Worcestershire Cover September 2018.qxp_Worcestershire Cover 20/08/2018 11:36 Page 1

WENDI PETERS IN SALAD DAYS Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands AT MALVERN THEATRE WORCESTERSHIREWHAT’S ON SEPTEMBER 2018

Worcestershire ISSUE 393 SEPTEMBER 2018 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On worcestershirewhatson.co.uk PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

SCUMMY MUMMIES comedy for less than perfect parents at Artrix TWITTER:@WHATSONWORCS

EVITA new version of the hit musical visits the region FACEBOOK:@WHATSONWORCESTERSHIRE

MORE SUN PLEASE popular Channel Four

WORCESTERSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK show returns to the NEC Mind Body Spirit Sept 2018.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 15:07 Page 1 Contents September Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 13:51 Page 2

September 2018

Contents

Salad Days - Wendi Peters stars in one of ‘Britain’s best-loved sunniest musicals’ - more on page 26

Art and engineering Fridolijn Fagin’s Twist the list

come together at ’s Dutch-born singer fuses folk, new spin on a timeless classic Your 16-page Festival Of Imagineers and at Artrix at Warwick Arts Centre week-by-week listings guide feature page 8 page 15 page 35 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 15. Music 20. Comedy 24. Theatre 39. Film 42. Visual Arts 45. Events

fb.com/whatsonwarwickshire fb.com/whatsonworcestershire @whatsonwarwicks @whatsonworcs Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire What’s On Magazine Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire What’s On Magazine

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 What’sOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 MEDIA GROUP Lauren Cole [email protected] 01743 281706 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Steve Adams, Jack Rolfe, Elly Yates-Roberts, Daisy Sparkle, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Warwickshire September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 11:16 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

New Coventry musical drama pays homage to The Enemy A brand new musical drama paying homage to Coventry rock The Enemy premieres at the city’s Belgrade Theatre this month. Taking the title of the group’s first and featuring its music, We’ll Live And Die In These Towns focuses on the efforts of a young musician to break into the big time. Commenting on the show, its writer, local playwright Geoff Thompson, said: “When I first heard that album, it felt so raw and truthful and full of anger. It captured everything I was feeling, and I just had an intuition that I could put it into a story. This is a universal story with universal themes, but first and foremost it’s a Coventry story. The poetry and the rhythm of it is Coventry, and that’s why I wanted to do it at the Belgrade. It felt like it belonged here.” We’ll Live And Die In These Towns runs at the Belgrade from Saturday 29 September to Saturday 20 October. For more information, visit belgrade.co.uk

New comedy-drama takes Plenty to laugh about at Half-term digital festival a look at British Asian life Midlands comedy festival fun for ‘little geeks’ A theatre company that specialises in cele- A homegrown digital festival designed to brating and reflecting contemporary British entertain ‘little geeks’ and their guardians is Asian culture and society is next month taking place at ’s MAC during the bringing a brand new show to Coventry’s autumn half-term holiday. Warwick Arts Centre. The sure-to-be-popular event, which runs Rifco Theatre Company’s Dishoom! is a com- from 27 October to 3 November, will feature edy-drama featuring music from the smash- live shows, virtual reality, gaming, work- hit Bollywood film Sholay. The production is shops, robotics and a retro arcade game helmed by the company’s Artistic Director, play-zone. Pravesh Kumar, who started Rifco in 1999 to For more information, visit macbirming- make ‘a different kind of theatre for a com- ham.co.uk munity that couldn’t see themselves repre- sented on English stages’. Dishoom! shows at Warwick Arts Centre from Festival set to mark 50 Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 October. years of Reggae music The award-winning Birmingham Comedy Festival brings another 10 days of ‘cracking The impact, legacy and heritage of 50 years comedic entertainment’ to the city next of Reggae music will be celebrated in next month (Friday 5 to Sunday 14 October). month’s BASS2018 festival. Headlining the event is Joanna Lumley (9 Oc- Taking place at various Birmingham venues tober, Symphony Hall), with James Acaster, across October, the event features concerts, The Infinite Monkey Cage’s Robin Ince and films, exhibitions and discussions. High- the brain behind BBC One’s Hospital People, lights include appearances by Toots And The Tom Binns, also contributing. Maytals and Loversrock pioneer Carrol Commenting on the 2018 edition of the event, Thompson. The fes- a spokesperson for the festival said: “We’ve tival also commem- got another packed line-up this year, with orates the 40th over 70 performances featuring not only anniversary of the stand-up comedy but also sketch shows, im- release of iconic prov, spoken word, theatre, music, game Steel Pulse album shows, podcasters, fine art and loads more, Handsworth Revo- with over 20 shows being free or pay-what- lution. Visit weare- you-want.” For more information, visit punch.co.uk for bhamcomfest.co.uk more information. 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwickshire September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 11:16 Page 2

First Word

New season, new look at Coventry’s Albany Theatre Jason Donovan and Ann Widde- combe are among the well- known names featured in the autumn entertainment line-up at Coventry’s Albany Theatre. Other forthcoming attractions at the venue include Woman On Fire, a celebration of the cente- nary of women winning the right to vote, and two specially created productions to com- memorate the centenary of the Armistice. The Albany has recently been upgraded with a new studio and brand new entrance. For full details, visit albanythe- atre.co.uk

Ghost hunting at The Canterville Ghost’s in the festive ‘spirit’ in Coventry! Coventry’s Warwick Arts Centre will this Christmas present two festive shows based on the works of Warwick mansion Oscar Wilde. Guy’s Cliffe House in Warwick is Wilde Creatures (Wed 28 Nov - Sun 30 Dec) is an adaptation of the writer’s classic fairytales, and set to get ‘all spooked up’ this features ‘original live music, imaginative storytelling and a generous dash of comedy’. autumn when it plays host to an The Canterville Ghost, meanwhile, is ‘a gruesome ghost story for brave souls aged 12-plus’. The show evening of ghost hunting (10 runs from Tuesday 18 to Sunday 23 December and then from Thursday the 27th to Sunday the 30th. November). With caves, a masonic lodge, Both shows are presented by Olivier-nominated theatre company Tall Stories, whose previous pro- chapel and dark basement to ex- ductions include The Gruffalo and Room On The Broom plore, the gothic mansion is said For more information and to purchase tickets for the shows, visit warwickartscentre.co.uk to be a place where paranormal activity can be experienced at all times of the day. The event runs from 9pm to 3am and costs Jazz star Clare Ten days of music and art in Kenilworth £59 per person. in Bewdley Great British Bake Off finalist Ruby Tandoh, MOBO Award-winning pianist Zoe Rahman and Man Booker Prize-nominated author Donal Ryan are among the guests lined up for the third Kenilworth Arts Festival celebrates Festival (Thursday 20 to Saturday 29 September). Alcester’s famous Joining them on the eclectic bill are more than 40 other acclaimed Elizabethan son writers, musicians and artists, including US songwriter S. Carey, nature Award-winning jazz vo- writer John Lewis-Stempel, novelist Fiona Mozley and The Wardrobe The man who turned the calist Clare Teal and her Ensemble (pictured). derelict fortification of Warwick trio will visit the Mid- For more information, visit kenilworthartsfestival.co.uk Castle into a lavish stately home is this month being celebrated lands next month to per- in a special festival. form as part of the Sir Fulke Greville was Alcester’s Bewdley Festival. most famous Elizabethan figure. Clare’s brand new show Along with his transformation features ‘a rich land- of the castle, he also funded Al- scape of timeless and cester Town Hall some four cen- sparkling material’, in- turies ago this very year. cluding standards from The three-day festival - which is grand masters of the being held in and around Alces- ter - features organised events, Great American Song lectures, talks and guided Book, Cole Porter and walks. It takes place across the Rodgers & Hart. of Friday 28 to Sunday Clare performs in the 30 September. town’s St George's Hall on Thursday 18 October.

whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Warwickshire September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 11:16 Page 3

First Word

New campaign aims to promote the lives and contributions of older members of the LGBT community A Midlands charity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgen- der people (LGBT) has launched a campaign aimed at pro- moting the lives and lived experiences of older LGBTs. Birmingham LGBT’s Ageing With Pride initiative will high- light the positive contributions made by gay and trans peo- ple over the age of 50 who are living or have lived in the city. Commenting on the importance of the campaign, the char- ity’s Director, Steph Keeble, said: “I’m really excited that we’re able to deliver Ageing With Pride. The aim is for it to be highly visible, addressing the issues that older LGBT people face but also celebrating the lives and achievements of our LGBT elders, many of whom fought discrimination and campaigned for the achievements in human rights we all now share.” For further information, visit blgbt.org

Symphonic Fantasy New exhibition set to explore childhood Worcester war Birmingham’s Symphony Hall through art at Compton Verney gallery A collection of stories from documents and images re- next month hosts the An exhibition celebrating children, child- counting the experiences of Concert Orchestra and the Can- hood and innocence will next spring bring Worcestershire people dur- zonetta choir as they present an together a selection of iconic paintings, ing the First World War is evening of music from the sketches and sculptures at Compton Verney available to view at Henry world of film and epic fantasy. Art Gallery & Park in Warwickshire. Sandon Hall throughout The programme features music Painting Childhood: From Holbein To Freud September. Visiting various from movies including Lord Of will explore the creative process and specific venues across the county, The Rings, Pirates Of The challenges posed by painting children. It will The People's Exhibition has Caribbean, Jurassic Park, Harry also contemplate the place of family within been created by Worcester- Potter and The Chronicles Of an artist’s life, and the ongoing tension be- shire World War 100, a spe- Narnia... Symphonic Fantasy tween biography and creativity. The exhibi- cial project managed by takes place on 19 October. tion shows at the venue from 16 March to 16 Worcestershire Archive & Ar- To book tickets, call 0121 780 June. 3333 or visit thsh.co.uk chaeology Service.

Exploring the issue Plans for new world-class cultural NEC hosts Open of skin lightening centre revealed Mic auditions The controversial issue of skin Proposals for a new centre for heritage, community arts, learning and Open Mic UK, the country’s lightening comes under the skills development, led by Birmingham Museums Trust, have taken a premier spotlight in a ‘powerful and step forward after a plot in the east of the city was approved for regen- for unsigned acts, is this provocative exploration of eration by Birmingham City Council. month holding auditions at identity and beauty’ at Birming- Due to open in 2021, the proposed purpose-built facility will offer ‘a Birmingham’s NEC (Saturday ham’s MAC venue this month. completely new type of cultural proposition to engage and inspire new 22 September). Combining drama and humour, audiences’. Singers, songwriters, rappers Marlene McKenzie’s Lite ex- The initial phase will and vocal groups of all ages plores the emotional and physi- create a new storage are encouraged to enter, and cal journey required by many facility to house the can do so by registering at people to fit into modern soci- collections currently Open Mic UK for £5. ety, where pressure from the held at Birmingham The competition winner will media constantly reinforces the Museum & Art get the chance to record a need to conform. The Friday 14 Gallery, in readiness debut album and music September production is fol- for the redevelopment video. lowed by a discussion about of the city’s flagship For more information, visit the themes of the performance. museum. openmicuk.co.uk 6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwickshire September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 11:16 Page 4 Festival of Imagineers.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 13:55 Page 1

Festival of Imagineers presenting a unique mix of arts and engineering on the streets of Coventry...

Festival of Imagineers brings a plethora of The eyes of the nation were drawn to journey,” Claire continues. “We ran a small- outdoor art and performance to Coventry this Imagineer when they unveiled their project scale festival of invention at that time, which month. All pieces are based around the for the London 2012 Olympics. was to do with the fact that Coventry has merging of the arts with engineering. historically been a very inventive city. We left "The thing that everyone would know us for The festival is now in its fifth year and is a that behind when we did our major Olympic is our Godiva Awakes project for the recurring part of Imagineer’s calendar of project in 2012, where we’d mixed with a Olympics,” says Claire. “We made a massive projects. whole series of engineering companies Lady Godiva puppet and cycled it down to across the region. So it seemed like a natural “Our aims as a company really are to create London. I think since then it’s been a slightly progression to link all our future work to extraordinary, new and exciting outdoor work challenging journey because there was a those engineers, and to explore further the in creative spaces, with the hope of engaging period after 2012 where a lot of funding dried synergy between creative engineers and as broad a range of audience as possible,” up - this happened nationally.” creative artists. says Claire Maddocks, Creative Producer at Despite those funding difficulties, the Imagineer, and the festival’s director. “We “For the festival, quite a lot of the company managed to create a very unusual want to support the development of new performances will use structures or machines and distinct identity for Festival of artists and young people through our work, or other things that have been engineered to Imagineers. but mainly we want to create work that’s create a framework for facilitating really memorable.” “The concept came out of quite a long performance or art of some description. 8 whatsonlive.co.uk Festival of Imagineers.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 13:55 Page 2

By Lauren Cole

We’ve managed to really fuse those elements Imagineers presents a balance of local, over the next five years.” together over the years, and I think that’s national and international work. Claire hopes Coventry becoming City of very much what Imagineer is about. I feel it "I do feel like you need to do stuff that’s Culture 2021 will help propel Imagineer, the really makes sense to our audience now, and locally rooted, but is interesting nationally festival and Coventry itself towards new they really appreciate the festival as and internationally. I think the important heights: “I’m really excited because I’ve something a little bit different, quirky and thing is creating a platform upon which there spent almost my whole career in Coventry, unexpected.” can be a cross-fertilisation between local, insisting the city isn’t the cultural desert Each year sees the festival programme take national and international artists. So I think many presume it to be! This is Coventry’s on different themes: "We’re doing two it’s about striking a balance between opportunity to really change people’s themes this year - connectivity and play. The nurturing, supporting and showcasing local perceptions of it. In terms of what it means connectivity part is all about exploring what artists, and bringing in work from outside for the festival, we really don’t know, but connects people, communities, places and that can influence the local art scene, or be we’re hopeful. I think it’s just a case of more. Our theme of play partly links to some influenced by it.” waiting to see what happens.” work the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum are Claire is also optimistic about the festival’s doing exploring the subject. It also links to future. our major new commission, Bridge, where Festival of Imagineers takes place in one of the main things we’re exploring is “We’re exploring a slightly different model various locations around Coventry city creating an environment in which members and different partnerships, so it may become centre from Monday 17 - Saturday 22 of the public are invited to play in the public a festival where you might visit Coventry and September space, or behave differently from usual in stay for the duration. I can’t reveal much else For more information, visit relation to a public space." about what we’re actually trying to do, but festivalofimagineers.co.uk the plan is to grow and explode the festival Claire is immensely proud that Festival of

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS...

CARMEN FUNEBRE REAR VIEW CHILD HOOD Sat 22 Sept Thurs 20 - Sat 22 Sept Thurs 20 - Sat 22 Sept As Imagineer celebrates 20 years of Rear View is a unique, interactive Originally commissioned by Artichoke for working with inspirational outdoor arts experience where the streets of Coventry Lumiere London in Trafalgar Square, an company Teatr Biuro Podrozy, and the UK become part of the performance. Presented installation of illuminated balloons fills marks the centenary of World War One, by IOU, the action happens on a custom- Broadgate. French company Collectif Coin Festival of Imagineers presents Teatr Biuro made conversion of a double decker bus, a are experts in site-specific art, exploring a Podrozy’s most iconic performance. mobile auditorium that turns the city into a dreamy and somewhat naïve vision of the Carmen Funebre is a visceral and brutal stage, as participants are taken on a digital technologies that surround us in exposé of the horrors of war, based on the journey during which familiar and not so everyday life through ideas about body, Bosnian conflict of the 1990s. familiar places are brought to life. sound and light.

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Benidorm.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:22 Page 1 Benidorm.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:22 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

Fun in the sun! Although it’s the end of the road for long-running television series Benidorm, the show’s Mid- lands fans can still catch up with all their favourite characters, thanks to a new touring stage version of the hit ITV comedy. What’s On recently chatted to Adam Gillen - who plays the unusual but loveable Liam Conroy - to find out more about Benidorm Live...

Complete with swingers, cross-dressing be himself. That’s the beautiful thing about stage, we’re able to have a proper barny, and more, would you say Benidorm really Liam, actually - he doesn’t try to be anyone where we can cross over speech when shout- embraces the beauty of diversity, Adam? else but who he is. He’s sometimes unusual ing at each other without that being an issue. I reckon so. I think the character of Les/Les- and sometimes quite strange, but nobody But I think the core elements are the same. ley is a wonderful one. It also shows how should apologise for who they are. So if he What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve someone can be if they’re surrounded by an keeps on that road, he’ll find somebody - seen off-set during all your time filming accepting community that allows him to be eventually. abroad? himself and express himself both as a man Some of Liam’s fashion choices in the TV God, I’ve seen quite a few things in and as his alter-ego. I think it portrays an en- series have been questionable. Has he Benidorm. People really let loose. People just vironment of freedom and freedom of expres- grown up a bit for the stage version? have the best time of their lives. Even though sion, and I think that’s a really positive thing. I’m not sure yet, as we haven’t had that cos- people are insanely happy, it does sometimes I imagine Benidorm’s portrayal of all tume chat, but I hope so. When I first started look like you imagine Sodom and Gomorrah lifestyles with a certain amount of levity, joy playing him, I got the impression he was would! It’s just absolute chaos and pure car- and fun can only be a good thing. I think the dressed by his mother and also borrowed a nage, but in the most beautifully fun sense. I overall reason for Benidorm’s success, few things from her wardrobe, which is quite couldn’t even pick out a specific event be- though, is that there’s a certain amount of ir- a fun angle. Then, as he’s grown up, he’s cause there have been too may. reverence, real warmth and heart in its story. been influenced by Kenneth, and I think Ken- Derren Litten genuinely loves his characters. Not planning a holiday trip to Benidorm neth has picked him out a couple of shirts. I anytime soon, then? Your character, Liam, and Kenneth - think now he’s older there may be a change, Well, I’ve been to Benidorm for four months played by Tony Maudsley - have a close but we’ll see what the costume chat has in every year for eight years, but I wouldn’t say friendship. What can we expect in the store. no to dipping my toe in again - once I’ve had stage version? What made you want to come back to the a little break - because its enormous fun. You Liam and Kenneth are who they are. They character of Liam for a full-on stage show? don’t have to be going for it party-wise to care for each other very dearly. I think they’re The series has come to an end, and I can’t enjoy the area because there are actually beautiful, well-formed characters who aren’t think of a better way to pay tribute to that some really lovely things to do there; it’s a re- shallow and have layers. They’re very whole- than by doing a sort-of Benidorm roadshow - ally beautiful part of Spain. The neon whites some and just fun to watch. I’m not sure if an extended, bumper episode. To see the always draw you back for a bit of nonsense in there’ll be duets in the Neptune, but certainly freedom that those characters can explore on the end, though. there’ll be a continuation of the combative, the stage as well is great. For example, Tony fun, warring siblings relationship they seem What are your plans for the future? and I, we like the physical, brotherly side of to have - just more nonsense. That’s the thing I’m not sure. We’ve got this until April and our characters’ relationship, and you can’t al- with all your best friends; you can have the then, after that, who knows? There’s hope- ways get all of that on camera effectively. So most horrendous rows and fall out terribly, fully more fun, interesting projects to come. to be on stage and to have a bit more space but you know they’re not going to go very far that allows you to really have a proper jostle and you’re always going to be there for each is ideal. other. I think that’s what happens with us. Benidorm Live visits the Regent Theatre, How does preparation for comedy on- Liam is pretty ill-fated and unlucky in Stoke-on-Trent, from Monday 24 to Satur- stage and comedy for screen differ? love. What dating advice would you give day 29 September, and then runs at the The timings and the rhythm of the comedy is him? New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham the same, but you’re not restricted so much I think I’d say that he shouldn’t be afraid to from Monday 3 to Saturday 29 December. by the technical side of things on stage. On Food September Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 09:50 Page 1 Food September Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 09:51 Page 2

Food

which are gluten free. As are all the ‘tandoor’ dishes, from which I chose my main course of bright orange king prawns, the chunky fish cooked over charcoal and served with onions. Rather than double up on naan activity (there’s a choice of three) we shared a lighter tandoori roti and a portion of cumin rice (rela- tively small by typical restaurant standards), both of which were excellent. The portion sizes also ensured we weren’t too full for dessert - something I doubt would have been the case if we’d added any- thing from the fascinating range of side dishes, which include okra fries, mogo chips and beer- battered bhajis. And if the latter sounds like text- book Indian pub food, then how about the Tap’s very own sticky toffee pudding ‘with an Indian twist’? Sadly I can’t provide de- tails, as it was the one element of REVIEW: Tap & Tandoor the dessert menu unavailable on Blending traditional pub dining with contemporary street food the night, so instead I opted for another fun/fusion dish in the Like Lennon and McCartney, modern space is tactfully laid out with onions, fresh coriander, form of apple and cinnamon Barker and Corbett, Lee and Life- to ensure there’s more than pomegranate, mint and corian- samosas. I was initially disap- son, and Ben and Jerry, craft beer enough room for diners, even der chutney plus a filling (I pointed that it took the form of and curry were clearly meant to when the bar area is busy. chose seekh kebab) was a case in three mini samosas rather than a be together, and their glorious After a quick scan of the beer point. The sensational dish was standard-size one, but the com- partnership is at the heart of menu, my friend and I settled on unlike any ‘slider’ I’d ever experi- bination was nonetheless an- Ajay and Shivani Kenth’s latest ales from near (Longhorn from enced, and could hardly be de- other winner, the lovely filo catering venture. Purity in Alcester) and far (Big scribed as ‘mini’ in any sense of pastry parcels perfectly aug- The team behind Moseley’s pop- Wave from Kona in Hawaii), both the word. There was plenty of the mented by delicious chai- ular Indian streetfood eatery of which were excellent - the lat- fluffy naan to share - we had half flavoured ice cream. Zindiya launched the Tap & Tan- ter the sort of light IPA I rea- each - and the combination of It was another inventive blend of door in June, and judging by the soned would be a perfect toppings was nothing short of traditional pub dining with con- fully booked Thursday night I accompaniment to the feast sensational. temporary street food from a visited, they look to have another ahead. My friend’s choice of amritsari venue that’s making good on its success story on their hands. And a feast it was - not least be- fish - fried fish in crispy batter promise to provide winning com- But as much as there are similar- cause everything we ordered ar- spiced with chaat masala - faded binations. Steve Adams ities - both serve upmarket but rived at once, street-food style, by comparison. Served pub-style good value Indian street food even though we’d been asked if like goujons in a pot, it looked Food: nnnnn alongside a quirky cocktail menu we wanted the ‘small plate’ great but lacked a bit of flavour, Service: nnnnn created by Smultronstalle’s Rob dishes treating as starters, and particularly given that it was Ambience: nnnnn Wood - the Tap has much more of the rest as main courses. In fu- coated in such light batter. Overall value nnnnn a pub atmosphere (it was for- ture I’ll make this even clearer, or He fared better with his main OVERALL nnnnn merly the Saddlers Arms), as order each course separately. course - a lamb curry made to a well as an extensive selection of No matter. Nothing went cold be- fragrant north Indian recipe with Tap & Tandoor Warwick Road craft beers. cause we didn’t give it time to. beautifully tender meat in a Solihull Despite the pub vibe - you even My ‘small plate’/starter of naan warming, rich, spicy sauce. It was one of a range of ‘home- B91 3DX order at the bar - the bright, slider - mini naan bread topped Tel: 0121 711 1166 style’ curries on the menu, all of whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Food September Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 09:51 Page 3 Food September Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 09:51 Page 4

Food

New pizzeria opens in Rugby shopping park A brand new pizzeria has recently opened at Elliott’s Field Shopping Park in Rugby. Brooklyn Pizza specialises in the best of New York-inspired pizzas, including ‘smoked balsamic’ and ‘three-cheese white’. Cheesecakes and fresh cinnamon buns feature among the restaurant’s desserts, while its beer is imported directly from the Brooklyn Brewery.

Talking Italian... New family-run Italian restaurant Pinocchio is set to open in Birmingham’s Mailbox this month. Taking up residence alongside the Mailbox’s other canalside restaurants, the eatery will serve pasta, pizza and risotto dishes, as well as steak, lamb, veal and a daily fish option.

