list AUTOSPORT FUN AUTOSPORT extravaganza four-wheel drives into the NEC the inside: Your 16-page week week 16-page Your by week listings guide listings week by Stafford venue classic at Lichfield Garrick FRANKENSTEIN DUNCAN OAKLEY DUNCAN brings a bagful of gags to Mary Shelley’s gothic horror

OUT ON TOUR

JACK WHITEHALL ISSUE 373 JANUARY 2017 staffordshirewhatson.co.uk s On ’ FILM FILM I I COMEDY I I GIGS THEATRE IARTS VISUAL I EVENTS FOOD Staffordshire

Your FREE essential Your entertainment guide for the Midlands What Staffordshire Cover January 2017.qxp_Staffordshire Cover 16/12/2016 12:18 Page 1 Page 12:18 16/12/2016 Cover 2017.qxp_Staffordshire January Cover Staffordshire STAFFORDSHIRE WHAT’S ON JANUARY 2017 PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS TWITTER @WHATSONSTAFFS STAFFORDSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK Moscow State Circus-January '17.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 11:41 Page 1 Contents January Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 14:01 Page 2

January 2017

Contents

Evita - Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical on stage at the Regent page 28

Brendan Cole Kaiser Chiefs Wolves Lit Fest the list

Strictly regular prepares to talk about bringing their Stay makes its debut with a packed Your 16-page dance All Night Long Together tour to the Midlands three-day programme week-by-week listings guide Interview page 8 Interview page 14 page 47 page 51

inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 12. Music 24. Comedy 28. Theatre 41. Film 44. Visual Arts 47. Events

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

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First Word

Stellar line-up announced for Shrewsbury’s folk festival Shrewsbury Folk Festival is this year celebrating its 20th anniver- sary with a stellar line-up of stars. Loudon Wainwright III, Eric Bibb (pictured), former Bellowhead frontman Jon Boden, The Unthanks, Oysterband, The Young'uns, Le Vent Du Nord and Seth Lakeman will be among the headliners performing at the popular event, which takes place at the town’s West Midlands Showground from Friday 25 to Monday 28 August. The festival also features four music stages, a dance tent, more than 100 workshops, dedicated children and youth programmes, a craft fair, real ale, wine and cocktail bars, and a food village. Commenting on this year’s event, Festival Director Alan Surtees said: “We’re very excited to have secured some great musicians for 2017 at this very early stage. Last year was a vintage year, but with an already strong line-up and our ongoing commitment to extremely high production values, we’re pretty sure that 2017 will top it. The feedback we had from last year was phenomenal from visitors and artists alike. The BBC 6 Music and Radio Two presenter Mark Radcliffe described it as ‘a little bit of heaven’, and that sums it up.” For more information, visit shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk

New season of concerts Midlands dance company Midlands actress Julie from Lichfield Arts to premiere new work becomes ambassador for Birmingham air ambulance charity Repertory Theatre Birmingham-born actress Julie Walters has will host the world become an ambassador for the Midlands Air premiere of a Ambulance Charity, on the occasion of its brand new dance 25th anniversary. work in March. Since its inception in 1991, the air ambulance MK Ultra is the lat- has airlifted and helped save over 46,000 est offering from lives. highly rated local The charity covers a population in excess of ensemble Rosie six million, across the counties of Kay Dance Company. The piece has been Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, inspired by ‘the bizarre realm of pop culture, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and the West mind-control conspiracies and Illuminati Midlands. imagery’. Commenting on the show, the company’s artistic director, Rosie Kay, said: “MK Ultra is Lichfield Arts has announced a mouthwater- the result of three years of intense research ing programme of concerts for its which has taken me through the world of winter/spring season. surveillance, state police, torture and brain- Internationally recognised names such as washing, through to pop culture, main- Martin Carthy, Martin Taylor, Laurence stream media and celebrity breakdowns, all Jones, Nancy Kerr (pictured above), The Jive the way back to politics and a comment on Aces and Craobh Rua all feature, as do per- the post-culturism state we are in now. formers who scored a big hit with audiences “At a time when everything is fake, or at least at 2016’s Fuse Festival, including Little we don’t trust what’s real anymore, MK Ultra Brother Eli and The Jar Family. looks at what this world really feels like and The concerts take place at the Lichfield what effect it is having on us, whether we Guildhall. know it or not.” Tickets and details for all events are avail- The show can be enjoyed at The REP on able online at lichfieldarts.org.uk or from Friday 17 & Saturday 18 March. For tickets, Lichfield Arts box office on 01543 262223. ring 0121 236 4455 or visit birmingham- See Lichfield Arts on Facebook and Twitter rep.co.uk for the latest updates.

4 whatsonlive.co.uk FIRST WORD January shropshire.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 14:02 Page 2

Entertainment news from around the region

Mountain film festival returns to the Midlands ‘The world’s most prestigious moun- tain film festival’ is once again visit- ing the Midlands this year. Presenting evenings of adventure movies at the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre (1 February and 29 March) and Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury (6 April), the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is sure to prove a big hit with thrill-seeking adven- turers. Commenting on this year’s event, tour coordinator Rosie Fuller said: “Viewers can expect high-adrena- line action sports, epic scenery, mind-blowing journeys and some hair-raising moments in the last wild corners of the planet!” For more information, visit banff- uk.com . Shropshire funnyman to headline new comedy festival X Factor favourite Shrewsbury will host its first ever international comedy festival this summer, with Shropshire- at the Racecourse born funnyman and Inbetweeners star Greg Davies headlining the event. The three-day laugh-in, taking place from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 July, features 15 hour-long per- Midlands-based fans of Olly Murs formances in four town-centre venues. can catch up with the singer at Commenting on the event, its co-founder, Kevin Bland, said: “Securing someone of Greg Davies’ Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground this summer, when he appears at the calibre for our inaugural festival is fantastic. Before all the TV and film success, he was the best venue as part of a series of outdoor compere in the business, and we’re really excited he’s agreed to perform. We will be announcing shows. the other acts in the coming weeks, but we can start by saying that the brilliant Joe Lycett will join One-time X Factor star Olly will play Greg in the gala show line-up. 20 UK gigs during the period from “Shrewsbury has a great tradition of hosting festivals. We have one for everything, from beer to early June to mid-August. flowers, food to comics and street theatre to folk music, so it’s time for some comedy too!” The shows will follow on from his spring arena tour. He performs at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday 24 June. For more information, visit olly- Anniversary programme at murs.com. Jack set for a Wolverhampton Ironbridge Gorge Museums Christmas What A Feeling - The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust will be hosting a programme The Wolverhampton Grand of special events and activities in 2017 to mark its 50th anniver- Flashdance tours Theatre’s 2016/17 pan- sary. to the Midlands tomime production of The Trust runs the Shropshire World Heritage Site’s 10 award-win- Aladdin may still be in full ning attractions, including Blists Hill Victorian Town, Enginuity, The stage musical version of hit Broseley Pipeworks, the Coalport China and Jackfield Tile 1980s movie Flashdance is set to swing, but that hasn’t Museums and the tar tunnel. tour the UK for the first time in six stopped the popular venue years, stopping off at Stoke-on- from announcing its panto Included in the line-up of special events taking place at the popu- Trent’s Regent Theatre in the offering for next Christmas. lar visitor attraction over the next few months is the reopening of autumn and Birmingham’s New Opening on Saturday 9 the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, which is being totally refur- Alexandra Theatre in early December, Jack And The bished over the winter in time for Easter. The redeveloped muse- December. um will feature numer- Featuring Oscar-winning title track Beanstalk promises to be a ous interactive games What A Feeling, the show tells the real giant of a festive show story of an 18-year-old welder who and runs until Sunday 14 and puzzles, a family- finds her dream of becoming a pro- January 2018. friendly trail and a ‘digi- fessional dancer complicated by a An ‘all-star cast’ will be tal table’, providing burgeoning romance. announced soon. youngsters with the The show visits the Regent from opportunity to view Monday 25 to Saturday 30 Tickets for the production dozens of historic September and the New Alex from are now available and can Monday 4 to Saturday 9 December. be booked in person, by images. For more information, visit flash- phone on 01902 429212 or For further information, danceuktour.co.uk online at call 01952 433 424 or grandtheatre.co.uk. visit ironbridge.org.uk.

whatsonlive.co.uk 5 FIRST WORD January shropshire.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 14:02 Page 3

First Word

Gangsta Granny needs House! Bingo young dance star hall to get much- Birmingham Stage Company is looking needed facelift for a dancer to play the character of A dilapidated former bingo Diane when its touring production of hall in the Black Country is David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny visits set to receive a facelift. the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from The Dudley Hippodrome was Wednesday 22 to Sunday 26 March. originally opened as a theatre Applicants must be above compulsory in 1938 and was then used as school age and fit the look of the char- a bingo hall from 1964 until acter’s description - Diane is 11 years its closure in 2009. The coun- old and around 5'4'' in height. cil bought the building in The character has a small solo disco 2010 and has agreed to lease dance in the middle of the show and is it to newly formed steering part of the finale dance. group Black Country The production is two hours and 15 Hippodrome Ltd for a period minutes in length. of five years. For more information about how to Commenting on the agree- apply, visit the news section of ment, steering group board grandtheatre.co.uk. member Steve Daniels said: All submissions must be received by “We’re delighted to have Monday 16 January. signed the lease, and it’s the first big step in our plans to restore this local landmark to its former glory. There are big Name a penguin Last call for help to illuminate Light House challenges ahead, and we’re confident that we will meet at Dudley Zoo Wolverhampton’s Light House Cinema & Café/Bar is hoping to raise them. We’ve worked well in £10,000 on Crowd Funder to pay for illuminated signage on the outside partnership with the council Dudley Zoo is offering mem- of the building. and hope that this continues bers of the general public The Black Country's only independent cinema and mixed-arts venue, the until we achieve our goal.” the chance to adopt and Light House is based in the city’s historic Victorian Chubb Buildings. name a penguin. “It seems such a simple thing,” says the Light House’s chief executive The popular visitor attrac- officer, Kelly Jeffs, “a sign on a building to let everyone around know you tion boasts a colony of 85 exist. Sadly, it's an issue we’ve had to keep putting on the back burner History of panto penguins, 40 of which are due to constant financial challenges, especially recently in light of the celebrated in currently known only by an austerity measures that we and many other arts organisations across the identification number. UK have had to endure. So please help by Wolverhampton “With so many names to donating to us through Crowd Funder, and Wolverhampton’s Light House think of, we decided to let let's get this building lit up!” Media Centre is this month visitors have the job,” says The project is using Flexible funding and will hosting an exhibition cele- the zoo’s marketing manag- receive all pledges made by 2.02pm on 6 brating the history of pan- er, Andrea Hales. “We’re January. Payment and personal details are tomime in the city. offering a limited number of protected. The exhibition has been penguin adoption packages mounted to coincide with the where adopters can name Grand Theatre’s production of their animal themselves - Birmingham’s gay symphony orchestra in Aladdin and is available to which makes it extra spe- view until Sunday 22 January. cial. We’ll then add the cho- Proms team-up with Miss Moneypenny’s Highlights include a patch- sen name to the penguin’s A local gay orchestra will this autumn join forces with a legendary club work magic carpet pieced official records, which will brand to present a unique event in Birmingham. together as part of a commu- remain with it for its entire The 60-piece Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra will perform at the nity project, a rail of cos- lifetime.” city’s Symphony Hall to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of dance tumes for children to try on, a The special adoption pack- music scene favourite Miss Moneypenny’s. The popular club night is display of archive pro- ages start from £50 and renowned for its energetic brand of house music mixed with creative grammes, and walls of infor- include a certificate, an ani- themes, dancers, theatrical artistes and live performers. mation dedicated to memo- mal fact sheet and photo, Commenting on the event, Miss Moneypenny’s musical director, Jim rable moments and perform- the quarterly ZooNooz Ryan, said: “When we started planning Miss Moneypenny’s return to ers from across the years. newsletter and a zoo admis- Birmingham, we knew we had to come up with something spectacular. sion ticket. Interpreting the sound of Miss Moneypenny’s with an orchestra is some- To adopt and name a pen- thing we’re very excited about. To be working with the brilliant guin, visit dudleyzoo.org.uk Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra is truly inspiring.” or call 01384 215313. Miss Moneypenny’s A Night At The Proms takes place at Symphony Hall on Friday 24 November.

