The Midlands Essential Entertainment Guide

ROBBIE WILLIAMS SWINGS INTO BRUM journey through the deep the through journey Stafford... in wood dark region’s the showcasing Park Beacon at talent return of the of return comedian Kiwi THE GRUFFALO THE FESTIVAL FUSE RHYS DARBY RHYS JULY 2014 ISSUE 343 343 ISSUE sOn ’ .co.uk

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www. STAFFORDSHIRE What THE MIDLANDS ESSENTIAL ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE ENTERTAINMENT ESSENTIAL MIDLANDS THE Staffordshire Cover - July.qxp_Mids Cover - August 23/06/2014 16:43 Page 1 Page 16:43 23/06/2014 - August Cover - July.qxp_Mids Cover Staffordshire STAFFORDSHIRE WHAT’S ON ISSUE 343 JULY 2014 PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS @WHATSONSTAFFS WWW.WHATSONLIVE.CO.UK Antiques For Everyone (FP-July).qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2014 14:00 Page 1 Contents- Region two - July.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2014 12:42 Page 1

June 2014

Editor: Davina Evans INSIDE: [email protected] 01743 281708 Editorial Assistants: Ellie Goulding Brian O’Faolain [email protected] joins line-up for 01743 281701 Wireless Festival p45 Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Sales & Marketing: Jon Cartwright [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704

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Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell Chris Atherton Accounts Administrator Julia Perry Wicked - the award-winning musical arrives in the Midlands, page 6 [email protected] 01743 281717 Website Development: Jim Pallett TO GET THE VERY Rhys Darby Contributors: p4 Kiwi comedian Graham Bostock: Theatre LATEST LISTING News James Cameron-Wilson: back on tour p20 Film; Anita Champaneri: INFORMATION, Eating Out; Music p11 Alev Dervish: Music VISIT: Eva Easthope, Kate whatsonlive.co.uk Evans, Jessica Aston, Comedy p20 Patsy Moss, Jack Rolfe, INCLUDING Jan Watts, Reggie White BOOKING ONLINE Theatre p23 Head Office: 13-14 Abbey Foregate, The Midlands’ most Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE comprehensive p37 Tel: 01743 281777 entertainment website Film/DVD e-mail: [email protected] Follow us on... Festivals p45 This publication is Visual Arts p51 printed on paper from a sustainable source and is July 2014 produced without the use Black Country Events p55 of elemental chlorine. @whatsonwolves MTWTFSS We endorse the recycling Shropshire 123456 of our magazine and p65 would encourage you to @whatsonshrops Eating Out 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 pass it on to others to Staffordshire 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 read when you have @whatsonstaffs finished with it. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 What’sOn 28 29 30 31 All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless MAGAZINE GROUP 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. News July region two.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2014 20:39 Page 1

News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Birmingham artist to exhibit in Los Angeles A Birmingham artist who’s receiving much critical acclaim for his use of chalk and pas- tel to produce images depicting the search for human perfection is to exhibit his work in Los Angeles. Oliver Jones’ lifelike portraits question the contemporary pursuit of beauty, with one particularly striking piece, Designer Baby, showing a five-month-old child prepared for surgery. Oliver, who trained at Birmingham Institute of Art and Design and is co-founder of A3 Project Space in Digbeth, will present a series of new canvas- es at Gusford I los angeles in September.

