jam emy, Birmingham lic, Shrewsbury TRISH CLOWES' TANGENT LIZZIE AND THE BAN- Venues, Birmingham House, Birmingham RADIO CLASH The Robin, THE DUBLIN LEGENDS QUINTET Arena Theatre, SHEES The Roadhouse, WE ARE CARNIVORES, AL- SIVU The Sunflower Bilston Prince Of Wales Centre, Wolverhampton Birmingham BURN & THE ALWAYS The Lounge, Birmingham RYAN ADAMS Civic Hall, Cannock IVOR & LYN'S CLASSIC LET'S HANG ON Stafford Flapper, Birmingham AUGUST ALSINA O2 THE COMMANDMENTS ROCK DISCO Route 44, Gatehouse Theatre Wolverhampton Academy, Birmingham THE MERSEY BEATLES The River Rooms, Birmingham OCEAN COLOUR SCENE TUE 24 FEB YAK Hare & Hounds, Symphony Hall, B’ham Birmingham QUILL The Robin, Bil- OCEAN COLOUR SCENE ALASDAIR ROBERTS ston Symphony Hall, B’ham Kitchen Garden Cafe, Music Venues Box Office Across The Midlands STARS OF THE COMMIT- RUMOURS OF FLEET- Birmingham MENTS Theatre Severn, WOOD MAC Theatre Sev- VINCENT FLATT'S FINAL Shrewsbury ern, Shrewsbury DRIVE Route 44, B’ham Birmingham THE YARDBIRD Staffordshire 0121 212 2524 BEFORE YOU EXIT & ÓLAFUR ARNALDS The 02 ACADEMY FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, LEEK CHRISTINA GRIMMIE O2 Glee Club, Birmingham FRI 27 FEB 0121 622 8250 01538 386112 Academy, Birmingham OND The Institute, Birm- THE ACTRESS & BISHOP Black Country LICHFIELD GUILDHALL PURPLE ZEPPELIN Lich- ingham MARIA SCHNEIDER JAZZ 0121 236 7426 CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON 01543 262223 0870 320 7000 field Garrick, Staffs EMP!RE The Slade ORCHESTRA Symphony ADRIAN BOULT HALL THE SUGARMILL, HANLEY GEORGE THE POET O2 Rooms, Wolverhampton 0121 331 5901 DUDLEY CONCERT HALL STOKE-ON-TRENT Hall, Birmingham 01384 815577 Academy, Birmingham GEORGE CROWLEY'S CAN THE SIMON AND GAR- THE ASYLUM 01159 454 593 FOREST ARTS CENTRE EARTH & BLACK SPIRI- OF WORMS The Spotted 0121 233 1109 TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY ROOMS FUNKEL STORY Theatre 0845 111 2898 TUAL The Oobleck, Dog, Birmingham Severn, Shrewsbury THE BARBER INSTITUTE 01827 709618 Birmingham 0121 414 7333 NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE FAIRPORT CONVENTION 01902 572090 VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY H. HAWKLINE The Sun- Birmingham Town Hall BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0870 060 6649 WED 25 FEB 0121 780 3333 ROBIN 2, BILSTON flower Lounge, B’ham PEOPLE ON VACATION 01902 401211 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE RED SHOES Lichfield THAT'LL BE THE DAY The Institute, B’ham CBSO CENTRE 01785 254653 0121 780 3333 SLADE ROOMS Guildhall, Staffs Crewe Lyceum FAITH EVANS The Insti- WOLVERHAMPTON ANDY MILLS Havana Re- THE JESUS & MARY tute, Birmingham FLAPPER 0121 236 2421 0870 320 7000 Warwickshire public, Shrewsbury CHAIN The Institute, RESPUBLICA, HARMFOOL, THE GLEE CLUB STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL THE ASSEMBLY, LEAMINGTON 0871 472 0400 THE EVERLY BROTHERS & Birmingham DIEREVERS AND ASH- 01384 812812 01926 311311 FRIENDS TRIBUTE SHOW LEDDRA CHAPMAN The BORN Route 44, B’ham HARE & HOUNDS WULFRUN HALL, THE KASBAH, COVENTRY 0121 444 2081 WOLVERHAMPTON Prince Of Wales Centre, Sunflower Lounge, JOE MCELDERRY Crewe 024 7655 4473 THE INSTITUTE 0870 320 7000 Cannock Birmingham Lyceum NAILCOTE HALL, THE ASSIST The Slade 0121 643 0428 BERKSWELL GABBIDON The Jam REACH OUT TO MOTOWN Shropshire Rooms, Wolverhampton House, Birmingham IRISH CENTRE 02476 46 6174 The Robin, Bilston 0121 622 2314 ONE STOP BOOGIE - 70S V MICHAEL CHAPMAN BIRCHMEADOW, BROSELEY STRATFORD CIVIC HALL SLOW CLUB The Sun- 01952 882210 80S The River Rooms, Kitchen Garden Cafe, THE JAM HOUSE 01789 207100 flower Lounge, B’ham 0121 200 3030 THE BUTTERMARKET, Stourbridge Birmingham THE TIN MUSIC & ARTS, THE BEAT BROTHERS The THE KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE SHREWSBURY DARLIA The Sugarmill, MONOMYTH The COVENTRY Jam House, B’ham 0121 443 4725 01743 355055 0247 655 9958 Stoke-on-Trent Oobleck, Birmingham THE KICKSTONES The Sa- GENTING ARENA THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, TROYKA mac - Midlands lopian, Shrewsbury 0844 338 8000 MUCH WENLOCK Worcestershire 01952 728911 Arts Centre, B’ham LABOUR OF LOVE - UB40 BARCLAYCARD ARENA ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE THE BONFIRE RADICALS TRIBUTE The River 0844 338 8000 HENRY TUDOR HOUSE 01527 577330 The Red Lion Folk Club, Rooms, Stourbridge SHREWSBURY THE RAINBOW 01743 361666 HUNTINGDON HALL / SWAN Birmingham JILTED GENERATION The 0121 772 8174 THEATRE 01905 611427 THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY Roadhouse, B’ham RED LION FOLK CLUB 01743 234970 MARR’S BAR, WORCESTER MIKE COLLINS QUARTET 0121472 4253 01905 613336 THU 26 FEB LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS Symphony Hall, B’ham THE ROADHOUSE 01584 878141 THE RIVER ROOMS, THAT'LL BE THE DAY MA POLAINE'S GREAT DE- 0121 246 2273 THEATRE SEVERN, STOURBRIDGE Crewe Lyceum CLINE Kitchen Garden ROUTE 44 01384 397177 Darlia SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 FAIRPORT CONVENTION 0121 708 0108 Cafe, Birmingham THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, Theatre Severn, JOE SEAGAR Havana Re- SYMPHONY HALL TELFORD 01952 382382 DOMINIC J MARSHALL Shrewsbury public, Shrewsbury 0121 780 3333 For additional information WEM TOWN HALL and to find out What’s On TRIO The Hive, Shrews- THE VICTORIA THE SCRIPT Genting THE JASON REBELLO TRIO 01939 232299 at these venues. bury Arena (formerly LG Maidment Auditorium, 0121 633 9439 Visit: CANARD DU JOUR Arena), Birmingham www.whatsonlive.co.uk

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PREVIEWS Ireland Trio Classical Music Maidment Hall, Shrewsbury School, Sat 14 February This memorial concert for Shrewsbury music lover Lilly Grabner features her music-composer son Ric, one of whose works is included in the programme (his Piano Trio No2). Ric introduces the event with a Meet The Composer talk, after which the Ireland Trio swing into action. Comprising three members of innovative collective New Music Brighton - Ellie Black- shaw (violin), Peter Copley (cello) and Adam Swayne (piano) - the trio was formed to mark the one hundred-and-fifti- eth anniversary of John Ireland’s death.

Europa Galante Town Hall, Birmingham, Thur 19 February Hailed by BBC Music Magazine for its ‘wonderful esprit, bravura and finesse’, Europa Galante has established itself as a powerhouse performer when it comes to the work of its great compatriot, Antonio Skryabin And The Russians Festival Vivaldi. Here presenting the composer’s Various venues, including Birmingham Conservatoire, Wed 11 - Sun 22 February best loved of baroque concertos, The Four Seasons, the orchestra is led by Fabio Sir Adrian Boult once described the works of Alexander Skryabin as ‘evil music’. So there’s Biondi, its musical director. Biondi founded more than a touch of irony about the fact that it’s Birmingham Conservatoire - regular users of the group in 1990, to fulfill his desire to the city’s Adrian Boult Hall - who’re mounting this series of concerts to commemorate the cen- form an Italian period instrument ensemble tenary of the now-celebrated Russian composer’s death. that performed both baroque and classical Finding his inspiration in the music of Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, Skryabin developed a repertoire. somewhat controversial style which not only reflected his fixation with mysticism but also with Synaesthesia - the neurological phenomenon in which senses can combine to ‘see’ sounds. Although greatly celebrated both during his lifetime and nowadays, Skryabin hasn’t always been flavour of the month in the West. Adrian Boult’s claim that the composer’s music was ‘evil’ reflected a perspective that was much in evidence during the 1930s. Commenting on this month’s festival, Daniel Browell, the Conservatoire's Associate Head of Keyboard, said: “Highlights by Skryabin include Le Poème de l'extase, the Piano Concerto performed by Ashok Gupta, Peter Donohoe’s recital of the complete sonatas and a talk by our resident Skryabin expert Simon Nicholls. We will also connect to other Russian composers throughout the festival, such as Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Kapustin and Medtner.” Musicians performing at the festival include Susan Gritton, Peter Donohoe, Julian Jacobson and Thomas Riebel (pictured), who’ll be exploring the mystical style of Skyrabin’s work. BBC Philharmonic Trish Clowes’ Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Tangent Quintet Fri 6 February Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Sat 28 February The BBC Philharmonic is no stranger to Hanley, regularly visiting from its base in Salford’s “It isn’t easy to make things happen in MediaCityUK. Alongside its Potteries appear- jazz,” says Shropshire-born saxophonist ances, it also performs an annual season of con- and composer Trish Clowes, “but it’s usu- certs at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, and has ally possible to find a way if you really most of its annual output broadcast on Radio want it enough.” Three. This latest Stoke-on-Trent visit sees the High-profile trailblazer Trish is certainly orchestra presenting a programme featuring making things happen. Her sound has Haydn’s Overture, Windsor Castle, Beethoven’s been described as an exploration of a fas- Piano Concerto No. 5 (Emperor) and cinating hinterland between jazz and con- Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 (Scottish). temporary classical music. Its quiet intensi- Netherlands pianist Hannes Minnaar is the ty manages to speak not only to lovers of soloist. Juanjo Mena conducts. traditional jazz but also to those who yearn for something a little more modern. “For The Orchestra Of The Swan me, it’s important that music transports you to a different place and makes you featuring Peter Donohoe think,” continues Trish, who enjoyed her Birmingham Town Hall, Wed 11 February tenure as BBC Radio Three New Genera- tion Artist. “I’m less concerned with The Orchestra Of The Swan’s legion of whether I like it or not.” dedicated followers have been under- standably thrilled by the involvement this season of Peter Donohoe, who’s joined OOTS (as the orchestra’s entirely happy to be known) as Associate Artist. One of the world’s foremost pianists, Peter is here performing alongside the orchestra in a concert which features: Haydn’s Sym- phony no7 in C ‘Le Midi’: Beethoven’s Piano Concerto no3 in C minor; and Haydn’s Symphony no101 in D ‘The Clock’. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Classical Feb Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 18:09 Page 3

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Classical LISTINGS For full listing information on classical concerts, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk CBSO FAMILY CONCERT: Mozart, Sat 7 Feb, Adri- AROUND THE WORLD IN an Boult Hall, B’ham 80 MINUTES Presented THE KENNY GARRETT by Alistair Malloy & fea- QUINTET Tue 10 Feb, turing Julian Wilkins Birmingham Town Hall (conductor), Sun 1 Feb, PETER DONOHOE AND Symphony Hall, Birm- BEETHOVEN'S C MINOR ingham CONCERTO Featuring UNLIMITED VOICES Fea- Orchestra Of The turing two hundred Swan. Programme singers from the Birm- includes works by ingham area, Sun 1 Haydn & Beethoven, Feb, Birmingham Town Wed 11 Feb, Birming- Hall ham Town Hall THOMAS TROTTER CON- CBSO: SHOSTAKOVICH CERT & BIRMINGHAM UNCOVERED Presented CONSERVATOIRE CHOIR by Paul Rissman and Programme includes featuring Andris Nel- works by Howells, sons (conductor), Wed Holst, Vaughan 11 Feb, Symphony Williams & Kodaly, Mon Hall, Birmingham Andris Nelsons (CBSO) - Symphony Hall, Birmingham 2 Feb, Birmingham SKRYABIN AND THE RUS- Town Hall SIANS FESTIVAL Twelve- John Ireland, Sat 14 Bartok, Wed 18 Feb, CANDLELIGHT Mozart no), Trevor Lloyd Evans LIANG SHANG PIANO day event where audi- Feb, Maidment Hall, The Barber Institute, masterpieces per- (baritone) and compere RECITAL Programme ences can experience Shrewsbury School Birmingham formed by the Euro- Carole Green, Sat 28 includes works by the works of the great CBSO: WAR AND REVOLU- EUROPA GALANTE PER- pean Baroque Ensem- Feb, Theatre Severn, Bach, Beethoven & Russian composer & TION Featuring Eleanor FORMS VIVALDI'S FOUR ble and Singers, Sun Shrewsbury Glinka, Tues 3 Feb, pianist, Wed 11 - Sun Dennis (soprano) & SEASONS Thurs 19 Feb, 22 Feb, Theatre Severn, TRISH CLOWNES' TAN- Adrian Boult Hall, Birm- 22 Feb, Birmingham Andris Nelsons (con- Birmingham Town Hall Shrewsbury GENT QUINTET Compris- ingham Conservatoire Conservatoire ductor). Programme CBSO: SCHUBERT, ALEXANDER PANFILOV IN ing Trish Clowes (saxo- CBSO: FROM THE DANUBE MANCHESTER CAMERATA includes works by Elgar STRAUSS & DVORAK Fea- RECITAL Programme phones), Gwilym Sim- TO THE RHINE Pro- Featuring Gabor & Shostakovich, Sun 15 turing Andris Nelsons includes works by cock (piano), Alex gramme includes works Takacs-Nagy (conduc- Feb, Symphony Hall, (conductor) & Elspeth Debussy, Schumann, Munk (guitar), Calum by Schubert, Mozart & tor) & Hannah Roberts Birmingham Dutch (horn), Thurs 19 Ravel & Stravinsky, Gourlay (bass) & Schumann, Thurs 5 (cello). Programme CHAMBER ENSEMBLE & Feb, Symphony Hall, Wed 25 Feb, Birming- James Maddren Feb, Symphony Hall, includes works by GAMELAN ENSEMBLE Birmingham ham Town Hall (drums), Sat 28 Feb, Birmingham Bizet, Elgar & Mozart, Sun 15 Feb, Bramall CBSO FRIDAY NIGHT ALMA GUITAR QUARTET Arena Theatre, Wolver- CENTRE STAGE: ABERG, Thurs 12 Feb, Stafford Music Building, B’ham CLASSICS: OPERA GALA Wed 25 Feb, Recital hampton ARLIDGE, GUILLAUME & Gatehouse Theatre SIMON JOHNSON: WAR Featuring works by Hall, Birmingham Con- TYLER Programme COLLABRO English musi- AND PEACE Programme Wagner, Dvorak, Rossi- servatoire includes works by cal theatre boy band includes works by ni, Verdi, Mozart, Pucci- CBSO MAHLER'S SIXTH Classical Haydn & Schubert, who wowed the Holst, Eben, Langlais & ni, Tchaikovsky, Goun- SYMPHONY Programme Thurs 5 Feb, CBSO Britain's Got Talent Reubke, Mon 16 Feb, od, Bizet, Leoncavallo includes works by Berg Box Office Centre, Birmingham judges & viewers with Birmingham Town Hall & Borodin, Fri 20 Feb, & Mahler, Thurs 26 Feb, LYDIA GLANVILLE QUAR- their renditions of clas- MR APOLLO Featuring Symphony Hall, B’ham Symphony Hall, Birm- ADRIAN BOULT HALL, TET Fri 6 Feb, Sympho- sic tracks, Thurs 12 Pete Holder (vocals, MIDLAND CHAMBER ingham B’HAM ny Hall, Birmingham Feb, Symphony Hall, guitar, mandolin), Paul PLAYERS Programme CBSO PLAYERS Featuring 0121 331 5901 BBC PHILHARMONIC Pro- Birmingham Miller (viola, vocals), includes works by Byron Parish (violin), gramme includes works PETER WHELAN & SIMON ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE Ian Rushbury (vocals, Mozart, Fri 20 Feb, Kate Setterfield (cello), 01527 577330 by Haydn, Beethoven & SMITH LUNCHTIME bass) and Craig Ship- Birmingham & Midland John Humphreys BARBER INSTITUTE, Mendelssohn, Fri 6 RECITAL Programme ley (drums), Mon 16 Institute (piano). Programme BIRMINGHAM Feb, Victoria Hall, includes works by Feb, Crescent Theatre, THE KLEE STRING QUAR- includes works by Stoke-on-Trent Dutilleux, Field (arr. Birmingham TET Programme Shostakovich & 0121 414 7333 FLIGHTS OF FANCY: ROSE Jancourt), Groviez, TRIO VOLANT Mon 16 includes works by Mendelssohn, Thurs 26 BIRMINGHAM CONSORT OF VIOLS Pro- Piazzola & Saint-Saëns, Feb, The Lion Hotel, György Kurtág & Feb, CBSO Centre, CONSERVATOIRE gramme includes works Fri 13 Feb, The Barber Shrewsbury Mendelssohn, Fri 20 Birmingham 0121 331 5901/2 by William Byrd, Antony Institute, Birmingham SIGNUM SAXOPHONE Feb, Birmingham Con- THALLEIN ENSEMBLE & Holborne, John Ward & BIRMINGHAM CONSERVA- BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL QUARTET Programme servatoire RICHARD BAKER Evening 0121 780 3333 Alfonso Ferrabosco II, TOIRE SYMPHONY includes works by ROSANNA TER-BERG & featuring no fewer than BRAMALL CONCERT Fri 6 Feb, The Barber ORCHESTRA Taking Sibelius, Glasunov, LEO NICHOLSON Sat 21 eight world premieres, HALL, BIRMINGHAM Institute, Birmingham place as part of Skyra- Ligeti, Barber & Gersh- Feb, Moor Park, Lud- Fri 27 Feb, Recital Hall, CBSO FROM THE DANUBE bin and the Russians win, Mon 16 Feb, Birm- low, South Shropshire Birmingham Conserva- 0121 414 3344 TO THE RHINE Pro- Festival, Fri 13 Feb, ingham Town Hall CBSO YOUTH ORCHES- toire CBSO CENTRE, gramme includes works Birmingham Conserva- HEATH QUARTET Pro- TRA: MAHLER’S FIRST NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE BIRMINGHAM by Schubert, Mozart & toire gramme includes works SYMPHONY Featuring Programme featuring 0121 780 3333 Schumann, Sat 7 Feb, IRELAND TRIO Featuring by Haydn, Janá ek & Edward Gardner (con- works by Bushra El EVESHAM ARTS CENTRE Symphony Hall, B’ham Ellie Blackshaw (violin), Dvo ák, Tues 17č Feb, ductor) & Denis Turk, Michael Zev Gor- 01386 446944 BIRMINGHAM JUNIOR Peter Copley (cello) & Birminghamř Town Hall Kozhukhin (piano), Sun don, David Ibbet, Daria MALVERN THEATRE CONSERVATOIRE ORCHES- Adam Swayne (piano). DANTE QUARTET Pro- 22 Feb, Symphony Zwiatkowska & David 01684 892277 TRAL CONCERT Pro- Programme includes gramme includes works Hall, Birmingham Önaç, Fri 27 Feb, The NEW ALEXANDRA gramme includes works works by Haydn, Ric by Haydn, Debussy & MAGICAL MOZART BY Barber Institute, Birm- THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM by Tchaikovsky & Grabner, Beethoven & ingham 0844 871 3011 Hannah Roberts with Manchester Camerata - Stafford Gatehpuse Theatre BCMG: THE SONGBOOK ROSES THEATRE, Rare opportunity to TEWKESBURY hear a hand-picked 01684 295074 selection of seventeen TOWN HALL songs for soprano & LEAMINGTON SPA small ensemble, Fri 27 01926 334418 Feb, CBSO Centre, STRATFORD ARTSHOUSE Birmingham 01789 207100 CBSO: MAHLER'S SIXTH SYMPHONY Programme STRATFORD UPON AVON includes works by Berg TOWN HALL & Mahler, Sat 28 Feb, 01789 269332 Symphony Hall, B’ham SYMPHONY HALL, ST DAVID'S DAY CONCERT BIRMINGHAM Featuring Denbigh Male 0121 780 3333 Voice Choir, Llagwym WARWICK ARTS CENTRE Male Voice Choir, 02476 524524 Bethan Owen (sopra- www.whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Comedy Feb - Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 18:10 Page 1 Comedy

Seann Walsh Comedy Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Sat 14 February Box Office Seann Walsh is such a popular comedian he could even give Real Madrid a run for their ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 money when it comes to the acquisition of sil- BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL verware. The award-winning star of television 0121 780 3333 shows such as Mock The Week and Russell CIVIC HALL, Howard’s Good News Extra, Seann’s been WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000 likened to the leg- COURTYARD THEATRE, endary Billy HEREFORD Connolly in terms 01432 340555 of his gift for story- THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM telling. His jokes 0121 333 2444 aren’t bad either, DRUMMONDS BAR, WORCESTER with two examples 01905 28190 being as follows: “I THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, don't understand MUCH WENLOCK swimming. You 01952 728911 don't see fish EVESHAM ARTS CENTRE, WORCESTERSHIRE going for a walk” 01386 446944 and “Are city cen- FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, tre beat officers LEEK, STAFFS police who rap?” 01538 386112 THE GEORGE HOTEL, Dara O’Briain BURSLEM, STAFFS Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Fri 27 February 07763301081 THE GLEE CLUB, Stand Up For Tommy Mundon Charismatic, fast-talking and very, very funny, Dara O' Briain is a for- BIRMINGHAM mer biggest-selling comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He’s 0871 4720400 Brierley Civic Hall, Dudley, Tues 17 February also a familiar face on the telly, thanks to shows like Mock The Week HIGHLIGHT, BIRMINGHAM This sure-to-be-lively evening of comedy is and Have I Got News For You. Jokes include: “If we were truly creat- 0844 844 0044 being held in tribute to Black Country laughter- ed by God, why do we occasionally bite the insides of our mouths?” HUNTINGDON HALL, merchant Tommy Munden, who passed away WORCESTER, and “Even though you’re still allowed to smoke in your own house, 01905 611427 last year at the age of eighty. Tommy was one do you have to stub it out when a burglar breaks in, as your house is KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE, of the stars of the ever-popular Black Country now his workplace?” BIRMINGHAM Night Out comedy show, and performed on the 0121 443 4725 circuit for over fifty years. The tribute night is LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS being held in aid of Mary Stevens Hospice and Paul Foot 01584 878141 features performances from, among others, MAC, BIRMINGHAM Alan 'Aynuk' Smith, Bev Pegg, Mel Thomas, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, 0121 446 3232 Marlence and Maggie O'Hara. Fri 28 February OAKENGATES THEATRE, TELFORD Not so much a teller of gags, Paul 01952 382382 Foot's routines involve him sharing PALACE THEATRE, with his audience the seemingly ran- REDDITCH Mick Ferry dom and intriguingly surreal 01527 65203 Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Wed 11 February thoughts that make their way PLAYERS BAR, BIRMINGHAM Highly regarded not only as a stand-up but also through his ever-busy mind. 0121 643 6871 a compere, Mick has peddled his cynical brand “I’d like to do a TV show,” he told THE ROSES THEATRE of humour on BBC One’s Michael McIntyre’s comedy.co.uk by way of exam- TEWKESBURY Comedy Roadshow. He’s also enjoyed the ple, “in which I enter an 01684 295074 ROYAL SPA CENTRE, experience of ‘being a film star’, having unsuspecting family's LEAMINGTON SPA appeared in Ken Loach’s Palm D’Or-nominated house at dinner time, vio- 01926 334418 movie, Looking For Eric. He’s an old-style lently upturn tables, hurl SHOWCASE, COVENTRY comedian in many ways, his dour manner a all the crockery and food 0871 220 1000 at the walls and scream THE SLADE ROOMS, throwback to the days when blunt northern fun- WOLVERHAMPTON nymen were ten-a-penny, while his humour is ‘Oh how the tables have 0870 320 7000 derived from a fairly pessimistic outlook on life. turned!’.” SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX “There's no message On the subject of television 0121 704 6962 in this show,” he shows, Paul admits he STAFFORD GATEHOUSE THEATRE declared at one of his doesn’t appear on any- 01785 619080 gigs. “There's no where near as many as THEATRE SEVERN, moral lesson; there some other comedians. SHREWSBURY are just some jokes. “People know when 01743 281281 a TV show needs WARWICK ARTS CENTRE And if you need a 02476 524524 me and the phone comedian to tell you WULFRUN HALL, how to think and treat will ring. Quite often WOLVERHAMPTON other people, then you I'm in the bath, 0870 320 7000 should take a ****ing though, or smashing spe- hard look at yourself.” cially purchased greenhouses with a golf club in the garden.”