6 whatsonlive.co.uk FIRST WORD January shropshire.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 14:02 Page 4 Brendan Cole DPS.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 13:10 Page 1

FEATURE

Brendan Cole Strictly regular prepares to dance All Night Long in the Midlands

He's been a TV star both in New Zealand something immensely satisfying about this As much as anything, then, it's the cast and the UK, become a proud family man, process, resulting in a greater sense of that makes the show, and Cole has and he's just finished his 14th season of pride in the finished product. assembled a hugely talented team to help BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing - now realise his ideas on stage. “We started working on ideas for this show Brendan Cole is preparing to get back on while I was still touring my last production “We've got a really dynamic cast. the road with his latest live solo - I was already discussing potential songs Everyone's got something a little bit spectacular, All Night Long. In between with my musical director and my singers, unique about them, and they all bring tour arrangements, rehearsals and general and as the things start building, it's something different. You always want to dad duties, the ever-busy Brendan found incredibly exciting. Of course every stage be inspired by your contemporaries - you time for a quick chat with us about his has its challenges, but as an artist it's want to be pushed by what they do and to forthcoming show, stopping off at the fantastic to be able to have something push them with what you do. Also, if I Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and that's your own on the road.” have to run off for a costume change, I Birmingham’s Symphony Hall in early 2017. want whoever I leave out there to be able Putting together a show from scratch “I just got a message through about 10 to hold that stage and be amazing. naturally gives him a much greater level of minutes before we spoke saying that an creative control than he would typically “When my leading lady, Faye extra day of rehearsals has just been added have as a dancer in another production. [Huddleston], first came in for casting, for one of the dances, and it's constantly Nevertheless, every stage show is to some straight away I thought, 'Wow, what a like, 'Oh my goodness, how am I going to extent a collaboration, and Cole is happy presence that girl's got!' And when we fit this in?' There are so many things that to give credit where it's due. started dancing together, it felt great and need to happen with a show like this, from she looked great, and I'm really excited to getting the right cast so that everyone gels “This is definitely my show - all aspects of see what we produce out on stage, on stage, to getting the costumes, sorting it have my fingerprints somewhere within especially in the more intimate ballroom out the lighting and staging, and even just them, but it's still very much collaborative. numbers.” the logistics of travelling to different When choreographing, what I like to do is venues - making sure you're not going from get a basic idea of what we'll be doing As much as he enjoys the high-octane, somewhere down south one night to throughout the show and then develop energetic routines, it's these more somewhere up north the next.” that further with the other dancers. It's intimate, understated numbers that are very important that they feel comfortable always Cole's favourites to perform, All Night Long follows a string of three on stage and are doing things that are providing the emotional heart of a show. hugely popular stage shows - Live & inspiring to them, because otherwise Unjudged, Licence To Thrill and A Night To “I always love the waltzes - the really you're not going to get the best out of them. Remember - and Cole knows from beautiful ones that are very special So I would say it's about 60 to 70% me, and experience that developing a show on this emotionally. That's where you see the then the rest we do together. But most scale can take a year or more. But as hectic audience really connect with you, and it choreographers will work with a team - my as things can get, for him, there's creates this amazing atmosphere that team just happens to be my cast.”

8 whatsonlive.co.uk Brendan Cole DPS.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 13:10 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

brings them into the show.” hand after it disappears from our screens back for more. at the end of the year. When creating Nevertheless, for those who prefer “I love the show! It's a magical show to be modern productions, I think it's really something with a bit more pizazz, there'll a part of, and I think we're very lucky. important to have something for still be plenty to look forward to. As ever, There are so many aspects of it for people everybody. Strictly has a very diverse this promises to be a thrillingly varied to enjoy, whether it's the raw emotions audience covering all ages, and we have production, with 22 numbers ranging and the relationships, the creativity or just to try to cater for all of them. Hopefully it from delicate waltzes to dramatic power the spectacle of it. It's a lovely thing to should be a really good night out where ballads and from upbeat jives to sexy have as part of your life.” people can celebrate what they know and tangos and rumbas. love.” But when he's able to tear himself away “In my first production, we did a back-lit from the bright lights of the studio, he Cole isn't the only Strictly star to have number behind a screen so the shadows loves being out on tour, and his West created a series of successful shows off of the dancers were projected onto it, and Midlands dates are two of the shows he's the back of his TV appearances. His co- the audience loved it. This year, we're looking forward to most. star, Anton du Beke, also tours going back to that idea, but this time the productions in a similar format and scale, “Wolverhampton will be our opening screens will be moving and we'll be and as the success of the series continues, night, so there's going to be a lot of nerves dancing with them to a really powerful there's also an increasing number of and excitement. You can only do so much Tina Turner number called I Can't Stand smaller post-Strictly shows springing up in rehearsals, so we won't know exactly The Rain, so that's quite exciting. We're around the country. what the show's going to look like till it also working on a great little Argentine comes together on stage. And then in tango at the moment which is coming “Most of them are very different to this, so Birmingham, Symphony Hall is just a along nicely.” there's not really any competition. Anton magnificent venue - I genuinely get and myself have been touring for quite a As anyone who's seen any of Cole's tingles when I walk in there. So going long time now, and we've both got shows previous live productions will know, from Wolverhampton at the start of the that are similar in style, but I think they they're more than just their choreography. tour and coming back to perform at what's run side-by-side very well. We've got a Like Strictly itself, these shows offer an probably one of the best venues in the really good friendship and we're all very all-round entertainment package, northern hemisphere, if not the world, is supportive of each other in what we complete with discussion, incredible going to be sensational, and I can't wait to choose to put on.” costumes, fabulous sets and carefully play both.” chosen music, all designed to appeal to Having joined the show during its very an audience that spans generations. first season back in 2004, Cole has become one of the stalwarts of the Strictly All Night Long shows at “There's no through-narrative to the show, family. While others have gone on to other Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on but what it offers is a chance for people to things, for Cole, there's something special Thursday 26 January and at Symphony experience a bit of Strictly magic first- about the series that keeps him coming Hall, Birmingham, on Friday 24 March

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 FOOD January- SHROPS_STAFFS_WOLVES.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 14:04 Page 1 3 OF SHREWSBURY’S BEST RESTAURANTS AND BARS

all located opposite the historic and beautiful Shrewsbury Abbey!

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ALL OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! 18-21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. SY2 6AE. Tel: 01743 355055 FOOD January- SHROPS_STAFFS_WOLVES.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 14:04 Page 2

Food

Popular Shropshire restaurant receives the Thai royal court’s seal of approval A Shropshire eatery has chef, Suree Coates, said: “To be received the Thai Royal Seal Of honoured by the Thai royal Approval. household is the icing on the The Broseley-based King And cake for my career. Thai has become only the sev- “Being born in Thailand and enth restaurant outside remaining passionate about my London, and only the 14th in homeland and its cultures, cui- the country, to receive the hon- sine and foods is second nature our from the Thai royal court. to me, so to be recognised in Commenting on the news, The such a way really is special.” King And Thai’s award-winning

REVIEW: Bella, Wolverhampton burst with the fresh flavour of is, of course, what he ordered. the fish within, the fumet and Looking quite elegant presented Contemporary Italian dining cherry tomatoes working well to in a tall glass, the dessert came enhance the flavours. without the traditional finger My dining partner opted for Beef biscuits. This served only to Carpaccio with capers, basil improve the dish; its texture was mayo and a rocket and parmesan smooth and velvety, its flavours salad, served with a homemade perfectly balanced. Indeed, it crisp bread. The dish was beauti- turned out to be the best fully presented and proved to be tiramisu my partner had ever a real ‘melt in the mouth’ experi- had. ence. The complex flavour of the Throughout the evening the staff aged beef was perfectly comple- were extremely professional but mented by the basil mayo and friendly and approachable too. the sharpness of the capers. The restaurant itself wasn’t over- For me, the test of an Italian ly busy (it was a Tuesday restaurant is in the quality of the evening) and consequently the lasagne, and it was on the spe- atmosphere was somewhat cials menu I found a contempo- muted. With this in mind, we felt rary twist on this staple of Italian the lighting could have been dining. Bella’s lasagne was lay- brought down a touch, to lend a ered with slow-braised oxtail, warmer, more intimate feel to topped with gratin and finished the evening. with a beef tomato sauce. Once The all-round quality of food the crisp gratin topping was and service will not only bring breached, the softness of the us back to Bella but also ensure lasagne yielded easily to my the restaurant remains a high- fork. The oxtail contained within light of Wolverhampton’s ever- was flavoursome and tender, the developing dining-out scene. beef tomato sauce wonderfully Ted Finlay Established in 2001, Bella has While perusing the menu, we rich. been an integral part of the were brought a beautifully pre- My partner selected the Calfs Food: n n n n n Wolverhampton food scene for sented amuse bouche of crisp- Liver served with a basil mash Service: n n n n n many years now. The fashion- bread with crayfish cocktail - a and a side of green salad. Served Ambience: n n n n n able eatery, situated on Chapel tantalising taste experience pink, as is a must, the dish was Overall value n n n n n Ash, is only a short walk from which served to heighten our reported to be ‘sublime’. OVERALL n n n n n the city centre. expectations of the food to come. For dessert, I opted for a classic ALL OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! On arrival there, we were warmly To start, I chose from the spe- Crème Brulee. It came with a greeted by the very smartly cials menu sun-dried Girasole light, crisp, sugar topping which Bella dressed staff and quickly shown Pasta filled with white fish and easily gave way to the soft vanil- to a window seat. The interior is finished with a cherry tomato la creaminess below. The flavour 82 Chapel Ash Wolverhampton sharp, clean and contemporary, and seafood fumet. These sun- was good, but the texture had WV3 0TY curdled somewhat. the muted greys of the walls a flower-shaped ravioli were Tel: 01902 427555 perfect backdrop to the dark cooked to perfection. Firm to the Now, the test of an Italian restau- sheen of the tables sparkling bite - al dente, as the Italians rant for my partner is in the with steel and glassware. would say - the pasta envelopes quality of the tiramisu; so that

whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Music - January - Shrops_Staffs_Wolves LF.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 14:05 Page 1

Gigs

Darlingside The Glee Club, Birmingham, Tues 31 January Massachusetts-based four-piece Darlingside are rapidly becoming one of the most talked- about bands in contemporary American music. Taking their influences from ’60s folk, blue- grass, indie rock and classical, the band were last year named Folk Alliance International’s Artist Of The Year. Their name originates from a songwriting class taken by members at Williams College. “Pesticide is used to kill pests,” explains the band’s Dave Senft. “Fratricide is when you kill your brother. A former teacher of ours used to say ‘kill your darlings’, which is to say, if you fall in love with something you’ve written, you should cross it out. “We like that idea, and we thought a good name for it might be ‘darlingcide’, but we changed the ‘c’ to an ‘s’ because we’re not super into death.”

