Coventry & Warwickshire Cover

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ANGELA BARNES PLAYS Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands WARWICK ARTS CENTRE COVENTRY&WARWICKSHIRE WHAT’S JUNE ON 2018

Coventry & Warwickshire ISSUE 390 JUNE 2018 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On warwickshirewhatson.co.uk

inside: PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS comedy folk at Genting Arena WTE:@WHATSONWARWICKSTWITTER:

SUNSHINE ON LEITH hit musical returns to Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre FACEBOOK:@WHATSONWARWICKSHIRE

FOODIES PARADISE Celebrity chefs aplenty at BBC Good Food Show WARWICKSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK Compton Verney F/P June 2018.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 10:34 Page 1 Contents June Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:29 Page 2

June 2018

Contents

Whisky Galore - Much-loved classic makes a welcome return - feature page 8

Quill Trying It On Mechanical wonders the list

local band plays time-honoured playwright David Edgar looks new automata exhibition opens Your 16-page classics in Bromsgrove back over the past 50 years at Compton Verney week-by-week listings guide page 15 feature page 22 page 45 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 15. Music 21. Comedy 24. Theatre 41. Film 45. Visual Arts 47. Events

fb.com/whatsonwarwickshire fb.com/whatsonworcestershire @whatsonwarwicks @whatsonworcs Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire What’s On Magazine Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire 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 What’sOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 MEDIA GROUP Ellie Hutchings [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Lauren Cole, Steve Adams, Jack Rolfe, Elly Yates-Roberts, Daisy Sparkle, Carol Lovatt, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee, Patsy Moss Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Warwickshire June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:48 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

Warwickshire dance-circus company becomes part of the furniture Warwickshire dance-circus company Motion- house has joined forces with furniture manu- facturer Vitsœ to pioneer ‘a vibrant working community’ in the latter’s new production building in Leamington Spa. The two companies are ‘uniting arts and business in one inspirational space’ with the assis- tance of £377,087 from Arts Council England’s capital funding programme through the Na- tional Lottery. Commenting on the initiative, Peter Knott, Area Director for Arts Council England, said: “Together, Vitsœ and Motionhouse can inspire and complement each other, blending the best of art and business to form a productive atmo- sphere where creativity can thrive.”

A different ending for the Poetry festival marks First makeover TV show, Car SOS. The exhibition features seven cars that have bard’s star-crossed lovers World War centenary been rebuilt by the Car SOS team, including The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is three which were restored in the most recent inviting people of all ages to come together series. The Motor Museum show runs until this midsummer and imagine a different end- the end of February 2019. ing for star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet. Artists from Kinetika, one of the UK’s leading outdoor arts organisations, will ‘create a Mid- summer Dance Party like no other’, offering opportunities to make costumes and decora- tions, learn dances and join in. The event takes place on Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 June. For more information, visit rsc.org.uk

The Stratford-upon-Avon Poetry Festival this Huge expansion planned month returns for the 65th year, presenting ‘a at University of Warwick poignant and diverse’ programme to mark the centenary of the end of World War One. The University of Warwick is seeking ap- Organised by the Shakespeare Birthplace proval to proceed with nine new projects as Trust and running from 17 to 24 June, the fes- part of its massive expansion plan, including Try something new at tival features poetry and readings reflecting new living quarters for students, new parking the ongoing need for peace and reconcilia- Bromsgrove Festival and an £80million Faculty of Arts building. tion, both ‘in the world and in ourselves’. The Bromsgrove Festival makes a welcome Also on the agenda is a £54.3million Interdis- The event includes recitals by actors Christo- return next month for what will be its 58th ciplinary Biomedical Research building. pher Eccleston and Niamh Cusack (pictured year. As usual, the event’s programme is fo- In total, £400million is due to be spent on above), who are appearing together in the cusing on local arts and cultural activity, but new buildings over the next four years, to as- RSC’s production of Macbeth. For further in- with a greater emphasis this year being sist with the rapid growth of the university. formation, visit shakespeare.org.uk/events. placed on free community arts events. The festival takes place on Saturday 21 June until Sunday 22 July. Performances at this year’s Car SOS at Warwick’s event include Jacqui Dankworth (Artrix, 21 June), Cara Dillon (Artrix, 22 June), Emily British Motor Museum McGuire (Avoncroft Museum, 24 June) and The British Motor Museum in Warwick is Little Shop Of Horrors (Norbury Theatre, 3 to hosting a new exhibition featuring cars from 7 July). For more information, visit broms- National Geographic’s popular motoring grovefestival.co.uk 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwickshire June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:48 Page 2

First Word

Bright Smoke at The Other Place The June edition of regular Stratford-upon-Avon poetry night Bright Smoke is being held on the 14th of the month at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Other Place venue. This month’s headliner is Travis Alabanza (pictured). Travis is a London-based performance artist and writer who uses poetry, words, soundscapes and performance to explore the experience of being a black, trans, gender non-conforming person in the UK. For more information, visit rsc.org.uk/events/bright- smoke Wilde tales and gruesome ghosts at popular arts venue Coventry’s Warwick Arts Centre will this Christmas present two festive shows based on the works of Oscar Wilde. Wilde Creatures (Wed 28 Nov - Sun 30 Dec) is an adaptation of the writer’s classic fairytales, and features ‘original live music, imaginative storytelling and a generous dash of comedy’. The Canterville Ghost, meanwhile, is ‘a gruesome ghost story for brave souls aged 12-plus’. The show runs from Tuesday 18 to Sunday 23 December and then from Thursday the 27th to Sunday the 30th. Both shows are presented by Olivier-nominated theatre company Tall Stories, whose previous productions include The Gruffalo and Room On The Broom For more information and to purchase tickets for the shows, visit warwickartscentre.co.uk

Honouring New show about bees creating a real buzz Tolkien in Midlands-based theatre and dance collective Laura Ryder & Co are this month Warwick generating a ‘buzz’ at the Coventry Belgrade Theatre with a brand new show JRR Tolkien is to themed around the plight of Britain’s bees. be honoured with Packed with ‘energy, attitude and tons of eco-friendly glitter’, The Bee Project a blue plaque in offers an optimistic vision for conservation through collaboration. An icy summer in Warwick. The show runs at the Belgrade on Thursday 14 and Saturday 16 June. The plaque will Tickets are available by calling 024 7655 3055 or visiting belgrade.co.uk Worcestershire be installed in the A new exhibition celebrating town’s St Mary half a million years of Worces- Immaculate tershire history this month Roman Catholic opens at Worcester City Art Church, the Gallery & Museum. venue where the Entitled Ice Age, the show pro- Lord Of The Rings vides visitors with the chance author married to come face to face with a ne- Edith Mary Bratt anderthal, crawl inside an Ice in March 1916. Age shelter and meet Fluffy The couple went the woolly mammoth. on to have four The exhibition runs from Sat- children and are urday 16 June to Saturday 8 now buried next September. to one another in For more information, visit a cemetery near iceageworcestershire.com Oxford University.

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First Word

Farming and fun at New attraction at the Three Counties Warwick Castle A ‘hearty feast of farming, food A new family-friendly escape and family entertainment’ is in room has opened at Warwick prospect at this month’s Three Castle to coincide with the Counties Show. return of the venue’s live The well-established and hugely Wars of the Roses spectacle. popular event this year includes a The new attraction chal- new gardening feature, appear- lenges families to solve puz- ances by actors from long-run- zles, and in so doing free a ning BBC Radio soap The Archers knight from the castle’s un- and non-stop main arena enter- derground prison. If chal- tainment culminating in a grand lengers are successful, the parade of livestock. knight then takes to the Wars The event takes place at the Three of the Roses arena, to join in Counties Showground from Fri- with a live horseback battle. day 15 to Sunday 17 June. For more information, visit For more information, visit roy- warwick-castle.com. althreecounties.co.uk Go-kart track to Coventry submits On yer bike at the 75th Kenilworth Show open in Coventry Warwickshire’s Stoneleigh Park is this month hosting the 75th Kenil- A new £1million go-kart Channel Four bid track is set to open in Coven- Coventry has formally submit- worth Show (Saturday 9 June). try this summer. ted a bid to bring Channel The traditional country event has been taking place annually since The development will be lo- Four to the West Midlands. 1944 and will once again feature a wide range of entertainments. cated on the Charter Avenue As part of its ‘4 All The UK’ Attractions include stunt displays by top-ranked freestyle motocross industrial estate in Tile Hill. strategy, Channel Four wants riders, a grand parade of livestock, a variety of children’s entertain- It will be operated by the to exist in three locations out- ment and 100-plus trade stands selling arts & crafts, jewellery, home- UK’s largest indoor karting side London - one of which wares and artisan breads and pies. company, TeamSport, which will become its headquarters. Commenting on the event, show secretary Lizz Clarke said: “A huge currently has 26 other cir- The shortlist is being an- amount of effort has been put in by the society’s members to put on cuits around the UK. nounced in the days immedi- another great day out, and to present agriculture to the public in an The new track will be able to ately following our going to exciting and interesting way - showcasing what rural life and industry accommodate 16 people at a print, with the final decision is all about.” For more information, visit kenilworthshow.co.uk time and is set to create 30 coming later in the year. new jobs in the area. The move is expected to hap- An opening date for the track pen in early 2019. is yet to be announced. For more information, visit team-sport.co.uk/go-karting- New music event coventry set to Shiiine Birmingham’s Genting Arena will host a new one-day music Cathedral scraps event this autumn. entrance fee Shiiine On Festival will feature Coventry Cathedral has more than 20 iconic bands - scrapped its entrance fee. including Orbital, Shed Seven, Located adjacent to the Happy Mondays and Julian bombed ruins of the old Cope - and a Hacienda after- New funding for Coventry dance artist cathedral, the attraction has party. The event takes place Coventry-based dance artist Katye Coe is among the recipients of new charged an entrance fee of on Saturday 8 September. funding from Dance Hub Birmingham. £6 per adult since 2010, More information is available Katye will collaborate with architect Stefan Jovanovic and filmmaker when it became apparent by visiting gentingarena.co.uk Charlie Cattrall to research a new site-adaptable performance work. that solely asking for dona- Dance Hub Birmingham is providing the funding in order to further es- tions wouldn’t be enough to tablish the region’s position as an international centre of excellence maintain the upkeep of the for dance. building. 6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwickshire June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:48 Page 4 Whisky Galore.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:59 Page 1

whisky galore The islanders of Todday take over the Belgrade...

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by Patsy Moss

Best known as an acclaimed Ealing Comedy and now touring as a stage show, Compton MacKenzie’s novel, Whisky Galore, explores the irrational actions of an island community as its whisky supply runs dry. Director Philip Goulding talks to What’s On about bringing a new lease of life to a timeless classic - and doing so with an all-female cast...

With 2018 marking 100 years since women They had to ferry seven actresses and all of “This new version is closer to the novel than acquired the right to vote, it’s fitting that their costumes and props - which would have the Ealing comedy. What the Ealing comedy Philip Goulding’s new adaptation of Comp- been quite a lot as they were often in rep did was strip a lot of it out because it’s only ton Mackenzie’s Whisky Galore should fea- doing about five plays - in these two vehicles. about 80 minutes long. In the book, and in ture an all-female cast. It wasn’t women’s It all sounds like great fun. There’s a different our adaptation, the wreck happens just about suffrage, however, that provided Philip with dynamic with an all-female troupe. I get the halfway through. the greatest inspiration for his new show. In- impression that the Osiris Players were very “The other thing we’ve retained is this idea stead it was the triumphant story of a troupe supportive and encouraging of each other. that the two islands, the Toddays, are rival is- of female actors known as the Osiris Players, Jane Gardam, the novelist, said that it lands - one’s Catholic and one’s Protestant - who toured the British Isles between 1927 and changed her life seeing the Osiris Players. so that gives you some conflict, which was 1963. The acting is so good that you forget that taken out of the film. It works better as well they’re all women.” “I’d had a few ideas for a play, one of which because there’s also a fabulous character - was Whisky Galore, but I needed to figure out In Philip’s version, it’s the Pallas Players - Father Macalister - who I don’t think was in a different way in which to do it,” says Philip. Win, Doris, Flora, Bea, Aileen, Connie and the movie.” “My agent thought this was the best one to Juliet - who, under the direction of Flora Philip’s CV is extensive and features stage, do, and once I’d read it, I could see how it Bellerby (the troupe’s version of Nancy), TV and radio work - so how has he found the could work. cross-dress and, on occasion, don mous- process of taking Mackenzie’s novel from “I’ve always been keen on creating more taches to deliver the story of Whisky Galore. ‘page to stage’? “It was quite difficult because roles for women and had been reading a lot Set in wartime Britain, McKenzie’s story un- I really love the novel. Sometimes, if you’re about touring theatre companies in the mid- folds in the Hebrides, on the fictional islands adapting something that you’re not quite so 20th century, one of which was Osiris - an all- of Great Todday and Little Todday, where dis- in love with, it’s easier, but you really do female troupe. I suddenly thought I could aster strikes when the islands’ whisky supply want to do it justice if you like it. There was take these two things - the play and the (expect romantic names like Thistle Cream, also the thing you always get with this kind troupe - and merge them together. I never Annie Laurie and Morning Gold) dries up. of adaptation, where you’ve got to figure out wanted to write a play just about the troupe.” Tensions begin to run high amongst the is- very carefully your order of scenes and how Philip’s research into Osiris unearthed some landers, until relief comes in the form of an to tell the story. You have to move stuff interesting facts. “They were formed after the offshore whisky wreck. It’s then every is- around just so that you can get the right peo- First World War. A lot of men had been killed lander for themselves as they try to save as ple available for the right scene. I did find and injured, and it was hard to get men on many bottles as possible before the ‘feckless’ that difficult, but obviously also a pleasure, board. Nancy - the woman who founded the Home Guard intervene. because you’re working with such a nice Osiris Players - thought there was probably a source of material. With two weddings planned, it becomes im- lot more faff with men, and I suppose she perative that the whisky shortage is re- might have been worried about the cast mem- solved... bers getting off with each other and her company suffering as a result. Filmed interpretations of Mackenzie’s novel Whisky Galore shows at the Belgrade “There was true dedication there. They were include the popular 1949 Ealing Studios ver- Theatre, Coventry, on Wed 20, Thurs 21 just scraping by and weren’t earning a lot of sion starring Joan Greenwood and Gordon and Sat 23 June. money, but at the same time they were hav- Jackson. Much more recently, in 2016, Eddie Read the full interview with Philip ing the time of their lives. At one point they Izzard and Gregor Fischer starred in a movie Goulding at whatsonlive.co.uk had a Rolls Royce and an ambulance as version - which Philip confesses he hasn’t modes of transport, and that was it. seen. whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Food June Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 16:27 Page 1 Food June Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 16:27 Page 2

Food

A summer of skinny cocktails beckons... The mixology team at Birmingham’s Bar Opus have come up with some low- calorie twists on classic cocktails. Their menu features Gin Martini, Gin & Tonic, Tom Collins, Gimlet, French 75, Greyhound and Skinny Lager. Each drink is under 180 calories, making getting into shape for the summer seem a whole lot easier!

Exclusive ‘meat and eat’ with Brad Carter Celebrated author gets cooking at Coventry food festival Michelin-starred chef Brad Carter, from Celebrated author Anjula Devi will be champi- years. Birmingham’s Carters of Moseley, is oning wholesome Indian cooking at this Other attractions at this year’s show include a holding a masterclass for food lovers at month’s Coventry Food & Drink Festival. wide range of stalls, pop-up street food and Webbs garden centre in Wychbold, Anjula is joined at the show by Phil Vickery, bars, live music, DJs, and foodie activities for Worcestershire, on Sunday 10 June. who’s been the resident chef on ITV1’s maga- children and families. The festival takes place Tickets for the event are priced at zine programme This Morning for the last 18 in Broadgate on Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 June. £22.50. To book your space, go online at webbsdirect.co.uk/food Droitwich Spa’s food & drink festival returns for 2018 Droitwich Spa Food & Drink Festival makes a Park on Saturday 16 June, will be opened by welcome return this month for its sixth edition. Great British Bake Off 2017 finalist Steven Bai- Launched in 2013, the annual event has quickly ley-Carter. become one of the Midlands’ leading food The festival features around 100 food and drink events. companies, a cookery demonstration kitchen This year’s get-together, taking place at Lido and live entertainment.

Artisan bakery opens a new shop in Kenilworth The award-winning Warrens Bakery has opened a new premises in Kenilworth. Located in the Talisman Shopping Centre, the store showcases the artisan bakery’s range of breads, pasties and sweet & savoury treats, and also provides seating for its customers.

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Food

Super-cool ice cream arrives at Selfridges A new concept in ice cream - made using liquid nitrogen - has launched in Selfridges Birmingham. Nitrogenie takes the freshest milk and cream, selected ingredients such as fruit, chocolate, biscuit and nuts, and freezes them using liquid nitrogen in special mixers. Originally launching in Australia, Nitrogenie prides itself on its weekly changing menus and ‘fantastic’ combinations of ingredients, including honeycomb, natural salted caramel and lemon meringue pie. Acclaimed chef opens new restaurant Acclaimed chef Richard Turner has opened a new Birmingham restaurant. One of many recent additions to the city’s thriving culinary scene, Maribel is located at the Brindleyplace premises previously occupied by Edmunds. The new eatery’s menu, set to change Popular halal steak restaurant to open in Coventry’s weekly to reflect the best seasonal Co-operative building development produce, features eight, six and four- One of the most recognised halal meathouses and gelato. Commenting on the new opening, course options, as well as a special in the UK is due to open as part of the Co-op Managing Director Kaysor Ali said: “We’ve two-course option for lunchtimes. building development in Coventry. worked hard to ensure that people don’t only To book, visit maribelrestaurant.co.uk Steakout opened its first branch in 2008 and come to eat, they come for a great dining currently has eight eateries across the country. experience. Eating out is a leisure activity, and Giant pork scratching As well as offering a range of steaks, burgers diners want to enjoy their time in our and chicken dishes, the restaurant’s menu also restaurant.” launched in Kenilworth includes a selection of ice creams, milkshakes Michelin-starred restaurant The Cross in Kenilworth has launched a pork scratching measuring a square foot! MasterChef 2018 winner to appear at Foodies Festival Known for its fine dining options, the MasterChef 2018 winner Kenny Tutt is to appear restaurant is offering the freshly fried at this month’s Birmingham Foodies Festival. scratching as a giant bar snack, costing Other attractions at the three-day event include £8 to share. a range of street food, an artisan producers Pork pies, sausage rolls and, er, smaller market, the chance to meet Michelin-star chefs pork scratchings are also available... Glynn Purnell and Brad Carter, cream-pie throwing, chilli-eating competitions, and pros- ecco and parmesan masterclasses. Live music comes from Toploader, The Hoosiers and Dodgy, all of whom will be playing on the brand new Musicians Against Homelessness music stage. There’s plenty at the event for youngsters to enjoy too, including a kidzone with craft area, a bouncy castle, face painting and the Kids Cookery Theatre. The Birmingham Foodies Festival takes place in Cannon Hill Park from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 June.

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Gigs

Craig Charles Leamington Assembly, Leamington Spa, Fri 1 June Telly series Coronation Street, Robot Wars and Red Dwarf (not to mention successful DJing and writing careers) have ensured Craig Charles is pretty well known to the great British public. This month sees him bringing his hugely popular Funk & Soul Club to the Midlands. Gig-goers can expect a collection of tracks which have been covered and remixed by current leading bands and DJs.

