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JACK WHITEHALL AT Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ARENA BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM WHAT’S ON NOVEMBER 2019 Birmingham ISSUE 407 NOVEMBER 2019 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD Onbirminghamwhatson.co.uk

PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP WTE:@WHATSONBRUMTWITTER: FACEBOOK:@WHATSONBIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAMWHATSON.CO.UK BRB Full Page Nov 2019.qxp_Layout 1 18/10/2019 15:20 Page 1 Contents November Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 17:59 Page 2

November 2019

Contents

Festive Magic! - Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns feature on page 32

It’s a dog’s life! Bat For Lashes Peter Pan flies in... the list

What’s On chats to Kipper the Natasha Khan brings Lost Girls JM Barrie’s famous story, retold Your 16-page dog’s creator, Mick Inkpen to Birmingham Town Hall at The Rep for Christmas week-by-week listings guide interview page 10 page 17 page 35 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 15. Classical 17. Gigs 20. Comedy 26. Theatre 35. Christmas 43. Visual Arts 45. Events

@whatsonbrum fb.com/whatsonbirmingham @whatsonbrum Birmingham What’s On Birmingham What’s On What’s On Birmingham

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 MEDIA GROUP Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Lauren Cole [email protected] 01743 281733 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Nanci Davies, Patsy Moss Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Birmingham November.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 18:12 Page 1

First Word Entertainment news from around the region

Tony Award winner heading to Birmingham next spring Tony Award-winning satirical comedy The Book Of Mormon is heading for Birmingham. Devised by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Avenue Q co-creator Robert Lopez, the show follows a mis- matched pair of Mormon boys who are sent on a mission to deliver the news of the Latter Day saints to the people of a Ugandan village - a place where war, famine, poverty and AIDS are far more of a concern than religion. Featuring songs Spooky Mormon Hell Dream, I Am Africa, Baptize Me, All American Prophet and Tomorrow Is A Latter Day, The Book Of Mormon visits Birmingham Hippo- drome from Wednesday 4 to Saturday 28 March. For more information and to book tickets, visit birminghamhippodrome.com

Michael and Alfie together I Heard It Through The Grapevine, the show Being Human at Bramall stops off at Birmingham Hippodrome from 15 again in Birmingham to 20 March and Wolverhampton Grand The- TV broadcaster Professor Alice Roberts will Musical duo Michael Ball and Alfie Boe are atre from 14 to 19 June 2021. debate ‘evolving beauty demands and body heading out on tour together next year, stop- agency’ with an interdisciplinary panel of ping off at Arena Birmingham on Sunday 1 fellow University of Birmingham researchers March. at the venue’s Bramall Hall on Thursday 21 The tour announcement follows the success November. of their first two duet albums, Together and The discussion, 21st Century Body, takes Together Again. A third album, Back To- place as part of Being Human, the UK’s gether, is released on the 1st of this month, national festival of the humanities. tracks from which will be featured in their The event is free to attend and tickets can be touring show. booked at eventbrite.co.uk

Congrats to Celya AB... An exhibition with bite! Comedian Celya AB has been announced as Birmingham Dental Hospital and the the winner of the prestigious Birmingham University of Birmingham School of Dentistry Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award. is currently hosting an exhibition (until 17 Celya last month delighted a sell-out audi- January) investigating the link between teeth ence at The Glee Club, where she was pre- and the city’s historic Jewellery Quarter. sented with the region’s biggest comedy prize Created by internationally renowned artist by BBC WM presenter Lisa Smith. Anna Dumitriu in collaboration with Dr Originally from Paris, Celya’s win came Melissa Grant - a senior lecturer in biological exactly five years to the day after she sciences at the School of Dentistry - the swapped the French capital for Birmingham. exhibition also looks at ‘the strange histories Smash-hit stage musical Picking up her and emerging futures of dentistry’, from heading for the Midlands award, she said: teeth worms, false teeth and the development The smash-hit stage musical version of “It means a lot of anaesthetics to 3D printing and the DNA of Roddy Doyle’s bestselling novel, The Com- for me to be con- dental microbes. mitments, is heading to the Midlands in 2021 sidered a Birm- A free-to-attend drop-in workshop exploring as part of a UK & Ireland tour. ingham talent; it the techniques used in the exhibition and Featuring more than 20 soul classics per- was huge just to showing how to make your own artwork formed live on stage, including Night Train, have been nomi- takes place on Wednesday 20 November. Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Mustang Sally and nated!” 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham November.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 18:12 Page 2 First Word Birmingham November.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 18:12 Page 3

First Word Entertainment news from around the region

Diary date for Disney ice magic Get your skates on - a new Disney On Ice show is coming to Birmingham in the spring! Magical Ice Festival is described as ‘highlighting the stories of Disney’s most beloved heroines with ener- getic choreography that will have audiences singing, dancing and cheering’. The production stops off at Resorts World Arena from 29 April to 3 May. For more information and to book tickets, visit resortsworldarena.co.uk Brum Vogue Birmingham’s lifestyle destination aiming to impress Birmingham is this month Looking for head-turning fashion, unique interi- Armani and James Lakeland, and explore luxuri- hosting its first ever Vogue ors inspiration or a quality restaurant for a ous lighting and impressive interiors at Home At Ball. special celebration? Mailbox - the largest selection of home furnish- First danced by black drag If so, check out Birmingham’s Mailbox, a venue ing brands in the Midlands. queens in New York’s Harlem, that’s confident it’s offering the very best in There are fine dining restaurants, independent Vogue was part of a 1960s’ shopping and entertainment this autumn. eateries and canalside bars to enjoy too, while underground scene, its Balls Visitors to the popular lifestyle destination can film buffs can stop off at Everyman Cinema to giving the QTIPOC+ (Queer, shop for the latest trends at Harvey Nichols, catch up on the latest releases. Transgender & Intersex enjoy some head-to-toe pampering at Malmai- For more information about everything the People Of Colour) community son Spa, indulge in retail therapy at Emporio Mailbox has to offer, visit mailboxlife.com. a safe space in which to thrive and develop. Here in the UK, the Vogue Foundry Festival returns to The Rep Vive le cinema! scene has grown significantly in recent years, with popular Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s REP Foundry Festival returns for The 27th edition of the French houses opening up across the a second year this month. Film Festival UK opens on 1 country. Offering ‘a vibrant and inspiring snapshot of theatre’ created by November and takes place in Now it’s Birmingham’s turn to West Midlands emerging writers and theatre makers, the 10-day venues across 35 towns and welcome the scene, with the event runs from 7 to 16 November and features eight new plays. cities, including Midlands city’s first ever house, House All performances are free to attend. For more information and to Arts Centre in Birmingham. book a ticket, visit birmingham-rep.co.uk. Commenting on the event, of Bab, and first Vogue Ball Festival Director & Co- featuring as part of this Founder Richard Mowe said: month’s SHOUT Festival. “We’re thrilled this year to The event takes place at have one of the most varied Birmingham Hippodrome on and vibrant programmes ever Friday 15 November. seen at the French Film For more information, visit Festival UK. shoutfestival.co.uk “The festival's work illustrates the fact that culture, human understanding and coopera- tion ignores current political vagaries and knows no boundaries.” For the full programme, venues and booking information, visit frenchfilmfestival.org.uk.

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Town Hall Symphony Hall @THSHBirmingham thsh_birmingham townhallsymphonyhall

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First Word Entertainment news from around the region

RuPaul’s Drag Race live in Brum A live-show version of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is coming to Birmingham. The first UK TV series of the hugely popular US talent contest is running for eight episodes on BBC Three. The series’ queens will then hit the road to present a live- on-stage extravaganza hosted by drag queen extraordinaire Alyssa Edwards. The production stops off at the Alexandra Theatre on Sunday 1 December. For more information and to book tickets, visit atgtickets.com

Something to SHOUT about as queer arts festival returns SHOUT, Birmingham’s festival of queer arts and Shout is delivering a programme of ‘the very best culture, this month returns for its 10th anniver- in queer and LGBT theatre, visual arts, comedy, sary edition. music, film and live performance’ at various Immersive eating The popular event made its debut in 2009 with locations across Birmingham. in Mell Square the aim of promoting the diversity of the city’s For more information and to book tickets, visit The operators of Solihull gas- lesbian, gay, bisexual and transcultural commu- shoutfestival.co.uk tropub Tap & Tandoor are to nity. The festival has since grown to become a Above image is of queer icon John Waters who’ll work with the town’s Mell highlight on the Midlands LGBT+ calendar. be bringing his one-man show to Birmingham Square Shopping Centre to For 13 days this month, from the 5th to the 17th, Hippodrome on Wed 13 November. develop a brand new immersive eating experience. Taste Collective will provide a Luxury Christmas at Marco Pierre White MoRunning for range of experience-led offerings, four pop-up-style street- Marco Pierre White restaurant in Birmingham’s Cube is inviting diners men’s health food kiosks and a covered to ‘celebrate Christmas in the height of luxury’. National running event outdoor pergola-style seating As well as serving festive lunches, dinners and afternoon teas series MoRunning arrives area. throughout December, the eatery will also transform into a magical in Birmingham this Commenting on the project, winter wonderland, complete with snowy Christmas trees, heaters, month. Ajay Kenth, director of Tap & lanterns, cosy cushions & blankets, skis and twinkling lights. Designed to raise money Tandoor, said: “It’s a fantastic Tables can be reserved by emailing: [email protected] to tackle four of the opportunity to broaden the of- biggest health issues fering in the town centre and faced by men - prostate bring our own individual style cancer, testicular cancer, to Taste Collective, developing mental health and sui- a new destination & eating cide - MoRunning is a experience which I know visi- series of 1.5km, 5km and tors to Solihull will embrace.” 10km runs taking place at For more information about 24 different locations the project, visit tastecollec- across the UK & Ireland. tivemellsquare.com The run takes place in Sutton Park on Saturday 16 November. To sign up to participate, visit morunning.com/locations 7 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham November.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 18:13 Page 6 Kipper Mick Inkpen feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 12:26 Page 1 It’s a dog’s life!

10 whatsonlive.co.uk Kipper Mick Inkpen feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 12:26 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

One of children’s literature’s most popular canine characters takes to the stage this month. What’s On caught up with the writer & illustrator of the Kipper series, Mick Inkpen, to find out about a new theatrical production that’s bringing together two of his stories...

Slot Machine Theatre’s Christmas production, cards for Gordon Fraser. Once I’d developed a piece of theatre, and I was so pleased about Kipper’s Snowy Day - showing at MAC Birm- style, I thought it would perhaps be possible that. Playfulness is one of the main things ingham from late this month till the end of to go into children’s books. It seemed like a that characterises what I do, and that’s some- the year - is based on not one but two of Mick very good medium for the kind of drawing I thing I think both kids and parents will Inkpen’s award-winning books about Kipper liked doing the most.” engage with.” the dog. The show follows the escapades of The stage version of Kipper’s Snowy Day over- It was these similarities in creative vision and Kipper and his friends, whose Arctic adven- flows with original music and songs, bespoke style that encouraged Mick to work with Slot tures take a turn for the worse when their pal, puppets and humour. Machine in the first place. He had been Arnold, goes missing in a storm… approached about stage adaptations of “Music is a very strong feature. There’s lots of “The production is very faithful to the spirit of Kipper previously, even before the BAFTA- fun, comedy and word play in the lyrics of the the books and the character of Kipper,” says winning animation of the series, but only songs, and they’ve been written specifically writer & illustrator Mick, “but I urged Slot when Slot Machine came along did he feel for the production. And it has the same kind Machine not to be too worried about being he’d found the right match: “I think the team of puppetry as in War Horse. You’ve got that absolutely faithful to the storyline. So we at Slot Machine are really invested in theatre marvellous thing where the audience sus- agreed that they’d make an amalgam of the for children and what you might call ‘pure pends disbelief. They’re complicit in ignoring two main books: Kipper’s Snowy Day and theatre’, rather than celebrity-based theatre. the puppeteers and allowing the story to Kipper’s Christmas Eve. They’ve also intro- I was very at home with the way they thought unfold. That in itself adds a certain level of duced their own things, like the storm, which about my books and about their vision for magic to the production because the audience doesn’t appear in either book. The fact that Kipper’s Snowy Day. Creatively I found it very feels so involved in the story. I’ve always they had that freedom meant that they could easy to work with them and readily trusted loved puppet work on stage; I think it’s a really play with what they were doing, rather them to have a very free hand in terms of really powerful medium.” than slavishly putting one of my books on what they wanted to do.” stage. So what else does Mick think makes this show MAC Birmingham is holding a special unique? “It’s a very multifaceted show. There are Kipper’s Snowy Day drawing competition, graphics, songs, puppets and a wonderful “The set is a great example of the theatre which will see one lucky youngster and their plot - it’s visually interesting and completely company thinking creatively about how to family win tickets to see the show. The original. Whether you’ve read the Kipper really bring a book to life. With the Kipper competition will be judged by Mick himself: books or not, you’ll be delighted by the sur- books, I’ve always tried to avoid placing him “You never know what you’re going to get prises along the way. This little production somewhere in particular. While, for example, when children are set loose on a page. I’m really deserves lots of exposure because it is Postman Pat is in a particular landscape in a really looking forward to seeing their efforts truly wonderful.” particular place, Kipper exists in this white and finding a worthy winner.” world of the page, which means I can do with Kipper the dog first appeared 30 years ago in Getting children interested in the arts is very him what I like - I can even send him to the Mick’s book, The Blue Balloon. important as far as Mick is concerned: “The moon! Slot Machine wanted to capture that tick-box attitude to learning in schools now is “That was the book which really put me on white-world look, even more so with Kipper’s so boring. I think it’s hugely important that the map and made me think of myself as a Snowy Day being set in a snowscape. So the children are encouraged to use their imagina- proper, successful children’s author. In it, back of the stage is an entirely open book tions and play around with ideas, rather than Kipper wasn’t quite the Kipper that we see in with blank pages, which allows them to use it having such a constrained focus on just the later stories and in this show because he as a screen upon which they project things. getting things right. School should be a place was on all-fours and just a boy’s companion. For example, the violent storm is expressed where you can openly discuss and explore The Blue Balloon was a very singular kind of by just an animated scribble rushing about all things - even get things wrong - without being book, so a sequel didn’t really seem to have over this book backdrop. judged. I don’t think society can expand very any legs. What the publisher and I wanted “Another part of the white world is that the far beyond what’s fairly utilitarian without was to base a series of books around a charac- entire action takes place on Big Hill, which imagination and without playing with that ter. Developing the character of Kipper from features in the Kipper books. Big Hill is world which children hold so dear. It’s hugely The Blue Balloon more than fitted the bill.” covered in snow, so the set has this white important to support art, reading, theatre and Mick fell in love with all things creative at an double-page with a big, sloping snowy hill. just generally being creative, so that our early age: “My favourite subjects at school This allows Slot Machine to play with per- children can grow and learn.” were English and Art. My favourite part of spective, so at certain points there are tiny English itself was the creative essays and writ- puppets at the top of the hill to make the ing. I can’t really remember when my passion characters look very distant. It’s a very simple Kipper’s Snowy Day runs at Midlands Arts for storytelling and illustration started set, but one that really allows the action to Centre, Birmingham from Tuesday 26 exactly, but it was definitely around that time. spring off the stage in the same way that my November to Tuesday 31 December. I cut my teeth in the world of work, and on characters spring off the page. Slot Machine illustration in particular, by doing greetings had a very playful approach to making this

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Classical November Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 18/10/2019 14:41 Page 1

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Classical

The Mozartists: Cosí Fan Tutte Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 8 November Specialising in historically informed performances of music by Mozart, The Mozartists here turn their attention to the composer’s Cosi Fan Tutte, an insightful comedy widely considered to be one of the truly great works of art. Like two of Mozart’s other compositions, The Marriage Of Figaro and Don Giovanni, the opera is a mirror into which audiences are invited to look and see themselves. Conducted by Ian Page (pictured), the production is sung in Italian with English surtitles.

CBSO: Capriccio Espagnol Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 13 November The City of Birmingham Symphony Orches- As well as the title work - Rimsky-Kor- tra’s Assistant Conductor, Jaume Santonja sakov’s Capriccio Espagnol - the line-up Espinós, takes to the podium for this also features Montsalvatge’s 5 Canciones concert having selected its programme negras, Falla’s The Three-Cornered Hat: himself - a fact which should further en- Suites 1 & 2, and Prokofiev’s seventh hance his already-admirable level of enthu- symphony. Clara Mouriz (pictured) siasm for the music he conducts. performs the mezzo soprano duties.

Birmingham Bach Choir City of Birmingham Lichfield Cathedral, Sat 16 November Choir: Mass In Blue Earthrise One of the city's oldest and most distin- Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall Music Building, Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham guished musical groups (it’s currently cele- Birmingham, Sun 17 November Conservatoire, Sat 9 November brating its centenary), Birmingham Bach Commemorating the iconic 1968 photo- Choir here gets its teeth into the com- graph - taken by the crew of Apollo 8 - of poser’s virtuoso motet, Singet den Herrn. the earth rising out of the lunar land- The programme also features Haydn’s scape, Earthrise was a symphonic concept Nelson Mass and Handel’s Dixit Dominus. album recorded in 1985 by Electric Light The choir is joined by period instrument Orchestra musicians Richard Tandy and orchestra The Musical And Amicable Dave Scott-Morgan. Society. Paul Spicer (pictured) conducts. This Daniele Rosina-conducted concert premières an orchestral presentation of the album and is performed by the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Orchestra. The ever-impressive City of Birmingham Choir presents two works of modern choral music, both of which boast a jazz & blues vibe. Adrian Lucas is the man with the baton as the choir performs Will Todd’s Mass In Blue - a setting of the liturgical Mass in jazz and 12-bar blues - and Free- dom! The Power Of Song, the fifth in a series of choral works by Alexander and Joanna Forbes L’Estrange. The latter is the concert’s soprano vocalist. whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Jools Holland.qxp_Layout 1 22/10/2019 11:15 Page 1

Jools Holland isis outout oonn tourtour withwith hishis RhythmRhythm & BluesBlues OrchestraOrchestra thisthis autumn.autumn. WWhat’shat’s OOnn ccaughtaught uupp wwithith hhimim aaheadhead ofof hishis BBirminghamirmingham gigsgigs nextnext month...month... Jools Holland.qxp_Layout 1 22/10/2019 11:15 Page 2

Being on the road with a band you've jumps up straight away, as soon as they hear would hear a lot of that, and I think it opened known for a long time must make it quite a them doing Train To Skaville. It's just such my mind to a lot of that, so I still like it very social thing, mustn't it? great music, and they do it so fantastically much. Then at my grandmother's house there There are a lot of us, so you're never alone. and with a particular British take on it, which was a record player as well, so I would get There used to be that advert for a cigarette is great. It's really electric to hear them doing records and play them to death. The first called Strand, and the advert was, ‘You're it. They’re the originators of that British take record player I had was a 78 record player never alone with a Strand’. And it was such a on ska music, like Eric Clapton and The with a great big wind-up needle, which is the disaster because everybody thought, 'Well, I Rolling Stones were the originators of British worst thing ever to play 78s on. Eventually my don't want to be alone'. So they went out of blues. So it's great having them there, and dad got me an Alba record player, and we business. But it's a bit like, ‘You're never they like being with the orchestra because could have a good listen to whatever records alone with a big band because wherever you being with a whole big band magnifies it, were out at the time. I think I had a Glenn are, there's always...’ When I arrive in a town, makes it even bigger and has a fantastic Miller one, which got worn out, but the first I see Bammi - because, like me, he studies the jump-up effect. proper LP I had was For Once In My Life by Stevie Wonder. I liked that, and I think I had horses - going into a bookmaker's on the high How do you go about adapting your Lady Madonna by The Beatles. street. There'll be somebody else coming out. guests' big hits for a big band? It's like we're alien spores who’ve been You're not one for looking back, but do I wouldn't want to force things into a big- dropped into whatever town it is, and I recog- you ever stop to think about the life you've band style, so sometimes you have to play nise us as I'm coming into the town. In the led in music? hotel afterwards, there'll be a couple of peo- things in a different way. Most things you can I do think sometimes that it's time to look in ple having a drink. We often - at the show, be- take back to the piano because a lot of songs the rear-view mirror and take stock, because cause it's easy - have a big curry for all of us; were written on the piano or the keyboard or there are some fantastic moments. I've been that's quite jolly. One of the things that’s great a guitar - one instrument - so they're not writ- very lucky. I can't believe it sometimes, all is that everybody in the band's got a great ten with a big arrangement. So if you strip it this stuff that's happened. Then sometimes sense of humour - they're funny as well as back to that and then build it up again, you when we play on Later or on the Hootenanny being good players. So that's a good part of it. can normally make something work. If there's and people play with us, you get some amaz- Also, in the daytime, I'm a keen tourist. I like something that sounds like it's not naturally ing thing happen and the atmosphere is just looking at stuff, so I look at gardens, I look at going to go with a big band, you bring it down great. If you get a great live performance and old buildings or whatever. There's always to just the piano and the big band can creep somebody's filmed it, maybe millions of peo- something to look at, always something new in. ple will watch that on YouTube. Then some- to discover, so I think the world of touring Your nan's piano was crucial to your musi- times it's just about being in the dressing isn’t bad. If you have to do endless hours of cal upbringing, wasn't it? room doing a warm-up with somebody at the flying a day, then it can wear you out a bit, Yes, my nan's piano was really an essential piano. I remember being in the dressing room but that's a small price to pay. thing. It was a gift to her from her mother in with Amy Winehouse and her just singing For people who come to see you often, 1937, and I would hear them at Christmas, something at the piano. And you're thinking, there’s always a new element because of when I was very small, all singing songs. Ev- 'Wow, that's amazing'. So it doesn't really your special guests... erybody had their own song that they'd sing matter whether it's live on the television, on a This year, we're having somebody who's at the piano. It was also a pianola, so you record, in a dressing room, at home or at a worked with us before, but they bring out this would pedal the pedals and Fats Waller play- gig, you're plugging into the same thing and great element of us, which is Selecter. Specifi- ing Red Sails In The Sunset would come out it's an amazing thing. I'm so fortunate to have cally, it's Pauline Black, the singer, and 'Gaps' of it, which was great. So I got to learn those plugged into it and been very moved by it. Hendrickson, who works with Pauline. songs early on. But also it was great because The more you listen to stuff and the more you They're perfect for us because they represent my uncle, who was a teenager when I was play, the more you can play and listen to stuff, the British take on ska music, the 2 Tone small, would play boogie-woogie piano on it, yet the more mysterious it all becomes. That's thing. Although I wasn't part of the 2 Tone and that really got me fired up and made me the great thing about it - you can never figure thing, I was part of British ska music. That's learn by ear what he was doing. it out. part of my heritage and part of the thing my Did you have records in the house at orchestra have been doing for the past 25 home? years, so we've always been playing that Jools Holland And His Rhythm & Blues We couldn't afford a piano but we had a music. So it's perfect for us, and the effect Orchestra return to Symphony Hall, record player and a radio, and my parents they have on the audience, it's like everybody Birmingham, on 29 & 30 November. liked classical music and jazz music. So I GIGS November Birmingham-3.qxp_Layout 1 18/10/2019 14:42 Page 1 GIGS November Birmingham-3.qxp_Layout 1 18/10/2019 14:43 Page 2

Gigs

Geowulf Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Tues 26 November “You’ll probably find us sipping lattes whilst eating kale for breakfast in a sunny place called the Sunshine Coast,” reads this Australian duo’s Facebook biography. Since releasing their first track, Saltwater, in 2016, Star Kendrick and Toma Banjanin have been spreading their infectious beach pop sound around the globe. Taking inspiration from the likes of Mazzy Star, BJM, the Beach Boys and the Bee Gees, they head to Birmingham in support of new album My Resignation, released last month.