Anita And Me to debut in the Midlands A stage adaptation of Meera Syal’s award-winning semi-autobiographical novel Anita And Me is to make its debut at Birmingham’s Repertory Theatre next year. Syal’s story focuses on the experiences of nine-year-old Meena as she grows up in the only Punjabi family in a Black Country mining village. The novel is being developed for the stage by Tanika Gupta, and the show will be directed by The Rep’s artistic director Roxanna Silbert. Commenting on the adaptation, Wolverhampton-born Meera said: “I’m so thrilled that Anita And Me is being developed and premiered at the Birmingham Rep - in the West Midlands where I grew up, where the novel is set, and whose people and stories had such a huge influ- ence on my childhood. I know Roxanna and Tanika and the rest of the team will do it proud, International Dance Festival and I can’t wait to see Anita, Meena and the rest of the crew come to life on stage. It will, I’m hailed a resounding success pretty sure, be ‘bostin’!” Anita And Me is scheduled to show at The Rep in Autumn 2015. Organisers behind the International Dance Musical, which will include the chance to Festival Birmingham 2014 (IDFB) - one of the meet some of the cast at the Library of Ironbridge Gorge Museums largest festivals of its kind in the UK - have Birmingham before taking their seats at the teams up with Art Fund declared this year’s event a resounding suc- Hippodrome to see the show. cess, with attendances to ticketed perform- Entry forms are available from the Library of Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust has joined ances showing an increase of thirty percent Birmingham Children’s Library and from forces with the Art Fund and four other on the previous event in 2012. birminghamhippodrome.com/news. museums from across the country to launch IDFB took place at various venues across The competition closes at midnight on 9 Art Happens - a crowdfunding platform the city in May. Featuring artists from eight- July. Winners must be available to enjoy the housed within the Art Fund website which een countries, it facilitated twenty-one free special day on Wednesday 30 July. helps UK museums raise money for new, dance workshops and showcased nine small-scale creative projects. world premieres. One of these was Concert The trust is hoping the innovative approach Danse - a partnership with Quebecois con- will raise sufficient money to help transform temporary dance company Cas Public and the Museum of The Gorge, via a complete Birmingham early music ensemble Ex redesign of its gallery and an upgrade of its Cathedra. The production featured Aakash existing auditorium. Once completed, the Odedra and dancers from Birmingham Royal venue will become the starting point for visi- Ballet. tors wishing to explore the unique museums and landscapes of Ironbridge. To find out more about the scheme and to Wicked opportunity for young make a donation, visit the Art Happens website at artfund.org/arthappens writers... Smile For Stephen... Birmingham Hippodrome, the Library of Birmingham and smash-hit musical Wicked Free Radio has announced initial plans for a are on the lookout for Birmingham’s best fundraising event in memory of Stephen young writing talent. The three organisations Sutton, the teenager who died of cancer in are inviting children and young people May and was posthumously awarded an between seven and eighteen to submit short, MBE. With the blessing of Stephen’s mum, clear and captivating stories based on a sub- Free Radio is to hold an evening of comedy ject of their own choosing. The storywriting and music at the LG Arena on Sunday 30 competition is split into two age-related cate- November. Tickets priced £35 are now on gories (seven-to-eleven and twelve-to-eigh- sale, and further details of the event’s line-up teen). Two lucky winners (one from each cat- will be announced soon. egory) will be rewarded with a ‘sparkling All proceeds from the evening will go to the emerald day’ courtesy of Wicked The Teenage Cancer Trust.

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Ikon takes to the water A seventy-two-foot converted narrowboat is to embark on a journey along the Black Country’s industrial canal routes as part of an art initiative led by Midlands artists Juneau Projects. Involving members of the Ikon Youth Project (IYP), Black Country Voyages will see the Aaron Manby - leased from Sandwell Council - navigate its way along the canal route, stopping off at Cradley Heath, Tipton, Brownhills, Smethwick, Oldbury, Langley Green, Netherton, Brierley Hill and Stourbridge, where the IYP will present a series of workshops, live performances and exhibitions. Ikon launches www.blackcountryvoyages.org on Black Country Day (14 July), enabling people to track the boat’s journey and find out what’s happening and where.