The Rolling Stones tour to the Midlands. Expect favourite hits such as Paint It Black, Ricoh Arena, Coventry, Sat 2 June Brown Sugar, Gimme Shelter and (I Can’t Undoubtedly one of the biggest bands ever Get No) Satisfaction, to name but a few. to grace the planet, Rolling Stones Mick Jag- The Specials provide support for this Coven- Public Image Ltd ger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Char- try leg of the tour. lie Watts this month bring their No Filter The Copper Rooms, Coventry, Mon 4 June Widely regarded as one of the most influential bands of all time, Public Image Ltd’s music and vision led to five UK top-20 singles Martin Simpson Quill and five top-20 albums. Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Thurs 21 June Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 8 June Frontman John Lydon, or Johnny Rotten to Equally at home playing English traditional When bass guitarist Ben Brain died sud- some, guided the band from debut album folk or American folk and blues, Martin denly in 2012, his wife and Quill’s lead First Issue in 1978 through to 1992’s That Simpson is consistently named as one of the singer, Joy Strachan-Brain, seriously consid- What Is Not. The group's personnel has very finest fingerstyle guitar players in the ered calling time on the band’s 30-plus changed frequently over the years, with world - and he has the awards to prove it. years of musicmaking. Eventually, though, Lydon being the only constant member. Chief among them are gongs for twice being she decided it was more important to battle After a 17-year hiatus, the band reformed in voted the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards’ Mu- on, in so doing ensuring that the songs Ben 2009, and have spent plenty of time out on sician of the Year, a category in which he’s had written for a new album would finally the road in the last nine years. been nominated on no fewer than a dozen be heard... occasions. The popular Tamworth band have devel- oped a unique musical style over the years, incorporating numerous influences, includ- Idris Elba ing Celtic folk and rock. They here perform a Kasbah, Coventry, Sat 30 June repertoire that features a number of time- Best known for his performances in The honoured classics. Wire and Luther, musician-come-actor Idris Elba is very much at the forefront of the electronic music scene. Alongside appearances at Creamfields, Snowbombing, Ibiza Rocks and Glaston- bury, he’s established yearly residencies at top Ibiza party destinations including Pacha and Pikes. See him in Coventry as part of the Tricky Disco club night. whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Classical June Warwickshire_Worcestershire.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 15:54 Page 1

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Classical

CBSO Featuring Beethoven & Bernstein Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Nicola Benedetti Sun 24 June Symphony Hall, Birmingham, The University of Warwick Symphony and Wed 27 - Thurs 28 June Chorus Gala Concert features a pro- Scottish-born violinist Nicola gramme of music celebrating the talents Benedetti is one of classical of three legendary composers. music’s most sought-after Beethoven’s Symphony No9 shares pro- performers, her road to fame gramme space with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 beginning when she won Overture. Two works by Leonard Bern- Young Musician of the Year stein (Candide Overture and On The Town in 2004. Suite) also feature. A former pupil at the Yehudi Menuhin School for young musicians, Benedetti won Best Female Artist at both the 2012 and 2013 Classical BRIT Awards, and has worked with some of the world’s most renowned con- ductors. She here performs Shostakovich’s powerful First Violin Concerto in a programme that also features Stravinsky’s The Rite Of Spring. CBSO Music Director Mirga Gražinyt -Tyla conducts. ė

Birmingham Bach Choir Ex Cathedra: Summer American Festival Malvern Priory, Sat 16 June; St Alban’s Music By Candlelight Chorus - Over There! Church, Birmingham, Sat 30 June Birmingham Cathedral, Coventry Cathedral, Thurs 28 June One of Birmingham's oldest and most dis- Tues 19 - Wed 20 June The highly regarded American Festival tinguished musical groups here gets its col- Chorus here presents an evening of choral lective teeth into a programme of pieces from both sides of the Atlantic. ‘sun-drenched Italian choral music span- Composers whose work features on the ning four centuries’. programme include George M Cohen, Cole Highlights from the programme include Porter, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gus- madrigals by Claudio Monteverdi and Carlo tav Holst. Gesualdo, the latter of whom murdered his The concert also showcases a specially wife and her lover on discovering them ‘in commissioned piece commemorating the the act’. Works by Lotti, Gabrieli, Rossini end of the Great War 1oo years ago. and Pizzetti also feature. Paul Spicer (pic- Dr Craig Jessop (pictured) conducts. tured) conducts. Jeffrey Skidmore once again takes the baton to conduct Birmingham’s highly rated early music ensemble, this time in a midsummer night’s concert that promises to transport the audience to an enchanted world. The programmes for these annual concerts, presented by candlelight as dusk falls, move seamlessly from seasonal favourites to rare, rediscovered, contemporary and lighter repertoire. Compositions by both De- bussy and Gershwin are featured in the 2018 line-up of works. whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Festivals June (1)-2.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 15:45 Page 1

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Festivals

Download Festival Donington Park, Derby, Fri 8 & Sun 10 June Upton Jazz Festival With top billing consistently taken by some owing its name partly to its pioneering use Upton-upon-Severn, Thurs 21 - Sun 24 June of the biggest names in rock and metal, it's of technology to connect with audiences Now in its 33rd year, the Upton Jazz Festival not hard to see why Download is one of the and build a community around the event. boasts a star-studded international line-up - most popular and well-attended festivals in Line-up includes: Guns N’ Roses (pic- including bands from the US - and annually the UK. tured), Ozzy Osbourne, Avenged Sevenfold, attracts thousands of jazz fans from across Conceived as a follow-up to Donington Bullet For My Valentine, Black Stone Cherry, the country. Park's previous Monsters Of Rock Festival, Marilyn Manson, Volbeat, Thunder, Shine- Festival-goers can expect more than 50 gigs Download makes its 16th outing this year, down, Rise Against and Parkway Drive in Upton’s renowned pubs and clubs, as well as riverboat shuffles aboard the town’s iconic Conway Castle river cruiser. There’s also a lively fringe festival to enjoy, which raises money for the Nathan Tomkins Trust. In addition, the festival’s well-regarded Best Of Young Jazz programme showcases rising jazz stars from schools, colleges and conser- vatoires across the region. Line-up includes: Mama Shakers, Jazz Con- nection, Les Zauto Stompers, James Evans, Vitality Five, The Water Gypsies, Jake Leg Jug Band, Madi Stimpson, Tom Bell, Alan Barnes, Amy Roberts, Robert Fowler, Keith Nicholls and Craig Milverton

Lichfield Blues & Jazz Acoustic Festival Of Lichfield Guildhall & other city centre venues, Great Britain Fri 1 - Sun 3 June Uttoxeter Racecourse, Staffordshire, Having launched in 2015, this growing festi- Fri 1 - Sun 3 June val is fast establishing itself as a firm fixture Standing out from the crowd of ever-louder on Lichfield’s cultural calendar. electronic festivals, the Acoustic Festival Of Taking place across multiple city centre Great Britain marks a welcome return to the venues, the long weekend celebrates the basics of good-quality music. best in local jazz and blues talent, as well as Stripped back, unplugged performances are showcasing quality musicianship from fur- the focus of this relaxed, friendly event. ther afield. Concerts can be booked individ- Beyond that, it's open to music of all genres. ually, with an assortment of hands-on With five-star-rated camping infrastructure, workshops and lively street bands to enjoy glamping options, seated food tents and alongside the main acts. kids' play areas, it's the perfect way to spend Line-up includes: King Pleasure & The Bis- Tenbury Music Festival a lazy weekend with the family. cuit Boys (pictured), Stan Webb, Robert Line-up includes: Dire Straits, Steve Harley, Jackson, Zoe Green, Emma Jonson, Steve The Burgage Recreation Ground, Tenbury Wells, Sat 30 June Ferocious Dog, Think Floyd, Chris Difford, Ajao’s Blues Giants, The Shooters, Theo Urban Folk Quartet, Lucy Ward (pictured), Now in its fourth year, the one-day Tenbury Travis, Annie Whitehead and Sara Gillespie. Brooks Williams, Juzzie Smith, The Whiskey Music Festival is a family-friendly event fea- Rebellion, The Jar Family, Sian Evans and turing multiple stages, renowned food & Eric Faulkner drink stalls, camping opportunities and (of course) plenty of live music. Although the festival itself is taking place on the Saturday, there will be a Friday night screening of The Who’s 1975 rock-opera movie, Tommy, at restored art deco cinema The Regal. Line-up inclu des: Lightning Seeds (pictured), Arcadia Roots, Blue Moon, Dissident Prophet, Stone Mountain Sinners, Rain- breakers, Redwood, 4 Men Called Bob, Shannon Flynn, Alphabetbackwards, Jon- can Kavlakoglu and Liquorice Lounge whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Comedy June .qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:19 Page 1 Comedy June .qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:19 Page 2

Comedy

The Muslims Are Coming The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 17 June Described as a ‘halal-arious family-friendly comedy show to celebrate the end of Ra- madan and Eid’, The Muslims Are Coming features Noreen Khan (pictured), Ali Offi- cial, Eshaan Akbar, Aatif Nawaz and local lad Guz Khan. Former school teacher Guz shot to relative fame a handful of years ago after seeing his YouTube clips go viral. “I think it’s important to push against boundaries with comedy,” says Guz, “and while I like to make people laugh while exploring is- sues such as reli- gion, race and gender, I’m not somebody looking Flight Of The Conchords to cause offence Genting Arena, Birmingham, Tuesday 26 June just because I New Zealand folk comedy duo Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie stop off in Birmingham can.” - albeit a little later in the year than expected - as part of a brand new UK and Ireland tour, their first in seven years. Their appearance in the city has been somewhat delayed due to Brett breaking bones in his hand while falling down the stairs. Mischief Movie Night The pair have previously billed themselves as ‘formerly New Zealand's fourth most popular Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo’. Their show sees them com- Tues 26 June - Sun 1 July bining witty observation, characterisation and acoustic guitar music to excellent effect. Mischief Theatre, the award-winning company behind smash-hit comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, make a welcome return to the Midlands to present an improvised movie live on stage. Taking suggestions from the audience for the film’s genre, location and title, the talented ensemble will then bring to life ‘a comedy blockbuster’ of a show, complete with rewinds, fast for- wards, director’s cuts and a live score.

Angela Barnes Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 16 June When Angela Barnes’s inspirational father died, it proved to be the catalyst for her to finally follow his advice and hurl herself into the rough, tough world of stand- up comedy. And if her Edinbrum early-career success is MAC Birmingham, various dates between Thurs 7 June & Thurs 26 July anything to go by, she’s Yep, it’s that time of year again, when all good comedians stop off at MAC Birmingham to certainly made the try out their new material en route to the Edinburgh Festival. right decision. The venue’s Thursday night line-up of mirthful merrymakers should certainly ensure a A BBC New Comedy chuckle or several is never too far away. And the comedians in question will no doubt be Awards winner, Angela measuring the audience reaction to their every gag, as they frantically try to hone their is a self-confessed BBC material in preparation for their forthcoming trip to Bonnie Scotland. Radio Four nerd who looks MAC Birmingham’s June Edinbrum shows this month are as follows: Jarred Christmas & to have a bright future in Viv Groskop (7 June); Lloyd Langford & Chris Stokes (14th); Pat Monahan & Darren Har- the UK comedy arena. riott (21st); and Angela Barnes & Mitch Benn (28th). whatsonlive.co.uk 21 David Edgar DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 12:55 Page 1

David Edgar 50 years on...

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by David Edgar

David Edgar is used to writing plays but not so used to performing in them - but that’s all about to change. The Birmingham-born playwright is marking his 70th birthday by taking to the stage in Trying It On, a new show in which he contemplates the ways in which both the world and his own views have changed during the last 50 years. Here, David writes for What’s On about his brand new production...

The last time I appeared on a stage was as Researching the show, I’ve asked myself there have been great changes: the expan- Captain Bligh in a university production of questions about the influence of 1968. Was its sion of large theatre institutions like the Na- Mutiny On The Bounty, 44 years ago. Since principal legacy an increase in personal free- tional Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare then my career as a playwright has kept me - dom, and some great music (so, just sex, Companies (both of which see new plays as mercifully - offstage. Why on earth am I drugs and rock’n’roll)? Or did it transform the an important part of their repertoire), as well treading the boards again? world politically (as we thought at the time)? as the growth of small-scale companies, mak- 1968 saw a kind of global uprising against the ing plays in new, collaborative ways. The story starts around three years ago, after older generation, from America via Europe to The biggest change in theatre repertoire over a show at Warwick Arts Centre, when I Pakistan and Japan. Did that spirit of interna- the last 50 years has been the decline of re- bumped into its artistic director, who asked tionalism find expression in the world-wide vivals and the growth of new work. Naturally, me what I was doing and what I was plan- web? Was the revolt just a matter of fashion, as a playwright, I defend the individually- ning. On impulse, I said that I’d been consid- a flash in the pan which petered out as the written play as the bedrock of theatre (as it ering doing a solo show (not just written but students graduated and got jobs, families remains). But I am interested in alternative also performed by me) to mark my 70th birth- and mortgages? Or have the political move- ways of playmaking, and have explored some day in 2018. He said that was a wonderful ments which 1968 gave birth to - most partic- of them to create Trying It On. idea and he’d like to commission it at once. I ularly, feminism and the environmental was locked in. It’s also been fascinating to perform again. movement - remained remarkably resilient, The play is around an hour and a quarter Even more so when my producers persuaded and permanently changed the way we live long - the length of the part of Hamlet. My re- a number of other theatres - including Mid- our lives? spect for the skill (and energy) of actors was lands Arts Centre, the Royal Shakespeare Certainly, the initial hopes of 1968 were already high, but has got even higher. Having Company in Stratford, and the Royal Court in dashed - at the end of a year of rebellion in watched some of the show on film, I am London, to take the show. Plus - most impor- America, France and Eastern Europe, the rul- painfully aware of the difference between tantly of all - the Birmingham Rep, to which ing parties remained firmly in place. If the how it feels as it comes out of me and how it I’ve a very particular attachment. As young late ’60s were just about personal freedom, looks when it arrives at the audience. I am actor/stage managers, my parents met on the then there’s an argument that they found working on my voice (in collaboration with stage door steps of the theatre in 1938. I first their full expression in the individualism of experts) and trying to get early nights. went to the theatre when I was three-and- Margaret Thatcher’s market economics three-quarters. I began writing for the theatre If you’ve been writing for as long as I have, (though she herself hated the ’60s, blaming in 1972. you’re aware of the need to ring the changes. them for everything that had gone wrong Apart from plays for the REP, my personal The idea of the show is to look back over the with Britain). The Eastern European revolts favourites from my work include many for the last 50 years not just of my life but of our which led to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 RSC, including adaptations of Stevenson’s Dr times. I was 20 in 1968, at the height of the drew heavily on the style, slogans and music Jekyll & Mr Hyde, and the RSC is reviving worldwide student revolt against adult au- of the 1960s, but they resulted in a renewal of Maydays (at the Other Place in September) thority in general and the Vietnam war in capitalism and nationalism. And, talking of and A Christmas Carol is coming back in De- particular. I was among millions of young nationalism, why did most people who were cember. But, inevitably, the premiere of my people who wanted to change the world. 20 in 1968 vote Brexit? first solo show - and my professional stage Fifty years on, what does the 70-year-old me I’ve explored these questions by talking to debut - will be the highlight of my year. think of that young idealist? More impor- people who were involved in the events of 50 tantly, perhaps, what does he think of me? years ago, as well as my own biography, as You could say that our lives are a constant an (intermittent) activist but also a play- conversation between our present and our wright. I was incredibly lucky to start writing past, but the debate between the 2018 of David Edgar presents Trying It On at plays professionally in the early ’70s: follow- Jeremy Corbyn, Donald Trump and #MeToo Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, from ing the abolition of theatre censorship (an- and the 1968 of Robert Kennedy, Richard Thurs 7 to Sat 9 June; Birmingham Reper- other 1968 anniversary) there was a huge Nixon and Women’s Liberation is particularly tory Theatre, from Tues 12 to Wed 13 June; expansion of what came to be called fringe timely. MAC Birmingham, Fri 12 October & The theatre across Britain, which was thirsty for Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, from new plays by new playwrights. Since then Thurs 18 to Sat 20 October

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Woyzeck and living with Marie, the mother of his child, who was born out of wedlock and therefore not blessed by the church. To make extra The REP, Birmingham, Fri 15 - Sat 23 June money, Franz agrees to take part in medical experiments, but soon Although ostensibly written by Georg Büchner in the mid-19th cen- finds his mental health severely compromised as he begins to experi- tury, Woyzeck was posthumously finished by numerous authors, edi- ence a series of apocalyptic visions... Bringing together theatre and tors and translators. It wasn’t premiered until 1913, 76 years after its dance and being presented as part of the Birmingham International primary author’s death. The title of the work refers to a lowly soldier Dance Festival, this home-made REP production features a commu- named Franz Woyzeck, who’s stationed in a provincial German town nity chorus of 100 performers and dancers.

Birdsong Oddsocks’ The Tempest The Unbinding New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Lichfield Garrick, Fri 1 June; The Church Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 18 - Sat 23 June; Malvern Theatre, Green, Much Wenlock, South Shropshire, Fri 8 Fri 22 & Sat 23 June Tues 26 - Sat 30 June June; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 19 - Thurs 21 June; Whitbourne Hall, Worcester, A journey into ‘a dark and spellbinding Sebastian Faulks’ epic and bestselling novel Wed 27 June world’ is in prospect for audience members is set both before and during the Great War. joining Wrong Shoes Theatre Company for It follows the fortunes of the young Stephen this evening of thought-provoking drama. Wraysford as he embarks on a passionate Combining physical theatre and original and dangerous affair with the beautiful Is- music, The Unbinding tells the story of four abelle Azaire... women accused of witchcraft who’re awaiting This stage version was written by Rachel sentencing together. In recounting their tale, Wagstaff, who claims she got the nod from the show explores the subject of mob mental- Faulks to adapt his novel after she impressed ity, contemplating the seemingly insatiable him by knowing the most recent result of his desire within society to punish those who Madcap funsters Oddsocks aren’t the first to beloved football club, West Ham United. present themselves as being different. give William Shakespeare’s last ever play a seriously sci-fi slant - hit West Ender Return To The Forbidden Planet is an outer space version of The Tempest, too. Advertising their show as ‘boldly going where no other Shakespeare has gone before’, the hugely popular ensemble will be bringing their ever-winning brand of anarchic humour to proceedings - not to mention a flying saucer’s-worth of music and a galaxy of zany aliens!

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Sunshine On Leith back home in Edinburgh, the show features numerous catchy tunes, included among which are The Proclaimers’ best-known hits, I'm Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 5 - Sat 9 June Gonna Be (500 Miles) and Letter From America. Inspired by The Proclaimers album of the same name, Sunshine On Suitable for audience members aged 12 and older, the show is return- Leith went from stage musical to the silver screen. Following the story ing to the Belgrade for the first time in eight years, and has been pro- of two soldiers from Afghanistan as they try to adjust to civilian life duced by West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Rhondda Rips It Up Beautiful: The Carole Daughters Of Fortune: MAC, Birmingham, Sat 9 June; Malvern King Musical Mia Theatre, Tues 26 June Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 27 June Tues 12 - Sat 16 June “Think pop culture with popcorn, science Touring to the Midlands on the back of with silliness, stories with statistics,” advise Olivier Award-winning West End success, Mind The Gap theatre company in promoting Beautiful is a homage to the life and music of their latest show. “Fast-moving, raw and eye- legendary singer-songwriter Carole King. opening, Mia reveals the truth about learning Featured numbers include You Make Me Feel disability and parenthood in today’s society, Like A Natural Woman, Take Good Care Of challenging often-taken-for-granted ideas My Baby, You’ve Got A Friend, So Far Away, It about what it means to be a parent.” Might As Well Rain Until September, Up On The Roof and Locomotion. Usually setting up camp at Birmingham Hip- Miss Littlewood podrome when they visit the Midlands, Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Welsh National Opera here break with that Fri 22 June - Sat 4 August tradition by visiting MAC with the world pre- Perhaps best known for her development of miere of a ‘rip-roaring, uproarious musical the Theatre Workshop, a group launched in comedy’. the 1940s whose best-known shows included Focusing on the unsung heroine of the Welsh Oh! What A Lovely War and A Taste Of Suffrage movement, Margaret Haig Thomas, Honey, Joan Littlewood is often referred to as the Viscountess Rhondda, WNO describe the ‘the mother of modern theatre’. This brand show as a ‘thigh-slapping romp through the new musical charts Littlewood’s journey world of suffrage and song’. from the East End to the West End, celebrat- Told through the lens of music hall, it boasts ing the life and times of a woman who was an all-female cast and creative team includ- unquestionably one of the most anarchic rev- ing Lesley Garrett and Madeleine Shaw (pic- olutionaries of 20th century theatre. tured above) 26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:27 Page 4 Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:27 Page 5

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Hairspray bubble could well be set to burst... This Tony Award-winning hit of a show returns to the Midlands with a Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 12 - Sat 16 June jukebox-worth of 1960s-style dance music and 'downtown' rhythm It’s 1962, and in Tracy Turnblad’s Baltimore hometown, massive and blues to enjoy. hairdos, dancing the twist and Corny Collins’ daytime dance show are “We might not be doing the same things now as we were in the ’60s,” the hottest tickets in teen culture. says Rebecca Mendoza, who stars as Tracy, “but we’re still fighting In some ways, life for this starry-eyed girl starts out as big and bright the same problems, just in a different form. There’s an important and breezy as a bubblegum balloon - but there’s trouble brewing just message at the show’s core, but it’s so well wrapped up in a beneath the surface. And as Tracy grows up and wakes up to the whirlwind of colour, dialogue, tunes and choreography, that it never everyday injustices in her neighbourhood, it looks as though that once feels preachy.”