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Theatre, Birmingham DAVE TWENTYMAN PLUS Comedy LISTINGS COMICS TBC, COMPERE HARRIET DYER Tues 10 Feb, Rose Villa Tavern, For full listing information on comedy Birmingham gigs including times and dates visit SHAZIA MIRZA, HELEN www.whatsonlive.co.uk THORN, JULIET MEYERS AND MAUREEN YOUNGER Wed 11 Feb, Kitchen STEPHEN K AMOS Sun 1 BUJEGA AND CHRIS Garden Cafe, Feb, The Courtyard, CHOPPING Fri 6 Feb, Birmingham Hereford The Courtyard, MICK FERRY, PAUL DAN EVANS, KATIE Hereford MCCAFFERY AND MARK MULGREW, GEOFF STEWART LEE Fri 6 Feb, OLVER Wed 11 Feb, NORCOTT AND MARK Malvern Theatres Henry Tudor House, OLVER Sun 1 Feb, JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH Fri Shrewsbury Theatre Severn, 6 Feb, The Roses ROY CHUBBY BROWN Shrewsbury Theatre, Tewkesbury Thurs 12 - Fri 13 Feb, JOHN RYAN, MIKE JOHN FOTHERGILL, DAVE Palace Theatre, NEWALL AND TONY VINO TWENTYMAN, NISH Redditch Sun 1 Feb, Crewe KUMAR AND DAVID TRENT STEPHEN K AMOS Thurs Lyceum Fri 6 - Sat 7 Feb, The 12 Feb, Theatre JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH Glee Club, Birmingham Severn, Shrewsbury Mon 2 Feb, Crewe RHODRI RHYS, STEVE AL MURRAY Thurs 12 Lyceum SHANYASKI, MARK Feb, Warwick Arts Mark Watson - Stafford Gatehouse Theatre BRIGHT CLUB COMEDY NELSON AND BOBBY MAIR Centre, Coventry ROY CHUBBY BROWN Sat Lichfield Garrick 25 Feb, Artrix, NIGHT Mon 2 Feb, The Fri 6 - Sat 7 Feb, STEWART LEE Thurs 12 14 Feb, Bedworth Civic MILTON JONES Fri 20 Bromsgrove REP, Birmingham Jongleurs Comedy Feb, De Montfort Hall, Hall Feb, De Montfort Hall, JOKE THIEVES Thurs 26 JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH Club, Birmingham Leicester DYLAN MORAN Sat 14 Leicester Feb, The Glee Club, Tues 3 Feb, Artrix, MARK WATSON Sat 7 DANA ALEXANDER, BEN Feb, Stratford SIMON AMSTELL Fri 20 Birmingham Bromsgrove Feb, Stafford NORRIS, DANNY BREAKEY ArtsHouse, Stratford- Feb, Birmingham Town BOB MILLS Thurs 26 OMID DJALILI Wed 4 Gatehouse Theatre PLUS COMIC TBC Thurs upon-Avon Hall Feb, The Station Pub, Feb, Lichfield Garrick STEWART LEE Sat 7 Feb, 12 Feb, The Glee Club, ANDREW O'NEILL Sat 14 MITCH BENN Fri 20 Feb, Sutton Coldfield RUSSELL KANE, STEVE Warwick Arts Centre, Birmingham Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove mac, Birmingham ANGELA BARNES, PAUL BUGEJA, SUZY BENNETT Coventry DANA ALEXANDER, BEN SEANN WALSH Sat 14 CHRIS COX Fri 20 Feb, MCCAFFREY AND Wed 4 Feb, The Glee CHRISTIAN O'CONNELL NORRIS, SUZI RUFFELL Feb, Ludlow Assembly Evesham Arts Centre, COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH Club, Birmingham Sat 7 Feb, Artrix, AND GARETH RICHARDS Rooms, South Worcestershire ANDY ROBINSON Thurs JIMEOIN Thurs 5 Feb, Bromsgrove Fri 13 - Sat 14 Feb Shropshire ANDREW BIRD, EDDY 26 Feb, The Glee Club, The Glee Club, BARRY DODDS, ADAM The Glee Club, B’ham IMRAN YUSUF, PETE BRIMSON, JIM CAMPBELL Birmingham Birmingham ROWE, DANA ALEXANDER ROMESH RANGANATHAN, OTWAY, KAI HUMPHRIES AND PAUL MCCAFFREY ANGELA BARNES, PAUL NISH KUMAR, DAVID AND RAY PEACOCK Sat 7 BEN NORRIS AND AND KELLY KINGHAM Sat Fri 20 - Sat 21 Feb MCCAFFREY, ROBIN TRENT AND COMEDY Feb, Players Bar, ANDREW RYAN Thurs 12 14 Feb, Coventry Jongleurs Comedy MORGAN AND OWEN CAROUSEL WITH ANDY Birmingham Feb, Bramall Music Showcase Club, Birmingham O'NEILL Fri 27 - Sat 28 ROBINSON Thurs 5 Feb SILKY, JAMES REDMOND, Building, Birmingham KEN DODD Sun 15 Feb, BARNSTOMERS COMEDY Feb, The Glee Club, The Glee Club, B’ham DAVID LONGLEY AND OMID DJALILI Fri 13 Feb Crewe Lyceum NIGHT - LINE UP TBC Sat Birmingham JOE LYCETT, ALFIE RUTH E COCKBURN Sat 7 Symphony Hall, B’ham JOSIE LONG Sun 15 Feb, 21 Feb, LLOYD LANGFORD Fri 27 MOORE, JON PEARSON, Feb, Coventry JO CAULFIELD The Electric Cinema, Artrix, Bromsgrove Feb, Warwick Arts DAVE POLLARD AND Showcase Fri 13 Feb, mac, B’ham Birmingham JIMMY CARR Sat 21 Feb, Centre, Coventry ANDY KIND Thurs 5 Feb, ARTHUR SMITH, MATT VALENTINES EVENING TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Warwick Arts Centre, PATRICK MONAHAN Fri 27 Foxlowe Arts Centre, RICHARDSON, KATHERINE WITH DIBBI & FRIENDS Mon 16 Feb, The Blue Coventry Feb, Huntingdon Hall, Staffordshire RYAN AND TIERNAN Comedy and music, Fri Orange Theatre, B’ham COMEDY IN THE MET Worcester JOHN ROBERTSON, DOULEB Sat 7 Feb, De 13 Feb, The Drum, STAND UP FOR TOMMY Sat 21 Feb, Stafford RICHARD HERRING Fri 27 ROMESH RANGANATHAN, Montfort Hall, Leicester Birmingham MUNDON WITH AYNUK, Gatehouse Theatre Feb, The Slade Rooms, PHILIP SIMON AND CARLY COMEDY CLUB FOR KIDS KATHERINE RYAN, BEV PEGG, MEL THOMAS, JIMEOIN Sat 21 Feb Wolverhampton SMALLMAN Thurs 5 Feb, WITH TIERNAN DOULEB, CHRISTIAN REILLY, PHIL MARLENCE, MAGGIE The Place, Oakengates DARA O'BRIAIN Fri 27 The George Hotel, HOWARD READ AND IAIN DINSDALE AND PETER O'HARA, BARRY SMITH, Theatre, Telford Feb, Civic Hall, Lichfield STIRLING Sat 7 Feb, De BRUSH Fri 13 - Sat 14 DANDY, KEN WOOD AND ANDY ROBINSON, STEVE Wolverhampton ALAN CARR Thurs 5 Feb, Montfort Hall, Leicester Feb, Jongleurs DOUG PARKER Tues 17 SHANYASKI, STEVE MARK THOMAS Fri 27 Theatr Hafren, ANDREW LAWRENCE Sun Comedy Club, B’ham Feb, Brierley Civic Hall, WILLIAMS AND COMIC Feb, Warwick Arts Newtown, Powys 8 Feb, Theatre Severn, JIMEOIN Fri 13 Feb, Dudley TBC Sat 21 Feb, The Centre, Coventry AL MURRAY Fri 6 Feb, Shrewsbury Stafford Gatehouse BRENDON BURNS Tues Glee Club, B’ham PAUL FOOT Fri 27 Feb, Regent Theatre, Stoke- DAVID O'DOHERTY Sun 8 Theatre 17 Feb, The Electric JOHN MOLONEY, SOPHIE Theatre Severn, On-Trent Feb, Warwick Arts HENNING WEHN Sat 14 Cinema, Birmingham HAGAN, DAVID TRENT Shrewsbury JIMMY CARR Fri 6 Feb, Centre, Coventry Feb, Crewe Lyceum ALUN COCHRANE Wed 18 AND TOM JIM SMALLMAN, JOE De Montfort Hall, ROUGH WORKS- NEW ZOE LYONS, ELEANOR Feb, Warwick Arts WRIGGLESWORTH Sat 21 ROWNTREE, RAY MEARNS Leicester MATERIAL NIGHT TIERNAN, ANDREW BIRD Centre, Coventry Feb, Players Bar, AND PHILBERTO Fri 27 - LEO MUHAMMAD, Sun 8 Feb, The Glee AND MC DANNY JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH Birmingham Sat 28 Feb. Jongleurs MELANIE GAYLE AND MR Club, Birmingham MCLOUGHLIN Sat 14 Wed 18 Feb, New Vic SUSAN CALMAN Sat 21 Comedy Club, B’ham BLAIR Fri 6 Feb, The LOUDEEMY SOUP Feb, Players Bar, Theatre, Stoke-On-Trent Feb, Royal Spa Centre, BARBARA NICE Fri 27 Drum, Birmingham COMEDY NIGHT Mon 9 Birmingham JULIAN DEANE, STEVE Feb, The Blue Orange JOSIE LONG Wed 18 Leamington Spa Feb, Solihull Arts Feb, The Slade Rooms, LOL COMEDY CLUB WITH Complex Wolverhampton MC DAMION LARKIN Sat MAXINE JONES Sat 28 Stephen K Amos - Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury STEVE SHANYASKI, STEVE 21 Feb, Regent theatre, Feb, Palace Theatre, WILLIAMS AND COMEDY Stoke-on-Trent Redditch CAROUSEL WITH ANDY SEAN PERCIVAL, DANNY ANDY PARSONS Sat 28 ROBINSON Thurs 19 WARD, TONY BURGESS Feb, Warwick Arts Feb, The Glee Club, AND LUKE GRAVES Sat Centre, Coventry Birmingham 21 Feb, Coventry RICH WILSON, VIKKI SEANN WALSH Thurs 19 Showcase STONE, CHRIS - Fri 20 Feb, The Glee THE LAUGHING SOLE - MCCAUSLAND AND MATT Club, Birmingham COMEDY CLUB FOR KIDS REED Sat 28 Feb, STEVE SHANYASKI, STEVE Sun 22 Feb, mac, Players Bar, WILLIAMS WITH ANDY Birmingham Birmingham ROBINSON PLUS COMIC STEPHEN K AMOS Sun 22 THE LOVELY MEN SPRING TBC Fri 20 Feb Feb, Warwick Arts COLLECTION Sat 28 Feb, The Glee Club, B’ham Centre, Coventry mac, Birmingham AL MURRAY Fri 20 Feb MALCOLM STENT IN THE RORY MCGRATH & PHILIP Theatre Severn, AFTERNOON Mon 23 POPE Sat 28 Feb, The Shrewsbury Feb, Solihull Arts Edge Arts Centre, RICH HALL Fri 20 Feb Complex Much Wenlock, South Stratford ArtsHouse, OMID DJALILI Tues 24 Shropshire Stratford-upon-Avon Feb, Crewe Lyceum TOM DEACON, JOHN KATHERINE RYAN, SIMON MILTON JONES Wed 25 RYAN, ROBERT WHITE FEILD, SURNAME AND Feb, Theatre Severn, AND JAMALI MADDIX Sat SURNAME, CHRIS Shrewsbury 28 Feb, Coventry PURCHASE Fri 20 Feb, LLOYD LANGFORD Wed Showcase

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WIN TICKETS whatsonlive.co.uk to enter The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 10 - Sat 14 February; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 17 - Sat 21 February; Birmingham Hippodrome, Tuesday 26 May - Sat 6 June This National Theatre stage adaptation of Mark Haddon’s award-win- suspicion after discovering the lifeless body of his neighbour’s dog, ning novel bagged an impressive seven Olivier Awards in 2013 and Christopher decides to investigate the crime, and embarks on a jour- has met with almost universal acclaim. At its centre is the character of ney that will change his world forever... fifteen-year-old Christopher, a boy who describes himself as “a math- Read the interview with playwright Simon Stephens on page 6. ematician with some behavioural difficulties”. Initially coming under

Jeeves And Wooster: Perfect Nonsense Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 4 - Sat 7 February; The REP, Birmingham, Mon 9 - Sat 14 March The delightful world of PG Wodehouse is here brought to the stage in a production that’s enjoyed huge success in the West End. Featuring an engaging cast of quirky characters, it finds Bertie Wooster being unwittingly called on to play matchmaker when a country house weekend takes a turn for the worse. To add to his problems, Bertie needs to steal a silver cow creamer from Totleigh Towers. Needless to say, the ever-dependable Jeeves is on hand to save his employer’s blushes... Read the interview with Robert Webb at www.whatsonlive.co.uk WIN TICKETS whatsonlive.co.uk to enter WIN The King’s Speech TICKETS The REP, Birmingham, whatsonlive.co.uk to enter Wed 25 February - Sat 7 March King George VI has a stammer. He also has to make his first wartime radio broadcast following Britain's declaration of hostilities against Germany. Desperate to overcome his affliction, the king turns to Lionel Logue, an Australian speech and language therapist who, as the pair work towards a common goal, gradually becomes his friend... Based on the Oscar- winning movie of the same title, The King’s Speech is here co-presented by The REP and Chichester Festival Theatre. Jason Donovan stars as Logue, with Raymond Coulthard (Mr Selfridge, Hotel Baby- lon) taking the role of King George.

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Theatre PREVIEWS The Honey Man The REP, Birmingham, Mon 16 - Sat 21 February; Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Tues 24 February The way in which the plight of bees threatens flora, fauna and diet, how cultural artefacts carry memory, and the difficulties of growing up and growing old are among the themes covered by this thought-provoking work of theatre from Birmingham writer and actor Tyrone Huggins. Ageing Caribbean recluse Honey Man is trying in vain to save his colony of bees when he meets fiery teenage heiress Misty. As the pair develop an unlikely friendship, an antique painting reveals a secret that con- nects their lives in ways they could never have imagined... Innovative digital projection and an atmospheric soundscape combine to excellent effect in a play that’s been described as ‘sharp and compelling’. Anything Goes Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 16 - Sat 21 February; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 13 - Sat 18 July; Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 14 September - Sat 19 September Cole Porter’s classic musical, set aboard an ocean liner bound for London from New York, makes a welcome return. Telling the story of a stowaway’s love for an heiress who’s engaged to be married to a lord, the show features hit songs You're The Top and I Get A Kick Out Of You - as well as the equally famous title number. Numerous Broadway and West End revivals have ensured the musical has very much remained in the public conciousness since its US debut, with the show last year celebrating its eightieth anniversary.

verbal and physical assault on the senses’. Jane Eyre Nursing Lives “Our shows are riotous, poignant and nostal- Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 24 - Wed Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, gic,” say Fizzog, “but most of all, hysterically 25 February; mac - Midlands Arts Centre, funny. Honorary Fizzog Barbara Nice (TV Thurs 26 February - Sat 7 March Birmingham, Fri 27 February; Arena Theatre, Blue Orange Arts are the ensemble behind Wolverhampton, Tues 3 - Wed 4 March personality Janice Connolly), who adds her own off-the-wall contribution, completes a this latest stage version of Charlotte Bronte's Highly rated mask specialists Vamos make a fantastic evening of entertainment.” classic novel. For those not up to speed with welcome return - complete with their always- the story, it follows the orphaned Jane as winning blend of engaging soundtrack, she's sent by her cruel Aunt Reed to the dance sequences, puppetry, humour and bleak Lowood School. On securing a posi- pathos - to tell a story that’s set both in tion as governess at Thornfield Hall, Jane World War Two and modern-day Britain. finds herself falling for the charms of enig- Hearing that it’s to be demolished, feisty sev- matic master Edward Rochester, unaware entysomething Flo returns to the hospital at that the new object of her affection harbours which she worked during the Second World a dark and terrible secret.. War. But as well as proving to be a personal celebration of friendship, courage, adventure and romance, her illicit visit also reveals a The Liz & Dick Show long-hidden and still-important secret... mac, Birmingham, Thurs 12 - Sat 14 February The History Boys Undoubtedly one of the twentieth century’s New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, most glamorous celebrity couples, Richard Mon 23 - Sat 28 February Burton and Elizabeth Taylor were passionate Alan Bennett’s award-winning play is set in a lovers who fought like cat and dog. Here, as boys' school in northern England in the Burton cajoles Taylor into learning the part 1980s. A young teacher named Irwin has which would lead to her second Oscar, the been brought in to coach the pupils for the couple’s always passionate, often tempestu- Oxbridge exam - but fellow teacher Hector ous relationship is brought under the full believes instead in learning for its own glare of an unforgiving spotlight... sake... “Realistically the person who parents Ken McConnell and Lydia Poole are the per- would want teaching their child would be formers who bicker, bite, snarl and swear Irwin, as Irwin would get you into university,” their way through a turbulent evening as Liz says Bennett. “However, sentimentally, their and Dick. Fifty Shades Of Fizzog hearts would be with Hector, because he’s Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, the type of teacher everyone wants. Every- Fri 27 February body always wishes they’d learned more poetry at school and had someone who The ever-popular Fizzog Productions are urg- would inspire them like that. And it’s the fact ing anybody who enjoys a good laugh to get that, in a way, I couldn’t along to their latest sketch show, as they resolve this conflict in consider it to be a production that’s so funny my head which made ‘you may wet yourself a little’. me write the play.” The Black Country-based ensemble are suit- Read Chris Eldon Lee’s ably proud of their Midlands roots, and feature on The History thoughtfully point out that their ‘brand of Boys at www.whatson- humour and outrageous characters can be a live.co.uk www.whatsonlive.co.uk 27 Theatre - February Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 19:00 Page 5

BIZET, ELGAR, MOZART GATEHOUSE THEATRE

Thurs 12 Feb Sun 8th February THE CAT IN THE HAT Time: 1.00pm & 3.00pm

7.30pm, £16/£14 concs

In a typically dynamic Manchester Camerata concert, enjoy Bizet's less familiar masterpiece, Symphony in C, paired with two of the greatest pieces of classical music. Mesmerising Principal Cello, Fri 13th February Hannah Roberts, performs Elgar's elegiac Cello Concerto – arguably the most popular concerto ever written for the instrument. THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW Mozart's penultimate symphony (no.40), brings the evening to a dramatic conclusion Time: 7.30pm JIMEOIN GATEHOUSE THEATRE Fri 13 Feb Thu 19th February Hailed as one of live comedy's masters, Jimeóin's shows are a fluid mixture of his signature THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS observations and more razor sharp take on the absurdities of THE NIGHT OF THE ZOMBIE everyday life. No gimmicks, big laughs and live stand-up at its Time: 7.30pm very best. 8.00pm, £18

LIANG AND THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH THE MET STUDIO Fri 20th Feruary Thurs 19 Feb ESSENTIAL HOLLIES Liang dreams of being a painter but is too poor to buy himself a Time: 7.30pm paintbrush. Join him on a magical adventure to find out if dreams can come true. An inventive and gentle show with something in it for all the family. Crooked Timber Theatre com- 11.30am & 1.30pm, £7 Sat 21st February bine puppets, origami, live painting and video to bring this well loved Chinese tale to life. JIMEOIN BEYOND THE BARRICADE Time: 8.00pm GATEHOUSE THEATRE Fri 20 Feb This production will include many of the musicals that have made it the UK’s leadingconcert Sun 1st & Mon 2nd March of its kind, including Miss Saigon, The Lion King, Phantom THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE Of The Opera, West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, Blood 7.30pm, £18.50 Time: Sun, 2.00pm, 4.30pm Brothers, Wicked, The Jersey Boys and more, climaxing with a spectacular finale from, of Mon, 10.30am, 12.30pm course, Les Miserables! Don’t miss the musicals event of the Year! LET’S HANG ON GATEHOUSE THEATRE Tue 3rd March Sat 21 Feb GORDON BUCHANAN This award-winning production is a musical journey through the Time: 7.30pm prolific career of one of the most successful bands of all time - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. From the beginnings in the early 50's, the show takes you through many classic hits, climaxing with Fri 6th March a spectacular finale of, of course, 7.30pm, £21 Let's Hang On! BIG PANTS AND BOTOX RIGOLETTO Time: 7.30pm GATEHOUSE THEATRE

Thurs 26 Feb Fri 13th March LLOYD LANGFORD 7.30pm, £32/£30 concs Time: 8.00pm After last year’s season of successful performances of Carmen and La Traviata,The Russian State Ballet and Opera House is back with another world-class Opera, Rigoletto - a tragic tale of misun- derstanding, revenge and sacrifice.

BOOKONLINE Box Office 01785 619080 TWC GP 00942 www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk

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Theatre PREVIEWS Oliver! Bridgnorth Leisure Centre, South Shropshire, Tues 17 - Sat 21 February Bringing to life the Dickens classic about the boy who dared to ask for more, Lionel Bart's brilliant musical is here presented by Bridg- north Musical Theatre Company. So if you like your musicals big on gruesome gruel, raggedy street urchins and magnificently memorable musical numbers - including Food Glorious Food and You've Got To Pick- a-Pocket Or Two - then this is the show for you. Oh, and on this occasion it would definitely be acceptable if you fancied a second helping!

Bell, Book And Candle New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Sat 14 - Sat 28 February When a modern-day witch takes a fancy to a neighbour whose fiancee she’s despised since high school, she enchants him to love her instead - only to then find herself falling in love with him for real... John Van Druten’s Broadway hit is best known from its 1958 movie version, starring James Stewart and A Mad World, My Masters Kim Novak. This new adaptation is directed by the New Vic’s former Artistic Director and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Thurs 26 - Sat 28 February Chief Executive, Gwenda Hughes. Thomas Middleton's Jacobean 'city comedy' was first performed in the early seventeenth century but is here updated to 1956. The action unfolds in London’s shabbily glamorous Soho, where a cash-strapped bachelor has learned to live on his wits. With a rich uncle seeming to be the answer to his troubles, he decides to turn conman, variously becoming a lord, a high- class call girl and a poor actor in a desperate effort to improve his financial fortunes. But as he spins his web of deceit, it soon becomes evident that somebody else is also ‘on the scam’...

for kids... The Basil Brush Show Theatre New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Sun 31 May Every child’s favourite irreverent fox has Liang And The Magic been delighting generations of youngsters Paint Brush for more than half a century now, and continues to strike all the right notes with little peo- And Then There Were None Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 2 - Sat 7 Thurs 19 February ple everywhere. Nowadays accompanied on February; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, his telly series by Mr Stephen (aka Chris Mon 23 - Sat 28 February With a running time of forty-five minutes and Pizzey), who joins him for this live tour, an optional opportunity afterwards to get ‘up In the past decade, The Agatha Christie The- Basil’s roadshow brings together songs and close and personal’ with the puppets, storytelling with plenty of humour - and also atre Company has become well versed in the Gemma Khawaja’s gentle and inventive business of staging the Queen Of Crimewrit- offers audience members a chance to meet adaptation of this old Chinese legend makes the fabulous fox himself. ing's ever-enthralling whodunnits, enjoying for a thoroughly entertaining experience for touring success with adaptations of, among young children. Telling the story of Liang’s others, The Hollies, The Unexpected Guest desire to become a Dr Seuss’s The Cat and And Then There Were None. The latter painter - despite being so In The Hat here makes a welcome return to celebrate poor he can’t even buy the ensemble’s tenth anniversary. The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Sun himself a paintbrush - the 8 February Having been invited to a privately owned show is presented by remote island off the coast of Devon, a group Crooked Timber Theatre Based on the much-loved book by Dr Seuss, of strangers find and combines puppets, this latest theatrical version of The Cat In The that their eccentric origami, live painting and Hat has been designed to engage and millionaire host video images to excellent effect. delight youngsters aged three and older. has mysteriously The Cat In The Hat is the funniest, most mis- disappeared... chievous cat that Sally and her brother have Paul Nicholas, The Chris And Pui Show ever met - and what’s more, he’s got a fan- Colin Buchanan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, tastic talent for turning the rainiest of after- Susan Penhaligon, Tues 17 February noons into the most amazing of adventures... Mark Curry, Verity Incy Wincy, Twinkle, Old MacDonald, Hump- Rushworth, Frazer ty and Granny Humpty - not to mention toys Hines and Ben Tom, Momo, Teddington, Stuffy and Miss Nealon make up Mouse - are all present and correct in this lat- the veritable cast est offering from Show Me, Show Me’s Chris taking this latest and Pui. Described as ‘a family show for chil- Agatha Christie dren aged two to one hundred-and-two’, the play out on the production brings together ‘songs, comedy road. sketches, a dash of magic and heaps of joining in’.