The White Buffalo . MC Hansen And Ron Thomas, Nick Thompson and Paul Strach, the band have delighted audiences O2 Institute, Birmingham, Sat 21 January Carly Dow in concert halls and at festivals across the The Hive, Shrewsbury, Sun 15 January; UK and Europe. Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 20 January Danish singer and guitar player MC Hansen - here accompanied by Jacob The Blue Aeroplanes Chano on the harmonium - combines the Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, storytelling of traditional folk music with Thurs 19 January contemporary country sounds. Combining rock, folk, punk and poetry, He and Chano visit the Midlands this The Blue Aeroplanes released their most month in the company of Canadian soul- critically acclaimed album, Swagger, in folk artist Carly Dow, who’s performing in 1990. Their touring career, meanwhile, has the UK for the very first time. seen them supporting numerous big-name bands, including REM and Siouxsie & The Banshees. The longest-lasting Aeroplanes line-up to date visits Birmingham this month in sup- port of new album Welcome, Stranger!. Ex-members have gone on to play with Massive Attack, Suede, Placebo, Goldfrapp and Primal Scream, to name but a few. The White Buffalo is the professional moniker of American singer-songwriter Jake Smith. The dark blues artist is probably best known for his numerous song placements in TV show Sons Of Anarchy, including the series- finale song, Come Join The Murder. Co-writ- EnChante ten with the programme’s producer, Kurt Lichfield Guildhall, Fri 20 January Sutter, it was nominated for an Emmy for Talented four-piece EnChante have created Outstanding Music & Lyrics. a unique sound that’s reminiscent of vin- This current tour features releases from tage French music with classical under- Smith’s back-catalogue which are being tones, dramatic interpretations and a made widely available in Europe for the first haunting heartbeat. With Paris-born time. singer-songwriter Jocelyne being joined by

12 whatsonlive.co.uk Music - January - Shrops_Staffs_Wolves LF.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 14:05 Page 2

Gig previews from around the region

The Carrivick Sisters Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury Sun 22 January; Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham, Mon 23 January

Having performed together since A Day To Remember streams, 500 million YouTube streams and 2006, The Carrivick Sisters are one of produced two gold-selling albums. the UK’s top bluegrass and folk acts. Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Wed 25 January The metalcore/pop punk five-piece visit Twins Laura and Charlotte showcase Birmingham in support of their much-antici- Since their inception in 2003, A Day To their original songs and instrumen- pated new album, Bad Vibrations. Remember have sold over one million tals along with a few carefully cho- Support on the night comes from New records, racked up over 400 million Spotify sen covers on guitar, mandolin, fid- Found Glory, Neck Deep and Moose Blood. dle, dobro and clawhammer banjo. The pair have released five albums to date - the most recent being Over The Edge in 2013 - and regularly perform at major festivals in Canada and Tommy Emmanuel Candlebox mainland Europe. Town Hall, Birmingham, Fri 20 January The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Tues 24 January Australian guitarist, songwriter and occa- Quill sional singer Tommy Emmanuel is best Best known for hits such as Far Behind, Lichfield Garrick, Staffordshire, known for his complex fingerstyle tech- Cover Me and You, Candlebox have released Sat 28 January nique, energetic performances and the use six studio albums, all of which have of percussive effects on the guitar. achieved multi-platinum and gold certifica- With a career spanning five decades, he’s a tion. household name down under and boasts Singer Kevin Martin is the only survivor thousands of fans worldwide. In recent from the original 1990 line-up, although cur- times he’s also become a bonafide YouTube rent drummer Dave Krusen, formerly of sensation, accumulating over 29 million Pearl Jam, has been in and out of the band views. since 1996. Tommy is here promoting his album, It’s Never Too Late, which features original music with no vocals or guests. When bass guitarist Ben Brain died suddenly in 2012, his wife and Quill’s lead singer, Joy Strachan-Brain, was of a mind to call time on the band’s 30-plus years of musicmaking. Two Door Cinema Club Eventually, though, she decided it O2 Academy, Birmingham, Tues 24 January was more important to battle on, in so doing ensuring that the songs Ben Comprising Alex Trimble, Kevin Baird and had written for a new album would Sam Halliday, Two Door Cinema Club eventually be heard... released debut album Tourist History back The popular Tamworth band have in 2010. Their follow-up offering, Beacon, developed a unique musical style went to number one in the Irish albums over the years, incorporating influ- chart and number two in the UK chart. ences that include Celtic folk and Re-energised by a self-imposed hiatus, the rock. They perform a repertoire that band return for an extensive headline tour features a number of time-honoured in support of third studio album Gameshow. classics. 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

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Classical Music

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 Birmingham Philharmonic piano. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 29 January Richard Laing picks up the baton to conduct the first concert of Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2017 programme. One of the Midlands’ best known and most admired non-professional orchestras, the Birmingham Phil on this occasion presents a programme of movie classics, including Williams’ Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Arnold’s Bridge On The River Kwai, Herrmann’s Vertigo and Bernstein’s West Side Story: Symphonic Dances.

Nikolai Lugansky Halle Orchestra Maria Camahort Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 6 January Quintet New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under- Endymion Lyme, Wed 25 January Ludlow Assembly Rooms, St Martin in the Fields and the South Shropshire, Sat 28 January Southbank Centre are among the prestigious UK venues at which the Maria Camahort Quintet have per- formed. The ensemble promise their New Vic programme will take the audience on ‘a vivid journey’ between the Spanish Classical repertoire and the traditional music of the Iberian peninsula.

Joshua Ellicott “We have a very special timbre as a quintet,” says London-based Endymion is 38 years old in 2017 and, The Manchester-based Halle has been a real Spanish guitarist Maria, who formed somewhat unusually for so well estab- force to be reckoned with since performing its the quintet in 2011. “Our unusual lished a chamber group, retains most of first concert over 150 years ago. combination of instruments is violin its original players. The original line-up Although the orchestra is renowned for its and voice, soprano, guitar, cello, comprised a number of outstanding affinity with English music - particularly the percussion & guitar. It’s a combina- National Youth Orchestra students, drawn works of Elgar and Delius - it’s the sounds of tion which creates a real originality.” together by a shared desire to champion Vienna which are being celebrated in this lat- mixed chamber music of all genres. est concert. This Ludlow concert sees them appearing Stephen Bell conducts a programme that as a horn trio and presenting the follow- includes numerous pieces by Johan Strauss, ing programme: Beethoven - Violin Lehar’s Gold And Silver Waltz, Suppe’s Light ́ Sonata in F major, Op24, Spring Sonata; Cavalry Overture and Josef Strauss’s Feurfest Ligeti - Trio for horn, violin and piano, Polka. Hommage à Brahms; Brahms - Trio for The concert further benefits from the talents horn, violin and piano, in E flat major, of Manchester-born tenor Joshua Ellicott. Op40.

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 England 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 Edinburgh 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

26 whatsonlive.co.uk Wonderland DPS.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 11:31 Page 2

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.” New York, 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 Anton du Beke 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 Los Angeles (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 Dev Patel, Rooney Mara, David Earth… Wenham, Nicole Kidman, Sunny Pawar Directed by Garth Davis Saroo’s experiences were recorded in his (Australia/USA/UK) memoir, A Long Way Home, 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 Tasmania. But Saroo never for- Released Fri 20 January

Underworld: Blood Wars The Bye Bye Man 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.

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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, The Strictly 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 Len Goodman 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 Louise Redknapp, model Daisy Lowe, actress Lesley Joseph, series, professional dancer Karen Hardy. sports presenter Ore Oduba, actor Danny Mac 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 weekend, 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

Aladdin at Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton unsil Sun 22 January 22 Sun Wolverhamptonunsil Theatre, Grand at Aladdin

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

The Snow Queen at New Vic Lee Nelson at Henry Tudor Jack Whitehall at Regent Camper Mart at Telford Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme House, Shrewsbury Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent International Centre until Sat 28 January Thurs 12 January Thurs 19 - Fri 20 January Sun 29 January

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thelist Sunday 1 - Sunday 8 January THROUGHOUT JANUARY Shire Hall Gallery - Stafford KAY BOYCE: THE BLACK ON WHITE ARTIST ROOMS - ROY LICHTENSTEIN COLLECTION A new aspect of Kay's Lichtenstein was one of the most Visual Arts CHRISTMAS CRAFT & CONTEMPORARY work, following her study and admi- radical and influential artists of the PRINT Christmas crafts ranging from ration of a beech tree at the foot of 20th century and a leading figure in Bilston Craft Gallery handmade jewellery, Christmas dec- her garden, which rekindled her inter- the Pop Art movement, until Sun 26 orations and textiles to metalware BLACK AND GOLD: THE IMAGINARY est in the medium of pen and ink, Feb and ceramics, on display alongside WORLDS OF JAPANNED WARE An imagi- until Sat 14 Jan nary winter world, shown through the works by contemporary printmakers, NEW SPECTRUM: COLOUR AND gallery’s collection of japanned ware, until Sun 8 Jan DANIEL YEOMANS Collection of work ABSTRACTION A rare chance to see until Sat 14 Jan from Montgomery-based artist Daniel the best of the art gallery’s collection Shrewsbury Museum & Art Yeomans, until Sat 14 Jan of 20th century abstract paintings. New Art Gallery - Walsall Gallery Includes works by Joan Miro, Patrick Wolverhampton Art Gallery Heron, Gillian Ayres and Bridget NEW STEVE EVANS Steve's art incorpo- 'HEAVENLY LIGHTS: THE UNTOLD STORY Riley, Sat 14 Jan - Sun 26 Mar rates the techniques and formal qual- OF STAINED GLASS ARTIST MARGARET YOUNG ARTISTS A new display of work ities of technical drawing, Tues 10 AGNES ROPE' Celebrating the life and by pupils from Heath Park Secondary Jan - Sun 12 Feb times of Shrewsbury stained-glass School, Wolverhampton, until Sun 1 Other VISUAL ARTS artist Margaret Agnes Rope, until Sun Jan NEW A GRAND HISTORY OF PANTO 15 Jan 2017 Potteries Museum & Art LARISSA SANSOUR - IN THE FUTURE Exhibition transporting visitors into Gallery - Stoke-On-Trent THEY ATE FROM THE FINEST PORCELAIN the world of pantomime, sharing Weston Park THE HISTORY OF ETRURIA; FACTORIES Film by Larissa Sansour which focus- some of the magical stories that have AND FESTIVALS NEW GRADUATE SHOW Exhibition of es on a resistance group that makes taken place on the Grand Theatre Using objects from work from graduates and students, in underground deposits of elaborate stage. Includes archived pantomime across the museum’s collections, the a variety of different disciplines, Tues porcelain - suggested to belong to an programmes, posters and costumes, display charts the history of Etruria, 3 - Tues 31 Jan entirely fictional civilisation, until Sun as well as a dress-up and activity from its inception by Josiah 8 Jan area for children, Mon 2 - Tues 31 Wedgwood in the 18th century The Willow Art Gallery, FAIRY TALE MAGIC Family-friendly exhi- Jan, Light House Media Centre, through to today’s business, retail Oswestry bition for under 10s, featuring lots of Wolverhampton and leisure developments, until Fri 31 interactive elements until Sun 8 Jan NEW SCENES OF WEM Two local art Mar ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBITION FIRST WORLD WAR REPLICA TRENCH Showcasing work from, amongst oth- VICTORIAN PLAYTIME An exhibition of groups present a group exhibition, until Sun 11 Nov 2018. ers, Border visual arts group Bijoux Victorian toys, including puzzles, with Wem and the surrounding areas and Kay Boyce, until Sat 14 Jan dolls, teddies and moving wooden as their inspiration, Thurs 5 Jan - toys, until Fri 20 Jan Thurs 23 Feb, Wem Town Hall