Thrill Me: The Leopold & Franks. beth’s desire to be king of Scotland sees him “A play about two gay child killers isn't the slaughtering first Duncan and then Banquo. Leob Story easiest sell in the world,” says Dolginoff, As the pressure mounts and his grip on san- Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, “but what made it really difficult was the fact ity weakens, he decides to commit even more Tues 15 - Sat 19 May it was a musical. When people think of a mu- atrocities - including the murder of women sical, they tend to think of something light- and children... Performed outdoors in the hearted and comedic, but this is a serious grounds of Stafford Castle. piece. There’s nothing lighthearted or comedic about Thrill Me.” Table New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Macbeth Fri 8 - Sat 23 June Stafford Castle, Thurs 28 June - Sat 14 July The handcrafted dining table in the Best’s home has seen use by six generations of the family, in the process becoming a powerful symbol of the lives which have been lived. Given that the events which unfold in But as people remain connected through the Stephen Dolginoff’s award-winning musical centuries by stories and possessions passed took place across the Atlantic over 90 years down by their ancestors, how much can they ago, it’s perhaps not surprising that relatively actually trust their memories? few people are familiar with the story of Containing no shortage of adult content, in- Nathan Freudenthal Leopold Jr and Richard cluding nudity, scenes of a sexual nature and Albert Loeb. strong language, this regional premiere of Two wealthy and intelligent law students, Tanya Ronder’s thought-provoking play is no Leopold and Loeb signed a contract in blood Having been spurred into action by the walk in the park. It is, however, extremely to commit the perfect crime, kidnapping and prophesies of three supernatural women - good, and was first produced, to great ac- murdering a 14-year-old boy named Robert and egged on by his conniving wife - Mac- claim, at the National Theatre in 2013.

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Theatre Theatre for younger audiences from around the region

Teletubbies Live joyed the experience of watching them hav- Chocolate Cake ing a fantastic time - you’ll already know that Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 13 - Thurs this latest production is well worth catching. Malvern Theatres, Sat 9 June 14 June; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 18 - Thurs 19 July; The Place, Oakengates Theatre, “It seems hardly any time at all since we Chocolate Cake is a brand new show based Shropshire, Sat 1 - Sun 2 Sept; Malvern The- started on the first Peppa Pig live stage on Michael Rosen’s much-loved poem of the atres, Wed 19 - Thurs 20 Sept show,” observes writer and director Richard same name, which has recently been pub- Lewis. “It’s been an incredible experience lished as a picture book. seeing the children’s reactions, not only in With the creative team behind the production the UK but throughout the world. Peppa Pig having previously enjoyed success with We’re really is a worldwide phenomenon.” Going On A Bear Hunt and Helen Stephens’ How To Hide A Lion, this lively musical about two brothers and the nighttime disappear- ance of a chocolate cake should be well The Ugly Duckling worth catching. Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sat 9 June Hans Christian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling Despite having been around for many a year, tells the story of an odd-looking baby duck the world famous Teletubbies are here ap- who’s evicted from the farmyard and finds pearing in their first ever theatre show, cre- himself all alone in a scary and hostile world. ated especially for little ones. Tinky Winky, Thankfully there’s a happy ending to ensure Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po continue to enchant your youngsters head for home in fine spirits! and delight pre-school youngsters a full 21 This quacker of a well-hatched story is pre- years after making their television debut on sented by Sea Legs Puppet Theatre and fea- BBC Two. Brand new songs and the popular tures ‘brilliant storytelling, fantastic puppets supporting characters of Tubby Phone, Noo- and a delightful musical score’. noo and Sun Baby also feature. Suitable for children aged three-plus. Ministry Of Science Bing Live! Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 19 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wed 4 July The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire, Wed 27 June; Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 24 & An anarchic approach to science communica- Sat 25 August; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington tion is the name of the game when the Min- Spa, Sat 8 - Sun 9 Sept istry Of Science comes to town. As well as taking a look at the inventors and engineers who’ve shaped and inspired the modern world, the show’s presenters will be conduct- ing clever demonstrations aplenty - so expect Doctor Dolittle the occasional loud bang! Swan Theatre, Worcester, Sat 16 June; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 24 June; The Core Theatre, Solihull, Fri 3 Aug Hugh Lofting's delightful character is a friend to all manner of furry, four-legged creatures, and certainly knows how to have an adven- Bing Live!’s promoters are confident that ture or two!... Featuring original music, lots their show is a perfect ‘first theatre trip’ for of audience participation and some ‘amaz- pre-schoolers and their families. And why ing’ puppets, this brand new show is 90 min- wouldn’t they be, given that it’s awash with utes in length and suitable for youngsters ‘fun, laughter, music and dressing-up’? aged seven and older. For those not in the know, the show is based on an animated CBeebies television series. Kindur: The Adventurous Life Of Icelandic Sheep MAC, Birmingham, Sat 16 & Sun 17 June Peppa Pig’s Adventure Presented as part of Birmingham Interna- Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, tional Dance Festival, this ‘magical interac- Wed 6 & Thurs 7 June; Belgrade Theatre, tive theatre experience’ sees three dancers Coventry, Tues 28 - Wed 29 Aug assuming the role of kindur (sheep in Ice- If you’ve taken your little ones to any of the landic) to take the audience on an immersive previous Peppa Pig stage shows - and en- adventure through a fairytale landscape.

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The stage version of classic 1963 Cliff Richard movie Summer Holiday is coming to the Midlands this month - complete with the multi-talented Bobby Crush. What’s On recently caught up with Bobby to chat about the hit musical and his recently rejuvenated career...

Brand new stage show Summer Holiday has his fellow London Transport mechanics as group and a young American pop star. The been called the feelgood musical of 2018. they journey together in a red double-decker latter is on the run, not only from a domineer- Promising to bring ‘music, fun and laughter to bus through Paris, the Alps, Italy and Greece. ing mother but also from her own agent, Jerry, the stage’, the show tells the story of Don and Along the way, they pick up a female singing who’s played in the show by Bobby Crush.

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by Lauren Foster

“I’m really enjoying the role,” says Bobby. “I went on a two-week trip to Las Vegas. Whilst heavy schedule for me in those early years, play the part very cockney. I’m going back to living in a house together, they explored the just dancing from one thing to another. I was my roots, really - I’m originally from the East city and prepared for a one-night-only variety also very cosseted by my parents. At the time, End of London. Jerry wears the most ap- performance. my father gave up his job to go out on the palling wig - it’s shocking! It’s like a dead an- road with me. He drove me to all my gigs and “I think it was on the back of having been in imal perched on my forehead. It’s arranged the hotels etc, so it meant that all I Last Laugh In Vegas that the Summer Holi- deliberately bad; he thinks that no one no- had to think about was performing and day producers decided I’d be a suitable Jerry. tices.” putting on a good show. Part of that was It was hard work; there were a lot of late great because it was my dad and he had my Packed full of classic Cliff Richard hits, in- nights and a lot of early starts, but on the best interests at heart. But also, it’s your dad, cluding Summer Holiday, In The Country, final show we all did our own thing and the and you’re spending all your time with your Move It and Bachelor Boy, as well as bundles audience reaction was just stupendous. It’s dad when really you should be out with of energy and lots of laughs, the show something that I’ll remember for the rest of mates and having fun and having relation- unashamedly recalls a bygone era. “It’s my life. I’ve been fortunate enough to do ships and what have you. That never really lovely because it’s from a much more inno- some brilliant work, and to work with some happened for me until I got into my mid-20s. cent age than the one we’re in now. There are terrific people. I’ve done three seasons at the I was quite a late developer because I was no swear words, there’s the obligatory happy London Palladium and all of that, but to be shielded.” ending and everyone’s having a lovely time. able to say in your mid-60s that you’ve just There’s no message in it - it’s just pure enter- been given the opportunity to work in Las Bobby came out publicly as gay in an inter- tainment. Vegas, and been given a standing ovation - view with Gay Times in 2004, at the age of 50. “We’re keeping all of the original music. that was just amazing! It was so unusual and “The journalist I was speaking to about a Lib- There’s the addition of some Cliff hits that so unexpected. It’s something that I will look erace show I was doing in London knew that weren’t actually in the movie, like The Young back on in the future as a career highlight. I was gay. He said that if I would like to use Ones and The Next Time, so it’s a big treat for that occasion to come out, then they’d give “There’s talk that there’s going to be a live Cliff fans. In terms of the storyline, I think me a three-page spread, and I thought, tour at some point, featuring everybody who those who have a happy memory of the film what’s not to love about that? It was great took part in the show - which is one of the won’t be disappointed by what’s happening publicity for the show, too. I’d always reasons why I've only signed for the first in the musical. All of the most important bits planned to come out in an autobiography, eight weeks of the Summer Holiday tour. It’s remain in it - including, of course, the full- but I thought, let’s do it now and get it all great to have all these opportunities sud- size London double-decker bus.” done and dusted. One reason it took until I denly arrive out of nowhere. My agent is ne- was 50 was the fact that nobody had actually Starring alongside Bobby, and taking the gotiating panto at the moment too, so it looks asked me straight out. If they had, I would’ve Cliff role of Don, is Ray Quinn. Having first like I'm going to have a very busy year!” bitten the bullet and been truthful. Another risen to prominence in Channel Four’s Brook- Bobby believes he was always destined to be reason was that in the early ’70s, if you’d ac- side, Quinn achieved more public recogni- a performer. “I’d been playing the piano tually spoken openly about those things, it tion after finishing second to Leona Lewis in since I was four years old. I started playing in had the potential to finish your career. the 2006 series of The X Factor. In 2009 he front of the public at the age of 12, in amateur won the fourth series of Dancing On Ice. “Opinions are much more relaxed now. We dramatics and concert parties. Then I started Ray’s debut album, Doing It My Way, entered have openly gay pop stars and gay storylines playing in pubs when I was 15 or 16, and the charts at number one and quickly in soap operas. All of that was a million miles turned pro at 18. When anybody asked me, achieved platinum status. His more recent away in 1972. Thank god that people have be- from a very, very early age, what I would end theatre credits include The Wedding Singer, come a little bit more savvy and relaxed up doing, I always said I would be on the Legally Blonde and Dirty Dancing. about these things! My nieces, who are now stage.” in their early 20s, have always known that “Ray will be a revelation when people see Bobby first came to public attention in 1972, they’ve got a gay uncle, and they’ve just him in this role,” says Bobby. “He’s sticking after six winning appearances in the Hughie shrugged it off. The younger generation seem very closely to the template of Don in the Green talent show, Opportunity Knocks. He to think that way, whereas for my generation film, and he’s a good little dancer. We get on was 18 at the time. “My memories of my it was a whole different ball game.” really well; he’s a really nice guy. They’re all teenage years and my early 20s are the inside really great.” of TV studios and hotel rooms. I wasn’t really At sixty-four, Bobby is the oldest member of given the opportunity to develop in terms of the Summer Holiday cast, but he’s certainly my personal life because everything was Summer Holiday runs at the lost none of his enthusiasm for working. He geared towards my professional life. I New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, recently appeared in the ITV series Last shouldn’t complain because it was what I from 12 to 16 June & Regent Theatre, Laugh In Vegas. The show followed eight wanted, or what I thought I wanted at the Stoke-on-Trent from 2 to 6 October well-known variety performers from the ’60s, time, but I think it should have been tem- ’70s and ’80s - including Anita Harris, Su Pol- pered with a little bit more time given over to lard, Bernie Clifton and Jess Conrad - as they my emotional development. It was a very

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Dance previews from around the region Dance

Company Wayne McGregor - Atomos New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 1 & Sat 2 June Visiting Birmingham under the umbrella of the city’s international dance festival, cutting-edge choreographer Wayne McGregor’s Atomos sees 10 dancers presenting a performance that’s been described as ‘sculp- tural, rigorous, jarring and hauntingly beautiful’. McGregor is well known for his tenacious style of questioning, not only through body and mind but also across the art and science interface. This latest piece sees him atomising bodies, movement, film, sound and light into what he describes as ‘miniature shards of intense sensation’. The production is suitable for audience members aged eight and older.

Ballet Central Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 4 June Works by renowned choreographers including Matthew Bourne and Wayne Mc- Gregor feature in this mixed bill, presented by young dancers on the cusp of their professional careers. Bourne’s Fairies Pro- logue, from his gothic reworking of Sleeping Beauty, and an excerpt from Mc- Gregor’s Far are performed alongside Jenna Lee's brand new creation, Black Swan. Christopher Gable’s Cinderella and an excerpt from Kenneth MacMillan’s rarely seen Valley Of Shadows also feature.

Candoco Dance Company MAC, Birmingham, Wed 13 & Thurs 14 June Aiming as always to produce cutting-edge work that challenges and broadens percep- tions of art and ability, Candoco here present BRB Romeo & Juliet an imaginative double bill as part of Birming- Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 26 - Sat 30 June ham International Dance Festival. Yasmeen Godder's new work, Face In, is set to Kenneth McMillan’s celebrated work remains an urban indie score and described by Can- one of the finest and most popular versions of doco as ‘a sensual and disturbing ode to inti- Sergei Prokofiev’s stunning ballet, and here macy and imagination, expressed through makes a welcome return as part of the 2018 striking images and daring, uninhibited Birmingham International Dance Festival pro- dance’. gramme. Birmingham Royal Ballet’s exquisite Hetain Patel’s Let’s Talk About Dis, mean- version has garnered widespread praise and is while, is an exploration of the dancers’ per- unquestionably one of the company’s most sonalities, ‘a playful and intimate piece’ that admired productions. asks questions about the nature of identity The show lasts for just short of three hours and how it is formed. and features two intervals. whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Dance June 2018 .qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:21 Page 3

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Dance previews from around the region Dance

Elements Of Freestyle Birmingham Hippodrome, Thurs 14 June Making use of four skating ramps assembled in a variety of ways, El- ements Of Freestyle showcases performances of breakdance, in- line skating, skateboarding, freerunning, BMX and freestyle basketball. The show has been put together by Marco Gerris (former jury member of The Freestyle Games and So You Think You Can Dance), and delivers ‘a fresh look at urban arts’. Presented under the Birmingham International Dance Festival banner, the production is performed by ISH Dance Collective.

2Faced Dance Move To The Company: Moon Rhythm Victoria Square, Birmingham, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 9 & Sun 10 June Sat 9 June Herefordshire’s 2Faced Dance Com- This showcase event for the pany describe their show as a combi- Keep Fit Association (KFA) fea- nation of ‘breathtaking dance and a tures regional teams represent- whole host of mess and mayhem’. It ing their members across the also features an aerial hoop and has UK. Dedicated to the provision been specially created for family au- of safe and effective exercise, diences. Inspired by Hans Christian movement and dance, the KFA Andersen and bringing together promotes a holistic workout dance, circus and music, the show that uses creative choreography follows the story of the lonely and to help its members achieve scared Jack, and the amazing adven- ‘lifelong fitness’. ture he enjoys with the Moon.

New Creation The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, Sat 23 June A collaborative experimentation, reflecting on the interface of nature and the artifice of the human body, New Creation sees celebrated choreographers Cecilia Bengolea and Florentina Holzinger teaming up to contemplate ‘the limits of the body and its representation in relationship to nature’. Focusing on hybrid insects existing in a lake of slime, the show takes a look at how the unpre- dictable conditions of their environment force constant adaptation, gradually disfiguring both their physical and sensory worlds. The production is presented as part of Birmingham International Dance Festival.

whatsonlive.co.uk 37 George Williamson BRB.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 12:36 Page 1

Embracing life Midlands-born choreographer George Williamson talks about premiering his new ballet as part of a Birmingham Royal Ballet mixed programme...

38 whatsonlive.co.uk George Williamson BRB.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 12:36 Page 2

by Jenny Ell

In November last year, professional dance never before been involved in such a collabo- Williamson is no stranger to creating new development programme Ballet Now an- rative process. “It’s new music, a completely ballets, so does he prefer this to reinventing nounced the first team of choreographers new concept, story and designs.” existing material? “Yes, definitely. I really and composers who would be creating new love creating. I want to be a choreographer On being given the Ballet Now opportunity, one-act ballets for the stage. Emerging talent who creates stories that relate to the world Williamson approached American composer George Williamson, from Worcestershire, we live in now; creating movement that’s ex- Sarah Kirkland Snider to write the music, was one of the choreographers chosen. His citing, new and challenging for the dancers. visiting her in the States. “I got to spend new ballet, Embrace, premieres this month. At the same time, I want to make stories that some time with Sarah out there, where we fi- are challenging and interesting for the audi- Twenty-seven-year-old Williamson has nalised the music and discussed all the finer ence.” danced and choreographed professionally all details. I’ve loved working with her, and I’m over the world since graduating from the En- really excited to hear the music with an or- Williamson feels that development pro- glish National Ballet School in 2010. During chestra for the first time.” grammes like Ballet Now are incredibly im- his training there, he won a succession of portant in today’s industry. “It’s an amazing Amazingly, the first four weeks of rehearsal awards, and is fast becoming ‘one to watch’ opportunity, to be trusted to build a show to for Embrace were choreographed to no music in ballet circles. whatever you want it to be. It’s allowing me at all. “We’d created a lot of material before to be quite brave in what I’m doing. This is His new production is essentially about dis- we had the music, and because of this, we developing me as a choreographer and there- regarding who we’re expected to be and in- were able to try whatever we liked. Once you fore developing everyone around me as stead embracing who we are. In a world of have the music, it sets final parameters, so it well.” patriarchy, Embrace explores the weight, was actually a relief to finally have it; you grief and loneliness of ‘otherness’. Expressed can’t just keep creating endless amounts of Being brought up fairly local to Birmingham, through movement, this is a very personal movement.” Williamson attended Birmingham Royal Bal- project for Williamson. “I’ve never done a let’s Junior Associates when he was younger, Williamson usually works with music from narrative work based on anything to do with and also performed in The Nutcracker as a the outset, but he’s enjoyed the collaborative myself before, but this way I can really tap child. “When I went to Elmhurst School, we nature of not initially having any. “We’ve into all of the different emotions and ideas in would go and watch the Birmingham Royal been able to change our minds about the the piece.” Ballet company, so it feels quite surreal to movement and music in rehearsal. When you now be working with them!” Embrace features a number of Birmingham dance in the studio, trying out ideas, the Royal Ballet dancers who’re working with music that works in your head potentially The best moment for Williamson will un- Williamson in between fulfilling their com- doesn’t work with the dancers’ bodies. I was doubtedly be seeing all of the elements of his mitments to the company. “It’s been quite a able to feed that back to Sarah, and she ballet coming together on stage. “Hearing long process, as rehearsals have been broken would then edit or adjust the music, which is the music, seeing the set design, the lights up around the dancers’ touring schedule. the true sense of collaboration.” and costume; that’s ultimately what I’ve The ballet is finished, but we have to keep been working on for the last year, so it will An additional challenge was that the com- going over everything that we’ve been doing feel really special.” poser had never worked with ballet before, during the last four months.” so Williamson had to explain a lot along the Williamson won’t see his dancers again until way. “The thing that attracted me so much to one week before Embrace premieres in Lon- Sarah’s work was that she shows a strong Embrace is part of the Polarity & Proxim- don, due to the fact that they’re touring in sense of ‘story’ in her music. I knew she ity mixed programme being presented at Japan. would be really good at facilitating the narra- Sadlers Wells, London, from Fri 15 to Sun tive and making sure that everything had its 17 June. It then shows at Birmingham Hip- Although Williamson’s CV is impressive, he’s time and place.” podrome from Wed 20 to Sat 23 June.

whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Film June-2.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 16:44 Page 1 Film June-2.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 16:45 Page 2

Film

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Her aim, with the help of raptor handler Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), is Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom CERT 12a to relocate the dinosaurs to a massive sanctuary on the US mainland. Starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ted Levine, Rafe Spall, Toby Jones, Justice Smith, BD Wong, James Cromwell, Geraldine Chaplin, However, the future of the dinos appears to be in the balance when Jeff Goldblum Directed by JA Bayona (USA) unscrupulous operators attempt to profit from the move… Will they ever learn? When the reptilian survivors of the island of Isla The Barcelona-born JA Bayona previously directed the extraordinarily Nublar are threatened by a volcano blowing its top, former park man- powerful and imaginative A Monster Calls (2016). Steven Spielberg ager Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) mounts a rescue operation. acts as executive producer. Released Wed 6 June

Film highlights released in June...