Cooking up a storm at Solihull Food & Drink Festival Award-winning chef Jean-Christophe Novelli (pictured), Britain’s Best Home Cook star Chris Bavin and Bake Off contestant Selasi will be among the Popular food festival returns to Leamington for 11th year celebrity guests cooking up a storm The hugely popular Leamington Food & Drink Festival returns to the town’s Royal Pump Room when the Solihull Food & Drink Festival Gardens on 8 & 9 September. returns this month. Now in its 11th year, the free-to-attend event will feature 130 exhibitors serving up the very best The event, which is taking place at Mell local food and drink, including meats, organic produce, wines, cakes and chocolates. There will Square from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 also be live music, demonstrations in the cookery theatre and a free kids’ cookery school. September, will be the biggest yet, featuring 150 food and drink stalls, numerous demonstrations, live music, children’s entertainment and the Big New grill restaurant opens in the Touchwood centre Ale Trail. New restaurant Firejacks has opened in Solihull’s Touchwood Shopping Centre, replacing American- style eatery Coast To Coast. Taking the slogan ‘Meat. Fire. Friends’, the family- friendly restaurant serves up delicious grill dishes over an open fire and boasts an impressive cocktail selection. For more information and to book a table, visit firejacks.co.uk whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Taj Express (1).qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:18 Page 1

Bollywood in Brum Bold beats and explosive dance as new musical arrives in the Midlands Taj Express (1).qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:18 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

Taj Express, which visits the Midlands this month, is a one-way ticket to experiencing the flavour of Bollywood. Expect a musical bursting with bold colours, fabulous dancing and a soundtrack by famous composer AR Rahman. What’s On spoke to producer and director Shruti Merchant about the show...

This month, the Midlands will be hit by a Bollywood because the whole world knows Shruti is particularly excited about bringing wave of Indian culture when Taj Express who Mr Rahman is. This story contemplates Taj Express to the UK. comes to both the Birmingham Hippodrome who carries on his legacy, and it acts as a “This is my favourite country. I desperately and the Regent Theatre in Stoke. catalyst to explore all the different music and want to move to the UK because I feel very dance of India through different choreogra- The feelgood musical has been a success connected to the world of musical theatre phy. across the globe, including during its stint in here. In Mumbai, where I’m currently living, London last year. Audiences will get the “I always like to think that I feel all alone. When I walk around the opportunity to explore the glamorous world enjoys being transported into a new world streets of London, I see so many musicals of Bollywood through a young man’s desire where they feel happy, relaxed and, most playing and so many people lining up to to follow in the footsteps of composer AR importantly, are completely entertained. I’m watch theatre. That’s something that Rahman - the man behind the music from hit not here to put across any content that de- doesn’t exist in my country - films and Bolly- movie Slumdog Millionaire. presses anybody, or that makes them want to wood are the predominant entertainment. So check their phones. The fact that everyone yes, the UK is special to me.” Director and producer of Taj Express, Shruti wants to dance at the end of the show is Merchant, comes from a family who’s Directing musical theatre and leading her great; there’s some kind of release the heritage is deeply rooted in dance and company is incredibly hard work, but the audience feel when they come out of a choreography. rewards more than make up for it. Bollywood musical. I’m not here to show the “I’m born into a family of choreographers,” technique of Bollywood dancing or to brag “Theatre is the life I’ve chosen, but I’ve had she says. “Not just in Bollywood, but also about the kinds of fabulous extensions we do to sacrifice my personal life because the only from a background of Indian classical in our dancing. I just want my audience to be thing I’m doing is focusing on the dancing - predominantly Kathak, like all my entertained!” productions. It’s an endless job. There are ancestors from Rajasthan. times when I say, “I’m never going to do this Shruti believes Taj Express is bringing a true I started off my career assisting my sister, again”. Then, after finishing the production and diverse flavour of India to theatres across Vaibhavi Merchant, in films, and that’s when and sleeping for two or three days straight, the world. we got an offer to do a musical about her life. I’m trying to get back on it. Yes, there are a I quickly preferred sitting in a theatre to “I think Taj Express is a perfectly curated lot of sacrifices, but I think at the same time being on a set because the experience was show of the best parts of India. Everything - the madness is what I enjoy the most. The exhilarating - the audience reaction to your from the team we have to the songs we sing, reward is when the audience stands up at the work was so instant. The kind of love and the script by Toby Gough and the dance in end to give us a round of applause, and then adulation we received when taking our the show - makes this happen. We didn’t leaves the theatre laughing, smiling and culture and dance choreography on stage is want to bore people with Indian history, so dancing. something that made me never want to go the script is very easy to follow. Even the “I have another production that I’ll start back on a film set. So I started my company, fabrics and colours of the costumes have working on when Taj Express has finished. It Quintessence, to produce not only Taj brought in a pallete that is pan-India. will probably be presented next year at the Express but a lot more content from India.” “Audiences find our dance styles so intrigu- Fringe because we’ve got a keen Shruti believes that Bollywood is the perfect ing and wonder how we Indians move our interest from there. I’ve been touring Taj platform upon which to base the most necks in that certain way, so these are the Express for five years now, so it’s high time I vibrant of musicals. kinds of moments we’ve incorporated into did something new because there’s such a the musical. It doesn’t only feature demand. I’ll be presenting a lot more stuff “I guess in India we still believe in dreams traditional dance performed in the temples in from India out there on the world stage.” and fairytales. We believe very heavily in India, it also speaks to current India, which romance, and the drama surrounding ro- is in tune with hip-hop and other modern mance, and we show this in our films. How- forms of dance and music. The way our show ever, we wanted to do something different has been styled is in tune with popular world Taj Express runs at Birmingham with Taj Express. We came up with the idea standards, but also brings true India through. Hippodrome from Tuesday 11 to Saturday of telling the story of a young boy who tries It’s such a unique, diverse production for 15 September and is at Regent Theatre, to follow in the footsteps of AR Rahman. He audiences all over the world to enjoy.” Stoke-on-Trent on Tuesday 18 September wants to be the next big composer in Interview.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:16 Page 1

what a feeling! Joanne Clifton stars as Alex in the UK tour of Flashdance The Musical Joanne Clifton Interview.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:16 Page 2

More than 13 million people tuned in to BBC One to see Joanne Clifton and her partner, Ore Oduba, lift the glitterball trophy in the final of the 2016 series of . For the girl from Grimsby, it was not only a moment of triumph but also a stepping stone to a new career as a star of musical theatre. Now Joanne is taking her dancing to the next level in the new UK tour of Flashdance The Musical...

What’s your earliest dance memory, How was that? And what are Dance Sport knowing me only as a dancer, sitting there Joanne, and did you want to put on the Games? and thinking, ‘Let’s see if she can actually ballet shoes and tutu or throw yourself It was an amazing experience. They weren’t, act’! into body popping? like, the loudest audience in Russia, but it The character you play in Flashdance, My earliest memory is being at my mum and was great to be able to say, ‘I’ve done that’. Alex Owens, is based on a real-life woman dad’s dance school. When they couldn’t find The World Sport Games are basically all the who really did work as a welder by day anyone to babysit us, they used to take me sports that aren’t in the Olympics but are on and danced at night. Are you any good at and my brother Kevin along. We were just the waiting list to be included. It’s always DIY? toddlers, but Kevin would join in, and as difficult with something that’s based on I actually built myself a desk and a shoe- soon as he did, I would copy him. Then mum opinion rather than who crosses the line first rack! The shoe rack was basically little pipes put me into ballet, but I was just awful at it; or who jumped the highest - although ice that you fit together at corners, but the desk they used to call me the ‘pregnant plug’ dancing is in the Olympics, so dance could was wood and you had to use a screwdriver. because I wore the little black leotard with maybe make it one day, too. It’s a bit wobbly, and I got one bit the wrong the pink tights and was one of those kids You joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 way round, but apart from that I thought I whose belly really stuck out! I was absolutely and won two years later with Ore Oduba. did quite well. rubbish at it and hated it. So I stopped the What was your favourite dance routine ballet but did ballroom, Latin, disco and little Could you describe Alex in three words? during your winning series? group dances. Then we started entering Passionate, focused and determined. competitions when Kevin was five and I was Singing In The Rain, because I thought that four. Quite a lot of people think we’re twins, was a turning point for me and that style is In Flashdance, you have to perform but there’s a whole year and 11 days between just my thing. The audience seemed to love several dance routines that are so well us! the jive. I’m not keen on Latin, but I’m glad known they’ve become iconic movie they enjoyed it. But probably equal with moments. How are you feeling about that? You spent a long time in Italy. Do you Singing In The Rain was the ballroom show speak Italian? I can’t wait! I think the audience will get the dance we did at the end. They’ve both got all same feeling as me. When the music starts, Yes, I went over to a dance school at 16 and that Hollywood glamour, which I love. particularly Maniac and What A Feeling, nobody spoke English there, so I had to learn Your brother, Kevin, also a Strictly dancer, even if I’m tired after a day of rehearsals and very quickly. I stayed there for 14 years. When was the first to congratulate you, even the director says, ‘Okay, let’s do it from the I came back, I’d spent half my life there. It though you’d beaten him. Was there a top’, as soon as that music comes on, I get an was my first language for quite a long time, little bit of sibling rivalry in evidence absolute buzz and can’t wait to do it. and when I came back to in 2014, I during the course of the show? used to think in Italian and had to translate You’re appearing in the show up until in my head back into English. I dreamed in More on my part. I’m more competitive than December. Are you feeling fit and ready to Italian for about a year after I left. It still Kevin. But he’s my big brother and I wanna take that on? comes out in natural reactions - like if I bang pay him back for all the wrestling moves he I think so. I’ve danced since I was four and my elbow or my knee, I’ll swear in Italian used to practise on me when we were kids. been trained the hard, sports way in Italy. rather than English, which can be a good But if he had a good week, I was really happy Obviously I’m older now - I’m 33 and I’m thing if I’m in public! for him, and he was for me. And as soon as playing a 19-year-old, but I know how to train the cameras went off, I went and said sorry Do you like Italian food? for it and I know how to eat so that I’ve got because he’d been in the finals four times enough energy but can look good in a I absolutely love it, although I wasn’t allowed and not won, and then I just came out of leotard. Touch wood, my dancing experience to eat much of it while I was over there. My nowhere and took the title! will help me through it. male coach was Italian and my female coach Having left Strictly, you went into the tour was Russian, so we were trained like the What is it about Flashdance that really of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Was musical Russian ballet dancers and, of course, we appeals to audiences? theatre a new direction for you or a return needed to be slim. But that’s why I’m eating to an earlier love? It’s such an iconic movie with such iconic lots of it now! songs and scenes. Everybody knows I’d never really trained in musical theatre, And do you cook it? Flashdance, everybody knows What A but I had private lessons in singing and Feeling and everybody knows the Maniac No. I can cook two things. I can do poached acting when I was a kid growing up in water scene. It’s going to be great for those eggs and pop tarts - but that’s a meal in itself, Grimsby. I didn’t do anything for 14 years moments, and I just say to people, come and isn’t it? You can have the poached eggs for while I was in Italy, but since I came back to see it! I’m so grateful that I’ve got the role. mains and then the pop tarts for pudding! do Strictly, I’ve been taking lessons again. Before Millie, I did two other musicals on the 2013 was an amazing year for you. You fringe, but Millie was my first big stage show. won the World Pro Ballroom Show Dance Flashdance The Musical runs at the I’ve wanted to do musicals since I was a kid. I Championships, the World Dance Sport Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from Tuesday absolutely love singing and acting, and I like Games and you performed at the Kremlin. 4 to Saturday 8 September. the excitement of the audience coming in, GIGS September Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 13:53 Page 1

14 whatsonlive.co.uk GIGS September Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 13:53 Page 2

Gigs

Fridolijn Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 15 September Fridolijn’s (pronounced ‘Free-doe-Line’) music blends haunting self-penned songs with covers played in her own unique style, cinematic folk, jazz, electronica and broken beats. The Amsterdam-born singer previously en- joyed chart-topping success in both Holland and Japan with her band, Finn Silver.

Fish he performed from 1981 to 1988. With a voice that’s been described as a con- The Assembly, Leamington Spa, Mon 14 September flation of Roger Daltrey and Peter Gabriel, Fish visits Leamington to perform his Scottish singer-songwriter Derek William Clutching At Straws album in its entirety. Dick, better known as Fish, achieved promi- The set will also feature songs from new nence as the lead singer and lyricist of neo- album Weltschmerz, which is scheduled for Kylie progressive rock band Marillion, with whom release this month. Genting Arena, Birmingham, Fri 21 September Having racked up more than 80 million worldwide record sales, released 14 studio al- bums, 12 compilation and won a cov- Elles Bailey Arctic Monkeys eted Grammy Award, Kylie heads for the The Marr’s Bar, Worcester, Arena Birmingham, Midlands with a brand new extravaganza Thurs 27 September Sat 15 - Sun 16 September centred around latest album Golden. But Boasting a ‘smoky vocal’ and a rootsy , Formed in 2002, rock band Arctic Monkeys don’t worry - the princess of pop will un- country and soulful rock sound, Elles Bai- have released five studio albums, won seven doubtedly be treating fans to some of the ley’s debut album, Wildfire, went straight in Brit Awards - bagging both Best British best-loved hits from her extensive back-cata- at number two on the iTunes Blues Charts Group and Best British Album three times - logue too. when it was released a year ago. Her success been nominated for three Grammy Awards has continued into 2018 - she’s been nomi- and won the Mercury Prize in 2006 for their nated for four UK blues awards and made debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, well-received appearances at numerous key That's What I'm Not. country and blues festivals. Elles recently Alex Turner and the band this month visit returned to the studio in Nashville to record Birmingham in support of latest album some eagerly anticipated new material. Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.

Biffy Clyro Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 19 September Finally finding stardom in 2007 with the album Puzzle, Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro have since established themselves as one of the biggest bands on the music scene. They visit Symphony Hall this month in support of their first acoustic album, MTV Unplugged: Live At The Roundhouse London. whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Classical September Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 13:54 Page 1

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Classical

Chandos Symphony Orchestra Malvern Theatres, Sun 16 September Malvern’s very own amateur orchestra is here joined by violinist Savitri Grier (pic- tured) for a concert that includes Bruch’s much-loved Violin Concerto. The programme has been selected to allow the orchestra to ‘let down their hair’ a little, with music on the lighter side in- cluding Gillis's Symphony no 5 1/2 and John Williams' music from Star Wars movie The Force Awakens.

Orchestra Of The Swan: English Fantasies Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon, Tues 25 September Held in high regard for their championing of new music, having presented more than 70 world premieres, the Stratford-based Orchestra of the Swan are also much admired for their performances of works by legendary composers. This latest concert sees them bringing together three of the 20th century’s finest pieces for string orchestra with the works by which the compositions were inspired. It’s an educa- tional as well as entertaining way to present music, and will allow the audience to appreci- ate first hand the influence and effect of Arcangelo Corelli on Tippett, Frank Bridge on Britten, and Thomas Tallis on Vaughan-Williams. Stacey Watton (pictured) conducts.

Armonico Consort: The Emily Sun With CBSO: Italian Moments Glory Of Old England Gamal Khamis Symphony Hall, Birmingham, St Peter’s Church, Wootton Wawen, Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 28 September Thurs 27 September Warwickshire, Fri 28 September Pianist Gamal Khamis here lends his sup- port to the winner of last year’s Bromsgrove Young Musicians competition, violinist Emily Sun (pictured). Presenting a programme of tuneful sonatas by romantic and 20th century composers, Emily will draw the evening to a close with much-loved tunes including Summertime from Porgy And Bess.

Founded by organist and conductor Christopher Monks in 2001, Armonico are Midlands conductor Alpesh Chauhan one of the largest organisations of their (pictured) picks up the baton to oversee a kind in the UK. Using authentic period in- CBSO homage to all things Italian - from struments, the baroque consort regularly Tchaikovsky’s Romeo & Juliet to perform with some of the best solo musi- Respighi’s depiction of Roman excess in cians in the world. his symphonic poem, Feste Romane. This Warwickshire concert sees them pre- Russian pianist Pavel Kolesnikov also senting music from across the last 500 contributes to the evening’s programme years, with madrigals, folk songs and close when he performs Rachmaninov’s Rhap- harmony all featuring. sody On A Theme Of Paganini. whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Festivals September.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:10 Page 1 Festivals September.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:10 Page 2

Festivals

Shiiine On Birmingham O2 Academy, Birmingham, Sat 8 September Festival brand Shiiine On is launching a new one-day event at Birmingham’s O2 Academy this month. Shiiine On Birmingham’s impressive line-up includes more than 20 iconic bands. The Hacienda will descend on the city, with Todd Terry headlining a superb line-up alongside Marshall Jefferson and Jon Dasilva. Ticket prices include free entry to two special afterparties. Line-up includes: Orbital, Shed Seven (pic- tured), Happy Mondays, Embrace, Glasvegas, Julian Cope, Reverend & The Makers, Black Grape, Cast, The Wedding Present, Dread- zone, A Certain Ratio, Jim Bob (Carter USM), Bentley Rhythm Ace, Thousand Yard Stare, The Stairs, Psyence, , Clint Boon (Inspiral Carpets) and Ned's Acoustic Dustbin.

Moseley Folk Godiva Bromyard Folk Festival Moseley Park, Birmingham, War Memorial Park, Coventry, Bromyard, Worcestershire, Fri 31 August - Sun 2 September Fri 31 August - Sun 2 September Thurs 6 - Sunday 9 September Tucked away behind Birmingham’s busy Taking place for the 51st time, Bromyard’s streets, the beautiful Moseley Park is one of much-loved celebration of traditional music the city's hidden gems, transformed each is now a well-established tradition in and of year into an enchanting escape by one of the itself. This year’s event promises more than Midlands' best-loved music festivals. 170 hours of entertainment, with some of the Traditional folk & low-fi acoustic sets blend finest national and international folk musi- seamlessly with dreamy electropop, cians headlining a programme that also in- psychedelia and indie favourites against a cludes workshops, sing-arounds, ceilidhs, magical backdrop of bright hippie colours, dance displays, children’s entertainment and lush foliage and a beautiful lake. The perfect a traditional craft market. way to see out the summer. Line-up includes: Oysterband, The Music line-up includes: Levellers, Teenage Young’uns (pictured), Rura, Cosmotheka, Fanclub (pictured), Nick Mulvey, Steve Chris Wood, Fara, Moore Moss and Rutter, Harley & Cockney Rebel, Show Of Hands, The Rheingans Sisters, Granny’s Attic, Crows, Bridget St John, King Creosote, This Is The The Hut People, Cardboard Fox, Jack Rutter, Proudly reaffirming its status as the UK's Kit, Willy Mason, Imarhan, Skinny Lister, Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, Steamchicken, biggest and best free music festival, Godiva Jools Holland and Samantha Parton, Richard Rosie Hood, Ben Robertson and Keith Don- presents another bumper crop of top-notch Dawson, Martin Carthy, Chris Wood and nelly. talent as it returns for 2018. Veteran perform- Siobhan Miller. ers join emerging artists working across a dazzling array of genres. While the tradi- tional Godiva procession continues to this day, the weekend has certainly come a long way since its 17th century origins as a cele- bration of the medieval Countess of Mercia. Music line-up includes: Editors, Ronan Keating, Jake Bugg, Gaz Coombes (pictured), Cradle Of Filth, Asian Dub Foundation, Jonas Blue, Peace, The Neville Staple Band, Gabrielle, Professor Green, Little Comets, Hazel O’Connor and Blood Red Shoes. whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Comedy September 2018 .qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:11 Page 1

Comedy

Scummy Mummies Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 14 September; Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, Wed 10 October “Our speciality is comedy for less-than-per- fect parents, so that means all parents!” says Ellie Gibson about Scummy Mummies, her popular double act with Helen Thorn. “Our live comedy shows cover a wide range of parenting topics - from pelvic floors and play-dates to farting and fish fingers. Expect songs, sketches, stand-up and very scummy stories!”

Marcus Brigstocke Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 23 September; Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Sun 30 September; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 24 November; Evesham Arts Centre, Sat 1 December Rich Hall Oakengates Theatre at The Place, Telford, Peddling a line in dark, intelligent humour, the award-winning Marcus Brigstocke is one of Tues 25 September; Birmingham Town Hall, the most inventive talents on the comedy circuit. Jokes include: “I realised I was dyslexic Thurs 11 October; Evesham Arts Centre, when I went to a toga party dressed as a goat,” and “If Pac-Man had affected us as kids, Sat 20 October; Stourport Civic Centre, we'd all be running around in dark rooms, munching pills and listening to repetitive elec- Wed 21 November tronic music.” His official biography somewhat less than Marcus’s latest touring show, Devil May Care, finds Lucifer himself arbitrating on the in- modestly describes American funnyman creasingly tricky issue of what’s good and what’s bad ‘in these challenging divisive times’. Rich Hall as ‘a comic genius’ - albeit a ‘grouchy, deadpan’ one. With much of his comedy focusing on mak- ing fun of life across the pond in his home- Gary Delaney land, Rich is best known for his creation of Otis Lee Crenshaw, a bourbon-swilling red- Stafford Gatehouse, Fri 7 September; Artrix, Bromsgrove, neck jailbird from Tennessee whose many Thurs 20 September; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Thurs 11 October; The Glee Club, Birmingham, wives have all been named Brenda. Sun 4 November Rich returns to the Midlands with a show “The hardest part of running competitively in Wales that he describes as a hoedown: “There’s must be keeping up with the Joneses,” quips the ever- stand-up comedy, improvised ballads, popular Gary Delaney. cracking good musicianship, and ultimately And Gary’s certainly no one- a hilarious, foot-stomping, s**t-kicking good gag pony: “My girlfriend’s time to be had by all. Even if you don’t own dog died, so to cheer her up I a hoe.” went out and got her an iden- tical one. She was livid and yelled, ‘What am I going to do with two dead dogs?’ Or how about: “The president of France said that the English are arrogant with their re- fusal to learn foreign languages. At least I think that’s what he said. It all just sounded like haw-he-haw-he- haw-he-haw.” Suffice to say there’ll be plenty more where those came from when Sarah Millican’s Solihull-born husband re- turns to his Midlands roots this month. 20 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy September 2018 .qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:11 Page 2

Stephen Lynch The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 16 September American funnyman and theatrical star Stephen makes a welcome return to the UK for the first time in five years this month. A Broadway award winner for his perform- ance in hit musical The Wedding Singer, Stephen describes himself as a musician trapped in a comedian’s body - so it’s little wonder that he’s made the singing of witty ditties a real front-and-centre element of his stand-up set.

Dylan Moran Run, the hugely entertaining Irishman spe- cialises in stand-up rants that are often New Alexandra Theatre, Sat 22 September; bizarre and always unpredictable. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 6 October; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 30 October Jokes include: “I don't do drugs. If I want a rush, I just stand up when I'm not expecting Once labelled 'the Oscar Wilde of comedy’, it,” and “I can't swim. I can't drive either. I it's fair to say that Dylan Moran is a fella with was going to learn to drive but then I a style of humour all his own. A star of hit thought, well, what if I crash into a lake?” Jason Byrne films Shaun Of The Dead and Run Fat Boy Birmingham Town Hall, Sat 29 September Watching Jason Byrne on stage has been likened by one reviewer to watching foot- Geoff Norcott Chris Tucker baller Lionel Messi play for Barcelona: it’s Arena Birmingham, Thurs 27 September Henry Tudor House, not a matter of 'if' the magic will come, but Shrewsbury, Wed 12 'when' and 'how often'. Byrne comes to the Probably best known for playing September; The Core Detective James Carter in the Rush Midlands with brand new offering You Can Theatre, Solihull, Hour movies, American stand-up Come In, But Don’t Start Anything, a show Fri 16 November which he promises will hotwire his audi- comedian Chris Tucker has been a big High-energy Geoff is one hit at the cinema, starring in films ence’s funnybones big time! of the sharpest tools in “Everyone’s welcome,” says Jason, “unless which have collectively the comedy shed, pre- grossed more than one billion you’re under 14, in which case come back senting shows which when you’re older.” dollars at the box office. He’s blend observational hu- been plying his trade as a mour with satire - and comedian for a couple of even the odd impression decades now, and released his or several! A former first stand-up movie, Chris teacher, plenty of Tucker Live, on Netflix back in Geoff’s gags relate to 2015. school experiences and Jokes include: “Have you ever the education system. had a neighbour that borrows He’s also made some- your shit for so long, you have thing of a name for him- to borrow it back?” and “You self in the field of loan your friend money. You sports-related humour, a see them again, they don't say niche that’s yielded him nothin' ’bout the money. 'Hi, how plenty of work both on ya doin'? How's ya mama doing?' television and radio. Man, how's my money doin'?’”

