Birmingham Cover Online.Qxp Birmingham Cover 28/06/2016 09:10 Page 1

Birmingham Cover Online.qxp_Birmingham Cover 28/06/2016 09:10 Page 1

Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ISSUE 367 JULY 2016

Birmingham ’ MAMMA MIA COMES TO THE MIDLANDS WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On birminghamwhatson.co.uk

inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

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July 2016

Contents

On The Edge - World Festival Of Theatre For Younger Audiences arrives in Brum page 6 and 33

Ruthie Henshall Bunny Wailer East End Cabaret the list

interview with one of musical Roots Renaissance tour at the risque songs and character Your 16-page theatre’s greatest stars O2 Academy comedy at mac week-by-week listings guide page 8 page 15 page 26 page 51

inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 26. Comedy 28. Theatre 37. Film 40. Visual Arts 43. Events

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

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Whats On Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 MAGAZINE GROUP Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Adam Jaremko, Kathryn Ewing, David Vincent 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 July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 18:08 Page 1

First Word

Time to book those panto tickets? Oh yes it is...

One of the Midlands’ favourite panto stars is making a welcome return to the region this Christmas. Former Dr Who actor John Barrowman will take the title role in Birmingham Hippodrome’s lavish production of Dick Whittington. John will be joined in the show by comedy duo The Krankies, popular funnyman Matt Slack and EastEnders badboy Steve McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell in the long-running BBC One soap. Commenting on this year’s panto, the Hippodrome’s artistic director and chief executive, Fiona Allen, said: “It’s never too early to be planning Christmas fun. Sales are already set to break records, and this year’s pantomime promises plenty of laughs, outrageous costumes and special effects to amaze all the family.” Dick Whittington runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday 19 December until Sunday 29 January. Tickets can be booked on 0844 338 5000 or from birminghamhippodrome.com

Pioneer filmmaker Making a Commitment captured on canvas after Corrie An award-winning disabled artist will this month paint a portrait of pioneering filmmaker John Akomfrah at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (Saturday 16 July), as part of a project celebrating the diversity of common humanity. Tanya Raabe-Webber’s live sitting, fusing digital and traditional drawing and painting Brum Bikeathon for techniques, will see the artist in conversation with Akomfrah, exploring his life and work Bloodwise and contemplating the relevance of the artis- A team of University of Birmingham blood tic process to cultural diversity and contem- cancer researchers will this month join 1,000 porary society. cyclists for a charity ride around the city. Commenting on the live portrait sitting, The Birmingham Bikeathon takes place on Tanya said: “As a disabled artist, the notion Coronation Street’s one-time resident Curly 10 July and raises funds for blood cancer of my own diversity drives my interest in Watts is set to star in critically acclaimed charity Bloodwise. With the full support of people, the exploration of the human condi- musical The Commitments when it visits the Birmingham City Council, riders can choose tion and the belief that everyone has the Midlands early next year. to cycle one of three routes on offer - 26 potential to be creative if given the opportu- Actor Kevin Kennedy, who played Curly in miles, 52 miles or 100 miles - starting and nity. I am well known as a painter of people; the ITV1 soap for 20 years, will take the role finishing at the city’s Cannon Hill Park. however, I’ve wanted to develop a way to of Jimmy’s Da in the stage version of Roddy Commenting on the event, Matt Lawley, engage audiences more fully in the subject Doyle’s bestselling novel. Head of Sport at Bloodwise, said: “We’re matter of my work and also within its physi- Commenting on the news, Kevin said: “After delighted that the Birmingham Bikeathon is cality. I’ve developed this project to enable working abroad, I’m delighted to be return- returning for a third year. A lot of research creativity to be as accessible as possible.” ing to such an iconic musical as The takes place in the city - from understanding Commitments. It will be a pleasure to travel basic principles around how blood cancer around the country playing to enthusiastic works and affects patients, to our ground- audiences who love this show.” breaking clinical trials programme - so much The Commitments shows at the New of the money raised from this ride will be Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from 13 to invested in projects within the city.” 18 March. To book tickets, visit To sign up to the event, visit atgtickets.com/birmingham bloodwise.org.uk/birminghambikeathon

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Entertainment news from around the region

Win! A foodie feast Local circus show causes across the city a right old Hullabaloo With more than 30 food stalls, A ‘colourful and explosively vibrant world of fren- cookery demonstrations and live zied circus mania’ is touring to three Birmingham performances, this year’s Colmore locations this month. Food Festival is serving a mouth- watering menu of food, music, Hullabaloo is a two-hour show incorporating per- paintings and theatre. formance and circus workshops that follow the To celebrate the return of the annu- theme of England’s ‘glorious weather’. It’s present- al event - taking place in Victoria ed by CircusMASH, a company specialising in the Square on Friday 8 & Saturday 9 development of circus in the West Midlands July - What’s On is offering one region. lucky reader the chance to win a meal for two at five participating Participants can enter the a participatory element restaurants, to be enjoyed between of Hullabaloo by taking a ‘game card’ in which July and September. they will be lead on a circus journey to achieve The offer includes lunch for two at skills and become part of the mayhem. Metro, afternoon tea for two at the The show visits the following venues: CoCoMAD in Edwardian Tea Rooms, dinner for Cotteridge Park (2 July); Birmingham Botanical two at Asha’s, cocktail making for two at The Bureau and theatre tick- Gardens (11 July); Sandbach Community Centre (17 ets for two at the Old Joint Stock. July); Jewellery Quarter Festival in the Golden The competition closes on Monday Square (23 July); and All Saints Square in Kings 11 July. To enter, visit Heath (30 July). For more information, visit circus- whatsonlive.co.uk mash.co.uk

Young theatre Big Art at Millennium Point tackling big An exhibition presenting five proposals by five artists for ‘the most issues ambitious public art commission in Birmingham’s long history’ has opened at the city’s Millennium Point. The Birmingham Big Art Project has hired artist-run art organisation and gallery Eastside Projects as the initiative’s commissioning agents. The process will create a £2million permanent public artwork to Impressive line-up the east of the city centre, at a site that will become a busy arrival for debut festival point following the construc- tion of Birmingham’s High- Birmingham band UB40 will next Forty young people are set Speed Railway Station (HS2). month headline a live music festi- to perform a challenging The exhibition shows until 31 val in Solihull to raise money for and uplifting play about a local cancer charity Help Harry August, with visitors being Help Others. girl with autism who is encouraged to share their The Midlands favourites will con- diagnosed with terminal opinions on all five proposals. clude their European festival tour cancer. The winning proposal will be at the Solihull Summer Fest, which Local theatre ensemble chosen in January. takes place in Tudor Grange Park Stage2 present Lee Hall’s on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 award-winning Spoonface August. Other artists taking part include Steinberg at Kevin Simm (winner of The Voice Birmingham’s Crescent Run away to the circus in Brum UK 2016), Scouting For Girls, The Theatre from Wednesday Birmingham is this month hosting its first ever aerial and physical Hoosiers, The Wonder Stuff, Five, 13 to Saturday 16 July. The theatre festival. S Club Party, The Blow Monkeys & company previously per- Tilt 16 is a five-day event featuring performances from national Britain’s Got Talent finalists, The formed the play to great Neales. For further information visit and international circus artists. It will also include a comprehen- critical acclaim in 2009. solihullsummerfest.co.uk sive masterclass programme catering both for beginners and pro- Tickets for the show cost fessional performers. The festival takes place at the city’s West £10. Midlands Creation Centre from 18 to 24 July and line-up confirmed so far includes Sarah Bebe Holmes, Mark Glover, Joe Garcia and Ambra Vallo. For more information, visit tiltfestival.com UB40

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First Word

Midlands music industry on the up...

A new report has revealed that the total spend generated by music tourism in the West Midlands last year was £271million - a £7million increase on 2014. The 2016 edition of the Wish You Were Here report, created on behalf of UK Music and its members, also revealed that there was significant growth in the amount spent directly by music tourists in the region, with an 82% increase year on year - the equivalent of £50million. The spend can be attributed to a range of purchases, including tickets, mer- chandise, accommodation, food and drink. Commenting on the report, Emma Gray, Director of Marketing and Communications at Visit Birmingham, said: "The city’s diverse array of festivals combined with world - class venues have created the perfect breeding ground to nurture and promote musical ingenuity. This report con- firms just how much music tourism can boost local employment and stimulate the wider economy.”

Lederhosen at the ready... A monster of an event A version of legendary Munich beer festival at Donington Park Oktoberfest is being held in Birmingham this Monster trucks are set to go wheel to wheel autumn. at speeds of 100mph this month when the The popular event, returning to the city for a British Truck Racing Championship takes third year, takes place in Cannon Hill Park place at Midlands venue Donington Park on from 12 to 16 October. 23 & 24 July. “The mood at our event is as good as the one Widely considered to be one of the most in Munich,” says Carsten Raun, the festival’s exciting forms of motorsport in the world, director. monster truck racing sees daredevil drivers “One thing the British and the Germans have at the wheels of highly modified vehicles, in common is the joy of life with a nice beer, pulling out all the stops to reach the finish Festival takes children’s so Oktoberfest is a perfect place to meet.” line before their competitors. theatre to the edge Lederhosen at the ready, folks... As well as the heavyweight racing, the event A ‘world festival of theatre for young audi- also features plenty of off-track family- ences’ is coming to Birmingham this month. friendly entertainment to enjoy, with activi- On The Edge, visiting the UK for the very The Wedding Singer ties for kids including racing simulators, first time, is an annual gathering of interna- ready to party at the trampolines, bouncy castles and climbing tional theatre-makers. The week-long festival New Alexandra Theatre walls. is a chance for industry insiders to test and Tickets to the show are available in advance share ideas, and for members of the general The stage version of hit Adam Sandler/Drew from donington-park.co.uk, with free entry public to enjoy a selection of international Barrymore movie The Wedding Singer is vis- for children aged 13 and younger.... theatre productions created specifically for iting Birmingham next year. children and teenagers. A high-energy homage to the 1980s, the criti- Included in a packed and impressively cally acclaimed musical stars Jon Robyns, diverse festival programme are Shona Ray Quinn, Cassie Compton, Roxanne Pallett Reppe's award-winning investigative adven- and Ruth Madoc. It runs at the New ture The Curious Scrapbook Of Josephine Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from Bean, a politically conscious show for Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 May 2017. To book teenagers called Pim & Theo, and a work of tickets, call 0844 871 3011 or visit physical theatre for very young children enti- www.atgtickets.com/birmingham tled Boing. On The Edge takes place at various Birmingham venues from Saturday 2 to Saturday 9 July. 6 whatsonlive.co.uk FIRST WORD July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 18:08 Page 4

Entertainment news from around the region

Take a peek behind the scenes Sutton Park at Birmingham Hippodrome to become The colourful history of Birmingham Hippodrome is no-man’s land revealed this month when the Hurst Street theatre hosts a special Heritage Day (Sunday 24 July). A specially commissioned The free event features a behind-the-scenes look at Birmingham Hippodrome the Hippodrome, a chance to meet characters from production commemorating the theatre’s past and the opportunity to explore the centenary of the Great the venue’s brand new interactive touch tables. War is being mounted in Highly rated ensemble Little Earthquake also con- Sutton Park this month. tribute to the day’s entertainment, presenting Furious Folly, taking place Professor Harry Hackett’s Box Of Treats, a theatrical as night falls ‘in a no-man’s treasure hunt for all the family to enjoy. land on the battle front between the two lines’, is an open-air collage of sound, light, pyrotechnics and performance. The production is being presented on Friday 8 Musical Drive South Asian film festival movies to be and Saturday 9 July. returns to screened at Birmingham cinemas horse show Two Birmingham cinemas are this month screening movies from A spectacle reminiscent of Europe’s largest South Asian film festival. the traditional driving tasks Cineworld Broad Street and mac Birmingham will present a carefully asked of heavy-breed horses curated selection of new Indian and South Asian independent cine- in a bygone era is making a ma, including feature films and documentaries by both established welcome return to this and new filmmakers. year’s Horse Of The Year A programme of English and European premieres will show at the two Show at Birmingham’s NEC venues, including Parched - a joyous and inspiring tale of cama- (5 - 9 October). raderie - at Cineworld on 15 July, and Kannada - an empowering story The Musical Drive sees the based on real-life events - at mac on the same day. The festival runs jingling of the chains creat- from 14 to 24 July. ed by the heavy horses’ majestic footing providing a Locals join harmonious accompani- Plenty of Shock And Gore at the Electric National Youth ment to military-style drill music. Last seen as a dis- If you like your cinematic treats to be dark, twisted and spattered in Theatre play in 2008, the Drive per- blood, be sure to get along to this month’s Shock & Gore festival at The UK’s leading youth arts formance had previously Birmingham’s Electric Cinema. organisation has marked its been presented from the Creepy happenings include the event’s annual party night, this year 60th year by accepting six 1950s up to 1999. offering audiences the chance to choose between two cult 1990s hor- talented new members from Commenting on the specta- ror films - Scream and The Crow. There’s also a Birmingham ghost Birmingham. cle, Musical Drive co-ordi- tour to enjoy - followed by a series of short films based on the stories The National Youth Theatre nator John Peacock said: of legendary horror writer MR James - and a taste-along-screening of (NYT) selected the six from a “The traditional heavy the morbidly romantic Harold & Maude. staggering 4,750 applicants. breeds were the ‘working Although running from Friday 15 to Thursday 21 July, the festival is Commenting on NYT, former horses’, and these large but actually launched on the 9th, with a special interactive screening of member and Doctor Who majestic animals would har- Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining at Birmingham's Highbury Hall. star Matt Smith said: “The row every part of the arena, For more information, visit shockandgore.co.uk National Youth Theatre is making intricate patterns in the reason I’m an actor. It’s its surface.” given me great confidence, The 2016 Horse Of The Year Celebrating the country’s opportunity and life-long Show will host the finals of most inspiring musicians friends. I got an agent the national Showing and through performing with Showjumping The UK’s largest youth music festival is being held in Birmingham NYT, and now I’m a profes- Championships, alongside this month. sional actor who’s working. international showjumping A five-day celebration of the country’s most inspiring young musi- It completely transformed and a line-up of equestrian cians, Music For Youth takes place in three city-centre venues - my life. No understatement.” entertainment. Symphony Hall, Town Hall and the CBSO Centre - and features more For more information, visit than 400 live performances. The event also includes free pop-up per- hoys.co.uk formances across the city, a festival tent in Centenary Square and a number of interactive music workshops. For more information, visit mfy.org.uk

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FEATURE

Ruthie Henshall That’s Entertainment! Musical theatre star talks to What’s On...

Over the course of a stage career spanning 30 terpreting the songs however we want to.” years, Olivier Award-winning actor and Within this musical-meets-concert-meets-va- singer Ruthie Henshall has performed and riety-show format, then, Henshall and her created countless roles, received five nomi- fellow guest performers have a lot of free- nations for Best Actress in a Musical, and dom over what exactly they end up doing out been heralded as perhaps one of musical on stage, provided that it's broadly in keep- theatre's last great stars. ing with the ‘Golden Age’ musical theme. This month, she'll be putting in a special “I've ended up with quite a cross-section, ac- guest appearance in Spirit Productions' juke- tually. There are songs from things like A box spectacular, That's Entertainment, when Star Is Born and also from Gypsy The Musi- it arrives at Birmingham's New Alexandra cal as well as stuff by Gershwin. I was al- Theatre. But what’s it like being part of the lowed to liaise about the kind of things I show, and where do you go from the top of wanted to do, and it's completely my era. I your game? Ruthie Henshall reveals all... love Gershwin and all the MGM musicals.” “It's a kind of all-singing, all-dancing cele- It's also offered her an opportunity to ex- bration of films and musicals from the ’30s, pand her own repertoire by tackling some ’40s and ’50s,” she says of That's Entertain- classic songs that she's never publicly per- ment. “There's no story as such, it's just mil- formed before. lions of sequins, loads of fabulous dancers doing amazing choreography, and one great “I'm doing a few new songs, actually, but song after another.” one that I'm really looking forward to doing is Some People from Gypsy. It's a real corker Previous guest stars on the tour, which of a number and it's one I've been meaning began in May, have included doo-wop five- to sing for a long time, but I always end up piece The Overtones, G4 tenor Jonathan copping out of it. I knew I had to do it at Ansell and The Cruise star Jane McDonald, some point, so when this came along I each of whom have taken it in turns to spice jumped at the chance.” up the show with their own individual twists, ensuring it remains fresh and exciting And it's not just the material she has sway throughout the tour. over: Henshall also gets a say in what she's going to look like on stage. Of course, as with “I've had long conversations with Jane Mc- the music, it'll have to fit the style - in this Donald and she's been having an absolute case, the lavish, dazzling aesthetic of a fabu- ball,” says Henshall. “One of the perks of lous, feelgood party. having guest stars is that they bring their own unique style and flair to the production. “I've already spoken to the wardrobe lady, We don't have a script or a director to give us who said that I can come and thumb through boundaries, so it's basically just a case of in- all the fabulousness at the warehouse. I

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by Heather Kincaid

know there's a lot of feathers and Swarovski abling myself to do the kinds of work that I “I'm a single mum with two daughters, so I there, and so I imagine that whatever gets want to do, and second, I want to use it to have to be a provider. At some stage, the face chosen, there's going to be some serious discover new talent. We've actually got some- is gonna fall and possibly then the West End sparkles! Also, because I'm not doing any thing in production at the moment with a set roles won't be as thick and fast, so I'd rather choreography, I can wear whatever I like - I designer who is straight out of college bebe doing my own thing and have something don't have to worry about how much I can cause he's just brilliant. I really want to help else to help pay the mortgage. So it's just move in it. It's everyone else doing the danc- give people a step up into the business.” been a case of thinking of another side of the ing this time.” business that fascinates and excites me, and This isn't the only way that Henshall has being able to produce things as opposed to Joining a production as a guest for just a been using her influence to benefit the future just being in them does that for me.” handful of dates is a significantly different stars of musical theatre. Co-authored by experience for a performer to being part of major West End director and music supervi- Nevertheless, for at least as long as the fickle the creation of a show and sticking with it for sor Daniel Bowling, her book, So You Want industry allows, Henshall remains one of the several weeks or months. To Be In Musicals? was published by Nick most popular, successful and highly ac- Hern, and is packed full of handy hints, in- claimed performers in her field, with a glitter- Having yet to see the show, Henshall will sider knowledge and nuggets of wisdom ac- ing career behind her that's already have a lot to pick up quickly once she starts crued over years of experience. something to be proud of in itself. rehearsals. “I was actually initially asked about writing “I rarely reflect on all that, I have to be hon- “I'm going in pretty much completely blind. I an autobiography, to which I replied, 'Are you est, but I do remember receiving an honorary don't know the cast yet - I haven't met them nuts? Who'd read that?' But then I thought degree from a university while I was preg- and I won't meet them until I start rehearsing about all the questions I get asked - I get nant with my first child, and when they were with them. But in some respects I'm used to loads of people sending me emails and ap- reading out a list of things I'd done, I did that. It's similar to joining any show that's al- proaching me at stage doors to ask what to have one of those moments where I thought, ready up and running, so it's not so bad. I do in various situations - and I suddenly re- 'Wow! If I gave it up tomorrow, it's been all think there's also something quite nice about alised that there was a gap in the market for a right'. But the bottom line is that I love what I the fact that I don't know the show very well, book on musical theatre. There were a lot of do and I'm still a working actress. The nature because it means I'll be doing a lot of watch- books already on acting and choosing mono- of acting means that you might work for a ing in the wings and being entertained my- logues and things like that, but nothing spe- year and then have nothing for six months. self.” cific about getting into musical theatre, so It's always feast or famine, and something Recently, Henshall has been enjoying and that's what started the conversation. Inspir- about that always makes you feel that you're supporting the work of her fellow creatives in ing and lifting up other people is something only as successful as your last job.” a very different capacity. In late 2012, to- I'm really passionate about. It's all about gether with Polly Ingham and Paul Schofield, passing it on.” she set up her own company, Three Pin Pro- There is another, more practical side to this ductions, which is already supporting and branching out and career diversification than That's Entertainment shows at the New developing industry newcomers. is perhaps immediately apparent, however. Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from “My reasoning behind setting up the com- Tuesday 19 until Saturday 23 July. pany was two-fold: first, it's a way of en-

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Food

Ooh la la! French restaurant opens alongside the canal

A French bistro is opening in one of Birmingham’s oldest buildings this month. Independent French restaurant group Bistrot Pierre has sympathetically refurbished the former headquarters of the Birmingham Canal Company, which played a major role in the city’s industrial development more than 150 years ago. “The stunning building has such a fantastic story to tell,” says Bistrot Pierre’s co-owner, Rob Beacham. “We’re proud to restore it and keep the city’s rich heritage alive. Formerly a hub for the city’s transport industry, the building played a major role in the industrial development and was considered the lifeblood of Victorian Birmingham. The archway, where thousands of boats passed through, will be re-opened with a glass front so that passers-by can see the bistrot’s wine cellar, located in the vaults.” Bistrot Pierre opens in Birmingham on 1 July.