L'Amant Double Book Club CERT 12a (104 mins) CERT 18 (108 mins) Starring Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Starring Marine Vacth, Jérémie Renier, Bergen, Mary Steenburgen, Andy García, Don Jacqueline Bisset Directed by François Ozon Johnson, Richard Dreyfuss, Craig T Nelson, (France/Belgium) Alicia Silverstone Directed by Bill Holderman (USA) Chloé's psychoanalyst, Paul (Jérémie Renier), is not all she thinks he is. And this she only A quartet of lifelong friends find their lives discovers after moving in with him... Expect transformed when they read EL James’ Fifty some pretty raunchy nookie. Shades Of Grey. Maybe, there really is sex after the menopause… Nice to see that Don Released Fri 1 June Johnson is among the senior paramours, par- Ismael's Ghosts ticularly as his daughter Dakota played Anas- CERT 15 (35 mins) tasia Steele on screen. Starring Mathieu Amalric, Marion Cotillard, Released Fri 1 June Charlotte Gainsbourg, Louis Garrel, Alba Rohrwacher, László Szabó Ben Cross Di- rected by Arnaud Desplechin (France) Just as he’s embarking on the production of his latest film, the director Ismaël Vuil- lard (Amalric) is dumbfounded by a ghost from his past. His wife Carlotta (Cotillard), who had disappeared 21 years ago, turns up to resume her life… Released Fri 1 June whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Film June-2.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 16:45 Page 3

Film highlights released in June...

perior horror film hits the multiplex. The fea- The Bookshop CERT PG (113 mins) ture directorial debut of Aster (who also scripted), this chiller stars Toni Collette (in a Starring Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson, Bill Nighy, Honor Kneafsey career-high performance, if that’s possible) Directed by Isabel Coixet (UK/Spain/Germany) as an artist who has just lost her mother. Based on the 1978 novel by Penelope Fitzger- Then the secrets ald, this is the tale of a woman who - against start tumbling out fierce local opposition - decides to open a of the closet. Ide- bookshop in her small coastal town. ally, you should Set in 1959, the film joins the recent biblio- avoid all the spoil- philic dramas The Guernsey Literary Soci- ers built into the ety… and Book Club. We’re now waiting for The Ciambra CERT 15 (123 mins) trailer. the first Kindle classic. Starring Pio Amato, Koudous Seihon Released Directed by Jonas Carpignano (Italy) Released Fri 29 June Fri 15 June If nothing else, Jonas Carpignano's The Ciambra achieves a bracing authenticity. A probing, non-judgmental, documentary- like portrait of Romany life in Calabria, Italy, Super Troopers 2 the film is loose on narrative but strong on at- CERT 15 (99 mins) mosphere. The Amato family plays itself, Starring Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, Erik Stolhanske, while 14-year-old Pio Amato is our protago- Rob Lowe, Brian Cox nist, an inveterate liar and thief who is des- Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar (USA) perate to follow in his brother’s questionable The troopers in question are a group of Ver- footsteps. If this is peer pressure, it is irrevo- mont state troopers and this time, when an cable. There is a faint honour among thieves international border dispute arises between painted here, but the relentless stealing and Canada and the US, they are called on to set disrespect for other people’s property hardly up a new Highway Patrol station. warms the viewer to this particular Romany Although the original family. comedy was a flop, and Leave No Trace was released back in Released Fri 15 June CERT PG (109 mins) 2002, a crowdfunding Starring Ben Foster, Thomasin McKenzie, Jeff campaign managed to Kober, Dale Dickey The Happy Prince set the belated sequel Directed by Debra Granik (USA) CERT 15 (105 mins) on its way. Oh, joy. Starring Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Colin Mor- Released Fri 15 June gan, Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson, Anna Chancellor, Alister Cameron Directed by Rupert Everett (UK/Belgium/Ger- many/Italy) Ocean’s 8 CERT 12a (110 mins) Having portrayed Oscar Starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Wilde on stage in David Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Ri- Hare’s The Judas Kiss, Ru- hanna, Helena Bonham Carter, James Corden, pert Everett obviously got Matt Damon Directed by Gary Ross (USA) a taste for Wildean the- One for the girls: Debbie Ocean (Bullock), the atrics. Here, his own estranged sister of arch crook Danny Ocean, screenplay chronicles the is determined to out-do her brother by last days of the Irish wit mounting the heist of the century: at the an- and playwright when he nual Met Gala in New York. All she needs are suffered terrible recrimination whilst in exile some female accomplices… in Naples and Paris. The film also marks the Expect lots of starry cameos. directorial debut of Everett. Released Mon 18 June Released Fri 15 June Will (Foster) and his 13-year-old daughter (McKenzie) are happy living off the grid in the woodlands of Oregon. Then social ser- Hereditary CERT 15 (127 mins) vices catches up with them… From Debra Starring Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Granik, the director of the gritty, eloquent Ann Dowd, Gabriel Byrne Winter’s Bone (2010), which launched Jen- Directed by Ari Aster (USA) nifer Lawrence’s career. Granik’s new film Following the critical acclaim heaped upon has also received raves from US critics. Get Out, Raw and A Quiet Place, another su- Released Fri 29 June

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Film

Sicario 2: Soldado CERT 15 (122 mins) Starring Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, Isabela Moner, Jeffrey Donovan, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Catherine Keener, Matthew Modine Directed by Stefano Sollima (USA/Italy) While Emily Blunt, star of the first Sicario film, has been busy unpacking her carpet bag for Mary Poppins Returns, her col- leagues-in-crime-fighting, Alejandro Gillick (del Toro) and Matt Graver (Brolin), have their hands full with new drug-related problems on the Mexican border. This time, though, they’re also dealing with jihadi ter- rorists. Expect some pretty strong violence. Released Fri 29 June

CRITIC’S CHOICE

In The Fade CERT 18 (106 Mins) Starring Diane Kruger, Denis Moschitto, Jo- last year’s Cannes Film Festival. She plays hannes Krisch, Ulrich Tukur Katja Sekerci, a wife and mother who has to Directed by Fatih Akin (Germany/France) pick up the pieces of her life after her hus- Winner of the Golden Globe for best foreign band and son are killed in a nail bomb at- language film, this German-language crime tack. The title is taken, of course, from the drama stars Diane Kruger in what is arguably song of the same name by Queens Of The her finest performance to date. Indeed, she Stone Age. walked away with the best actress award at Zoo CERT PG (97 mins) Released Fri 22 June Starring Art Parkinson, Toby Jones, Penelope Wilton, Ian O'Reilly, Amy Huberman Directed by Colin McIvor (UK/Ireland) Adrift CERT tbc As the Germans bomb the hell out of Belfast Starring Shailene Woodley, Sam Claflin, Jeffrey in 1941, young Tom (Parkinson) and his Thomas Directed by Baltasar Kormákur (USA) friend attempt to save the zoo’s prize attrac- Like The Mercy, which opened this February, tion, Buster the baby elephant. The film this is the true story of an ocean-going should prove an interesting companion piece drama. Having just fallen in love, passionate to last year’s The Zookeeper's Wife, which sailors Tami and Richard decide to embark was set in the Warsaw Zoo during the Second together on an epic voyage across the Pacific. World War. Both films are based on true inci- However, they hadn’t bargained on the wrath dents. of a history-defining hurricane… Released Fri 29 June Released Fri 29 June

Patrick CERT PG (94 mins) Starring Ed Skrein, Tom Bennett, Jennifer Saunders, Beattie Edmondson, Adrian Scar- borough, Gemma Jones Directed by Mandie Fletcher (UK) Patrick is a problem, a real handful, and he’s not very big. He’s actually a spoiled pug, in- herited by Sarah (Beattie Edmondson) from her grandmother, a week before she’s due to start a new job. From Disney. For the whole family. Released Fri 29 June whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Visual Arts June 1.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:20 Page 1

Visual Arts previews from around the region

International Garden Photographer Of The Year Fusion Building, Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire, until Mon 17 September Images celebrating the beauty of plants, wildflower landscapes and ‘the bountiful Earth’ all feature in this year’s International Garden Photographer Of The Year exhibition (IGPOTY), returning to Ironbridge Gorge as part of its worldwide tour. Commenting on the show, the exhibition’s manager, Curtis McGlinchey, said: “Ironbridge is a remarkable place, and it’s an absolute privilege to bring the exhibition there. The show celebrates plant life in its many diverse forms, but it also helps us reflect upon our relationship with the natural world. “The importance of the intersection between nature and technology is a prominent quality shared between both Ironbridge and IGPOTY, and is one that makes the exhibition feel especially relevant at this historic location.”

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Visual Arts

New York City Life Barber Institute, Birmingham, until Sun 16 September A contemporary of George Bellows, John Sloan’s prints provide fascinating historical insights into Manhattan life during a period of rapid social change. The exhibition at the Barber features the only complete set of Sloan’s prints outside the US. They were gifted to the venue by Delaware Art Museum, a gesture prompted by the Barber’s 2016 exhibition, Bellows And The Body.

Miss Black And Beautiful MAC, Birmingham, until Sun 1 July An exhibition of photographs taken by the late Osman Yousefzada: Bring Somewhere Else Raphael Albert, Miss Black And Beautiful docu- Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, Wed 6 - Fri 29 June ments numerous black British beauty pageants organised by Albert from the late 1960s on- Birmingham-born fashion designer bued with a strong sense of social com- wards. The pageants were a Osman Yousefzada showcases a style mentary, has been shaped by a clear celebration of the 1970s’ ‘Black which has been described as combining awareness of political contexts. Osman’s is beautiful’ aesthetic, the haute couture techniques and fabrics Ikon show features imported garments most notable among them with a clear perception of modernity. His made by low-wage workers for ‘fast fash- being the annual Miss West In- multi-disciplinary design practice, im- ion’ in the West. dies In Great Britain contest.

Creative Rage The Marvellous Andrew Tift: Immortalise Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- New Art Gallery, Walsall, until Sun 2 September Trent, until Sun 2 September Mechanical Museum Walsall figurative artist Andrew Tift specialises Creative Rage brings together paintings, Compton Verney Art Gallery, Warwick- shire, Sat 30 June - Sun 30 September in portraiture and finds much of his inspiration photographs, prints and ceramics to fol- in the New Art Gallery’s collections and exhibi- low three artists' ‘vibrant and confronta- tions. Already well known to regular visitors to tional’ exploration of LGBTQ themes. the museum, Andrew is here presenting a range Proud, committed and uncompromising of paintings, drawings, photographs and members of the progressive LGBTQ artis- sketchbooks that combine his love of portrai- tic community, the trio of contributors ture with more recent experimental works. create visually startling works that explore themes of bravery, aggression and ‘trailblazing, combative non-conformity’. Marvellous Mechanical Museum reimagines the spectacular automata exhibitions of the 18th century, in order to explore the boundaries of ‘what is lifelike and what is alive, where artists, inventors and engineers collide’. Featuring early and rare automata and clockwork dating back to the 17th century, many of the items on display have been taken from the British Mu- seum, the V&A and the Royal Collec- tion. Highlights include a miniature Faberge moving elephant and kinetic artist Tim Lewis’ uncanny Crimson Prince.

whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Dan Snow DPS.qxp_Layout 1 31/05/2018 09:26 Page 1

The History Boy Television presenter and passionate historian Dan Snow is visiting the region this month with his first ever live touring show - and not surprisingly, it’s all about history! Midlands Zone caught up with the hot’n’hunky heartthrob to find out why he’s so darned interested in ‘the past’... Dan Snow DPS.qxp_Layout 1 31/05/2018 09:26 Page 2

Talk us through the motivations behind Can you explain your passion for history? history is vital. People are mad to believe doing your first live tour, An Evening With The first question I’m always asked at events politicians without checking the evidence The History Guy... is, “What’s the best place you’ve ever been first. Young people need to learn about the When you’re making television and podcasts, to?” They expect me to say something like reliability of sources, sifting through people’s it’s very lonely. You sit by yourself and think, Angkor Wat. But, perhaps weirdly, I just love motivations and understanding why they’re “Is anyone watching?” That’s why TV this country - there’s so much character and saying something to you. There’s nothing presenters take to Facebook Live. That gives history here. Wherever you go in Britain, more important than questioning those in you the number of viewers at the bottom of there are so many stories. For example, you authority. the screen. It might be only five people, but at can visit a place just outside Manchester and You go into schools and teach children least you know someone is there! find the perfect Industrial Revolution-era about history... textile mill where global industrialisation What will you be talking about in the Yes, I try and help kids to think about history began. show? in the best possible way. I give them a sense The UK tour of The Sound Of Music in around So history is constantly beckoning you of why we bother studying the past. It affects 2010, which, weirdly, Jason Donovan ended towards it? the present, what we wear, our economics, up doing as well. Absolutely. I drove up the M3 recently to the fact that there’s violence on some streets. interview a Second World War veteran. On All those things are products of history. But Do members of the public help with your the way, I visited Odiham Castle in it’s stuff that a teacher might not get the time research? Hampshire. It was built by King John, to cover in a planned lesson. Yes, they do. I get lots of messages on my besieged twice and various people were Tell us about your channel, History Hit TV. Facebook page. There’s so much history out murdered there down the centuries. The M3 Life is very exciting at the moment. Our there, it’s ridiculous - and I find the stories is a road I use all the time, and I’d never podcasts have a million listeners. It’s no that people send me fascinating. Also, it’s heard of Odiham Castle before. There’s so longer about going to a publisher and easier to become knowledgeable in an aspect much history on this island just waiting to be waiting for a commission. It’s about going of history. It’s not like physics, where you discovered. It’s such a treat. We may out there and making instant connections need a $300billion particle accelerator in the complain, but we do have a great respect for with people. I love doing the podcast because house to become an expert. I’m really looking history. I’m half Canadian, and in Canada of its simplicity and speed. forward to interaction with the audiences at they would simply bulldoze a historic site my shows. and put a new building in its place. We’re so What you do in your spare time? Do people want to recount their personal lucky that we’ve preserved so much in We go on holiday and visit historic sites! The histories, too? Britain. kids are more manageable when you’re doing Yes, they often want to tell me all about their What do you think are the benefits of stuff with them. Having them around the family history, or the part their family played studying history? house in winter is brutal. Looking around Winchester or Basingstoke is great fun. in history, like a soldier in the First World It’s very good for your mental health to go to Walking around the Roman walls of Chester War. A huge number of people tell me stories these places. When I went to Odiham Castle, is a really good day out. You’re a better parent about their ancestors. They will say for example, it was a beautiful sunlit if you take your children out to these historic something like, “My father was the first black morning - not a bad way to spend 20 minutes. places. It will make them better citizens. RAF pilot”. Listening to them, you realise Being a historian is a lovely job, but we can We’re also on the water all the time. I often how many firsts there are. all do it at any time. row with the kids near our house. Is your hope that you will captivate Does studying history also help us to So were you introduced to the joys of audiences with your infectious understand more about the present day? enthusiasm for your subject? history at a very young age? Definitely. It explains so much about today. Yes. Every weekend as a child, I was taken to Yes! History isn’t all about dead kings, old Why can’t you book a boozy holiday in a historical site, a castle, palace or a libraries and dust. It’s everything. It’s your Somalia? That’s down to history. The museum. I got History Stockholm Syndrome parents’ eyes meeting across a crowded country’s instability is the result of colonial as a boy, and now I’m inflicting it on my own room, and why we are who we are, and why interference, food scarcity and the children! I don’t bother asking them how we’re speaking English, and why it’s interference of America. In the same way, they feel about it. They seem to tolerate it - acceptable for women and men to mingle why can’t you go to a pub in Armagh and sing they don’t know any better! Two weeks ago, I together. I hope people walk out of the God Save The Queen without being glassed, took my two-year-old daughter to HMS theatre saying that they had a really good while 20 miles away it would be fine? That’s Victory. It was just another day in the office time. I also hope they leave having thought all about history. If you’re curious about the for her! deeply about the past of their town, their world today, history can help you understand country and their world. it. It will also make you realise that we’re so History has become fashionable again... lucky to be alive today. It gives things a real sense of perspective. Yes. In the 1990s, history was very An Evening With The History Guy shows unfashionable. But 9/11 changed all that. It Is it important that children learn history at: Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wednesday 6 June; was a huge wake-up call. It reminded at school? Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Monday 18 everyone that many people around the world Yes. History is a fantastic thing to teach kids. June; Crewe Lyceum, Tuesday 19 June; and felt that history wasn’t finished. They felt It teaches young people about the things they Stafford Gatehouse, Wednesday 4 July. enormous resentment about the fact that say and hear, and it teaches them to be some people thought that the hands of profoundly distrustful of politicians - and history had stopped. also not to invade Russia! Literacy about Events June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 18:16 Page 1

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Events previews from around the region Events

Trampoline & Tumbling Arena Birmingham, Sat 16 & Sun 17 June Some of the country’s top gym- nasts here come together to show off their skills and battle it out in the regional team finals. Expect a show jam-packed to the proverbial rafters with high-flying somersaults and aerial tricks. International Model Air Show Weston Park, Weston-under- Lizard, Nr Shifnal, Fri 15 - Sun 17 June Now in its 26th year, this popular event features a host of displays and exhibitors. Model aircraft en- Creative Craft Show NEC, Birmingham, Fri 29 June - Sun 1 July thusiasts from across Europe will be in attendance, demonstrating If you’re a fan of all things hand-made, the Crafty Beggar’s Julie Peasgood and Wendy Turner- their hugely impressive flying Creative Craft Show is the event for you. Featuring Webster to learn how magazine pages can be skills in Weston’s picturesque an impressive selection of supplies, the show used to create beautiful beads. grounds. provides the chance to glean advice from industry The show offers plenty of fun for children too, experts and take part in an impressive range of with Sugartots Sand Art allowing them to create workshops. their very own sand masterpiece. Step Back To Visitors can try their hand at silk painting, or join The 1940s Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, nr Kidderminster, Sat 30 June & Sun 1 July Festival Of Black All aboard for a Severn Valley Rail- Country Vehicles way train journey back in time to Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, the 1940s! Sun 17 June The railway’s lighthearted homage Given the Black Country’s historical reputa- to wartime Britain features an im- tion as a major centre for the manufacturing pressive selection of attractions up of bicycles, motorcycles, cars, lorries and and down the line, including vin- buses, this one-day event should prove to be tage vehicle displays, musical en- a fascinating experience. The festival features tertainment and costumed classic cars and an array of vehicles made by reenactors. Black Country brands including AJS, Clyno The ever-popular Big Band Show - and Sunbeam. featuring a jazz orchestra playing music from the ’40s - also makes a return. RAF Cosford Air Show RAF Museum Cosford, Shifnal, Sun 10 June Attracting thousands of visitors each year, Cos- ford’s annual air show is considered to be one of the country’s top aviation events. Alongside a six-hour aerial display, the 2018 event also boasts a collection of up to 100 never- before-seen static aircraft, featuring in the show in celebration of the RAF’s centenary. The hugely popular Vintage Village makes a welcome return too, complete with period entertainment and tea room.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Tudor Weekend Blakesley Hall, Birmingham, Sat 2 & Sun 3 June Sample Tudor dancing, learn about sword fighting, have a go at feather quill writing or try your hand at face-painting at this family-friendly event. Visitors can also meet reenactors at the Tudor Travelling Camp or blend entertainment with education by joining one of the costumed tours.

