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STARS STARS IN GASLIGHT ISSUE 373 JANUARY 2017 birminghamwhatson.co.uk s On ’ FILM FILM I I COMEDY I I GIGS THEATRE IARTS VISUAL I EVENTS FOOD Birmingham

Your FREE essential Your entertainment guide for the Midlands What Birmingham Cover January 2017.qxp_Birmingham Cover 16/12/2016 12:09 Page 1 Page 12:09 16/12/2016 Cover 2017.qxp_Birmingham January Cover Birmingham BIRMINGHAM WHAT’S ON JANUARY 2017 PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS @WHATSONBRUM BIRMINGHAMWHATSON.CO.UK The Old Rep (FP- January 17).qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 11:43 Page 1 Contents January Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:16 Page 2

January 2017

Contents

The Red Shoes - Matthew Bourne’s sumptuous new adaptation heads to the Hippodrome page 34

Kaiser Chiefs Reginald D Hunter Autosport show the list

talk about bringing their Stay back on the road with a brand the world’s greatest four-wheel Your 16-page Together tour to the Midlands new show for 2017 indoor extravaganza at the NEC week-by-week listings guide Interview page 14 Interview page 22 page 49 page 51

inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 13. Music 24. Comedy 28. Theatre 41. Film 44. Visual Arts 47. Events

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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 January B'ham.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:15 Page 1

First Word

Birmingham’s Chinese New Year celebration bigger than ever This year’s Chinese New Year celebration in Birmingham will be the biggest the city has ever hosted. The annual event takes place in and around Hurst Street on Sunday 29 January. It will feature two stages, lion and dragon dances, funfair rides, street food, martial arts, cultural demonstrations and Chinese magic. Commenting on the celebration, James Wong, chair- man of the Chinese Festival Committee, which organ- ises the event, said: “This is my second year running the festival, and I always had ambitions to make it bigger. The plans have really come together, and I’m proud that we’re able to welcome the Year of the Rooster on such a grand scale. “The changes to our event, which have been well sup- ported by Birmingham City Council and Southside BID, mean that we can expect visitor numbers to dou- ble. It'll be a fun day out for all the family!”

Brum venue to host its Midlands dance company Birmingham actress Julie first ever outdoor concert to premiere new work in becomes ambassador for Birmingham air ambulance charity Birmingham Repertory Theatre will host the world premiere of a brand new dance work in March. MK Ultra is the latest offering from highly rated local ensemble Rosie Kay Dance Company. The piece has been inspired by ‘the bizarre realm of pop culture, mind-con- trol conspiracies and Illuminati imagery’. Commenting on the show, the company’s artistic director, Rosie Kay, said: “MK Ultra is the result of three years of intense research Birmingham’s Genting Arena is to host its which has taken me through the world of first ever outdoor concert in the spring. surveillance, state police, torture and brain- Taking place at the NEC venue’s lakeside on washing, through to pop culture, main- Friday 26 May - the eve of the Slam Dunk stream media and celebrity breakdowns, all Festival - the gig will feature performances the way back to politics and a comment on from The Specials and Toots And The the post-culturism state we are in now. Maytals. “At a time when everything is fake, or at least Commenting on the event, NEC Group we don’t trust what’s real anymore, MK Ultra Arenas Sales Executive Charlotte Smith said: looks at what this world really feels like and Birmingham-born actress Julie Walters has “We’re yet again pushing the boundaries of what effect it is having on us, whether we become an ambassador for the Midlands Air what can be done at our venues, in conjunc- know it or not.” Ambulance Charity, on the occasion of its tion with the Slam Dunk Festival and NEC The show can be 25th anniversary. teams. This will be the first time ever that enjoyed at The REP Since its inception in 1991, the air ambulance we’ve held a full outdoor concert on the on Friday 17 & has airlifted and helped save over 46,000 lakeside adjacent to the Genting Arena and Saturday 18 March. lives. NEC, and we’re pleased that such iconic For tickets, ring The charity covers a population in excess of British bands will be the first to try it. If suc- 0121 236 4455 or six million, across the counties of cessful, we hope to add many more outdoor visit birmingham- Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, events of this nature to the NEC Group rep.co.uk Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and the West Arenas’ growing event portfolio.” Midlands.

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Entertainment news from around the region

Beethoven’s 9th Arthur Pita’s Stepmother, Stepfather brings anniversary season to a close

Birmingham amateur chamber orchestra Eroica Camerata brings its 10th anniversary season to a close this month with a performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony at St Nicolas Church in Kings Norton on Saturday 21 January. Music Director Peter Marks will also conduct a supporting programme of Brahms pieces - Variations of a Theme of Haydn and Geistliches Lied. Marks has invited fellow conductor James Hockey to assemble a bespoke chorus of university and local singers for the occasion. The soloists - soprano Deirdre McCabe, alto Lucy Morton, tenor Edward Harrisson and baritone Andrew Randall - all trained at Double bill kick-starts DanceXchange’s new season Birmingham Conservatoire. Tickets for the concert can be pur- A double bill of cinematic-style works performed by Malta’s national contemporary dance compa- chased from eroica.org.uk or on the ny kick-starts the new season at Midlands dance house DanceXchange this month. door. ZfinMalta Dance Ensemble present Kick The Bucket and Home on Friday 27 January, performing at DanceXchange’s Birmingham Hippodrome home as part of their first UK tour. Later-season productions featured in DanceXchange’s spring programme include a ‘wickedly Birmingham Rep gruesome’ double bill from Arthur Pita & HeadSpaceDance, a sensual new interpretation of Carmen and a work exploring people’s obsessive dependence on technology. There’s also a cele- launches new bration of flamenco’s different styles, presented by the Ana Morales Flamenco Company, who, community-based like ZfinMalta Dance Ensemble, are appearing at the Hippodrome as part of their first UK tour. arts project For further details about the season’s programme, visit dancexchange.org.uk

Something to University of Birmingham to establish harp on about new base in the city centre Birmingham Conservatoire The University of Birmingham is to establish a new home in the is this month hosting a spe- city centre. A pioneering programme, teaming cial ‘harp day’ in the Elgar The news comes after the University completed its purchase of up West Midlands communities with Concert Hall at The Bramall Birmingham’s former Municipal Bank, one of the city’s best- emerging local artists in order to (Saturday 21 January). known civic buildings. make new theatre, has been The event includes master- Commenting on the purchase, Professor Sir David Eastwood, vice- launched by the Birmingham Rep. classes by international chancellor of the University of Birmingham, said: “The foundation The project, which sees five artists stone was laid by Neville Chamberlain, son of the University’s working with people from Alum performers, and workshops Rock, Ladywood, Erdington, in electric harp techniques, founder and first chancellor, Joseph Chamberlain. We are now Sparkbrook and West Bromwich, is jazz and how to give your bringing this historic landmark back into use for the people of part of The REP’s Furnace scheme. harp a ‘Scottish accent’. Birmingham, providing a new public gateway to the University’s Commenting on the initiative, the Numerous exhibitors and research and cultural assets. The decision reflects the University’s venue’s associate director, Tessa ensembles also feature, commitment to playing an active role in the development of the Walker, explained: “Furnace is while pedal harp owners city and to the sharing of research and knowledge beyond campus designed to inspire a new genera- boundaries.” tion of theatre artists to work in new get the chance to have their and ambitious ways by responding instrument serviced by ‘the Proposals for the development include a community education to the needs, stories and ideas from harp doctor’. hub, a performance space for music and drama, a café, bar and these communities. The event is followed by an dining provision, a “These Furnace residencies combine evening concert featuring business and profes- The REP’s desire to find new ways of acclaimed French harpist sional training space, making the most vivid theatre by the and meeting and best new artists with our ambition to Sylvain Blassel and function rooms which engage with the unheard voices and Australian jazz harpist and unheard stories of our city.” singer Tara Minton. would serve as an extension to campus facilities.

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First Word

Children’s favourite returns Bass Jam club to Birmingham this summer night makes its The live version of CBeebies favourite In The Midlands debut Night Garden makes a welcome return to A house, bass and garage Birmingham’s Cannon Hill Park this summer (12 club night makes its Midlands to 30 July). debut this month. The hit show sees characters including Bass Jam takes over Central Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka being Hall (formerly Q Club) in brought to life on stage using costumes, puppets, Birmingham on Saturday 28 music and projections. January. Commenting on the forthcoming production, The evening’s bill includes Andrew Collier, creative director for the show’s appearances by headliner producers, Minor Entertainment, said: “Parents Wiley, grime MC Bugzy tell us that children as young as a few months old Malone, highly rated produc- engage with the live show, and the looks on the er DJ S.K.T, multi-talented faces of the children and parents in the audiences remixer and producer Jamie are absolutely amazing. It's a huge responsibility Duggan, and Kideko, who - and enormous privilege to give so many children along with production partner their first experience of live theatre.” George Kwali - was responsi- Tickets go on sale from 27 January and can be ble for one of the year’s booked at NightGardenLive.com or by calling biggest tunes, Crank It 0330 120 0123. (Woah!).

Cash injection My Fair Lady Birmingham dance house launches new for cancer back in Brum award to support up-and-coming artists research in the Midlands Birmingham’s longest estab- A Birmingham-based dance house has launched an award to support lished musical theatre com- artists at an early stage of their choreographic career. Scientists at Cancer Research pany has pulled off a real As part of DanceXchange’s new Artist Development programme, the dx UK’s (CRUK) Birmingham coup by securing the rights Choreography Award will support the practice of up to eight early-career Centre are set to receive a to perform the classic musi- artists each year, all of whom will be based, living or working in the £5million cash injection from cal, My Fair Lady. Midlands. the charity over the next five BMOS Musical Theatre Recipients of the award will receive bespoke support in the form of stu- years, as part of a national Company, which was dio and production space, advice and mentoring. They will also receive a drive to accelerate advances formed 131 years ago in cash bursary and be given the opportunity to present their work as part in early detection and treat- 1886, will perform the show of the dx Scratch sharing event. ment. at the New Alexandra The deadline for applications for artists interested in developing their A further £2million will be Theatre this summer (20 to work between March and June is Monday 23 January at 5pm. spent on continuing research 24 June), 12 years after the For full details, visit dancexchange.org.uk at the city’s Experimental Lerner & Loewe Cancer Medicine Centre musical was last presented (ECMC). in the second city. Commenting on the news, Commenting on the news, Birmingham’s gay symphony orchestra in CRUK’s chief executive, Sir BMOS chairman John Proms team-up with Miss Moneypenny’s Harpal Kumar, said: “CRUK’s Spencer said: “Following projections are that we will our award-winning shows A local gay orchestra will this autumn join forces with a legendary club reach more than 500,000 new in the last few years, we brand to present a unique event in Birmingham. diagnoses of cancer a year in wanted to try and secure The 60-piece Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra will perform at the the UK by 2035. By that time, something really special for city’s Symphony Hall to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of dance our goal is that three in four our next show. music scene favourite Miss Moneypenny’s. The popular club night is people will survive their can- I’m delighted that we will be renowned for its energetic brand of house music mixed with creative cer. Funding these Centres is one of the first companies themes, dancers, theatrical artistes and live performers. one of the charity’s most in the country to perform Commenting on the event, Miss Moneypenny’s musical director, Jim important strategic priorities, My Fair Lady in a world- Ryan, said: “When we started planning Miss Moneypenny’s return to and one which will help us class venue after the restric- Birmingham, we knew we had to come up with something spectacular. reach this ambition. This tions were lifted. Interpreting the sound of Miss Moneypenny’s with an orchestra is some- huge investment is only made It’s quite a coup for BMOS, thing we’re very excited about. To be working with the brilliant possible through generous the New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra is truly inspiring.” donations from the public and the Birmingham theatre Miss Moneypenny’s A Night At The Proms takes place at Symphony Hall and the tireless fundraising of scene.” on 24 November. our supporters.”

6 whatsonlive.co.uk FIRST WORD January B'ham.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:15 Page 4 There Will Be Blood DPS.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:23 Page 1

FEATURE

there will be blood Conductor Hugh Brunt talks to What’s On about a new orchestration coming to Birmingham’s Symphony Hall next month...

While most of us might be aware of a “We’ll be bringing the full line-up,” says “I saw the film when it was first released,” handful of major film composers, we Brunt, “a 53-strong orchestra plus three says Brunt, “and every element of it is so rarely give a second thought to the soloists - Cynthia Millar, Galya strong - the screenplay, the performances, orchestras interpreting their work. Yet Bisengalieva and Oliver Coates. The cinematography - but I was particularly musicians and conductors play a vital part majority of ’s cues are moved by the music. It had a visceral in setting scenes and building dramatic scored for strings with ondes Martenot (a impact and felt so raw and fresh. I'd tension - particularly in a film as visceral rare early electronic instrument). The film happily stick my neck out and say it's one and heart-stoppingly intense as Paul also features the last movement of of the most important scores of the past Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood. Brahms’ Violin Concerto, which deploys couple of decades.” woodwind and brass forces not used Released in 2007, the Oscar-winning Best known as a member of , elsewhere in the film. However, for this feature tells the story of Daniel Plainview, Jonny Greenwood is also an increasingly live version, those players are asked to a miner turned ruthless oilman in prolific composer in his own right. double up on percussion for one of the Southern during the late 19th Nevertheless, his score for There Will Be crucial dramatic scenes where a total of 12 and early 20th centuries. For his role as Blood will be instantly recognisable to percussionists is required.” Plainview, Daniel Day Lewis took home fans of the band, featuring the dissonant, just about every major award for Best Set up by Brunt along with Co-Artistic distorted, multi-layered walls of sound Actor (Oscar, Bafta, Golden Globe, Screen Director in 2008 (the same that are so characteristic of his work. In Actors Guild, NYFCC and IFTA, to name year There Will Be Blood appeared in UK the film, they're often overpowering, just some). But what's perhaps more cinemas), LCO has rapidly gained a rising to an unnerving, almost siren-like remarkable is how highly lauded just reputation as one of the country's most drone that hits the listener like a ton of about every aspect of the film was, from exciting and forward-thinking bricks, especially right at the start of the writing and direction to cinematography, contemporary ensembles. They have film. As a result, the sheer volume editing and, of course, music. worked with a whole host of high-profile presents something of a challenge for a music acts (including Frank Ocean, live orchestra in terms of ensuring they Hugh Brunt and the Goldfrapp, Beck, Foals and Belle & don't drown out other sounds. Contemporary Orchestra (LCO) aren't Sebastian), recording and performing film responsible for the recorded soundtrack to “It’s one of the most complex aspects of soundtracks, creating thrilling site- the film, but they have since worked with performing this film live. We’re very specific musical experiences and more. its composer, Jonny Greenwood, on other fortunate to have a fantastic sound team Although the original There Will Be Blood recordings, including the soundtrack to of Barry Bartlett and Luca Stefani, who’ve soundtrack was recorded by the BBC Anderson's later film, The Master (2012). worked on all our performances of There Concert Orchestra, as part of its ongoing Next month, Brunt will be bringing the Will Be Blood. They know the score and work with Greenwood, LCO has developed LCO to Birmingham for a live performance mix so intimately and, as such, all the an intimate knowledge of the score of Greenwood's There Will Be Blood score, places where an element - be it the score, through various live performances dating to accompany a screening of the film at dialogue or sound effects - needs to come back to 2014. Symphony Hall. to the fore, or be shaded off to make way

8 whatsonlive.co.uk There Will Be Blood DPS.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:23 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

for something else. way of working is that, certainly in the projects with Secret Cinema, as well as freer sections, you can really allow the causing a stir with their own Imagined “Perhaps another point worth mentioning music to breathe.” Occasions series - a set of concerts that is that much of the music when it was took audiences on musical journeys originally recorded was performed loudly This year, thanks partly to the strength of through an abandoned underground but, when mixed into the film, was set their relationship with Greenwood, LCO station, Bethnal Green's impressive Oval very low. So, that provides an interesting appeared on Radiohead's acclaimed new Space, and out onto Primrose Hill at challenge for me and the orchestra - to album, Moon Shaped Pool, having sunset. play something with the intensity and recorded orchestral arrangements for character of a forte (‘strong’) dynamic but several of the tracks. Though not directly “It's very important for us to have with the sound of something much softer, involved in the composition process, the something of a varied diet. LCO's site- so that it doesn’t cloud the dialogue. In orchestra has enjoyed opportunities to responsive work is a big focus and short, the whole thing is a constant collaborate with Greenwood in workshops provides an exciting opportunity to conversation between what the orchestra and performances. engage more directly with a narrative. is doing acoustically on stage and what When we choose a location for a “All the material comes from him, but Barry and Luca are doing at the mixing performance (for example, the disused we’ve been fortunate to work with him console.” Aldwych Underground station, Wapping closely in workshop scenarios - just a Hydraulic Power Station, or the top of It's not the only difficulty in working with small group of seven string players and a Primrose Hill at sunset), we look to film. Unlike live performers, a film can't pianist, and him on ondes Martenot and celebrate everything about that space - its respond to variations (accidental or guitar. He’s fascinated in drawing new character, history, acoustic qualities - otherwise) in the music; thus absolute colours and timbres from these considerations that inform the shape and precision is required to keep time with the instruments, and equally sensitive to the emotional trajectory of our programmes. visuals. personalities - interested in the This way of working also allows us to be characters, the dynamic of the ensemble, “The first thing to mention is that for both more flexible with where the audience is not just the instruments the players are the rehearsals and performance, the placed in relation to the sound source, holding. We’ve ended up performing orchestra and I don’t have a timecode or a and we enjoy commissioning pieces eight, maybe nine, new works by Jonny ‘click track’ - a metronome guide to keep specifically for a space, as sonic written for the group over the past couple us in sync with the film. So, aside from installations.” of years, and toured to some amazing preparing the music itself, much of my cities - including Moscow, Geneva, time is spent watching the film while Budapest - and to festivals in the conducting through the score in silence Hugh Brunt conducts the London Netherlands and Poland.” (or singing various lines to myself!). I do Contemporary Orchestra performing that over and over again to refine the Alongside recordings and more the score of There Will Be Blood at tempos and make sure I’m meeting all the conventional performance settings, LCO Symphony Hall, Birmingham, ‘hit points’. What’s enjoyable about this have also worked on immersive film on Sunday 5 February

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Food

Sake Bomb lands in Brum New bar has plenty Beer cocktail the sake bomb has arrived in to fizz about... Birmingham, courtesy of the city’s Pan- A new bar offering an extensive Asian restaurant, Rofuto. range of more than 300 wines, The drink, which sees sake being poured ports and Champagnes has into a shot glass and dropped into a glass of recently opened in beer, is currently enjoying huge popularity Birmingham's canalside in the US, and looks set to score a hit here in Mailbox complex. the UK too. Bottles Birmingham is also pro- For more information about Rofuto and to viding its customers with the book a table, visit rofuto.co.uk. A video chance to explore state-of-the- showing how to create the perfect sake Yummie Brummie to launch art wine-dispensing machines, bomb is available to view at Colmore Food Festival offering a unique wine-tasting facebook.com/RofutoBham. experience. Bottled craft beers, Birmingham-born Saturday Morning Kitchen host cocktails, spirits, hot drinks, Glynn Purnell will launch the 2017 edition of the soft drinks and an all-day food city’s Colmore Food Festival. menu are also available. For The Michelin-starred chef will also be hosting more information about Bottles cookery demonstrations at the free-entry event, Birmingham, and its sister which takes place in Birmingham’s Colmore location in Worcester, visit bot- Business District on Friday 30 June and Saturday 1 tleswine.co.uk July. Now in its seventh year, the festival regularly attracts more than 30,000 visitors.

REVIEW: Rajdoot Tandoori, George Street, Birmingham Serving up food to make you happy...