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by Dave Freak Josh Pugh Keeps it personal with The Changing Man

A harrowing tale of confinement rests at the heart of Josh Pugh’s latest show. What’s On finds out more from the award-winning Warwickshire comedian…

Josh Pugh was just 10 years old when he jokes and they’re quiet, they’re not enjoying enjoyed doing it." experienced the traumatic incident that lies themselves." Although the podcast’s University of East at the heart of his latest stand-up show, The At the centre of the story is that agonising Coventry setting is entirely fictional, it's Changing Man. puffer jacket incident. certainly plausible. "I got stuck in a puffer jacket," he confesses, "I went to my dad’s one weekend and he was "You can see these universities online, and "for 48 hours!" just angry all the time. The next weekend he they’re so embarrassing. You see these Hailing from Atherstone, Warwickshire, Josh bought me this puffer jacket I wanted, as a students wandering around campus saying, made his stand-up debut in the spring of present, and I zipped it up and realised the ‘Wow! There are so many shops and facilities 2014. Within 18 months, he'd won the zip was stuck, and I was too scared to tell here! I can really see myself getting a great Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking him. I was worried that he’d shout at me, so I education here!’ So it started off as a parody Talent Award, and in 2016 he picked up the kept it on for the whole weekend.” of that.” English Comedian of the Year title - the prize As those two horrendous days progressed, With the first six episodes available online for which included a string of Australian gigs. the young Josh's stress levels sky-rocketed. for free, listeners will be pleased to know that "The weirdest thing was the ex-pats who Would his father be furious that he'd just there are more shows on the way. came to the show because I was billed as ruined his expensive new present? Would "We’ve started working on another series English Comedian of the Year. I’d have people someone have to tear him out of the snug now. People who’ve listened to it have coming up to me saying, ‘I used to live in jacket? Or would he be forced to live in it for enjoyed it, and we’ve enjoyed doing it - it’s Coventry’, or ‘I’ve been to The Roadhouse’ (a the rest of his life? nice to do something other than stand-up. now-closed venue in Birmingham). I found "Then something happens where I realise I You have all these ideas sometimes that don’t that dead odd - being so far away, on the don’t have to be scared of my dad, so the work as stand-up, so it’s nice to have a other side of the world, and having people show is about how you think people are one different vehicle for it. If you listen to a lot of coming up to me who knew where I lived!" way, but they can be another way.” podcasts, they’re often just two people It seems that bumping into local folk in chatting, but we wanted to produce it more The show is one of two he’ll be bringing to far-flung places is more common than you like a radio show. It’s scripted a bit more and the Birmingham Comedy Festival next might think. edited a bit more - there aren’t that many month. The second is the live premiere of his podcasts like it. I don’t think anyone else is "I did a gig in Switzerland, which is this real podcast, Josh And Phil's Knowledge Club, doing anything like it. We might do it at the melting pot of a place, and there was one guy with fellow West Midlands comedian Phil Fringe next year if it goes down well in there from Worcester!" Pagett. Birmingham." The Changing Man is Josh’s second one-hour "The premise of Knowledge Club is that we’re Edinburgh Fringe show. working for a fictional university and we’re pitching the university to potential students. "The Changing Man was my nickname. I’m a freelance lecturer who hasn’t really got Josh Pugh performs The Changing Man at That’s what my dad used to call me because I a clue and Phil’s the straight man. We’re still 1000 Trades in Birmingham’s Jewellery was always into different fads and different working it out, but it’ll be good live. Phil’s got Quarter on Saturday 13 October. stuff every time I went round to see him. So a good ear and eye for stuff like that." John And Phil’s Knowledge Club is at it’s a bit more personal this year. Last year's The Victoria, Birmingham, on Sunday show, A Boy Named Pugh, was just jokes and The first series of podcasts saw the duo 14 October, as part of the second Free me being daft - which this is as well - but explore subjects including money, crime, Half-Dayer. there’s also a story this time. I’ve enjoyed dating and technology. For more information about Birmingham doing a story, actually; when people are "Doing different subjects is a good way to Comedy Festival (5 - 14 October), visit quiet, they’re listening, but if you’re doing generate stuff; it’s a good exercise. I’ve bhamcomfest.co.uk

whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Theatre September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 11:14 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Benidorm Live Benidorm regulars Jake Canuso (Mateo), Janine Duvitski (Jacqueline), Adam Gillen (Liam) and Sherrie Hewson (Joyce Temple-Savage) are Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 24 - Sat 29 September; all present and correct in a production that promises to bring plenty New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 3 - Sat 29 December of sunshine to six early-autumn evenings at the Regent. Sangria in Stoke is the name of the game this month when Benidorm The production is then back in the Midlands in a couple of months’ Live jets into the Potteries. Darren Litten’s brand new stage show is of time, for a Christmas run at Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre. course based on the hit ITV1 comedy series that’s been delighting Check out our online interview with Adam Gillen who plays viewers for more than a decade now. Liam at whatsonlive.co.uk

The Goon Show Pop Music Nazanin’s Story New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, The REP, Birmingham, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 18 September Wed 12 - Sat 22 September Wed 19 & Thurs 20 September Comedy enthusiasts of a certain vintage will Nazanin’s Story focuses on the real-life expe- well recall The Goon Show. Presenting a rience of Iranian British charity worker highly original and utterly zany style of hu- Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. In 2016 she was mour, the 1950s radio programme made stars convicted of plotting to overthrow Iran’s cler- of its three main contributors, Spike Milligan, ical establishment and sentenced to five Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe. years in the country’s prison system. This brand new homage to the show is A judge in Tehran recently admitted that presented by the same team who recently Nazanin will not be released from prison adapted another classic radio comedy for the until Iran receives payment for a 1970s debt stage - Round The Horne. Described in its publicity as an emotionally owed by Britain... contagious rollercoaster for anyone who's Long-listed for ever been a dick on the dancefloor, Pop the Amnesty Music finds G and Kayla taking advantage of Freedom of Ex- the free bar at a wedding they’re attending. pression award, With lashings of cheap prosecco offering the play is con- them the chance to forget their troubles, the stantly being up- pair embark on an epic journey through 30 dated to take into years of pop - in the process discovering that account new de- they have far more in common with one velopments in the another than their taste in tunes... ongoing saga.

24 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 11:14 Page 2 Taj Express (1).qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:18 Page 1

Bollywood in Brum Bold beats and explosive dance as new musical arrives in the Midlands Taj Express (1).qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:18 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

Taj Express, which visits the Midlands this month, is a one-way ticket to experiencing the flavour of Bollywood. Expect a musical bursting with bold colours, fabulous dancing and a soundtrack by famous composer AR Rahman. What’s On spoke to producer and director Shruti Merchant about the show...

This month, the Midlands will be hit by a Bollywood because the whole world knows Shruti is particularly excited about bringing wave of Indian culture when Taj Express who Mr Rahman is. This story contemplates Taj Express to the UK. comes to both the Birmingham Hippodrome who carries on his legacy, and it acts as a “This is my favourite country. I desperately and the Regent Theatre in Stoke. catalyst to explore all the different music and want to move to the UK because I feel very dance of India through different choreogra- The feelgood musical has been a success connected to the world of musical theatre phy. across the globe, including during its stint in here. In Mumbai, where I’m currently living, London last year. Audiences will get the “I always like to think that the audience I feel all alone. When I walk around the opportunity to explore the glamorous world enjoys being transported into a new world streets of London, I see so many musicals of Bollywood through a young man’s desire where they feel happy, relaxed and, most playing and so many people lining up to to follow in the footsteps of composer AR importantly, are completely entertained. I’m watch theatre. That’s something that Rahman - the man behind the music from hit not here to put across any content that de- doesn’t exist in my country - films and Bolly- movie Slumdog Millionaire. presses anybody, or that makes them want to wood are the predominant entertainment. So check their phones. The fact that everyone yes, the UK is special to me.” Director and producer of Taj Express, Shruti wants to dance at the end of the show is Merchant, comes from a family who’s Directing musical theatre and leading her great; there’s some kind of release the heritage is deeply rooted in dance and company is incredibly hard work, but the audience feel when they come out of a choreography. rewards more than make up for it. Bollywood musical. I’m not here to show the “I’m born into a family of choreographers,” technique of Bollywood dancing or to brag “Theatre is the life I’ve chosen, but I’ve had she says. “Not just in Bollywood, but also about the kinds of fabulous extensions we do to sacrifice my personal life because the only from a background of Indian classical in our dancing. I just want my audience to be thing I’m doing is focusing on the dancing - predominantly Kathak, like all my entertained!” productions. It’s an endless job. There are ancestors from Rajasthan. times when I say, “I’m never going to do this Shruti believes Taj Express is bringing a true I started off my career assisting my sister, again”. Then, after finishing the production and diverse flavour of India to theatres across Vaibhavi Merchant, in films, and that’s when and sleeping for two or three days straight, the world. we got an offer to do a musical about her life. I’m trying to get back on it. Yes, there are a I quickly preferred sitting in a theatre to “I think Taj Express is a perfectly curated lot of sacrifices, but I think at the same time being on a set because the experience was show of the best parts of India. Everything - the madness is what I enjoy the most. The exhilarating - the audience reaction to your from the team we have to the songs we sing, reward is when the audience stands up at the work was so instant. The kind of love and the script by Toby Gough and the dance in end to give us a round of applause, and then adulation we received when taking our the show - makes this happen. We didn’t leaves the theatre laughing, smiling and culture and dance choreography on stage is want to bore people with Indian history, so dancing. something that made me never want to go the script is very easy to follow. Even the “I have another production that I’ll start back on a film set. So I started my company, fabrics and colours of the costumes have working on when Taj Express has finished. It Quintessence, to produce not only Taj brought in a pallete that is pan-India. will probably be presented next year at the Express but a lot more content from India.” “Audiences find our dance styles so intrigu- Edinburgh Fringe because we’ve got a keen Shruti believes that Bollywood is the perfect ing and wonder how we Indians move our interest from there. I’ve been touring Taj platform upon which to base the most necks in that certain way, so these are the Express for five years now, so it’s high time I vibrant of musicals. kinds of moments we’ve incorporated into did something new because there’s such a the musical. It doesn’t only feature demand. I’ll be presenting a lot more stuff “I guess in India we still believe in dreams traditional dance performed in the temples in from India out there on the world stage.” and fairytales. We believe very heavily in India, it also speaks to current India, which romance, and the drama surrounding ro- is in tune with hip-hop and other modern mance, and we show this in our films. How- forms of dance and music. The way our show ever, we wanted to do something different has been styled is in tune with popular world Taj Express runs at Birmingham with Taj Express. We came up with the idea standards, but also brings true India through. Hippodrome from Tuesday 11 to Saturday of telling the story of a young boy who tries It’s such a unique, diverse production for 15 September and is at Regent Theatre, to follow in the footsteps of AR Rahman. He audiences all over the world to enjoy.” Stoke-on-Trent on Tuesday 18 September wants to be the next big composer in War Horse September online mag.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:14 Page 1

War Horse

Stage phenomenon War Horse is set to return to the Midlands... What’s On spoke to puppeteers Tom Quinn and Lewis Howard about their crucial role in this spectacular, emotive production...

Michael Morpurgo’s popular children's book puppets, so what’s each puppeteer’s puppet forwards until the head is in a good is now a hit National Theatre stage show, specific role? position. Then I control the front legs using which has wowed audiences and moved triggers at the curve of the knee. Tom: My role as the puppeteer of the head of people to tears all across the world. both Joey and Topthorn is to control what the How much time have you both spent The second UK tour of War Horse is horse is looking at, what it’s thinking and studying horse behaviour? underway. Local lads Tom Quinn - from what it’s feeling; to bring the horse to life. Tom: When we first started, we had a Redditch - and Lewis Howard - who grew up Lewis: As Joey’s heart, I instigate the fortnight of just ‘horse academy’, if you like. and attended drama school in Birmingham - breathing so the horse looks alive. Being It was a little puppetry school where all the are puppeteers in the show. What’s On spoke between the head and the hind means I can puppeteers gathered two weeks before the to them about the task of bringing huge on- see what both are doing, so I can silently rest of the cast to learn basic movements like stage horse puppets to life in front of translate between the two. If I see the hind walking, trotting and galloping. Then we thousands of people... wanting to make a certain move, but the went to the Kings Troop, the Royal Horse It takes three puppeteers to work the head isn’t in the right position just yet to do Artillery with all the ceremonial guns and entirety of the Joey and Topthorn so, I can hold off the hind form pushing the carriages, to watch the real-life Topthorns. War Horse September online mag.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:14 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

Then, that afternoon, we went to a riding thoroughbred and half draught horse. He’s Tom: The puppets are made by a South stable to look at more chilled-out riding built for riding, not for a lot of the things he’s African company called the Handspring horses. So we watched a bunch of Joeys as made to do in the show. He’s quite chilled- Puppet Company. There are 23 puppets in the well. We were there watching a lot of little out and earthy, whereas Topthorn is just pure whole show, and Handspring make most of behaviours to refine our skills. thoroughbred, so he’s like a proper feisty them. They’re made from an aluminium officer’s horse. The puppets themselves do a frame that sits on top of the hind and heart Lewis: One of the most important things is lot of that for us, so Joey in comparison to puppeteers, and there’s a cane cage that sort making the horse look as heavy as it should Topthorn is slightly smaller, and as a head of sits around them. Then the mane and tail be. The weight of the puppet is on our backs puppeteer, I can extend Topthorn’s neck up are made using a material called tyvec and and we’re standing on our own feet, so it really tall. He’s an enormous horse, and we bits of leather. So, yeah, those bits rustle and takes a lot of practice to sell the idea that it’s need to convey that proud, feisty side of flow but it still has some weight, and a real horse. But there are things that the him.” between all of the canes there’s a thin mesh puppet can’t do, and if you tried to do those gauze so the audience can see out mostly, but things it would make it look less real, so once It’s easy for people who haven’t seen the in the right light the audience’s view into the we got comfortable with the basics, we show to be dubious about how a puppet cage is obscured. moved away from horse behaviour and can be made realistic on stage. Do either focused on how the puppet can move, and of you have anything to say to people who Is the puppet as heavy to work with as it how best to work with what we’ve got. aren’t yet convinced that they should go sounds? and see the show? Does each team of puppeteers create a Lewis: Yes, the cage that we’re under is 10 slightly different Joey or Topthorn - or Lewis: I first saw it 10 years ago. When my stone, and that’s split between the hind and even, does each individual puppeteer mum told me we were going to see the stage the heart puppeteers’ backs. Then, the legs bring a different personality to the role? version of War Horse, a book I’d read in are probably a couple of kg each, and then school, I didn’t imagine it would be puppets. the head has its own weight that the head Tom: Yes, it’s the same as any other role. So I assumed there would be projections or puppeteer holds up. We wear it as a backpack each team that does Joey and Topthorn something, and there would be a way of and it’s something you get used to. It’s like brings a slightly different characterisation to getting round it that would give the show a wearing one of those big backpacks for life on stage, just like an actor would do slightly more surreal feel. hiking - now only once you take it off do you when interpreting the lines from Hamlet. We realise how heavy it’s been. Early in still go through the same acting choices as But when baby Joey appears on the stage, as rehearsals it was quite brutal though. Trying the speaking parts go through, except we an audience member you don’t want to watch to do stuff, be nimble and make a huge horse don’t act through our own bodies. We also the puppeteers, you want to watch Joey puppet look realistic while having this huge change a lot of things from each show. For because that’s what’s amazing. Then, when weight on your back is quite a challenge. example, one of the nights, one of the actors the big horses come out, from afar you can’t may choose to shout one of their lines, or see a lot of the mechanisms - the puppets just What are your plans for the future? walk towards Joey particularly aggressively, look so fluid. Anyone who comes to see the Tom: I think this role has given me a bit of a which obviously Joey will need to be startled show will be surprised by how quickly they bug for puppetry, but obviously I trained as by. We spend a lot of it improvising how we forget it’s a puppet horse. I mean, we an actor, so I’m sure I can use all the skills think a horse would react in the situation suspend disbelief all the time in theatre, and I’ve gained from this role in a whole range of that’s playing out on stage, and each time this is no exception. work. something slightly different is created. Lewis, you trained at the Birminghan Lewis: As with most actors, I somehow can’t Lewis: I know with my team one of us brings School of Acting. Are you proud to be think beyond the current job. I’m sure I’ve more of a focused intensity to it and one of us returning to the city in such an important opened other doors by doing this role, and is a little more cheeky, but I think both are role? it’s taught me new things I wasn’t sure I’d very funny. But, of course, there are certain Lewis: Yes, I’m incredibly happy because enjoy. It’s like learning a new language or personalities it’s hard to bring to different originally, when we got the contracts, something - a new realm of opportunities parts of the horse. It’s much easier to bring a Birmingham hadn’t been announced and was have been opened up for me, so I’ll just wait sense of cheekiness to the head than to the still a venue to be confirmed. So when I got and see what happens next. hind, for example. It’s harder to be more that news, it was fantastic. To go back there aggressive in certain roles. So yes, certain for four weeks as well is even better. I qualities do manifest themselves in each role actually haven’t been back to Birmingham in the team, while each team also brings since I graduated, so I can’t wait to go back something slightly different to the stage. and show everyone around because I’ve been Tom, how do Topthorn and Joey’s telling the cast all about my favourite places. War Horse is at Birmingham Hippodrome personalities differ, and how do you as a Going back as Joey is really an honour. from Wednesday 10 Oct - Saturday 3 puppeteer bring those different Can you tell us a little bit about the November, and Regent Theatre, Stoke-On- characters out on stage? puppets themselves and what they’re Trent from Wednesday 27 March - Tom: Joey is a hunter, so he’s half made of? Saturday 6 April 2019. Theatre September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 11:14 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Salad Days Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 19 - Sat 22 September; Malvern Theatres, Tues 2 - Sat 6 October When newly-weds Jane and Timo- thy Dawes agree to take care of a tramp’s mobile piano for a month, they find themselves embroiled in an adventure that involves disrup- tive music, flying saucers and an ir- resistible desire to dance... Julian Slade and Dorothy Reynolds’ hit show debuted in the mid-1950s, having been written by the pair as a summer musical for the Bristol Old Vic's resident company. Featuring numbers including We Said We Wouldn’t Look Back, Look At Me, I’m Dancin’ and We’re Look- ing For A Piano, Salad Days is the show that famously made a young Cameron Mackintosh fall in love with all things theatrical. Casting includes Wendi Peters (pictured centre).

Jekyll & Hyde The League Of Gentlemen Rebus: Long Shadows The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Genting Arena, Birmingham, The REP, Birmingham, Tues 18 - Sat 22 September Thurs 13 & Fri 14 September Thurs 20 September - Sat 6 October Doctor Jekyll is not himself! Robert Louis Crime novelist Ian Rankin’s celebrated detec- Stevenson’s gothic novella tells the tale of a tive, John Rebus, takes to the stage for the brilliant but obsessive scientist whose sadis- very first time in a brand new show helmed tic alter-ego wreaks havoc across Victorian by the Birmingham Rep’s Artistic Director, London. Roxana Silbert. This dark, twisted tale of love, redemption Rankin’s most famous creation first hit the and the seductive power of evil is presented bookshelves back in 1987, with this year see- by the National Production Company. ing the publication of the 22nd Rebus novel. The character has also been brought to life The Bafta Award-winning magic of Reece on television, first by Four Weddings And A The Silence Of Snow: The Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton, Mark Gatiss Funeral actor John Hannah and then by Ken and Jeremy Dyson makes a welcome return to Stott. Life Of Patrick Hamilton the stage after an absence of 12 years. The new stage play sees a retired Rebus back Lichfield Garrick, Fri 21 September Spawned on radio then television in the on the case when the daughter of a murder The burning question being asked in this dying days of the 20th century, The League Of victim appears outside his flat... new work by Mark Farrelly is: why do so Gentlemen featured a mind-boggling array of many people get through life without feeling grotesque, bizarre and downright unhinged they ever truly know another person? comedy characters, all of whom were going Writer and performer Farrelly, who scored a about their decidedly abnormal business in recent hit in the Midlands with previous the fictional northern town of Royston Vasey. show Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope, seeks an- Favourite creations include Tubbs and Ed- swers to his question via a contemplation of ward Tattsyrup - who run the ‘local shop for Patrick Hamilton, best known for his plays local people’ - ‘dole scum’-hating Restart offi- Rope and Gaslight. But behind Hamilton’s cer Pauline Campbell-Jones, and gruff-spo- raw, unbridled talent there lurked a troubled ken transsexual taxi driver Barbara Dixon. alcoholic teetering on the brink of self-de- Expect all four and plenty more to be present struction... and correct when the boys take to the stage in Birmingham this month.

26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 11:14 Page 4 Wendi Peters Interview.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:36 Page 1

Salad Days! Wendi Peters Interview.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:36 Page 2

A loved-up young couple, plenty of laughs and a magical piano that makes people dance - award-winning musical Salad Days is coming to the Midlands... What’s On caught up with star of the show Wendi Peters to talk about the hit production and her extensive stage and screen career...

What’s Salad Days about, Wendi? northern working-class background, so has What do you hope the audience will take had to fight for all she has. The only away from the show? Salad Days holds lots of great memories for similarity is the fact that both have a roving me, and I was thrilled when this opportunity I’m hoping they’ll leave with big smiles on eye for the opposite sex… came along to do it. I first saw a production their faces after a glorious evening of of it when I was about 10. It was an amateur What else can you tell us about your uplifting singing and dancing. They may be a production in Accrington in Lancashire and character? little confused as to why everyone’s looking my godmother, Lorna, was in it. I became for a piano, and why one of Tim’s uncles Lady Raeburn likes to look after herself and obsessed with the music and, soon after, appears from a space ship shaped like a spends plenty of time in the beauty salon. there was a TV version of the show. My sister saucer. It’s such wonderful, crazy nonsense There’s a wonderful scene in Salad Days and I videoed it and watched it over and over but very funny! where she’s having her hair and nails done... again. It’s really become a family joke/ it’s going to be fun! What’s coming up for you once the tour memory, and it’s still quoted today! Of finishes? course, I’m now feeling very old, as I’m How do you feel about embarking on this playing one of the parents in the show. The tour? I have a week off and then it’s straight into show revolves around Jane and Timothy, panto season. I’m back at the Lyceum Theatre Most of my career has been on stage, and if who’ve just graduated from university. Not in Sheffield, playing Mrs Darling, Myrtle the someone asked me to pick between TV and knowing what to do next, they decide to get Mermaid and Big Chief Squatting Cow. I love theatre, the stage would always win. It’s married and get a job looking after a piano, Sheffield. I did my very first panto there in where I first fell in love with acting and which happens to be magic and makes 1987 at the Crucible Theatre and have been singing. My mum would take us to see all the people dance! Tim’s parents are desperate for back a few times since. There are great musicals that came to , and I him to get a good job and send him out to audiences and it’s a lovely city. visit all his uncles for career advice. Jane’s adored going to the theatre. A lot of my mother wants to find her a wonderfully rich theatre work has been on tour and I love it. Any advice for budding actors? It’s very exciting to be back on the road and influential husband - not knowing that My advice would be that you really must have again, bringing such a fun show to some she’s already married. It’s a wonderfully the drive and determination to want to wonderful places. I’ve played all of the upbeat, fun show with great numbers that a succeed. Not in terms of being famous and a theatres on this tour apart from two, so I’m lot of people will know and can tap and hum ‘star’, but in having a long and varied career looking forward to new towns and stages. along to. It’s a great ‘leave your troubles and a love for your art. Take the time to train We’re mostly doing a week in places, which is outside the theatre’ show, and I guarantee properly, be it privately or at a drama school. the perfect length. By the time you’ve settled you’ll leave with a big smile on your face. Watch and learn from other actors around the show in, you have a couple of days to you. You never stop learning. If you’re still at Lots of audience members will know you explore and then you move on. It’s also great school, get involved in as many school or from . How does this being on tour and catching up with friends local amateur productions as you can and character differ from Cilla? and family in various towns. enjoy it! That’s really important. They differ inasmuch as Lady Raeburn in What would you say to encourage people Salad Days is the quintessential aristocrat to come and watch Salad Days? who’s very relaxed and laid back until it Salad Days The Musical runs at the Salad Days is a fun, feelgood show that will comes to her daughter and finding the right Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from have you humming and tapping all the way husband for her. I suppose she really just has Wednesday 19 to Saturday 22 September, out of theatre. It’s complete escapism for two- Jane’s best interests at heart. Cilla in Corrie and then at Malvern Theatre, and-a-half hours - and in today’s world, couldn’t give two hoots for her children, Fiz Worcestershire, from Tuesday 2 to that’s sometimes needed. and Chesney, and comes from a very Saturday 6 October. Theatre September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 11:14 Page 5

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Tartuffe ern-day Birmingham, they have in their midst the charismatic and de- vout Tahir Taufiq Arsuf - or Tartuffe to the sceptical. But is Tartuffe all Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Fri 7 September - Sat 23 February that he seems - and will family life ever be the same again?... Described as a wicked comedy about faith, family and #fakingit, this First performed in 1664, Moliere’s famous comedy saw its reputation brand new version of a 17th century masterpiece brings events bang wildly enhanced when the Archbishop of Paris issued an edict threat- up to date. ening excommunication for anyone who even so much as read the The story centres around the wealthy Pervaiz family. Living in mod- play, so offensive to the church did he consider the work to be.