Chamberlain Square to stage British premiere of art An innovative work of art featuring five thousand figures made out of ice is to make its British debut in Birmingham as part of the city’s World War One commemorations. The major exhibition, by award-winning Brazilian artist Nele Azevedo, is described as ‘poignant and moving’ and will see the beautifully crafted ice figure sculptures melt in Chamberlain Square on 2 National award for August. The event forms part of an urban intervention called Minimum Monument and follows Midlands festival on from similar presentations in Sao Paulo, Havana, Tokyo, Kyoto, Berlin, Porto and Florence. Organisers behind Wolverhampton’s Slam This latest project features the largest number of ice sculptures Nele has ever produced. Dunk Festival are celebrating after the event Speaking about Minimum Monument, Nele says: “Hundreds of ice sculptures are taken to won Best Festival in the Relentless Kerrang central places in cities and, with the help of passers-by, they are left to melt. The sculptures Awards. Slam Dunk fought off stiff competi- are tiny men and women, twenty centimetres-tall and placed on stairways. The invitation from tion from the likes of Leeds Festival, Birmingham refers to the commemoration of World War One and the celebration of the com- Download and Blood And Stock to claim mon man, which is close to the original concept of the work.” the title, with festival representatives being presented with the award in front of an audience of stellar guests that included Status IN BRIEF Festival offers What’s On readers Quo, The Ramones and Fall Out Boy. discounted tickets The accolade cements Slam Dunk’s status Green accolade as a major music event for the alternative for Stoke venues A Shropshire festival which is gearing up to celebrate its fifth birth- rock scene. Staff at the Regent day is offering a limited number of discounted tickets to What’s Theatre and Victoria On readers. Sited at North Shropshire’s Oswestry Showground, Hall in Stoke-on-Trent Osfest historically takes place in early May. However, due to a are celebrating after date clash with the BBC’s Radio One Big Weekender, it's this year the two venues were been rescheduled to 9 - 11 August. named as Ambassador Singer-songwriter Paloma Faith will be making an appearance at Theatre Group’s (ATG) the popular festival, playing a DJ set of her guilty pleasures. She'll Green Venue Of The be joined by the Grammy Year. The theatres were Award-winning Foxes, The also nominated in the Hoosiers, Union J, Conor highest number of cat- Maynard, Nina Nesbit, From The egories across venues. Jam, the Bay City Rollers and Toyah. Ten pound discounts apply to Sisters set sights adult and under-sixteen tickets on Kilimanjaro only. Call 01691 680468 for fur- Paloma Faith Sisters Rebecca and ther details. Laura Jones are hop- Birmingham to host World ing to boost their recent fundraising NHS Trust seeking art competition entries Festival Of Theatre efforts with a charity Birmingham has been selected as the 2016 music event at Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust is on the host of the prestigious World Festival Of Shrewsbury’s lookout for submissions for this year’s Dawn Jones Art Prize, an Theatre For Young Audiences. Beaconsfield Club on initiative which invites people with experience of mental health The event, which takes place from 2 to 10 18 July. Monies raised issues to create artwork. Originally set up by Maureen Jones in July 2016, showcases the best in theatre for will assist the sisters’ memory of her daughter Dawn, the prize - which is open to resi- children and young people from across the self-funded Mount dents from the boroughs of Dudley and Walsall - offers an oppor- UK, Ireland and the rest of the world. Kilimanjaro trek in tunity for people with experience of mental ill-health to express Comprising performances, workshops, sem- 2015, with all sponsor- themselves and raise awareness of mental health issues. inars and events in theatres and venues ship for the trek going The competition comprises two categories - What Makes Me across the city, the festival will use the directly to Rebecca Happy and What Am I Hopeful For. The winners will receive £100 Birmingham Rep as its main hub. A total of and Laura’s chosen in vouchers of their choice and the opportunity to have their work around four hundred international visitors charity, Help For displayed in a public building in either Dudley or Walsall. from fifty countries are expected to attend Heroes. Closing date for submissions is 1 September. Full details can be the event. found at www.dwmh.nhs.uk/artprize. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 5 Wicked Feature.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2014 20:07 Page 1

When you’re flying and singing that song, you feel like you’re on “ top of the world ”

Spellbinding! West End musical casts a spell over the Midlands

One of ‘the most popular West End musicals ever’ casts its spell over Midlands audiences this month when Wicked flies into Birmingham as part of its first UK tour. A global phenomenon, the musical is based on Gregory Maguire’s ingenious reimagining of Frank L Baum’s Wizard Of Oz, and recounts the hitherto untold story of a profound friendship between sorcery students Glinda and Elphaba. So what’s it like to be Defying Gravity? And how do you know if you’re Popular? Emily Tierney (Glinda) and Nikki Davis-Jones (Elphaba) talk about what it means to be playing musical theatre’s most sought-after roles...