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ford-upon-Avon GAZA: WHEN THE SKY Theatre LISTINGS RAINED WHITE FIRE Liter- ature & spoken word For full listing information on theatre event which provides a productions, including times and dates, moving and careful visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk account of the effects of the Israeli treatment of the people of Gaza, JACK AND THE acclaimed RSC debut Sun 1 Feb, The Drum, BEANSTALK until Sun 1 with The Merry Wives Birmingham Feb, Birmingham Hip- Of Windsor (2012), DOT & ETHEL: MATCH podrome Phillip Breen returns to Based on Hans Chris- THE SLEEPING BEAUTY direct Dekker's glorious tian Andersen’s much- until Sun 1 Feb, The city comedy of class, loved classic, The Little Belfrey Theatre, conflict and cobblers in Match Girl, Match is the Wellington, Shropshire love, until Sat 7 March, enchanting story of a ROOM ON THE BROOM The Swan Theatre, young child’s hopes, Stage adaptation of Stratford-upon-Avon dreams, simple pleas- Julia Donaldson's best- OPPENHEIMER Angus ures and losses, Sun 1 selling book that's sure Jackson directs Tom Feb, mac - Midlands to provide a magical, Moreton's new play, Arts Centre, B’ham musical treat for chil- which explores the per- MONTY PYTHON'S SPA- dren and adults alike, sonal cost of making MALOT Monty Python’s until Sun 1 Feb, The history, until Sat 7 Tony Award-winning REP, Birmingham March, The Swan The- stage show returns to PETER PAN GOES WRONG atre, Stratford-upon- the region, complete The Cornley Polytech- Avon with West End favourite nic Drama Society set LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST Bonnie Langford, out to present JM Bar- Christopher Luscombe comedian/actor Joe rie's classic tale of Peter directs a new produc- Pasquale and ex-East- Pan - but as the title tion of Shakespeare's Ender, Todd Carty. Mon suggests, everything sparkling comedy, until 2 - Sat 7 Feb, New Teechers - Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury that can go wrong, Sat 14 March, Royal Alexandra Theatre, does, and with hilari- Shakespeare Theatre, Birmingham EDGAR ALLEN POE Chill- on a kidnap victim des- the truth about his past ously disastrous Stratford-upon-Avon AND THEN THERE WERE ing stories, haunting perate to keep hope, so that he can take results, until Sun 1 Feb, LOVE'S LABOUR'S WON NONE The Agatha poems and short films Sat 7 Feb, mac - Mid- control of his future, The REP, Birmingham Christopher Luscombe Christie Theatre Com- celebrating the uncon- lands Arts Centre, Birm- Tue 10 Feb, mac - Mid- THE DEEP BLUE SEA Ter- directs the second of pany present a new tested master of the ingham lands Arts Centre, Birm- ence Rattigan's Shakespeare's match- staging of the Queen of macabre, Edgar Allen ONLY FOOLS AND... BOY- ingham acclaimed play about ing pair of comedies Crime's dark and capti- Poe, Fri 6 Feb, The CIE An intimate evening TEECHERS Blackeyed love and infidelity in that rejoice in man's vating tale. Starring Spotted Dog, Digbeth, with actor John Challis, Theatre Company pres- post-war Britain, until capacity to find love in Paul Nicholas, Colin Birmingham Sun 8 Feb, The Old ent John Godber's clas- Sat 7 Feb, Crescent the most unlikely of Buchanan, Susan Pen- AN AUDIENCE WITH COLIN Rep Theatre, B’ham sic classroom comedy, Theatre, Birmingham places, until Sat 14 haligon, Mark Curry, FRY Fri 6 - Sat 7 Feb, DR SEUSS’S THE CAT IN Tue 10 - Wed 11 Feb, THE SHOEMAKER'S HOLI- March, Royal Shake- Verity Rushworth, Fraz- Crescent Theatre, Birm- THE HAT Lively & engag- Theatre Severn, DAY Following his speare Theatre, Strat- er Hines & Ben Nealon, ingham ing theatre experience Shrewsbury Mon 2 - Sat 7 Feb, THE CALL OF CTHULU for young children aged MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS Spamalot - New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand Michael Sabbaton pres- three-plus, Sun 8 Feb, PARK GORKOGO Tue 10 - Theatre ents an atmospheric & The Place, Oakengates Wed 11 Feb, Theatre CASTING THE RUNES Two intimate piece of the- Theatre, Telford, Shrop- Severn, Shrewsbury stories by MR James, atre adapted from the shire LES MISERABLES William performed by Robert classic tale by HP Love- Brookes School pres- Lloyd Parry, Wed 4 Feb, craft, Fri 6 - Sat 7 Feb, Week Commencing ent their version of Theatre Severn, Old Joint Stock The- Schonberg & Boubil’s Shrewsbury atre, Birmingham MON 9 FEB epic musical, Tues 10 - RUN Engineer Theatre THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Fri Fri 13 February, The Collective use physical 6 - Sun 8 Feb, The Bel- AN EVENING WITH TONY Edge Arts Centre, Much theatre to tell the 'exhil- frey Theatre, Welling- STOCKWELL Mediumship Wenlock, South Shrop- arating story of four ton, Shropshire with the TV psychic, shire investment bank interns HARVEY Elwood P Mon 9 Feb, Prince of TIME OF MY LIFE Pre- chasing a career in the Dowd has only one Wales Centre, Cannock sented by Stoke Reper- city', Wed 4 Feb, mac - character flaw: an HANDA’S SURPRISE Little tory Players, Mon 10 - Midlands Arts Centre, unwavering friendship Angel Theatre fuse Sat 14 Feb, Stoke Birmingham with a six foot-tall, invis- physical performance, Repertory Theatre, FANTASTIC MR FOX Sally ible rabbit named Har- puppetry, live music Stoke-on-Trent Reid’s adaptation of vey. Starring James and song to present an AN EVENING WITH POLLY Roald Dahl much-loved Dreyfus & Maureen Lip- intimate and magical TOYNBEE & DAVID WALK- story, Wed 4 - Sat 7 man, Fri 6 - Sat 21 Feb, production for children, ER Join two of the UK’s Feb, Stafford Gate- The REP, Birmingham Mon 9 Feb, Ledbury most respected journal- house Theatre MISS MALONE & Primary School, Here- ists for this timely dis- PETER PAN: A MUSICAL FRIENDS: BURLESQUE fordshire cussion about the state ADVENTURE JM Barrie's REVIEW Sat 7 Feb, Tam- THE TEMPEST The Art of the nation, Wed 11 timeless tale is present- worth Assembly Centre, Telford, present Feb, Arena Theatre, ed by BOA Musical Rooms, Staffs their version of Shake- Wolverhampton Theatre Company, Wed AN EVENING OF DIRTY speare’s magical tale, THE FAITH MACHINE 4 - Sat 7 Feb, Old Rep DANCING Embarking on Mon 9 - Tues 10 Feb, Birmingham School of Theatre, Birmingham it’s Fifth Anniversary The Place, Oakengates, Acting presents Alexi JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN tour, the show is a fully Shropshire Kaye Campbell's new PERFECT NONSENSE Hit choreographed, highly THE CURIOUS INCIDENT play, which explores the West End comedy interactive celebration OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT relationship between adapted from the works of music from the icon- TIME Highly acclaimed faith & capitalism while of PG Wodehouse, ic movie, Sat 7 Feb, National Theatre pro- at the same time asking directed by Sean Foley, Solihull Arts Complex duction based on Mark fundamental questions Wed 4 - Sat 7 Feb, The- FIRST STAGES: WHATEV- Haddon's award-win- about the true meaning atre Severn, Shrews- ER THE WEATHER M6 ning novel, Tues 10 - of love, Wed 11 - Sat 14 bury Theatre Company pres- Sat 14 Feb, Regent Feb, Crescent Theatre, A DOLL'S HOUSE Henrik ents a gentle, climatic Theatre, Hanley, Stoke- Birmingham Ibsen's classic tale of show for children aged on-Trent THE SPECKLED PEOPLE one woman's awaken- three-plus, Sat 7 Feb, THE ANGRY ROADS - Birmingham School of ing from the spiritual The REP, Birmingham WITH GUEST SPEAKER Acting present their ver- and intellectual con- STRAWBERRY BLONDE SHAMI CHAKRABARTI Big sion of Hugo Hamilton's straints of nineteenth CURLS: INSIDE Strawber- Brum Theatre Company bestselling memoir, century married life, ry Blonde Curls present presents Edward Wed 11 - Sat 14 Feb, Thurs 5 - Sat 14 Feb, an emotional & psycho- Bond's compelling Crescent Theatre, Birm- Sutton Arts Theatre, logical drama which drama about a teenage ingham Sutton Coldfield explores the effects of boy's struggle to know LOVE STORIES Blue THE TELL TALE HEART: Stockholm Syndrome Orange Arts present

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Wed 11 February, 7.30pm Tue 17 February, 8pm Wed 3 December, 7.30pm

Comment Centre for Transnational and Jazz at the Arena Transcultural Research An Evening with Polly (University of Wolverhampton) Trish Clowes’ Toynbee + David Walker In Conversation with Tangent Quintet Join two of the UK’s most Trish Clowes - Saxophones respected journalists for Eimear McBride Gwilym Simcock - Piano this timely discussion of Arena Theatre is proud to welcome Irish Alex Munk - Guitar the state of the nation. novelist Eimear McBride for an evening Calum Gourlay - Bass of reading and conversation about her James Maddren - Drums work and career.

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

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John Van Druten’s dark tale of treachery and Scaramouche Jones - Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Theatre LISTINGS enchantment, Sat 14 - Sat 28 Feb, New Vic For full listing information on theatre Theatre, Newcastle- productions, including times and dates, under-Lyme visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk A SUMMER IN THE SOUTH Siân Phillips and Robert Powell bring to life an three 'vibrant' pieces of family weddings, Fri 13 eclectic range of stories new writing, all with Feb, Library of B’ham and prose from one of Valentine's Day in mind, SCARAMOUCHE JONES France's greatest writ- Thurs 12 - Sat 14 Feb, Justin Butcher's 'beguil- ers, Sidonie-Gabrielle The Blue Orange The- ing, beautiful and heart- Colette, Sun 15 Feb, atre, Birmingham breaking' work, which The REP, Birmingham THE LIZ & DICK SHOW tells of the life and THE SNAIL AND THE Dhanil Ali's play offers death of theatre's tragic WHALE Tall Stories pres- an insight into the hel- comic, Fri 13 - Sat 21 ent their latest collabo- ter-skelter decline of Feb, Old Joint Stock ration with Julia Don- one of the most talked- Theatre, Birmingham aldson and Axel Schef- about relationships in WIND IN THE WILLOWS fler, Sun 15 - Mon 16 showbiz history, Thurs Presented by critically Feb, mac - Midlands 12 - Sat 14 Feb, mac - acclaimed Cambridge Arts Centre, B’ham Midlands Arts Centre, touring troupe Immer- Birmingham sion Theatre, Sat 14 MAKE THE DEAD MAN Feb, Theatre Severn, Week Commencing STAND A tale of the Shrewsbury MON 16 FEB human paradox, RICHARD & ADAM AT THE devised from the vivid MOVIES Sat 14 Feb, testaments of women Wolverhampton Grand CIRCUS OF HORRORS: and men who chose to Theatre THE NIGHT OF THE ZOM- heal in The Great War, ROMEO AND JULIET One- BIE Mon 16 Feb, New Thurs 12 - Sat 14 Feb, woman show where Alexandra Theatre, Bramall Hall, Birming- Debs Newbold recre- Birmingham ham ates Shakespeare’s ANYTHING GOES Brand LOOKING GOOD - FEELING incomparable verse new UK tour of Cole Box Tale Soup use grand illusions & crazy Lane Players present a BETTER Outside Eye and poetic storytelling, Porter's musical come- handmade puppets & circus thrills, Wed 18 comedy by Alan Ayck- present a passionate Sat 14 Feb, All Stretton dy, direct from the West props to tell Lewis Car- Feb, Stourbridge Town bourn, Thurs 19 - Sat story of the social & Village Hall, Church End, Mon 16 - Sat 21 roll’s fantastical tale, Hall 21 Feb, Carrs Church personal traumas of a Stretton, South Shrop- Feb, Regent Theatre, Tue 17 Feb, Newhamp- FASCINATING AIDA Star- Lane Centre, B’ham breast cancer sufferer, shire Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ton Arts Centre, Wolver- ring Dillie Keane, Liza HENRY V Rooftop The- Fri 13 Feb, Arena The- THE REDUCED SHAKE- THE HONEY MAN Written hampton Pulman & Adele Ander- atre Company present atre, Wolverhampton SPEARE COMPANY A fast- by and starring Tyrone MOTHER GOOSE Journey son, Wed 18 Feb, Lich- Shakespeare’s com- FASCINATING AIDA Star- paced romp through all Huggins, The Honey forth to Goose-ville, the field Garrick pelling history play, ring Dillie Keane, Liza the Bard's plays, Sat 14 Man is a contemporary home of Mother Goose THE HAPPY BREED Birm- Thurs 19 - Fri 27 Feb, Pulman & Adele Ander- Feb, Theatre Severn, work concerning an and her magical friend ingham School of Act- Ludlow Brewery, South son, Fri 13 Feb, Theatre Shrewsbury ageing Caribbean Priscilla, the goose that ing presents Noel Cow- Shropshire Severn, Shrewsbury FASCINATING AIDA Star- recluse trying to save lays the golden eggs. ard's depiction of sub- THE SEA SHOW Squash- ROMEO AND JULIET One- ring Dillie Keane, Liza his dying bees in a Starring Ian Adams & urban London life box Theatre present a woman show where Pulman & Adele Ander- derelict English cottage Julie Paton, Tues 17 between the wars, Wed quirky & hilarious mix Debs Newbold recre- son, Sat 14 Feb, Birm- on the edge of rural Feb, Lichfield Garrick 18 - Sat 21 Feb, Cres- of puppetry, natural his- ates Shakespeare’s ingham Town Hall England, Mon 16 - Sat IN CONVERSATION WITH cent Theatre, B’ham tory and comedy incomparable verse ENCHANTED BURLESQUE: 21 Feb, The REP, Birm- EIMEAR MCBRIDE Join THE SUGAR WIFE Birm- cabaret, Fri 20 Feb, and poetic storytelling, L'AMOUR Valentine's ingham Irish novelist Eimear ingham School Of Act- Alveley Parish Hall, Fri 13 Feb, Quatt Vil- Day theatre show pre- CHRIS AND PUI Brand McBride for an evening ing presents Elizabeth Bridgnorth, Shropshire lage Hall, Bridgnorth, sented by husband & new show packed with of reading and conver- Kuti's engrossing exam- TIMES FOOLS: THE MAGIC Shropshire wife team James & songs, games and a sation about her life & ination of sexual politics OF MAYBE Join a collec- OUR KYLIE’S GETTIN’ Angel LaVey, Sat 14 few surprises, Tue 17 career, Tues 17 Feb, and political morality. tion of unusual and WED Stripped Down Feb, The Old Rep The- Feb, Theatre Severn, Arena Theatre, Wolver- Please note that this endearing characters, Theatre address the tri- atre, Birmingham Shrewsbury hampton performance contains explore the stories of als and tribulations of BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE ALICE IN WONDERLAND CALAMITY JANE The themes of an adult their lives and the com- Watermill Theatre pres- nature, partial nudity, plexities of their rela- ent a new production of strong language, smok- tionships. Presented by the classic musical. ing and strobe effects, Somesuch Theatre, Fri Jodie Prenger stars, Wed 18 - Sat 21 Feb, 20 - Sun 22 Feb, mac - Tue 17 - Sat 21 Feb, Crescent Theatre, Birm- Midlands Arts Centre, New Alexandra Theatre, ingham Birmingham Birmingham DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL OLIVER! Starcross Youth OLIVER! Presented by MUSICAL JR Disney Theatre present Lionel Bridgnorth Musical The- Channel's smash-hit Bart’s hit family musi- atre Company, Tue 17 - movie musical is cal, Fri 20 - Sun 22 Feb, Sat 21 Feb, Bridgnorth brought to the stage by Arena Theatre, Wolver- Leisure Centre, Shrop- the Viv Kelly Children's hampton shire Theatre Group, Thurs THE SEA SHOW Squash- THE CURIOUS INCIDENT 19 Feb - Sat 21 Feb, box Theatre present a OF THE DOG IN THE Theatre Severn, quirky & hilarious mix NIGHT-TIME Highly Shrewsbury of puppetry, natural his- acclaimed National THE CIRCUS OF HOR- tory and comedy Theatre production RORS: THE NIGHT OF THE cabaret, Sat 21 Feb, based on Mark Had- ZOMBIE Thurs 19 Feb, Steiner Academy, Birch don's award-winning The Place, Oakengates Hall, Much Dewchurch, novel, Tues 17 - Sat 21 Theatre, Shropshire Herefordshire Feb, Wolverhampton THE SEA SHOW Squash- FIFTY SHADES OF FIZZOG Grand Theatre box Theatre present a New comedy sketch THE DRAGON'S TALE quirky & hilarious mix show featuring some of Hand To Mouth Theatre of puppetry, natural his- Fizzog's best-loved present an original and tory and comedy characters, including whimsical reinterpreta- cabaret, Thurs 19 Feb, internet sensations The tion of George and the The Hive, Shrewsbury Dancing Grannies, Sat Dragon, told in a series TREASURE ISLAND NT 21 Feb, mac - Midlands of flashbacks by the Live presents Robert Arts Centre, B’ham ageing Dragon himself Louis Stevenson’s story THE LITTLE MERMAID and his troupe of glove of murder, money & The Panto Company puppets, Wed 18 Feb, mutiny, Thurs 19 Feb, present a brand new mac - Midlands Arts Ludlow Assembly production of Hans Centre, Birmingham Rooms, South Shrop- Christian Andersen’s HI JINX Fast-paced shire much-loved tale, Sat 21 Looking Good, Feeling Better - Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton magic show filled with TEN TIMES TABLE Carrs Feb, Tamworth Assem

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explore real-life stories Reduced Shakespeare Company - Artrix, Bromsgrove; from the frontline of Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury; Roses Theatre. Tewkesbury Theatre LISTINGS poverty & debt, and what it means to be For full listing information on theatre broke, Thurs 26 Feb, productions, including times and dates, mac - Midlands Arts visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Centre, Birmingham THE GUT GIRLS Stafford Gatehouse Youth The- bly Rooms, Staffs adaptation of George atre present Sarah THE REDUCED SHAKE- Orwell’s dystopian tale, Daniels’ play which, set SPEARE COMPANY A fast- Tues 24 - Sat 28 Feb, at the turn of the centu- paced romp through all Lichfield Garrick ry, traces the lives of the Bard's plays, Sat 21 HARVEY Elwood P two girls who work in Feb, Roses Theatre, Dowd has only one the gutting shed of a Tewkesbury character flaw: an cattle market, Thurs 26 LOOK BACK IN ANGER All unwavering friendship - Sat 28 Feb, Stafford And Sundry present with a six foot-tall, invis- Gatehouse Theatre John Osborne's critical- ible rabbit named Har- HONK! The Old Joint ly acclaimed autobio- vey. Starring James Stock Musical Theatre graphical play, Sat 21 - Dreyfus & Maureen Lip- Company present their Sun 22 Feb, Artrix, man, Tues 24 - Sat 28 Hall Feb, Belgrade Theatre, Speech, Sat 28 Feb, version of Stiles & AMAZING GRACE Salt- Coventry The REP, Birmingham Bromsgrove Feb, Malvern Theatre Drewe's acclaimed DON’T LET THE PIGEON THE CLOTH OF THE mine Theatre Company PROPELLER: POCKET BAG LADY Marcia musical, based on present John New- COMEDY All-male Layne’s bold new play DRIVE THE BUS Big WORLD The Fetch The- Hans Christian Ander- Wooden Horse Theatre atre Company journey town’s story of slavery, Shakespeare company takes audiences on an sen's classic children's freedom - and the Propeller presents its exhilarating rollercoast- Company present a into a fantastical world tale, Thurs 26 - Sat 28 lively show full of fun, of wonder via a piece remarkable power of acclaimed sixty-minute er ride as it challenges Feb, Solihull Arts Com- love and grace to trans- production of The Com- and celebrates the feathers, laughter, origi- inspired by the world- plex nal music and audience famous Mappa Mundi, form a life, Fri 27 Feb, edy Of Errors, Fri 27 notion of the ‘angry and A MAD WORLD MY MAS- The Swan Theatre, Feb, The Dream Facto- strong Black woman’, participation, Sat 21 - Wed 25 Feb, Arena TERS An RSC English Sun 22 Feb, Warwick Theatre, Wolverhamp- Worcester ry, Warwick Sat 28 Feb, Belgrade Touring Theatre revival NURSING LIVES A full- THE FORBIDDEN DOOR Theatre, Coventry Arts Centre, Coventry ton of Sean Foley's stage TREASURE ISLAND NT MILKED Pentabus The- mask theatre produc- Innovative show which A NIGHT OF DIRTY DANC- production of Thomas tion combining visual promises to transport ING Fully choreo- Live presents Robert atre present a black Middleton's Jacobean Louis Stevenson’s story comedy about friend- inventiveness, evoca- audiences into the graphed, highly interac- 'city comedy', Thurs 26 tive music, song, physi- world of the imagina- tive celebration of the of murder, money & ship, unemployment - - Sat 28 Feb, Wolver- mutiny, Sun 22 Feb, and a cow called cal theatre and 1940s tion, aided by live music from the iconic hampton Grand The- dance sequences, Fri music and dynamic sto- movie, Sat 28 Feb, Warwick Arts Centre, Sandy, Wed 25 Feb, atre Coventry The Market Theatre, 27 Feb, mac - Midlands rytelling, Fri 27 Feb, Tamworth Assembly CABARET Amateur pro- Arts Centre, Birming- Belgrade Theatre, Rooms, Staffs Ledbury duction presented by THAT'LL BE THE DAY ham Coventry THE TEMPEST Crescent Week Commencing Ludlow College, Thurs CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC CREATING THE KING'S Theatre present Shake- Rock'n'roll spectacular 26 - Sat 28 Feb, Ludlow MON 23 FEB combining music from The UK’s largest tour- SPEECH Director Roxana speare's magical tale, Assembly Rooms, ing magic show, featur- Silbert & designer Tom Sat 28 Feb - Sat 14 the ’50s, ’60s & ’70s South Shropshire with wacky comedy ing five of the world’s Piper discuss the mak- March, Crescent The- AVA'S WEDDING Birming- finest magicians, Fri 27 ing of The King's atre, Birmingham WOYZECK Splendid Pro- routines, Wed 25 - ham Conservatoire ductions adapt Georg Thurs 26 Feb, Crewe presents a brand new Buchner's gothic clas- Lyceum opera telling an original sic, Mon 23 Feb, mac - CHEWING THE FAT Selina story by Birmingham- Midlands Arts Centre, Thompson invites audi- based duo Michael Theatre Box Office Birmingham ences to join her for her Wolters (composer) THE HISTORY BOYS Alan own version of a mid- and Alexandra Taylor Bennett's award-win- night feast, Wed 25 - Birmingham OLDBURY REP, OLDBURY BELGRADE THEATRE, (writer), Thurs 26 - Sat 0121 552 2761 COVENTRY ning play, Mon 23 - Sat Thurs 26 Feb, Warwick ALEXANDRA THEATRE 28 Feb, Crescent The- 024 7655 3055 28 Feb, New Alexandra Arts Centre, Coventry 0844 871 3011 atre, Birmingham Shropshire BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE, Theatre, Birmingham SPACEWANG & PARROT- JANE EYRE BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME Blue Orange THE BELFREY, WELLINGTON WARWICK 01926 776438 AND THEN THERE WERE SHOOT Double bill of Arts presents Charlotte 0844 338 5000 01952 222277 THE DREAM FACTORY NONE The Agatha works - Tom Wells' Bronte's classic tale of BIRMINGHAM REP THE EDGE, MUCH WENLOCK 01926 419555 Christie Theatre Com- Spacewang & Adrian a young woman's 0121 236 4455 pany present a new Earle's Parrotshoot - 01952 728911 ROYAL SHAKESPEARE courageous fight THE BLUE ORANGE THEATRE staging of the Queen of THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY THEATRE, performed by Karen through injustice and 0121 212 2643 Crime's dark and capti- Kaur, Wed 25 - Thurs 01743 234970 STRATFORD-UPON-AVON hardship, Thurs 26 Feb CRESCENT THEATRE vating tale. Starring 26 Feb, mac - Midlands LUDLOW ASSEMBLY 0844 800 1110 - Sat 7 March, The Blue 0121 643 5858 Paul Nicholas, Colin Arts Centre, Birming- Orange Theatre, Birm- ROOMS 01584 878141 ROYAL SPA CENTRE DOVEHOUSE THEATRE Buchanan, Susan Pen- ham THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, LEAMINGTON 01926 334418 ingham 0121 706 7139 haligon, Mark Curry, THE KING'S SPEECH BACK DOWN Highly- TELFORD 01952 382382 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE, Verity Rushworth, Fraz- Jason Donovan & Ray- THE DRUM 0121 333 2444 anticipated first play by THEATRE SEVERN, COVENTRY 02476 524524 er Hines & Ben Nealon, mond Coulthard star in Birmingham-born HALL GREEN LITTLE SHREWSBURY Mon 23 - Sat 28 Feb, a new staging of the Steven Camden, more THEATRE 01743 281281 Worcestershire Regent Theatre, Stoke- story of one man's 0121 707 1874 commonly known as WEM TOWN HALL on-Trent struggle to overcome ARTRIX ARTS CENTRE, the award-winning per- MAC 0121 446 3232 01939 232299 WEST END HITS Present- his personal affliction BROMSGROVE formance poet Polar- OLD JOINT STOCK THEATRE 01527 577330 ed by Arrowvale Pyra- and, in his country's bear, Thurs 26 Feb - 0121 200 0946 mid Choir, Tue 24 Feb, darkest hour, deliver a Staffordshire THE HIVE Sat 7 March, The REP, OLD REP 0121 359 9444 01905 822866 Palace Theatre, Red- now-iconic speech that Birmingham LICHFIELD GARRICK SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX 01543 412121 ditch was broadcast across A WARNING TO THE CURI- HUNTINGDON HALL, 0121 704 6962 WORCESTER THE HONEY MAN A con- the globe, Wed 25 Feb OUS Don't Go Into The NEW VIC, NEWCASTLE- UNDER-LYME 01782 717962 01905 611427 temporary work con- - Sat 7 March, The REP, Cellar presents a one- SUTTON ARTS THEATRE, SUTTON COLDFIELD cerning an ageing Birmingham man show based PRINCE OF WALES MALVERN THEATRE 0121 355 5355 Caribbean recluse try- FASCINATING AIDA Star- around the Edwardian CENTRE, CANNOCK 01684 892277 01543 578762 ing to save his dying ring Dillie Keane, Liza era's greatest ghost NORBURY THEATRE, bees in a derelict Eng- Pulman & Adele Ander- stories, Fri 27 Feb, Black Country REGENT THEATRE, STOKE DROITWICH 0870 060 6649 lish cottage on the son, Thurs 26 Feb, Palace Theatre, Red- ARENA THEATRE 01905 770154 edge of rural England., Stratford Artshouse ditch WOLVERHAMPTON RUGELEY ROSE THEATRE PALACE THEATRE 01889 584036 Tue 24 Feb, Arena The- UPSTAIRS DOWNTON An FIFTY SHADES OF FIZZOG 01902 321321 REDDITCH 01527 65203 atre, Wolverhampton improvised hour-long STAFFORD GATEHOUSE New comedy sketch BLOXWICH THEATRE ROSE THEATRE, 01785 619080 NURSING LIVES A full- episode of ITV1’s show featuring some of 01922 653183 01562 743745 mask theatre produc- much-loved period STOKE REPERTORY THEATRE Fizzog's best-loved DUDLEY CONCERT HALL SWAN THEATRE, tion combining visual drama, presented by its 01782 209784 characters, including 01384 812812 WORCESTER inventiveness, evoca- eccentric and aristo- internet sensations The FOREST ARTS CENTRE, 01905 611427 tive music and song, cratic creator, Sir Julian Dancing Grannies, Fri Warwickshire physical theatre and Chappes, Thurs 26 WALSALL 27 Feb, Arena Theatre, 01922 654555 ALBANY THEATRE, 1940s dance Feb, Old Joint Stock Wolverhampton GRAND THEATRE, COVENTRY sequences, Tue 24 - Theatre, Birmingham AN EVENING WITH COLIN 01902 429212 024 7601 6222 Wed 25 Feb, Theatre BROKE The Paper Birds FRY The Sixth Sense Severn, Shrewsbury present a new produc- NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL Anniversary Tour, Fri 27 024 7637 6707 1984 Matthew Dunster’s tion in which they Feb, Bedworth Civic 01902 572090

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Theatre REVIEWS CONT...

