Shropshire Cover Online.qxp_Shropshire Cover 01/11/2016 12:14 Page 1

Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ISSUE 371 NOVEMBER 2016

Shropshire ’ BILLY CONNOLLY shropshirewhatson.co.uk - THE BIG YIN WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On OUT ON TOUR

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Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide p02 (IFC) Shropshire.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 17:57 Page 1 Contents November Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 28/10/2016 09:07 Page 2

November 2016

Contents

Dirty Dancing - Eleanor Bergstein’s classic story returns to the Midlands... feature page 8

Small Glories Sunny Afternoon Counting down... the list

We talk to the Winnipeg duo West End musical pays Festive shows and activities to Your 16-page ahead of their Shrewsbury gig homage to The Kinks enjoy this month week-by-week listings guide interview page 6 page 28 page 33 page 51

inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 20. Comedy 24. Theatre 39. Film 43. Visual Arts 47. Events

@whatsonwolves @whatsonstaffs @whatsonshrops Wolverhampton What’s On Magazine Staffordshire What’s On Magazine Shropshire What’s On Magazine

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Whats On Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 MAGAZINE GROUP Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Rhian Atherton [email protected] 01743 281726 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, David Vincent, Katherine Ewing, Lauren Cox 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 November Shrops_Staffs_Wolves.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:56 Page 1

First Word

Jodie Prenger to star in Willy Russell classic The winner of a BBC television talent show is set to star in a 30th anniversary stage revival of Willy Russell’s Shirley Valentine when it visits Birmingham early next year. Jodie Prenger shot to fame in I’d Do Anything, a TV series which searched for an unknown actress to star as Nancy in a West End revival of Lionel Bart’s musical, Oliver! The touring production of Shirley Valentine will show at the New Alexandra Theatre from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 February. Commenting on the revival, Willy Russell said; “It’s now 30 years since Shirley Valentine first walked onto the page, into my life and the lives of so many others. “When producer Adam Spiegel introduced me to Jodie, I knew in an instant that here was a formidable actress; one who pos- sessed the grit and the warmth, the drive and the vulnerability, the energy and the heart to make Shirley Valentine really live again. How could any playwright resist that, or deny the whole of the UK the chance to see Jodie bring Shirley to life?” Tickets for the New Alexandra Theatre performances of the show are available via atgtickets.com/Birmingham or by ring- ing 0844 871 3011.

Something to SHOUT about in the Midlands Birmingham’s annual celebration of queer arts & culture makes a welcome return this month. SHOUT Festival is taking place at venues across the city for an eighth year, showcas- ing ‘the best of queer performance, theatre, visual arts and film from around the UK and beyond’. Staffordshire declared “The event launches with the outrageous home to one of the best Miss Behave’s Gameshow,” says SHOUT zoos in Europe Steering Group Chair Neil Anderson, “a rene- Shrewsbury prison to Drayton Manor Park’s zoo is now officially gade gameshow for the austerity generation. recognised as one of the best in Europe, after host more zombie chases The festival then offers the best in live per- becoming a full member of the European formance, theatre, music, comedy, cabaret, A history & heritage tour company which Association of Zoos & Aquaria (EAZA). visual arts, talks, film, workshops and events took over Shrewsbury’s Dana Prison last Membership was achieved following two rig- at some of the city’s most prominent arts year will continue to operate at the 200-year- orous screening visits, where experts investi- venues. old jail until the end of 2017, after reaching gated all aspects of the zoo’s activities, focus- “We close on 20 November, Trans Day of agreement with the venue’s owners for a 12- ing closely on animal welfare, conservation, Remembrance, with the return of our free month extension of its lease. research and education. and ever-popular community event, SHOUT Jailhouse Tours has been using the Dana to Commenting on the success, Drayton Out, at mac Birmingham, which will include host ‘the world’s most interactive prison Manor’s zoo manager, Chris Mitchell, said: performances and activities throughout the tours’, providing its visitors with a wide “We’re delighted with our EAZA member- day. range of experiences, including prison ship, and I think it’s a great reflection of the “The closing performance of the festival will escape events, zombie chases, sleepover ses- work we do here, and how we go above and be the award-winning Big Girl’s Blouse, a sions, paintball events and prison experi- beyond to make sure all the animals’ needs show that explores what being transgender ence days. are met. was like in the 1970s.” The decision to extend Jailhouse Tours’ lease “Sadly, animals in the wild are becoming SHOUT Festival takes place at venues across means that the planned redevelopment of extinct at an alarming rate, and zoos not the city from Thursday 10 to Sunday 20 the prison, which will see it being turned only narrate this story but also help connect November. into student accommodation, housing, a people with nature. Zoos carry out vital con- For more information, visit gym and a walled garden, will be postponed servation work and are key to safeguarding shoutfestival.co.uk until at least 2018. animals and habitats for future generations.”

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Entertainment news from around the region

World-renowned toy store comes to the Midlands

Famous toy shop Hamleys has opened its first store in the West Midlands. The shop opened late last month at Resorts World Birmingham, to coin- cide with the latter’s first birthday. Hamleys joins Resorts’ numerous other attractions, including 50 outlet stores, 18 bars and restaurants, an 11-screen cinema with IMAX, a luxu- ry spa, a state-of-the-art casino and a boutique hotel.

Mamma Mia! Hit ABBA musical coming to the Grand One of the biggest musical hits ever to grace the Since opening in 1999, Mamma Mia! has been West End stage visits Wolverhampton next year seen by more than 50 million people, with 50- as part of a UK tour. plus productions having been mounted in Written by British playwright Catherine numerous languages. To date, the show has Johnson, Mamma Mia! is based on the songs of grossed more than $2billion dollars. legendary Swedish pop group ABBA. Mamma Mia! comes to the Wolverhampton Band members Benny Andersson and Bjorn Grand Theatre early 2018 - we’ll keep you post- Ulvaeus were both heavily involved in the ed when we hear more... show's development. The Grand will also be hosting a new touring A festive gift of a Set on a Greek island, the feelgood story follows version of award-winning musical Funny Girl. bride-to-be Sophie as she searches for her real The show visits the venue from Monday 24 to fair celebrates its father. Sat 29 July. 21st birthday The annual Festive Gift Fair at Birmingham’s NEC is this year cele- Free workshop brating its 21st anniversary. Prestigious international award for Described by its organisers as ‘a at Shrewsbury acclaimed Wolverhampton medal artist colourful Aladdin’s cave’, the fair features thousands upon thousands arts venue An acclaimed Wolverhampton artist has received one of the highest of Christmas presents, providing vis- Budding Shropshire honours in the world of medal art. itors with the chance to sew up all musicians get the Eighty-year-old Ron Dutton, a former head of sculpture at their festive gift buying in a single Wolverhampton School of Art, was presented with the prestigious day. chance to learn from a professional next Grand Prix of the Federation Internationale de la Medaille d’Art in As well as all the presents, attrac- recognition of the medals he’s created in a career spanning 40-plus tions at this year’s show include a month, when roots giant inflatable snowglobe, a talking singer- Luke years. letterbox, three giant-sized stockings Jackson shares his tips Ron’s highlights have included winning the competition for the Royal full of goodies to be won, a new on how to get creative. Mint 1998 Rugby World Cup £2 coin, being commissioned by the BBC line-up of live music and the ever- to create The Archers’ 50th anniversary coin and creating the com- popular Santa & The Dame. Luke will be offering the benefit of his knowl- memorative medal for Wolverhampton's 1,000th birthday celebra- The Festive Gift Fair takes place at tions in 1985. the NEC from Thursday 10 to Sunday edge and experience in 13 November. a special workshop, tak- “This award is a huge For more information, visit fes- ing place before his gig honour for me,” says Ron. tivegiftfair.co.uk at Shrewsbury arts “I was gobsmacked when venue The Hive on the International Art Saturday 10 December. Medal Federation told me A BBC Radio Two Folk I was going to receive it. Awards nominee, Luke “It was a collection of has opened for the likes Japanese sword mount- of Show Of Hands and ings held at Oysterband. Wolverhampton Art For more information Gallery which more than about his pre-Christmas 40 years ago inspired me Shropshire stop-off, to concentrate on medal visit hiveonline.org.uk art, and I’m still creating medals today from my studio at home.”

whatsonlive.co.uk 5 Dirty Dancing DPS.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:55 Page 1

FEATURE

I’VE HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE A new production of Eleanor Bergstein’s classic story this month returns to the Midlands. What’s On popped along to rehearsals to find out more...

Thirty years after Eleanor Bergstein's classic story of a whirlwind holiday romance first took cinemas by storm, its now almost equally iconic stage adaptation is back on the road with an all-new cast and creative team. Di- rected by Federico Bellone, this new Dirty Dancing UK tour has been specially designed to adapt readily to differently sized stages, al- lowing it to visit more venues than ever before. This month, the smash-hit show stops off at the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent and the Wolverhampton Grand before moving on to Coventry's Belgrade Theatre early in the New Year. We spoke to the Dirty Dancing On Tour team to find out more about how the magic is made. “I think for the first time, we've gone for a very realistic look,” explains Federico Bellone. “Ba- sically, we've taken the famous picture of the resort where they shot the movie and tried to theatricalise that here. We'll be going out to venues that were not able to house previous versions of the show, but it should still be spectacular. We have three revolves on stage, so it's quite intricate. We've also tried to make the pace even faster - without rushing through it, of course.” “There's a huge pressure to get the balance right,” adds choreographer Gillian Bruce, “be- cause everybody knows this show, so you have to look at the main ingredients and try to keep those, while also making it a little bit different. I was very careful with choosing the cast. The look had to be right, and the sexiness had to be right. I actually wanted to push that a little bit further than in the film, to make it even more ‘dirty’ - without becoming vulgar, obvi- ously, and still making sure it was right for the era.” These continual changes and reinventions - both large and small - are part of what makes every Dirty Dancing live experience feel spe- cial, even more than a decade after the show made its stage debut. Carlie Milner, who plays the unlucky Penny Johnson, has also starred in previous incarnations of the show, but is con-

6 whatsonlive.co.uk Dirty Dancing DPS.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:55 Page 2

stantly inspired by the team around her to play, but it's a play with a lot of music,” says through a lot of trauma, and so I have to find work through new approaches to the part. director Bellone. “I think quite often when ways to relate with all of the complex emo- “Of course everyone will have a different people go to see the show for the first time, tions she experiences.” take on things,” she says, “and the people they expect it to be a musical and are sur- “I consider myself an actor rather than a around you give you more information, prised when the cast don't sing. I first went dancer,” says Griffiths, “and while I don't which you just kind of absorb into your per- to see it back in 2007, I think it was, and at think there's anything that I can't learn and formance. It's been lovely to recreate the the time I thought that they should sing get into, it’s been challenging being in a show with a new vision - your ideas do more. But when I met Eleanor Bergstein, she show involving so much dancing. Johnny's change over time, and my own personal take explained to me the reasons why she was ab- character is so completely in his comfort on it has definitely changed. I've found solutely against that, and I had to accept zone in the dance studio, leading and teach- things in the story that I hadn't really that she was perfectly right.” ing in his Cuban heels, so I'm having to find thought about before. I loved the old version “It's quite a difficult show to choreograph ways of taking Lewis' insecurities and turn- but I'm really looking forward to touring this because it's all couple work,” says choreog- ing them into Johnny's strengths.” one too.” rapher Bruce. “I think sometimes it can get “All the characters are going through their Joining more experienced cast members like so busy that the audience doesn't really own stories,” says Milner, “but they're also Milner are the newcomers such as Lewis Grif- know where to look. I've tried to give more all intertwined, so it's all about trying to fiths and Katie Hartland, who lead the show focus to the numbers and allow the audience keep that link and that continuity running as the iconic young couple Johnny and Baby. to enjoy everything without being forced to through the show, while also bringing out just look at one thing at a time.” “Stepping into Patrick [Swayze]'s shoes, I do your character's own personal journey. So feel like I'm a bit in his shadow, as anyone “That's why a lot of people will say that the yeah, it's hard!” would, because he made the part completely musical numbers are so tricky to get right,” The rehearsal process may be long and chal- his own,” Griffiths confesses. “I'm not trying adds Bellone. “They're not meant to look lenging, demanding absolute dedication to imitate him at all, but as Gillian said, like the numbers in a typical musical, but at from the team, but as things begin to fall we've all got to take parts of what's already the same time, they still have to be beautiful. into place, every one of them agrees that the in the film and make it work for us without You have to focus on specific effects. On film time and energy they've poured in has been replicating too much. This is definitely going it's much easier because you can use close- well worth it. ups and focus in on details, but on stage, to be Lewis Griffiths' Johnny Castle as op- “The casting for this show is unbelievable,” you have all these people there and the audi- posed to Patrick Swayze's Johnny Castle.” says Griffiths. “When I got the role of Johnny, ence can look anywhere they want to.” Hartland agrees. “I think for me the biggest it was amazing, but it felt a bit like being at challenge has been taking such an iconic This distinctive format also puts additional the bottom of a very large mountain. I'm re- film and trying to make it your own as much pressure on the cast members, requiring ally thankful that, with the help of these two as you can. Especially with the dancing, be- everyone to be on top form from both dra- and all the crew and creatives, I'm already cause I'm not half as experienced and amaz- matic and physical standpoints. Add to this halfway up that mountain, and once we get ing as some of the others, so it's been a real the fact that, with Dirty Dancing being such to the top I think it's gonna be a hell of a thrill getting to dance like that and to be a huge, worldwide phenomenon, the expec- show. I'm really honoured to be a part of pushed in that way.” tations of audiences across the country are that.” enormous. Among the things that have made Dirty Dancing such a huge success is the fact that “It's quite rare to have something that's so it straddles different theatrical genres. It isn't heavy both in terms of the dance and the Dirty Dancing shows at Stoke’s Regent quite a conventional stage musical. Not only character aspects,” says Milner. “Physically Theatre from Mon 7 to Sat 12 November; are the songs performed by a separate band this version is very demanding and there's a Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from rather than sung by the main cast members, lot going on. You want to make sure you do it Mon 28 November to Sat 3 December; Bel- but the style of the dancing and staging is correctly, but there's only so much time, and grade Theatre, Coventry, from Mon 30 also very different. that in itself is quite difficult for a performer. January to Sat 4 February; and the New From a character point of view, it's also quite “Dirty Dancing is definitely, absolutely a Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from difficult. Obviously for me, Penny goes Mon 29 May to Sat 3 June

whatsonlive.co.uk 7 FOOD November- SHROPS_STAFFS_WOLVES.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:57 Page 1

8 whatsonlive.co.uk FOOD November- SHROPS_STAFFS_WOLVES.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:57 Page 2

Food

A choctastic of fun to be had at Shrewsbury festival

Heaven is surely a place called Shrewsbury as far A perfect place to pick up a yuletide gift or two for as chocoholics are concerned this month, with the friends and family members - or maybe even for popular Shropshire market town hosting its very yourself - the festival also offers visitors the chance own chocolate festival (Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 to get into the Christmas spirit by sampling some November). chocolate mulled wine. The weekend-long event, showcasing chocolate A dedicated children’s area running free work- from around the country, features a demonstration shops will hopefully distract youngsters from over- stage where local chocolatiers, chefs and industry indulging in the chocolate-chomping stakes. experts will be sharing their delicious recipes with Best leave that to the grown-ups, kids. Eating audiences. chocolate is adult work...

REVIEW: Pasta Di Piazza, Newcastle-under-Lyme amaretti biscuits and pistachio ice cream. The sponge was light Little Italy meets contemporary art deco in the Potteries and fluffy; the pistachio ice cream served as a perfect accom- paniment to the delicious almond flavour. My partner went for a toffee cheesecake - another successful dish, and one that made for an enjoyable end to an enjoyable evening. As well as the evening menu, Pasta Di Piazza boasts lunch, children’s and festive menus, including a Christmas Day one for anybody who’d prefer to side- step the traditional offering of turkey and sprouts. Diners can also become a mem- ber of the Pasta Club to enjoy a selection of exclusive deals - fixed-price lunches, birthday and Having recently undergone a mozarella wrapped in parma a perfect flavour balance. party offers, kids-eat-free options refurbishment, the Newcastle- ham and served with mixed On the other side of the table and evening deals from Sunday under-Lyme branch of Pasta Di salad and olives. Both arrived was a mountain of calzone filled through to Wednesday. Piazza prides itself on bringing nicely presented and had been with cheese, chicken, salami, If you’re a lover of authentic traditional flavours of Italy to the created using high-quality ingre- garlic sausage, pepperoni, mush- Italian dishes, hearty portions heart of Staffordshire. dients, a fact which left us excit- rooms and herbs, served with a and high-quality ingredients, We were impressed from the ed about our forthcoming mains. side of tomato-based sauce. It then this place is for you. The moment we walked in. Pasta Di The main courses are split up proved to be another tasty dish, service was fantastic, and that, Piazza boasts a stunning interior into sections: pizza, pasta and showcasing the true spirit of rus- alongside the tasty food, relaxed - think Little Italy meets contem- risotto, beef dishes, chicken tic Italian cuisine. atmosphere and stylish sur- porary art deco - and despite the dishes and fish dishes, as well as I’m sure I speak for a lot of peo- roundings, certainly made for a restaurant being particularly a few salad options for those ple when I say that I can’t help thoroughly enjoyable evening. busy for a Thursday evening, it who’re watching the pounds. but feel disappointed when I get Lauren Foster had a cosy and relaxed atmos- After quite the deliberation, I served teeny-tiny portions while phere. opted for the Risotto Tutto Italia dining out. This certainly isn’t Food: n n n n n We perused the extensive menu - a mixture of sautéed king the case at Pasta Di Piazza - Service: n n n n n over a cold Peroni and some prawns, peeled prawns, wild another hugely important selling Ambience: n n n n n bread and dipping oils - a neces- mushrooms, garlic, parmesan, point for us. Overall value n n n n n sity for us when visiting an tomato, cream and fresh, green Choosing from an array of tradi- OVERALL n n n n n Italian restaurant. herbs. The dish was absolutely tional Italian desserts, which To start, we shared Melanzane delicious. The prawns were juicy included Torta Tiramisu, Cassata Mozzerella - aubergine baked and succulent, the sauce rich Gelato and Fruits Macedonia, I Pasta Di Piazza 125 High Street with béchamel sauce and and creamy, and the addition of opted for the Torta Amaretto, a Newcastle-under-Lyme mozarella cheese - and the other aforementioned ingre- dish that comprised layers of ST5 1PS Prosciutto Caprese; buffalo dients had the effect of creating sponge and Chantilly cream with Tel: 01782 617610

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Cara Luft DPS.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:48 Page 1

FEATURE

10 whatsonlive.co.uk Cara Luft DPS.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:48 Page 2

Cara Luft

What’s On caught up with the Juno Award-winning singer- songwriter ahead of her Midlands gig this month...

It's been 12 years since Canadian folk star Of the two songs that they prepared for sician. The contrast between the artistic Cara Luft parted ways with The Wailin the anniversary gig, just one makes it onto freedom she's enjoyed of late and her pre- Jennys and embarked upon a major solo the duo's debut album, Wondrous Trav- vious experiences with the Jennys has chapter in her career. Two acclaimed solo eler, released in February this year. The taught her the importance of giving her- albums and a whole lot of touring later, track is a delicate, dreamy, atmospheric self room to reflect, explore and make her however, and Luft has finally found her- take on 1000 Stars, written by Winnipeg's own discoveries. self back in a band with a new and some- Greg MacPherson. “I’ve missed collaborating, because I love what unexpected collaborator. We spoke “Greg is more of a kind of indie-rock guy, playing with other people and harmony to her about how a chance encounter with and he does it in quite a wacky and inter- singing, and it's nice when everything fellow Manitoban JD Edwards inspired esting way - about halfway through, he doesn't fall on one person's shoulders, but their joint venture, The Small Glories, completely changes the time signature, I don't think it's healthy to just do one which is coming to The Hive this month. and it doesn't have any harmony or thing, and the Jennys were really all-en- “There's a venue in Winnipeg called the acoustic guitar on it. Our version is obvi- compassing. There wasn't much room for West End Cultural Centre,” Cara explains, ously quite different, but I think he was different kinds of musical expression or “and about three months before its 25th really tickled pink that we'd tackled it! exploration. But with The Small Glories, anniversary, the artistic director started The second one was a Neil Young song even though this is our main focus, it's re- asking Manitoba artists who’d played called Don't Let It Bring You Down, which ally important to both of us to have our there over the years to come and play at JD had previously sung with his rock fingers in other pies, even if they're only an event. All of us were partnered with band. When we first did it, it didn't gel as very little pies. I'm still doing some solo someone we'd never worked with before, easily as 1000 Stars, partly because it was stuff and some teaching, and JD's got his with the goal of learning two songs by in both of our lower registers. We've since rock band and also does some solo work, other Manitoba artists. JD and I hadn't revisited it and swapped parts, so now I so neither of us is putting all our eggs in even heard each other sing before, so it sing the melody and JD sings the har- one basket.” was kind of crazy, but we just immediately mony, and we've upped it a little bit. It Edwards isn’t the only person Luft has realised how well our voices worked to- sounds killer now, and we'd really like to shared the project with. Other collabora- gether. I think there were about 35 artists record it for the next record.” tors include a whole host of diverse tal- involved in the project, but we kind of There's little doubt that the chance to ents, ranging from Erin Propp and Scott stole the show because we were such a spread her wings over the last few years Nygaard to British folk musician Bella natural fit.” has made Luft a much more confident mu- Hardy. Luft was initially paired with

whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Cara Luft DPS.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:48 Page 3

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18-21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. SY2 6AE. Tel: 01743 355055 Cara Luft DPS.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:48 Page 4

FEATURE Continued...

I've been going over to the UK at least once a year since

‘‘ 2006, so I really feel like I've got a community there, and whenever I'm on tour I love to reconnect with all the amazing people that I've met over the years...

Hardy via an exchange programme, which traditional Sacred Harp hymns - Won- ing behind bushes - all this really” lovey- resulted in the creation of two of the drous Love and The Traveler - with hurdy- dovey, fun stuff - so we weren't sure how tracks on Wondrous Traveler: Fast Turn- gurdy accompaniment from Andrew well the slower Billy Bragg version really ing World and Time Wanders On. McCrorie-Shand. A choral tradition fol- suited them. Ours is really upbeat, and it “ Canada and English Folk lowed primarily in the southern US States, always goes down really well live. We Dance & Song Society decided to partner Sacred Harp describes a kind of ‘shape recorded it pretty much live off the floor up, and the directors of those organisa- note’ singing, where musical notes are with our drummer and bass player, and it tions approached artists in their respec- printed in different shapes to help readers actually had our producer dancing in the tive countries who they thought would be identify them easily. Each of the four studio, which we figured was a good a good fit. The first part of the project hap- shapes corresponds to a sung syllable (fa, sign!” pened in Alberta. Bella flew over and we sol, la or mi). Songs are first sung through Having already covered its costs through a spent a couple of weeks together, writing using just these syllables, allowing successful crowdfunding campaign, Won- material and doing performances. We'd singers to focus their attentions on learn- drous Traveler is now available to order never met before, so it was a really inter- ing the harmonies before getting to grips online at a price of your own choosing via esting experience. Then the following with the lyrics. The Small Glories website. year, I went over to the UK and spent two “I can't even remember now how I came “We’ve been approached by several la- weeks with Bella doing the same thing. across it, but really weirdly I started bels, but weighing the options that were We've become very dear friends, so I'm re- dreaming about shape-note singing, so I given to us, it made sense to stay inde- ally grateful to Neil Pearson, who was in decided to research it and I came across pendent for the time being. I've been charge of bringing us together. He knew this beautiful documentary. The film came doing crowdfunding since the ’90s, before both of us really well and knew we would with two music discs. The first was all tra- it was even called that, and it's been a re- get along. I think we write really well to- ditional Sacred Harp groups singing the ally beautiful way of connecting with my gether too, so I'm hoping we'll get the songs, the second had artists doing their fanbase and my audience. That said, there chance to do more in the future.” own interpretations of them, and it kind are a lot of things a label can offer that The name The Small Glories, which also of blew my mind a bit. I already knew may be too time-consuming or too costly appears in the lyrics to Home, was first some of the songs, like Wondrous Love, to do on your own. Releasing this album suggested by the band’s producer, Neil Os- from my parents, who are both folk has been quite draining financially and borne, who previously worked with Luft singers, but I hadn't made the connection on a work level, and keeping on top of the on her solo album, The Light Fantastic. with this tradition before.” business side of things does take away “We'd been bouncing names around and Another pre-existing work to be radically from creativity time, so we might look into someone had suggested The Glories, but reinterpreted is Woody Guthrie's Way Over signing to a label for future projects.” we thought that sounded a little too... in Yonder In A Minor Key. A lost Guthrie After warmly received appearances at The song for which only the lyrics survive, it your face, perhaps? But while we were in Hive in 2013 and at Shrewsbury Folk Festi- the studio recording, our producer came was set to music in 1998 by Billy Bragg val in 2014, Cara is looking forward to in and said, 'I've got a name. I think it's an and Wilco as a gentle piece with more heading back here. than a touch of Bragg's trademark awesome name, and if you guys don't take “I've been going over to the UK at least acoustic melancholy. The Small Glories' it in the next five seconds, I'm gonna keep once a year since 2006, so I really feel like take transforms the song into a joyous, it for another project!' Well, we all thought I've got a community there, and whenever gospel-infused belter that's impossible it was great, and the next day we were I'm on tour I love to reconnect with all the working on Home. The lyrics still needed not to dance along with. amazing people that I've met over the some tweaking, so JD suggested putting “JD had learned it for a Woody Guthrie years.” the band name in. It just seemed to fit ex- 100th birthday concert he was asked to actly with what I was singing about.” play at, and decided to reinterpret it in a The album title, meanwhile, is taken from major key. When you look at the lyrics, it’s The Small Glories perform at The Hive, all about chasing girls up trees and kiss- Shrewsbury, on Sunday 20 November. the final track, a haunting fusion of two

whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Music - November - Staffs_Shrops_Wolves.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:57 Page 1

Gigs

Simply Red Genting Arena, Birmingham, Sun 20 November Reforming in 2015, with Mick Hucknall the only original member, British soul and pop band have sold more than 50 mil- lion albums since their inception in the mid- 1980s. This month, they celebrate the 25th anniversary of their album, Stars, the UK best- seller for two consecutive years in 1991 and ’92. The first half of their Birmingham show fea- tures the entire album, the second a compila- tion of classic Simply Red songs. “After the huge success of ,” Hucknall recalls, “I set myself the challenge of composing a whole album of original songs. I could never have imagined that Stars would have the impact that it did. It was a truly magi- cal time. Now, looking on after 25 years, it seems only fitting to celebrate the album by performing it in its original running order.”