Are you a Glinda or an Elphaba? This, says “Wicked is so appealing because it’s very For Nikki Davis-Jones, until recently the Emily Tierney, is the question nowadays rare that you get two such big, meaty, female stand-in Elphaba in the West End, it feels echoing around every drama school corridor leads,” says Tierney, whose first professional amazing to finally own the part. “I first - well, at least among those students who job was in Wicked’s London ensemble five watched it with (Broadway’s original one day hope to star in Wicked. So which years ago. “And they’re so different. Elphaba) Idina Menzel. I remember mum witch are you? White or green? Good or Everyone I knew at drama school wanted to asking if I'd like to do the show, and me wicked? Are you ‘Popular’, or do you dream play one or the other.” saying that I’d love to, but that there was of ‘Defying Gravity’? Tierney was walking through Leicester nothing in it for me; the part was too big. A For Tierney and fellow actress Nikki Davis- Square when she heard she’d got the part of few years later, here I am. Jones, these questions now have answers. Glinda for a second time (she recently We’re chatting in a rehearsal room in east The pair are taking the lead roles in Wicked’s played her in The Wizard Of Oz too). “My London, where every surface is awash with first ever UK and Ireland tour, stopping off in agent phoned and asked if I was sitting green. Green sunglasses, green babies - Birmingham from 9 July. And while neither down. I had to run into an alleyway. I burst even a green cake that a cast member’s performer is entirely new to the show, they into tears. I was laughing and hysterical at mum has made for someone’s birthday. still can’t believe their luck. the same time.” Welcome to the Emerald City!

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interview...

For those new to the Wicked phenomenon, simply have to take over,” she yodels in the Nikki agrees. “My Act Two costume is so the musical is based on Gregory Maguire’s show. sexy; right in at the waist, and all the frills are 1995 book, Wicked: The Life And Times Of “I was terrified about doing Popular,” so flattering. They made it first in a sack The Wicked Witch Of The West, which riffs confesses Tierney. “Glinda literally doesn’t sit material, to get the cut. Margie, our head of off the Oz story, stepping over Dorothy’s still. She’s jumping around all over the place. wardrobe, told me to stand up straight and ruby slippers to concentrate on the witches There’s a lot to remember, but I’m loving be in character. And now the dress is made instead. This is the back-story for why one doing it now. I love all the numbers I do with like that. So I can’t ‘Hunchback of Notre ends up good and the other, er, wicked. Nikki because we get to have such a giggle. Dame’ it anyway. It’s really good for my On stage, we first meet the characters as We’ve got to try and hate each other - it’s not posture.” students of the University of Shiz. going to be easy!” What about going green every night? “Glinda’s grown up a real daddy’s girl, It’s harder still to pick a favourite song, she “She looks amazing,” gushes Tierney. “She’s having everything on a plate,” explains says. “For Good is such a beautiful one to got her own colour of green: the Nikki Tierney. “She’s never been told no. Then, sing. But I also love No Good Deed. I saw green.” suddenly, she meets this character who she Nikki do it and ran down the corridor like a “It’s so strange,” says Nikki. “I didn’t realise doesn’t understand.” crazy fan.” how different everyone’s shade is to their Elphaba, meanwhile, is green and “They’re all iconic songs,” says Nikki - but skin. The director says I’m prettier green “completely misunderstood from birth,” says even she can’t deny which number is the than in real life!” Davis-Jones. “Nobody likes her. And most iconic. When the TV show Glee The girls agree that the costumes really help because of how she’s been treated all her devoted a whole episode to it, it was clear to get them in character. “I keep wearing little life, she just wants justice for others too. that Defying Gravity had moved from musical skirts in the rehearsal room,” says Tierney. “I She’s a bit of a campaigner, our Elphaba. theatre into the mainstream. don’t feel Glinda-ry if I don’t. But the other She’d definitely be out on all the marches!” “When you’re flying and singing that song, day, I went home and put the grungiest gear Despite loathing each other on first you feel like you’re on top of the world,” says on - I’d outgirlied even myself.” acquaintance - dueting “there's a strange Nikki. “It’s such a powerful feeling. This is the With just weeks to go till opening night, exhilaration in such total detestation” - it’s no turning point, where Elphaba is revealed as nerves are rising for both actresses. “I keep spoiler to say the characters develop a the witch for the first time. I’ve got the having really manic stress dreams,” Tierney friendship so strong that even a couple of broom, the hat, the cape, and I’m off. You gulps. “I think it’s getting my head around love interests (played by the girls’ real-life can’t help but be lifted. I’ve got little taking on the mantle. We’ve seen so many buddies Liam Doyle and George Ure) can’t goosebumps thinking about it.” Elphabas and Glindas; they’re iconic. But throw them off course. “They have this And vocally, adds Tierney, it’s incredibly they’ve told us that they're our parts now and amazing bond, and change each other really challenging. “I remember being at drama we’ve got to find our own way into them.” dramatically,” says Tierney. “Everyone wants school and everyone wanted to sing Defying And what about the high notes of ‘that a friendship like that. I think that’s why Gravity. Everyone tried, but so few could do song’? How does Nikki find her way into people really connect with Wicked.” it.” those? And why bona fide actresses are clamouring If Elphaba wins in the song stakes, Glinda “I get waves of nerves, usually in the scene to be cast in the show, she adds. “It’s great. certainly lucks out with her wardrobe. “I put before Defying Gravity,” she admits. “But by We get to play them at the beginning, when her bubble dress on the other day for a the time it comes, you’re so in the emotional they’re young. Elphaba’s angry and Glinda’s photo shoot and got so choked up,” says moment. And to be honest, if you’re totally in a spoilt brat. And then they go on this big old Tierney. “They were telling me not to cry, it, you don’t even notice the singing. It just journey to see the Wizard and the Emerald because they’d just done all my make-up. comes out and it feels amazing. And at the City. By the end of the show, they’re But it’s overwhelming. Someone asked if I end of it all, when the show’s happened, you completely different people. Elphaba’s fallen could choose which costume was my just think, ‘Oh my god, I love my job. I’m the in love; Glinda’s learned so much, she’s favourite, but I couldn’t. They’re each luckiest girl around’. actually quite moral.” individually designed. So many hours of The duo have just finished rehearsing work go into them; all the beading. I don’t Popular, a fabulously frothy number that sees think I’ve done a show before where you get Wicked shows at Birmingham Hippodrome Glinda give Elphaba the regulation spruce- such attention to detail, that scale of from Wed 9 July to Sat 6 September. up. “When someone needs a makeover, I costume and set.”