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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. THE WEDDING CRASHERS Wed 4 Jan, Conducted by John Rigby & featur- The Jam House, Birmingham ing soprano Corinne Cowling, Sun 1 Jan Symphony Hall, Birmingham BRIC A BRAC Wed 4 Jan, Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham HALLE ORCHESTRA Featuring Stephen Bell (conductor) & Joshua CAPITAL GROOVE Thurs 5 Jan, The Ellicott (tenor). Programme Jam House, Birmingham includes works by Suppe, Josef STIPE Thurs 5 Jan, The Robin, Strauss, Lehar & Strauss, Fri 6 Jan, Bilston Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on- MARCH OF FATE Thurs 5 Jan, The Trent Roadhouse, Birmingham JOHN WILSON CONDUCTS THE ROD AND THE FACEZ Fri 6 Jan, The NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF Roadhouse, Birmingham GREAT BRITAIN Featuring Tamara Stefanovich on piano. Programme NEARLY DAN Fri 6 Jan, The Robin, includes works by Brett Dean, Bilston Szymanowski & Rachmaninov, Fri 6 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Moscow State Circus CBSO: THE MAGIC OF VIENNA Featuring Aleksandar Markovic Star City, Birmingham, until Sun 8 January (conductor) & Jack Liebeck (violin). Programme includes works by The Moscow State Circus is very possibly the best-known circus in the J.Strauss II, Kreisler & Waldteufel, world, based on over 200 years of tradition. When animals became an Sun 8 Jan, Symphony Hall, unpopular aspect of circuses, this flexible family favourite adapted to Birmingham survive by moving the emphasis to astonishing displays of human skill and endurance - many of which are evident in its current production, Miracles. DAVE BUSBY Fri 6 Jan, Havana Highlights of the show include ‘aerial displays of grace and beauty’ Republic Bar and Restaurant, from Anastacia Sarychea, performances by gyrating contortionists Shrewsbury Comedy Gigs Stikhareva and Drazdova, acrobatics from the Didyk Troupe and gym- CHERISH + MIZZ PINK Fri 6 Jan, The nastics from the Eftode Perch Gymnasts. The ‘whimsical’ clown River Rooms, Stourbridge ADAM HESS, ANDY ASKINS, PHIL Nicolino is the audience’s guide for the evening. BAD PENNY Fri 6 Jan, O2 Academy, JERROD & MARK OLVER Fri 6 Jan, The Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham URBAN INTRO Fri 6 - Sat 7 Jan, The JACK BARRY, ANDY ASKINS, PHIL turing classic rock’n’roll hits from Noble Kinsmen is attributed to John Jam House, Birmingham JERROD & MARK OLVER Sat 7 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham Aretha Franklin, The Monkees, Fletcher & William Shakespeare and JEAN GENIE - TRIBUTE TO DAVID James Brown, The Temptations, The is best described as a tragicomedy BOWIE Sat 7 Jan, The Robin, Bilston Jackson Five and many more... until exploring the intoxication and OLLIE HUGHES AS ROBBIE WILLIAMS Sun 8 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse strangeness of love, until Tue 7 Feb, Sat 7 Jan, The River Rooms, Theatre The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- Stourbridge Theatre WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD Stage Avon AMELIA CAESAR Sat 7 Jan, Havana adaptation of Julia Donaldson & THE SEVEN ACTS OF MERCY Anders Republic Bar and Restaurant, Lydia Monks’ colourful farmyard Lustgarten’s visceral new play, which adventure, until Wed 11 Jan, confronts the dangerous necessity of Shrewsbury TREASURE ISLAND Bryony Lavery’s Birmingham Town Hall compassion in a world where it is in THE AC30'S Sat 7 Jan, The modern adaptation of Robert Louis short supply. Roadhouse, Birmingham Stevenson’s swashbuckling classic, THE TEMPEST Shakespeare's magical exploration of revenge, forgiveness, Directed by RSC Deputy Artistic BOWIE NIGHT Sat 7 Jan, The Night until Sat 7 Jan, The REP, Birmingham love and magic, until Sat 21 Jan, Director Erica Whyman, until Fri 10 Owl, Birmingham CINDERELLA Panto favourite Brad Fitt Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Feb, The Swan Theatre, Stratford- stars as Buttons. With Matt Daines CLASSIC WONDER VETERANS WITH Stratford-upon-Avon upon-Avon SOLO BANTON & CREW Sat 7 Jan, and Ian Smith as the Ugly Sisters, THE ROVER Aphra Behn's anarchic ALADDIN Magical pantomime adven- Hare & Hounds, Birmingham until Sun 8 Jan, Theatre Severn, restoration comedy, rich with seduc- Shrewsbury ture starring Joe McElderry, Lisa tion, intrigue & danger, set in the THE MIGHTY WRAITH Sun 8 Jan, The Riley, Ian Adams, Ben Faulks and MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS topsy-turvy world of the carnival. Roadhouse, Birmingham ‘Lazy Cow’ Doreen Tipton, until Sun The world-renowned circus presents Loveday Ingram returns to the RSC 22 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand NIK TURNERS NEW SPACE RITUAL Sun Xhelanly, an ‘awe-inspiring’ show to direct, until Sat 11 Feb, The Swan Theatre 8 Jan, The Robin, Bilston based on Russian folklore, until Sun Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon THE REEL HOT CEILIDH PEPPERS Sun 8 Jan, Star City, Birmingham THE SNOW QUEEN Hans Christian DICK WHITTINGTON Amateur staging Andersen's classic children's tale of 8 Jan, Lichfield Guildhall, ROOM ON THE BROOM presented by DE Caversmill Theatre adventure, friendship and bravery, Staffordshire Stage adaptation of Julia Company, Wed 28 Dec - Sun 8 Jan, until Sat 28 Jan, New Vic Theatre, Donaldson's best-selling book that's Stoke Repertory Theatre, Stoke-on- Newcastle-under-Lyme sure to provide a magical, musical Trent treat for children and families alike, DICK WHITTINGTON THE SNOW QUEEN Jars Of Clay until Sun 8 Jan, The REP, Starring John Barrowman as Dick Theatre Co. present a new version of Birmingham Whittington, EastEnders bad lad the Hans Christian Andersen classic, Steve McFadden as the evil King Rat, CINDERELLA Starring Stoke’s favourite complete with rip-roaring fights, Jodie Prenger as Fairy Bow Bells, son, Jonathan Wilkes, as Buttons, brand new songs and a traditional legendary double act The Krankies alongside Christian Patterson and battle of good versus evil, Wed 4 - as Councillor & Jimmy Krankie, Matt Simon Nehan as the Ugly Sisters, Sat 7 Jan, Blue Orange Theatre, Slack as Idle Jack, and Andrew Ryan until Sun 8 Jan, Regent Theatre, Birmingham as Sarah the Cook, until Sun 29 Jan, Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham Hippodrome GASLIGHT Kara Tointon stars in a ALADDIN - THE WOK AND ROLL PANTO THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN Based on brand new staging of Patrick Festive show with a difference, fea- Chaucer's The Knight's Tale, The Two Hamilton’s mystery thriller, Fri 6 - Sat

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thelist Sunday 1 - Sunday 8 January 14 Jan, New Alexandra Theatre, Mon 2 - Thurs 5 Jan Birmingham NOCTURNAL ANIMALS (PG) DICK WHITTINGTON Annual family pan- Drama/Thriller. Starring Amy Adams, tomime, Fri 6 - Sat 14 Jan, Oldbury Jake Gyllenhaal. Festival Drayton Rep Centre, North Shropshire, Tues 3 Jan THE WILL Expedition Arts present THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS (12a) Pierre Carlet De Marivaux’s sexy Drama/Romance. Starring Michael comedy about love and money, Sat 7 Fassbender, Alicia Vikander. Ludlow Jan, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, SLEEPING BEAUTY Tues 3 - Thurs 5 Jan Theatre On The Steps present a pan- THE LESSON (PG) Drama. Starring tomime version of the popular fairy- Margita Gosheva, Ivan Barnev. tale, Sat 7 - Sun 8 Jan, Foreign language, subtitled. The Theatre On The Steps, Bridgnorth, Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 6 Jan Shropshire A MONSTER CALLS (12A) Drama/Fantasy. Starring Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, from Fri 6 Jan LONG WAY NORTH (PG) Dance Animation/Action. With the voices of Christa Théret, Féodor Atkine. mac, SWAN LAKE Performed by Saint Birmingham, Sat 7 Jan Petersburg Classic Ballet, Sat 7 Ice Skate Birmingham Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham I, DANIEL BLAKE (15) Drama. Starring Centenary Square, Birmingham until Sun 8 January Dave Johns, Hayley Squires. Artrix, RHYTHM OF BELLS 2017 An evening Bromsgrove, Wed 4 - Fri 6 Jan; mac, It’s been a long time since Birmingham experienced a white of exquisite Indian classical dance Birmingham, Fri 6 - Sun 8 Jan Christmas, but there is at least one place in the city where people can performed by Dharshanodiyaa School of Bharathanatiyam, Sun 8 enjoy the delights of a winter wonderland. As in previous years, Ice Jan, Mitchell Arts Centre, Hanley, Skate Birmingham is offering fun-seeking Midlanders the chance to Stoke-on-Trent pretend they’re Torvill or Dean by taking a yuletide spin across the ‘icy wastes’ of Centenary Square. For those just wishing to spectate, the Ice Lounge Bar offers a viewing platform where visitors can par- take in a hot chocolate & marshmallows or, for those perferring something a little stronger, a glass of mulled wine or cider. Another Film attraction at the site is the Big Wheel. Take a ride right up to the top and enjoy beautiful views of Birmingham’s skyline which are pretty INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: SULLY (12a) Drama/Biography. spectacular, whether you’re taking a ride in the daytime or at night. THE EAGLE HUNTRESS (U) Starring Tom Hanks, Laura Linney. Documentary. Starring Daisy Ridley, Light House Media Centre, Aisholpan. mac, Birmingham, until Wolverhampton, Fri 6 - Sun 8 Jan; Thurs 5 Jan Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 6 - MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS (see page 53) invited to Attingham for a fun-run to until Sun 8 Jan, Star City, burn off the Christmas indulgences MOANA (U) Adventure/Comedy. With Sun 8 Jan Birmingham and for a last chance to wear your the voices of Dwayne Johnson, Alan A CAT IN PARIS (PG) Animation/Family. Christmas jumper as the festive sea- Tudyk. mac, Birmingham, until Thurs ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM until Sun 8 Starring Dominique Blanc, son draws to a close, Mon 2 Jan, 5 Jan Jan, Centenary Square, Birmingham Bernadette Lafont. The Hive, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND Shrewsbury, Sun 8 Jan NATIVITY TRAIL Follow the stars and BACKSTAGE TOUR: FAMILY Discover the THEM (PG) Animation/Action. Starring answer the Christmas questions as rarely seen backstage areas of the Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller. Wem you go before reaching the live theatre the half-term as The REP Town Hall, North Shropshire, until 5 Nativity Scene in the barn buildings; invites you to be an audience mem- Jan; Festival Drayton Centre, North NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: you may even be lucky enough to ber, set builder, prosthetics maker or Shropshire, Fri 6 - Sat 7 Jan Released from Sun 1 Jan, showing at see an new born baby donkey, until Sun 8 Jan, Bodenham Arboretum, even an Assistant Stage Manager, ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (12a) selected cinemas Kidderminster Sat 7 Jan, The REP, Birmingham Adventure/Fantasy. Starring Felicity ASSASSIN'S CREED (tbc) JOG OFF YOUR JUMPER Families are Jones, Mads Mikkelsen. Light House A MONSTER CALLS (12a) Media Centre, Wolverhampton, until Thurs 12 Jan; mac, Birmingham, Fri SILENCE (TBC) 6 - Mon 15 Jan SILENCE (15) Drama/History. Starring Adam Driver, Liam Neeson. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Sun 1 Jan A STREETCAT NAMED BOB (12a) Events Biography/Comedy. Starring Bob the Cat, Luke Treadaway. Ludlow FESTIVE SEASON SERVICE Let the Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Christmas festivities continue with a Mon 2 Jan leisurely steam train journey along FROZEN (PG) Adventure/Comedy. With the beautiful Severn Valley, hopefully the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina with a sprinkling of snow, until Mon 2 Menzel. mac, Birmingham, Mon 2 Jan, Severn Valley Railway, Jan Kidderminster MUM’S LIST (12a) Drama. Starring MAGIC LANTERN FESTIVAL Celebrating Emilia Fox and Rafe Spall. Light over 2,000 years of lantern festivals, House Media Centre, W’hampton, this ‘illuminating’ event sees visitors Mon 2 - Thurs 5 Jan accessing the venue through a giant lantern entrance before following a THE UNKNOWN GIRL (12a) Drama. lantern-lit trail around the gardens. Starring Adèle Haenel, Olivier ntil Mon 2 Jan, Birmingham Botanical Bonnaud. Foreign language, subti- Gardens tled. Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury,