Fatherson ened Rabbit, Biffy Clyro and Enter Shikari. The boys released second album Open Book The Castle & Falcon, Birmingham, to great critical acclaim in summer 2016, Fri 8 November while 2019 has seen them produce their Scottish three-piece Fatherson have made most assured record to date, Sum Of All plenty of waves on the music scene since Your Parts - an album which has been their inception in 2010, along the way described as “melodic rock that’s good for releasing debut album I Am An Island in the mind, body and soul.” 2013 and playing support slots for Fright-

Bat For Lashes Catfish And The Liam Gallagher Town Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 21 November Bottlemen Arena Birmingham, Tues 12 November Natasha Khan, aka Bat For Lashes, is back Arena Birmingham, Mon 4 November with her fifth album, Lost Girls, which has Brit Award-winning Welsh rock band Catfish been described as a dazzling cinematic And The Bottlemen have been on the rise for masterpiece and her best record yet. a number of years now, particularly since Join her for what promises to be an intimate, their 2014 single, Kathleen, was ranked euphoric and atmospheric night of vocal, number one on MTV’s hottest-tracks list. electronic synth and piano sets, featuring not Two years later they released their second only songs from the new album but also album and first number one, The Ride, and some sure-to-be-interesting never-before- have since been garnering plaudits like performed material. they’re going out of fashion. They return to Liam Gallagher’s return to the global music Birmingham this month fresh from releasing scene was nothing short of spectacular, with third studio album The Balance. all 100,000 tickets for his first solo UK arena tour selling out on the morning they went on sale. The release of his debut solo album, Mac DeMarco As You Were - perfectly complemented by O2 Academy, Birmingham, Wed 27 November explosive performances at both Glastonbury Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instru- and Finsbury Park - firmly reestablished his mentalist and producer Mac DeMarco makes rock-star status. a welcome return to Birmingham this month This second tour - in support of follow-up to perform a show in support of fourth album Why Me? Why Not. - looks set to studio album, Here Comes The Cowboy, cement his place as a key solo contributor to released earlier this year and widely hailed the UK’s 21st-century music scene. as a masterpiece. Commenting on the new album, Liam says: DeMarco’s band accompanies him on his “It’s a better record than As You Were, journey through the record’s collection of which is saying something, as that was epic, brave and bold compositions. wasn’t it?”

whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Jess Reid online.qxp_Layout 1 25/10/2019 11:21 Page 1 Jess Reid online.qxp_Layout 1 25/10/2019 11:22 Page 2 Jess Reid Singer-songwriter Jess Reid appeared on What’s On’s Launchpad stage at this summer’s Shrewsbury Folk Festival. Here, she chats about her inspirations and the Shropshire music scene ahead of supporting Dan Owen on tour... What’s your first musical memory? recording my new EP. The EP features a full some new audiences. I really liked being able I must have been around four or five. My par- drum kit and bass guitar, so it’s given it a to play three sets over the course of the week- ents were in a band together and they were more radio-friendly sound - live drums and end, as it enabled more people to come and playing some gigs in France. I remember pick- bass would be nice too. It’s the cello and watch. It’s always a great festival and I loved ing up a harmonica and getting up on stage backing vocals that touch my heart the most being able to play. The other artists playing on with them. I was unable to play, so it was my though. the stage were brilliant, so it was nice to meet them too - lots of talent! first experience of miming! What would be your dream performance? So you come from a musical family, then? I usually go to Green Man Festival every year. You’re supporting Dan Owen at St Mary’s Church in Shrewsbury. How did that come My dad has been a songwriter and performer It’s a perfect size of festival and the main about and what can audiences expect from from a young age. He’s been in a number of stage is at the bottom of a hill, so everyone en- your performance? bands. My mum is musical too and played joys the music while lying on the grass. I bass and backing vocals in bands with my would love an afternoon slot in the sunshine I’ve known Dan for over 10 years. We both dad. They play gigs around Shropshire now with a full band and some beers! used to play at the open-mic nights at The Bridges in Ratlinghope when we were about and my dad runs an open mic in town. My sis- What’s your favourite performance to date 15. I supported him in Birmingham last year at ter is a singer, and we’ve always been in and why? bands together. Our first band was called Jia his show there. He’s doing an acoustic tour at I played a Sofar Sounds show in Rio de Jinx, and we used to play in Shrewsbury a lot. the end of November, so I’m joining him for Janeiro in Brazil in 2017. It was on a rooftop I’ve been living in London and Birmingham some of his dates as his support act. We’re overlooking all the big sights, like the Christ and she’s had a baby, so we play and write to- heading up north to York first, then ending in the Redeemer statue and Copacabana beach. gether less now. She’s a great singer and song- Shrewsbury. He’s an amazing performer and Everyone was ridiculously friendly and kind. writer, so she’s always the one I go to first songwriter, so it’ll be good to spend more time That was a great experience. I always love with song ideas! with him again. playing in big spaces like cathedrals or Who are your inspirations? churches, as the acoustics are the best. Last What are your views on the live-music scene in Shropshire and the wider West Growing up, I was always inspired most year around Christmas time I played at Hull Midlands? Is it in a healthy state? deeply by the musicians around me. I’d go to Minster, which is a large church in Hull. It’s a lot of open-mic nights and jam sessions in great to feel the sounds you’re creating natu- As I said, I’ve met some of the most amazing pubs and met some amazing musicians. Hav- rally reverberating around such a large space. musicians in Shropshire - most of them undis- covered. There are some brilliant venues, and ing people around you who you can see week Where do you get the inspiration for your it’s nice because it’s not as competitive as to week is great, as it makes everything seem songs? more achievable. Being able to hear a new places like London, so you can meet people I find writing quite cathartic. I think the songs song that someone you know has put together who’ll help and support you. Obviously the come from the subconscious. I’ll often write a enables you to see a rawness and vulnerabil- folk festival is big and ensures Shrewsbury is song without really realising what I’m ity that you can rarely see from a famous on the folk-world map. singing. A couple of days, weeks or months artist on a big stage. I play in a percussive gui- My EP, which I recorded with help from the later, I’ll think about the lyrics I’ve written tar style and I first saw a local musician play Alan Surtees Trust, is currently being mas- and they often reveal an insight into my in this way. That inspired me profoundly. In tered, so it will be released in the next couple thoughts and feelings at the time of writing. It terms of inspirations now, I love a Swedish of months. I’m looking forward to releasing it helps me understand my thoughts and emo- artist called Susanne Sundfor - she has the and finding out what people think, as it’s a tions, so it’s quite therapeutic in some ways - best voice. I would love to be able to sing in different sound. free therapy! In terms of the music, seeing any way similar to the way she does. Ben other people play live inspires me the most. I Howard, Lucy Rose, The Staves and Damien What else have you got lined up in the next love going to small, intimate shows. Rice are my favourite artists currently. 12 months? You played on our Launchpad stage at I’m off to New York for some shows, and then You’re predominantly a solo performer, Shrewsbury Folk Festival in the summer. it’s the Dan Owen tour. Then I’ll be busy with but who would be your ideal collaborator? How was the experience? single launches and an EP launch in 2020. I’ve been playing with a cellist recently, which I loved it! I’ve been to Shrewsbury Folk Festi- Lots to do! has been amazing! Cello is my favourite in- val loads of times, and this was the most en- strument, so I’d always like to have cello joyable experience. I had my sister singing alongside me. I love vocal harmonies, so Jess Reid supports Dan Owen at Shrews- with me, which was great, and it was good to some backing singers would be great. I’ve bury’s St Mary’s Church from Thursday 28 play in front of family and friends and to meet been exploring different instruments whilst to Saturday 30 November. Birmingham REP FP Nov 2019.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 13:05 Page 1 Dance November.qxp_Layout 1 18/10/2019 14:58 Page 2

Dance previews from around the region Dance

Acosta Danza Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 11 & Tues 12 November Just two months before succeeding David Bintley as artistic director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, Carlos Acosta visits BRB’s Birmingham Hip- podrome home with his critically acclaimed Cuban company. Included in their programme is Rooster, a work choreographed to music from the Rolling Stones and in which Acosta himself makes an appearance. New works Paysage, Soudain, la nuit and Satori are also included. The bill is completed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s masterpiece, Faun, a work set to Debussy’s original score and featuring additional music from Nitin Sawhney.

Anjali Dance Company: Genius Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 7 November; Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 19 & Wed 20 November Providing a platform for the creative abilities and artistic potential of people with learning disabilities lies at the heart of Anjali Dance Company’s mission statement. Their Coventry show sees them presenting two dramatic explorations of genius: Gary Clarke’s Beethoven takes ‘a touching and darkly humorous look’ at the personal life and musical works of Ludwig van Beethoven; Lea Anderson’s Bloodsucker, meanwhile, is a ‘stylised and gently humorous exploration’ of the legend of the vampire Nosferatu and his depiction in film.

Luca Silvestrini’s Protein: Sonia Sabri Company: The Little Prince Same Same...But Different DanceXchange, Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, Fri 29 & Sat 30 November Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Fri 15 November Award-winning dance company Protein brings its trademark physical and verbal wit to Birmingham “We’ve always tried to create something this month when it presents pioneering aviator which is groundbreaking and pioneering,” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s classic 1943 story. says Sonia Sabri. “I feel proud to say that we Leaving behind his tiny asteroid, The Little Prince present work which is very new and very journeys through the universe and finds himself different. We’ve been at the forefront of suddenly needing to navigate the baffling world of creating new ideas, and that’s exactly what grown-ups. we intend to continue doing.” “The idea of Protein Dance is to get away from the Sabri’s belief in the need to push the bound- stereotype of dance being purist and high-brow, aries of dance is reflected in this new family and to connect better with audiences,” says the show, mixing Kathak and contemporary company’s Artistic Director, Luca Silvestrini. “We dance, live music and physical storytelling. combine dance with words, singing, acting and The piece has been produced in collaboration audience participation. I think all this helps better with a number of primary schools in Birming- connect with the subject matter - it’s more fluid.” ham and London. whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Andy Parsons online.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2019 10:51 Page 1 Andy Parsons online.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2019 10:51 Page 2

HEALING THE NATION Comedian Andy Parsons is back out on tour...

Andy Parsons is on a mission with his new stuff at the opposition, it’s nice to see both events, but also it’s good to keep it fresh any- stand-up tour. In one simple nutshell, he’s sides of the argument. I’ll be taking on view- way, not just for the audience but for myself. looking to heal this divided nation. The man points that wouldn’t normally find a natural If you’re performing over 100 shows and just who for years was a fixture on Mock The home in one of my stand-up sets and trying to doing the same set every single night, it be- Week, worked on Spitting Image, brought us genuinely see the other side of that argu- comes a job rather than a pleasure.” sell-out tours and unit-shifting DVDs such as ment.” When you watch Andy in full flow, it’s clear Britain’s Got Idiots and Gruntled, and has As he prepares to take his show - which he’s that you’re witnessing a performer who is not been in a very successful double act with called Healing The Nation - out on tour, Andy only having a great time, but who’s enjoying playwright Henry Naylor, is calling time on is clear that while the country seems utterly the pleasure he’s passing on to others. Partly, the negativity that reverberates around our divided, with individuals permanently lodged this might come down to a realisation that it’s green and pleasant land. on their own side of the debate, he believes a good time to be in the topical-comedy game. “On my Twitter feed currently it says, ‘Initially that there are always more issues that unite “It goes in cycles, and for a while political upbeat. Often disappointed’,” says Andy. us than separate us: “The idea in the show is comedy was dead. If you suggested to a TV “The general thrust of everything I’ve ever that everything is proving divisive at the mo- company that you wanted to have some sort done has an optimistic note to it, and there’s ment, and that no one is talking to each other of a political comedy vehicle, they’d say, ‘Why always something in the glass rather than or seeing issues from both sides. Essentially, would you want to do that? No one is inter- there being something missing from it. Life people have the same concerns whether it’s ested’. But now, there’s a whole slew of them. can get extremely frustrating and your opti- health or education or jobs, and I want to nar- The reasons for that are various, but the bot- mism can fade, but I retain the faith and I’m row down the focus of what people actually tom line is that people are more interested in looking forward to getting out there and meet- want and bring them together. The blurb of politics now simply because it’s affecting ing people in some nice theatres.” the show says that, if nothing else, we can be more of their lives. And now that more people proud of some form of tolerance and freedom Happy to be known as a political comedian, are talking about it, there are comics you of speech throughout our history. It’ll be inter- Andy has never shirked from putting the wouldn’t associate with politics who will still esting to see where those concepts are going opinions he expresses on stage into full prac- address it in some way because every aspect in the next few years.” tice. He’s hosted People’s Votes rallies, in- of life is somehow influenced by it. That was cluding one in Parliament Square to over It was former Labour Prime Minister Harold less true 10 years ago.” 100,000 people, and fronted the Independent Wilson who was credited with first saying that Whatever the future holds in terms of politics Age’s most recent Campaign Against Loneli- a week is a long time in politics. In the febrile in Britain, Europe, the US and across the ness. Plus he created the Slacktivist Action and often toxic terrain of modern British poli- wider global landscape, it’s comforting - heal- Group podcast, in which he chatted to the tics and society, events seem to alter dramati- ing, almost - to know that comedians such as likes of comics Josh Widdicombe and Angela cally on an almost hourly basis. While this Andy Parsons will be around to poke fun at Barnes, politicians David Lammy and Peter might be ideal for political correspondents, it those who claim to lead or speak for us. Hain, and commentators Suzanne Moore and can prove something of a challenge for topical Miranda Sawyer. comedians who are trying to take a show across the country over the course of several “I think we’re a nation desperate to be healed, months. Andy Parsons: Healing The Nation visits in the sense that people would rather come Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, on Thursday together than diverge. In the current media Andy, however, is confident about accepting 31 October, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, on analysis, everyone is in the centre of their the challenge of updating his material to suit Friday 8 November, William Aston Hall, own social-media bubble, and everything is the prevailing circumstances: “When your Wrexham, on Saturday 9 November and kicking off left, right and centre. So the idea show is topical, then inevitably it will be very Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Satur- for the tour was that rather than being incred- different when the tour finishes from when it day 23 November. ibly one-sided and partisan and throwing started. This is mainly because of current Comedy November.qxp_Layout 1 18/10/2019 14:57 Page 1

Comedy

Geoff Norcott The Core, Solihull, Sat 16 November Geoff Norcott is one of the sharpest tools in the comedy shed, presenting shows which feature observational humour, satire, and even the odd impression or two. Being a former teacher, plenty of Geoff’s gags relate to school experiences and the education system. He’s also made something of a name for himself in the field of sports-related humour, a niche that’s yielded him plenty of work both on television and radio... Geoff’s Solihull appearance sees him performing his latest touring show, Taking Liberties.

Jack Whitehall Arena Birmingham, Fri 15 - Sun 17 November A fella who’s had no trouble whatsoever in his show, his comical schooldays and the getting his face on the telly, Jack White- experience of being caught snorting coke hall’s highly animated style of delivery is by the News Of The World. developing all the time, as is his repertoire Jokes include: “I'm sure wherever my dad is of material. Subject matter has included his now, he’ll be looking down on us. He's not father’s shameless attempts to get quoted dead, just very condescending.”

Carl Hutchinson Jason Byrne The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Birmingham Town Hall, Sat 9 November Sat 30 November Watching Jason Byrne on stage has been Observational comedian Carl Hutchinson likened by one reviewer to watching foot- makes a welcome return with a show that baller Lionel Messi play for Barcelona: it’s covers all manner of common-or-garden not a matter of 'if' the magic will come, but topics, from the challenges of buying a 'when' and 'how often'. Byrne comes to the house to the experience of having kids. Midlands with brand new offering Wrecked Prior to becoming a full-time standup, Carl But Ready, a show which he promises will spent some time as a maths teacher. “There hotwire his audience’s funnybones big time. are certainly comparisons between the two Judi Love Presents “Everyone’s welcome,” says Jason, “unless professions,” says the popular Geordie Love2Laugh Birmingham you’re under 14, in which case come back comedian, “but the definite advantage with Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, when you’re older.” comedy is that if you have a bad gig, you Sat 30 November can rest assured that you don't have to see the same audience the next day at 10am!” Up-and-coming London comedian Judi Love here headlines more than two hours of entertainment from ‘some of the funniest comedians around’. A presenter on BBC Radio London, Judi’s appearances on television shows including 8 Out Of 10 Cats and This Morning have brought her to the wider public attention. Boasting a natural charisma, sharp wit and animated commu- nication style, her ‘tell it like it is’ YouTube videos have won her a dedicated online following. 20 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy November.qxp_Layout 1 18/10/2019 14:57 Page 2

Mark Watson Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 24 Novem- ber; Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon- Trent, Thurs 30 January Well established on the UK comedy circuit, Mark Watson was born in Bristol to Welsh parents and initially delivered his act with a Welsh accent, claiming he felt “more comfortable talking in a voice that I didn't quite recognise as my own”. A regular contributor to the Edinburgh Fringe, Mark has the curious distinction of having performed stand-up shows which have lasted for a period in excess of 24 hours. “Comedy is certainly a time-consum- ing element of my life,” he admits, “but then while I’m out touring and on stage, there are people at home doing far less glamorous things. There have certainly been times when I’ve been very happy to say, ‘Of course I’d like to stay and help out with that plumbing crisis, but the Midlands awaits!’”

Stephen K Amos Count Arthur Strong Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Thurs 21 November; William Aston Hall, Wrexham, Fri 22 Novem- Old Rep, Birmingham, Sun 3 November ber; Malvern Theatres, Sat 23 November; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Fri 29 November Stephen K Amos’ popularity both here and Doncaster-born doyen of light entertainment created. “If I watch footage from the early abroad are suitable reward for a comedian Count Arthur Strong makes a welcome return days, he looks like the bones of something, who sometimes wondered whether his big to the region with a brand new show. “With but he’s definitely continued to develop, and break would ever come. “I used to do a joke each live show I’ve done, I’ve found out a that’s very important. Simply reproducing where I said I'd have to wait for Lenny little bit more about Arthur,” explains Steve what I’ve done before would neither be as Henry to die before I could get on televi- Delaney in talking about the character he much fun nor as interesting.” sion,” he says, referring to his belief that opportunities for black comedians are few and far between. Whatever the truth, there's little question that Stephen's very much Lenny Henry Shazia Mirza basking in the comedy limelight these days. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 17 Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 15 November; His success is no surprise, mind, given the November; Dudley Town Hall, Fri 22 Novem- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 17 ber; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wed 27 November quality of his material and his effortless November; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, ability to strike all the right chords with his Fri 29 November Shazia Mirza is one of the UK’s most creative female comedians - and she’s a Brummie ever-appreciative audience. Despite sometimes too! Muslim Shazia’s not averse to treading a having risked under- delicate line when it comes to her material. mining his own Her post-9/11 joke, “My name's Shazia Mirza popularity by trying - at least, that's what it says on my pilot's too hard to prove licence”, marked her out as a comedian that he's a multi- happy to balance on the very precipice of talented artist, acceptable humour. Other examples of her Lenny Henry has style and content include: "My parents really never strayed too far from his comedy roots. want me to get married. But Muslim men Early-career success on Midlands kids’ don't want to marry me because... I speak", show Tiswas, where he did wonders for the and "My dad said if I popularity of condensed milk sandwiches, went out with a led on to national stardom, while his key black man, he'd role in setting up Comic Relief proved that burn me. Which his heart was every bit as big as his joke- would be good, bag. because then I'd be His UK tour comes in support of his recently black too". published memoir, Who Am I, Again?. whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Amplifi DPS November 2019.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 17:14 Page 1 Amplifi DPS November 2019.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 17:14 Page 2 David Walliams The Boy in the DRess.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 16:23 Page 1

dress to impress! David Walliams talks about having his children’s book, The Boy In The Dress, transformed into a spectacular stage production by the Royal Shakespeare Company...

Comedian David Walliams turned his hand to “For me, it’s just magical to see a story and had never even crossed my mind.” writing children’s books over a decade ago, characters that I’ve created brought to life So if this new production wasn’t David’s idea, making his debut with The Boy In The Dress. through singing and dancing,” says David. whose was it? The heart-warming tale of friendship and the “The idea of it being a musical was something “I was first approached by Mark Ravenhill, acceptance of others is this Christmas being I’d never even considered, and it truly trans- who’s the writer-in-residence for the Royal presented as a musical by the Royal Shake- forms the story. Music adds a whole new di- Shakespeare Company. I thought it was bril- speare Company. mension that I can’t really do. I’m not a singer liant to be approached by a playwright of The RSC’s show marks the first time the story and I can’t play a musical instrument, so cre- such calibre. Plus, the RSC has had a lot of has been presented on the stage. ating a musical out of The Boy In The Dress success with similar things, like Matilda.