Steampunk Weekend Festival - to present an event that features exhibitions about steampunk art, costumes and Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, sculpture. Fashion designers, authors and Sat 23 & Sun 24 June artists will also be on hand, as will specially se- Blists Hill once again showcases all things lected artisan traders of steampunk jewellery, steampunk this month, after last year’s inaugu- comics, art and gadgets. ral event proved such a success. A number of themed activities should ensure Ironbridge Gorge Museums has teamed up with there’s plenty to keep your kids happy and en- Asylum - the organisers of Lincoln’s Steampunk tertained. 400 Years Of Aston Hall Aston Hall, Birmingham, Sun 24 June BBC Good Food Show Aston Hall celebrates its 400th an- NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 14 - Sun 17 June niversary this month by going back in time - to the year 1642, to If you’re looking for some summer recipe inspi- be precise - when Sir Thomas ration, look no further than the BBC Good Food Holte, the venue’s original owner, Show. played host to King Charles I. Some of the UK’s top chefs will be in attendance Visitors on the day will have the at the ever-popular event, including queen of opportunity to meet the ‘formida- baking Mary Berry, Michelin master Michel Roux ble’ Sir Thomas himself - not to Jr and the always-entertaining Hairy Bikers. mention his servant and even the With hundreds of fine food and drink producers king(!) - but not before receiving also in attendance, you can shop till you drop some sure-to-be-handy tips on and taste away all day! 17th century etiquette! A ticket to the show also allows you to explore the BBC Gardeners’ World Live event. The World Of Park & Leisure Homes Show NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, Fri 8 - Sun 10 June View and explore around 60 park homes and leisure lodges from 19 leading manufacturers at this well-established event. There’s also the opportunity to meet representa- tives from a huge range of leisure, holiday and residential park sites across the UK and beyond, in the process discovering a selection of fantastic locations in which to enjoy the benefits of a leisure or residential lifestyle! whatsonlive.co.uk 49 Shiiine On Festival June 2018.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 14:41 Page 1 The List Cover June Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 11:31 Page 2

YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide JuneJune 20182018 thelist

Hollywood Vampires - Genting Arena, Sat 16 June

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 June Mon 11 to Sun 17 June Mon 18 to Sun 24 June Mon 25 to Sat 30 June

War Of The Roses Live at The Bee Project at Cara Dillon’s Wanderer Tour at Idris Elba plays a DJ set at Warwick Castle Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Artrix, Bromsgrove Kasbah, Coventry Sat 9 - Sun 10 June Thurs 14 - Sat 16 June Fri 22 June Sat 30 June

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List Warwicks/Worcs Fri 1 - Sun 10 June Dav.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 14:59 Page 1

thelist THROUGHOUT JUNE Gigs

ning and internationally renowned JANIS JOPLIN & FRIENDS Visual Arts video games company based in War- IN THE WOODSTOCK EX- wickshire, Sat 30 June - Sun 23 Sept PERIENCE Fri 1 June, Artrix, Bromsgrove Number 8 Community NEW PLAY: AN EXPLORATION OF TOYS, Arts Centre, Worces- NEW LACRIMARUM: CONTROL, UNCON- GAMES & FUN Delve into the world of tershire TROLLABLE Lacrimarum finds ways of play in this interactive exhibition for exploring the ineffable through the all the family, Sat 30 June - Sun 23 THE CRAIG CHARLES artistic mediums of digital print, paint, Sept FUNK & SOUL CLUB Fri 1 textiles and sculpture, Tues 19 June - June, The Assembly, Leamington Spa Sun 12 Aug The Hive, Worcester NICK HEYWARD Fri 1 Birmingham Museum & NEW IMAGES OF RESEARCH Exhibition June, O2 Academy, Art Gallery displaying images and commentaries Birmingham submitted by University of Worcester VANLEY BURKE: PHOTOGRAPHING BIRM- research staff and students, Sat 2 - HIGH KNUCKS, 28 COS- INGHAM (1968 - 2011) Exhibition show- Sun 10 June, The Hive, Worcester TUMES + LOVE BITES Fri ing how Burke has documented the 1 June, The Tin Music NEW THROUGH THE MISTS OF TIME Im- poignant and everyday moments of And Arts, Canal Basin, mersive experience inspired by the life in Birmingham. Burke’s pho- Coventry Adam Sweet - Elmslie House, Great Malvern evolution of humans towards the end tographs capture scenes of child- of the last Ice Age, Sat 16 June - Sat FLEETWOOD BAC Fri 1 Asylum, Birmingham Birmingham hood, crowds, community and faith, 8 Sept, The Hive, Worcester June, Artrix, Broms- THE DECADES BAND - QUILL WITH BEV BEVAN power and protest, as well as portray- grove 80S VS 90S SPECIAL! ing influential men and women of our NEW LOST LANDSCAPES Exhibition de- Fri 8 June, Artrix, THE SMITHS LTD time, until Sun 1 July tailing all aspects of what it meant to Fri 1 Sat 2 June, The River Bromsgrove be human in the Ice Age, Sat 16 June June, The River Rooms, Stourbridge ASIAN YOUTH CULTURE: EXPLORING THE GAGA QUEEN TRIBUTE - Tues 18 Sept, The Hive, Worcester Rooms, Stourbridge HERITAGE & HISTORY OF YOUNG BRITISH THE BEAT (STARRING Fri 8 June, The Core THE SHIRES DAVE WAKELING) ASIANS IN BIRMINGHAM Exhibition that Fri 1 June, Sat 2 Theatre, Solihull explores the heritage and history of Worcester City Museum & Art Symphony Hall, Birm- June, O2 Academy, MO GILLIGAN AKA MO the lives and contributions young Gallery ingham Birmingham THE COMEDIAN: COUPLA Asian people have made across NEW ICE AGE Celebrating half a million SPEAR OF DESTINY Fri 1 THE BON JOVI EXPERI- CANS TOUR Fri 8 June, three distinct periods: the 1950s-60s, years of Worcestershire's history, Sat June, The Assembly, ENCE Sat 2 June, Eve- O2 Academy, B’ham 1970s-1990s, and 2000 to the pre- 16 June - Sat 8 Sept Leamington Spa sham Arts Centre COURTNEY ACT - UNDER sent day, until Sun 29 July JUDIE TZUKE- PEACE MORETALLICA Sat 2 THE COVERS Fri 8 June, DIPPY ON TOUR: A NATURAL HISTORY Other VISUAL ARTS HAS BROKEN OUT TOUR June, The Marr's Bar, O2 Institute, B’ham ADVENTURE The Natural History Mu- JOHN PIPER, A TATE LIVERPOOL EXHIBI- Fri 1 June, Huntingdon Worcester ADAM SWEET Fri 8 seum’s famous Diplodocus, known TION John Piper (1903-1992) was a Hall, Worcester JON MOSES Mon 4 June, Elmslie House, as Dippy, is taking a road trip to Birm- major contributor to the artistic and FURY Fri 1 - Sat 2 June, June, The Glee Club, Great Malvern ingham. This is a free ticketed event, cultural landscape of 20th century The Marr's Bar, Birmingham PRONE 2 MADNESS Fri 8 but advanced booking is strongly ad- Britain. This is the first major exhibi- Worcester PUBLIC IMAGE LTD Mon June, The River vised, until Sun 9 Sept tion of Piper’s work since 2003, until CLOUDBUSTING - A TRIB- 4 June, The Copper Rooms, Stourbridge NEW THE EVERYDAY AND EXTRAORDI- Thurs 21 June, Warwick Arts Centre, UTE TO KATE BUSH Sat 2 Rooms, Coventry THE DRIFTERS Fri 8 NARY Exhibition exploring the poten- Coventry June, Huntingdon Hall, KEITH SLATER'S SONG- June, The Swan The- tial of objects to be transformed and MAD KING FAT KNIGHT Exhibition of Worcester BOOK Tues 5 June, The atre, Worcester seen in new and insightful ways. works of art created by RSC Hon- BLACK MAGIC - THE LIT- Core Theatre, Solihull Showcasing over 70 modern and JANE MCDONALD Fri 8 orary Associate Artist Antony Sher, TLE MIX SHOW Sat 2 contemporary artworks, Sat 9 June - NECRONOMIDOL, June, New Alexandra until Sun 23 Sept, Royal Shake- June, The Roses The- Sun 9 Sept SCREAMING SIXTIES AND Theatre, Birmingham speare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon atre, Tewkesbury DOUBLE AND Tues 5 THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN TRUTH HATH A QUIET BREAST Exhibition ABSOLUTE BOWIE - 50 June, Hare & Hounds, Compton Verney Gallery, by Eve Parnell of exquisite pencil-on- Sat 9 June, Albany YEARS OF BOWIE Sat 2 Birmingham Theatre, Coventry Warwick tissue-paper drawings inspired by the June, Artrix, Broms- DONNA TAGGART Wed 6 THE STORY OF THE NEW RODNEY PEPPÉ’S WORLD OF IN- surroundings of Hall’s Croft, until Sun grove June, The Core The- BEACH BOYS Sat 9 VENTION Exhibition offering a fascinat- 4 Nov, Hall's Croft, Stratford-upon- THE ROLLING STONES atre, Solihull June, Huntingdon Hall, ing insight into Rodney Peppé’s Avon Sat 2 June, Ricoh ROLLING BLACKOUTS Worcester creative career as a toy, automaton NEVILLE STAPLE - THE ORIGINAL RUDE Arena, Coventry COASTAL FEVER Wed 6 and model maker, children’s author BOY The exhibition hopes to show THE DRIFTERS Sat 9 THE COURTBETWEENERS June, Hare & Hounds, and illustrator, and graphic designer many aspects of a man who has June, Palace Theatre, Sat 2 June, The Em- Birmingham and artist, Sat 30 June - Sun 30 Sept done so much for Coventry music, Redditch pire, Coventry but also so much for other artists, GODIVA CALLING HEAT PAC TO THE 80S Sat 9 Leamington Spa Art Gallery until Sun 2 Dec, Coventry Music Mu- ROY WOODS Sat 2 #1 Wed 6 June, The June, The Empire, & Museum seum June, O2 Institute, Tin Music And Arts, Coventry Birmingham Canal Basin, Coventry UNLOCKED! BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE NEW RONNIE WOOD EXHIBITION Collec- CLASSIC CLAPTON Sat 9 ART GALLERY & MUSEUM Exhibition tion of his greatest art hits, compris- LOMA DEBUT ALBUM SMOOVE & TURRELL June, Artrix, Broms- shining a spotlight on objects and ing some of the most sought-after TOUR Sat 2 June, The Thurs 7 June, Hare & grove limited editions published in his artis- Tin Music And Arts, Hounds, Birmingham artworks in the museum’s collection, UNDER A BANNER Sat 9 tic career to date. Plus new mixed- Canal Basin, Coventry until Sun 15 July TEQUILA MOCKINGBYRD June, The Marr's Bar, media works, unique ROCK FOR HEROES Sat 2 AND RENEGADE TWELVE Worcester The Herbert Art Gallery & hand-embellished editions and origi- June, The Swan The- Fri 8 June, Kasbah, Museum nal drawings and paintings, Sat 9 atre, Worcester Coventry MEAT LOUD - TRIBUTE TO June - Sat 7 July, Castle Galleries, MEAT LOAF Sat 9 June, UPRAWR'S 8TH BIRTH- THE MOUSE OUTFIT Fri 8 NEW RARE: FROM 8-BIT TO XBOX ONE Leamington Spa The Swan Theatre, Celebration of Rare, the award-win- DAY Sat 2 June, The June, Hare & Hounds, Worcester 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwicks/Worcs Fri 1 - Sun 10 June Dav.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 14:59 Page 2

Friday 1 - Sunday 10 June

SARAH KENDALL Sat 2 June, Warwick tion, until Sat 2 June, The REP, B’ham SHOWSTOPPER: THE IMPROVISED MUSI- Classical Music Arts Centre, Coventry KING LEAR Return of Gregory Doran's CAL Award-winning musical comedy, SEAN PERCIVAL, STEVE BUGEJA, MIKE acclaimed production, with Antony created from scratch at each perfor- BENJAMIN GROSVENOR & HYEYOON NEWALL & PETE OTWAY Sat 2 June, Sher reprising his role as King Lear, mance, Fri 1 June, Swan Theatre, PARK IN RECITAL Programme includes The Comedy Loft, Birmingham until Sat 9 June, Royal Shakespeare Worcester works by Beethoven, Ravel, Bartok & Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon EUGENE ONEGIN OperaUpClose pre- Brahms, Fri 1 June, Malvern Theatre RICHARD HERRING Sun 3 June, War- wick Arts Centre, Coventry THE FANTASTIC FOLLIES OF MRS RICH sents an English version of THE SALVATION ARMY: SYMPHONY Mary Pix's comedy of manners, until Tchaikovsky’s famous opera, Sat 2 SOUNDS Also featuring The Amster- TIM KEY Sun 3 June, The Glee Club, Thurs 14 June, The Swan Theatre, June, Malvern Theatres dam Staff Songsters, the Salvation Birmingham Stratford-upon-Avon THE ART OF BELIEVING Musical produc- Army’s International Staff Sections THE COMEDY HUT Tues 5 June, The tion from Daniel Martinez Flamenco and special guests, Sat 2 June, Sym- THE DUCHESS OF MALFI Maria Aberg Civic, Stourport Company, Sat 2 June, Crescent The- phony Hall, Birmingham directs John Webster's tale of re- JOE SUTHERLAND Thurs 7 June, The venge, until Fri 3 Aug, Royal Shake- atre, Birmingham CLASSICAL OPERA - LA FINTA SEMPLICE Core Theatre, Solihull speare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon PRIDE & PREJUDICE Heartbreak Pro- OPERA IN 3 ACTS Featuring Ian Page SCOTT CAPURRO, FERAZ OVEL & COM- ductions present an outdoor staging (conductor), Regula Mühlemann MACBETH Shakespeare’s psychologi- EDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON of Jane Austen’s much-loved tale, Sat (Rosina), Chiara Skerath (Ninetta), cal thriller stars Christopher Eccle- Thurs 7 June, The Glee Club, B’ham 2 - Sun 3 June, Jephson Gardens, Sophie Rennert (Giacinta), Alessan- ston and Niamh Cusack, until Tues Leamington Spa dro Fisher (Don Polidoro), Thomas PAUL SINHA, ANTHONY KING, MANDY 18 Sept, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Elwin (Fracasso), Lukas Jakobski MUDEN & WAYNE BEESE Thurs 7 June, Stratford-upon-Avon STEPTOE & SON Amateur staging (Don Cassandro) & Božidar Smiljani Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge ROMEO AND JULIET Shakespeare's fa- adapted from the legendary scripts of (Simone), Sat 2 June, Birmingham ć JARRED CHRISTMAS & VIV GROSKOP mous story of love at first sight, until Galton & Simpson, Sat 2 - Sat 9 Town Hall Thurs 7 June, MAC, Birmingham Fri 21 Sept, Royal Shakespeare The- June, The Priory Theatre, Kenilworth THE EUROPEAN DOCTORS ORCHESTRA - HELEN LEDERER, JOE SUTHERLAND atre, Stratford-upon-Avon DAVID BADDIEL - MY FAMILY: NOT THE A MUSICAL JOURNEY OF LOSS, TRIUMPH Thurs 7 June, The Core Theatre, Soli- URINETOWN THE MUSICAL The Cres- SITCOM Olivier-nominated one-man AND MYSTERY Programme includes hull cent Theatre Company presents its show about ‘memory, ageing, infi- delity, dysfunctional relatives, moral works by Walton, Butterworth, Rave, KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY NIGHT Thurs version of the hit show, set in a time policing on social media, golf and Nicholas McCarthy, Allessandra Mar- 7 June, Stourbridge Town Hall when water is worth its weight in cello & Elgar, Sun 3 June, Warwick gold, Sat 26 May - Sat 2 June, Cres- gay cats’, Sun 3 June, Royal Shake- MO GILLIGAN Fri 8 June, O2 Academy, Arts Centre, Coventry cent Theatre, Birmingham speare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Birmingham THOMAS TROTTER (ORGAN) & ROGER PINOCCHIO Blue Orange Arts presents A GRAND MUSIC HALL Fun and nostal- LAUREN PATTISON, MATT REED, SCOTT OWENS (PIANO) Programme incudes its version of Carlo Collodi's much- gia featuring Ian Adams, Don CAPURRO & SCOTT BENNETT Fri 8 - Sat works by Williams (The Dream of loved children's tale, Sat 26 May - Sat Maclean, Van Buren & Allyson, Julie 9 June, The Glee Club, Birmingham Olwen), Lutoslawski, Bedard and 2 June, The Blue Orange Theatre, Paton, Guy Rowland and Keith Min- Mendelssohn, Mon 4 June, Sym- BARBARA NICE, SEAN PERCIVAL, WAYNE Birmingham shull, Mon 4 - Tues 5 June, Wolver- phony Hall, Birmingham BEESE & PAUL SAVAGE Fri 8 June, Katie hampton Grand Theatre 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD Hollywood Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge THE WURTH PHILHARMONIC Featuring actress Stefanie Powers stars along- TITANIC THE MUSICAL Award-winning Maxim Vengerov (conductor/violin) & RAW COMEDY Fri 8 June, Evesham side Clive Francis, Tues 29 May - Sat show focusing on the hopes, dreams Stamatia Karampini (conductor). Pro- Arts Centre 2 June, Wolverhampton Grand The- and aspirations of those who boarded the RMS Titanic for her gramme includes works by J Strauss, JACK GLEADOW, STEVE HARRIS, BAR- atre maiden voyage from Southampton to Bruch, Saint-Saëns & Tchaikovsky, BARA NICE & TIM CLARK Sat 9 June, STOMP Smash-hit production, com- New York, Mon 4 - Sat 9 June, Birm- Mon 4 June, Symphony Hall, B’ham The Comedy Loft, Birmingham bining dance, comedy and music, in ingham Hippodrome CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- JONNY COLE (PICTURED), WES ZA- which familiar objects are used to 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD Hollywood CHESTRA: MOZART'S JUPITER Featuring HARUK, AARON SIMMONDS & WAYNE create a universal language, Tues 29 actress Stefanie Powers stars along- Jörg Widmann (Director/Clarinet). BEESE Sat 9 June, Katie Fitzgerald's, May - Sat 2 June, Birmingham Hippo- side Clive Francis, Mon 4 - Sat 9 Programme includes works by Wid- Stourbridge drome June, Malvern Theatres mann, Weber & Mozart, Wed 6 June, MOUNTAINS: THE DREAMS OF LILY KWOK Symphony Hall, Birmingham New play from the pen of award-win- SUNSHINE ON LEITH Brand new adap- CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- ning writer In-Sook Chappel, telling tation of the Proclaimers musical, CHESTRA: BEST OF BOLLYWOOD Featur- the story of the woman behind fa- Tues 5 - Sat 9 June, Belgrade The- ing Richard Davis (conductor), Piali mous Manchester restaurant Sweet atre, Coventry Ray (choreographic director), Mandarin, Wed 30 May - Sat 2 June, DREAMBOYS ‘The UK's top male strip Dancers from Sampad South Asian Belgrade Theatre, Coventry show, perfect for a girls’ night out Dance & Shin DCS, Navin Kundra, HORMONES with all your friends’, Wed 6 June, Rekha Sawhney & Priti Kaur (vocal- New play by Elizabeth Wolverhampton Grand Theatre ists), Fri 8 June, Symphony Hall, Plant exploring what it means to be SONIC YOUTH SLEPT ON MY FLOOR Birmingham young in the 21st century, Thurs 31 Moseley-born music writer and Ha- SARAH KENDALL Sun 10 June, MAC, May - Sat 2 June, Warwick Arts Cen- cienda DJ Dave Haslam ‘unveils his Birmingham tre, Coventry CONCUBINE REP Foundry alumni autobiography’, Wed 6 June, Birm- SEANN WALSH, ADAM ROWE, JAKE LAM- Amahra Spence's one-woman show ingham Town Hall BERT & WAYNE BEESE Sun 10 June, exploring womanhood, sexuality and THREE LETTERS Very personal one- Comedy Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge faith, Thurs 31 May - Sat 2 June, The woman show, written and performed SHOWSTOPPER! THE IMPROVISED MUSI- REP, Birmingham by Nell Leyshon, Wed 6 June, The CAL Fri 1 June, The Swan Theatre, MISCHIEF FESTIVAL Featuring a double Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon Worcester bill of new plays exploring global MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Heartbreak PATRICK MONAHAN Fri 1 - Sat 2 June, questions of truth, freedom and cor- Productions present an outdoor stag- The Glee Club, Birmingham Theatre ruption, Thurs 31 May - Sat 23 June, ing of Shakespeare’s comedy, Wed 6 The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon - Thurs 7 June, Jephson Gardens, NICK DOODY, JIMMY MCGHIE, JOSH OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD Timberlake Leamington Spa HOWIE & LOYISO GOLA Fri 1 - Sat 2 Wertenbaker play based on the true THE TEMPEST Shakespeare’s tale of il- June, The Glee Club, Birmingham story of a group of convicts and a lusion and revenge, brought to life by THE FULL MONTY Sirens Theatre pre- young officer who rehearse and per- the ever-zany Oddsocks, Fri 1 June, sent an amateur show based on the BILL BAILEY Sat 2 June, Arena Birm- form Australia's first theatrical produc- Lichfield Garrick film of the same name, Wed 6 - Fri 8 ingham