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thelist Monday 9 - Sunday 15 January DEVIL YOU KNOW Fri 13 Birmingham COMEDY CENTRAL IMPRACTICAL Gigs Jan, O2 Institute, MICHAELA WYLDE Sat Classical JOKERS Fri 13 Jan, Barclaycard Birmingham 14 Jan, Havana Arena, Birmingham AVENGED SEVENFOLD Republic Bar and ANDREW RYAN, TOM DEACON, RUMOURS OF Music Fri 13 Jan, Genting Restaurant, ABIGOLIAH SCHAMAUN & COMIC TBC Fri FLEETWOOD MAC Tues Arena, Birmingham Shrewsbury 13 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham 10 Jan, Victoria Hall, THE HEATH QUARTET Featuring Oliver Stoke-on-Trent MESHUGGAH Fri 13 BORN IN THE EIGHTIES Heath & Cerys Jones (violins), GARY DELANEY Sat 14 Jan, The Old Jan, O2 Institute, Sat 14 Jan, The River Gary Pomero (viola) & Christopher Rep Theatre, Birmingham THE WYZE GUYZ Tues Birmingham Rooms, Stourbridge Murray (cello). Programme 10 Jan, The Jam MARKUS BIRDMAN, PHIL NICHOL & includes works by Beethoven & House, Birmingham THE EVACS Fri 13 Jan, WHO'S WHO Sat 14 MARK SIMMONS Sat 14 Jan, The O2 Academy, B’ham Jan, The Robin, Dvorak, Tues 10 Jan, Recital Hall, Comedy Loft, Birmingham MARTIN CARTHY Tues Bilston Birmingham Conservatoire 10 Jan, Kitchen IN2MINDS Fri 13 Jan, ANDREW RYAN, TOM DEACON & COMIC ANDRIS NELSONS CONDUCTS Garden Cafe, B’ham The River Rooms, IVORY WAVE Sat 14 TBC Sat 14 Jan, The Glee Club, Stourbridge Jan, O2 Academy, BRUCKNER Programme includes Birmingham MARTIN SIMPSON Wed works by Maxwell Davies & Birmingham GARY DELANEY Sun 15 Jan, The Glee 11 Jan, New Vic DPC VS THE MOST Bruckner, Thurs 12 Jan, Symphony TIM GARLAND ELECTRIC Club, Birmingham Theatre, Staffordshire MISERABLE TIME OF Hall, Birmingham THE YEAR Fri 13 - Sat QUARTET Sat 14 Jan, APOLLO SOUL Thurs 12 14 Jan, Hare & The Hive, Shrewsbury Jan, The Jam House, Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham NTH CAVE Sat 14 Jan, ENDORPHINMACHINE: The Actress & Bishop, POETS OF THE FALL PRINCE TRIBUTE Sat 14 Birmingham Thurs 12 Jan, O2 Jan, The Roadhouse, Theatre Institute, Birmingham CALORIES & FRIENDS Birmingham Sat 14 - Sun 15 Jan, THE RED SHOES - OUR A WAYNE IN A MANGER SARA COLMAN Sat 14 Hare & Hounds, Stage2 present KATE BUSH STORY a staging of Gervase Phinn’s funny Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Thurs 12 Jan, The and touching nativity play anecdotes, Birmingham Robin, Bilston BRAVADO - TRIBUTE TO Wed 11 - Sat 14 Jan, Crescent WHALEBONE Sat 14 RUSH Sun 15 Jan, The SOUNDS OF THE Theatre, Birmingham Jan, Birchmeadow Robin, Bilston SIXTIES Fri 13 Jan, OBOE QUARTETS WITH RAINER THE SNOWMAN Stage show based on Centre, Broseley, MC HANSEN AND CARLY The Roadhouse, GIBBONS Featuring Rainer Gibbons Raymond Briggs' popular children's South Shropshire DOW Sun 15 Jan, The Birmingham (oboe), Jonathan Martindale (vio- book, Wed 11 Jan - Sun 15 Jan, The IVOR & LYN'S CLASSIC Hive Shrewsbury THINK FLOYD Fri 13 lin), Christopher Yates (viola) & REP, Birmingham ROCK DISCO Sat 14 Jan, The Robin, David Powell (cello). Programme FIZZOGS 'SUCK IT & SEE' TOUR Brand Jan, Route 44, Bilston includes works by JC Bach, Britten new comedy sketch show featuring & Mozart, Fri 13 Jan, CBSO Centre, Black Country comedian Jonny Cole, Birmingham Thurs 12 - Sat 14 Jan, Crescent CASTALIAN STRING QUARTET Theatre, Birmingham Featuring Sini Simonen & Daniel SLEEPING BEAUTY Theatre On The Roberts (violins), Charlotte Steps present a pantomime version Bonneton (viola) & Christopher of the popular fairytale, Thurs 12 - Graves (cello). Programme com- Sat 14 Jan, Theatre On The Steps, prises Haydn’s String Quartet in G, Bridgnorth, Shropshire Op. 76 No.1 & String Quartet in D, MORGAN AND WEST PARLOUR TRICKS Op 76 No. 5 ‘Largo’, Fri 13 Jan, Join the time-travelling duo for an The Barber Institute, Birmingham evening of jaw-dropping magic, Fri OBOE QUARTETS WITH RAINER GIB- 13 Jan SpArC, Bishops Castle, BONS Featuring Jonathan Shropshire Martindale (violin), Christopher MORGAN AND WEST PARLOUR TRICKS Yates (viola) & David Powell (cello). Join the time-travelling duo for an Programme includes works by J.C evening of jaw-dropping magic, Sun Bach, Britten & Mozart, Fri 13 Jan, 15 Jan, Wem Town Hall, North CBSO Centre, Birmingham Shropshire QUINTET ROMANCE AT DUSK Featuring Ben Nabarro & Martin Cropper (violins), Louise Williams (viola), Richard Jenkinson & Richard May (cellos). Programme includes works by Brahms & Schubert, Sun 15 Jan, The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury

Comedy Gigs

FAT PENGUIN IMPROV Wed 11 Jan, The Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham LEE NELSON Thurs 12 Jan, Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury ANDREW RYAN, COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC Thurs 12 Jan, The Glee Club, B’ham GARY DELANEY Fri 13 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre LEE HURST Fri 13 Jan, Lichfield Garrick Lee Nelson - Henry Tudor House

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T thelist Monday 9 - Sunday 15 January Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 13 - Sat 14 Jan; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Film Shropshire, Sun 15 Jan ALLIED (15) Action/Drama. Starring INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE (15) Fri 13 - Sat 14 Jan Comedy. Starring Jennifer Saunders, LA LA LAND (12a) Comedy/Musical. Joanna Lumley. Stourbridge Town Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone. Hall, Mon 9 Jan Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton, Fri 13 - Sun 15 Jan; Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 13 - Sun 15 Jan; Electric Cinema, Birmingham, from Fri 13 Jan SILENCE (tbc) Drama/History. Starring Liam Neeson, Adam Driver. Light House Media Centre, W’hampton, Fri 13 - Sun 15 Jan REBECCA (PG) Drama/Film-Noir. Fizzogs: Suck It And See Starring Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine. Screening will be preceded Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs 12 - Sat 14 January; Rose LIFE, ANIMATED (PG) by a forty minute lecture from Theatre, Kidderminster, Sat 4 February; Theatre On The Steps, Documentary/Drama. Starring Professor Linda Williams. Electric Bridgnorth, Thurs 9 - Sat 11 February; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sat Jonathan Freeman, Gilbert Gottfried. Cinema, Birmingham, Sat 14 Jan 18 February; The Place, Oakengates, Fri 10 March mac, Birmingham, Mon 9 - Tues 10 Award-winning Midlands theatre company Fizzog Productions make Jan BLUE VELVET (18) Mystery/Thriller. Starring Isabella Rossellini, Dennis a welcome return to the stage. Their latest show features all-new INDIGNATION (15) Drama. Starring Hopper. mac, Birmingham, Sun 15 material and a cast of colourful comedy characters, including Mags Logan Lerman, Sarah Gadon. Jan Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South and Barb, Wayne Kerr, The Kids and Mr & Mrs Cadabra. Shropshire, Mon 9 & Thurs 12 Jan Comprising Sue Hawkins, Jacky Fellows, Deb Nicholls and guest per- SULLY (12a) Drama/Biography. formers - on this particular occasion, Black Country comedian Jonny Starring Tom Hanks, Laura Linney. NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Cole - the company is best known for stage productions 50 Shades Of Light House Media Centre, Released from Fri 13 Jan, showing at Fizzog and Freezin’, and for its creation of internet sensations The Wolverhampton, Mon 9 - Thurs 12 selected cinemas Dancing Grannies. Jan; Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Mon 9 - Thurs 12 Jan THE BYE BYE MAN (tbc) THE INNOCENTS (15) Drama. Starring IRREPLACABLE (12) Lou de Laâge, Agata Buzek. Foreign MANCHESTER BY THE SEA (15) language, subtitled. Stoke Film UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS (tbc) Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 10 Jan SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (U) Musical. Starring Jane Powell, Howard Keel. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Tues 10 Events Jan ETHEL & ERNEST (PG) PERFORMANCE CAR SHOW Animation/Drama. With the voices of Featuring Jim Broadbent, Pam Ferris. Ludlow iconic brands like Lamborghini, Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin and Tues 10 Jan Porsche, the show is the ultimate destination for performance car afi- CHI-RAQ (15) Crime/Drama. Starring cionados, Thurs 12 - Sun 15 Jan, Nick Cannon, Teyonah Parris. mac, NEC, Birmingham Birmingham, Tues 10 - Thurs 12 Jan THE BIRTH OF A NATION (15) Biography/History. Starring Nate Parker, Armie Hammer. Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 12 Jan A STREETCAT NAMED BOB (12a) Biography/Comedy. Starring Bob the Cat, Luke Treadaway. Wem Town Hall, Tues 10 & Thurs 12 Jan; mac, Birmingham, Fri 13 - Sat 14 Jan

AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL A must- see event for motorsport fans and performance car aficionados, Sat 14 - Sun 15 Jan, NEC, Birmingham BACKSTAGE TOUR: MEET THE SNOWMAN Meet The Snowman on stage and have your photo taken with him before enjoying a behind-the-scenes A UNITED KINGDOM (12a) guided tour. Visit some of the areas Biography/Drama. Starring David of the theatre usually closed to the Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike. Festival public and join in with special activi- Drayton Centre, North Shropshire, Fri ties, Sat 14 Jan, The REP, 13 - Sat 14 Jan; Stoke Film Theatre, Birmingham

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SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

FRI 13 JAN, 7.30PM LEE HURST One of Britain's most- Wednesday 18th January 2017 loved comedians, They Think It's All Over team OMID DJALILI captain and Have I Got 16+ News For You regular, Lee Hurst is back with an all- Time: 8.00pm new show for 2017. 16+ £18.50

Friday 20th January 2017 AN EVENING WITH BARRY FRY FRI 27 JAN, 7.30PM ACE Dance and Music & RON ATKINSON TEN Time: 7.30pm TEN will explore humani- ty’s universal stories with an overarching tone that is both epic and poetic. Friday 24th February 2017 CIRCUS OF HORRORS THE NEVER ENDING NIGHTMARE £12, £10 Students Time: 7.30pm SAT 28 JAN, 7.30PM QUILL Quill’s repertoire includes Saturday 25th February 2017 many time-honoured clas- sics, performed with ener- JACK FROST 3+ gy and enthusiasm and their original material Time: 3.00pm blends perfectly.