24 whatsonlive.co.uk David Walliams The Boy in the DRess.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 16:23 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

At that point, The Boy In The Dress wasn’t ent. I thought a boy going to school dressed readers want something palatable - they want really being talked about as a musical. as a girl would speak to the wider implica- to read Wimpy Kid, not Dickens. I go into Suddenly, Mark and the artistic director at the tions of being different, which is something schools and talk to kids to find out what they RSC, Gregory Doran, told me about their plan most people probably feel at some point in want. I always ask them who hates reading, to approach Robbie Williams and Guy Cham- their lives. When writing stories, you just fol- and there are always some who put up their bers to turn it into a musical! At first I was low your instincts, so the story wasn’t con- hands. I feel like I want to inspire them and sceptical and thought it was very unlikely trived in a way that was trying to say anything reach out to them. That’s why I created The they’d get on board, as they must’ve been in particular at the time. I guess it was a rela- World’s Worst Children. It’s a little series of busy with other projects. I wasn’t quite crack- tively risky subject for a children’s book, but I short stories that’s just meant to be funny and ing out the champagne, but it turns out that decided to tell it anyway.” short - kind of like the equivalent of reading they said yes! I came to a workshop and The Beano. A kid who won’t read a book David first got the idea for the book from they’d written 18 amazing songs.” might actually like something that’s full of Little Britain fan mail: “A 12-year-old boy sent silly jokes and funny illustrations in a short, It’s safe to say that David is thrilled with what me a picture of him going to school as Emily surreal piece of writing. the RSC, Ravenhill, Chambers and Williams Howard, one of the Little Britain characters. have created: “Guy and Robbie have captured It was a really great outfit, with the wig and “I think that because so many kids have TV, the story very well, and seeing as they’ve writ- parasol. I thought he was very cool for doing tablets and computer games, a lot of people ten so many pop hits, they know how to make that and also quite brave because kids some- think books are a dying art for kids, but a song that people will like. The songs really times give each other a bit of stick for that they’re absolutely not. We have a lot to thank feel very memorable, which I think is really kind of stuff. Even though it was a very differ- JK Rowling for because she made kids queue important for a musical. It’s always good ent set of circumstances - someone doing it outside a bookshop from midnight to get their when the audience comes out still humming for fancy dress is very different to someone hands on a copy of the latest Harry Potter. I’d along. Guy and Robbie are so used to writing doing it purely because they like it - it did never, ever heard of that happening before, songs that grab you immediately, so that’s make me wonder if there was maybe a story and I don’t think books have ever been antici- exactly what they’ve done here. Singing adds there to be told.” pated in the way that hers were. The Harry such an emotional dimension, so the story is Potter books got very long and complicated, It was David’s work in comedy that led him to richer now than it’s ever been. The lyrics don’t so for a writer to engage kids in such a long first discover his passion for storytelling: “I follow the lines I’ve written in the book; there story, and to be met with such incredible really only started to write because I wanted are these new, fresh ideas in the musical that enthusiasm each time a new release was due, to perform. I really wanted to be a comedian, even those who’ve read the book won’t have is inspired. I don’t think things are in a bad and to achieve that ambition I had to create experienced before. It’s a very exciting piece place in terms of kids engaging with books. something that was funny. I started writing that feels new in many ways!” There are obviously still some people who comedy sketches. Then I started to feel like can’t access books. I did a book for World Just like the original book, The Boy In The there was more to write. Comedy sketches are Book Day, and primary school kids each got Dress musical is aimed not only at children only two or three minutes long, but I felt like their £1 book token to get it. For many chil- but also their families. there were much longer stories in me that I dren, that’s the first one they’ll ever own, so wanted to tell. It’s hard to get into people’s “It’s ultimately a feelgood family show. It’s there’s still a lot more that needs to be done. I emotional life with a short comedy sketch funny and moving, with kids at the centre of think children’s books are taken a lot more because it’s mainly about telling the joke. So I the story. Dennis wants to dress as a girl, and seriously now, which is great for everyone.” had that yearning to do something different. I then there’s a slightly older girl called Lisa, knew that I could write a few jokes, some dia- Although David is always busy writing some- who’s the popular, fashionable kid and who logue and create some characters, but I didn’t thing new, The Boy In The Dress remains very encourages him to dress how he wants and to know whether I could do the most important much on his mind: “I don’t think I’ve ever read Vogue. I think a good family show has part - sustain a story. The story is always the been prouder of anything. Just going into appeal across the board - so the grown-ups hardest bit to get right, and they’re mostly rehearsals and seeing what they’re doing in have got something to enjoy too. I get the feel- instinctive; they’re something you grasp from this production is amazing. If my whole ing that parents often bring their kids to your own reading rather than by trying to career was leading up to this moment and things that they themselves don’t find that work to some kind of formula.” then that was it, I think I’d remain happy for a interesting, but then adults still rushed to get long time. If you wanted to judge me and my tickets for the new Toy Story film. I think it’s David is incredibly passionate about encour- achievements on just one thing, then I’d say about creating that balance. Even though it’s aging children to read and thinks the future is come and see this musical because it’s really a story with children at its centre and is bright, despite there still being plenty of work special.” super-fun for a young audience, it’s very needing to be done: “There’s great pleasure in grown up in many other ways. I think every- books, and it’s a great shame if young people one will feel really uplifted at the end of it!” don’t get to experience that. I don’t think it’s a The Boy In The Dress shows at the Royal good idea to be snobby about books, espe- So why was this a story that David wanted to Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- cially when it comes to kids because they tell in the first place? Avon, from Friday 8 November to Sunday should read what they want for pleasure or 8 March. “It’s a story about what it means to be differ- they’ll never get into it. Some really reluctant

whatsonlive.co.uk 25 The Mousetrap Susan Penhaligon (1).qxp_Layout 1 25/10/2019 11:18 Page 1 The Mousetrap Susan Penhaligon (1).qxp_Layout 1 25/10/2019 11:19 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

Caught in a trap Agatha Christie’s record-breaking thriller, The Mousetrap, is out on tour and visiting Birmingham. Cast member and star of stage and screen Susan Penhaligon explains why she thinks the show continues to be so popular...

Not surprisingly, having celebrated its 60th know where we are with this one’ and they in a film. I find the celebrity culture these birthday - a theatrical Diamond Jubilee - relax. And the great thing is, no one knows days slightly alarming. Fame for fame’s sake. seven years ago, The Mousetrap is a record- who the murderer is. Unless they’ve been Actually, I think being an actor or an breaking play. Agatha Christie’s much-loved before, of course!” entertainer is an important job in society, and thriller has entertained audiences across the there’s nothing like live theatre.” Susan even admires her character in The globe, without ever shutting, for as long as Mousetrap: “I like Mrs Boyle because she says HRH Queen Elizabeth II has reigned. The play it as it is - she doesn’t hold back. She’s the is out on tour this autumn and heading for The Mousetrap shows at the Alexandra type of woman who’s used to being in control Birmingham this very month. Theatre, Birmingham, from Monday 11 to of situations, probably to make herself feel Saturday 16 November. “I never thought I’d be in The Mousetrap,” safe. I don’t think she feels safe in The says Susan Penhaligon, who takes on the role Mousetrap! She’s funny, too.” of Mrs Boyle in the production. “I’ve been in Being well known TV series such as Bouquet two of Agatha Christie’s other plays - And Of Barbed Wire, A Fine Romance and Then There Were None and a little-known one Emmerdale, Susan is in the perfect position to called Verdict - but I’d never seen The compare the stage and screen strands of her Mousetrap or read it. When the part came up, career: “I’ve done a lot of theatre: touring, I read the play and thought, ‘Wow’. It’s funny, West End and fringe. I started in rep in tense, has great characters, a brilliant plot, Worthing as an acting assistant stage and what really struck me was that it was manager when I was 21. There isn’t a better based on a real event - chilling, really. Agatha way to understand and learn about the Christie is so clever - there’s always truthful theatre. Also, I was trained for the theatre. In emotion in her plays. She’s the second most the late ’60s at drama school, we all hoped we read English writer after Shakespeare, so she would go to the RSC or the National Theatre - must have done something right!” the Old Vic in those days. That was our The Mousetrap is the longest-running play in aspiration - not TV, certainly not the world - and Susan has her own theory commercials, and films seemed out of our about why audiences keep returning to see it: grasp unless we went to Hollywood. But for “I’m definitely an Agatha Christie fan. I’ve some reason, all through the ’70s and ’80s I read most of her books and I’ve read her landed lots of TV and film roles. I just went biography. I think she’s fascinating. The with the flow. But I always tried to do a play Mousetrap is a great story. It’s a guessing once a year if I could. You have to keep game of whodunnit - and a brilliant one at practising to get good at anything.” that. It’s a perfect plot; it’s vintage, with very While perhaps being better known for her recognisable period characters, and it’s television roles, Susan has toured extensively spooky. It’s quality entertainment. I think it’s in numerous stage productions, including interesting to see an original play of hers on Cabaret, Rehearsal For Murder and, most the stage rather than on TV, particularly as it recently, Handbagged. was written for the theatre. It’s a different animal. But I think nowadays, because of the “I don’t mind touring, but I also like being at many TV Agathas, audiences are familiar with home. I’m quite pragmatic about work. It’s a the world they’re entering. The pact between job; it’s how I earn my living. Like many actors and audience is made the moment the actors, I’m sometimes out of work. I don’t curtain goes up. I’m sure they think, ‘Ah, we think I’m special because I’ve been on TV or Theatre November.qxp_Layout 1 18/10/2019 14:59 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Fame frames. By contrast, Fame The Musical continues to get up a sweat on a regular basis. And as high-octane, choreographed-to-the-rafters Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 19 - Sat 23 November stage musicals go, it hits the Midlands this month with a reputation Any Dream Will Do star Keith Jack and Hollyoaks and Dancing On Ice second to none. favourite Jorgie Porter head up the cast in this 30th-anniversary Set in New York’s legendary High School For The Performing Arts, the production of the ever-popular musical. show focuses on the highs and lows of the students who’re desper- The original mega-hit film and its spin-off TV series are now both so ately seeking success, and offers a dazzling evening of foot-tapping old that their once-nimble dancers might soon be reaching for zimmer music and breathtaking dance into the bargain.

The Mousetrap Algorithms Shylock The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Mon 11 - Sat 16 November Sun 10 November Tues 12 November Not only has everybody heard of Agatha Gareth Armstrong's solo play is a sometimes Christie’s The Mousetrap, everybody’s seen moving, often humorous and always fascinat- the show as well - haven't they? Okay, maybe ing exploration not only of Shakespeare’s not, but as the production is fast approaching Shylock but also of Jewish stereotypes in gen- its 70th consecutive year in the West End, it's eral. Along the way, all manner of characters fair to say its capacity to put bums on seats is are presented to the audience, ‘from Portia to absolutely beyond question. Not surprisingly Pontius Pilate, Romeo to Max Reinhardt, and it’s the world's longest-running show, and has Barabbas to Richard Burbage’. been performed well in excess of a staggering Described as ‘a dazzling dissection of The 25,000 times. Its touring version is here mak- Merchant Of Venice’, the production is no ing a welcome return to the Midlands. stranger to four and five-star reviews.

“Sadie Clark’s brilliant solo play hit us with big belly laughs and had us reaching for the tissues,” is how Algorithms is assessed by SHOUT Festival, of which the show’s Old Joint Stock stop-off forms a part. A bisexual Bridget Jones for the online generation, this tragicomic one-woman presentation is ideal for anyone who’s wondered why they feel so lonely at a point in time when connecting with others is meant to be easier than ever. 26 whatsonlive.co.uk B.Hipp. Nov. RIGHT HAND FP 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2019 09:21 Page 1

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Performance Performance Performance Performance for details. 0844 338 5000* birminghamhippodrome.com *Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. ACOSTA DANZA Evolution

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From the Source Carlene Anderson.qxp_Layout 1 22/10/2019 10:22 Page 1

A Change is Gonna Come Mercury-nominated soul singer and goddaughter of the legendary James Brown, Carleen Anderson talks political protest, human rights and innovative jazz ahead of her From The Source Festival appearance in Coventry...

This month’s From The Source Festival at As an African-American woman born in the each other. But even though I only found out Coventry’s Warwick Arts Centre includes a 1950s, Carleen’s life experience has been relatively recently, being an American and performance by Mercury-nominated soul firmly rooted in the fight for racial equality. growing up during that time made revolution- singer Carleen Anderson. Carleen will appear ary art such an important thing to me. It “I didn’t find out about my own family’s as part of a sextet fusing soul, jazz and rap. makes sense that it became part of what connections to the civil rights movement until Their gig, A Change Is Gonna Come: Music inspires me and the work I create as an very recent years,” she explains. “Involve- For Human Rights, explores a selection of artist.“ ment was always kept quiet because it’s still political protest songs - from the mid-20th considered quite a dangerous thing to have Carleen is a firm believer in the power of century American civil rights movement right been a part of, so the family were protecting music: “Music itself has such an immediate through to the present day. From the Source Carlene Anderson.qxp_Layout 1 22/10/2019 10:22 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

effect. It can calm people, make them jump same situations of inequality. ence. I was the choral director for the BBC for joy and sometimes make them cry. If you singers and this group of top vocalists I’d “We four women will be joined by bassist can add to that lyrics which might mean selected in the UK called the UK Vocalists Renell Shaw, who’s toured with artists like something to them, then they feel a real Assembly. Bringing together these two very Rudimental and Skepta. Rod Youngs will be connection to the song itself. From there, it different choirs - one from a very formal our drummer, and he’s played with Gil Scott can generate an effect on others. That person world, the other from a more contemporary Heron, among others. There’s definitely a is also then inspired and passes that inspira- one - to sing Duke Ellington’s Sacred Music - a common connection which we all have to tion on to someone else. Two people might work of art of strictly spiritual music blending human rights in general, beyond the specifics disagree on everything else possible, but they classical, gospel and jazz - was incredible. It of the civil rights movement. A Change Is both might like that one song. There’s evi- was a lot of work too! But they were great Gonna Come is bigger than that. It addresses dence throughout time that music has always singers, and it’s an experience that will stay homelessness and all other sorts of human had that impact - it brings people from with me forever. To be in the midst of such atrocities which have always been there and entirely different backgrounds together.” amazing musicians and in the Royal Albert which we haven’t quite yet learnt to fix. I feel Hall was one of the highlights of my career.” And A Change Is Gonna Come’s set list very privileged to work with these people certainly reflects Carleen’s beliefs: “This was because they’re all great musicians in their And does Carleen have any other stand-out a collaboration between myself, one of the own right, but it’s even better to be getting moments? Sound UK directors, Polly Eldridge, and the together for this marvellous cause.” “I think one that stands out for me was when co-music director, Nikki Yeoh. The focus is on Not surprisingly in a sextet of predominantly I unexpectedly appeared on the stage with my where equality was back then, where we are female musicians from ethnic minorities, a godfather, James Brown, at the Royal Albert now, how they’re still similar in some ways, narrative of gender equality will run through Hall in the early 2000s. In my mind, no one and how we all need to change moving A Change Is Gonna Come. went on stage with James Brown! forward. Of course, it would then make sense for the art to change with time too, whether “Gender is certainly part of it because some of “Last year was a highlight in terms of my solo that be a new interpretation of a song or a the songs refer to that too. It’s definitely a career, when my ‘tribal opera’, Cage Street new version of an old tune, as well as new given, seeing as the four leads are women. Memorial, was produced by the Barbican. It tunes that have been inspired by those times - Discussion of gender is definitely implied by just shows that there are so many different all with a 21st century vibe to them because the fact that we’ve been given this front plat- aspects to the arts that bring people to- that’s where we are now. The younger genera- form, but also that we have these strong men gether.” tions aren’t interested in singing Kumbaya in the group who aren’t threatened by women So how would Carleen advise somebody who anymore, and at one time that was the song being centre stage. I think that says a lot was wishing to make a human-rights state- that brought everyone together.” about how gender unity can happen. It ment on a small, everyday scale? doesn’t have to be the end of the world if the The gig also brings in the perspectives of the women are up front!” five musicians performing alongside Carleen. “Even if something you do is very minor, it still builds up. Small acts of courtesy matter Also appearing at From The Source Festival is “Nikki Yeoh, who worked alongside me in because then that spins off into how that emerging jazz vocalist Judi Jackson, who Car- creating, will be performing with us too. She’s person then treats the next person they leen worked with just this summer: “I worked an award-winning jazz pianist who’s part encounter. We can always do things like with her as part of Soul Women Unite, which Chinese. Her son’s father is Afro-Caribbean. making sure you vote and write to those was curated by Yolanda Brown. It was a really So she’s definitely been in those situations representing you in politics, but so much wonderful line-up, with Judi, Yolanda, Terri herself and with her son, where people will comes from us as individuals. Politicians take Walker, Ayanna Whittaker and myself. Every- judge you by your culture, background, the lead from us. A lot depends on how we one always talks about people already in the features and so forth. Nikki is also younger treat people - strangers, our neighbours, industry supporting the up-and-coming than me - she’s in her 40s - so her experi- people who are different-looking from us, or artists, but I definitely think it’s a two-way ences will differ somewhat there too, because who go about their daily life in a different street. Just as the seasoned artist would sup- times had manner but aren’t actually hurting anyone. If port the emerging artist, the same would be already progressed in some ways between my you can take those little moments to smile at said for the reverse. That symbiotic relation- date of birth and hers. But in many ways she people who are different, then it builds up ship is essential for everyone from different also relates to my own experience. We’ll be and politicians will follow the lead of the generations to learn from each other. That alongside Camilla George, a newly emerged people. Indiscriminate gestures of kindness way, we can continue to push culture and the jazz saxophonist who grew up in Nigeria. are so important.” arts forward, rather than feeling like it’s run She’s still in her 20s so will have a new per- its course.“ spective to bring - as will Lady Sanity, who’s the same age. Lady Sanity is a rapper from It’s certainly been a busy few months for From The Source Festival runs at Warwick Birmingham. She’s a very intelligent word- Carleen, who featured in the BBC Proms back Arts Centre, Coventry, from Friday 8 to smith and very astute and aware of the times in September. Sunday 10 November, with A Change Is that we’re in. She sees it from the philosophi- Gonna Come scheduled for Sunday the “The Proms was the most amazing experi- cal consideration of why we’re still in these 10th. Theatre November.qxp_Layout 1 18/10/2019 14:59 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from across the region...

My Beautiful Laundrette The REP, Birmingham, Tues 5 - Sat 9 November Hanif Kureishi’s original movie version of My Beautiful Laundrette, released in 1985, focused on an interracial love story between a young Pakistani man and his old school friend, a white working-class guy who’d lost his way. A clever, funny and powerful reflection of life in Thatcher’s Britain, the film has now been adapted for the stage, with Leicester Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster the man at the helm. “I think this is a play about love, hope and young people moving the world forward,” says Nikolai. “It has a really powerful message, and I hope its vibrancy will be celebrated beyond coming to see the production. I very much hope that audiences take the experience forward with them.”

Loop An Inspector Calls place at a health farm, where Don and Shirley’s efforts to fix their failing marriage Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Malvern Theatres, 5 - 9 November; The REP, leave even the therapists’ sanity well and Fri 29 November Birmingham, Tues 12 - Sat 16 November truly on the rocks... Ali might be alone but that doesn’t mean she’s lonely; not as long as she fills her time with roleplays and soundscapes summoned Strangers On A Train Set from her own memories and voice... The cycle of loneliness is explored and Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 14 & Fri 15 November challenged in this second production from Theatre In Black, a new process-focused The well-established Lip Service - aka Maggie ensemble dedicated to the task of providing a Fox and Sue Ryding - return to Shrewsbury to platform for new writing and fresh creative present their latest comic offering. talents. Maggie and Sue have been working together for more than three decades, producing Anybody who’s been fortunate enough to shows such as Withering Looks - ‘an authen- Trojan Horse catch a production of JB Priestley’s classic tic insight into the lives and works of those work will have no trouble understanding why three Bronte sisters’ - and Inspector Norse - ‘a Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, self-assembly Swedish crime thriller’. Tues 19 - Thurs 21 November it's been such a worldwide hit. When Inspector Goole calls unexpectedly on Their latest show sees them ‘going off the This critically acclaimed the prosperous Birling family, his startling rails’ when a passenger is found dead as a docu-drama ‘uncovers the revelations not only shatter the foundations train emerges from a tunnel... truth’ behind the controver- of their lives but also challenge them to Audience members who are also crime sial 2014 UK government examine their consciences... aficionados or narrow gauge railway enthusi- inquiry into alleged extrem- asts should find plenty to stimulate their ism in Birmingham schools. interest... Drawing on more than 200 hours of inter- Gym & Tonic views conducted with teachers, students, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, parents and governors, Trojan Horse is Tues 5 - Sat 9 November written by Helen Monks and Matt Woodhead. John Godber’s talent for taking pertinent “When we first started researching the themes and presenting them in an accessible subject,” says Helen, “we thought we were down-to-earth manner has seen him become going to be writing about an event that had one of the UK’s most successful playwrights. happened in the past. But it soon became He’s at it again in Gym & Tonic, a ‘laugh out clear that the trauma Trojan Horse caused loud’ comedy focusing on the highly topical has not left the city. So much is still left subject of how to find a moment of calm in unresolved for the people it most affected.” these challenging times. The action takes 28 whatsonlive.co.uk Wolves Grand FP Nov 2019.qxp_Layout 1 18/10/2019 15:13 Page 1 Curtains Jason Manford.qxp_Layout 1 22/10/2019 10:23 Page 1

It’s Curtains for Jason Manford! Curtains Jason Manford.qxp_Layout 1 22/10/2019 10:23 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

Stand-up comedian, actor and singer Jason Manford talks about starring in Curtains - legendary songwriting duo Kander & Ebb’s lesser-known musical…