It’s not all that it’s cracked up to emphasis on tandoori and the be, reviewing restaurants. For classic dishes of North , my visit to Rajdoot, I finished served up in their very smart work at 7pm, rushed across town dining room. They call them- to make a 7.30pm reservation, selves a fine-dining restaurant, parked in the wrong place and and that’s true, but it’s not ended up walking a mile remotely stuffy. Rajdoot are through an icy gale - hastily offering the Indian food we all thumbing on my recognise, but with the differ- iPhone - and turning up 10 min- ence that they execute it really, sweet, creamy gravy - and a Rajdoot are serving up food to utes late, full of apologies. My really well. tarka dal tempered with roast make you happy, with service to date informed me that the Ever greedy, my date ordered the cumin. Incidentally, the vegetar- put even the grumpiest city- restaurant had a party of about Rajdoot platter to start. The ian menu at Rajdoot is lengthy, worker at ease. Helen Stallard 20 people in at the same time as chicken shashlik, shish kebab which always gets a cheer from us, which never bodes well. By and tandoori chicken were tastes me. The pashwari naan was this point I wanted to be home, Food: of tandoori excellence, whilst decadence itself, drizzled with n n n n n in pyjamas, with a bowl of chips. Service: the samosa managed to be crisp gorgeous honey. n n n n n But to the credit of the excellent without being remotely fatty. Ambience: n n n n n The best came last, though - a staff at Rajdoot, within five min- Overall value n n n n n For mains, we ordered the clas- plate of home-made kulfi. utes I was happily ensconced in OVERALL n n n n n sics. The rogan josh was the best Elegance itself, the nutty-sweet the cosy dining space, surround- I’ve ever had. The lamb, so ten- ice was faintly aromatic with ed by bronze Hindu goddesses der that it shredded at the mere rose-water and dressed with and poppadoms - and an hour of sight of a fork, was enveloped in cream and pistachios. Radjoot Tandoori being thoroughly spoilt began. a slow-cooked sauce rich with I often get a curry hangover after 78 - 79 George Street Rajdoot are stalwarts of the tomato and Kashmiri chilli. this kind of food - so many Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, priding them- Intensely rich, it was tempered restaurants laden their curries B3 1PY selves on smart, authentic by the sweetness of the Mughlai Tel: 0121 236 1116 with salt and ghee. Not here. Punjabi cooking. There’s an Kofta - vegetable dumplings in a whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Music - January - Birmingham LF.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:14 Page 1

in association with The Comedy Loft 259-262 Broad Street Birmingham B1 2HF T: 020 3740 3700 E: [email protected]

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Gigs Gig previews from around the region

The White Buffalo O2 Institute, Birmingham, Sat 21 January

The White Buffalo is the professional moniker of American singer-song- Darlingside class taken by members at Williams College. writer Jake Smith. “Pesticide is used to kill pests,” explains the The dark blues artist is probably best The Glee Club, Birmingham, Tues 31 January band’s Dave Senft, “fratricide is when you known for his numerous song place- Massachusetts-based four-piece Darlingside kill your brother. A former teacher of ours ments in TV show Sons Of Anarchy, are rapidly becoming one of the most used to say ‘kill your darlings,’ which is to including the series-finale song, talked-about bands in contemporary say, if you fall in love with something you’ve Come Join The Murder. Co-written American music. written, you should cross it out. We like that with the programme’s producer, Kurt Taking their influences from ’60s folk, blue- idea, and we thought a good name for it Sutter, it was nominated for an grass, indie rock and classical, the band might be ‘darlingcide’, but we changed the Emmy for Outstanding Music & were last year named Folk Alliance ‘c’ to an ‘s’ because we’re not super into Lyrics. International’s Artist Of The Year. death.” This current tour features releases Their name originates from a songwriting from Smith’s back-catalogue which are being made widely available in Europe for the first time. The Blue Aeroplanes Two Door Cinema Club Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, O2 Academy, Birmingham, Tues 24 January A Day To Remember Thurs 19 January Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Comprising Alex Trimble, Kevin Baird and Wed 25 January Sam Halliday, Two Door Cinema Club released debut album Tourist History back Since their inception in 2003, A Day in 2010. Their follow-up offering, Beacon, To Remember have sold over one mil- went to number one in the Irish albums lion records, racked up over 400 mil- chart and number two in the UK chart. lion Spotify streams, 500 million Re-energised by their self-imposed hiatus, YouTube streams and produced two the band return for an extensive headline gold-selling albums. tour in support of third studio album The metalcore/pop punk five-piece Gameshow. visit Birmingham in support of their much-anticipated new album, Bad Vibrations. Support on the night comes from Tommy Emmanuel New Found Glory, Neck Deep and Town Hall, Birmingham, Fri 20 January Moose Blood. Combining rock, folk, punk and poetry, The Australian guitarist, songwriter and occa- Blue Aeroplanes released their most critical- sional singer Tommy Emmanuel is best ly acclaimed album, Swagger, in 1990, and known for his complex fingerstyle tech- have enjoyed a touring career that’s seen nique, energetic performances and the use them supporting numerous big-name bands, of percussive effects on the guitar. including REM and Siouxsie & The With a career spanning five decades, he’s a Banshees. household name down under, boasts thou- The longest-lasting Aeroplanes line-up to sands of fans worldwide and in recent times date visits Birmingham this month in sup- has become a bonafide YouTube sensation, port of new album Welcome, Stranger!. accumulating over 29 million views. Ex-members have gone on to play with Tommy is here promoting his album, It’s Massive Attack, Suede, Placebo, Goldfrapp Never Too Late, which features original and Primal Scream, to name but a few. music with no vocals or guests.

For the complete gig guide visit whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Kaiser Chiefs - DPS.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:18 Page 1

INTERVIEW

Kaiser Chiefs Kaiser Chiefs’ Simon Rix chats to Lauren Foster about the band’s Stay Together tour, which heads to the Midlands this month...

Firstly, what can your Birmingham audience expect from your show at Barclaycard Arena? Because the UK has our biggest fanbase in the world, it’s always one of our favourite tours. We can bring the most production, lights, fire, lasers, video screens and stuff to it. Every Kaiser Chiefs gig, even in the tiniest club with no production, we want to make sure everyone has a brilliant night. That’s our mission - to give everyone the best night.

Your new album, Stay Together, has more pop and electro influences compared to, for example, your debut album, Employment. Why the change in direction? I think when we started working on the album, one of the things we wanted to do was make an album with a bit more groove. Ricky wanted to write a bit more about relationships and love, subjects we’ve avoided as a band because it’s tricky talking about them in front of four of your mates. Musically we wanted to make people dance a bit and groove a bit, in a Talking Heads sort of way. Then we found a guy called Brian Higgins who also wanted to do all of those things, so he became the sixth member of the band. Brian’s background is much more pop than ours. He’s traditionally a keyboard player, so obviously he was going to bring those things out of us. I do feel like, even when we wrote I Predict A Riot and Ruby, we were coming more from the place of a band in a dirty rehearsal room in Leeds, playing loud guitars, than maybe we are now. But I do still feel like we tried to write pop songs because we wanted to compete with the biggest names around at the time. I think that’s the same now; we want to write big songs - songs that

14 whatsonlive.co.uk Kaiser Chiefs - DPS.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:18 Page 2

by Lauren Foster

Every Kaiser Chiefs gig, even in the tiniest club with ‘‘ no production, we want to make sure everyone has a brilliant night... ” can be heard on the radio by loads and their opinion is and go with that. Maybe it The second we went on, it started raining, loads of people, songs that you can hear won’t work, but you can just try and the second we came off, it stopped - in the Barclaycard Arena. I think there’s something else the next time round. I but nobody cared, because it was Brazil, still a lot of Kaiser Chiefs DNA in the think that’s the really good thing about so it was hot. songs. our career - we’ve now got to a stage where we can do what we want. Support acts Ngod and Spring King will Sixteen years and six albums after you be joining you on tour. How did that started out, Kaiser Chiefs are still very Did you always want to pursue a career come about? much in the limelight. Why do you in music? We’ve done gigs with Spring King before. think that is? The five of us always thought we were We really liked and got on with them, and Because we’ve changed and moved with going to do it, so any jobs we had were they’ve really worked with our audience. the times. We’re not trying to make a jobs to support being in a band. Me and You can get some of your favourite bands Frank Ocean or a Kanye record. I still Peanut were civil servants for a bit, but we to support and it just doesn’t work out. think we’re making records that we’re didn’t really like it very much. We always Our fans really like Spring King, and we expected to make, but we’re also aware wanted to be in a band. I’ve been in bands like them as people and we like their that things change and music is different. since I was about 11, and my dad was in a music. We’ve known Ngod a long, long Streaming is massive now, but even when band too. It’s a crazy idea because it can time. We saw them recently and they were our last album came out, it wasn’t backfire massively, but even though we all great - plus, it’s always good to support something we’d even thought about. But went to university, we all still felt like the local music scene. We could do with a now, obviously, it’s really, really music was number one. couple of girls, though. After we important, and by the time we do another announced it, we realised it was all men, album in another few years’ time, there’ll What advice would you give to young so I do apologise about that. be something else, another new way of bands and artists who are looking to listening to music. I always feel like good follow in your footsteps? And finally, your upcoming Stay songs will conquer everything. People do Keep going! If you love music and music Together tour is your first arena tour in ask us how we’ve stayed together for so is your passion, you can have a career in two years. What are you looking long, and I think it’s because we’re friends music. You might be singing on a cruise forward to the most about being back and we make each other laugh, no matter ship or doing workshops or music therapy on tour? what’s happening in our world. - there are loads of amazing careers in Doing the arena gigs is always great; it’s music. We’ve been lucky enough to do an opportunity to put on a big show. Do you all generally have the same what we do, which is great. Throughout a lot of our career, I think opinions, musically, when producing everyone’s seen us as a great warm-up new material? What’s the most memorable band. We’ve done a lot of early-evening Me and my girlfriend don’t agree all the performance of your career? festival slots on the main stage, which is time. In the band I’ve got another four The first Glastonbury we ever played, in always good, but we’re at the point in our girlfriends, and they’re all men, so it 2005, was a bit of a moment. The album career where we really feel like we want to makes it tricky. We agree on a surprising had come out in March and we’d been have a big show, with great lights and amount of stuff considering it’s been 16 away in America, so we hadn’t really screens. So that’s what we’re looking years of making decisions, but there are realised that Employment was big. Then forward to the most, putting on a really definitely differences of opinion. On this we played Glastonbury and everyone sang big show for everybody. record, we had a couple of co-writes on all the words to the songs back to us! there and Brian, the producer, was really Elland Road in Leeds, that was a great involved from day one. I think that was us final homecoming celebration. Last year, Kaiser Chiefs perform at the Barclaycard saying that, after 16 years, you sometimes we played the Maracanã, the World Cup Arena, Birmingham, on Saturday have to listen to other people, see what stadium, which was a really amazing gig. 25 February

whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Classical Birmingham January.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:11 Page 1 Classical Birmingham January.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:11 Page 2

Classical Music

Johann Strauss Gala Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sunday 1 January Symphony Hall welcomes in the new year with this afternoon concert performed by the Johan Strauss Orchestra and featur- ing, in ‘glorious costumes’ of the period, the Johan Strauss Dancers. Highly rated soprano Corinne Cowling (pictured) lends her incredible voice to proceedings, as John Rigby conducts a selection of waltzes, polkas and songs. The programme includes Die Fledermaus: Overture, Tales From The Vienna Woods, the Blue Danube Waltz, the Radetzky March and Roses In Tyrol.

Yuri Temirkanov

St Petersburg Philharmonic Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 26 January Russia’s oldest symphony orchestra makes a welcome return to the Midlands to perform a concert that features two of the country’s most spectacular orchestral showpieces - Prokofiev’s Romeo And Juliet and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. The programme is completed by Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No3. Yuri Temirkanov, the orchestra’s chief conductor since 1988 and its 10th in all, leads from the front in a concert that also features the masterly Nikolai Lugansky on piano. Celia Craig Birmingham CBSO: Handel’s Semele Recital Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire, Tues 17 January Philharmonic Orchestra Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 25 January English musician Celia Craig (pictured The Bramall, University of Birmingham, below) now plies her trade down under, Sunday 22 January Although the pres- where she’s Principal Oboist of the ence of so many Richard Laing picks up the baton to con- Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. polyphonic choruses duct the first concert of Birmingham The UK’s loss is most definitely distinguishes this Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2017 pro- ’s gain. A regular guest with the George Frideric gramme. Midlands’ very own CBSO, Celia has pre- Handel musical One of the Midlands’ best known and viously held Principal position with the drama from his most admired non-professional orches- BBC Symphony Orchestra. She’s also lent operas, in most tras, the Birmingham Phil on this occa- her phenomenal talent to concerts per- other ways that sion presents a programme of movie formed by the London Symphony and count, Semele is an classics, including Williams’ Star Wars: the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. opera in all but The Phantom Menace, Arnold’s Bridge Richard Egarr Her afternoon name. On The River Kwai, Herrmann’s Vertigo recital, including Based on a pre-existing work by William and Bernstein’s West Side Story: a performance Congreve and inspired by Ovid's Symphonic Dances. of Poulenc’s Metamorphoses, it tells the story of the mor- Sonata, is fol- tal Princess Semele and her affair with Richard Laing lowed by a pub- Jupiter, king of the gods. lic masterclass. In an act of vengeance, Jupiter’s wife, Juno, persuades Semele to demand of her lover that he appears in his natural guise. Jupiter agrees to do so, descending from the skies as a fiery cloud of thunder and light- ning, his thunderbolts consuming his lover in flames. The CBSO Chorus lend their exquisite voices to this Richard Egarr-conducted perform- ance. whatsonlive.co.uk 17 What's On Readers Awards DPS MM.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 15:59 Page 1

Get VOTING for your favourite Midlands events and venues in the... What’sOn Readers’ Awards 2017

Some of last year’s winners...

Citizen Khan with The organisers of Lauren Foster Moseley Folk Festival

Rob Macpherson from Birmingham Hippodrome Barbara Nice

Duncan Stanley from Neil Reading from Brum Yum Yum Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton Salla Virman from Chris Sudworth from The Hive, Shrewsbury The Old Rep, Birmingham What's On Readers Awards DPS MM.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 15:34 Page 2

#culturematters #artsmatters

Yes, it’s time for you to show just how much CATEGORIES INCLUDE: you appreciate Birmingham and the West Best Large Regional Theatre Midlands’ ever-vibrant arts and Best Small Theatre entertainment scene. Best Touring Musical Best Home Produced Show Nominate and vote online for your Best Home Produced Theatre favourites to help them secure a place in our Best Touring Show What’s On Readers’ Awards Top 5 Best Kids Show Shortlist. Best Arts Venue Best Large Music Venue The shortlist will be announced in our Best Independent Live Gigs Venue February issue, when you’ll have another Best Gallery chance to VOTE for your WINNER in each Best Exhibition category. So get voting now! Best Midlands Band Best Dance Production And, complete our Readership Survey for Best Operatic Production the chance to WIN £1000 cash! Best Midlands Personality Best Midlands Comedian VOTE for your NOMINATIONS Best Place To Visit by Monday 23 January 2017 Best Event Best Festival The Top 5 Shortlist in each category will be Best Restaurant announced at the end of January - you’ll then get Best Nightclub the chance to VOTE one more time for your Best Regional Orchestra WINNER. Voting closes the end of February. Best Independent Cinema WINNERS will be announced in the Spring Best Amateur Theatre Company Best Amateur Production What’s On Achievement Award VOTE today at whatsonlive.co.uk

whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Festivals 2017.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:26 Page 1

Festivals

When it comes to music - regardless of your preference, be it jazz, indie, folk, classical, world or pop - you’re almost certain to find a festival in the Midlands to suit your taste. And 2016 looks set to be another bumper year for the regions festival goers. We here at What’s On will keep you updated as further line-up announcements are revealed.

UPTON UPON SEVERN FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up The Wilson Family, Fri 26 - Mon 29 May, Kelsall FEBRUARY includes Barber Sisters, Huw Williams and Hekety, Village. More information and tickets at Fri 28 Apr - Mon 1 May, various venues, Upton upon chesterfolk.org.uk Severn, Worcestershire. More information and tickets HRH METAL 2017 Celebrating its 10th year, the festi- UPRISING 2017 Line-up includes Onslaught, at uptonfolk.org val will feature over 40 bands across three arenas Lawnmower Deth and Kill II This, Sat 27 May, De over two days, line up includes Skindred and LEAMINGTON MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up includes bari- Montfort Hall, Leicester. More information at Sodom, Sat 11- Sun 12 Feb, O2 Academy, tone Roderick Williams, Fri 28 Apr - Tues 2 May, demontforthall.co.uk Birmingham. More information at hrhmetal.com Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa. More informa- SLAMDUNK FESTIVAL Line-up includes Enter Shikari, tion at leamingtonmusic.org THE INTER VARSITY FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL The 66th Don Broco and Bowling For Soup, Sat 27 May, IVFDF will see performances from Sons Libres, DEMENTIA AWARE FEST Line-up includes White Genting Arena, Birmingham. Tickets can be pur- Purcell's Polyphonic Party, Playford Minor Tyger, Martyr De Mona and Left for Red, Sat 29 - Sun chased from slamdunkmusic.com Contravention, Fri 24 - Sun 26 Feb, various venues in 30 Apr, The Roadhouse, Birmingham. More informa- BIRMINGHAM PRIDE Line-up to be announced, Sat 27 Coventry. More information at ivfdf.org tion and tickets at theroadhousebirmingham.com - Sun 28 May, Birmingham Gay Village. Information FUDGESTOCK Line-up has yet to be announced, Sun and tickets at birminghampride.com 30 Apr, Robin 2, Wolverhampton. More information DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL Line-up has yet to be MARCH at therobin.co.uk announced, Sun 28 May, various venues in SWINGAMAJIG Line-up has yet to be announced, Sun Nottingham. More information at DARKER DAYS FESTIVAL Featuring seven bands from 30 Apr, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham. More dottodotfestival.co.uk the UK and overseas specialising in the darker side information at and tickets at swingamajig.co.uk of the aural arts, Sat 18 Mar, The Musician, Leicester JUNE MAY APRIL WIRRAL FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up includes Lindisfarne, Martin & Eliza Carthy and Vin Garbutt, Thurs 1 - Sun BEARDED THEORY Line-up includes Slaves, Skunk NANTWICH JAZZ, BLUES & MUSIC FESTIVAL 4 June, The Whitby Club, Cheshire. More informa- Anasie and Cast, Thurs 25 - Sun 28 May, Catton Hall, Celebrating its 21st year, the line up includes Geno tion and tickets at wirralfolkonthecoast.com South Derbyshire. More information and tickets at Washington, King King, Rebecca Downes, Thurs 13 - beardedtheory.co.uk THE ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN Line-up includes Mon 17 April, various venues in Nantwich. More Gaz Brookfield, Boy on a Dolphin and TV Smith, information and tickets available at BREAKING BANDS Line-up includes Forgotten Thurs 1 - Sun 4 June, Uttoxeter Racecourse. More nantwichjazz.com Remains, Seething Akira and Massive Wagons, Fri 26 information and tickets at acousticfestival.co.uk - Sun 28 May, Stoke Prior Sports & Country Club, CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up includes The Bromsgove. More information and tickets at LICHFIELD BLUES & JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up to be Chick Corea Trio, Snarky Puppy and Meshell breakingbandsfestival.com announced, Fri 2 - Sun 4 June, various venues, Ndegecello, Wed 26 Apr - Mon 1 May, various venues Lichfield, Staffordshire. More information and tick- in Cheltenham. More information and tickets at MELLO Line-up includes Hawkwind, Goldie Lookin ets at lichfieldarts.org.uk cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz Chain and Altered Images, Fri 26 - Sun 28 May, Throckmorton Airfield, Worcestershire. More infor- WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL Line-up includes Levellers, HANDMADE FESTIVAL Line-up yet to be announced, mation at mellofestival.co.uk OMD and Katie Ashworth, Fri 2 - Sun 4 June, three-day family friendly music festival, Fri 28 Apr - Cheltenham Racecourse. More information and tick- Sun 30 Apr, various venues in Leicester. More infor- CHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up includes Chris ets at wychwoodfestival.com mation and tickets at handmadefestival.co.uk Sherburn & Denny Bartley, Belshazzar’s Feast and

20 whatsonlive.co.uk Festivals 2017.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:26 Page 2