£21 Wednesday 1st March 2017 CILLA AND THE SHADES FRI 17 & SAT 18 FEB, OF THE 60’S 7.30PM Blackeyed Theatre Time: 7.30pm In association with South Hill Park Presents FRANKENSTEIN Wednesday 8th March 2017 A brand new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Gothic hor- VIENNA FESTIVAL BALLET'S ror masterpiece fusing ensemble storytelling, live music, puppetry and stun- CINDERELLA £17, £12.50 Students ning theatricality. Time: 7.00pm

SAT 25 FEB, 7.30PM Friday 10th March 2017 Oddsocks Presents THE SUCK IT AND SEE TOUR THE JUNGLE BOOK Time: 7.30pm 14+ Enjoy the comical adven- tures of Mowgli the man cub as he battles to survive and become the leader of the pack.

Saturday 11th March 2017 £16.50, £11 Students YOU WIN AGAIN - THE STORY

OF THE BEE GEES TUE 21 - SAT 25 MARCH, 7.30PM, Time: 7.30pm SAT MAT 2.30PM INVINCIBLE From one of the most Thursday 16th March 2017 exciting playwrights to emerge since Alan DANNY BAKER 14+ Ayckbourn, Torben Betts. CRADLE TO THE STAGE The smash-hit tour returns! £15 - £26.50 Time: 7.30pm

BOX OFFICE: 01543 412 121 www.lichfieldgarrick.com LICHFIELD GARRICK, CASTLE DYKE, TWC GP 01052 LICHFIELD, STAFFS, WS13 6HR

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thelist Monday 16 - Sunday 22 January THE BLUE AEROPLANES Birmingham Gigs Thurs 19 Jan, Hare & ULTRA 90'S Sat 21 Classical Music Comedy Gigs Hounds, Birmingham Jan, The River UNFATHOMABLE Rooms, Stourbridge MC HANSEN AND LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT - THOMAS TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! RUINATION, THE Mon 16 Jan, CARLY DOW Mon 16 THE SENSATIONAL TROTTER ATROCITY EXHIBIT & Programme includes works The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham Jan, Kitchen Garden FRANCIS DUNNERY SPAWNED FROM HATE by J.S Bach, Handel, Gounod, Widor JETHRO Mon 16 Jan, Wolverhampton Cafe, Birmingham BAND Sat 21 Jan, & E. Bonnal, Mon 16 Jan, Thurs 19 Jan, The The Slade Rooms, Grand Theatre HALFNOISE Mon 16 Birmingham Town Hall Flapper, Birmingham Wolverhampton OMID DJALILI Wed 18 Jan, The Place, Jan, O2 Academy, BERGEN PHILHARMONIC FEAT. EDWARD TOMMY EMMANUEL Fri Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Birmingham THE BUSBY BABES Sat GARDNER Programme includes works 20 Jan, Birmingham 21 Jan, The Robin, Shropshire POSITIVELY FOURTH by Grieg, Elgar & Walton, Tues 17 Town Hall Bilston GARY DELANEY Thurs 19 Jan, Henry STREET Tues 17 Jan, Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham THE PRETTY RECKLESS Tudor House, Shrewsbury Kitchen Garden Cafe, FALLEN Sat 21 Jan, Fri 20 Jan, O2 Birmingham The Roadhouse, PAUL SINHA, LARRY DEAN & BARRY Institute, Birmingham Birmingham DODDS Thurs 19 Jan, The Bramall, ANA POPOVIC AND HER ENCHANTE Fri 20 Jan, Birmingham BAND Tues 17 Jan, THE WHITE BUFFALO Lichfield Guildhall The Robin, Bilston Sat 21 Jan, O2 GLENN WOOL, MIKE GUNN & COMEDY THE SUPERSKAS Fri 20 Institute, Birmingham CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs BUTTERNUT Tues 17 Jan, The Robin, 19 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham Jan, The Jam House, ALIVE AND BREL Sat Bilston Birmingham 21 Jan, Crescent RH COMEDY WITH LAURA MONMOTH MC HANSEN AND Theatre, Birmingham Thurs 19 Jan, The Roadhouse, SARAH GAIL BRAND CARLY DOW Fri 20 Birmingham Tues 17 Jan, mac, BOLLYWOOD BRASS Jan, Stafford Birmingham BAND Sat 21 Jan, JACK WHITEHALL Thurs 19 - Fri 20 Jan, Gatehouse Theatre mac, Birmingham Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent THE BOOGIE BAPTISTES TRUE GOLD - SPANDAU Wed 18 Jan, The Jam REAL TO REEL - GLENN WOOL, JARLATH REGAN, TOM BALLET TRIBUTE Fri 20 House, Birmingham MARILLION TRIBUTE ALLEN & MIKE GUNN Fri 20 - Sat 21 Jan, Jan, The Roadhouse, Sat 21 Jan, Route 44, The Glee Club, Birmingham DINOSAUR Wed 18 Birmingham Birmingham Jan, Hare & Hounds, PATRICK MONAHAN, DAMION LARKIN & CAMERON FORREST Fri Birmingham THE JOHNNY CASH COMIC TBC Sat 21 Jan, Regent Theatre, 20 Jan, Havana ROADSHOW Sat 21 Stoke-on-Trent BETH ROWLEY Wed 18 Republic Bar and Jan, Regent Theatre, DUNCAN OAKLEY, JAY HANDLEY, STEVE Jan, The Glee Club, Restaurant, Stoke-on-Trent DAY & JAMES DOWDESWELL Sat 21 Jan, Birmingham Shrewsbury BLACK DYKE BAND Sun Couture Stafford SNFU Wed 18 Jan, O2 FR3 SPIRIT PRESENTS 22 Jan, Symphony COMEDY IN THE MET Sat 21 Jan, Academy, B’ham SUBLIME MUSIC Fri 20 Hall, Birmingham Stafford Gatehouse Theatre JAMIE FLANAGAN AS Jan, Hare & Hounds, STRAY Sun 22 Jan, MICHAEL BUBLÉ Wed Birmingham DUNCAN OAKLEY, STEVE DAY, JAMES The Robin, Bilston CELIA CRAIG OBOE RECITAL 18 Jan, The Robin, DOWDESWELL & JAY HANDLEY Sat 21 GO WEST Fri 20 Jan, Programme comprises Poulenc’s Bilston GIRL BAND Sun 22 Jan, Religion, Wolverhampton Prince Of Wales Sonata, followed by public master- Jan, Hare & Hounds, RHYS JAMES, THE RAYMOND & MR SARA COLMAN Wed 18 Theatre, Cannock class at 5.45pm, Tues 17 Jan, Recital Birmingham TIMPKINS REVUE & COMIC TBC Sat 21 Jan, Symphony Hall, LOS PACAMINOS FEAT Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire Jan, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Birmingham PAUL YOUNG Fri 20 THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN Sun 22 Jan, O2 CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY AYNSLEY LISTER BAND Jan, The River Institute, Birmingham ORCHESTRA Featuring Vassily Thurs 19 Jan, The Rooms, Stourbridge Sinaisky (conductor) & Benjamin Robin, Bilston FRED ZEPPELIN Fri 20 THE CARRIVICK Beilman (violin). Programme SISTERS Sun 22 Jan, LIMEHOUSE LIZZY Jan, Route 44, includes works by Tchaikovsky, Henry Tudor House, Thurs 19 Jan, Birmingham Prokofiev & Dvorak, Wed 18 - Sat 21 Theatre Shrewsbury Foxlowe Arts Centre, KING CREOSOTE Sat 21 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Staffordshire Jan, Symphony Hall, BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE WIND & BACKSTAGE IN BISCUIT LAND Jess Thom BRASS ENSEMBLES: EASTERN PROMISE intertwines comedy, puppetry, singing Featuring Chun-Chieh Yen (cello) & and incredible tics to explore spon- Craig Hughes (euphonium). taneity, creativity, disability, and things Programme includes works by you never knew could make you Janacek, Ricardo Lorenz, Seiber & laugh. No two shows can ever be the Gulda, Fri 20 Jan, CBSO Centre, same, Tue 17 - Sat 21 Jan, The REP, Birmingham Birmingham CHINESE NEW YEAR CONCERT GILBERT NO SULLIVAN The Foundry Featuring Di Xiao (piano), Jiaxin Group bring to life tall tales and Lloyd Webber (cello) & Eleanor bonkers ballads, Thurs 19 Jan, Forest Turner (harp), Fri 20 Jan, The Arts Centre, Walsall Bramall, Birmingham CATHY Cardboard Citizens present a BIRMINGHAM HARP DAY An exhilarat- powerful and emotive Forum Theatre ing and inspiring day packed full of show exploring the way in which Ken harp performances and workshops Loach’s 1966 film, Cathy Come Home, for all ages and abilities, Sat 21 Jan, still resonates today Thurs 19 - Fri 20 The Bramall, Birmingham University Jan, mac, Birmingham SWEENEY TODD IN CONCERT Featuring SLEEPING BEAUTY Theatre On The Amy Churchman (director) & Geddy Steps present a pantomime version of Stringer (Musical Director), Sat 21 the popular fairytale, Fri 20 Jan - Sun Jan, The Barber Institute, B’ham 22 Jan, Theatre On The Steps, Bridgnorth, Shropshire BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Featuring Richard Laing SONGS FOR A NEW YEAR Join the Old (conductor) & Richard Jenkinson Joint Stock Musical Theatre Company (cello). Programme includes works for an intimate concert featuring the by Korngold, Herrmann, music of composer Jason Robert Shostakovich & Arnold, Sun 22 Jan, Brown, Fri 20 - Sat 21 Jan, The Carrivick Sisters - Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury The Bramall, Birmingham Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham & Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List 16 - 22 January - Shropshire ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 14:09 Page 3