When the star of a musical that’s tipped to be think the genre is so popular? my favourite subjects at school - I struggled to a Broadway hit is murdered on the show’s find anything else that I felt the same way “I don’t think our love of crime and mystery opening night, detective and musical-theatre about, really. I think part of that was down to stories has ever gone away, especially in fan Frank Cioffi is called in to investigate... the teachers. Having teachers who inspire you Britain. We’ve had the likes of Agatha Christie is the most valuable thing you can have.” Tony Award-winning mystery-comedy and Arthur Conan Doyle. Then we’ve had the musical Curtains is a John Kander & Fred Ebb American imports of Murder She Wrote and There were also a number of high-profile show. But unlike the legendary songwriting Columbo. Now you can’t put on the TV with- comedians who had a huge influence on duo’s better-known offerings, Cabaret and out seeing a crime drama. We just love trying Jason: “I liked a lot of the comedians that my Chicago, it has never toured the UK. to work it out! We feel clever and a little smug dad liked: Billy Connolly, Jo Brand, Dave Until now, that is... when we get it right - and we’re really good at Allen. Then, seeing someone like Peter Kay creating them, too. live made me sit up and realise that stand-up Taking on the lead role of Frank is Jason was amazing. He’s an absolute genius. I think Manford. “What’s great about Curtains is that it really because I then got to know him a little bit, I plays to the cast’s strengths. We’ve taken the “Curtains is an unashamedly showy Broad- got to see how hard he’d worked and how Tony Award-winning Broadway show and way-style musical,” says Jason. “It’s a comedy much effort he put into everything he did. added British sensibilities to it. Obviously it’s whodunnit. Without trying to put it down, it’s Being a stand-up comedian works very much still set in 1959 Boston, but it’s not going to be sort of like Cluedo as a musical. It’s a brilliant the same way as many other aspects of life - something that’s from a completely different story, but it’s also got these fantastically you get out of it what you put into it. Peter world as far as the audience is concerned.” funny characters from the musical’s book and Kay is an incredibly hard worker, and I Kander & Ebb behind the music and lyrics. Alongside its whodunnit element, Curtains’ definitely learnt a lot from him.” Curtains has never been to the UK before, so I other great attraction is its humour… Given that Jason can sing and act as well as suppose in that way it’s like finding an album “Frank is a very funny character. I guess the be funny, it’s not surprising that he’s had a you didn’t know your favourite artist had main thing is that he’s actually funny without varied career: “I really love the mix. It means I recorded. Kander & Ebb really are legends in realising it. He doesn’t really do any one-lin- never get bored of anything I do. I’m excited this industry. Every single song is a winner!” ers or gags, but he’s funny because he’s a bit about going on tour with Curtains because Jason is well aware that performing in a show naive. He definitely says a lot of funny things we’re bringing what is essentially a West End- written by such a highly respected pair brings without wanting to. He’s a lot of fun. But it’s quality show to people’s towns and local with it extra pressure: “There’s always pres- also a challenge for me as a comedian to play theatres, which I think is so, so important. If sure on performers, regardless. I’m very aware his funny lines down, rather than being like, I’d not seen theatre from an early age, I that people have paid good money and given ‘Tah-dah, there’s my big joke’. wouldn’t be where I am today. So I hope this up their valuable time to see something I’m show inspires people, and that the tour is “There are so many other funny characters in. We put months and months of time and accessible for all. and actors in Curtains, too. I just think people effort into making sure a show is worth see- will have such a fun time coming to see it. “Beyond Curtains, I guess my main aim is to ing; worth buying tickets for, worth getting a Every day when you pick up the paper or write something that other people will babysitter and maybe even a taxi and a hotel scroll through Twitter, there’s misery and perform. I’ve done stand-up, meaning I’ve room, too. I would hate for anyone to be disaster to read about, so it’s nice to have a written shows and performed them myself, disappointed. Sure, there’s an added pressure show coming to your town that allows you and I’ve been in musical-theatre productions with it being Kander & Ebb, but there have just to switch off and forget about the world.” and on TV, performing other people’s words, been lots of other instances where I’ve so the next place to go will be to have other worked with high-profile people - like Mel So when did Jason first realise he had a knack people performing my words.” Brooks, for instance - or in high-profile for comedy and performance? shows, such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I try to make sure that the shows I’m in are ones “My family on my mum’s side were perform- Curtains shows at The Alexandra Theatre, that I would go and see myself. Curtains is ers, so I was brought up around people Birmingham, from Tuesday 5 - Saturday 9 definitely that. In fact, it’s something that I’d singing and entertaining others. I used to get November; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on- probably go and see a couple of times, espe- up on stage and do bits and bobs too. At Trent, from Tuesday 3 - Saturday 7 Decem- cially because of the whodunnit aspect.” school I was involved in all the plays, either off or on stage, so that’s what I ended up ber; and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Speaking of whodunnits, why does Jason being interested in. English and Drama were from Tuesday 31 March - Saturday 4 April. Trojan Horse MAC.qxp_Layout 1 30/10/2019 16:59 Page 1

The truth will out...

The largely unreported story behind the Birmingham schools Trojan Horse scandal is being told in a touring play which last year won the coveted Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Its co-writer, Birmingham-born actor Helen Monks - whose TV credits include playing Susanna Shakespeare, William’s daughter, in the hit BBC comedy, Upstart Crow - talks to What’s On about the scandal that rocked the city...

Reports in 2014 of teachers and governors LUNG Theatre’s critically acclaimed docu- schools involved and the teachers and gover- plotting to Islamise Birmingham schools sent drama adopts the same title as the inquiry - nors’ testimony in court, Trojan Horse is a shockwaves through the city and the nation, Trojan Horse - and tells the largely unreported ground-breaking account of institutionalised with the local council launching an inquiry story of how and why those accused were nei- Islamophobia and government prejudice. into the allegations and central government ther convicted nor ‘not guilty’ in court. “I’m from Birmingham,” says Helen Monks, following up with their own investigation Adapted from the accounts of pupils from the who co-wrote the play with Matt Woodhead, shortly afterwards. Trojan Horse MAC.qxp_Layout 1 30/10/2019 16:59 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

“so I knew about the news when it broke but connected to the schools that were a part of space that’s neutral and for everybody. The didn’t know anymore than the news pieces I the scandal. Over the course of the two years main thing we’ve been so happy with about read. Matt and I went into this not knowing of writing, we did multiple extensive inter- this tour is that people from all different we were going to make a play about it; we views with these individuals, and then they walks of life are coming to see the show. We’re were just interested in what the real story were also able to feed back on drafts of the very proud that we’ve created this genuinely was. It’s taken about four years for this project script later on. We even took a first private neutral space for everybody because I think to come to its conclusion, and the reason for reading of the play to Alum Rock for those af- sometimes the theatre can feel like an elite, that is that we just couldn’t get our heads fected by Trojan Horse and heavily involved in white space. It’s exciting for these places to be around it. Every single person has a different our storytelling, so that they could listen to reclaimed by people from such a wide array of experience of what the Trojan Horse inquiry the final script before the play even went to backgrounds.” actually meant, and it’s through that inter- rehearsals. We also had to wade through a lot Trojan Horse also aims to make a much view process with people who were directly of other material, like the recordings of the broader statement... involved that the truth started to unravel. We Parliamentary Select Committees for Trojan decided we definitely had to make a play be- Horse, and we read pretty much all the tran- “Alongside the play, we’ve launched a peti- cause there’s widespread misunderstanding scripts of the teachers’ trials. Everything in tion calling for the government to define Is- of what actually happened. It’s very scan- the play has come from something that a real lamophobia because we don’t yet have a dalous. It’s particularly interesting because person has told us, so the 200 hours of inter- definition in law. Baroness Sayeeda Warsi is no reporters actually went to hear the de- views formed into the narrative of the play. supporting the tour, has written the foreword fence, or the cross-examination of the prose- The show is set over two years: from the be- for our play text and is very hot on the fact cution. and it feels like there was a real shift ginning of the 2014 academic year until when that there’s a huge amount of Islamophobia in the reporting on Trojan Horse once evi- the teachers’ trials collapsed years later. So it in politics, particularly in the Conservative dence exonerated the teachers and governors. started with meeting Tahir Alam - the man ac- Party. I think the thing about Trojan Horse is The newspapers just stopped reporting on it, cused of being the main orchestrator of Trojan that it was a symptom of something much so the narrative has been completely set in Horse - for the first time and it snowballed wider. Although we’re really keen that the stone since those initial allegations of institu- from there.” play is about shining light on the injustice of tionalised extremism. Theatre is all about nar- Trojan Horse, it’s also about questioning how With so many people’s lives affected by the al- rative, so if there’s a narrative that needs to be it was even allowed to happen in the first legations, how does the play approach the changed, then theatre is the way to do it. We place. We’ll also be taking the play to the momentous task of sympathetically putting hope this play helps with that.” Houses of Parliament on the 7th of January, their stories on stage? and we’re hoping that as many MPs as possi- So how did Birmingham schools make the na- “There are five central characters: a teacher ble turn up. In particular, I hope Michael tional news in the first place? accused of Islamising his school, who is put Gove RSVPs to my personal invitation! “The title of Peter Clarke’s report, Trojan on trial and gets given a lifetime ban from “There was a huge amount of incompetence Horse, was taken from a letter that was sup- teaching; Tahir Alam himself is a character - within the government surrounding what posedly sent from one Muslim governor in the only one not anonymised in the script; happened with Trojan Horse, and they want Birmingham to another in Bradford about this there’s the character of a headteacher who to just bury it under the carpet. We want to operation called Trojan Horse, explaining feels pushed out by the governors at her use the play to tell them we haven’t forgotten, how to take over Birmingham schools. Trojan school; Farrah is a schoolgirl who experiences and that the people of Birmingham know the Horse, however, appeared much before this everything first hand, from the press at her truth now. If you look at those who are most was ever a news story, in Michael Gove’s book school gates to the inspectors in her class- complicit in the corruption surrounding Tro- Celsius 7/7. There’s a chapter called Trojan room; and then, finally, there’s the character jan Horse, they’re now in very senior posi- Horse, in which he warns of the Islamic plot. of the councillor, who shows how the scandal tions in the Cabinet or are advisors to the new So in our play, people theorise that the title was viewed from that angle. So all the prime minister. They’ve completely got away Trojan Horse is not one that was invented by anonymised characters are an amalgamation with it, while people in Birmingham have had the Muslim communities of Alum Rock in of different people who we met, and all their their lives destroyed by the story. There are Birmingham, but was actually created by stories feed into creating this one voice. Be- people who haven’t recovered from this. Not Michael Gove. That Trojan Horse letter because of the way the events unfolded in the just in terms of the city still being divided over tween Muslim governor s is now widely Trojan Horse inquiry, we can’t take too much it, but the personal health of those involved known to be a forgery. People believe that credit for the narrative of the play, as it was al- who’ve lost their livelihoods and reputation whoever wrote that letter was appealing to ready there for us to uncover.” over fabricated information. It’s absolutely Michael Gove’s bias and the conspiracy the- As a local, Helen is very aware that the impact scandalous that people’s lives have been used ory that he already believed in - that any Mus- of Trojan Horse on Birmingham is ongoing: as political footballs, and that those in posi- lim person who’s in a position of influence is “We want the play to be about opening up a tions of power can continue not to be held to there because they want to have complete conversation. Being from Birmingham, the account for their part in that.” control. The fact that Trojan Horse is this very main thing that I feel about Trojan Horse is traditional Ancient Greek historical symbol that this isn’t a story that’s now been confined feels very white Western - so again, in my to history. It’s been left unresolved. It’s not mind, it’s not very believable that that’s what Trojan Horse shows at Midlands Arts Cen- about tearing open old wounds, it’s about try- tre, Birmingham, from Tuesday 19 to followers of extreme Islam would’ve entitled ing to discuss something that continues to be Thursday 21 November. All performances this supposed plot.” prevalent in Birmingham. I also think that we will be followed by a Q&A with Professor Creating Trojan Horse was a long process, but would like the play to be reaching all the right John Holmwood - expert witness for the one that Helen and her dedicated team were people, which is why we have Urdu transla- defence at the Trojan Horse trials. determined to complete: “We met the teach- tion headsets available for those who need it. ers, governors, parents and pupils who were We’re trying to make sure the theatre is a Theatre November.qxp_Layout 1 18/10/2019 14:59 Page 5

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Annie Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 18 - Sat 23 November Lesley Joseph is the latest high-profile performer to take on the coveted role of Miss Hannigan in Annie, the oft-touring Broadway musical that’s once again hitting the road this month. A heart-warming rags-to-riches story of a little girl who finds herself transported from a New York orphanage to the luxurious world of millionaire Oliver Warbucks, the show features plenty of memorable songs, including It's A Hard Knock Life, I Don’t Need Anything But You, Easy Street and, of course, the legendary Tomorrow.

Queens Of Sheba civilising forces were Billionaire Boy good in the world. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, In our creation of The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 13 - Sat 16 November Wed 20 - Sat 23 November Iraq, we certainly had Queens Of Sheba is one of two productions something in com- The producers of this being presented at Warwick Arts Centre this mon with the Ameri- hit touring show, month which explore identity, power, race, can idealisation of Birmingham Stage gender, sexuality, society and politics. invasion. These are Company, have Focusing on four black women battling attitudes that we impressive credentials when it everyday misogynoir, the play is should find very comes to David accompanied by Travis Alabanza’s Burgerz uncomfortable now.” (15 & 16 November), a ‘powerful performance’ Walliams’ work, having also presented exploring how trans bodies survive. critically acclaimed versions of Gangsta Granny and Awful Auntie. A Taste Of Honey For those unfamiliar with the book, it tells Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, the tale of how Mr Spud made and lost his Tues 5 - Sat 9 November billions, and how his son, Joe, became the Shelagh Delaney’s play, A Taste Of Honey, richest boy in the world. was published in 1958 and is a career-defin- ing British classic. Depicting working-class life in post-industrial Salford and tackling The Gruffalo numerous taboos of the time - including ho- The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, mosexuality, inter-racial relationships and Mon 11 & Tues 12 November single mothers - it earned its teenage writer With millions of comparisons with Look Back In Anger author copies of the book John Osborne. having been sold, it's A Museum In Baghdad This new National Theatre touring production fair to say that Julia Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, stars Jodie Prenger. Donaldson and Axel until Sat 25 January Scheffler's award- Hannah Khalil’s brand new play focuses on a winning Gruffalo has museum which was founded in the Iraqi captured the hearts and minds of children capital of Baghdad in 1926 by British archeol- everywhere. Presenting songs, laughs and ogist Gertrude Bell. ‘monstrous’ fun for children aged three and “The play questions what were essentially upwards, this much-loved stage version of colonial instincts about the need for the the terrific tale follows Mouse as he heads British in Iraq,” explains director Erica Why- out on a journey through the deep dark man. “It considers whether the British as a wood, scaring away hungry animals with tall whole actually believed in Arab indepen- stories of the terrifying Gruffalo. Imagine his dence, or whether they were motivated by oil, surprise, then, when he suddenly finds having a power base between India and himself coming face-to-face with the very Turkey and a profound belief that British creature he's imagined!

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Sweet dreams are made of this Birmingham Royal Ballet’s festive favourite returns...

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by Patsy Moss

Continuing to enthral and delight Midlands The sumptuous 200-plus costumes that studio wall. A work of art in itself, it acts as a audiences 29 years after making its debut, contribute to the magic and appeal of The constant reminder of the designer’s vision. Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker is the most Nutcracker are the work of internationally Sugar Plum aside, the magnitude of this festive of ballets and the perfect way to kick acclaimed set and costume designer John production becomes evident upon entering off the Christmas season at Birmingham McFarlane. John’s original designs remain at the costume warehouse. Row upon row of Hippodrome. the forefront of the production and provide a beautifully crafted outfits displayed on rails constant reference point behind the scenes - With its exquisite designs, impressive live are sectioned off according to scene - flowing, as we recently found out during a visit to orchestra and magnificent performances from lyrical dresses for the snowflakes, cadet cos- BRB’s costume department. 60 highly skilled Birmingham Royal Ballet tumes for the toy soldiers, authentic Victorian (BRB) dancers, Sir Peter’s version of the story Although some of the work required to attire for the opening scenes, rats’ tails as tall is widely considered to be one of the best in produce The Nutcracker is outsourced, much as a person and a fully lined King Rat cos- the world. of it is dealt with in-house - and as Elaine tume which is so heavy that I could barely lift Garlick, the company’s head of costume, it into the air. Flamenco dresses, Russian For those not in the know, the narrative takes pointed out, The Nutcracker isn’t just for culottes, Oriental silks, sweet costumes, place on Christmas Eve and follows the Christmas... it gets all-year-round attention shoes, boots, tights - and even Sloggi knick- adventures of a young girl named Clara. because ‘we know it will return every winter’. ers! - also feature in what is unquestionably When given a wooden nutcracker as a gift, the biggest dressing-up box I’ve ever seen. she finds herself swept into an enchanting “We never put Nutcracker 100% away,” winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes, explains Elaine. “With a production of this My new-found knowledge of The Nutcracker’s where she meets the most beautiful of beings scale, there’ll always be work that needs creative back story has certainly ignited my - the Sugar Plum Fairy. doing. Costumes take a hammering due to the excitement at the prospect of seeing the show physicality of the dancers, and there’ll always again when it opens late this month. And it And her magical journey features plenty more be rips, tears, deterioration or maybe a Sugar will undoubtedly be with the greatest respect besides - an army of toy soldiers, a kingdom Plum outfit in need of re-beading.” and admiration that I will watch King Rat as 0f sweets, battles with fierce human-sized The latter really is an intricate process, as he pliés across the stage to do battle with the rats and wondrous displays of traditional witnessed during our visit. It’s only close up Nutcracker... while simultaneously swishing a dances from far-flung places. that you fully appreciate the dexterity in- humongously heavy coat & tail and balancing A magical Christmas tree that miraculously volved in bringing the Sugar Plum bodice to a proportionately weighty headdress! grows from four to 15 metres and a fireplace life. Everything has to be just as John in- that expands to fill most of the stage are just a tended - from the delicate beading through to couple of examples of the production’s jaw- the subtle dropping set designs, while lighting by David expansion of colour on the tips of the individ- Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker Finn moves from subtle to dramatic as the ual petals. An exquisite copy of one of John’s shows at Birmingham Hippodrome on story unfolds. paintings, envisaging how the Sugar Plum various dates from Friday 22 November Fairy should look, takes pride of place on a until Saturday 14 December

Nutcracker facts 1. By the end of its 2016 season, Sir Peter’s two days are usually required for technical specialist company in New York. and stage rehearsals. production had been performed a total of 6. Since The Nutcracker’s first performance 519 times - 454 times at Birmingham Hippo- 3. The production has a flying goose that back in 1990, dancers playing the role of drome. The 500th performance took place transports Clara to a magical land - it travels snowflakes in the show have made their on Tuesday 29 November 2016. 20 metres across the stage at every perfor- way through over 720 cans of silver-sparkle 2. Before the curtain goes up on the first mance. This means that the goose has body paint. travelled over 6.4 miles at Birmingham performance, hours of work have been Hippodrome since 1990. 7. The wigs department and BRB company undertaken behind the scenes. The sets, members use around 500 hairpins per show props and lights for the show will travel to 4. A crew of around 50 people work back- - that’s a staggering 259,500 hairpins since the Hippodrome in five articulated trucks stage on the production. 1990! from the Birmingham Royal Ballet stores in Dudley. When the sets arrive, work will 5. 75kg of flame retardant artificial snow is 8. The Nutcracker features over 45 wigs begin on the get-in and fit-up. This process used in the production. It’s imported from a and pieces of facial hair. takes approximately three days. Another

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Festive shows and attractions opening in November Christmas

There are plenty of opportunities for Midlanders to get into the festive spirit over the next few weeks. The region is hosting some of the best pantos and Christmas shows in the land, not to mention a wide range of other activities to enjoy - from getting your skates on for some fabulous ice-rink fun to searching for Santa and jumping aboard the Polar Express. You name it, the marvellous Midlands has got it covered...

Peter Pan The REP, Birmingham, Sat 30 November - Sun 13 January Fly away to Neverland with the boy who wouldn't grow up, meet a real fairy, marvellous mermaids, wonderful Wendy and the down-on-their-luck lost boys. Oh, and be- ware the ever-so-wicked Captain Hook and a very hungry crocodile who goes tick-tock (he swallowed a clock!). This ‘thrillingly reimagined’ version of the JM Barrie classic (the show is set in the 21st century and located in Birmingham) is helmed by Liam Steel, who last Christmas directed The REP’s acclaimed production of The Wizard Of Oz.

Puss In Boots Cinderella The Prince And Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Lichfield Garrick, The Pauper Thurs 28 November - Sun 5 January Wed 27 November - Sat 11 January New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, With its comical Ugly Sisters, matchmak- Sat 16 November - Sat 25 January ing fairy godmother, drop-dead-gorgeous An interesting and imaginative choice for a Prince Charming, super-cute mice and Christmas show, Mark Twain’s famous story fits-one-foot-only glass slipper, Cinderella is here being produced by the creative team can justifiably lay claim to being the most behind the New Vic’s adaptations of The popular of all pantomimes. Borrowers, Treasure Island and the UK This Lichfield Garrick version stars CBee- Theatre Award-winning The Snow Queen. bies' Rebecca Keatley as Cinders’ Fairy Adapted and helmed by the venue’s Artistic Godmother and sees the much-loved Sam Director, Theresa Heskins, the production Rabone making a welcome return to the features ‘imaginative storytelling, live venue to play comedy sidekick Buttons. music, humour, puppetry and plenty of And given that he usually rouges-up to festive magic’. A show which is being referred to as ‘the cat’s star as the pantomime Dame, we’re imag- whiskers’ by producers Imagine Theatre, Puss ining Sam might well be looking forward In Boots tells the tail, sorry, tale, of a fabulous to a festive season spent slipping into feline who outwits both a king and an ogre to something a little more comfortable than Scrooge The Musical make his master the top, er, dog... an oversized frock and gargantuan wig! Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent, Tues 26 - Sat 30 November Having not been performed at the Belgrade for many a year, this new production of Puss The wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutch- has been left in the capable hands of the ever- ing, covetous old sinner is back, in one of magnificent Iain Lauchlan, a man who’s been the country’s bestselling and most-loved writing and starring in the venue’s festive family shows. Leslie Bricusse’s Scrooge shows for more years than he probably cares The Musical broke all box office records to remember. Having written the script, Iain when it premiered in Birmingham nearly 30 will once again be donning the comedy wig years ago. The show is based, of course, on and applying far too much blusher to star as Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, in the show’s pantomime Dame, a role which which grumpy old misanthrope Ebenezer is he’s very much made his own in recent times. finally taught how to love his fellow man - Expect an evening of purr-fectly splendid by means of a late-night festive haunting or family entertainment. four... whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Christmas pages November 2019 copy.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 14:20 Page 3 Christmas pages November 2019 copy.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 14:20 Page 4

Festive shows and attractions opening in November Christmas

The Snow Queen Father Christmas The Old Rep, Birmingham, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 16 November - Wed 27 November - Mon 30 December Sun 29 December The Snow Queen is ruler of all Raymond Briggs is best known for she surveys. When she kidnaps his story about a little boy who young Kay, it’s left to his friend makes friends with a snowman - Gerda to save him from a bleak but talented theatre company Pins future in the frostbitten waste- And Needles are doing plenty to lands... promote one of the author’s This much-loved Hans Chris- slightly less-famous tales. Suitable tian Andersen story is here for children aged three and older, presented by the creative team Father Christmas features songs, behind The Old Rep’s Christ- live music, playful puppetry, mas 2018 production of Pinoc- secret doors, hidden hatches and chio. The new show comes plenty of trademark Briggs complete with ‘an epic original humour. Expect your children to score, spellbinding storytelling be suitably impressed. and more than a pinch of Christmas magic’. Kipper’s Snowy Day The Nutcracker Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Birmingham Hippodrome, Fri 22 Tues 26 November - Tues 31 December November - Sat 14 December Slot Machine Theatre present a show Sir Peter Wright’s enchanting that’s actually an amalgamation of version of this firm festive fam- two books by award-winning chil- ily favourite returns to the Hip- dren’s author Mick Inkpen: Kipper’s podrome courtesy of Snowy Day and Kipper’s Christmas Birmingham Royal Ballet. Eve. Created in 1990, Wright’s For those not in the know, Kipper is a production is seen by many as dog who’s been delighting generations the finest interpretation of of young readers for the past 30 years. Tchaikovsky’s magnificent and This is Slot Machine’s first-ever stage mesmerising score. adaptation of the much-loved books In true Christmas spirit, the and sees Kipper and his friends, Tiger story follows a young girl and Arnold, going on an adventure in named Clara as she’s swept up the snow. in a fantasy of soldiers, giant rats, snow fairies, magic and mystery, before finally being transformed into a beautiful Aladdin ballerina. Stourbridge Town Hall, This is a magical must-see Wed 27 November - Sun 1 December show for little princesses everywhere… Flying carpets at the ready, boys and girls... A perfect story for an evening of family entertainment finds street youth Aladdin trying against all odds to win the hand of the beautiful princess - and being helped in his endeavours by the mystical genie of the lamp... All profits raised from the performances will be donated to patient care at Mary Stevens Hospice.