Below are reviews of theatre productions we checked out last month. For further theatre reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Oppenheimer Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Chuck a spectrometer at a cinema screen or theatre stage at the moment and there’s a good chance you’ll hit a genius scientist. Boffins are flavour of the month right about now. There are movies about Alan Turing (The Imitation Game) and Stephen Hawking (The Theory Of Everything), while Chris Rapley and Tom Stoppard have written new plays focusing on climate change (2071) and consciousness (The Hard Problem) respectively. The subject matter might seem a little high brow - scientific formulae rarely makes for riveting dia- East Is East New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham logue - but there’s compelling drama to be found in the lives of such luminary figures, as the RSC’s East Is East may commonly be perceived as a comedy - and it does indeed have latest production ably illustrates. some genuinely funny moments - but its subject matter is the stuff of serious drama; a J Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic mixed-race family in crisis, ruled by a father’s firm hand and held together by the love bomb, is probably one of the most controversial of a mother who grapples to manage the expectations of six teenagers. scientists of all. Acclaimed for ending not only A Pakistani immigrant of thirty-six years’ standing, George Khan (Ayub Khan Din) holds World War Two but potentially all wars, his socialist a romantic idea of his homeland as a country filled with religiously devout families in friends and initially radical beliefs saw him continu- which children obey their fathers and wives obey their husbands. In wanting the same ally treated with suspicion by his US army employ- for his own family, George is blind to the fact that he himself had rebelled, leaving his ers - and ultimately branded a traitor. father, family and country of birth behind him in order to live in England. He’d married Tom Morton-Smith’s production captures this an Englishwoman too - Ella (Jane Horrocks) - and now has six children with her and dichotomy by recounting the tale of the Manhattan owns a chip shop in Salford. Unable to accept his own acts of rebellion, George has Project. It also counts the cost of Oppenheimer’s become a man who resorts to violence to try and coerce his family into living the tradi- work, not only to humanity but also to the man tional Pakistani life from which he himself had fled. himself and his associates. His wife Ella worries for their children. They’re torn between their own desire - to live in A complex compound of arrogance and fragility is a world that offers them a choice - and their father’s desire - to see them live a life built nicely captured by John Heffernan as Oppen- on religious devotion, in which respectable careers and arranged marriages are the heimer. norm... Oppenheimer’s detached personality meant his I think it’s the set design that lets the production down. To portray the terraced streets friends and lovers would only ever be associates, in which the family live, the set consists of backyard gates and walls. So the family’s and he betrays most of them (as well as himself) in living room, kitchen and chip shop all seem to be outdoors. This frequently distracted a single-minded quest which he only really ques- me from the performances - and in a play that has only one outdoor scene, I think it tions once it’s been completed. That serves the was a mistake. But the acting shines through. Jane Horrocks gives a tremendous per- drama well, of course. But while the play is beauti- formance as Ella, conveying the strength and vulnerability of a woman trying hard to fully staged and has some memorable moments - do the best she can for her children, while simultaneously placating the violent man including a poignant acknowledgment of the she loves. Ayub Khan Din seemed at times awkward playing the part of George (his Nagasaki bombing - for the most part it’s an father in real life). There are great turns from the supporting cast, but a special mention intriguing rather than explosive work of theatre. must go to understudy Deepal Parmar, who stepped in to play only-daughter Meenah Ted Finlay n n n Steve Adams n n n and gave a great comic performance.

Fleabag The REP, Birmingham This one-hour, one-woman monologue rocked Edinburgh. It’s now on a national tour, for which the writer, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, has been replaced on stage by an actor, Maddie Rice, who is absolutely brilliant. Rice presents a painfully hilarious portrait of a twenty-six-year-old sex-mad Yuppie who measures the depth of her life by the length of her partner’s penis. Several partners. She’s cute, cookie and completely chaotic; attractive to know, but you wouldn’t want her anywhere near you as a friend. Dressed down in a russet top and black slacks, Maddie plays the unnamed, self- obsessed anti-heroine with so much pace, energy and enthusiasm you almost forget to breathe. Imagine Josie Lawrence and Miranda Hart rolled into one and armed with a kalashnikov. She populates the imagination with a range of beautifully observed characters, from her equally hopeless sister to her late business partner Boo, with whom she once ran the now-fail- ing Guinea Pig-themed café. But the menace in the show is the men. She’s a failed feminist who can’t help weighing up the sexual potential of any man she passes by. The ‘encounters’ are frank, honest, detailed and ultimately pitiful. You can’t help but laugh because it’s all so brilliantly well written and immaculately acted. Miss Waller-Bridge is merciless with her pen and Miss Rice can act with her lips alone. The whole show is a ‘sexually inappropriate’ con- fessional from start to finish. You might want to take your rosary. Chris Eldon Lee n n n n

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Theatre WEST END Chiwetel Ejiofor at the National Theatre A new adaptation of Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy’s Everyman, starring award-winning actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, is just one of many highlights to feature in Rufus Norris’ first season as director of the Nation- al Theatre. Ejiofor will take the lead in the fifteenth century morality play, which shows in the National’s Olivier Theatre from 22 April. He’s joined in the cast by Paul Bullion, Adam Burton, Joshua Lacey, Ira Mandela Siobhan and Clemmie Sveaas. Bookings are currently being taken until 16 July. Other season highlights include: Caryl Churchill’s Light Shining In Buckinghamshire (15 April to 22 June), directed by Lyndsey Turner; George Farquhar’s The Beaux’ Stratagem (19 May to 19 July), directed by George Goodwin; Patrick Marber’s new play, The Lion (10 June to 25 July), directed by Ian Rickson; and Stephen Adly Guirgis’ The Motherf**ker With The Hat (10 June to 7 July), directed by Indhu Rabasingham.

Fireworks ( ) at The Royal Court new play, Fireworks, open at The Royal ةيران Dalia Tala’s باعلأThis month sees Court Theatre. Inspired by recent events in Gaza, Tala’s work offers an insight into the impact of war on childhood. The play centres on eleven year-old Lubna and twelve-year-old Khali, who’re confined to playing in an empty stairwell as a siege intensifies outside. Directed by the Royal Court’s International Associate, Richard Twyman, the Palestine-set play is the first full production to emerge from the theatre’s International Department. The cast includes: Celebrated Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri (The Time That Remains); Nabil Elouahabi (Tariq in EastEnders); Sirine Sabah (Holy Warriors at the Shakespeare Globe); and Shereen Mar- tin, who starred in Channel Four’s BAFTA-nominated Britz. Fireworks ( ) is presented as part of International Play- Foundation Project, with additional support from ةيران باعلأwrights: A Genesis the British Council and the AM Qattan Foundation. It shows at Jer- wood Theatre, at the Royal Court Theatre, from 12 February to 14 March. Kevin Spacey revisits Clarence Darrow Actor and Artistic Director Kevin Spacey is once again to star in Clarence Darrow. The compelling one-man tour-de-force sees lawyer Darrow reliving some of his pivotal professional experiences. The new production, directed by Thea Sharrock, will mark Spacey’s last appearance on The Old Vic stage. Of the decision to revisit the role, Spacey said: “As my time at the helm of The Old Vic is drawing to a close, it felt the right choice to bring back Clarence Darrow. I had such a short run with the production last year, and so many didn’t get the chance to see it, that it felt like a great opportunity to do a longer run." Clarence Darrow runs at The Old Vic from 3 March to 11 April.

Bollywood at the London Palladium A new musical celebrating the history and beauty of Indian arts is to open at the London Palladium on 11 May. Written, choreographed and directed by Rajeev Goswami, Beyond Bollywood features lyrics by Irfan Siddiqui, with a special score by Salim-Sulaiman. Promising to provide ‘a theatrical experience never before seen outside a Bollywood movie’, the show fuses Kathak and Bhangra dance to tell the story of Shaily Shergill, who leaves her home in Munich and journeys to India to fulfill her dying mother’s wish. Beyond Bollywood is currently booking at the Palladium until 27 June. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Dance February.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 17:55 Page 1 Dance

Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 10 - Sat 14 February Since its debut in 2005, New Adventures’ magical production of National Dance Award nomination for Best Male Dancer in 2009. Edward Scissorhands has delighted thousands of people across the Rising stars Ashley Shaw and Katy Lowenhoff share the role of globe. Based on the classic Tim Burton movie starring Johnny Depp Edward’s sweetheart, Kim Boggs. Described by The Times as ‘the and Winona Ryder, it’s a touching and witty love story about ‘the ulti- perfect synthesis of dance and drama, comedy and pathos, exuber- mate outsider’. ant theatricality and heartwarming entertainment’, Bourne’s revised This major revival sees New Adventures’ star Dominic North returning production has earned itself an army of celebrity fans, including to the role of Edward. His previous stint in the part saw him secure a Richard E Grant, Natalie Cassidy and Hermione Norris.

Birmingham Royal Ballet Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 4 - Sat 28 February Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) is this month presenting two shows for its always appreciative Hippodrome audience. The first is Moving Stateside (18 to 21 February) - three ballets which span almost a century of US creativity. The triple bill comprises: Serenade, a piece of pure dance from master choreographer George Balanchine; Jessica Lang’s Lyric Pieces, com- missioned for International Dance Festival Birmingham 2012; and In The Upper Room, a work created by American dance phenomenon Twyla Tharp. BRB’s second February offering at the Hippodrome is Sir Peter Wright’s highly acclaimed production of Coppelia ( 24 to 28 February), a work renowned for its dazzling score and breathtak- DV8 Physical Theatre: JOHN ing choreography. When Dr Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 4 - Fri 6 February Coppelius leaves his mannequin, ‘Bold, involving and utterly unique’ is how The Telegraph describes Coppelia, on his workshop bal- this latest work from DV8 Physical Theatre. Depicting real-life stories, cony, she causes quite a stir - not JOHN fuses spoken word with movement to tell the tale of how one only in the heart of the red-blood- man’s desire for a new life leads him to ‘a place unknown by most’. ed Franz but also in the mind of The work contains adult themes, strong language and nudity. his jealous fiancee, Swanilda, DV8 were formed in 1986, since which time they’ve produced nine- who foolishly mistakes Coppelia teen highly acclaimed dance pieces and four award-winning films for for a flesh-and-blood rival... The Upper Room - part of the Moving television. Stateside triple bill 40 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Dance February.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 17:55 Page 2

Russian State Ballet Dance LISTINGS Richard Alston Dance - Malvern Theatre Of Siberia Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, For full listing information on dance, Sun 8 - Mon 9 February including times and dates, visit Since its formation in 1981, The Russian www.whatsonlive.co.uk State Ballet Of Siberia has built a fine repu- tation for its delivery of world-renowned DANCE 'TIL DAWN Siberia present a world classics. This month the company returns to Brand new show featur- famous classic, set to Wolverhampton to present two ballet sta- ing Strictly Come Tchaikovsky's mes- Dancing Favourites merising score, Sun 8 ples. The Nutcracker - which tells the story Vincent Simone and Feb, Wolverhampton of a young girl swept up in a fantasy of sol- Flavia Cacace, Mon 2 - Grand Theatre diers, giant rats, snow fairies, magic and Wed 4 Feb, Regent SWAN LAKE The Russian mystery - shows on 8 February. It’s followed Theatre, Hanley, Stoke- State Ballet & Orchestra on the 9th by Swan Lake, a timeless tale of on-Trent of Siberia present the JOHN DV8 Physical greatest romantic ballet good versus evil. Theatre presents Lloyd of all time, Mon 9 Feb, Newson’s new work Wolverhampton Grand depicting real life sto- Theatre ries, where movement DANCE 'TIL DAWN Brand & the spoken word new show featuring combine to create an Strictly Come Dancing intense, moving & Favourites Vincent Birmingham Royal Malvern Theatre poignant theatrical Simone and Flavia Ballet, Wed 18 - Sat 21 COPPELIA BRB present experience, Wed 4 - Fri Cacace, Mon 9 - Sat 14 Feb, Birmingham an enchanting ballet 6 Feb, Warwick Arts Feb, New Alexandra Hippodrome which explores the Centre, Coventry Theatre, Birmingham BALLET NIMBA - BAGATAI eccentricities of toy- ANGLES IN LIFE MATTHEW BOURNE'S Ballet Nimba is led by maker Dr Coppelius. Presented by Vanhulle EDWARD SCISSORHANDS the irrepressible Idrissa Tue 24 - Sat 28 Feb, Dance Theatre, Fri 6 Matthew Bourne's stage Camara of Guinea and Birmingham Feb, Arena Theatre, adaptation of the gothic combines musicians Hippodrome Wolverhampton motion picture by Tim and dancers from SAFE Zoie Logic Dance SPILTMILK SAY DANCE Burton, Tue 10 - Sat 14 across West Africa to Theatre’s production, Spiltmilk Dance pres- Feb, Birmingham produce dynamic and set against the imag- ents an evening Hippodrome exciting dance theatre ined backdrop of New inspired by dance ANTON AND ERIN: THAT'S with amazing musician- York’s Empire State crazes that have swept ENTERTAINMENT Brand ship, Sat 21 Feb, Wem Building, features five dancefloors all over the new show from the Town Hall, North male performers who country, Sat 7 Feb, 'King and Queen of Shropshire inhabit the world of the Meole Brace Peace Ballroom', Thurs 12 RICHARD ALSTON: 20TH heroic construction Memorial Hall, Feb, Wolverhampton ANNIVERSARY Featuring workers of the 1930’s, Shrewsbury Grand Theatre Alston’s brand new Thurs 26 Feb, The THE NUTCRACKER The MOVING STATESIDE piece Nomadic, Tues Roses Theatre, Russian State Ballet of Performed by 24 - Wed 25 Feb, Tewkesbury

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

FROM FRI 13 Fifty Shades Of Grey CERT tbc FEB Starring Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Eloise Mumford, Luke Grimes, Rita Ora, Victor Rasuk, Jennifer Ehle, Marcia Gay Harden Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson (USA) By being released on St Valentine’s Day, Fifty Shades Of Grey has really become a mainstream phenomenon. The first volume of EL James’ ‘lit- erary’ trilogy was initially deemed smutty, even pornographic, but even so became something of a housewives’ choice. In August of 2012, Ama- zon announced that it had sold more copies of the novel than the entire Harry Potter series put together. Pundits have suspected that part of the title’s success was due to its availability as an e-book, so that your mother could read it on public transport with impunity. Either way, a film version was inevitable, and here we have it. Expect blindfolds and spanking. Incidentally, the screenplay is by Kelly Marcel, sister of Rosie Marcel, the actress who plays Jac Naylor in Holby City. TOP 5 FILM BOX OFFICE

1 Taken 3 (12a) 2 Into The Woods (PG)

The Theory Of Everything 3 (12a) 4 The Hobbit (12a) From FRI 6 FEB 5 Paddington (PG) SelmaCERT 12a (128 mins) Starring David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, Carmen Ejogo, Tim Roth, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Giovanni Ribisi, Alessandro Nivola, Martin Sheen Directed by Ava DuVernay (USA) In total (so far), this historical drama has accumulated forty-nine awards’ nominations, including Golden Globes for best motion picture, director and actor (Oyelowo). It’s the story of Martin Luther King’s legendary march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965, to secure equal voting rights for black Americans. It’s interesting to note that despite the film’s seminally American subject, Martin Luther King is played by the Ox- ford-born Oyelowo, Lyndon B Johnson by the Leeds-born Tom Wilkinson, George Wallace by the London- born Tim Roth and King’s wife, the civil rights’ activist Coretta Scott, by Carmen Ejogo, also born in London. It says a lot for the quality of our own home-grown talent. Taken 3

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FilmNEW RELEASES Released from Fri 6 February

The Interview CERT 15 (112 mins) Starring Seth Rogen, James Franco, Lizzy Ca- plan, Randall Park Directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (USA) If you haven’t heard of The Interview then you haven’t been following the news that closely. Let’s just say that, although it wasn’t released in the US until Christmas Day, it ended up being last year’s top-selling film on YouTube. It also skewered over $1million at a limited number of cinemas on its opening day. The reason people have been flocking to see it is because Kim Jong-un doesn’t want you to (terrorist threats were issued). Hardly surprising when you consider that the plot is about two TV employees (Rogen and Franco) recruited by the CIA to as- sassinate the North Korean leader. The reviews were terrible.

Still Life CERT 12a (92 mins) Shaun The Sheep Movie Starring Eddie Marsan, Joanne Froggatt, CERT U (85 mins) Karen Drury, Andrew Buchan, Paul Anderson Directed by Richard Starzak and Mark Directed by Uberto Pasolini (UK/Italy) Burton (UK/France) Eddie Marsan plays John May, a council worker Shaun, the sheep, first appeared in Aard- whose job is to locate the relatives of those man Animations' stop-motion Wallace and found dead and alone. By all accounts the film Gromit cartoons and then landed his own is quite wonderful - and surprisingly comic. The series on CBBC. Now he makes it to the big Roman filmmaker Pasolini is perhaps best screen and leads his flock astray when he known for producing The Full Monty (and for and his woolly cohorts end up in the Big being a descendant of the great Italian director City. Expect some gastric gas. Luchino Visconti).

For full film listings, showings and booking links visit: whatsonlive.co.uk

View the latest trailers on line

44 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Film - Feb.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 20:38 Page 4

Jupiter Ascending CERT 12a (127 mins) Starring Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis, Sean Bean, Eddie Redmayne, Douglas Booth, Tup- pence Middleton Directed by Lana Wachowski and Andy Wachowski (UK/USA/Australia) Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) may be a lowly toilet cleaner but her destiny lies in the stars and only she can alter the balance of the cosmos. Before then, though, she encounters the genetically modified hunter Caine Wise (Channing Tatum) who pops out of space to tell her that she’s actually rather special. The Wachowskis were previously in charge of The Matrix trilogy, so they’re quite in tune with mind-altering concepts. In 3D.

From FRI 20 FEB Snow In Paradise CERT 15 (108 mins) Cake CERT 15 (102 mins) Starring Frederick Schmidt, Martin Askew, Starring Jennifer Aniston, Adrianna Barraza, Released from Fri 13 February David Spinx Directed by Andrew Hulme (UK) Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy, Anna Kendrick, Sam Worthington Inspired by the real-life events of co-writer and Directed by Daniel Barnz (USA) co-star Martin Askew, Project Almanac CERT 12a (106 mins) this British thriller tack- Apparently Jennifer Aniston is astonishing Starring Jonny Weston, Sofia Black D'Elia, les some very timely is- even her fans with how good she is in this, for Amy Landecker, Michelle DeFraites sues. It’s the story of a which she was nominated for a Golden Directed by Dean Israelite (USA) petty drug runner in Globe. She plays Claire Simmons, a woman We’re sorry to break the news, but this is yet an- London’s East End who becomes obsessed with the suicide of a other ‘found-footage’ sci-fi thriller. This time we (Schmidt) who turns member of her ‘chronic pain’ support group. have another group of teenagers who stumble from a life of crime to She then becomes involved with the husband across something they really shouldn’t have. In Islam. of the deceased... this case it’s the plans to build a time machine - so our intrepid heroes construct their own nasty piece of work - the Fizzle Bomber - who (easy, really, once you know how). Released from Fri 20 February has managed to elude him. Based on Robert A Heinlein’s short story '"-All You Zombies-". Blackhat CERT 15 (113 mins) Starring Chris Hemsworth, Tang Wei, Viola Davis, Ritchie Coster, Holt McCallany, John Ortiz Directed by Michael Mann (USA) As the furore surrounding The Interview still rings in the corridors of Sony Pictures, the release of this Universal action-thriller could not be more timely. Set in Hong Kong, Jakarta, Chicago and Los Angeles, it’s the story of a cyber criminal targeting the international bank- ing community. Chris Hemsworth is the crook who agrees to assist the American and Chinese agencies to track him down.

Two Night Stand CERT 15 (84 mins) Starring Miles Teller, Analeigh Tipton, Jessica Szohr Directed by Max Nichols (USA) The Duke Of Burgundy Meeting online, Alec and Megan embark on a CERT 18 (104 mins) one-night stand. However, an unexpected Starring Sidse Babett Knudsen, Chiara snowstorm forces them to extend their romantic D'Anna, Monica Swinn Directed by Peter Strickland (UK) tryst for longer than they had planned. Miles Teller was last seen in the (deservedly) highly- Peter Strickland is something of a critics’ acclaimed Whiplash. favourite (cf. Katalin Varga, Berberian Sound Studio) and his third feature has received pre- dictably glowing reviews. Here, he explores the deep love of two women who inhabit an almost exclu- sively female world Predestination CERT 15 (95 mins) and who are united Starring Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook, Noah by their interest in Taylor, Madeleine West Directed by Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig (Australia) sado-masochism and moths and but- So, it’s time for some more time travel. Here, terflies. Expect a Ethan Hawke plays a temporally enhanced degree of sexual traveller who pops all over the calendar to fetishism. forestall major crimes. But there’s one really www.whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Film - Feb.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 20:38 Page 5 GET YOUR COPY DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR EVERY MONTH ...you just pay for the postage and packing! 6 Months £12, 12 Months £24, 2 Years £45

Yes, we know you’re wondering what the catch is. Well, there isn’t one! We’ve ripped up our subscription rates so that more of you can get the No.1 listings magazine in the Midlands delivered direct to your front door every month. And at just £2 an issue to cover the postage and packing, there’s never been a better time to get it delivered! It’s easy - just call our Subscription Hotline on 01743 281714 Simply pay the postage and packing cost of £2 per issue by debit or credit card!

All you need to do now is choose the regional edition BIRMINGHAM WARWICKSHIRE WORCESTERSHIRE 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;

WOLVERHAMPTON STAFFORDSHIRE SHROPSHIRE Film - Feb.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 20:38 Page 6

The Wedding Ringer CERT 15 (101 mins) Starring Kevin Hart, Josh Gad, Kaley Cuoco- Sweeting, Olivia Thirlby, Cloris Leachman Directed by Jeremy Garelick (USA) Following his enormous success in last year’s hit comedies Ride Along and Think Like A Man Too, Kevin Hart now plays a ‘best man’ for hire. It transpires that not all grooms-to-be have a good friend in the wings ready to hand over that gold band. Josh Gad plays one such, an actor now best known for voicing that relentlessly perky snowman in Frozen.