ASPARAFEST Line-up includes 3 Daft Monkeys, The More information and tickets at lintonfestival.org THE JUST SO FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, Fri Pyrates and Brimstone, Fri 2 - Sun 4 June, Ashdown 18 - Sun 20 Aug, Rode Hall Parkland, Cheshire. More CAMPERJAM Line-up to be announced, Fri 7 - Sun 9 Farm, Evesham, Worcestershire. More information information and tickets at justsofestival.org.uk July, Weston Park, Shropshire. Information and tick- and tickets at asparafest.co.uk ets at camperjam.com FLASHBACK FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, Fri ENGLISH HAYDN FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, 18 - Sun 20 Aug, Thoresbury Estate, Worksop, MOSTLY JAZZ, FUNK AND SOUL FESTIVAL Line-up to be Wed 7 - Sun 11 June, Bridgnorth. Information at eng- Nottinghamshire. More information and tickets at announced, Fri 7 - Sun 9 July, Moseley Park, lishhaydn.com theflashbackfestival.com Birmingham. More information and tickets at GATE TO SOUTHWELL FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up includes mostlyjazz.co.uk GLOWORM Line-up to be announced, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Kate Rusby, Jon Boden and Le Vent dy Nord, Thurs 8 Aug, Clumber Park, Worksop, Nottinghamshire. More ELECTRIC DAISY CARNIVAL 2017 Line-up to be - Sun 11 June, Southwell, Nottingham. More informa- information and tickets at glowormfestival.co.uk announced, Sat 8 July, Milton Keynes. More informa- tion and tickets at southwellfolkfestival.org.uk tion and tickets at uk.electricdaisycarnival.com V FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, Sat 19 - Sun 20 DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL Headlining are System of a Aug, Weston Park, Shropshire. More information and BROMSGROVE FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up includes 3 Daft Down, Biffy Clyro and Aerosmith, Fri 9 - Sun 11 June, tickets at vfestival.com Monkeys, The Lost Notes and Thirsty Work, Thurs 13 Donington Park, Derby. Information and tickets at - Sun 16 July, various venues across Bromsgrove. FAKE FESTIVALS The UK’s only touring tribute bands downloadfestival.co.uk More information and tickets at bromsgrovefolk- festival. Oasish, Guns2Roses and New2 announced, SONIC ROCK SOLSTICE 2017 Line-up inlcudes Doctor club.co.uk Sat 26 Aug, The Quarry, Shrewsbury. More informa- and the Medics, Heavy Metal Kids and Night of the tion and tickets at fakefestivals.co.uk LATITUDE 2017 Line-up has yet to be announced, Hawks, Fri 16 - Sun 18 June, Stoke Prior Space Port, Thurs 13 - Sun 16 July, Henham Park Estate, Suffolk. SHAMBALA Line-up to be announced, Thurs 24 - Sun Bromgrove. More information and tickets at More information and tickets at latitudefestival.com 27 Aug, a secret location near Market Harborough, sonicrocksolstice.com Northamptonshire. More information at LOVEBOX 2017 The first act to be confirmed is Frank UKULELE FESTIVAL OF GREAT BRITAIN Line-up has yet shambalafestival.org Ocean, Fri 14 - Sat 15 July, Victoria Park, London. to be announced, Fri 16 - Sun 18 June, various ven- More information and tickets at loveboxfestival.com PRESTEIGNE FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, ues in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. More informa- Thurs 24 - Tues 29 Aug, Powys, Wales. More informa- tion and tickets at ukulelefestival.co.uk BIRMINGHAM FEST Line-up to be announced, Fri 14 - tion and tickets at presteignefestival.com Sun 30 July, various theatres across Birmingham. KINETON MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, More information and tickets at CREAMFIELDS Line-up to be announced, Thurs 24 - Sat 17 June, Kineton Sports and Social Club, Little birminghamfest.co.uk Sun 27 Aug, Cheshire. More information at Kineton. More information and tickets at creamfields.com kinetonmusicfestival.co.uk BUG JAM Line-up to be announced, Fri 16 - Sun 18 July, Santa Pod Raceway, Northamptonshire. More READING FESTIVAL Muse, Major Lazer and Bastille are LEAMINGTON PEACE FESTIVAL Line-up to be information and tickets at bugjam.co.uk amongst the first to be announced, Thurs 24 - Sun 27 announced, Sat 17 - Sun 18 June, Pump Rooms Aug, Little John’s Farm, Reading, Berkshire. More Gardens, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. More infor- DEERSTOCK 2017 Line-up to be announced, Fri 21 - information at readingfestival.com mation at peacefestival.org.uk Sun 23 July, Newton Cross Country Course, Nottinghamshire. More information and tickets at SUNSHINE FESTIVAL Line-up includes The Three FOXTON LOCKS FESTIVAL Line-up has yet to be deerstock.co.uk Degrees, The Wurzels and Elkie Brooks, Fri 25 - Sun announced, Sat 17 - Sun 18 June, Foxton Locks, 27 Aug, Fish Meadow, Upton upon Severn, Leicestershire. Information and tickets at NOZSTOCK Line-up to be announced, Fri 21 - Sun 23 Worcestershire. More information and tickets at foxtonlocksfestival.co.uk July, Rowden Paddocks, Bromyard, Herefordshire. uptonfestival.co.uk More information and tickets at nozstock.com GLASTONBURY The first headliners to be confirmed is BEERMAGEDDON Line-up to be announced, Fri 25 - Radiohead, Wed 21 - Sun 25 June, Worthy Farm, SPLENDOUR Line-up to be announced, Sat 22 July, Sun 27 Aug, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove. More informa- Somerset. More information at Wollaton Park, Nottingham. More information and tion and tickets at beermageddon.co.uk glastonburyfestivals.co.uk tickets at splendourfestival.com GREENBELT FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, Fri 25 UPTON-UPON-SEVERN JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up includes WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up includes - Mon 28 Aug, Boughton House, Northamptonshire. Alan Barnes, Bent Persson and Dart Valley Oysterband, Spooky Men’s Chorale and Andy More information and tickets at greenbelt.org.uk Stompers, Thurs 22 - Sun 25 June, venues across Kershaw, Thurs 27 - Sun 30 July, Warwick School, Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire. More informa- Warwick. More information and tickets at SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up includes Alma, tion and tickets at uptonjazz.co.uk warwickfolkfestival.co.uk Coven and Maz O’Connor, Fri 25 - Mon 28 Aug, Greenhous West Mid Showground, Shrewsbury. More BARN ON THE FARM FESTIVAL Line-up has yet to be BAREFOOT FESTIVAL Line-up has yet to be announced information and tickets at announced, Thurs 29 June - Mon 3 July, Over Farm Fri 28 - Sun 30 July, Prestwold Hall, Leicestershire. shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk Market, Gloucestershire. Information and tickets at More information and tickets at barefootfestival.com barnonthefarm.co.uk CARFEST NORTH Line-up has yet to be announced, Fri NIBLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up has yet to be 28 - Sun 30 July, Bolesworth Castle, Cheshire. More SEPTEMBER announced, Fri 30 June - Sat 1 July, North Nibley, infomation and tickets at carfest.org Gloucestershire. Information and tickets at MADE BIRMINGHAM Line-up has yet to be announced, MOSELEY FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, nibleyfestival.co.uk Sat 29 July, The Rainbow Venues, Digbeth. More info- Fri 1 - Sun 3 Sept, Moseley Park, Birmingham. More ALSO FESTIVAL Line-up has yet to be announced, Fri mation and tickets at madebirmingham.com information and tickets at moseleyfolk.co.uk 30 June - Sun 2 July, Park Farm, Compton Verney. ONBOARD THE CRAFT FESTIVAL Terminal Cheesecake, More information at also-festival.com AUGUST Bernie Torme and Quartz have been announced, Fri 8 - Sat 9 Sept, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove. More infor- mation and tickets at sonicrocksolstice.com JULY 110 ABOVE FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, Fri 4 - Sun 6 Aug, Gospall Hall Farm, Leicestershire. More BROMYARD FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, information and tickets at 110above.com Fri 8 - Sun 10 Sept, Bromyard, Herefordshire. More LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL EISTEDDFOD information and tickets at bromyardfolkfestival.co.uk Line-up to be announced, Mon 3 - Sun 9 July, Royal BULLDOG BASH Line-up to be announced, Thurs 10 - WORCESTER MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up to be International Pavilion, Llangollen. More information Sun 13 Aug, Long Marston Airfield, Stratford Upon announced, Fri 15 - Sun 17 Sept, venues across and tickets at international-eisteddfod.co.uk Avon. More information and tickets at bulldogbash.co.uk Worcester. More information and tickets at worces- 2000TREES FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, Thurs termusicfestival.co.uk 6 - Sun 9 July, Upcote Farm, Cheltenham. More infor- BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR Amon Amarth, Hatebreed and mation and tickets at twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk Hell headline, Thurs 10 - Sun 13 Aug, Catton Hall, Derbyshire. More information and tickets at OCTOBER NOISILY FESTIVAL Line-up includes Gabriel Ananda, bloodstock.uk.com Zen Mechanics and Beardyman, Thurs 6 - Sun 9 July, LICHFIELD FESTIVAL OF FOLK Line-up to be Coney Woods at Noseley Hall, Leicestershire. More LAKEFEST Line-up has yet to be announced, Thurs 10 announced, Fri 13 - Sun 15 Oct, venues around information and tickets at noisilyfestival.com - Mon 14 Aug, Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire. More information and tickets at lakefest.co.uk Lichfield, Staffordshire. More information at lichfiel- FUSE FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, Fri 7 - Sun darts.org.uk 9 July, Beacon Park, Lichfield, Staffordshire. More FARMER PHIL’S FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, information and tickets at fuselichfield.org.uk Fri 11 - Sun 13 Aug, near Gatten Farm, Shropshire. More information and tickets at For full festivals listings for 2017, head to LINTON FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced, Fri 7 - farmerphilsfestival.com whatsonlive.co.uk Sun 9 July, The Alma Inn, Linton, Herefordshire. whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Reginald D Hunter DPS.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:31 Page 1

FEATURE

REGINALD D HUNTER Back on the road with a brand new show for 2017

Following a tour around Ireland over the summer, TV, radio and stand-up comedy star Reginald D Hunter is back on the road with a brand new show for 2017, stopping off in Leamington, Birmingham, Stafford and Shrewsbury in the spring. Since moving to the UK 20 years ago, the US-born comic has become as familiar as any home-grown talent, with a reputation for thoughtful, politically conscious and often deliberately provocative routines - and his latest offering, Some People vs Reginald D Hunter, looks set to be no different. Having worked the circuit for so long, he's well placed to give a verdict on the state of modern comedy, and as far as he's concerned, current offerings leave something to be desired, though the reasons are more complex than you might imagine... “At the minute, I am concerned about comedy in general,” Hunter confesses, “there's something about it that seems kind of muted. It seems as if it's become very fractured and politicised, and too self- conscious about trying to be anti-backlash... “I don't want to come off like I'm blaming comedy. In recent times, it's gotten a little too easy in Western culture to attribute blame. I think comedians just don't quite know what to say at the moment, because so much of comedy is based on having an object of satire or ridicule, and in this day and age, it's so easy to offend people, in a different way to how it has been in the past. I worry that comedy is getting more and more afraid to speak its mind.” There is evidence to support his point of view. Remarkably, Hunter has himself come under fire for his treatment of race in routines - whether it's his choice of language or, in one notable instance,

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Reginald D Hunter DPS.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:31 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

including jokes on the subject at all. His about getting this new park installed so “It's just surprising,” he says, sounding last tour, The Aluminium Negro, provoked the kids have somewhere to play, genuinely bemused. “It feels more like 10 walk-outs (not all that unusual) and he somebody's gonna raise their hand and years than 20!” has spoken in the past about those he say, 'Well, what colour we gonna paint the Asked whether that diminishes his ability dubs “Outragists”, those who come along slides?' or 'Where’re disabled people to riff on his outsider status and observe to shows specifically to be offended by gonna park?' And they ain't even finished us from a distance, he's not so sure. what they hear - a relatively recent talking yet! That's what makes me fear for phenomenon he believes has its roots in fascism - it's like, out of a supreme lack of “I felt like an outsider in America when I discussions around political correctness consensus, someone will rise and be was growing up, and I feel like an going back to the ’90s. thrust into a place where they will be outsider in Britain now. The difference is involved in creating a new consensus. We that feeling like an outsider in Britain “My momma used to say, 'It's one thing to forget that, before 1945, fascism was seems... normal. There are people who've be offended, and it's yet another thing to considered a legitimate form of lived here all their lives who feel like go out of your way to be offended.' There's government.” outsiders, but one of the things I love something new about this, and I think it's about Britain is that it makes room for in large part to do with the growth of In a way, it should be comedy's job to what y'all like to call the eccentric. I identity politics, which makes people criticise and satirise these issues - just as mean, hell, Britain makes a warm and insistent that their specific group's plight it's the job of a political opposition to comfortable space for mother****ers who and history be recognised and given its tackle them head on. At present, however, just like staring at trains! I think that's due.” both seem to be struggling to present a very evolved.” coherent and effective challenge. As a medium that's designed to comment There's reason to be optimistic then, on the society in which it finds itself, it's “The problem with the stillness and the despite the grown sense of division born inevitable that changes in comedy should stagnation of stand-up comedy is the out of contemporary political discourse, reflect the wider cultural and political same as the problem with our politics: and despite the fact that he's anticipating shifts we've been experiencing over the there are too many people - often hidden more walk-outs and “p***ed off people” last few years. people - invested in the status quo. On the when he embarks on his tour in April. As one hand, if you are profiting from a “Ever since the ’80s, our media, our he already said, he believes the power to system, even if most people aren't, then leaders and our culture have been make a change lies within us. And the why would you want to change it? On the repeatedly stressing personal happiness simplest thing that we can do to start other hand, there are a lot of people and individualism, and all of those things with? opting for the status quo even though they are fine and well, but they're also the know it's not that great because they're “Start calling things what they are. opposite of community. So all those of us scared the alternative will be worse.” There's so much euphemistic language - who embraced those ideas of things like 'war on terrorism' or individualism, being able to custom All of this will doubtless surface in his 'perception management' - that's just a design our entertainment and our lives, new show. While his last tour was fancy way of saying lies. I think when we all of a sudden, one day we went, 'Hey, described as containing some of his most collectively in Western culture don't call where's the community?' It's hard to have personal material in years, he now feels things what they are, added to all the community when half the room has on that “there's a whole lot of things to drugs - prescription and otherwise - and headphones and the other half are staring comment about other than my life right all the propaganda nonsense in the at their phones.” now”. And as long as comedy remains system, it's no wonder people are going half-asleep, he feels a responsibility to try To an extent, the growth of the internet f***ing crazy! If you eliminate the to “shake it back up”. and increasing globalisation, coupled euphemisms, I think you'll find that a lot with a focus on personal freedom over “Having written most of this [new show] of the mental health issues people are collectivity and solidarity have collapsed before Trump got elected, I've been suffering will begin to clear up a bit, I the distinctions between nations, thinking a lot in this material about the OJ really do.” resulting in a kind of disconnect and Simpson case, which I think directly leads insularity spread across much of Europe us to the racial moment in America right and America. now,” he offers, tantalisingly, but won't Some People vs Reginald D Hunter say more. “Movies do trailers...” he “The greatest problem with having shows at: Royal Spa Centre, laughs. maximum choice is a lack of consensus. I Leamington, Saturday 6 May; New do believe the power to change things But for all his keeping an eye on Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, resides in us, and that we have the developments back in the motherland, Friday 12 May; Stafford Gatehouse numbers, but we're too busy bickering after two decades away, he's getting closer Theatre, Saturday 20 May; and Theatre amongst ourselves. I mean, I love and closer to having lived in Britain for as Severn, Shrewsbury, Wednesday and everything, but if you go to a town long as he was in the States. 24 May hall meeting and somebody's talking

whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Comedy January.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:32 Page 1

Comedy

Jack Whitehall Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 19 - Fri 20 January; Genting Arena, Birmingham, Thurs 16 February; Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Sun 26 Feb A fella who’s had no trouble whatsoever getting his boat race on the goggle-box, Jack Whitehall’s highly animated style of delivery is developing all the time, as is his repertoire of material. Subject matter has ranged from his father’s desperate attempts to get quoted in his show, to his 2010 cocaine shame, as exposed at the time by the News Of The World. As for his jokes, previous chuckle-muscle exercisers have included: “I’ve never laughed a woman into bed, but I’ve laughed one out of bed many times,” and “I'm posh, but I don’t take any stick for it. It's like I always say, sticks and stones may break my bones but f*** it, I'm with Bupa.”

Six of the best...

Lee Hurst Duncan Oakley Paul Sinha Lichfield Garrick, Couture, Stafford, Sat 21 January; Religion, The Bramall, Fri 13 January Wolverhampton, Sat 21 January Birmingham, Thurs 19 January Back in the mid- Just as comfortable with the guitar, harmoni- 1990s’ era of lads' ca, drums and piano as he is with a big bag- A gay Asian doctor mags, Brit Pop ful of top gags, Duncan Oakley presents turned funnyman, and Euro ’96, Lee what’s probably most easily described as a Paul Sinha has Hurst was one of musical comedy act. He’s a performer best enjoyed great success the most popular kept out of earshot of your grandmother, at the and familiar fun- with his stand-up routine being liberally pep- Festival. He’s also a nymen on television. It's strange to think, pered with four-letter expletives and gags clever and articulate contributor to numerous therefore, that his later career has included a about drinking and having sex. There’s some radio and television shows, perhaps most decade’s gap between one national tour and silly stuff in there too - a previous musical notably ITV’s award-winning quiz series, The the next. He’s reacquainted himself with life composition bore the title The Girl With A Chase, where he’s been one of the regular on the road in the last few years, presenting Bum For A Face... ‘Chasers’ since 2011. Alongside his stand-up, an act that’s as sharp, cheeky and witty as Paul has also carved out a further career for ever it was. A proudly no-nonsense comedi- himself as a professional quizzer, attaining an, Lee’s called this latest offering Comedy grandmaster status a couple of years ago and Show No 9, for the simple reason that, as the reaching a career-high UK ranking in 2015. man himself explains, “it's a show, it's the His stand-up routines often include anec- ninth one and it's comedy - what else do you dotes and one-liners about gay dating, need to know? Come along for a night of including: “I’ve recently downloaded a new laughs with that bald bloke you thought was smartphone app to give me the location for dead.” all the single, middle-aged men in my area. It’s called Uber.”

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Tiff Stevenson mac, Birmingham, Thurs 26 January She may not be the most inventive of comedians, but 2011 Show Me The Funny contestant Tiffany Stevenson more than makes up for a lack of imag- ination with her charming personality and engaging style of delivery. She’s been described as ‘a breathing version of Heat magazine’, is appealingly self- disparaging, and ensures that her audi- ence never have to wait too long for a punchline. An example of her style of humour is as follows: “You can tell how good a medical person is in bed depending on which area of medicine they work in. The paramedics obviously like a quick ‘get in and out’, the GPs cover a lot of areas but don’t really know what’s going on, and the surgeons like to go in there, rummage around, mess things up and then leave something behind that shouldn’t have been there.”

Andrew Gary Ruth Ryan Delaney Graham The Glee Club, Stafford Gatehouse Old Joint Stock, Birmingham, Thurs Theatre, Fri 13 Theatre, Fri 27 12 - Sat 14 January January; The Glee January Club, Birmingham; Irishman Andrew Sun 15 January; At the last count, Ryan is a rising Henry Tudor House, Ruth Graham reck- star on the UK Thurs 19 January oned she’d made 27 comedy circuit, “The hardest part house moves dur- albeit one who of running compet- ing the course of would greatly benefit from finding a unique itively in Wales must be keeping up with the her life and been employed in 46 jobs, rang- selling point. With his amiable persona and Joneses,” quips Gary Delaney. ing from bellydancer to funeral celebrant. confident style of delivery ensuring his show Gary’s certainly no one-gag pony: “My girl- Judging by those statistics, it would seem is a comfortable ride for his audience, he friend’s dog died, so to cheer her up I went she likes to move on quickly, so fingers peddles a self-deprecating and hugely out and got her an identical one. She was crossed she at least stays in the Old Joint endearing line in humour, happily waxing livid and yelled, ‘What am I going to do with Stock for long enough to finish this show... lyrical about his low self-esteem, ever-pre- two dead dogs?’” Often compared to Fascinating Aida and sent anxiety and tendency towards paranoia. Or how about: “The president of France said Victoria Wood, Ruth presents a set that’s big Although an occasional impulse to over- that the English are arrogant with their on comedy characters and original songs, explain his material puts an unnecessary refusal to learn foreign languages. At least I covering topics that range from internet dat- brake on the laughometer from time to time, think that’s what he said. It all just sounded ing and social media to childhood and the he’s got an act which, if carefully polished, like haw-he-haw-he-haw-he-haw to me.” trials and tribulations of running a B&B. could really start to shine.