Dave Seaman The Cinematic The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury, Orchestra Fri 11 November O2 Institute, Birmingham, Wed 9 November The Cinematic Orchestra are a British nu- and electronic music group created in 1999 by Jason Swinscoe, whose back- ground in fine art inspired him to ‘trans- late visual art into audible art’. The collective includes core members Phil France on , former DJ Food member Patrick Carpenter on turntables, Luke Flowers on drums, Tom Chant on saxophone, Stuart McCallum on guitar and Nick Damm on piano. The Cinematic Orchestra's sound, in both live and studio contexts, is created by a live band improvising along with a turntablist and electronic elements, such as samples provided by Swinscoe. Whether it’s one of his Global Underground Read our interview with Jason at what- Anoushka Shankar or Renaissance CDs, or the perfect pop of sonlive.co.uk. Kylie’s Confide In Me - which he wrote, pro- Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 10 November duced and remixed - there are very few peo- ple with their heart in electronic music who Daughter of Ravi Shankar and half sister to haven’t been touched by Dave Seaman’s oeu- Norah Jones, Anoushka is an Indian sital vre in one form or another. player and composer. Now aged 35, she gave Leeds-born Seaman played his first profes- her first public sitar performance in 1995, at sional gig in Stoke, way back in 1990. Almost the age of 13, as part of her father’s 75th 30 years on, he’s still a hugely prominent birthday celebration concert in New Delhi. name on the house and techno music scene. Following the success of her 2013 album, He returns to Shrewsbury (alongside fellow Traces Of You, she returns with an innova- Selador label DJ Steve Parry) off the back of tive, cutting-edge programme that addresses headlining sets at the Glastonbury and themes of movement, asylum and refugees - Burning Man festivals, as well as a series of topics that deeply inspired her creative dates at Space Ibiza’s closing season this process whilst composing the music for summer. recently released concept album Land Of Gold. 14 whatsonlive.co.uk Music - November - Staffs_Shrops_Wolves.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:57 Page 2

Gig previews from around the region

Bastille PJ Harvey Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Starworks Warehouse, Wolverhampton, Tues 8 November Fri 4 November Very much going her own way, the songs and albums PJ Harvey produces are never anything less than startling. Harvey has a distinctly arty bent that sets her apart from girl-with-noisy-guitar pretenders to her throne, producing work that’s always refreshingly original and often disconcert- ingly challenging. Menstruation, matricide and the horrors of war are all subjects which have featured in her songs. To say indie-pop four-piece Bastille Following a critically acclaimed perform- have had a whirlwind few years ance at Glastonbury this year, she visits the would be an understatement. Their Midlands as part of a 17-date headline tour debut album, Bad Blood, released in across the UK and Europe in support of her 2013, was twice number one, certified ninth album, The Hope Six Demolition double-platinum and named the Project. biggest-selling digital album of the year. The band then went on to be named British Breakthrough Act at the 2014 . They stop off in Birmingham this Honeyblood Martin Turner month as part of their Wild World The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, The Robin, Bilston, Wed 2 November world tour. Mon 21 November Wishbone Ash’s founding lead vocalist and Read the interview with band mem- key creative force Martin Turner here per- ber Will Farquarson online at what- forms some of the band’s best-loved works sonlive.co.uk with the assistance of his current line-up. Formed in 1969, Wishbone Ash were long Calan admired for their unique blend of blues, jazz Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, and English folk - but it was the way the gui- Sun 13 November tars played melodic leads together that Calan have certainly found their became their trademark, inspiring bands musical niche, showcasing a unique such as Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden. Classic instrumental blend of accordion, fid- album releases including Argus, Pilgrimage, dle, guitar, Welsh pipes, Welsh harp There’s The Rub, New and Live and the percussive sound of the Dates defined the band’s sound and have Welsh clogs. Taking a contemporary touched the hearts of several generations of approach, they breathe new life into music fans. old traditions. Expect a fast-paced and uplifting Comprising Stina Marie Claire Tweeddale on show from this fresh and vibrant vocals and guitar, and Cat Myers on vocals Afro Celt Sound System five-piece. and drums, Honeyblood have spent the past Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 4 November two years travelling the globe and sharing stages with everyone from Belle And The groundbreaking Afro Celt Sound System Sebastian and Foo Fighters to Courtney fuse modern electronic dance music with Barnett and Wolf Alice. traditional Irish and West African sounds. This month sees the release of their highly With album sales topping one-and-a-half anticipated second album, Babes Never Die million and two Grammy nominations to - a follow-up to their eponymous debut their name, the band visit Shrewsbury as offering in 2014. part of a UK tour to promote their new “Honeyblood is actually a mixture of water, album, The Source. honey, cornflour and red food dye,” says Tweeddale, by way of explaining the duo’s unusual name. “It comes from a lazy Halloween costume I once made for a gig. I swirled it round in my mouth on-stage, and then I spat it over the audience.” This month’s Sugarmill gig marks the first time the pair have played the venue as a headline act.

For the complete gig guide visit whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Classical Shrop_Wolves_Staffs November 2.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:50 Page 1 Classical Shrop_Wolves_Staffs November 2.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:50 Page 2

Classical Music

An Audience With City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 26 November Fri 4 November Although many would claim The CBSO this month pack their instru- that she’s been displaced as ments, board the tour bus and head for Britain’s best-loved soprano by the Potteries to present their Autumn Welsh wonder Katherine Carnival concert. Jenkins, Lesley Garrett retains The conductor for the evening is Christian an army of appreciative fans Macelaru (pictured below), the recently and continues to produce appointed Music Director of the Cabrillo superlative performances. Festival - America’s longest-running event This latest Midlands appear- dedicated to new music for orchestra. ance by the West End star fol- He oversees a programme of work that lows the well-established features the following: Dvorak’s Overture, ‘audience with’ format, com- Carnival; Bartok’s Piano Concerto No3; bining song with plenty of and Brahms’s Symphony No2. reminiscences and not a little Macelaru and the orchestra are joined by lighthearted chat. Macedonian classical pianist Simon The evening is hosted by BBC Trp eski. Midlands Today presenter Nick č Owen.

Ludovico Einaudi Florilegium Symphony Hall, Birmingham, The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury, Tues 22 November Sun 27 November “There is some- A long list of performances given in thing in it that some of the world’s most prestigious comes from classi- venues and a prize-winning record- cal,” says ing roster offer plenty of evidence of Ludovico Einaudi Florilegium’s status as one of the of his own music, finest period instrument ensembles “but I have influ- of modern times. ences from differ- Established in 1991, they present a ent music I’ve wide selection of music, from inti- experienced in my mate chamber pieces to large-scale life, from African music to folk and rock.” orchestral and choral works, and are Einaudi’s sound certainly defies easy classifi- much admired for their crisp and European Baroque cation. Commentators have tried on for size incisive style of playing. all manner of descriptions, from ‘beautifully This Shropshire Music concert sees Ensemble: haunting’ and ‘evocative’ to ‘minimalist’, ‘alt- them performing Johann Peter The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, classical’, ‘ambient’ and ‘contemporary’. Salomon’s arrangements of Haydn’s Tues 8 November None of these quite say enough, however, Symphony No94, The Surprise, and Surely an ideal classical music experience about the stylish soundscape created by a Symphony No101, The Clock. for a cold autumn night, this cosy can- man who’s quietly become one of the most Mozart’s greatly admired Flute dlelit event finds the European Baroque successful musicians in the world. Ludovico’s Quartets also feature on the pro- Ensemble and Singers presenting a pro- music is everywhere, although he remains gramme. gramme of some of Mozart’s best known best known for his contribution to the drama and most loved compositions. Featured film and subsequent TV mini-series, This Is pieces include Symphony No40, England, for which he received a BAFTA nom- Lacrimosa (Requiem D minor) and Eine ination. Kleine Nacht Musik, as well as excerpts He returns to Birmingham on the back of from his operas, The Magic Flute, The recently released album Elements, a work Marriage Of Figaro and Cosi Fan Tutte. inspired by, as the Turin-born composer The show has certainly been well received explains, “creation myths, the periodic table, on its travels - although some reviewers Euclid’s geometry, Kandinsky’s writings, the have lamented the fact that the necessary matter of sound, and of colour, the stems of stage lighting has somewhat compro- wild grass in a meadow, the shapes of the mised the ‘by candlelight’ element of the landscape.” experience.

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Dance Dance previews from around the region

Vamos Cuba! Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 1 - Sat 5 November Acclaimed Cuban choreographer Nilda Guerra makes a return with a follow-up show to her well-received Havana Rakatan. Guerra’s aim is to celebrate her country’s youthful, modern spirit, and she does so by setting the action in Havana airport, a place where families are parted, lovers reunited, time flies when you’re having fun and, it would seem, there’s always plenty of reason to get dancing. Critics of the show have complained that it panders to tourist stereotypes, but a live band led by Julito Padron, a cast of fully energised dancers and a mix of traditional and modern dance styles ensures there’s plenty to keep the audience engaged.

Aakash Odedra: The Happiness Project Balletboyz: Echoes & I Imagine DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, Rabbit and Fiction Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 15 November Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 30 - Thurs 1 December “We’re all interested in being happy,” says Wed 16 November international dance artist Didy Veldman, BalletBoyz’ latest show has elicited all man- who here launches her own company, ner of superlatives from critics and audi- Umanoove, “and The Happiness Project ences alike since debuting in the spring. The examines the idea of happiness as some- production, performed by an all-male com- thing we strive for, as something fleeting, pany of 10, comprises two works by interna- something that can be very elusive or even tionally acclaimed choreographers. absent. My aim is to find a common lan- Swedish dance-maker Pontus Lidberg’s guage between the movement, the drama eccentric and stylish Rabbit comes complete and the music on stage, in my investigation with Alice In Wonderland overtones and con- of western society’s endless search for fulfil- templates loneliness and the desire for ment.” friendship. Javier de Frutos’s mischief-making Fiction is based around the responses of his dancers to Ballet Black: Triple Bill the news of his tragic death, the choreogra- Lichfield Garrick, Fri 18 November pher apparently having been impaled on a shard of his own scenery! The work includes Ballet Black were hailed as real game chang- de Frutos’s ‘obituary’, written for him by the ers when they presented this trilogy of critic Ismene Brown and gloriously narrated abstract dance works at the Barbican earlier in camp voiceover. this year. Featuring international dancers of The highly rated British Kathak dancer black and Asian descent, the company was Aakash Odedra certainly caused a stir with widely praised for its success in filling a his previous double bill, Murmur and Inked. major London venue ‘with probably the most He returns with a show that further evi- diverse audience in the history of British bal- dences his talent for blending the traditional let’, as the Guardian described it. with the contemporary. The works the ensemble presented on stage Kathak icon Aditi Mangaldas has choreo- were just as remarkable as the audience they graphed the first and more traditional piece, attracted. The centrepiece is Christopher Echoes, an exuberant work of high-octane Hampson’s Storyville. Set to the haunting dance that ‘explores our relationships with music of Kurt Weill, it tells the bittersweet our ancestors’. fable of Nola, a farm girl who falls prey to I Imagine, meanwhile, is an experimental unscrupulous characters and worldly desires work which sees Odedra teaming up with in 1920s New Orleans. award-winning poet Sabrina Mahfouz. The triple bill is completed with two more The piece cleverly combines choreography recently devised pieces - Christopher and spoken word in a contemplation of ‘the Marney’s To Begin, Begin and Cristaux, a imagined future and the confines of skin’. duet by Arthur Pita.

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Comedy

Seann Walsh Brewhouse Arts Centre, Wed 2 November; The Glee Club, Birmingham, Tue 29 November; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 13 December Seann Walsh is such a popular comedian he could even give Barcelona Football Club a run for their money when it comes to the acquisition of silverware. An award-winning star of television shows such as Mock The Week and Russell Howard’s Good News Extra, the somewhat dishevelled Seann has been likened to the legendary Billy Connolly in terms of his gift for storytelling (although others have labelled him the new Dylan Moran, so take your pick). His jokes aren’t bad either, with two examples being as follows: “I don't understand swimming. You don't see fish going for a walk,” and “Are city-centre beat officers police who rap?” Seann visits the Midlands this month with his well- reviewed touring show, One For The Road, a contem- plation on whether the changes happening in his life are due to his getting older or becoming middle-class.

Six of the best...

Laugh Jonathan Jerry Out Loud Pie Sadowitz Comedy Artrix, Crescent Theatre, Bromsgrove, Birmingham, Regent Theatre, Tues 8 November Fri 18 November; Stoke; Religion, Wulfrun Hall, Walsall; Couture, The media’s deci- Fri 25 November Stafford, Sat 19 sion to pounce on American-born November in Scottish comedian Laugh Out Loud the wake of his and magician Jerry brings quality first Labour lead- Sadowitz comes comedians to 14 venues across the country, ership victory lit the torchpaper for actor with a health warning; he is most definitely including three here in the Midlands. Tom Walker to create the larger-than-life not for the fainthearted. Two of the three are this month visited by the character that is Jonathan Pie. A man who’s not averse to hurling his under- highly rated Markus Birdman (pictured), a Recent YouTube sensation Pie is supposedly wear at female members of the audience, comedian who firmly believes that comedy a British political correspondent - but one Sadowitz is about as far away from political should always be presented live, to no more who likes to rant at the TV camera. correctness as it’s possible to get; so much than 200 people, and in a dingy club (we’re The media’s savaging of Corbyn pushed so, in fact, that he claims Bernard Manning not quite sure how he views the two Walker over the edge. “I got really annoyed was the good cop to his bad cop. Midlands venues he’s visiting this month)! by it,” he admits, “by the ridiculousness of Although he’s a man who never seems more Marcus is joined on in both Walsall the British press.” at home than when he's alienating and and Stafford by Bobby Mair, Terry Burgess But the annoyance that the actor felt had the offending pretty much everyone, Sadowitz and Micky P Kerr. surprisingly positive effect of making his cre- claims a lot of thought goes into what he Meanwhile, at Stoke-on-Trent’s Regent ative juices flow - and so Jonathan Pie was says. “I don’t always do the right thing,” he Theatre, Phil Nichol, Darius Davies and born. told Time Out, “but however offensive it Pierre Hollins are the trio of funnymen Now Pie has headed out on a national tour, might sound, at least there’s a genuine charged with the task of bringing some and is most definitely the man of the thought behind it.” autumn mirth to the Potteries. moment. Whether he’s more than just a one- He visits the Midlands this month with his trick pony, however, remains to be seen. Comedian, Magician, Psychopath! tour.

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Billy Connolly Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Wed 2 - Thurs 3 November A disarmingly gregarious man with a larger- than-life persona, Billy Connolly peddles his material with the assured touch of a comedi- an who knows he's got his audience in the palm of his hand. Nowadays dealing with the challenges of Parkinson’s disease, the legendary Scottish funnyman has recently had treatment for prostate cancer and can sometimes be tripped up by a less-than-reliable memory. But health issues and a frailer physical appearance aside, the Big Yin is in fine fettle. He seems to be enjoying his time on the road - not least because touring helps alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s. “It's a miracle,” he exclaimed in an interview in the US earlier this year. “I think science should study it. I've gone on stage sick and come off better!”

MY Ellie Taylor Lucy Porter Comedy The Core, Solihull, Theatre Severn, Fri 11 November Wed 2 November Penthouse Conference & Ellie Taylor kick- Edinburgh Events Centre, started her comedy Birmingham, favourite Lucy Sun 13 November career in her late Porter has a mis- 20s, performing in This popular live chievous style of stand-up reality TV comedy night comedy that marks series Show Me The makes a welcome her out as a real Funny. return to SHOUT, talent. She’s an Now in her early 30s, Ellie’s comedy has the annual festival of queer arts and culture absolute charmer, but don’t be fooled - her come a long way in a short time. “It was which is this month taking place at venues pleasant girl-next-door demeanour conceals tricky back then,” she admits, “getting offers across Birmingham and further afield. a beautifully twisted mind! that I wasn’t ready for, but I really do feel The evening is hosted by MY Comedy’s resi- Highlights of her career include achieving a like I’m there now.” dent MC, Maureen Younger. record score on , in If her currently touring stream-of-concious- The much-travelled Maureen began perform- which her specialist subject was American ness show, Infidellieity, is anything to go by, ing comedy sketches for a French cafe the- funnyman Steve Martin. her self-assessment is bang on the money. atre group before branching out on her own. Her big bag of gags includes, “My husband Jokes built around the subjects of bikini Peddling an on-stage persona that's been proposed to me over the phone. I said yes waxes, smear tests, contraception and orgies described as 'a lazily saucy flirt', she makes straight away, but I should’ve asked who was all feature, as does stick-on facial hair and the most of some rather lightweight material calling.” Ellie’s revelation that she’s only slept with by virtue of her impeccable comic timing... Lucy is this month visiting the Midlands with half a dozen men. She manages to keep the She’s here joined in the laughter-generating Consequences, a touring show which com- attention of the fellas in the audience too; no stakes by Jen Brister (pictured above), Jayde prises heartfelt personal revelations, incisive mean feat when your material is as female- Adams and Birmingham funnylady Lindsey cultural observations and issues as wide- centric as hers is. Santoro. ranging as transgender rights and Australian sheepshearers.

For more comedy listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Welsh National Opera DPS (1).qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:17 Page 1

FEATURE

Kis M, Kat Welsh National Opera challenge audience assumptions with a new staging of Cole Porter’s classic...

Ask many theatre-goers if they're into perceive it as somehow less worthy, but as this is more a mezzo soprano role, so I opera or musicals and chances are they'll an opera singer, I can assure you that this cheekily decided to give myself a few high come down fairly firmly on one side or the is definitely no less physically, mentally or notes!” other. Received wisdom has it that opera emotionally demanding.” Branching out into musicals can also be a is ‘high culture’, complex and intellectual, Beyond the general appeal of dipping great opportunity for opera companies to perhaps even inaccessible, while musicals one's toes into something different, there attract new audiences, perhaps encourag- are fun, populist and somehow less so- are plenty of very good reasons why an ing them to come back and see a ‘proper’ phisticated. But a large-scale collabora- opera company might take on a musical, opera next time. tion between Opera North and Welsh particularly when it comes to Golden Era “People know Kiss Me Kate is a feelgood National Opera (WNO) on a touring pro- shows like this one. family show that you can bring the kids or duction of Cole Porter's classic Kiss Me “Although they look spectacular, a lot of bring your granny along to,” says Bern. Kate could well challenge those assump- West End shows don't have the luxury of “But there are plenty of operas that are tions, bringing together performers from the big orchestra that an operatic com- just as fun and accessible as this. I think a both spheres. But just how separate really pany can provide,” Bern explains. “David lot of people are put off by this myth that are the two? According to leading lady Charles Bell, our previous conductor, did opera is not for everyone, so doing a musi- Jeni Bern, the divide is not as stark as you some fantastic research, and we've gone cal as an opera company can be a great might think... right back to the original orchestration. vehicle for saying, 'We're not as scary as “People imagine that it's more sniffy than There's music here, like the Harlequin you think.' I'm from a very working-class it is,” she says. “My ex-husband worked in Ballet, that hasn't been heard since 1942. background, so I get quite cross about the the West End, so I have lots of friends on Also, a lot of people forget that when perpetuation of this idea that opera's elit- both sides of the camp, and while there these shows were first done, they would- ist.” may be a sort of joking, friendly rivalry be- n't have been amplified like modern musi- So far from being detached from the tween them, in the end, we do all really cals. They were designed to be sung with colourful, more mainstream world of mu- appreciate the different skills and de- a big, lush, orchestral sound, and I think sical theatre, Bern has always loved the mands of each. For me, the idea of doing they do benefit from going back to that. classics. Her pursuit of a professional eight shows a week is just crazy - you “It's also worth bearing in mind that Cole singing career was at least partly inspired don't get that in opera. On the other hand, Porter would have had a musical educa- by the musicals she performed back in her I know from the musical theatre people tion that included listening to opera and school days. In fact, it was there that she involved in this show that many of them classical music. He's an incredible musi- first encountered the fiery Lili Vanessi in find the idea of singing without a micro- cian, and would definitely have been an amateur production of Kiss Me Kate. phone absolutely terrifying. But I think aware of operatic singing style. At the end that's what's lovely about this project - “I was lucky enough to go to a school of Act One, I added in a little cadenza that both sides bring their different skill sets to where we had a fantastic music teacher isn't technically in the score, but the way the table and we're able to share every- who was also a leading light in the local it's written is almost like a parody of that, thing. I know some people hate the idea am-dram world, and every year we would so I thought, why not? I'm a soprano, but of opera companies doing musicals - they do a musical at school, rather than a play.

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by Heather Kincaid

We did loads of fantastic ones - Godspell World War Two Britain, and Bellini's I Pu- they’ve had more rehearsals than we and Bye Bye Birdie and The Pyjama Game ritani, where the Catholic/Protestant con- have!” - and I think it was in my final year that flict of the Reformation was used to reflect The witty, theatrical self-parodying of Kiss we did Kiss Me Kate. It's great getting to on religious tensions in 1970s Northern Me Kate is part of what’s made it such an revisit her now with some life experience. Ireland. Kiss Me Kate might not mark enduring favourite, and in opting for a I do have quite a personal take on it in quite so dramatic a departure from previ- more realistic backstage aesthetic, Rich- some respects. I'm divorced, and my ex- ous productions, but it's not without that mond emphasises the story's self-reflexive husband was in the business too, so I un- same inventive spark. comedy. But from an insider perspective, derstand the trials and tribulations of “Generally, productions of Kiss Me Kate just how true to life really are the back- trying to keep a relationship going with will do the dressing-room scene with stage antics it portrays? somebody who’s also in this very precari- Fred's and Lili's dressing rooms next to “Well, I don't think I've ever had a ous, emotional rollercoaster of an indus- each other, and a wall and a door between screaming row at a leading man back- try. But just for the record, I don't hate them,” says Bern. “Jo (Davies, director) stage,” Bern laughs, “and I've certainly men!” and Colin (Richmond, designer) wanted to never thrown anything at anyone! But ten- This current production actually made its avoid that cliché, and the idea behind the sions can run high when you're working debut last year, receiving widespread criti- design is that they're on a very tight that closely with people. Moments like cal acclaim during its first tour as an budget, so Fred doesn't really have a when everyone's looking for the missing Opera North show before heading out for dressing room per se - just a sort of ruff are fairly indicative of the chaos in the a second run under the WNO banner. clothes rail. wings. Particularly when you're getting in There are challenges, of course, in adapt- “The show within a show is also managed to a new venue, things go missing and you ing to different singing and staging styles, beautifully. We have this set of what we sometimes only just make entries because but it’s not the first time either company call sliders - they're flats that are hung, you've got to sprint up a set of stairs that has taken on a musical, with Opera North and they pivot and tilt and reverse, so wasn't there last time. And also the having put on Carousel last year and WNO that, as an audience, you can sort of be in unglamorous side of it all, with the rub- ending its autumn 2015 season with both places at the same time. On one side bishy old dressing tables and clothes Sweeney Todd. is what you see in The Taming Of The rails, is very true to life - it's nothing like Even when it comes to opera, WNO has a Shrew, and on the other is what you'd nor- in the Hollywood movies with the huge reputation for theatricality, with produc- mally see backstage, so there are scrib- bouquets and flouncy dresses!” tions that emphasise both quality acting blings and people's notes and and bold, elaborate, often high-concept photographs on the wall. It means we designs. Their Sweeney Todd abandoned don't have to do a revolve, and for the au- Welsh National Opera’s Kiss Me, Kate the story's 19th century origins to present dience it should almost look like you're shows at Birmingham Hippodrome Mrs Lovett's pie shop as a kind of ’70s- seeing the show from backstage. It's really from Thurs 10 to Sat 12 November style greasy spoon. The same season also exciting, but the downside is that the slid- included Handel's Orlando, relocated to ers are a bit temperamental - I think

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

The Commitments Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 14 - Sat 19 November; New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 13 - Sat 18 March Roddy Doyle’s smash-hit musical adaptation of his own bestselling novel follows on from the Bafta-bagging movie version that scored a huge international success way back in the early 1990s. As with book and film, the stage show finds working-class music fan Jimmy Rabbitte inspiring an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians and friends to become the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced. Along the way, the band treats the audience to more than 20 gold-star soul classics, including: Try A Little Tenderness; River Deep, Mountain High; Papa Was A Rolling Stone and Mustang Sally. Andrew Linnie takes the lead role as Jimmie, while actor Kevin Kennedy stars as his Da.