THURS 12 JAN, 7.00PM £13.00 / £10.50 concs NT LIVE: NO MAN’S LAND ★★★★★ “McKellen and Patrick Stewart are unmissable” Daily Telegraph FRI 13 JAN, 8.00PM £15.50 GARY Fri 6 january 7pm DELANEY 16+ david busby “Expect a caval- cade of brilliantly ...... inventive puns” The Guardian sat 7 january 7pm SAT 28 JAN, 7.30PM amelia caesar £19.00 ...... THE PITMEN POETS The Pitmen Poets sat 14 january 7pm features four of North East michaela wylde England’s leading champions of its ...... musical heritage. THURS 2 FEB, 7.00PM Fri 20 january 7pm £13.00 / £10.50 concs NT LIVE: cameron forrest AMADEUS ...... Music. Power. Jealousy. Fri 27 january 7pm FRI 3 FEB, 7.30PM £19.00 nibbs & eddy JONATHAN ...... PIE: LIVE 14+ Join him for this sat28 january 7pm live show where he hilariously synergy reveals the truth behind recent News events both home and abroad. SAT 11 FEB, 8.00PM £10.50 / £8.50 concs

CALIFORNIA 12+ SCHEMING ★★★★★ "one of the great word smiths of our time... a true artist through and through" Bunbury Magazine WED 15 FEB, 8.00PM £25.50

ROSS NOBLE: 15+ BRAIN BUMP “Beautifully twisted thoughts” The Times

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Eastgate Street, Stafford, ST16 2LT View the full listings at www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk Box office 01785 619080

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Monday 16 - Sunday 22 January

thelist Forest Arts Centre, Walsall, Tues 17 Dance Jan THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS (12a) Drama/Romance. Starring Michael ROMEO & JULIET Ballet UK’s innova- Fassbender, Alicia Vikander. Wem tive recreation of the world’s great- Town Hall, North Shropshire, Tues 17 est love story, Thurs 19 Jan, & Thurs 19 Jan Crescent Theatre, Birmingham PATERSON (15) Comedy/Drama. Starring Adam Driver, Golshifteh Farahani. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Tues 17 & Thurs 19 Jan Talks THE UNKNOWN GIRL (15) Drama/Thriller. Starring Adèle AN EVENING WITH NADIYA HUSSAIN Haenel, Olivier Bonnaud. Stoke Film The British Bake Off winner talks Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 17 Jan; about her debut book The Secret mac, Birmingham, Wed 18 - Thurs 19 Lives Of The Amir Sisters which is Jan available to buy from 12 January, Mon 16 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall UNITED STATES OF LOVE (18) Drama. Starring Julia Kijowska, Magdalena Cielecka. Foreign language, subti- tled. Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-on- Trent, Thurs 19 Jan Arenacross THE GOLD RUSH (PG) Comedy/Drama. Genting Arena, Birmingham, Sat 21 January Starring Charlie Chaplin. The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 20 Jan An absolute must for extreme sports fans, the 2017 Arenacross Tour MIA MADRE (PG) Drama. Starring brings indoors all the spectacular elements of Motorcross for a ‘non- Margherita Buy, John Turturro. stop white-knuckle ride’. Foreign language, subtitled. The Set to a pumping soundtrack and laser show, the event sees some of Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 20 Jan the world’s top freestylers taking to the track to present what organ- ARRIVAL (12a) Mystery/Sci-Fi . isers describe as ‘some truly awe-inspiring entertainment’. The show Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner. also features racing gladiators from as young as seven taking to the Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, circuit in search of Arenacross glory... Fri 20 Jan ALLIED (15) Action/Drama. Starring Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard. Festival Drayton Centre, North Shropshire, Fri 20 - Sat 21 Jan THE BLACK HEN (12a) Drama. Starring Film Khadka Raj Nepali, Sukra Raj Rokaya. Foreign language, subtitled. INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: mac, Birmingham, Sat 21 Jan SULLY (12a) Drama/Biography. ANTHROPOID (15) Biography/History. Starring Tom Hanks, Laura Linney. Starring Cillian Murphy, Jamie Festival Drayton Centre, North Dornan. Light House Media Centre, Shropshire, Mon 16 Jan Wolverhampton, Sat 21 - Sun 22 Jan HALF WAY (15) Documentary. Directed by Daisy-May Hudson. mac, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Birmingham, Mon 16 - Tues 17 Jan Released from Fri 20 Jan, showing at A UNITED KINGDOM (12a) selected cinemas Biography/Drama. Starring David xXx 3: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike. Ludlow (tbc) Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Mon 16, Wed 18 & Thurs 19 Jan JACKIE (15) LA LA LAND (12a) Comedy/Musical. LION (tbc) Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone. SPLIT (15) Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton, Mon 16 - Thurs 19 Jan; Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Mon 16 - Sun 22 Jan; mac, Birmingham, Fri 20 - Sun 22 Jan Events SNOWDON (PG) Biography/Drama. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley. mac, Birmingham, STRICTLY COME DANCING THE LIVE Mon 16 - Thurs 19 Jan TOUR Fri 20 - Sun 22 Jan, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham SILENCE (tbc) Drama/History. Starring Liam Neeson, Adam Driver. Light THE MONSTER ENERGY ARENACROSS House Media Centre, TOUR Sat 21 Jan, Genting Arena, Wolverhampton, Mon 16 - Thurs 19 Birmingham Jan ASIAN BRIDE LIVE The bridal show CATHY COME HOME (PG) Drama. makes a welcome return to Starring Carol White, Adrienne Birmingham, Sat 21 - Sun 22 Jan, Frame. mac, Birmingham, Tues 17 NEC, Birmingham Jan THE RED BARON (12) Adventure/Biography. Starring Matthias Schweighöfer, Lena Headey.

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thelist Monday 23 - Tuesday 31 January HOME FREE Thurs 26 Birmingham LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT - THOMAS Gigs Jan, O2 Academy, MIKE SKINNER & Classical Music TROTTER Programme includes works Birmingham MURKAGE PRESENT by C.M Widor, J.S Bach, Mozart, L. FOLK & ROOTS CLUB TONGA Fri 27- Sat 28 Anderson, W. Russell & G. Bizet, THE HUNNA Mon 23 BRASS FACULTY RECITAL Featuring Thurs 26 Jan, The Jan, Hare & Hounds, Mon 30 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall Jan, O2 Institute, Alan Thomas (trumpet), Chris Roadhouse, Birmingham FUMIKO MIYACHI PIANO RECITAL Birmingham Houlding (trombone) & Joanne Birmingham QUILL Sat 28 Jan, Programme includes new works by GLENN HUGHES Mon Sealey (piano), Tues 24 Jan, Recital JACKSON LIVE IN Lichfield Garrick, Peter Bell, Rob Crehan, Patrick Ellis, 23 Jan, The Robin, Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire CONCERT Fri 27 Jan, Staffordshire Robin Morton & Roche van Tiddens, Bilston CBSO: HANDEL’S SEMELE Featuring Tues 31 Jan, Recital Hall, Regent Theatre, THE CARPENTERS THE CARRIVICK Richard Egarr (conductor), Mhairi Birmingham Conservatoire Stoke-on-Trent STORY Sat 28 Jan, SISTERS Mon 23 Jan, Lawson (Semele); Louise Alder (Iris) MARTYN JOSEPH Fri 27 New Alexandra Kitchen Garden Cafe, & Tim Mead (Athamas). Wed 25 Jan, Jan, Theatre Severn, Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Shrewsbury KILLERSTREAM Sat 28 LIL' JIMMY REED BAND MARIA CAMAHORT QUINTET Featuring NIBBS & EDDY Fri 27 Jan, The River Tues 24 Jan, The traditional music of the Iberian Comedy Gigs Jan, Havana Rooms, Stourbridge Robin, Bilston peninsula, Wed 25 Jan, New Vic Republic Bar and BOOTLEG ABBA & BEE Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme TWO DOOR CINEMA Restaurant, GEES FEVER Sat 28 OMID DJALILI Tues 24 Jan, Theatre CLUB Tues 24 Jan, O2 CBSO BAROQUE ENSEMBLE Shrewsbury Jan, The Robin, Severn, Shrewsbury Academy, B’ham Programme includes works by THE BEE GEES STORY - Bilston Handel, Pepusch, Cervetto, JC Bach THE HOTELIER Tues 24 NIGHTS ON BROADWAY THE SENSATIONAL 60'S & Loeillet, Thurs 26 Jan, CBSO Jan, The Rainbow Fri 27 Jan, EXPERIENCE Sat 28 Centre, Birmingham Venues, Birmingham Wolverhampton Jan, Wolverhampton ST PETERSBURG PHILHARMONIC HAPPY BIRTHDAY Grand Theatre Grand Theatre PERFORMS PROKOFIEV Featuring Yuri SYMON WITH LEE LEGEND - LEGENDS OF JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR Temirkanov (conductor) & Nikolai BENSON Tues 24 Jan, ROCK Fri 27 Jan, The Sat 28 Jan, Lugansky (piano). Programme The Jam House, River Rooms, Birmingham Town includes works by Rimsky-Korsakov Birmingham Stourbridge Hall & Prokofiev, Thurs 26 Jan, PROPER ORNAMENTS SSEX PISTOLSS Fri 27 THE PITMEN POETS Sat Symphony Hall, Birmingham Tues 24 Jan, Hare & Jan, Route 44, 28 Jan, Stafford THE TYBURN TRIO Featuring Milly Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham Gatehouse Theatre Forrest (soprano), Henry Kennedy FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 25 Jan, The CANDLEBOX Tues 24 SOMEONE LIKE YOU - THANK ABBA FOR THE (clarinet) & Andrei lliushkin (piano), Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham Jan, The Slade THE ADELE SONGBOOK MUSIC Sat 28 Jan, Fri 27 Jan, Maidment Hall, RUBY WAX Thurs 26 Jan, Palace Rooms, W’hampton Fri 27 Jan, New Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury School Theatre, Redditch ERIC SARDINAS & BIG Alexandra Theatre, Shrewsbury KENNETH HAMILTON LECTURE RECITAL: TIFF STEVENSON Thurs 26 Jan, mac, MOTOR Wed 25 Jan, Birmingham PAUL JONES & DAVE ON TOUR WITH LISZT Programme Birmingham The Robin, Bilston STANLEY DEE - STEELY includes works by Chopin, Liszt, KELLY ACOUSTIC DUO COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY A DAY TO REMEMBER DAN TRIBUTE Fri 27 Thalberg, Pixis, Herz & Czerny, Fri Sat 28 Jan, Festival ROBINSON Thurs 26 Jan, The Glee Wed 25 Jan, Jan, The Roadhouse, 27 Jan, The Barber Institute, Drayton Centre, Club, Birmingham Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham North Shropshire Birmingham RUTH GRAHAM Birmingham VEX RED Fri 27 Jan, JUNIOR CONSERVATOIRE ORCHESTRAL Fri 27 Jan, Old Joint THE UB40 EXPERIENCE Stock Theatre, Birmingham DECLAN MCKENNA O2 Academy, B’ham Sat 28 Jan, The CONCERT Featuring Daniele Rosina, JIMMY MCGHIE, ED GAMBLE, MARLON Wed 25 Jan, Hare & THE SULTANA BROS Fri Roadhouse, B’ham Jeffrey Snowdon & Timothy English DAVIS & COMIC TBC Hounds, Birmingham 27 Jan, Ludlow (conductors). Programme includes Fri 27 Jan, The SYNERGY Sat 28 Jan, works by Saint-Saens & Dvorak, Sat Glee Club, Birmingham EXMAGICIAN Wed 25 Brewery, South Havana Republic Bar 28 Jan, Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall Jan, The Sunflower Shropshire ELLIE TAYLOR, BEN NORRIS & PHIL ELLIS and Restaurant, Music Building, University of Lounge, Birmingham ATOMIC ROOSTER & Shrewsbury Sat 28 Jan, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Birmingham OATHBREAKER Wed SNAFU Fri 27 Jan, The JOJO Sat 28 Jan, O2 ENDYMION Programme includes 25 Jan, The Flapper, Robin, Bilston JIMMY MCGHIE, MARLON DAVIS, ED Institute, Birmingham works by Beethoven, Ligeti & Birmingham EMULSION FESTIVAL GAMBLE & COMIC TBC Sat 28 Jan, The THE QUIREBOYS Sun Brahms, Sat 28 Jan, Ludlow Glee Club, Birmingham KING PLEASURE AND Fri 27 Jan, mac, 29 Jan, The Robin, Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire THE BISCUIT BOYS Birmingham Bilston BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC Thurs 26 Jan, The INDEPENDENT VENUE MEXRRISSEY - MEXICO ORCHESTRA Featuring Richard Laing Robin, Bilston WEEK SHOWCASE FEAT: GOES MORRISSEY Sun (conductor). Programme includes THE PITMEN POETS RINSE, FEARS CHELLA 29 Jan, Birmingham works by Korngold, Arnold, Theatre Thurs 26 Jan, Theatre & ALMA Fri 27 Jan, Town Hall Shostakovich, Herrmann, Bernstein, Severn, Shrewsbury The Sugarmill, Stoke- Williams, Sun 29 Jan, Theatre on-Trent THE BLACKHEART THE BOWIE Severn, Shrewsbury ORCHESTRA Sun 29 MURDERED TO DEATH The Nonentities EXPERIENCE MILES HUNT - THE Thurs 26 Jan, Kitchen Garden CBSO: BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH Featuring present an amateur staging of Peter WONDER STUFF Fri 27 Jan, New Alexandra Cafe, Birmingham Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla (conductor) & Gordon’s tongue-in-cheek take on the Jan, The Slade Theatre, Birmingham Francesco Piemontesi (piano). Agatha Christie genre, Mon 23 - Sat 28 Rooms, W’hampton TYKETTO 25TH DEL CAMINO Thurs 26 ANNIVERSARY TOUR Programme includes works by Jan, Rose Theatre, Kidderminster Jan, The Jam House, SHAKE THE BASS Fri Haydn, Mozart & Beethoven, Sun 29 Mon 30 Jan, The ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS One Off Birmingham 27 Jan, O2 Institute, Robin, Bilston Hall Jan - Thurs 2 Feb, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Productions present an amateur stag- THE HEAD AND THE ing of Richard Bean’s comedy, which HEART Mon 30 Jan, is based on Carlo Goldoni’s The O2 Institute, B’ham Servant Of Two Masters, Tues 24 - Sat MARTHA WAINWRIGHT 28 Jan, Stoke Repertory Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Mon 30 Jan, Birmingham Town TONY STOCKWELL Tues 24 Jan, The Hall Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Shropshire DARLINGSIDE Tues 31 Jan, The Glee Club, PSYCHIC SALLY: CALL ME PSYCHIC Wed Birmingham 25 Jan, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire The Pitmen Poets - Theatre Severn & Stafford Gatehouse VAMPIRES ROCK: GHOST TRAIN Classic whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List 23 - 31 January - Shropshire ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 14:10 Page 3