REVIEW: The Karczma The salmon (£16.30) arrived perched on top of a crispy potato Rib-sticking grub gets the thumbs up... pancake, with a mustard sauce and those dinky crinkle-cut car- rots that take you back to school dinners. The apple pie (£5.70) is more like an apple bar - short- bread base covered in stewed apple, topped with crumble. A sensation. In a city full of concept bars and swish new eateries, this is old- style dining that’s full of hon- esty. A map of Poland on the wall is heaving with post-its from diners tagging their town or village: The Karczma is where our Polish friends come for a taste of home. Come November, when sleet is hammering against the window and your tummy growls for the comfort of home cooking, I’m willing to bet that The Karczma is the place to be. Helen Stallard

Have you ever eaten pierogi and the roof - well, the roof is The intriguingly named Food: n n n n n (dumplings) in a thatched barn made of straw. Maryna’s Breast (£14.90) was Service: n n n n n Ambience: n n n n n in the middle of a major city? The Karczma serves up tradition- 1970s cooking at its best - chicken breast stuffed with mush- Overall value n n n n n It’s a novel eating experience - al Polish food; think proper rib- OVERALL n n n n n but then everything about The sticking grub that goes heavy on rooms, shaped into a ball, then Karczma is a little bit different the pork, potato and cheese. The breaded and deep fried. It came smothered in cheese sauce with from the norm. Step through the Russian dumplings (£7.90) were The Karczma a mountain of fries and, in a doors of its unassuming huge but surprisingly light, Polish Millennium House entrance and you’re transported made from a steamed pasta-type token to healthy eating, a mix- Bordesley Street to a Polish cottage, some time in dough stuffed with cream cheese ture of beetroot, carrot and mari- Birmingham the 1970s. The benches are and potatoes then topped with nated cabbage salads. Great B5 5PH wooden, the rugs are sheepskin slow-cooked onion. stuff. Tel: 0121 448 0017 whatsonlive.co.uk 11 FOOD July - Region Brum .qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 16:27 Page 3

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Food

New dining hot spot in the Jewellery Quarter An all-day ‘dining hot spot’ has opened in Birmingham’s prestigious Jewellery Quarter. The Button Factory launched last month following a multi-million pound redevelopment of the premises previously inhabited by the Vertu Bar. The new eatery’s name is inspired by the history of the building in which it’s located, which once housed one of Birmingham’s first button factories. Commenting on the new venue, its executive chef, Stephen Gadd, said: “Our menu focuses on seasonal ingredients cooked over the open flame, taking influences from Argentina to the Middle East with a view to introducing a unique dining offer to Birmingham.”

Colmore Food Festival Birmingham’s Colmore business district is chance to sample a wide selection of dishes, hosting its sixth annual food festival this the festival also features a kitchen demo stage - month. allowing local chefs to demonstrate their Taking place on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 July, impressive skills - and a live music stage, pre- the event features around 30 hospitality busi- senting a programme of local performers play- The Zen of cooking nesses showcasing their ‘culinary delights’ to ing covers, original compositions, rock, pop, as new restaurant 30,000-plus visitors. As well as providing the blues and jazz. opens its doors Zen Metro launches this month on the site of the old Metro Bar & Grill in Birmingham's Cornwall Street. Three days of gastro The 80-seater venue has been trans- delights in Worcester formed into a pan-Asian restaurant, This year’s Worcester Foodie Festival (29 to 31 complete with blossom tree as centre- July) has been expanded from two days to piece, and showcases a great Zen three. vibe. Expect exemplary service and a Showcasing what the city has to offer by way of menu of delicious Thai food. gastronomic delights, the popular event fea- The restaurant’s launch event is tures cookery demonstrations, tasting sessions, being held on 13 July and comes com- masterclass workshops, a plethora of food and plete with a selection of contempo- drink stalls, themed trails, street entertain- rary dishes and Thai-inspired cock- ment, competitions and fun activities for tails. younger visitors. In short, it’s a veritable ban- quet of food-related entertainment. The festival’s headlining chefs for 2016 are Dean Edwards, whose family-friendly cooking style has made him a firm favourite on ITV’s Lorraine, and Worcestershire-based Fusion Brasserie chef Felice Tocchini, who’ll be demonstrating how to make a delicious summer pudding with basil and chocolate. visit worcesterfoodiefestival.com

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Gigs

Lionel Richie Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Thurs 7 July Boasting in excess of 100 million album sales, a Golden Globe, numerous Grammy Awards and the Crystal Award for Humanitarianism, Lionel Richie is a 24-carat superstar. This latest concert - All The Hits - blends new material with old. Undoubtedly on the playlist will be classics from his extensive and much-loved repertoire, such as Hello, Dancing On The Ceiling and Endless Love, as well as mega-hits from his Commodore days, like Easy, Brickhouse and Three Times A Lady. Last year saw Richie sell out his All The Hits All Night Long tour, as well as playing Glastonbury’s ‘legends’ slot, previously filled by the likes of Dolly Parton and James Brown. Special guest singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae provides support for the evening.

Don Broco Quantic O2 Institute, Birmingham, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Fri 15 July Sun 31 July - Mon 1 August Quantic is just one name used by talented musician and producer Will Holland. Recording under monikers including The Quantic Soul Orchestra and The Limp Twins, he creates beat-heavy sounds in the ‘soul, Latin and funk’ category. Now onto his 16th studio album - having also released several compilations - this globally renowned musician and vinyl collector uses hand-sourced samples to add an international flavour to his music. Holland stops off in Birmingham as part of a tour to support new album 1000 Having formed officially eight years ago after Watts, recorded with his Flowering Inferno band. a long time spent playing not only together but also in various other bands, vocalist Rob Damiani, guitarist Simon Delaney and drummer Matt Donnelly have certainly honed the art of making rock music with a gloriously melodic edge. Joined by Tom Rufus Wainwright Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 15 July Doyle on bass, the quartet's first album, Priorities, was adrenaline-fuelled, Blending the deeply personal with sharp social commentary, Rufus Wainwright has hook-heavy and critically acclaimed. The established himself as one of modern music's boys’ new headline tour features two nights shining talents. The American-Canadian singer-songwriter has recorded numerous in each of the cities they’re visiting, the first albums, including the Juno Award-winning evening being dedicated to their debut Rufus Wainwright (1998) and Poses (2001). album, the second featuring Top 10 offering He’s also collaborated with a host of A-list artists, including Elton John, Boy George and Automatic. Joni Mitchell, to name but three.

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Gig previews from around the region

Afla Sackey & Afrik Bawantu mac, Birmingham, Fri 15 July

Led by Ghanaian-born percussion master Afla Sackey, 10-piece orchestra Afrik Bawantu produce a rhythm- driven, dance-induced traditional roots fusion. Their unique blend of vibrant African rhythms, fast, animated horn sections and heavy bass Bunny Wailer & Not only is he a three-time Grammy winner, lines brings a whole new definition Max Romeo he’s also released over 30 albums, debuting to the afro-funk genre. with Blackheart Man way back in 1976. O2 Academy, Birmingham, Sat 9 July Bunny is here joined by former Emotions lead singer Max Romeo. Their Roots Founding member of The Wailers - along- Renaissance tour promises to be an unmiss- side Bob Marley and Peter Tosh - the well- able night for any reggae lover. Hayseed Dixie respected Bunny Wailer is a legend on the The Robin, Bilston, Thurs 21 July Jamaican music scene.

Haçienda Classiçal Sun Kil Moon The Rainbow Open Air Arena, Birmingham, The Glee Club, Birmingham, Tues 19 July Sun 31 July Named after a Korean lightweight boxer, Sun Kil Moon is the primary recording moniker of vocalist and guitarist Mark Kozelek. Previously the founder of Red House Painters, Kozelek started writing Sun Kil Moon material back in 2002, following Although they’ve produced some the delayed release of the Painters’ last pretty unforgettable and comically album, Old Ramon. The American folk rock crude songs, including I'm Keeping act have since released eight studio albums. Your Poop In A Jar and She Was Skinny When I Met Her, Hayseed Dixie are probably best known for their rollicking rockgrass covers. Co-founder, guitarist and frontman Sun Kil Moon Arijit Singh John Wheeler names Motorhead’s Ace Of Spades as his favourite, but Presented by MADE Birmingham, Haçienda it’s the music of AC/DC with which Classiçal sees dance music icons Graeme Arijit Singh they’re most closely associated. Park and Mike Pickering teaming up with Kiss, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and the Manchester Camerata Orchestra. Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Sat 9 July Queen are others to have received the “I'm extremely excited by this project,” says Following a sell-out concert at the SSE Hayseed Dixie treatment. Park. “The passion, romance and energy of Arena, Wembley, last year, Rock On Music Having played over 1,000 gigs in 30- the original house masters has stood the test brings award-winning playback singer and plus countries, it’s fair to say they’re of time, and I think we're going to blow music programmer Arijit Singh to a much-loved act, so bag yourself a some minds and take the euphoria of Nude Birmingham. Across his career, Singh has ticket asap. nights at The Haçienda to a whole new, received in excess of 20 awards for his out- mind-blowing level. I really can't wait.” put, the majority for the song Tum Hi Ho, Support comes from Joy Division’s Peter which featured in the Indian movie Hook and The Light, who’ll perform an elec- Aashiqui 2. tric New Order set.

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Classical Music

CBSO: Falstaff BBC National Orchestra Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 13 July Of Wales People are decidedly split on Verdi’s Lichfield Cathedral, Sat 9 July Falstaff. For some, it’s a warm and wise Lichfield Festival's closing cathedral con- comedy; for others, a work that struggles to cert is a reflective contemplation on the make the grade, due mainly to the relative First World War. Vaughan Williams’ The weakness of its source material - Lark Ascending and Symphony No 5 both Shakespeare’s not altogether universally feature, framing a concert that also acclaimed Merry Wives Of Windsor. includes Colin Matthews’ No Man's Land. Verdi’s final opera, it was composed as a Premiered to great critical acclaim in 2011, response to the oft-voiced accusation that the piece evokes many facets of war, from he was no good at writing comedy - hence grim black humour to patriotic songs on a his decision to place Shakespeare’s funniest honky-tonk piano... character at the very heartland of the work. The concert will be recorded for broadcast The City of Birmingham Symphony on BBC Radio Three. Orchestra are joined for this new produc- Martyn Brabbins (pictured) conducts. tion by the CBSO Chorus and a cast headed by baritone Ambrogio Maestri, who plays Falstaff. Edward Gardner conducts. The opera is sung in Italian with English sur- Ambrogio Maestri titles.

City Of Birmingham Choir: Birmingham Festival Folk Songs & Finzi Choral Society: Bramall Hall, Birmingham University, A Taste Of Vienna Sun 3 July St George’s Church, Edgbaston, Sat 9 July Specialising in a wide variety of choral music from the 16th to the 21st century, Birmingham Festival Choral CBSO: Society (BFCS) performs three main Summer Classics concerts a year, usually in churches or Symphony Hall, Fri 22 July concert halls in central Birmingham. Out-of-city concerts in recent times have taken place in, among other venues, Malvern Priory, Tewkesbury Abbey and St Laurence’s Church in Ludlow. The society here presents a concert of much-loved sacred choral works by Mozart and Schubert, two composers inspired in their writing by their experiences of Vienna, the city of music. The BFCS is joined for the evening by Robert Ziegler Sarah Ann Cromwell (soprano), Elouise Waterhouse (contralto), The City of Birmingham Symphony Robert Tilson (tenor) and Alistair Orchestra here present what’s been Donaghue (bass). described as ‘the musical equivalent of a Five years away from celebrating its cente- Patrick Larley (pictured below) con- warm summer’s eve’ (an experience that’s nary, the City of Birmingham Choir continues ducts the concert, his last for the soci- sure to be particularly welcome if the to embrace the challenge of performing a ety after 11 years of sterling service. British weather isn’t playing ball come the wide and adventurous repertoire. This latest 22nd of the month). concert, remembering the Great War and Robert Ziegler is the man with the baton paying homage to the folk song, presents a for a concert that’s bathed in the sun- programme of music by Ralph Vaughan shine music of Gershwin (Summertime), Williams, Harold Darke and popular contem- Debussy (Clair de Lune), Vivaldi (The porary composers John Rutter and Cecilia Four Seasons - Summer), Mendelssohn (A McDowall. The music of composer Gerald Midsummer Night's Dream - Overture), Finzi is also celebrated, via a performance of Tchaikovsky (The Nutcracker - Waltz Of his rarely heard Requiem da Camera. The Flowers) and Elgar (Salut d'amour).

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Festivals

Godiva Festival War Memorial Park, Coventry, Fri 1 - Sat 3 July Claiming the title of the UK's biggest free music festival, the Coventry Godiva has come a long way from its 17th century origins as a procession in honour of the medieval Countess of Mercia. Though the procession still continues today, the event has snowballed since the early noughties, attracting ever-growing audiences and a diverse array of both veteran performers and emerging acts to play across its three stages. Over the years, festival line-ups have covered Britpop bands, up-and-coming indie talents, ’80s electro pop, familiar ska and two-tone favourites, reggae, hip-hop and even international stars. Line-up Includes: The Charlatans, Mystery Jets, Space, The Boomtown Rats, Scouting for Girls, The Subways, The Pigeon Detectives, Luna Kiss, Milburn, D Double E and Yungen

Scouting For Girls The Subways The Boomtown Rats

Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Splendour The Birmingham And Festival Wollaton Park, Nottingham, Sat 23 July Solihull Jazz & Blues Moseley Park, Birmingham, Fri 8 - Sun 10 July Festival Brought to you by the masterminds behind Various locations throughout Birmingham & Solihull, Fri 15 - Sun 24 July Moseley Folk and the Lunar Festival, Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul does exactly what it says Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival has this on the tin. World-class artists come together year teamed up with Solihull Jazz Festival for with the leading lights of the local jazz scene the very first time. in a laid-back, family-friendly event that cel- Like Mostly Jazz and the International Jazz ebrates Birmingham's musical heritage. Like Festival, the Birmingham Jazz & Blues cele- its sister folk festival, it's also located in the brates the city's long-running history with Jess Glynne gorgeous Moseley Park, a stunning wood- the genre, which has maintained a strong land glade tucked away from busy city local following since the 1920s. The success Since its inception in 2008, Splendour streets - a perfect escape from the city centre in previous years of the Solihull event, in Nottingham has assembled an bustle. meanwhile, has offered plenty of evidence impressive range of musical talent, that the town has a huge appetite for jazz Line-up Includes: De La Soul, George Clinton unrestricted by genre or audience. music. Parliament Funkadelic, Average White Band, Centrally located in the heart of the This coming together of the festivals sees Booker T. Jones, Grandmaster Flash, beautiful Wollaton Park, the festival is around 200 performances taking place in Blackalicious, Eska, Craig Charles' Funk & easy to access for locals and visitors more than 40 venues, with both home-grown Soul Show alike, and is well-situated for com- and international artists taking part. bined visits with other local attractions - the Nottingham Natural Line-up Includes: Pepper And The Jellies, History Museum, Nottingham Digby Fairweather And The Chasemen, The Industrial Museum and nearby herds Catfish Kings, The Humors, The Whiskey of red and fallow deer. Brothers, The Busquitos, Walter Trout Band, Remi Harris Trio and the Roy Forbes Trio. Line-up Includes: Jess Glynne, The Human League, UB40, The Darkness, Turin Brakes, Jamie Lawson, The Fratellis, The Rifles, Stiff Little Fingers, Jeremy Loops, Ady Suleiman Grandmaster Flash

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Festivals

Williams, Colin Matthews and Deborah Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain Pritchard, as well as a stunning light show from Luxamuralis, prompt reflections on the war, while exhibitions, talks and cabaret sessions take a closer look at life and culture at the time. Film critic Mark Kermode introduces screenings of Charlie Chaplin's The Rink (1916) and The Immigrant (1917), while The Foundry Group perform Those Magnificent Men - a play about aviation pioneers Alcock and Brown - and Ballet Cymru present dance adaptations of two Roald Dahl stories, the author having been born in 1916. Elsewhere, expect readings from well-known authors, kathak dance, classic movies, Shakespeare, Mozart, folk music and hands- on, family-friendly fun. Line-up includes: Susan Calman, Rob Beckett, Kate Rusby, Claire Martin, Mark and more, Lichfield Festival this year cele- Lichfield Festival Kermode, Sebastian Faulks, Mona Siddiqui, brates an impressive 35 years. Spanning 10 BBC National Orchestra of Wales and The Various locations in and around Lichfield, days and multiple venues, the 2016 event Fri 1 - Sun 10 July Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. begins on the 100th anniversary of the Battle Bringing together a diverse array of music of the Somme and takes the First World War with theatre, film, comedy, dance, visual art as a major theme. Compositions by Vaughan

MADE Birmingham MADE... My Night Line-up Includes: Knee Warwick Folk Festival Deep in Sound, Speedy Sonics, Hot Since 82, The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham Davide Squillace, Sidney Charles, Cause & Warwick School, Thurs 21 - Sun 24 July Sat 30 July Effect, Preditah, Friction and Slimzee

Wolvestock 22 Wolverhampton Racecourse, Friday 1 - Sun 3 July Offering (for over 20 years now) a rare chance to enjoy country music in the heart of the West Midlands, the unique Wolvestock The Unthanks Rudimental festival has previously won recognition as the best UK event at the British Country Music Awards, making it an essential date on Attracting some of the folk scene's most sea- From cutting-edge live music and dance to the calendar for any fan of the genre. soned performers as well as scouting out the vibrant street art and design, the Conveniently located at Wolverhampton hottest new talent, Warwick Folk Festival is Metropolitan Arts & Dance Event (MADE Racecourse, the festival features free parking among the best when it comes to traditional Birmingham) compiles the best in contempo- and very affordable tickets, available from music offerings. Conveniently located in the rary urban and underground culture in the the Wolves Civic box office. grounds of Warwick School, with indoor and bustling, creative heart of Britain's second outdoor performance space and plenty of city. Expect dynamic, award-winning per- Line-up includes: indoor facilities, it also boasts one of the best formers, drum and bass, hip-hop, grime, Donna Wylde festival sites around. Folk dance, kids' activi- techno and all-night DJ sets at the biggest (pictured), Lisa ties, a friendly atmosphere and lots of fringe MADE... My Night after-party to date, spread Wright, Katy Jane, acts around the town all contribute to mak- across two separate rooms. Easy to access Dee D & The ing Warwick Folk one of the Midlands' most thanks to its inner-city location, this adults- James Gang Band, all-round enjoyable festival experiences. only festival takes place across various ven- Emma Swindells Line-up Includes: The Unthanks, Show of Donna ues in Birmingham's Digbeth Triangle. Band, Shotgun Hands, Korrontzi, Le Vent du Nord, Michael Annies, The Ash Line-up Includes: Rudimental DJ, Stormzy, McGoldrick & Friends, Jamie Smith's Cooper Band, Andy C, Kano, Dusky, Shy FX, Boddika, MABON, Fay Hield & The Hurricane Party, Narn, Henry Logan Sama, Toddla T, Noisia, Chris Barluath, Will Pound Ceilidh Band and Smith Band, The Lorenzo, Low Steppa and Mike Skinner & Jigdoll (Hannah James) Diabolos Band Murkage present Tonga

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Festivals

Dizzee Rascal all while maintaining a strong sense of community absent from many modern festivals. Even better, it's affordably priced, and absolutely free for under-10s. Music line-up includes: Happy Mondays, Dizzee Rascal, Mystery Jets, Netsky, Wretch 32, Friction, K-Klass, The Sunshine Underground, Sonny Wharton, Graeme Park, The Hunna, Icarus, Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show. Art & Comics line-up includes: Howard Chaykin, Roland Boschi, Goran Parlov, Jason Starr, John Wagner, David Baillie, Dan Berry, Doug Brathwaite, Brox, Andy Diggle and Barry Kitson.

Shrewsbury Fields from it’s previous home - Greenhous West Mid Showground - to the picturesque Quarry Forever Park, with another excitingly diverse line-up. The Quarry Park, Shrewsbury, Readily accessible and centrally located, the Fri 15 - Sun 17 July event brings together brilliant breakthrough Shropshire's largest festival of contemporary acts with established music and comedy per- music, electronica, arts and comedy moves formers as well as visual artists and writers, Mystery Jets

Bromsgrove Folk Fuse Festival L Fest Various venues across Bromsgrove, Beacon Park, Lichfield, Fri 8 - Sun 10 July Worcestershire, Thurs 7 - Sun 10 July Uttoxeter Back for 2016, Lichfield's free, family-friendly Racecourse, community music and arts festival promises Staffordshire, Fri 15 - Mon 18 July to be bigger, brighter and better than ever. Expect music, circus and entertainment from Billed as the UK's across the UK and Europe, as well as deli- only lesbian music, cious food and the chance to get hands-on arts and comedy with various creative workshops and com- festival, the multi- Heather Peace munity projects, all in the gorgeous sur- award-winning L roundings of Beacon Park. Fest is a relatively recent venture. It started out just a few years ago when its Director, Rory McLeod Line-up includes: The Indecision, Funke & Cindy Edwards, decided to utilise her experi- the Two Tone Baby, The Roz Bruce Infusion, ence of running a women's football tourna- A small-scale, friendly music festival, Sonic Boom Six, K.O.G. and the Zongo ment to develop what's now turned into Bromsgrove Folk offers a chance to enjoy up- Brigade, Kissin' Kippers Fishin' Club, three major international events. Thanks to close-and-personal, intimate concerts from Sugarthief, Deny All Robots, The Jar Family, its open and inclusive atmosphere, its friend- UK-based folk, roots and acoustic perform- Pearl Handled Revolver and Misty's Big liness and originality, the not-for-profit festi- ers, and this year celebrates its 25th anniver- Adventure. val has already met with huge success, draw- sary. Taking place in the town's Bowling ing in audiences of all ages. Men, straight Green Inn on Shaw Lane, the festival spreads Sonic Boom Six folks and the whole LGBTQI community are across two marquees (one 350-seater and welcome, kids go free, babysitting services one 120-seater), with sessions and sing- are offered and the event has even been arounds inside the pub. recognised for its commitment to improving access for deaf and disabled visitors. Line-up includes: Rory McLeod & The Familiar Strangers, Steve Tilson & Jez Lowe, Line-up includes: Heather Peace, Saffron Anthony John Clarke, Steamchicken, Mad (from Republica), Eva Iglesias and Pink and Jocks & Englishmen, Kristina Olsen, Vicki Amy Winehouse tribute acts. Swan & Jonny Dyer, Steve Turner and Union Jill.