As You Like It Lesley are not giving up. Instead they go Such imaginative stuff-and-nonsense is very below ground and dig in, determined to do much all in a day’s work for one-man enter- Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, what they can to save their community... tainment machine Edward Day, whose pro- Thurs 27 - Sat 29 September Peake’s previous written work, Beryl - a duction also features retro animation, live A pacy tale of cross-dressing and mistaken warm and witty celebration of British cyclist music and comedy songs. identity, As You Like It is one of Shake- Beryl Burton - was also performed at the New speare’s most accessible and appealing Vic Theatre. comedies. And this particular version of the much-loved yarn should be even more acces- Evita sible and appealing than most, given that it’s Malvern Theatres, Tues 4 - Sat 8 September; being presented by the critically acclaimed Super Hamlet 64 Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 25 - Sat 29 September Pantaloons. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 21 September Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice's third Laughing gear at the ready, then, for an Are you tired of all those common-or-un- major collaboration opened to rave reviews evening of bombastic buffoonery and foot- weeded-garden Hamlets in which the way back in the late 1970s, since which time stomping live music! prince’s father gets bumped off by his uncle it’s garnered a reputation as one of the great- who then marries his mother? If so, you may est musicals ever to grace West End and well enjoy the refreshing wind of change that Broadway stages. Super Hamlet 64 is blasting across the ram- Queens Of The Coal Age Telling the real-life story of Eva, the wife of parts of Elsinore Castle. New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, the Sure, all that dad/uncle/mum gubbins is pre- Fri 7 - Sat 29 September show is packed to the rafters with memorable sent and correct, but on this occasion the This powerful play by critically acclaimed numbers, including On This Night Of A Thou- young Prince Hamlet awakens to discover actor Maxine Peake sees four women taking a sand Stars, Buenos Aires and, of course, the that his life is actually a computer game. stand in the face of a changing world. classic Don't Cry For Me Argentina. What’s more, the person he has a crush on is It’s 1993, and although the Parkside Colliery Voice UK 2015 finalist Lucy O’Byrne takes the a samurai-sword-wielding superhero. pit is winding down, Anne, Elaine, Dot and title role.

28 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 11:14 Page 6

theatre for younger audiences...

Awful Auntie the world famous Teletubbies are here ap- and plenty of humour... When a tiny snail, pearing in their first ever theatre show, cre- who longs to see the world, hitches a lift on a Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wed 26 - Sun humpback whale, 30 September; New Alexandra Theatre, Tues ated especially for little ones. Tinky Winky, 27 November - Sat 1 December Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po continue to enchant she finds herself embroiled in an ex- Frights, fights and friendships are the order and delight pre-school youngsters a full 21 citing adventure - of the day in David Walliams’ much-loved years after making their television debut on particularly when story. At the centre of the tale is a young girl BBC Two. the whale unexpect- named Stella. The sole heir to Saxby Hall, Brand new songs and the popular supporting edly gets beached... she finds herself in danger of losing both her characters of Tubby Phone, Noo-noo and Sun inheritance and her life when she comes up Baby also feature. against her thoroughly unpleasant Aunt Al- berta... Milkshake! Live Ensonglopedia Of Produced by the team behind the hugely suc- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sat 22 cessful stage adaptation of Walliams’ Animals September; Birmingham Town Hall, Gangsta Granny, the show comes complete Sat 27 October Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 16 September with a very old car, a very large owl, a very Here taking youngsters on a journey through small ghost and plenty of opportunity to After scoring a huge success with musical the world’s favourite fairytales are, among enjoy a jolly good chuckle. comedies about Charles Darwin, Albert Ein- others, Bob the Builder, Little Princess, stein and Marie Curie, the award-winning Noddy, Fireman Sam and Shimmer & Shine. John Hinton returns to the stage with a show If you’ve watched the TV series and/or been that features 26 animal songs - one for every to a previous live production, you’ll already letter of the alphabet. So if, as John puts it, know what to expect. If not, get ready for an you want to ‘get to grips with fascinating event that promises lots of laughter, bucket- facts about extraordinary echinoderms, dis- loads of family fun, bags of audience partici- tressed damselflies, crazy corals, batty birds pation and plenty of singing and dancing. and amazing arachnids’, then this is most definitely the show for you.

The Snail And The Whale Teletubbies Live MAC, Birmingham, Sat 1 & Sun 2 September Oakengates Theatre, at The Place, Telford, Sat Following on from versions of The Gruffalo 1 - Sun 2 September; Malvern Theatres, and Room On The Broom, highly rated en- Wed 19 - Thurs 20 September semble Tall Stories here present a show that Despite having been around for many a year, blends imaginative storytelling, live music

Matilda The Musical Birmingham Hippodrome, until Sat 8 September Adapted from one of Roald Dahl’s best-loved books, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s stage-musical version of Matilda - complete with music and lyrics by comedian Tim Minchin - has been delighting West End au- diences for six years. A staggering eight million people worldwide have so far seen productions of the critically acclaimed show, which has visited more than 50 cities and bagged an impressive 80-plus international awards. Impressive statistics in- Last deed. If you haven’t al- ready done so, bag chance yourself a ticket and find out what all the to see! fuss is about!

whatsonlive.co.uk 29 Tall Stories' Happy Birthday Toby Mitchell.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:06 Page 1

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

The Gruffalo The Canterville Ghost The Snail And The Whale

This month marks the 21st anniversary of older people. We pride ourselves on making the least! We were wowed by the response to highly acclaimed theatre company Tall Sto- the kind of theatre that we ourselves would The Gruffalo, and from there it snowballed.” ries, created following a chance meeting like to watch. There are those big and silly The reaction to the show at the Edinburgh between its co-founders and artistic shows that parents enjoy on a certain level Fringe was one of many highlights for Toby directors, Toby Mitchell and Olivia Jacobs. but not entirely. That’s not what we do. We during Tall Stories’ 21 years. try to create something where everyone has a “Tall Stories came to be when I was produc- wonderful experience, and I think that’s why “I picked up a copy of The Scotsman’s Fringe ing a show on my own,” explains Toby. “I audiences keep coming back to our shows pull-out to find the review, and there was a went to deliver some flyers to Soho Theatre. I again and again. full-page photograph of our Gruffalo on the bumped into Olivia there, we got talking and front cover with a five-star review inside. So, stayed in touch. We decided to set up a com- “High points are when audiences really get it’s moments like that, when we realised we pany, which wasn’t called Tall Stories at the the show, or when a parent comes up to you were doing things that people were actually time, and went to the Fringe. We got reviewed and says their child won’t sit still for longer enjoying, that really stand out in our jour- and were regarded as a company to watch. than 10 minutes in front of the television, but ney.” that they’ve been absolutely motionless for “When we returned to the Fringe the follow- an hour watching us. Moments like that Seventeen years on, Tall Stories are still ing year, we came up with the name Tall Sto- make me very proud, but are also under- reimagining The Gruffalo every time they ries, as we thought it summed up what we standable because we’re talking directly to bring it back to the stage. aimed to do. I directed one show and Olivia the audience and taking them seriously, the other. Olivia did a show based on Oscar which a lot of children’s television doesn’t “Now a lot of the audiences are coming be- Wilde’s The Happy Prince And Other Stories, do.” cause they know the animation rather than and I did Alice In Wonderland. the book. We used to have two narrators and A pinch of good luck, or maybe just sound a female actor playing mouse. That worked “We didn’t really know what we were doing, intuition, also helped Tall Stories become when people only knew the book. Since the and neither of those shows were particularly established: “I had a day job in the early animation, we got the occasional complaint aimed at children. They were just ones that years of Tall Stories. I was working for saying that the animals didn’t look convinc- we wanted to do, but because they were Macmillan Children’s Books, and I read The ing because our costumes were a little more based around childhood favourites, families Gruffalo just before it was published. We suggestive of animals than full costumes. So, were our main audience. They told us how were looking for a show for a younger age we went back to the structure of the show, lovely it was to find work that didn’t talk group. We thought the Gruffalo was just a made it have three narrators at the start and down to their kids. We wouldn’t even have lovely story, so we decided to put that on then turned one of them into mouse on-stage considered talking down to our audience - we stage. in front of the audience. were just telling good stories - but that’s been our touchstone ever since.” “Of course, at the time it was an unknown “This was just gently saying to the audience book. Julia Donaldson was also unknown, so that they needed to use their imaginations Toby firmly believes this approach has been a it was fairly easy to negotiate the rights. for the show; part of the fun of a storytelling major factor in Tall Stories’ success: “We Then, while we had it in rehearsals, it won a show is that we don’t give it all to them on a don’t patronise the younger people in the au- major book prize - which was handy, to say plate. They have to get involved for it to be dience, and we don’t make it too silly for the 30 whatsonlive.co.uk Tall Stories' Happy Birthday Toby Mitchell.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:06 Page 2

by Lauren Cole TO TALL STORIES!

Wilde Creatures The Snow Dragon Room on the Broom

believable. It’s so rare to get a complaint “The Snail And The Whale is another Julia we’ve set the minimum age guide at 12-plus, about our shows now, which is wonderful. Donaldson title, but audiences get something so it’s still something that caters for lots of It’s great that the show is still 80% the same else from Tall Stories that they also enjoy. We people. as it was 17 years ago, when it first went on make it clear on all our publicity material “We did a preview in London a few weeks be- stage. It’s just a case of making sure we rein- that there is this extra story added on top of fore the Fringe, to what we thought was vent enough of it to keep it relevant and mod- the Julia Donaldson one, and that we’ve obvi- going to be a very tough crowd of South Lon- ern, so that people keep on coming.” ously consulted Julia about it and that she’s don school kids. Again, I think because we happy with it. That’s a definite favourite - a Tall Stories are often approached to adapt took them seriously, they were completely on well-loved story in a fresh way.” children’s picture books into theatre produc- board. It was joyous to watch because we tions. Luckily for Midlanders, two more of Toby’s thought they were going to be quite a de- all-time favourite Tall Stories productions are manding audience - and actually they were a “Whatever themes can be plucked out of a coming to the region very soon... demanding audience, but what they were de- story always create resonances if it’s a strong manding was a good story. So that’s the aim story. We’re quite well known as book “Wilde Creatures has four acting-musicians for our 21st birthday - to do a more grown-up adapters, and that’s despite the fact that only who’re extremely talented and manage to, show, seeing as we’re hitting ‘proper’ adult- a third of our shows are based on picture with our help, bring Oscar Wilde’s stories to hood. Then we’re hoping that the two shows books. The other two-thirds are popular fairy- life in a very imaginative and modern way. will tour together.” tales or things we’ve made up ourselves. We There’s also Emily Brown And The Thing (see do turn down people if their book hasn’t got a pages 32/33), a really lovely story about a Toby is optimistic about the future of Tall strong enough plot.” child who’s scared of the dark at bedtime and Stories. the way she overcomes it. Sometimes, however, extra layers can be “The aim is to continue to give audiences added to the story to make it suitable for the “With all my favourites, there’s a seamless- shows that they’re enjoying. The challenge stage. ness to them; although the stories are com- for the future is to get more shows in, to keep plex and there are lots of scene changes and on creating by seeing if there are any other “The way we made it work with The Snail props, we make it flow over that hour so that great picture books out there, or any other And The Whale was to tell the story through it doesn’t seem clunky. But that doesn’t mean stories we want to make up ourselves, and to the eyes of a young girl and her father, who’s it’s simple! We look like swans from the front, always be reinventing. Here’s to the next 21 in the navy. So in the story, the snail wants to but you don’t realise how much furious pad- years!” go on a trip around the world, so hitches a dling is going on behind the scenes! ride on the tail of a whale. This reflects how the girl would rather be with her dad than “For our 21st birthday, we took Wilde Crea- stuck in her bedroom, so there’s a process tures and the premier of The Canterville where we added emotional resonance to that Ghost to the Fringe. Wilde Creatures had a For more information and to find out story. In that case, there was a way for us to run in London last Christmas because there when the next Tall Stories production is make it work on stage, but the power of the was a big Oscar Wilde season. The Canter- coming to a theatre near you, story always has to come first when we make ville Ghost uses the same cast as Wilde Crea- visit tallstories.org.uk our shows. tures. We’ve set it as a grown-ups’ show, but whatsonlive.co.uk 31 Emily Brown and the Thing interview.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:13 Page 1

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by Lauren Cole

Emily Brown And The Thing! It’s time for another adventure with award-winning theatre company Tall Stories. Join Emily Brown and her rabbit, Stanley, on their quest to find the key ingredients to a good night’s sleep... What’s On spoke to Sophie Alice, who plays Emily, about hit production Emily Brown And The Thing, which is coming to the Midlands over Christmas...

Young Emily Brown and her best pal, toy and music in there, just to add to the mainly the feeling is one of excitement. Yes, rabbit Stanley, discover a Thing crying production element as a whole, but it’s been there’s always the pressure of reviewing well outside their bedroom window because he kept as authentic as possible.” because Tall Stories are so well known, but can’t get to sleep. Of course, they can’t help as they’re so supportive, I tend not to notice Emily Brown And The Thing features but go on an adventure to try and assist that pressure too much. We really like to physical storytelling that uses not only actors him... create great shows as a team, so overall I’d but also puppets. “What puppets allow you say it’s definitely more enjoyable than nerve- Tall Stories’ version of the book, Emily Brown to do is include adventure elements on stage wracking.” And The Thing, is a witty and heartwarming that actors just couldn’t perform in a realistic children’s show that sees Sophie Alice taking way - for example, climbing trees and skiing Sophie has some theories as to why, over the lead role of Emily. “I’d worked with Tall down slopes. It brings a really exciting their 21 years of performing, Tall Stories have Stories before,” says Sophie, “so when they dimension to the play for both the audience been so successful. asked me to do this show, I jumped at the and us as performers. I think it’s very “The company are very passionate about chance. It’s a truly wonderful book. Emily amusing to watch, too - particularly with telling good stories to anyone and everyone - Brown is a fantastic young female Stanley, who, for a lot of the play, has been I think that’s the most important thing. They protagonist. She’s adventurous, she’s strong, upscaled from cuddly toy to full-grown adult have an incredible team of creatives, she’s courageous. I thought it would be man in a rabbit costume, only to be shrunk directors and visual thinkers. They have such brilliant to be involved in a family show that back down to tiny puppet size.” a passion for delivering beautiful messages has such a good female role at the heart of it. Sophie is thoroughly enjoying her time in the on stage, and I think that’s at the core of I just figured it would be such a rewarding production: “I get to go on three different what’s allowed Tall Stories to flourish.” role to play.” adventures, so what’s not to like? Really Currently, Sophie’s plans don’t extend The production is adapted from the book by immersing myself in those worlds is just so beyond a future spent with Emily Brown and Cressida Cowell, the author behind the exciting. We have so much fun playing our her friends. famous How To Train Your Dragon series. characters. It’s not put on at all; a lot of the emotion you see on stage isn’t even acting. “We’re taking the show to America and “The original cast worked with Cressida and We’re just having the best time, and it means Canada after Christmas. That’s a five-month the book’s illustrator, Neal Layton, to make a lot to us if the audience has as much fun tour, so that takes me up to May next year. sure the production was respectful and in watching the show as we do performing it.” After that, who knows? All I know is that keeping with the world of Emily Brown as Emily Brown and myself have an amazing seen in the original book. If you look at the Tall Stories’ version of Emily Brown And The adventure ahead of us!” pictures in the book and then come to see the Thing has been met with widespread critical show, there’s a striking resemblance between acclaim wherever it’s been presented. the characters, and we’ve tried to do that “I wasn’t in the original cast, but I was in the with the actual content also. Almost all the Emily Brown And The Thing shows at second cast, which did a UK tour followed by words from the book are in the stage version. Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday 17 the Sydney Opera House and Wisconsin. So Obviously, some of the characters have been December to Sunday 6 January. there are a few nerves now I’m returning, but extended, and we’ve got some original songs

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Dance previews from around the region Dance

Rosie Kay: MK Ultra The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, Thurs 20 & Fri 21 September; Forest Arts Centre, Walsall, Tues 25 September This critically acclaimed offering from Rosie Kay’s highly regarded local ensemble has been inspired by ‘the bizarre realm of pop culture, mind-control conspiracies and Illuminati imagery’. Commenting on the show, Artistic Director Rosie said: “MK Ultra is the result of three years of in- tense research which has taken me through the world of surveillance, state police, torture and brainwashing, to pop culture, mainstream media and celebrity breakdowns, then all the way back to politics and a comment on the post-culturism state we are now in. “At a time when everything is fake, or at least we don’t trust what’s real anymore, MK Ultra looks at what this world really feels like - and what ef- fect it is having on us, whether we know it or not.”

Fagin’s Twist Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 28 & Sat 29 September “I’ve always been excited by the idea of retelling a popu- lar tale,” says Tony Adigun, the artistic director of inno- vative hip-hop and contemporary dance company Avant Garde. “I wanted to add a mischievous twist that would play with and challenge the audience’s perspectives on a much-loved classic.” The classic to which he refers is ’ Oliver Twist, which Adigun and his company are here reimagin- ing. The piece delves deep into the backstories of the novel’s most prominent characters: Oliver, Fagin, Bill, Nancy and the Artful Dodger. “We’ve examined the rela- tionships between the five of them,” explains Adigun. “The backstories will allow the dancers who’re playing these dynamic people to be engrossed by the characters and to really embody the roles.” New English Ballet Sampad: Double Bill Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 18 September MAC, Birmingham, Mon 24 September Sampad’s latest production, bringing to- New English Ballet here performs two works gether the classical and contemporary, that should perfectly showcase the company’s showcases the ability of ‘the most excit- impressive talent and versatility. ing young talent in South Asian dance’. The Four Seasons features recomposed music A story of love and devotion is explored by Max Richter and bold choreography from in TRI, via a series of solos and emotive Jenna Lee... duets. EKA, meanwhile, presents a show Performed alongside it is Remembrance, a of female unity and strength ‘through new ballet created by choreographer Wayne mesmerising movement’. Eagling to commemorate the armistice. The piece imagines the Hindu goddesses Inspired by the story of Dame Marie Rambert’s of learning, wealth and power as they life during the Great War, the piece is set to impact upon a modern world. Handel's Ode for St Cecilia's Day.

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The much-acclaimed Birmingham Royal page and opposite showcase the prowess of Ballet this month launches its new the company’s dancers. We suggest you grab Hippodrome season with two exciting yourself a ticket or two and check out La Fille presentations - one of which includes a world mal gardée and Fire And Fury in person. We premiere. The beautiful balletic shots on this promise you won’t be disappointed...

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La Fille mal gardée Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 26 - Sat 29 September Frederick Ashton’s ever-popular La Fille mal gardée (translated as The Wayward Daughter) is a choreographed exploration of rural life. A firm family favourite, the simple and engag- ing story tells the tale of Lise, whose mother is desperately attempting to find her a wealthy suitor. But who will win Lise’s hand - the loaded country bumpkin or the penniless but hunky farmhand?... Ashton’s 1960s creation was described by as being ‘as finely wrought an English comedy as My Fair Lady or The Im- portance Of Being Earnest’. Justified praise indeed for a slick comedy that features a clog-dancing dame, a super-cute pony and no shortage of spectacular classical ballet.

Fire And Fury Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 3 - Sat 6 October The old and the new here combine for what promises to be an evening of truly memorable dance. David Bintley’s The King Dances fo- cuses on the young King Louis XIV of France as he dances the role of the Sun God in a spectacular court enter- tainment... The second production is Ignite, by up-and-coming choreographer Juanjo Arqués. Presented as part of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s innova- tive Ballet Now programme - and in- spired by Turner’s painting, The Burning Of The House Of Lords And Commons - the piece is here receiv- ing its world premiere. Photo credits (top to bottom) 1. Brandon Lawrence and Céline Gittens, 2. Tyrone Singleton and Delia Mathews, 3. Delia Mathews, 4. Brandon Lawrence and Céline Gittens. All photos: Fabio Filippi Singleton and Delia Mathews, 3. 4. Brandon Lawrence Céline Gittens. All photos: Fabio Photo credits (top to bottom) 1. Brandon Lawrence and Céline Gittens, 2. Tyrone

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Film

EDITOR’S CHOICE

The King Of Thieves CERT tbc sooner had the raid broken across the headlines, than a film version of the events seemed almost inevitable. But nobody could have envis- Starring Michael Caine, Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay, Charlie Cox, Michael Gambon, Ray Winstone, Francesca Annis, Paul Whitehouse aged such a mouth-watering cast of England’s knighted and fêted. Directed by James Marsh (UK) The director James Marsh made his mark in the field of documen- The thieves in question are a gaggle of ageing crooks who have the taries, winning innumerable plaudits for Man On Wire and Project temerity to break into a vault in Hatton Garden, London’s jewellery Nim, before directing the Oscar-winning The Theory Of Everything. district. It was the biggest robbery in British criminal history and no Released Fri 14 Sept

Film highlights released in September...

The Nun CERT 15 (96 mins) The Miseducation Of Starring Demián Bichir, Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Cameron Post CERT 15 (91 mins) Bloquet, Charlotte Hope Directed by Corin Hardy (USA) Starring Chloë Grace Moretz, John Gallagher Jr, Sasha Lane, Forrest Goodluck, Jennifer The fifth instalment in The Conjuring fran- Ehle Directed by Desiree Akhavan (USA/UK) chise, this supernatural shocker is set in 1952 Having been caught making out with the and features a creepy Romanian monastery. prom queen, Cameron Post (Moretz) is sent to And there’s already talk of The Nun 2. American Animals God’s Promise, an out-of-the-way treatment Released Thurs 6 Sept centre dedicated to curing the gay. Based on CERT 15 (117 mins) the 2012 novel by Emily M Danforth. Starring Evan Peters, Barry Keoghan, Blake Jenner, Jared Abrahamson, Udo Kier, Ann Released Fri 7 Sept Dowd Directed by Bart Layton (USA) Heists are suddenly all the rage again (think Ocean’s Eight, Logan Lucky), but this one’s based on a true story. Four young fantasists decide to rob a Kentucky university library, as much for the excite- ment of the crime as for the value of the rare books. The real crooks talk to camera as their escapades are re-enacted on screen. Released Fri 7 Sept

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Film highlights released in September...