Shakespeare, His Wife Dracula The Musical high-profile actors being drawn like prover- bial moths to a flame to its winning blend of And The Dog Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, insightful writing, sharp humour and power- until Sat 5 November Birmingham REP, Mon 21 - Wed 23 November ful drama. Jonny Lee Miller, Suranne Jones, Following on from their 2015 production of Hugh Bonneville, Philip Glennister, Andrew Sweeney Todd, Night Project Theatre here Garfield and Rhys Ifans are among those to present a musical version of Bram Stoker’s have appeared in the show across its 23-year legendary gothic horror story. history. The show premiered on Broadway in 2004, This latest version may lack star names, but complete with a nude scene in which the it’s being helmed by the hugely experienced blood-supping Count seduces the best friend Tracey Street, a well-regarded freelance of the woman he loves. The flash of flesh director on the Midlands theatre scene, so generated enormous publicity but failed to expect an evening of high-quality fare. save the production from closing. The cur- tain came down for the last time after only 154 performances and a serious panning from the critics. A comprehensive rewrite fol- Barking Mad lowed, and the revitalised production then Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, made its way to this side of the Atlantic, Thurs 17 November Shakespeare has retired but is making the where it has risen Dracula-like from the dead When the Olivier Award-winning Guy lives of those around him, including his wife and proved to be a major hit with European Masterson married a gorgeous German Anne, a complete and utter misery. During audiences. model named Brigitta, he couldn’t possibly the course of a sleepless night in Stratford, Better make sure you pack some bulbs of have realised the extent to which he was also the couple shine the spotlight on their mar- garlic and a wooden stake, just to be on the entering into a binding, and indeed tempes- riage, as the bard struggles to find meaning safe side... tuous, relationship with her dog, Nelson. in his past... The eight years that followed tested every- Bated Breath’s well-reviewed two-hander is a thing, admits Guy, including his marriage, cleverly scripted celebration of the life and Beautiful Thing his career and even his sanity... Masterson’s hour-long, works of the world’s most famous play- The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham, wright. It’s also a meditation on old age - one Wed 16 - Sat 19 November one-man show gar- that manages to be both humorous and nered plenty of posi- insightful. But then how could it possibly be Jonathan Harvey’s award-winning urban tive reviews at this otherwise, given that much of its material is love story focuses on teenager Jamie’s rela- summer’s Edinburgh sourced from Shakespeare’s canon of plays tionship with his classmate and neighbour, Festival, where it was and poetry? Ste. presented under the RSC actor Philip Whitchurch takes the role of Premiered in 1993, the play’s been performed title of Love And Stratford’s most famous son. in countries across the world, with numerous Canine Integration.

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Tue 8 Nov The Merchant of Venice André Tchaikowsky Wed 9 Nov

Macbeth Verdi performance!Extra Thu 10 - Sat 12 Nov Thu 17 Nov 2pm Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate Tue 1- Tue 8 - “Uproariously entertaining – Mon 14 - Sat 5 Nov Sat 12 Nov Sat 19 Nov every inch a whopping hit” Daily Telegraph From £12 From £16.50 From £16

Tue 25 Nov - Mon 19 Dec Tue 7 - Tue 13 Dec - Sun 29 Jan Sat 11 Feb From £19 From £15.50 From £19.50

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance: Material Men

Wed 15 - Fri 3 & Mon 27 & Sat 25 Feb Sat 4 Mar Tue 28 Mar From £16 £15 £16

Everyone’s Welcome

0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre November Dav.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:19 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

The Full Monty Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 14 - Sat 19 November; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 6 - Sat 11 February When the ladies in their lives go on a night out and the entertainment includes a male stripper, a group of newly redundant steelworkers hit on a great idea for a money-spinning venture... Based on the much-loved British movie of the same name, The Full Monty arrives in Birmingham with a soundtrack featuring Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones, and a cast including Louis Emerick, Andrew Dunn and one-time Eastender Gary Lucy. “This may be a comedy but the stories running through it are really strong,” says Gary, “partic- ularly that of my character, Gaz. He’s feeling worthless because he doesn’t have a job and might lose his son. His sole aim is to continue to see his boy, so he gets the guys together to make some money. “What’s been great so far is that the audience have been quiet when they’ve needed to be, through the more serious aspects, but then have really got into the spirit of the piece and had a good night.”

When We Are Married keeper serve to complicate matters even fur- Home At Seven ther... New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, The highly rated Northern Broadsides are the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 8 - Sat 12 November Tues 1 - Sat 5 November company here bringing their comic expertise to bear. RC Sheriff wrote this clever little mystery play more than 20 Dare Devil Rides years after penning his best-known work, To Jarama Journey’s End. It Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, scored an instant hit Sun 13 November with theatre audi- A celebration of the contribution and sacri- ences of the early fice of the volunteer International Brigades, 1950s - so much so, Neil Gore’s new play is presented by in fact, that a mere Townsend Productions, a company whose two years after first being performed, it was previous work includes The Ragged adapted for the cinema, with Ralph Mention JB Priestley and for most people the Trousered Philanthropists, We Will Be Free! Richardson taking the lead role... play that instantly springs to mind is An and United We Stand. There’s nothing unusual about David Inspector Calls. But seven years before the At the centre of its action is speedway hero Preston’s return home from work at 7pm - upper middle-class Birling family and the Clem ‘Dare Devil’ Beckett, a man whose except that, on this particular occasion, 24 mysterious Inspector Goole first made their immense courage leads him to join the hours have elapsed without him even realis- theatrical mark, Priestley penned this International Brigades in their fight against ing it, and it’s now a day later than he delightful northern comedy. Franco’s forces of Fascism in 1930s Spain. thought. The action focuses on three couples, all old While fighting for the freedom of the Spanish Along with his wife Janet, already upset by friends and all of whom had married on the people, Clem forms an unlikely friendship his bizarre disappearance the night before, same day. They gather together to celebrate with literary critic, writer and poet David soon gets another shock, when evi- what they believe to be their silver wedding Christopher Caudwell. dence incriminates him in a murder commit- anniversary - except that it isn’t their wed- Clem and Caudwell’s belief in a common ted during the time for which he cannot ding anniversary at all. In fact - and as they cause not only unites them but leads them to account. find out to their horror - they’re not even the Battle of Jarama, where the ultimate sac- Former Coronation Street villain Brian legally wed. rifice may well be a price they end up having Capron stars alongside Jenny Funnell, best The presence of a drunken newspaper pho- to pay... known from the Judi Dench and Geoffrey tographer and a wickedly conniving house- Palmer sitcom, As Time Goes By. 26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre November Dav.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:19 Page 4 Theatre November Dav.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:19 Page 5

Theatre

Sunny Afternoon Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 29 November - Sat 3 December; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 18 - Sat 22 April 2017 This clever homage to Swinging ’60s super- stars The Kinks has been wowing audi- ences and critics in equal measure since opening in the West End in 2014. Indeed, its quality and popularity were last year suitably rewarded when it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Adapted from Joe Penhall’s book, with an original story by Kinks guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Ray Davies, the show fea- tures plenty of the band’s best-known tunes, including iconic tracks You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset, Dedicated Follower Of Fashion, All Day And All Of The Night and Lola.

Oliver Samuels: Guilt Trip Honour Demi Nandhra: Life Is No New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Laughing Matter Sun 6 November Tues 8 - Sat 12 November mac, Birmingham, Tues 8 - Wed 9 November Joanna Murray-Smith's 1995 play has certain- Jamaican ‘king of com- “Sometimes I think I’ve felt everything I’m ly done the rounds over the last two decades, edy’ Oliver Samuels ever gonna feel,” reveals Birmingham-based having been produced in close on 40 coun- here makes a welcome Demi Nandhra. “And from here on out, I’m tries. Here in the UK, it scored a major hit at return, having previ- not gonna feel anything new. Just lesser ver- the National in 2003 when Eileen Atkins and ously enjoyed huge sions of what I’ve already felt.” the late Corin Redgrave played the leads. Its touring successes with Demi uses a combination of installation and West End revival three years later provided a his shows Divorce performance to explore the role of women in starring role for Dame Diana Rigg. Papers and Dolly modern society, with feminism very much at When distinguished literary journalist House. the heart of her work. In Life Is No Laughing George is interviewed by the ambitious and Samuels’ latest offering is a comedy drama Matter, her first solo show, she contemplates considerably younger Claudia, sparks fly and which examines the life of a woman haunted the subjects of mental health, depression his long and seemingly stable marriage to by an event from her dim and distant past - and anxiety. Honor bites the dust. an event that continues to impact on the Described as ‘part personal narrative, part But as the central characters come into con- lives of all those associated with her. social rant, part mess’, the production is an flict, it becomes increasingly uncertain “Guilt Trip offers a refreshing insight into the autobiographical live art/stand up/theatre where the balance of power actually lies... richness of Jamaican culture,” explains performance that delves into her experience Oliver, “and also looks at some of the mis- of living with depression - from trying to conceptions that exist in dealing with mental find a cure to eating 56 bananas and illness. It’s full of laughter, and uses both The Unknown Soldier attempting ‘to think happy thoughts’. drama and comedy to touch, stimulate and Lichfield Garrick, Tues 8 November Audience members are warned to expect entertain its audience.” ‘shit metaphors, unicorns, dependency on a The need to keep a promise and repay a debt loved one and Demi’s nana's holy water’... keeps Jack on the World War One battle- Into The Woods fields, even though the guns have fallen silent... Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Described as a story of comradeship and Thurs 24 - Sat 26 November betrayal, and of promises both broken and Local company 4PLAY make their debut with kept following the carnage of the Great War, this James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim The Unknown Soldier debuted at Edinburgh musical. The show brings to life Cinderella, last year and was highly praised by the crit- Jack And The Beanstalk, Little Red Riding ics. Hood and numerous other fairytales to pres- Its author, award-nominated playwright Ross ent a moving lesson about community Ericson, enjoyed a 2013 success with responsibility and the stories people tell Casualties, a fraught drama about the their children. One-time Opportunity Knocks Afghanistan War and its repercussions. winner Mark Rattray stars as the Baker.

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theatre for younger audiences...

George’s Marvellous Medicine Captain Flinn And The Pirate Dinosaurs 2 Where’s My Igloo Gone?

George’s Marvellous forced to hunt for the Magic Cutlass by the Where’s My Igloo Gone? Medicine tyrannical Mr T-Rex. Cue the ever-heroic cap- tain, and a dangerous rescue mission that mac, Birmingham, Wed 23 - Sun 27 November New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, could well see his timbers being comprehen- Soaring snow geese, pet husky dogs, starry Tues 22 November - Sat 3 December sively shivered... nights, fishing adventures and the kind of Birmingham Stage Company return with one cold that makes the skin tingle are all fea- of their most popular Roald Dahl adapta- tured in this Bone Ensemble story about a lit- tions. George’s Marvellous Medicine tells the Granny’s Game tle girl who sets off in search of help when fantastical tale of a young boy who chances The Place, Oakengates, Shropshire, her igloo starts to melt... his arm as an infant Alexander Fleming and Sat 12 November “We’re collaborating with experts in climate makes a medicine to cure his grandmother of “We offer a diverse programme of theatre change and social psychology,” explain the her bad temper. But when she takes it, all activities,” says Kirsty Mead, who co-found- Birmingham-based Bone Ensemble, “so that sorts of weird and wonderful things occur, ed Lincolnshire children’s theatre company we can weave scientific knowledge into a and it isn’t long before George realises that Rhubarb back in the year 2000. “We bring compelling narrative with dynamic interac- his adventures have only just begun. theatre directly to family centres, village tive activities, engaging audiences with cli- halls, youth clubs, schools, art centres, her- mate change in a new and refreshing way.” itage sites, museums and traditional the- Peppa Pig’s Surprise atres.” Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Rhubarb’s latest touring show is based on Cloud Cuckoo Land: Wed 2 - Thurs 3 November the real-life experiences of pioneering inves- Ding Dong If you’ve taken your little ones to any of the tigative journalist Nellie Bly, whose well- previous Peppa Pig stage shows - and developed sense of adventure saw her under- mac, Birmingham, Sun 6 November enjoyed the experience of watching them take a record-breaking, Phileas Fogg-style Cloud Cuckoo Land, the company behind having a fantastic time - you’ll already know trip around the world in 1889. this bright and bubbly production, describe that this latest production is well worth And globetrotting adventure is very much on themselves as a ragtag ensemble of multi-tal- catching. the agenda for the show’s two young heroes, ented cuckoos. “It seems hardly any time at all since we Julia and John, when they discover a mysteri- “We like nothing better,” they reveal, “than started on the first Peppa Pig live stage ous boardgame while visiting their granny... whipping up immersive, interactive and show,” observes writer and director Richard interdisciplinary plays, parties and installa- Lewis. “It’s been an incredible experience tions, to whisk you away from your everyday seeing the children’s reactions, not only in The Nose That Nobody life to somewhere altogether stranger.” the UK but throughout the world. It just con- Picked The Birmingham company’s new offering for firms that Peppa really is a worldwide phe- Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, younger children is an interactive musical nomenon.” Sun 6 November play based around the subject of ‘time’. It Mountains of mucus, toe-tapping tunes and sees a cast of actor-musicians creating a Captain Flinn And The two nostrils full of magic are the order of the unique 360° immersive listening experience day in this first-time-touring stage adapta- by playing a wide variety of instruments all Pirate Dinosaurs 2 tion of David Parkin’s much-loved book. around the audience. And the youngsters get Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, While indulging in his hobby of making to join in with the music-making too, Sat 5 November ornamental displays with gnomes and toys, through clapping, singing, movement, call- Award-winning children’s ensemble Les 10-year-old Christopher stumbles upon a liv- and-response and imaginative suggestions. Petits Theatre know that the best way to keep ing nose, one which has been raised by slugs Kids can also meet the characters - Dot, people coming to their shows is to entertain in his garden. Smidge, Mooch and Nora - all of whom will the adults in the audience as well as the The nose needs a face, so Christopher sets be battling hard to save their beloved clock- youngsters. And just like the company’s orig- out to find him one. But he’s reckoned with- tower. inal Captain Flinn stage show, this lively out the less-than-helpful intervention of sequel manages to do exactly that. Doctor Skinner, an eccentric plastic surgeon As you’d expect, there’s plenty for the kids to who not only has connections to the nose’s enjoy too, in an action-packed adventure past but also harbours sinister intentions... that sees Flinn’s kidnapped friends being

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Christmas Festive shows and attractions opening in November

’Tis the season to be jolly - well, nearly. Yes, Christmas is a-coming, and it’s time to start thinking about how best to celebrate and enjoy this festive time of year. If you’re struggling for ideas, fear not - we’ve got a few suggestions that should hopefully ensure you’re positively chomping at the yuletide bit come the 25th of December. From pantomimes to family shows, stylish ballets to Shakespeare storms, underground boat trips to illuminating lantern festivals, it promises to be an unforgettable season of magic and mirth in the Midlands. Check out which festive shows and attractions are opening across the Midlands this month...

Treasure Island The REP, Birmingham, Fri 25 November - Sat 7 January This latest theatrical version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s clas- sic tale, a modern adaptation by Bryony Lavery, puts an interesting spin on the author’s swashbuckling story, with the chief protagonist being a girl rather than a boy. When pirates ransack her grandmother’s inn, fearless Jim is drawn into the adven- ture of a lifetime - one which will see her not only setting sail in search of buried treas- ure but also spending time in the company of a one-legged pirate with murder in mind...

Cinderella The Tempest The Nutcracker Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 30 November - Sun 8 January 2017 upon-Avon, Tues 8 November - Sat 21 Fri 25 November - Tues 13 December January 2017 Shakespeare’s last and most complete play, The Tempest also represents the culmination of his art, bringing togeth- er many of the themes that informed his greatest dramas. A wild storm forces a royal ship onto the rocks of an enchanted isle. The castaways, separated from one another, find themselves slipping under the Sir Peter Wright’s enchanting version of this control of the mysterious Prospero. firm festive favourite returns to the With its comical Ugly Sisters, metamorpho- Matters are further complicated by the Hippodrome this month, courtesy of sising pumpkin, matchmaking fairy god- presence of supernatural spirit Ariel Birmingham Royal Ballet. Created in 1990 as mother, drop-dead-gorgeous Prince and the grotesque man-beast, a thank you to Birmingham for its support of Charming, super-cute mice and fits-one-foot- Caliban... the company following its move to the only glass slipper, Cinderella can justifiably Presented by the RSC as their Midlands from London’s Sadler Wells, lay claim to being the most popular of all Christmas family show, this brand new Wright’s production is seen by many as the pantomimes. production is helmed by the company’s finest interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s mag- This year’s Theatre Severn version of the artistic director, Gregory Doran, and nificent and mesmerising score. famous fairytale features all the usual panto stars Simon Russell Beale as Prospero. In true Christmas spirit, the story follows elements of comedy, singing, dancing, audi- the young Clara as she’s swept up in a fanta- ence participation and ‘stunning’ sets and sy of soldiers, giant rats, snow fairies, magic costumes. And also very much as usual, it and mystery, before finally being trans- stars the ever-popular Brad Fitt, on this occa- formed into a beautiful ballerina... sion appearing ‘as you’ve never seen him A magical, must-see show for little before’... princesses.

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Festive shows and attractions opening in November

The Wind In The Willows The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 21 November - Sat 31 December A firm festive favourite, Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved riverside tale ably demonstrates the way in which one life can command the full attention of three others! Loyal Mole, faithful Ratty and steady old Badger simply don’t have time for any of their own interests - they’re far too busy having to look after their reckless and irrepressible friend, Mr Toad... Presented by Scott Ritchie Productions and Birmingham Ormiston Academy.

Dick Whittington Stick Man the audiences.” Julia’s not wrong - audiences Belgrade Theatre, Coventry most definitely do love the show, as a smash- Wed 23 November - Sat 7 January Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 24 November - Sat 31 December hit season in the West End ably demonstrat- The story of a young man who heads for “Scamp Theatre send shivers down my ed. Featuring a trio of talented performers, London in search of fame and fortune is the production brings together puppetry, one of the most popular of all pan- spine,” reveals Julia Donaldson, the co-cre- ator (along with Alex Scheffler) of the hugely songs, live music and ‘funky moves’ to tell tomimes, not least because of the top- the story of Stick Man’s desperate attempts to drawer adventures with which the popular children’s book on which this show is based. “They’re so lively and innovative. I get back to the family tree. Suitable for chil- happy-go-lucky Dick finds himself dren aged three and older. involved. love their production of Stick Man, and so do With Sarah the Cook and Queen Rat both putting in an appearance, and heady romance also on the cards for our ever-affable hero, this is a show that promises to be packed to its festive rafters with action, comedy and fun.

The Snow Queen New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Sat 19 November - Sat 28 January The Snow Queen is ruler of all she sur- veys, and when she kidnaps young Kay, it’s left to his sister, Gerda, to save him from a bleak future in the frostbitten wastelands... The New Vic here give this Hans Christian Andersen work a brand new treatment, presenting a timeless tale that brings together ‘enchanting charac- ters, original music and breathtaking on-stage magic’. Santa’s Winter Wonderland This particular take on sibling love set The SnowDome, Tamworth, are able to play and slide in real snow as they amidst the ice caps and snow-laden Fri 18 November - Sat 31 December explore Santa’s Christmas snow trail, take a landscapes of the north has been direct- SnowDome’s all-new Santa Show is part of the walk through the enchanted forest, enjoy a ed with the intention of appealing to venue’s Winter Wonderland event, and finds game of snowballs and hitch a ride on a family members of all ages. the big man in red making final preparations sledge. for another ‘Christmas extravaganza’. The less adventurous, meanwhile, can observe Suitable for all age groups, Santa’s Winter the snow-related action as they amble along Wonderland provides plenty of festive fun for the promenade walkway. There’s even an ani- visitors to Tamworth’s snowy indoor attrac- mal village, where you can meet Santa’s rein- tion. A safe environment ensures youngsters deer and discover some of his furry friends.

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Festive shows and attractions opening in November

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham City Centre, Thurs 17 November - Thurs 29 December This is the largest outdoor Christmas market in the country and sits at the centre of Birmingham’s festive celebrations. Drawing crowds from across the city and further afield, the Frankfurt Markets feature a wide range of traditional handmade toys, art, and items from through- out the world. There’s plenty of food and drink available too, including German mulled wine, grilled sausages, vegetarian options, pretzels and German beer. Carol singers and an ornate Ice Skate Birmingham carousel are other popular ele- ments of this well-established Centenary Square, Birmingham, popular visitor attraction can hold up to 300 attraction, which, for the first Sat 19 November - Sun 8 January people per session. Younger or inexperienced time, is staying open beyond Ice Skate Birmingham makes a welcome return skating enthusiasts can keep upright by using Christmas (until 29 December). to the city centre this month. As usual located in special penguin skating aids, which can be front of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, the booked online and in advance.

Santa Hunts Magic Lantern Festival Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, various dates from Sun 20 November - Fri 25 November - Mon 2 January 2017 Sat 24 December Celebrating over 2,000 years of lantern festivals, this ‘illuminating’ event sees visitors accessing the venue through a giant lantern entrance before following a lantern-lit trail around the gardens. Campers Christmas Aside from enjoying the collection of beautifully Coventry Transport Museum, constructed lanterns and the natural scenery, Sun 27 November visitors to the festival can also catch up with This year’s Christmas Campers Santa and his reindeers. event takes the entirely relevant Other attractions include a 12-metre-wide theme of ‘pantomime’, and, we’re Saint Nicholas’s much-vaunted ability to make lantern scene - featuring penguins, snowmen, reliably informed, features ‘every- his way around the world at superfast speed on Christmas trees and baubles - and a special thing from Puss In Boots to Dick Christmas Eve should also stand him in good fairy-themed area, complete with a floating Whittington’. stead in the run-up to the festive season, when fairy, beautiful butterflies and thousands of Camper vans of all shapes and he’ll need to pop up in all manner of places to bright and tiny lights. sizes take part, and organisers excite and delight children of all ages - even the promise an abundance of fairy grown-up ones! lights and costumes to further One such stop-off for the big chap is the Black enhance the festive cheer. There Country Living Museum in Dudley, where he’ll are prizes to be won too, and a be sipping a sherry and scoffing a mince pie in Christmas DJ - decking his decks his secret workshop. The challenge for young with boughs of holly, no doubt. visitors to the venue is to see if they can find For those who fancy a leisurely him. Meeting a series of characters along the browse, a Christmas craft fair way, children can solve magical clues, sprinkle should prove just the yuletide dust on reindeer shoes and even send letters up ticket. the chimney to the great man himself. If they manage to find him, they’ll be rewarded for their endeavours with a surprise gift... For further festive listings, What’s not to like? visit whatsonlive.co.uk.

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Film

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them CERT tbc Starring Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo, Samantha Morton, Ezra Miller, Ron Perlman, Jon Voight Directed by David Yates (UK/USA) By the time this epic fantasy trundles onto DVD, the name Newt Scamander should be every bit as famous as Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape. Eddie Redmayne plays the eccentric English wiz- ard, invented by JK Rowling in her 2001 novel, and it’s Rowling who adapted the book in her screen- writing debut. Set in the same universe as Harry Potter, the events precede the first Potter film by 70 years and unfold in New York. It’s there that Newt arrives after a world tour researching - and rescuing - certain magical creatures, the subject of his eponymous textbook. But shortly after his arrival in 1926 some of his fantastic beasts are acci- dentally released from his care… The film was intended to be the first in a trilogy, although Rowling announced last month that there would be two more editions (making it a quintet). In 3D and IMAX. Released Fri 18 November

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in November...