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FEATURE

LEVELLING THE LAND The Levellers' Mark Chadwick talks festivals, folk music, and filming a documentary

In the late 1980s, a bunch of young radicals This summer, the band will be touring sev- on the fringes of the so-called ‘crusty’ trav- eral UK festivals, including the Shrewsbury eller movement emerged onto the booming and Moseley Folk Festivals in the Midlands. indie music scene with a band that took its Earlier in the year, they also performed at name from a 17th century progressive politi- Derbyshire's Bearded Theory. Having begun cal faction. Inspired both by popular punk their career with a big following amongst bands like The Clash and by the folk acts travellers on the free festival scene, and twice they'd been hearing on the live circuit, The gone on to smash records for drawing the Levellers developed a fresh, dynamic sound, biggest ever crowds at Glastonbury's Pyramid combining traditional acoustic instruments and Avalon stages, music festivals have al- with electric base, thumping rhythms and a ways seemed a natural home for The Lev- furious rock energy, as well as unapologeti- ellers. cally politicised lyrics. “They can be really special events,” says In some ways, it's hard to imagine less likely Chadwick. “You never know what you're candidates for mainstream musical success, going to get, and quite a lot of the time, you'll but something about the frustrated, rebel- find there are people there who've never seen lious spirit of the time combined with their you before, which is great. There's always a exhilarating live performances enabled them buzz from that - when you just play your own to build a massive audience. Their first gigs, you're always preaching to the con- album, A Weapon Called The Word (1990), verted, to an extent.” went gold and their second, Levelling The As well as appearing at events across the Land (1991), entered the charts at number 14 country, since 2003, the band have also run and eventually went platinum. Twenty-seven their own non-commercial Beautiful Days years, multiple albums and a documentary Festival in Devon. The proliferation of music ‘‘ film later, The Levellers are still going strong. festivals during the last decade or so might Though it's been a few years since their last have resulted in a rather crowded market studio album, the band have been continu- place, but enthusiasm for them doesn't ap- ally out on tour, releasing several live records pear to have waned. as well as their Greatest Hits. “People don't seem to mind - they're still What's On caught up with Levellers frontman going and it's a big business. We sell our fes- Mark Chadwick. tival out without even advertising it, but “We've been writing and working on new we're in quite a fortunate position there be- songs since November, and we've been trying cause it can be risky. Often people think it's a some of them out live, but we're not in a quick way of making money, but to be hon- hurry to get a new album out,” explains est, it's not really a way of making any money Mark. “We just want to make sure it's some- at all. Not if you do it properly, anyway - if thing special - there's no point in putting out you don't want to treat people horribly and an average record.” have terrible infrastructure and bad food and 24 whatsonlive.co.uk ” The Levellers DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 18:10 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

rubbish toilets and herd them around. It's not that much. I just find it disappointing. be more expressive and personal, I suppose.” just ripping people off, and long-term that's And surprising, actually, because there's Since recording their last studio album, not a great idea - those kinds of events tend plenty of scope. There's a lot to write about. Static On The Airwaves, in 2012, The Levellers to disappear quite quickly.” We're living in a very scary world with a lot of have been the subject of a documentary film injustices right now, and I don't really under- That being said, while the ranks of independ- directed by Chumbawamba's Dunstan Bruce. stand why people aren't singing about it.” ent festivals have been growing, it's still the Primarily told from the perspective of the larger, better advertised events that tend to The Levellers' belief in the importance of charismatic bassist and album artist Jeremy dominate, something also true in other as- speaking up for ordinary people ties them in Cunningham, it tells the story of the band's pects of the music industry. It's hard to get with a long folk tradition that has historically rise to success from 1988 to ’98. away from the fact that popular music is served to give voice to those who might other- “We thought it was about time, actually! It more managed and manufactured than ever, wise have been silenced. At the 2011 BBC doesn't cover everything of course - it's not which poses the question of whether a Radio Two Folk Awards, they received the like a typical 'rock-u-mentary'. It's got more boundary-pushing, genre-defying, outspoken Roots Award for outstanding contribution to of a narrative to it, which makes it a better band like The Levellers would be able to folk music from a grassroots level upwards. film. Making it was quite easy really. We gave reach as many people if they were starting Though folk is only one aspect of their dis- him complete carte blanche to do whatever out today. tinctive style, which has always resisted easy he wanted. We didn't want to influence it in categorisation, the band have lately been “It is difficult now. I mean, it takes money. I any way - so if he saw us as a horrible bunch, strengthening their connection to the genre, appreciate you can just about do all right on that's how we would’ve come across. Fortu- working with Sean Lakeman to produce their your own with the internet and gigging, but nately, I think we come across pretty well!” albums and collaborating with the likes of to actually reach a wide audience and get re- Bellowhead and Billy Bragg on new versions Today, after more than 25 years in the busi- ally well known does require investment from of their earlier hits. ness, The Levellers continue to inspire new a record company, and they just don't seem listeners with songs that seem just as impor- to do that much now. They'll do it for pop “We love folk music - we always have. Back tant and relevant as ever. During their time music, but they won't really do it for anything in the day it was a dirty word but it's not any together, they've seen a whole generation else.” more. But again, folk music is traditionally grow up with their music, and even begin to the music of protest, a kind of descriptive It's perhaps partly down to this shift that introduce a new one to the fold. narrative of the times, and I do think that's there's been a noticeable decline in the num- missing in folk at the moment. It's all very “It's a very broad church, our audience. As a ber of overtly political and countercultural nicey-nicey.” band I think we're quite unique in that re- acts emerging in recent years, at least spect. We get everyone from eight-year-olds amongst those achieving widespread recog- In 2010, Chadwick also made his solo debut to 80-year-olds coming along to our gigs. It's nition. This is despite the fact that our cur- with All The Pieces, following this up with a really great!” rent political landscape is characterised by a second album, Moment, in 2014. similar polarisation to that which prompted a “I still feel more at home with the band, to be creative backlash in the ’80s and early ’90s. honest, but I like doing solo stuff. It's just dif- The Levellers play Shrewsbury Folk “There's good music, but the lyrical content I ferent. It's great getting to work with different Festival on Monday 29 August and do find generally lacking across the board. musicians after 27 years. And it's freeing - it Moseley Folk Festival on Friday 2 You can find it in some British rap music, but frees me up to write in a different way. I can September.

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Comedy

EastEnd Cabaret: Yeti's Demon Dive Bar mac, Birmingham, Tues 19 - Wed 20 July ‘A high-powered Flight Of The Conchords dipped in acid and drenched in smut’ is how Australian website Crikey summed up EastEnd Cabaret. New Zealand’s Theatreview, meanwhile, said the pair were ‘like the mutant child of a Victorian circus, locked away in the Pet Shop Boys’ basement and forced to watch nothing but Eurovision’... You no doubt get the picture. Well, some sort of picture, anyway. EastEnd Cabaret’s description of themselves may further enlighten: ‘a globe- trotting, manbeast-riding, accordion-wielding, filth-mongering musical comedy duo’. Featuring Jennifer Byrne as European chanteuse Bernie and Victoria Falconer-Pritchard as the freakish hermaphrodite Victor Victoria, the award-winning act brings together a winning combination of risqué songs and character comedy. This latest show, debuted last year, features all manner of bizarre new characters, including an overly amorous yeti, a sleazy severed head and the intriguingly named Psychedelic Nuns.

Six of the best...

Mark Just The Tonic Danny Watson The Comedy Loft, Birmingham, Bhoy Fri 29 - Sat 30 July Theatre Severn, Slade Rooms, Shrewsbury, Just The Tonic began in Nottingham over 20 Wolverhampton, Sat Fri 9 July 2 July; The Glee years ago and has now taken over the Club, Birmingham, Well established Jongleurs site in Birmingham. Sun 3 July; Artrix, on the UK come- The popular event this month features the Bromsgrove, Mon 4 July dy circuit, Mark highly rated Markus Birdman, a comedian Watson was born who firmly believes that comedy should There can surely be in Bristol to always be presented live, in a dingy club, no greater pressure Welsh parents and initially delivered his act and to no more than 200 people. for a Scottish comedian than to be consid- with a Welsh accent, claiming he was "more With that kind of attitude, he may find it ered one of the country’s brightest hopes comfortable to be talking in a voice that I tricky to forge ahead with a television career since Billy Connolly. Such is the cross which didn't quite recognise as my own". - but then that’s absolutely fine by Markus. Danny Bhoy is currently having to bear. That A regular contributor to the Edinburgh Markus is joined on the bill by ‘a very special said, Danny is without question an incredi- Fringe, Watson has the curious distinction of guest’ the organisers ‘cannot announce’. And bly talented guy, blending ironic wit, obser- having performed stand-up shows which by Ray Peacock... vational humour and an appealingly laid- have lasted for a period in excess of 24 Although best known as one half of the high- back style to excellent effect. Whether he’s hours. “Comedy is certainly a time-consum- ly rated Peacock & Gamble double-act, Ray’s got what it takes to enjoy a career as long as ing element of my life,” admits Watson, “but no stranger to flying solo as a comedian. He the legendary Mr Connolly’s, only time will then while I’m out touring and on stage, also writes, acts and presents, and lists his tell, but there’s little doubt that he's become there are people at home doing far less glam- passions as The Muppets, Lemony Snicket, one of the most sought-after young comedi- orous things. There have certainly been Star Wars and Les Dawson. ans on the circuit. times when I’ve been very happy to say, ‘Of Completing the line-up is well-established He appears in the Midlands prior to touring course I’d like to stay and help out with that funnyman Luke Toulson, a regular Canada, New Zealand and Australia. plumbing crisis, but Bromsgrove awaits!’” Edinburgh Festival contributor with a refreshingly down-to-earth style of delivery.

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Patrick Monahan Katie Fitzgerald’s, Stourbridge, Fri 1 July; Stratford Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon, Tues 19 July; David Lloyd, Dudley, Fri 22 July; Brook Street Community Centre, Tipton, Fri 22 July; mac, Birmingham, Thurs 28 July Half-Iranian, half-Irish stand-up comic Patrick Monahan is no slouch when it comes to bringing up the subject of his own ethnicity on stage - after all, he’s got a quality gag about spending all of his holidays in customs and he’s not afraid to use it! “I guess I like to think that maybe I’m breaking down stereo- types,” explains Patrick, who’s eager to make it clear that his comedy isn’t just political. “The comedians I most admire are the ones who can play to everybody. I think it’s important to look for positive stuff in life. Focusing on the bad stuff all the time would mean that the only people who’d come to my shows would be the ones who thought the end of the world was nigh!”

Live At Edinburgh Dane The Civic Comedy Baptiste Brierley Hill Civic Previews Lichfield Garrick, Hall, Sat 16 July Fri 15 July Evesham Arts The Civic is this Centre, With a new sitcom month offering a Fri 15 & Fri 22 July hitting TV screens real ‘Brierley belter’ Enjoy a taste of the last month and this for lovers of stand- Edinburgh Festival touring show enjoy- up comedy to without leaving the ing a positive enjoy. The venue’s Midlands. response from crit- latest laughter-laden live event brings togeth- Across two shows, Evesham Arts Centre pres- ics and audiences alike, it’s fair to say 2016 is er Paul Tonkinson, Doc Brown and The ents four well-regarded comedians busily working out well for Dane Baptiste. Fizzogs. honing their sets en route to the Scottish It’s certainly been a whirlwind couple of Regularly booked by the UK Armed Forces, capital. years for the London-born funnyman. In Tonkinson was the first comic to perform in Former Detective Sergeant Alfie Moore 2014, he became the first ever black comedi- Iraq after the war officially ended. explains how to get away with murder, Chris an to be nominated for the Foster's Best Doc Brown (pictured) is an actor and rapper Stokes (pictured) presents ‘8½ stone of Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Fringe, a as well as a comedian who starred in police vegan fury’ as he rails against rudeness (Fri success achieved with his debut solo show, and legal drama Law & Order: UK under his 15), Tom Binns offers an evening of charac- Citizen Dane. real name of Ben Bailey Smith. ter-driven comedy and Will Mars sets out to “This is my second show,” says Baptiste of Black Country favourites The Fizzogs are show why his material often features in lists the currently touring Reasonable Doubt, “so suitably proud of their Midlands roots and of ‘the funniest jokes ever told’ (Fri 22). essentially it’s like my second album. And urge anybody who enjoys a good laugh to get the pressure’s cranked up because the first along to the Civic. show did so well. I’ve pretty much always wanted to be a comic, so there’s no Plan B for me - I’ve got to make sure this goes well...”

For more comedy listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 27 Theatre July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 17:56 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Mamma Mia! Birmingham Hippodrome, until Sat 3 September This legendary show is of course a nicely contrived vehicle for the chart-topping music of 1970s Super Troupers Abba. The Swedish Fab Four scored mega-hit after mega-hit with catchy numbers like Waterloo, Dancing Queen, The Name Of The Game, The Winner Takes It All and Take A Chance On Me - all of which are present and correct in this blockbuster offering. Abba boys Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus were both involved in the development of the show, while Anni-Frid Lyngstad - she’s the dark one - con- tributed in a financial capacity. A 2008 movie version received a thumbs up from many if not most of Mamma Mia!’s adoring fans - despite former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan having been given, rather unwisely, a Licence to Sing...

Much Ado About Nothing separated from one another, find themselves Shakespeare has been reincarnated as a slipping under the control of the mysterious present-day woman. In conversation with Avoncroft, Bromsgrove, Sun 10 July; Prospero. Matters are confused further by the therapist Henry, the now-renamed Mrs mac, Birmingham, Sat 16 July presence of supernatural spirit Ariel and the Shakespeare comes to the conclusion that grotesque man-beast, Caliban... she’s made a total hash of her most famous Presented beneath the stars by Heartbreak play, Hamlet. An entire reworking of the 400- Productions. year-old masterpiece is undertaken by the gender-switching playwright - but not before the play’s less-than-supportive dramatis per- sonae have made their feelings known...

RENT: The Musical Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Much Ado About Nothing revolves around Tues 26 - Sat 30 July the stumbling romance between Benedick Written by Jonathan Larson and the recipient and Beatrice. Their liaison is strewn with dif- of both a Tony Award for best musical and a ficulties, not least among which is an unwill- Pulitzer Prize for drama, Rent takes its audi- ingness on the part of either to admit a liking ence on an intimate journey through a year for the other... Mrs Shakespeare in the lives of a small circle of friends and Not that the plot of Much Ado is likely to be Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, artists. Busily living out their dreams and overly important in this particular produc- 15 - 16 July; The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford- upon-Avon, 18 - 23 July battling their demons, the group boldly cele- tion, given the fact that it’s zany funsters brate life on the streets of New York’s East Oddsocks who’re at the helm! Expect plenty Village... Local lad Timothy Gough (pictured) of madcap mayhem and laughter from this takes the lead as Roger. always-value-for-money ensemble.

The Tempest Brueton Park, Solihull, Tues 19 July Shakespeare’s last and most complete play, The Tempest also represents the culmination of his art, bringing together many of the Irene Kelleher is the one and only cast mem- themes that informed his greatest dramas. ber in this critically acclaimed Edinburgh A wild storm forces a royal ship onto the Fringe tragicomedy. The ludicrous-but-fun rocks of an enchanted isle. The castaways, premise of the show is that William

28 For more theatre previews visit whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 17:56 Page 2

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0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 17:56 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Guys And Dolls Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Tues 19 - Sat 23 July Opening on a Broadway that’s bustling with tourists and chorus girls, this legendary musical finds Nathan Detroit in dire need of some gambling money. Luckily for Nathan, he counts among his acquaintances Sky Masterson, one of the greatest gamblers in the country and a man who’ll bet on pretty much anything. “For a close relationship that can last us through all the years of our life,” says Sky, “no doll can take the place of aces back to back.” When Nathan bets Sky he can persuade Sarah Brown of the Save A Soul mission to go to Cuba with him, the stage is set for a warmhearted tale of love and laughter. Expect nifty dancing, high-stakes gambling and some truly fabulous Broadway numbers, including Luck Be A Lady and Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat.

Those Magnificent Men Singin’ In The Rain The Hired Man Lichfield Garrick, Tues 5 July New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Lichfield Garrick, Fri 29 July - Sat 6 August until Sat 16 July Based on a Melvyn Bragg novel and featur- The behind-the-scenes story of two ing music by award-winning composer singers in the era when the talkies hit Howard Goodall, this stage version of The Tinseltown, the film of Singin’ In The Hired Man sees a cast of local performers Rain is one of the jewels in the collaborating with the Garrick’s professional Hollywood crown. Made in 1952 and production team. The theatre’s artistic direc- starring the irrepressible Gene Kelly, it tor, Tim Ford, is the man at the helm, pre- boasted a raft of unforgettable numbers senting the timeless tale of a young married - most memorably, of course, the title couple struggling to eke out a living from the track itself, a brilliantly choreographed land as the storm clouds of war gather Cardboard, chairs and some left-over props piece which has indelibly imprinted across Europe. are the somewhat modest storytelling tools itself on the collective memory of mod- in this clever and well-reviewed play about ern-day movie-goers. the first ever non-stop transatlantic flight. This latest stage version is a collabora- HMS Pinafore The show presents the thrilling story of tion between the New Vic, Bolton’s British aviation pioneers Alcock and Brown, Octagon Theatre and Salisbury Malvern Theatre, Tues 5 - Sat 9 July; Playhouse. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, and their daredevil dash across the Atlantic Mon 18 - Wed 20 July in the tiny, open cockpit of a converted Getting wet may never have been more fun. Gilbert and Sullivan’s fourth operatic collab- Vickers biplane. Radio Four regular David oration and their first international sensa- Mounfield stars. tion, HMS Pinafore’s opening run at London’s Opera Comique began in 1878 and lasted for an impressive 571 performances. Dogfight A nautical tale of romance and mistaken Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, identities, the two-act comic opera features Tues 12 - Sat 16 July some of Gilbert’s wittiest characters and This amateur show, a musical adaptation of showcases such songs as I Am The Captain the 1991 film of the same name, finds six Of The Pinafore, When I Was A Lad, A young Marines determined to enjoy them- British Tar and I’m Called Little Buttercup. selves before heading off to the Vietnam War. The Marines engage in a ‘dogfight’, a tradition which sees each of them trying to out- manoeuvre the others by taking along the ugliest girl they can find to a party. But the rules of the game are changed dramatically when Private Eddie Birdlace meets Rose... Photo credit: Richard Davenport 30 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 17:56 Page 4 Theatre July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 17:56 Page 5

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Flames Footloose Arena Theatre, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Mon 4 - Sat 9 July Fri 29 - Sat 30 July Featuring classic numbers such as ‘Alfred Hitchcock meets Edgar Holding Out For A Hero, Almost Allan Poe’ is how this much- Paradise, Let’s Hear It For The Boy, praised Stephen Dolginoff and of course the title track itself, offering has been described. this remastered show stars Gareth When Meredith visits the grave Gates and Maureen Nolan. A hit both of her fiancée Edmund, who on Broadway and in the West End, it died in a fire a year before, tells the story of city boy Ren’s arrival she’s accompanied by his best in Bomont, and the impact which his friend and work colleague, dancing has on a town held back by Eric. the memory of a tragedy... As Eric returns to their car, another man appears; a man who claims to be Edmund, returned from a grave he never in fact inhabited... The Country Doctor patriotism in a modern England where a new Expect twists, turns and sur- national identity is being forged, Seaton focuses prises in what’s been Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, on an attack against a student that belies the Wed 20 - Fri 22 July described by one hugely notion of community cohesion... admiring critic as ‘a must-see In the freezing depths of the vast Russian tun- Fall Of The Kingdom, Rise Of The Foot Soldier is piece of musical theatre’. dra, a disgraced medical student fleeing prose- being performed in Stratford-upon-Avon as part cution for his crimes happens upon an isolated of Making Mischief, the RSC’s festival of bold Rehearsal pic surgery whose small staff are awaiting the and thought-provoking new plays. arrival of a new head doctor... This brutal, blackly comic farce is inspired by the stories of Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov Chaplin and presented by local theatre company Noctium. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 13 July; New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs 14 July Silent-era movie star Charlie Chaplin died almost 40 years ago at the age of 88. Since that time and not surprisingly, his star has faded considerably. His most famous films, meanwhile Daisy Pulls It Off - made in Hollywood during his halcyon days of The Bear Pit Theatre, the 1920s and ’30s - have all but disappeared Stratford-upon-Avon, Wed 13 - Sat 16 July from television screens. So this new musical play offers a useful reminder of just how talent- This Second Thoughts Drama ed, feted and remarkable Chaplin actually was. Group amateur production of The show follows the London-born actor from Denise Deegan’s play reflects the dark streets of Victorian England to the glitz the uncomplicated innocence and glamour of Tinseltown in the Roaring ’20s. of ‘modern schoolgirl stories’, Steven Arnold, who played Ashley Peacock in made popular by such authors Coronation Street, dons the bowler hat and as Angela Brazil and Enid toothbrush moustache to play the first true Blyton. It tells the tale of British icon of cinema. super-achiever Daisy Meredith, a girl from a poor, elementary- school background who’s des- Fall Of The Kingdom, Rise perate to find acceptance in Of The Foot Soldier the snobby confines of The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, Grangewood School for Young until Wed 27 July - Sat 27 August Ladies. “Subject matters that make us uncomfortable inspire my writing,” reveals Nigerian and Jamaican Londoner Somalia Seaton, “the kind of conversations you’re led to believe it’s best not to have at a party. Those things that need to be talked about so that change can be evoked.” Somalia’s latest work certainly falls into that category. With protectionism masquerading as

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theatre for younger audiences...