Released from Fri 27 February

From Focus CERT 15 (105 mins) FRI 27 Starring Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Rodrigo Santoro, Gerald McRaney, B.D. Wong FEB Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (USA) There’s comedy, romance, drama, crime, hood- A Dark Reflection CERT 15 (102 mins) The Second Best Exotic winking, Will Smith - what’s not to like? Will Starring Georgina Sutcliffe, Rita Ramnani, Ma- Marigold Hotel CERT PG (122 mins) plays Nicky Spurgeon, a conman who adopts a rina Sirtis, Mark Dymond Directed by Tristan Loraine (UK) Starring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill young woman to do his bidding, but then gets Nighy, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton, Dev flutters in his heart... The woman in question is An investigative thriller, A Dark Reflection fol- Patel, Richard Gere Directed by John Mad- played by Margot Robbie, she who got lows the fortunes of two British journalists who den (UK) Leonardo DiCaprio all hot and bothered in The discover by chance aviation’s biggest cover-up. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012), Wolf Of Wall Street. When new airline CEO Ben Tyrell becomes adapted from Deborah Moggach's novel aware of the darker side of the airline industry, These Foolish Things, was a huge and unex- he finds himself faced with a huge dilemma - pected hit. The good news is that John Mad- should he prioritise corporate profit or put the den (Shakespeare In Love, Mrs Brown) returns general public's safety first? for the sequel, in which the hapless Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) has opened the new hostelry of the title, in spite of his impending marriage. Still, he has a new co-manager, the dauntless Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith).

The Boy Next Door CERT tbc Starring Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Guzman, Kristin Chenoweth, John Corbett Directed by Rob Cohen (USA) CERT 15 (121 mins) White God Now that JLo is forty-five-years-old, her latest Starring Zsófia Psotta, Sándor Zsótér, Lili film character is in search of younger meat. Horváth Directed by Kornél Mundruczó (Hungary) Here, she plays a school teacher and divorcee who indulges in a one-night stand with a hunky Winner of the Palm Dog Award at Cannes (no, Catch Me Daddy CERT 15 (112 mins) neighbour, Noah (Guzman). Then, this being a seriously), this Hungarian drama relates the Starring Sameena Jabeen Ahmed, Connor thriller, Noah develops an unnatural obsession story of a mongrel called Hagen. He moves in McCarron, Gary Lewis for her... Guzman, incidentally, is the hunk who Directed by Daniel Wolfe (UK) with the thirteen-year-old Lili, but then Lili’s fa- showed his moves in Step Up Revolution and ther - who is aware of a government-imposed This feature debut from former music video di- Step Up: All In. fine on mongrel dogs - abandons him to the rector Daniel Wolfe focuses on the subject of streets. So Lili goes in search of him... the ‘honour killing’ in British Pakistani communities. When Laila brings shame on her family by running away to live with her boyfriend in a caravan on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors, she finds herself pursued by a gang of both white and South Asian men who’ve been charged with the task of getting her back. Impressive cinematography, a bold energy and an occasionally challenging level of brutal- ity make for an interesting first feature from a director who, one senses, has plenty more in his locker.

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brought up by subter- son and went on to teach towards our soaring man-against-the-elements ranean trash collectors. Bruce Lee. Stars Tony friends... Featuring the adventure epic, propelled FilmA-Z LISTINGS Brought to life using stop- Leung, Zhang Ziyi. Show- voices of Jay Baruchel by human-scaled heroics. motion animation, the film ing at The Roses Theatre, and Cate Blanchett. Part classic adventure tale, All films are currently on general release is based on heavily illus- Tewkesbury, Sun 1 Feb; Showing at Forest Arts part history lesson. Stars unless otherwise stated. For full listing trated children’s novel Warwick Arts Centre, Centre, Walsall, Thurs 19 Pal Sverre Hagen, Anders information, including times and dates, Here Be Monsters!, by Coventry, Wed 18 Feb Feb; Foxlowe Arts Centre, Christiansen. Showing at Alan Snow. With the Leek, Staffs, Thurs 19 Feb Ludlow Assembly Rooms, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk voices of Isaac Hemp- The Hobbit: The Battle Mon 2 - Tues 3 Feb; Stoke stead-Wright, Ben Kings- Of The Five Armies 12a Ida 12a Film Theatre, Thurs 12 Feb American Sniper 15 her any credit, she took ley. Showing Forest Arts The final instalment of the Poland 1962; orphaned The Navy SEAL sniper him to court. Stars Amy Centre, Walsall, Fri 20 Feb Hobbit trilogy features a lot novice nun Sister Anna is L’Atalante PG Chris Kyle was not nick- Adams, Christoph Waltz. of battling. There’s not about to take her vows Newly married couple Juli- named ‘Legend’ for noth- Showing at The Courtyard, Boyhood 15 only a very grumpy when she finds out that ette and ship captain Jean ing. He was the most Hereford, Sat 7 - Wed 11 American coming-of-age Smaug (the dragon she was originally named struggle through marriage deadly sniper in US mili- Feb; Ludlow Assembly drama written and di- voiced by Cumberbatch) Ida and is Jewish. So she as they travel on the L'ata- tary history. This is his Rooms, South Shropshire, rected by Richard Lin- but the return of Sauron goes on a search for the lante along with the cap- story. Stars Bradley Tues 10 - Thurs 12 Feb; klater. Stars Patricia (Cumberbatch again) and truth about her parents. tain's first mate, Le père Cooper, Sienna Miller. Royal Spa Centre, Leam- Arquette, Ellar Coltrane. his army of ferocious Stars Agata Kulesza. Jules, and a cabin boy. Showing at Light House ington Spa, Thurs 12 Feb; Showing at Edge Arts Orcs. It’s all too exciting. Showing at Foxlowe Arts Stars Dita Parlo, Jean Media Centre, Wolver- The Roses Theatre, Centre, Much Wenlock, Stars Ian McKellen, Martin Centre, Leek, Staffs, Tues Dasté. Showing at The hampton, until Thurs 5 Feb Tewkesbury, Sun 15 - Wed Mon 2 Feb Freeman. Showing at Fes- 3 Feb Hive, Shrewsbury, Wed 25 18 Feb; Stoke Film The- tival Old Market Hall, Feb Amour Fou 15 atre, Fri 20 - Sat 21 Feb Breakfast At Tiffany's PG Shrewsbury, until Thurs 5 Into The Woods PG Henriette Vogel is the wife A lonely, struggling writer Feb; The Roses Theatre, A complex weave of the Lilting 15 of a middle-class busi- Big Hero 6 U becomes enchanted with Tewkesbury, Mon 2 - Sun 8 fairytales Cinderella, Little Junn is a Cambodian-Chi- nessman in Berlin, with lit- The fourteen-year-old ro- his neighbour, Holly Go- Feb; Drayton Centre, Mar- Red Riding Hood, Jack nese woman who lives in tle to occupy her time botics prodigy Hiro lightly: an independent ket Drayton, Fri 6 - Sat 7 And The Beanstalk and London but can’t speak beyond organising her Hamada forms a team of young woman who strives Feb; Wem Town Hall, Fri Rapunzel which dexter- English and is totally de- conservative household. crime-fighting robots, to be a high-climbing so- 13, Mon 16 - Tues 17 & ously shuffles traditional pendent on her son, Kai, to Then, one evening, she along with the eminently cialite with a penchant for Thurs 19 Feb notions of these legends understand the community captures the attention of outsize, huggable Bay- high-fashion and wild par- to come up with some- in which she lives. Then Heinrich, a philosophical max. With the voices of ties. Stars Audrey Hep- The Homesman 15 thing altogether more Kai dies unexpectedly, sev- writer more than a little en- Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit. burn, George Peppard. An unlikely Western, in elaborate and darker. Stars ering her links with the out- amoured with the notion Showing at The Courtyard, Showing at Royal Spa which a man and woman Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt. side world… Showing at of death. Stars Christian Hereford, Sat 14 - Thurs Centre, Leamington Spa, team up to escort three Showing at Warwick Arts The Hive, Shrewsbury, Wed Friedel, Birte Schnoeink. 19 Feb Sat 14 Feb; mac, Birming- mentally impaired women Centre, Coventry, Fri 6 - 11 Feb ham, Sat 14 - Sun 15 Feb from Nebraska to Iowa. Sun 15 Feb; The Court- Showing at Stoke Film Locke 15 Theatre, Tues 24 Feb From the 1988 novel by yard, Hereford, Fri 20 - Champion Sound tbc Glendon Swarthout. Stars Wed 25 Feb; The Roses While driving from Birming- Annie PG A unique insight into the Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun ham to London, a con- Little Orphan Annie WATCH history of the Reggae Swank. Showing at The 22 - Tues 24 Feb struction manager receives trusts the sun'll come Sound System culture in Light House Media Centre, a phone call. The remain- out tomorrow when THE FILM the UK, with the Midland's Wolverhampton, until Tues der of the film sees Ivan filthy-rich New York playing an often unsung 3 Feb Locke attempting to sal- mayoral candidate Will TRAILERS AT but vital role. The screen- vage his life via mobile Stacks turns up at her ing will be followed by a The House Of Magic U phone as he continues to foster home. Of course, whatsonlive.co.uk question-and-answer ses- Thunder, an abandoned race home. Stars Tom it’s a thinly-veiled cam- sion with director Fran young cat seeking shelter Hardy, with the voices of paign move - but Annie’s Porter and guests. Show- from a storm, stumbles Tom Holland, Olivia Col- no fool. Stars Jamie Foxx, ing The Drum, Birming- into the strangest house man. Showing at Stour- Quvenzhané Wallis. Birdman 15 ham, Thurs 5 Feb imaginable, owned by an bridge Town Hall, Mon 16 Showing at The Roses Michael Keaton plays Rig- old magician and inhab- Feb gan Thomson, an actor Exodus: Gods And ited by a dazzling array of Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun Kings 12a Love Story PG 15 Feb; Artrix, Broms- once known for playing automatons and gizmos. the superhero Birdman, For those who don’t know When the magician falls ill Italian For Beginners 15 Harvard Law student Oliver grove, Sun 15 - Mon 16 their Bible, this is a tale of Barrett IV and music stu- Feb who is now on his uppers and his scheming nephew In joining a language (Keaton himself, of sibling rivalry between a sees his chance to cash in class, a pastor, a hotel dent Jennifer Cavilleri Blue Jasmine 12a course, played Batman in lawgiver called Moses by selling the mansion, our clerk and a restaurateur share a chemistry they A New York socialite, two blockbusters). So in (Christian Bale) and his young hero enlists the form attachments with an cannot deny - and a love deeply troubled and in dean attempt to revitalise his adopted brother help of some wacky magi- Italian waitress, a hair- they cannot ignore. Stars nial, arrives at her sister’s career, Riggan has written Ramesses II (Joel Edger- cian's assistants to protect dresser and a bakery Ali MacGraw, Ryan O'Neal. house and the family a play that he intends to ton), a rather powerful his magical new home. worker. A spontaneous Showing at Edge Arts Cen- drama unfolds… Stars direct on Broadway, with pharaoh. Stars Christian Showing at Forest Arts and unpredictable story tre, Much Wenlock, Mon 9 Cate Blanchett. Showing his girlfriend in the lead. Bale, Joel Edgerton. Centre, Walsall, Wed 18 unfolds. Stars Anders W Feb at Forest Arts Centre, Wal- Showing at Ludlow As- Things do not go Feb Berthelsen, Ann Eleonora Manakamana U sall smoothly. Showing at sembly Rooms, South Jorgensen. Showing at Shropshire, Wed 4 - Thurs How To Train Your This documentary ob- Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 13 - The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri serves pilgrims as they Big Eyes 12a Sat 14 Feb; Artrix, Broms- 5 Feb; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Dragon 2 U 20 Feb This is the true tale of the Fri 6 - Mon 9 Feb; The Now that all the Vikings of take a spectacular cable grove,Tues 17 - Thurs 19 car ride - one thousand, impresario Walter Keane Feb; Ludlow Assembly Roses Theatre, Tewkes- Berk are at one with the Kon Tiki 15 (Waltz) whose pictures of bury, Sat 7 - Tues 10 Feb dragons in their midst, In 1947, Norwegian ex- three hundred-and-two Rooms, Wed 18 - Thurs 19 metres above the Nepali wide-eyed waifs became Feb; The Roses Theatre, young Hiccup feels free to plorer Thor Heyerdahl a marketing phenomenon The Grandmaster 15 explore neighbouring crossed the Pacific Ocean jungle - on an ancient route Tewkesbury, Sun 22 - Wed The Grandmaster himself to Manakamana, the in the 1950s. However, 25 Feb lands on the back of his in a balsa wood raft to history relates that it was is one Ip Man, a martial trusted Toothless. But be- prove that South Ameri- famed site of the temple of actually his wife Margaret Boxtrolls PG arts maestro who per- yond the familiar horizon cans could have settled on the Hindu goddess Bhag- (Adams), not Walter, who This is the story of an or- fected the horizontal/verti- lie new peoples with a the Polynesian islands. wati. Showing at Royal Spa painted the pictures, and phan boy (Egg) who is cal combat of wing chun. less sympathetic disption This is an old-fashioned Centre, Leamington Spa, when he refused to give Ip Man was a very real per- Thurs 5 Feb

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

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Men, Women And Chil- Pedersen, Hugo Weaving. lot of laughs.With the Showing at The Roses Tues 17 Feb; The Court- Wild15 dren15 Showing at Foxlowe Arts voices of Tom McGrath, Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon yard, hereford, Sat 14 - Adapted (by Nick Hornby) This dramatic comedy fol- Centre, Leek, Staffs, Tues Chris Miller.Showing at 2 - Wed 4 Feb; The Court- Thurs 19 Feb; The Roses from her own memoir, this lows the interlocking lives of 10 Feb The Roses Theatre, yard, Hereford, Fri 6 - Mon Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon is the story of Cheryl a group of people whose Tewkesbury, Sat 14 - Mon 9 Feb 16 - Tues 24 Feb; Web Strayed, who hiked one Oasis15 worlds have been changed 16 Feb; Old Market Hall, Town Hall, North Shrop- thousand, one hundred Jong-Du, an ex-convict by the Internet and social Shrewsbury, Sat 14 - Sat Testament Of Youth12a shire, Mon 23 - Thurs 26 miles of the Pacific Crest with learning difficulties, networking. Stars Adam 21 Feb; Artrix, Broms- During World War One, a Feb; Festival Drayton Cen- Trail - alone. Reese With- meets Gong-Ju, a woman Sandler, Jennifer Garner. grove, Mon 16 - Sat 21 young English woman tre, Market Drayton, Fri 27 - erspoon stars.Showing at with cerebral palsy. A rela- Showing at Light House Feb; Wem Town Hall, named Vera Brittain post- Sat 28 Feb Old Market Hall, Shrews- tionship develops be- Media Centre, Mon 2 - North Shropshire, Wed 18 pones her studies at Oxford bury, Fri 20 - Thurs 26 Feb tween the two, in spite of Thurs 5 Feb - Thurs 19 Feb; Ludlow As- University to serve as a Vol- Unbroken12a obstructions from all sembly Rooms, Fri 20 - Sat untary Aid Detachment Louis ‘Louie’ Zamperini Winter Sleep15 Mr. Turner12a around them.Showing at 21 Feb nurse in London and was quite a chap. An Palme d'Or winner in Arguably Britain’s greatest The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri abroad. Stars Alicia Vikan- Olympic distance runner which a former actor runs artist of all time, Mr Turner 6 Feb PonyoU der, Kit Harington.Showing praised by Hitler, Zam- a small hotel in central seems to have been The story of five-year-old at Malvern Theatres, until perini was a survivor. Anatolia with his young Of Horses And Men15 known by a number of Sosuke’s friendship with Thurs 5 Feb; Warwick Arts When his plane crashed in wife Nihal, with whom he A tale from Iceland - where names: Mr Mallord, Mr Ponyo, a little fish that’s de- Centre, Coventry, Fri 6 - the Pacific, he spent forty- has a stormy relationship, romance between hu- Booth, William, Billy and, termined to become Tues 10 & Sun 15 - Tues 17 seven days drifting on a and his sister Necla, mans is kindled by a bond by posterity, as JMW.Stars human. With the voices of Feb; Old Market Hall, raft before being picked up who’s suffering from her with horses. Love and Timothy Spall.Showing at Cate Blanchett, Matt Shrewsbury, Fri 13 - Thurs by the Japanese and then recent divorce. In winter, death become interlaced Stoke Film Theatre, Mon 2 Damon. Showing at Lud- 19 Feb; Ludlow Assembly sent to a series of POW as the snow begins to fall, with immense conse- Feb low Assembly Rooms, Rooms, South Shropshire, camps. Stars Jack O’Con- the hotel turns into a shel- quences for all.Showing South Shropshire, Tues 17 Fri 20 - Mon 23 Feb; Artrix, nell, Domhnall Gleeson. ter - but also an in- at Foxlowe Arts Centre, My Old Lady12a Feb Bromsgrove, Fri 20 - Thurs Showing at Ludlow Assem- escapable place that fuels Leek, Staffs, Tues 17 Feb This is all a bit of a reunion 26 Feb; Stoke Film Theatre, bly Rooms, South Shrop- their animosities… Stars for Kristin Scott Thomas Pride15 PaddingtonPG Fri 27 - Sat 28 Feb shire, Fri 6 - Mon 9 Feb; Haluk Bilginer, Melisa as she’s previously starred Based on actual events, A film about the loveable Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 10 Sözen.Showing at Roses alongside both Kevin Kline this is the story of how a The Theory Of Every- bear with a penchant for - Thurs 12 Feb; The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon and Maggie Smith. Here, group of LGBT activists at- thing12a marmalade.Stars Hugh Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 2 Feb; Stoke Film Theatre, she plays the old lady’s tempted to raise money to The story of Stephen Hawk- Bonneville, Sally Hawkins. 10 - Thurs 12 Feb; Stoke Tues 3 Feb daughter, her mother help families affected by ing is one of the most re- Showing at Ludlow As- Film Theatre, Thurs 19 Feb being the sole occupant of the 1984 miners' strike. markable and stirring of the sembly Rooms, South The Woman In Black: a Parisian apartment inher- Stars Bill Nighy, Imelda twentieth century. That’s What We Did On Our 12a Shropshire, Fri 13, Mon 16 Angel Of Death ited by a New Yorker. Staunton.Showing at Edge why it was turned into a TV Holiday12a When a group of school- - Thurs 19 Feb; Festival Showing at Artrix, Broms- Arts Centre, Much Wen- movie. This edition is told When Abi and Doug are children are evacuated Drayton Centre, Market grove, until Wed 4 Feb; lock, Mon 16 Feb from the viewpoint of Hawk- invited to the Scottish from London during the Drayton, Sat 14 & Mon 16 - Wem Town Hall, North ing’s first wife, Jane Wilde. Highlands for the birthday Blitz, they’re moved to the Tues 17 Feb St Vincent15 Shropshire, Wed 4 - Thurs Stars Eddie Redmayne, Fe- of Doug’s father, they are remote Eel Marsh House. When St Vincent is re- 5 Feb; The Courtyard, licity Jones.Showing at determined to keep their But what happens there is Penguins Of cruited by his neighbour, Hereford, Fri 6 - Mon 9 Feb Warwick Arts Centre, impending divorce a se- far worse than anything MadagascarU Maggie (McCarthy), to This full-length feature is an Coventry, until Thurs 5 Feb cret. Stars Rosamund Pike the Luftwaffe could mete Mystery Road15 look after her twelve-year- off-shoot from Dream- & Mon 16 - Thurs 19 Feb; & David Tennant.Showing out.... Stars Helen Mc- An indigenous detective old son, he introduces the Works’ Madagascar tril- Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 6 - at Stourbridge Town Hall, Crory, Jeremy Irvine. returns to the Australian undersized boy to the joys ogy. This one features a lot Sat 7 & Tues 10 Feb; Lud- Mon 2 Feb: Edge Arts Cen- Showing at The Courtyard, Outback to investigate the of the strip club and the of penguins and is a spy low Assembly Rooms, tre, Much Wenlock, Mon hereford, Fri 20 - Wed 25 murder of a teenage girl in racetrack. Stars Bill Mur- thriller (seriously) - with a South Shropshire, Fri 13 - 23 Feb Feb a small town. Stars Aaron ray, Melissa McCarthy.

DVD NEW RELEASES Gone Girl 18 The Maze Runner 15 Nick Dunne on his fifth Brace yourselves. It’s wedding anniversary re- back to the future, a ports the disappearance post-apocalyptic affair of his wife. Then, as a shot in Louisiana, media frenzy builds adapted from the ‘young around the gone girl, adult’ novel by James suspicion starts to fall on Dashner, the first of a tril- Nick himself... Staring ogy. Stars Dylan O'Brien. Ben Affleck and Released 9 February Rosamund Pike. Released 2 February The Rewrite 12a Hugh Grant is still playing an Englishman tan- gled up in his heartstrings. Here he plays a washed-up screenwriter who falls for a single mother. Also stars Marisa Tomei. Released 9 February

Dracula Untold 15 In spite of the hundreds Fury 15 painter John Everett Mil- Mr. Turner 12a The Calling 15 of films about the Tran- ‘Fury’ is the name of a lais. The resultant affaire Mr Turner seems to have The territory, if not the sylvanian count, this ver- Sherman tank and de cœur has been the been known by a number tone, is Fargo. A female sion is actually based on Brad Pitt is in com- subject of much specula- of names: Mr Mallord, Mr inspector of police (a the original novel by mand. It’s the last tion, several films, a few Booth, William, Billy and, steely if weary Susan Bram Stoker. Expect month of the war (the plays and an opera. This by posterity, as JMW Sarandon) trudges fangs. And blood. And Second) and Pitt and one is scripted by none Turner, arguably Britain’s around in the snow in necks. Stars Luke Evans, his crew find them- other than Emma greatest artist of all time. small-town Ontario look- Dominic Cooper and selves stuck behind Thompson. Stars Dakota The director, Mike Leigh, ing for a serial killer. Also Sarah Gadon. Book Of Life U enemy lines. Also Fanning. is a master at capturing stars Gil Bellows. Released 9 February Originally entitled Day Of stars Shia LaBeouf, Released 23 February the feel of the period, and Released 23 February The Dead, this animated Logan Lerman and peoples Turner’s life with a musical adventure con- Jon Bernthal. colourful catalogue of car- cerns a hopeless roman- Released 23 February icatures. His dialogue is tic with a guitar and two also deliciously idiosyn- swords. However, in cratic, while Dick Pope’s order to pursue his ro- Effie Gray 12a Back in the 1850s, Effie, luminous cinematography mantic dream, he has to could hardly be bettered. manoeuvre two alterna- the wife of the eminent art critic John Ruskin, Stars Timothy Spall. tive worlds. Released 23 February Released 16 February met the Pre-Raphaelite

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Secret Egypt Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, until Sun 26 April Modern misconceptions about Ancient Egypt are addressed in this fascinating show. Comprising more than one hundred-and-fifty objects, Secret Egypt includes ceramics, jewellery, statues, coffins and both animal and human mummies. As well as examining the science behind the mummification process, the exhibition also looks at evidence of curses in Egyptian society. Commenting on Secret Egypt, Tina Woodward, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member for visitor economy, said: “The realm of ancient Egypt is something that continues to capture our imagi- nations, but often what we think we know has been distorted by the films, books and TV programmes that make it their inspiration. This exhibition is a chance to discover for yourself what’s fact and what’s fantasy. It’s a highly interactive show, rich in graphic images, films and hands-on learning activities.”

Found New Art Gallery, Walsall, until Sun 3 May Loss, memory and mass cultural experience are among the themes here being explored by seven contemporary artists working with ‘found’ images. The artists transform, cut, embellish and re-work material in order to draw attention to the relentless digital-age consumption of visual information. New Art West Midlands Their images have been sourced from the internet, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Saturday 25 April; Birmingham Museum & Gallery, until Sun 17 May; The Barber Institute, Birmingham, until Sun 17 May; Herbert Art Gallery & flea markets, magazines and discarded personal col- Museum, until Sun 31 May lections. Thirty of the region’s best emerging artists are this month being given the opportunity to showcase their work, as the third edition of the New Art West Midlands exhibition takes place at four local art galleries. A Turning Point West Midlands initiative, New Art West Midlands features an eclectic mix of artistic disciplines, including painting, sculpture, photography, performance, installation and video work. All the participating artists have graduated from one of the region’s undergraduate or postgraduate fine art degree courses during the past three years. “It’s exciting to see how New Art West Midlands has grown since 2013,” says Wendy Law, Director of Turning Point West Midlands. “There’s an interesting and diverse range of talent and work coming out of our art schools and universities today. New Art West Midlands provides an important opportunity at a crucial point in the careers of these artists, enabling them to have their work displayed in highly respected galleries and to be seen and enjoyed by a large public.”