The Light Between Oceans A Street Cat Named Bob CERT 12a (113 mins) CERT 12a (103 mins) Starring Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Starring Luke Treadaway, Ruta Gedmintas, Rachel Weisz, Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson, Joanne Froggatt, Anthony Head, Caroline Caren Pistorius Directed by Derek Cianfrance Goodall, Bob the Cat (USA/Australia/UK/New Zealand) Directed by Roger Spottiswoode (UK) Based on ML Stedman's 2012 novel of the Bob is a ginger stray who befriended James same name, this post-WWI drama tells the Bowen (Treadaway), a busker and recovering story of a lighthouse keeper and his wife drug addict whose life was turned around by who adopt an infant girl they find stranded the friendship. So much so, that Bowen in a rowing boat - and of the later moral con- wrote a book about the alliance which sold a sequences. million copies in the UK alone and has been Derek Cianfrance previously directed Blue translated into 30 languages. The coup of Valentine and The Place Beyond The Pines, The Accountant this British adaptation is that the filmmakers so this should be interesting. CERT 15 (128 mins) persuaded the real Bob to play himself. Released Tues 1 November Starring Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J. Released Fri 4 November K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor, John Lithgow Directed by Gavin O'Connor (USA) Number crunchers are the new warriors in a global infrastructure governed by algorithms. Christian Wolff (Affleck) is more comfortable with digits than peo- ple but has to face the real world when his dealings in criminal numerical manipulation is cottoned onto by the Treasury’s Crime Enforcement Division. People will die. Released Fri 4 November

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Film

Nocturnal Animals CERT 15 (117 mins) Starring Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer, Laura Linney, Michael Sheen, Andrea Riseborough Directed by Tom Ford (USA) The owner of an art gallery (Amy Adams) receives a manuscript of her ex-husband’s new novel, something she reads as a veiled threat… Adapted from Austin Wright’s 1993 novel Tony And Susan, this marks the fash- ion designer Tom Ford’s second film as direc- tor, following the critically acclaimed A Single Man. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Venice Film Festival. Released Fri 4 November

CRITIC’S CHOICE

A story of Sir Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo), the king of Bechuanaland CERT 12a (111 mins) (now Botswana), who falls for a white Starring David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike, office worker (Rosamund Pike) he meets Jack Davenport, Tom Felton, Jack Lowden, Terry Pheto, Laura Carmichael Directed by in London during the unforgiving years Amma Asante (UK/USA/Czech Republic) of the late 1940s. The ensuing furore that Amma Asante directed the intelligent, greeted the couple’s romance ended up powerful and hugely affecting Belle becoming a diplomatic crisis. Based on (2013) and now turns her attention to the book Colour Bar by Susan Williams another cause célèbre involving the clash and filmed in London and Botswana. of black and white skins. This is the true Released Fri 25 November

Rupture CERT 15 (99 mins) A Hundred Streets Starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Chiklis, Peter CERT 15 (93 mins) Stormare, Lesley Manville, Kerry Bishé Starring Idris Elba, Gemma Arterton, Charlie Directed by Steven Shainberg (USA/Canada) Creed-Miles, Steven Mackintosh, Samantha A single mother is abducted, drugged and Barks, Ken Stott Directed by Jim O'Hanlon (UK) taken to a secret facility where she struggles to discover what the heck is going on. Then in question are spread out across the experiments begin… the London capital, where three people’s lives take a remarkable turn. Expect some Released Fri 4 November pretty strong language and sex. Released Fri 11 November

Arrival CERT 12a (116 mins) Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Tzi Ma Directed by Denis Villeneuve (USA) Great cast, terrific director (cf. Incendies, Prisoners, Sicario). And if the idea sounds overly familiar - mysterious spacecraft land- ing all over the planet - you can bet that this will be very, very different. Amy Adams plays Louise Banks, a linguist recruited by the mil- itary to communicate with the visitors. The sci-fi drama received rave reviews at the Venice Film Festival. Released Thurs 10 November

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Film releases in November

American Pastoral Almost Christmas Allied CERT tbc CERT 15 (108 mins) CERT tbc Starring Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Lizzy Starring Ewan McGregor, Dakota Fanning, Starring Kimberly Elise, Omar Epps, Caplan, Matthew Goode, Jared Harris, Anton Jennifer Connelly, Rupert Evans, Valorie Danny Glover, Mo'Nique, Nicole Ari Lesser Directed by Robert Zemeckis (UK/USA) Curry, David Strathairn Parker, Gabrielle Union Directed by Directed by Ewan McGregor (USA) David E. Talbert (USA) No, the festivities can’t be that close!? As we’re scrambling to address our Christmas cards, along comes this star- ry ensemble in which the various members of a dysfunctional family get together to pretend to celebrate. Cf. last year’s Christmas With The Coopers. Released Fri 25 November Inspired by the true incident of two assas- sins who fell in love during a mission to take out a German official, Allied is the latest film Of all the people to adapt Philip Roth’s from the keyboard of Steven Knight. Knight’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of 1997, Ewan previous credits include Dirty Pretty Things, McGregor was not the obvious choice. Be Peaky Blinders, The Hundred-Foot Journey that as it may, the Scottish actor makes his and the criminally underrated Burnt, so this directorial debut here and plays the part of comes with some pedigree. former college athlete and successful Jewish Set in 1942 in North Africa and London. American businessman Seymour Levov. Released Fri 25 November Seymour leads a perfect life until his 16-year- old daughter (Dakota Fanning) decides to commit an act of political terrorism. Released Fri 11 November Paterson CERT tbc Starring Adam Driver, Golshifteh Farahani, Barry Shabaka Henley, Cliff Smith Directed by Jim Jarmusch (USA/Germany/France) Bad Santa 2 CERT tbc The Innocents CERT 15 (115 mins) Coincidentally, Paterson (Adam Driver) lives Starring Lou de Laâge, Agata Kulesza, Agata Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy in a city also called Paterson. It’s here that Bates, Tony Cox, Christina Hendricks, Buzek, Vincent Macaigne, Joanna Kulig our protagonist leads Directed by Anne Fontaine Brett Kelly Directed by Mark Waters (Poland/France/Belgium) (USA) his uneventful life driv- Willie T Stokes is not the most charita- ing a bus, walking his ble of characters and here uses the dog and popping into a umbrella of Yuletide to rip off a bar for his one beer a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. day. However, his wife The first film, originally released in is just bursting with 2003, was a wickedly funny black com- ambition and urges edy featuring a villain with an approxi- Paterson to take his gift mate rooting in reality. Here’s hoping for poetry seriously… the new film retains some of that cali- Released Fri bre. 25 November Released Fri 25 November

Polish films are not, as a general rule, enor- mously hearty affairs. Anne Fontaine’s The Edge Of Seventeen CERT tbc Franco-Polish drama, based on true events, is nonetheless an extraordinary and extraor- Starring Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, dinarily powerful film. Set in a Polish con- Kyra Sedgwick, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig (USA) vent in the bleak midwinter of 1945, it tells the story of how a young French Red Cross High school junior Nadine Byrd (Hailee worker (Lou de Laâge) is drawn into the Steinfeld) is not enjoying her youth, when grim, cloistered world of that institution. her older brother starts dating her best The outcome is shocking and moving and friend. Eww! This coming-of-age comedy- the film itself superbly acted and exquisitely drama from first-time writer-director Craig mounted. got some pretty awesome reviews in the US. Released Fri 11 November Released Wed 30 November

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Bellows and The Body Despite his significant standing in the US, early-20th century painter George Bellows remains a relatively unknown artist here in the UK - a perhaps unsurprising fact given that there are only two of his paintings in British public collections. One of the two is Nude, Miss Bentham, a 1906 artwork acquired last year by Birmingham’s Barber Institute and now showing at the venue in a new exhibition. What’s On recently paid the gallery a visit to find out more…

Around the middle of the 20th century, visu- Nicola Kalinsky, Director of the Barber, “but ball player sketching idealised, athletic bod- al art underwent a radical transformation as it's not a name that many people here know. ies for college yearbooks, to the socially con- modernist movements like abstract expres- The National Gallery has one Bellows paint- scious and decidedly realist artist who later sionism swept Europe and America. Yet just ing, but otherwise, ours is the only one in a emerged. a few years earlier, Western art had looked British public collection.” Other striking works include The Stag At decidedly different, and many artists who Taking pride of place is an arresting, full- Sharkey's (1917), a visceral lithograph print have received little attention in recent years length portrait acquired by the gallery in of two boxers which served as the cover for a were hugely influential in their time. February 2015. Depicting the fleshy, muscular 1915 edition of The Masses, a socialist maga- One key movement in American art which form of a female model, Nude, Miss Bentham zine whose art editor was Bellows' friend and today has been largely forgotten in Europe (1906) is here displayed alongside Bellows’ contemporary, John Sloan. comprised a group of former students of the comparable Nude Girl, Miss Leslie Hall “In the 1900s, New York was the great mod- New York School of Art who sought to reflect (1909) for the first time in over a century, ern city,” says Nicola. “With the first high- the harsh realities of the urban life around thanks to a loan from The Terra Foundation rises going up and thousands of immigrants them. Among the most prominent and prolif- for American Art. descending on it, it was an exciting place to ic of this so-called ‘Ashcan School’ was “It's a striking image,” says Nicola, “quite be, but there were also social problems and George Bellows, once described by the unlike anything else we have in the collec- poverty. The Ashcan artists felt it was impor- Columbus Museum of Art as ‘the most tion. But at the same time, it speaks to some tant to paint the city as it really was, warts acclaimed American artist of his generation’. of the work we already have. This painting and all.” In a new exhibition titled Bellows And The normally hangs near our Manet, and while Body, Birmingham University's Barber they're from different traditions, you can see Institute sheds light on this often under- similarities in terms of how painterly and Bellows and The Body: The Real, The appreciated painter. realistic they are.” Ideal and The Nude continues at The “In America, George Bellows is very popular The exhibition highlights Bellows' develop- Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University Of as well as historically important,” says ment over the years, from the student base- Birmingham, until Sunday 22nd January

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Visual Arts

Realisation mac, Birmingham, until Wed 30 November With its international reputation as one of the UK's most diverse cities, Birmingham last month seized the opportunity to acknowledge the cultural contributions of its many communities by celebrating Black History Month (BHM). As part of those celebrations, this Inspiring A New Generation-coordinated exhibition brings together examples of work by Birmingham-based painters and mixed media artists. The artwork on show either celebrates important people from the Black commu- nity or, in keeping with the over-arching theme of the city’s BHM programme, con- nects into the subject of music and musi- cians. A number of the displayed artworks are available for sale.

Eva Rothschild: East Meets West Roy Lichtenstein Alternative To Power Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Fri 6 January until Sun 26 February New Art Gallery, Walsall, until Sun 15 January The ways in which people nowadays spend Renowned for works based on comic strips Eva Rothschild’s sculptures often look ‘pre- their leisure time are many and varied, as and advertising imagery coloured with his carious’, as she herself describes them. the artwork displayed in this brand new signature Benday dots, Roy Lichtenstein was One of the leading sculptors of her genera- exhibition ably illustrates. one of the most radical and influential artists tion, the Dublin-born artist likes to create Coordinated by Grain, an organisation dedi- of the 20th century and a leading figure in and display a sense of physical tension with- cated to delivering ambitious, high-quality the Pop Art movement. in her work, an aim which often leads her to arts projects, East Meets West features the This exhibition of his art is drawn from Artist design pieces that seem to defy gravity. work of 16 local and emerging artists work- Rooms, a collection of international modern One of the intentions of this approach is to ing with moving image or photography. and contemporary art owned by National challenge the viewer; Rothschild believes The artwork on show includes images that Galleries of Scotland and Tate on behalf of that the ideal way to look at art is to be per- examine drinking culture, document com- the public. manently confused. munity-led action to save local swimming Commenting on the show, Wolverhampton Alternative To Power marks the first time baths, provide a sensitive portrait of a young councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member she’s exhibited in the Midlands. The show Shetland Island resident’s use of his leisure for City Economy, said: “This is the fourth features a new body of work for the gallery time and shine a light on the obsession that time the art gallery has hosted an Artist that’s characterised by the use of co-depen- can drive a collector. Rooms exhibition, and we’re delighted the dent forms. Each piece is made up of multi- Lichtenstein works, newly added to the col- ple elements that rely on one another for lection, are coming here this month. They support, the columns, frames, arches and were first displayed at the Scottish National benches forming a fragile union of physical Brick Wonders Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh in 2015, components. Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, and this will be the first opportunity for visi- Alongside her gallery pieces, Rothschild is until Sun 15 January tors to see the works at an Artist Rooms asso- also displaying a large-scale dyed fabric ban- Although for the majority of people Lego ciate venue.” ner, carrying the exhibition’s title, in the bricks are simply a toy with which to keep venue’s front-facing Window Box. small children entertained, for some, they’re a challenging and enjoyable modelling medi- um. The potential of these hugely popular plastic construction pieces is here celebrated via an exhibition that uses the bricks to build mod- els of some of the world's best-known build- ings and landmarks. Roy Lichtenstein Reflections on Crash 1990. ARTIST Included in a collection of over 70 construc- ROOMS, Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. Lent by The Roy Lichtenstein Foundation Collection 2015 tions are presentations of the Great Wall of China and Niagara Falls.

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Picasso On Paper Heavenly Lights: Compton Verney Art Gallery, The Untold Story Warwickshire, until Sun 11 December Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, He may be best known for his paint- until Sun 15 January ings, but during his lifetime Pablo The artwork of a Shrewsbury woman Picasso created more than 2,000 who was one of the great female prints, a statistic that bears testimo- artists of the early 20th century is ny to the high regard in which the the subject of this new exhibition. artist held the discipline of print- Margaret Agnes Rope - or Marga, as making. she was known - was born in 1882 Comprising more than 70 works and produced stained glass that can from Dusseldorf’s Museum be found in churches and cathedrals Kunstpalast, Picasso On Paper fea- on three continents. tures artwork from across four Although her work is collected by decades. Various media are in evi- museums in the US, she’s now large- dence, including etching, lithogra- ly forgotten here in the UK. phy, aquatint and linocut, with the pieces being grouped according to such themes as family, bullfighting and mythology. The exhibition is complemented by eight ceramics created by the artist in association with the Madoura pot- tery near Antibes in Provence.

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Events

Crafts For Christmas checking out a wealth of supplies, innovations, new product launch- es, demonstrations and workshops... NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 3 - Sun 6 November For anybody whose passion is making art, a few hours spent at the This popular event for crafting enthusiasts at all levels brings togeth- Art Materials Live attraction should prove to be both stimulating and er four distinct shows under one roof - Crafts For Christmas, Cake informative. There are numerous free workshops to enjoy, fascinating International (4 to 6 November), Arts Material Live and Stitching, demonstrations by professional artists and the opportunity to stock Sewing And Hobbycrafts. up on fresh supplies and admire ‘stunning’ displays... The fourth Crafts For Christmas sees more than 150 exhibitors showcasing their show, opening a day later than the other three, is Cake International, exclusive range of bespoke and unusual gifts. ‘Inspiring’ workshops, the UK’s leading cake decorating, sugarcraft and cake-baking show. live music, a gift-wrapping service and an impressive array of festive The event features cutting-edge workshops and demonstrations, lots food also feature... of information about the latest trends and supplies, and an opportu- Visitors to the Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycrafts element of the event nity to check out some of the best entries in the annual cake-decorat- are invited to ‘stock up and revel in creative craft inspiration’ by ing competition.

Lancaster Insurance BBC Good Food Show Mind Body Spirit Festival Classic Motor Show NEC, Birmingham, NEC, Birmingham, Fri 4 - Sun 6 November Thurs 24 - Sun 27 November NEC, Birmingham, Fri 11 - Sun 13 November The Mind Body Spirit Festival has been The biggest event of its kind, the Classic A long-time favourite on the UK’s culi- offering spiritual seekers a safe place in Motor Show has some impressive statistics nary events calendar, the BBC Good which to commune and share their ideas, behind it. Last year’s event, for example, Food Show brings a packed programme beliefs and philosophies for almost 40 featured a display of 1,800 cars and more of inspiration and entertainment to the years. than 600 trade stands manned by 250 of the NEC. When founded in 1977, it was the only exhi- UK’s best motoring clubs. Continuing to attract the crème de la bition in the world entirely devoted to the Visitors to the 2016 edition of the show can crème of TV personalities, this year’s pursuit of healthier, more creative and ful- expect plenty more of the same, as well as show sees, among others, Mary Berry, filling lifestyles. the chance to drop into the Restoration The Hairy Bikers, Raymond Blanc, Paul A concept which might have seemed a little Theatre to find out how to restore a cher- Hollywood, Michael Roux Jr, James bit ‘out there’ back in the mid-1970s has cer- ished classic. The always-popular autojum- Martin and Great British Bake Off 2015 tainly come of age in the early 21st century. ble makes a welcome return too, complete winner Nadiya Hussain cooking up a In an ever more stressful and seemingly with a range of mouthwatering 'show only' treat or several in the Supertheatre. dangerous world, it’s hardly surprising that offers. Add into the mix oodles of tastings, hun- the festival is going from strength to Other attractions at this year’s event include dreds of exhibitors showcasing their strength, as people seek a means of occa- a dedicated classic motorbike show, wares and a special show celebrating the sionally escaping the trials and tribulations Silverstone auctions, the chance for visitors cuisine of Northern Ireland, and you’ve of modern living. to take a ride in ‘the car of their dreams’, got yourself the makings of a delicious Attractions at this month’s show include a and an appearance by Wheeler Dealer star day out. workshop programme presenting new ideas Mike Brewer. on relationships, awakening, feng shui, inspired living, NLP, yoga, meditation, mod- ern shamanism, science & angels.

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more events from around the region

MCM Comic Con Birmingham Hereford NEC, Birmingham, Sat 19 - Sun 20 November Contemporary The MCM Comic Con is an absolute must for anybody Craft Fair with an interest in movies, gaming, comics, anime, cult Left Bank, Hereford, television shows, gadgets, clothing and toys. It also has Fri 11 - Sun 13 November an impressive track record when it comes to hosting This well-attended annual show celebrity appearances - and this year is certainly no dif- features contemporary craft ferent... designer-makers presenting a American actor Sam Jones shot to albeit brief stardom wide variety of work, including in 1980 when he took the title role in the big-screen ver- jewellery, textiles, furniture, sion of Flash Gordon. The British-made movie, which ceramics, glass, stone carving, boasted a camp, over-the-top style reminiscent of the basketry, fashion & accessories 1960s Batman TV series, has since become a cult clas- and metalwork. sic - a fact which not surprisingly means that Sam is Commenting on the event, nowadays in great demand at events such as this one. organiser Leoni Linton says: He’s joined at this month’s get-together by Keir Dullea “Visitors to the show are able to and Gary Lockwood, two of the stars of Stanley meet every single maker of the Kubrick’s legendary sci-fi movie, 2001: A Space craft they see, bringing to life an Odyssey. object of beauty with an under- standing of who made it, and how and why they made it. This makes every purchase both per- Spanish Riding School of jewellery and metalwork - all handmade by sonal and special - especially a local craftspeople - are available for purchase, bespoke commission, which vir- Vienna: 450th Anniversary as are numerous edible delights. This year’s tually all our exhibitors take.” Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, exhibitors include: Emily Richard, who makes Fri 18 - Sun 20 November jewellery in precious metals; Amanda Hillier, whose limited-edition linoprints, cards and gifts are inspired by Shropshire; and Sam Hemming, who creates unusual handmade glass and gemstone beadwork jewellery.

Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre

The Spanish Riding School of Vienna is this Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, Sat 26 - Sun 27 November month celebrating its 450th anniversary with a Warley National series of exclusive shows in Birmingham and Juggling jesters, giant puppets, swashbuckling Model Railway London. sword fighters and a marvellous medley of Exhibition The shows are hosted by TV presenter and medieval musicians all play their part in British Dressage Ambassador Nicki Chapman. ensuring an engaging and entertaining experi- NEC, Birmingham, Commenting on her involvement, Nicki said: ence for visitors to this ever-popular event - as Sat 26 - Sun 27 November “Spanish Riding School of Vienna tours are do more than 100 stall holders selling food, The organisers of this long-run- rare and exceptional. I’ve witnessed first hand drink and seasonal wares. ning event - this month’s exhibi- these graceful horses thrilling crowds with “I’m delighted by the range of new entertain- tion is the 49th edition of the their astonishing combination of elegance and ment we’ve secured for this year’s show,” says show - have very sensibly got an power. This is an extraordinary, once-in-a-life- Paul Saunders, artistic director of the fayre eye to the future, ensuring time opportunity to witness these world- and a musician and performer in his own there’s plenty for youngsters to renowned horses performing in the UK, during right. “Not only do we have great new music, enjoy across the two days. the academy’s momentous 450th anniversary theatre and live shows, but we’ve also got a Kids’ attractions include a num- year.” fantastic new range of workshops for visitors ber of layouts designed for chil- of all ages to enjoy, from music and instrument dren to operate and a Junior making right through to dancing.” Modellers Workshop, in which Gorgeous Christmas budding engineers can put their skills to the test. Craft Fair The show features more than 90 Enginuity, Ironbridge, Sat 19 - Sun 20 November layouts in total, as well as Held in association with the Shropshire Guild numerous demonstrations, of Contemporary Craft, this popular event pro- plenty of trade stands and, as a vides a showcase for the region’s creative tal- rather impressive centrepiece, four full-sized locomotives. ent. Furniture, ceramics, glassware, textiles, Tryzna

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Your week to week listings guide November 2016 thelist

Santa’s Winter Wonderland at SnowDome, Tamworth - Fri 18 Nov - Sat 31 Dec 31 Sat Tamworth SnowDome, - Wonderlandat Nov Winter 18 FriSanta’s -

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

What’s On Tues 1 to Sun 6 November Mon 7 to Sun 13 November Mon 14 to Sun 20 November Mon 21 to Wed 30 November

Festival of Light at Dudley Shrewsbury Chocolate Festival Jon Boden at Theatre Severn, Christmas at The National Forest Canal Trust at St Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury Adventure Farm, Burton upon Sat 5 November Shrewsbury Thurs 17 November Trent Sat 12 - Sun 13 November Sat 26 Nov - Sat 24 December