Brush A Feast Of Bones Losha

Brush in times of war, and the psychological very highest quality. For those unfamiliar responses which those actions induce. with the story, it follows the adventures of a mac, Birmingham, Sun 3 - Tues 5 July “In this play,” explains its writer, Frances 12-year-old girl named Zoe as she attempts to This home-made, eco-friendly production Kay, “we try to show how war might be built keep both herself and her pet rat safe from has been widely praised on its travels and into our very genes, making it almost impos- the ever-menacing Burt of Burt’s Burgers. looks set to win a whole new army of devo- sible to give up our notions of ‘enemies’ and Suitable for children aged seven and older. tees when it stops off in Birmingham. ‘battles’. We don’t talk about the Great War, Presented by Korea’s Brush Theatre, the but you can find it there in the underlying show brings together a collection of ‘weird mood of the play.” The Giant’s Loo Roll and wonderful characters, live music, dance The Place, Oakengates, Telford, Tues 26 July and fanciful puppets’. Paintings are created Peter Pan In Scarlet Children's writer and illustrator Nicholas live on stage, as an oft-told Korean fantasy Allan certainly shows no reticence when it story about a child’s quest for a baby brother New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, comes to publishing kids’ stories inspired by Sat 23 July - Sat 6 August magically unfolds. gentle toilet humour, bathroom habits and With numerous coveted awards evidencing Second star to the right and straight on till bottoms, bottoms, bottoms. His books their success, Brush Theatre are a company morning, that's the way to Neverland. But include The Prince And The Potty, Father operating at the cutting edge of children’s Wendy and the Lost Boys could certainly be Christmas Comes Up Trumps, The Queen’s entertainment and are well worth a look. forgiven if they’d forgotten how to reach the Knickers and Cinderella’s Bum. He also magical island, given that it’s been 20 long wrote Father Christmas Needs A Wee!, a Losha years since their adventures with the boy musical version of which, performed by who wouldn't grow up. When they suddenly TaleGate Theatre Productions, has done Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, find their dreams being infiltrated by visions Tues 5 - Fri 8 July great business both at the Edinburgh Fringe of pirates, mermaids, fairies and crocodiles, and out on tour. This new adaptation of Monkeyshine Theatre’s well-reviewed ‘feast they realise that something is terribly wrong another Allan children’s book is presented for the senses’ blends poetry, dance, shadow and that Peter Pan is in urgent need of their by the selfsame company. It finds the vil- play, puppetry and projection to tell the story help... lagers who live beneath a giant’s house sud- of a magical creature who likes to collect This official sequel to JM Barrie’s classic denly compromised by the arrival in their things. story was written by three-time Whitbread midst of an enormous runaway toilet roll... “A candle holds the magic of a birthday Children’s Book Award winner Geraldine party,” explains the company, “a teddy bear McCaughrean. It’s been adapted for the stage holds a child’s fear of the dark, a grain of by the New Vic’s Theresa Heskins, who also sand carries the freedom of a midnight swim. directs. Danny The Champion Losha is a rich and thoughtful play that cap- Of The World tures the heart and stirs the memory.” The production is presented as part of On Ratburger Dosthill Park, Tamworth, Staffs, Sat 2 July To Danny, life is perfect. He’s the youngest The Edge - a world festival of theatre for Brueton Park, Solihull, Tues 26 - Wed 27 July young audiences. car mechanic around and his dad is ‘the Although Heartbreak Productions are per- most marvellous and exciting father a boy haps best known for their outdoor presenta- ever had’. The pair enjoy a happy existence, A Feast Of Bones tions of Shakespeare plays, the company also but have one dark cloud looming over their tours a selection of other stage works, one of Birmingham Repertory Theatre, lives: Brewery owner Mr Hazell is keen to Thurs 7 - Sat 9 July which is this brand new adaptation of David move Danny and his father off their land. But Walliams’ 2012 bestseller. Heartbreak have Danny’s dad has a secret - the kind of secret Theatre Lovett’s contribution to the On The impressive form when it comes to Walliams’ that can lead to a daring adventure... Edge festival of theatre for young people is a work, having last year presented a critically This is an outdoor production. revenge fantasy set in a Dublin restaurant in acclaimed, under-the-stars version of his 1918. Although the production is ostensibly massively popular Mr Stink - so it’s fair to about a pompous man named Monsieur assume this latest offering will also be of the Renard and a ‘waitress’ who’s far from happy with him, its underlying theme is the acts of desperation which are committed by people For full theatre listings, visit whatsonlive.co.uk

whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Doreen DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 16:23 Page 1

INTERVIEW Doreen Tipton

In early 2012, a five-minute mockumentary written by playwright David Tristram went viral on the internet. The video satirised benefit scroungers and starred actress Gill Jordan as Doreen Tipton, a Black Country-born woman suffering from Lazy Cow Syndrome. Now established as one of the most remarkable comic creations of modern times, Doreen took time off from avoiding work to speak to What’s On...

Have your doctors and consultants given you any hope for the future in terms of your Lazy Cow Syndrome? There's apparently no cure, but I've become an ambassador for a local charity called the LCA - the Lazy Cows Association - and I sometimes get involved in fundraising events. I'm currently in training to watch a half marathon.

Are you benefit free now? All my benefits are free - that's the whole point of them. Besides, it's in my blood.

What are the best and worst bits of being a celebrity? The worst bits are probably being asked to answer stupid questions for magazines. There aren't any best bits.

Tell us about your relationship with Robert Plant? He told me not to tell anybody that I had a relationship with him. He's got a girlfriend.

If you could choose anyone in the Black Country to have a selfie with - dead or alive - who would it be? Probably not the dead one. Although even then they'd probably still smile more than me. I normally get my next-door neighbour Doris to do my selfies for me, because I'm not very good with technology.

You're invited to appear on a reality TV programme of your choice, what would be your first option? I quite like the Jeremy Vile show. Good fam-

34 whatsonlive.co.uk Doreen DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 16:23 Page 2

I wouldn't like to see Brummies and Yam-Yams inter-breeding. ‘‘ It's not right, even though the Government tend to encourage multifunctionalism these days. ”

ily entertainment. And it would be good to fi- keep the Yam-Yams out of Brum, so it's a win- come to the show, if they can get a free ticket. nally get those DNA results. There was a ru- win. I don’t like the idea of the matinees though - mour I was the love-child of a royal scandal. that's my afternoon nap ruined. Anyway, I'm looking forward to it. I've just got to concen- Who's your favourite member of the royal trate now on trying to learn my line. What’s your biggest inspiration? family and why? Sleep. I quite like the corgis. Although I am a great admirer of HMV The Queen, or to use her for- Beyond Panto, what does the future hold mal title, Elizabeth Vagina. She is a perfect for Doreen Tipton? Where's your favourite holiday destina- example of how a woman in modern Britain I've just launched an exciting new venture tion? can bring up a family successfully on bene- called Doreen TV - my own online comedy Nowhere foreign. Especially Wales. fits. She's become a sort of rogue model for channel for the Black Country. If I had a me. I think she'll do well. pound for every time somebody said I should We live in interesting political times, be on the telly, I'd probably have about three quid by now, but I got bored waiting for some Doreen. The EU referendum will have What would be the worst things about London bloke in a suit to make his mind up, happened by the time this issue of What's moving to Birmingham? On hits the streets, but our readers would so I started my own. It's loads of bite-sized I think I'd find it tough learning a new lan- no doubt like to know your views on the loffs on video, taken from the shows over the guage at my age. And it's probably changed a EU... years. And new stuff is being added all the bit since I last went there, in 1963. And that time, including spoofs of just about every- I don't normally tend to get involved in poli- was a mistake - I got on the wrong bus. I'm thing from Time Team to Top Gear, and tics, but the EU thing did get me fired up. I not sure if they still have segregation there - footage from the live stage shows - stuff you'll don’t like the idea of being ruled by like they did in South America when Nelson never see on YouTube. I want it to grow and unerected Bureauprats, all being paid loads Mandelson was President - but I wouldn't develop into a unique comedy channel for on some big gravy boat. If we can save £350 like to see Brummies and Yam-Yams inter- the Black Country (including Brummies), so I million a week, I want some of it. breeding. It's not right, even though the Gov- need folk to rally round and support it. A ernment tend to encourage Doreen VIP pass costs just £12 for a whole In your eyes, who's the sexiest Nigel multifunctionalism these days. You'd end up year - less than the price of one live ticket - I Farage or Jeremy Corbin? with loads of Yum-Yums, or Brammies. bet most Black Country folk spend more than that in snuff. You can check it out and sub- Are they members of boy bands? I tend not to scribe on doreen.tv watch X-Factor. Looking back on your life to date, what would you say is your biggest regret?

If you were an American, would you vote All of it, really. Although as I get older I see Doreen’ brings her Grand Night Out to St for Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump? there are compensations, such as winter fuel allowance. George’s Hall, Bewdley on Sat 9 July; I like Donald Trumpet. I especially liked his Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, on Wed idea of building a big wall to keep the for- 13 and Thurs 14 July; Lichfield Garrick on eigners out. If I was Prime Minister the first How will being in panto at The Grand en- Fri 15 July and Highbury Theatre, Sutton thing I'd do is build a wall around the Black hance your Christmas? Coldfield on Sat 16 July. Country to keep out the Brummies. And if Well, for the first time in years I'll be able to Doreen will also star in the Grand any Brummies reading this are offended, see my own kids this Christmas. They're due Theatre’s pantomime, Aladdin, from Sat think of it this way. The same wall would to be released soon and they've promised to 10 Dec 2016 to Sun 22 Jan 2017.

whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Competitions July 2016.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 16:59 Page 1

To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk

Win!

Tickets to The Chris and Pui Tickets to the 1940s Weekend Tickets to The Pet Show + Show at Black Country Living Museum Midlands Food & Drink Festival

Closes Friday 8 July Closes Monday 11 July Closes Friday 15 July

Tickets to Guys and Dolls Tickets to That's Entertainment Tickets to Forever In Blue Jeans

Closes Wednesday 13 July Closes Wednesday 13 July Closes Fri 7th July

A Weekend Family Ticket to A meal for two at FIVE Tickets to the Shrewsbury Dubtoberfest restaurants Flower Show + Meet the Artists

Closes Monday 18 July Closes Monday 11 July Closes Friday 29 July

VIP Weekend Tickets to MADE Tickets to Quill and Raymond Tickets to The Two Noble Birmingham Froggatt Kinsmen

Closes Thursday 21 July Closes Friday 8 July Closes Wed 10th Aug

To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk also follow us on Twitter for more great competitions 36 whatsonlive.co.uk Film July - GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 17:00 Page 2

Film

Finding Dory CERT U (103 mins) With the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Hayden Rolence, Ed O'Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Diane Keaton, Idris Elba, Willem Dafoe Directed by Andrew Stanton (USA) It’s amazing it hasn’t happened sooner. Since it opened in 2003, Finding Nemo has become the sixth highest-grossing cartoon of all time, with a tidy $937 million in the bank. With the additional money from DVD and Blu-Ray sales, broadcasting rights and merchandising, that figure will be humon- gous. So, here is the sequel. Dory is the for- getful Pacific regal blue tang from the first film which, in case you’ve been away, is a fish. She (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) suddenly remembers the events of her childhood and so sets off to find her family – along with the clownfish Nemo (Brooks) and Marlin (Rolence). There will be adventure along the way… The original director, Andrew Stanton, returns. In 3D. Released Fri 29 July

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in July...

Absolutely Fabulous: The Colony CERT 15 (106 mins) The Movie CERT tbc Starring Emma Watson, Daniel Brühl, Michael Nyqvist, Richenda Carey Directed by Florian Starring Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Gallenberger (Germany/Luxembourg/France) Julia Sawalha, June Whitfield, Jane Horrocks, Kathy Burke Directed by Mandie Fletcher Set against a backdrop of the Chilean mili- (UK/USA) tary coup, this historical drama explores the Darling, you know everything’s going to be personal repercussions for a young woman, fabulous, if not outrageous. The eternally Lena (Emma Watson), when her husband is youthful Jennifer Saunders and Joanna abducted by Augusto Pinochet's secret Lumley reprise their small-screen roles as Central Intelligence police. The Colony – or Colonia Dignidad – Edina and Patsy and get into awful trouble, of the title was a secret cult from which CERT 12a (108 mins) forcing them to flee to the French Riviera. At nobody ever escaped. We look forward to least the champagne will be good there. And Starring Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson, Emma Watson’s Chilean accent. Amy Ryan, Aaron Paul Directed by let’s just say that Kate Moss is a trouper. Rawson Marshall Thurber (USA) Released Fri 1 July Released Fri 1 July It was probably bound to happen: the unification of Hollywood’s biggest short star with all six-foot four inches of The Rock. The Big Johnson (aka The Rock) plays Bob Stone, a CIA agent who attends his high school reunion and is reunited with Calvin (the five-foot-four inch Kevin Hart), the former ‘big’ man on campus. Calvin is now a mild-man- nered accountant and is reluctantly drawn into Bob’s world of espionage and fire fights. Anyway, that’s the size of it. Released Fri 1 July

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Film

CRITIC’S CHOICE Now You See Me 2 CERT 12a (129 mins) Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Daniel Radcliffe, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman Directed by Jon M. Chu (USA) The magic troupe calling themselves The Four Horsemen are back and, against their will, are enlisted by a high-tech wizard (Daniel Radcliffe) to pull off their most daring heist yet. Filmed in Macau and Middlesex. Released Mon 4 July

Mark Rylance) who kidnaps a little girl The BFG CERT PG (117 mins) (Ruby Barnhill) to help him outwit the Starring Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, man-eating giants that have been plagu- Dame Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement, Rebecca Hall, Rafe Spall, Bill Hader ing the human world. Rylance previously Directed by Steven Spielberg (USA) played the Russian spy Rudolf Abel for Spielberg in Bridge Of Spies and walked The last time Steven Spielberg and the off with both a Bafta and an Oscar for his screenwriter Melissa Mathison collaborat- pains (deservedly). Ms Mathison died in ed on a film was on ET The Extra- November of last year. In 3D. Terrestrial, 34 years ago. This one is a live-action adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Released Fri 29 July story of the lonely giant (played here by

The Legend Of Tarzan Maggie’s Plan CERT 15 (99 mins) CERT 12a (110 mins) Starring Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke, Bill Starring Alexander Skarsgård, Samuel L. Hader, Maya Rudolph, Travis Fimmel, Julianne Jackson, Margot Robbie, Djimon Hounsou Moore Directed by Rebecca Miller (USA) Christoph Waltz, Jim Broadbent, John Hurt Maggie’s plan is to have a baby on her own, Directed by David Yates (USA) courtesy of the seed of a former college col- The director David Yates segues from one league (Fimmel). Then she falls in love with iconic figure (Harry Potter) to another a married man (Hawke)... Rebecca Miller, (Tarzan) in this reboot of the story created by daughter of the playwright Arthur Miller and Edgar Rice Burroughs. Here, John Clayton, wife of Daniel Day-Lewis, previously brought 3rd Viscount Greystoke (Skarsgård), has been us The Ballad Of Jack And Rose and The absorbed into the aristocracy of London Private Lives Of Pippa Lee, so we expect good when he is called back to the jungle as a things. trade emissary for the British government. Released Fri 8 July However, there are Machiavellian forces The Neon Demon behind the mission, forcing the Apeman to CERT 18 (117 mins) bare his impressive physique one more time. Starring Elle Fanning, Karl Glusman, Jena Released Wed 6 July Malone, Bella Heathcote, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (France/Denmark/USA) The talk of this year’s Cannes film festival, The Neon Demon divided critics mightily. Some called it a masterpiece, others an abomination. Set in the world of high fashion, the film features extreme gore, graphic nudity and one scene of ‘aberrant sexuality.’ You have been warned. Released Fri 8 July

38 whatsonlive.co.uk Film July - GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 17:00 Page 4

Film releases in July

The Wait CERT tbc The Purge: Star Trek Beyond CERT tbc Starring Juliette Binoche, Lou de Laâge, Election Year CERT tbc Starring John Cho, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Giorgio Colangeli, Domenico Diele Reynolds Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Anton Yelchin, Directed by Piero Messina (Italy/France) Starring Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, Idris Elba Directed by Justin Lin (USA) Mykelti Williamson Anna (Binoche) accidentally bumps into her Directed by James DeMonaco (USA) son’s fiancée at a villa in Sicily and together they wait for his return, although Anna When did The Purge become a trilogy? knows better… Inspired by two works by When the first film grossed almost Luigi Pirandello, The Wait marks the directo- $90million (on a budget of $3m). The rial debut of Piero Messina, a protégé of the original was certainly one of the most Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino (on disturbing and frightening films of whose The Great Beauty he served as assis- 2013 and now comes the supposed tant director). conclusion to the franchise (but we’ll see how much money it makes, first). Released Fri 8 July How many Star Trek films have there been? There is a presidential election afoot Whoops, this is the 13th and the third in the and the front-runner (Mitchell) is seek- rebooted series. Simon Pegg penned the Ghostbusters CERT tbc ing to abolish the Purge, the one night screenplay (in collaboration with Doug Jung) Starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate of the year when killing is endorsed by and takes the USS Enterprise into the fur- McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Charles Dance, Chris the government. thest reaches of unchartered space where the Hemsworth, Andy Garcia Released Fri 15 July crew encounters a really nasty piece of work Directed by Paul Feig (USA) (Idris Elba). In 3D. Who you gonna call? Paul Feig, apparently, Released Fri 22 July he who guided Melissa McCarthy to stardom in Bridesmaids, The Heat and Spy. Now McCarthy and the girls are replacing the The Commune CERT 15 (112 mins) boys in this distaff remake of the 1984 hit Starring Ulrich Thomsen, Fares Fares, Trine about a motley crew of spectral experts who Dyrholm Directed by Thomas Vinterberg join forces to save the world. The special (Denmark/Sweden/The Netherlands) effects should be considerably more special Thomas Vinterberg (Festen, The Hunt, Far this time round. In 3D. From The Madding Crowd) sets his latest film Released Fri 15 July Summertime in a commune in the ’70s where not every- CERT 15 (105 mins) body sees eye to eye. Trine Dyrholm won the Starring Cécile de France, Izïa Higelin, best actress award at Berlin for her perform- Noémie Lvovsky Directed by Catherine ance. And if Ms Dyrholm looks familiar to Corsini (France/Belgium) you, she starred opposite Pierce Brosnan in Two women from entirely different the delightful Love Is All You Need (2012). worlds – Carole is a militant feminist Released Fri 29 July teaching Spanish in Paris and Delphine is a farmer’s daughter committed to her parents in rural south- west France – fall passionately in love. Jason Bourne CERT tbc The drama, directed by the veteran Starring Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Alicia French filmmaker Catherine Corsini, is Vikander, Vincent Cassel, Tommy Lee Jones, set in 1971. Riz Ahmed Directed by Paul Greengrass (USA) Ice Age: Collision Course Released Fri 15 July Jason Bourne, like Dory (see Finding Dory), is beginning to remember stuff. And so he CERT U (94 mins) sets about trying to uncover the truth about With the voices of Ray Romano, John Keanu CERT 15 (100 mins) who he really is. The good news is that Paul Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Simon Pegg, Greengrass returns as the director of this Jennifer Lopez, Queen Latifah Directed by Starring Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Mike Thurmeier and Galen T. Chu (USA) Key, Method Man, Nia Long, Will Forte, hopelessly addictive franchise (he directed Luis Guzmán Directed by Peter Atencio the best in the series, The Bourne Supremacy It’s all getting a bit serious. When Scrat, the (USA) single-minded sabre-tooth squirrel, leaves and The Bourne Ultimatum). Filmed in Las Jordan Peele is the name to conjure Earth in pursuit of his elusive acorn, he trig- Vegas, Berlin, Tenerife, London, Iceland and with here, an American comedian who gers a series of cosmic events that threaten Rome. wrote, produced and stars in this origi- the future of the planet. So Manny, Sid and Released Fri 29 July nal action comedy. He plays a guy co. have to move home (again) in order to called Rell, who adopts a cat after his preserve their respective species. In case you girlfriend has dumped him, unaware were wondering, this is the fifth in the Ice that it belongs to a Mexican drug car- Age animated franchise. In 3D. tel. He calls the moggie Keanu, Released Fri 15 July although in the drugs’ world it’s known as Iglesias. Released Fri 15 July

whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Visual Arts July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 16:39 Page 1

Visual Arts

Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 23 July - Sun 18 September As part of an international tour spanning six continents, this globally renowned exhibition arrives in Wolverhampton on loan from the National History Museum. Launched in 1965, Wildlife Photographer Of The Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, with this year's competition attracting over 42,000 entries from 96 different countries. The 100 award-winning photographs will take visitors on a journey across seas, skies and sand dunes, with shots of breathtaking landscapes, fascinating animal behaviour and other awe- inspiring scenes from nature that celebrate the huge diversity of life on planet earth.

Pirates, Pants & Kan Xuan BBC Faces Of Comedy Wellyphants Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Wed 6 July - Sun 11 September Sat 9 July - Sun 2 October Worcester City Art Gallery, Sat 9 July - Sat 3 September Celebrating 60 side-splitting years of the TV sitcom, BBC Faces Of Comedy offers an Best-loved children's illustrator Nick Sharratt exclusive glimpse of some of Britain's great- brings his quirky, colourful characters to est comedians at work - on set, behind the Worcester in this interactive, kid-friendly scenes, deep in script discussions or simply exhibition, part of a Showstoppers national enjoying a well-earned cuppa. Ninety never- tour. Anyone who's ever read Tracy Beaker, before publicly displayed photographs from Eat Your Peas or Shark In The Park will love the BBC's Photo Library have been specially this chance to take a peek at Nick's old selected by some of the nation's best-loved school work, step into a recreation of his stu- contemporary sitcom stars, curating the dio, and find out how it all started. Catch a exhibition in homage to the comedy greats sneaky glimpse of his original sketchbooks, who inspired them. design your own ‘Sharracter’, dress up as From Hancock's Half Hour to Only Fools And your favourites, add your pants to the dis- Presenting her first ever UK exhibition, Horses and from Steptoe And Son to play, or write a postcard to send to Nick him- renowned Chinese artist Kan Xuan brings Miranda, this unique photo exhibition pro- self. Perfect for a family outing! her refreshingly unpretentious and economi- vides an insight into the lives of our comedy cal video art to Ikon, following a screening of legends and the evolution of the sitcom over her seminal film A Happy Girl at the gallery the years. back in 2006. Comprising a wide selection of work ranging from the single-screen pieces of the late 1990s through to her very latest installation, the exhibition exemplifies the artist's pro- foundly philosophical approach to human experience in her attempts to “represent the state of our daily life, set against this crowded and noisy modern world”.