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John Thirlwall, David Birmingham VisualArts PREVIEWS VisualArts LISTINGS Brammeld, Lisa HIDDEN TREASURES Henderson, Noel CRAFT EXHIBITION Bennett, Michael Leigh For full listing information on Visual Art Exhibition featuring new & Angela Maloney, until techniques such as 3D- Further exhibitions exhibitions, including times and dates, Sun 8 Mar, Shire Hall printing to examine cur- visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Gallery, Stafford rent trends in ceramics BRIERLEY HILL SOCIETY & jewellery, until Sat 9 OF ARTISTS Featuring May, RBSA Gallery, Nástio Mosquito: FAITH & FORTUNE TELFORD & WREKIN OPEN works by twenty-five Birmingham Visualising the Divine ART EXHIBITION until artists working in a vari- ON THE RIGHT TRACKS Daily Lovemaking on Byzantine & early Thurs 26 Feb, The ety of media, including Exhibition exploring Islamic coinage, until Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, Place, Oakengates watercolours, oils, pas- Wolverhampton’s Thurs 5 Feb, The Wed 4 February - Sun 19 April Theatre, Telford tels & acrylics, until Sun involvement in the Barber Institute, ART OF THE TROUBLES 22 Mar, Red House growth of the railways, “Daily Lovemaking is the expression of the Birmingham Major exhibition featur- Glass Cone, until Sun 10 May, joy that I find when confronting the contradic- ANNA KATARZYNA DOME- ing artists’ responses to Stourbridge Bantock House tions of my emotional, social and cultural JKO: UNREAL STORIES the troubles in Northern ELIZABETH ROWE Museum, realities,” says Nástio Mosquito, who is here Debut solo show pre- Ireland, until Fri 27 Feb, Disparate images care- Wolverhampton senting new paintings presenting his first ever solo exhibition. Wolverhampton Art fully selected from GODS AND HEROES & installations, drawing Gallery women’s magazines, Seeking to uncover the Mosquito is fast emerging as one of the most on the artist’s contin- A SPACE BETWEEN National Geographic methods and motives exciting artists of his generation, reflecting on ued investigation of UTOPIA AND THE PLACE volumes & old books behind the representa- the nature of the globalised world via a clever contemporary world WE KNOW Richard feature at the heart of tion of the superhuman affairs, until Fri 5 Feb, and thought-provoking use of music, photog- Schofield’s photograph- Elizabeth Rowe’s work, & supernatural in art. Stryx Gallery, raphy, film and performance poetry. ic essay interprets the until Sun 5 Apr, New Art Subjects drawn from Birmingham Visitors to the exhibition should be advised brutalist Italian park Gallery, Walsall both ancient mythology that it contains adult content, meaning that POP EUROPE! Colourful Parco Bissuola in BIRMINGHAM SHOW & the Judo-Christian display of Pop & Op parental guidance is advised. Mestre, Venice, until Fri Large-scale group exhi- tradition feature, until Art, Expressionist & 27 Feb, Parkside bition, until Sat 11 Apr, Mon 25 May, The Abstract works, until Gallery, Birmingham Eastside Projects, Barber Institute, Sat 7 Feb, University Birmingham Birmingham Wolverhampton Art JERWOOD ENCOUNTERS Gallery VAL PITCHFORD RBSA FAITH & ACTION: QUAK- Exploration of the small 3-PHASE SHOW 1 First of ERS & THE FIRST WORLD SPIRIT OF CLOTH (and very small) format two exhibitions by WAR Exhibition which Showcase of work from through abstract land- emerging artists - in uses original photo- six Midlands textile scapes, still life and this case, Kelly Best graphs, film interviews artists who work inde- flower paintings, until and Georgie Grace, & artefacts to tell the pendently to produce Sat 28 Feb, RBSA until Sat 11 Apr, compelling stories of original textile art, regu- Gallery, Birmingham Eastside Projects, Quaker men & women larly sharing ideas, Birmingham during the 1914-1918 techniques & inspira- NEW YEAR OPEN EXHIBI- SIKANDER PERVEZ Debut conflict and its after- tion, until Sat 7 Feb, TION Featuring a new solo exhibition which math, until Sun 7 June, Bilston Craft Gallery Spring collection of handcrafted work, until sees the artist create a Birmingham Museum & START Featuring works Sat 28 Feb, Willow brand new sculptural Art Gallery On The Right Tracks by RBSA Members & Gallery, Oswestry, installation, until Sun 19 THE JEWELLERY QUAR- Bantock House Museum, Wolverhampton, Associates. All works North Shropshire Apr, New Art Gallery, TER DURING THE FIRST until Sat 25 April on show are for sale, Walsall WORLD WAR Exhibition priced £200 or under, DOUBLE TAKE: THE DARREN BANKS: THE of artefacts, images Since the opening of a station in 1852, until Sat 7 Feb, RBSA KOESTLER EXHIBITION RAVEN A body of work and oral histories relat- Wolverhampton has been one of the UK’s Gallery, Birmingham FOR THE WEST MID- LANDS Artwork, audio & inspired by the legacy ing to the recruitment most important railway intersections, provid- EVERYTHING IS LOST BY creative writing from of Churton Fairman - of soldiers from the ing direct access to the south coast, London, PATRICK DANDY prisons, secure hospi- better known by his Jewellery Quarter, until the northwest, Scotland and mid Wales. Exploring social tals & young offenders alias, Mike Raven, until Sat 27 June, The Jewellery Quarter, This brand new exhibition explores, docu- dependency on tech- institutes in the West Sun 26 Apr, New Art nology to protect the Midlands, until Sun 1 Gallery, Walsall Birmingham ments and takes a nostalgic look at the city’s longevity of digital infor- March, mac - Midlands SECRET EGYPT Exhibition SOLDIERS’ STORIES: involvement in the growth of the railways mation, memories & vir- Arts Centre, addressing popular BIRMINGHAM AND THE over the past one hundred-and-fifty-plus tual lives, until Fri 13 Birmingham misconceptions about ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE Feb, Bramall Music years. ancient Egypt, until Sun REGIMENT 1914 - 1918 Building, Birmingham ROBERT HAND ARBSA Solo show featuring a 26 April, Shrewsbury Exhibition which com- JUNE DUDLESTON RBSA combination of hand- Museum & Art Gallery memorates the cente- Exhibition exploring nary of the First World built raku & pit-fired FOUND Exploring the landscape scenes War and recounts the The Poetic Impossibility To ceramics, until Sat 7 themes of loss, memo- across the changing experiences of Mar, RBSA Gallery, ry & mass cultural seasons, until Sat 14 Birmingham men who Manage The Infinite Birmingham experience, as well as Feb, RBSA Gallery, served in the regiment socially constructed Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Birmingham RED TO RUST Featuring between 1914 and Sat 7 February - Sat 2 May eight paintings of hierarchies concerning 1918, using personal WEST MIDLANDS OPEN industrial landscapes gender, race, religion & objects, medals & The new politics of space exploration and the Biennial public art exhi- by Stourbridge artist mass culture, until Sun memorabilia, until Sun bition featuring work by impact of its technological application on Cedric Smith, until Sat 3 May, New Art Gallery, 26 July, Birmingham both professional and people’s consciousness is the theme of this 7 Mar, Dudley Museum Walsall Museum & Art Gallery amateur artists from all groundbreaking exhibition by Edgar Martins. & Art Gallery MADE AT MAC: TEXTILES disciplines, until Sun 15 JERWOOD ENCOUNTERS: Featuring work from Having been granted unparalleled access to Feb, Birmingham ‘SCAPES A broad-rang- 3-PHASE Featuring mac’s From Paper To the European Space Agency (ESA) and its Museum & Art Gallery ing look at the outside works by Kelly Best & world through the eyes Fabric course, until Sun Georgie Grace, until partners, Martins has spent the past two I SELL THE SHADOW TO of selected contempo- 3 May, mac - Midlands Sat 11 Apr, Eastside years travelling to twenty locations across SAVE THE SUBSTANCE rary artists, including Arts Complex, Europe and South America, shooting in clas- New work by Lucy sified facilities such as test centres, robotics Hutchinson which ‘’scapes - Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford works as a response to departments, launch sites, astronaut training the study of Carte-de- centres and satellite assembly rooms. Visite images from the Numerous ESA programmes, including library’s nationally & microgravity, human spaceflight and lunar, internationally signifi- Mars and cant photography collection, until Sun 22 Mercury Feb, Library of exploration, Birmingham are docu- JENNIFER HARRISON mented in EXHIBITION Solo exhibi- this Arts tion featuring a collec- Council-fund- tion of new works, until ed presenta- Mon 23 Feb, Qube Gallery, Oswestry, tion. North Shropshire

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uncovered, recorded Display of abstract per- OPEN ALL MEDIA EXHIBI- INHERITING ROME LISTINGS and told by prominent spex works & ink draw- TION Showcasing artists Exhibition which uses VisualArts local geologists & sci- ings, Mon 16 Feb - Sat from across the UK money to explore our entists, Fri 13 Feb - Sun 25 April, RBSA Gallery, working in a variety of deep-seated familiarity For full listing information on Visual Art 17 May, Library of Birmingham media, together with with the Roman exhibitions, including times and dates, Birmingham MAT JENNER: DREAMS work from guest artist Empire’s imagery, Fri visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk WILL SHANNON: THE TIME FREE Sat 21 Feb - Peter Monaghan, Wed 27 Feb - Sun 24 Jan CLOSET CRAFTSMAN In Fri 3 Apr, Grand Union, 25 Feb - Sat 28 Mar, 2016, The Barber RBSA Gallery, B’ham Institute, B’ham Projects, Birmingham miniatures by the likes this new exhibition for Birmingham of Richard Cosway, Birmingham, Shannon JOSHUA MATHESON: CRE- will produce Market ATIVE INTERPRETATION George Engleheart & John Smart, Fri 6 Feb - Factory. Resonating Museums & Art Galleries THROUGH BEAUTY Insight with Birmingham’s her- into the creative world Sun 26 April, The Barber Institute, B’ham itage as a place for Birmingham BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS Staffordshire of hairdressing & make- MUSEUM, DUDLEY trade and making NEWCASTLE BOROUGH up artistry, Wed 4 Feb - THE POETIC IMPOSSIBILI- ARTIFEX Sutton Coldfield 01384 812745 things, the new work- 0121 323 3776 MUSEUM & ART GALLERY Sun 1 Mar, Artrix, TY TO MANAGE THE INFI- space will manufacture DUDLEY MUSEUM & ART BARBER INSTITUTE 01782 232323 Bromsgrove NITE Exhibition which limited-edition chairs for GALLERY documents our quest to 0121 414 7333 THE POTTERIES MUSEUM & NASTIO MOSQUITO: DAILY sale, Sat 14 Feb - Sun 01384 815575 ART GALLERY, STOKE-ON- LOVEMAKING Fusing penetrate the astro- 19 Apr, mac, B’ham BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CENTRE TRENT 01782 232323 music, photography, physical reality of the WOLVERHAMPTON universe in order to bet- SHOUT OUT! UK PIRATE 0121 303 2834 SHIRE HALL GALLERY film & performance RADIO IN THE 1980S A 01902 716055 STAFFORD 01785 278345 poetry to reflect on the ter understand time, CASTLE GALLERIES space and matter, Sat 7 display which tracks 0121 248 8484 THE NEW ART GALLERY STAFFORDSHIRE MUSEUM, nature of our globalised the history of British WALSALL 01922 654400 SHUGBOROUGH Feb - Sat 9 May, GRAND UNION world and how love- soul music and the RED HOUSE GLASS CONE 01889 881388 making can act as an Wolverhampton Art 0121 643 9079 Gallery impact of the early 01384 812750 antidote to corruption & tower block pirate radio IKON GALLERY hypocrisy, Wed 4 Feb - LOVE ART, BUY ART, MAKE 0121 248 0708 WOLVERHAMPTON ART Warwickshire movement that GALLERY 01902 552055 Sun 19 Apr, Ikon ART EXHIBITION emerged during the NUMBER NINE THE GALLERY COMPTON VERNEY GALLERY Gallery, Birmingham Featuring work pro- 1980s, Sat 14 Feb - Sat 0121 643 9099 01926 645500 AK DOLVEN Anne Katrine duced by the RBSA’s 9 May, Potteries RBSA GALLERY Shropshire HERBERT ART GALLERY Dolven shows paint- adult workshop tutors, Museum & Art Gallery, 0121 2364353 BEAR STEPS GALLERY, COVENTRY 02476 832386 ings, film, video, pho- Mon 9 - Sat 21 Feb, Stoke-on-Trent STRYX GALLERY, DIGBETH SHREWSBURY LANCHESTER GALLERY, tography & sound RBSA Gallery, [email protected] 01743 344994 COVENTRY Birmingham ART FROM ELSEWHERE: 02476 887831 installation alongside INTERNATIONAL CONTEM- THREE WHITE WALLS SHREWSBURY MUSEUM & ART GALLERY the extraordinary land- HILARY JEFFERIES PORARY ART FROM UK GALLERY MEAD GALLERY WARWICK 0121 200 3328 01743 258885 scapes of fellow BRANDSOM Mixed media GALLERIES Touring exhi- 02476 524524 Norwegian artist, nine- paintings of the chang- bition which considers TWENTY TWENTY GALLERY, ROYAL PUMP ROOMS teenth century painter ing landscape, Mon 9 - themes of global Black Country MUCH WENLOCK 01926 742700 01952 727952 Peder Balke (1804 - Sat 28 Feb, New Vic change, postcolonial BANTOCK HOUSE RUGBY MUSEUM & ART 87), Wed 4 Feb - Sun Theatre, Newcastle- experiences & failed WOLVERHAMPTON THE WILLOW GALLERY, GALLERY 01788 533201 19 April, Ikon Gallery, under-Lyme utopias, Sat 14 Feb - 01902 552195 OSWESTRY Birmingham STONES & BONES EXHIBI- Sun 31 May, BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY 01691 657575 Worcestershire Birmingham Museum & 01902 552507 REVOLUTIONISING FASH- TION Discover more WORCESTER CITY ART ION Display of elegant about the early history Art Gallery GALLERY 01905 25371 eighteenth & early-nine- of the Midlands and STEVE EVANS ARBSA Visit whatsonlive.co.uk for venue website details teenth century British how that history was

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Family Activities in Ironbridge Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire, Sat 14 - Sun 22 February Ironbridge Gorge’s popular museums are offering plenty to keep test, taking place at midday on the Tuesday. youngsters occupied during this month’s school holiday. A brand For those wishing to demonstrate their artistic flair, Jackfield Tile new, sweet-themed event on the Blists Hill calendar provides visitors Museum is hold tile-decorating workshops, during which participants with the chance to make a package in which to put their confec- can use the traditional ‘tube lining’ method to create their very own tionary, while a daily talk offers an opportunity to learn more about tile. Meanwhile, over at Enginuity, the ever-popular flight workshops the history of sweets. Other half-term attractions at the award-winning make a welcome return. museum include Victorian candlemaking demonstrations, mini-brick All of the above are being offered alongside the respective museums’ laying, morse code and colouring activities. Visitors can also enjoy regular attractions. the ladies of Blists Hill competing in the annual pancake-flipping con- Model Making RAF Cosford, Nr Wolverhampton, Mon 16 - Fri 20 February This family-friendly event is sure to evoke a sense of nostalgia for a certain generation of dads, with the RAF Museum inviting visitors to take part in building an Airfix 1:72 Sopwith Pup or an Airfix 1:72 Albatross. Models will be built alongside a full-sized aircraft. Modelling skills aren’t required in order to take part, as staff will be on hand to provide assistance. For families with younger children, there’s a wooden biplane to assemble and decorate, plus colouring in aircraft. Sainsbury’s Indoor Grand Prix Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Sat 21 February Legendary running machine Mo Farah top-bills at this ever-popular event - and if it matches up to last year’s get-together, ticket-holders are in for an afternoon of high-quality action. The 2014 Grand Prix certainly offered something to cheer about, with home wins being recorded by James Dasaolu in the sixty metres, Nigel Levine in the four hundred metres and Laura Muir in the fifteen hundred metres. European indoor champion pole vaulter Holly Bleasdale also bagged gold. Other highlights included a two-mile world record by Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba and a breathtaking victory for Ivory Coast’s Murielle Ahoure against eight-time global sprint champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. In short, fans certainly got their money’s-worth of world-class athletics, and this month’s eagerly anticipated event looks like offering plenty more of the same.

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Events PREVIEWS Mr Bloom comes to Alton Towers Alton Towers, Staffordshire, Sat 14 - Sun 22 February Fun rides and wide eyes are the name of the half-term game at Alton Towers this month. The popular Staffordshire visitor attraction is best known, of course, for its selection of hugely enjoyable rides, and there’s certainly no shortage of those to sample during half- term week, including Sharkbait Reef, Ice Age: The 4D Experience, Air, Nemesis, The Blade and Runaway Mine Train. But it’s in CBeebies Land where youngsters are likely to be wide eyed with astonishment as they get the chance to meet some of their favourite BBC TV characters. As well as Upsy Daisy, Iggle Piggle and the madcap ZingZillas musicians, kids can also have fun with Mr Bloom as he pops into CBeebies Land to check on his allotment. He’ll be joined by his veggie pals for five daily live shows that are sure to delight young fans. Rides and attractions throughout CBeebies Land will also be available, including Postman Pat Parcel Post, In The Night Garden Magical Boat Ride and Get Set Go Tree Top Adventure. Penguin Conservation Week Oh, and if you decide to stay in one of the National Sealife Centre, Birmingham, Sat 14 Sun 22 February resort’s hotels, there’s also the chance for After last year welcoming a colony of Gentoo penguins to its Brindleyplace location, children to dance the night away to their Birmingham’s National Sealife Centre is this half-term holiday inviting youngsters to pop favourite pop music at the CBeebies Land along and join in its Waddle Academy. As well as marvelling at the Gentoos’ cheeky antics, Disco. visitors can enjoy plenty of penguin-related activities, including learning about the seabirds’ natural habitat and sampling the pleasures of penguin parades. Pebble paintings and com- petitions also feature.

Wedding expert Kate Smallwood will once Caravan, Camping And again on hand to host the show’s Inspiration Motorhome Show Sessions. Kate is joined by Wedding NEC, Birmingham, Tues 17 - Sun 22 February Magazine’s Joseph Koniak and Sophia Price, who’ll be offering advice on the hottest bridal Popular personalities Matt Baker and Sally hairstyles and make-up trends. Other fea- Gunnell step into the limelight at this start-of- tured zones at the include the Vintage Area, season holiday showcase, the biggest event where visitors can view the latest period col- of its kind in the UK. Olympic champion lections from specialist wedding suppliers, Gunnell will both be taking audience ques- and the Designer Area, in which brides-to-be tions in the Experts’ Theatre. TV and radio can discuss their ideal dress with the latest personality Matt Baker also puts in an designers via a one-to-one consultation. appearance, as does professional surfer And when you’re done with all the perusing, The Art Of Making Festival Melodie King. Other event highlights include why not indulge in some well-deserved relax- three hundred-and-fifty exhibitors, a Learning Bilston Craft Gallery, ation with a glass of fizz and a bite to eat in Sat 14 - Wed 28 February Zone, cookery demonstrations, an onsite the Champagne Bar, or a more traditional campsite and numerous free have-a-go Bilston Craft Gallery’s two-week festival beverage in the Afternoon Tea Bar. activities, including an outdoor-style fashion offers visitors a chance to take part in per- show for people of all ages to enjoy. formances, processions, live installations “It’s fantastic to have such well-known per- and collaborative making - all in the name of sonalities coming to our show,” says NCC challenging accepted definitions of craft. The Events managing director Andrew Whalley, festival sees six highly rated artists present- “and I’m sure they’ll be a hit with visitors of ing work not only in the gallery but also in every age. All of them have a passion for the and around Bilston. Their work is displayed outdoors, and visitors to our event will see with the intention of encouraging viewers to how a caravan, motorhome or tent can be think about how craft is produced and the the enabler to getting outside as a family, legacy of the objects that are made. enjoying quality time together and being active.”

The National Wedding Show NEC, Birmingham, Fri 27 February - Sun 1 March Promising a one-stop shop for a bride and groom’s wedding needs, The National Wedding Show provides a platform for the industry’s best to showcase both the trendy and the traditional, and features an unrivalled selection of wedding dresses.

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Half-term at Birmingham Museums including Thinktank, Soho House, Aston Hall, Blakesley Hall, Sarehole Mill & Weoley Castle, Birmingham Birmingham Museums certainly aren’t rest- ing on their laurels when it comes to offering family fun this half-term holiday. Highlights include a daytime star-gaze at Thinktank’s digital Planetarium, the chance to get back to nature with Animal Mania at Blakesley Hall, milling & flour making at Sarehole Mill, a winter tour of Soho House, and the opportunity to Create A Creature with family artist Lucy Read at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG). And BMAG’s got plenty of other attractions on offer too - not least among which is the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing day out perusing the treasures of the Staffordshire Hoard. You can even sample some, er, ‘tasty’ Anglo-Saxon stew & nettle tea in the Edwardian Tearooms while you’re at it!.

Bake It In The Black Country Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Sat 14 - Sun 22 February Dudley’s living history museum is going baking mad this half-term holiday. Included in a range of themed activities, crafts and demonstrations is a trail around the popular visitor attraction, with all manner of weird and wonderful facts about cooking and baking in the Black Country being revealed en route. There are traditional baking demonstrations in the site’s nineteenth century bakers to enjoy too, as well as an opportunity to try biscuit making in a traditional cast iron range. And if the sight and scent of all those breads and cakes makes your stomach rumble, why not sample some of the classics - cherry bakewells and ginger- bread included - at Veal’s Bakers.

ARTIST’S TALK John Gallery Resort, Staffordshire Craft Centre, Hanbury, LISTINGS Yeadon talks about LUDLOW RACES Wed 4 SOLIDARITY WITH WEST Worcestershire Events national identity Feb, Ludlow AFRICAN AGAINST EBOLA: VOLUNTEER WEEKEND through landscape Racecourse, Bromfield, BIRMINGHAM CULTURAL Help get the farm ready For full listing information on Events, painting, in connection Ludlow, South FUNDRAISER Sat 7 Feb, for the year ahead, Sat including times and dates, visit with the Recording Shropshire The Drum, Birmingham 7 - Sun 8 Feb, Fordhall Britain exhibition and CRAFTPLAY LITTLE DHOL DRUMMING WORK- Organic Farm, Market www.whatsonlive.co.uk his recent exhibition EXPLORERS Wed 4 Feb, SHOP All welcome, Drayton, North Englandia, Tues 3 Feb, Bilston Craft Gallery, regardless of gender, Shropshire your car or motorcycle Herbert Art Gallery & Wolverhampton age or cultural back- ‘SHAUN THE SHEEP THE from out on the famous Museum, Coventry ARTFORUM Art work- ground, Sat 7 Feb, MOVIE’ ACTIVITY WEEK- quarter-mile dragstrip SUN 1 FEB THE WAR ON GERMS shop, Wed 4 Feb, Beatbox, Library of ENDS Celebrating the and test its perform- WITH DR BERYL OPPEN- Wolverhampton Art Birmingham new movie, Sat 7 - Sun ance limits in a safe HEIM A Cafe Gallery DECORATING CLUB 8 Feb, Heritage Motor ‘SHAUN THE SHEEP THE and legal environment, Scientifique debate, WINTER TALK & TOUR Special workshop for Museum, Gaydon, MOVIE’ ACTIVITY WEEK- Sun 1 Feb, Santapod Tues 3 Feb, Think Tank, Informative winter tour six to 11-year-olds, Sat Warwickshire ENDS Celebrating the Raceway, Northampton Birmingham to find out more about 7 Feb, Emma AZTEC WEEKEND Explore new movie, Sun 1 Feb, LEAMINGTON: THE LONG CRAFTPLAY EXPLORERS the incredible story of Bridgewater Factory, the origins of the cocoa Heritage Motor AND SHORT OF IT Pop Tues 3 Feb, Bilston Soho House and the Stoke-on-Trent bean and uncover the Museum, Gaydon, along and add your Craft Gallery, world-changing meet- GALLERY TOUR Chance mysteries of Emperor Warwickshire voice to a collaborative Wolverhampton ings that took place to find out about the Montezuma, Sat 7 - BRIDAL FAYRE Described tale to help create DROP-IN TILE DECORAT- there, Thurs 5 Feb, history of the building Sun 8 Feb, Cadbury as the largest bridal Leamington's longest ING WORKSHOP Fun Soho House, and Wolverhampton’s World, Birmingham fayre in Staffordshire, group story, Sun 1 - Sat hands-on activities for Birmingham world-renowned collec- SPRING HAS SPRUNG! Sun 1 Feb, 7 Feb, Leamington Spa adults & children alike, ARTIST’S TALK Join tions, Sat 7 Feb, Dig out your wellies, Shugborough Estate, Art Gallery & Museum Tues 3 Feb, Jackfield Laura Oldfield Ford as Wolverhampton Art explore the farm and Staffs THE GREAT GLADSTONE Tile Museum, she talks about her Gallery take your seats for a BOWMAN ANTIQUES FAIR CIRCUS HUNT Find the Ironbridge, Shropshire work relating to the LANDSCAPE PAINTING Springtime pantomime, Quality three-day giant lion heads hidden WINTER GUIDED TOUR fields of contested WITH DAVID GLEESON Sat 7 - Sun 22 Feb, antique fair featuring up around the museum by Chance to see Aston space, landscape, Take along your own National Forest to 400 stands selling following the clues. Hall during the closed architecture & memory, photographs of your Adventure Farm, Burton antiques, curios, vin- Free gift and entry into season, Wed 4 Feb, Thurs 5 Feb, Herbert favourite landscape: Upon Trent, Staffs tage, retro and collecta- a prize draw for all par- Aston Hall, Birmingham Art Gallery & Museum, local, on holiday or out TOY COLLECTORS FAIR bles, Sun 1 Feb, ticipants, Sun 1 - Sat 28 WINTER TOURS AT SARE- Coventry of a window, Sat 7 Feb, Featuring thousands of Bingley Hall, Stafford Feb, Gladstone Pottery HOLE MILL Take a look RE-AWAKENING THE Shire Hall Gallery, collectables for sale NATIONAL STORYTELLING Museum, Stoke-on- around the historic mill HOUSE Enjoy exclusive Stafford from the UK’s leading WEEK EVENT Stories Trent building and explore access behind the YOUNG ARTISTS A specialist dealers, Sun from around the world FIRESIDE CHATS the history and impor- scenes and see how chance to learn new 8 Feb, NEC, with children's story- Discover some fascinat- tance of one of the house is prepared drawing, painting and Birmingham teller Colin King, Sun 1 ing Erddig stories by Birmingham’s last for re-opening, Fri 6 sculpture skills, Sat 7 WEDDING FAYRE Sun 8 Feb, Leamington Spa the fire, Mon 2 - Fri 13 remaining working Feb, Charlecote Park, Feb, Wolverhampton Feb, Castle Bromwich Art Gallery & Museum Feb, Erddig water mills, Wed 4 Feb, Warwickshire Art Gallery Hall Hotel WEDDING FAIR Catering TUESDAY TOUR Guided Sarehole Mill, PIRATE WEEKEND MOSAIC WORKSHOP SINGING DARWIN’S for all your needs for a tour of the house fol- Birmingham Featuring entertainment Suitable for anyone, PRAISES St Chad’s special day, Sun 1 Feb, lowed by a walk into GLINGO! An evening cel- from Pirate Bill and from beginners to Choir will perform Ford Green Hall, Stoke- Yardley conservation ebrating LGBT history, entrance to the site’s advanced. No drawing Choral Evensong in cel- on-Trent area, Tues 3 Feb, Wed 4 Feb, waterpark, Fri 6 - Sat 7 or artistic skills needed, ebration of The Darwin RUN WHAT YA BRUNG Blakesley Hall, Wolverhampton Art Feb, Alton Towers Sat 7 Feb, Jinney Ring Festival with guest The chance to take Birmingham