For more comedy listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 25 Wonderland DPS.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 11:31 Page 1

FEATURE

Wonderland Curiouser and curiouser! Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn tumbles down the rabbit hole in a spectacular new musical

It was in 1886 that the wacky world of manage to get on it, and take it all the way Alice's Adventures In Wonderland first down through Macy’s department store, made it onto the stage, in an adaptation they'd eventually get to Wonderland.” that the novel's author, Lewis Carroll Wildhorn’s kids are by no means an (otherwise known as Cambridge unusual source of inspiration for him. A mathematician Charles Dodgson), had a previous family musical, Excalibur, came hand in. about as an attempt to engage his children Within the writer's lifetime then, the topsy- with the story of Camelot, which his turvy story and its cast of colourful parents had loved and taught to him, but characters were already delighting which his own kids didn't seem to “get”. audiences in performance, and a mere 17 Departing somewhat from Carroll's vision, years later, they were being interpreted the story of Wonderland taps into this through the exciting new medium of film. parent-child dynamic and the idea of the Kerry Ellis passing on of stories. Like the recent Tim One of the latest companies to join the Burton films, it sees Alice return to long and noble tradition of reinventing Wonderland as an adult, only this time, Alice is led by Broadway composer Frank she's middle-aged, a mother going through Wildhorn, whose work on shows like Jekyll a messy separation with her partner, as & Hyde, Victor/Victoria and Bonnie & well as a schoolteacher with ambitions of Clyde has earned him international becoming a children's writer. Much like the acclaim. First performed in 2009, books then, it aims to present a child's eye Wonderland has already enjoyed success view of the complexities and in the States; now a reworked version with contradictions of the grown-up world. a brand new British cast is making its way to UK shores for a tour beginning later this “It all starts with the idea of the child month. within us all,” Wildhorn continues. “The opening lyrics of my song, Finding Following a sneak preview of some of the Wonderland, are ‘We move too fast; we Wendy Peters fabulous songs from the show, both cast miss so much’. And it’s true - there is a and creative team were on hand to tell us Wonderland in all our lives if we could more about what we can expect when it only take a breath and notice it. In this hits Birmingham in early February. particular adventure, Alice has to rescue “In the late ’90s, I was fortunate enough to her own child, and in doing so, she have three shows on Broadway,” says rediscovers the child within herself.” Wildhorn, “Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet “Frank's taken the Lewis Carroll story and Pimpernel and Civil War, and so I was done something really exciting with it,” living on the Upper West side in a big high- adds Director Lotte Wakeham. “In the rise building. I have two sons, and the original, Alice doesn't really do very much elevator up to our home was always - she's essentially a tourist in Wonderland. broken. Eventually I was running out of We've looked at how we can make the stories to tell my kids about why they heroine of our show go on a great, couldn’t fix the elevator, and for some energising adventure with her daughter Dave Willetts reason I told them that if anyone did

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by Heather Kincaid

and the audience.” “My job is to be creative,” says Wendi audience. It's about the characterisation, Peters, who plays the Queen of Hearts. “I the mannerisms, what you say and the Having conceived the show while living in don't like doing anything for too long, and way in which you speak.” , it's perhaps no surprise that I just love the process of reading Wildhorn chose the city as the setting for One of the most obvious breaks from something off the page and thinking its original stage outing. Just like in his tradition is the Mad Hatter, who will be through how I can best tell the story. In story to his children, Alice ends up back played by a young woman, Natalie the case of Wonderland, we’ve got in Wonderland via the lift to her McQueen. There's a good reason for this nothing really to copy, and that’s lovely. I apartment. However, when the show change. We can't give away too much, but don’t think that any actor should ever arrives in Britain, it will feature a rest assured, in McQueen's own words, copy what’s been before, though of course completely reimagined setting and “It's not the Hatter that you know.” if the material’s out there you’re going to design. Instead of the mad old man we're used to, have a sneaky look at what’s been done McQueen's Hatter is feisty, edgy and full “For the UK tour, we’re going back to the previously! But apart from a performance of attitude. For her, getting to play the original story, and it will be UK based, by the Broadway cast at the Tony Awards, part has been a dream come true. with a relevant look and sound,” says there’s little else online - and I love that Wakeham. “We’re still making some because I can think through the character “Alice in Wonderland is up there with The changes to the script, and we’re really myself and hopefully bring something Little Mermaid as one of my favourite excited about it. Since the source material new to it. films,” she gushes. “It's just completely is so quirky and quintessentially British, bonkers and I love it. When I was up on “It's always fun to play baddies, but you this version of the show will be exactly stage last night, I actually had to have a must find something in them that makes that, too.” moment to convince myself that the people like them a little bit. I'd like to orchestra was really there, and that it was “I've been inspired by the original think there'll be a bit of all my comedy really happening. I was sure there must illustrations and other incarnations of the heroes in my Queen of Hearts: Molly have been a mistake - it just seemed too story, but I've also tried to give it a fresh Sugden, Peggy Mount and Patricia good to be true!” angle,” explains Costume Designer Grace Routledge, who played Hyacinth Smart. “I’ve been looking at a lot of the 'Bouquet' Bucket in Keeping Up Frank Wildhorn hopes that audiences UK’s eccentric celebrities, so that we can Appearances. She's a monster, but part of from eight to 80 will be just as entranced keep the British feel yet keep true to the you can't help loving her!” by the magic of Wonderland as McQueen original story.” has been, and wants everyone who comes While more than a century's worth of along to fully immerse themselves in the “It's about looking at what’s been done adaptations might have made the spirit of the show. before and thinking about what we can characters familiar in other forms, the bring to the whole Alice In Wonderland versions of them in Wonderland will be “We're hoping the audience will come world,” agrees Set Designer Andrew Riley. unlike any you've previously encountered. dressed up as the characters,” he laughs. “It's a very episodic story - she goes to a “You should definitely encourage that!” “This won't be a revival of any kind,” says lot of locations, and I wanted to create a Dave Willetts, who plays the White contemporary visual that people will Rabbit. “It's essentially a new creation, recognise.” and Frank is allowing us all to be a part of Wonderland shows at the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from For the cast, getting to put their own that. One of my grandchildren told me I Mon 6 to Sat 11 February; Regent stamp on roles completely new to UK had to have rabbit ears, and I guess there Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 10 - Sat audiences with almost no precedent to might be, but part of the magic is actually 15 July; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre turn to has also been a thrill. leaving a lot to the imagination of the from Mon 31 July to Sat 5 August

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Theatre theatre productions from across the region

Evita Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 31 January - Sat 4 February; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 9 - Sat 13 May Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice's third major collaboration opened to rave reviews way back in the late 1970s. It has since gar- nered a reputation as one of the greatest musicals ever to grace West End and Broadway stages. Telling the real-life story of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, the show is packed to the rafters with memo- rable numbers, including On This Night Of A Thousand Stars, Buenos Aires, You Must Love Me, Another Suitcase In Another Hall and, of course, the classic Don't Cry For Me Argentina. Casting is yet to be confirmed...

housing costs, gentrification and the chal- Gaslight Lady Chatterley’s Lover lenges of forced relocation away from Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, London. New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 6 - Sat 14 January Thurs 26 January - Fri 3 February The performance is followed by an interac- Although DH Lawrence’s most famous novel tive theatrical debate, with the audience Patrick Hamilton’s play comes with a royal was first published in the late 1920s, it was being invited to participate in a live rewriting seal of approval, with both King George and more than 30 years before the unexpurgated of the story. Queen Elizabeth having insisted on seeing it version finally saw the light of day. When it during its hugely successful West End run. did, its explicit descriptions of sex and use of Gaslight’s reputation was further secured by words which were at the time unprintable its three-plus years on Broadway, during made it the subject of a watershed obscenity which period it was performed an impressive trial. The jury found for the defendant, the 1,295 times. novel’s publisher, Penguin Books, who went All of which should nicely whet the appetite on to sell more than three million copies of for this latest version. the title at breakneck speed. Bella Manningham’s life is a fun-free zone. This Blue Orange version of Lawrence’s Feeling trapped in her gloomy home, she sits book, recounting the story of Lady alone each night dreading the sound of foot- Chatterley’s affair with working-class game- steps from locked and empty rooms, and keeper Oliver Mellors, heads out on tour after waiting for the gaslight to dim. its seven-performance run in Birmingham’s When a retired detective arrives one evening Jewellery Quarter. What’s In A Name? with a terrifying tale to tell, Bella must work out whether her visitor is really there to help, Not surprisingly given the subject matter, the The REP, Birmingham, show contains full-frontal nudity and scenes Fri 27 January - Sat 11 February or if she’s about to descend into a pit of mad- of a sexual nature. ness from which there can be no return... British theatre director, writer and translator Kara Tointon, Rupert Young and Keith Allen Jeremy Sams is the man behind this new star. adaptation of award-winning French farce Le Cathy Prénom, here receiving its British premiere. mac, Birmingham, Thurs 19 - Fri 20 January When Elizabeth and her husband invite her A half century after Ken Loach’s ground- brother - father-to-be Vincent - his partner breaking film Cathy Come Home turned the Anna and childhood friend Claude to dinner, spotlight on the issue of homelessness in the an evening of mature and sophisticated con- UK, London theatre company Cardboard versation seems very much in prospect. Citizens explores its resonances in 21st cen- Until, that is, the name of Vincent and tury British society. Anna’s expected child is revealed, precipitat- The ensemble’s mission statement is to cre- ing a full-blooded argument that soon spirals ate ‘life-changing theatre’ with and for spectacularly out of control... homeless people, a task which they’ve been A film version of Alexandre de La Patellière pursuing with great success for the last 25 and Matthieu Delaport’s original play met years. This latest work, a new play by the with great critical acclaim when it was award-winning Ali Taylor, reflects on the released in 2012. social and personal impact of spiralling Casting includes Nigel Harman, Sarah Hadland and Ray Coulthard. 28 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre January.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:55 Page 2

Until Tue 7 - Wed 15 - Sun 29 Jan Sat 11 Feb Sat 25 Feb From £15.50 From £19.50 From £16

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance: Material Men

Fri 3 & Tue 7 Mar - Mon 27 & Sat 4 Mar Sat 29 Apr Tue 28 Mar £15 From £25 £16

Mon 8 - Mon 29 May Tue 6 - S at 13 May - S at 3 Jun Sat 10 Jun From £22 From £15 From £17

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 January.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 10:56 Page 3

Theatre theatre productions from across the region

The Play That Goes Wrong Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 23 - Sat 28 January; Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Mon 3 - Sat 8 April; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 1 - Sat 6 May; The REP, Birmingham, Mon 19 - Sat 24 June; Malvern Theatre, Mon 17 - Sat 22 July A play about a play that goes wrong isn’t a new idea but it’s certainly a winning one - as the plaudits gar- nered by this cheeky Fringe hit ably illustrate. One reviewer laughed so much he feared he was going to hyperventilate, while another admitted his funny bone had been well and truly struck by the piece. Actress Joanna Lumley, meanwhile, laughed until ‘the tears ran down’. Mischief Theatre Company’s Edinburgh Festival show arrives in the region on the back of a fantastic reputa- tion and a couple of successful West End runs. For those not in the know, the play focuses on the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’s attempt to put on a 1920s-set murder-mystery. The only trouble is, the bumbling thesps are more than a little accident-prone - so much so, in fact, that they’re not even sure they’ll manage to reach the curtain call...

Frankenstein The Singular Exploits and fleeing the city. Four hundred years later, a retired dock Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, Wed 25 Of Sherlock Holmes worker eager to teach his grandson about the January; Malvern Theatre, Mon 13 - Wed 15 February; Lichfield Garrick, Fri 17 - Sat 18 Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton, tragedy and beauty of the life he will face, February Saturday 28 January turns for inspiration to the only thing he has Theatrical versions Everybody’s favourite fictional sleuth makes left - a book of great works of art... of Mary Shelley’s a welcome return, donning the deerstalker, classic gothic horror puffing the pipe, wielding the magnifying story are rare glass and, on this occasion, breaking the indeed, so this fourth wall to regale the audience with sto- Blackeyed Theatre ries from his glittering career as the world’s production should greatest detective. be well worth an The always-value-for-money Don’t Go Into evening of your The Cellar are the theatre company staging time. Shelley’s 1818 this one-man touring show, which has met novel finds Dr Frankenstein giving life to a with an altogether favourable response on its creature who so horrifies him that the scien- travels over the past few months. tist flees into the night. But although he can Thelma run from his ghoulish creation, he cannot Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 20 January hide. Soon enough Frankenstein finds him- The Seven Acts Of Mercy A pilot-night showing of this one-woman self face to face not only with the ‘monster’ production was given a big thumbs-up by its but also with the chance to play God for a Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Fri 10 February audience, who variously described it as second and final time... hilarious, poignant, touching and ‘excellent- Blackeyed Theatre presented a hugely suc- Anders Lustgarten’s visceral new play is ly written and executed’. All of which must cessful version of Dracula in 2013, so are well based on the Italian painter Michelangelo have pleased its writer and executor Gina versed in the business of adapting classic Merisi da Caravaggio’s masterpiece, The George no end, as she prepared to take the horror stories for the stage. Seven Acts Of Mercy. Originally commissioned by the Church of show out on the road. Pio Monte della Misericordia in Naples, Bringing together powerful spoken word, where it still hangs today, the painting pres- both tender and not-so-tender musical ents (not surprisingly, given its title) seven moments and the chance to grapple with the merciful acts. These are: to visit the impris- delights of the Geordie dialect, the produc- oned; feed the hungry; bury the dead; shel- tion focuses on the interaction between three ter the homeless; clothe the naked; visit the generations of women - a grandmother, sick; and refresh the thirsty. mother and daughter - and the effect of idoli- Created in 1606, the painting was sation and isolation on their relationship Caravaggio’s first after killing a man in Rome with one another.

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Pantomimes and festive shows in January

Dick Whittington panto fare - and the venue's Christmas 2016 100 years, offers a great story around which offering looks set to be every bit as energised to build a pantomime production of real Birmingham Hippodrome, and entertaining as any of its illustrious until Sun 29 January & Belgrade Theatre, quality. Coventry, until Sat 7 January predecessors. Star of The Sooty Show, Chris Pizzey, stars as X-Factor winner Joe McElderry takes the title Silly Billy. Chris will be joined by a top- Doctor Who and Torchwood star John role in a show that also sees internet sensa- billing Gillian Wright - aka EastEnders’ Jean Barrowman will be hoping the streets of the tion Doreen Tipton making her panto debut Slater - Channel Five’s Milkshake presenter second city are paved with gold this as the Lazy Empress Of China. Amy Thompson and Casualty’s Rebecca Christmas, when he takes the title role in Pantomime stalwart Lisa Riley stars as the Wheatley. Quinn Patrick dons the poorly Birmingham Hippodrome’s pantomime pro- Slave Of The Ring, with CBeebies' Mr Bloom - applied rouge and comedy wig to play Nurse duction of Dick Whittington. Ben Faulks - threatening to feel a collar or Nelly. Joining John on stage this year, to star as two as the Chief of Peking Police. King Rat, is Steve McFadden, best known as Britain’s Got Talent soprano Lucy Kay EastEnders bad boy Phil Mitchell. appears in the role of Princess Jasmine, Support comes from The Krankies (as while illusionist Stefan Pejic plays the evil Cinderella Councillor and Jimmy Krankie), Hippodrome sorcerer Abanazar. Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Theatre favourite Matt Slack (as Idle Jack), West End Severn, Shrewsbury & Swan Theatre, Panto regular Ian Adams dons a plethora of Worcester, until Sun 8 January star Jodie Prenger (as Fairy Bow Bells) and glamorous outfits as Widow Twankey. popular Midlands panto Dame, Andrew Ryan ‘Son of the Potteries’ Jonathan Wilkes dons (as Sarah the Cook). the tights to star as Buttons in this ever-pop- The story of a young man who heads off on Aladdin: The Wok’n’Roll ular pantomime tale. Homecoming hero his travels in search of fame and fortune, Panto Jonathan is pretty much a festive fixture at Dick Whittington is one of the most popular the Regent Theatre nowadays, as is his good Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, pal Christian Patterson, who’s also making a of all pantomimes. It’s therefore no surprise until Sun 8 January to find that our eponymous hero’s journey welcome return. With its comical Ugly sees him stopping off at not one, not two, They’ve done it before and now they’re doing Sisters, matchmaking fairy godmother, drop- but three theatres across the Midlands this it again. Yep, Stafford Gatehouse’s oft-used dead-gorgeous Prince Charming, super-cute Christmas. strategy of imbuing their annual pantomime mice and fits-one-foot-only glass slipper, As well as the Hippodrome, Dick’s also visit- with a real rock’n’roll flavour has proved so Cinderella can justifiably lay claim to being ing the Coventry Belgrade, where the venue’s popular in previous years that the venue is the most popular of all pantomimes. And the long-term panto writer, director and Dame, giving the exact same treatment to its 2016 Regent Theatre production isn’t the only Iain Lauchlan, is returning for his 22nd production. So... they’ve taken this famous incarnation of this legendary fairytale show. Iain’s heading up a production that Arabian Nights story, stirred in a few time- delighting Midlands audiences this comes complete with ‘singalong songs, honoured pantomime favourites, and then Christmas... amazing sets and extravagant costumes’ - seasoned liberally with all manner of rock- Theatre Severn’s version of the story features and which will no doubt be packed to its fes- ’n’roll hits - including favourites from Aretha all the usual panto elements of comedy, tive rafters with action, comedy and family Franklin, The Monkees, James Brown, The singing, dancing, audience participation and fun. Temptations and The Jackson Five. ‘stunning’ sets and costumes. And also very much as usual, it stars the ever-popular Brad Fitt, on this occasion appearing ‘as you’ve Aladdin Sleeping Beauty never seen him before’... Cinders is this year also putting some elbow Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Malvern Theatre, until Sun 8 January until Sun 22 January grease into scrubbing the stage at the Swan The tragic tale of a young princess who’s Theatre in Worcestershire, courtesy of the The Wolverhampton Grand is certainly on a tricked by an evil fairy and pricks her finger well-regarded Worcester Theatre Company. roll when it comes to providing high-quality on a spinning wheel, causing her to sleep for

Dick Whittington at Birmingham Hippodrome Aladdin at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Cinderella at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

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Theatre theatre productions for younger audiences

The Snowman The Boy Who Bit Picasso

The Jungle Book

The Snowman The Jungle Book The Boy Who Bit Picasso The REP, Birmingham, Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, Fri 13 - Sat Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, Wed 11 - Sun 15 January 14 January; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 15 Sun 29 January January; The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Making a welcome return to The Rep in its Telford, Sun 5 February Play-clothes are very much the order of the now almost-traditional New Year slot, day with this show - it’s fair to say things Although zany funsters Oddsocks are proba- Raymond Briggs's The Snowman is best could get decidedly messy! bly best known for their humorous takes on known for Howard Blake's classic song, An interactive theatre production for chil- the works of William Shakespeare, they occa- Walking In The Air. dren aged four and older, The Boy Who Bit sionally like to shake things up a bit by look- When a young boy’s snowman comes to life Picasso tells the story of how a young lad ing for their inspiration elsewhere. on Christmas Eve, the two set off on a night- became friends with one of the greatest This is one such occasion. time quest for excitement. On their travels, artists who ever lived. Along the way, the Made universally popular by the classic Walt they meet reindeer, dancing penguins and show offers audience members the chance to Disney movie, Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book some of the Snowman’s many and varied get really hands-on by making their own art - tells the story of a young boy named Mowgli friends. hence the play-clothes recommendation! who’s been raised in the jungle by a family of The adventure's not without its anxieties, wolves. His friends, Baloo the bear and though, with the evil Jack Frost eager to get Bagheera the panther, are determined to his icy mits on the pair of unlikely chums... Treasure Island save him from the evil intentions of Shere Khan the tiger. The REP, Birmingham, until Sat 7 January The Very Hungry But keeping Mowgli safe is no walk in the This latest theatrical version of Robert Louis Caterpillar Show jungle, as his two furry pals soon find out... Stevenson’s classic tale, a modern adapta- tion by Bryony Lavery, puts an interesting New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 30 - Tues 31 January spin on the author’s swashbuckling story, Little Howard And The with the chief protagonist being a girl rather In a career stretching back to the mid-1960s, than a boy. Eric Carle has illustrated more than 70 books Magic Pencil Of Life And When pirates ransack her grandmother’s - writing most of them too. None have been Death inn, fearless Jim is drawn into the adventure more famous or successful than his 1969 mac, Birmingham, Sun 29 January of a lifetime - one which will see her not only story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. setting sail in search of buried treasure but The popular picture book has been translat- If you’ve never heard of Big Howard and also spending time in the company of a one- ed into more than 60 languages, selling in Little Howard, you’re not watching enough legged pirate with murder in mind... excess of 52 million copies. CBBC television. This stage version of Carle’s much-loved tale The pair have enjoyed huge success with is presented alongside three other popular their series, Little Howard’s Big Question - so children’s stories by the same author - The much so that heading out on a live tour is an Artist Who Painted A Blue Horse, Mister absolute no-brainer for the boys. Seahorse and The Very Lonely Firefly. Big Howard is human, Little Howard is an animated six-year-old who’s discovered ‘the magical pencil of life’ that drew him - The Snow Queen although somewhat disturbingly for the young chap, on the opposite end of the pen- The Blue Orange Theatre, Wed 4 - Sat 7 January cil is ‘the eraser of death’... What’s equally disconcerting for Little H is The Snow Queen is ruler of all she surveys. that Big Howard has had a real-life baby - When she kidnaps young Kay, it’s left to his and one who’s getting a little bit too much friend Gerda to save him from a bleak future attention... in the frostbitten wastelands... Interactive stand-up, 3D animation and a Jars Of Clay Theatre Company give this Hans succession of singalong songs should ensure Christian Andersen work a brand new treat- the show’s young audience will be every bit ment, presenting a timeless tale featuring as enthralled by the ‘live’ Howards as when ‘rip-roaring fights, brand new songs and a they’re watching them on the telly at home. traditional battle of good versus evil’.