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Festive attractions opening in November Christmas

Meet Santa at Sea Life National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham, Sat 23 November - Mon 23 December The National Sea Life Centre is bringing the North Pole to Birmingham’s Brindleyplace this Christmas. Visit the Antarctic Ice Cave, take your little ones to meet Santa (and receive a free gift from him) and check out a family of cheeky Gentoo Penguins in the exclusive setting of the Ice Adventure area. Families can also pay a visit to the 4D cinema to enjoy a screening of classic festive favourite The Polar Express. Ice Skate Birmingham Centenary Square, Birmingham, Thurs 7 November - Sun 12 January

Ice Skate Birmingham and the Big Wheel thanks to the addition of a roof. Younger or make a welcome return to Centenary Square inexperienced skating enthusiasts can keep this month. upright by using special penguin skating While the wheel offers the opportunity to aids. And when skaters have finished their enjoy fantastic views across the city, the ice Torvill & Dean routine, they can warm them- rink accommodates up to 300 people per selves up with some festive fare in the nearby session and is this year weather-proofed Ice Lounge.

Christmas At Santa’s Winter Wonderland Christmas at Coalbrookdale Snowdome, Tamworth, Staffs, Fri 15 November Shakespeare’s Birthplace - Tues 31 December Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, Enginuity, Stratford-upon-Avon, various dates in Ironbridge, weekends from Sat 30 November - November and December Sun 22 December Christmas at Shakespeare’s Birthplace kicks Santa really does get everywhere at Christ- off with Mary Arden: Town And Country - mastime - including museums of iron! Preparing For Christmas (Mon 25 & Sat 30 Coalbrookdale’s all-new Santa experience November). Shakespeare’s mother was a offers youngsters the chance to say hello to country girl who, upon her marriage to the the man himself in his woodland grotto. bard’s dad, John, had to acclimatise to life in And as well as providing an opportunity to the town. But how did preparations for the meet the jocular St Nick, the event also festive season differ between town and features a selection of fun family activities. country? House stewards from Shakespeare’s Visitors who work up an appetite can sample Birthplace and Mary Arden’s Farm offer an some splendid festive fare at Coalbrookdale’s This year’s all-new Santa Show sees the insight into Mary’s changing yuletide tradi- brand new Furnace Kitchen. white-bearded one preparing for his big tions... festive performance of The Twelve Days Of December attractions at the venue, mean- Christmas - but finding his efforts somewhat while, include Flowers Of Winter (Sat 14 hampered by two elves, who have a decid- December - Sun 5 January) - an exhibition of edly different perspective on how to present a floral displays inspired by traditional winter yuletide showstopper... blooms - and Come A-Wassailing (Mon 30 Suitable for all age groups, the show is just December - Wed 1 January) - a chance to one element of the festive fun on offer at participate in the precursor to the modern- Tamworth’s snowy indoor attraction. day activity of carol singing. Visitors can also explore Santa’s Christmas snow trail, take a walk through an enchanted forest, enjoy a game of snowballs, hitch a ride on a sledge, meet Santa’s furry friends and check out the brand new traditional children’s carousel.

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Festive attractions opening in November Christmas

The Snow House Bar Bullring, Birmingham, until Sun 5 January After enjoying a Christmas cracker of a festive season last year, Snow House Bar is making a welcome return to Birmingham’s Bullring this winter, complete with its super- popular VIP igloos. Providing an impressive selection of beers and wines, mulled wine and hot chocolate, the venue is also serving German sausages and churros from early this month onwards.

Santa Safari West Midland Safari Park, Bewdley, nr Kidderminster, Sat 16 - Sun 17, Sat 23 - Sun 24, Sat 30 November plus various dates throughout December

Families visiting West Midland Safari Park Christmas wish list and pose with the great this festive season can meet an elf, climb on man while a helpful elf takes a picture. board a sleigh and head for the North Pole. But wait, there’s more... After meeting Santa, And that’s just for starters! Having arrived at children can also select their own present in their destination, young visitors can then say the elves’ workshop and sample a special hello to Santa Claus, tell him what’s on their walk-through ‘discovery trail’...

Christmas At The Castle Statfold Santa Express Santa Safari Warwick Castle, Sat 30 November - Statfold Barn Railway, nr Tamworth, Hawkstone Park, Weston-under-Redcastle, Tues 31 December Sat 30 November - Sun 22 December North Shropshire, Fri 29 November - Mon 23 December If you’re looking for places to take the kids All aboard the Statfold Santa Express! for some seasonal fun this Christmas, Taking place every pre-Christmas weekend Little ones can enjoy a magical adventure Warwick Castle should certainly be on your from the end of this month onwards, this and meet Santa at Hawkstone Park Follies radar. Attractions include ‘magical story- family-friendly event sees visitors climb this Christmas. telling experiences’ with Mr & Mrs Claus and aboard Santa’s magical steam train and jour- Jump into one of the park’s Land Rovers to their merry elves, the chance to enjoy break- ney to the North Pole. Once arrived, there’s enjoy a journey through the illuminated fast with Santa and his wife, Christmas feasts plenty for youngsters to see and do, includ- woodland to Santa’s spectacular network of and medieval banquets, Santa sleepovers, a ing paying a visit to Santa’s reindeer, decorat- caves. special carol-singing session and a brand ing cookies with Mrs Claus and selecting Hawkstone’s friendly elves will keep you new ice rink. their very own special gift on a visit to the toy entertained as you wander around the fairy- shop. lit caverns and tunnels, finally arriving at your ultimate destination - the magical grotto itself, where every child will receive a special The Polar Express gift from Santa. The chance to meet the big man’s trusty Train Ride reindeer and enjoy an ‘illuminated woodland Train departs Birmingham Moor Street Station, fantasy’ also feature. Fri 22 November - Sun 22 December The Polar Express train rides return to Birm- ingham this month. The popular motion picture film is being theatrically recreated so that families can immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the classic children’s story. Youngsters are invited to join in the fun with the movie’s characters, while the event also features carol singing and a visit from Santa.

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Visual Arts

Truly Bright And Memorable: Jan De Beer’s Renaissance Altarpieces Barber Institute, Birmingham, until Sun 19 January This latest in the Barber’s Masterpiece In Focus series showcases the venue’s very own double- sided altarpiece featuring The Nativity and the ‘apocryphal tale of Joseph and the suitors’. The altarpiece is one of many created by 16th century Flemish artist Jan de Beer, a man whose star shone brightly for centuries after his death but whose relevance has been somewhat downgraded in recent times. The exhibition also brings together for the first time all of de Beer’s paintings and drawings from public and private collections in Britain.

Radical Drawing: Works From Magnum Manifesto Compton Verney, Warwickshire, until Sun 15 December Coventry And The Courtauld If you haven’t yet checked out Magnum “We are the only UK destination for this Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry, until Sun 19 January Manifesto, be sure to get along this month unmissable exhibition,” says Compton The radical and creative potential of drawn marks or next. Featuring some of the most signif- Verney Director Julie Finch. “Magnum and lines is explored in an exhibition featuring icant and enduring images from the Manifesto provides a snapshot of society, not only artwork from the Herbert but also pieces world-famous Magnum Photos agency, the politics, cultures and changing economies both from The Courtauld Gallery in London and exhibition focuses on the history of the crossing time and continents, a reference the University of Warwick. second half of the 20th century, as seen point in our turbulent times, a discussion The display offers viewers the opportunity to through the lenses of 75 leading photogra- piece and a mirror to the world - all cap- contemplate work by a number of artists who phers. tured through photography.” have pushed the boundaries of what it means to draw. Also on display are objects linked to the Claudia Losi: sius Kircher in his 17th-century book, Courtaulds factory in Coventry and a specially Mundus Subterraneus. Kircher’s vision- produced film about Courtaulds Ltd. The long- Being There ary work contains his speculations on established manufacturer of fabric, clothing, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, the existence of a hidden, subterranean artificial fibres and chemicals set up shop in the until Sun 24 November world. Losi’s cloth was fabricated over a city in 1905. Claudia Losi’s latest work, Poli Antarctici period of two years by 12 of her female Constitutio, is an intricately embroidered friends and acquaintances, each of woollen cloth featuring a depiction of whom regularly visited her studio to ded- the Antarctic as represented by Athana- icate a few hours of work to the project.

Arpita Shah, Maryam Wahid, Nilupa Yasmin Exhibition New Art Gallery, Walsall, Fri 15 November - Sun 19 April ‘The complexity and diversity of modern women’ is the theme which runs through the work of the three talented female photographers contributing to this exhibition. Arpita Shah, Maryam Wahid and Nilupa Yasmin have all created images about and in collaboration with their families and communities - both in the UK and Pakistan in order to present work focused around portraiture, culture and female identity. Among the topics explored in their images are women’s contribution to the economy and society, the tradition of head covering or veiling, and open femininity and Image credit: Study for a demonic spirit (from Henry VI, Part II, Act I, Scene II), George Romney (1734 - 1802) © The Samuel Courtauld Trust, cultural identity. The Courtauld Gallery, London whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Events November.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 15:18 Page 1

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Bonfire events from around the region Events

Himley Bonfire 2019: To The Moon And Back Himley Hall & Park, Dudley, Sat 2 November Celebrating 50 years since the Apollo 11 moon landing, this year’s Himley bonfire event features a pyrotechnic display set to inspirational music. Other attractions include a night market, a giant funfair, live entertainment, seasonal refreshments, and a number of large screens to make sure that you don't miss any of the unfolding action. Ultimate Fireworks Alton Towers, Staffordshire, Fri 8 - Sun 10 November Family Fireworks Night explore the period buildings, watch a dramatic Alton Towers’ season draws to a iron-casting demonstration in the foundry and close with a great big bang this Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, month. Sat 2 November chat to the townsfolk in their cottages, shops and other places of work. The undoubted highlight of Visitors to the Ultimate Fireworks Blists Hill Victorian Town stays open late on the the evening, though, is the venue’s sky-illumi- event will surely make the most of second of the month for a special fireworks nating fireworks extravaganza, which comes this final opportunity to experi- night. Visitors can walk the Victorian streets, complete with accompanying music. ence their favourite rides and attractions before the venue shuts down for winter. An end-of-the-night fireworks Firework Festival display should ensure that the West Midland Safari Park, Bewdley, curtain falls on the 2019 season in Worcestershire, Sat 9 & Sun 10 November suitably spectacular style. Even the mighty roars of the resident lions may be drowned out at West Midland Safari Park on the second weekend of the month, as music fills Edgbaston the air and fireworks whistle & explode in the Fireworks nighttime sky. Spectacular Visitors can explore the venue’s walk-through Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, areas - including Ice Age and Land of the Living Sat 2 November Dinosaurs - enjoy a selection of late-night rides and keep the autumn chill at bay by cosying up One of the biggest events of its to their loved ones around a giant bonfire. kind in Birmingham, Edgbaston Fireworks Spectacular makes a welcome return on the first Satur- day of the month and this year takes a superhero theme. Bonfire & Fireworks As well as providing youngsters Weston Park, Shropshire, Sun 3 November with the chance to say hello to some of the world’s greatest cape, Set within 1,000 acres of Capability Brown- cowl and spandex-wearing designed parkland, Weston Park plays host to a fictional characters, the event wide selection of popular events throughout the also features plenty of family- year, among which is this annual bonfire & fire- friendly entertainment, included works display - one of the largest in the whole of among which is a funfair, an LED the West Midlands region. light show and, as the event’s As well as a giant bonfire, attractions on the name suggests, a sure-to-be- night include a funfair, food stalls and two ‘spec- impressive fireworks display. tacular’ firework displays (at 6pm and 7.30pm).

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Events previews from around the region Events

Birmingham International Tattoo Arena Birmingham, Sat 23 & Sun 24 November Featuring in excess of 1,200 performers, this well-established event is the UK’s biggest indoor international tattoo. The three-hour spectacle is led by the world famous Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, with international marching bands from France, Poland and the Netherlands also participating. Hailing from Texas and taking part in the show for the very first time are the Kilgore College Ran- gerettes, the world's best-known collegiate drill team. Other attractions include a range MCM Comic Con Check out interactive features, stroll around the of ‘spectacular’ displays, perform- Comic Village and meet the people behind your ances by talented vocal soloists NEC, Birmingham, Sat 16 & Sun 17 November favourite movie and television characters. and the not-to-be-missed Parade Fans of comics, movies, TV shows, cosplay and Celebrities taking part in this month’s event of Massed Standards. gaming can rejoice - ‘the ultimate pop-culture include Stranger Things and Lord Of The Rings experience’ is back at the NEC! star Sean Astin.

Mind Body Spirit Festival NEC, Birmingham, Fri 1 - Sun 3 November The Mind Body Spirit Festival is back in Birmingham with a three-day programme of events and activities that includes contribu- tions by motivational speakers, musicians Underwater and performers from across the globe. Superheroes There’s a whole host of free workshops to National Sealife Centre, B’ham, take part in too, as well as the opportunity to Sat 9 - Fri 22 November enjoy a silent disco, visit a wellbeing spa and This brand new event offers shop for everything from organic food to visitors the chance to put their healing crystals. strength and intelligence to the test against speedy sharks and stinging starfish (in an entirely safe way, of course!). Festive Gift Fair Photo opportunities and an activity trail further add to the NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 14 - Sun 17 November fun, with all youngsters receiving Now in its 24th year, the Festive Gift Fair is a a special pop-badge as a memento cracking place to pick up a Christmas gift or of their visit. several for your nearest and dearest. And with more than 300 stallholders in attendance, there’s certainly no shortage of items to peruse and maybe purchase! Away from the shopping, the show’s programme of attractions includes musical performances, the UK’s largest snowman, appearances by Father Christmas himself and an impressive selection of artisan food & drink. whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Events November.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 15:18 Page 5

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Events previews from around the region Events

Christmas Light Switch-ons It’s that time of year once again, when cities, towns and villages across the Midlands are lit up in readiness for the festive season. Find your local Christmas light switch-on event(s) below. BJ BIRMINGHAM E JEWELLERY QUARTER, BIRMINGHAM Fri 15 November EDGBASTON Fri 22 November S STAFFORDSHIRE N NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME Sat 16 S November L STONE Thurs 21 November T LICHFIELD Sun 24 November TAMWORTH Sun 24 November Visitors can see their favourite celebrity chefs in BBC Good Food Show WORCESTERSHIRE action on the show’s Big Kitchen stage, check W NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 28 November - out brand new festive workshops such as gin- WORCESTER Thurs 21 November B Sun 1 December gerbread decorating and how to make your own BROMSGROVE Sat 23 November B Eat, drink and be merry, as the BBC Good Food Christmas gin, and pick up some tasty festive BEWDLEY Sat 30 November Show brings its winter edition to the NEC. treats from hundreds of hand-picked producers. WARWICKSHIRE LEAMINGTON Sun 17 November WL COVENTRY Wed 20 November K WARWICK Thurs 28 November C The Baby To Toddler Show The Classic Motor Show KENILWORTH Sun 1 December W NEC, Birmingham, NEC, Birmingham, Fri 8 - Sun 10 November BLACK COUNTRY Sat 30 November & Sun 1 December WEDNESBURY Fri 22 November Dubbed ‘the ultimate shopping experience for WOLVERHAMPTON Sat 23 BT every parent’, the Baby To Toddler Show is the November W sister event of the equally popular Baby Show BANTOCK HOUSE Sun 24 November and features more than 100 brands covering WEDNESFIELD Thurs 28 November everything from prams and furniture to toys and clothing... The show will also feature a whole BILSTON Fri 29 November SM host of Black Friday deals - so be sure to get TIPTON Fri 29 November S along and grab yourself a bargain or two! TETTENHALL Sat 30 November O SHROPSHIRE B MARKET DRAYTON Sat 16 L November D SHREWSBURY Wed 20 November O Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the Classic OSWESTRY Thurs 21 November W Motor Show spans seven halls, boasts the world’s BRIDGNORTH Fri 22 November IR largest gathering of car and motorcycle clubs, LUDLOW Sat 23 November and features a display of more than 3,000 classic DONNINGTON Sun 24 November and vintage cars & motorcycles. Motor fanatics can enjoy shopping at the UK’s OAKENGATES Sat 30 November largest indoor autojumble, with specialist traders on hand to help source parts and tools. Live auctions, talks by a number of motoring celebrities and fascinating restoration demonstrations are just some of the show’s other highlights.

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YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide Novemberovember 22019019 thelist

Curtains - Tuesday 5 - Saturday 9 November at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

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

What’s On Fri 1 to Sun 10 November Mon 11 to Sun 17 November Mon 18 to Sun 24 November Mon 25 to Sat 30 November

Freddy Kempf at The Barber Burgerz at Midlands Arts Shakespears Sister at The Little Prince at Institute, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham DanceXchange, Birmingham Wed 6 November Sun 17 November Tues 19 November Fri 29 - Sat 30 November