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Feb, Infirmary Museum, University of Worcester Events LISTINGS DARWIN’S GARDEN OFFI- CIAL OPENING Discover For full listing information on Events, about the Darwin family including times and dates, visit in Shrewsbury during early 1800s, Sat 14 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Feb, Shropshire Wildlife Trust preacher Rev Dr Gareth drifting in safe and VALENTINE'S STONE Leyshon, Sun 8 Feb, St legal conditions on CARVING WORKSHOP FOR Chad’s Church, some of the Pod's thirty ADULTS Carve a gar- Shrewsbury acres of open tarmac, goyle, starting with DARWIN FESTIVAL where there are begin- breeze block and mov- Various events taking ners, intermediate and ing on to other stone, place around advanced tracks open Sat 14 Feb, Leamington Shrewsbury, in celebra- at the same time each Spa Art Gallery & tion of Charles Darwin, DWYB day, Wed 11 Museum Sun 8 - Sun 22 Feb, Feb, Santapod VALENTINE’S TREE Write Shrewsbury Raceway, Northampton a message to a loved TOUR OF THE UNIVERSITY one and hang it on the OF WARWICK ART COL- Week Commencing Valentine’s tree in the Caravan, Camping And Motorhome Show - NEC, Birmingham LECTION Focusing on a parlour at Hall’s Croft, MON 9 FEB selection of artworks END Immerse yourself FLIGHT WORKSHOPS FAMILY FUN DAYS Pick Sat 14 Feb, Hall’s Croft, that relate to the in over two thousand Drop-in workshop up a map and a Doodle Stratford-upon-Avon CREATIVE FORTNIGHT AT gallery’s current exhibi- years of history, from where visitors can Your Dream Day sheet DECORATING CLUB THE MEAD GALLERY tions - Close And Far: Ancient Greece to design and build a from visitor reception, Special workshop for Budding artists are Russian Photography World War II. Meet the pneumatic rocket from then head off on a jour- six to 11-year-olds, Sat invited to take part in a Now and John reenactors, see historic craft materials. ney through the woods. 14 Feb, Emma range of self-led art Akomfrah: The vehicles and take part Additional charges Build a den, play hoop- Bridgewater Factory, activities. No booking Unfinished in a military drill, Sat 14 apply, and activities la, splash in the pud- Stoke-on-Trent required, just pop Conversation, Thurs 12 - Sun 15 Feb, The vary from day to day, dles and have your DHOL DRUMMING WORK- along and get drawing. Feb, The Mead Gallery, Commandery, Sat 14 - Sun 22 Feb, own family adventure. SHOP All welcome, Mon 9 - Sat 21 Feb, Warwick Arts Centre, Worcester Enginuity, Ironbridge, Don't forget your regardless of gender, The Mead Gallery, Coventry WASSAILING AND WRIT- Shropshire wellies!, Sat 14 - Sun age or cultural back- Warwick Arts Centre, WINTER TALK & TOUR ING Activities include; HALF-TERM FAMILY 22 Feb, Packwood ground, Sat 14 Feb, Coventry Informative winter tour toasting marshmellows ENTERTAINMENT Join a House, Solihull Beatbox, Library of BANNED! CENSORING to find out more about over the fire pit in Kings host of entertainers as THE COVENTRY CODE Birmingham SEXUALITY A local histo- the incredible story of Walk Wood and writing they spread joy QUEST Have fun deci- VALENTINE’S RAG RUG ry talk hosted by Soho House and the new year diary events throughout the half- phering the clues that HEARTS Chance to dis- Rachel MacGregor world-changing meet- with a quill pen, Sat 14 term holidays, Sat 14 - lead you on a half-term cover the traditional art which forms part of ings that took place - Wed 18 Feb, Moseley Sun 22 Feb, Cadbury trail around the park. of rag rugging, Sat 14 LGBT History Month, there, Thurs 12 Feb, Old Hall, World, Birmingham Price includes a prize, Feb, Birmingham Back Tues 10 Feb, Library of Soho House, Wolverhampton HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES AT Sat 14 - Sun 22 Feb, to Backs Birmingham Birmingham FOLLOW YOUR HEART EMMA BRIDGEWATER Croome Park, BIG TIME AMERICAN DROP-IN TILE DECORAT- BEHIND THE SCENES Half-term family trail Week of wildlife-themed Worcestershire WRESTLING Top-class ING WORKSHOP Fun, TOURS Join the access- where visitors can dis- activities for children, BAKE IT IN THE BLACK action for all the family, hands-on activities for all-areas tour and cover more about the Sat 14 - Sun 22 Feb, COUNTRY Sat 14 Feb - featuring a host of inter- adults and children unlock the secrets of museum’s collections Emma Bridgewater Sun 22 Feb, Black national wrestling stars, alike, Tues 10 Feb, Witley’s partying past by hunting the hearts in Factory, Stoke-on-Trent, Country Living Sat 14 Feb, Victoria Jackfield Tile Museum, as you explore parts of the galleries, Sat 14 - Staffs Museum, Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on- Ironbridge, Shropshire the court seldom open Sat 21 Feb, The TRAINS, TRAMS AND LOTS Wolverhampton Trent CRAFTPLAY EXPLORERS to visitors, Fri 13 Feb, Museum of Royal OF FUN AT HALF-TERM ACTS OF MAKING FESTI- MCM MIDLANDS COMIC Tues 10 Feb, Bilston Witley Court, Worcester For model railway fans VAL A two-week event CON Full-day fix of Craft Gallery, Worcestershire BECOME AN APPRENTICE of all ages, with the which challenges defi- movies, gaming, cos- Wolverhampton FRIDAY TWILIGHT - SOUL GLOVER Design your group’s 120ft-long fully- nitions of craft, how it’s play, comics, anime tel- MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS NIGHT Fri 13 Feb, The own gloves in the same operating, miniature produced and what the evision shows, Sat 14 Present Park Gorkogo, Potteries Museum & Art workshop that model tramway on legacy of craft objects Feb, Telford Tue 10 - Wed 11 Feb, Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent Shakespeare’s father show, Sat 14 - Sun 22 can be, Sat 14 - Sat 28 International Centre, Theatre Severn, 3RD BI-ANNUAL INTERNA- worked in. While there, Feb, Severn Valley Feb, Bilston Craft Shropshire Shrewsbury TIONAL FESTIVAL OF learn about gloves, Railway, Bewdley, Nr Gallery, Wolverhampton THE BIRDS' WEDDING DAY AN EVENING WITH POLLY BEER Featuring one their meaning in Tudor Kidderminster THE MODEL TRACTOR, CONNECTING TOYNBEE & DAVID thousand beers & society, the materials MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE PLANT & CONSTRUCTION COMMUNITIES THROUGH WALKER Wed 11 Feb, ciders, live music, on- used to make them and WALL Family crafts for SHOW Sun 15 Feb, CULTURE Two-day event Arena Theatre, site beer boutique & the stinky process of February half-term, Sat Warwickshire Exhibition of free arts activities to Wolverhampton memorabilia shop, Fri tanning, Sat 14 - Sat 21 14 - Sun 22 Feb, Centre celebrate the inclusive WINTER GUIDED TOUR 13 - Sun 15 Feb, Feb, Shakespeare’s Wightwick Manor and VALENTINE’S VINTAGE thinking and actions of Chance to see Aston National Brewery Birthplace, Stratford- Gardens, FAIR Featuring a 1950s- Rosslyn Bruce, vicar at Hall during the closed Centre, Burton on upon-Avon Wolverhampton style tearoom for the Parish Church of St season, Wed 11 Feb, Trent, Staffs SIGNS OF SPRING TRAIL HALF-TERM FAMILY refreshments, Sun 15 Augustine during the Aston Hall, Birmingham LOVE WORCESTER HER- Enjoy the first signs of ACTIVITIES Fun drop-in Feb, St John’s Edwardian era, Sat 14 - HISTORY TALK: WHEN ITAGE FESTIVAL Week- Spring. Find the clues activities, including dip- Museum, Warwick Sun 15 Feb, St LLOYD GEORGE CAME TO long celebration of the to win a prize, Sat 14 - ping fabulously colour- MODEL TRACTOR, PLANT Augustine's Church, WOLVERHAMPTON A talk diverse history of the Sun 21 Feb, Cannock ful candles, building a & CONSTRUCTION SHOW Birmingham by Jefny Ashcroft on city, with events sched- Chase Visitor Centre, wall with mini-bricks, Major exhibition for all VALENTINE’S WEEKEND the subject of David uled throughout Staffs discovering Morse tractor, truck, plant & Sat 14 - Sun 15 Feb, Lloyd George’s famous Worcester, Fri 13 - Sun CREATE YOUR OWN FIN- Code and colouring in construction machinery Cadbury World, visit to Wolverhampton 22 Feb, Worcester City GER PUPPET Make your pictures of Victorian enthusiasts, Sun 15 Birmingham in 1918, Wed 11 Feb, Centre own Jack-on-Lent pup- scenes, Sat 14 - Sun 22 Feb, Warwickshire EXCITING EXPEDITIONS: Wolverhampton City LOVE YOUR PLANET Part pet, traditionally creat- Feb, Blists Hill, Exhibition Centre, CLAY FACES Get hands- Archives of the Love Worcester ed by children during Ironbridge, Shropshire Leamington Spa on and sculpt a face CRAFTPLAY LITTLE Heritage Festival. the period of Lent, Sat PENGUIN WEEK Come CRAFT, HOBBY & STITCH from clay in a popular EXPLORERS Wed 11 Explore the importance 14 - Sat 21 Feb, face-to-face with a INTERNATIONAL workshop suitable for Feb, Bilston Craft of recycling & caring for Harvard House, colony of Gentoo Featuring over two hun- children aged eight- Gallery, Wolverhampton your planet by taking a Stratford-upon-Avon Penguins and adven- dred-and-fifty suppliers plus, Sat 14 - Sun 15 WINTER TOURS AT SARE- journey along the site’s SWEET TREATS: MAKE ture into the rarely seen from around the world Feb, Herbert Museum HOLE MILL Take a look Recycled Trail, Fri 13 - AND FILL YOUR OWN Antarctic landscape, showcasing a range of & Art Gallery, Coventry around the historic mill Sun 22 Feb, Elgar SWEET BAG Make a Sat 14 - Sun 22 Feb, products from across DO THE ROBOT HALF building and explore Birthplace Museum, Tudor sweet bag and fill National Sealife Centre, the creative industries, TERM ACTIVITIES the history and impor- Worcester it with treats from the Birmingham Sun 15 - Tues 17 Feb, Personalise your own tance of one of LOVE WORCESTER GUID- site’s candy bar. Learn AUTO SCIENCE LIVE Half- NEC Group, bedroom wall with a Birmingham’s last ED TOUR Free guided about the ways in term activities bringing Birmingham colourful robot canvas. remaining working tour of the former which these bags automotive engineering Workshops suitable for water mills, Wed 11 Worcester Infirmary, would’ve been used in to life through Lego, Week Commencing children aged six-plus, Feb, Sarehole Mill, plus an opportunity to Anne Hathaway’s day, crafts & MAD Science Sat 14 - Sun 15 Feb, Birmingham take a look at the site’s Sat 14 - Sat 21 Feb, workshops, Sat 14 - MON 16 FEB Coventry Transport DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG exhibition on the history Anne Hathaway’s Sun 22 Feb, Heritage Museum The chance to practise of medicine, Sat 14 Cottage, Stratford- Motor Museum, SURVIVORS OF THE ICE LIVING HISTORY WEEK- upon-Avon Gaydon, Warwickshire AGE TV professor Dr

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cuts & scars are creat- KNIGHTS & PRINCESSES SPEAKING SHAKESPEARE WOMEN FACTORY WORK- LISTINGS ed. Suitable for all ACADEMY Featuring A fun & lively session ERS IN THE SECOND Events ages, Mon 16 & Fri 20 plenty of half-term activ- that will have you quot- WORLD WAR Join Feb, Royal ities, Mon 16 - Fri 20 ing Shakespeare like a Charlene Price as she For full listing information on Events, Shakespeare Theatre, Feb, Kenilworth Castle, professional. Suitable explores how women including times and dates, visit Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire for ages eight & over, were recruited to the JAPANESE-THEMED HALF- CHINESE NEW YEAR Tues 17 Feb, Clore factories in Coventry, www.whatsonlive.co.uk TERM FUN Explore the CERAMIC DROP-IN Learning Centre, Royal and how they balanced world of the Japanese WORKSHOPS Mon 16 - Shakespeare Theatre, work life with home life, Alice Roberts talks and the opportunity to Samurai, improve your Fri 20 Feb, Coalport Stratford-upon-Avon Tues 17 Feb, Herbert about the animals that build a choice of air- Anime skills, make flut- China Museum, GAS! BIG BANGS, BAD Museum & Art Gallery, connect our world with craft models, Mon 16 - tering flying koi wind Ironbridge, South SMELLS AND STRANGE Coventry the frozen wilderness of Tues 17 Feb, RAF socks & design your Shropshire GOO Darwin’s curious ATTINGHAM ADVEN- the Ice Age, Mon 16 Cosford, Nr own shadow puppets, MODEL-MAKING HALF- experiments for kids, TURES: CAMPFIRE CELE- Feb, Library of Wolverhampton Mon 16 - Fri 20 Feb, TERM A chance to have Tues 17 Feb, BRATIONS Get messy Birmingham PLAY IN A DAY Create Museum of Cannock a go at building a Shropshire Wildlife exploring the outdoors WHAT DID PENDA’S GODS your very own short- Chase, Staffordshire choice of aircraft mod- Trust, Shrewsbury and ticking off lots of EVER DO FOR US? A fun ened version of a DRAGON HUNT Join the els, with help and DO THE ROBOT HALF- your Fifty Things To Do exploration of the sur- Shakespeare play in a trail and follow the advice from skilled TERM ACTIVITIES Before You’re Eleven- vival of seventh century day, with help from an clues to find Ruby the modellers. All materials Workshops where and-three-quarters, Mercian religion, magic RSC expert, Mon 16 - Tamworth Dragon, Mon provided, Mon 16 - Fri young visitors can cre- Tues 17 Feb, Attingham and medicine into mod- Wed 18 Feb, Clore 16 - Fri 20 Feb, 20 Feb, RAF Cosford, ate a cute pocket robot Park, Shrewsbury ern times, Mon 16 Feb, Learning Centre, Royal Tamworth Castle, Nr Wolverhampton to add to their collec- PANCAKE FLIPPING CON- The Potteries Museum Shakespeare Theatre, Staffordshire PAPER MAKING WORK- tion, Tues 17 Feb, TEST Watch the ladies & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- Stratford-upon-Avon FEBRUARY HALF-TERM SHOP Design & make Coventry Transport of Ironbridge as they Trent SECRETS FROM THE RSC FUN Enjoy a garden trail your own unique paper Museum take part in the annual EXCITING EXPEDITIONS: COLLECTION Explore a amongst other activi- from recycled materials, IN CONVERSATION WITH pancake-flipping con- JOURNALS Using the selection of rarely dis- ties, Mon 16 - Fri 20 Mon 16 - Fri 20 Feb, ELMEAR MCBRIDE Tue 17 test, Tues 17 Feb, Blists museum’s National played shoe-themed Feb, Hanbury Hall and Shropshire Hills Feb, Arena Theatre, Hill Victorian Town, History Collection as props, costumes and Gardens, Droitwich Discovery Centre, Wolverhampton Ironbridge, Shropshire inspiration, young visi- accessories from the MEDIEVAL DETECTIVE Craven Arms, South MUDDY MADNESS EXCITING EXPEDITIONS: tors are encouraged to RSC Collection. The AGENCY: RIDDLE OF THE Shropshire Activities include mud FLUORESCENT LAND- make a 3D model from exhibition coincides RELICS The Priory relics FEBRUARY HALF-TERM painting and making SCAPES Create a stylish craft materials, together with the RSC’s produc- have gone missing and FUN Featuring story mud pies, Tues 17 Feb, work of art inspired by with a small case in tion of The someone in the time, craft activities, Shropshire Wildlife local urban landscapes which to store it, Mon Shoemaker’s Holiday. monastery is not who trails & fun for all the Trust, Shrewsbury using collage, fluores- 16 Feb, Herbert Suitable for all ages, they appear to be. family, Mon 16 - Fri 20 ANIMAL MANIA Meet cent colours & black- Museum & Art Gallery, Mon 16, Wed 18 & Fri Visitors are invited to Feb, Birmingham cute & furry animals and-white images, Tues Coventry 20 Feb, Royal go undercover and Botanical Gardens and take part in various 17 Feb, Herbert DO THE ROBOT HALF- Shakespeare Theatre, expose the culprit. HALF-TERM CHILDREN’S children’s craft activi- Museum & Art Gallery, TERM ACTIVITIES Make a Stratford-upon-Avon Make a disguise, gather ACTIVITIES Head for the ties. Guided tours of Coventry Robot Bookmark work- BLOOD, GUTS & GORE your detective kit and Old Kitchen and take the house also avail- CIRCUS SKILLS WORK- shop, Mon 16 Feb, Join former RSC Head follow the clues to solve part in some of the chil- able at an additional SHOP Tues 17 Feb, Coventry Transport of Wigs & Make Up the mystery. Suitable dren’s activities on cost, Tues 17 Feb, Gladstone Pottery Museums Brenda Leedham as for ages five-plus, Mon offer, Mon 16 - Sun 22 Blakesley Hall, Museum, Stoke-on- HALF-TERM FUN FOR AIR- she talks about the 16 - Fri 20 Feb, Priory Feb, Upton House & Birmingham Trent FIX MODEL MAKERS Fun tricks of the trade and Visitor Centre, Coventry Gardens, Warwickshire HERBERT ILLUMINATIONS: SINGING WORKSHOP model-making activity shows how bruises,