The Seagull CERT 12a (99 mins) Superfly CERT 15 (116 mins) Starring Annette Bening, Saoirse Ronan, Corey Starring Trevor Jackson, Jason Mitchell, Stoll, Elisabeth Moss, Mare Winningham, Jon Michael K. Williams, Lex Scott Davis, Jennifer Tenney, Brian Dennehy Directed by Jennifer Yuh Morrison Directed by Director X (USA) Nelson (USA) Following the remake of the blaxploitation Yep, this is an American version of Chekhov’s thriller Shaft in 2000, there are now a slew of 1895 social satire, with Ms Bening as the age- new reboots in the works, with this being the ing actress Irina Nikolayevna Arkadina. The first out of the starting gate. Trevor Jackson film was shot in New York. takes on the role of Youngblood Priest (made Released Fri 7 Sept famous by Ron O’Neal in 1972), an Atlanta drug dealer who attempts to quit the busi- ness after ‘one last job.’ For the record, Direc- The Predator CERT tbc tor X was born Julien Lutz in Toronto. Starring Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Released Fri 14 Sept Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Sterling K Brown, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen Directed by Shane Black (USA) The human race is in trouble again. The Mile 22 CERT tbc predators - first seen in the 1987 thriller star- Starring Mark Wahlberg, John Malkovich, ring Arnold Schwarzenegger - have upgraded Lauren Cohan, Iko Uwais Directed by Peter Berg (USA) themselves by introducing DNA from other species. And now they are intent on wiping A CIA agent (Wahlberg) is tasked with smug- out humankind. gling a police officer with sensitive informa- tion out of Southeast Asia. Peter Berg Released Thurs 13 Sept previously directed Marky Mark in the enor- mously efficient Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon and Patriots Day. Lucky CERT 15 (88 mins) Released Wed 19 Sept Starring Harry Dean Stanton, David Lynch, Ron Livingston, Ed Begley Jr, Tom Skerritts, Melissa Leo, Bill Pullman, Sakina Jaffrey Directed by John Carroll Lynch (USA) The House With A Clock Having reached the grand old age of 90, In Its Walls CERT PG Lucky, a US Navy veteran, realises that it is Starring Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Owen time to come to terms with his mortality... Vaccaro, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Sunny Not long after completing this, his first leading Suljic, Kyle MacLachlan Directed by Eli Roth role in some time, the veteran character actor (USA) Harry Dean Stanton passed on, aged 91, adding an enormous frisson to this noble character study. It marks the directorial debut of the actor John Carroll Lynch. Released Fri 14 Sept

Reinventing Marvin CERT tbc Starring Finnegan Oldfield, Grégory Gadebois, Vincent Macaigne, Charles Berling, Isabelle Huppert Directed by Anne Fontaine (France) At the age of 59, Anne Fontaine can consider herself one of the grande dames of French Eli Roth is responsible for such films as cinema, with a portfolio that includes Coco Cabin Fever, Hostel and Death Wish, so it Before Chanel (2009), Gemma Bovery (2014) makes sense that his first children’s film and The Innocents (2016). Here, Marvin Bi- should be based on the Gothic horror novel joux (Oldfield) is not like other boys in his by John Bellairs. The recently orphaned small village and only after a chance en- Lewis (Owen Vaccaro) goes to stay with his counter with a drama teacher does he realise uncle (Jack Black), who turns out to be a that there is another world that can accom- mediocre warlock living in a house contain- modate those who are different… Mlle Hup- ing the secret to the end of the world. Should pert plays herself. be fun. Released Fri 14 Sept Released Fri 21 Sept 40 whatsonlive.co.uk Film September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 18:26 Page 4

Film

Faces PlacesCERT PG (94 mins) Directed by Agnès Varda and JR (France) Agnès Varda is the grande dame of the French New Wave, JR an anonymous artist and pho- tographer who specialises in colossal pictures displayed in public places. Together, the un- likely duo travel round France to capture the lives of the locals and in the process bond on camera. The result went on to be nominated for an Oscar for best documentary of 2017. Released Fri 21 Sept

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Puzzle CERT 15 (103 mins) Starring Kelly Macdonald, Irrfan Khan, David her blob of a husband could have foreseen. Denman, Bubba Weiler, Austin Abrams Puzzle, the film, is not unlike its protagonist. Directed by Marc Turtletaub (USA) Its wider ambitions materialise slowly and The puzzle in question is of the jigsaw vari- while it seems to occupy a modest, even safe ety. It is one of the few pleasures that Agnes mind-set, it has the intelligence to feed out (Kelly Macdonald) allows herself, in between its story in its own time, without pandering The Little Stranger caring for her husband and her two sons, all to the impatient. The result, then, is a splat- the cooking, the housework and her commit- ter of surprises, as our heroine gathers CERT 12a (111 mins) ments to the church. Somehow, arranging all courage to pursue her own dreams and to Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Ruth Wilson, Will these myriad cardboard shapes into their cor- Poulter, Charlotte Rampling, Josh Dylan find her own voice. In short, Marc Turtle- Directed by Lenny Abrahamson rect order gives Agnes a sense of control, of taub’s subtle, resonant film is a timeless (Ireland/UK/France) finding a way to complete the puzzle of her character study of a woman sidelined by life. The name to note here is Lenny Abrahamson, life. And her new obsession is about to trans- In a good way. form her world in a way that neither she nor the talented director who brought us the grip- Released Fri 7 Sept ping, moving and original (and Oscar-win- ning) Room of 2015. His new film is a Gothic drama set in 1947 based on the novel by CERT 12a (111 mins) Sarah Waters. It stars Domhnall Gleeson as a Night School country doctor whose life unravels when he Starring Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Rob Riggle, Taran Killam, Romany Malco, Keith David attends a patient at a crumbling manor Directed by Malcolm D. Lee (USA) house. It seems like only yesterday that Melissa Mc- Released Fri 21 Sept Carthy went back to school in Life Of The Party (2018). Now it’s the turn of Kevin Hart and other troublemakers who are forced to attend A Simple Favour night school in order to complete their high CERT 15 (117 mins) school exams. From the director of The Best Starring Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Man, Soul Men and Girls Trip. Just saying. Golding, Andrew Rannells, Linda Cardellini, Rupert Friend Directed by Paul Feig (USA) Released Fri 28 Sept It’s a case of mistaken inten- tions when a small-town ‘mommy blogger’ (Anna The Wife CERT 15 (100 mins) Kendrick) attempts to solve Starring Glenn Close, Jonathan Pryce, Christian Slater, the disappearance of her Max Irons, Annie Starke, Harry Lloyd Directed by Björn high society friend (Blake Runge (UK/Sweden/USA) Lively). The mystery drama It’s early days, but there’s already some buzz surround- is based on the novel by ing Glenn Close’s Oscar chances for this drama. She Darcey Bell, described as ‘Gone Girl on plays Joan Castleman, the wife of a writer (Jonathan steroids, amphetamines and cocaine.’ From Pryce) who is honoured with the Nobel Prize in Litera- the director of Bridesmaids, The Heat and ture, an event that prompts her to examine her own Spy. life. Based on the 2003 novel by Meg Wolitzer. Released Fri 21 Sept Released Fri 28 Sept whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Visual Arts September-2.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:05 Page 1

Visual Arts previews from around the region

Out Of The Shadows MAC, Birmingham, 8 September - 11 November The human cost of locking up people with learning disabilities and/or autism is the subject of Polly Braden & Sally Williams’ Out Of The Shadows. “Sally and I spent 2017 driving between Bristol, London and West Bromwich to visit the 10 people that share their stories with us,” explains Polly. “Sometimes we would arrive to find Rodney didn’t feel like seeing us, or Harry had got into trouble and was back in prison. On other occasions we would be happy to see Lindsey preparing for her first day of volunteer work after a life spent in and out of prison. This journey, at times sad and frustrating, could also be inspiring and uplifting.”

Birmingham @WHATSONBRUM Wolverhampton @WHATSONWOLVES Shropshire @WHATSONSHROPS staffordshire @WHATSONSTAFFS Worcestershire @WHATSONWORCS warwickshire @WHATSONWARWICKS

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Visual Arts

Within And Without: Body Image And The Self Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, until Fri 1 February This is the second exhibition to take place in the mu- seum’s Story Lab gallery, a space that invites visitors to help shape the future of the venue. Exploring the ways in which body image impacts on issues such as so- cial status, gender, stage of life, health, aesthetics, religion, politics and sexuality, the exhibition’s theme has been shaped into a single narrative by volunteers working with staff on the show’s development.

Grace A Williams: Intermission experienceCOLOUR New Art Gallery, Walsall, until Sun 11 November Glasshouse Arts Centre, Stourbridge, until Sun 14 October Standing inside a rainbow, playing with through a selection of large-scale instal- the shadows of an eclipse, exploring re- lations, displays and experiments, the flection and investigating the mystery of presentation aims to explain the ways in coloured shadows are among the activi- which different colours can influence ties and experiences which visitors to people, and also to pose new questions this ‘remarkably beautiful’ exhibition about ‘the meanings of colour in the can enjoy. world around us’. Exploring the science and art of colour

Journeys With ‘The Waste Land’ The Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 15 September - Sun 18 November Grace A Williams’ two-screen projection focuses Taking as its starting point TS Eliot’s fa- on the gaze of two unknown black men whose mous poem, The Waste Land - written in portraits appear on 19th century photographic 1922, in the aftermath of the Great War - slides found by the artist. Journeys aims to explore the meanings of “Despite being historic images,” explains Grace, the poem and its relationship to Coventry. “their representation in a contemporary context The Waste Land’s imagery of journeys and enacts a reading of race and identity that com- fragmentation, redemption through fire and pletely undermines their original purpose of rebirth, connects with the histories and defining colonial ‘othering’. This feels particu- myths of the city. larly pertinent in a moment where voices eradi- The exhibition shows at the Mead Gallery cated by white eurocentrism - including women until one week after the 100th anniversary and ethnic minorities, regularly lumped together of the World War One armistice. as ‘other’ - are being reinstated.”

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Events previews from around the region Events

Classic & Retro Show Himley Hall & Park, Dudley, Sun 2 September This popular show presents a se- lection of 800-plus vehicles and static displays featuring saloons, sports cars, commercial & military vehicles and classic motorcycles. There are trade & autojumble stands too, as well as a contribu- tion from Warwickshire singer Melissa Hollick, who’s promising to get the crowds dancing with a variety of vintage music.

A Place In The Sun Live Italy and Florida, showcasing a wide range of properties and answering potential punters’ NEC, Birmingham, Fri 21 - Sun 23 September purchasing questions. The official exhibition of Channel Four’s popu- Television-show presenters Amanda Lamb, Jas- lar series returns to the Midlands - and it’s the mine Harman, Jonnie Irwin and Laura Hamil- perfect place to negotiate the process of finding ton will be on hand to share their experience The Cycle Show an ideal property abroad. and offer advice, while a panel of experts will NEC, Birmingham, More than 150 exhibitors will be flying in from take visitors through the ins and outs of buying Fri 28 - Sun 30 September locations including Spain, France, Portugal, a property abroad.

Autumn Steam Gala Midland Game Fair Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Weston Park, Shropshire, Thurs 20 - Sun 23 September Sat 15 & Sun 16 September Check out an array of steam locomotives at Sev- As the premier event of its kind in the country, ern Valley Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala this the well-established Midland Game Fair offers a month. rewarding weekend for those with a passion for Attractions include overnight running on the Fri- traditional country pursuits. day and Saturday, an early-morning breakfast The event showcases a wide range of rural attrac- train from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster, an open- tions, including clay shooting, gundog competi- to-visitors Eardington Halt station, and Paddock tions, falconry displays and ferret racing. Showcasing more than 300 ex- Railway and Coalyard Miniature Railway in There’s plenty of musical entertainment to enjoy hibitors, 500 brands and the very steam. as well, with folk, jazz & blues and Celtic & coun- latest bikes and accessories, it’s no try stages all featuring. surprise that the Cycle Show is the Younger visitors can get up-close-and-personal to UK’s biggest cycling event. some beautiful The 2018 line-up of brands fea- birds in the fal- tures Canyon, Orange Mountain conry classroom, Bikes, Oakley, Primal Europe and with other kids’ Dolan, to name but a few. entertainments Main-stage attractions include in- including don- dustry talks, celebrity interviews key rides, a and the chance to pick up plenty bouncy castle of hints and tips about cycling - and bungee from how to get started to safety trampolines. for families.

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46 whatsonlive.co.uk Events September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 15:16 Page 4

Events previews from around the region Events

Every September, thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate the country’s fantastic history, archi- tecture and culture. These Heritage Open Days offer you a chance to discover hidden places, try out new experiences and learn fascinating facts about some of England’s most interesting visitor destinations - all free of charge. Below, we’ve selected a few Midlands highlights from the 2018 edition of the festival.

POP-UP EXHIBITION This year’s exhibi- tion explores the stories of women in Stratford-upon-Avon across six cen- turies - from Shakespeare’s plays to Stratford’s suffragettes and beyond - torian sideshow full of ‘spectacular and astonish- 400 Years of Aston Hall through the Shakespeare Centre’s li- ing displays’. brary, archive and museum collection. Aston Hall, Birmingham, Sat 8 September There’s also the chance to meet Queen Victoria Craft activities and a Tudor ‘dress-up Aston Hall brings to a close its 400th anniversary and learn about her two visits to the venue - first corner’ are also available. celebrations with The Palace of Curiosities, a Vic- as a princess and then, in 1858, as Queen. SAT 8 & SUN 9 SEPTEMBER, THE SHAKE- SPEARE CENTRE, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON ********************************** OPEN WEEKEND A weekend for steam, engine, canal boat and industrial ar- Trampoline, Tumbling & chaeology enthusiasts. The event fea- DMT British Championships tures engine rallies and displays of classic cars and commercial vehicles. Arena Birmingham, Sat 22 & Sun 23 September Crafting activities take place in the With 13 major medals won at the European Canal Warehouse. Championships, British gymnastics is enjoying a SAT 15 & SUN 16 SEPTEMBER, ETRURIA

brilliant year. INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM, STOKE ON TRENT m Olympic medal-winning trampolinist Bryony ********************************** Page (pictured) is here back on home soil, taking OPEN DAY TOURS Free-entry event fea- on stiff competition from world team bronze turing tours of both the museum and medallists Laura Gallagher and Kat Driscoll. the nearby ruins of Bordesley Abbey. Other highlights include children’s Nathan Bailey and Luke Strong go head-to-head craft activities, various exhibitions, a for the men’s trampoline crown. Malvern Autumn Show family heritage trail and music by local Other attractions include performances by the charity Indigo Arts. Three Counties Showground, Malvern, senior tumbling teams, led by 2018 European Sat 29 & Sun 30 September SUN 9 SEPTEMBER, FORGE MILL NEEDLE champion Lucie Colebeck, and the very best of MUSEUM, REDDITCH A weekend of home-grown family fun is in Britain’s DMT gymnasts, who’ll be executing ********************************** store at the Malvern Autumn Show. high-flying stunts in a bid for the British titles. MEET 17TH CENTURY COSTUMED CHAR- For green-fingered visitors, there’s the chance ACTERS Meet the musketeer and his to glean some useful know-how from the gar- wife alongside replica arms and ar- dening and floral experts in attendance, as mour from the siege of Oswestry in well as to stock up on plants and bulbs for 1644. On the Saturday and Sunday, winter. visitors can also enjoy a guided walk from outside St Oswald’s Parish. Other show highlights include the Giant Veg- etables Championship, an ‘old tyme’ fair- FRI 14 - SUN 16 SEPTEMBER, OSWESTRY VISITOR CENTRE, SHROPSHIRE ground, free dance lessons and a local arts, crafts & food market.

whatsonlive.co.uk 47

Four Play feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:16 Page 1 Tom Silverton photo credit: Clive Padden Photography / paddenphotography.co.uk / Photography Padden credit: Clive photo Silverton Tom Four Play feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:16 Page 2

A play for our times Midlands-born actor Tom Silverton this month makes his Old Joint Stock Theatre debut, playing Michael in a new comic four-hander about sex and commitment in the 21st century. Tom recently chatted to What’s On about this much-anticipated play, and about what audiences can expect...

Why is Four Play a relevant drama for he’s doing is purely physical, whereas spoken to a few friends about their experi- our times, Tom? what he has with his partner is truly loving ences. For my own character of Michael, It explores what relationships have be- and special. who’s obsessed with fitness, I’ve been hit- ting the gym as much as possible. As for come in the time of Grindr, Tinder, Hornet Can you give us some background to the cast as a whole, people have really etc. They can be a lot more open and fluid, the four characters? and I think that people who were in a rela- been delving into the details of the script We have two couples: Rafe & Pete and An- tionship before this phenomenon kicked and then going away to create these rich drew & Michael. Michael’s my character. off may feel a little bit left behind, as backgrounds for the characters; where Rafe and Pete are in a seven-and-a-half- though they’ve missed out on all this op- they work, their families, their favourite year relationship, and one of them insti- portunity to be so easily promiscuous and bars - anything that’ll bring them to life. gates the idea to involve one of the other easy-going. There are plenty of contempo- couple. Pete is quite adventurous and likes Is Four Play best suited to an intimate rary cultural references in the play, and to pass off the power to Rafe, but he can be performance area like The Old Joint the dialogue is very conversational, which a little uptight and is very sensitive. An- Stock, or would it work equally well on adds to the intimacy. drew and Michael have been together a a larger scale? Four Play exposes the frustrations that can couple of years. Andrew is easy-going and The OJS is the perfect venue for it; the arise for couples in long-term relation- loving, which Michael can take advantage characters are revealing all the intimate ships. Are they involving another member of. He’s often out at all hours at the gym. details right in front of you. It feels like to simply spice up their sex life, or are they you’re right there with them throughout doing it to save an already-crumbling rela- Where does the comedy angle come the whole play. tionship? from? With relationships being a lot more open Relationships aren’t usually one long bat- There’s been a big furore over Jack these days, the definition of monogamous tle, so there’s plenty of playfulness be- Whitehall - a straight man - playing a can be slightly looser. tween the couples. I think comedy comes gay character in Disney’s Jungle Cruise. What’s your opinion on straight men Does the play centre on a throuple or a from tension too, so even if the characters playing gay characters? threesome? What’s the difference? aren’t being directly funny, their sly com- ments, slip-ups and mistakes provide I can understand the frustration from the Without giving too much away, one couple plenty of laughs, along with a few tongue- LGBT community, as it’s important to im- propositions half of another couple with in-cheek moments. prove representation in Hollywood, giving an idea which means there’s a certain everyone an equal opportunity. On the amount of risk involved for them all. How much sexual content is there, and other hand, if they felt he was the very best There’s definitely a great deal of intimacy is there an audience age limit? person to fulfil that role because of his act- for the three characters. I would say a Sex is one of the biggest topics of the play, ing ability, then that’s fair enough. How- throuple is a three-way relationship in so there’s plenty of it explored by the char- ever, Disney may well have played on the every aspect, but a threesome is purely a acters - from kinky things to sensual can- controversy a little to generate publicity, physical, sexual experience. dles, it covers a lot! As for an age limit, it’s which could be considered a little ex- Do the characters in the play distin- at your own discretion, but I wouldn’t ploitative. guish between sex and a loving rela- bring your kids - it’d make for a bit of a tionship? full-on sex-ed. Four Play shows at Birmingham’s Old Definitely. One of the characters gets about What research have you undertaken for Joint Stock Theatre from Wednesday 5 quite a bit, but he still saves ‘something’ the role? to Saturday 8 September. intimate for his partner. He believes what Well, I haven’t signed up to Grindr, but I’ve Events September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 15:17 Page 5

48 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Cover September Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 14:49 Page 2

YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide Septemberptember 22018018 thelist

Flashdance at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry - Tues 4 - Sat 8 September

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

What’s On Sat 1 to Sun 9 September Mon 10 to Sun 16 September Mon 17 to Sun 23 September Mon 24 to Sun 30 September

Chantel McGregor at Artrix, Bright Smoke at The Other Andy Fairweather Lowe at Rachel Parris at the Royal Spa Bromsgrove Place, Stratford-upon-Avon Huntingdon Hall, Worcester Centre, Leamington Sat 8 September Thurs 13 September Sat 22 September Sat 29 September

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thelist THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER

Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Visual Arts Museum ARE YOU IN THIS? LEAMINGTON SPA IN Artrix, Bromsgrove THE GREAT WAR Exhibition marking the centenary of the end of the First NEW THE EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD: PAGE World War, and telling the story of 17 A specially created exhibition of Leamington Spa and its people dur- textile artistry, with each piece taking ing the conflict, until Sun 11 Nov a book as its inspiration, Wed 5 Sept - Sun 4 Nov Rugby Art Gallery & Museum Birmingham Museum & NEW THE QUEEN, THE CHAIRMAN AND I Art Gallery A journey into the entwined histories of China and the UK, traced through DIPPY ON TOUR: A NATURAL HISTORY the family history of photographer ADVENTURE The Natural History Mu- Kurt Tong, Tues 18 Sept - Sat 27 Oct seum’s famous Diplodocus, known as Dippy, is taking a road trip to Birm- ingham. This is a free ticketed event, The Herbert Art Gallery & but advanced booking is strongly ad- Museum vised, until Sun 9 Sept NEW A WORLD WAR ONE COMMEMORA- TION Exhibition including work by Chantel McGregor - Artrix, Bromsgrove INSPIRE 2018 Now in its third year, In- contemporary artists and work by spire is a youth art competition for artists from the period of the war, Sat ingham THE CHICAGO BLUES five-to-19-year-olds, this year taking 1 Sept (end date to be confirmed) BROTHERS Fri 7 Sept, its inspiration from the theme of Gigs THE DEVON ALLMAN Palace Theatre, Red- colour, until Sat 15 Sept NEW JOURNEYS WITH ‘THE WASTE PROJECT, Mon 3 Sept, ditch LAND’ FAUX FIGHTERS (FOO The Robin, Bilston COLLECTING BIRMINGHAM: WHO IS Exhibition exploring the con- temporary significance of TS Eliot’s FIGHTERS TRIBUTE) Sat THE OFFICIAL RECEIVERS BIRMINGHAM? Discover new collec- INCUBUS Tues 4 Sept, seminal poem, and the way it has 1 Sept, The Marr's Bar, Fri 7 Sept, The Marr's tions that reflect the experiences of O2 Academy, B’ham resonated with artists over the years, Worcester Bar, Worcester diverse Birmingham people - from SANDY ALEX G Tues 4 Sat 15 Sept - Sun 18 Nov BOTOWN - THE SOUL OF working lives to community activists Sept, Hare & Hounds, THE ROY ORBISON BOLLYWOOD Sat 1 Sept, and protest movements, until Sun 27 NEW CÉZANNE: MONTAGNE SAINTE-VIC- Birmingham STORY Fri 7 - Sat 8 Oct TOIRE Opportunity to see a post-im- Belgrade Theatre, Sept, The Core The- SOCCER MOMMY Tues 4 pressionist masterpiece and a Coventry atre, Solihull FIGHTING FOR OUR HERITAGE Exhibition Sept, Hare & Hounds, much-loved work from the Courtauld BLAKE - THE ANNIVER- explores the rich history of amateur Birmingham ULTIMATE COLDPLAY Sat Gallery’s world-class collection. Also boxing clubs and famous boxers SARY TOUR Sat 1 Sept, 8 Sept, The Marr's Bar, on show are landscape paintings by BARRY MANILOW Tues 4 from Birmingham, until Sun 2 Dec Lichfield Garrick Worcester artists like Paul Nash, David Sept, Arena B’ham SAVING ABEL Sat 1 SEASON OF THE SHEL- WITHIN AND WITHOUT: BODY IMAGE AND Bomberg, LS Lowry and Prunella Sept, The Asylum, PASSENGER Wed 5 LAZ Sat 8 Sept, O2 In- THE SELF Exhibition examining how Clough, Fri 21 Sept - Sun 20 Jan Birmingham Sept, O2 Institute, stitute, Birmingham social, historical and cultural factors Birmingham affect body image, and how this is ex- The Hive, Worcester AMNESIA HOUSE Sat 1 GARBAGE Sat 8 Sept, pressed through objects and art- Sept, The Empire, RIDE Thurs 6 Sept, The Digbeth Arena, B’ham LOST LANDSCAPES Exhibition detailing Coventry Assembly, Leamington works, until Fri 1 Feb THE DARLING BUDS + all aspects of what it meant to be Spa LADY SANITY Sat 1 THE PROCTORS human in the Ice Age, until Tues 18 Sat 8 Sept, The Flapper, THE WILLOWS Thurs 6 Sept, Hare & Hounds, Compton Verney Gallery, Sept, The Hive, Worcester Birmingham Sept, The Marr's Bar, Birmingham Warwick Worcester THE MARVELLOUS MECHANICAL MU- FRANCIS & THE FIEND FOYER FOLK: FLAT- Worcester City Museum & Art THE ELO EXPERIENCE SEUM Exhibition including early and Gallery Sat 1 Sept, O2 WORLD Sat 8 Sept, Academy, Birmingham Thurs 6 Sept, The Number 8 Community rare automata and clockwork dating NEW WHAT DO WE WANT? Exhibition Core Theatre, Solihull TEXAS + IMELDA MAY Arts Centre, Pershore back to the 17th century, from collec- exploring ordinary people's voices (SKYLINE SERIES) Sat 1 TALON Thurs 6 - Fri 7 tions such as The British Museum, against a world of corporate and po- CHANTEL MCGREGOR Sept, Symphony Hall, Sept, The Swan The- V&A and Royal Collection, until Sun litical messages, Sat 22 Sept - Sat 24 Sat 8 Sept, Artrix, Birmingham atre, Worcester 30 Sept Nov Bromsgrove RODNEY PEPPÉ’S WORLD OF INVENTION PLUVIAM + EARLY DAYS FASTLOVE - A TRIBUTE KELLY OLIVER Sat 8 Exhibition offering a fascinating in- Other VISUAL ARTS + LUNA KISS Sat 1 TO GEORGE MICHAEL Fri Sept, Artrix, Broms- sight into Rodney Peppé’s creative Sept, The Sunflower 7 Sept, The Assembly, grove NEVILLE STAPLE - THE ORIGINAL RUDE career as a toy, automaton and Lounge, Birmingham Leamington Spa BOY The exhibition hopes to show GRANDMASTER FLASH model maker, children’s author and il- INNOVATION Fri 7 - Sat many aspects of a man who has MARSHALL JEFFERSON Sat 8 Sept, Town Hall, lustrator, and graphic designer and 8 Sept, The Assembly, done so much for Coventry music, Sat 1 Sept, Hare & Stratford-upon-Avon artist, until Sun 30 Sept Hounds, Birmingham Leamington Spa but also so much for other artists, CLAIRE LOUISE-ROSSI until Sun 2 Dec, Coventry Music Mu- LEMONADE THE THE Fri 7 Sept, Dig- Sat 8 - Sun 9 Sept, Forge Mill Needle Museum, seum JAZZ//SOUL SES- beth Arena, B’ham Hare & Hounds, Keres- Redditch NEW NUNEATON OPEN ARTS TRAIL SION Sun 2 Sept, The RUDESIX EP LAUNCH Fri ley, Coventry NEW THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS Tex- Marr's Bar, Worcester Eighty talented local artists show a 7 Sept, The Tin Music STEVE PLEDGER Sun 9 tile artists Hilary Beattie and Jenny diverse range of work in 24 venues in CLARE BOWEN PLUS And Arts, Canal Basin, Sept, The Marr's Bar, Rolf share their enduring love and and around Nuneaton, Sat 22 - Sun SUPPORT Sun 2 Sept, Coventry Worcester passion for flowers, demonstrating 23 Sept, Various venues around Symphony Hall, B’ham THE COUNTERFEIT SIX- how they can best be interpreted CAMEL Sun 9 Sept, The Nuneaton TIES Fri 7 Sept, Artrix, through the textile medium, Fri 7 Sept ICEAGE Mon 3 Sept, Assembly, Leamington Bromsgrove - Sun 21 Oct Hare & Hounds, Birm- Spa 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire Sat 1 - Sun 9 September.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 16:35 Page 2

Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 September

dra Theatre, Birmingham Classical Music ADAM BLOOM, SARAH KEYWORTH, MIKE NEWALL & FREDDY QUINNE Sat 8 Sept, RODERICK WILLIAMS (BARITONE) & The Comedy Loft, Birmingham LYNN ARNOLD (PIANO) Sat 1 Sept, All Saints’ Church, Burton Dassett, ALFIE MOORE Sat 8 Sept, MAC, B’ham Southam, Warwickshire JEREMY HARDY Sun 9 Sept, The Old LYN ARNOLD & CHARLES MATTHEWS Rep Theatre, Birmingham PIANO DUET Programme includes works by Tovey, Stevens & Mendelssohn, Sun 2 Sept, Church of St Peter & St Paul, Butlers Marston, South Warwickshire Theatre LUNCHTIME ORGAN RECITAL Mon 3 THE FULL MONTY Musical adaptation Sept, Coventry Cathedral of the hit film of the same name, until A FRENCH ACCENT ON THE CLASSICS Sat 1 Sept, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Featuring Birmingham Conservatoire Birmingham pianists Domonkos Csabay & Connor DISENCHANTED Birmingham premiere Wilcox. Programme includes works of Dennis T Giacino's off-Broadway by Handel, Chopin & Debussy, Thurs hit, until Sat 1 Sept, The Blue Orange 6 Sept, Royal Birmingham Conserva- The Merry Wives Of Windsor - Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Theatre, Birmingham toire MATILDA THE MUSICAL The Royal name, Tues 4 - Sat 8 Sept, Belgrade Stourport, Stourport-on-Severn SPIRES CHORUS WITH MEMBERS OF Shakespeare Company's award-win- Theatre, Coventry SPIRES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Featur- MEET ME IN THE RUINS Open-air per- ning musical, until Sat 8 Sept, Birm- ing Jack Lovell & Daniel Galbreath EVITA Lucy O’Byrne stars in Andrew formance taking place on five fixed ingham Hippodrome (conductors), Sat 8 Sept, King Henry Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice’s award- points in history, Thurs 6 - Sat 8 Sept, VIII School Hall, Warwick Rd, Coven- JERSEY BOYS Internationally ac- winning musical, Tues 4 - Sat 8 Sept, Coventry Cathedral try claimed musical telling the real-life Malvern Theatres BOTHERED & BEWILDERED The Billesley story of Frankie Valli And The Four DANTE STRING QUARTET (PICTURED) MEEK A haunting story of ruthless Players present Gail Young’s drama Seasons, until Sat 8 Sept, Wolver- Programme includes works by state control, tense friendships and of memory, loss, secrets, love and hampton Grand Theatre Haydn, Shostakovich & Beethoven, one woman's determination not to be Barbara Cartland... Fri 7 - Sat 8 Sept, Sat 8 Sept, All Saints Church, Leam- THE COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY broken, Tues 4 - Sat 8 Sept, The REP, Dovehouse Theatre, Solihull ington Hastings, Warwickshire Smash-and-grab comedy promising Birmingham TARTUFFE Brand new version of swagloads of laughter, until Sat 8 FREEMAN Inspired by the first man in Moliere's provocative French classic, Sept, The REP, Birmingham America to plead insanity as his de- relocated to Birmingham's modern- MACBETH Starring Christopher Eccle- fence, award-winning writer Camilla day Pakistani Muslim community, Fri ston and Niamh Cusack, until Tues Whitehill and Strictly Arts examine the 7 Sept - Sat 23 Feb, The Swan The- 18 Sept, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, unspoken link between mental health atre, Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford-upon-Avon and systemic racism, Wed 5 - Sat 8 THE SHAOLIN WARRIORS Featuring ROMEO AND JULIET Contemporary pro- Sept, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry rarely seen Buddhist meditation duction of Shakespeare's story of LADY MACBETH AND HER SERVANTS alongside deadly martial arts love at first sight, until Fri 21 Sept, Jars Of Clay Theatre Company pre- prowess, Sat 8 Sept, Palace Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Strat- sents its version of Shakespeare's Redditch ford-upon-Avon blood-splashed tale, Wed 5 - Sat 8 THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR David Sept, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birm- Troughton stars as Falstaff, until Sat ingham Comedy 22 Sept, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, A BUNCH OF AMATEURS The Priory The- Stratford-upon-Avon atre present an amateur staging of Kids Show ANDY ASKINS, KEVIN MCCARTHY, STU- TAMBURLAINE Michael Boyd returns to Ian Hislop & Nick Newman’s comedy, ART MITCHELL, JOHNNY COCHRANE & TIDDLER AND OTHER TERRIFIC TALES the RSC to direct a new staging of Wed 5 - Sat 15 Sept, Priory Theatre, COMIC TCB Sat 1 Sept, The Glee Club, Featuring live music, puppetry and a Christopher Marlowe’s famous play, Kenilworth Birmingham host of colourful characters from Julia until Sat 1 Dec, Royal Shakespeare ALLO ALLO Based on the hugely suc- Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s best- LIVE AT HOT WATER SPECIAL Sat 1 Sept, Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon cessful BBC television comedy se- loved titles, Thurs 30 Aug - Sat 1 Crescent Theatre, Birmingham UNCLE BEN'S FAMILY FEUD Comedy fol- ries, Thurs 6 - Sat 8 Sept, The Civic Sept, New Alexandra Theatre, B’ham ADAM ROWE, STEVE HALL, MANDY lowing the ups and downs of family KNIGHT & COMIC TBC Sat 1 Sept, The life, Thurs 30 Aug - Sun 2 Sept, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham JARLATH REGAN, ANDREW O'NEILL & Amateur staging of COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- Moira Buffini’s witty drama, Sat 1 - SON Thurs 6 Sept, The Glee Club, Sat 8 Sept, Criterion Theatre, Coven- Birmingham try ROY CHUBBY BROWN Thurs 6 Sept, JOHN EDWARD - PSYCHIC MEDIUM Sun Palace Theatre, Redditch 2 Sept, New Alexandra Theatre, Birm- IAIN STIRLING Fri 7 Sept, The REP, ingham Birmingham THE GET OUT Malvern Theatre Players JARLATH REGAN, ANDREW O'NEILL, OLA present an amateur staging of Nick & GEORGE ZACH Fri 7 - Sat 8 Sept, The Wilkes’ technical comedy, Mon 3 - Glee Club, Birmingham Sat 8 Sept, Malvern Theatres GEORGE EGG Sat 8 Sept, The Old Rep FLASHDANCE Strictly Come Dancing Theatre, Birmingham Champion Joanne Clifton and A1 heartthrob Ben Adams star in a stage MO GILLIGAN Sat 8 Sept, New Alexan- Flashdance - Belgrade Theatre, Coventry version of the iconic film of the same

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September 2018 www.artrix.co.uk

Saturday 8 September Saturday 15 September Wednesday 19 September CHANTEL FRIDOLIJN DR PHIL HAMMOND MCGREGOR AWESOME BLUES-ROCK COMPELLINGLY BEAUTIFUL HAPPY BIRTHDAY NHS? & HAUNTING SONGS

Friday 21 September Wednesday 26 September Friday 28 September THE REAL THING PETE FIRMAN THE CHRISTIANS

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF YOU HILARIOUS COMEDY & IDEAL WORLD, HARVEST FOR TO ME ARE EVERYTHING JAW-DROPPING MAGIC THE WORLD, BORN AGAIN & MORE

COMING SOON: The Counterfeit Sixties, Kelly Oliver, Scummy Mummies, Totally Tina, Ensonglopedia Of Animals, Mary-Ann Ochota & Jason Buck, Gary Delaney, Super Hamlet 64, The Fortunes, Barnstormers Comedy, Scott Gibson, G2: Definitive Genesis, Remi Harris, Andy Fairweather Low, Black Country Night Out, Robin Ince, Roxy Magic, Paul Foot, Lee Hurst, Dane Baptiste, Julie July Band, Maggie Bell &elly… Dave K

Free parking on-site Join our Mailing List and receive our weekly e-flyer withup-to-date information about upcoming showsor download our latest brochure @artrixarts @artrix arts centre Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1GN Box Office: 01527 577330

54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire Sat 1 - Sun 9 September.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 16:35 Page 4

thelist Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 September THE SNAIL & THE WHALE A Tall Stories THE DARKEST MINDS (12a) Sci- FIREWORK CHAMPIONSHIPS Three of World, Birmingham musical production inspired by the Fi/Thriller. Starring Amandla Sten- the UK’s best firework companies ECO FEST Featuring free workshops, bestselling picture book by Julia berg, Mandy Moore. Roses Theatre, battle it out, Tues 4 Sept, Ragley Hall, activities, and opportunities to find Donaldson & Axel Scheffler, Sat 1 - Tewkesbury, Fri 7 - Sun 9 Sept Alcester out how much you can develop your Sun 2 Sept, MAC, Birmingham THE MEG (12a) Action/Horror. Starring MINI MAKERS Informal drop-in art ses- eco-friendly credentials, Sun 9 Sept, BING LIVE! Join Bing, Sula, Coco and Jason Statham, Ruby Rose. Roses sions. Arrive any time and be pre- MAC, Birmingham Pando as they learn how to tell sto- Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 7 - Tues 11 pared to get messy! Thurs 6 Sept, MINI WILDPLAY Have fun with the Mud ries by pretending, dressing up and Sept Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Kitchen, bug hunting, den building & singing songs, Sat 8 - Sun 9 Sept, THE BIG BAD FOX AND OTHER TALES… Coventry rope trail, Sun 9 Sept, Eastnor Castle, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa (U) Animation/Family. With the voices BACKSTAGE TOUR Journey behind the Ledbury THE ENORMOUS TURNIP Stuff And Non- of Guillaume Darnault, Damien scenes at one of Britain's premier sense Theatre Company return with Witecka. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, producing theatres, Thurs 6 Sept, unswerving energy, live music and Sat 8 Sept The REP, Birmingham eccentric puppetry, Sun 9 Sept, Lich- BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE OPEN DAYS AT field Garrick NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: SAREHOLE MILL Thurs 6 - Sat 15 Sept, Food Festivals Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, B’ham Released from Fri 7 Sept, showing at GIN AND RUM FESTIVAL Fri 7 - Sat 8 selected cinemas BOUNDARY WALK Experience Sept, Edgbaston Stadium, B’ham Charlecote by taking a guided walk ALE, CIDER & GIN FESTIVAL AMERICAN ANIMALS (15) around the park's boundaries, Fri 7 Sat 8 Sept, Talks PUZZLE (15) Sept, Charlecote Park, Warwick Blakesley Hall, Birmingham TAMWORTH FOOD GUSTO FESTIVAL THE GOLDEN AGE OF STEAM A talk by THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST PEAKY BLINDERS NIGHT Walk around Sat television programme maker David (15) the Peaky Blinders film set and enjoy 8 - Sun 9 Sept, Tamworth Castle, Parker, Tues 4 Sept, Malvern Theatres Staffordshire THE NUN (tbc) an evening of music and entertain- AN EVENING WITH ADAM HENSON Join ment from the Roaring 20s, Fri 7 - Sat THE SEAGULL (12a) Adam as he shares stories about his 8 Sept, Black Country Living Mu- farming life, his TV career and the seum, Dudley running of the Cotswold Farm Park, HOME, GARDEN & FOOD SHOW Meet Thurs 6 Sept, Birmingham Town Hall and talk with experts in home & gar- Music Festivals den design, Fri 7 - Sun 9 Sept, Ra- COVENTRY GODIVA FESTIVAL Line-up in- Events gley Hall, Alcester cludes Editors, Jake Bugg, Ronan THE JINNEY RING SCULPTURE TRAIL JEWELLERY QUARTER HERITAGE WALK Keating, Jonas Blue, Gabrielle, Pro- New and returning artists create an Sat 8 Sept, Museum of the Jewellery fessor Green & Blood Red Shoes, Fri exhibition of dramatic sculptures Quarter, Birmingham 31 Aug - Sun 2 Sept, War Memorial Park, Coventry Film using a range of media and subject BACKSTAGE TOUR Journey behind the INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: matter, until Sun 30 Sept, The Jinney scenes at one of Britain's premier MOSELEY FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up in- Ring Craft Centre, Bromsgrove producing theatres, Sat 8 Sept, The cludes Levellers, Nick Mulvey (pic- CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (PG) SHAKESPEARE FOR ALL! Join experts REP, Birmingham tured), Teenage Fanclub, Show Of Adventure/Comedy. Starring Hayley Hands, Steve from the Shakespeare Birthplace KIDSOUT COLOUR DASH Sat 8 Sept, Atwell, Ewan McGregor. Roses The- Harley & Trust as they read through the bard’s Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tam- atre, Tewkesbury, until Tues 4 Sept; Cockney Rebel, complete works, Sat 1 Sept, Stratford worth, Staffordshire THE CHILDREN ACT (12a) Drama. Star- upon Avon Library and Information Skinny Lister, FIREWORK CHAMPIONSHIPS Three of ring Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci. Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon Willy Mason & the UK’s best firework companies Malvern Theatres, Fri 31 Aug - Thurs more... Fri 31 BIG BUILD EVENT Celebrate the 'Brick battle it out, Sat 8 Sept, Eastnor Cas- 6 Sept Built' exhibition by helping build a Aug - Sun 2 tle, Ledbury Sept, Moseley SGT STUBBY (PG) Animation/Adven- giant mosaic using lego bricks, Sat 1 CARS & COFFEE BREAKFAST CLUB 2018 Park, B’ham ture. With the voices of Helena Bon- Sept, Forge Mill Needle Museum, A wide and varied display of beautiful ham Carter, Logan Lerman. Roses Redditch OFF THE TRACKS SUMMER FESTIVAL cars from years gone by, Sat 8 Sept, Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 1 - Sun 2 Line-up includes Transglobal Under- CARIBBEAN NIGHT Grass skirts and Coventry Transport Museum Sept loud shirts at the ready! Sat 1 Sept, ground, Jon Otway & His Little Big AMIR KHAN VS SAMMY VARGAS Sat 8 Band, Dreadzone, Mad Dog Mcrea & HEART BEATS LOUD (PG) Drama/Music. West Midland Safari and Leisure Sept, Arena Birmingham more... Fri 31 Aug - Sun 2 Sept, Don- Starring Nick Offerman, Kiersey Park, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster ington Park Farmhouse, Castle Don- Clemons. Roses Theatre, Tewkes- 400 YEARS OF ASTON HALL: ROLL UP! MIDDLE EARTH FESTIVAL Two-day ington, Derbyshire bury, Sat 1 - Mon 3 Sept event celebrating the life and works ROLL UP! Featuring a Victorian sideshow, Sat 8 Sept, Aston Hall, ONBOARD THE CRAFT FESTIVAL Line-up THE GREATEST SHOWMAN (PG) Biogra- of JRR Tolkien and his connections to Birmingham includes Vince Ripper & The Rodent phy/Musical. Starring Hugh Jackman, the city of Birmingham, Sat 1 - Sun 2 Show, Mr Strange, Syteria, Poisond Michelle Williams. Abbey Theatre, Sept, Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, Birm- RETRO TRUCK SHOW Featuring modern Electrick Head, Underground Zero & Nuneaton, Sun 2 Sept ingham classic trucks produced between 1970 and 2000, Sat 8 - Sun 9 Sept, BB Blackdog, Thurs 6 - Sat 8 Sept, HEATHERS (15) Comedy. Starring FAMILY WEEKEND Featuring giant gar- British Motor Museum, Gaydon, War- Stoke Prior Sports & Country Club, Winona Ryder, Christian Slater. Artrix, den games, races, a crafts workshop wickshire Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove Bromsgrove, Mon 3 - Tues 4 Sept and a stand serving Pimms, home- BROMYARD FOLK FESTIVAL made lemonade and cake, Sat 1 - FESTIVAL OF CRAFT Displays of coun- Line-up in- WHITNEY (15) Documentary/Biogra- Sun 2 Sept, Hampton Court Castle, try crafts, Sat 8 - Sun 9 Sept, cludes Oysterband, The Young’Uns, phy. Starring Whitney Houston, Leominster Coombe Abbey, Binley, Coventry RURA, Chris Wood, Granny’s Attic & Bobby Brown. Roses Theatre, more... Thurs 6 - Sun 9 Sept, various Tewkesbury, Wed 5 - Thurs 6 Sept ON THE BUSES All aboard for vintage HERITAGE OPEN DAYS Exploring the locations, Bromyard, Herefordshire buses at Bewdley! Sun 2 Sept, Sev- stories of women via Shakespeare's THE ESCAPE (15) Drama. Starring SHIIINE ON BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL ern Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kid- Birthplace Trust's world-class collec- Line- Gemma Arterton, Dominic Cooper. derminster tion, Sat 8 - Sun 9 Sept, The Shake- up includes Orbital, Shed Seven, Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 7 Sept Happy Mondays, Julian Cope, Em- AUTUMN FAIR Featuring brands, new speare Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon SAMURAI COP (12a) Action/Crime. Star- brace, Reverend & The Makers, products, retail insight and ‘endless FAMILY MAGIC WEEKENDS Live shows ring Robert Z'Dar, Mathew Karedas. Black Grape & more... Sat 8 Sept, O2 inspiration’, Sun 2 - Wed 5 Sept, from resident magicians and ventrilo- Malvern Theatres, Fri 7 Sept Academy, B’ham NEC, Birmingham quists, Sat 8 - Sun 9 Sept, Cadbury whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List Warwickshire 10-16 September.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 16:39 Page 1

Morgan & West's Magic Show. (for kids .. and childish grown ups!!) Magicians, time-travellers & all round spiffing chaps present their family show. Thurs 30 Aug at 2pm £10 The Barnhart & Huxley Hot Five - FRI 7th & SAT 8th SEPT, 7pm THU 13th SEPT, 7.30pm Jazz and Jokes III. UNMAN, WITTERING AND ZIGO THE JURASSIC PARKS Sublime Jazz music hosted by Malc Stent. Presented by Warwick School Drama Workshop. Superbolt Theatre presents their sellout A new teacher, hoping to make a good impression multi-award winning laugh-out-loud spin on Wed 19 Sept at 7.30pm £17 in his first job, finds that bullying and gambling Spielberg’s classic. In the unlikely setting of Lyme among his pupils are the least of his worries. Regis Community Centre, the Park Family embark MOTHERSHIP - Led Zeppelin Tribute. Co-directed by students and staff, this play explores on a journey to a misty past. A brand new multimedia show celebrating the the necessity of authority and the need to act music of the greatest rock band in history. morally. Fri 21 at 7.30pm £15, £12 conc. Rolling Back the Years. One of the biggest shows of its kind in the UK, taking the audience on a musical journey through the 50s, 60s, the sounds of the 70s. Tue 25 & Wed 26 at 2.30pm & 7.30pm £15 mat, £16 eve. Andy Fairweather-Low's Big Show with The Low Riders & THU 4th OCT, 7.30pm THU 11th OCT, 7pm The Hi Riders Big Soul Revue. RE: PRODUCTION ABOUT A BOT Fri 28 Sept at 7.30pm £25 Karen & Tom's friends are painting the spare room Sometimes it takes a little robot to solve a big sunset-yellow... It's what they want too, isn't it? problem...About A Botis a symphony for the Let There Be Love. Karen is a scientist. She knows the facts. By now senses, suitable for all the family, and will be the Let musical partners Claire Martin OBE and Ray Gelato she should be ready. But what if she’s not? first professional theatrical production to feature a take you on an irresistible romp through the romantic Nominated for New Writing South Best New Play. 'live' autonomous robot performing in the lead role. classics of the Great American Songbook. Fri 5 Oct at 7.30pm £20 MYTON ROAD, WARWICK. CV34 6PP / BOX OFFICE: 01926 776438 www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk

56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 10-16 September.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 16:39 Page 2

thelist Monday 10 - Sunday 16 September Arts Centre Classical DARREN HARRIOTT, MARTIN MOR & ADAM HESS & JANEY GODLEY Fri 14 - Music Sat 15 Sept, The Glee Club, B’ham SCOTT BENNETT, JENNY COLLIER, JU- LUNCHTIME ORGAN RECITAL Mon 10 NIOR SIMPSON & KANE BROWN Sat 15 Sept, Coventry Cathedral Sept, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham CBSO: DVORÁK’S NEW WORLD SYM- JULIETTE BURTON Sat 15 Sept, The PHONY Featuring Omer Meir Wellber REP, Birmingham (conductor), Gidon Kremer (violin) & ANDREW LAWRENCE Sat 15 Sept, The Jan Lisiecki (piano). Programme in- Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon- cludes works by Dvorák, Bartók & Avon Rachmaninov, Wed 12 - Thurs 13 Sept, Symphony Hall, Birmingham MARTIN MOR Sun 16 Sept, MAC, Birmingham THE FOUR SEASONS STRING QUARTET Featuring Vyvyan Lucas & Celia Thomson (violins), Naomi Gaffney (viola), Robina Sabourin (cello) & Alan Fairs (baritone), Fri 14 Sept, The Coach House, Malvern Theatre Theatre GRENADIER GUARDS IN CONCERT Fri 14 THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES The Benji Kirkpatrick - The Fleece Inn, Bretforton Sept, Worcester Cathedral Nonentities present an amateur stag- ing of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic The Roses Theatre, 15 Sept, O2 Academy, MAYOR OF WARWICK CHARITY CONCERT Sherlock Holmes story, Mon 10 - Sat Tewkesbury Birmingham Featuring Julian Hellaby (piano), Al- Gigs istair Kennedy & Sue Meteyard (vio- 15 Sept, The Rose Theatre, Kidder- INK. Thurs 13 Sept, O2 TOTALLY TINA! Sat 15 lins) Patrick Hinks (bassoon), minster THE LIONEL RICHIE Institute, Birmingham Sept, The Swan The- Victoria Adams (singer) & Antoine A LOCK-IN WITH TUFFERS AND DAWSON SONGBOOK Tues 11 CAM Thurs 13 Sept, O2 atre, Worcester Mitchell (conductor). Programme in- Sept, Belgrade The- Cricketer Phil Tufnell and rugby star Institute, Birmingham JARET REDDICK Sat 15 cludes works by Bach/Busoni, atre, Coventry Matt Dawson lift the lid on their THE KRIS BARRAS BAND Sept, O2 Institute, Arnold, Mozart & Berlioz, Sat 15 hugely successful sporting careers, ROSE TATTOO Tues 11 Thurs 13 Sept, The Birmingham Sept, St Mary’s Church, Warwick Tues 11 Sept, New Alexandra The- Sept, O2 Academy, Asylum, Birmingham FRIDOLIJN Sat 15 Sept, COULL QUARTET Programme includes atre, Birmingham Birmingham THE DEVIL MAKES Artrix, Bromsgrove works by Schumann & Dvorak, Sun TAJ EXPRESS Brand new musical fea- YOUNGBLOOD BRASS THREE Thurs 13 Sept, LE CLUB FONDUE GO 16 Sept, Unitarian Chapel, Warwick turing Bollywood's greatest dancers BAND Tues 11 Sept, Hare & Hounds, Birm- INDIE Sat 15 Sept, and the songs of AR Rahman, Tues Hare & Hounds, Birm- ingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- 11 - Sat 15 Sept, Birmingham Hippo- ingham drome THANK YOU FOR THE ingham FASTLOVE - A TRIBUTE MUSIC Thurs 13 Sept, HERITAGE: SLIPMATT, DJ MALCOLM STENT IN THE AFTERNOON TO GEORGE MICHAEL New Alexandra The- RATTY AND DJ PILGRIM Wed 12 Sept, The Core Theatre, Wed 12 Sept, Bel- atre, Birmingham Sat 15 Sept, Hare & Solihull grade Theatre, Coven- Hounds, Birmingham try BACK TO THE 60S Thurs FROM THE TRENCHES Sudden Impulse 13 Sept, The Core KARKOSA + CANDID + Theatre Company present an YUNGBLUD Wed 12 Theatre, Solihull GLASS CEILINGS + evening of song, drama, comedy Sept, O2 Academy, and poems to mark 100 years since RAT PACK LIVE Fri 14 YOUNG CHASERS Sat 15 Birmingham the end of the First World War, Wed Sept, Belgrade The- Sept, The Sunflower THE DRIFTERS 12 - Sat 15 Sept, Abbey Theatre, Wed 12 atre, Coventry Lounge, Birmingham Sept, Palace Theatre, Nuneaton ISLANDS IN THE STREAM MARLEY REPRISED Sat Redditch SAVE OUR SCHOOL DINNERS... JAMIE! Fri 14 Sept, New 15 - Sun 16 Sept, New CHANDOS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Fea- MILDLIFE Comedy-drama about a group of Wed 12 Sept, Alexandra Theatre, Alexandra Theatre, turing Michael Lloyd (conductor) & dinner ladies and their quest to save Hare & Hounds, Birm- Birmingham Birmingham Savitri Grier (violin). Programme in- ingham cludes works by Walton, Elgar, the only school in their small com- THEM HEAVY PEOPLE - ARCTIC MONKEYS Sat BENJI KIRKPATRICK & Bruch, Gillis, Anderson & Williams, munity, Wed 12 - Sat 15 Sept, Bel- KATE BUSH TRIBUTE Fri 15 - Sun 16 Sept, THE EXCESS Sun 16 Sept, Malvern Theatres grade Theatre, Coventry Wed 12 14 Sept, Palace The- Arena Birmingham Sept, The Fleece Inn, POP MUSIC A night at the theatre ‘for atre, Redditch JAYCE LEWIS Sun 16 Bretforton, Nr Eve- anyone who's ever been a dick on Sept, O2 Academy, sham PASADENA ROOF OR- the dancefloor’, Wed 12 - Sat 22 CHESTRA: PUTTIN' ON Birmingham FIVE STAR SWING: THE Sept, The REP, Birmingham THE RITZ! Fri 14 Sept, NINES Sun 16 Sept, O2 BIG BAND Wed 12 Sept, INTO THE LIGHT Earth Angel fuse Royal Spa Centre, Academy, Birmingham Comedy The Roses Theatre, music and mediumship to tell the Leamington Spa CHRIS RAMSEY Tewkesbury SKATING POLLY - BABE Mon 10 Sept, The true story of spiritual awakening, TALON...THE ACOUSTIC PUNCH - DESENSITISED REP, Birmingham WHITNEY - QUEEN OF Thurs 13 Sept, Palace Theatre, Red- COLLECTION Fri 14 Sun 16 Sept, Hare & RACHEL PARRIS Wed 12 Sept, The THE NIGHT Wed 12 ditch Sept, Bedworth Civic Hounds, Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham FAULTY TOWERS: THE DINING EXPERI- Sept, New Alexandra Hall Theatre, Birmingham WOODEN SHJIPS Sun DARREN HARRIOTT, MARTIN MOR & ENCE A fully immersive, highly impro- CAMEL Fri 14 Sept, 16 Sept, O2 Institute, COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- MIKE VERNON & THE vised and site-specific comedy Stratford Town Hall, Birmingham SON Thurs 13 Sept, The Glee Club, MIGHTY COMBO Thurs -theatre production, Thurs 13 - Sat Stratford-upon-Avon Birmingham 13 Sept, The Marr's YOU WIN AGAIN – CELE- 15 Sept, The REP, Birmingham Bar, Worcester AC/DC EXPERIENCE Sat BRATING THE MUSIC OF THE SCUMMY MUMMIES SHOW Fri 14 MARLENE MCKENZIE: LITE Marlene 15 Sept, O2 Academy, THE BEE GEES Sun 16 Sept, Artrix, Bromsgrove BRINGING ON BACK THE fuses drama and humour to explore Birmingham Sept, The Swan The- 60S Thurs 13 Sept, RAW COMEDY Fri 14 Sept, Evesham the issue of skin lightening, Fri 14 MOLOTOV JUKEBOX Sat atre, Worcester Sept, MAC, Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Warwickshire 10-16 September.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 16:39 Page 3 The List Warwickshire 10-16 September.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 16:39 Page 4

thelist Monday 10 - Sunday 16 September WOMAN ON FIRE One-woman show celebrating the centenary of women Film winning the right to vote, Fri 14 - Sat INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: 15 Sept, The Albany Theatre, Coven- try HEART BEATS LOUD (PG) Drama/Music. Starring Nick Offerman, Kiersey LOVE LETTERS Two’s Company pre- Clemons. Roses Theatre, Tewkes- sent an amateur staging of AR Gur- bury, Mon 10 Sept ney’s play, which charts the relationship of two people who met at THE GUARDIANS (15) Drama. Starring primary school, Fri 14 - Sat 15 Sept, Nathalie Baye, Iris Bry. Foreign lan- Norbury Theatre, Droitwich guage, subtitled. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon 10 - Tues 11 Sept A VICAR OF DIBLEY CHRISTMAS - THE SECOND COMING Stage version of the THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST original TV series, Fri 14 - Sat 22 (15) Drama. Starring Chloë Grace Sept, Hall Green Little Theatre, B’ham Moretz, Steven Hauck. Artrix, Broms- grove, Tues 11, Fri 14 & Sun 16 Sept FLO SMITH - NOW AND THEN One- woman show in which Flo reflects on SEARCHING (12A) Drama/Mystery. Star- her life in London, from the Boar War ring John Cho, Debra Messing. to the Summer of Love, Sun 16 Sept, Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 14 - The Bear Pitt Theatre, Stratford-upon- Tues 18 Sept Bridget Minnamore - Bright Smoke - The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon Avon DOG DAYS (12a) Comedy/Drama. Star- ring Nina Dobrev, Vanessa Hudgens. tle, Kidderminster HERITAGE OPEN WEEKEND Free entry all Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 14 - A CLOSER LOOK - EVENING HOUSE weekend, Sat 15 - Sun 16 Sept, Mon 24 Sept TOURS 2018 Discover the history of Blakesley Hall, Birmingham THE CHILDREN ACT (12a) Drama. Star- the collection, Sat 15 Sept, Pack- FAMILY MAGIC WEEKENDS Enjoy live ring Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci. wood House, Solihull shows from the resident magicians Kids Show Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 15 - 60TH BIRTHDAY DIAMOND GALA PARTY A and ventriloquists, Sat 15 - Sun 16 Thurs 20 Sept night of dancing, cocktails, and Sept, Cadbury World, Birmingham THE GREAT FREDERICO, MAGICIAN EX- music, peppered throughout with the- HIDDEN AREAS WEEKEND - ATTIC TOURS TRAORDINAIRE Short play for children atrical surprises, Sat 15 Sept, Bel- Discover the rarely revealed attics of aged three-plus, Sat 15 Sept, Nor- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: grade Theatre, Coventry Harvington Hall, including the sec- bury Theatre, Droitwich Released from Wed 12 Sept, showing YARDLEY MEDIEVAL WALK Join experts ond-largest priest hide ever found, ENSONGLOPEDIA OF ANIMALS Entertain- at selected cinemas from the Birmingham & Warwickshire Sat 15 - Sun 16 Sept, Harvington ment for children featuring a plethora THE PREDATOR (tbc) Archaeological Society in a leisurely Hall, Kidderminster of fascinating facts... Sun 16 Sept, Ar- 2.5-mile stroll around the village of MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL Have a go at trix, Bromsgrove THE KING OF THIEVES (tbc) Yardley, Sat 15 Sept, meet at archery or get involved with medieval THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST Blakesley Hall, Birmingham dancing, Sun 16 Sept, Bewdley Mu- (15) HERITAGE OPEN DAY STORE TOUR Be- seum, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster LUCKY (15) hind-the-scenes tour featuring some HERITAGE OPEN DAY Take along a pic- Talks OPERATION FINALE (tbc) of the museum’s hidden treasures nic and enjoy the beautiful scenery, SUPERFLY (15) and curiosities, Sat 15 Sept, Black Sun 16 Sept, Birmingham Botanical HENRY BLOFELD: 78 RETIRED - THE Country Living Museum, Dudley Gardens FAREWELL TOUR The golden voice of BOURNVILLE HERITAGE OPEN DAY Fea- DRINKS & NIBBLES Featuring live jazz cricket recounts anecdotes from on turing living-history experts Gloriana, and local artisan food & drink pro- and off the pitch, and stories from the Sat 15 Sept, Selly Manor, Bournville, ducers, Sun 16 Sept, Eastnor Castle, Test Match Special commentary box Birmingham Ledbury that weren’t allowed on the radio! Events WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR 950TH AN- AUTUMN EVENT Featuring apple press- Tues 11 Sept, Royal Spa Centre, HIDDEN HISTORIES RAMBLE Find out NIVERSARY BALL Celebrate the 950th ing, children’s wildlife activities and Leamington Spa about the story of the Four Stones on anniversary of William the Con- live music, Sun 16 Sept, Martineau BRIGHT SMOKE: BRIDGET MINNAMORE A this five-mile ramble, Wed 12 Sept, queror’s motte and bailey castle, at Gardens, Edgbaston, Birmingham poetry night with a difference, bring- Clent Hills, Worcestershire an exclusive one-off black-tie anniver- WOMEN OF WORCESTER’S CIVIL WAR ing together ‘writing and perfor- BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK AT ASTON sary ball, Sat 15 Sept, Warwick Cas- STORY Explore the interactive experi- mance, the topical and the HALL Wed 12 - Fri 14 Sept, Aston tle ence, Worcester's Civil War Story, transcendent, the entertaining and Hall, Birmingham FREE TOUR OF WEOLEY CASTLE Sat 15 and join one of the Their Stories tours the cathartic’, Thurs 13 Sept, The HOME ON THE RANGE Discover the Sept, Weoley Castle Ruins, B’ham about extraordinary Commandery Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon challenges of feeding a family in the WOMEN OF WELLESBOURNE Heritage women, Sun 16 Sept, The Comman- AN EVENING WITH BRIAN BLESSED Victorian period, Thurs 13 Sept, Open Day taking the theme of ‘ex- dery, Worcester Join the larger- Black Country Living Museum, Dud- traordinary women’, Sat 15 Sept, HIGHBURY DURING THE GREAT WAR than-life actor as ley Chedhams Yard, Coventry Featuring interactive displays, living he talks about OUTDOOR CINEMA AT BIRMINGHAM history and opportunities to research his career on ARCHITECTURE TOUR OF BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS ‘The UK’s most family members, Sun 16 Sept, High- stage and CATHEDRAL Sat 15 Sept, Birmingham luxurious outdoor cinema experi- bury Hall, Moseley, Birmingham screen, Thurs 13 Cathedral, Birmingham ence’, Thurs 13 - Sat 15 Sept, Birm- Sept, Birming- ingham Botanical Gardens HERITAGE OPEN DAY Free, costumed, ham Town Hall guided tours of the Smith & Pepper HERITAGE OPEN DAYS Get inspired by ANDREW MCMILLAN - WORDS Spend jewellery factory, Sat 15 Sept, Mu- the collections in Tudor House Mu- an evening with the award-winning seum of the Jewellery Quarter, Birm- seum, Thurs 13 - Sun 16 Sept, Tudor poet, whose debut collection, Physi- ingham Food Festivals House Museum, Worcester cal, was the first ever poetry collec- SEX & THE TUDORS A ‘rip-roaring tum- CHILLI FESTIVAL A day of live music, tion to win First Book HERITAGE OPEN DAYS Free family event ble’ through the sexual exploits of the street performances and plenty of Award, Sun 16 Sept, Artrix, Broms- exploring over 1,000 years of history, Tudors, Sat 15 Sept, The Shake- chilli-inspired food & drink, Fri 14 - grove Fri 14 - Sun 16 Sept, Hartlebury Cas- speare Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon Sat 15 Sept, Brindleyplace, B’ham whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Warwickshire 17-23 September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 11:54 Page 1

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thelist Monday 17 - Sunday 23 September (conductor). Programme includes Classical Music works by Parry, Stanford & Brahms, Sun 23 Sept, Leamington Town Hall, LUNCHTIME ORGAN RECITAL WITH Leamington Spa THOMAS DAHL Mon 17 Sept, Coventry Cathedral RODERICK WILLIAMS Alongside BBC R3 Voices presenter Iain Burnside, Wed 19 Sept, Evesham Arts Centre Comedy ALBION STRING QUARTET: INTIMATIONS DANNY BAKER Mon 17 Sept, Birming- OF MORALITY Programme includes ham Town Hall works by Dvorak & Schubert, Wed 19 Sept, Stratford Town Hall KEVIN BRIDGES Wed 19 - Sat 22 Sept, Birmingham Hippodrome ALBION STRING QUARTET: PORTAMENTO EXPLORED Thurs 20 Sept, Stratford LLOYD LANGFORD, GARY LITTLE, RYAN Town Hall DALTON & ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 20 Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham JOHN LILL CBE Thurs 20 Sept, Ragley Hall, Alcester STEVE HENN Fri 21 Sept, Palace The- atre, Redditch TAMSIN WALEY-COHEN (PICTURED) Pro- Andy Fairweather Lowe - Huntingdon Hall, Worcester gramme includes works by Bach & BOBBY MAIR, VINCE ATTA & PETE TECK- MAN & BARRY DODDS Fri 21 Sept, Birmingham CRESCENDO PRESENTS Bartok, Fri 21 Sept, Stratford Town Hall Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton Gigs HOME FREE Thurs 20 THE SOUND OF MUSI- CALS Sat 22 Sept, The LLOYD LANGFORD, GARY LITTLE, RICH Sept, O2 Institute, WILSON & GEOFF NORCOTT Fri 21 - Sat SLUG Mon 17 Sept, Core Theatre, Solihull Birmingham 22 Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- A CELEBRATION OF JOHN THE FORTUNES: PAST ingham AND PRESENT Sat 22 JOSH HOWIE, NICK DIXON, RORY O'HAN- DENVER Thurs 20 Sept, LON & PETE OTWAY Sat 22 Sept, The PSYCHEDELIC PORN Sept, Artrix, Broms- The Core Theatre, Soli- Comedy Loft, Birmingham CRUMPETS Mon 17 hull grove Sept, The Sunflower BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Sat 22 WANNABE - THE SPICE PURPLE ZEPLIN Sat 22 Lounge, Birmingham Sept, Artrix, Bromsgrove GIRLS SHOW Thurs 20 Sept, Albany Theatre, TOM CLARKE Tues 18 Sept, The Swan The- Coventry TEZ ILYAS, TOMMY SANDHU, SLIM, & Sept, Hare & Hounds, atre, Worcester ANDY FAIRWEATHER SUKH KAUR OJLA Sun 23 Sept, The Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham WE THREE KINGS - OF LOW & THE LOW RIDERS LOST HORIZONS Tues 18 ROCK N ROLL Fri 21 Sat 22 Sept, Hunting- ROUGH WORKS: NEW MATERIAL NIGHT Sept, Hare & Hounds, Sept, Palace Theatre, don Hall, Worcester Sun 23 Sept, The Glee Club, B’ham Birmingham Redditch THE UPBEAT BEATLES 50 CENT Tues 18 Sept, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE - Sat 22 Sept, Evesham Arena Birmingham NEIL DIAMOND Fri 21 Arts Centre CHOIRMANIA 2018 Sept, The Roses The- KILLERSTREAM Sat 22 Featuring over 200 BROOKE CANDY Wed 19 singers from local choirs from around Sept, The Glee Club, atre, Tewkesbury Sept, The River Theatre Rooms, Stourbridge the West Midlands, Sat 22 Sept, Birmingham INDIE REWIND Fri 21 - Birmingham Town Hall THE WIPERS TIMES Ian Hislop & Nick Sat 22 Sept, Hare & DURAN: THE TRIBUTE Newman’s drama, telling the true CATHERINE MCGRATH COVENTRY PHILHARMONIC CHOIR Fea- Hounds, Birmingham Sat 22 Sept, The story of a satirical newspaper created Wed 19 Sept, O2 Insti- turing Imogen Russell (soprano), Ali- tute, Birmingham TROY REDFERN Fri 21 Marr's Bar, Worcester in the mud and mayhem of the Great son York (alto), Matthew Sandy War, Mon 17 - Sat 22 Sept, Malvern JOYNER LUCAS Wed 19 Sept, The Marr's Bar, THE MAGIC OF (tenor), Benjamin Lewis (baritone), Theatre Sept, O2 Academy, Worcester Sat 22 Sept, Bedworth Mark Swinton (organ) & Steven Rus- Birmingham THE JAM VS THE POLICE Civic Hall sell (conductor). Programme com- BURNING BOOKS Powerful and humor- ous look at an education system BEYOND THE BARRICADE Fri 21 Sept, The River YOLANDA BROWN Sat prises Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Sat 22 buckling under government cuts and 2018 Wed 19 Sept, Rooms, Stourbridge 22 Sept, The Roses Sept, St Mary’s Church, Warwick targets, Tues 18 Sept, Old Joint Stock New Alexandra The- Theatre, Tewkesbury BENEDICT WILSON: A GOTHIC ORGAN THE MIDNIGHT BEAST Fri Theatre, Birmingham atre, Birmingham 21 Sept, O2 Academy, THE MAGIC GANG Sat 22 Sat 22 Sept, The Guild Chapel, Strat- THE GOON SHOW From the producers BIFFY CLYRO MTV UN- Birmingham Sept, O2 Institute, ford-upon-Avon of the 50th anniversary tour of Round PLUGGED PLUS SPECIAL Birmingham ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN KYLIE MINOGUE Fri 21 Featuring The Horne comes another radio com- GUESTS Wed 19 Sept, Sept, Genting Arena, TORY LANEZ Sat 22 David Le Page. Programme includes edy classic live on stage, Tues 18 Symphony Hall, Birm- Birmingham Sept, O2 Academy, works by Strauss & Beethoven, Sat Sept, New Alexandra Theatre, B’ham ingham Birmingham 22 Sept, Holy Trinity Church, Strat- THE REAL THING Fri 21 SING-A-LONG-A GREASE Tues 18 Sept, BARNHART & HUXLEY - ford-upon-Avon Sept, Artrix, Broms- OYE SANTANA Sat 22 Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton JAZZ & JOKES Wed 19 grov Sept, The Swan The- AUTUMN CLASSICS: CBSO BENEVOLENT Sept, The Core The- JEKYLL & HYDE The National Produc- MOTHERSHIP - LED ZEP- atre Worcester FUND CONCERT Featuring Stephen Bell atre, Solihull (conductor), Jennifer Pike (violin) and tion Company put a fast-paced spin PELIN TRIBUTE Fri 21 LINDISFARNE Sun 23 on a classic story, Tues 18 - Sat 22 THE GOON SAX Thurs 20 the City Of Birmingham Symphony Sept, The Core The- Sept, The Roses The- Sept, The Old Rep Theatre, B’ham Sept, Hare & Hounds, atre, Solihull atre, Tewkesbury Orchestra. Programme includes Birmingham works by Shostakovich, Saint-Saëns, BRASSED OFF Amateur staging pre- DIRE STREETS Fri 21 CLASSIC ROCK SHOW- Wieniawski, Glazunov, Kreisler & sented by Kidderminster Operatic & DIONNE WARWICK Thurs Sept, Huntingdon Hall, CASE Sun 23 Sept, The Tchaikovsky, Sat 22 Sept, Symphony Dramatic Society (KODS), Tues 18 - 20 Sept, Symphony Worcester River Rooms, Stour- Hall, Birmingham Sat 22 Sept, The Rose Theatre, Kid- Hall, Birmingham bridge THE LITTLE MIX EXPERI- LEAMINGTON CHAMBER ORCHESTRA derminster ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN ENCE Sat 22 Sept, JANE MCDONALD Sun Featuring Amy Littlewood (violin), BEYOND THE BARRICADE 2018 The UK’s Thurs 20 Sept, New Palace Theatre, Red- 23 Sept, Wolverhamp- Lucy Arch (cello) & Richard Laing longest-running musical theatre con- Alexandra Theatre, ditch ton Grand Theatre whatsonlive.co.uk 61 TICKETS SELLING FAST MANY SESSIONS NOW SOLD OUT!