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thelist O2 Institute, B’ham LITTLE MIX Thurs 7 - THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER Gigs WELSHLY ARMS & THE Sat 9 Nov, Resorts GLORIOUS SONS Mon 4 World Arena, B’ham FRIENDLY FIRES Fri 1 The Barber Institute Nov, O2 Institute, Birm- THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN Nov, O2 Institute, Birm- ingham Fri 8 Nov, Arena B’ham Visual Arts THE MUGHALS: POWER AND BEAUTY AT ingham THE INDIAN COURT Exhibition exploring MICHAEL MONROE Mon INFINITE SAUCE Fri 8 FEVER 333 Sat 2 Nov, courtly life, power and culture in the 4 Nov, The Mill, Dig- Nov, O2 Institute, Birm- Birmingham Museum & O2 Institute, B’ham Art Gallery Indian subcontinent under Mughal beth, Birmingham ingham LAZYBONES / ECHO rule (1526 - 1858), until Sun 2 Feb JAMES MORRISON Mon THE MACC LADS Fri 8 BIRMINGHAM IN THE 1980S: FILM BY GECCO Sat 2 Nov, The TRULY BRIGHT AND MEMORABLE: JAN DE 4 Nov, Symphony Hall, Nov, O2 Institute, Birm- YUGESH AND SUNANDAN WALIA Films Flapper, Birmingham Birmingham ingham which explored specific cultural mo- BEER’S RENAISSANCE ALTARPIECES Ex- THREE TIMES SCARLETT ments and experiences for black and hibition focusing on the Barber’s own EVERYONE YOU KNOW ABSOLUTE BOWIE - Sat 2 Nov, The World Asian communities in Birmingham: double-sided altarpiece featuring the Mon 4 Nov, Hare & LEGACY TOUR Fri 8 Nov, Bar, Resorts World, African Oasis, 1982, until 18 Nov Nativity and the apocryphal tale Hounds, Birmingham O2 Academy, B’ham of Joseph and the suitors, until Sun Birmingham THOUGHTS ON PORTRAITURE Featuring PRIESTS Tues 5 Nov, THE AMAZONS Fri 8 Nov, 19 Jan GLASS CAVES + DAME works by Picasso, Pacheco, Auer- Hare & Hounds, Birm- O2 Academy, B’ham THE PRINTED WORD: IMAGE, TEXT AND + LA DHARMA Sat 2 bach and Bomberg, the exhibition ex- ingham JAKI GRAHAM Fri 8 Nov, MEANING Exhibition focusing on Euro- Nov, The Sunflower plores how artists have used a wide BANKS: THE III TOUR Pizza Express Live, pean prints from the 16th to the 20th Lounge, Birmingham range of styles and imagery to inter- Tues 5 Nov, O2 Insti- Birmingham century by or after artists as diverse A1 pret complex human emotions and Sat 2 Nov, O2 tute, Birmingham experiences, until Mon 18 Nov as Samuel Palmer, Goya, Grosz and Academy, Birmingham GREG KOCH Tues 5 Nov, Miró, until Sun 26 Jan E3UK LIVE Sat 2 Nov, The Jam House, Birm- A TALE OF TWO EMPIRES: ROME AND Ikon Gallery Arena Birmingham ingham PERSIA Exhibition exploring how the BARRY FLANAGAN Selection of the MICHELLE JOHN SINGS ancient superpowers of Rome and DRAGONFORCE Wed 6 artist’s iconic bronze sculptures THE DIVA CLASSICS Sat Persia spun humiliating defeats and Nov, O2 Institute, Birm- (1980s & ’90s), presented alongside 2 Nov, Pizza Express promoted their bloody victories on ingham earlier works using different materials Live, Birmingham the small pieces of art circulating in JULIE JULY TRIO + PAUL from the 1960s & ’70s, until Sun 24 G2 - DEFINITIVE GENESIS the pockets of the masses, until Sun O’NEIL Wed 6 Nov, The Nov Sat 2 Nov, Artrix, 15 Mar Red Lion Folk Club, Bromsgrove RANDOLPH MATTHEWS Birmingham Sat 9 Nov, Pizza Ex- THE STYLE COUNCIL- MAC, Birmingham JAMIE LENMAN Wed 6 press Live, B’ham Other VISUAL ARTS LORS Sat 2 Nov, Hare & GRAHAM CHORLTON: SUBURB Exhibition Nov, O2 Academy, PERISHING SHRINES - LISA ROSS Exhi- Hounds, Birmingham LOYAL CARNER Sat 9 which takes the viewer on a journey Birmingham Nov, O2 Institute, Birm- bition drawing on Ross’s extensive FIRE RED EMPRESS Sat through suburban streets, glimpsing CHARTREUSE Wed 6 ingham body of work, Living Shrines, until Sat 2 Nov, O2 Academy, or imagining lives lived within them, Nov, Hare & Hounds, 2 Nov, Argentea Gallery, Birmingham Birmingham THE RIFLES Sat 9 Nov, until Sun 10 Nov Birmingham AND WHAT IT BECAME IS NOT WHAT IT IS O2 Institute, B’ham JENNA NAYLOR: THE BOTANICAL NEFFEX Sat 2 Nov, O2 NOW Exhibition, publication and pub- JOHNNY LLOYD Wed 6 MENAGERIE A menagerie of strange Institute, Birmingham THE REGRETTES Sat 9 lic programme curated by Louise Nov, The Cuban Em- Nov, O2 Academy, creatures drawn directly onto the DR HOOK FT. DENNIS LO- Hobson, until Sat 9 Nov, Grand bassy, Birmingham Birmingham walls, until Sun 17 Nov CORRIERE Sat 2 Nov, Union, Fazeley Street LAGWAGON Wed 6 Nov, JIM HOLYOAK AND MATT SHANE: THE Symphony Hall, Birm- THE ICICLE WORKS Sat 9 IF MEMORY SERVES Research project O2 Academy, B’ham HILLS ARE SHADOWS Collaboration ingham Nov, O2 Academy, about the Nightingale Club’s previous showcasing sections of three large MARILLION Wed 6 Nov, Birmingham venue on Thorp Street, which in 1994 THE TALLEST MAN ON installations as well as correspon- Symphony Hall, B’ham KODALINE Sat 9 Nov, was acquired for the Birmingham EARTH Sat 2 Nov, Birm- dence art, ephemera and a selection THE THREE DEGREES O2 Academy, B’ham Hippodrome’s expansion, until Thurs ingham Town Hall of small-scale works, until Sun 24 Thurs 7 Nov, The Jam 14 Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome BARS AND MELODY Sun THE AUSTRALIAN PINK Nov House, Birmingham FLOYD SHOW Sat 9 Nov, PRE-WINDRUSH TO THE PRESENT DAY 3 Nov, O2 Academy, NEW CRAFTING A BETTER FUTURE Exhi- WILDWOOD KIN Thurs 7 Arena Birmingham Heritage exhibition celebrating the Birmingham bition raising awareness of homeless- Nov, O2 Institute, Birm- long history of black representation RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN STEPBACK! 90S VS 00S ness, showcasing scarves made by ingham on the Hippodrome stage, until Thurs Sun 3 Nov, Arena Sun 10 Nov, Resorts members of the West Midlands Craft 14 Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham SHE DREW THE GUN World Arena, B’ham Group, Sat 23 Nov - Mon 13 Apr, Thurs 7 Nov, O2 HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRM- CALUM LINTOTT AURORA Sun 10 Nov, mac, Birmingham Sun 3 Academy, Birmingham INGHAM Display of photographs from Nov, Hare & Hounds, O2 Institute, B’ham the University Heritage Archive Col- Birmingham THE BLUETONES Thurs 7 MEMORIAM Sun 10 RBSA Gallery Nov, O2 Institute, Birm- lection of the Cadbury Research Li- ZOE GREEN BAND Nov, Hare & Hounds, Sun 3 ingham NEW ABSTRACT VARIATIONS Group pre- brary, until Fri 31 Jan, Birmingham Nov, The Actress & Birmingham City University sentation of artwork showcasing a Bishop, Birmingham MARIANAS TRENCH Sun wide variety of processes, ap- NEW YARDLEY SOCIETY OF ARTISTS - WARMDUSCHER Sun 3 10 Nov, O2 Institute, proaches, and media, Mon 4 - Sat 16 AUTUMN EXHIBITION Collection of Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham Nov paintings by members of the society, Birmingham JOSEFIN ÖHRN + THE NEW LOVE OF LANDSCAPE: THE ART OF Wed 6 - Mon 18 Nov, The Core The- THE HEAVY Sun 3 Nov, LIBERATION Sun 10 GLYN GRIFFITHS (1926-1999) Retro- atre, Solihull O2 Academy, B’ham Nov, Hare & Hounds, spective of paintings and drawings NEW TAKE 13 - A ROOM OF OUR OWN Ex- Birmingham by Glyn Griffiths, celebrating his love THE SHERLOCKS Sun 3 hibition by a group of local female CHRONIXX AND KOFFEE of landscape and the Welsh borders, Nov, O2 Institute, Birm- artists who’ve met monthly for the SLEEPING WITH SIRENS Sun 10 Nov, Arena Mon 4 - Sat 16 Nov ingham past 10 years and exhibited regularly, Thurs 7 Nov, O2 Insti- Birmingham NEW RBSA MEMBERS & ASSOCIATES An- sharing contemporary and often di- CATFISH AND THE BOT- tute, Birmingham BURNA BOY - AFRICAN nual selling exhibition of original art- verse artwork, Wed 20 Nov - Tues 17 TLEMEN Mon 4 Nov, CHRISTOPHER CROSS GIANT TOUR Sun 10 work, Thurs 21 Nov - Tues 24 Dec Dec, The Core Theatre, Solihull Arena Birmingham Thurs 7 Nov, Birming- Nov, O2 Academy, BEAR'S DEN Mon 4 Nov, ham Town Hall Birmingham 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 1 - 10 November.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 14:23 Page 2

Friday 1 - Sunday 10 November

ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE: Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Classical EARTHRISE Featuring Daniele Rosina Opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR BITA Musi- (conductor) & arrangements by Peter cal Theatre present an amateur stag- CBSO: FRIDAY NIGHT CLASSICS Featur- May, Emily Abdy & Rob Roberts, Sat THE INTELLIGENCE PARK Music Theatre ing of Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim ing Andrew Cottee (conductor). Pro- 9 Nov, The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Wales present the Birmingham debut Rice's classic rock musical, until Sat gramme includes scores from some Birmingham Conservatoire of Gerald Barry's opera, Mon 4 Nov, 2 Nov, The Old Rep Theatre, B’ham of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic mu- LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: THE The REP, Birmingham sicals, Fri 1 Nov, Symphony Hall, A MUSEUM IN BAGHDAD A story of trea- MUSIC OF BOND Featuring John Rigby Birmingham sured history, desperate choices and (conductor), Sun 10 Nov, Symphony the remarkable Gertrude Bell, until BENJAMIN FRITH & LIANG SHAN PIANO Hall, Birmingham Sat 25 Jan, The Swan Theatre, Strat- CONCERT Programme comprises Mes- ford-upon-Avon siaen’s Visions de l’Amen, Fri 1 Nov, The Barber Institute, Birmingham KING JOHN Shakespeare’s rarely performed tale of a nation in turmoil, LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH until Sat 21 Mar, The Swan Theatre RACHEL MAHON Comedy Mon 4 Nov, Birming- Stratford, Stratford-upon-Avon ham Cathedral JUST THE TONIC FEAT. REGINALD D GETTING THE THIRD DEGREE The LUNCHTIME CONCERT HUNTER, SIMON WOZNIAK, THOMAS Featuring Yu- deeply moving story of Laurie Cun- Han Yang (euphonium), Joanne GREEN & SPECIAL GUEST Fri 1 Nov, The ningham, who came to prominence Sealey (piano), Sebastian Wyss (vio- Comedy Loft, Birmingham WNO - CARMEN Jo Davies’ new pro- with West Bromwich Albion in the late lin) & Tanya Avchinnikova (piano). duction, set in the recent past. Sung DESIREE BURCH Fri 1 Nov, The Glee 1970s, Fri 1 Nov, Midlands Arts Cen- Programme includes works by John in French with English surtitles, Tues Club, Birmingham tre, Birmingham Reeman, Steve Verhelst, Philip 5 Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome CRAIG MURRAY, TOM TAYLOR & JAMES Sparke, Poulenc & Saint-Saens, Mon RIGOLETTO Welsh National Opera pre- THE FOOTBALL RAMBLE Join the gang SHERWOOD Sat 2 Nov, The Glee Club, 4 Nov, Recital Hall, Royal Birming- sent a timely revival of Verdi’s dra- as they bring their chart-topping pod- Birmingham ham Conservatoire matic opera. Sung in Italian with cast to life in ‘a multimedia extrava- JAMES SHERWOOD, TOM TAYLOR & ganza’, Fri 1 Nov, Birmingham Town FREDDY KEMPF IN CONCERT Pro- English surtitles, Wed 6 Nov, Birming- CRAIG MURRAY Sat 2 Nov, The Glee Hall gramme includes a selection of ham Hippodrome Club, Birmingham RUTH COCKBURN Comedy-theatre works by Chopin, Wed 6 Nov, The THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN Welsh Na- show fusing spoken word, poetry, Barber Institute, Birmingham BOBBY MAIR, HAYLEY ELLIS, IGNACIO tional Opera present a colourful pro- songs & storytelling, Fri 1 Nov, LOPEZ & GUEST Sat 2 Nov, The Com- duction of Janacek’s playful tale, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre edy Loft, Birmingham Thurs 7 Nov, Birmingham Hippo- STEPHEN K AMOS Sun 3 Nov, The Old drome DO YOU THINK THAT’S WISE - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN LE MESURIER Mov- Rep Theatre, Birmingham WNO - CARMEN Jo Davies’ new pro- ing celebration of one of the most duction, set in the recent past. Sung AURIE STYLA Sun 3 Nov, The Glee popular comic actors of the late 20th in French with English surtitles, Fri 8 Club, Birmingham century, Sat 2 Nov, The Old Joint Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome GLENN MOORE Wed 6 Nov, The Glee Stock Theatre, Birmingham COSÌ FAN TUTTE Welsh National Opera Club, Birmingham BERYL Amateur staging of Maxine production featuring Ana Maria Labin ANDY ROBINSON & MAISIE ADAM Thurs Peake’s warm & witty celebration of (Fiordilgli), Emily Edmonds (Dora- 7 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham the life of unsung sporting legend bella), Rebecca Bottone (Despina), Beryl Burton, Sat 2 - Sat 9 Nov, Old- CBSO: MENDELSSOHN'S ELIJAH Featur- KEITH FARNAN, BARRY CASTAGNOLA, Benjamin Appl (Guiglielmo), Matthew bury Rep ing Kazuki Yamada (conductor), Keri PETE TECKMAN & ANDY WHITE Thurs 7 Swensen (Ferrando), Fri 8 Nov, Birm- Fuge (soprano), Karen Cargill (mezzo Nov, The George Hotel, Lichfield ingham Town Hall WITTY DITTIES WITH GREEN & soprano), Robert Murray (tenor) and MATTHEWS Chris Green & Sophie FRANK SKINNER Fri 8 Nov, Symphony RIGOLETTO Welsh National Opera pre- Matthew Brook (baritone), Thurs 7 Matthews present four centuries of Hall, Birmingham sent a timely revival of Verdi’s dra- Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham chromatic comedy, ranging from matic opera. Sung in Italian with ‘bawdy Restoration ballads to sting- 6 HANDS - 3 GUITARS John Williams & English surtitles, Sat 9 Nov, Birming- ing ’60s satire’, Tues 5 Nov, The Core John Etheridge are joined by com- ham Hippodrome poser Gary Ryan to present a varied Theatre, Solihull programme of classical solos, duos A TASTE OF HONEY Jodie Prenger stars & trios, Thurs 7 Nov, Elgar Concert in Shelagh Delaney’s taboo-breaking Hall, University of Birmingham Theatre play, Tues 5 - Sat 9 Nov, Wolver- HYUNGI LEE IN CONCERT Fri 8 Nov, Ar- hampton Grand Theatre PRIDE AND PREJUDICE* (*SORT OF) trix, Bromsgrove CURTAINS Jason Manford stars in a Men, money and microphones are 'hilarious' whodunnit packed full of BEASTDOME Beast joins forces with fought over in a loving and irreverent ‘catchy songs, unforgettable charac- Fizzle & the Society for Electroacous- all-female adaptation of Jane IMPROV COMEDY WITH BOX OF FROGS ters and plot twists’, Tues 5 - Sat 9 tic Music in Sweden (SEAMS) to pre- Austen's literary classic, until Sat 2 Fri 8 Nov, The Core Theatre, Solihull Nov, The Alexandra Theatre, B’ham sent an exciting mix of Nov, The REP, Birmingham electroacoustic music and live elec- MAISIE ADAM, JOE BOR, STEVE GRIBBIN CIRCUS 1903 Unique show featuring tronic improvisation, Fri 8 - Sat 9 Nov, & TOM DEACON Fri 8 - Sat 9 Nov, The life-sized elephants created by pup- The Bramall, University of B’ham Glee Club, Birmingham peteers from War Horse and ‘jaw- CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- JASON BYRNE Sat 9 Nov, Birmingham dropping’ acts from across the globe, CHESTRA: SPECTACULAR CLASSICS Fea- Town Hall until Sat 2 Nov, Birmingham Hippo- turing Anthony Inglis (conductor), FREDDY QUINNE, JULIAN DEANE FEATUR- drome Lauren Fagan (soprano) & Timothy ING SIMON LOMAS & SIMON WOZNIAK JACK THE RIPPER: THE VICTIMS An all- Richards (tenor). Programme in- Sat 9 Nov, The Comedy Loft, B’ham female cast focus on the stories of cludes works by Strauss, Rossini, the five canonical victims of Jack the Pachelbel, Tchaikovsky, Verdi, DATING AND RELATIONSHIP THERAPY, Ripper, until Sat 2 Nov, The Blue Or- Mascagni, Puccini & more... Sat 9 DIZZLE, AXEL BLAKE, JUDI LOVE, SMASH ange Theatre, Birmingham Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham ENTERTAINZ & MISS MO REAL Sun 10 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL Hit yuletide BIRMINGHAM CATHEDRAL CHOIR DURU- musical adapted for the stage by the FLE’S REQUIEM Sat 9 Nov, Birming- MAISIE ADAM Sun 10 Nov, Midlands film’s creator, Debbie Isitt, until Sat 2 ham Cathedral Arts Centre, Birmingham

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thelist Friday 1 - Sunday 10 November MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE Bold new wali story, Fri 1 - Sat 2 Nov, The Core staging of Hanif Kureishi's iconic Kids Shows Events Theatre, Solihull screenplay, presented against a MIND BODY SPIRIT FESTIVAL Three-day WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT Little 'funky' backdrop of ’80s music & cul- CANDY & COBWEBS Halloween trick-or- event offering ‘spiritual seekers’ a Angel Theatre’s acclaimed adapta- ture, Tues 5 - Sat 9 Nov, The REP, treat event for under-eights and their safe place in which to commune and tion returns to celebrate the 30th an- Birmingham grown-ups, until Fri 1 Nov, Blists Hill share their ideas, beliefs and philoso- niversary of Michael Rosen’s beloved SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Shrops phies, Fri 1 - Sun 3 Nov, NEC, B’ham book, until Sun 3 Nov, Midlands Arts S.T.A.M.P.S present an amateur stag- BRICK OR TREAT ‘The most spook-tac- Centre, Birmingham CAKE INTERNATIONAL Featuring ‘the ing of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s fa- ular event of the year’, until Sat 2 biggest and most groundbreaking THE SCARECROW’S WEDDING Stage mous musical, Tues 5 - Sat 9 Nov, Nov, Legoland Discovery Centre, displays, the wildest competition en- version of Julia Donaldson & Axel The Core Theatre, Solihull Birmingham tries and the most famous cake stars Scheffler’s bestselling book, Fri 1 - HOW TO BE AMAZINGLY HAPPY Story- A-SCARIUM Discover the spooky crea- from around the world’, Fri 1 - Sun 3 Sat 2 Nov, The Core Theatre, Solihull telling & physical comedy combine in tures that lurk beneath the waves, Nov, NEC, Birmingham MR MEN & LITTLE MISS SHOW Join a one-woman show, Thurs 7 Nov, until Sun 3 Nov, National Sea Life WHEN YOU WISH UPON A BRUNCH Sing your favourite Mr Men and Little Miss Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham along to your favourite fairytale film characters as they leap off the page POPPYFIELDS THE MUSICAL ‘Poignant SIMPLY CHRISTMAS - THE CRAFTY tunes while eating brunch and drink- and onto the stage, Sat 2 Nov, Lich- and respectful’ story focusing on the CHRISTMAS SHOW ‘An extravaganza of ing bottomless booze, Sat 2 Nov, The field Garrick young people who gave their lives for exclusive ranges of bespoke and un- Lord Clifden, Birmingham their country a century ago, Thurs 7 - usual gifts, including glass, jewellery, EDWARDIAN TEAROOMS LATE: MUSE- Sun 10 Nov, The Crescent Theatre, art, candles, ceramics and clothing’, UMS AT NIGHT FESTIVAL WITH HIDDEN Birmingham Dance until Sun 3 Nov, NEC, Birmingham SPACES Exclusive after-hours event in- INVISIBLE LINES ‘Innovative, highly BRICKLIVE Opportunity for children cluding dinner and live music in the physical & thought-provoking’ work DIVERSITY - BORN READY Featuring aged 12 & under to play, create and Edwardian Tearooms and a chance exploring the invisible divides and ‘dance, illusions, mind-blowing stunts discover with Lego bricks, until Sun 3 to explore the museum by torchlight connections between races, lan- and inspiring stories’, Fri 1 - Sun 3 Nov, NEC, Birmingham while listening to ghost stories, Sat 2 guages & cultural expectations, Nov, The Alexandra Theatre, B’ham THE CREATIVE CRAFT SHOW Featuring Nov, Birmingham Museum And Art Thurs 7 - Wed 13 Nov, The REP, Birm- DEEPAVALI, THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT supplies, innovations, new product Gallery ingham Jaivant Patel Dance present an launches, demonstrations and work- THE NATIONAL PET SHOW ‘The perfect SQUID HEART Two-woman improvised evening of Indian classical dance, shops, until Sun 3 Nov, NEC, B’ham place to experience everything pet- show inspired by a single word from Sun 3 Nov, Midlands Arts Centre, WHERE'S WALLY? THE BIG MUSEUM related’, Sat 2 - Sun 3 Nov, NEC, the audience. Part of Foundry Festi- Birmingham HUNT Join the search for Wally this Birmingham val, Fri 8 Nov, The REP, Birmingham THE RITE OF SPRING & LEFT UNSEEN half term, until Sun 3 Nov, Thinktank I QUITE LIKE MONDAYS Musical quiz, THE BARN ULTIMATUM Brand new com- Phoenix Dance Theatre present a Science Museum, Birmingham Mon 4 Nov, The Red Lion, Hockley double-bill - Jeanguy Saintus’ re- edy from Tom Allsopp, Fri 8 Nov, The FREDDO'S HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR FIREWORK DISPLAY Display accompa- Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham working of The Rite Of Spring, and an Arrive dressed up and join in the fun nied by music, Tues 5 Nov, Birming- emotive exploration of inclusion & BROKE & SOBER Play exploring mental as Freddo creates his very own Hal- ham Botanical Gardens isolation in Left Unseen, Fri 8 - Sat 9 health problems, including PTSD & loween monster, until Sun 3 Nov, WWE LIVE ‘Bursting with all the drama clinical depression. Part of Foundry Nov, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham Cadbury World, Birmingham and energy of a rock concert’, Wed 6 Festival 2019, Fri 8 - Sat 9 Nov, The GARGOYLE MASKS AND GRUESOME Nov, Arena Birmingham REP, Birmingham TOUR Make your own terrifying gar- BURGER BINGO Three hours of burgers BRAVE NEW WORDS VI Annual event goyle mask, Fri 1 Nov, Weoley Castle, and bottomless booze with non-stop showcasing new written work, Fri 8 - Talks / Birmingham entertainment, Wed 6 Nov, The Red Sat 9 Nov, Hall Green Little Theatre, FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD The hugely Lion, Hockley Birmingham Spoken Word popular 'deathly fiesta' returns for its BIRMINGHAM FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS RAZZLE DAZZLE: THE MUSICAL COMEDY BEN FOGLE - TALES FROM THE WILDER- fourth year with a production combin- MARKET The popular Christmas mar- MURDER MYSTERY DINNER SHOW West NESS Join the modern-day explorer as ing carnival, circus, theatre and club- kets return, Thurs 7 Nov - Mon 23 End singers travel back in time to the he shares stories about crossing bing, Fri 1 Nov, O2 Academy, B’ham Dec, Birmingham City Centre Roaring ’20s in Chicago, Fri 8 - Sat 9 Antarctica and conquering Everest, Nov, Lichfield Garrick Tues 5 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall GIRLS THAT GEEK Exploration of women in art and technology, Fri 8 QUEER AND NOW Whirlwind showcase PRE-CONCERT CONVERSATION WITH IAN Nov, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham of short work-in-progress perfor- PAGE Free pre-concert conversation mances from the next generation of with the founder, conductor and artistic MAC GIN AND JAZZ CLUB Start your queer Midlands theatre-makers. Part director of Classical Opera and The weekend off the right way - with a gin of SHOUT Festival, Sat 9 Nov, The Mozartists, Fri 8 Nov, Birmingham cocktail in hand and listening to live REP, Birmingham Town Hall jazz, Fri 8 Nov, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham DUMTEEDUM LIVE Immersive Archers HIT THE ODE Unique performance po- experience offering fans of the show etry night featuring talented spoken- THE LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC a chance to listen to Emerald O'Han- word artists, Fri 8 Nov, The Patrick MOTOR SHOW Fri 8 - Sun 10 Nov, rahan (Emma Grundy) talk about her Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome NEC, Birmingham character and the programme, Sat 9 THE CLASSIC MOTORBIKE SHOW Featur- Nov, Birmingham Town Hall ing a host of outstanding two- A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE The Cres- wheeled classics, Fri 8 - Sun 10 Nov, cent Theatre Company presents Ten- Cabaret NEC, Birmingham nesee Williams’ American classic, Sat THE FOOTSIE CLUB Evening of bur- SAVED BY THE 90S BRUNCH Featuring 9 - Sat 16 Nov, The Crescent Theatre, lesque, variety & cabaret, Fri 1 Nov, live performances of top tunes, Sat 9 Birmingham The Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham Nov, The Lord Clifden, Birmingham ALGORITHMS Sadie Clarke’s one- TINA T’URNER TEAL LADY’S STEAMY UNDERWATER SUPERHEROES Find your woman show offers frank observa- BINGO Laugh, dance and play to win as DIWALI FESTIVAL OF LIGHT ACTIVITIES ultimate ocean superpower as you tions about bisexuality while Tina spins her cage of balls to a high- Featuring workshops in shadow pup- test yourself against some powerful highlighting the pitfalls of modern energy ‘80s soundtrack, Thurs 7 Nov, pet-making, dance & performance, sea creatures, Sat 9 - Fri 22 Nov, Na- dating, Sun 10 Nov, The Old Joint The Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham glowing sculptures and an illustration tional Sea Life Centre, Birmingham Stock Theatre, Birmingham competition to help visualise the Di- whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List Birmingham 11-17 November.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 16:11 Page 1