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Coventry Transport around Capability Shropshire Feb, Sarehole Mill, LISTINGS Museum Brown’s parkland and COVENTRY COLLAGES Birmingham Events CREATIVE BADGES WORK- learn more about the WITH LAURA OLDFIELD WINTER GUIDED TOUR SHOP Make-and-take eighteenth century gar- FORD Family workshop Chance to see Aston For full listing information on Events, drop-in activity where den design, Fri 20 Feb, where participants can Hall during the closed including times and dates, visit visitors can design and Croome Park, work with Laura season, Wed 25 Feb, make their very own Worcestershire Oldfield Ford, exhibiting Aston Hall, Birmingham www.whatsonlive.co.uk badges using the site’s THE STORY GARDEN artist from the gallery’s WINTER TALK & TOUR badge-making Enjoy having a go at Recording Britain exhi- Informative winter tour Sing your heart out with themed stories, Wed 18 machine, Thurs 19 Feb, performing part of a bition, Sat 21 Feb, to find out more about an RSC voice coach, Feb, Gladstone Pottery Museum of the Shakespeare play in Herbert Museum & Art the incredible story of Tues 17 Feb, Royal Museum, Stoke-on- Jewellery Quarter, special sessions where Gallery, Coventry Soho House and the Shakespeare Theatre, Trent Birmingham a storyteller leads the WALKING THE WINDMILL world-changing meet- Stratford-upon-Avon KIDS' BANNER-MAKING PAINT, PAPER AND way, Fri 20 - Sat 21 & LIVING HISTORY WEEK- ings that took place LEARN TO RIDE SHREWS- WORKSHOP Make ban- PLASTERWORK: THE Feb, Clore Learning END Chance to watch there, Thurs 26 Feb, BURY Free two-hour ners to decorate DECORATION OF THE Centre, Stratford-upon- original footage of the Soho House, sessions to help young Ludlow Assembly ENGLISH COUNTRY Avon saving of the Windmill Birmingham riders move from bal- Rooms, in a fun half- HOUSE - STUDY DAY RACE RETRO Europe’s in 1969, and to observe LUDLOW RACES Thurs 26 ance bikes or stabilis- term children's work- Discovery Day includes premier winter show for breadmaking demon- Feb, Ludlow Race ers onto pedals, Tues shop, Wed 18 Feb, a talk by Gareth historic motorsport, Fri strations in the Toll Course, Ludlow, South 17 Feb, Shrewsbury Ludlow Assembly Williams, a two-course 20 - Sun 22 Feb, House, Sat 21 - Sun 22 Shropshire Sports Village Rooms, South lunch and a guided tour Stoneleigh Park, Feb, Avoncroft, MAKE A MOSAIC MUDDY MADNESS Try Shropshire of the house. Pre-book- Warwickshire Bromsgrove Workshop exploring the mud making, make YOUNG ARTIST MASTER ing is required, Thurs BRITISH ATHLETICS - THE PUTOLINE CLASSIC A mosaic techniques mud pies & muddy CLASS SPECIAL Wed 18 19 Feb, Weston Park, SAINSBURY'S INDOOR must for any off-road or used at Wroxeter monsters, Tues 17 Feb, Feb, Wolverhampton Staffordshire GRAND PRIX Afternoon road-racing enthusiast, Roman City. Have a go Shropshire Wildlife Art Gallery LEARN TO RIDE SHREWS- jam-packed full of Sat 21 - Sun 22 Feb, at your own Roman art- Trust, Shrewsbury WILD WEATHER WEDNES- BURY Free two-hour world-class athletics, The International work, Thurs 26 Feb, KNIGHTS AND DAY Join the rangers for sessions to help young Sat 21 Feb, The Centre, Telford, Wroxeter Roman City, PRINCESSES ACADEMY some wild experiments, riders move from bal- Barclaycard Arena, Shropshire Shropshire Hands-on fun and activ- including how to make ance bikes or stabilis- Birmingham CLAY ROBOT FACES CARIBBEAN BEACH PARTY ities, Tue 17 - Wed 18 your own tornado, Wed ers onto pedals, Thurs SOUND TRAVELS Musical WORKSHOP Use your Sit back and enjoy Feb, Stokesay Castle, 18 Feb, Severn Valley 19 Feb, Shrewsbury improvisation workshop imagination to sculpt a Caribbean sounds, South Shropshire Country Park, Sports Village for ages eight plus, Sat robot face using air-dry- splish-splash in the LOVE YOUR PLANET Part Bridgnorth, Shropshire PAINTING VALUATION DAY 21 Feb, Shropshire ing clay, Sat 21 - Sun site’s tropical water- of the Worcester LUDLOW RACES Wed 18 Thurs 19 Feb, Bantock Wildlife Trust, 22 Feb, Coventry park, Fri 27 - Sat 28 Heritage Festival. Drop Feb, Ludlow House Museum, Shrewsbury Transport Museum Feb, Alton Towers in and get crafty creat- Racecourse, Bromfield, Wolverhampton DRAWING TOWNSCAPE CHINESE NEW YEAR OF Resort, Staffordshire ing colourful percussion Ludlow, South EXCITING EXPEDITIONS: Chance to create your THE GOAT Celebrate THE NATIONAL WEDDING instruments from recy- Shropshire FANCIFUL FLORA & FAUNA own urban landscape Chinese New Year with SHOW Described as ‘the cled material, Wed 17 - WINTER TOURS AT SARE- Half-term activity where using mixed media, a range of traditional ultimate wedding expe- Thurs 18 Feb, Elgar HOLE MILL Take a look young visitors are invit- pencils & charcoal on a activities, Su 22 Feb, rience’, the National Birthplace Museum, around the historic mill ed to use watercolours two-day course explor- The Potteries Museum Wedding Show features Worcester building and explore to create a beautiful art- ing the architecture and & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- over three hundred COLLECTIONS PRESENT the history and impor- work which documents local townscape of Trent wedding specialists AND FUTURE: THE tance of one of the local flora & fauna, Stafford and the sur- showcasing their wares CONSERVATION OF Birmingham’s last Thurs 19 Feb, Herbert rounding areas. The and providing endless MASTERPIECES - STUDY remaining working Week Commencing Art Gallery & Museum, workshop is hosted by inspiration for your big DAY Find the answers to water mills, Wed 18 Coventry Mark Lippett, Sat 21 MON 23 FEB day, Fri 27 Feb - Sun 1 all aspects of conserva- Feb, Sarehole Mill, FOSSIL FRENZY Thurs 19 Feb, Shire Hall Gallery, Mar, NEC, Birmingham tion. The Study Day Birmingham Feb, Shropshire Wildlife Stafford A CARTOON HISTORY OF BORDERLINES FILM FES- includes a talk by GUIDED TOUR: REFLEC- Trust, Shrewsbury DARWIN’S GUIDED WALK HERE A fast-flowing, TIVAL Fri 27 Feb - Sat Gareth Williams, a two- TIONS OF THE 18TH CEN- BIRDS OF THE GREAT Sat 21 Feb, Shrewsbury rapid-rafting adventure 14 March, various loca- course lunch and a TURY GARDEN DESIGN WAR Thurs 19 Feb, The Visitor Information in which two top funny- tions, Much Wenlock, guided tour of the his- Join the Garden & Park Potteries Museum & Art Centre men (Ian McMillan & South Shropshire toric rooms. Pre-book- Manager for a tour Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent RUN WHAT YA BRUNG Tony Husband) reflect CREATING THE KING'S ing required, Tue 17 - around Capability CANDLELIGHT TOURS The chance to take on local stories and leg- SPEECH Director Roxana Wed 18 Feb, Weston Brown’s parkland, and Warm yourself by the your car or motorcycle ends, Tues 24 Feb, Silbert & designer Tom Park, Staffordshire learn more about the open fires of the Back out on the famous Library of Birmingham Piper discuss the mak- HALF TERM CRAFT ACTIV- eighteenth century gar- To Backs and sample quarter-mile dragstrip DROP-IN TILE DECORAT- ing of The King's ITY - CHINESE LANTERNS den design, Wed 18 the delights of fresh and test its perform- ING WORKSHOP Fun, Speech, Sat 28 Feb, Make your own chinese Feb, Croome Park, brown bread toasted on ance limits in a safe hands-on activities for The REP, Birmingham lantern, Tues 17 - Thurs Worcestershire the range, with either and legal environment, adults & children alike, TRADITIONAL NUTRITION 19 Feb, The Potteries DARWIN’S BEETLES jam or dripping, Thurs Sat 21 Feb, Santapod Tues 24 Feb, Jackfield TODAY CONFERENCE Museum & Art Gallery, Children’s activity work- 19 - Sat 21 Feb, The Raceway, Northampton Tile Museum, One-day conference Stoke-on-Trent shop, Wed 18 Feb, Back to Backs, DECORATING CLUB Ironbridge, Shropshire showing the benefits of HALF TERM POTTERY Shropshire Wildlife Birmingham Special workshop for RUSSIA NOW: A DISCUS- simple, unprocessed PAINTING Tues 17 - Sat Trust, Shrewsbury BIRDFEEDER BAUBLES six to eleven-year-olds, SION Academics from foods, Sat 28 Feb, 21 Feb, Gladstone SPORTY WEDNESDAY: Make a birdfeeder Sat 21 Feb, Emma the University of Fordhall Organic Farm, Pottery Museum, Stoke- ORIENTEERING Wed 18 bauble to entice our Bridgewater Factory, Warwick discuss the Market Drayton, North on-Trent Feb, Attingham Park, Nr feathered friends into Stoke-on-Trent current political situa- Shropshire CARAVAN, CAMPING AND Shrewsbury your garden, Fri 20 STUNTFEST Action- tion in Russia, in CLUB EXPO An event MOTORHOME SHOW 2015 DARWIN’S DISCOVERIES Feb, Weoley Castle, packed day of daredev- response to Mead packed full of advice, Featuring over three Art and craft workshop Birmingham il stunts, monster truck Gallery exhibition Close tips & suppliers for all hundred-and-fifty for children aged eight DARWIN’S WORMS mayhem, flame-throw- And Far: Russian clubs, Sat 28 Feb, exhibitors, Tue 17 - Sun to thirteen, Wed 18 Feb, Children’s activities, Fri ing jet vehicles, dis- Photography Now, Tues Heritage Motor Centre, 22 Feb, NEC, The Hive, Shrewsbury 20 Feb, Shropshire plays & more... Sat 21 24 Feb, The Mead Gaydon, Warwickshire Birmingham ROCKS AND FOSSILS Wildlife Trust, Feb, Santapod Gallery, Warwick Arts DECORATING CLUB BEE HAPPY Tick off Handle fossils and dis- Shrewsbury Raceway, Northampton Centre, Coventry Special workshop for another of the activities cover the story of the HALF TERM CRAFT ACTIV- VINTAGE FAIR Promising ROMAN COOKERY six to eleven-year-olds, on your Fifty Things To geological gallery, Wed ITY - BALANCING CLOWNS a high calibre of traders WORKSHOP Find out Sat 28 Feb, Emma Do list - hunting for 18 - Sun 22 Feb, Fri 20 Feb, Gladstone selling the finest vin- more about authentic Bridgewater Factory, bugs, Tues 17 - Thurs Biddulph Grange Pottery Museum, Stoke- tage clothing, acces- cooking techniques, Stoke-on-Trent 29 Feb, Erdigg, Nr Garden, Staffordshire on-Trent sories, homewares, col- ingredients and recipes WOLVERHAMPTON YOUNG Wrexham ART CLUB Make a STAGE FIGHTING Learn lectables & jewellery, of the times. Help to WRITERS’ GROUP Led by BANFF FILM FESTIVAL colourful, moving paper how the action is creat- Sat 21 Feb, Cosy Hall, create your own Roman professional writer The world's most presti- dragon to celebrate ed on stage in this spe- Newport, Shropshire dishes, Wed 25 Feb, Elisabeth Charis, Sat 28 gious mountain film fes- Chinese New Year. cial workshop led by an WRITING THE SPECTRUM Wroxeter Roman City, Feb, Wolverhampton tival returns to the Suitable for children RSC expert. All children Writing workshop led Shropshire Art Gallery Midlands with a brand aged six to 12, Thurs must be accompanied by writer Jacqui Rowe, WINTER TOURS AT SARE- CRAFT FAYRE Browse new selection of 19 Feb, Leamington by an adult, Fri 20 Feb, Sat 21 Feb, The Barber HOLE MILL Take a look stalls selling a range of extraordinary short films Spa Art Gallery & Clore Learning Centre, Institute, Birmingham around the historic mill handmade crafts, Sat from the world's leading Museum Stratford-upon-Avon WOODLAND TRACKING An building and explore 28 Feb, Staffordshire adventure filmmakers, DO THE ROBOT HALF- GUIDED TOUR: REFLEC- introduction by Andy the history and impor- Wildlife Trust, Cannock Wed 18 Feb, Theatre TERM ACTIVITIES Create TIONS OF THE 18TH CEN- Cutts to tracking ani- tance of one of Chase Visitor Centre Severn, Shrewsbury a robot vest to help to TURY GARDEN DESIGN mals in woodlands, Sat Birmingham’s last CIRCUS STORIES Enjoy make you just like a Join the Garden & Park 21 Feb, The Iron remaining working an afternoon of circus- robot, Fri 20 Feb, Manager for a tour Bridge, Telford, water mills, Wed 25

64 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Eating Out Feb Region Two.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 20:32 Page 1 Eating Out New bistro bar for Centenary Square ‘Eclectic furnishings, bold decor and a bespoke menu’ awaits visitors choosing to dine at a new bistro and bar overlooking Birmingham’s Centenary Square. Opening this month, Marmalade is the latest addition to Bitters’n’Twisted’s portfolio of pubs and restaurants across the city. Housed within the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, the ‘relaxed dining area’ will offer a pre-theatre menu priced at £15.95 for two courses and £19.95 for three. Light lunches, bar snacks, handpicked quality wines, local ales, craft bottle beers and a range of cocktails will also be available. Matt Scriven of Bitters’n’Twisted said of the opening: “Marmalade will be something really special, and a new direction for the Bitters’n’Twisted family. The team here have all worked hard to launch something welcoming and exciting that has a different style and feel to our other venues, but one that’s still fuelled by our passion for great food, Disarming staff, delicious food... great drinks and great service.” are fish nights and tapas meat a treat. Despite feel- REVIEW evenings, while live music ing more than satisfied gets the bar rocking every with all we'd eaten, I A warm welcome awaits at weekend. couldn't resist a 'light' The Shrewsbury Arms, After a more detailed dessert. Creme brulee is affectionately referred to perusal of the menu and my achilles heel, and I feel by those in the know as lengthy negotiations I owe it to the world to try 'The Shrew'. betwixt man and wife, we it pretty much everywhere At first glance there chose king scallops and I go. I wasn't disappointed. appeared to be a labyrinth crab thermidor to start, With its delicate vanilla of cosy rooms to explore. with seabass and pheas- cream hidden under a per- Understated lighting creat- ant chasing up the rear. fect thickness of caramel ed a warm atmosphere. The scallops arrived on a crunch, it faired extremely Happy chatter could be chic black slate with a well when it came to the heard - and even the generous sweep of spoon-tap test! All you can eat, Japanese style... shaggy dog sitting at his smooth and mellow sweet And as if we needed Having already established itself in Holland, master’s feet appeared to potato puree. A delicate reminding that everything Japanese cuisine exponent Kyoto Sushi & Grill be enjoying the ambience. jus with pancetta chunks was homemade, locally has chosen Birmingham’s Arcadian Centre as the My husband perused the brought the dish to life. sourced and fresh, the location for its first UK venue. many ales on tap while I My crab thermidor was accompanying shortbread A welcome addition to the city’s Chinese Quarter, ordered myself a very very tasty. The mash and was incredible! Kyoto Sushi & Grill offers an eat-as-much-as-you- grown up G&T. A smiley parmesan topping was a A trip to The Shrew is not like buffet featuring more than seventy dishes, waitress took us to our winning combination. The high-end dining. However, with sushi, handmade rolls, noodles, soups and table in the rather grand side salad, however, was a if you want choice, value salads all included on the menu. dining room - think high little underdressed for the for money and homemade ceilings, painted panels occasion. gastro nosh in great sur- and twinkly chandeliers; a The seabass dish looked roundings (plus amazing Birmingham’s botanical bar... stark contrast to the rustic, very appetising. Generous shortbread!), get your country feel in the snuggly portions displayed with table booked. A brand new venue is set to join Birmingham’s bar. pride on clean, white This Shrew has most defi- ever-changing bar scene. The menu featured both plates was clearly the nitely been tamed. Brought to town by the New World Trading fine dining options - lob- order of the day. Cari Ward Company, The Botanist opens in the city centre’s ster thermidor, no less - Accompanying the Temple Street this month. and gastro-pub favourites seabass was a slightly Food: n n n n n The bar will be the tried-and-tested brand’s fifth such as handmade burg- odd combination of cran- Service: n n n n n UK site, with sister venues already established in ers and lamb shank. berry, pinenuts, spinach Ambience: n n n n n Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle. It appears they've thought and pesto potatoes which Overall value n n n n n The menu will feature a wide range of classic bar of everything here at The proved to be quite the OVERALL n n n n n food - including Cumberland bangers & mash Shrew - a well thought-out taste sensation. and scampi & chips - along with numerous inter- menu with interesting My pheasant came expert- The Shrewsbury Arms national favourites such as Thai Green Curry. choices for the non-meat ly wrapped in pancetta. A High Street The Botanist will also boast a wide range of eater, mini grown-up delicious tower of dauphi- Albrighton botanically influenced cocktails, from Peach & options for children, high noise potatoes came WV7 3LA Basil Margarita to Bloody Porcini. chairs aplenty, baby crashing down, and the Tel: 01902 373003 Sadly we think it unlikely the cocktails will count changing and excellent wholegrain mustard sauce towards your five-a-day! disabled facilities. There complemented the earthy www.whatsonlive.co.uk 65 Eating Out Feb Region Two.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2015 20:32 Page 2

Restaurant LISTINGS Shropshire AFTAB 25 High St, For full listing information on restau- Ironbridge TF8 7AD rants, including opening times and 01952 432055 ALBRIGHT HUSSEY type of cuisine, visit: www.whatson- Ellesmere Rd, live.co.uk Shrewsbury, SY4 3AF 01939 290 523 FOUR STONES Adam’s BISTRO JACQUES 77/77a Hill,Clint, Stourbridge, Mardol, Shrewsbury SY1 DY9 9PS 01562 883260 1PZ 01743 272586 Black Country FRANZLS 151 Milcote Rd, BUTLERS Park St, Shifnal, Smethwick, B67 5BN TF11 9BA 01952 ARBOUR LIGHTS 127-128 0121 429 7920 Lichfield Street, Walsall 460128 WS1 1SY 01922 613361 FRENCH CONNECTION CASA NARANJO Barracks 3 Coventry St, Passage, Wyle Cop, BANKS BISTRO Chapel Stourbridge DY8 1EP Ash, Wolverhampton Shrewsbury SY1 01743 01384 390940 588165 WV1 4EP 01902 238433 FRENCH HEN Bromsgrove CASA RUIZ 45 High BELLA 82 Chapel Ash, Rd, Clent, Stourbridge Wolverhampton. 01902 DY9 9PY 01562 883040 Street, Bridgnorth, WV16 4DX 01746 218 084 427555 GOLDEN MOMENTS 2-3 BENGAL FUSION 174 High Ablewell St, Walsall WS1 CHEZ MAW Best Western St, Lye, Stourbridge DY9 2EQ 01922 640363 Valley Hotel, Buildwas Rd, Ironbridge, TF8 7DW 8LN. 01384 891111 THE HUNGRY BISTRO 81 01952 432247 BILASH 2 Cheapside, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 Wolverhampton, WV1 THE COTTAGE Tern Hill, The Townhouse, Oswestry, North Shropshire 1TU 01902 427762 1EQ 01902 546336 Market Drayton TF9 3PX 01630 638984 Shrewsbury SY2 6AE Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE ST16 2HY THE BLUE BRICK LE BRASSERIE 5 Lower 01743 355055 01785 253279 Broad Gauge Way, Mill Street, CROMWELLS 11 Dogpole, 01743 281744 Wolverhampton WV1 Kidderminster. DY11 Shrewsbury SY1 1EN THE HAYWARDS at The THE PLUME OF FEATHERS ESSENCE OF THE ORIENT 1AA 01902 875301 6UU 01562 744976 01743 361440 Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop, Harley, Shrewsbury SY5 27 Broad Eye, Stafford BRAVACCIOUS 4 Upper MADE IN THAI Darlington DA VINCI’S 26 High St, Shrewsbury SY1 1UY 6LP 01743 727360 ST16 2QB 01785 Green, Wolverhampton St, Wolverhampton WV1 Ironbridge, TF8 7AD 01743 353107 PORTER HOUSE 15 St 229988 WV6 8QQ 01902 4HW 01902 312512 01952 432250 HENRY TUDOR HOUSE Mary’s St, Shrewsbury, FOUR SEASONS Swinfen 756052 PARADISE BALTI 7 Lower DORRINGTON OLD HALL Barracks Passage SY1 1EQ 01743 358870 Hall Lichfield, WS14 9RE 01543 481494 CAFE CHAMPAGNE 253- Mill Street, Kidderminster PERSIAN CUISINE Main Shrewsbury SY1 1XA THE POUND AT LEEBOT- 255 Bilston Road, DY11 6UU 01562 60479 Road, Dorrington, 01743 361666 WOOD Leebotwood, Nr THE GREEN ROOM Castle Wolverhampton WV2 THE PIE FACTORY 50 Hurst Shropshire SY5 7JD HILL VALLEY HOTEL Church Stretton SY6 6ND Dyke, Lichfield WS13 2JN 01902 458024 Lane, Tipton DY4 9AB 01743 719100 Tarporley Road, 01694 751477 6HR 01543 412121 INDIAN VILLAGE CASA CASITA Upper 0121 557 1402 DRAPERS 10 St Mary’s St Whitchurch SY13 4HA RENAISSANCE, 29a 0844 879 9049 8 Lombard St, Lichfield. Gornal, Dudley. DY3 RED FORT Fold St, Shrewsbury, SY1 1DZ Princess St, Shrewsbury, WS13 6DR 01543 1UP 01902 676754 Wolverhampton, WV1 01743 344679 THE INN AT GRINSHILL SY11LW 01743 354289 4LP 01902 424440 The High Street, 253415 CATELLANI’S 6 School St, THE FEATHERS Brockton, ROMOLO Victoria Avenue, RISTORANTE ROMAGNA 4 Grinshill, Shrewsbury, INDICA Virage Park, Wolverhampton, WV1 Much Wenlock TF13 shrewsbury SY1 1HH 4LR 01902 428928 Upper Green, Tettenhall, SY4 3BL 01939 220410 Cannock. WS11 0HN 6JR 01746 785202 01743 233244 CINNAMON COURT Bentley Wolverhampton WV6 KING & THAI Avenue Rd, 08712 070417 FENNELS 8 Market Place, SARACENS Mill Way, Walsall WS2 8QQ 01902 756052 Broseley, Telford TF12 Shrewsbury LA DOLCE VITA 19 Stafford Shifnall TF11 9AZ Rd, SY4 4AG 01939 0BP 0121 568 6664 SAFFRON Wolverhampton 01952 463020 5DL 01952 882004 St, Stone ST15 8QW Road, Oldbury B69 4RR 210877 01785 817 985 THE COWSHED Clive THE FOX INN THE KNIGHTON HOTEL 0121 552 1752 46 High St, SEBASTIANS 45 Willow St, Farm Clive Rd, Much Wenlock TF13 Broad Street, Knighton, THE LODGE 24 Oswestry SY11 1AQ Birmingham Road, Pattingham, WV6 7EN SIMON’S 520 Chester Rd, 6AD 01952 727292 Powys LD7 1BL 01547 01902 701888 Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 520530 01691 655444 Shenstone. WS14 0LQ FRANK CAFE BAR 129 0PU 0121 580 9293 SHALIMAR 23 Abbey 01543 483334 THE CROOKED HOUSE Frankwell, Shrewsbury LA DOLCE VITA 35 Hills SPICES Hollywell Rd, Foregate, Shrewsbury MALABAR 1-2 Water Coppice Hill, Himley DY3 SY3 8JX 01743 354422 Lane, Shrewsbury SY1 4DA 01384 238583 Wednesbury. WS10 7PA 1QU 01743 249126 SY2 6AE 01743 366658 Street, Stafford, ST16 THE GOLDEN CROSS 14 0121 502 0720 SHERAZ 79 Wyle Cop, 2AG 01785 227 500/600 THE DITCH 1 Town Hill, Princess St, Shrewsbury, LA LANTERNA The Old THE SPRINGHILL Shrewsbury SY1 1UT MARLOES 13 London Walsall, WS1 2EU SY1 1LP 01743 362507 Vestry, St Julian's 01922 643215 Warstones Rd, Penn, Church, Shrewsbury 01743 242321 Road, Newcastle under GRANARY BAR & GRILL DON SALVO 25 Darlington Wolverhampton WV4 SY1 1UH 01743 233552 THE SILVERTON the Old Lyme, ST4 1LQ 01782 Weston Park, Weston- Street, Wolverhampton 4LB 01902 342530 LION & PHEASANT 50 661983 under-Lizard, Nr Shifnal, Dairy, 9-10 Frankwell, WV1 4HW 01902 712819 THE SUMMERHOUSE 92 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury Shrewsbury SY3 8JY THE MILL 1 Mill St, Stone, Gospel End Rd, Dudley TF11 8LE 01952 DUNSLEY HALL Dunsley SY1 1XJ 01743 770345 01743 248000 ST15 8BA 01785 DY3 4AN 01902 676 852107 Rd, Kinver, DY7 6LU THE LION QUAYS Moreton, 818456 102 TIN TINS Wellington Road, 01384 877077 THE GLUTTON CLUB 165- Oswestry SY11 3EN THE NAVIGATION INN THORNESCROFT 167 Frankwell, Telford TF2 8AJ FARADAYS The 01691 684300 01952 608688 Newport Road, Gnosall, Bridgnorth Rd, Shrewsbury SY3 8LG Stafford ST20 0BN Waterfront, Brierley Hill, LOCH FYNE Talbot House, THE WALLS Wolverhampton, WV6 01743 361672 Welsh Walls, 01785 822327 Dudley, DY5 1UR 7EQ 01902 700 253 Market Street, Oswestry SY11 1AW 01384 482 882 HADLEY PARK HOUSE Shrewsbury SY1 1LG OLD VICARAGE 2 Main St, THE WOODMAN Claverley, 01691 670970 FIVE RIVERS Vicarage Hadley Park, Telford TF1 01743 277140 Branston, Burton, DE14 Wolverhampton WV5 6QJ 01952 677269 ZIZZI RISORANTE 39-40 3EX 01283 533222 Place, Walsall WS1 3NA 7DG 01746 710 553 LUDLOW KITCHEN High Street, Shrewsbury 01922 646164 HAVANA REPUBLIC PASCAL AT THE OLD VIC- Bromfield, Ludlow, SY2 SY1 1SF 01743 353232 18 Abbey Foregate, 2JR 01584 856020 ARAGE 2 Main Street, THE MALTHOUSE The Branston, Burton-upon- Wharfage, Ironbridge Staffordshire Tren 01283 533222 TF8 7NH 01902 433712 PASTICHE BISTRO 1 - 2 Mill NO 5 Gaol Mews, Stafford Street, Stafford, ST16 MOMO·NO·KI T19 Abbey ST16 3AN 01785 22 9900 (EST 86) Foregate,Shrewsbury, 2AJ 01782 263 737 95 HIGH GREEN THE DINNER CLUB SY2 6AE 01743 281770 Cannock. THE PEAR TREE Swinfen, A RECIPE FOR FINE FOOD AND GOOD COMPANY WS11 1BH 01543 Nr. Lichfield, WS14 9QR MORGANS 1 Bellstone, 573905 01543 481807 Shrewsbury SY1 1HU 1709 THE BASSERIE 3-5 PORTOFINO 38-40 Marsh 01743 231199 Lombard St, Lichfield. SINGLE? MR UNDERHILLS Dinham St Stoke-On-Trent, ST1 WS13 6DP 01543 1JD 01782 209444 Weir, Ludlow Shropshire 257986 For the more discerning SY8 1EH 01584 874431 THE RED ROOM 7 BELLA ITALIA 20 Greengate unattached person, age 40+ THE MYTTON & MERMAID Newcastle Road, St, Stafford, ST16 2HS Congleton CW12 4HN Atcham, Shrewsbury, 01785 211968 01260 297871 Events weekly include dining out, dinner dances, black tie SY5 6QG 01743 761220 CHANDLERS Corn THORNBURY HALL, RASOI balls,theatre, parties, weekends away and holidays abroad. THE OLD ORLETON INN balls,theatre, parties, weekends away and holidays abroad. Exchange, Conduit St, Lockwood Rd, Kingsley Holyhead Rd, Wellington, Lichfield, WS13 6JU Holt, Stafford ST10 2DH TF1 2HA 01952 255011 NOT A DATING AGENCY 01543 416688 01538 750831 THE OLD RECTORY HOTEL THE CORNER HOUSE WOLSELEY ARMS & RESTAURANT Lowe Hill Second Avenue,Burton- (Day) (Eve/W-end) Wolseley Bridge, Stafford 01244 677030 /01244 548816 Road, Wem, Shropshire On-Trent DE14 2WF ST17 0XS SY4 5UA 01939 233233 01283 542321 01889 883179 THE PEACH TREE 21 Abbey CURRY KUTEER 31 www.thedinnerclubuk.com Foregate, Greengate Street, Stafford 66 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Havana Republic (FP-Dec).qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 19:02 Page 1 grand_whatson FP Feb:Layout 1 26/01/2015 11:13 Page 1 Great Theatre at the Grand!

SUN 8 - MON 9 FEB WED 11 FEB SAT 14 FEB

Raymond Gubbay presents Russia’s acclaimed ballet company returns for the UK Tour 2014/15 SWAN LAKE THE NUTCRACKER Performed by The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia

“The band were flawless in their delivery both musically & vocally” The Express Valentine’s Package available

THU 26 - SAT 28 FEB SUN 1 MARCH TUES 3 - SAT 7 MARCH

ENGLISH TOURING THEATRE PRESENTS THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY PRODUCTION OF A MAD WORLD MY MASTERS BY THOMAS MIDDLETON EDITED BY SEAN FOLEY & PHIL PORTER

HHHHHDAILY MAIL

HHHHSUNDAY TIMES INDEPENDENT

TUES 10 - SAT 14 MARCH TUES 17 - SAT 21 MARCH TUE 24 - SAT 28 MARCH

Box Office 01902 42 92 12 BOOK ONLINE AT www.grandtheatre.co.uk