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Bert Hackett: The Gemini Years mac, Birmingham, until Sun 4 September Following the recent passing of Bert Hackett, mac Birmingham presents a timely tribute to the former Birmingham Post cartoonist, whose professional pseudonym was Gemini. The exhibition of his best-loved drawings follows a major retrospective held at mac in 2013, which celebrated his 80th birthday. Between 1966 and 2008, Hackett's daily cartoons were well known and respected by readers of the paper. During his 42 years at the Post, the artist worked with over a dozen editors and produced more than 10,000 cartoons, finally departing from the paper shortly before its relocation to Fort Dunlop. Born in Balsall Heath and subsequently a long-term resident in Moseley, Hackett was initially reluctant to take up the daily cartoonist role at the Post, but was eventually persuaded by his business partner and fellow cartoonist Graham Gavin, with whom he coined the Gemini name. The two began by sharing the role, taking it in turns and each producing a cartoon every other day. When Gavin dropped out eight years later, Hackett took on the demanding job full-time. After a four-year battle with prostate cancer, the popular cartoonist died on Friday 8 April this year. Said Birmingham Post Features Editor Sarah Probert: “Bert's enormous contribution to the Birmingham Post will never be forgotten.”

For more visual arts listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Events July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 16:37 Page 1 Events July.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 16:37 Page 2

Events

Antiques For Everyone varieties from more than 100 factories. Curated by Birmingham’s Pen Museum, the exhibition celebrates the NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 21 - Sun 24 July lives of the manufacturers and workers who helped place the city at With more than 200 dealers showcasing their wares, Antiques For the centre of a worldwide trade. The display is presented at Antiques Everyone is one of the largest events of its kind in the UK. For Everyone ahead of next month’s Heritage Lottery-funded This latest show, one of three taking place this year, features an relaunch of the pen museum. exhibition exploring the history of Birmingham’s highly successful As well as the exhibition, other connected highlights include a spe- 19th and early 20th century pen trade. At the height of the trade, the cialist talk focusing on the important place of the pen in the city’s city was producing around 1.5 billion pen nibs in 100,000 different commercial heritage, and a review of the pens featured in Birmingham-based BBC drama series Peaky Blinders (pictured).

Silverstone Classic Latin American The Big Arts Show Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire, Festival West Mid Showground, Shrewsbury Fri 29 - Sun 31 July Fri 1 - Sun 3 July The Arcadian, Birmingham, Sun 3 July Birmingham’s Arcadian Centre is promising visitors a sizzling hot welcome early this month when the Latin American Festival makes a welcome return. The free one-day event promises a real feast for the senses, courtesy of an imaginative programme of music and dance. Cuisine, crafts and culture from numerous Latin American nations also Billed as ‘the world’s biggest classic motor- features. Shrewsbury’s Big Arts Show returns for a racing festival’, the Silverstone Classic is a Commenting on the festival, founder third summer (with a second 2016 event real mecca for car enthusiasts, at the same Annie Bazan-De-Fisher said: “Our scheduled to take place in the autumn). time offering top-notch entertainment for event embraces all cultures of the Providing a showcase for a wide variety of families to enjoy. world and is a unique opportunity not artwork, the family-friendly event features Highlights at this year’s event include track only to learn about the Latin American over 150 exhibitors, numerous talks by the parades, infield displays from over 100 car culture but also to share a great day in artists, an area dedicated to the work of new clubs featuring more than 10,000 classic a friendly and happy atmosphere. graduates, a real ale bar, eateries and live cars, interactive driving activities, ‘dynamic’ Everyone is most welcome to join in the music. demonstrations, aerial displays, a vintage festival, which promises to be an unfor- Other attractions and activities for visitors to funfair and a shopping village. gettable event, with lovely music for enjoy include art and craft demonstrations, Live music comes from, among others, The the public to dance to. It’s a wonderful film, photography, animation, puppetry and Boomtown Rats and The Stranglers. event for all the family.” performing artists.

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more events from around the region

Events

Our pick of top places to visit this Summer

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust In the year marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, a visit to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s Stratford-upon- Avon heritage sites would certainly be well timed. The SBT is an independent charity which looks after five unique properties: Shakespeare’s birthplace itself; Hall’s Croft, the home of the bard’s daughter, Susanna; Anne Hathaway’s Cottage; Mary Arden’s 1940s Weekend Farm - the childhood home of Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, lesson in St James’ school. Other attractions Shakespeare’s mother; and, from Sat 16 - Sun 17 July include wartime variety shows, austerity- the 1st of this month, The Black Country Living Museum is hosting busting ‘make do and mend’ workshops, Shakespeare's New Place, provid- its largest ever 1940s Weekend this month. fashion shows and street performers. There’s ing visitors with the chance ‘to The event offers visitors the chance to stroll also the chance to experience air-raid scenar- walk in Shakespeare’s footsteps through vintage memorabilia markets, meet ios and listen to some of Churchill’s most stir- and meet the man behind the 1940s characters and prepare for an evacuee ring speeches, performed live by a re-enactor. works’.

Jewellery Quarter Festival The Pet Show Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Fri 22 - Sun 24 July Sat 23 - Sun 24 July With nearly 100,000 people having attended last year’s inaugural event, the decision to host a 2016 edition of the Jewellery Quarter Festival was a real no-brainer. Dudley Canal Trust The three-day presentation is a celebration of Created to protect and preserve the community and craftsmanship, providing vis- famous network of tunnels, the itors with the chance to learn more about Trust runs regular guided boat some of the Quarter’s most creative trades. trips. The excursions are accompa- Other attractions include a free helter skelter, nied by videos, lifelike reconstruc- performances by CircusMASH and a number tions and impressive light and of family trails across the Quarter and its his- music shows. The Trust re-invests toric cemeteries. any trading surplus into the main- Pet Show organisers are promising ‘a fantas- tenance of the tunnels and their tic day out’ for animal-loving visitors to this environment, to ensure that visi- fourth festival of fun, fur and feathers. tors can continue to enjoy and Attractions include animal habitat features, appreciate 420 million years of liv- educational workshops, have-a-go activities, ing history. a wide selection of the latest products, sup- plies and equipment, numerous special guests and meet-and-greet areas. And for those who work up a healthy appetite while enjoying the event, a visit to the Midlands Food & Drink Festival (also taking place at Stoneleigh across the same weekend) should ensure the noise of rumbling stom- achs isn’t added to the Pet Show’s cacophony of animal sounds.

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more events from around the region

Events

Our pick of top places to visit this Summer

The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery Highlights of a visit to this well- regarded museum, widely considered to be one of Britain’s best, include the chance to view the world’s greatest collection of Staffordshire ceramics, a World War Two Spitfire and numerous items from the Staffordshire Hoard. There’s also a secret garden - ‘a sensory oasis with plants and fungi to smell and touch’ - a International Craft And Hobby Fair unique collection of artwork by painters including Picasso, Durer NEC, Birmingham, Fri 1 - Sun 3 July ellery-making and beading workshops, and Degas, and the opportunity to papercrafts and cardmarking, and the chance An absolute dream for craft enthusiasts, this explore the wildlife, landscape to learn how to sew. hugely popular event features talks and and geology of The Potteries There’s also the opportunity to gaze in won- demonstrations, new product launches and region. der at a life-sized knitted garden, created plenty of inspiration for the thousands of vis- through a nationwide collaboration between itors who pass through its doors. Attractions hundreds of knitters and crocheters. at the 2016 edition of the show include jew-

Camper Jam Family Festival Weston Park, Shropshire, Fri 1 - Sun 3 July British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Sun 31 July The beautiful grounds of Weston Park pro- Croome Park vide the perfect setting for this popular annual event, which is aimed at owners and lovers The legendary Lancelot of the VW Bus in all its models and types. ‘Capability’ Brown was the man One of the most anticipated and highly responsible for designing Croome regarded Volkswagen shows on the calendar, Court and park, a task he under- the weekend-long Camper Jam includes live took at the behest of the sixth Earl bands, hundreds of traders, a ‘tastebud-tan- of Coventry in the mid-18th centu- talising’ food village, numerous children’s ry. It was Brown's first landscape activities, a funfair and the ever-popular design and first major architectur- Cooking In A Camper competition. al project. The chance to enjoy ‘a fun-filled day of art A popular National Trust destina- and science activities based around the great tion, the park features a man- British car’ should ensure an impressive made lake and river, gatehouses, a turnout for this brand new event. The festival church, a grotto, follies and features a wide range of hands-on work- numerous statues and temples. shops, all of which are suitable for children There are also four eye-catching aged three and older. Activities include the buildings - Pirton Castle, chance to create a unique fantasy car using Panorama Tower, Dunstall Castle paper cups and the opportunity to find out and Park Seat. These were strategi- what it was like to drive a bus through the cally built in particular areas of streets of London almost 100 years ago. the park to draw visitors’ eyes There’s also a clay-modelling workshop with towards the wider landscape. expert model makers from Aardman - the creators of Shaun The Sheep and Wallace & Gromit - and live entertainment from local percussionist Richard Grundon, who’ll be creating music by drumming with car parts.

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more events from around the region

Events

Newport Show Our pick of top Chetwynd Deer Park, Newport, Sat 9 July places to visit Shropshire’s Newport Show this year includes a new Festival of Food. this Summer The popular event is introducing a pop-up street food area and a dedicated Little Foodies marquee for children wishing to try their hand at cooking. Birmingham The show’s existing food theatre has been increased in size Botanical and will feature demonstrations from local chefs and Great Gardens British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain. Commenting on the new addition to the annual event, the Opened in 1832, the 15-acre show’s Festival of Food Chairman, Tony Asson, said: “With Birmingham Botanical Gardens Newport Show’s agricultural roots, food production and has changed very little in its local produce has always played an important part in our near-200-year history. The gar- event, to encourage greater understanding of the journey dens feature four glasshouses - from farm to fork. tropical, subtropical, “With the growing popularity in home cooking and healthy Mediterranean and arid - a wet- eating and the brilliant response to our previous food activi- lands enclosure and a seasonal ties, creating the Festival of Food was a natural progression.” butterfly house. The venue also The Newport Show’s 2016 programme also includes a host of boasts in excess of 7,000 differ- family entertainment, a focus on horticulture, a craft fair, a ent types of plant, and is home dog show, and strongly contested livestock and equine com- to the British National Bonsai petitions. Collection and a small number of exotic birds from around the world.

The Shugborough Weekend visitors to Bordesley Abbey can check out a medieval knight's encampment, Country Show settle down to enjoy a spot of medieval story- Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire, telling and find out all about the abbey’s Sat 23 - Sun 24 July masonry. They can also drop into the visitor This firm family favourite returns to centre, an original reconstructed 16th century Shugborough for a sixth year and, as usual, barn housing many of the finds that have offers a weekend’s-worth of lively and imagi- been excavated over the years. native entertainment. Highlights of the 2016 bash include a sheep Blists Hill show, a sure-to-be-impressive contribution Game Fair Victorian Town from the Suffolk Punch Heavy Horse Display Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, Blists Hill’s sights, sounds, Team, birds of prey taking to the skies, a dog Fri 29 - Sat 30 July smells and tastes all play their and duck show, a medieval village, children's Recent times have proved somewhat chal- part in recreating a sense of ‘life entertainment with Devilstick Peat, and arts, lenging for this well-established show, with as it would have been in a crafts, gifts and food marquees. the Country Land & Business Association last Victorian town more than a cen- Sunday visitors to the event can bring along a year announcing that it would no longer be tury ago’. One of Ironbridge canine friend and have a go at the able to run the event. Luckily, new investors Gorge’s many impressive muse- Companion Dog Show, all proceeds from came forward towards the end of 2015, ensur- ums, the town plays host to a which will be donated to Marie Curie Cancer ing the 58th edition of the game fair could go community of Victorian charac- Care. ahead. ters going about their daily busi- The popular show is visiting Ragley for the ness, in so doing providing visi- National Archaeology third time and is expected to attract more tors with a fascinating insight than 100,000 visitors. It features clay shoot- into a bygone world. The high- Weekend ing, archery, gundog scurries, international lights of a trip to the popular Bordesley Abbey / Forge Mill Needle Museum, championships, fishing, falconry, ferreting visitor attraction are numerous, Redditch, Sat 16 - Sun 17 July and equestrian sports. from journeying around the town on a horse and cart and The 2009 discovery of the Staffordshire Hoard Artisan food and drink, shopping opportuni- having fun at the Victorian fair- certainly caught the imagination of the nation ties and hands-on outdoor activities are ground, to dressing up in the and stirred a real interest in the subject of among the event’s other attractions. costumes of the day and sam- archaeology. Little wonder, then, that there Ragley will also host the 60th anniversary pling some traditional, are an increasing number of events such as show in 2018. Victorian-style fish and chips. this one, specifically designed to be educational, entertaining and, above all, family friendly.

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FEATURE

Banged Up! in shrewsbury

For the last year, a well-known Shrewsbury landmark, former HM to work or educate yourselves; no time for slackers here - and remem- Prison Shrewsbury - or the Dana, as it’s affectionately known - has ber that rehabilitation is not sweet, and neither is the prison food. been home to more than a few hair-raising events. For those of a more daring disposition, A Night In The Dana - an With over 200 years of service, The Dana closed its doors in February overnight custodial under the watchful eye of the prison guards - may 2013. be the experience for you. You and your friends also get the Night After much speculation about the building’s future, the cobwebs Walk, a haunting tour of the prison... were dusted off, the hinges oiled, and history & heritage tour compa- Adventure and thrills await those with the cunning and nerve to ny Jailhouse Tours took active possession of the decommissioned breach prison security. Join the Prison Escape and try your luck hid- gaol. ing, bribing and sneaking your way to freedom. The opportunity to visit a building usually out of bounds has proved Promising the ultimate in immersive fun is the return of the popular a great attraction, with tens of thousands of people crossing the Zombie Lockdown. Carnage and mayhem will ensue as Jailhouse threshold since the first tour took place last July - including former Tours and Immersive Events promise an adrenaline-fuelled experi- prisoners and their families! ence featuring more than 80 actors, most of whom want to eat you! Educational and informative, the tours are led by ex-prison officers, With tour dates yet to be confirmed, check the Facebook page for reg- many of whom spent their working life inside those very walls - so ular updates - facebook.com/jailhousetours expect authentic tales both dark and humourous that offer a fascinating insight into prison life. The tours take approximately two hours and cover most of the prison site. For those curious to see more, ‘top- Prison Tours and Top Up Tours throughout July - £15 up’ tours are also available and allow access to rarely seen prison A Day in the Life Of A Prisoner, Sat 30 to Sun 31 July - £45 secrets. A Night In The Dana: Prison Sleepover - Fri 22 to Sat 23 July - £45 Jailhouse Tours has teamed up with Immersive Events to provide a Prison Escape, Sat 16 to Sun 17 July & Sat 27 & Sun 28 Aug - £45 realistic presentation of life behind bars. Experience, for example, A For more information, and to book tickets, visit Day In The Life Of A Prisoner, and leave the world and all your per- jailhousetours.com sonal belongings behind. You and your fellow felons will be required

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50 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Cover July Birmingham ONLY.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 16:25 Page 2

Your week to week listings guide July 2016 thelist September 3 Sat until Hippodrome Birmingham at show to continues musical End West Mia! Mamma

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 July Mon 11 to Sun 17 July Mon 18 to Sun 24 July Mon 25 to Sun 31 July

Foodies delights at Colmore Movie time at Brindleyplace That’s Entertainment at New MADE Birmingham Festival at The Food Festival Film Festival 2016 Alexandra Theatre Rainbow Venues, Digbeth Fri 8 - Sat 9 July Tues 12 - Thurs 21 July Tues 19 - Sat 23 July Fri 29 - Sun 31 July

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List 1 - 10 July - BIRMINGHAM ONLY VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 18:13 Page 1

thelist Friday 1 - Sunday 10 July THROUGHOUT JULY Gigs Nigel Priddey RBSA, and Janette Visual Arts Summerfield RBSA. The show ELVIS TRIBUTE NIGHT includes the natural landscape, the Fri 1 July, Irish Centre, urban landscape and the sea, Wed Birmingham Artifex Gallery, Sutton 20 July - Sat 20 Aug Coldfield BOYS MAKE NOISE 2016 The Barber Institute Fri 1 July, Artrix, NEW TRUDY GOOD - EXHIBITION Trudy's Bromsgrove use of charcoal and limited colour in ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE Marking the PILGRIMAGE WITH selected areas gives a mysterious 400th anniversary of the death of YOUNG PILGRIMS & TINY quality to the way she treats the William Shakespeare, until Sun 25 BEAST Fri 1 July, Hare & human form, Sat 2 - Sun 31 July Sept Hounds, Birmingham TALES OF THE CITY A display of prints Birmingham Museum & ROCKET Fri 1 - Sat 2 and drawings capturing the expan- Art Gallery July, The Jam House, sion of European cities from the 17th Birmingham Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbot - Delamere Forest, Cheshire TURNING TO SEE: FROM VAN DYCK TO to 19th century, until Sun 2 Oct LUCIAN FREUD Van Dyck's last self- THE SPRINGSTEEN BURIED TREASURES A fascinating exhi- Birmingham B'SPOKE Fri 8 - Sat 9 portrait, curated by Midlands-born SESSIONS - BRUCE bition exploring coin hoards, telling July, The Jam House, and internationally renowned artist SPRINGSTEEN TRIBUTE THE JEEPS Tues 5 July, the stories of their deposition and Birmingham John Stezaker, until Sun 4 Sept Fri 1 July, The Robin, The Jam House, their discovery, until Sun 26 Feb Birmingham BIRMINGHAM PEOPLE AND CHANGE IN Bilston KAST OFF KINKS Fri 8 2017 July, Artrix, THE INNER-CITY Birmingham People PAUL HEATON & JACQUI ELECTUS Wed 6 July, Bromsgrove explores the ways in which ordinary mac, Birmingham ABBOT Fri 1 July, The Robin, Bilston HOT GINGER'S SUMMER Brummie folk have been represented NEW MADE AT MAC: LIFE OF A SONG Delamere Forest, LYNNE HANSON & SMACKDOWN Sat 9 July, in art during the 20th and 21st cen- This fun and interactive exhibition Nantwich, Cheshire AMANDA PEARCY turies. Change In The Inner City Hare & Hounds, allows audience members to listen to BUDDY HOLLY'S WINTER Wed 6 July, Kitchen focuses on the four inner-city wards Birmingham the different song stages while DANCE PARTY Fri 1 July, Garden Cafe, B’ham of Ladywood - Nechells, Soho, Aston observing the songwriting process. The Core Theatre, PIONEERS OF THE DJ LUCK AND MC NEAT and Ladywood, until Fri 31 Mar 2017 Get involved by strumming, pushing Solihull SYNTHESISERS Thurs 7 Sat 9 July, Hare & NEW INSPIRE 16: THE YOUNG CREATIVES Hounds, Birmingham buttons and listening, until Sun 11 THE UNDA-VYBES July, The Robin, Bilston OF BIRMINGHAM An array of artwork Sept Sat 2 July, The MILLBROOK Thurs 7 ARIJIT SINGH Sat 9 July, from the 10th anniversary exhibition NEW COMMON CULTURE: CABARET Rainbow Venues, July, Hare & Hounds, Barclaycard Arena, of Arts Council England’s Arts Award Exhibition featuring new work made Digbeth, Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham achievers, plus sculptural models in response to the unruly traditions of BUNNY WAILER & MAX created by local schools and UNDERGROUND EMPIRE LIONEL RICHIE Thurs 7 comedy and popular entertainment, ROMEO Sat 9 July, O2 inspired by the Birmingham Big Art Sat 2 July, O2 July, Barclaycard Sat 16 July - Sun 11 Sept Academy, Birmingham Project, Sat 9 July - Sat 17 Sept Acacemy, Birmingham Arena, Birmingham PAUL CARRACK Sat 9 NEW ABBEYFIELD'S GOLDEN GALLERY: STAR WARS & BEYOND - OMAR Thurs 7 July, July, The Robin, Bilston ART & SOUL A pioneering new exhibi- Museum of The Jewellery A SPACE SPECTACULAR The Jam House, B’ham Quarter Sat 2 July, Symphony tion highlighting the therapeutic ben- IVORY WAVE Fri 8 July PAUL HEATON & JACQUI Hall, Birmingham efits that art brings to older people - COLLECTING BIRMINGHAM: STORIES The Slade Rooms, ABBOT Sat 9 July, particularly those living with demen- THAT SHOULD BE SHARED The first in a KATE RUSBY Sat 2 July, Wolverhampton Cannock Chase Forest, tia and other medical conditions, series of four exhibitions showcasing Staffs Lichfield Garrick MOSTLY JAZZ FESTIVAL Thurs 16 June - Fri 14 Oct objects collected from local people, PURE PURPLE & AFTERPARTY Fri 8 July, MOTHER POPCORN Sat 9 telling their stories of life in Eastside Projects LOVEHUNTER Sat 2 July, Hare & Hounds, B’ham July, Irish Centre, Birmingham, until Sat 31 Dec The Robin, Bilston Birmingham PRODUCTION SHOW until Sat 16 July SOUNDS OF THE SIXTIES Other FULLY LOADED Sat 2 Fri 8 July, The ENDORPHINMACHINE: PRINCE TRIBUTE Sat 9 Grand Union MADE AT MAC AT HEART OF ENGLAND July, Route 44, Roadhouse, B’ham July, The Roadhouse, TRUST HOSPITALS The Arts Birmingham LAURA OLDFIELD FORD SOLO TOTALLY TINA Fri 8 July, Birmingham EXHIBITION A new body of work fol- Department at Heart of England NHS THE HURLING BOYS The Robin, Bilston Sat 2 July, Irish Centre, THE COOPERS Sun 10 lowing six weeks in residence at the Trust Foundation gives artists from all DURAN: THE TRIBUTE Fri Grand Union, until Fri 5 Aug walks of life the opportunity to show- Birmingham July, The Night Owl, 8 July, Route 44, Birmingham case their work in high-profile loca- KICK UP THE 80'S Birmingham Ikon Gallery tions across three hospital sites, until MICK FLAVIN Sun 10 Sat 2 July, The MILLICENT STEPHENSON NEW JESSE BRUTON EXHIBITION Bruton Fri 29 July, Heartlands Hospital, Roadhouse, B’ham July, Irish Centre, WITH LIVE BAND Fri 8 abandoned painting original works to Good Hope Hospital & Solihull Birmingham BLAKE AND BRAZIL July, Crescent Theatre, pursue art conservation. This exhibi- Hospital Sun 3 July, Irish Birmingham KAISER CHIEFS Sun 10 tion looks back on his years as an 7 STAGES OF GRIEF Textile artist Tina Centre, Birmingham July, Cannock Chase active artist, beginning in the 1950s, Francis explores through stitch the JAMES BAY Fri 8 July, Forest, Staffs Wed 6 July - Sun 11 Sept loss of a loved one, until Fri 29 July, CITY OF BIRMINGHAM Cannock Chase Forest, Newman Brothers Coffin Works CHOIR - FOLK SONGS & Staffs The Library of Birmingham FINZI Sun 3 July, NEW SOHO AT 21 Exhibition celebrat- OUR SHAKESPEARE The Library of Bramall Music Building, ing 21 years since Soho House Birmingham Birmingham joins forces with the opened as a museum, Wed 6 July - British Library to stage a free and Sun 7 Aug, Soho House, B’ham SUNDAY CLASSICS colourful exhibition, until Sat 3 Sept Sun 3 July, The NEW SOUP RESIDENCY WORKS The res- Spotted Dog, Digbeth, RBSA Gallery idency is intended for emerging Birmingham NEW ANDREW MATHESON RBSA A new artists who will benefit from creating work in the presence of other artists HEART Sun 3 July, range of hand-thrown and hand-built Symphony Hall, B’ham pieces in porcelain and stoneware, of varying disciplines and spe- SEYES Sun 3 July, Mon 4 July - Sat 27 Aug cialisms, Fri 1 July, Stryx Gallery, Digbeth The Robin, Bilston NEW MAGGIE HUMPHRY ARBSA A JUST FLOYD Sun 3 July, series of striking landscapes of NEW VIVID ARCHIVE The screenings The Robin, Bilston Wales and Shropshire, Mon 11 July - include documentation, commis- Sat 10 Sept sioned works and curated selections PAWS & THE SPOOK from the library, Fri 1 - Fri 22 July, SCHOOL Mon 4 July, NEW DISCOVERING LANDSCAPE Vivid Projects, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Designed by Wayne Attwood RBSA, Kaiser Chiefs - Cannock Chase Forest, Staffs