totally Wicked facts... n The original Broadway production sixteenth longest-running musical in West remains Broadway’s biggest-ever End Theatre history. blockbuster. Wicked has already been seen by thirty- n n The West End production is soon to enter seven million people worldwide. n Wicked’s costume department uses over its eighth year and reach its three one hundred-and-seventy-nine different thousandth performance at The Apollo. n In Gregory Maguire’s original novel, types and finishes of leather. Elphaba’s first word as a young infant is n Wicked has won over ninety international ‘horrors’, a clear indication of what’s to n The musical’s open-ended run at the awards, including the Olivier Award for Most come. Apollo Victoria Theatre is already the Popular Show.

Emily Tierney (Glinda), Liam Doyle (Fiyero) and Nikki Davis-Jones (Elphaba): Photo credit: Matt Crockett

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 7 BE Festival feature LW.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2014 20:03 Page 1

It’s about what the city has given to us, because it’s quite “ a feat for two Spanish people to be running a theatre festival here in Birmingham.” Glad to BE here... festival gearing up for its first venture at The REP

A theatre festival created in 2010 as a direct response to Birmingham’s need for more international work is this year entering a new phase of its development, thanks to a partnership with the Birmingham REP. BE Festival annually brings together artists from across Europe to showcase a diverse range of contemporary theatre. Growing in stature since its humble beginnings in Birmingham’s AE Harris Building, the festival this month makes its debut at The REP. What’s On recently met up with festival directors Miguel Oyarzun and Isla Aguilar to talk about the origins of BE, its journey to The REP, and what’s in store for 2014.