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FEATURE

The Red Shoes

Heather Kincaid catches up with choreographer Matthew Bourne to talk about his stage reinvention of ‘the greatest dance film ever made’

“How would you define ballet?” So asks the tyrannical dance instructor, Boris Lermontov, in Powell and Pressburger's 1948 classic, The Red Shoes, going on to reveal that, for him, “it is religion.” Widely regarded as the greatest dance film ever made, The Red Shoes centres on young ballerina and star in the making Vicky Page. When Vicky falls for the company's charismatic composer, Julian Craster, the jealous Lermontov forces her to choose between love and her career, knowing full well that for Vicky, dancing is as much a necessity as living. In a sumptuous new adaptation headed for Birmingham Hippodrome next month, Matthew Bourne reinvents the story live on stage, delving deep into the film's strange, unsettling atmosphere and the complex psychology of its characters. It's one that's been on his to-do list for quite some time. “Generally, I don't really like films about dance, or dance about dance, so in some ways it was an odd choice for me,” Bourne reveals. “I first saw the film when I was a teenager, before I'd ever even seen a ballet, so really, it was the thing that introduced me to the world of dance, and I think that's true for many people. It was a kind of weird and eccentric world that I fell in love with the idea of.” Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale about a pair of enchanted shoes that force their wearer to dance until she dies, the film reworks Andersen's warning against vanity into a tale of all-consuming, almost Faustian ambition. Upon rewatching the movie, Bourne says he was surprised to find himself feeling more sympathetic

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by Heather Kincaid

towards the manipulative instructor than reflects the atmosphere of what's going on Not only does this mark a sharp change he had been in the past. Years of in the story at that point. That's based on from the rest of the production, it's also experience with dancers have taught him a famously barefoot ballet Frederick something of a departure for Matthew that to be the best at something invariably Ashton did called Dante's Sonata. We also Bourne and New Adventures, involving demands sacrifice, and there is some do a bit of Les Sylphides, and then there's the sort of complex point work he's truth to the view that love can be a a big, grand, glamorous, waltzy ballet always tended to avoid. Even the music distraction. near the beginning to represent the world has been chosen to lift this sequence out Vicky wants to be a part of. So it's almost of its time, pushing it into the brave new “People do have a problem sometimes like watching a bit of dance history - you world of the 1960s with excerpts from the with defining someone who is very can see all the references.” score of Truffaut's Fahrenheit 451. ambitious as someone who is too pushy or whatever, but I don't think ambition It's a history that Bourne has been In keeping with the movie inspiration, the should be frowned upon so much. I feel encouraging his dancers to investigate whole score for the production has been like [Vicky] knows that she's good. She and work into their performances. As well pieced together from works by the doesn't expect everything to happen to as picking up on similarities between legendary film composer Bernard her, but she knows she has talent, and I Ballet Lermontov and his own company, Hermann - best known for his iconic don't think there's anything wrong with New Adventures, he's based his vision of soundtracks to The Twilight Zone and, that.” them on his knowledge of 1940s Sadler's among various other Hitchcock films, Wells, before it became the Royal Ballet, Psycho. In Bourne’s own take on the story, Vicky when things were still a little rough has even more reason to be ambitious. A “Herman has a wonderful sort of around the edges. wartime orphan living with an bittersweet feeling about his music which increasingly distant aunt, she's far less “The dancers in a ballet company are very really suits the story very well. I think it's privileged than in the film. Like Bourne different now - much more sleek and one of the real surprises of the piece, how himself, she begins as something of an technically advanced than they would amazing the score is, and it's all been outsider to this world, taking nothing for have been in those days. I always get (the brought together and arranged by Terry granted and accustomed to striving hard dancers) to do a lot of research for my Davies, so it sounds like one score rather for success. To have come so far perhaps shows, and it's been quite a fun project for than lots of different bits and pieces. makes the prospect of hanging up her them to get to know what it was like then, “I made a decision not to use any of the ballet shoes all the more difficult to though there were a couple of things we Hitchcock scores because people would accept. couldn't follow. The men at that time be thinking about other things if they weren't very good, for example - anyone “If you watch the film, in her very first heard those, so I've chosen less well- who was vaguely interested would be in a appearance, she's sitting at the ballet in a known stuff from the ’30s and ’40s. There company because male dancers were so beautiful dress with a sort of crown or are some concert pieces he wrote, as well hard to come by, so I've told them that tiara on her head. It’s quite extreme, and as some from a film called The Ghost And they have to dance better than that!” perhaps that's one of the things people Mrs Muir, which I've always felt has one of like about it, but when you're telling a Famously, the big finale is a new ballet the most beautiful film scores ever. story today, people tend to prefer the idea version of the original Hans Christian There's also some from Citizen Kane, of someone who has to struggle a bit Andersen tale, with striking visuals and which I've known for many years but more. She's only from slightly more an almost unreal quality. In Bourne's never realised before how great the music humble beginnings - she's not a Little dance version, The Red Shoes ballet has is for dancing.” Match Girl waif - but it's not a foregone been made to deliberately stand apart With the current abundance of TV talent conclusion that she's going to get from the more traditional, period styles of shows, a growing obsession with everything she wants.” design and movement employed earlier in celebrities and increasing competition for the show. In addition to rewriting Vicky's backstory, creative careers, the story of what it takes Bourne has also fleshed out the life and “We've tried to make it feel like they're to be a star feels in many ways more work of the company as a whole, doing something new and original and timely now than ever, even if dancers providing them with a repertoire of their forward-looking, so the movement is more don't yet enjoy the same recognition as own. contemporary in some ways. We've also their contemporaries in acting and music. tried to create a look that's very different But perhaps the success of shows like “We have several little ballets in the piece from the rest of the show - I don't want to Strictly is set to change all that... which the company are either rehearsing give away too much because it comes as or performing. There's a beach ballet quite a surprise when it happens, but the which creates a link to the actual beach whole set changes. I guess it's a bit like an The Red Shoes shows at Birmingham when they visit Monte Carlo. In the MGM musical with Gene Kelly or Fred Hippodrome from Tuesday 7 to second half, we have what we call the Astaire where they'd have what they used Saturday 11 February 'Good vs Evil' ballet - it's called Concerto to call a dream ballet.” Macabre in the programme - which

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Dance Dance previews from around the region

Motionhouse: Scattered

Old Rep, Birmingham, Tues 31 January - Fri 3 “The Motionhouse dance experience cradles February; Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, virtually all other art forms,” says the com- Thurs 16 - Fri 17 February pany’s co-founder and director, Kevin Touring since 2009, Scattered sees local com- Finnan. “We’re working with people who are pany Motionhouse bringing together their filmmakers, composers, visual artists and trademark physical dance theatre and mes- digital artists to create our productions. Our merising aerial imagery to create a unique dancers are gymnasts, break dancers, aerial- interaction between film and live perform- ists - and this diversity in skills and art forms ance. means a production can be a very moving The critically acclaimed work explores the experience, but also an extraordinary visual majesty and savagery of water, with seven event. You should explore it even if you dancers plunging into an ocean, wrestling a think it’s not for you, because it really is so raging tide and sliding on an avalanche to a incredibly diverse.” frozen landscape of arctic beauty.

under the microscope by Agudo, whose new Anton & Erin: Swing Time work strikes an overarching tone that’s both Highly Sprung: Fall Out Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 28 January; epic and poetic. In the process, the choreog- Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Fri 13 - Sat 14 January Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 24 February rapher brings ‘hints of Flamenco movement to the contemporary vocabulary under- pinned by ACE Dance & Music’s inimitable African style’. “Ten will build on the themes of spiritual dedication and striving,” explain ACE. “Ultimately this piece will be about humani- ty’s urge to reach for the power of 10 - the universal symbol of completion.”

Sonia Sabri Company: Akaar Celebrity dancing duo and The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sat 28 January Erin Boeg return to Birmingham’s Symphony “We’ve always tried to create something Hall this month with their brand new show. which is groundbreaking and pioneering,” This latest work from Midlands-based Highly Blending smart choreography, sassy tunes says Sonia Sabri. “I feel proud to say that Sprung Performance Co has been produced and sparkly costumes, the production pays we’ve presented something that’s very new in response to what the company describes homage to the golden years of swing and fea- and very different. We’ve been at the fore- as a growing concern about young people tures a host of much-loved numbers, includ- front of creating new ideas, and that’s exact- ‘no longer having a voice or control over ing I Got Rhythm, Moondance, Guys And ly what we intend to continue doing.” their own future’. Dolls, Strike Up The Band and I Could Have Sabri’s belief in the need to push the bound- The story focuses on three teenagers on the Danced All Night. aries of dance is reflected in this special per- roof of a nightclub, thrown together through The popular pair are joined by a 25-piece formance event. “It aims to celebrate emerg- circumstance, who’re all searching for an orchestra, six ensemble dancers and guest ing and undiscovered talent,” she explains, answer to the same question - who, if any- singer Lance Ellington. Richard Balcombe “and to support the interest and breadth of body, cares? conducts. South Asian arts being created across the A young revolutionary named Jay thinks he Midlands.” knows how to bring about change: Featuring both individuals and groups, the “Thousands of us,” he says, “on the last day ACE Dance & Music: Ten show includes non-South Asian artists and of exams - we’re all gonna jump. They’ll have to listen to us then, they’ll have no choice...” Lichfield Garrick, Fri 27 January performers who are presenting work with a South Asian flavour. Set in empty studio spaces, Fall Out com- “I’m interested in exploring the concepts of bines physical theatre performance with the moving away and leaving,” explains Ten’s experience of a club night. choreographer, Jose Agudo, “of surviving in “Audiences are invited to enter a nightclub,” a land without a place to go, of looking at Highly Sprung explain. “Dance becomes how and why people choose previously interspersed with story, movement and dia- unimagined destinies over the lives they’d logue, and action takes place around and always thought they’d live - and how power above the audience. It’s a self-contained, can reflect the fragility of the human being.” interactive, promenade experience.” Humanity’s universal stories are placed whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Arts Council DPS.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 14:37 Page 1

FEATURE

why culture matters

When it comes to art and culture, the West Midlands region has plenty to shout about. Peter Knott, the Midlands Area Director for Arts Council England, explains why...

38 whatsonlive.co.uk Arts Council DPS.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 14:37 Page 2

by Peter Knott

Art, culture and creativity are big organisations are adding more than at the heart of city-wide plans is business. Without them, the West £300million to the regional economy. This generating for each place. Midlands would be a much poorer place, is a fantastic return on the Arts Council The lasting impact of this concerted effort culturally, socially and financially. and other major stakeholders’ investment. to make art, culture and creativity central For me, it reinforces why, during times of I spend a lot of my time in Birmingham, to their visions for the future is a reminder austerity, investing in arts and culture where one of the Arts Council’s national that the value of art goes beyond just remains crucial. offices is based. But I’m lucky enough to enjoyment and economics. travel across the region, seeing how our I was struck by John Clancy’s words as the As well as making a huge impact on investment is making great things happen leader of Birmingham City Council when health, wellbeing and crime prevention, in a constantly evolving landscape. he talked about the arts as a ‘key indicator arts and culture are at the heart of human of a city’s success and as important as It’s a privilege to work in what I consider expression. They bring people together. quality housing to driving investment.’ to be England’s most vibrant and They help foster pride in the places we interesting sector, and I’m continually Since the end of last year, the Arts Council come from. And they provide an impressed by the creative energy and has invested more than £15.7million in arts opportunity for us to talk about our lives ambition of the West Midlands. and culture in the West Midlands, building in a unique and continually evolving way. on the £46.5million already announced for Looking back over the last year, Creative Black Country’s work with the the region in July 2014. It’s fantastically Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery was landlords of Desi Pubs is testament to this. exciting to see the impact this is having. the most visited civic museum in England. In a story of east meets west, these Ironbridge Gorge celebrated its 30th year In his autumn statement last year, the landlords have worked with artists to as one of the country’s first UNESCO then Chancellor of the Exchequer celebrate and share the heritage of their World Heritage Sites. Coventry’s Belgrade described cutting public funding for the local community with punters. scooped a UK Theatre Award for its arts as a false economy. I couldn’t agree From great art enjoyed over a curry and promotion of diversity. And Creative Black more, and the evolution of the West pint to the legacy of the world’s greatest Country helped get off the ground more Midlands Combined Authority is a prime playwright, the West Midlands offers than 32 new artistic and cultural projects example of why. something to suit everyone’s artistic produced by local people. More and more people are choosing to tastes. These are just a few of the cultural relocate to the West Midlands - With the New Year before us, now is the highlights our region has been - and particularly from London. The cultural time for us to think even harder about should be - shouting about. But all this offer here and the dynamic this creates, what art and culture can do for people in doesn’t happen by accident. It’s down to combined with affordable living, is a key the West Midlands. But we can only do the hard work and dedication of the reason for this. that in conversation with you. people who work within this thriving Henrietta Brealey of the Greater sector. We need more and better partnerships at a Birmingham Chamber summed this up local level. It’s not only about the Arts Despite increasing budget pressures - and when she said: “There’s more to England Council working with local authorities. It’s a very real need to balance the books - our than the North and London, the Midlands also about the Arts Council, local ambition is to see art and culture continue has a unique offer.” authorities and local people working to flourish in the West Midlands. Through With three of the region’s major cities all together, brokering partnerships that our local investments, we want to see vying to be UK City of Culture in 2021, this involve higher education, businesses and more people enjoy opportunities to unique offer is poised to really take off development agencies. experience the very best of our nation’s over the next few years. Coventry, creative talent in the places where they So, as a resolution for 2017: Never Hereford and Stoke each have their own live. But we also want to see culture undervalue the power of arts and culture. distinctive heritage on which to build their continue to fuel our region’s economy. It’s a mistake we can’t afford to make. bids. But what is perhaps most exciting, is In Birmingham alone, artistic and cultural the energy and pride that putting culture

whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Film Jan GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 11:29 Page 1

To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk

Win!

Tickets to Made In India Tickets to What's In A Name? Tickets to Cirque Beserk

Closes Thursday 19 January Closes Friday 20th January Closes Monday 13 February

Tickets to The Snowman Tickets to The Fizzogs Tickets to Tattoo Freeze

Closes Friday 6 January Closes Friday 6 January Closes Monday 23 January

Tickets to MCM Comic Con Tickets to Matthew Bourne's Tickets to Crufts 2017 Midlands The Red Shoes

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Closes Monday 23 January Closes Monday 30 January Closes Wednesday 18 January

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Film

La La Land CERT 12a (128 mins) Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, JK Simmons, Finn Wittrock, Tom Everett Scott Directed by Damien Chazelle (USA) At the date of going to press, La La Land is the movie to beat at the 2017 Oscars - partic- ularly for best picture, best actor, best actress and best director. It’s what insiders say has ‘The Artist’ vote - an original that has the finesse to out-gun all the porten- tous, well-meaning dramas. Chazelle’s last film, the suspenseful and dis- tinctive Whiplash, won an Oscar for best supporting actor (JK Simmons). But La La Land is a musical, and a romantic musical at that. Emma Stone plays an aspiring actress who meets a jazz pianist (Ryan Gosling) in (hence the title) and they fall in love. It’s as simple as that. Well, not quite. The chemistry between the stars was a given as they’d previously played lovers in Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) and Gangster Squad (2013). Released Fri 13 January CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in January...

Assassin’s Creed CERT 12a tbc Starring Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Charlotte Rampling, Michael K Williams Directed by Justin Kurzel (UK/France/Hong Kong/USA) Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard were previously paired in Justin Kurzel’s Macbeth (last year) and obviously got on so well that they’ve all reunited for this. But far from that blasted heath, Assassin’s Creed is set in 15th century Spain as well as in the present day. Fassbender plays Callum Lynch, a career criminal who is plugged A Monster Calls Silence CERT 15 (161 mins) into the skillset of his ancestor Aguilar CERT 12a (108 mins) Starring Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Liam de Nerha, a renowned assassin. Based Neeson, Tadanobu Asano, Ciarán Hinds on the video game franchise of the Starring Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, Toby Kebbell, Lewis MacDougall, Geraldine Directed by Martin Scorsese same name. In 3D. (USA/Taiwan/Italy/Mexico) Chaplin, and the voice of Liam Neeson Released Sun 1 January Directed by JA Bayona (Spain/UK/USA) Before he became a filmmaker, Martin Scorsese wanted to be a priest, and his inter- Based on the unusual novel by Patrick Ness, this Spanish co-production with the UK and est in spiritualism and transcendence kept the USA does not fall easily into any catego- his interest in an adaptation of Sh saku ry. It stars Lewis MacDougall as a young boy End 's titular novel alive for over 20ū years. whose mother (Felicity Jones) is dying of The ōstory of two Jesuit priests who travel to cancer. He then finds unexpected help in the 17th century Japan to locate their mentor form of a monstrous, story-telling yew tree. (Liam Neeson) has elicited considerable Tree-huggers should love it. Oscar buzz. Scorsese describes it as a thriller. Released Sun 1 January Released Sun 1 January

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Film

Manchester By The Sea CERT 15 (137 mins) Starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges, Gretchen Mol, Matthew Broderick Directed by Kenneth Lonergan (USA) Another film trailing Oscar murmurings sees Casey Affleck (a shoo-in for a best actor nom- ination) as Lee Chandler, a man who returns to his roots. After his brother dies, Lee is made legal guardian of his nephew, which brings him back in touch with his ex-wife (Williams). The director Kenneth Lonergan may not be a household name, but with films like You Can Count On Me (2000) and Margaret (2011) to his credit, he is a critics’ favourite. Released Fri 13 January CRITIC’S CHOICE

got his real family and many years later Lion CERT PG (118 mins) he began to search for them on Google Starring , , David Earth… Wenham, , Sunny Pawar Directed by Saroo’s experiences were recorded in his (Australia/USA/UK) memoir, , from which At the age of five, Saroo Brierley found this international co-production was himself alone on the teeming streets of adapted. The film received rave reviews Calcutta, 1,500 kilometres from his home at the Toronto Film Festival, particularly and family. He managed to survive and for the performances of Patel and was eventually adopted by an Australian Kidman. couple in . But Saroo never for- Released Fri 20 January

Underworld: Blood Wars CERT tbc CERT 15 (96 mins) Starring Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Tobias Starring Douglas Smith, Lucien Laviscount, Menzies, Charles Dance Cressida Bonas, Doug Jones, Carrie-Anne Directed by Anna Foerster (USA) Moss, Faye Dunaway A sequel to Underworld: Awakening (2012), Directed by Stacy Title (USA) this is the fifth instalment in the Underworld The Bye Bye Man joins the ranks of the Grim series. Selene, the so-called vampire ‘death Reaper, Freddy Krueger, the Candyman and dealer,’ is now really miffed at being the Babadook as characters you really betrayed by the Lycan clan and the Vampire wouldn’t want to spend time with. So it’s faction and sets out to end the conflict bye-bye for three college students who stum- between them. It could cost her dearly, of ble across the identity of this mean-spirited course. entity. And, yes, it’s that Cressida Bonas who Released Fri 13 January plays the hapless Sasha. Released Fri 13 January

Irreplaceable CERT 12 (98 mins) Starring François Cluzet, Marianne Denicourt, Isabelle Sadoyan Directed by Thomas Lilti (France) In his parish, Jean-Pierre Werner (Cluzet) was more than just the local doctor. He helped, comforted and even healed his patients. Then, one day, he discovers that he, himself, is seriously ill… Released Fri 13 January