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Friday 1 - Sunday 10 July

Programme includes works by BEN HANLIN Fri 8 July, The Old Rep SALAAM Sonia Sabri Company pres- Classical Music Duttilleaux, Deborah Pritchard & Theatre, Birmingham ents a double bill of works which Ravel, Fri 8 July, Wade Street ANDREW LAWRENCE cleverly weave a dialogue between MANCHESTER CAMERATA Featuring Church, Lichfield Fri 8 July, The live music and Kathak dance to cel- Glee Club, Birmingham soloists Ailish Tynan (soprano), BBC NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF WALES ebrate harmony, inner stillness and THEO'S COMEDY SKOOL LIVE Sat 9 July, the simple bliss of being alive, Fri 1 Stephen Gadd (baritone) & Tine Programme includes works by The Core Theatre, Solihull July, Lichfield Garrick Thing Helseth (trumpet). Vaughan Williams, Colin Matthews, LLOYD GRIFFITH, ADDY BORGH, Programme includes works by Roderick Williams, Deborah THE BEST THING Vamos Theatre STEPHEN BAILEY & SPECIAL GUEST Samuel Barber & Deborah Pritchard & Ralph Vaughan present a fully masked performance Pritchard, Fri 1 July, Lichfield THAT CANNOT BE ANNOUNCED! Sat 9 of a Swinging ’60s story of uncondi- Williams, Sat 9 July, Lichfield July, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Cathedral Cathedral tional love, Fri 1 - Sat 2 July, MATT REED, THE NOISE NEXT DOOR & Lichfield Garrick 2016 INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETI- FLUTE, VIOLA, HARP Chamber music MARTIN MOR & STUART MITCHELL Sat 9 TION: THE FINAL Sat 2 July, Town STAR WARS & BEYOND - A SPACE to mark the Easter Rising, Sat 9 July ,The Glee Club, Birmingham Hall, Birmingham July, St Michael’s Church, Lichfield SPECTACULAR For lovers of all things ZOE LYONS Sat 9 July, The Old Rep space, Sat 2 July, Symphony Hall, JOO YEON SIR Programme includes BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIE- Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham works by J.S Bach, Eugene Ysaye, TY: A TASTE OF VIENNA Sat 9 July, St JOE LYCETT Sun 10 July, New THE MARIAN CONSORT Exploration of Deborah Pritchard, Niccolo George’s Church, Edgbaston, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Carlo Gesualdo's strange world and Paganini & Fritz Kreisler, Sat 2 July, Birmingham Wade Street Church, Lichfield his extraordinary music, the latter brought to life by the singers of The REDDITCH ORCHESTRA Featuring Marian Consort and lutenist Jamie Graham Longfils (leader) & Alex Akers, Sat 2 July, St Chad's Church, Webb (guest conductor). Comedy Gigs Lichfield Programme includes work by DANNY CHAMPION OF THE WORLD Mozart, Brahms & Tchaikovsky, Sat ADAM BLOOM, MIKE NEWALL, LIZ MIELE Illyria present an outdoor produc- 2 July, Artrix, Bromsgrove & PETE OTWAY Fri 1 July, The Comedy tion of Roald Dahl’s funny and STAR WARS & BEYOND: A SPACE SPEC- Loft, Birmingham heart-warming tale, Sat 2 July, TACULAR Music, lights, lasers, fire- HARDEEP SINGH KOHLI Fri 1 July, mac, Dotshill Park, Tamworth works... Programme includes works Birmingham AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS Mark by John Williams, Holst & Strauss, PATRICK MONAHAN, BARRY DODDS & Brown’s adaptation of one of the Sat 2 July, Symphony Hall, ANDREW MCBURNEY greatest adventure stories of all Birmingham Fri 1 July, Katie time, Sat 2 - Wed 6 July, St Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge Nicholas Place, Kings Norton, CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CHOIR: FOLK STAND UP COMEDY SHOWCASE Fri 1 - Birmingham SONGS & FINZI Featuring Adrian Sat 2 July, mac, Birmingham Theatre Lucas (conductor), Hannah Grove WHEN THE RAIN STOPS FALLING The ADAM BLOOM, MIKE NEWALL, LIZ MIELE (soprano) & William Clements Crescent Theatre Company present & PETE OTWAY Sat 2 July, The (bass). Programme includes works SWAP! New comedy directed by Andrew Bovell's thought-provoking Comedy Loft, Birmingham by Rutter, Vaughan Williams, Harold Return Of The Saint star Ian Ogilvy, play, Sat 2 - Sat 9 July, Crescent Darke, Cecilia McDowall & Gerald DANNY BHOY Sat 2 July, The Slade until Sat 2 July, Wolverhampton Theatre, Birmingham Rooms, Wolverhampton Finzi, Sun 3 July, Bramall Hall, Grand Theatre HAMLET The Malachites present Birmingham University DANNY BHOY Sun 3 July, The Glee GANGSTA GRANNY Birmingham Stage their international touring produc- MUSIC FOR LUNCH: SUMMER ORGAN Club, Birmingham Company bring a production of tion of Shakespeare's most famous FESTIVAL Featuring John Hosking, THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, JARRED David Walliams' best-selling book to play, Sun 3 July, Lichfield Guildhall Mon 4 July, Birmingham Cathedral CHRISTMAS, JONNY COLE & FREDDY the stage, until Sat 2 July, New LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD & THREE Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham I FAGIOLINI Featuring Anna Markland QUINNE Sun 3 July, The Station, LITTLE PIGS The award-winning (piano), Mon 4 July, Lichfield Cannock CAPTURED The story of Isaac and Ballet Wales present a double bill of Cathedral DANNY BHOY Mon 4 July, Artrix, Sophie, of photographer and sub- Roald Dahl classics, Sun 3 July, Bromsgrove ject, of perception and reality, until Lichfield Garrick CHETHAM’S SCHOOL OF MUSIC Sat 2 July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, ROB BECKETT Mon 4 July, Lichfield MIMIKA THEATRE: SMALL WORLDS Featuring Harriet Butterworth Birmingham (cello), Lia Tang (violin) & Brenda Garrick Described as one of the most origi- OTHELLO Shakespeare’s tragic tale Blewett (piano). Programme CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 5 - Fri nal theatre companies in Europe, of lost handkerchiefs, ruined reputa- includes works by Beethoven, 8 July, The Dark Horse, Moseley, Mimika Theatre here presents its tions and mistreated wives, until Sat Schumann, Mozart & Tchaikovsky, B’ham special dome tent show, featuring 9 July, Stafford Castle music, lights, puppetry and no Mon 4 July, Wade Street Church, LUCY PORTER, CAREY MARX Wed 6 DOCTOR FAUSTUS Maria Aberg words at all, Performed as part of Lichfield July, The Glee Club, Birmingham returns to the RSC to direct Lichfield Festival 2016, Sun 3 - Mon ORGAN RECITAL WITH CHRISTOPHER RETURN OF THE GRUMPY OLD WOMEN Marlowe's notorious tale of vanity, 4 July, Lichfield Garrick BRAGG Programme includes works Wed 6 July, Lichfield Garrick greed & damnation, until Thurs 4 PIM & THEO Immersive theatre show by Faure, J.S Bach, Jean Langlais MATT REED, THE NOISE NEXT DOOR & Aug, The Swan Theatre, Stratford- about culture, identity, life, rules and & Henri Nibelle, Tues 5 July, St COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY upon-Avon tolerance, Sun 3 - Tues 5 July, The Mary’s Church, Lichfield ROBINSON Thurs 7 July, The Glee HAMLET Simon Godwin directs REP, Birmingham HEATH QUARTET Programme includes Club, Birmingham Paapa Essiedu as Hamlet in OUT OF THE BLUE Perfect introduction works by Mozart, Bartok & PAUL SINHA, JEFF INNOCENT, ANDY Shakespeare's searing tragedy, until to live theatre, full of captivating Beethoven, Tues 5 July, Swinfen STEADMAN & DANNY WARD Sat 13 Aug, Royal Shakespeare images and intriguing sounds. Part Hall Hotel, Lichfield Thurs 7 Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon of On The Edge - The World July, The George Hotel, Lichfield YENTING WANG Programme includes SUSAN CALMAN - WORK IN PROGRESS THE ALCHEMIST Polly Findlay directs Festival Of Theatre For Young works by Haydn, Deborah Pritchard Ben Jonson's comedy about human Audiences, Sun 3 - Tues 5 July, & Chopin, Wed 6 July, Wade Street Thurs 7 July, Lichfield Garrick folly, until Sat 6 Aug, The Swan Birmingham City University MANILLA ROAD COMEDY Thurs 7 July, Church, Lichfield Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon The Victoria, Birmingham THE CURIOUS SCRAPBOOK OF LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES With CYMBELINE Melly Still directs JOSEPHINE BEAN Award-winning chil- ANDY WHITE, SIMON MOORE & OKSE bass baritone Tom Considine, Wed Shakespeare's rarely performed dren’s show where a scrapbook Thurs 7 July, Stourbridge Town Hall 6 July, St George’s Church, play, until Sat 15 Oct, Royal becomes a window into a secret Edgbaston, Birmingham LLOYD GRIFFITH, ADDY BORGH, TOM Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- world where a curious life unfolds. LUCY & VERY SPECIAL GUEST THAT upon-Avon Part of On The Edge - The World JOHN ROBERTS OBOE RECITAL CANNOT BE ANNOUNCED! Fri 8 July, Festival Of Theatre For Young MAMMA MIA! The smash-hit musical Programme includes works by The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Audiences, Sun 3 - Tues 5 July, The arrives in Brum as part of its first Ravel, Thurs 7 July, Wade Street REP, Birmingham Church, Lichfield THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, MATT REED, ever UK tour, until Sat 3 Sept, STUART MITCHELL & MARTIN MOR Fri 8 Birmingham Hippodrome BRUSH Inventive family show, direct BARBICAN STRING QUARTET July, The Glee Club, Birmingham from Korea, Sun 3 - Tues 5 July, whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List 1 - 10 July - BIRMINGHAM ONLY VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 18:13 Page 3

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thelist Friday 1 - Sunday 10 July mac, Birmingham orgy of middle-aged mayhem, Wed DINOSAUR PARK An award-winning, HANDSWORTH HERITAGE WALK BOING! Join brothers Wilkie & Joel 6 July, Lichfield Garrick laugh-out-loud spin on Spielberg's Admire fine Georgian and Victorian as they wait for Santa to arrive on BLISS Immersive pirate adventure classic Jurassic Park, Sat 9 July, architecture, a convent designed by the most magical night of the year created for children and young peo- Lichfield Garrick Augustus Pugin, a church that was in this enchanting tale from ple with Profound & Multiple AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS Mark built nearly 1,000 years ago, Sat 2 Travelling Light Theatre, Sun 3 - Learning Difficulties (PMLD), Wed 6 Brown’s adaptation of one of the July, Soho House, Birmingham Tues 5 July, mac, Birmingham - Fri 8 July, Mayfield School B’ham greatest adventure stories of all THE SOOTY SHOW: SOOTY IN SPACE RHYTHM OF THE DANCE Celebrating WOT? NO FISH!! The true story of a time, Sat 9 - Sun 19 July, Castle Sat 2 - Sun 3 July, Cadbury World, the rich history of Ireland and the Jewish family living in 20th century Bromwich Hall Gardens, B’ham Bournville art of Irish dance, Mon 4 July, London, Thurs 7 - Fri 8 July, The BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 2 - Wolverhampton Grand Theatre REP, Birmingham Sun 3 July, Birmingham City Centre OUR KYLIE'S HAVIN' A BAB Stripped REINRAUMRAUS Puppeteer & actress SUNDAY TALK: THE MAGIC LANTERN Down Theatre are good to their Myriam Rossbach breathes new life Talks Find out about this popular element name with this latest presentation, into the kitchen by using utensils in of Victorian entertainment via a cos- which ‘lays bare’ the altogether unconventional ways, Thurs 7 - Sat TONY GARNETT: BROMSGROVE WORDS tumed slideshow and period music challenging business of having a 9 July, mac, Birmingham British film and television producer inside Blakesley’s historic barn, Sun family, Mon 4 July, Crescent A FEAST OF BONES A dark musical Tony Garnett is best known for his 3 July, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham fable from Theatre Lovett, set in the 13-year association with director Ken MAC CONTEMPORARY CRAFT MARKETS NOSFERATU Presented by unconven- shadows of World War One, Thurs 7 Loach and his TV docudrama Cathy Sun 3 July, mac, Birmingham tional French creatives Bob Theatre, - Sat 9 July, The REP, Birmingham Come Home, Sun 5 June, Artrix, Bromsgrove MUSIC FOR YOUTH NATIONAL FESTIVAL Mon 4 - Tues 5 July, The Patrick CRAZY JANE Birds Of Paradise 2016 Tues 5 - Sat 9 July, Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Company present the story Birmingham City Centre BROKE ’N' BEAT COLLECTIVE Mash-up of Jane Avril, star of the Moulin HANDSWORTH HERITAGE WALK of hip-hop, beatboxing, spoken Rouge and immortalised in Admire fine Georgian and Victorian word and puppetry, presented in Toulouse Lautrec’s iconic posters, Film architecture, a convent designed by the form of a live gig and exploring Thurs 7 - Sat 9 July, The REP, Augustus Pugin, a church that was the impact which life in 21st century Birmingham built nearly 1,000 years ago, Wed 6 Britain has on the young people WHY DO HYENAS HAVE SHORTER BACK Released from Fri 1 July, showing at July, Soho House, Birmingham who live here, Mon 4 - Wed 6 July, LEGS THAN FRONT LEGS AND WHY DO selected cinemas The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham EID - DANCE, MUSIC AND FOOD CELE- MONKEYS HAVE BARE BOTTOMS? A ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE (15) BRATION Thurs 7 July, Birmingham FOOTLOOSE Mon 4 - Sat 9 July, New popular tale from Burkina Faso CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE (12a) Botanical Gardens Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham about authority, cunning, conceited- ness and consequences. Set FROM AFAR (15) COLMORE FOOD FESTIVAL Fri 8 - Sat 9 HITCH Mary Bijou Cabaret & Social July, Victoria Square, Birmingham Club present a cabaret which, against a fantastical and comic THE COLONY (12a) based on the work of Alfred backdrop, the story denounces NOTES ON BLINDNESS BLACK COUNTRY DAY AY IT! Live greed and lying in relationships music, comedians, magic shows, Hitchcock, treads a thin line QUEEN OF EARTH (15) between hilarity and horror, Tues 5 between people. Suitable for ages competitions, dog shows and much July, Lichfield Garrick four-plus. Part of On The Edge - NOW YOU SEE ME 2 (12a) more, Sat 9 July, Manor House The World Festival Of Theatre For THE LEGEND OF TARZAN (12a) Museum, West Bromwich THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN The Young Audiences, Fri 8 - Sat 9 July, Foundry Group present a brand BAYOU MAHARAJAH CYCLO-CROSS The UK’s top cyclo- mac, Birmingham cross riders ride modern bikes new staging of the hit play about MAGGIE'S PLAN (15) British aviation pioneers Alcock and THE RATTLER Mahogany Opera through Blists Hill Victorian Town as THE NEON DEMON (18) Brown, Tues 5 July, Lichfield Garrick Group present a new interactive part of a challenging cycling event. retelling of Rumpelstiltskin as part THE WAIT (TBC) Sat 9 July, Blists Hill, Ironbridge, THE HAMILTON COMPLEX Lies of Lichfield Festival, Sat 9 July, Shropshire Pauwel’s physical, visual and philo- WEINER (15) Lichfield Garrick ROUNDHOUSE UN-TOUR A chance to sophical view on those moments in GHOSTBUSTERS (TBC) life when things begin to change. PEACE CABARET WITH JESSICA experience a tour of the Performed by 13 teenage girls and WALKER Jessica Walker showcases Roundhouse Birmingham with a dif- a bodybuilder, Tues 5 - Wed 6 July, her unique theatrical and vocal style ference. The 'Un-Tour' is history but The REP, Birmingham to take audiences on a journey not as you know it, with a twist through alternative war songs over where you get to teach the tour HEAL THE WORLD Great Barr School the last century - some iconic, some Events guide, Sat 9 July, Birmingham Back present a brand new musical rare, some sexy. Jessica will be to Backs inspired by the music of Michael accompanied by Joseph Atkins, Sat PICTUREHOUSE KIDS CLUB Sat 9 July, Jackson, Tues 5 - Wed 6 July, DIGBETH FIRST FRIDAY Digbeth 9 July, Lichfield Garrick Picturehouse Stratford Upon Avon Crescent Theatre, Birmingham comes alive on the first Friday of THE SITCOM TRIALS A situation com- each month with exhibitions, late- JEWELLERY QUARTER HERITAGE WALK LOSHA Monkeyshine Theatre’s well- edy showcase that's been running night openings, special events, cul- Sat 9 July, Museum of the Jewellery reviewed ‘feast for the senses, Tues since 1999, The Sitcom Trials is ture in unexpected spaces, live Quarter, Birmingham 5 - Fri 8 July, The Blue Orange once again teaming up with the music, street food and more, Fri 1 Theatre, Birmingham Gilded Balloon and the legendary WIMBLEDON FINALS ON THE BIG July, Digbeth, Birmingham HEARTBEAT ITV’s popular Sunday So You Think You're Funny competi- SCREEN Sat 9 - Sun 10 July, night, ’60s-set police drama comes tion at the Edinburgh Fringe in a THE STITCHING, SEWING & Brindleyplace, Birmingham to the stage, starring members of quest to find the best new sitcom HOBBYCRAFT SHOW Fri 1 - Sun 3 BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 9 - the TV cast, Tues 5 - Sat 9 July, creators in the country. The evening July, NEC, Birmingham Sun 10 July, Birmingham City Wolverhampton Grand Theatre will consist of up to eight perform- THE BIG ARTS SHOW Family-friendly Centre FLIRT OFF A brand new open mic ances, all ending in nail-biting cliff- event featuring over 150 exhibitors, CADBURY CHARACTER WEEKEND Sat 9 story featuring true tales about dat- hangers. The audience will then workshops and talks by the artists, - Sun 10 July, Cadbury World, ing and holiday relationships, Wed vote for which one they want to see a real ale bar, eateries and live Bournville the ending to. Suitable for ages 12- music, Fri 1 - Sun 3 July, West 6 July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, MULTI-PERIOD WEEKEND See soldiers plus, Sat 9 July, mac, Birmingham Midland Showground, Shropshire Birmingham and civilians from Roman times NELSON: THE SAILOR’S STORY One- SECOND SOPRANO A poignant tale LICHFIELD FESTIVAL Celebrating its through to WWII, demonstrating life man touring production exploring presented by a virtuosic comedy 35th year, Fri 1 - Sun 10 July, in authentic camps and on cam- the life of 'inspirational hero - flawed duo and a piano, Sat 9 July, Old Lichfield Cathedral paign. Romans, Vikings, Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham maverick, tactical genius and rebel', BIRMINGHAM RUM FESTIVAL Sat 2 Roundheads, Redcoats, Tommies Horatio Nelson, Wed 6 July, THE URBAN JUNGLE Out Of The Box July, The Cuban Embassy, Moseley and WWII Staffords, Sat 9 - Sun 10 Lichfield Garrick presents its end-of-term show, July, The Staffordshire Regiment KINGS HEATH FARMER’S MARKET Sat 2 which explores how human beings Museum, Lichfield GRUMPY OLD WOMEN - FIFTY SHADES July, All Saints Church, Kings are often uncannily similar to ani- OF BEIGE Three rather furious Heath, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM BIKEATHON Sun 10 July, females take to the stage for an mals, Sat 9 July, Artrix, Bromsgrove Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham

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thelist Monday 11 - Sunday 17 July DOC BROWN, PAUL TONKINSON, THE Gigs Classical Music FIZZOGS & WAYNE BEESE Sat 16 July, Brierley Hill Civic Hall MUSIC FOR LUNCH: SUMMER ORGAN ED GAMBLE Sat 16 July, The Old Rep MIKE HERON & FESTIVAL Featuring organist Theatre, Birmingham TREMBLING BELLS Mon Nicholas Morris, Mon 11 July, 11 July, Hare & Birmingham Cathedral Hounds, Birmingham CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY MATT CARDLE Mon 11 ORCHESTRA: FALSTAFF Featuring Theatre July, The Glee Club, Edward Gardner (conductor), the Birmingham CBSO Chorus & Ambrogio Maestri AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS Mark REEDBASS Tues 12 July, as Falstaff, Wed 13 July, Symphony Brown’s adaptation of one of the The Jam House, B’ham Hall, Birmingham greatest adventure stories of all SCOTT MATTHEWS EX CATHEDRA: NEW JERUSALEM time, Tues 12 - Wed 13 July, Selly Tues 12 July, The Glee Featuring works by Parry, Judith Manor, Birmingham Club, Birmingham Weir, Howells & James MacMillan, DOGFIGHT Theatre1 Productions AS SIRENS FALL Wed 13 Wed 13 July, Tewkesbury Abbey present Pasek and Paul’s musical July, The Flapper, Scott Matthews - The Glee Club, Birmingham CBSO COMMUNITY CHOIR SHOWCASE adaptation of the 1991 film of the Birmingham Sat 16 July, Birmingham Town Hall same name, which follows six CBSO FALSTAFF Wed 13 AFLA SACKEY & AFRIK QUILL Fri 15 July, young Marines on one final wild July, Symphony Hall, BAWANTU Fri 15 July, Wolverhampton Grand night of debauchery before their Birmingham mac, Birmingham Theatre deployment to Vietnam, Tue 12 - Sat 16 July, Stafford Gatehouse FEDERAL CHARM Thurs ROCKABILLY BIG BASH FRONT ROW Sat 16 July Theatre 14 July, The Slade WEEKEND Fri 15 - Sat 16 Irish Centre, B’ham Comedy Gigs Rooms, July, Irish Centre, ROCK AND ROLL BACK SENSE & SENSIBILITY Chapterhouse Wolverhampton Birmingham THE YEARS WITH DAVID Theatre present an outdoor produc- LOUDEEMY SOUP COMEDY NIGHT Mon tion of Jane Austen’s Regency clas- BACK TO BACHARACH QUANTIC LIVE Fri 15 HAMILTON Sat 16 July 11 July, The Blue Orange Theatre, sic, Wed 13 July, Birmingham Thurs 14 July, Lichfield July, Hare & Hounds, Artrix, Bromsgrove Birmingham Botanical Gardens Garrick Birmingham RAHMA ROSE AND CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 12 CHAPLIN: THE CHARLIE CHAPLIN HILLFOLK NOIR Thurs 14 WINGS OVER ABBEY ILKACASE Sat 16 July, July, The Dark Horse, Moseley, STORY Steven Arnold (Coronation July, Kitchen Garden ROAD Fri 15 July, Artrix, O2 Institute, B’ham Birmingham Street) stars as Charlie Chaplin in a Cafe, Birmingham Bromsgrove FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS ZOE LYONS Wed 13 July, Kitchen heartwarming and powerful musical KRS-ONE Thurs 14 July CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. Sat 16 July, Garden Cafe, Birmingham tale of the first true British icon of O2 Institute, B’ham XILLA Fri 15 July, O2 Wolverhampton Grand cinema, Wed 13 July, Artrix, Academy, Birmingham Theatre FRISCO Thurs 14 July Bromsgrove The Rainbow Venues, WHO'S WHO Fri 15 July, IVOR & LYNN'S CLASSIC BOA YEAR 10 MUSICAL THEATRE Birmingham The Robin, Bilston ROCK NIGHT Sat 16 July, SHOWCASE Year 10 pupils studying Route 44, Birmingham UK FEDS Thurs 14 July, OCEAN COLOUR SCENE on the acclaimed Musical Theatre Hare & Hounds, B’ham Fri 15 July, Moseley BLACK PEAKS Sat 16 Pathway at Birmingham Ormiston Park, Birmingham July, The Asylum, Academy (the sister institution to 1-EYE REGGAE REVIEW Birmingham the BRIT School in London) make Thurs 14 July, The Jam CHOIR WITH NO NAME their debut at The Old Rep in a House, Birmingham Fri 15 July, mac, OCEAN COLOUR SCENE Birmingham Sat 16 July, Moseley showcase which highlights their EVE SELIS Thurs 14 Park, Birmingham achievements during their first year July, The Robin, MOTOWN AND SOUL JIMMY CARR Wed 13 July, Royal Spa of study at the academy, Wed 13 - Bilston NIGHT WITH DJ PAUL ROCK 'N' ROLL BACK THE Thurs 14 July, The Old Rep Theatre, KELLY Fri 15 July, Irish YEARS WITH DAVID Centre, Leamington Spa BASEMENT Fri 15 July, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham HAMILTON Sat 16 July, TOM BINNS Thurs 14 July, Station The Slade Rooms, Artrix, Bromsgrove Pub, Sutton Coldfield DOREEN'S GRAND NIGHT OUT Doreen Wolverhampton QUANTIC Fri 15 July returns with a brand new live show, Hare & Hounds, B’ham THE STONES Sat 16 July, LLOYD LANGFORD, PETER BRUSH Thurs OCCOEUR + THIS Wed 13 - Thurs 14 July, The Roadhouse, 14 July, mac, Birmingham ELEGANT CHAOS + SOLID SOUL Fri 15 - Sat Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Birmingham ICEFIRE Fri 15 July, 16 July, The Jam STEVE ROYLE, JAMES SHERWOOD, SPOONFACE STEINBERG Stage2 pres- Route 44, Birmingham House, Birmingham JEAN GENIE - TRIBUTE TO JONNY PELHAM & BARRY BODDS Thurs ents Lee Hall’s story of a young DAVID BOWIE Sat 16 14 July, Sadler’s Brewhouse, THE PIRAGONS Fri 15 RUFUS WAINWRIGHT autistic Jewish girl who, learning July, The Robin, Bilston Stourbridge July, The Roadhouse, Fri 15 July, Symphony she is terminally ill, contemplates Birmingham Hall, Birmingham SOL BERNSTEIN, IAN COPPINGER & the meaning of life, Wed 13 - Sat 16 COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY July, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham ROBINSON Thurs 14 July, The Glee MEET TOMMY ATKINS A new one-man Club, Birmingham play which takes a look at the reali- PAUL MCCAFFREY, ROB ROUSE, PIERRE ty of war through the eyes of HOLLINS & SCOTT BENNETT Fri 15 July, Tommy Atkins, a young soldier who The Comedy Loft, Birmingham fought in Ypres, Passendale, Loos SOL BERNSTEIN, IAN COPPINGER, BRIAN and on the Somme, Thurs 14 July, LACEY & JIM CAMPBELL Fri 15 July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham The Glee Club, Birmingham CHAPLIN: THE CHARLIE CHAPLIN SHOWSTOPPER! THE IMPROVISED STORY Steven Arnold (Coronation MUSICAL Fri 15 July, mac, B’ham Street) stars as Charlie Chaplin in a heartwarming and powerful musical DANE BAPTISTE, JOHNNY PELHAM & tale of the first true British icon of GEORGE RIGDEN Fri 15 July, Lichfield cinema, Thurs 14 July, New Garrick Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham SEAN PERCIVAL, CRAIG MURRAY, PIERRE DOREEN'S GRAND NIGHT OUT Doreen HOLLINS & SCOTT BENNETT Sat 16 returns with a brand new live show, July, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Fri 15 July, Lichfield Garrick SOL BERNSTIEN, IAN COPPINGER, BRYAN MRS SHAKESPEARE An entertaining LACEY & JIM CAMPBELL Sat 16 July, one-woman comedy where William The Glee Club, Birmingham Shakespeare finds himself reincar- Ocean Colour Scene - Moseley Park, Birmingham

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thelist Monday 11 - Sunday 17 July THE PASSENGER (12) Jack Nicholson TAE KWON DO INTERNATIONAL WORLD stars as David Locke, a world-weary CHAMPIONSHIPS Sat 16 - Sun 17 reporter who takes on a dead man’s July, Barclaycard Arena, identity to discover what’s on ‘the Birmingham other side of the window.’ The BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 16 Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Sun 17 - Sun 17 July, Birmingham City July Centre 1940S WEEKEND Vintage entertain- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: ment, food and fashion, Sat 16 - Released Fri 15 July, showing at Sun 17 July, Black Country Living selected cinemas Museum, Dudley THE HARD STOP (tbc) ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE (tbc) MEN AND CHICKEN (15) PRECIOUS CARGO (15) THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR (tbc) SUMMERTIME (15)

Events Puppetry Of The Penis - New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham HERITAGE WEEKEND AT CADBURY WORLD Sat 16 - Sun 17 July, nated in the present day as a BRINDLEYPLACE FILM FESTIVAL Tues Cadbury World, Bournville woman, Fri 15 - Sat 16 July, Old 12 - Thurs 21 July, Brindleyplace, Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham NATIONAL CAR RACES (BARC) Sun 17 Birmingham July, Donington Park Racing Circuit, THE CHRIS AND PUI SHOW New stage Talks BRUM VEGAN BEER & FOOD FESTIVAL Derby show with the toys and characters Fri 15 - Sat 16 July, Gunmakers from the hit TV programme, Sat 16 Q&A WITH HIP HOPS KRSI Join THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME FILM Arms, Birmingham July, Lichfield Garrick Lawrence Krishna Parker aka KRSI SCREENING Imperial War Museums DRAGSTALGIA A weekend dedicated UNESCO-listed film screening, Sun RECKLESS ABANDON 4Front Theatre for an intimate Q&A where KRS1 to drag racing, hot rods and bikes 17 July, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham present a feature-length stage navigates his pioneering life which from a bygone era, Fri 15 - Sun 17 adaptation of an incredible true included the legendary Boogie BONSAI DEMO Demonstrations of July, Santa Pod Raceway, Northants story, Sat 16 July, Crescent Theatre, Down Productions and his personal best care and practice for Bonsai Birmingham involvement in the Stop The 1940S EVENING Featuring popular Trees, Sun 17 July, Birmingham Violence Campaign, Thurs 14 July, wartime trio The D-Day Darlings Botanical Gardens PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS Non-sexual The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham and other live bands, Sat 16 July, show that features full-frontal male MIDLAND CLOCK AND WATCH FAIR Sun Black Country Living Museum, nudity. Suitable for adults only! Sat 17 July, National Motorcycle Dudley 16 July, New Alexandra Theatre, Museum, Solihull Birmingham EXCALIBUR PAPER CRAFTING FAIR HEART OF ENGLAND BIKE RIDE Take Papercrafting and Stamping Show, FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS Celebrating on the challenge of the 12, 18, 30 Film Sat 16 July, National Motorcycle 21 years on the road, Sat 16 July, or 60-mile routes to help raise funds Museum, Solihull Wolverhampton Grand Theatre for the British Heart Foundation, ROUNDHOUSE UN-TOUR A chance to Sun 17 July, Packwood House, MACBETH Oddsocks present a musi- INDEPENDENT CINEMAS: experience a tour of the Solihull cal version of Shakespeare's A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING (12a) Roundhouse Birmingham, but with famous tragedy, Sun 17 July, mac, Business has not been going well for ANIMALS R MAGIC IN AID OF THE a difference. The 'Un-Tour' is history Birmingham Alan Clay (Tom Hanks). So the sales- CINNAMON TRUST Day designed to but not as you know it, with a twist man heads to Saudi Arabia to pitch raise awareness for local animal where you get to teach the tour his latest idea to an Arab king build- charities, Sun 17 July, The Jinney guide, Sat 16 - Sun 17 July, ing a massive new complex in the Ring Craft Centre, Bromsgrove Birmingham Back to Backs desert. Based on the 2012 novel by Dave Eggers. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon 11 - Fri 15 July; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 15 July DEEP RED (18) One night, musician Marcus Daly, looking up from the street below, witnesses the brutal axe murder of a woman in her apartment. Racing to the scene, Marcus just WHAT THE DICKENS? Fast-moving, manages to miss the perpetrator... or audience-led, made-up comedy does he? Stars David Hemmings. romp which explores the sumptu- The Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Fri ous drawing rooms, murky streets 15 July and smoky taverns of Victorian THE WIND RISES (PG) Jiro dreams of Britain, Sun 17 July, The Crescent flying and designing beautiful air- Theatre, Birmingham planes, inspired by the famous Italian THE SNOW QUEEN Storybook theatre aeronautical designer Caproni. present a haunting, beautiful tale of Nearsighted and unable to be a pilot, a journey through childhood, Sun he becomes one of the world's most 17 July, Artrix, Bromsgrove accomplished airplane designers WINNERS Fred Theatre present instead, experiencing key historical Abigail Rahman’s exploration of the events in an epic tale of love, perse- precarious relationship between verance and the challenges of living love, money and happiness, Sun 17 and making choices in a turbulent - Wed 19 July, The Crescent world. mac, Birmingham, Sat 16 July; Theatre, Birmingham The Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Sun 17 July Heritage Weekend - Cadbury World, Bournville

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thelist Monday 18 - Sunday 24 July Classical Music Theatre

MUSIC FOR LUNCH: SUMMER ORGAN THE TEMPEST Heartbreak FESTIVAL Featuring Marcus Huxley, Productions present an outdoor Mon 18 July, Birmingham Cathedral staging of Shakespeare’s magical play, Tues 19 July, Brueton Park, CBSO SUMMER CLASSICS Featuring Solihull Robert Ziegler (conductor). Programme includes works by Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Vivaldi, Bizet, Rimsky-Korsakov & Mendelssohn, Fri 22 July, Symphony Hall, Birmingham CBSO YOUTH ORCHESTRA ACADEMY Programme includes works by Britten, Bridge, Maxwell Davies & Beethoven, Sun 24 July, Ruddock Performing Arts Centre, Birmingham PERGOLESI STABAT MATER Programme includes works by Lotti, Victoria, Grieg, Poulenc, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky & Rachmaninov, Sun 24 July, Catholic Church of St George FANNY: A NEW MUSIC HALL New play & St Teresa, Solihull by Carolyn Scott Jeffs, set against the backdrop of the infamous The White Buffalo - O2 Institute, Birmingham Contagious Diseases Acts of the 1860s, Tues 19 July, The Crescent RAGING SPEEDHORN THE WHITE BUFFALO Theatre, Birmingham Gigs Wed 20 July, O2 Fri 22 July, O2 Academy, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham Comedy Gigs CHESHIRE CATS Comedy by Gail Young, presented by the Lichfield KING PLEASURE & THE DEFINITELY MIGHT BE + THE URBAN PIONEERS TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 18 July, Players. The Cheshire Cats team BISCUIT BOYS Wed 20 ADORED Fri 22 July, Mon 18 July, Kitchen The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham speed-walk their way to fundraising July, The Core Theatre, The Robin, Bilston Garden Cafe, B’ham YETI'S DEMON DIVE BAR Tues 19 - Wed success in the London moonwalk, Solihull MOON DUO Fri 22 July, SUN KIL MOON Tues 19 20 July, mac, Birmingham Tues 19 - Sat 23 July, Lichfield JOHN POWER Thurs 21 Hare & Hounds, B’ham Garrick July, The Glee Club, CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 19 July, July, The Night Owl, INTO THE SHADOWS Birmingham The Dark Horse, Moseley, B’ham GUYS AND DOLLS Sizzling New York Birmingham Fri 22 July, Prince Of THE GINGER WILDHEART tale of gamblers, gangsters and KID CREOLE & THE Wales Centre, GAVIN WEBSTER & JOLLYBOAT Thurs 21 BAND Tues 19 July, The nightclub singers, direct from the COCONUTS Thurs 21 Cannock July, mac, Birmingham Slade Rooms, West End, Tues 19 - Sat 23 July, July, The Jam House, Wolverhampton THE SUBTERRANEANS Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Birmingham Fri 22 - Sat 23 July, JESSARAE Tues 19 July, THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT Musical the- SCOTTY T'S WORLD The Jam House, O2 Academy, B’ham atre favourite Ruthie Henshall stars TOUR Thurs 21 July, Birmingham in this brand new song & dance pro- SETH FAERGOLZIA Tues O2 Academy, B’ham A FOREIGNERS JOURNEY duction, Tues 19 - Sat 23 July, New 19 July, Kitchen ANNETTE GREGORY Fri 22 July, The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Garden Cafe, B’ham SINGS & CELEBRATES Roadhouse, B’ham THE RAILWAY CHILDREN PETE KENT Tues 19 July, ELLA FITZGERALD SSEX PISTOLSS Sat 23 Chapterhouse Theatre Company The Robin, Bilston SONGBOOK Thurs 21 July, Route 44, B’ham present an outdoor production of JOYCE MOHOLOAGAE July, Old Joint Stock this heartwarming story, Wed 20 ANDREW BROWNING AS Wed 20 July, mac, Theatre, Birmingham July, Birmingham Botanical Gardens GEORGE MICHAEL Sat 23 Birmingham HAYSEED DIXIE + THE July, The Robin, LEARNED FRIENDS Prosecution and FEWS (TRICKY DISCO) JOKERS Thurs 21 July, Bilston defence employ all the tricks of the Wed 20 July, Hare & The Robin, Bilston trade in the trial of a high-profile THE FATHER TEDS Sat 23 Hounds, Birmingham football manager - but who will win?, ORANMORE Fri 22 July, July, Irish Centre, Thurs 21 July, Blue Orange Theatre, GOSPEL CENTRAL Wed Irish Centre, B’ham Birmingham 20 July, The Jam JIMMY MCGHIE, JASON JOHN Birmingham BUCK AND EVANS Fri 22 SASS AND FRIENDS Sat House, Birmingham WHITEHEAD & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH THE VOICES IN MY HEAD MADE ME DO July, The Asylum, 23 July, Hare & ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 21 July, The IT Gemma Layton introduces her WALTER TROUT Wed 20 Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham second dark and quirky character July, The Robin, DESPERADO- FREEZE EXPOSURE OF THE 6 Sat comedy show with video and songs, Bilston OVER EDEN Fri 22 July, LEE NELSON Thurs 21 July, The 23 July, O2 Academy, Fri 22 July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Artrix, Bromsgrove Comedy Loft, Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, KEVIN GILDEA, THE WEST COAST ELEANOR TIERNAN & SAM AVERY Fri 22 VENTOUX 2Magpies chart the parallel EAGLES Sat 23 July, July, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham lives of Lance Armstrong and Marco The Roadhouse, Pantani as they embark on the Birmingham JIMMY MCGHIE, JASON JOHN greatest cycle race ever witnessed - WHITEHEAD, JIM SMALLMAN & DALISO MULTI STORY Sun 24 a drug-fuelled ascent of the most CHAPONDA Fri 22 July, The Glee Club, July, The Robin, fearsome mountain encountered on Birmingham Bilston the Tour de France, Fri 22 July, mac, BARBARA NICE'S SUMMER SPECIAL Sat LITTLE JIMMY Sun 24 Birmingham 23 July, mac, Birmingham July, Irish Centre, DICK BARTON: THE TANGO OF TERROR A Birmingham THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, KEVIN GILDEA, ‘hilarious adventure’ with everyone's ELEANOR TIERNAN & SAM AVERY favourite special agent and his faith- MOTOWN'S GREATEST Sat 23 ful sidekicks, Snowy and Jock, Fri HITS: HOW SWEET IT IS July, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Sun 24 July, New JIMMY MCGHIE, JASON JOHN 22 - Sat 30 July, Hall Green Little Alexandra Theatre, WHITEHEAD, JIM SMALLMAN & DALISO Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham CHAPONDA Sat 23 July, The Glee OUR KYLIE’S GETTIN’ WED Stripped Walter Trout - The Robin, Bilston Club, Birmingham Down Theatre perform Paul Fellows’