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thelist Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 November Nov, The Roadhouse, LUKE JACKSON TRIO Sat THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER Gigs Birmingham 5 Nov, The Brewhouse IRON FIST OF THE SUN, Arts Centre, Burton- houses, including Weston, depicting KHOST, TUNNELS OF AH upon-Trent HAWKLORDS Tues 1 Visual Arts the richness of the rooms and, at & STECKDOSE Thurs 3 BLINK 1&2 - TRIBUTE TO Nov, The Robin, Bilston times, seeing the landscape through Nov, Hare & Hounds, BLINK 182 Sat 5 Nov, Bilston Craft Gallery the windows, Tues 1 - Tues 29 Nov THE PEATBOG FAERIES Bimingham The Sugarmill, Stoke- Tues 1 Nov, Ludlow WORK IN WARTIME An exploration of FLAMINGODS Thurs 3 on-Trent Wolverhampton Art Gallery Assembly Rooms, the key part played by local indus- Nov, The Sunflower BEVERLEY CRAVEN Sat 5 WOLVERHAMPTON SOCIETY OF ARTISTS South Shropshire tries in military-related production in Lounge, Birmingham Nov, Stafford the First and Second World Wars. - AUTUMN EXHIBITION A chance for GLENN TILBROOK - THE SMOOVE & TURRELL Fri Gatehouse Theatre Featuring archive images, Villiers members to showcase new work, BEST OF TIMES Tues 1 4 Nov, Hare & Hounds, ELAINE PAIGE Sat 5 Nov, engines, a motorcycle and bicycle including responses to the theme of Nov, Theatre Severn, Birmingham Symphony Hall, B’ham used in combat, and a rare Sunbeam ‘Metamorphosis’, until Sun 13 Nov Shrewsbury V12 aero-engine on special loan GORDON HENDRICKS IS DANCE GAVIN DANCE Sat LARISSA SANSOUR - IN THE FUTURE SYD ARTHUR Tues 1 from the Black Country Living ELVIS Fri 4 Nov, The 5 Nov, O2 Institute, THEY ATE FROM THE FINEST PORCELAIN Nov, The Rainbow Museum, until Sun 13 Nov Place, Oakengates Birmingham Film by Larissa Sansour which focus- Venues, Birmingham Theatre, Telford PAUL HENSHAW Sat 5 es on a resistance group that makes CORY HENRY & THE Dudley Museum & Art Gallery SOUTHERN TENNANT Nov, Havana Republic underground deposits of elaborate FUNK APOSTLES Tues 1 A BRUSH WITH NATURE The Wildlife Art FOLK UNION Fri 4 Nov, Bar and Restaurant, porcelain - suggested to belong to an Nov, The Glee Club, Society International present a Edge Arts Centre, Shrewsbury national exhibition of animal illustra- entirely fictional civilisation, Sat 5 Birmingham Much Wenlock, South AMON AMARTH Sat 5 tions. Includes some recent works Nov - Sun 8 Jan TELEGRAM Tues 1 Nov, Shropshire Nov, O2 Academy, from Dudley Zoo, until Sat 19 Nov Other VISUAL ARTS Hare & Hounds, B’ham MERCHANDISE Fri 4 Nov, Birmingham DESIGN AND DESIRE: THE GREAT BLUES PILLS Tues 1 The Sunflower Lounge, SCORPION CHILD Sat 5 Museum of Cannock Chase EXHIBITION OF 1851 Objects and Nov, The Slade Rooms, Birmingham Nov, The Rainbow images, including prints and paint- Wolverhampton EVERYBODY'S DARLING: THE FIRST STRICTLY ABBA Fri 4 Venues, Birmingham ings from the Elton Collection, tell WORLD WAR, NURSE Exhibition paying WILL JOSEPH COOK Tues Nov, Theatre On The the story of how the Great Exhibition LEGENDARY NIGHT IN homage to the nursing organisations 1 Nov, The Sunflower Steps, Bridgnorth, became one of the most influential Birmingham Sat 5 Nov, that served during the war, until Fri Lounge, Birmingham South Shropshire and renowned events of the 19th O2 Academy, B’ham 16 Dec HONNE Tues 1 Nov, O2 century, until Fri 24 Feb 2017, BUGZY MALONE Fri 4 GOSPEL GOES CHARITY Institute, Birmingham Coalbrookdale Gallery, Telford Nov, O2 Institute, 2016 Sat 5 Nov, New Art Gallery - Walsall Birmingham SIR ALAN COBHAM’S FLYING CIRCUS: A JMSN Tues 1 Nov, Hare Birmingham Town Hall CHLOE ASHLEY: THE BUILDING AS & Hounds, Birmingham LIFE OF A PIONEERING AVIATOR Highly THANK ABBA FOR THE SWEAT Sat 5 Nov, Hare MATERIAL Artist Chloe Ashley has visual display about pioneering avia- ANDY IRVINE Wed 2 MUSIC Fri 4 Nov, & Hounds, Birmingham been selected to develop a new tor Sir Alan Cobham’s life and many Nov, The Red Lion Folk Stafford Gatehouse HUSK Sat 5 Nov, O2 body of work from the Gallery’s First notable achievements, showcasing Club, Birmingham Theatre Floor Artists’ Studio, taking inspira- Academy, Birmingham some of the ‘treasures’ from the col- BRING ME THE HORIZON tion from the forms and materials BEAR'S DEN Wed 2 Nov, lection, until Sun 30 Apr 2017, RAF Fri 4 Nov, Barclaycard ICE NINE KILLS Sat 5 that identify the building, until Sun 13 O2 Institute, B’ham Cosford, Shifnal Arena, Birmingham Nov, The Rainbow Nov GABRIELLE Wed 2 Nov, Venues, Birmingham NEW BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD DAN PAGE Fri 4 Nov, RECENT ACQUISITIONS PART 2: Birmingham Town Hall Havana Republic Bar SAXON Sun 6 Nov, LANDSCAPE AND THE URBAN Celebrating the long and remarkable REBECCA FERGUSON and Restaurant, Wulfrun Hall, ENVIRONMENT Showcasing works creative lives of Pat Albeck and Peter Wed 2 Nov, Symphony Shrewsbury Wolverhampton which complement the themes of Rice, Wed 9 Nov - Thurs 26 Jan, Hall, Birmingham AFRO CELT SOUND CARRIE RODRIGUEZ Sun Metropolis and Landscape by Willie Keele University TELEMAN Wed 2 Nov, NEW THE FFIESTY FFELTERS ANNUAL SYSTEM Fri 4 Nov, 6 Nov, Henry Tudor Doherty, John Newling, David The Slade Rooms, EXHIBITION Theatre Severn, House, Shrewsbury Rowan, Paul Seawright and Emma An exhibition of contem- Wolverhampton Stibbon, until Sun 12 Feb 2017 Shrewsbury NOLA INSPIRED Sun 6 porary felting exploring the theme of MARTIN TURNER EX WOMEN IN ROCK Fri 4 Nov, The Roadhouse, ‘structure’ in both 2D and 3D work, WISHBONE ASH Wed 2 Potteries Museum & Art Nov, The Roadhouse, Birmingham Sun 13 - Sat 26 Nov, The Bear Steps Nov, The Robin, Bilston Gallery - Stoke-On-Trent Gallery, Shrewsbury Birmingham BONFIRE RADICALS Sun NEW PICTURES OF THE FUTURE GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, NEW THE HISTORY OF ETRURIA; KT TUNSTALL Fri 4 Nov, 6 Nov, Hare & Hounds, INSTALLATION FUNK AND SOUL OPEN Birmingham FACTORIES AND FESTIVALS This interactive installa- Symphony Hall, Using MIC NIGHT Wed 2 Nov, tion is a response to Peter Rice’s Birmingham KSI Sun 6 Nov, O2 objects from across the museum’s The Night Owl, B’ham mural, A Bright Past For Stoke-on- Institute, Birmingham collections, this display charts the PJ HARVEY Fri 4 Nov, Trent, and includes day-to-day THE MOUSE OUTFIT Wed history of Etruria from its inception by Starworks Warehouse, DEVINES Sun 6 Nov, objects, voiceovers and musical 2 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Josiah Wedgwood in the 18th centu- Wolverhampton Kitchen Garden Cafe, demonstrations as an artistic co-cre- Birmingham ry through to today’s business, retail ADELE UNPLUGGED Fri 4 Birmingham ation from Stoke-on-Trent communi- ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN and leisure developments, Sat 26 Nov, The Buttermarket, CHERYL MIKE & JAY - ties, Thurs 24 - Thurs 26 Jan, Keele Thursrs 3 Nov, Wulfrun Nov - Fri 31 Mar Shrewsbury FORMERLY OF BUCKS University Hall, Wolverhampton NEW CASTLE ARTISTS CHRISTMAS CORINNE BAILEY RAE Fri FIZZ Sun 6 Nov, Prince Qube Gallery, Oswestry CARRIE RODRIGUEZ EXHIBITION Featuring 4 Nov, O2 Institute, Of Wales Centre, OPEN ART COMPETITION Exhibition of Thurs 3 Nov, Kitchen paintings, linocuts, Birmingham Cannock shortlisted entries, on the theme of photographs, cards and textiles, Garden Cafe, B’ham ASHLEY ALLEN QUINTET LIVE & LET ROCK Sun 6 migration, until Mon 7 Nov Sat SHAWN KLUSH - ELVIS Fri 4 Nov, Symphony Nov, The Robin, Bilston 26 - Sun 27 Nov, The Public Hall, WORLD TOUR Thurs 3 Bishops Castle Hall, Birmingham THE MISSION Sun 6 Shrewsbury Museum & Art NEW THE BREWHOUSE CHRISTMAS Nov, Civic Hall, THE READY EDDIES Fri 4 Nov, O2 Institute, Gallery EXHIBITION Wolverhampton Nov, The Robin, Bilston Birmingham 'HEAVENLY LIGHTS: THE UNTOLD STORY A mixed-media exhibition JACK SAVORETTI Thurs 3 THE MEN THAT WILL NOT OF STAINED GLASS ARTIST MARGARET featuring a range of festive artworks Nov, O2 Institute, SHAM 69 Sat 5 Nov, BE BLAMED FOR AGNES ROPE' Celebrating the life and and decorations made by local Birmingham Wulfrun Hall, NOTHING Sun 6 Nov, O2 times of Shrewsbury stained-glass schools alongside a hand-picked Wolverhampton selection of professional unique, ROXY MAGIC Thurs 3 Academy, Birmingham artist Margaret Agnes Rope, until BON GIOVI Sat 5 Nov, handmade items sourced from local Nov, The Robin, Bilston Sun 15 Jan 2017 The Robin, Bilston THE SKULL + WITCH designer makers, Mon 28 Nov - Sat 7 3 DOORS DOWN Thurs 3 MOUNTAIN Sun 6 Nov, INTO THE SHADOWS Sat Weston Park Jan The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Nov, O2 Academy, The Rainbow Venues, Burton-upon-Trent Birmingham 5 Nov, Theatre Severn, Birmingham NEW MATTHEW WOOD Shrewsbury Matthew focus- MULTI STORY Thurs 3 es on the interiors of grand country 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 1 - 6 Nov - Wolves/Shrops & Staffs NEW.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 18:52 Page 2

Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 November

JAMES ACASTER Wed 2 Nov, Stafford Avon Featuring 30 world-class Chinese Classical Music Gatehouse Theatre THE ROVER Aphra Behn's anarchic acrobats, aerial artists and jugglers, MRS BARBARA NICE, SALLY-ANNE restoration comedy, rich with seduc- all of whom interact with the skills HAYWARD, JULIET MEYERS & MAUREEN tion, intrigue and danger, set in the and dexterity of the masters of mar- CRAIG OGDEN Programme includes YOUNGER Wed 2 Nov, Kitchen Garden topsy-turvy world of the carnival. tial arts - the legendary Shaolin works by Mauro Guiliani, Walton, Cafe, Birmingham Loveday Ingram directs, until Sat 11 Warriors, Wed 2 Nov, Theatre Severn, Scarlatti, JS Bach, Albeniz & Gary Feb, The Swan Theatre, Stratford- Shrewsbury Ryan, Wed 2 Nov, Keele University LUCY PORTER Wed 2 Nov, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury upon-Avon GOTHIC TALES European Arts CBSO: BRAHMS' SECOND Featuring the THE EXORCIST Unleashed for the first Company & Redheart Theatre pres- City Of Birmingham Symphony DAVE SPIKEY Thurs 3 Nov, Stafford time in a uniquely theatrical experi- ent an evening of Victorian mystery Orchestra, Cristian Macelaru (con- Gatehouse Theatre ence, until Sat 5 Nov, The REP, and suspense, Wed 2 Nov, Arena ductor) & Simon Trpeski (piano). RUSSELL HOWARD Thurs 3 - Sat 5 Birmingham Theatre, Wolverhampton Programme includes works by Nov, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle- THE TEMPEST: A STORYTELLING Dvorak, Bartok & Brahms, Thurs 3 WHAT SHADOWS Roxana Silbert-direct- under-Lyme Shakespeare’s powerful tale, pre- Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham ed play starring Ian McDiarmid as Enoch Powell, until Sat 12 Nov, The sented by award-winning storyteller KALICHSTEIN-LAREDO-ROBINSON TRIO REP, Birmingham Maria Whatton, Wed 2 Nov, Lichfield Featuring Jaime Laredo (violin), Garrick Sharon Robinson (cello) & Joseph DRACULA: THE MUSICAL Amateur pro- AN AUDIENCE WITH SIR RANULPH Kalichstein (piano). Programme duction presented by Blue Orange FIENNES An evening with ‘the world's includes works by Beethoven, Arts and Night Project Theatre, until greatest living explorer, Wed 2 Nov, Shostakovich & Brahms, Fri 4 Nov, Sat 5 Nov, The Blue Orange Theatre, The Bramall, Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall Birmingham PEPPA PIG'S SURPRISE Peppa Pig, BINCHOIS CONSORT In Praise of Saints: HENRY V The Crescent Theatre George and their friends return with a English Music and Midlands Company present Shakespeare’s brand new live stage show, Wed 2 - Alabasters in the Fifteenth Century, epic history play, until Sat 5 Nov, Thurs 3 Nov, Regent Theatre, Stoke- Fri 4 Nov, The Barber Institute, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham on-Trent Birmingham MANILLA ROAD COMEDY Thurs 3 Nov, THE MOUSETRAP Touring production The Victoria, Birmingham CATS A West Bromwich Youth Theatre VOSKRESENIJE CHOIR OF ST PETERS- of Agatha Christie's famous thriller - production, Wed 2 - Sat 5 Nov, BURG Programme includes Russian PETER WHITE, ADAM KAY, BEN BRIGGS & the longest-running show in the his- Lichfield Garrick sacred music by Rachmaninov, YIANNI AGISILAOU Thurs 3 Nov, The tory of British theatre, Mon 31 Oct - Tshesnokov & Caccini’s Ava Maria, George Hotel, Lichfield Sat 5 Nov, New Alexandra Theatre, THE ADDAMS FAMILY The show that Fri 4 Nov, St Chad’s Church, CHRIS MCCAUSLAND, DALISO Birmingham puts family first and family last, Wed Shrewsbury CHAPONDA, CHRIS KEHOE, THOMAS HOME AT SEVEN Brian Capron and 2 - Sat 5 Nov, Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CHOIR: SONGS RACKHAM & LOU CONRAN Thurs 3 Nov, Jenny Funnell star in a staging of RC FROM A CHANGING WORLD Programme Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs Sherriff's well-crafted thriller, Tues 1 THE SHAHNAMEH Join storyteller includes works by Elgar, Walton, ROB DEERING, SEAN MCLOUGHLIN Nov - Sat 5 Nov, Wolverhampton Xanthe Gresham Knight as she dives Tippett, Brahms & contemporary & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY Grand Theatre into the majestic mythology of Persia, composer, Bob Chilcott, Sun 6 Nov, ROBINSON Thurs 3 Nov, The Glee PAM AYRES Pam has been entertain- with tales of supersized heroes, mag- Bramall Music Building, Birmingham Club, Birmingham ing the nation for over 40 years with ical horses, selfish kings and a femme fatale queen, Thurs 3 Nov, EX CATHEDRA: BACH MASS IN B MINOR her hair-trigger timing and eye for the WV1 COMEDY Fri 4 Nov, Molineux Kinokulture, Oswestry, North Featuring Jeffrey Skidmore (conduc- detail of everyday life, Tues 1 Nov, Stadium, Wolverhampton Shropshire tor), Elizabeth Adams, Katie Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury LLOYD GRIFFITH, ADAM BLOOM, Trethaway & Amy Wood (sopranos); THE COLLECTOR Compelling tale of ANDREW RYAN & DAVE LONGLEY Fri 4 LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS Harriet Houghman Slade & Martha murder, evil and betrayal set in occu- Nov, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham LEMONS Walrus Theatre’s award-win- McLorinan (altos); Jeremy Budd ning debut show examines how we pied Iraq, Thurs 3 Nov, Arena (tenor) & Thomas Flint & Greg ROB DEERING, SEAN MCLOUGHLIN, express ourselves, personally and Theatre, Wolverhampton Skidmore (bass), Sun 6 Nov, KEVIN CARTHY & ANDREW WATTS Fri 4 - politically, through the lens of one Birmingham Town Hall Sat 5 Nov, The Glee Club, B’ham couple’s relationship, Tues 1 - Wed 2 EARTH, AIR, RAIN Featuring Richard ROFL COMEDY CLUB Sat 5 Nov, The Nov, mac, Birmingham Frewer (tenor) & David Price (piano). Old Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent PATIENCE Erdington Operatic Society Programme includes works by LLOYD GRIFFITH, IAN COGNITO, ANDREW present an amateur production of Schubert & Finzi, Sun 6 Nov, RYAN & DAVE LONGLEY Sat 5 Nov, The Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera, Prestfelde School, Shrewsbury Comedy Loft, Birmingham Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, Sutton Coldfield GLENDA JAXSON, OLA, KEVIN J, JOHN Town Hall SIMMIT Sun 6 Nov, mac, Birmingham HEADS WILL ROLL Told By An Idiot JUNIOR JESTERS #6 Sun 6 Nov, present a dark epic comedy about Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury delusion, vanity, and the corruption Comedy Gigs of power, Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, The JAMES SHERWOOD, SILKY, EDDY REP, Birmingham BRIMSOM & DAN NIGHTINGALE Sun 6 TAPE FACE Tues 1 Nov, Wulfrun Hall, Nov, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury THE CHINESE STATE CIRCUS: DYNASTY Wolverhampton ROB BECKETT Wed 2 Nov, Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton The Addams Family Theatre Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, Wed 2 - Sat 5 November Brownhills Musical Theatre Company break out the gruesome VISITORS Haunting and beautiful exploration of the way in which our makeup and theatrical cobwebs to present this brand new musi- lives slip past us, until Sat 5 Nov, The cal, based on the popular mid-1960s US television series of the Rose Theatre, Kidderminster same name. The ensemble are promising a show that’s not only THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN Based on ‘funny and clever’ but also boasts ‘great music’. So if you fancy a Chaucer's The Knight's Tale, The Two SEANN WALSH Wed 2 Nov, The post-Halloween, lightheartedly spinetingling evening watching Noble Kinsmen is attributed to John Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon- Uncle Fester howl at the moon, while Gomez and Morticia fight Fletcher and William Shakespeare, Trent for supremacy and the ancestors create pandemonium, the and is best described as a tragicom- BILLY CONNOLLY Wed 2 - Thurs 3 Nov, edy exploring the intoxication and gloomy old mansion at 0001 Cemetery Lane is the address to head Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham strangeness of love, until Tues 7 Feb, for... The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-

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thelist Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 November COULROPHOBIA Pickled Image present tion to the technology of artificial a show featuring slapstick, mime, intelligence, Thurs 3 - Fri 4 Nov, puppetry and a lot of cardboard. DanceXchange, Birmingham Contains nudity and some strong Hippodrome language, Fri 4 Nov, mac, TEN Ace Dance & Music present a Birmingham thought provoking full length dance MRS GUIDO FAULKES ENTERTAINS Rip- production combining contemporary roaring comedy with songs, bombs, dance with an essence of Flamenco, bullets and busty bawdiness aplenty, Kathak, Martial Arts and Ballet, Fri 4 Fri 4 Nov, Lichfield Garrick Nov, mac, Birmingham THE SHAHNAMEH Join storyteller SLEEPING BEAUTY The Russian State Xanthe Gresham Knight as she dives Ballet & Opera House presents its into the majestic mythology of Persia, version of the classic story of love with tales of supersized heroes, mag- and innocence, mystery and magic, ical horses, selfish kings and a set to Tchaikovsky’s sublime score, femme fatale queen, Fri 4 Nov, The Fri 4 Nov, Theatre Severn, Wightman Theatre, Shrewsbury Shrewsbury MADDY AND THE INVISIBLE BAND OF THE NUTCRACKER The Russian State GROOVERS A story within a story, fus- Ballet & Opera House presents it ver- ing storytelling, puppetry and songs sion of the much-loved Christmas to celebrate diversity, difference and classic, Sat 5 Nov, Theatre Severn, The Shahnameh - Kinokulture, Oswestry & The Wightman, Shrewsbury friendship, Fri 4 Nov, Arena Theatre, Shrewsbury Wolverhampton INFUSION EMPORIUM World fusion ALOYS (12A) Drama/Fantasy. Starring NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: POLARIS The chilling horror of a reali- dance event featuring groundbreak- Georg Friedrich, Tilde von Overbeck. Released from Tues 1 Nov, showing ty shattered and a splintered exis- ing dance company UNMATA from Foreign language, subtitled. Stoke at selected cinemas tence in turmoil... Fri 4 Nov, The Old Sacramento, California, Sat 5 Nov, Film Theatre, Thurs 1 Nov THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS (12a) Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton THE ANGELS' SHARE (18) Thurs 3 Nov, showing at selected POLICE COPS Action-packed hour of Comedy/Drama . Starring Paul cinemas adrenaline-fuelled physical theatre, Brannigan, Siobhan Reilly. Electric cinematic style and uncompromising Cinema, Birmingham, Thurs 3 Nov DENNIS VIOLLET: A UNITED MAN (tbc) Fri 4 Nov, showing at selected cine- facial hair, Sat 5 Nov, Old Joint Stock LA VEUVE DE SAINT-PIERRE (15) mas Theatre, Birmingham Drama/Romance. Starring Juliette ALFIE WHITE SPACE EXPLORER A cos- Film Binoche, Daniel Auteuil. The Hive, THE ACCOUNTANT (15) mic tale of adventure and discovery INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Fri 4 Nov NOCTURNAL ANIMALS (15) for children aged five-plus, Sat 5 Nov, CINEMA BAMBINO: FINDING DORY (U) RUPTURE (15) Lichfield Garrick Animation/Comedy. Starring Ellen BADEN BADEN (15) Comedy/Drama. A STREET CAT NAMED BOB (12a) THE STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL & MR DeGeneres (voice), Albert Brooks Starring Salomé Richard & Claude HYDE An intimate and haunting sci- (voice). mac, Birmingham, Fri 4 Nov THE DARKEST UNIVERSE (15) Gensac. Foreign language, subtitled. ence fiction classic, Sat 5 - Sat 12 MAGIC MIKE (15) Comedy/Drama. Nov, Oldbury Rep Stoke Film Theatre, Tues 1 Nov; mac, Birmingham, until Wed 2 Nov Starring Channing Tatum, Alex THE NOSE THAT NOBODY PICKED Expect Pettyfer. The Mockingbird, MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE (15) mountains of mucus, toe-tapping Birmingham, Fri 4 Nov tunes and two nostrils full of magic in Documentary. Starring Rob Alter, Tom Cruise, Paz de la Huerta. mac, THE 9TH LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX (15) Events this show for young audiences, Sun Mystery/Thriller. Starring Jamie 6 Nov, Arena Theatre, W’hampton Birmingham, until Thurs 3 Nov Dornan, Aiden Longworth. Ludlow TUESDAY TILE DECORATING MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR OLIVER SAMUELS IN GUILT TRIP New Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, South WORKSHOPS Get creative by using CHILDREN (12a) Adventure/Fantasy. comedy drama which reminds us Shropshire, Fri 4 & Mon 7 Nov the tube lining technique to produce Starring Eva Green, Asa Butterfield. that knowledge from your past can your very own tile to take home. Light House Media Centre, THE INFILTRATOR (15) Biography, turn out to be cruel, but can also be Activities vary from day to day, Tues Wolverhampton, until Thurs 3 Nov Crime. Starring Bryan Cranston, a powerful and invigorating force, John Leguizamo. Stoke Film Theatre, 1 Nov, Jackfield Tile Museum, THE BEATLES: EIGHT DAYS A WEEK (12a) Sun 6 Nov, New Alexandra Theatre, Fri 4 - Sat 5 Nov Ironbridge, Shropshire Birmingham Documentary. Directed by Ron CRAFTPLAY EXPLORERS Regular stay Howard. Malvern Theatres, until SONITA (15) Documentary. Starring CLOUD CUCKOO LAND: DING DONG An and play groups to discover, play Thurs 3 Nov; Light House Media Sonita Alizadeh, Rokhsareh interactive musical play about ‘time’ and create with your child. For chil- Centre, Wolverhampton, until Thurs 3 Ghaemmaghami. Foreign language, for younger children, Sun 6 Nov, dren up to five years of age, Tues 1 Nov subtitled. mac, Birmingham, Fri 4 - mac, Birmingham Wed 9 Nov Nov, Bilston Craft Gallery, REAR WINDOW (PG) BEYOND THE BARRICADE Hit songs Drama/Film-Noir. Wolverhampton Starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly. SCREEN JUNIORS:THE WIZ (U) from legendary West End and FESTIVE POTTERS Make decorations, Mitchell Arts Centre, Stoke, Tues 1 Adventure/Fantasy. Starring Diana Broadway musicals, Sun 6 Nov, which you can then give as a present Nov Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey. mac, Lichfield Garrick Birmingham, Sat 5 Nov or keep for yourself!, Tues 1 Nov, The THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING (15) Hive, Shrewsbury Documentary. Starring Stacey Arwen ME BEFORE YOU (12A) PIRATE TRAIL Find the pictures of Raab. Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Drama/Romance. Starring Emilia pirates cunningly concealed around Staffs, Wed 2 Nov Clarke, Sam Claflin. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, South Gladstone. Free gift and entry into a MUSTANG (15) Drama. Starring Günes Dance Shropshire, Fri 4 & Mon 7 Nov prize draw for everyone who takes Sensoy, Doga Zeynep Doguslu. part, Tues 1 - Wed 30 Nov, Gladstone THE MATRIX TRILOGY (15) Action/Sci-Fi. VAMOS CUBA New show from Foreign language, subtitled. Foxlowe Pottery Museum, Stoke-on-Trent Starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence acclaimed Cuban choreographer Arts Centre, Leek, Thurs 3 Nov Fishburne. The Mockingbird, CRAFTPLAY LITTLE EXPLORERS Explore Nilda Guerra which fuses traditional HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE (PG) Birmingham, Sat 5 Nov your senses in these new sessions and modern dance styles including Adventure/Comedy. Starring Sam for young children and babies, Wed salsa, rumba, cha-cha-cha and reg- Neill, Julian Dennison. Ludlow OH, MR. PORTER! (U) Comedy. Starring 2 Nov, Bilston Craft Gallery, gaeton, Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, South Will Hay. Electric Cinema, Wolverhampton Birmingham Hippodrome Shropshire, Thurs 3 Nov Birmingham, Sun 6 Nov ARTFORUM A range of art activities for PATTERN RECOGNITION Using moving THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS (15) 14 to 25-year-olds, using different lights which can track and intelligent- Drama/Thriller. Starring Glenn Close, materials and methods, with the ly respond to the dancers, Pattern Gemma Arterton. Light House Media gallery as inspiration, Wed 2 Nov, Recognition opens up questions Centre, W’hampton, until Thurs 3 Wolverhampton Art Gallery about learning and memory in rela- Nov DISCOVER VOLUNTEERING SESSIONS

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Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 November