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thelist Monday 11 - Sunday 17 November Hall, Birmingham Birmingham dral Young Voices & the Young Gigs STEVE MASON Thurs 14 WILLIE J HEALEY Sat 16 Classical Phoenix Singers, Sun 17 Nov, Elgar Nov, Hare & Hounds, Nov, Castle & Falcon, Concert Hall, The Bramall, University VAMPIRE WEEKEND Mon Birmingham Birmingham of Birmingham 11 Nov, O2 Academy, Music TYLER BRYANT & THE THE DUALERS Sat 16 Birmingham SHAKEDOWN Fri 15 Nov, O2 Academy, LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH FEEDER Mon 11 Nov, Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham THOMAS TROTTER Programme in- O2 Institute, B’ham Birmingham cludes works by Bach (arr. Widor), Comedy TOOL SHED + GUESTS: Guilmant, G. Thalben-Ball, Parry, JOSEPH Mon 11 Nov, HARD GRAFT Fri 15 SCARSUN & SYMMETRY Sibelius, Duruflé, Mon 11 Nov, Birm- FLO & JOAN Tues 12 Nov, The Glee Hare & Hounds, Birm- Nov, The World Bar, OF SOULS Sat 16 Nov, ingham Town Hall Club, Birmingham ingham Resorts World, B’ham Scruffy Murphys, Birm- CROFT & PEARCE - DOUBLE TAKE Thurs ingham ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE QUAKER CITY NIGHT ROMA COVE & KROOKED CHAMBER CHOIR & BAROQUE ORCHES- 14 Nov, Old Joint Stock Theatre, HAWKS Tues 12 Nov, TONGUE Fri 15 Nov, O2 THE CLONE ROSES + TRA: GENTLE FLAME Featuring Jeffrey Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- Institute, Birmingham KAZABIAN Sat 16 Nov, Skidmore (conductor). Programme BEN ELTON Thurs 14 Nov, Birming- ingham CAROLE: THE MUSIC OF O2 Academy, B’ham includes works by JS Bach & Liz ham Hippodrome LIAM GALLAGHER Tues CAROLE KING Fri 15 FREE RADIO HITS LIVE Johnson (Gentle Flame), Tues 12 ROBERT WHITE, JO ENRIGHT & COMEDY 12 Nov, Arena B’ham Nov, Lichfield Garrick 2019 Sat 16 Nov, Re- Nov, The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birm- CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON REEL BIG FISH Tues 12 SOULIN’ WITH ANDY, sorts World Arena, ingham Conservatoire Thurs 14 Nov, The Glee Club, Birm- Nov, O2 Institute, PAUL WHITTLE & MARK Birmingham CBSO: CAPRICCIO ESPAGNOL Featuring ingham Birmingham MAGOO Fri 15 Nov, The METRONOMY Sat 16 Jaume Santonja Espinós (conduc- TOM STADE, CHRISTIAN REILLY, JOHNNY LOVELYTHEBAND Tues Night Owl, B’ham Nov, O2 Institute, tor) & Clara Mouriz (mezzo so- SORROW & WAYNE BEESE (MC) Fri 15 12 Nov, O2 Academy, PEARL JAM UK Fri 15 Birmingham prano). Programme includes works Nov, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall Birmingham by Rimsky-Korsakov, Montsalvatge, Nov, O2 Academy, THE HOOTEN HALLERS JOSH PUGH & BEN POPE Fri 15 Nov, Birmingham Sat 16 Nov, O2 Insti- Falla & Prokofiev, Wed 13 Nov, Sym- JACK SAVORETTI Tues phony Hall, Birmingham Cherry Reds Cafe-Bar, Birmingham 12 Nov, Symphony tute, Birmingham THE ROTANAS + MOD- SHAZIA MIRZA Fri 15 Nov, Artrix, Hall, Birmingham ONYX BRASS Programme includes ERN COMFORTS + THE PETER WHITE Sat 16 Bromsgrove SILVER LINES Fri 15 Nov, Pizza Express works by Rameau arr. David Gor- Nov, The Sunflower Live, Birmingham don-Shute, Shostakovich arr. An- DARREN HARRIOTT Fri 15 Nov, The drew Sutton, JS Bach arr. Powell Glee Club, Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham RAINBOW RISING Sat 16 Chorale... Fri 15 Nov, The Barber In- TIM MINCHIN Fri 15 & Sat 16 Nov, SODOMIZED CADAVER, Nov, Route 44, B’ham stitute, Birmingham ABSOLUTION, PEM- Birmingham Hippodrome IVORY WAVE Sat 16 THALLEIN ENSEMBLE Featuring PHIGOID & VIOLATED Nov, O2 Institute, JACK WHITEHALL Fri 15 - Sun 17 Nov, FLESH Fri 15 Nov, Daniele Rosina (conductor). Pro- Arena Birmingham Birmingham gramme includes works by Luc Fer- Scruffy Murphys, Birm- IAN STONE, IAN SMITH, ROBERT WHITE ingham FOY VANCE Sat 16 Nov, rari & new pieces by RBS Birmingham Town Hall composition students, George West & JO ENRIGHT Fri 15 & Sat 16 Nov, MR EAZI Fri 15 Nov, O2 The Glee Club, Birmingham REX ORANGE COUNTY: & Oliver Mack, Fri 15 Nov, The Brad- Institute, Birmingham A TRIP 2 THE OLDSKOOL THE PONY TOUR Tues Sat 16 - Sun 17 Nov, shaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- GEORGE EGG Sat 16 Nov, Artrix, 12 & Wed 13 Nov, O2 THE WHITE ROOM - Hare & Hounds, Birm- servatoire Bromsgrove Academy, Birmingham ALBUM LAUNCH SPEC- ingham CHAMBER ORCHESTRA: MUSIC AND THE RUDI LICKWOOD, MATT BRAGG, TUDUR TACULAR Fri 15 Nov, HALF•ALIVE Wed 13 HANSEATIC LEAGUE Featuring Andrew OWEN & HAYLEY ELLIS Sat 16 Nov, Route 44, Birmingham CELTIC WOMAN - AN- Nov, O2 Institute, CIENT LAND Sun 17 Kirkman (director). Programme in- The Comedy Loft, B’ham Birmingham THE ROOM PLUS SPE- Nov, The Alexandra cludes works by Buxtehude, Matthe- GEOFF NORCOTT Sat 16 Nov, The CIAL GUESTS THE PARA- son, Keiser & Handel, Sat 16 Nov, JIM MORAY + CHRIS Theatre, Birmingham Core Theatre, Solihull DOX TWIN Fri 15 Nov, The Barber Institute, Birmingham FOX Wed 13 Nov, The The Flapper, Bi’ham REUBEN JAMES Sun 17 LADIES NIGHT FEAT. NOREEN KHAN (PIC- Red Lion Folk Club, Nov, Symphony Hall, BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR GALA CON- TURED), VIBS BHATIA & DJ AK BEATS Birmingham YONAKA Fri 15 Nov, O2 Birmingham CERT Featuring Paul Spicer (conduc- Sat 16 Nov, The Glee Club, B’ham Institute, Birmingham tor) & The Musical and Amicable THE MEN THEY COULD- FREYA RIDINGS Sun 17 TWIST & SHOUT Fri 15 Society Orchestra. Programme in- N'T HANG 35TH AN- Nov, O2 Academy, cludes works by JS Bach, Handel & NIVERSARY Wed 13 Nov, The Core The- Birmingham atre, Solihull Haydn, Sat 16 Nov, Lichfield Cathe- Nov, Hare & Hounds, dral Birmingham CARMEN SOUZA Fri 15 BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCI- CHRISTINA AGUILERA Nov, Pizza Express Live, Birmingham ETY: HANDEL’S MESSIAH Featuring The Thurs 14 Nov, Resorts Musical & Amicable Society Baroque World Arena, B’ham DJ YODA + THE CUBAN Orchestra, David Wynne (conduc- BIG JOANIE Thurs 14 BROTHERS Fri 15 Nov, tor), Penny Appleyard (soprano), Nov, Hare & Hounds, The Mill, Digbeth, Philippa Thomas (mezzo), Xavier Birmingham Birmingham Hetherington (tenor) & James TOM WALKER Thurs 14 BELLA HARDY Sat 16 Williams (baritone), Sat 16 Nov, Nov, O2 Academy, Nov, Midlands Arts Church of St Alban the Martyr, Birm- IMPROV COMEDY WITH BOX OF FROGS ORLA GARTLAND Sun Birmingham Centre, Birmingham ingham Sun 17 Nov, The Glee Club, B’ham 17 Nov, O2 Institute, NOW THAT’S WHAT I CBSO FAMILY CONCERT Featuring KING PLEASURE & THE Birmingham MICKEY SHARMA, ANUVAB PAL, SUKH BISCUIT BOYS Thurs 14 CALL ‘80S LIVE Sat 16 Jaume Santonja Espinós (conduc- OJLA & OMID SINGH Sun 17 Nov, The RAUL MIDÓN Sun 17 Nov, The Jam House, Nov, Symphony Hall, tor) & Catherine Arlidge (presenter). Glee Club, Birmingham Nov, Pizza Express Birmingham Birmingham Programme includes works by Brit- Live, Birmingham ten, John Williams, Piazzolla, GOLDLINK Thurs 14 PARTNERS IN CRIME Sat THE TEMPLES, THE BLIN- Tchaikovsky, Arban, Beethoven & Nov, O2 Institute, 16 Nov, The World Bar, DERS & BUZZARD, BUZ- Brahms, Sun 17 Nov, Symphony Birmingham Resorts World, B’ham Theatre ZARD, BUZZARD Sun 17 Hall, Birmingham THE DOORS ALIVE Sat THE STYLISTICS Thurs Nov, The Mill, Digbeth, CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CHOIR: MASS IN LAYILA Siana Bangura’s drama con- 16 Nov, O2 Academy, 14 Nov, Symphony Birmingham BLUE Also featuring Lichfield Cathe- cerning a 15-year-old Sierra- whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Birmingham 11-17 November.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 16:11 Page 3 The List Birmingham 11-17 November.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 16:11 Page 4

thelist Monday 11 - Sunday 17 November Leonean British girl whose life is sketch show, Thurs 14 Nov, The Old retro DJ Telstar and special guests on turned upside-down when her Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Talks / a musical odyssey back in time, grandma suddenly dies, Mon 11 Nov, DICK WHITTINGTON - GROWN UPS ONLY! Thurs 14 Nov, The Red Lion, Hockley The REP, Birmingham Adult-only pantomime starring Lee Spoken Word PLANETARIUM LATES: AMAUROSIS In- BLUEPRINTS Before starting a family to- Redwood as Sarah the Cook & Gwyn- triguing 3D performance, partly in the gether, Adam and Faith have to exam- fryn West as Dick, Fri 15 Nov, The SIR RANULPH FIENNES: LIVING DANGER- dark, that investigates what happens ine if certain behaviours are passed Crescent Theatre, Birmingham OUSLY Join ‘the world's greatest living when music becomes your emotional down through generations. But will BLUEPRINTS Before starting a family to- explorer' as he recounts his personal guide, Thurs 14 Nov, Thinktank Sci- they overcome their generational cy- gether, Adam and Faith have to exam- journey, Wed 13 Nov, Birmingham ence Museum, Birmingham cles in time? Part of Foundry Festival, ine if certain behaviours are passed Town Hall FESTIVE GIFT FAIR The biggest indoor Mon 11 Nov, The REP, Birmingham down through generations. But will MY MOUNTAIN LIFE BY SIMON YATES Christmas shopping fair in the Mid- THE MOUSETRAP Susan Penhaligon they overcome their generational cy- An evening with one of the most ac- lands is back, Thurs 14 - Sun 17 Nov, stars in Agatha Christie’s legendary cles in time? Part of Foundry Festival, complished exploratory moun- NEC, Birmingham thriller, Mon 11 - Sat 16 Nov, Friday 15 Nov, The REP, Birmingham taineers of all time, Thurs 14 Nov, CANDLELIT TOURS OF THE BACK TO The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham UNEXPLODED ORDNANCES Split Britches Lichfield Garrick BACKS Fri 15 Nov, Birmingham Back JUMPROV Featuring improvisational combine a Dr Strangelove-inspired GYLES BRANDRETH: DANCING BY THE to Backs theatre company Jumprov. Part of performance with a ‘daring forum for LIGHT OF THE MOON Celebration of the SANTA'S WINTER WONDERLAND Santa’s Foundry Festival, Tues 12 Nov, The public conversation’ that explores best-loved poems in the English lan- back at the Snowdome for the 15th REP, Birmingham ageing, anxiety, hidden desires and guage, Sat 16 Nov, Lichfield Garrick fantastic year, Fri 15 Nov - Tues 31 SHACKLETON’S CARPENTER One-man how to look forward when the future is Dec, The Snowdome, Tamworth show of survival and intrepid action uncertain, Sat 16 Nov, The REP, Birm- ingham POWER BALLAD BRUNCH Big up your adventure, Tues 12 Nov, The Core hair and bang on the shoulder pads! Theatre, Solihull LAYILA Siana Bangura’s drama con- Sat 16 Nov, The Lord Clifden, Birm- BLOOD BROTHERS (PLAY VERSION) Non- cerning a 15-year-old Sierra-Leonean Cabaret ingham British kid whose life is turned upside musical version of Willy Russell’s THIS FILTHY WORLD: JOHN WATERS GHOST DINNER Evening ghost tour of hugely successful play, Tues 12 - down when her grandma suddenly dies, Sat 16 Nov, The REP, B’ham One-man show celebrating the film one of Britain’s most haunted build- Thurs 14 Nov, The Blue Orange The- career and obsessional tastes of the ings followed by dinner in the Stable atre, Birmingham REPEAT AFTER ME Three sisters invite man once referred to as ‘the pope of Yard Cafe, Sat 16 Nov, Aston Hall, BRIGHT PLACES Unapologetically hon- their absent father round for dinner, trash’, Wed 13 Nov, Birmingham Hip- Birmingham after not having seen him for many podrome est and sometimes comical explo- BIRMINGHAM INTERFAITH MUSIC FESTI- ration of one woman's unique take on years. Molly has prepared a speech, Tara is more concerned by her own BURLESQUE’D - A STAGE SPECTACULAR VAL Celebrate Interfaith week with life with multiple sclerosis, Tues 12 - Theatrical adventure fusing the world music, dance and art, Sat 16 Nov, Fri 15 Nov, The REP, Birmingham secrets, while Faye has devised a plan of her own. Part of Foundry Festival, of musical theatre with the mystery of Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery cirque... Fri 15 - Sat 16 Nov, The Old MY FAIR LADY Amateur staging pre- Sat 16 Nov, The REP, Birmingham ADULT JEWELLERY WORKSHOP: SILVER Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham sented by Bilston Operatic Company, STACKING RINGS Chance to learn a va- Tues 12 - Sat 16 Nov, Wolverhampton BURGERZ Performance artist Travis Al- riety of jewellery-making techniques, Grand Theatre abanza presents a show that’s Sat 16 Nov, Museum of the Jewellery AN INSPECTOR CALLS The National The- Kids Shows ‘timely, unsettling and powerful’, Sun Quarter, Birmingham atre’s landmark production of JB 17 Nov, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham AVONCROFT FEST-OF-ALE Featuring Priestley’s classic thriller, Tues 12 - Sat THE SNOW QUEEN Hans Christian An- hand-picked ales, ciders and perries, 16 Nov, The REP, Birmingham dersen's family classic following the adventures of inseparable friends Kai plus a selection of breads and FATHERS, FAMILIES & F*CKBOYS One & Gerda, Sat 16 Nov - Mon 30 Dec, cheeses, Sat 16 Nov, Avoncroft Mu- woman’s journey to reconnect with The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham seum, Bromsgrove her father in order to connect with her- MCM BIRMINGHAM COMIC CON The self, Wed 13 Nov, The REP, Birming- UK’s biggest modern-pop-culture ham event returns to Birmingham, Sat 16 - INSPECTOR DRAKE AND THE BLACK Dance Sun 17 Nov, NEC, Birmingham WIDOW Gill ‘Doreen Tipton’ Jordan CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS Enjoy a stars in a ‘comedy whodunnit like ACOSTA DANZA Programme of new & ‘scrumptious day out that's choc-full you’ve never seen before’, Thurs 14 existing works from ballet superstar of festive fun this Christmas at Cad- Nov, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham Carlos Acosta, Mon 11 - Tues 12 Nov, bury World’, Sat 16 - Sun 17 Nov, Birmingham Hippodrome CHEETAH SISTERS Autobiographical Cadbury World, Birmingham piece exploring the conflict of national YAATRA Jaivant Patel presents an MOTORCYCLE LIVE The UK’s largest and personal identity involved in inter- evening of ‘captivating’ solo kathak motorcycle show, Sat 16 - Sun 24 racial adoption. Part of Foundry Festi- and contemporary dance, Wed 13 Nov, NEC, Birmingham val, Thurs 14 Nov, The REP, Nov, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham Events DRAYTON'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS Meet Birmingham SHOUT VOGUE BALL Club culture meets MUSICAL MADNESS Singalong featur- Father Christmas in the Castle of REPEAT AFTER ME Three sisters invite high art as Vogue Houses come to- ing music from hit movies including Dreams, and experience ‘magical their absent father round for dinner, gether from across the UK (including Grease, The Greatest Showman, character parades, live Christmas after not having seen him for many Birmingham’s very own House of Chicago, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang shows, falling snow and spectacular years. Molly has prepared a speech, Bab) to compete for dance and Oliver!, Mon 11 Nov, The Red fireworks’, Sat 16 Nov - Tues 31 Dec, Tara is more concerned by her own supremacy in a catwalk spectacular Lion, Hockley Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tam- secrets, while Faye has devised a plan pulled straight from New York City’s worth of her own. Part of Foundry Festival, iconic ballroom culture, Fri 15 Nov, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? QUEER- Thurs 14 Nov, The REP, B’ham Birmingham Hippodrome NESS AND FAITH Panel discussion THE YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO THE OR- bringing together artists from a range CHESTRA ‘Fun-filled concert for all the I WANNA BE YOURS Paines Plough pre- AN EVENING WITH NAHID SIDDIQUI Ex- of religious backgrounds and prac- family’, Sun 17 Nov, Symphony Hall, sent a debut play from slam poetry clusive Midlands performance from tices to talk about what it means to Birmingham champion Zia Ahmed, Thurs 14 Nov, one of Europe’s leading Kathak be LGBTQ+ and religious, Mon 11 F-A-B! THE FABULOUS KIDS PARTY Fam- Artrix, Bromsgrove dancers, Sun 17 Nov, Midlands Arts Nov, Birmingham Museum And Art ily party with music, DIY costume- CROFT & PEARCE: DOUBLE TAKE Stars of Centre, Birmingham Gallery making, fun, games and a disco, Sun BBC Radio Four’s The Croft & Pearce ROCKET IN MY POCKET Join rocking 17 Nov, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham Show present their new narrative whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Birmingham 18-24 November.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 17:58 Page 1

thelist Gigs

STEVE HACKETT: GENE- SIS REVISITED Mon 18 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham MAVERICK SABRE Tues 19 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham JOHN MAYALL Tues 19 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall PENELOPE ISLES Tues 19 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham AGNOSTIC FRONT - 35 YEARS OF ‘VICTIM IN PAIN’ Tues 19 Nov, Shakespears Sister - Symphony Hall Mama Roux’s, B’ham GRIEVES Fri 22 Nov, Sat 23 Nov, O2 SHAKESPEARS SISTER Castle & Falcon, Birm- Academy, Birmingham Tues 19 Nov, Sym- ingham THE FOUR ROSSIS Sat phony Hall, B’ham SHED SEVEN Fri 22 Nov, 23 Nov, Route 44, DECO + THE NU Tues O2 Academy, B’ham Birmingham 19 Nov, The Sunflower MEGGIE BROWN Fri 22 THORIUM AND SYRENCE Lounge, Birmingham Nov, The Flapper, Sat 23 Nov, Scruffy D BLOCK EUROPE Wed Birmingham Murphys, Birmingham 20 Nov, O2 Academy, DAVEY MALONE Fri 22 JADE BIRD Sat 23 Nov, Birmingham Nov, Katie Fitzgerald’s, O2 Institute, B’ham LANKUM Wed 20 Nov, Stourbridge THE DESTROYERS Sat Hare & Hounds, Birm- QUEEN UNDER COVER 23 Nov, Hare & ingham Fri 22 Nov, Route 44, Hounds, Birmingham NOBLE JACKS Wed 20 Birmingham FELIX SHEPHERD Sat 23 Nov, Hare & Hounds, MY LIFE STORY Fri 22 Nov, The Cuban Em- Birmingham Nov, Pizza Express bassy, Birmingham THE TRIALS OF CATO + Live, Birmingham PUP Sat 23 Nov, O2 KATY ROSE BENNETT SCARLXRD Fri 22 Nov, Academy, Birmingham Wed 20 Nov, The Red O2 Institute, B’ham Lion Folk Club, B’ham NEW MODEL ARMY Sat GLASS CEILINGS Fri 22 23 Nov, O2 Institute, KENNY THOMAS Thurs Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham 21 Nov, The Jam Birmingham house, Birmingham RHYS LEWIS Sat 23 BRASS BAND AND SAXO- Nov, O2 Institute, OCEAN WISDOM Thurs PHONE CHOIR Fri 22 Birmingham 21 Nov, The Mill, Birm- Nov, Elgar Concert ingham SICK LOVE + IDLE NOISE Hall, Birmingham + BERMUDA Sat 23 MARTIN STEPHENSON & TRU GROOVE Fri 22 - Nov, The Sunflower THE DAINTEES Thurs 21 Sat 23 Nov, The Jam Lounge, Birmingham Nov, Hare & Hounds, house, Birmingham Birmingham TOKYO MYERS Sun 24 GERRY COLVIN BAND Sat Nov, O2 Institute, AN EVENING WITH THE 23 Nov, The Core, Birmingham STEVE HILLAGE BAND Solihull Thurs 21 Nov, O2 Insti- MAHALIA - LOVE & COM- tute, Birmingham HAWKWIND 50TH AN- PROMISE TOUR Sun 24 NIVERSARY TOUR Sat Nov, O2 Institute, PROFESSOR GREEN 23 Nov, Birmingham Birmingham Thurs 21 Nov, O2 Insti- Town Hall tute, Birmingham SEAMUS BEGLEY TRIO TOYAH ‘ACOUSTIC, UP Sun 24 Nov, Hare & DEL CAMINO Thurs 21 CLOSE & PERSONAL’ Sat Hounds, Birmingham Nov, The Jam house, 23 Nov, Pizza Express Birmingham SIXTIES GOLD Sun 24 Live, Birmingham Nov, Symphony Hall, BAT FOR LASHES Thurs DECADES Sat 23 Nov, Birmingham 21 Nov, Birmingham The World Bar, Re- Town Hall PRATEEK KUHAD Sun 24 sorts World, B’ham Nov, O2 Institute, YUNGBLUD Fri 22 Nov, ELIZA AND THE BEAR Sat Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham 23 Nov, Castle & Fal- SEAMUS BAGLEY TRIO HOLLY & THE HOTRODS con, Birmingham Sun 24 Nov, Castle & Fri 22 Nov, The World AVALANCHE Sat 23 Falcon, Birmingham Bar, Resorts World, Nov, The Actress & Birmingham SIR WAS Sun 24 Nov, Bishop, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- TOO MANY T’S & SCOUTING FOR GIRLS ingham