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Film releases in December

xXx: Return Of Denial CERT 12a (110 mins) Sing CERT U (108 mins) Xander Cage CERT tbc Starring Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson, With the voices of Matthew McConaughey, Timothy Spall, Andrew Scott, Jack Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, John C Starring Vin Diesel, Deepika Padukone, Donnie Lowden, Caren Pistorius Reilly, Taron Egerton, Scarlett Johansson Yen, Tony Jaa, Samuel L Jackson, Toni Directed by Mick Jackson (UK/USA) Directed by Garth Jennings (USA) Collette Directed by DJ Caruso (USA) It’s another of those amazing-but-true It’s the X Factor - except with animals. From Just when you think that Vin Diesel couldn’t stories. The American professor the company that brought us Despicable Me pop out another sequel, along comes one Deborah E Lipstadt (Rachel Weisz) is and The Secret Life Of Pets. In 3D. more. Here, he reprises his role as Xander forced to prove in Cage (aka xXx), the government agent who’s Released Fri 27 January an English court rather adept at extreme athletic pursuits. that the historian When he fears for the future of the world, David Irving Xander emerges out of exile in the hope of (Timothy Spall) recovering a horrendous weapon known as was lying when ‘Pandora’s Box.’ he said that the Released Thurs 19 January Holocaust never happened. Released Fri 27 January

Hacksaw Ridge CERT tbc Starring Andrew Garfield, Sam The White King Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa CERT 12a (88 mins) Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Vince Vaughn Starring Lorenzo Allchurch, Agyness Deyn, Directed by Mel Gibson (USA/Australia) Ross Partridge, Fiona Shaw, Greta Scacchi, Jonathan Pryce Directed by Alex Helfrecht and Another of those stories too true to be Jörg Tittel (UK/Germany/Sweden/Hungary) believed: Desmond Doss (Garfield) was György Dragomán's titular 2005 Hungarian Jackie CERT 15 (100 mins) a Seventh-day Adventist and conscien- novel has been translated into 28 languages. Starring Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, tious objector who It has a whiff of Orwell’s 1984 about it and Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup, John Hurt, participated in the now, in this international co-production Richard E Grant Pacific conflict in Directed by Pablo Larraín (USA/Chile/France) directed by the husband-and-wife team WII and was Helfrecht and Tittel, joins a long list of recent After the derided biopics on Princess Diana awarded the films set in a dystopian future. The best bit is and Princess Grace, it’s a relief to report that Medal of Honor – the opening credits, where the set-up is ani- this is not a turkey. It’s the story of Jackie even though he mated in a stark, monochromatic design that Kennedy and how she copes after the assas- refused to pick up would have thrilled the likes of Lenin and sination of her husband, JFK. Natalie a firearm. Stalin. What follows, though, is a misjudged Portman would seem destined for an Oscar Released Fri 27 January interpretation in which a seemingly idyllic, nomination. agricultural central European backwater is Released Fri 20 January populated by Americans. Rules Don’t Apply As the 12-year-old Djata (Allchurch) tries to CERT 12a tbc reconcile his father’s absence, a ragbag of Starring Warren Beatty, Lily Collins, foreign actors makes his life hell. Alden Ehrenreich, Annette Bening, It’s the tone that ultimately emasculates the Matthew Broderick, Candice Bergen film’s intentions, being an earnest warning Directed by Warren Beatty (USA) against the ills of Communism that its author Howard Hughes (Beatty) applies strict suffered first-hand under the regime of rules to his staff: nobody in his employ Nicolae Ceausescu. is allowed to dally with an actress. But then Hughes’ Released Fri 27 January driver Frank (Ehrenreich) Split CERT 15 (117 mins) meets the gor- Starring James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, geous Baptist Jessica Sula, Haley Lu Richardson, Betty virgin Marla Buckley Directed by M Night Shyamalan (USA) Mabrey That’s split as in split personality. Kevin (Collins) who is (James McAvoy), whose pastime is the on the brink of abduction of teenage girls, has 23 distinct appearing in personalities. But there’s another, and it’s the movies… about to be unleashed… Released Released Fri 20 January Fri 27 January

whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Visual Arts January (2).qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 14:23 Page 1

Visual Arts

Chanda Mama door ke (From Far Away Uncle Moon Calls) The Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 14 January - Sat 11 March The widely acclaimed Subodh Gupta works across painting, sculpture and installation, transforming everyday materials of Indian life into pieces of often spectacular art. He seeks not only to reflect upon his country’s eco- nomic transformation, but also to encourage viewers to question the material, cultural and spiritual values attributed to the objects that he uses. “My themes are universal,” explains the 52-year-old Indian artist, “and this is despite the fact that my references may be termed ‘Indian village tradi- tions’, such as the importance of food and the usage of cow dung. The para- doxes of our life are there for all to see in my art’s combination of local and global languages.”

The Play’s The Thing The exhibition also reveals some of the RSC’s On Reflection more gory theatrical secrets. These include Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon how a snapping carrot can replicate the RBSA Gallery, Birmingham, Mon 9 January - Sat 4 March noise of a bone breaking, how crispy cereals and glue are mixed to make scabs, and how “My most actors keep soup in their mouths so that they recent work,” can ‘vomit’ on stage. explains Angela Dooley in talking Spectrum: Colour about her latest exhibition, And Abstraction “has been Wolverhampton Art Gallery, inspired by the Sat 14 January - Sun 26 March reflections cre- Described as ‘a spectacle of pure pigment ated by the city and form’, Spectrum provides visitors with a landscape, dis- rare opportunity to enjoy the best of torting old and Wolverhampton Art Gallery’s collection of new buildings 20th century abstract paintings, prints, draw- in intricate ings and sculptures. changing pat- Renowned artists whose work is featured in terns, providing an embellishment and view the exhibition include Joan Miro, Patrick not predicted at the time of construction.” The Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) Heron, Gillian Ayres, Joe Tilson, Gary Hume A former art teacher, Angela has been able to first ever permanent exhibition, The Play’s and Bridget Riley. devote much more time to her love of paint- The Thing allows visitors to explore the With the expectation that the artwork will ing since retiring after 37 years in the class- imaginative ways that Shakespeare’s stories, inspire the creativity of those who view it, room. settings and characters have been brought to the gallery “I work mainly in watercolour and acrylics, life on stage. has set up a choosing a wide range of subjects for inspi- Treasures from the Company’s archive, such space for visi- ration, initially trying to capture and develop as rarely seen props, exquisite costumes and tors to create studies of atmospheric light, shade and spa- original set designs, are much in evidence, and display tial depth in land and city scapes. as are hands-on digital experiences - visitors cut-paper “Images created by trees, water and the mod- can try on virtual costumes and stand on the abstract col- ern city landscape have all been a source of RSC stage via state-of-the-art technology. lages. inspiration.” Image © The Estate of Patrick Heron.

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Mechanical Things: Adventures And Inventions From The World Of Rowland Emett Thinktank at Millennium Point, Birmingham, until Sun 5 March Known for his quirky paintings and fantastical mechanical contraptions - most famous among which is surely Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Rowland Emett took a lighthearted and modest approach to his art. “It’s a well-known fact that all inventors get their first ideas on the back of an envelope,” he once said. “I take slight exception to this; I use the front, so that I can incorporate the stamp - and then the design is already half done.” This new presentation of work by Emett, who died in 1990 aged 84, features some of his most significant cre- ations, including the aforementioned Chitty and his last and largest machine, A Quiet Afternoon In The Cloud Cuckoo Valley. Quirky inventions by a number of Emett-inspired artists are also displayed, as are interactive kinetic art and exhibits from Stratford-upon-Avon’s MAD (Mechanical Art & Design) Museum.

For more visual arts listings, visit whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Events January.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 11:27 Page 1

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Events

Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour testant on last year’s live tour, makes her debut as the show’s host. “The live tour always has such a great atmosphere,” says Len Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Fri 20 - Sun 22 January Goodman, “and this 10th tour will definitely be one to remember, Come Dancing Live UK tour will be celebrating 10 years especially as it comes as I complete my final year on the TV series as on the road when it waltzes into Birmingham this month. Head Judge. Rest assured, audiences, this tour will be a 10 from Len!” The 2017 edition of the show sees and Craig Revel Taking to the dancefloor this year are, among others, presenter and Horwood joined on the judging panel by the 2006 winner of the TV singer , model Daisy Lowe, actress Lesley Joseph, series, professional dancer . sports presenter Ore Oduba, actor and former shadow Countryfile's Anita Rani, a semi-finalist in the 2015 series and a con- chancellor Ed Balls.

Wolverhampton Literary Festival Various venues across Wolverhampton, Fri 27 - Sun 29 January Wolverhampton’s first ever literary festival features acclaimed authors, musicians, workshops and children’s events. Included among the festival’s highlights is a contribution from internet sensation, regional treasure and notorious ‘lazy cow’ Doreen Tipton. Ned’s Atomic Dustbin singer Jonn Penney (pictured) also features, talking with best-selling author Martin Roach about the common thread between music, books and independence, while former Birmingham Poet Laureate Roy McFarlane gives an hour-long solo performance at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Budding young authors and poets can take part in week- end workshops and find out about Japanese Haiku poetry, honing their skills at character writing or combining crafts and the written word in a special ‘paperverse’ session. Commenting on the new festival, Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for City Economy, said: “We’ve got a diverse literary tradition in Wolverhampton and across the Black Country, and what better way of celebrat- ing it than by hosting our own festival. Already there’s a great variety of entertainment during the , with even more authors and events still to be announced.”

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more events from around the region

Lichfield Winter Beer Festival Lichfield Guildhall, Fri 27 - Sat 28 January An annual event on the Guildhall calendar, the Lichfield Winter Beer Festival provides a perfect opportunity to banish those New Year blues by sam- pling ales from some of the country’s finest breweries. In addition to high-quality beer and the promise of a friendly atmosphere, this popular two- day event offers a choice of tra- ditional ciders, a range of wines and a selection of fine foods. Entertainment comes courtesy of two local bands - 3’s Company on the Friday evening and Last Orders on the Saturday. Tattoo Freeze

The International Centre, Telford, talented tattooists who’ll be in attendance. Sun 29 January Past shows have featured some of the world’s Following on from the success of previous greatest graffiti artists, BMX and skateboard shows, this specialist one-day event offers mem- champions, shopping stalls, children’s activi- bers of the general public the chance to get ties, national roller derby tournaments and ice themselves tattooed by one (or more!) of the 200 sculpture demonstrations and workshops.

Basketball Cup Finals Camper Mart Autosport The International Centre, Telford, International Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Sun 15 January Sun 29 January One of the most eagerly anticipated dates on the NEC, Birmingham, British Basketball League (BBL) calendar, this annual Thurs 12 - Sun 15 January event sees stars of the national game go head-to-head Described as ‘the world’s great- in pursuit of coveted silverware. The get-together also est four-wheel indoor extrava- features some of Europe’s top slam dunkers, giving it ganza’, Autosport International their all in a bid to become the BBL Slam Dunk caters for industry professionals Champion. and motorsport fans alike. Featuring every level of motor racing - from karting through to Formula One - the event offers visitors the chance to check out the latest performance road cars, “The aim of Camper Mart,” explain the chat to club members and watch event’s organisers, “is to cater for every precision-driving displays in the conceivable need for people who own, Live Action Arena. are restoring, maintaining, customising or who just simply display an interest in owning a Volkswagen Camper. Our trade stalls display a plethora of VW goodies, giving our visitors excellent choice. “And if you’re having problems with your bus, want some general advice on tuning, modifications or anything bus related, our resident ‘bus doctor’ team is on hand to help out.”

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Your week to week listings guide January 2017 thelist

Dick Whittington at Birmingham Hippodrome until Sunday 29 January 29 Sunday until Hippodrome Birmingham at Whittington Dick

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

What’s On Sun 1 to Sun 8 January Mon 9 to Sun 15 January Mon 16 to Sun 22 January Mon 23 to Tues 31 January

Kara Tointon in Gaslight at Comedy Central Impractical Monster Energy Arenacross Jojo at O2 Institute, Digbeth New Alexandra Theatre Jokers at Barclaycard Arena Tour at Genting Arena Sat 28 January Fri 6 - Sat 14 January Fri 13 January Sat 21 January

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thelist Sunday 1 - Sunday 8 January THROUGHOUT JANUARY

on the final leg of its tour. This is the Birmingham, until Sat 31 Dec last chance to see the models and century, George Bellows (1882- Visual Arts 1925), until Sun 22 Jan have your say, until Sun 23 Apr UNCOVERING THE BODY Other TIM PEAKE'S PHOTOS FROM SPACE Birmingham Museum & Complementing major exhibition Celebrating Tim Peake's mission to Art Gallery Centrala Gallery, Digbeth Bellows And The Body, until Sun 29 the International Space Station, the ALEKSANDRA NATALIA KOPER New Jan EAST MEETS WEST images in this exhibition show Presenting the works by emerging Polish artist, until remarkable landscapes on Earth, work of 16 emerging artists working Sat 7 Jan mac, Birmingham taken from space, and life on board with moving image or photography, MADE AT MAC: THE ART OF COMPUTER the space station, until Sat 31 Dec, until Fri 6 Jan RBSA Gallery GAMES AND ANIMATION CELEBRATING GANESHA A touring exhi- Showcasing Thinktank at Millennium Point, bition across seven venues around NEW ANGELA DOOLEY RBSA the work of participants from the ani- Birmingham the UK. Part of the British Museum’s Birmingham's diverse architecture is mation courses for children and INSPIRING KNOWLEDGE National Programmes, until 8 Jan reflected in the recently constructed young people, until Sun 8 Jan Exhibition that NIGHT IN THE MUSEUM: RYAN GANDER modern buildings, providing a rich BOM (B’ham Open Media) celebrates the opening of the univer- by showcasing CURATES THE ARTS COUNCIL source of distorted imagery, Mon 9 sity's new library LIFE ECHO Justin Wigan's first solo groundbreaking works from the past COLLECTION Jan - Sat 4 Mar Leading British artist show is a groundbreaking experi- 500 years, until Fri 30 June, The Ryan Gander’s selection of artworks ment in sound and memory. The University of Birmingham from the Arts Council Collection, until The Barber Institute exhibition features specially designed THE EXTRAORDINARY LIVES OF Sun 12 Feb THE PASTORAL AND THE SUBLIME pods and invites the public to partici- EVERYDAY PEOPLE Exhibition exploring CONNECTED HISTORIES: MUSLIMS IN pate in a fascinating experiment by the extraordinary lives of everyday THE FIRST WORLD WAR A new exhibi- Showcasing three watercolours by creating their most powerful life- Birmingham people, until Sat 1 July, tion which explores the untold stories Birmingham-born artist David Cox, as memory triggers, until Sat 28 Jan Soho House, Birmingham of more than 400,000 Muslim sol- well as watercolours, drawings and NEW 4 SOLOS IN THE WILD A powerful diers in the First World War, until Sun prints by Gainsborough, Turner and Museum of The Jewellery exhibition by four disabled perform- 5 Mar Constable, among others, until Sun 8 Quarter ers from Shropshire, featuring short Jan BIRMINGHAM BIG ART PROJECT BELLOWS AND THE BODY COLLECTING BIRMINGHAM: STORIES films and photography, Tues 10 Jan - Birmingham Big Art project is com- Featuring a THAT SHOULD BE SHARED The first in a Mon 6 Feb, The Core Theatre, missioning a major new work of pub- new acquisition - Nude, Miss series of four exhibitions showcasing Solihull lic art for the city. The exhibition of Bentham (1906) - an early master- objects collected from local people, shortlisted artists’ proposals is here piece by one of the most significant telling their stories of life in American painters of the early 20th

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Sunday 1 - Sunday 8 January Gigs Classical Music

EDWINA HAYES Sun 1 Jan, Kitchen JOHANN STRAUSS GALA With the Garden Cafe, Birmingham Johann Strauss Dancers. BRIC A BRAC Wed 1 Jan, Kitchen Conducted by John Rigby & featur- Garden Cafe, Birmingham ing soprano Corinne Cowling, Sun 1 Jan Symphony Hall, Birmingham THE GLEN MILLER ORCHESTRA Mon 2 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham MANCHESTER CAMERATA: VIENNESE NEW YEAR GALA Featuring Jean- THE WEDDING CRASHERS Wed 4 Jan, Claude Picard (conductor), Ailish The Jam House, Birmingham Tynan (soprano), Adi Brett (violin) & CAPITAL GROOVE Thurs 5 Jan, The Hannah Roberts (cello), Jam House, Birmingham Programme includes works STIPE Thurs 5 Jan, The Robin, J.Strauss II, Vaughan Williams & Bilston Lehar, Fri 6 Jan, Malvern Theatre MARCH OF FATE Thurs 5 Jan, The JOHN WILSON CONDUCTS THE Roadhouse, Birmingham NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN Featuring Tamara ROD AND THE FACEZ Fri 6 Jan, The Stefanovich on piano. Programme Roadhouse, Birmingham includes works by Brett Dean, NEARLY DAN Fri 6 Jan, The Robin, Szymanowski & Rachmaninov, Fri 6 Bilston Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Moscow State Circus CHERISH & MIZZ PINK Fri 6 Jan, The CBSO: THE MAGIC OF VIENNA Star City, Birmingham, until Sun 8 January River Rooms, Stourbridge Featuring Aleksandar Markovic The Moscow State Circus is very possibly the best-known circus in BAD PENNY Fri 6 Jan, O2 Academy, (conductor) & Jack Liebeck (violin). the world, based on over 200 years of tradition. When animals Birmingham Programme includes works by J.Strauss II, Kreisler & Waldteufel, became an unpopular aspect of circuses, this flexible family JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW Fri 6 Jan, Sun 8 Jan, Symphony Hall, favourite adapted to survive by moving the emphasis to astonishing Artrix, Bromsgrove Birmingham displays of human skill and endurance - many of which are evident URBAN INTRO Fri 6 - Sat 7 Jan, The in its current production, Miracles. Jam House, Birmingham Highlights of the show include ‘aerial displays of grace and beauty’ JEAN GENIE - TRIBUTE TO DAVID from Anastacia Sarychea, performances by gyrating contortionists BOWIE Sat 7 Jan, The Robin, Bilston Stikhareva and Drazdova, acrobatics from the Didyk Troupe and KING PLEASURE AND THE BISCUIT Comedy Gigs gymnastics from the Eftode Perch Gymnasts. The ‘whimsical’ clown BOYS Sat 7 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove Nicolino is the audience’s guide for the evening.’. ADAM HESS, ANDY ASKINS, PHIL JERROD & MARK OLVER Fri 6 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham JACK BARRY, ANDY ASKINS, PHIL Quinn Patrick as Nurse Nelly, until ‘Lazy Cow’ Doreen Tipton, until Sun JERROD & MARK OLVER Sat 7 Jan, The Sun 8 Jan, Malvern Theatres 22 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Glee Club, Birmingham ALADDIN - THE WOK AND ROLL PANTO Theatre Festive show with a difference, fea- THE SNOW QUEEN Hans Christian turing classic rock’n’roll hits from Andersen's classic children's tale of Aretha Franklin, The Monkees, adventure, friendship and bravery, James Brown, The Temptations, The until Sat 28 Jan, New Vic Theatre, Jackson Five and many more... until Newcastle-under-Lyme OLLIE HUGHES AS ROBBIE WILLIAMS Theatre Sun 8 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Sat 7 Jan, The River Rooms, DICK WHITTINGTON Starring John Theatre Barrowman as Dick Whittington, Stourbridge TREASURE ISLAND Bryony Lavery’s MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS The world- EastEnders bad lad Steve McFadden THE AC30'S Sat 7 Jan, The modern adaptation of Robert Louis renowned circus presents Xhelanly, as the evil King Rat, Jodie Prenger Roadhouse, Birmingham Stevenson’s swashbuckling classic, an ‘awe-inspiring’ show based on as Fairy Bow Bells, legendary double until Sat 7 Jan, The REP, Birmingham BOWIE NIGHT Sat 7 Jan, The Night Russian folklore, until Sun 8 Jan, Star act The Krankies as Councillor & Owl, Birmingham DICK WHITTINGTON Written by and City, Birmingham Jimmy Krankie, Matt Slack as Idle starring Iain Lauchlan, until Sat 7 CLASSIC WONDER VETERANS WITH ROOM ON THE BROOM Stage adapta- Jack, and Andrew Ryan as Sarah the Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry SOLO BANTON & CREW Sat 7 Jan, tion of Julia Donaldson's best-selling Cook, until Sun 29 Jan, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birmingham CINDERELLA Starring Stoke’s favourite book that's sure to provide a magi- Hippodrome THE MIGHTY WRAITH Sun 8 Jan, The son, Jonathan Wilkes, as Buttons, cal, musical treat for children and THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN Based on Roadhouse, Birmingham alongside Christian Patterson and families alike, until Sun 8 Jan, The Chaucer's The Knight's Tale, The Two Simon Nehan as the Ugly Sisters, REP, Birmingham Noble Kinsmen is attributed to John THE RAT PACK WITH SPECIAL GUEST until Sun 8 Jan, Regent Theatre, Fletcher & William Shakespeare and ANITA HARRIS Sun 8 Jan, Artrix, DICK WHITTINGTON Amateur staging Stoke-on-Trent is best described as a tragicomedy Bromsgrove presented by DE Caversmill Theatre BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Starring Company, until Sun 8 Jan, Stoke exploring the intoxication and NIK TURNERS NEW SPACE RITUAL Sun Midlands Today and BBC Coventry & Repertory Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent strangeness of love, until Tues 7 Feb, 8 Jan, The Robin, Bilston Warwickshire presenter Joanna The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD Stage THE REEL HOT CEILIDH PEPPERS Sun Tidman as Fairy Bowbells. Award- Avon adaptation of Julia Donaldson & 8 Jan, Lichfield Guildhall, winning funnyman Marc Alden Taylor Lydia Monks’ colourful farmyard Staffordshire returns by popular demand to play adventure, until Wed 11 Jan, Funny French Franc, with John- Robert Partridge as Dame Dotty, until Birmingham Town Hall Sun 8 Jan, The Attic Theatre, THE TEMPEST Shakespeare's magical Coventry exploration of revenge, forgiveness, love and magic, until Sat 21 Jan, SLEEPING BEAUTY Starring Gillian Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Wright (Jean Slater from EastEnders) Stratford-upon-Avon alongside Channel Five’s Milkshake presenter Amy Thompson, Chris ALADDIN Magical pantomime adven- Pizzey from The Basil Brush Show, ture starring Joe McElderry, Lisa Casualty’s Rebecca Wheatley and Riley, Ian Adams, Ben Faulks and