Discover more about volunteering cover career opportunities across a DINOVEMBER DINO WALK Dress as opportunities at Attingham, Thurs 3 broad range of industries, Fri 4 - Sat your favourite dinosaur and join the Nov, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury 5 Nov, NEC, Birmingham garden dinowalk. Prizes on the day Bonfires & GINO D'ACAMPO SIGNING Gino HALLOWEEN SCREAM NIGHTS Uncover for the best-dressed dinosaur cos- D'Acampo signs copies of his latest the haunting mystery of the Priory tume, Sat 5 Nov, Biddulph Grange Firework book, Gino's Hidden Italy, Thurs 3 Fields, discover the gory secret of Garden, Stoke-on-Trent Nov, Waterstones - High St, Mrs Piggot’s Pie Shop, feel the fear DEER FEEDING Get closer to the fallow Displays Birmingham on the ‘Destruction’ trailer ride, and deer as the wardens feed them in the CRAFTS FOR CHRISTMAS The perfect risk never sleeping with the lights off winter months, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Nov, BONFIRE AND FIREWORKS DISPLAY AT place to start your Christmas prepa- again when you visit the House of Attingham Park, Shrewsbury TRENTHAM Fri 4 Nov, Trentham rations, with a host of gifts you Insomnia, Fri 4 - Sat 5 Nov, Lower THE NATIONAL PET SHOW 2015 Estate, Stoke-on-Trent Drayton Farm, Stafford wouldn’t usually find on the high Featuring hundreds of different ani- TUTBURY CASTLE VIKINGS AND street, Thurs 3 - Sun 6 Nov, NEC, MIND BODY SPIRIT WELLBEING mals, animal action displays, inform- FIREWORK SPECTACULAR Fri 4 - Sat 5 Birmingham FESTIVAL Featuring 100 exhibitors, 27 ative talks and demonstrations, Sat 5 Nov, Tutbury Castle, Burton upon ART MATERIALS LIVE Hone your paint- workshops, live music, a wellbeing - Sun 6 Nov, NEC, Birmingham Trent studio & spa, a ceremony space and ing skills and pick up top tips from THE SOOTY SHOW: SOOTY IN SPACE Sat WOLVERHAMPTON BONFIRE & FIRE- a juice bar, Fri 4 - Sun 6 Nov, NEC, the experts via a variety of free work- 5 - Sun 6 Nov, Cadbury World, WORKS NIGHT Sat 5 Nov, Birmingham shops and demonstrations, Thurs 3 Bournville, Birmingham Wolverhampton Racecourse - Sun 6 Nov, NEC, Birmingham CRAFTPLAY SATURDAYS Create, make THE GUNPOWDER TREASON WEEKEND A HIMLEY BONFIRE & FIREWORKS Sat 5 and play, Sat 5 Nov, Bilston Craft THE STITCHING, SEWING & HOBBYCRAFT weekend dedicated to the Nov, Himley Hall, Wolverhampton SHOW Supplies, innovations, demon- Gallery, Wolverhampton Gunpowder Plot, including a 35- FIREWORKS NIGHT Sat 5 Nov, Blists strations and workshops, Thurs 3 - FESTIVAL OF LIGHT Journey under- minute family play delivered by re- Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire Sun 6 Nov, NEC, Birmingham ground to see the caverns illuminat- enactors Sir Robert Cecil's Men, Sat BONFIRE NIGHT Sat 5 Nov, Tamworth BAVARIAN NIGHTS IN NOVEMBER ed, Sat 5 Nov, Dudley Canal Tunnel 5 - Sun 6 Nov, Blakesley Hall, Castle, Staffordshire Celebrate in true Oktoberfest style, and Limestone Mines Birmingham Fri 4 Nov, National Brewery Centre, GLASS FUSION Make glass Christmas SHARK WEEK See sharks in all shapes WEST MID BONFIRE & FIREWORKS Burton upon Trent tree decorations and unique gifts for and sizes and learn to identify differ- EXTRAVAGANZA Sat 5 Nov, Greenhous West Mid Showground, Shrewsbury CAKE INTERNATIONAL The Sugarcraft, friends and family, Sat 5 Nov, Black ent types, Sat 5 - Sun 13 Nov, Cake Decorating & Baking Show Country Living Museum, Dudley National Sea Life Centre, B’ham FIREWORKS 2016 Sat 5 - Sun 6 Nov, makes a welcome return, Fri 4 - Sun TEXTILES STORIES Use your own fami- MODEL RAILEX 2016 Organised by the Alton Towers, Staffordshire 6 Nov, NEC, Birmingham ly history (or other old documents) to Burton Railway Society, Sun 6 Nov, BONFIRE & FIREWORKS Sun 6 Nov, THE NATIONAL GRADUATE RECRUITMENT create a personal artwork, Sat 5 Nov, National Brewery Centre, Burton Weston Park, Shropshire EXHIBITION The UK’s leading gradu- Black Country Living Museum, upon Trent ate jobs fair offers the chance to dis- Dudley

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thelist Monday 7 - Sunday 13 November Nov, O2 Institute, BOMBERS & THE DE GERSHWIN Featuring Gavin Gigs Birmingham RELLAS Fri 11 Nov, Classical Music Sutherland (conductor), Viv McLean THE COURTEENERS Thurs Hare & Hounds, B’ham (piano), Gweneth-Ann Jeffers (sopra- 10 Nov, Victoria Hall, TOM ODELL Sat 12 Nov, no) & Njabulo Madlala (baritone). AFRO CELT SOUND MILOS KARADAGLIC: BACH TO BEATLES Birmingham O2 Academy, B’ham Sun 13 Nov, Symphony Hall, SYSTEM Mon 7 Nov, Also featuring the Royal Northern Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall KEITH THOMPSON BAND RONI SIZE Sat 12 Nov, Sinfonia. Programme includes works Thurs 10 Nov, Katie Hare & Hounds, BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONIC BRASS Sun SILVERSUN PICKUP Mon by JS Bach, Francisco Tarrega, Fitzgerald's, Birmingham 13 Nov, The Barber Institute, B’ham 7 Nov, O2 Institute, Manuel De Falla, Anon, Vivaldi, Stourbridge GROOVE TOWN: BIRMINGHAM'S VOICE Birmingham IVOR & LYN'S CLASSIC Granados, Joaquin Rodrigo, Luigi THE CADILLAC THREE ROCK DISCO Sat 12 Nov, Boccherini, Carlos Gardel, Antonio OF THE TOWN CHOIR Sun 13 Nov, mac, SKINDRED Mon 7 Nov, Thurs 10 Nov, O2 Route 44, Birmingham Carlos Jobim, Astor Piazzolla & The Birmingham Wulfrun Hall, Beatles, Mon 7 Nov, Symphony Hall, Academy, Birmingham THE WAILERS Sat 12 Wolverhampton Birmingham TRAAMS Thurs 10 Nov, Nov, O2 Institute, TIBET Mon 7 Nov, Hare Hare & Hounds, B’ham Birmingham MAGICAL MOZART BY CANDLELIGHT & Hounds, Birmingham Performed by the European Baroque MICK FLANNERY Thurs 80'S MANIA Featuring IDLES Mon 7 Nov, O2 Ensemble & Singers. Programme 10 Nov, The Glee Club, 25 chart topping pop Academy, Birmingham includes excerpts from Mozart’s Birmingham icons authentically Comedy Gigs operas including The Magic Flute, THE VINTAGE CARAVAN recreated live on stage TONY CHRISTIE Thurs 10 The Marriage Of Figaro, Cosi Fan Mon 7 Nov, The Sat 12 Nov, Nov, Wolverhampton Tutte, and many more... Tues 8 Nov, CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 8 Nov, Rainbow Venues, Wolverhampton Grand Grand Theatre The Place, Oakengates Theatre, The Dark Horse, Birmingham Birmingham Theatre AN EVENING WITH GLEN Shropshire TOM STADE Wed 9 Nov, The Glee DELAIN Tues 8 Nov, O2 HANNAH & BRIAN Sat 12 MATLOCK () ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: BACH TO Club, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham Nov, Havana Republic Thurs 10 Nov, THE FUTURE Featuring Diane Clark RUSSELL KANE Thurs 10 Nov, The THE PAT MCMANUS BAND Bar and Restaurant, Newhampton Arts (flute); Victoria Brawn (oboe); Hugh Place, Telford, Shropshire Tues 8 Nov, The Robin, Centre, Wolverhampton Shrewsbury Davies (trumpet); David Le Page (vio- PATRICK MONAHAN, IMRAN YUSUF & Bilston PERMAGEDDON Sat 12 BONFIRE Thurs 10 Nov, lin) & David Curtis (conductor ). COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY UGLY KID JOE Tues 8 Nov, The River Rooms, The Slade Rooms, Programme includes works by Bach ROBINSON Thurs 10 Nov, The Glee Nov, Wulfrun Hall, Stourbridge Wolverhampton arr Steve Marland, Bach, Douglas Club, Birmingham Wolverhampton THE SOLID GOLD ROCK N Cuomo & Stravinsky, Wed 9 Nov, UNDER THE FRIDGE, JAKE LAMBERT, PAUL MCCAFFREY & BEN CAPLAN Tues 8 ROLL SHOW Sat 12 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall PEARL SCAM & KIRVANA PHIL JERROD Thurs 10 Nov, The Nov, The Rainbow Victoria Hall, Stoke-on- TRIO ISIMSIZ Thurs 10 Nov, The Programme includes Bramall, Birmingham Venues, Birmingham Robin, Bilston Trent works by Mozart, Faure & Schumann, Wed 9 Nov, Keele JOEL DOMMETT Fri 11 Nov, The Slade DAVID ESSEX Tues 8 ZOVIET*FRANCE Thurs STONE BROKEN Sat 12 University, Staffs Rooms, Wolverhampton Nov, Symphony Hall, 10 Nov, The Flapper, Nov, The Slade Rooms, Birmingham Birmingham Wolverhampton NICK PAGE, SIMON KING, SILKY & CHRIS PURCHASE Fri 11 Nov, Lichfield BASTILLE Tues 8 Nov, THE JACK FLETCHER ANOUSHKA SHANKAR Garrick Barclaycard Arena, Thurs 10 Nov, BAND Sat 12 Nov, Birmingham Symphony Hall, B’ham Newhampton Arts PATRICK MONAHAN, IMRAN YUSUF, Centre, Wolverhampton GEORGE ZACH & JOSH HOWIE Fri 11 - LAIL ARAD Tues 8 Nov, UK FOO FIGHTERS Fri 11 Sat 12 Nov, The Glee Club, B’ham The Sunflower Lounge, Nov, O2 Academy, THE 3RD UK BLUES Birmingham Birmingham CHALLENGE Sat 12 Nov, GLENN WOOL, DAN NIGHTINGALE, SCOTT The Robin, Bilston BENNETT & PETE OTWAY Fri 11 - Sat 12 KEITH JAMES: THE THE FIDGETS Fri 11 Nov, Nov, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham SONGS OF LEONARD Blue Piano Restaurant GILAD ATZMON Sat 12 COHEN Wed 9 Nov, And Bar, Birmingham Nov, The Hive, A SHAKESPEARE AND VERLAINE ROFL COMEDY CLUB Sat 12 Nov, The Newhampton Arts Shrewsbury SONGBOOK Old Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent FRED ZEPPELIN Tribute Featuring Carolyn Centre, Wolverhampton band to Led Zeppelin, LACUNA COIL Sun 13 Sampson (soprano) & Jospeh FREDDIE FARRELL & ROB KEMP Sat 12 ELECTUS Wed 9 Nov, Fri 11 Nov, Lichfield Nov, O2 Institute, Middleton (piano). Programme Nov, mac, Birmingham The Robin, Bilston Guildhall Birmingham includes works by Schubert, Haydn, TONY BURGESS, COUNT EVIL, ANDREW Purcell, Schumann, R Strauss, THE CINEMATIC CHRIS WOOD Sun 13 MCBURNEY & CERYS NELMES Sat 12 POLLY AND THE BILLETS Vaughan Williams, Britten, Gurney, ORCHESTRA Nov, The Hive, Nov, New Invention Victory, Willenhall Wed 9 Nov, DOUX Fri 11 Nov, Wem Bush, Debussy & Faure, Wed 9 Nov, Shrewsbury O2 Institute, B’ham Town Hall, North The Barber Institute, Birmingham JIM DAVIDSON Sun 13 Nov, New THE GRAHAM BONNET Shropshire NEW MODEL ARMY Sun Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham KEVIN VOLANS SPOTLIGHT Programme BAND 13 Nov, O2 Institute, Wed 9 Nov, The HORSE MEAT DISCO Fri comprises Volans' Piano Concerto JEN BRISTER, JAYDE ADAMS, LINDSEY Birmingham River Rooms, 11 Nov, Hare & No.4, Fri 11 Nov, CBSO Centre, SANTORO & MAUREEN YOUNGER Sun Stourbridge Hounds, Birmingham CLARE TEAL Sun 13 Birmingham 13 Nov, Penthouse Conference & GLENN HUGHES & LIVING Nov, Lichfield Garrick Events Centre, Birmingham CASH (PAYIN' RESPECT TRIO ANIMA The award-winning trio COLOUR Wed 9 Nov, TO THE MAN IN BLACK) SHEELANAGIG Sun 13 (flute, viola, harp) here perform SEAN LOCK Sun 13 Nov, Birmingham Wulfrun Hall, Fri 11 Nov, William Nov, Lichfield Guildhall music by Théodor Dubois, Raynaldo Hippodrome Wolverhampton Aston Hall, Wrexham CALAN Sun 13 Nov, Hahn, Claude Debussy, Gabriel BEING AS AN OCEAN THE CARNABYS Fri 11 Henry Tudor House, Fauré, Erik Satie, Maurice Ravel and Wed 9 Nov, The Nov, The Sugarmill, Shrewsbury Arnold Bax, Sat 12 Nov, Moor Park, Rainbow Venues, Stoke-on-Trent THE LOW ANTHEM Sun Ludlow, South Shropshire Birmingham Theatre A VISION OF ELVIS Fri 11 13 Nov, Hare & BEASTDOME: ENVISION Featuring guest KING PLEASURE & THE Nov, Lichfield Garrick Hounds, Birmingham artist Freida Abtan, Sat 12 Nov, The BISCUIT BOYS Thurs 10 DIRTY DANCING The story of Baby and BETH HART Fri 11 Nov, ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW Bramall, Birmingham Nov, The Jam House, Johnny, told with ‘heart-pounding Symphony Hall, B’ham AND THE LOW RIDERS CBSO: SPECTACULAR CLASSICS Birmingham music, breathtaking emotion and ARCHITECTS Fri 11 Nov, Sun 13 Nov, The Featuring Anthony Inglis (conductor), RUMOURS OF sensationally sexy dancing’, Mon 7 - O2 Institute, B’ham Robin, Bilston Anthony James Edwards (tenor), FLEETWOOD MAC Thurs James Cleverton (baritone) & the Sat 12 Nov, Regent Theatre, Stoke- 10 Nov, William Aston AND Y O'BRIEN Fri 11 City Of Birmingham Choir. on-Trent Hall, Wrexham Nov, Havana Republic Programme includes works by Orff, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE WNO pres- Bar and Restaurant, SHOW OF HANDS WITH Grieg, Elgar, Handel, Brahms, Bizet, ent a new production, sung in Shrewsbury MIRANDA SYKES Thurs Ravel, Wagner, Rossini, Verdi, English with surtitles, Tues 8 Nov, 10 Nov, Birmingham THE REAL THING Fri 11 Tchaikovsky, Wood & Arne, Sat 12 Birmingham Hippodrome Town Hall Nov, The Robin, Bilston Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER A story of THE WYTCHES Thurs 10 THE PRIMEVALS, BLACK LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: SIMPLY comradeship, betrayal, and promises

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both broken and kept following the A CHRISTMAS STORY UK premier of carnage of World War One, Tues 8 the Tony-nominated musical, pre- Nov, Lichfield Garrick sented by Get Your Wigle On, Thurs LIFE IS NO LAUGHING MATTER An 10 - Sun 13 Nov, Theatre Severn, autobiographical live art/stand Shrewsbury up/theatre performance about men- NABUCCO Opera & Ballet tal illness, suicide and radical cure International present an Ellen Kent attempts, Tues 8 - Wed 9 Nov, mac, production of Verdi's haunting and Birmingham melodic chorus of the Hebrew WHEN WE ARE MARRIED JB Slaves, Fri 11 Nov, New Alexandra Priestley’s heartily entertaining Theatre, Birmingham northern comedy, Tues 8 - Sat 12 JOE BLACK: MEET ME AT THE ELDORA- Nov, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle- DO Joe Black presents an evening under-Lyme of fun, filth and frivolity that pays THE TEMPEST The Bard's magical homage to the decadent Weimar exploration of revenge, forgiveness, Berlin nightlife, Fri 11 Nov, Old Joint love and magic, Tues 8 Nov - Sat Stock Theatre, Birmingham 21 Jan, Royal Shakespeare PADDY The story of a young Irish Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon emigrant who leaves Mayo in the MINISTRY OF SCIENCE Anarchic stage 1960s in search of fame and for- show taking a look at the inventors tune, Fri 11 Nov, The Place, and engineers who’ve shaped and Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire inspired the modern world, Tues 8 ME AND MY GIRL Seasons Theatre Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Company present an amateur pro- PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Regent’s Park duction of The Lambeth Walk musi- Theatre present a new staging of cal, Fri 11 - Sat 12 Nov, Prince of Jane Austen’s romantic comedy, Wales Centre, Cannock Tues 8 - Sat 12 Nov, The REP, WHY THE WHALES CAME Former Birmingham Children’s Laureate and award-win- HONOUR A powerful examination of ning War Horse author Michael the meaning of love, Tues 8 - Sat 12 Morpurgo demonstrates why he’s Nov, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre considered a master storyteller with yet another of his beautifully crafted DAUGHTERS OF FORTUNE: MIA A tales for children, Sat 12 Nov, revealing look at learning disability Stourbridge Town Hall and parenthood in today’s society, Wed 9 - Thurs 10 Nov, Arena GRANNY’S GAME Globetrotting Theatre, Wolverhampton adventure for younger audiences, Sat 12 Nov, The Place, Oakengates SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK - THE Theatre, Shropshire STORY Theatrical pro- duction celebrating the career of MIRRORS AND MAKEUP Musical one of rock’s greatest icons, Wed 9 examining some of the key social Nov, New Alexandra Theatre, B’ham issues that can often compromise the development of young people, MACBETH Welsh National Opera Sat 12 Nov, South & City College, (WNO) present a new production of Digbeth, Birmingham Verdi’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, Wed 9 Nov, THE MAGIC FLUTE Featuring Mozart’s Birmingham Hippodrome beautiful music and celebrating the birth of teen culture, this timeless SHOWSTOPPER! THE IMPROVISED coming-of-age story explores the MUSICAL A brand new musical com- other-worldliness which glamorous edy, created from scratch at each Hollywood brought to post-war performance, Wed 9 Nov, Lichfield Britain, Sat 12 Nov, Birmingham Garrick Botanical Gardens ALL MY SONS Shropshire Drama DEEP IN THE HEART OF ME New play Company present Arthur Miller’s featuring the music of the Sinatra- powerful story, Wed 9 - Sat 12 Nov, led Rat Pack and exploring midlife Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury anxiety and empty-nest syndrome, ANNA Interactive Forum Theatre Sat 12 Nov, The Wellington Hotel, piece that explores scenarios that Bristol Street, Birmingham may be experienced by learning- THERE’S NO OTHER EXCEPT ME disabled people when they consid- Performance installation which er becoming or become a parent, invites audience members to Thurs 10 Nov, Arena Theatre, respond to the potential of unantici- Wolverhampton pated dialogues through telephonic FRANKENSTEIN 1899 Don’t Go Into interactions, Sat 12 Nov, The Cellar update Mary Shelley’s Birmingham Open Media (BOM), gothic horror story, Thurs 10 Nov, Birmingham Lichfield Garrick WHY THE WHALES CAME Award-win- SLEEPING BEAUTY Traditional pan- ning performer and storyteller tomime presented by Birmingham Danyah Miller brings to life Michael Youth Theatre, Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Morpurgo's enchanting tale. Nov, The Old Rep Theatre, Created by Wizard, the team behind Birmingham the much-acclaimed production of I KISS ME KATE Welsh National Opera Believe In Unicorns, Sun 13 Nov, present a 1940s-set musical version mac, Birmingham of Shakespeare’s The Taming Of THE SLEEPOVER An interactive mod- The Shrew, Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Nov, ern fairytale re-imagining the story Birmingham Hippodrome of The Princess And The Pea for children aged between five and 10,

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thelist Monday 7 - Sunday 13 November Sun 13 Nov, Meole Brace Peace Aranguren. Ludlow Assembly Memorial Hall, Shrewsbury Rooms, Ludlow, South Shropshire, DARE DEVIL RIDES TO JARAMA New Tues 8 - Wed 9 Nov play by Neil Gore fusing contempo- THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (PG) raneous songs, live music and poet- Drama/Horror. Starring Boris Karloff, ry to commemorate and celebrate Elsa Lanchester. Electric Cinema, the contribution made by the Birmingham, Wed 9 Nov International Brigades in defending I AM CUBA (PG) Drama/Music/War. democracy against Franco’s fascist Starring Sergio Corrieri, Salvador army in 1930s Spain, Sun 13 Nov, Wood. The Hive, Shrewsbury, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Shropshire, Wed 9 Nov NT LIVE: THE DEEP BLUE SEA (12A) Drama. Starring Helen McCrory, Peter Sullivan. mac, Birmingham, Thurs 10 Nov PANIC + Q&A (15) Drama/Thriller. Starring David Gyasi, Pippa Nixon, Jason Wong. mac, Birmingham, Thurs 10 Nov THE BEATLES: EIGHT DAYS A WEEK (12a) Documentary. Directed by Ron Howard. Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 10 Nov THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (12a) Adventure/Western. Starring Chris Tile Decorating Workshops - Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge Pratt, Denzel Washington. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, South Starring Lon Chaney Jnr., Claude autojumble, Fri 11 - Sun 13 Nov, Shropshire, Wed 9 - Thurs 10 Nov; Rains. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, NEC, Birmingham Festival Drayton Centre, Market Sun 13 Nov DIWALI UTSAV Diwali is the Indian fes- Drayton, South Shropshire, Fri 11 tival of lights, celebrating the joyous Nov commencement of the New Year, Sat 12 Nov, Arena Theatre, W’hampton MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Dance CHILDREN (12a) Adventure/Fantasy. A CHRISTMAS IN NARNIA Meet charac- Starring Eva Green, Asa Butterfield. Released from Thurs 10 Nov, show- ters including Lucy, Peter and Mr FOR UTOPIA Dundee-based Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, ing at selected cinemas Tumnus. Watch the adventure unfold company Joan Cleville Dance pres- South Shropshire, Fri 11 - Sat 12 Nov ARRIVAL (12a) with sword fights, acrobatics and ent an honest, playful and thought THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN (15) A HUNDRED STREETS (15) more, Sat 12 Nov, The Potteries provoking piece combining dance, Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- Mystery/Thriller. Starring Emily Blunt, AMERICAN PASTORAL (15) theatre & storytelling, Fri 11 Nov, The Rebecca Ferguson. Stoke Film Trent Wightman Theatre, Shrewsbury Theatre, Fri 11 - Sat 12 Nov THE INNOCENTS (15) NIGHT IN THE TRENCHES Experience a SWAN LAKE The Russian State Ballet ANTHROPOID (15) History/Thriller. soldier’s life in the WWI trench sys- & Opera House presents its version Starring Jamie Dornan, Cillian tem, Sat 12 Nov, The Staffordshire of the compelling romantic story, set Murphy. Old Market Hall, Regiment Museum, Lichfield to Tchaikovsky’s mesmerising score, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Fri 11 - HOOK A POPPY FOR REMEMBRANCE DAY Fri 11 Nov, Stafford Gatehouse Thurs 17 Nov Events - CRAFT WORKSHOP Make a poppy Theatre ETHEL & ERNEST (15) with the craft experts and learn about Animation/Drama. Starring Jim TUESDAY TILE DECORATING rag rugging techniques, Sat 12 Nov, Broadbent, Pam Ferris, Luke WORKSHOPS Get creative by using Birmingham Back to Backs Treadaway. mac, Birmingham, Fri 11- the tube lining technique to produce SILVER BANGLE WORKSHOP Join local Wed 16 Nov your very own tile to take home. designer-maker Grace Page to AMERICAN HONEY (15) Drama. Starring Activities vary from day to day, Tues design and make your own silver Film Sasha Lane, Shai La Beouf, McCaul 8 Nov, Jackfield Tile Museum, bangle in a day, Sat 12 Nov, Museum INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Lombardi, Arielle Holmes. mac, Ironbridge, Shropshire of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham Birmingham, Fri 11- Thurs 17 Nov WWE LIVE Popular WWE superstars ARTS AND CRAFT MARKET Bringing and divas. all under one roof, Wed 9 together artists, designer-makers and OUR KIND OF TRAITOR (15) Thriller. SINS OF THE FLESH + Q&A (15) Drama. Nov, Genting Arena, Birmingham food producers who live or work in Starring Ewan McGregor, Naomie Starring Nahed El Sebai, Ahmed Shropshire, Sat 12 Nov, The Square, Harris. Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 7 Abdala Mahomud, Zaki Faten. FESTIVE GIFT FAIR Combine your Shrewsbury Nov Foreign language, subtitled. mac, Christmas shopping with an enter- Birmingham, Sat 12 Nov taining, inspiring and fun day out, CASTLE BY CANDLELIGHT Walk through NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (PG) Comedy. Thurs 10 - Sun 13 Nov, NEC, B’ham the period rooms and meet the cas- Starring Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez. ELSTREE 1976 (12) Documentary. tle characters, who’ll explore the use The Mockingbird, Birmingham, Tues Starring Laurie Goode. Electric SHOUT FESTIVAL Birmingham’s of light through the ages, Sat 12 Nov, 8 Nov Cinema, Birmingham, Sat 12 Nov LGBTQ Arts Festival returns for its 8th edition, Thurs 10 Nov - Sun 20 Tamworth Castle MARY POPPINS (U) OH! WHAT A LOVELY WAR (15) Family/Fantasy. Nov, Various locations across SHREWSBURY CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL Starring Julie Andrews, Dick Van Comedy/War. Starring Ralph Birmingham - including mac, Old Sat 12 - Sun 13 Nov, St Mary's Dyke. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Richardson, John Gielgud. Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Joint Stock Theatre, Electric Cinema. Church, Shrewsbury Ludlow, South Shropshire, Tues 8 BOM, Birmingham, The Penthouse, Nov Sat 12 Nov SCALE MODELWORLD Featuring a and Birmingham REP. diverse range of exhibitors, competi- RAMS (15) Drama. Starring Sigurður THE COLOR PURPLE (18) Drama. For full details of performances and tions and kit swap, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Sigurjónsson, Theodór Júlíusson. Starring Danny Glover, Whoopi events, visit shoutfestival.co.uk Nov, Telford International Centre, Foreign language, subtitled. Foxlowe Goldberg, Margaret Avery, Oprah BAVARIAN NIGHTS IN NOVEMBER Shropshire Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs, Tues 8 Nov Winfrey. mac, Birmingham, Sun 13 Nov Celebrate in true Oktoberfest style, SEVENTEENTH CENTURY GAMES WEEK- THE FENCER (PG) Drama/History. Fri 11 Nov, National Brewery Centre, END Including nine men's morris, Starring Lembit Ulfsak, Märt Avandi. SEMBENE! + Q&A (12A) Documentary. Burton-upon-Trent card and dice games, Sat 12 - Sun Foreign language, subtitled. Stoke Starring Mbissine Thérèse Diop, LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC 13 Nov, Moseley Old Hall, Film Theatre, Tues 8 Nov Ousmane Sembene. mac, Birmingham, Sun 13 Nov MOTOR SHOW Featuring over 2,000 Wolverhampton EL SUR (PG) Drama/Romance. classic cars, 300 motorcycles, 600 Starring Omero Antonutti, Sonsoles THE WOLF MAN (PG) Drama/Horror. trade stands and the biggest indoor