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thelist June, Bedworth Civic Hall THE COMMANDER OF MAGIC The first in ductions present an outdoor staging ditch SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN Amateur staging a ‘12 live chapter’ show, revealing of Jane Austen’s famous tale, Sun 10 MIDLANDS MADE Programme of new presented by Harlequins Drama 200 years of magical history, Fri 8 June, Eastnor Castle, Ledbury, Here- commissions and presentations by Group, Wed 6 - Fri 8 June, Palace June, The Blue Orange Theatre, fordshire artists living and working in the Mid- Theatre, Redditch Birmingham YOUR BEST GUESS New theatrical offer- lands. Part of Birmingham Interna- DON JUAN IN CHICAGO Royal Birming- TINA T'URNER TEA LADY'S STEAMY ing from the co-founder of Unlimited tional Dance Festival 2018, Mon 4 - ham Conservatoire Theatre School BINGO ‘An hilarious evening celebrat- Theatre, Chris Thorpe, and Por- Fri 8 June, Victoria Square, B’ham presents David Ives' time-travelling ing bingo, music, tea and laughter!’ tuguese theatre company mala D-CONSTRUCTION Six dancers experi- comedy, Wed 6 - Sat 9 June, Cres- Fri 8 June, Old Joint Stock Theatre, voadora, Sun 10 June, MAC, Birm- ence the liberation of the mind cent Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham ingham through movement. Part of Birming- THE LADYBOYS OF BANGKOK: WONDER DAVID BADDIEL - MY FAMILY: NOT THE ham International Dance Festival WOMEN TOUR Cabaret show celebrat- SITCOM Olivier-nominated one-man 2018, Fri 8 June, Victoria Square, ing a host of female icons, Thurs 7 show about ‘memory, ageing, infi- Birmingham June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre delity, dysfunctional relatives, moral ROLL UP, ROLL UP Simple Cypher (UK) policing on social media, golf and Kids Show fuse circus and dance in a fast-paced LES MUSICALS G4's Jonathan Ansell gay cats’, Fri 8 June, Huntingdon HORRIBLE HISTORIES - MORE BEST OF show featuring hypnotic juggling, joins forces with Rhydian Roberts for Hall, Worcester an evening of song, Thurs 7 June, BARMY BRITAIN ‘A truly horrible history breakdancing and daring Cyr wheel New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM of Britain - with all the nasty bits left feats... Part of Birmingham Interna- SHAKESPEARE The National Produc- tional Dance Festival 2018, Fri 8 - Sat JOHN FINNEMORE’S FLYING VISIT Brand in!’, Wed 30 May - Sat 2 June, Bel- tion Company present a fast-paced grade Theatre, Coventry 9 June, Victoria Square, Birmingham new live show from the writer and the romp through The Bard's 37 plays, FIRST STAGES: LITTLE RED HEN Theatri- INTRODUCING Showcase of new work star of BBC Radio’s John Fri 8 June, Albany Theatre, Coventry Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme, cal experience inviting younger audi- designed for unconventional perfor- Thurs 7 June, Royal Spa Centre, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Heartbreak ences to join the Little Red Hen and mance spaces, Sat 9 June, Vivid Pro- Leamington Spa Productions present an outdoor stag- plant some grains of corn. Suitable jects, Minerva Works, Birmingham ing of Shakespeare’s comedy, Fri 8 JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Amateur for children aged three-plus, Sat 2 GRAVITAS Dance and acrobatics com- June, Hanbury Hall, Droitwich, June, The REP, Birmingham bine in a performance exploring the staging presented by Old Swinford Worcestershire Hospital (OSH) Performing Arts, THE MIDNIGHT GANG Heartbreak Pro- basic and powerful forces of nature. Thurs 7 - Fri 8 June, Stourbridge TWIST & SHOUT Sing and dance along ductions present an outdoor staging Part of Birmingham International Town Hall with a West End cast to the music of of David Walliams’ bestselling chil- Dance Festival 2018, Sat 9 - Sun 10 The Beatles, Hermans Hermits, Gerry June, Victoria Square, Birmingham TRYING IT ON David Edgar makes his dren’s story, Fri 8 - Sat 9 June, Jeph- & The Pacemakers and many more... son Gardens, Leamington Spa AIR & LA GRANDE DIDIER THERON performance debut in a one-man au- Sat 9 June, The Core Theatre, Soli- CHOCOLATE CAKE Stage version of Funny and original show featuring tobiographical play reflecting on the hull series of student revolts that took Michael Rosen’s children’s book, four dancers dressed in inflatable place across the world in 1968, Thurs APPLAUSE: A CABARET OF SONG & which follows the adventures of two latex suits which transform and mag- 7 - Sat 9 June, Warwick Arts Centre, DANCE Sat 9 June, Dovehouse The- brothers and the nighttime disappear- nify their movements. Part of Birming- Coventry atre, Olton, Solihull ance of a chocolate cake, Sat 9 June, ham International Dance Festival THE TEMPEST The Lord Chamberlain’s Malvern Theatres 2018, Sat 9 - Sun 10 June, Victoria BACK TO THE 80S Birmingham Youth Square, Birmingham Theatre present a nostalgic romp Men present an outdoor staging of THE CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS Fingers through the 1980s’ greatest hits, Shakespeare’s tale of illusion and re- And Thumb Theatre fuse the much- MOON Follow Jack as he meets the Thurs 7 - Sat 9 June, The Old Rep venge, Sat 9 June, Packwood House, loved music of Camille Saint-Saëns Moon and embarks on an amazing Theatre, Birmingham Lapworth, Nr Solihull with the visual magic of Drew Colby’s adventure. Performed by 2Faced RHONDDA RIPS IT UP Lesley Garrett hand shadows to create a ‘spell-bind- Dance Company. Part of Birmingham GASLIGHT All & Sundry present an International Dance Festival 2018, Sat amateur staging of Patrick Hamilton’s stars in a riotous romp through the ing’ show for younger audiences, life of Margaret Haig Thomas (Lady Sun 10 June, Warwick Arts Centre, 9 - Sun 10 June, Victoria Square, psychological thriller, Thurs 7 - Sat 9 Birmingham June, Norbury Theatre, Droitwich Rhondda), the Newport suffragette Coventry whose activities paved the way for THE MIDNIGHT GANG Heartbreak Pro- BOLERO Jesús Rubio Gamo (Spain) THREE LETTERS Very personal one- women's rights, Sat 9 June, MAC, explore the fine line separating plea- woman show, written and performed ductions present an outdoor staging Birmingham of David Walliams’ bestselling chil- sure and exhaustion. Part of Birming- by Nell Leyshon, Fri 8 June, The ham International Dance Festival Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon PRIDE & PREJUDICE Heartbreak Pro- dren’s story, Sun 10 June, Bewdley Museum QEII Gardens, Bewdley, 2018, Sat 9 - Sun 10 June, Victoria Worcestershire Square, Birmingham THE OWL & THE PUSSYCAT Full House Theatre present a staging for younger audiences, inspired by the nonsense world of Edward Lear, Sun 10 June, Artrix, Bromsgrove Talks AN AUDIENCE OF ANFIELD LEGENDS Featuring Liverpool Football Club legends John Barnes, Jan Molby and Dance Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock, Fri 1 June, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa COMPANY WAYNE MCGREGOR: ATOMOS Ten dancers perform McGregor’s ANDREW MOTION: ESSEX CLAY Andrew contemporary-style choreography. Motion’s in-verse biographical sequel 3D glasses are provided for part of to his 2006 prose memoir, In The the performance, Fri 1 - Sat 2 June, Blood, Sat 2 June, MAC, Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham DAME PATRICIA ROUTLEDGE: FACING THE THE LITTLE MERMAID Ballet Theatre MUSIC - A LIFE IN MUSICAL THEATRE Sat UK present a choreographed version 2 June, Malvern Theatres of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy- DAN SNOW - AN EVENING WITH THE HIS- The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare - Albany Theatre, Coventry tale, Sat 2 June, Palace Theatre, Red- TORY GUY Historian, broadcaster and

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Friday 1 - Sunday 10 June

TV presenter Dan recounts anec- Quigley. Warwick Arts Centre, Coven- dotes from his career, Wed 6 June, try, Sat 9 June Artrix, Bromsgrove DELICATESSEN (15) Comedy/Crime. AUDIENCE WITH ANTONY SHER Sir Starring Marie-Laure Dougnac, Do- Antony talks about his new book, minique Pinon. Foreign language, Year Of The Mad King, an account of subtitled. Malvern Theatres, Sun 10 his experience playing King Lear for June the Royal Shakespeare Company, THE SOUND OF MUSIC (U) Thurs 7 June, Royal Shakespeare Biography/Drama. Starring Julie An- Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon drews, Christopher Plummer. War- wick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 10 & Wed 13 June

Film NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Released from Fri 1 June, showing at INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: selected cinemas SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (12a) Sci- BOOK CLUB (12a) fi/Drama. Starring Alden Ehrenreich, ISMAEL'S GHOSTS (15) Woody Harrelson. Malvern Theatres, until Thurs 7 June L'AMANT DOUBLE (18) LADY BIRD (15) Comedy/Drama. Star- MY FRIEND DAHMER (15) ring Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf. JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 1 June (12a) CINDERELLA (U) Animation/Fantasy. War Of The Roses Live - Warwick Castle With the voices of Ilene Woods, James MacDonald. Roses Theatre, New Place, Hall’s Croft, Anne Hath- Spa Tewkesbury, Fri 1 June away’s Cottage & Gardens & Mary QUEEN VICTORIA CYCLOCROSS Featur- THAT GOOD NIGHT (12a) Drama. Star- Events Arden’s Farm, Stratford-upon-Avon ing 300 riders from across the UK, all ring John Hurt, Sofia Helin. Roses CASTLE QUEST A must for those who PIRATE FESTIVAL Arrive dressed as a competing over ‘a course like no Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun 3 - Thurs 7 love solving riddles and having a go pirate for ‘swashbuckling fun’, until other’, Sat 2 June, Blists Hill Victorian June; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 4 & at challenges, until Fri 1 June, Tam- Sun 3 June, Hatton Adventure World, Town, Ironbridge Sat 9 June worth Castle Warwick COLLECTORMANIA 25 A unique event EDIE (U) Drama. Starring Sheila Han- OPERATION EARTH SHOW New family SOOTY & FRIENDS Join Sooty, Sweep for fans of pop culture and collecta- cock, Kevin Guthrie. No 8 Pershore, show exploring the amazing stories and Soo as they showcase their lat- bles, Sat 2 - Sun 3 June, NEC, B’ham Worcs, Mon 4 June; Warwick Arts and science of the environment, until est inventions, including the Super TUDOR WEEKEND Have a go at Tudor Centre, Coventry, Fri 8 - Sat 9, Mon Fri 1 June, Thinktank Science Mu- Sonic Sootamatic, until Sun 3 June, 11 - Tues 12 & Thurs 14 June games, quill pen writing and Tudor seum, Birmingham Cadbury World, Birmingham dancing, Sat 2 - Sun 3 June, LET THE SUNSHINE IN (15) HALF TERM: BUS JOURNEYS With a dif- SPETCHLEY BUG TRAIL See how many Blakesley Hall, Birmingham Comedy/Drama. Starring Juliette ferent activity each day, join in the bugs you can spot in the gardens as THE WORLD OF PARK & LEISURE HOMES Binoche, Xavier Beauvois. Foreign challenge of inventing an amazing part of National Insect Week, until language, subtitled. Roses Theatre, SHOW View and explore around 60 bus of the future, until Sat 2 June, Sun 24 June, Spetchley Park Gar- park homes & leisure lodges, Fri 8 - Tewkesbury, Tues 5 - Thurs 7 June; Coventry Transport Museum dens, Worcester No. 8 Pershore, Worcs, Wed 6 June Sun 10 June, Stoneleigh Park WAR OF THE ROSES LIVE The War of SHAKESPEARE'S AVENGERS ASSEM- REDOUBTABLE (15) Biography/Com- THE KENILWORTH SHOW Sat 9 June, the Roses unfolds in a new live action BLETH Shakespeare and sci-fi collide Stoneleigh Park edy. Starring Louis Garrel, Stacy Mar- show, complete with stunt riders, on a show created and performed by tin. Foreign language, subtitled. jousting and state-of-the-art special Drake's Drummers Theatre Company, WAR OF THE ROSES LIVE The War of Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed effects! Until Sun 3 June, Warwick Fri 1 - Sat 2 June, Shakespeare's the Roses unfolds in a new live action 6 - Thurs 7 June Castle New Place, Stratford-upon-Avon show, complete with stunt riders, jousting and state-of-the-art special CUSTODY (15) Drama. Starring Léa HALF-TERM FAMILY FUN The museum UK GAMES EXPO The premier event in Drucker, Denis Ménochet. Foreign effects! Sat 9 - Sun 10 June, Warwick celebrates the 70th birthday of Land the UK, featuring all aspects of the Castle language, subtitled. No. 8 Pershore, Rover with a selection of themed ac- tabletop gaming hobby, Fri 1 - Sun 3 Worcs, Thurs 7 June tivities, until Sun 3 June, British Motor June, NEC, Birmingham STEAM POWER WEEKEND Featuring IF... (15) Drama. Starring Malcolm Mc- Museum, Gaydon talks by engineers, and engines thun- SHAKESPEARE FOR ALL! Join experts dering into action! Sat 9 - Sun 10 Dowell, David Wood. Warwick Arts HALF TERM AT DRAYTON MANOR Dray- from the Shakespeare Birthplace Centre, Coventry, Fri 8 June June, Thinktank Science Museum, ton Manor celebrates Love Your Zoo Trust as they read through Shake- Birmingham FINDING YOUR FEET (12a) week with a host of activities, until speare’s Complete Works, Sat 2 Comedy/Drama. Starring Joanna Sun 3 June, Drayton Manor Theme June, Stratford upon Avon Library BLOOMING GARDEN The flora and Lumley, Celia Imrie. Artrix, Broms- Park, Tamworth and Information Centre fauna of Witley’s wonderful grounds grove, Fri 8 June take centre stage, Sat 9 - Sun 10 JURASSIC SEAS Journey back in time 1940S TEA PARTY FOR RAF 100 People June, Witley Court, Great Witley I FEEL PRETTY (12A) Comedy. Starring to when dinosaurs roamed the land have visited Anne Hathaway's Cot- Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams. and fearsome creatures lurked in the tage for hundreds of years, including EXCLUSIVE MEAT & EAT EVENT Michelin- Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 8 - depths of the sea, until Sun 3 June, WWII soldiers and pilots with their star chef Brad Carter hosts a summer Thurs 14 June National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham sweethearts, Sat 2 June, Anne Hath- masterclass for food lovers, Sun 10 away's Cottage & Gardens, Stratford- June, Webbs Garden Centre, LEAN ON PETE (15) Adventure/Drama. SPRINGTIME FUN IN THE VALLEY Trains Droitwich Starring Steve Buscemi, Charlie run daily, until Sun 3 June, Severn upon-Avon Plummer. Roses Theatre, Tewkes- Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidder- CLASSIC CAR AUCTION Specialist auc- RAF COSFORD AIR SHOW Featuring bury, Fri 8 - Thurs 14 June minster tion house for the sale of ‘everyman’ ‘spectacular’ flying displays, military classic cars to a value of approxi- exhibitions and static aircraft dis- THE BIG FLAME (PG) Drama. Starring HALF-TERM FUN Programme of activi- plays, Sun 10 June, RAF Cosford, Nr Norman Rossington, Godfrey ties, until Sun 3 June, Shakespeare's mately £50,000, Sat 2 June, Warwick- shire Exhibition Centre, Leamington Wolverhampton whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 11 - Sun 17 June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 14:28 Page 1

thelist Classical Comedy KAMIKAZE CLUB NIGHTS Mon 11 June, Music The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham JULIAN JACOBSON LECTURE RECITAL: DOUG STANHOPE Tues 12 June, O2 THE TEMPEST Julian Jacobson, Presi- Academy, Birmingham dent of the Beethoven Piano Society TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, IAN COPPINGER of Europe, begins a Beethoven & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY thread that runs through Birming- ROBINSON Thurs 14 June, The Glee ham International Piano Festival, Club, Birmingham with the first of three Lecture Recitals LLOYD LANGFORD & CHRIS STOKES on a single Beethoven piano sonata, Thurs 14 June, MAC, Birmingham The Tempest, Mon 11 June, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, IAN COP- PINGER, CHRIS BETTS & COMIC TBC Fri MIDDAY MUSIC: THE FITZROY QUARTET 15 - Sat 16 June, The Glee Club, Programme comprises Beethoven’s Birmingham String Quartets Op.18 No.3 & 4, Tues 12 June, Royal Birmingham ANGELA BARNES Sat 16 June, War- Conservatoire wick Arts Centre, Coventry CHEN SHUHUA (PIANO) & CHEN JIAFENG COLIN SELL Sat 16 June, Huntingdon Hollywood Vampires - Genting Arena, Birmingham (VIOLIN) Programme includes works Hall, Worcester by Chopin, Wanghua Chu & JARLATH REGAN, STEVE SHANYASKI, GARY BARLOW PLUS KINFEST Sat 16 June, Beethoven, Tues 12 June, Concert PHIL ELLIS & RO CAMPBELL Sat 16 Gigs SUPPORT FROM JASON The Marr's Bar, Hall, Royal Birmingham Conserva- June, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham BROCK Thurs 14 & Fri Worcester toire THE BEST OF THE WEST KEVIN PRECIOUS, DOM HOLLAND Sat 15 June, Symphony DIG? Sat 16 June, The JULIAN JACOBSON LECTURE RECITAL: END AND BROADWAY 16 June, Artrix, Bromsgrove Hall, Birmingham Night Owl, B’ham ‘WALDSTEIN’ SONATA Programme Mon 11 June, Number EMILY MAGUIRE Fri 15 comprises Beethoven’s Piano 8 Community Arts THE DRIFTERS Sat 16 June, Artrix, Broms- Sonata No.21 in C major, Op.53 Centre, Worcestershire June, Bedworth Civic grove Hall (‘Waldstein’), Wed 13 June, Recital NOUVELLE VAGUE Mon THE QUO EXPERIENCE Hall, Royal Birmingham Conserva- 11 June, Birmingham COLIN SELL - CLUELESS Fri 15 June, Artrix, toire Town Hall AT THE KEYS Sat 16 Bromsgrove June, Huntingdon VOLKOV CONDUCTS BRAHMS Featuring JESSICA LYNN Tues 12 THE SMASHED VINYLS Hall, Worcester the City of Birmingham Symphony June, Hare & Hounds, Fri 15 June, Hare & Orchestra, Ilan Volkov (conductor) & Birmingham HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES Alisa Weilerstein (cello). Programme Hounds Keresley, Sat 16 June, Genting ZACH SAID Tues 12 includes works by Holst, Coventry Arena, Birmingham June, O2 Academy, Shostakovich & Brahms, Wed 13 BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY Fri Birmingham KILLERSTREAM Sat 16 June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham 15 June, Malvern The- June, The River DEMI LOVATO Tues 12 YOUNG ARTIST RECITAL: SUSANNA atres Rooms, Stourbridge June, Arena B’ham BRAUN (PIANO) Part of Birmingham SAFONE Fri 15 June, GA GA: THE ULTIMATE International Piano Festival, Wed 13 Theatre MORNING HAS BROKEN - O2 Academy, B’ham QUEEN TRIBUTE Sat 16 June, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham RON VINCENT SALUTES THE LADYKILLERS The Nonentities BOBII LEWIS Fri 15 June, Evesham Arts Conservatoire CAT STEVENS Tues 12 present an amateur staging of the June, Kasbah, Coven- Centre June, Huntingdon PETER DONOHOE: MOZART PIANO CYCLE classic Ealing comedy, Mon 11 - Sat try Hall, Worcester CHARLOTTE CARPENTER RECITAL - 65TH BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE 16 June, The Rose Theatre, Kidder- THE CHRISTIANS Fri 15 Sat 16 June, The Sun- CONCERT Programme includes 5 minster GODIVA CALLING HEAT June, Huntingdon flower Lounge, B’ham works by Mozart, Wed 13 June, Coc- #2 Wed 13 June, The ROMEO & JULIET Outdoor perfor- Hall, Worcester nert Hall, Royal Birmingham Conser- Tin Music And Arts, SURF'S UP Sat 16 June, mance presented by The Handle- vatoire Canal Basin, Coventry D-RAN D-RAN Fri 15 Artrix, Bromsgrove Bards - the world’s first cycling June, The River JULIAN JACOBSON LECTURE RECITAL: theatre company, Tues 12 June, 10 THE ZOMBIES Wed 13 HOLLOWS, COLTANA, Rooms, Stourbridge APPASSIONATA Part of Birmingham In- The Green, Broadway, Worcester- June, The Assembly, MALONE & CHONG BOO- ternational Piano Festival, Thurs 14 shire Leamington Spa WANNABE - THE SPICE GIE Sun 17 June, The GIRLS SHOW Sat 16 Sunflower Lounge, June, Concert Hall, Royal Birming- TRYING IT ON David Edgar makes his OMNI & CRACK CLOUD June, Malvern The- Birmingham ham Conservatoire performance debut in a one-man au- Thurs 14 June, The Tin atres VALE CONNECTION LADIES CHORUS: tobiographical play reflecting on the Music And Arts, Canal SONGS FOR SUMMER In aid of St. series of student revolts that took Basin, Coventry Richard’s Hospice, Worcester & fea- place across the world in 1968, Tues NOFX Thurs 14 June, turing Joanne Jefferis (cello), Sat 16 12 - Wed 13 June, The REP, B’ham O2 Institute, B’ham June, Pershore Abbey, Worcester- Read David’s feature on page 22 DONNA TAGGART Thurs shire BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSI- 14 June, Palace The- BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR: ESPRES- CAL The inspiring true story of the atre, Redditch SIVO! Featuring Paul Spicer (conduc- chart-topping music legend, Tues 12 COSMO SHELDRAKE, tor) & Paul Carr (organ). Programme - Sat 16 June, Wolverhampton SPLIT MILK SOCIETY includes an eclectic selection of Ital- Grand Theatre Thurs 14 June, The ian music spanning four centuries, THE CASE OF THE FRIGHTENED LADY Marr's Bar, Worcester Sat 16 June, Malvern Priory The Agatha Christie Company pre- THANK YOU FOR THE WARWICKSHIRE SYMPHONY ORCHES- sent a new thriller from the pen of MUSIC Thurs 14 June, TRA: FLAVOUR OF SPAIN Sat 16 June, Edgar Wallace, Tues 12 - Sat 16 Bridge House Theatre, Warwick Malvern Theatres Gary Barlow - Symphony Hall, Birmingham June, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