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thelist Sunday 1 - Sunday 8 January THE SEVEN ACTS OF MERCY Anders A MONSTER CALLS (12A) Lustgarten’s visceral new play, which Drama/Fantasy. Starring Sigourney confronts the dangerous necessity of Weaver, Felicity Jones. Electric compassion in a world where it is in Cinema, Birmingham, from Fri 6 Jan short supply. Directed by RSC I, DANIEL BLAKE (15) Drama. Starring Deputy Artistic Director Erica Dave Johns, Hayley Squires. Artrix, Whyman, until Fri 10 Feb, The Swan Bromsgrove, Wed 4 - Fri 6 Jan; mac, Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Birmingham, Fri 6 - Sun 8 Jan THE ROVER Aphra Behn's anarchic restoration comedy, rich with seduc- tion, intrigue & danger, set in the topsy-turvy world of the carnival. Loveday Ingram returns to the RSC to direct, until Sat 11 Feb, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon THE SNOW QUEEN Jars Of Clay Theatre Co. present a new version of the Hans Christian Andersen classic, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (12a) complete with rip-roaring fights, Adventure/Fantasy. Starring Felicity brand new songs and a traditional Jones, Mads Mikkelsen. mac, battle of good versus evil, Wed 4 - Birmingham, Fri 6 - Mon 15 Jan Sat 7 Jan, Blue Orange Theatre, LONG WAY NORTH (PG) Birmingham Animation/Action. With the voices of Ice Skate Birmingham THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW A cele- Christa Théret, Féodor Atkine. mac, Centenary Square, Birmingham until Sun 8 January bration of Johnny Cash’s career, cap- Birmingham, Sat 7 Jan turing the essence of what it would It’s been a long time since Birmingham experienced a white have been like at one of his shows, Christmas, but there is at least one place in the city where people can Fri 6 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: enjoy the delights of a winter wonderland. As in previous years, Ice GASLIGHT Kara Tointon stars in a Released from Sun 1 Jan, showing at Skate Birmingham is offering fun-seeking Midlanders the chance to brand new staging of Patrick selected cinemas pretend they’re Torvill or Dean by taking a yuletide spin across the Hamilton’s mystery thriller, Fri 6 - Sat ASSASSIN'S CREED (tbc) 14 Jan, New Alexandra Theatre, ‘icy wastes’ of Centenary Square. For those just wishing to spectate, A MONSTER CALLS (12a) Birmingham the Ice Lounge Bar offers a viewing platform where visitors can par- SILENCE (TBC) DICK WHITTINGTON Annual family pan- take in a hot chocolate & marshmallows or, for those performing tomime, Fri 6 - Sat 14 Jan, Oldbury something a little stronger, a glass of mulled wine or cider. Another Rep attraction at the site is the Big Wheel. Take a ride right up to the top THE LION THAT LOST ITS ROAR Written and enjoy beautiful views of Birmingham’s skyline which are pretty by Carolyn Young, this amateur pro- spectacular, whether you’re taking a ride in the daytime or at night. duction for young children requires Events plenty of audience assistance to help Larry the Lion roar again, Sat 7 Jan, THE CHRISTMAS ICE RINK until Mon 2 The Swan Theatre, Worcester Jan, Webbs Garden Centre, THE WILL Expedition Arts present Wychbold, Worcestershire Pierre Carlet De Marivaux’s sexy FESTIVE SEASON SERVICE Let the comedy about love and money, Sat 7 Christmas festivities continue with a Jan, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham leisurely steam train journey along the beautiful Severn Valley, hopefully with a sprinkling of snow, until Mon 2 Jan, Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster Dance MAGIC LANTERN FESTIVAL Celebrating over 2,000 years of lantern festivals, SWAN LAKE Performed by Saint this ‘illuminating’ event sees visitors Petersburg Classic Ballet, Sat 7 accessing the venue through a giant Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham lantern entrance before following a lantern-lit trail around the gardens. ntil Mon 2 Jan, Birmingham Botanical Gardens THE THEATRE OF CHRISTMAS See Film Packwood dressed for Christmas by professional artist Jennifer Collier, INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: until Fri 6 Jan, Packwood House, Solihull Magic Lantern Festival MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS until Sun 8 THE EAGLE HUNTRESS (U) Birmingham Botanical Gardens, until Mon 2 January Jan, Star City, Birmingham Documentary. Starring Daisy Ridley, Aisholpan. mac, Birmingham, until ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM Located within Celebrating over 2,000 years of lantern festivals, this ‘illuminating’ Thurs 5 Jan the iconic Centenary Square, Ice event sees visitors accessing the venue through a giant lantern Skate Birmingham gives you the MOANA (U) Adventure/Comedy. With entrance before following a lantern-lit trail around the gardens. opportunity to enjoy this winter sport the voices of Dwayne Johnson, Alan Aside from enjoying the collection of beautifully constructed lanterns in beautiful city surroundings, until Tudyk. mac, Birmingham, until Thurs and the natural scenery, visitors to the festival can also catch up with Sun 8 Jan, Centenary Square, B’ham 5 Jan Santa and his reindeer. BACKSTAGE TOUR: FAMILY Discover the SILENCE (15) Drama/History. Starring rarely seen backstage areas of the Other attractions include a 12-metre-wide lantern scene - featuring Adam Driver, Liam Neeson. Electric theatre as The REP invites you to be penguins, snowmen, Christmas trees and baubles - and a special Cinema, Birmingham, Sun 1 Jan an audience member, set builder, fairy-themed area, complete with a floating fairy, beautiful butterflies FROZEN (PG) Adventure/Comedy. With prosthetics maker and assistant and thousands of bright and tiny lights. the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina stage manager, Sat 7 Jan, The REP, Read more about the Magic Lantern Festival online at Menzel. mac, Birmingham, Mon 2 Birmingham Jan whatsonlive.co.uk

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thelist Monday 9 - Sunday 15 January Jan, The Robin, IVOR & LYN'S CLASSIC COMEDY CENTRAL IMPRACTICAL Gigs Bilston ROCK DISCO Sat 14 Classical JOKERS Fri 13 Jan, Barclaycard DEVIL YOU KNOW Fri 13 Jan, Route 44, B’ham Arena, Birmingham Jan, O2 Institute, BORN IN THE EIGHTIES MARKUS BIRDMAN, PHIL NICHOL & THE WYZE GUYZ Tues Music Birmingham Sat 14 Jan, The River MARK SIMMONS Sat 14 Jan, The 10 Jan, The Jam AVENGED SEVENFOLD Rooms, Stourbridge Comedy Loft, Birmingham House, Birmingham THE HEATH QUARTET Featuring Oliver Fri 13 Jan, Genting WHO'S WHO Sat 14 ANDREW RYAN, TOM DEACON & COMIC MARTIN CARTHY Tues Heath & Cerys Jones (violins), Arena, Birmingham Jan, The Robin, TBC Sat 14 Jan, The Glee Club, 10 Jan, Kitchen Gary Pomero (viola) & Christopher Bilston Birmingham Garden Cafe, B’ham MESHUGGAH Fri 13 Murray (cello). Programme Jan, O2 Institute, BETTER THAN NEVER includes works by Beethoven & GARY DELANEY Sun 15 Jan, The Glee GOSPEL CENTRAL Wed Birmingham Sat 14 Jan, The Dvorak, Tues 10 Jan, Recital Hall, Club, Birmingham 11 Jan, The Jam Asylum, Birmingham Birmingham Conservatoire House, Birmingham THE EVACS Fri 13 Jan, O2 Academy, B’ham IVORY WAVE Sat 14 ANDRIS NELSONS CONDUCTS ALAN BARNES & GILAD Jan, O2 Academy, BRUCKNER Programme includes ATZMON Wed 11 Jan, WILL YOUNG: JAZZ Birmingham works by Maxwell Davies & Stratford Artshouse SESSIONS Fri 13 - Sat 14 Jan, Pizza Express NTH CAVE Sat 14 Jan, Bruckner, Thurs 12 Jan, Symphony APOLLO SOUL Thurs 12 Live, Birmingham The Actress & Bishop, Hall, Birmingham Jan, The Jam House, Birmingham Birmingham THE SUBTERRANEANS Fri 13 Jan - Sat 14 CALORIES & FRIENDS POETS OF THE FALL Jan, The Jam House, Sat 14 Jan, Hare & Thurs 12 Jan, O2 Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham DPC VS THE MOST BRAVADO - TRIBUTE TO THE RED SHOES - OUR MISERABLE TIME OF RUSH Sun 15 Jan, The KATE BUSH STORY THE YEAR Fri 13 Jan - Robin, Bilston Thurs 12 Jan, The Sat 14 Jan, Hare & Robin, Bilston RICKY NELSON TRIBUTE Hounds, Birmingham - TRAVELIN' MAN Sun DIZZY LIZZY Fri 13 Jan, Theatre ENDORPHINMACHINE: 15 Jan, The Route 44, Birmingham PRINCE TRIBUTE Sat 14 Roadhouse, B’ham A WAYNE IN A MANGER Stage2 present SOUNDS OF THE Jan, The Roadhouse, OBOE QUARTETS WITH RAINER a staging of Gervase Phinn’s funny SIXTIES Fri 13 Jan, Birmingham GIBBONS Featuring Rainer Gibbons and touching nativity play anecdotes, The Roadhouse, SARA COLMAN Sat 14 (oboe), Jonathan Martindale (vio- Wed 11 - Sat 14 Jan, Crescent B’ham Jan, Symphony Hall, lin), Christopher Yates (viola) & Theatre, Birmingham THINK FLOYD Fri 13 Birmingham David Powell (cello). Programme SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS includes works by JC Bach, Britten Fun-packed family pantomime from & Mozart, Fri 13 Jan, CBSO Centre, Three Spires Musical Society and the Birmingham Guildhall, Wed 11 - Sun 15 Jan, CASTALIAN STRING QUARTET Albany Theatre, Coventry Featuring Sini Simonen & Daniel THE SNOWMAN Stage show based on Roberts (violins), Charlotte Raymond Briggs' popular children's Bonneton (viola) & Christopher book, Wed 11 Jan - Sun 15 Jan, The Graves (cello). Programme com- REP, Birmingham prises Haydn’s String Quartet in G, VAMPIRES ROCK: GHOST TRAIN Classic Op. 76 No.1 & String Quartet in D, rock spectacular, a sequel to the Op 76 No. 5 ‘Largo’, Fri 13 Jan, phenomenally successful Vampires The Barber Institute, Birmingham Rock Musical Concert, Thurs 12 Jan, NAVARRA STRING QUARTET - Belgrade Theatre, Coventry BROMSGROVE CONCERTS FIZZOGS 'SUCK IT & SEE' TOUR Brand Programme includes works by new comedy sketch show featuring Haydn, Britten, Schubert & Black Country comedian Jonny Cole, Brahms, Fri 13 Jan, Artrix, Thurs 12 - Sat 14 Jan, Crescent Bromsgrove Theatre, Birmingham OBOE QUARTETS WITH RAINER GIB- THE JUNGLE BOOK Oddsocks bring BONS Featuring Jonathan their inimitable humour to Rudyard Martindale (violin), Christopher Kipling’s empowering story, Fri 13 - Yates (viola) & David Powell (cello). Sat 14 Jan, Bridge House Theatre, Programme includes works by J.C Warwick & Sun 15 Jan, Artrix, Bach, Britten & Mozart, Fri 13 Jan, Bromsgrove CBSO Centre, Birmingham

Comedy Gigs

FAT PENGUIN IMPROV Wed 11 Jan, The Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham ANDREW RYAN, COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC Thurs 12 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham GARY DELANEY Fri 13 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre LEE HURST Fri 13 Jan, Lichfield Garrick ANDREW RYAN, TOM DEACON, ABIGOLIAH SCHAMAUN & COMIC TBC Fri 13 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham

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January 2017 BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA, LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE

Saturday 7th January Sunday 8th January Saturday 14 January KING PLEASURE & THE RAT PACK WITH JUSTIN THE BISCUIT BOYS SPECIAL GUEST MOORHOUSE HIGH-OCTANE JUMP AND ANITA HARRIS EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE JIVE BAND FAB TRIBUTE TO FRANK, CHARMER IS BACK! SAMMY AND DEAN

Sunday 15 January Thursday 19 January Fri 20 & Sat 21 January THE JUNGLE BOOK OH WHAT A NIGHT THE COUNTERFEIT FANTASTIC PRODUCTION A CELEBRATION OF STONES FROM ODDSOCKS FRANKIE VALLI & THE GREAT BRITISH THE FOUR SEASONS TAKE OFF

COMING SOON: Johnny Cash Roadshow, Navarra String Quartet, Thelma, Hairspray, Simon Weston, Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin, Mark Bebbington, George Egg, John Otway, T.Rextasy, The Blues Band, Grainne Maguire, Andy Fairweather Low, Fairport Convention...

Join our Mailing List and reveive our weekly e-flyer with up-to-date information about upcoming shows @artrixarts or download our latest brochure @artrix arts centre www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1GN Free parking on-site

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thelist Monday 9 - Sunday 15 January NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Film Released from Fri 13 Jan, showing at selected cinemas INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: THE BYE BYE MAN (tbc) IRREPLACABLE (12) I, DANIEL BLAKE (15) Drama. Starring LA LA LAND (12A) Dave Johns, Hayley Squires. Artrix, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA (15) Bromsgrove, Mon 9 Jan UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS (tbc) ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE (15) Comedy. Starring Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley. Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 9 Jan LIFE, ANIMATED (PG) Events Documentary/Drama. Starring Jonathan Freeman, Gilbert Gottfried. mac, Birmingham, Mon 9 - Tues 10 PERFORMANCE CAR SHOW Featuring Jan iconic brands like Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin and DAVID BOWIE IS - ENCORE SCREENING Fizzogs: Suck It And See Porsche, the show is the ultimate (PG) Documentary. Artrix, destination for performance car afi- Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs 12 - Sat 14 January; Rose Bromsgrove, Tues 10 Jan cionados, Thurs 12 - Sun 15 Jan, Theatre, Kidderminster, Sat 4 February; Theatre On The Steps, CHI-RAQ (15) Crime/Drama. Starring NEC, Birmingham Bridgnorth, Thurs 9 - Sat 11 February; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Nick Cannon, Teyonah Parris. mac, Sat 18 February; The Place, Oakengates, Shropshire, Fri 10 March JACOB SHEEP WALK & TALK Join the Birmingham, Tues 10 - Thurs 12 Jan ranger to meet Jacob Sheep and find Award-winning Midlands theatre company Fizzog Productions make THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS (12a) out a little more about these woolly a welcome return to the stage. Their latest show features all-new Drama/Romance. Starring Michael friends, Fri 13 Jan, Charlecote Park, material and a cast of colourful comedy characters, including Mags Fassbender, Alicia Vikander. Artrix, Warwick and Barb, Wayne Kerr, The Kids and Mr & Mrs Cadabra. Bromsgrove, Thurs 12 - Fri 13 Jan BACKSTAGE TOUR: MEET THE SNOWMAN Comprising Sue Hawkins, Jacky Fellows, Deb Nicholls and guest per- A STREETCAT NAMED BOB (12a) Meet The Snowman on stage and formers - on this particular occasion, Black Country comedian Jonny Biography/Comedy. Starring Bob the have your photo taken with him Cat, Luke Treadaway. Wem Town before enjoying a behind-the-scenes Cole - the company is best known for stage productions 50 Shades Of Hall, Tues 10 & Thurs 12 Jan; mac, guided tour. Visit some of the areas Fizzog and Freezin’, and for its creation of internet sensations The Birmingham, Fri 13 - Sat 14 Jan of the theatre usually closed to the Dancing Grannies. LA LA LAND (12a) Comedy/Musical. public and join in with special activi- Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone. ties, Sat 14 Jan, The REP, Electric Cinema, Birmingham, from Birmingham Fri 13 Jan; Light House Media AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL A must- Centre, Wolverhampton, Fri 13 - Sun see event for motorsport fans and 15 Jan; Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, performance car aficionados, Sat 14 Fri 13 - Sun 15 Jan - Sun 15 Jan, NEC, Birmingham REBECCA (PG) Drama/Film-Noir. PROGRESS WRESTLING - CHAPTER 42 Starring Laurence Olivier, Joan Sun 15 Jan, O2 Academy, Fontaine. Screening will be preceded Birmingham by a forty minute lecture from MUSIC MAZE Creative, participatory Professor Linda Williams. Electric workshops for children aged eight to Cinema, Birmingham, Sat 14 Jan 11 inclusive, Sun 15 Jan, CBSO BLUE VELVET (18) Mystery/Thriller. Centre, Birmingham Starring Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper. mac, Birmingham, Sun 15 Jan