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whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List 14 - 20 November - Wolves/Staffs/Shrops ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 18:50 Page 1

thelist Monday 14 - Sunday 20 November OF MAKE BELIEVE TOUR Sat 19 Nov, Hare & MUSIC SECRETA Featuring Deborah Thurs 17 Nov, Lichfield Hounds, Birmingham Classical Music Roberts & Katherine Hawnt (sopra- Gigs nos), Alison Kinder (viola) & Claire Garrick SLAVES Sat 19 Nov, O2 Williams (harpsichord), Fri 18 Nov, KINDRED THE FAMILY Academy, Birmingham LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT - THOMAS The Barber Institute, Birmingham MOLLY HATCHET Mon 14 SOUL & TRINA STEVE HARLEY Sat 19 TROTTER Programme includes works Nov, The Robin, Bilston BROUSSARD Thurs 17 ORGAN PROMS WITH JONATHAN SCOTT Nov, William Aston by Bach, A Guilmant, G Edmundson, Nov, O2 Institute, Concert Organist (), Sat NATHANIEL RATELIFF Hall, Wrexham C.Saint-Saens (arr. Lemare) & L AND THE NIGHT SWEATS Birmingham 19 Nov, Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke- GIN ANNIE BAND Sat 19 Boellmann, Mon 14 Nov, Birmingham Mon 14 Nov, O2 on-Trent WALLIS BIRD Thurs 17 Nov, The Robin, Bilston Town Hall Academy, Birmingham Nov, The Glee Club, LUDLOW CHORAL SOCIETY: HAIL! BRIGHT DAN PAGE Sat 19 Nov, HORÃCIO FERREIRA IN RECITAL Also fea- IS BLISS Mon 14 Nov, Birmingham CECILIA Programme includes works Havana Republic Bar turing David Bekker (piano). by Purcell, Britten, Gounod & The Sunflower Lounge, MOTORHEADACHE Thurs and Restaurant, Programme includes works by Béla Howells, Sat 19 Nov, St Laurences Birmingham 17 Nov, The Robin, Shrewsbury Kovács, Schumannm, Françaix, Church, Ludlow, South Shropshire ANATHEMA Mon 14 Nov, Bilston Weber, Kimmo Hakola & Brahms, LAURA MVULA Sat 19 WIND BAND AND SAX CHOIR Featuring The Slade Rooms, CHANGO SPASIUK Thurs Mon 14 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall Nov, O2 Institute, the University Music Society and Wolverhampton 17 Nov, mac, B’ham Birmingham VLADIMIR ASHKENAZY CONDUCTS Matthew Stephens-Row, Harry Hextall LUCKY CHOPS Mon 14 RACHMANINOV'S SYMPHONY NO 1 RED BUTLER Thurs 17 PETE WYLIE & THE & Zoe Goodwin (conductors), Sat 19 Nov, O2 Institute, Featuring Philharmonia Orchestra & Nov, The Roadhouse, MIGHTY WAH! Sat 19 Nov, The Bramall, Birmingham Birmingham Alice Sara Ott. Programme includes Birmingham Nov, O2 Academy, works by Borodin, Tchaikovsky & WURLITZER THEATRE ORGAN CONCERT JULIA FORDHAM Tues KING KING Fri 18 Nov, Birmingham Rachmaninov, Tues 15 Nov, Sun 20 Nov, The Buttermarket, 15 Nov, mac, B’ham The Robin, Bilston QUEEN EXTRAVAGANZA Symphony Hall, Birmingham Shrewsbury JUDITH OWEN Tues 15 THE CARPENTERS STORY Sat 19 Nov, Symphony KOSMOS ENSEMBLE Fusion of Gypsy, CEMPR AND EARLY MODERN VOCAL Nov, Henry Tudor Fri 18 Nov, Theatre Hall, Birmingham Scottish, Jewish & Greek music refer- ENSEMBLE Featuring Music Secreta, House, Shrewsbury Severn, Shrewsbury CABBAGE Sat 19 Nov, encing classical composers including Sun 20 Nov, The Barber Institute, JACK GARRATT Tues 15 LTD Fri 18 The Sugarmill, Stoke- Brahms, Dvorak & Sarasate, Wed 16 Birmingham Nov, O2 Academy, Nov, The River Rooms, on-Trent Nov, Keele University Birmingham Stourbridge IAN SIEGAL BAND Sat 19 IAN MCNABB Tues 15 JESS GLYNNE Fri 18 Nov, Lichfield Guildhall Nov, Hare & Hounds, Nov, Genting Arena, THE WABASH JAZZMEN Birmingham Birmingham Sat 19 Nov, Ludlow Comedy Gigs FRANK CARTER AND THE JAKE MORLEY Fri 18 Assembly Rooms, RATTLESNAKES Tues 15 Nov, The Sunflower South Shropshire JENNY ECLAIR Mon 14 Nov, Lichfield Nov, The Slade Lounge, Birmingham THE VAPORS & THE Garrick Rooms, W’hampton SKERRYVORE Fri 18 CIRCLES Sat 19 Nov, ROMESH RANGANATHAN Thurs 17 Nov DANNY GILES BAND, Nov, Theatre Severn, The Slade Rooms, The Place, Telford, Shropshire SALVATION JAYNE & THE Wolverhampton Shrewsbury NATHAN CATON Thurs 17 Nov, The RAINBREAKERS Tues 15 PUBLIC IMAGE LTD Fri 18 LOST AT HOME Sat 19 Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton Nov, The Robin, Bilston Nov, O2 Institute, Nov, O2 Institute, THE 12 ENSEMBLE Programme STEVE WILLIAMS, JOHN HASTING & SOFT MACHINE Wed 16 Birmingham Birmingham includes 3 British works from the COMIC TBC Thurs 17 Nov, The Glee Nov, The Robin, Bilston CARAVAN PALACE Fri 18 LEADER Sat 19 Nov, ensembles forthcoming album along Club, Birmingham FOSTER & ALLEN Wed The Asylum, B’ham with Schubert's Overture in C minor, Nov, O2 Academy, LAURA MONMOTH & COMICS TBC Thurs 16 Nov, Lichfield and Elgar's Elegy for Strings, Wed 16 Birmingham STILLMARILLION Sun 20 17 Nov, The Roadhouse, Birmingham Garrick Nov, The Bramall, Birmingham Nov, The Robin, Bilston CHILDREN OF THE GRAVY SUZI RUFFELL Fri 18 Nov, The Glee VIN GARBUTT Wed 16 MIRGA CONDUCTS MAHLER'S FIRST - BLACK SABBATH TRIB- THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN Club, Birmingham Nov, The Red Lion Folk Featuring Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla (con- UTE Fri 18 Nov, The Sun 20 Nov, Prince Of Club, Birmingham ductor) & the City of Birmingham JERRY SADOWITZ Fri 18 Nov, Crescent Roadhouse, B’ham Wales Centre, Symphony Orchestra. Programme Theatre, Birmingham THE DAMNED - 40TH DAVID BUSBY Fri 18 Cannock ANNIVERSARY TOUR includes works by Serksnyte, Haydn STEVE WILLIAMS, JOHN HASTINGS, Nov, Havana Republic THAT'LL BE THE DAY - Wed 16 Nov, William & Mahler, Wed 16 Nov, Symphony ELLIOT STEEL & ANDREW MCBURNEY Fri Bar and Restaurant, THE CHRISTMAS SHOW Aston Hall, Wrexham Hall, Birmingham 18 - Sat 19 Nov, The Glee Club, Shrewsbury Sun 20 Nov, Theatre Birmingham ELIZABETH FIELDS Wed KALEO Fri 18 Nov, O2 Severn, Shrewsbury 16 Nov, Arena Theatre, DAMIAN CLARK, KIRI PRITCHARD- Institute, Birmingham SIMPLY RED Sun 20 Wolverhampton MCLEAN, MARK NELSON & JEFF Nov, Genting Arena, THE DIME NOTES Fri 18 INNOCENT Fri 18 - Sat 19 Nov, The QUEEN EXTRAVAGANZA Birmingham Nov, Arena Theatre, Comedy Loft, Birmingham Wed 16 Nov, Victoria Wolverhampton BEVERLY CRAVEN Sun Hall, Stoke-on-Trent PHIL NICHOL, DARIUS DAVIES & PIERRE 20 Nov, Henry Tudor THE GLAMOPHONES Fri HOLLINS Sat 19 Nov, Regent Theatre, ALABAMA 3 Thurs 17 House, Shrewsbury 18 Nov, The Blue Stoke-on-Trent Nov, O2 Institute, Monkey Club, Great THE SOLID GOLD ROCK N Birmimgham COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS Sat 19 Nov, The Barr, Birmingham ROLL SHOW Sun 20 REP, Birmingham THE COURTEENERS ALLIGATR Fri 18 Nov, Nov, New Alexandra Thurs 17 Nov, O2 O2 Institute, B’ham Theatre, Birmingham ROFL COMEDY CLUB Sat 19 Nov, Academy, Birmingham The Old Post Office, Burton-upon- SARAH GILLESPIE THE MANALISHI Fri 18 BRAHMS CLARINET QUINTET Featuring Trent THE HOLLIES Thurs 17 Nov, The Sugarmill, QUARTET Sun 20 Nov, Oliver Janes (clarinet), Charlotte Nov, Symphony Hall, WHITE YARDIE Sat 19 Nov, New Stoke-on-Trent Lichfield Guildhall Skinner & Caroline Simon (violin), Birmingham Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham JAM JAH SOUND Fri 18 JIMMY EAT WORLD Sun Catherine Bower (viola) & Eduardo THREE TRAPPED TIGERS Nov, Hare & Hounds, 20 Nov, O2 Academy, Vassallo (cello). Programme includes PATRICK MONAHAN, JARRED CHRISTMAS, Thurs 17 Nov, The Birmingham Birmingham works by Howells & Brahms, Thurs BEC HILL & TIERNAN DOUIEB Sat 19 Flapper, Birmingham Nov, The REP, Birmingham THE WABASH JAZZMEN JOHN OTWAY BAND Sun 17 Nov, CBSO Centre, Birmingham THE SKATALITES Thurs Sat 19 Nov, Ludlow 20 Nov, Hare & CBSO FRIDAY NIGHT CLASSICS: QUEEN - MARKUS BIRDMAN, TONY BURGESS, 17 Nov, Hare & Assembly Rooms, Hounds, Birmingham ROCK AND SYMPHONIC SPECTACULAR MICKY P KERR & BOBBY MAIR Sat 19 Hounds, Birmingham Nov, Religion, Walsall South Shropshire THE SMALL GLORIES Sun Featuring the City Of Birmingham JON BODEN Thurs 17 SUPREME QUEEN Sat 19 20 Nov, The Hive, Choir, Richard Sidwell (conductor), MARKUS BIRDMAN, TONY BURGESS, Nov, Theatre Severn, Nov, The River Rooms, Shrewsbury Ricardo Afonso, Peter Eldridge, MICKY P KERR & BOBBY MAIR Sat 19 Shrewsbury Stourbridge Jenna Lee James & Rachael Nov, Couture, Stafford Wooding (vocalists), Fri 18 Nov, BUCKS FIZZ - THE LAND THE ATLANTIC PLAYERS Symphony Hall, Birmingham

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Thursday 10th November 14+ COMING SOON...

RUSSELL KANE 2 November, 7.30pm Time: 8.00pm Seann Walsh: SOLDOne forOUT the Road Tickets: £14

3 November, 8pm Friday 11th November Nimble Fish: PADDY Lost in Blue Time: 7.30pm Pay What You Think It’s Worth!

8 November, 1pm & 7pm Highly Sprung: Fall Out Sunday 12th November 5+ Tickets: £9 (18+) £6 (14+) GRANNY’S GAME £25 family of 4 Time: 2.00pm 23 November, 8pm Jon Richardson: SOLDWork OUT in Progress Tuesday 22nd November Tickets: £14

STARS OF IRISH 3rd December, 10am-1pm COUNTRY SHOW Festive Family Funday

Time: 7.30pm Tickets: £7.50, £10 for 2 children

13th December, 1:30pm & Wednesday 23rd November LP Creatives: 6:30pm Santa and the Pirates THE ILLEGAL EAGLES (that don’t want Christmas!) Time: 7.30pm Tickets: £10, £30 family of 4

19th December, 7.30pm Friday 25th November An Evening with Tom Fitzpatrick FLEETWOOD BAC Tickets: £12, £10 concessions, £40 family of 4 Time: 7.30pm

20th - 23rd December 7:30pm & 3pm Friday Mat. Wednesday 30th November The Magic of the Musicals at Christmas LEO HOULDING - REFLECTIONS: Tickets: £12, £10 concessions, THE MIRROR WALL £40 family of 4 Time: 7.30pm 21st December, 7:30pm The Magic of Gilbert and Sullivan Tickets: £12, £10 concessions, Wednesday 18th January 2017 £40 family of 4

OMID DJALILI 16+ Time: 8.00pm 22nd December, 7.30pm An Evening with Julie Atherton Tickets: £12, £10 concessions, £40 family of 4 Friday 20th January 2017 AN EVENING WITH BARRY FRY Box office: & RON ATKINSON 01283 508100 Time: 7.30pm BOOK ONLINE AT www.brewhouse.co.uk Brewhouse Arts Centre, Union Street, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire DE14 1AA TWC GP 01050

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Monday 14 - Sunday 20 November

thelist MUSICAL MEGAMIX Musical favourites Theatre from Walsall Youth Theatre, Thurs 17 - Sat 19 Nov, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD CAUGHT IN THE NET St Luke’s Presented by Hotbuckle. The story of Dramatic Society present an amateur young farmer Gabriel Oak and his staging of Ray Cooney’s farce, Thurs love for the elusive Bathsheba 17 - Sat 19 Nov, Prince of Wales Everdene, Mon 14 - Tues 15 Nov, Centre, Cannock Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury PA/NG Featuring music, live art, per- THE FULL MONTY Gary Lucy, Anthony formance and digital art by local Lewis, Andrew Dunn, Louis Emerick, emerging artists, Fri 18 Nov, mac, and Kai Owen star in Birmingham the much-acclaimed musical based on the smash-hit film of the same A BOY NAMED SUE Shout Festival per- name, Mon 14 - Sat 19 Nov, formance exploring the need for a Birmingham Hippodrome sense of community in an oppres- sively hetero-normative world, Wed THE COMMITMENTS Feelgood celebra- 18 - Sat 19 Nov, The REP, tion of soul, direct from the West Birmingham End, Mon 14 - Sat 19 Nov, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent POLARI Curated and hosted by author Paul Burston and featuring OUR HOUSE Featuring Madness songs the best in established and emerging Our House, Baggy Trousers, My Girl, LGBT literary talent, Sat 19 Nov, mac, Embarrassment, Driving In My Car, Birmingham The Wings Of A Dove, Night Boat To Ballet Black: Triple Bill - Lichfield Garrick RELATIVELY SPEAKING The Crescent Cairo and all-time classic It Must Be BALLETBOYZ: LIFE The all-male com- SHOUT FESTIVAL: GIRLS LOST (15) Theatre Company presents Alan Love, Tues 15 Nov - Sat 19 Nov, pany of ten present two works by Drama. Starring Tuva Jagell, Emrik Ayckbourn’s classic comedy, Sat 19 Wolverhampton Grand Theatre internationally acclaimed choreogra- Öhlander. Foreign language, subti- Nov - Sat 3 Dec, Crescent Theatre, LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL phers including Rabbit by Pontus tled. mac, Birmingham, Tues 15 Nov Birmingham Amateur production presented by Lidberg & Fiction by Javier de HOW FOOTBALL CHANGED A NATION + THE SNOW QUEEN Theresa Heskins’ Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Frutos, Wed 16 Nov, Theatre Severn, Q&A Documentary. Starring Adrian adaptation of Hans Christian Company, Tues 15 - Sat 19 Nov, Shrewsbury Chiles. mac, Birmingham, Tues 15 Andersen’s classic tale, Sat 19 Nov - Mitchell Arts Centre, Stoke-on-Trent BALLET BLACK: TRIPLE BILL FEATURING Nov Sat 28 Jan, New Vic Theatre, BEAUTIFUL THING Jonathan Harvey’s STORYVILLE A company for interna- Newcastle-under-Lyme CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON critically acclaimed urban love story, tional dancers of black and Asian (PG) Drama/Horror. Starring Richard KATE O’DONNELL & CONTACT: BIG GIRLS Wed 16 - Sat 19 Nov, Old Joint Stock descent, collaborates with three bold Carlson, Julie Adams. Electric BLOUSE Kate makes a song and Theatre, Birmingham and inventive choreographers to Cinema, Birmingham, Tues 15 Nov dance about her life, using humour, LOOKING FOR JOHN Powerful, heartfelt present an irresistible trilogy of narra- music and costume to tell her story, SHOUT FESTIVAL: THE GIRL KING (15) and comic story about one man’s tive and abstract dance, Fri 18 Nov, Sun 20 Nov, mac, Birmingham Lichfield Garrick Biography/Drama. Starring Malin obsession with his forgotten hero, Buska, Sarah Gadon. mac, Olympic skater John Curry, Wed 16 - MUSIC AND DANCE FROM AROUND THE Birmingham, Wed 16 Nov Sat 19 Nov, The REP, Birmingham WORLD Concord College showcase THE GOONIES (PG) Adventure/Comedy. PSYCHIC SALLY - CALL ME PSYCHIC its cultural diversity as its students take to the stage performing in tradi- Starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin. The Thurs 17 Nov, New Alexandra Mockingbird, Birmingham, Wed 16 Theatre, Birmingham Dance tional costume and on authentic folk instruments, Sat 19 Nov, Theatre Nov BARKING MAD Olivier Award winner Severn, Shrewsbury DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES (PG) Drama. Guy Masterson's tale of transconti- NEON DANCE - EMPATHY A work for 5 dancers with an original score by IF I COULD REACH HOME Classical and Starring Jack Lemmon, Lee Remick. nental wedlock and his traumatic Festival Drayton Centre, Market relationship with his wife’s dog, Mads Brauer, Casper Clausen, Gyda contemporary bharatanatyam and Valtysdottir and Shahzad Ismailyue, kathak, featuring 3 wonderful per- Drayton, South Shropshire, Wed 16 Thurs 17 Nov, Arena Theatre, Nov Wolverhampton Tues 15 Nov, Arena Theatre, formers of these Indian dance forms, Wolverhampton including BBC Young Dancer SHOUT FESTIVAL: THE NEW BLACK (15) AN AFTERNOON WITH SIR ROGER Documentary. Directed by Yoruba THE HAPPINESS PROJECT A choreo- Category Finalist Vidya Pate, Sun 20 MOORE Celebrating 71 years in show- Richen. mac, Birmingham, Thurs 17 graphic investigation of western soci- Nov, mac, Birmingham business, former James Bond star Nov Sir Roger talks about his extraordi- ety’s endless search for fulfillment, nary life and career, Thurs 17 Nov, Tues 15 Nov, DanceXchange, SWISS ARMY MAN (15) Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Birmingham Hippodrome Adventure/Comedy. Starring Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe. Stoke Film Film Theatre, Thurs 17 Nov INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE (15) Documentary. Starring Rob Alter, Tom Cruise. Ludlow Assembly SHOUT FESTIVAL: DEPARTURE (15) Rooms, Ludlow, South Shropshire, Drama. Starring Juliet Stevenson, Fri 18 Nov Alex Lawther. mac, Birmingham, Mon 14 Nov THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS (15) Drama/Thriller. Starring Glenn Close, THE LOST WEEKEND (PG) Drama/Film- Gemma Arterton. Stoke Film Theatre, Noir. Starring Ray Milland, Jane Fri 18 Nov Wyman. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, South Shropshire, Mon 14 SECOND MOTHER Comedy/Drama. Nov Starring Regina Casé, Helena Albergaria. The Hive, Shrewsbury, FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS (PG) Shropshire, Wed 18 Nov Biography/Comedy. Starring Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant. Foxlowe Arts NAPOLEON (U) Biography/Drama. Centre, Leek, Staffs, Tues 15 Nov Starring Albert Dieudonné, Vladimir Roudenko. Stoke Film Theatre, Sat LO AND BEHOLD: REVERIES OF THE CON- 19 Nov NECTED WORLD (12a) Documentary. Directed by Werner Herzog. Stoke BRIDGET JONES'S BABY (15) Comedy/Romance. Starring Renée Polari - mac, Birmingham Film Theatre, Tues 15 Nov Zellweger, Gemma Jones. Ludlow

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Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, South Christmas treats and presents, Mon techniques needed to create your NOVEMBER Shropshire, Sat 19 Nov 14 Nov, Moseley Old Hall, own wreath, Sat 19 Nov, HIGHLIGHTS SMASHED (15) Drama. Starring Mary Wolverhampton Birmingham Back to Backs CONSERVATION CENTRE OPEN WEEK CRAFTPLAY SATURDAY FAMILY STAY Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul. The WED 2 - SAT 5 NOV, Hive, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Wed Providing exclusive behind-the- AND PLAY Create, explore and play 7.30PM 18 Nov scenes access to aircraft conserva- along with your child, using unusual A West Bromwich tion work, and a chance to view the materials. For children up to seven Youtheatre production DOCTOR STRANGE (12a) CATS Action/Adventure. Starring Benedict progress being made on many of years of age, Sat 19 Nov, Bilston the museum's current restoration Craft Gallery, Wolverhampton 50 strong cast telling TS Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton. mac, Elliot’s fantastical and dra- Birmingham, Fri 18 - Thurs 24 Nov projects, Mon 14 - Sat 19 Nov, RAF DEER FEEDING Get closer to the fal- matical story of a group of Cosford cats who meet for the QUEEN OF KATWE (PG) low deer as the wardens feed them Jellicle Ball. An all singing, TUESDAY TILE DECORATING in the winter months, Sat 19 Nov - all dancing musical spec- Biography/Drama. Starring Lupita £17.50, £16 concs tacular . Nyong'o, David Oyelowo. mac, WORKSHOPS Get creative by using Sun 20 Nov, Attingham Park, the tube lining technique to produce Shrewsbury Birmingham, Fri 18 - Thurs 24 Nov FRI 4 NOV, 7.45PM your very own tile to take home. IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS MRS GUIDO CARMEN JONES (U) Drama/Musical. Activities vary from day to day, Tues TODAY... Hedgehog-themed activities, FAWKES Starring Dorothy Dandridge, Harry 15 Nov, Jackfield Tile Museum, Belafonte. mac, Birmingham, Fri 18 - Sat 19 - Sun 20 Nov, Moseley Old ENTERTAINS Ironbridge, Shropshire Hall, Wolverhampton Sun 20 Nov A bawdy night IN with the FRIENDS OF SHREWSBURY MUSEUM THE NATIONAL POULTRY SHOW Sat 19 WAGS of the Gunpowder PSYCHO (15) Horror/Thriller. Starring TALK Art historian Martin Crampin Plotters. Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh. Nov - Sun 20 Nov, Telford gives a talk entitled David Evans Of International Centre, Shropshire A rip roaring comedy, with Festival Drayton Centre, Market Shrewsbury And The Revival Of songs, bombs, bullets and £15.50, £11.50 busty bawdiness a-plenty. Drayton, South Shropshire, Sat 19 Gothic Stained Glass, Thurs 17 Nov, CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Kick-start Nov Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery your Christmas shopping in style, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Nov, Dudmaston SAT 5 NOV, SHOUT FESTIVAL: DAWN and ARIEL 1.00PM & 3.30PM BIRMINGHAM FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS Estate, Bridgnorth, Shropshire 5+ (12a) Drama. Two short films. mac, MARKET The famous festive market ALFIE WHITE SPACE Birmingham, Sun 20 Nov returns for another year, Thurs 17 CHRISTMAS IN THE HOME Step back EXPLORER in time to take part in seasonal activ- Nov - Thurs 29 Dec, Birmingham It's 1967 and the space City Centre ities, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Nov, Black race is on... Country Living Museum, Dudley Together with his best NEW FILMS ON GENERAL BAVARIAN NIGHTS IN NOVEMBER friend Meg, Alfie sets out Celebrate in true Oktoberfest style, CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WEEKENDS on a daring mission to find RELEASE: Santa stars in his very own show, his dad. But where on Fri 18 Nov, National Brewery Centre, £10.00, £7.50 Child earth – or in space – is he? Released from Thurs 17 Nov, show- Burton-upon-Trent with a gift for every child, Sat 19 - ing at selected cinemas Sun 20 Nov, Cadbury World, 7.30PM COMING TO TERMS WITH THE AIR- Bournville, Birmingham WED 9 NOV, FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO ATOMIC AGE Colonel Edward Kaplan SHOWSTOPPER! FIND THEM (tbc) of the US Army War College GORGEOUS CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR THE IMPROVISED GIMME DANGER (tbc) explores the first 20 years of post- Held in association with the MUSICAL Shropshire Guild of Contemporary INDIGNATION (15) Second World War US strategic air Spontaneous musical power - the 'air-atomic age’, Fri 18 Craft, this popular event provides a comedy at its finest! AMERICAN PASTORAL (15) Nov, RAF Cosford high-profile showcase for the Created from scratch at region’s creative talent, Sat 19 - Sun each performance. THE INNOCENTS (15) SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL OF VIENNA - Audience suggestions are 20 Nov, Enginuity Museum, transformed on the spot . 450TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR Fri 18 - Ironbridge, Shropshire £16.50 Sun 20 Nov, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham MCM BIRMINGHAM COMIC CON WED 16 NOV, 7.30PM Events Numerous celebrities make guest SANTA'S WINTER WONDERLAND See FOSTER & ALLEN appearances at this well-established IN CONCERT page 35 for details, Fri 18 Nov - Sat show, including Flash Gordon star BAKE AND MAKE - CHRISTMAS BREAD, Celebrating 40 years 31 Dec, The Snowdome, Tamworth Sam Jones, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Nov, BISCUITS AND CRAFT Learn a 17th together in the music busi- CHRISTMAS RAG WREATH MAKING NEC, Birmingham ness they will be perform- century skill and make your own ing their hits including Learn the history of the craft and the MOTORCYCLE LIVE Representing the ‘Bunch of Thyme’, ‘Maggie’, ‘After All These Years’, 'Old best products, bikes and services Flames' as well as some of available from leading companies their recent recordings. £21.50 across the globe, Sat 19 - Sun 27 Nov, NEC, Birmingham THU 17 NOV, 7.30PM ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM Get your BUCKS FIZZ - THE skates on in beautiful city surround- LAND OF MAKE ings, Sat 19 Nov - Sun 8 Jan, BELIEVE TOUR Centenary Square, Birmingham With over 20 singles released over the next few SANTA HUNTS Enjoy a fun-filled years including 3 number search for Santa alongside the ones, “My Camera Never Lies”, “Land Of Make museum’s costumed guides, Sun 20 Believe” and of course, Nov, Black Country Living Museum, £23.50 “Making Your Mind Up”. Dudley STIR UP SUNDAY The traditional day FRI 18 NOV, 7.30PM for everyone in the family to take a BALLET BLACK: turn at stirring the Christmas pud- TRIPLE BILL FEA- ding while making a wish, Sun 20 TURING Nov, Black Country Living Museum, STORYVILLE Dudley A company for international dancers of black and Asian A FAIRYTALE AFTERNOON TEA Enjoy 7+ descent collaborate with afternoon tea in the company of the three bold and inventive choreographers. fairytale princesses, including Snow £18.00 White and Cinderella, Sun 20 Nov, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent BOX OFFICE: 01543 412 121 CHRISTMAS PUDDING STIR Stir the www.lichfieldgarrick.com pudding and make a wish, Sun 20 LICHFIELD GARRICK, CASTLE DYKE, Motorcycle Live - NEC, Birmingham Nov, Moseley Old Hall, LICHFIELD, STAFFS, WS13 6HR Wolverhampton