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Monday 11 - Sunday 17 June

SUMMER HOLIDAY Brand new staging grade Theatre, Coventry based on the iconic 1960s film of the THE STORY OF MARTIN LUTHER Salt- same name. Ray Quinn and Bobby mine Theatre Company uncover the Crush star, Tues 12 - Sat 16 June, life of a true pioneer... Fri 15 June, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Swan Theatre, Worcester SISTER ACT Amateur staging of the PRIDE & PREJUDICE Heartbreak Pro- feelgood musical comedy based on ductions present an outdoor staging the 1992 film of the same name, Tues of Jane Austen’s famous tale, Fri 15 12 - Sat 16 June, The Core Theatre, June, Severn Bank House, Severn Solihull Stoke, Worcester HALF A SIXPENCE Three Spires Guild- YOUNG REP: SEE ME The Young REP hall present an amateur staging of Intermediate Company present a the musical comedy, Wed 13 - Sat 16 show based on their own experi- June, The Albany Theatre, Coventry ences in the education system, Fri 15 CRIMES OF THE HEART Royal Birming- - Sat 16 June, The REP, Birmingham ham Conservatoire Theatre Company FEEL Proforca Theatre Company per- present a staging of Beth Henley's form a new piece about ‘a search for dark comedy, which tells of three Mis- fulfillment, second-hand love and the sissippi sisters loving, feuding and hope of one day becoming some- fussing their way through a very bad thing better than you are’... Fri 15 - day, Wed 13 - Sat 16 June, The Old Sat 16 June, The Albany Theatre, The Railway Children Rep Theatre, Birmingham Coventry Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spa, Thurs 14 - Fri 15 June AVENUE Q The Norbury Players pre- MURDER, MARGARET AND ME Amateur Edith Nesbitt's famous tale tells the gentle story of an Edwardian sent an amateur staging of the Tony staging of Philip Meeks’ black com- family whose lives are unexpectedly turned upside-down. Days Award-winning musical, Wed 13 - Sat edy, Fri 15 - Sat 23 June, Hall Green stretch endlessly for Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis in their new home of 16 June, Norbury Theatre, Droitwich Little Theatre, Birmingham Three Chimneys, a house near a railway in a Yorkshire village. Mys- PRIDE & PREJUDICE Heartbreak Pro- HAY FEVER Amateur staging of Noel teriously separated from their father, the children set about the ductions present an outdoor staging Coward's comedy of manners, Fri 15 of Jane Austen’s famous tale, Thurs - Sat 23 June, The Bear Pit Theatre - business of carving out a new way of living for themselves. They 14 June, The Marquee On The The United Reformed Church, Strat- also get to know an old gentleman who regularly takes the 9.15 Green, Broadway, Worcestershire ford-upon-Avon train, unaware of the remarkable effect that their new acquain- THE RAILWAY CHILDREN Heartbreak WOYZECK Theatre and dance com- tance is set to have on their future happiness... Presented outdoors Productions present an outdoor ver- bine in an exhilarating story about by Heartbreak Productions. sion of Edith Nesbit’s classic chil- fighting for a better life, Fri 15 - Sat 23 dren’s tale, Thurs 14 - Fri 15 June, June, The REP, Birmingham Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spa DIVORCED, BEHEADED, DIED: AN AUDI- ICELANDIC SHEEP A ‘magical interac- GASLIGHT All & Sundry present an ENCE WITH KING HENRY VIII His tive theatre experience’ for young au- Talks amateur staging of Patrick Hamilton’s Majesty recounts the events of his diences. Part of Birmingham psychological thriller, Thurs 14 - Fri reign, Sat 16 June, Old Joint Stock International Dance Festival 2018, Sat AN AUDIENCE WITH KATE HUMBLE Mon 15 June, Palace Theatre, Redditch Theatre, Birmingham 16 - Sun 17 June, MAC, Birmingham 11 June, Malvern Theatres MADRIGALS OF WAR AND LOVE Royal A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Chap- AN EVENING WITH PETE WATERMAN Birmingham Conservatoire presents terhouse Theatre present an outdoor Pete talks about his career, from Monteverdi’s opera - an epic tale of staging of Shakespeare’s romantic Stock Aitken Waterman to Pop Idol, conquered hearts and lovelorn bat- comedy, Sun 17 June, Abberley Hall Wed 13 June, Birmingham Town Hall tles, Thurs 14 - Sat 16 June, Crescent School, Abberley, Worcestershire Dance BRIGHT SMOKE: TRAVIS ALABANZA Po- Theatre, Birmingham CANDOCO DANCE COMPANY Brand new etry night bringing together writing THE BEE PROJECT Laura Ryder and double bill. Part of Birmingham Inter- and performance, Thurs 14 June, The company explore environmental is- national Dance Festival 2018, Wed 13 Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon sues, Thurs 14 - Sat 16 June, Bel- Kids Show - Thurs 14 June, MAC, Birmingham HIT THE ODE Apples And Snakes pre- ELEMENTS OF FREESTYLE Explosion of sent a unique performance poetry WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD Two crafty sports, music, dance and theatre, de- night, Fri 15 June, The Patrick Centre, robbers, one tiny ladybird, and a livering a fresh look at urban arts. Birmingham Hippodrome whole farmyard of fun!, Tues 12 - Part of Birmingham International Wed 13 June, Birmingham Hippo- Dance Festival 2018, Thurs 14 June, drome Birmingham Hippodrome THE MIDNIGHT GANG Heartbreak Pro- CINDERELLA Presented by Ballet ductions present an outdoor staging Cymru, Fri 15 June, The Roses The- Film of David Walliams’ bestselling chil- atre, Tewkesbury INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: dren’s story, Fri 15 June, Hartelbury KALLO COLLECTIVE: ONLY BONES V 1.0 LADY BIRD (15) Comedy/Drama. Star- Castle, Worcestershire Award-winning solo production by ring Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf. THE MIDNIGHT GANG Heartbreak Pro- physical theatre company Kallo Col- Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 11 June ductions present an outdoor staging lective and production company JEUNE FEMME (15) Drama. Starring of David Walliams’ bestselling chil- Show Pony. Part of Birmingham Inter- Laetitia Dosch, Souleymane Seye dren’s story, Sat 16 June, The Mar- national Dance Festival 2018, Fri 15- Ndiaye. Foreign language, subtitled. quee On The Green, Broadway, Sat 16 June, MAC, Birmingham Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Mon Worcestershire MINI Immersive dance activity for chil- 11 - Tues 12 June DOCTOR DOOLITTLE Brand new musi- dren aged two to four. Part of Birm- MEMORIES OF UNDERDEVELOPMENT (15) cal show for all the family, Sat 16 ingham International Dance Festival Drama. Starring Sergio Corrieri, Daisy June, Swan Theatre, Worcester 2018, Sat 16 - Sun 17 June, MAC, Granados. Foreign language, subti- KINDUR: THE ADVENTUROUS LIFE OF Birmingham tled. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry,

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June 2018 www.artrix.co.uk

Wednesday 6 June Thursday 7 June Sunday 10 June DAN SNOW LIPSTICK ON YOUR THE OWL & THE COLLAR PUSSYCAT AN EVENING WITH THE FABULOUS 50S & 60S SHOW A FIZZGIGGIOUS SHOW BY HISTORY GUY FULL HOUSE THEATRE

Thursday 21 June Friday 22 June Monday 25 June JACQUI CARA DILLON THE LADYBOYS OF DANKWORTH PERFORMING MATERIAL BANGKOK ONE OF BRITAIN’S FINEST FROM WANDERER AND 20TH ANNIVERSARY JAZZ SINGERS MORE WONDER WOMEN TOUR

COMING SOON: Fleetwood Bac, Absolute Bowie, Quill, Classic Clapton, The Quo Experience, Emily Maguire, Surf’s Up, Barnstormers Comedy, Twist, Treorchy Male Choir, Doctor Dolittle, Led Hendrix, Duran vs True Gold, Kast Off Kinks, Redditch Orchestra, Desperado Dean Friedman, Bon Jovi Experience, Abba Reunion, Jay Foreman, 60s Night Out, Little Red Riding Hood, Simple Politics, The Counterfeit Sixties,Kelly Oliver, Chantel McGregor, Scummy Mummies, Totally Tina…

Free parking on-site Join our Mailing List and receive our weekly e-flyer withup-to-date information about upcoming showsor download our latest brochure @artrixarts @artrix arts centre Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1GN Box Office: 01527 577330

58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 11 - Sun 17 June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 14:28 Page 4

thelist Monday 11 - Sunday 17 June Tues 12 June With the voices of Tom Hiddleston, Festival, Sat 16 - Sun 17 June, MAC, FINDING YOUR FEET (12a) Maisie Williams. Roses Theatre, Events Birmingham Comedy/Drama. Starring Joanna Tewkesbury, Sat 16 June WAR OF THE ROSES LIVE The War of BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW SUMMER Fea- Lumley, Celia Imrie. Artrix, Broms- MR STINK & GANGSTA GRANNY (PG) the Roses unfolds in a new live action turing live demonstrations by Michel grove, Wed 13 June Family. A David Walliams double bill. show, complete with stunt riders, Roux Jr, Tom Kerridge, Raymond Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat jousting and state-of-the-art special CRIES AND WHISPERS (15) Drama. Star- Blanc, James Martin, Mary Berry and 16 June effects! Sat 16 - Sun 17 June, War- ring Harriet Andersson, Kari Sylwan. the Hairy Bikers. Don’t forget, you wick Castle Foreign language, subtitled. Warwick HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS AT PARTIES (15) can explore BBC Gar- Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 13 - Thurs Comedy/Music. Starring Elle Fan- deners’ World Live as DROITWICH SPA FOOD AND DRINK FESTI- 14 June ning, Nicole Kidman. Warwick Arts part of your ticket too, VAL One of the Midlands’ leading JOURNEYMAN (15) Drama/Mystery. Centre, Coventry, Sat 16, Mon 18 - Thurs 14 - Sun 17 June, food festivals, Sat 16 - Sun 17 June, Starring Paddy Considine, Jodie Tues 19 June NEC, Birmingham Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire Whittaker. Warwick Arts Centre, SHOW DOGS (PG) Adventure/Comedy. BBC GARDENERS' WORLD LIVE Featur- TRAMPOLINE AND TUMBLING REGIONAL Coventry, Wed 13 - Thurs 14 June Starring Alan Cumming, Natasha Ly- ing ‘stunning’ show gardens, a floral TEAM FINALS Sat 16 - Sun 17 June, THAT GOOD NIGHT (12a) Drama. Star- onne. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, marquee, and live demonstrations by Arena Birmingham ring John Hurt, Sofia Helin. Artrix, Sat 16 - Thurs 21 June Monty Don, Alan Titchmarsh, Carol MINI BUILDERS WEEKEND Featuring Bromsgrove, Fri 15 June EDIE (U) Drama. Starring Sheila Han- Klein, Joe Swift and Adam Frost. Lego workshops, crafts and story- Don’t forget, your ticket includes free THE BREADWINNER (12a) cock, Kevin Guthrie. Roses Theatre, telling, Sat 16 - Sun 17 June, Think- entry to the BBC Good Food Show, Animation/Drama. With the voices of Tewkesbury, Sun 17 - Thurs 21 June tank Science Museum, Birmingham Thurs 14 - Sun 17 June, NEC, B’ham Sara Chaudry, Ali Badshah. Warwick BEST OF BRITISH: CLASSIC CARS Sat 16 Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 15 - Sun 17 NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: ROYAL THREE COUNTIES SHOW Try your - Sun 17 June, Kenilworth Castle hand at different activities, ‘bond’ with & Wed 20 June FESTIVAL OF BLACK COUNTRY VEHICLES Released from Fri 15 June, showing friendly animals and enjoy non-stop SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (12a) Sci- Featuring cars, motorcycles and at selected cinemas main arena entertainment, culminat- fi/Drama. Starring Alden Ehrenreich, commercial vehicles built in the Black ing in the Grand Parade of Livestock, Woody Harrelson. Warwick Arts Cen- HEREDITARY (15) Country, Sun 17 June, Black Country Fri 15 - Sun 17 June, Three Counties tre, Coventry, Fri 15 - Thurs 21 June; SUPER TROOPERS 2 (15) Living Museum, Dudley Showground, Malvern Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 16 - THE CIAMBRA (15) BEST OF BRITISH: CLASSIC CARS Sun MINI Immersive dance activity for chil- Thurs 21 June 17 June, Witley Court, Great Witley, THE HAPPY PRINCE (15) dren aged between two and four. Part EARLY MAN (PG) Animation/Adventure. Worcestershire of Birmingham International Dance

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60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 18 - Sun 24 June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 14:58 Page 2

thelist Monday 18 - Sunday 24 June Birmingham Conservatoire Classical Music LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: ZIMMER VS. WILLIAMS Featuring Anthony In- MIDDAY MUSIC: BAX Featuring Joe glss (conductor) Programme in- Wallace (clarinet) & Veronika cludes some of the very best scores Tabakova (piano). Programme in- from the two greatest film composers cludes a selection of piano solos and of all time, Fri 22 - Sun 24 June, Sym- Bax’s Clarinet Sonata, Mon 18 June, phony Hall, Birmingham Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- servatoire PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE Featuring Mirga Gražinyt -Tyla (conductor), ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE Jacques Imbrailoė (Pelléas), Katja Stu- CHAMBER CHOIR Programme includes ber (Mélisande), Laurent Naouri (Go- works by James MacMillan & Henryk laud, Grandson of Arkel), Matthew Gorecki, Mon 18 June, St Alban The Best (Arkel, King), Dame Felicity Martyr, Highgate, Birmingham Palmer (Geneviève, Mother) plus BCMG: NEW WORK Programme to in- members of CBSO Chorus, Sat 23 clude works by Susannah Self, Oliver June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Farrow, Hannah Liu, Ivan Cancialosi, MALVERN FESTIVAL CHORUS Pro- Rob Roberts, Soul Zisso & Georgia gramme includes works by Brahms & Denham, Mon 18 June, The Lab, Mendelssohn, Sat 23 June, Malvern Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Theatres THOMAS TROTTER LUNCHTIME ORGAN JUNIOR CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT CONCERT: LADIES’ DAY Programme in- Soloists, chamber musicians, choirs cludes works by E. Wallen, J. Marsh, and orchestras from the Junior Con- K. Kulkova, M. Dring, J. Weir & J. servatoire join together in a fitting fi- Demessieuz, Mon 18 June, Birming- nale to the end of term, Sat 23 June, ham Town Hall Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- MIDDAY MUSIC: ALEXANDER BAILLIE servatoire (CELLO) Also featuring John Thwaites WNO FAMILY CONCERT Welsh National (piano), Tues 19 June, Concert Hall, Opera’s Family Concert is the perfect Royal Birmingham Conservatoire way to introduce all of the family to BAXFEST Featuring The Artume Quar- some of the extraordinary characters tet and special guests Lucia Vein- from the opera world, Sun 24 June, Katy Perry - Arena Birmingham timilla (violin) & Greta Astedt (piano), Birmingham Town Hall Tues 19 June, Concert Hall, Royal UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK SYMPHONY & MY LEONARD COHEN Fri Leamington Spa Birmingham Conservatoire 22 June, Malvern The- CHORUS GALA CONCERT: BEETHOVEN Gigs THE ‘WHITNEY HOUS- EX CATHEDRA: SUMMER MUSIC BY CAN- AND BERNSTEIN Programme includes atres, TON’ DISCO DIVA PARTY KATY PERRY Mon 18 DLELIGHT Featuring Jeffrey Skidmore works by Beethoven, Bernstein & JOHN OTWAY Fri 22 WITH NYA KING Sat 23 June, Arena Birming- (conductor) Tues 19 - Wed 20 June, Tchaikovsky, Sun 24 June, Warwick June, The Roses The- June, Nailcote Hall, ham Birmingham Cathedral Arts Centre, Coventry atre, Tewkesbury Berkswell GEORGE BENSON Mon ANNA VIENNA HO (PIANO) Programme BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHES- CARA DILLON: WAN- THE STORY OF GUITAR 18 June, Symphony includes works by Wagner/Liszt, De- TRA: ORGAN SYMPHONY Featuring DERER TOUR Fri 22 HEROES Sat 23 June, Hall, Birmingham bussy, Ravel & Liszt, Wed 20 June, David Saint (organ) & Robin Ireland June, Artrix, Broms- Huntingdon Hall, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- (viola). Programme includes works J.I.D & EARTHGANG Tues grove Worcester servatoire by Saint-Saens, Faure & Walton, Sun 19 June, O2 Institute, PIST.ON Sat 23 June, 24 June, St Chad’s Cathedral, Birm- Birmingham MUSSORGSKY MEETS MOZART Featur- O2 Academy, B’ham ing the Royal Birmingham Conserva- ingham LENNY KRAVITZ Wed 20 CHEMIKILL, SPIRAL DIVE, toire Brass Band, Tredegar Town June, Arena Birming- INFLUENS & HAMEREX Band & Ian Porthouse (conductor), ham Sat 23 June, Scruffy Wed 20 June, Concert Hall, Royal STARCRAWLER Thurs 21 Murphys, Birmingham Birmingham Conservatoire June, O2 Academy, TREORCHY MALE CHOIR COMMUTER CONCERT: YU-TZU KUNG Comedy Birmingham Sat 23 June, Artrix, (PERCUSSION) Also featuring Anton NOREEN KHAN, ALI OFFICIAL, GUZ KHAN, JACQUI DANKWORTH: Bromsgrove Clarke-Butler (clarinet), Begum ESHANN AKBAR & AATIF NAWAZ Sun 17 BROMSGROVE FESTIVAL Bensu Ünsal (violin) & Gloria RUST FOR GLORY Sat 23 June, The Glee Club, Birmingham Thurs 21 June, Artrix, Yehilevsky (percussion). An eclectic June, The Marr's Bar, MATT PRICE, MARK MAIER & COMEDY Bromsgrove programme includes solo percussion Worcester CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs BILLY IDOL Thurs 21 with electronics, a percussion duo 21 June, The Glee Club, Birmingham HIGHER ON MAIDEN Sat piece, a trio for violin, clarinet and June, O2 Academy, NEW MODEL ARMY Fri 23 June, Route 44, marimba and a special focus on jazz MATT PRICE, MARK MAIER, TEZ ILYAS & Birmingham 22 June, The Assem- Birmingham music, Thurs 21 June, Recital Hall, CRAIG HILL Fri 22 June, The Glee THE BARRON KNIGHTS bly, Leamington Spa KICK UP THE 80S Sat 23 Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Club, Birmingham Thurs 21 June, The KARL LOXLEY - A MUSI- June, The River UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK CHAMBER YIANNI AGISILAOU, ALFIE BROWN Fri 22 Core Theatre, Solihull CAL SPECTACULAR Fri Rooms, Stourbridge CHOIR: SHAKESPEARE IN SONG Classic June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre READY STEADY SIXTIES 22 June, Albany The- FRET AND FIDDLE Sat 23 choral settings of Shakespearean MATT PRICE, MARK MAIER, DOMINIC Fri 22 June, The Civic, atre, Coventry June, St Laurence texts for a cappella choir including HOLLAND & CRAIG HILL Sat 23 June, Stourport, Stourport- THE FOOD FIGHTERZ Fri Church, Alvechurch Mäntyjärvi, Vaughan Williams and The Glee Club, Birmingham on-Severn 22 June, The River PATSY CLINE & FRIENDS Bob Chilcott, Fri 22 June, Warwick TEZ ILYAS, ADAM ROWE, ELLIOTT STEEL THE UNRAVELLING Rooms, Stourbridge Sat 23 June, The Civic, Arts Centre, Coventry & THE RAYMOND AND MR TIMPKINS RE- WILBURYS Fri 22 June, GORDON HENDRICKS IS Stourport, Stourport- THALLEIN ENSEMBLE & JENNIFER WAL- VIEW Sat 23 June, The Comedy Loft, Huntingdon Hall, ELVIS Sat 23 June, on-Severn SHE Featuring Daniele Rosina (con- Birmingham Worcester Royal Spa Centre, ductor), Fri 22 June, Royal whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 18 - Sun 24 June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 14:58 Page 3