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thelist Monday 16 - Sunday 22 January CLUB CLASSICS - LIVE! STONES Fri 20 - Sat Gigs Thurs 19 Jan, The 21 Jan, Artrix, Classical Music Comedy Gigs Jam House, B’ham Bromsgrove THE BLUE AEROPLANES KING CREOSOTE Sat 21 MC HANSEN AND LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT - THOMAS TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 16 Jan, Thurs 19 Jan, Hare & Jan, Symphony Hall, CARLY DOW Mon 16 TROTTER Programme includes works The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham Jan, Kitchen Garden by J.S Bach, Handel, Gounod, Widor JETHRO Mon 16 Jan, Wolverhampton UNFATHOMABLE THE SENSATIONAL Cafe, Birmingham & E. Bonnal, Mon 16 Jan, Grand Theatre RUINATION, THE FRANCIS DUNNERY HALFNOISE Mon 16 Birmingham Town Hall ATROCITY EXHIBIT & BAND Sat 21 Jan, STEPHEN K AMOS Thurs 19 Jan, Jan, O2 Academy, BERGEN PHILHARMONIC FEAT. EDWARD SPAWNED FROM HATE The Slade Rooms, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester Birmingham GARDNER Programme includes works Thurs 19 Jan, The Wolverhampton PAUL SINHA, LARRY DEAN & BARRY POSITIVELY FOURTH by Grieg, Elgar & Walton, Tues 17 Flapper, Birmingham THE BUSBY BABES Sat DODDS Thurs 19 Jan, The Bramall, STREET Tues 17 Jan, Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham TOMMY EMMANUEL Fri 21 Jan, The Robin, Birmingham Kitchen Garden Cafe, 20 Jan, Birmingham Bilston Birmingham GLENN WOOL, MIKE GUNN & COMEDY Town Hall FALLEN Sat 21 Jan, CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs ANA POPOVIC AND HER THE PRETTY RECKLESS The Roadhouse, 19 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham BAND Tues 17 Jan, Fri 20 Jan, O2 Birmingham The Robin, Bilston RH COMEDY WITH LAURA MONMOTH Institute, Birmingham THE WHITE BUFFALO Thurs 19 Jan, The Roadhouse, BUTTERNUT Tues 17 ENCHANTE Fri 20 Jan, Sat 21 Jan, O2 Birmingham Jan, The Jam House, Lichfield Guildhall, Institute, Birmingham Birmingham JACK WHITEHALL Thurs 19 - Fri 20 Jan, Staffordshire ALIVE AND BREL Sat Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent SARAH GAIL BRAND THE SUPERSKAS Fri 20 21 Jan, Crescent Tues 17 Jan, Mac, GLENN WOOL, JARLATH REGAN, TOM Jan, The Robin, Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham ALLEN & MIKE GUNN Fri 20 - Sat 21 Jan, Bilston BOLLYWOOD BRASS The Glee Club, Birmingham THE BOOGIE BAPTISTES TRUE GOLD - SPANDAU BAND Sat 21 Jan, Wed 18 Jan, The Jam COMEDY IN THE MET Sat 21 Jan, BALLET TRIBUTE Fri 20 mac, Birmingham House, Birmingham Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Jan, The Roadhouse, REAL TO REEL - DINOSAUR Wed 18 DUNCAN OAKLEY, STEVE DAY, JAMES Birmingham MARILLION TRIBUTE Jan, Hare & Hounds, DOWDESWELL & JAY HANDLEY Sat 21 SHOWADDYWADDY Fri Sat 21 Jan, Route 44, Birmingham Jan, Religion, Wolverhampton 20 Jan, Bedworth Birmingham BETH ROWLEY Wed 18 RHYS JAMES, THE RAYMOND & MR Civic Hall BLACK DYKE BAND Sun Jan, The Glee Club, TIMPKINS REVUE & COMIC TBC Sat 21 FROM THE JAM Fri 20 22 Jan, Symphony Birmingham Jan, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Jan, The Copper Hall, Birmingham SNFU Wed 18 Jan, O2 CELIA CRAIG OBOE RECITAL Rooms, Coventry STRAY Sun 22 Jan, Academy, B’ham Programme comprises Poulenc’s FR3 SPIRIT PRESENTS The Robin, Bilston Sonata, followed by public master- JAMIE FLANAGAN AS SUBLIME MUSIC Fri 20 GIRL BAND Sun 22 class at 5.45pm, Tues 17 Jan, Recital MICHAEL BUBLÉ Wed Jan, Hare & Hounds, Jan, Hare & Hounds, Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire 18 Jan, The Robin, Theatre Birmingham Birmingham Bilston CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY GO WEST Fri 20 Jan, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE ORCHESTRA Featuring Vassily SARA COLMAN Wed 18 BACKSTAGE IN BISCUIT LAND Jess Thom Prince Of Wales PLAN Sun 22 Jan, O2 Sinaisky (conductor) & Benjamin Jan, Symphony Hall, intertwines comedy, puppetry, singing Theatre, Cannock Institute, Birmingham Beilman (violin). Programme Birmingham and incredible tics to explore spon- LOS PACAMINOS FEAT THE HUNNA Mon 23 includes works by Tchaikovsky, taneity, creativity, disability, and things OH WHAT A NIGHT: PAUL YOUNG Fri 20 Jan, O2 Institute, Prokofiev & Dvorak, Wed 18 - Sat 21 you never knew could make you JERSEY BOYS TRIBUTE Jan, The River Birmingham Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham laugh. No two shows can ever be the Thurs 19 Jan, Artrix, Rooms, Stourbridge same, Tues 17 - Sat 21 Jan, The REP, GLENN HUGHES Mon DIE FLEDERMAUS Presented by Opera Bromsgrove Birmingham FRED ZEPPELIN Fri 20 23 Jan, The Robin, Warwick, Thurs 19 - Sat 21 Jan, THE PITMEN POETS Jan, Route 44, Bilston Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Thurs 19 Jan, The Birmingham BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE WIND & Core Theatre, Solihull THE CARRIVICK SOLID SOUL Fri 20 - SISTERS Mon 23 Jan, BRASS ENSEMBLES: EASTERN PROMISE AYNSLEY LISTER BAND Sat 21 Jan, The Jam Kitchen Garden Cafe, Featuring Chun-Chieh Yen (cello) & Thurs 19 Jan, The House, B’ham Birmingham Craig Hughes (euphonium). Robin, Bilston THE COUNTERFEIT Programme includes works by Janacek, Ricardo Lorenz, Seiber & Gulda, Fri 20 Jan, CBSO Centre, Birmingham CHINESE NEW YEAR CONCERT Featuring Di Xiao (piano), Jiaxin Lloyd Webber (cello) & Eleanor Turner (harp), Fri 20 Jan, The CATHY Cardboard Citizens present a Bramall, Birmingham powerful and emotive Forum Theatre BIRMINGHAM HARP DAY An exhilarat- show exploring the way in which Ken ing and inspiring day packed full of Loach’s 1966 film, Cathy Come Home, harp performances and workshops still resonates today Thurs 19 - Fri 20 for all ages and abilities, Sat 21 Jan, Jan, mac, Birmingham The Bramall, Birmingham University THELMA One-woman show exploring SWEENEY TODD IN CONCERT Featuring the power of idolisation and isolation Amy Churchman (director) & Geddy within a grandmother/mother/daughter Stringer (Musical Director), Sat 21 relationship, Fri 20 Jan, Artrix, Jan, The Barber Institute, Bromsgrove Birmingham SONGS FOR A NEW YEAR Join the Old BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC Joint Stock Musical Theatre Company ORCHESTRA Featuring Richard Laing for an intimate concert featuring the (conductor) & Richard Jenkinson music of composer Jason Robert (cello). Programme includes works Brown, Fri 20 - Sat 21 Jan, by Korngold, Herrmann, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Shostakovich & Arnold, Sun 22 Jan, The Carrivick Sisters - The Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham The Bramall, Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List 16 - 22 January - Birmingham ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 14:20 Page 3

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Monday 16 - Sunday 22 January

thelist Starring Carol White, Adrienne Frame. mac, Birmingham, Tues 17 Dance Jan LA LA LAND (12a) Comedy/Musical. ROMEO & JULIET Ballet UK’s innova- Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone. tive recreation of the world’s great- mac, Birmingham, Fri 20 - Sun 22 est love story, Thurs 19 Jan, Jan Crescent Theatre, Birmingham THE BLACK HEN (12a) Drama. Starring Khadka Raj Nepali, Sukra Raj Rokaya. Foreign language, subtitled. mac, Birmingham, Sat 21 Jan Talks AN EVENING WITH NADIYA HUSSAIN NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: The British Bake Off winner talks Released from Fri 20 Jan, showing at about her debut book The Secret selected cinemas Lives Of The Amir Sisters which is available to buy from 12 January, xXx 3: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE Mon 16 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall (tbc) JACKIE (15) LION (tbc) SPLIT (15) Arenacross Genting Arena, Birmingham, Sat 21 January An absolute must for extreme sports fans, the 2017 Arenacross Tour brings indoors all the spectacular elements of Motorcross for a ‘non- Events stop white-knuckle ride’. Set to a pumping soundtrack and laser show, the event sees some of CRAFTPLAY EXPLORERS Regular stay- the world’s top freestylers taking to the track to present what organ- and-play groups to discover, play isers describe as ‘some truly awe-inspiring entertainment’. The show and create with your child. For chil- also features racing gladiators from as young as seven taking to the dren up to the age of five, Tues 17 Jan, Bilston Craft Gallery, circuit in search of Arenacross glory... Wolverhampton THE LIVE TOUR Fri 20 - Sun 22 Jan, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham SPARK YOUNG WRITERS GROUP A monthly writing group for young peo- Film ple who are interested in creative writing, from poems to plays and INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: editing to dialogue, Sat 21 Jan, The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon THE MONSTER ENERGY ARENACROSS HALF WAY (15) Documentary. Directed TOUR Sat 21 Jan, Genting Arena, by Daisy-May Hudson. mac, Birmingham Birmingham, Mon 16 - Tues 17 Jan CRAFTPLAY SATURDAY FAMILY STAY AND SNOWDON (PG) Biography/Drama. PLAYS Create, explore and play along Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, with your child, using unusual materi- Shailene Woodley. mac, Birmingham, als. For children up to the age of Mon 16 - Thurs 19 Jan seven, Sat 21 Jan, Bilston Craft A STREETCAT NAMED BOB (12a) Gallery, Wolverhampton Biography/Comedy. Starring Bob the ASIAN BRIDE LIVE The bridal show Cat, Luke Treadaway. Artrix, makes a welcome return to Bromsgrove, Mon 16 - Wed 18 Jan & Birmingham, Sat 21 - Sun 22 Jan, Fri 20 Jan NEC, Birmingham CATHY COME HOME (PG) Drama.

Ballet UK’s Romeo & Juliet - Crescent Theatre, Birmingham

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thelist Monday 23 - Tuesday 31 January Classical Music Comedy Gigs

BRASS FACULTY RECITAL Featuring OMID DJALILI Tues 24 Jan, Theatre Alan Thomas (trumpet), Chris Severn, Shrewsbury Houlding (trombone) & Joanne FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 25 Jan, The Sealey (piano), Tues 24 Jan, Recital Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire RUBY WAX Thurs 26 Jan, Palace CBSO: HANDEL’S SEMELE Featuring Theatre, Redditch Richard Egarr (conductor), Mhairi Lawson (Semele); Louise Alder (Iris) TIFF STEVENSON Thurs 26 Jan, mac, & Tim Mead (Athamas). Wed 25 Jan, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 26 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham Martha Wainwright - Birmingham Town Hall RUTH GRAHAM Fri 27 Jan, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Thurs 26 Jan, The Jan, The Robin, JIMMY MCGHIE, ED GAMBLE, MARLON Gigs Roadhouse, B’ham Bilston DAVIS & COMIC TBC Fri 27 Jan, The THE BEE GEES STORY - THE SENSATIONAL 60'S Glee Club, Birmingham NIGHTS ON BROADWAY EXPERIENCE Sat 28 LIL' JIMMY REED BAND ELLIE TAYLOR, BEN NORRIS & PHIL ELLIS Fri 27 Jan, Jan, Wolverhampton Tues 24 Jan, The Sat 28 Jan, The Comedy Loft, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Robin, Bilston Birmingham Grand Theatre JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR TWO DOOR CINEMA CBSO BAROQUE ENSEMBLE JIMMY MCGHIE, MARLON DAVIS, ED LEGEND - LEGENDS OF Sat 28 Jan, CLUB Tues 24 Jan, O2 Programme includes works by GAMBLE & COMIC TBC Sat 28 Jan, The ROCK Fri 27 Jan, Birmingham Town Academy, B’ham Handel, Pepusch, Cervetto, JC Bach Glee Club, Birmingham The River Rooms, Hall & Loeillet, Thurs 26 Jan, CBSO THE HOTELIER Tues 24 Stourbridge SABBOTAGE - BLACK Centre, Birmingham Jan, The Rainbow SSEX PISTOLSS Fri 27 SABBATH TRIBUTE Sat Venues, Birmingham ST PETERSBURG PHILHARMONIC Jan, Route 44, B’ham 28 Jan, Route 44, PERFORMS PROKOFIEV Featuring Yuri HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE SKINNER & Birmingham Temirkanov (conductor) & Nikolai SYMON WITH LEE Theatre MURKAGE PRESENT THE UB40 EXPERIENCE Lugansky (piano). Programme BENSON Tues 24 Jan, TONGA Fri 27 Jan Sat 28 Jan, The includes works by Rimsky-Korsakov THE PSYCHIC PROJECT A mind-reading The Jam House, Hare & Hounds, Roadhouse, B’ham & Prokofiev, Thurs 26 Jan, show based on the true story of the Birmingham Birmingham PLAYAZ BIRMINGHAM Symphony Hall, Birmingham Cold War’s psychic spies, Thurs 26 PROPER ORNAMENTS SOMEONE LIKE YOU - Sat 28 Jan, The KENNETH HAMILTON LECTURE RECITAL: Jan, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Tues 24 Jan, Hare & Birmingham THE ADELE SONGBOOK Rainbow Venues, ON TOUR WITH LISZT Programme Hounds, Birmingham Fri 27 Jan, New Birmingham includes works by Chopin, Liszt, EUROHOUSE Two performers - one ERIC SARDINAS & BIG Alexandra Theatre, JOJO Sat 28 Jan, O2 Thalberg, Pixis, Herz & Czerny, Fri Greek, one French - dance and shout, MOTOR Wed 25 Jan, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham 27 Jan, The Barber Institute, cry and sing, agree and disagree, The Robin, Bilston Birmingham about life in the Eurohouse. A darkly THE KING BLUES Fri 27 THE QUIREBOYS Sun A DAY TO REMEMBER comic look at the EU's founding ideals Jan, The Asylum, 29 Jan, The Robin, JUNIOR CONSERVATOIRE ORCHESTRAL Wed 25 Jan, and what got lost along the way, Thurs Birmingham Bilston CONCERT Featuring Daniele Rosina, Barclaycard Arena, 26 - Sat 28 Jan, The REP, Birmingham STANLEY DEE - STEELY Jeffrey Snowdon & Timothy English Birmingham THE DELRAY ROCKETS (conductors). Programme includes LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER New staging DAN TRIBUTE Fri 27 Sun 29 Jan, The THE SYD LAWRENCE works by Saint-Saens & Dvorak, Sat of DH Lawrence's most famous novel, Jan, The Roadhouse, Actress & Bishop, ORCHESTRA Wed 25 28 Jan, Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall Thurs 26 Jan - Fri 3 Feb, Birmingham Birmingham Jan, The Core Music Building, University of The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham VEX RED Fri 27 Jan, Theatre, Solihull MEXRRISSEY - MEXICO Birmingham LOVE New play by Alexander Zeldin, O2 Academy, GOES MORRISSEY Sun DECLAN MCKENNA CBSO: BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH Featuring written through a devising process in Birmingham 29 Jan, Birmingham Wed 25 Jan, Hare & Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla (conductor) & which the audience are invited to bear ATOMIC ROOSTER & Town Hall Hounds, Birmingham Francesco Piemontesi (piano). witness to an intimate story of family SNAFU Fri 27 Jan, The THE GLEN MILLER Programme includes works by love, Thurs 26 Jan - Sat 11 Feb, The EXMAGICIAN Wed 25 Robin, Bilston ORCHESTRA Sun 29 Haydn, Mozart & Beethoven, Sun 29 REP, Birmingham Jan, The Sunflower EMULSION FESTIVAL Jan, The Grand Jan - Thurs 2 Feb, Symphony Hall, Lounge, Birmingham WHAT'S IN A NAME? Premiere of Jeremy Fri 27 Jan, mac, Theatre, Birmingham Sams' adaptation of the French film HEATWAVE Wed 25 Birmingham Wolverhampton and stage sensation, Le Prenom. Jan, The Jam House, MILES HUNT - THE THE BLACKHEART Starring Nigel Harman and Sarah Birmingham WONDER STUFF Fri 27 ORCHESTRA Sun 29 Hadland, Fri 27 Jan - Sat 11 Feb, The OATHBREAKER Wed 25 Jan, The Slade Jan, Kitchen Garden REP, Birmingham Jan, The Flapper, Rooms, Cafe, Birmingham AND THERE WAS WAR Biblical narrative Birmingham Wolverhampton TYKETTO 25TH deeply entrenched in the concepts of KING PLEASURE AND SHAKE THE BASS Fri ANNIVERSARY TOUR the immense controversy between THE BISCUIT BOYS 27 Jan, O2 Institute, Mon 30 Jan, The good and evil, Sat 28 Jan, The Thurs 26 Jan, The Birmingham Robin, Bilston Hall Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Robin, Bilston DETROIT SOUL Fri 27 - THE HEAD AND THE THE SINGULAR EXPLOITS OF SHERLOCK THE BOWIE HOLMES Don’t Go Into The Cellar Sat 28 Jan, The Jam HEART Mon 30 Jan, LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT - THOMAS EXPERIENCE Thurs 26 Theatre Company present the story of House, B’ham O2 Institute, B’ham TROTTER Programme includes works Jan, New Alexandra the greatest fictional sleuth of all time. THE CARPENTERS MARTHA WAINWRIGHT by C.M Widor, J.S Bach, Mozart, L. Theatre, Birmingham A ‘high-energy’ one-man show featur- STORY Sat 28 Jan, Mon 30 Jan, Anderson, W. Russell & G. Bizet, ing a plethora of dashing heroes, vil- DEL CAMINO Thurs 26 New Alexandra Birmingham Town Mon 30 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall Jan, The Jam House, lainous rogues and vintage thrills, Sat Theatre, Birmingham Hall FUMIKO MIYACHI PIANO RECITAL Birmingham 28 Jan, Newhampton Arts Centre, KILLERSTREAM Sat 28 DARLINGSIDE Tues 31 Programme includes new works by Wolverhampton HOME FREE Thurs 26 Jan, The River Jan, The Glee Club, Peter Bell, Rob Crehan, Patrick Ellis, FRANKENSTEIN The Crescent Theatre Jan, O2 Academy, Rooms, Stourbridge Birmingham Robin Morton & Roche van Tiddens, Company presents a staging of Mary Birmingham Tues 31 Jan, Recital Hall, BOOTLEG ABBA & BEE Shelley’s thrilling and deeply disturb- Birmingham Conservatoire FOLK & ROOTS CLUB GEES FEVER Sat 28 ing gothic tale, Sat 28 & Tues 31 Jan,

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Monday 23 - Tuesday 31 January

theThe Crescent Theatre,list Birmingham new leading lady and a 14 piece Atsuko Tanaka, Iemasa Kayumi. LITTLE HOWARD AND THE MAGIC PENCIL band and singers live on stage. Talks Foreign language, subtitled. Electric OF LIFE AND DEATH Family comedy Thurs 26 Jan, Wolverhampton Cinema, Birmingham, Wed 25 Jan show, as seen on CBBC's The Grand Theatre ARRIVAL (12a) Mystery/Sci-Fi . Slammer and ITV's Comedy Cuts. ANTON & ERIN... SWING TIME Brand TOM KERRIDGE’S DOPAMINE DIET One Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner. Suitable for children aged five-plus... new show from the nation's of the UK’s top chefs shares how Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 27 & Mon 30 Sun 29 Jan, mac, Birmingham favourite ballroom couple, Sat 28 his ground-breaking diet worked for Jan MARY SHELLEY The Crescent Theatre Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham him, and how it can be used to MANCHESTER BY THE SEA (15) Drama. Company presents Helen TEN Ace dance use choreography transform health, Mon 23 Jan, Starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Edmundson’s compelling drama to explore humanity’s urge to reach Birmingham Town Hall Williams. mac, Birmingham, Fri 27 - about the early life of one of the Tues 31 Jan for the power of 10 - the universal DEAN STRANG AND JERRY BUTING An world’s most famous writers of gothic symbol of completion, Fri 27 Jan, evening of conversation with two PADDINGTON (PG) Comedy/Family. fiction, Sun 29 Jan - Sat 11 Feb, The Lichfield Garrick compelling figures who featured in Starring Hugh Bonneville, Julie Crescent Theatre, Birmingham SONIA SABRI COMPANY: AKAAR the Netflix docuseries Making A Walters. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 28 THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW Jan Birmingham-based Sonia Sabri Murderer, Tues 24 Jan, Birmingham A menagerie of 75 lovable puppets Company here showcase the tal- Town Hall faithfully adapt four of Eric Carle’s ents of guest artists from across the stories for children, Mon 30 - Tues 31 Jan, New Alexandra Theatre, B’ham region, together with students from local groups and communities who ALYSIA HARRIS & SPECIAL GUESTS An have been nurtured through the evening of 'mindblowing poetry & live company's dedicated teaching, Sat Film music', Tues 31 Jan, The REP, 28 Jan, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: SCATTERED Motionhouse Dance Theatre fuse physical dance the- atre, mesmerising aerial imagery LA LA LAND (12a) Comedy/Musical. and film graphics to explore our Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone. Dance relationship with water in all its Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Mon 23 forms, Tues 31 Jan - Fri 3 Feb - Thurs 26 Jan; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon 23 - Thurs 26 Jan; The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham STORKS (U) Animation/Adventure. : ALL NIGHT LONG A mac, Birmingham, Mon 23 - Tues 31 With the voices of Andy Samberg, brand new show for 2017, Brendan Jan hosts another spectacular produc- Jennifer Aniston. mac, Birmingham, GHOST IN THE SHELL (12a) tion featuring his guest dancers, a Sat 28 Jan Animation/Action. With the voices of

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