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Monday 18 - Sunday 24 November

Chabrier, Elgar, Stravinsky & Ravel, ALFIE MOORE Thurs 21 Nov, Artrix, FAME Keith Jack & Jorgie Porter star Classical Music Fri 22 Nov, Symphony Hall, B’ham Bromsgrove in a new stage adaptation of the hit ORGAN PROM WITH CATHY LAMB Sat 23 JANE GODLEY, SEAN COLLINS & COMEDY 1980s film, Tues 19 - Sat 23 Nov, LUNCHTIME CONCERT WITH TIMOTHY Nov, Lichfield Cathedral CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs Wolverhampton Grand Theatre EMBERSON Programme includes 21 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham ONE UNDER Winsome Pinnock's works by Schubert, Dowland & Ravel, MUSIC SOCIETY GALA CONCERT Featur- evocative play about the power of Mon 18 Nov, Birmingham Cathedral ing Chamber Choirs, Clarinet Choir & VIR DAS Fri 22 Nov, B’ham Town Hall Flute Choir. Programme includes guilt and the quest for atonement, EVE EGOYAN PIANO CONCERT SAJEELA KERSHI & GUESTS Fri 22 Nov, Pro- works by Morley, Gjeilo, Pitoni, Jou- Tues 19 - Sat 23 Nov, The REP, gramme includes works by Nicole Artrix, Bromsgrove bert & Bob Chilcott, Sat 23 Nov, Elgar Birmingham Lizée, Chiyoko Szlavnics & Ann Concert Hall, The Bramall, University TAT VISION LIVE Fri 22 Nov, The Glee THE PRODUCERS St Augustine’s MTC Southam, Mon 18 Nov, Recital Hall, of Birmingham Club, Birmingham present an amateur staging of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire CBSO: BEETHOVEN & STRAVINSKY Fea- SIMON LOMAS, VINCE ATTA, JANE Mel Brooks musical, Tues 19 - Sun 24 CBSO: BEETHOVEN & STRAVINSKY Fea- turing Gustavo Gimeno (conductor) & GODLET & SEAN COLLINS Fri 22 & Sat Nov, The Core Theatre, Solihull turing Gustavo Gimeno (conductor) & Jeremy Denk (piano), Sat 23 Nov 23 Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham THE MILLER’S STORY Physical comedy, Jeremy Denk (piano), Wed 20 Nov (7pm), Symphony Hall, Birmingham ANDY PARSONS Sat 23 Nov, The REP, music & song combine in Clown (2.15pm), Symphony Hall, B’ham BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY SINGERS AND Birmingham Noir’s adaptation of Chaucer’s Can- CBSO CENTRE STAGE: BRAHMS & SCHU- UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S CHOIR Featuring SEAN PERCIVAL, JOEY PAGE, EMMANUEL terbury Tales story, Thurs 21 Nov, MANN Featuring Kate Suthers & Bob Chilcott & Jack Apperley (con- SONUBI & DARIUS DAVIES Sat 23 Nov, Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham Moritz Pfister (violins), Adam Römer ductors), Sun 24 Nov, Elgar Concert The Comedy Loft, Birmingham THE GREATEST SHOWENCH Hollywood (viola), Eduardo Vassallo (cello) & Hall, University of Birmingham has The Greatest Showman, the Robert Markham (piano), Thurs 21 TORI SCOTT Sat 23 Nov, Old Joint Black Country has The Greatest Nov, CBSO Centre, Birmingham Stock Theatre, Birmingham Showench! Fizzog are back with their MARK BEBBINGTON PIANO CONCERT latest production... Thurs 21 Nov, Programme includes works by Fauré, Comedy Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Poulenc, Franck & Chopin, Fri 22 FIRST TIME HIV-plus theatre-maker Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE DOLLOP - LIVE PODCAST Tues 19 Theatre Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham Nathaniel Hall presents a ‘funny and CBSO: FRIDAY NIGHT CLASSICS Featur- TROJAN HORSE A very local story frank’ autobiographical solo show ing Stephen Bell (conductor) & John SUZI RUFFELL Wed 20 Nov, The Glee about a community torn apart by about staying positive in a negative Suchet (presenter). Programme in- Club, Birmingham racial division, ‘British values’ and the world, Thurs 21 - Fri 22 Nov, The Old cludes works by Coates, Satie, ARDAL O’HANLON Thurs 21 Nov, Sym- culture of the government’s Prevent Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Mendelssohn, Saint-Saëns, Grainger, strategy, Tues 19 - Thurs 21 Nov, Mid- phony Hall, Birmingham TORI SCOTT IS PICKLED Join the New Sibelius, Walton, Grieg, Mahler, lands Arts Centre, Birmingham

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Monday 18 - Sunday 24 November

theYork-based cabaret starlist as she cele- world-famous festive production, Fri INGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY Be- CHRISTMAS THROUGH TIME Take in the brates her poor life choices and un- 22 Nov - Sat 14 Dec, Birmingham hind-the-scenes tour, Tues 19 Nov, sights, sounds and smells of Christ- conditional love of vodka, Sat 23 Nov, Hippodrome Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery mas across the years, Sat 23 Nov - The Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham CANDLELIT TOURS OF THE BACK TO Tues 24 Dec, Black Country Living THE RECEIPTS UNCUT Sun 24 Nov, The BACKS Thurs 21 Nov, Birmingham Museum, Dudley Glee Club, Birmingham Back to Backs EDWARDIAN TEAROOMS LATE: SILENT Talks / BLAKESLEY BY NIGHT An atmospheric NOIZE PRESENTS THE SILENT DISCO The costumed evening tour and a rare Silent Disco returns for a third year Spoken Word chance to see Blakesley Hall by after enjoying huge success in 2017 moonlight, Fri 22 Nov, Blakesley Hall, & ’18, Sat 23 Nov, Birmingham Mu- Kids Shows ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG Brand new Birmingham seum And Art Gallery and ‘deliciously irreverent’ account of PETER PAN Festive version of JM Bar- CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS Enjoy a a career that has taken Alexander SPICE UP YOUR BRUNCH Featuring rie's classic tale, Wed 20 - Sat 23 Nov, ‘scrumptious day out that's choc-full from comedy to presenting to docu- prizes, lip sync battles, games and Erdington United Reformed Church, of festive fun this Christmas at Cad- mentary-making to singing to becom- musical numbers, Sat 23 Nov, The Birmingham bury World’, Sat 23 - Sun 24 Nov, ing the voice of Toilet Duck, Mon 18 Lord Clifden, Birmingham Cadbury World, Birmingham BILLIONAIRE BOY Nov, The Alexandra Theatre, B’ham WARLEY NATIONAL MODEL RAILWAY EX- New staging of SANTA SAFARI Featuring a four-mile GORDON BUCHANAN: ANIMAL FAMILIES HIBITION Featuring more than 90 lay- David Walliams' self-drive safari and a visit to Santa, & ME Join the acclaimed television outs from the UK and abroad, Sat 23 bestselling story, wildlife cameraman as he shares sto- - Sun 24 Nov, NEC, Birmingham Sat 23 - Sun 24 Nov, West Midland Wed 20 - Sat 23 ries of his experiences with some of Safari and Leisure Park, Bewdley, Nr Nov, The Alexandra SANTA HUNTS Help the museum's fes- the world’s most fearsome and ma- Kidderminster Theatre, B’ham tive costumed guides find the man jestic animals, Mon 18 Nov, himself, Sat 23 - Sun 24 Nov, Black MEET SANTA Say hello to the man him- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon Country Living Museum, Dudley self by visiting the Antarctic Ice Cave, 25 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall Sat 23 Nov - Mon 23 Dec, National LEGO ENGINEERS Sea Life Centre, Birmingham Dance Can you and your family design and SANTA'S SLEEPOVER Experience ‘the GENIUS Six dancers perform two ‘dra- build great engi- most magical Christmas escape’, matic explorations of genius’, Tues 19 Events neering solutions Sun 24 Nov, Alton Towers, Stoke-on- - Wed 20 Nov, The Patrick Studio, SKILL BY MOUTH Spoken-word night, using only LEGO Trent Birmingham Hippodrome Mon 18 Nov, The Red Lion, Hockley blocks? Sat 23 - FESTIVE MARKET Discover some THE NUTCRACKER Birmingham Royal CONSERVATION STUDIO TOURS: BIRM- Sun 24 Nov, Thinktank Science Mu- unique gift ideas at a variety of stalls, Ballet perform Sir Peter Wright’s seum, Birmingham Sun 24 Nov, Aston Hall, Birmingham

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thelist Monday 25 - Saturday 30 November Gigs Classical Comedy LEWIS CAPALDI Mon 25 LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH MIKE WILMOT PLUS COMEDY CAROUSEL Nov, O2 Academy, THOMAS TROTTER Programme includes WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 28 Nov, Birmingham works by JS Bach, Balfe, Stanford, The Glee Club, Birmingham Prokofiev & Widor, Mon 25 Nov, Birm- BLANCK MASS Mon 25 MIKE WILMOT, JONNY AWSUM, SUSIE ingham Town Hall Nov, Hare & Hounds, MCCABE & COMIC TBC Fri 29 - Sat 30 Birmingham NAPOLITAN DISCOVERIES Sonatas, con- Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham certi & cantatas for recorder, Mon 25 RONNIE WOOD Mon 25 JOHN ROBINS Sat 30 Nov, Birmingham Nov, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Nov, Symphony Hall, Town Hall Conservatoire Birmingham LUNCHTIME MUSIC: PROKOFIEV & FOUNTAINES D.C Mon BRAHMS Featuring Grace Duthie 25 Nov, O2 Institute, (flute), Joanne Sealey (piano), Olga Birmingham Eckert (violin) & John Thwaites ELECTRIC SIX Tues 26 (piano), Mon 25 Nov, Recital Hall, Nov, O2 Academy, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Birmingham LIXIN LIU (SOPRANO) LUNCHTIME PER- SKEPTA Tues 26 Nov, FORMANCE Tues 26 Nov, The Brad- O2 Academy, B’ham shaw Hall, Royal Birmingham NAAZ Tues 26 Nov, O2 Conservatoire Institute, Birmingham Jessica Boswell - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham BLAKE Wed 27 Nov, The Core Theatre, Solihull RUEL Tues 26 Nov, O2 Thurs 28 Nov, O2 Insti- ingham Institute, Birmingham PIANO SHOWCASE FEAT. SALOMÉ CHITAIA tute, Birmingham UNIVERSITY OF BIRM- & YICHENG PAN Programme includes ADAM ANT Tues 26 JESSICA BOSWELL INGHAM JAZZ ORCHES- works by Haydn, Tchaikovsky & Bal- Nov, Symphony Hall, Thurs 28 Nov, Hare & TRA Fri 29 Nov, CBSO akirev, Wed 27 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham Birmingham GEOWULF Tues 26 Nov, BABYBIRD Thurs 28 DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND CBSO: HAYDN & MOZART Featuring Ric- Hare & Hounds, Birm- Nov, Hare & Hounds, WITH RECALL THE RE- cardo Minasi (conductor), Oliver ingham Birmingham MAINS & WARLORD Fri Janes (clarinet) & Nikolaj Henriques ROB ROUSE, SARAH KEYWORTH, NOEL ELVIS PRESLEY Wed 27 29 Nov, Route 44, NATACHA ATLAS Fri 29 (bassoon). Programme includes JAMES & HAYLEY ELLIS Sat 30 Nov, The Nov, Resorts World Birmingham Nov, Pizza Express works by Haydn, Strauss, Beethoven Comedy Loft, Birmingham Arena, Birmingham Live, Birmingham DUB PISTOLS Fri 29 - & Mozart, Wed 27 Nov (7.30pm), JUDI LOVE Sat 30 Nov, Midlands Arts SHOW OF HANDS Wed Sat 30 Nov, Hare & JOOLS HOLLAND AND Symphony Hall, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham 27 Nov, Symphony HIS RHYTHM & BLUES Hounds, Birmingham CBSO: HAYDN & MOZART Featuring Ric- BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Sat 30 Hall, Birmingham ORCHESTRA Fri 29 - Sat YOUNG DOLPH & KEY cardo Minasi (conductor), Oliver Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove SUNSET SONS Wed 27 30 Nov, Symphony GLOCK Sat 30 Nov, O2 Janes (clarinet) & Nikolaj Henriques Nov, O2 Institute, Hall, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham (bassoon). Programme includes Birmingham THE CHEMICAL BROTH- TRUE ORDER - THE works by Haydn, Strauss, Beethoven MAC DEMARCO Wed 27 ERS Fri 29 Nov, Arena SOUND OF NEW ORDER & Mozart, Thurs 28 Nov (2.15pm), Opera Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham Sat 30 Nov, Hare & Symphony Hall, Birmingham GILBERT & SULLIVAN A LA CARTE Miscel- Birmingham L1NKN_P4RK (UK'S #1 Hounds, Birmingham BINCHOIS CONSORT Featuring Andrew lany of musical numbers, Tues 26 SWARMZ Wed 27 Nov, LINKIN PARK TRIBUTE) JINJER Sat 30 Nov, The Kirkman (director). Programme com- Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre O2 Academy, B’ham Fri 29 Nov, The Flap- Asylum, Birmingham prises music from Antwerp in the time of Jan de Beer, Fri 29 Nov, The Barber BELSHAZZAR’S FEAST + per, Birmingham NORTHLANE Sat 30 Institute, Birmingham FRAGILE HEARTS Wed THE FEMALE METAL Nov, O2 Academy, 27 Nov, The Red Lion VOICES TOUR Fri 29 Birmingham ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE SYMPHONIC BRASS & BRASS BAND Fea- Theatre Folk Club, B’ham Nov, The Asylum, THE FLOW Sat 30 Nov, turing Amos Miller & Ian Porthouse RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS Birmingham Castle & Falcon, Birm- MALCOLM STENT’S SONGS OF PRAISE (conductors), Fri 29 Nov, The Brad- Thurs 28 Nov, Sym- GIGGS Fri 29 Nov, O2 ingham CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR Hymns, car- shaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conser- ols & songs with a comedy sparkle, phony Hall, B’ham Academy, Birmingham XILLA Sat 30 Nov, O2 vatoire Tues 26 Nov, The Core Theatre, Soli- GRAHAM PARKER Thurs PRINCE TRIBUTE - EN- Academy, Birmingham CBSO CENTRE STAGE: SCHUBERT Featur- hull 28 Nov, Artrix, Broms- DORPHINMACHINE Fri THE REAL PEOPLE PLUS ing Jonathan Martindale & Jane CHRISTMAS WITH STEPTOE & SON Fes- grove 29 Nov, O2 Academy, KARKOSA & ANTHONY Wright (vioins), Christopher Yates tive misadventures with the nation’s CHINA CRISIS Thurs 28 Birmingham PRICE Sat 30 Nov, The (viola) & Helen Edgar (cello), Fri 29 favourite rag-and-bone men, Tues 26 - Nov, Pizza Express ALDOUS HARDING Fri 29 Actress & Bishop, Nov, CBSO Centre, Birmingham Thurs 28 Nov, The Old Joint Stock Live, Birmingham Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring Theatre, Birmingham DIDO Thurs 28 Nov, Birmingham KREPT & KONAN Sat 30 Daniele Rosina (conductor). Pro- A CHRISTMAS CAROL Presented by the Arena Birmingham MYJO CHRISTMAS CON- Nov, O2 Academy, gramme comprises Dvorak’s Sym- award-winning BMOS Musical Theatre CERT Fri 29 Nov, The Birmingham AMON AMARTH: phony No.8 in G major, Op.88, Sat 30 Company, Tues 26 - Sat 30 Nov, The Core Theatre, Solihull BERSERKER WORLD BLACKWATER COUNTY Nov, Elgar Concert Hall, Birmingham Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham TOUR 2019 Thurs 28 GLENN HUGHES Fri 29 Sat 30 Nov, Katie DUNEV QUARTET Featuring Hristo AN EVENING WITH LENNY HENRY: WHO Nov, O2 Academy, Nov, O2 Institute, Fitzgerald’s, Stour- Dunev & Mae Edwards (violins), AM I, AGAIN? Wed 27 Nov, Birmingham Birmingham bridge Eleanor Chapman (viola) & Alice Wolverhampton Grand Theatre PLUVIAM ‘THE RAIN’ BUCK & EVANS Fri 29 CROWD COMPANY’ Sat Cheer (cello). Programme includes PUSS IN BOOTS Festive favourite written TOUR Thurs 28 Nov, Nov, Castle & Falcon, 30 Nov, Pizza Express works by Beethoven & Grieg, Sat 30 by and starring Iain Lauchlan, Wed 27 Castle & Falcon, Birm- Birmingham Live, Birmingham Nov, Library of Birmingham Nov - Sat 11 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, ingham YGODEH Fri 29 Nov, REBEL REBEL Sat 30 Coventry FAT WHITE FAMILY Scruffy Murphys, Birm- Nov, Route 44, B’ham whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Birmingham 25-30 November.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2019 16:36 Page 3

thelist Monday 25 - Saturday 30 November THE LOCK IN CHRISTMAS CAROL ‘Half Thurs 28 Nov - Sun 1 Dec, NEC, snowflake cutting, Sat 30 Nov - Sun 1 gig, half dance show and half panto’, Dance Birmingham Dec, Thinktank Science Museum, Thurs 28 Nov, The Core Theatre, Soli- ART & ANTIQUES FOR EVERYONE Featur- Birmingham hull THE LITTLE PRINCE Luca Silvestrini’s ing 180 specialist dealers exhibiting a CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS Enjoy a CINDERELLA Festive family favourite Protein re-imagine the classic tale, Fri wide range of pieces, from classic to ‘scrumptious day out that's choc-full starring Rebecca Keatley (CBeebies) 29 - Sat 30 Nov, DanceXchange, contemporary, Thurs 28 Nov - Sun 1 of festive fun this Christmas at Cad- and Sam Rabone, Thurs 28 Nov - Birmingham Hippodrome Dec, NEC, Birmingham bury World’, Sat 30 Nov - Sun 1 Dec, Sun 5 Jan, Lichfield Garrick STEAM IN LIGHTS A ‘spectacular illumi- Cadbury World, Birmingham TREASURE ISLAND THE PANTO Amateur nated adventure along an enchanting CHRISTMAS AT COALBROOKDALE Meet staging presented by Pride & Joy Severn Valley with a dazzling extrava- Santa in this all-new experience, Sat Theatre, Fri 29 - Sat 30 Nov, The ganza of magical creatures, sparkling 30 Nov - Sun 1 Dec, Coalbrookdale Crescent Theatre, Birmingham lights, snowfall and thrills’, all enjoyed Museum of Iron, Ironbridge PETER PAN JM Barrie's swashbuckling from the warmth and comfort of a his- MOROCCAN FIRE NIGHTS Evening fus- creation flies into Birmingham for toric carriage, Fri 29 - Sat 30 Nov, ing ‘incredible entertainment with a Christmas, Sat 30 Nov - Sun 19 Jan, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley delicious festive feast and a spectac- The REP, Birmingham BEOWULF Costumed performance of ularly themed environment’, Sat 30 the legendary story, Sat 30 Nov, Nov - Sun 22 Dec, NEC, Birmingham Aston Hall, Birmingham EDWARDIAN TEAROOMS LATE: SILENT Kids Shows NOIZE PRESENTS THE SILENT DISCO The Events Silent Disco returns to BMAG’s Ed- KIPPER'S SNOWY DAY Original songs & wardian Tearooms for a third year, music, puppetry and humour com- OG SINGER-SONGWRITER An event for Sat 30 Nov, Birmingham Museum & bine in a stage version of Mick budding, established or wannabe Art Gallery Inkpen’s much-loved book, Tues 26 singer-songwriters, Mon 25 Nov, The Nov - Tues 31 Dec, Midlands Arts Red Lion, Hockley SANTA HUNTS Help the museum's fes- Centre, B’ham tive costumed guides find the man SH*T IS GETTING REEL TV & film quiz, himself, Sat 30 Nov - Sun 1 Dec, RAYMOND BRIGGS' FATHER CHRISTMAS Wed 27 Nov, The Red Lion, Hockley Black Country Living Museum, Dud- Join Santa on the busiest day of his BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW WINTER It’s ley CHRISTMAS BRICKTACULAR Enjoy sea- year - Christmas Eve, Wed 27 Nov - never too early to start thinking about sonal building activities, Sat 30 Nov - Sun 29 Dec, Warwick Arts Centre, MINICHRISTMAS Activities include tree Tues 24 Dec, Legoland Discovery Christmas! Start planning a food- decorating, paper-chain making and Coventry filled day out with friends and family, Centre, Birmingham

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