thelist Bob Carlton's smash-hit musical, Fri Theatre 22 - Sat 23 June, Bedworth Civic Hall THE UNBINDING Wrong Shoes Theatre BIRDSONG An epic tale set both be- Company present a dark and spell- fore and during the Great War, Mon binding world, where those who dare 18 - Sat 23 June, New Alexandra The- to stand out from the crowd are atre, Birmingham treated with hatred and suspicion, Fri A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM New 22 - Sat 23 June, Old Joint Stock version of Shakespeare’s popular Theatre, Birmingham comedy, Mon 18 - Sat 23 June, Talis- BICYCLES & FISH Katie Arnstein ex- man Theatre, Kenilworth plores why feminism was discovered TWIST Quentin Tarantino meets British so much later than misogyny, Fri 22 - farce in a ‘rip-roaring’ comedy thriller Sat 23 June, Lichfield Garrick from Baroque Theatre Company, MISS LITTLEWOOD New musical based Tues 19 June, Artrix, Bromsgrove on the life of theatre director and an- POETS, PRATTLERS, AND PANDEMONIAL- archic revolutionist Joan Littlewood, ISTS Dave, Emma and Steve meet in Fri 22 June - Sat 4 Aug, The Swan a pub somewhere a lot like Wolver- Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon hampton to plot their path to fame RELUCTANT DRAGON Quantum Theatre and fortune, Tues 19 June, Old Joint present Wind In The Willows author Stock Theatre, Birmingham Kenneth Grahame’s retelling of the THE TEMPEST Shakespeare’s tale of il- story of St George and the Dragon, lusion and revenge is brought to life Sat 23 June, Dosthill Park, Tamworth by the ever-zany Oddsocks, Tues 19 - PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Amateur stag- Thurs 21 June, Belgrade Theatre, ing of Jane Austen’s famous tale, Sat Coventry 23 - Sun 24 June, The Rose Theatre, FORBIDDEN NIGHTS ‘Thrilling action Kidderminster and provocative choreography, with the ultimate forbidden strip tease Supersonic Festival (and a few men in uniform thrown in for good measure)’, Wed 20 June, The Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham, Fri 22 - Sun 24 June Palace Theatre, Redditch Kids Shows An experimental music and arts event is making a return to Birm- AVENUE Q The Norbury Players pre- ingham this month. sent an amateur staging of the Tony MERMAID King’s High School presents Polly Teale’s bold reimagining Supersonic Festival was first held in the city in 2003 and brings to- Award-winning musical, Wed 20 - Sat gether live performance with visual art, audience participation 23 June, Norbury Theatre, Droitwich of Hans Christian Andersen’s famous tale, Thurs 21 - Sat 23 June, Bridge and kids’ gigs. This year’s event takes place in Digbeth from Friday MEASURE FOR MEASURE Outdoor stag- House Theatre, Warwick 22 to Sunday 24 June. For more information, visit supersonicfesti- ing of the Bard’s darkest comedy, Wed 20 - Sat 23 June, Italian Gar- THE MIDNIGHT GANG Heartbreak Pro- val.com dens, Maple Hayes School, Lichfield ductions present an outdoor staging of David Walliams’ bestselling chil- WHISKY GALORE Tribute to the all-fe- dren’s story, Fri 22 June, Parish Field, phers Bengolea and Holzinger join The explorer talks about his most re- male touring companies of the post- Market Bosworth, Warwickshire forces to confront the limits of the cent adventure, Wed 20 June, war years, Wed 20 - Sat 23 June, body and its representation in rela- Malvern Theatres Belgrade Theatre, Coventry HOOT OWL: MASTER OF DISGUISE Songs, puppetry, animation and tionship to nature. Part of Birming- AN EVENING WITH TONY IOMMI The leg- FORBIDDEN NIGHTS ‘Thrilling action rapid costume changes abound in ‘a ham International Dance Festival endary Black Sabbath guitarist talks and provocative choreography, with colourful educational show’ for 2018, Sat 23 June, The Patrick Stu- about his life and career, Sat 23 June, the ultimate forbidden strip tease younger audiences, Sat 23 June, dio, Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham Town Hall (and a few men in uniform thrown in Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, for good measure)’, Thurs 21 June, Coventry Crescent Theatre, Birmingham DOCTOR DOOLITTLE Brand new musi- RING OF FIRE Playbox Theatre present cal show for all the family, Sun 24 a midnight revel under the stars, in- June, Artrix, Bromsgrove Film spired by A Midsummer Night’s INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Dream, Thurs 21 June, The Dream- Factory, Warwick NOTHING LIKE A DAME (U) Documen- INTO THE WOODS Akorn Theatrical Pro- tary. Starring Judi Dench, Maggie ductions present a concert version of Dance Smith, Joan Plowright. No.8 Per- the Stephen Sondheim show, Thurs shore, Worcs, Mon 18 June 21 - Fri 22 June, MAC, Birmingham BRB POLARITY & PROXIMITY Triple bill JEUNE FEMME (15) Drama. Starring WASTE Royal Birmingham Conserva- of work: Alexander Whitley’s Kin, Laetitia Dosch, Souleymane Seye toire presents Harley Granville Twyla Tharp’s In The Upper Room Ndiaye. Foreign language, subtitled. Barker's controversial political mas- and George Williamson’s Embrace, MAC, Birmingham, Mon 18 - Thurs 21 terpiece, Thurs 21 - Sat 23 June, The Wed 20 - Sat 23 June, Birmingham June Hippodrome Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham THE GUERNSEY LITERARY & POTATO DEEPSPACE MIDDAY VARIETY Bob Brolly and his Intimate performance - PEEL PIE SOCIETY (12a) Drama/History. band return with special star guest combining dance, sound and installa- Talks Starring Lily James, Michael Huis- tion - which examines our curiosity man. Artrix, Mon 18 & Fri 22 June; Jimmy Cricket, Fri 22 June, Belgrade JEMIMA PARRY-JONES MBE: DESTROY- for the unknown... Fri 22 - Sat 23 No.8 Pershore, Worcs, Sat 23, Mon Theatre, Coventry ING THE MYTHS ABOUT VULTURES Tues June, Quantum Exhibition Space, 25 - Tues 26 June RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET The The Works, Birmingham 19 June, Malvern Theatres Nuneaton Pantomime & Revue Soci- SMILES OF A SUMMER NIGHT (12a) NEW CREATION BENEDICT ALLEN: ULTIMATE EXPLORER ety present an amateur staging of Celebrated choreogra- Comedy/Romance. Starring Ulla Ja- 62 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 18 - Sun 24 June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 14:58 Page 4

Monday 18 - Sunday 24 June

cobsson, Eva Dahlbeck. Foreign lan- THE GIN TRAIN The Severn Valley Rail- the Roses unfolds in a new live action guage, subtitled. Warwick Arts Cen- Events way in partnership with The Little Gin show, complete with stunt riders, tre, Coventry, Wed 20 - Thurs 21 June Company welcomes you aboard the jousting and state-of-the-art special ROYAL ASCOT ‘LADIES’ DAY IN THE MAR- WONDERSTRUCK (PG) Family/Mystery. Gin Train! Sat 23 June, Severn Valley effects! Sat 23 - Sun 24 June, War- QUEE Thurs 21 June, Nailcote Hall, Starring Julianne Moore, Michelle Railway, Bewdley wick Castle Berkswell, Warwickshire Williams. No.8 Pershore, Worcs, MEDIEVAL BANQUET Medieval enter- GRAND MEDIEVAL JOUST Featuring fal- Thurs 21 June SUPERSONIC FESTIVAL Capsule’s inter- tainment and hearty food & drink, Sat conry displays, dance, a jester and nationally renowned experimental MY FRIEND DAHMER (15) 23 June, Warwick Castle medieval minstrels, Sat 23 - Sun 24 music and arts festival, Fri 22 - Sun Biography/Drama. Starring Ross STEAMPUNK FESTIVAL WEEKEND Fea- June, Kenilworth Castle 24 June, The Custard Factory, Birm- Lynch, Alex Wolff. Warwick Arts Cen- turing market stalls, exhibitions, talks MIDSUMMER MADNESS Watch the Tu- ingham tre, Coventry, Fri 22 - Mon 25 June and shows celebrating all things dors get into midsummer mischief as JAGUAR SUPER SATURDAY Featuring an THE HAPPY PRINCE (12a) Drama/Biog- steampunk, Sat 23 - Sun 24 June, they celebrate the longest day of the array of vehicles spanning 90-plus raphy. Starring Rupert Everett, Colin Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, year, Sat 23 - Sun 24 June, Mary years of motoring, Sat 23 June, Firth. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Shropshire Arden's Farm, Stratford-upon-Avon Coventry Transport Museum Fri 22 - Mon 25 June WAR OF THE ROSES LIVE The War of SUPERSONIC FESTIVAL: KIDS GIG WITH BOOK CLUB (12a) Comedy. Starring THE EX Featuring an underground Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda. Roses band from the Netherlands who form Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 23 - Wed 27 a riot of sound and fury that’s ‘both June sonically adventurous and feverishly compelling’, Sat 23 June, MAC, Birm- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: ingham Released from Mon 18 June, show- VALE OF EVESHAM NATIONAL MORRIS ing at selected cinemas FESTIVAL A weekend of ‘colour, music and movement’, Sat 23 June, The OCEAN'S 8 (tbc) Fleece Inn, Bretforton, Nr Evesham Released from Fri 22 June, showing PANORAMA TOWER OPEN DAY Enjoy at selected cinemas 360-degree views from the balcony of IN THE FADE (18) the Panorama Tower, Sat 23 June, Croome Park, Worcester Midsummer Madness - Mary Arden’s Farm, Stratford-upon-Avon

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64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 25 - Sat 30 June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 17:45 Page 2

thelist Monday 25 - Saturday 30 June THE LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: Classical LAST NIGHT OF THE SUMMER PROMS Featuring Anna Patalong (soprano), Nicky Spence (tenor) & Hilary Davan Music Wetton (conductor). Programme in- FITKINWALL: PARTIAL SCREAMING Fea- cludes works by Rossini, Sousa, turing Graham Fitkin & Ruth Wall Pachelbel, Sibelius, Elgar, Bizet, (piano/synthesizers), Mon 25 June, Tchaikovsky, Puccini, Verdi, Suppe, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- Gounod, Handel, Holst & Wood, Sat servatoire (12.10pm - 1.10pm) 30 June, Symphony Hall, B’ham FITKINWALL Featuring Graham Fitkin (Moog synthesizer & electronics) & Ruth Wall (harps). Programme comprises Graham Fitkin (Lost - extracts) & Steve Reich (Harp Phase), Mon 25 Comedy June, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham NOREEN KHAN, GUZ KHAN & NABIL Conservatoire (6pm - 7pm) ABDUL RASHID Mon 25 June, Bel- FITKINWALL: HARD FAIRY Featuring the grade Theatre, Coventry Royal Birmingham Conservatoire FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS Tues 26 Saxophone Department, Royal Birm- June, Genting Arena, Birmingham ingham Conservatoire Harp Depart- RHONDDA Tues 26 June, Malvern The- ment, Ruth Wall & Eleanor Turmer atres Idris Elba - Kasbah, Coventry (harps). Programme includes 5 works by Graham Fitkin, Mon 25 DANE BAPTISTE, RAY BADRAN & COM- LIMEHOUSE LIZZY Fri 29 ditch June, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham EDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON June, The Marr's Bar, Conservatoire (8pm) Thurs 28 June, The Glee Club, Birm- Gigs RUST FOR GLORY Sat 30 ingham Worcester June, Route 44, B’ham CITY OF BIRMINGHAM WITH NICOLA TRAVIS Mon 25 June, BENEDETTI Also featuring Mirga ANGELA BARNES & MITCH BENN Thurs THE SIMON AND GAR- KATE VOEGELE AND Symphony Hall, B’ham Gražinyt -Tyla (conductor) & the 28 June, MAC, Birmingham FUNKEL STORY Fri 29 TYLER HILTON Sat 30 2021: A YEAR OF FOLK CBSO Youthė Chorus (27 June only). June, The Swan The- June, O2 Academy, DANE BAPTISTE, RAY BADRAN, KIRI MUSIC, SONG AND Programme includes works by atre Worcester Birmingham PRITCHARD-MCLEAN & GEORGE EGG Fri DANCE Tues 26 June, Stravinsky, Shostakovich & Lithua- 29 - Sat 30 June, The Glee Club, THE KILKENNYS Fri 29 Albany Theatre, DIAMOND – THE ULTI- nian folk songs, Wed 27 - Thurs 28 Birmingham June, The Core The- Coventry MATE TRIBUTE TO NEIL June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham atre, Solihull DIAMOND Sat 30 June, RICH WILSON, PETER BRUSH, CAREY GODIVA CALLING HEAT HESPÈRION XXI - ODE TO SYRIA Jordi MARX & JULIAN DEANE Sat 30 June, UK GUNS N' ROSES Fri Huntingdon Hall, #3 Wed 27 June, The Savall and the spectacular Hes- The Comedy Loft, Birmingham 29 June, The River Worcester Tin Music And Arts, pèrion XXI play for Syria, in music Rooms, Stourbridge Canal Basin, Coventry TREMONTI Sat 30 June, that crosses cultures and centuries, HELLO AGAIN - THE O2 Institute, B’ham KITTY MACFARLANE Fri 29 June, Birmingham Town Hall STORY OF NEIL DIA- Thurs 28 June, Eve- DAMIAN MARLEY (PIC- AVI AVITAL (PICTURED) WITH OXFORD MOND Sat 30 June, sham Arts Centre TURED) Sat 30 June, PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Pro- Theatre Malvern Theatres O2 Academy, B’ham THE MANFREDS Thurs gramme includes five works by Vi- ASHEN CROWN Sat 30 THE LADYBOYS OF BANGKOK: WONDER 28 June, The Core valdi, Fri 29 June, Malvern Theatre June, O2 Academy, WOMEN TOUR Cabaret show celebrat- Theatre, Solihull Birmingham ing a host of female icons, Mon 25 LED HENDRIX Fri 29 June, Artrix, Bromsgrove IDRIS ELBA Sat 30 June, Artrix, Broms- June, Kasbah, Coven- RHONDDA RIPS IT UP! Lesley Garrett grove try stars in a riotous romp through the BRINGING ON BACK THE life of Margaret Haig Thomas (Lady TALON - THE BEST OF EA- 60'S Fri 29 June, Rhondda), the Newport suffragette GLES Sat 30 June, Palace Theatre, Red- whose activities paved the way for Palace Theatre, Red- ditch women's rights, Tues 26 June, Malvern Theatre OH! WHAT A LOVELY WAR Blue Orange Theatre’s Adult Acting Devising & Performance Group perform Joan Littlewood's satirical masterpiece, Tues 26 - Wed 27 June, The Blue Or- ange Theatre, Birmingham REVOLVING DOOR Play about male sui- ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE cide that tells the story of a young SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring gay man distressed about the state Barry Wordsworth (conductor). Pro- of the world, Tues 26 - Wed 27 June, gramme includes works by Michael Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Wolters & Stravinsky, Fri 29 June, Concert Hall, Royal Birmingham THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE Tony Conservatoire Award-winning musical based on the 1967 film of the same name. Corona- SINFONIA OF BIRMINGHAM ORCHES- tion Street and Emmerdale actress TRAL DELIGHTS Programme includes Hayley Tamaddon stars, Tues 26 - works by Dvorak, Villa-Lobos, Sat 30 June, Wolverhampton Grand Beethoven, Sat 30 June, St Andrews Theatre Church, Barnt Green, Birmingham Travis - Symphony Hall, Birmingham BIRDSONG Epic tale set both before whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Warwicks/Worcs Mon 25 - Sat 30 June.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 17:45 Page 3

thelist Monday 25 - Saturday 30 June and during the Great War, Tues 26 - MONSTERSAURUS Energetic show for Sat 30 June, Malvern Theatres younger audiences, packed with THE TEMPEST Shakespeare’s tale of il- ‘thrills, spills, magic, mayhem, origi- lusion and revenge is brought to life nal music and plenty of audience par- by the ever-zany Oddsocks, Wed 27 ticipation’, Sat 30 June, Lichfield June, Whitbourne Hall, Worcester Garrick RISE & SHINE Mixed bill of work from BOA's Year 12 Musical Theatre Path- way, Wed 27 - Thurs 28 June, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham Dance ROMEO & JULIET Outdoor performance presented by The Handle- FREEMAN DANCE SUMMER SHOW Bards - the world’s first cycling Showcase of work from Coventry's theatre company, Thurs 28 June, The up-and-coming dance talent Fri 29 - Fleece Inn, Bretforton, Nr Evesham Sat 30 June, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry MRS OSCAR WILDE The story of the wife of one of the Victorian era’s most famous writers, Fri 29 June, The Civic, Stourport, Stourport-on-Severn THE TEMPEST The Lord Chamberlain’s Men present an outdoor staging of Talks Shakespeare’s tale of illusion and re- CAITLIN MORAN LIVE: HOW TO BE FA- Truckfest venge, Fri 29 June, Winterbourne MOUS Caitlin describes her show as Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Sat 30 June - Sun 1 July House & Garden, Birmingham an excuse ‘to dress up, gather to- REX THE KING Wassail Theatre Com- gether with likeminded people and This well-established event makes a welcome return to Malvern pany tell the story of a Somerset laugh your head off on cider’, Thurs this month and promises two action-packed days of entertain- darts champion who ruled the world - 28 June, Birmingham Town Hall ment. A highlight of this year’s show is the appearance of James but lost it all, Fri 29 - Sat 30 June, Old AN ILLUSTRATED TALK WITH DR JOHN Dylan's Stuntworld, a UK team of daredevil riders who’ll be per- Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham HARCUP OBE The local historian traces forming some sure-to-be-breathtaking ramp jumps, wheelies and THE CANTERBURY TALE (OR THE STO- Malvern’s history, Fri 29 June, stoppies at regular intervals throughout the weekend. Other at- RIES OF GEOFF) Playbox Theatre pre- Malvern Theatres tractions at the 2018 edition of the show include monster truck sent an anarchic reinvention of WILDLIFE ROAD TRIP Chaucer’s famous work, Fri 29 - Sat Natural history rides, car-crushing demonstrations, a family funfair and Ice Road 30 June, The Dream Factory, War- broadcasters and TV wildlife presen- trucker Todd Dewey (pictured) commentating in the main arena. wick ters Martin Hughes-Games and Iolo Williams team up for this ‘informative ONCE ON THIS ISLAND JR Encore The- and amusing wildlife show’, Fri 29 atre Academy present an adaptation Centre, Coventry, Tues 26 - Thurs 28 June, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Lit- June Events tle Mermaid, Sat 30 June, Norbury DOUBLE LOVER (18) Drama/Thriller. Theatre, Droitwich Starring Marine Vacth, Jérémie Re- THE CREATIVE CRAFT SHOW The latest supplies, ideas and innovations in the THE ACORN SAILOR AIM - Palace Youth nier. Foreign language, subtitled. hobby world, Fri 29 June - Sun 1 July, Theatre’s performing arts group of Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues NEC, Birmingham young adults with learning difficulties Film 26 - Thurs 28 June - combine music and movement to INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: REDOUBTABLE (15) Biography/Com- THE FILM ORCHESTRA AT WITLEY COURT explore the emotional impact of An evening of original music from THE POST (15) Biography/Drama. edy. Starring Louis Garrel, Stacy Mar- human suffering and separation, Sat film, TV and video games, Sat 30 Starring Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks. tin. Foreign language, subtitled. 30 June, Palace Theatre, Redditch Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 26 - June, Witley Court, Great Witley, Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 25 June Worcester EMMA Jane Austen's famous tale Fri 29 June MARLINA THE MURDERER IN FOUR ACTS about the perils of misconstrued ro- TENBURY MUSIC FESTIVAL Featuring (15) Drama/Thriller. Starring Egy ON CHESIL BEACH (12a) Drama/Ro- mance, Sat 30 June - Sun 1 July, The Lightning Seeds, Sat 30 June, Fedly, Dea Panendra. Foreign lan- mance. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, Birm- The Burgage, Tenbury, Worcester- guage, subtitled. MAC, Birmingham, Emily Watson. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri ingham shire Mon 25 - Wed 27 June 29 June FLARE PATH New staging of Terrence WAR OF THE ROSES LIVE The War of THE GUERNSEY LITERARY & POTATO BOOK CLUB (12a) Comedy. Starring Rattigan’s wartime story, which draws the Roses unfolds in a new live action PEEL PIE SOCIETY (12a) Drama/History. Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda. Warwick on his experiences as a gunner in the show, complete with stunt riders, Starring Lily James, Michael Huis- Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 29 - Sat 30 RAF, Sat 30 June - Sat 7 July, Crite- jousting and state-of-the-art special man. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 26 June; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 30 rion Theatre, Coventry June effects! Sat 30 June - Sun 1 July, June Warwick Castle THREE AND A HALF (12a) Drama. Star- THE BOY DOWNSTAIRS (12a) Comedy/Drama. Starring Zosia STEP BACK TO THE 1940S All aboard for ring Zoya Hussain, Jim Sarbh. Q&A a Severn Valley Railway train journey with Director. Foreign language, sub- Mamet, Matthew Shear. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 29 - Sat 30 June back in time to the 1940s, Sat 30 Kids Shows titled. MAC, Birmingham, Tues 26 June - Sun 1 July, Severn Valley Rail- June JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM way, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster CHITTY, CHITTY, BANG, BANG Amateur (12a) Adventure/Sci-Fi. Starring Chris ZAMA Drama. Starring Daniel TRUCKFEST Europe’s biggest trucking staging presented by BMOS, Tues 26 Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard. Roses Giménez Cacho, Lola Dueñas. For- festival featuring James Dylans’ Stunt - Sat 30 June, New Alexandra The- Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 29 - Sat 30 eign language, subtitled. Roses The- World, Truck Awards, Monster Truck atre, Birmingham June atre, Tewkesbury, Tues 26 - Wed 27 car crushing action, music, fun fair HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL Amateur stag- June ALL THE WILD HORSES (15) Documen- and lots more... Sat 30 June - Sun 1 ing presented by Sutton Coldfield's ISLE OF DOGS (PG) Animation/Adven- tary/Adventure. Starring George July, Three Counties Showground, Brit Youth Theatre, Thurs 28 - Sat 30 ture. With the voices of Bryan Azarias, Andrew Challen. Foreign lan- Malvern June, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Cranston, Yoko Ono. Warwick Arts guage, subtitled. Warwick Arts Cen- tre, Coventry, Sat 30 June 66 whatsonlive.co.uk BRB Romeo F/P June 2018.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 10:35 Page 1 Digbeth Arena F/P June 2018.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2018 10:40 Page 1