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thelist Monday 21 - Wednesday 30 November NIMMO Thurs 24 Nov, Gigs Hare & Hounds, Classical Music Birmingham DAYLIGHT ROBBERY Thurs HONEYBLOOD Mon 21 LUDOVICO EINAUDI Tues 22 Nov, 24 Nov, The Robin, Nov, The Sugarmill, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Bilston Stoke-on-Trent FRETWORK - SIR FRANCIS DRAKE’S JOUR- BIRMINGHAM TRADFEST CAM PENNER & JON WOOD NEY: THE WORLD ENCOMPASSED Wed 23 The UK’s newest tradi- Mon 21 Nov, Kitchen Nov, Keele University, Staffs tional Irish music festi- Garden Cafe, val, Thurs 24 - Sun 27 TOTALLY TCHAIKOVSKY: CBSO BENEVOLENT Birmingham Nov, Various venues in FUND CONCERT Featuring Edward Garner AIRBOURNE Mon 21 Nov, Digbeth, Birmingham (conductor). Programme includes O2 Institute, Birmingham Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake: Suite, 31’; & PURSON Thurs 24 Nov, Eugene Onegin (Excerpts), 60’, Thurs 24 CHARLIE HUNTER Mon 21 The Sugarmill, Stoke-on- Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Nov, Hare & Hounds, Trent Birmingham PAUL LEWIS IN RECITAL Programme DAVID ESSEX Thurs 24 includes works by Schubert, Brahms & MADELEINE PEYROUX Mon Nov, Regent Theatre, Liszt, Fri 25 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall 21 Nov, Birmingham Stoke-on-Tremt Town Hall AMY HARMAN & ERDEM MISIRLIOGLU THE SOLID GOLD ROCK N Programme includes works by TOY Tues 22 Nov, The ROLL SHOW Thurs 24 The Damned 40th Anniversary Tour - Wulfrun Hall Schumann', Mozart, Medelssohn & Rainbow Venues, Nov, Wolverhampton Sat 26 Nov, The Robin, SLICK RICK Mon 28 Nov, Dutilleux, Fri 25 Nov, The Barber Birmingham Grand Theatre Bilston O2 Institute, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham SHE MAKES WAR Tues 22 MELANIE MARTINEZ Thurs PIERCE THE VEIL Sat 26 PASSENGER Tues 29 Nov, DOMONKOS CSABAY IN RECITAL Nov, The Sunflower 24 Nov, O2 Institute, Nov, O2 Academy, O2 Academy, Programme includes works by Liszt, Lounge, Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Clara Schumann & Chopin, Fri 25 Nov, ROADSTARS: SIMO - CHASE & STATUS Thurs SUICIDE SILENCE Sat 26 LAZULI Tues 29 Nov, The Birmingham Town Hall AARON KEYLOCK - 24 Nov, O2 Academy, Nov, O2 Academy, Robin, Bilston FEDERAL CHARM Tues 22 SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring Daniele Birmingham Birmingham Nov, The Robin, Bilston THE MARTIN HARLEY BAND Rosina (conductor). Programme includes YESTERDAY, TODAY, EVIL SCARECROW Sat 26 Tues 29 Nov, Henry works by Mendelssohn & Elgar, Sat 26 THE STYLISTICS Tues 22 FOREVER Thurs 24 Nov, Nov, The Slade Rooms, Tudor House, Nov, The Bramall, Birmingham University Nov, Prince Of Wales Hare & Hounds, B’ham Wolverhampton Shrewsbury Centre, Cannock TELFORD ORCHESTRA Programme THE NAKED BEATLES Fri THE JIGANTICS Sat 26 THE DAMNED - 40TH includes works by Beethoven, ELVIS PRESLEY LIVE ON 25 Nov, The River Nov, Ludlow Brewery, ANNIVERSARY TOUR Tues Tchaikovsky & Schumann, Sat 26 Nov, St SCREEN WITH THE ROYAL Rooms, Stourbridge South Shropshire 29 Nov, Wulfrun Hall, Michael’s Church, Madeley, Telford, PHILHARMONIC DIZZY LIZZY Fri 25 Nov, Wolverhampton Shropshire ORCHESTRA Tues 22 Nov, A FISTFUL OF SPOOKIES The Roadhouse, B’ham Genting Arena, Sat 26 Nov, WHITE LIES Tues 29 Nov, CBSO: BEETHOVEN & ADAMS Featuring Birmingham 3 DIVAS TRIBUTE Fri 25 Welshampton Village O2 Institute, Birmingham Edward Gardener (conductor), James Nov, The Robin, Bilston Hall, North Shropshire Ehnes (violin) & the CBSO Chorus, Sat THE SISTERS OF MERCY KEVIN PEARCE Tues 29 26 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Tues 22 Nov, O2 FALLEN Fri 25 Nov, Route HANNAH & BRIAN Sat 26 Nov, Kitchen Garden Institute, Birmingham 44, Birmingham Nov, Havana Republic Cafe, Birmingham WOMBOURNE & DISTRICT CHORAL SOCIETY Bar and Restaurant, Programme comprises Mendelssohn’s STARS OF IRISH COUNTRY FLEETWOOD BAC Fri 25 AGNES OBEL Tues 29 Shrewsbury St Paul Oratorio, Sat 26 Nov, Church Of SHOW Tues 22 Nov, The Nov, The Place, Nov, Birmingham Town St John’s In The Square, Wolverhampton Place, Oakengates Oakengates Theatre, THE BRIAN HUMPHERSON Hall Theatre, Shropshire Shropshire TRIO Sat 26 Nov, NOTHING BUT THIEVES BRASS BAND & CHAMBER CHOIRS Featuring Wolverhampton Grand Stuart Birnie (brass band director) & THE ROVING CROWS Wed DEACON BLUE Fri 25 Nov, Wed 30 Nov, O2 Theatre Bradley Gill & Callum Thompson (cham- 23 Nov, The Red Lion Symphony Hall, Institute, Birmingham ber choir conductors). Programme Folk Club, Birmingham Birmingham ANNE-MARIE Sat 26 Nov, KEITH JAMES: THE MUSIC O2 Institute, Birmingham includes works by Durante, John Rutter THE ILLEGAL EAGLES Wed TOM MISCH Fri 25 Nov, OF YUSUF - CAT STEVENS & Eric Whitacre, Sun 27 Nov, The 23 Nov, The Place, Hare & Hounds, B’ham HOSPITALITY Sat 26 Nov, Wed 30 Nov, Ludlow Bramall, Birmingham University The Rainbow Venues, Assembly Rooms, South Oakengates Theatre, ANDY O'BRIEN Fri 25 Nov, JOHN WILSON & THE JOHN WILSON Shropshire Birmingham Shropshire Havana Republic Bar ORCHESTRA: MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES Sun THE STYLISTICS Wed 23 and Restaurant, BRIAN FALLON & THE TURIN BRAKES Wed 30 27 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Nov, Wolverhampton Shrewsbury CROWES Sat 26 Nov, Nov, The Slade Rooms, FLORILEGIUM Featuring Ashley Salomon Grand Theatre MIKA SINGH Fri 25 Nov, Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton Wolverhampton (director/flute), Bojan Cicic (violin), Katie THE FRONT BOTTOMS Wed Barclaycard Arena, PHOENIX RISING Wed 30 Heller (viola) & Jennifer Morsches (cello). 23 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham TEENAGE FANCLUB Sat 26 Nov, The Robin, Bilston Programme includes works by Haydn & Birmingham AUTONOMADS BUS Nov, O2 Institute, PETE TONG PRESENTS Mozart, Sun 27 Nov, The Lion Hotel, Birmingham GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, STATION LOONIES Fri 25 IBIZA CLASSICS Wed 30 Shrewsbury FUNK AND SOUL OPEN MIC Nov, The Slade Rooms, THE FLAKY TARTS Sat 26 Nov, Genting Arena, LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH THOMAS NIGHT Wed 23 Nov, The Wolverhampton Nov, Birchmeadow Birmingham TROTTER: FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE... Night Owl, B’ham EMO DISCO Fri 25 Nov, Centre, Broseley, GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, Programme includes works by Bach, A Shropshire UNCHAINED: THE BEST OF Hare & Hounds, B’ham FUNK AND SOUL OPEN MIC Guilmant, G Edmundson, C.Saint-Saens JOE COCKER LIVE Wed 23 LITTLE BARRIE Fri 25 Nov, CHINA CRISIS Sun 27 NIGHT Wed 30 Nov, The (arr. Lemare) & L Boellmann, Mon 28 Nov, The Robin, Bilston The Sunflower Lounge, Nov, The Robin, Bilston Night Owl, Birmingham Nov, Birmingham Town Hall PETER ASHER & ALBERT Birmingham DAVID ESSEX Sun 27 INGLORIOUS & LAST IN MICHAEL BALL & ALFIE BOE Mon 28 Nov, LEE Wed 23 Nov, The MARTIN STEPHENSON AND Nov, Civic Hall, LINE Wed 30 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Jam House, B’ham THE DAINTEES Fri 25 Nov, Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall, MILITARY WIVES: HOME FOR CHRISTMAS Wolverhampton TERRORVISION Wed 23 O2 Institute, Birmingham ALTER BRIDGE Sun 27 Tues 29 Nov, LIchfield Cathedral Nov, Wulfrun Hall, NASHVILLE NIGHTS Fri 25 Nov, Genting Arena, PETE WILLIAMS & ANDY BENJAMIN GROSVENOR: BRAHMS Featuring Wolverhampton Nov, The Asylum, Birmingham WELLINGS Wed 30 Nov, Alpesh Chauhan (conductor), Benjamin Kitchen Garden Cafe, FRETWORK Wed 23 Nov, Birmingham STEVE HARLEY Mon 28 Grosvenor (piano). Programme includes Birmingham Keele University QUILL Sat 26 Nov, Prince Nov, The Robin, Bilston works by Dvorak, Brahms & Sibelius, THE LEMON TWIGS Wed Wed 30 Nov, Symphony Hall, EDEN'S CURSE Thurs 24 Of Wales Centre, GENGAHR Mon 28 Nov, 30 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham Nov, The Asylum, Cannock The Sugarmill, Stoke-on- Birmingham Birmingham THE COUNTERFEIT STONES Trent ALEXANDER ULLMAN IN CONCERT

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thelist Monday 21 - Wednesday 30 November Programme includes works by JS PSYCHIC SALLY - CALL ME PSYCHIC The Bach, Schumann, Stravinsky & Liszt, Theatre show celebrates Sally's eighth year Talks / Wed 30 Nov, Keele University, Staffs on the road!, Fri 25 Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre AIDA Presented by Ellen Kent and Spoken Word THE FLINT STREET NATIVITY The Amphitheatre Productions, Mon 21 Nonentities present their take on a Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre longstanding school tradition, Mon OWEN JONES: THE POLITICS OF HOPE Comedy Gigs SHAKESPEARE, HIS WIFE AND THE DOG 28 Nov - Sat 3 Dec, The Rose How can we build societies that run ‘Heartfelt’ comedy which lays bare Theatre, Kidderminster in the interests of working people, the secrets, lies, resentments and TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 21 Nov, DIRTY DANCING – THE CLASSIC STORY not run as a racket for the mean and passions of Will & Anne’s marriage, The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham ON STAGE Features hit songs includ- the greedy at the top? Popular Mon 21 - Wed 23 Nov, The REP, Guardian columnist and author of CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 22 ing ‘Hungry Eyes’, ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do Birmingham Chavs and The Establishment shines Nov, The Dark Horse, Birmingham You Love Me?’ and the heart stop- THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Scott ping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’, some light on a positive way forward, FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 23 Nov, Ritchie Productions joins forces with Mon 28 Nov - Sat 3 Dec, Mon 28 Nov, The REP, Birmingham The Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham Birmingham Ormiston Academy to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre LEO HOULDING - REFLECTIONS: THE JON RICHARDSON present Kenneth Grahame's classic Wed 23 Nov, ERIC’S CHRISTMAS PARTY Non-stop MIRROR WALL The world renowned children's story, Mon 21 Nov - Sat 31 The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton- comedy and inspired mayhem, Mon climber discusses the contrast Dec, The Old Rep Theatre, upon-Trent 28 Nov - Sat 10 Dec, New Vic between adventure TV and adventure Birmingham ROB DEERING, ANDY WHITE Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme film while reflecting on the conflict JAMES COOK & DAVE BRYON THE LADYBOYS OF BANGKOK between a life of extreme adventure Wed 23 ACT COLLECTION Presented by Arena ‘Energetic, exotic and eclectic’ enter- & the responsibilites and homely joys Nov, Tower Brewery, Burton-upon- Collaborative Theatremakers, Tues tainment, Tues 22 Nov, of fatherhood, Wed 30 Nov, The Trent 29 Nov, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Place, Oakengates Theatre, THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, ANDREW Wolverhampton Shropshire STANLEY & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH STARS OF IRISH COUNTRY SHOW Tues SUNNY AFTERNOON Olivier Award-win- ANDY ROBINSON 22 Nov, The Place, Oakengates Thurs 24 Nov, The ning musical based on the story of Theatre, Telford, Shropshire Glee Club, Birmingham 1960s band The Kinks, rose to star- CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Fri 25 Nov, GEORGE'S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE dom, Tues 29 Nov - Sat 3 Dec, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton Birmingham Stage Company pres- Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent ents Roald Dahl's much-loved story, JERRY SADOWITZ Fri 25 Nov, Wulfrun BROKEN BISCUITS Paines Plough & Film Tues 22 Nov Sat 3 Dec, New Hall, Wolverhampton Live Theatre present a heartwarming Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: JOSEPH JACOBS & MATT PRICE Fri 25 coming-of-age story, Tues 29 Nov - SCORCHED Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Physical theatre, projec- Sat 3 Dec, The REP, Birmingham tion, sound design and music come CINDERELLA Family pantomime writ- EDDIE THE EAGLE (PG) JON RICHARDSON Fri 25 Nov, The together in this challenging piece, ten by Paul Hendy and produced by Comedy/Drama. Starring Taron Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, inspired by the writer’s grandfather, Evolution. Brad Fitt stars in the role Egerton, Hugh Jackman. Stourbridge South Shropshire Wed 23 Nov, Wem Town Hall, North of Buttons, Wed 30 Nov - Sun 8 Jan, Town Hall, Mon 21 Nov CRAIG HILL, JULIAN DEANE, SALLY-ANN Shropshire Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury COURTED (12a) Comedy/Crime. HAYWARD & COMIC TBC Fri 25 - Sat 26 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Joannah Starring Fabrice Luchini, Sidse Nov, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Tincey's imaginative production sees Babett Knudsen. Stoke Film Theatre, THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, ANDREW two actors bring Jane Austen's clas- Tues 22 Nov STANLEY, JOHN ROBINS & DAVE FULTON sic novel to life, Wed 23 Nov, Arena Fri 25 - Sat 26 Nov, The Glee Club, Theatre, Wolverhampton Dance VICTORIA (15) Crime/Thriller. Starring Laia Costa, Frederick Lau. Foxlowe Birmingham WHERE’S MY IGLOO GONE? The Bone Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs, Tues 22 ROMESH RANGANATHAN Sat 26 Nov, Ensemble take audiences ‘on a mag- THE NUTCRACKER Presented by Nov Civic Hall, Wolverhampton ical journey through an Arctic world Midland Theatre Ballet and The Lisayne Ballet School, Thurs 24 - Sat HOMELANDS Documentary/Music. STAND UP COMEDY SHOWCASE Sat 26 of soaring snow geese, pet husky 26 Nov, Crescent Theatre, Starring MC Saskilla, Terri Walke. Nov, mac, Birmingham dogs and starry nights’, Wed 23 - Sun 27 Nov, mac, B’ham Birmingham mac, Birmingham, Wed 23 Nov FORBIDDEN NIGHTS New all-male vari- BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET’S THE MOMMY (15) Drama. Starring Anne ety show featuring ‘explosive’ chore- NUTCRACKER Brimming with festive Dorval, Antoine-Olivier Pilon. Foreign ography as seen on Britain’s Got energy, this ballet is the perfect language, subtitled. The Hive, Talent & Towie, Thurs 24 Nov, The Christmas treat for the entire family, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Wed 23 Nov Fri 25 Nov - Tues 13 Dec, Place, Oakengates, Shropshire THE TURIN HORSE (15) + Q&A Drama. Birmingham Hippodrome THINK OF ENGLAND Anonymous Is A Starring Janos Derzsi, Erika Bok. Woman Theatre Co present a new play about courage, bravery and swing dancing, Thurs 24 Nov, Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! OJSMTC pay tribute to those who have fallen on their face at the portal of romance... Thurs 24 - Sat 26 Nov, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham THE SEVEN ACTS OF MERCY Anders Lustgarten’s visceral new play con- fronts the dangerous necessity of MICKEY SHARMA, SUNIL PATEL, OMAR compassion, in a world where it’s in HAMDI, BILAL ZAFAR, PATRICK short supply. Directed by RSC MONAHAN & NOREEN KHAN Sun 27 Deputy Artistic Director Erica Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham Whyman, Thurs 24 Nov - Fri 10 Feb, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- SEANN WALSH Tues 29 Nov, The Glee Avon Club, Birmingham VAMPIRES ROCK: GHOST TRAIN Classic THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW LIVE Wed rock spectacular, a sequel to the 30 Nov, Barclaycard Arena, B’ham phenomenally successful Vampires Rock Musical Concert, Fri 25 Nov, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

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thelist Foreign language, subtitled. mac, around the spectacular illuminated Birmingham, Thurs 24 Nov formal gardens, terraces and court- THE HARDER THEY COME (15) yard, Fri 25 - Sun 27 Nov, Powis Crime/Drama. Starring Jimmy Cliff, Castle and Garden, Nr Welshpool Janet Bartley. The Hive, Shrewsbury, SANTA’S GROTTO AND CHRISTMAS Shropshire, Fri 25 Nov CRAFT FAIR Sat 26 Nov, Selly Manor, SOME LIKE IT HOT (15) Birmingham Comedy/Romance. Starring Marilyn THE RACING PIGEON SHOW Including Monroe, Tony Curtis. Ludlow pigeon auctions and trade stands, Assembly Rooms, Ludlow, Tues 29 Sat 26 Nov, Telford International Nov Centre, Shropshire MAGGIE’S PLAN (15) Comedy/Drama. CHRISTMAS RAG WREATH MAKING With Starring Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke. the guidance of craft specialists, Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs, learn the history of the craft and the Tues 29 Nov techniques needed to create your HOW NOT TO WORK & CLAIM BENEFITS own wreath, Sat 26 Nov, Birmingham (PG) Comedy/Drama. Starring Tom Back to Backs Carter, Jacqueline Redgewell. BAVARIAN NIGHTS IN NOVEMBER Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Staffs, Celebrate in true Oktoberfest style, Wed 30 Nov Sat 26 Nov, National Brewery LIDICE: A LIGHT ACROSS THE SEA Centre, Burton upon Trent Documentary. Stoke Film Theatre, CHRISTMAS IN THE HOME Step back in Wed 30 Nov time and take part in some seasonal activities, Sat 26 - Sun 27 Nov, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley SANTA HUNTS Enjoy a fun-filled NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: search for Santa alongside the Released from Fri 25 Nov, showing museum’s costumed guides, Sat 26 at selected cinemas - Sun 27 Nov, Black Country Living ALLIED (tbc) Museum, Dudley ALMOST CHRISTMAS (tbc) CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAYRE 2016 Showcasing high-quality artists, BAD SANTA 2 (tbc) designer-makers and craftspeople, CREEPY (tbc) Sat 26 - Sun 27 Nov, Ruskin Glass MUM'S LIST (tbc) Centre, Stourbridge PATERSON (tbc) LUDLOW MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS FAYRE Sat 26 - Sun 27 Nov, Ludlow Castle, A UNITED KINGDOM (12a) Shropshire I AM BOLT (tbc) CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WEEKENDS THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN (tbc) Santa stars in his very own show, with a gift for every child, Sat 26 - Sun 27 Nov, Cadbury World, Bournville, Birmingham CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Showcasing Events local handmade crafts from Shropshire, Sat 26 - Sun 27 Nov, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, TUESDAY TILE DECORATING Craven Arms, South Shropshire WORKSHOPS Get creative by using the tube lining technique to produce WARLEY NATIONAL MODEL RAILWAY your very own tile to take home. EXHIBITION Featuring in excess of 90 Activities vary from day to day, Tues layouts, Sat 26 - Sun 27 Nov, NEC, 22 Nov, Jackfield Tile Museum, Birmingham Ironbridge, Shropshire SANTA BOAT TRIPS Visit Santa in his WINTER WONDERLAND SEASONAL underground grotto, deep in the STYLE EVENT Personal stylist Beth Dudley caverns, Sat 26 Nov - Fri 23 Goodrham shares her top picks for Dec, Dudley Canal Tunnel and the festive season, Wed 23 Nov, Limestone Mines Birmingham Botanical Gardens THE SHROPSHIRE SANTA EXPERIENCE BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW WINTER Sat 26 Nov - Sat 24 Dec, Park Hall Featured celebrities include The Farm, Oswestry Hairy Bikers (pictured), Tom SANTA SAFARI Festive day out for all Kerridge, Raymond Blanc, Nadiya the family, combining a four-mile Hussain, Paul Hollywood & Mary self-drive safari with a visit to see Berry, Thurs 24 - Sun 27 Nov, NEC, Santa, Sat 26 Nov - Sat 24 Dec, Birmingham West Midland Safari and Leisure Park, Bewdley CHRISTMAS AT THE NATIONAL FOREST ADVENTURE FARM Sat 26 Nov - Sat 24 Dec, National Forest Adventure Farm, Burton-upon-Trent TUESDAY TILE DECORATING WORKSHOPS Get creative by using the tube lining technique to produce your very own tile to take home. Activities vary from day to day, Tues 29 Nov, Jackfield Tile Museum, ILLUMINATED GARDENS Brighten up Ironbridge, Shropshire your dark winter nights with a stroll

66 whatsonlive.co.uk Comic Con F/P Oct.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 18:29 Page 1 Icon Neon Guitar (FP- November 16).qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 18:06 Page 1