Monday 23 - Tuesday 31 January

therock spectacular, a sequellist to the ALYSIA HARRIS & SPECIAL GUESTS An DEAN STRANG AND JERRY BUTING An phenomenally successful Vampires evening of 'mindblowing poetry & live evening of conversation with two Rock Musical Concert, Thurs 26 Jan, music', Tue 31 Jan, The REP, compelling figures who featured in Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Birmingham the Netflix docuseries Making A SLEEPING BEAUTY Theatre On The EVITA Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Murderer, Tues 24 Jan, Birmingham Steps present a pantomime version Rice's 1970s musical returns to the Town Hall of the popular fairytale, Thurs 26 - Midlands. Tue 31 Jan - Sat 4 Feb, BLACK COUNTRY VOICES An evening Sat 28 Jan, Theatre On The Steps, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent of spoken word with David Reeves, Bridgnorth, Shropshire an itinerant performance poet and THE PSYCHIC PROJECT A mind-reading musician, Sat 28 Jan, Arena show based on the true story of the Theatre, Wolverhampton Cold War’s psychic spies, Thurs 26 LIT FEST SLAM Join MC’s Steve Jan, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Dance Pottinger, Dave Pitt and Emma Birmingham Purshouse as 15 poets battle it out LOVE New play by Alexander Zeldin, in a live poetry competition to BRENDAN COLE: ALL NIGHT LONG A written through a devising process in become the Wolverhampton brand new show for 2017, Brendan which the audience are invited to Literature Festival Slam Champion hosts another spectacular produc- bear witness to an intimate story of for 2017, Sun 29 Jan, Arena tion featuring his guest dancers, a family love, Thurs 26 Jan - Sat 11 Theatre, Wolverhampton Feb, The REP, Birmingham new leading lady and a 14 piece band and singers live on stage. EUROHOUSE Two performers - one Thurs 26 Jan, Wolverhampton Greek, one French - dance and shout, cry and sing, agree and dis- Grand Theatre agree, about life in the Eurohouse. A ANTON & ERIN... SWING TIME Brand Film darkly comic look at the EU's found- new show from the nation's ing ideals and what got lost along favourite ballroom couple, Sat 28 the way, Thurs 26 - Sat 28 Jan, The Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: The Singular Exploits Of REP, Birmingham Sherlock Holmes TEN Ace dance use choreography LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER New stag- to explore humanity’s urge to reach HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE (12a) ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (12a) ing of DH Lawrence's most famous for the power of 10 - the universal Adventure/Comedy. Starring Sam Adventure/Fantasy. Starring Felicity novel, Thurs 26 Jan - Fri 3 Feb, symbol of completion, Fri 27 Jan, Neill, Julian Dennison. Stourbridge Jones, Mads Mikkelsen. Ludlow The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham Lichfield Garrick Town Hall, Mon 23 Jan Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, WHAT'S IN A NAME? Premiere of SONIA SABRI COMPANY: AKAAR ANTHROPOID (15) Biography/History. Fri 27 - Tues 31 Jan Jeremy Sams' adaptation of the Birmingham-based Sonia Sabri Starring Cillian Murphy, Jamie THE BIRTH OF A NATION (15) French film and stage sensation, Le Company here showcase the tal- Dornan. Light House Media Centre, Biography/History. Starring Nate Prenom. Starring Nigel Harman and ents of guest artists from across the Wolverhampton, Mon 23 & Wed 25 Parker, Armie Hammer. Old Market Sarah Hadland, Fri 27 Jan - Sat 11 region, together with students from Jan Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 27 - Tues 31 Feb, The REP, Birmingham local groups and communities who LA LA LAND (12a) Comedy/Musical. Jan AND THERE WAS WAR Biblical narrative have been nurtured through the Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone. STORKS (U) Animation/Adventure. deeply entrenched in the concepts of company's dedicated teaching, Sat Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Mon 23 With the voices of Andy Samberg, the immense controversy between 28 Jan, The Old Rep Theatre, - Thurs 26 Jan; mac, Birmingham, Jennifer Aniston. mac, Birmingham, good and evil, Sat 28 Jan, The Birmingham Mon 23 - Tues 31 Jan Sat 28 Jan Crescent Theatre, Birmingham SCATTERED Motionhouse Dance SULLY (12a) Drama/Biography. THE EAGLE HUNTRESS (U) THE SINGULAR EXPLOITS OF SHERLOCK Theatre fuse physical dance the- Starring Tom Hanks, Laura Linney. Documentary. Starring Daisy Ridley, HOLMES Don’t Go Into The Cellar atre, mesmerising aerial imagery Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Aisholpan. Stoke Film theatre, Stoke- Theatre Company present the story and film graphics to explore our Shropshire, Mon 23 Jan; Wem Town on-Trent, Tues 31 Jan; Ludlow of the greatest fictional sleuth of all relationship with water in all its Hall, North Shropshire, Tues 31 Jan Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, time. A ‘high-energy’ one-man show forms, Tue 31 Jan - Fri 3 Feb Tues 31 Jan featuring a plethora of dashing THE WAILING (15) Fantasy/Horror. The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham heroes, villainous rogues and vintage Starring Jun Kunimura, Jung-min thrills, Sat 28 Jan, Newhampton Arts Hwang. Foreign language, subtitled. Centre, Wolverhampton Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 24 Jan NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: FRANKENSTEIN The Crescent Theatre A UNITED KINGDOM (12a) Released from Fri 27 Jan, showing at Company presents a staging of Mary selected cinemas Shelley’s thrilling and deeply disturb- Talks Biography/Drama. Starring David ing gothic tale, Sat 28 & Tues 31 Jan, Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike. Wem HACKSAW RIDGE (tbc) The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Town Hall, North Shropshire, Tues 24 DENIAL (12a) & Thurs 26 Jan LITTLE HOWARD AND THE MAGIC PENCIL TOM KERRIDGE’S DOPAMINE DIET One RULES DON’T APPLY (tbc) of the UK’s top chefs shares how THE SON OF JOSEPH (12a) Drama. OF LIFE AND DEATH Family comedy SING (U) show, as seen on CBBC's The his ground-breaking diet worked for Starring Victor Ezenfis, Natacha Slammer and ITV's Comedy Cuts. him, and how it can be used to Régnier. Foreign language, subtitled. THE WHITE KING (12a) Suitable for children aged five-plus... transform health, Mon 23 Jan, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Sun 29 Jan, mac, Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall Shropshire, Tues 24 & Thurs 26 Jan MARY SHELLEY The Crescent Theatre GHOST IN THE SHELL (12a) Company presents Helen Animation/Action. With the voices of Events Edmundson’s compelling drama Atsuko Tanaka, Iemasa Kayumi. about the early life of one of the Foreign language, subtitled. Electric world’s most famous writers of gothic Cinema, Birmingham, Wed 25 Jan SLIDE - ACTION SPORT TRADESHOW fiction, Sun 29 Jan - Sat 11 Feb, The CHI-RAQ (15) Crime/Drama. Starring Tues 24 Jan - Wed 25 Jan, Telford Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Nick Cannon, Teyonah Parris. Stoke International Centre, Shropshire LADY CHATTERLEY’S LOVER Amateur Film Theatre, Thurs 26 Jan WILFRED OWEN DAY Sat 28 Jan, St staging of DH Lawrence's most PATERSON (15) Comedy/Drama. Chad's Church, Shrewsbury famous novel, Mon 30 Jan, The Rose Starring Adam Driver, Golshifteh FEATHER & FLIGHT Sat 28 Jan, Theatre, Kidderminster Farahani. Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke- Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW on-Trent, Fri 27 - Sat 28 Jan Craven Arms A menagerie of 75 lovable puppets MANCHESTER BY THE SEA (15) Drama. CAMPER MART Sun 29 Jan, Telford faithfully adapt four of Eric Carle’s Starring Casey Affleck, Michelle International Centre, Shropshire stories for children, Mon 30 - Tues 31 Williams. mac, Birmingham, Fri 27 - TATTOO FREEZE Sun 29 Jan, Telford Jan, New Alexandra Theatre, B’ham Tues 31 Jan International Centre, Shropshire 66 whatsonlive.co.uk Magical Lantern Festival (FP- December 16).qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 14:44 Page 1 Comic Con (FP- December 16).qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2016 12:14 Page 1