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thelist Monday 17 - Sunday 23 September cert tour, Wed 19 Sept, New Alexan- 22 - Sat 29 Sept, Crescent Theatre, dra Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham NAZANINS STORY The true and ongo- ing story of Nazanin Ratcliffe, cur- rently imprisoned in Iran, Wed 19 - Thurs 20 Sept, Old Joint Stock The- atre, Birmingham Kids Shows HYMNS FOR ROBOTS Production fusing TELETUBBIES LIVE Join Tinky Winky, a heightened performance style with Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po as they ex- analogue and digital music to tell the plore their magical world, Wed 19 - story of ‘an extraordinary life that was Thurs 20 Sept, Malvern Theatres almost forgotten’, Wed 19 - Fri 21 Sept, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry LITTLE BO PEEP Sea Legs Puppet The- atre bring to life a host of favourite SALAD DAYS Julian Slade and Dorothy nursery rhymes in a performance for Reynolds’ award winning show, Wed younger audiences, Sat 22 Sept, 19 - Sat 22 Sept, Belgrade Theatre, Henry Sandon Hall, Worcester Coventry YOUNG HERBERT'S HORRORS A pirate THE DREAMBOYS Thurs 20 Sept, adventure with a twist, Sat 22 Sept, Palace Theatre, Redditch The REP, Birmingham PSYCHIC SALLY - 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR Thurs 20 Sept, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester TRANZ TALKZ Join prominent queer artist Travis Alabanza for an intimate Dance dinner of burgers, chips and drinks, while discussing, reflecting and docu- QUEST Unique family show fusing menting experiences of queer and morris, clog and sword dancing with transphobic public harassment, popping, locking, breaking and mar- Hymns For Robots Thurs 20 Sept, Belgrade Theatre, tial arts, to the beat of new songs and Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 19 - Fri 21 September Coventry traditional melodies, Tues 18 Sept, THE IMPROLECTUALS An evening of Palace Theatre, Redditch Noctium theatre company here bring to bear their unique height- comedy improv games in the style of ROSIE KAY - MK ULTRA 'A visually ar- ened performance style to tell the story of local legend Delia Der- Whose Line Is It Anyway, Thurs 20 resting production’ featuring cos- byshire. The unsung genius behind the Doctor Who theme tune Sept, Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton tumes from Lady Gaga's designer, and an electronic-music trailblazer, Delia is often referred to as the FAULTY TOWERS: THE DINING EXPERI- Gary Card, Thurs 20 - Fri 21 Sept, mother of modern music. Expect analogue and digital music, ENCE Fully immersive, highly impro- The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hip- podrome strange sounds and weird wobbulations as Noctium present ‘a vised and site-specific sonic experience your ears won’t believe’. comedy-theatre production, Thurs 20 BACKLASH BALLROOM Brand new - Sat 22 Sept, The REP, Birmingham dance spectacular featuring six pro- fessional ballroom & Latin dancers, REBUS: LONG SHADOWS Brand new TV presenter & archaeologist Mary- toric British cars, Mon 17 Sept, British play based on Ian Rankin's fictional supported by a ‘world-class singer’, Fri 21 Sept, Albany Theatre, Coventry Ann Ochota and storyteller Jason Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warks detective, John Rebus, Thurs 20 Sept Buck for a unique journey through - Sat 6 Oct, The REP, Birmingham THE GLAMPING SHOW Showcase for Britain’s history, Tues 18 Sept, Artrix, the glamping industry, Thurs 20 - Sat THE DREAMBOYS Fri 21 Sept, New Bromsgrove 22 Sept, Stoneleigh Park, Warwick- Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham DR PHIL HAMMOND: HAPPY BIRTHDAY shire SUPER HAMLET 64 Fast-paced retelling NHS? Cheer on the heroes, boo the KENILWORTH ARTS FESTIVAL Featuring of Shakespeare’s most famous play, Talks villains and look to the future of robot talks, gigs, workshops and exhibi- Fri 21 Sept, Artrix, Bromsgrove surgeons, Fitbit nurses and iPhone CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH SATH- tions, held in different venues around STEVE HENN - BACK AGAIN Brand new GPs, Wed 19 Sept, Artrix, Broms- the town, Thurs 20 - Sat 29 Sept, vari- NAM SANGHERA Boy With The Topknot grove show featuring an eclectic mix of author Sathnam talks about the role ous locations, Kenilworth magic, comedy and mentalism, Fri 21 of the creative industries in urban AN EVENING WITH AGGERS Join the THE MONSTER The ultimate bouncy- Sept, Palace Theatre, Redditch place-making, regeneration, educa- cricket legend as he takes audiences castle experience, Fri 21 - Sun 23 FUNNY FACES A double bill of plays tion and employment, Mon 17 Sept, on a trip down memory lane, recount- Sept, NEC, Birmingham based on the lives and loves of two Birmingham Hippodrome ing tales from his career on the field and in the commentary box, Sat 22 A PLACE IN THE SUN LIVE Find your British comedy legends, Sid James THE HOWARD ROBINSON HISTORY ideal property abroad, Fri 21 - Sun 23 and Joan Sims, Fri 21 - Sat 22 Sept, Sept, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington TALKS: KING JOHN & MAGNA CARTA Talk Spa Sept, NEC, Birmingham Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham exploring Britain’s path to democ- AN AUDIENCE WITH SIMON REEVE Jour- CREATE YOUR OWN RAG RUG Join craft THE DRESSING ROOM Bobby Ball’s racy, Tues 18 Sept, Henry Sandon experts and discover the traditional comedy play, combining sitcom and Hall, Worcester nalist Simon recounts tales from more than 15 years of travelling to craft of rag rugging, Sat 22 Sept, variety. Tommy Cannon, Bobby Ball, SUSIE DENT - THE SECRET LIFE OF Birmingham Back to Backs Stu Francis & Johnnie Casson star, the most remote and extreme corners WORDS Spend an evening with the of the planet, Sun 23 Sept, Birming- APPLE DAYS Celebrate the end of har- Sat 22 Sept, Abbey Theatre, Queen of Dictionary Corner, Tues 18 Nuneaton ham Town Hall vest at the Michaelmas fair, Sat 22 - Sept, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Sun 23 Sept, Mary Arden's Farm, THE SOUND OF THE MUSICALS Featur- Spa Stratford-upon-Avon ing hit songs from the 1940s through AN EVENING WITH SIR CHRIS HOY One THE 2018 TRAMPOLINE, TUMBLING & to the present day, Sat 22 Sept, The of the most successful Olympic ath- Core, Solihull DMT BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS First- letes of all time talks about his new Events class performances from both the se- ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS The Crescent book and incredible career in cycling, MINI MOTORISTS Under-fives activity nior squad and up-and-coming stars, Theatre present Richard Bean’s Tues 18 Sept, Birmingham Town Hall morning, discovering through play Sat 22 - Sun 23 Sept, Arena Birming- adaptation of Carlo Goldini’s play, Sat MARY-ANN OCHOTA & JASON BUCK Join the world's largest collection of his ham

whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Warwickshire 24-30 September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 09:52 Page 1

thelist Centre ANDY FAIRWEATHER Tchaikovsky, Thurs 27 Sept, Malvern Gigs SPRING KING Thurs 27 LOW AND THE LOW RID- Classical Music Theatres Sept, O2 Institute, ERS Fri 28 Sept, The CBSO: ITALIAN MOMENTS Featuring RUSSELL WATSON An intimate evening SHANIA TWAIN Mon 24 Birmingham Core Theatre, Solihull Alpesh Chauhan (conductor), Pavel with one of the world's most promi- Sept, Arena Birming- REMI HARRIS TRIO Sat Kolesnikov (piano) & the City of Birm- ELVANA: ELVIS FRONTED nent tenors, Mon 24 Sept, Wolver- ham 29 Sept, Artrix, Broms- ingham Symphony Orchestra. Pro- NIRVANA Thurs 27 hampton Grand Theatre FISH Mon 24 Sept, The Sept, O2 Academy, grove gramme includes works by Assembly, Leamington Birmingham PATSY CLINE AND Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Puccini & Respighi, Thurs 27 Sept, Symphony Spa FRIENDS Sat 29 Sept, STARS OF IRISH COUN- Hall, Birmingham HALESTORM Mon 24 TRY MUSIC SHOW Thurs Bedworth Civic Hall EMILY SUN WITH GAMAL KHAMIS Sept, O2 Academy, 27 Sept, The Core BABBU MAAN Sat 29 Part of Birmingham Theatre, Solihull Sept, Arena Birming- the Bromsgrove Concerts 2018/19 ham season. Programme includes works HORSE FEATHERS Mon TALON Fri 28 Sept, The by Schubert, Grieg, Gillian White- 24 Sept, Hare & Roses Theatre, VICKY JACKSON - PINK head, Poulenc & Frolov, Fri 28 Sept, Hounds, Birmingham Tewkesbury TRIBUTE Sat 29 Sept, Artrix, Bromsgrove PALE WAVES Tues 25 BOTH SIDES NOW PRE- Albany Theatre, Coventry INTIMATE EVENINGS WITH ARMONICO: Sept, O2 Institute, SENTS THE JONI THE GLORY OF OLD ENGLAND Pro- Birmingham MITCHELL SONGBOOK Fri PLANET ROCK PRE- gramme includes works by Byrd, JIMOTHY LACOSTE Tues 28 Sept, The Assem- SENTS: THE BAD FLOW- Tallis & Parsons, Fri 28 Sept, St 25 Sept, Hare & bly, Leamington Spa ERS + FEDERAL CHARM Peter’s Church, Henley-in-Arden Sat 29 Sept, O2 Insti- Hounds, Birmingham SCARLXRD Fri 28 Sept, GALLIARD ENSEMBLE: ABSINTHE MAKES tute, Birmingham MAJOR PARKINSON Wed O2 Academy, B’ham THE HEART GROW FONDER Fri 28 Sept, 26 Sept, Hare & QUADROPHENIA Fri 28 ALTERNATIVE SOUNDS Ragley Hall, Alcester Sat 29 Sept, The As- Hounds, Birmingham Sept, Malvern Theatres LES ENFANTS INCROYABLES: THE JUVE- sembly, Leamington ANGELO VILLANI (PIANO) Programme JASON DERULO Wed 26 THE CHRISTIANS Fri 28 NALIA OF MOZART & MENDELSSOHN Fri Spa includes late music by Liszt, Mon 24 Sept, Arena Birming- Sept, Artrix, Broms- 28 Sept, Ragley Hall, Alcester THE BLACK HORSES Sat Sept, Ragley Hall, Alcester ham grove IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE A jour- 29 Sept, Hare & ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: ENGLISH THE LAFONTAINES: THE VOODOO ROOM: A NIGHT ney through the musical history of Hounds Keresley, FANTASIES FOR SPRING ORCHESTRA UP TOUR Wed 26 Sept, OF HENDRIX, CLAPTON & the harpsichord, from Sweelink to Coventry Featuring Richard Watton (conduc- O2 Academy, B’ham CREAM Fri 28 Sept, Bach, Sat 29 Sept, Palace Theatre, tor). Programme includes works by Huntingdon Hall, QUILL Sat 29 Sept, Redditch JASON DONOVAN Thurs Corelli, Tippett, Tallis, Bridge, Britten Worcester Huntingdon Hall, 27 Sept, Royal Spa Worcester & Vaughan Williams, Tues 25 Sept, INTERNATIONAL GALA PROM Featuring Centre, Leamington THE BON JOVI EXPERI- Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon- favourites from the choral, orchestral Spa ENCE Fri 28 Sept, ERADIKATOR Sat 29 repertoire and world of opera, Sat 29 Sept, O2 Academy, Avon ELLES BAILEY Thurs 27 Palace Theatre, Red- Sept, Coventry Cathedral ditch Birmingham RAF IN CONCERT CENTENARY TOUR An Sept, The Marr's Bar, evening that charts the development ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: THE TESSA Worcester UB40 - LABOUR OF LOVE TOYAH: ACOUSTIC, UP JOWELL MEMORIAL CONCERT Sat 29 CLOSE AND PERSONAL of the Royal Air Force from its forma- REX ORANGE COUNTY Fri 28 Sept, The River tion in 1918 through to the present Sept, King Edward VI School, Strat- Rooms, Stourbridge Sat 29 Sept, Evesham ford-upon-Avon Thurs 27 Sept, O2 In- Arts Centre day and beyond, Wed 26 Sept, Sym- stitute, Birmingham ÓLAFUR ARNALDS Fri 28 phony Hall, Birmingham ORCHESTRA PRO ANIMA Programme in- Sept, Town Hall, Strat- YOLANDA BROWN Sat cludes works by Vivaldi, Handel, STEVE TILSTON Thurs 29 Sept, MAC, B’ham ALBION STRING QUARTET GALA CONCERT 27 Sept, Evesham Arts ford-upon-Avon Programme comprises Bach, arr. Mozart, Bach & Vaughan Williams, G2 DEFINITIVE GENESIS Sitkovetsky: Goldberg Variations, Sun 30 Sept, The Roses, Tewkesbury Sat 29 Sept, Artrix, BWV 988, Wed 26 Sept, Ragley Hall, DARREN JEFFREY (BASS BARITONE) & Bromsgrove Alcester ANTHONY SEDDON (PIANO) Recital of DIRE STREETS Sat 29 FRITH PIANO QUARTET Featuring John classical & opera highlights along- Sept, The Core The- Tattersdill. Programme includes side English song & pieces from the atre, Solihull works by Mozart, Schubert & Hum- musicals, Sun 30 Sept, Townsend LINDISFARNE Sun 30 mel, Thurs 27 Sept, Huntingdon Hall, Hall, Shipston-on-Sour, South War- Sept, Albany Theatre, Worcester wickshire Coventry JACK MCNEILL, ROSE REDGRAVE & VIV YUSSEF DAYES Sun 30 MCCLEAN Music for clarinet, viola & Sept, Hare & Hounds, piano, Thurs 27 Sept, Ragley Hall, Al- Birmingham cester Comedy KH WALK OF FAME PRE- MENDELSSOHN’S STRING OCTET Featur- SENT THE STONES Sun ing Jonathan Martindale, Philip Brett, JAMALI MADDIX Wed 26 Sept, The 30 Sept, Hare & Kirsty Lovie & Colette Overdijk (vio- Glee Club, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham lins); Angela Swanson & Amy STEPHEN LYNCH Wed 26 Sept, The KEITH JAMES THE Thomas (violas) & Miguel Fernandes Glee Club, Birmingham SONGS OF LEONARD & Lorenzo Meseguer Luján (cellos), BEN NORRIS, DAVID TRENT & COMIC TBC COHEN Sun 30 Sept, Thurs 27 Sept, CBSO Centre, B’ham Thurs 27 Sept, The Glee Club, Birm- Lichfield Garrick PETER DONOHOE: TALES BY HOFFMANN ingham THE NIGHT CAFE Sun 30 & BEETHOVEN Thurs 27 Sept, Ragley SCOTT GIBSON Fri 28 Sept, Artrix, Sept, O2 Institute, Hall, Alcester Bromsgrove Birmingham THE HEATH QUARTET Featuring Oliver KANE BROWN, ED PATRICK, STEVE HALL ANDY FAIRWEATHER Heather & Sarah Wolstenholme (vio- & TOM HOUGHTON Fri 28 Sept, The LOW AND THE LOW RID- lins), Gary Pomeroy (viola) & Chris Comedy Loft, Birmingham ERS Sun 30 Sept, Ar- Murray (celllo). Programme includes works by Haydn, Britten & BEN NORRIS, DAVID TRENT, HOWARD Shania Twain - Arena Birmingham trix, Bromsgrove READ & LAURA LEXX Fri 28 - Sat 29

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Monday 24 - Sunday 30 September

Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham Worcester ADAM KAY Sat 29 Sept, The Roses MY FAIR LADY A Lichfield Operatic So- Theatre, Tewkesbury ciety production, Tues 25 - Sat 29 JASON BYRNE Sat 29 Sept, Birming- Sept, Lichfield Garrick ham Town Hall EVITA Lucy O’Byrne stars in Andrew KUMARSUTRA Sat 29 Sept, The Old Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice’s award- Rep Theatre, Birmingham winning musical, Tues 25 - Sat 29 Sept, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry RACHEL PARRIS Sat 29 Sept, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa THAT'LL BE THE DAY Rock’n’roll variety show featuring classic hits from the ’50s, ’60s & ’70s, Wed 26 Sept, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE The Na- tional Gilbert & Sullivan Company present a brand new staging of G&S’s much-loved comic opera, Wed 26 Sept, Malvern Theatres THIS IS THE GREATEST SHOW A cast of West End singers journey through music from shows including The Greatest Showman, Moulin Rouge Evita - Belgrade Theatre, Coventry and Barnum, Wed 26 Sept, Malvern TROY HAWKE, ROB THOMAS, ROBIN Theatres WELCOME TO D’S Chantry Dance Com- MORGAN & ANDRE VINCENT Sat 29 WYRD SISTERS The Phoenix Players Kids Shows pany present a ‘mesmerising’ new Sept, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham present an amateur staging of Terry ballet that reimagines the classic MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE Sun 30 Sept, Pratchett’s novel, Wed 26 - Sat 29 GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU A tale of vampire fantasy, Thurs 27 Sept, Swan The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham Sept, The Bear Pitt Theatre, Stratford- love and nature, brought to life with Theatre, Worcester upon-Avon puppets, live music and interactive BRB FIRST STEPS: A CHILD'S LA FILLE play for children aged three and ROLLING BACK THE YEARS Roller- MAL GARDÉE An introduction to the older, Fri 28 Sept, Albany Theatre, coaster ride of music, dance & laugh- world of ballet for children aged Coventry ter through the ’50s, ’60s & ’70s... three-plus, Fri 28 Sept, Birmingham Theatre Thurs 27 Sept, Palace Theatre, Red- PROFESSOR PEPPERPOT - BALLOONTAS- Hippodrome ditch TIC! MAGIC SHOW Sat 29 Sept, Palace RIP IT UP THE 60S Strictly Come Danc- BENIDORM Brand new stage show Theatre, Redditch based on the smash-hit ITV comedy, TRAIL BY JURY & THE SORCERER The ing champions and Louis Mon 24 - Sat 29 Sept, Regent The- National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Smith MBE, and people’s champion atre, Stoke-on-Trent Company present a double bill of Aston Merrygold, join forces to be- G&S favourites, Thurs 27 - Fri 28 come 'the ultimate boy band of IOLANTHE The National Gilbert & Sulli- Sept, Malvern Theatres dance', Fri 28 Sept, Royal Spa Cen- van Opera Company, accompanied Dance tre, Leamington Spa by a full orchestra, Tues 25 - Wed 26 NO SEX PLEASE, WE’RE BRITISH The Sept, Malvern Theatre Abbey Players present an amateur TRI & EKA: DOUBLE BILL Classical and FAGIN’S TWIST Avant Garde Dance staging of the much-loved farce, contemporary Indian dance inter- fuse music & hip-hop to recount the NEW NIGERIANS Oladipo Agboluaje's Thurs 27- Sat 29 Sept, Abbey The- twine in a dynamic double bill, Mon story of a notorious and complex vil- satire about the state of populism in atre, Nuneaton 24 Sept, MAC, Birmingham lain, Fri 28 - Sat 29 Sept, Warwick politics, Tues 25 - Sat 29 Sept, The Arts Centre, Coventry REP, Birmingham EARLY DOORS LIVE The hit sitcom, live RIP IT UP THE 60S Strictly Come Danc- on stage with a brand new story, Fri ing champions Harry Judd and Louis 28 Sept, Arena Birmingham Smith MBE, and people’s champion SAID AND DONE Sugarscratch The- Aston Merrygold, join forces to be- atre's two-hander explores friendship, come 'the ultimate boy band of family relations, maternal ties, sibling dance', Mon 24 Sept, Symphony Hall, Talks rivalries and ex boyfriends, Fri 28 - Birmingham THE HOWARD ROBINSON HISTORY Sat 29 Sept, Old Joint Stock Theatre, TALKS: WHERE ENGLAND’S SORROW Birmingham BEGAN (POWICK 1642) AND WHERE BEST OF BROADWAY: THROUGH THE THEY HAPPILY ENDED (WORCESTER YEARS Celebration of musical theatre 1651) A talk exploring Britain’s path to through the decades, Sat 29 Sept, democracy, Tues 25 Sept, Henry MAC, Birmingham Sandon Hall, Worcester RUDDIGORE Presented by the National AN AUDIENCE WITH SIMON REEVE Jour- Gilbert & Sullivan Company and a full nalist Simon recounts tales from orchestra, Sat 29 Sept, Malvern The- more than 15 years of travelling to atres the most remote and extreme corners SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER Brand new of the planet, Tues 25 Sept, Malvern WE'LL LIVE AND DIE IN THESE TOWNS stage version of the hit musical, Tues Theatres 25 - Sat 29 Sept, New Alexandra The- ‘Gritty and compelling’ new musical- KEVIN ALLEN ON HUGH BLAIR - WORCES- atre, Birmingham drama, driven by songs from The Enemy’s number-one debut album, LA FILLE MAL GARDEE Birmingham TER’S FORGOTTEN ORGANIST Kevin of- NIGHTMARE A Lichfield Players Pro- Sat 29 Sept - Sat 20 Oct, Belgrade Royal Ballet present Frederick Ash- fers a long overdue reevaluation of duction, Tues 25 - Sat 29 Sept, Lich- Theatre, Coventry ton's final full-length ballet, an engag- Hugh Blair, the dynamic, colourful field Garrick and controversial Worcester Cathe- MINI MUSIC HALL SHOW The Nonenti- ing story which remains a firm LOST THE PLOT Worcester Repertory dral organist, Sat 29 Sept, Malvern ties present an evening of old songs favourite for all the family, Wed 26 - Company present an amateur stag- Theatres and comedy sketches, Sun 30 Sept, Sat 29 Sept, Birmingham Hippo- ing of Nick Wilkes’ dark comedy, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster drome Tues 25 - Sat 29 Sept, Swan Theatre, whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Warwickshire 24-30 September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 09:52 Page 3

thelist Monday 24 - Sunday 30 September NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Presented by Weeping Bank Produc- GAYDON MILITARY SHOW Sun 30 Sept, tions, a small, local, independent en- British Motor Museum, Gaydon, War- Film Released from Fri 28 Sept, showing tertainment company dedicated to wickshire INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: at selected cinemas the art of scaring people by reading COLD WAR (15) Documentary. Starring NIGHT SCHOOL (tbc) original ghost stories, Sat 29 Sept, Joanna Kulig, Tomasz Kot. Foreign THE WIFE (15) Tudor House Museum, Worcester language, subtitles. Roses Theatre, CBEEBIES' RASTAMOUSE LIVE! Plenty of Tewkesbury, Mon 24 - Wed 26 Sept ‘singin', dancin' and jammin'’ as Da For Foodies MURDER ON THE Easy Crew look for a new band mem- DIRTY VEGAN Loads of delicious vegan ORIENT EXPRESS ber. Could it be you? Sat 29 - Sun 30 drinks, desserts and freak shakes, Fri (12a) Sept, Cadbury World, Birmingham Events 28 Sept, MAC, Birmingham Crime/Drama. MALVERN AUTUMN SHOW A weekend THE CYCLE SHOW Showcasing the very Starring Ken- of home-grown family fun, Sat 29 - latest bikes and accessories, Thurs neth Branagh, Sun 30 Sept, Three Counties Show- 27 - Sun 30 Sept, NEC, Birmingham Penélope Cruz. ground, Malvern Roses Theatre, MEDIEVAL BANQUET Immersive SPOOKY SPECTACULAR Featuring Tewkesbury, evening of medieval entertainment, witches, wizards and werewolves, Sat Tues 25 - Thurs Sat 29 Sept, Warwick Castle 29 Sept - Sun 4 Nov, West Midland 27 Sept BACKSTAGE TOUR: GENERAL Journey Safari and Leisure Park, Bewdley, Nr CITIZEN KANE (U) Drama/Mystery. Star- behind the scenes at one of Britain's Kidderminster ring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten. premier producing theatres, Sat 29 TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Sun 30 Sept, Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 25 - Sept, The REP, Birmingham NEC, Birmingham Thurs 27 Sept LIVING WITH A CLASSIC Brand new AUTUMNAL ASTON: RUFUS AND THE ALPHA (12A) Adventure/Drama. Star- workshop offering classic car owners GOLDEN ACORNS Half a day of activi- ring Kodi Smit-McPhee, Natassia the opportunity to develop new skills, ties celebrating ‘autumnal Aston’, Malthe. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, learn from experts and share stories Sun 30 Sept, Aston Hall, Birmingham Wed 26 - Thurs 27 Sept with fellow owners, Sat 29 Sept, British Motor Museum, Gaydon, War- HIDDEN HISTORIES RAMBLE Find out THE CHILDREN ACT (12a) Drama. Star- wickshire about the story behind the Four ring Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci. Stones on this five-mile ramble, Sun Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 28 Sept AN EVENING OF DELECTABLE TERROR 30 Sept, Clent Hills, Worcestershire

66 whatsonlive.co.uk Donington Park GT F/P Sept 2018.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:29 Page 1 Nightingale OBC Sept 2018.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 10:57 Page 1