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Monday 18 - Sunday 24 July

comedy about the trials and tribula- THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA (U) NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: tions of family weddings, Sat 23 Found inside a shining stalk of bam- Film Released from Fri 22 July, showing at July, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham boo by an old bamboo cutter and his INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: selected cinemas WIND IN THE WILLOWS Munchkins & wife, a tiny girl grows rapidly into an THE BFG (tbc) Monsters use puppets, interactive exquisite young lady. The mysterious sets, songs and dance in their A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING (12a) young princess enthrals all who MING OF HARLEM (tbc) adaptation of the Kenneth Grahme Business has not been going well for encounter her - but ultimately she STAR TREK BEYOND (tbc) classic, Sat 23 July, Blue Orange Alan Clay (Tom Hanks). So the sales- must confront her fate, the punish- Theatre, Birmingham man heads to Saudi Arabia to pitch ment for her crime. mac, his latest idea to an Arab king build- Birmingham, Sat 23 July; The IN-NOCENTES National Youth Dance ing a massive new complex in the Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Sun 24 Theatre Company (NYDC) perform Events desert. Based on the 2012 novel by July a new work by critically acclaimed Dave Eggers. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sadler's Wells Associate Artist ENTER THE DRAGON (18) Recruited by Wed 20 July Michael Keegan-Dolan. Set to an intelligence agency, outstanding SUMMER HOLIDAY CANDLE-DIPPING Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Dolan's martial arts student Bruce Lee partici- WORKSHOPS Mon 18 July - Tues 6 show utilises the clarity, integrity pates in a brutal karate tournament Sep, Blists Hill, Ironbridge and power of 42 young dancers hosted by the evil Han (Kien Shih). LAVENDER WEEK A week of moving through space with a Along with champions Roper (John Lavender-themed activities, Tues 19 shared intention, Sat 23 July, mac, Saxon) and Williams (Jim Kelly), Lee - Sun 24 July, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham uncovers Han's white slavery and Birmingham drug trafficking ring, located on a BOLLYWOOD DANCE SHOWCASE Aaja secret island fortress. The Electric SCOTTY T'S WORLD TOUR Thurs 21 Nachle Let's Dance present their Cinema, Birmingham, Sun 24 July July, O2 Academy, Birmingham fourth annual Bollywood Dance JAWS (12a) Based on a pulpy best- BIRMINGHAM BEER BASH Thurs 21 - Showcase, Sun 24 July, mac, Sat 23 July, The Bond Complex, Birmingham seller by Peter Benchley, Jaws is a masterfully constructed thriller about Birmingham SHERLOCK HOLMES & THE HOUND OF three disparate men - a cop (Roy ANTIQUES FOR EVERYONE SUMMER THE BASKERVILLES Chapterhouse LOVE & FRIENDSHIP (U) Kate Scheider), a scientist (Richard FAIR Thurs 21 - Sun 24 July, NEC, Theatre attempt to solve the great- Beckinsale plays Lady Susan Vernon Dreyfuss) and a sea dog (Robert Birmingham est mystery of all time in a new who, while staying at a massive Shaw) - setting out in a boat to cap- SEASIDE WEEKEND Bring a deckchair staging of Arthur Conan Doyle’s estate, sets about finding a suitable ture a shark that’s terrorising swim- and relax while the kids build a famous detective story, Sun 24 July, husband for her daughter. Of course, mers off the coast of Martha’s sandcastle. Ice creams and fish & mac, Birmingham she wouldn’t mind an eligible man Vineyard. The Electric Cinema, chips are also available and, to top for herself… Also stars Chloë Birmingham, Sun 24 July it all, a Middle Of Nowhere Music Sevigny. Artrix, Fri 22 July Festival takes place across the

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thelist Monday 18 - Sunday 24 July a difference. The 'Un-Tour' is history 24 July, Shugborough Historic but not as you know it, with a twist Working Estate, Staffordshire where you get to teach the tour INTERNATIONAL GT OPEN Offering the guide, Sat 23 July, Birmingham highest level of performance for Back to Backs GT3 cars, Sat 23 - Sun 24 July, ROLL UP! ROLL UP! VICTORIAN DAY AT Silverstone Circuit, Northants ASTON HALL Sat 23 July, Aston Hall, COSFORD FOOD FESTIVAL A tasty line- Birmingham up of over 80 local producers, Sat ANNE HATHAWAY'S BIG PICNIC DAY 23 - Sun 24 July, RAF Cosford, Spread out your picnic in Anne's Shropshire beautiful cottage gardens, Sat 23 MIDLANDS FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL July, Anne Hathaway's Cottage & Sat 23 - Sun 24 July, Stoneleigh Gardens, Stratford-upon-Avon Park, Warwickshire COVENTRY BELGRADE MELA WORLD WAR ONE HISTORY BUS Celebration of South Asian arts and Discover Birmingham’s contribution culture featuring an array of enter- to the Great War, Sun 24 July, tainment, from Dhol drumming to Birmingham City Centre classical dancing, colourful stalls selling unique hand-crafted items FESTIVAL OF BLACK COUNTRY and free workshops, Sat 23 July, VEHICLES Sun 24 July, Black Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Country Living Museum, Dudley BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 23 - Sun 24 July, Birmingham City Centre Bug Jam - Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton KNIGHTS' TOURNAMENT Swords are wielded, archery skills tested and weekend, Fri 22 - Sun 24 July, Santa Pod Raceway, Northants helmets battered, Sat 23 - Sun 24 Lower Drayton Farm, Stafford THE OPEN ROAD: STORY OF BLACK July, Kenilworth Castle, BUG JAM Featuring five music are- COUNTRY VEHICLES Sat 23 July, Warwickshire nas, drag racing, Run What Ya Black Country Living Museum, SHUGBOROUGH COUNTRY SHOW All- Brung public track time, show & Dudley day entertainment, including the shine, comedy, traders, stunt dis- ROUNDHOUSE UN-TOUR A chance to Sheep Show, the Suffolk Punch ANTIQUES & COLLECTORS FAIR Sun 24 plays, jet car, autojumble, funfair experience a tour of the Heavy Horse Display Team, birds of July, National Motorcycle Museum, and more, Fri 22 - Sun 24 July, Roundhouse Birmingham, but with prey and much more, Sat 23 - Sun Solihull

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thelist Monday 25 - Sunday 31 July ents a tragicomic exploration of how to be human in a world always on Classical Music edge, Wed 27 July - Sat 27 Aug, MUSIC FOR LUNCH: SUMMER ORGAN Studio Theatre @ The Other Place, FESTIVAL Featuring Steven McIntyre, Stratford-upon-Avon Mon 25 July, Birmingham Cathedral PALESTINE YOUTH ORCHESTRA Featuring Arabic songs from Egypt alongside contemporary British music and works by Beethoven & Mussorgsky, Fri 29 July, Birmingham Town Hall

FALL OF THE KINGDOM, RISE OF THE Comedy Gigs FOOT SOLDIER A provocative new play by Somalia Seaton which peels CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 26 July, away the privileged ignorance of middle-class tolerance to expose the The Electric Swing Circus - mac, Birmingham The Dark Horse, Moseley deep wound of cultural tension cut- FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 27 July, ting through modern England, Wed Birmingham The Roadhouse, The Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham Birmingham 27 July - Sat 27 Aug, Studio Theatre Gigs THE ELECTRIC SWING PATRICK MONAHAN, EDDY BRIMSON @ The Other Place, Stratford-upon- CIRCUS Thurs 28 July, TRU GROOVE Fri 29 - Thurs 28 July, mac, Birmingham Avon Sat 30 July, The Jam mac, Birmingham STEVE HARRIS, DANIEL TOWNES & THE KENTUCKY House, Birmingham URINETOWN THE MUSICAL The Old HEADHUNTERS Mon 25 DAPZ ON THE MAP COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY Joint Stock Musical Theatre July, The Robin, Thurs 28 July, O2 JOHN O'DOWD Sat 30 ROBINSON Thurs 28 July, The Glee Company (OJSMTC) presents its Bilston Acacemy, Birmingham July, Irish Centre, Club, Birmingham version of the award-winning tale of Birmingham KOSHIRO, GUILT CITY THE LEGENDS OF ADAM BLOOM Thurs 28 July, Station greed, love, revolution (and musi- Mon 25 July, The MOTOWN Fri 29 July, STONE BROKEN Sat 30 Pub, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham cals) in a time when water was July, O2 Academy, worth its weight in gold, Thurs 28 Flapper, Birmingham Crescent Theatre, RAY PEACOCK, MARKUS BIRDMAN, LUKE Birmingham July - Sat 6 Aug, Old Joint Stock Birmingham TOULSON & VERY SPECIAL GUEST THAT THE ACOUSTIC Theatre, Birmingham SESSIONS Tues 26 July BLUE BUS - DOORS PERMAGEDDON Sat 30 CANNOT BE ANNOUNCED! Fri 29 July, The Jam House, TRIBUTE Fri 29 July, July, The River Rooms, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham THE TAMING OF THE SHREW Presented Stourbridge by Little Arden Theatre Company, Fri Birmingham Route 44, Birmingham STEVE HARRIS, DANIEL TOWNES, MARK 29 July, The Crescent Theatre, FEMI & THE INRHYTHMS THE SMITH UTD, TRUE MAIER & LAURA LEXX Fri 29 July, The THE DEAD DAISIES Birmingham Tues 26 July, The Fri 29 July, mac, ORDER & Glee Club, Birmingham TRANSMISSION Sat 30 MAGIC RUSS: FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL Slade Rooms, Birmingham THE NOISE NEXT DOOR July, The Robin, Magic & fun for younger audiences, Wolverhampton NICETRAXUK RELEASE Sat 30 July, Bilston mac, Birmingham Fri 29 July, Artrix, Bromsgrove GUITAR HEROES WITH PARTY Fri 29 July, Hare RAY PEACOCK, MARKUS BIRDMAN, LUKE PURPLE ZEPPELIN Sat THE HIRED MAN A cast of talented PHIL WALKER & HIS & Hounds, TOULSON & VERY SPECIAL GUEST THAT 30 July, Artrix, local performers join the theatre's BAND Wed 27 July, Birmingham CANNOT BE ANNOUNCED! Sat 30 July, Bromsgrove professional production team to The Robin, Bilston THE NIGHTINGALES Fri The Comedy Loft, Birmingham present Melvyn Bragg and Howard 29 July, The Slade JOANNA EDEN Sun 31 THE LAUNCH PAD Wed STEVE HARRIS, DANIEL TOWNES, MARK Goodall's award-winning British Rooms, July, Kitchen Garden 27 July, The Jam MAIER & LAURA LEXX Sat 30 July, The musical, Fri 29 July - Sat 6 Aug, Wolverhampton Cafe, Birmingham House, Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham Lichfield Garrick BOOGIE NIGHTS - 70'S & HAÇIENDA CLASSICAL CONYA DOSS Wed 27 CRAZY TOWN The Pauline Quirk 80'S MUSIC WITH DJ Sun 31 July, The July, Hare & Hounds, Academy Of Performing Arts, ROB Fri 29 July, Irish Rainbow Venues, Birmingham Solihull, presents a low-tech evening Centre, Birmingham Birmingham AREA 11 Thurs 28 July, of comedy which takes audiences The Slade Rooms, U2-2 Fri 29 July, The THE BEAUTIFUL SOUND - Theatre on a tour of a messed-up town in Wolverhampton Robin, Bilston TRIBUTE TO THE America. Suitable for audiences BEAUTIFUL SOUTH Sun MAHALIA Fri 29 July, aged 12-plus, Sat 30 - Sun 31 July, GUNS 2 ROSES Thurs 31 July, The Robin, HEAD GIRL A dark comedy set in the The Glee Club, mac, Birmingham 28 July, The Robin, Bilston sixth form of an all-girls private Bilston Birmingham school, Mon 25 - Wed 27 July, Blue SHANDAAR 2016 Dance showcase DON BROCO Sun 31 DEL CAMINO Thurs 28 THE HAIR ROCK Orange Theatre, Birmingham celebrating the very best Bollywood July - Mon 1 Aug, O2 hits of recent years, Sat 30 - Sun 31 July, The Jam House, EXPERIENCE Fri 29 July, AWAY FROM HOME Gritty Theatre Institute, Birmingham July, The Crescent Theatre, present an edgy, witty, moving and Birmingham subversively political piece that tack- les football’s last taboo: homopho- RHYTHM OF THE DANCE Celebrating bia, Tues 26 July, The Crescent the rich history of Ireland and the art Theatre, Birmingham of Irish dance, Sun 31 July, The Core, Solihull RATBURGER Heartbreak Productions present an outdoor staging of David TIMON OF ATHENS Outdoor produc- Walliams’ acclaimed children’s tale, tion of Shakespeare’s comic Tues 26 - Wed 27 July, Brueton tragedy, presented by Rendered Park, Solihull Retina Theatre, Sun 31 July, The Dell, Stratford-upon-Avon RENT Jonathan Larson's story of love, friendship and a fight to sur- vive, Tues 26 - Sat 30 July, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham PETER PAN Chapterhouse Theatre present an outdoor staging of JM Barrie’s story of the boy who would- n’t grow up, Wed 27 July, Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Joanna Eden - Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham ALWAYS ORANGE Fraser Grace pres- 64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 25 - 31 July - Birmingham ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 22/06/2016 18:07 Page 2

Monday 25 - Sunday 31 July Film Events

INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: PENCIL AND WATERCOLOUR LOVE & FRIENDSHIP (U) Kate WORKSHOP Mon 25 July, Bodenham Beckinsale plays Lady Susan Vernon Arboretum, Worcestershire who, while staying at a massive CONDENSED HISTORIES: ANCIENT estate, sets about finding a suitable WARRIOR SHOWS Greg Chapman husband for her daughter. Of course, uses juggling, unicycling and other she wouldn’t mind an eligible man skills to perform shows about the for herself… Also stars Chloë Gladiators of Ancient Rome, Warrior Sevigny. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 26 Queen Boudicca and the Spartans, July Mon 25 July, Forge Mill Needle JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH (U) An Museum, Redditch orphan with terrible aunts for DISCOVERY DAY Guided tour of the guardians befriends human-like bugs extraordinary World War One trench who live inside a giant peach. Stars system, Mon 25 July, The Paul Terry & Joanna Lumley. mac, Staffordshire Regiment Museum, Birmingham, Wed 27 July Lichfield SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE (U) When ENCHANTED CASTLE Aimed at anyone Shaun decides to take the day off who likes knights, dragons and and have some fun, he gets a little fairies... follow a magical trail more action than he bargained for... through the castle, Mon 25 - Fri 29 Expect some gastric gas. mac, July, Tamworth Castle Birmingham, Thurs 28 July HANDS-ON HISTORY - SIEGE! Get set THE SNARLING (U) Three locals have for a summer packed with time-trav- the chance to get involved in a new elling fun, Mon 25 July - Sat 27 horror film being made in their area - Aug, Kenilworth Castle, History Detective Thursdays - Blakesley Hall, Birmingham but the horror becomes real as a Warwickshire series of gruesome murders and dis- Baddesley Clinton, Solihull Motor Museum, Gaydon SAFARI SUMMER SCHOOL Featuring appearances follow the cast and three different clubs, all tailored BRINDLEYPLACE SUMMER MARKETS 70 TRACTORS FOR 70 YEARS crew. The police are soon on the towards different age groups but Fri 29 July, Brindleyplace, Celebrate the 70th anniversary of scene... then the problems really offering hands-on animal experi- Birmingham Massey Ferguson in Coventry with start! Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 28 ences and knowledge of the natural GARDEN TOURS Discover the fabu- a parade and display of 70 Massey July world, Mon 25 July - Sat 27 Aug, lous flora and fauna that thrive at Ferguson tractors on Millennium WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE (U) When West Midland Safari and Leisure Witley, Fri 29 July, Witley Court, Place, Sat 30 July, Coventry shy, artistic Anna moves to the sea- Park, Bewdley, Worcestershire Worcestershire Transport Museum side to live with her aunt and uncle, HANDS-ON HISTORY - NATURE THE 58TH RAGLEY GAME FAIR Annual BECKETT’S FARM SUMMER CRAFT FAIR she stumbles upon an old mansion DETECTIVES Mon 25 July - Wed 31 event celebrating British field sports Stalls, entertainment and plenty to surrounded by marshes, and the Aug, Witley Court, Worcestershire & country life, Fri 29 - Sun 31 July, see for the whole family, Sat 30 mysterious young girl, Marnie, who Ragley Hall, Warwickshire July, Beckett's Farm, Birmingham lives there... mac, Birmingham, Fri 29 BOOKBENCH SUMMER CRAFT OUTDOOR CINEMA - DIRTY DANCING - Sun 31 July ACTIVITIES Join in a family craft THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC WEEKEND activity inspired by a different chil- Featuring track parades, infield dis- An opportunity to watch the movie dren's story each week of the sum- plays from over 120 car clubs fea- against the backdrop of the moated mer holidays, Tues 26 July - Tues turing more than 10,000 classic manor house, Sat 30 July, 23 Aug, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham cars, interactive driving activities Baddesley Clinton, Solihull FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVITY: ROYAL and dynamic demonstrations plus INSANE CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING CARRIAGE PHOTO FRAMES Travel in live music from headline acts, Fri 29 Sat 30 July, O2 Institute, the style of a king or queen as you - Sun 31 July, Silverstone Circuit, Birmingham make a fairytale carriage photo Northants BARNEY BUFFERS SUMMER FAMILY frame, Wed 27 July, Aston Hall, 23RD MOPAR EURO NATIONALS The FUN Take a ride behind Churnet Birmingham biggest muscle car door slammer Valley's friendly engine, Barney THE GAME OF GNOMES A group of event in Europe, Fri 29 - Sun 31 Buffers, on the Toyland Express, gnomes on an epic adventure July, Santa Pod Raceway, Northants with balloonists on board to create JAWS (12a) Based on a pulpy best- through Himley Park have become WEAR YOUR WELLIES DAY Sat 30 July, your favourite shapes and animals, seller by Peter Benchley, Jaws is a lost. Follow the clues to find them, Coventry Transport Museum Sat 30 - Sun 31 July, Churnet Valley masterfully constructed thriller about Railway, Staffordshire Wed 27 July, Himley Hall & Park, MOTORCYCLE RIDER SKILLS three disparate men - a cop (Roy Dudley WORKSHOP Sat 30 July, British MOSELEY ARTS MARKET Featuring a Scheider), a scientist (Richard PLAY DAY WEDNESDAYS Enjoy tradi- Dreyfuss) and a sea dog (Robert tional garden games, including Shaw) - setting out in a boat to cap- quoits, giant jenga and croquet, ture a shark that’s terrorising swim- Wed 27 July - Wed 31 Aug, mers off the coast of Martha’s Blakesley Hall, Birmingham Vineyard. The Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Sun 31 July OUTDOOR CINEMA - DIRTY DANCING An opportunity to watch the hit movie against the backdrop of the NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: moated manor house, Thurs 28 Released from Fri 29 July, showing at July, Baddesley Clinton, Solihull selected cinemas HISTORY DETECTIVE THURSDAYS AUTHOR: THE JT LEROY STORY (tbc) Become a History Detective for the day and complete a history-mystery BARRY LYNDON (PG) trail, Thurs 28 July - Thurs 25 Aug, FINDING DORY (tbc) Blakesley Hall, Birmingham JASON BOURNE (tbc) OUTDOOR CINEMA - THE LADY IN THE VAN An opportunity to watch the movie against the backdrop of the moated manor house, Fri 29 July, Silverstone Classic - Silverstone Circuit, Northants

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thelist Monday 25 - Sunday 31 July broad spectrum of artwork, ceram- Sat 30 - Sun 31 July, Fargo Village, ics, jewellery, mosaics, textiles and Coventry other unique hand-crafted gifts, pro- BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 30 duced by artists & designers in and July - Mon 1 Aug, Birmingham City around Moseley, Sat 30 July, Centre Victoria Parade, Moseley, Birmingham FAMILY FESTIVAL Fun-filled day of art and science activities based around THE SIEGE OF GOODRICH CASTLE Join the great British car, Sun 31 July, Historian Julyian Humphrys for a British Motor Museum, Gaydon look at siege warfare and an in- depth tour of the castle, Sat 30 July, TEDDY BEAR ZIPWIRE Make a cape Goodrich Castle, Cheshire for your teddy and watch him fly down the house to the crash zone AN INTRODUCTION TO BEEKEEPING below, Sun 31 July, Croome Park, Join Colin and Ian from the Worcestershire Bournville Beekeepers for an afternoon learning about urban bee- ARCHERY LESSONS WITH REALLY keeping, Sat 30 July, Selly Manor, RURAL An Archery GB-qualified Birmingham instructor will show you how to shoot a 'recurve bow', with as much THE BIG READ: BB TAYLOR Author BB time spent shooting arrows as pos- Finding Dory at the Sealife Centre Taylor presents an interactive work- sible, Sun 31 July, Croome Park, shop about how to write stories, Sat Worcestershire National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham, Sat 16 July - Sun 11 September 30 July, Soho House, Birmingham MAC FOOD MARKET Sun 31 July, Visitors to the National Sea Life Centre Birmingham can this summer THE COUNTRY FAIR Join Blists Hill’s mac, Birmingham residents on the Green at this new share in the excitement surrounding Disney Pixar’s latest movie, event, based on a Victorian country Finding Dory. fair. See country craft demonstra- The popular Brindleyplace visitor attraction features an interactive tions, working horses and have a trail led by one of the film’s star sea creatures, a cantankerous octo- go at horse driving, Sat 30 - Sun 31 pus named Hank. July, Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire This year also sees the centre celebrating its 20th anniversary with the launch of the UK’s only 360-degree Ocean Tunnel, where visitors ARTISAN & CRAFT FAIR Featuring a range of jewellery, cards, trinkets, can marvel at underwater displays and come face-to-fin with cute home wares, gifts, candles, knitted and colourful clownfish. items and multicultural specialities,

MEETING POINT: corner of Colmore Row & Waterloo Street, Victoria Square TOUR TIMES: 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm

CONTACT: 0121 427 2555 / 07805 115 998 [email protected]

AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE HIRE THROUGHOUT

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