Five years ago, the BE Festival’s now- they would want a theatre festival to be. though the event has grown in stature, that directors, Miguel Oyarzun and Isla Aguillar, “James at Stan’s Cafe offered us the use of particular arrangement has continued. “It’s were invited to attend a conference the AE Harris Building,” Miguel continues, now a feature of the festival,” says Isla. organised by the Arts Council to look at how “and we put out a call for submissions. Very “Having the city involved has resulted in big to improve diversity in the Midlands. Miguel soon we received sixty-seven applications audiences coming to see the shows. Hosts and Isla were running their own theatre from all around Europe. Then Birmingham not only have a ticket to come along, they company and touring at the time. A recurring City Council opened an application for also bring their family and friends.” theme throughout the conference was the emerging festivals, and all of a sudden we Although the festival enjoyed great success lack of international work visiting the region. knew it was all meant to be.” at the AE Harris during its first four years, the So Miguel and Isla suggested filling the void An application went into the Arts Council for metal factory’s expanding business meant with a festival. £8,000, because “to ask for ten seemed that BE needed to find a new home for 2014. “That same day people were coming up to greedy!”. The first festival went ahead and Fortunately, the refurbished Birmingham Rep us and saying it was a great idea,” says was deemed a great success. came to the rescue, and now a whole new Miguel, “and suggesting that we did it. So Finances dictated that the majority of artists chapter in the event’s ongoing success story we thought, why not!” who appeared at BE in 2010 were is set to begin. That evening they set about thinking how accommodated in people’s homes. Even Moving forward and acquiring bigger

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feature...

audiences while at the same time retaining So how does BE’s format work? Warwick Arts Centre. They’re coming here to the festival’s original ethos was always going “Our responsibility as programmers is to find perform, and there’s an audience for them. to be a fine balancing act, but Isla and a balance,” says Miguel. “The format of four But it works both ways. We also support Miguel are confident it can be achieved. The short shows a night allows us to show a companies from the UK. For instance, Kindle 2014 event will satisfy Isla’s vision of giving cross-section. You may have one show that’s Theatre Company performed at the festival, audiences a completely new experience, with more challenging, which will make people and thanks to that, they’ve gone on to The REP building being turned back-to-front think. Then we’ll show something that perform in Italy and other European and inside-out. everyone can access; something where countries.” Audience members will have the opportunity people can enjoy themselves and have a Asked to summarise what they and BE to step backstage and see the theatre from a laugh. Something which is still being Festival have done for Birmingham, Isla and whole new perspective. While the venue’s contemporary and crossing boundaries in its Miguel offer a modest response: “It’s about workshop is transformed into a festival hub, approach but at the same time is very what the city has given to us, because it’s with a bar and furnished area for relaxation, accessible. Each show is only thirty minutes- quite a feat for two Spanish people to be the stage will be converted into a pop-up long, which means if you’re not liking it, you running a theatre festival here in restaurant. Audiences will be able to dine on won’t have to wait long for the next one. And Birmingham. The city is very welcoming to food from Blanch & Shock Food Design that’s a format that audiences have bought strangers. We feel very supported, and that’s while at the same time watching a into.” fantastic.” performance taking place in the aisles. The programme is certainly eclectic, bringing The Rep’s scenic paintshop, meanwhile, will together various artistic disciplines from become an interactive space and feature a across Europe. It also features workshops, visual arts programme, including TIME = talks, and a programme of visual arts. MONEY = ART, a sharing of work from Dutch There’s a theme for 2014 too - ‘currency’ - artist Dadara. but it’s not an overbearing, all-consuming All areas will be interconnected on a route one. that ensures every aspect of this innovative, Five years on, BE has most definitely grown topsy-turvy approach is on view. in terms of its international status. “The A sign of the festival’s growing reputation is festival was created to become a catalyst for the number of applications received this year. more international work, and that’s Six hundred in total. All were dissected in happened,” says Miguel. “Now we have four detail, with Miguel stipulating that the only or five international companies who have criteria is ‘quality’. The festival will feature residencies here. We may have started it all, twenty-three performances by ensembles but now they’re independently having from fourteen different countries. relationships with places like mac and Isla and Miguel twenty-three companies from fourteen countries in two weeks...

WEEK ONE 2 - 4 JULY A TASTE OF WHAT’S ON OFFER AT BE FESTIVAL 2014 BE FESTIVAL DOUBLE BILL GETAWAY: THEATER AM TISCH An THAT’S IT: SANDMAN A spectre relationships fizzing with the invitation to talk about what claws her way across the passion of the tango, as an Split into two distinct parts, week one of the we’re fleeing from, running stage, back and forth between impetuous trio dance ‘all for festival is dedicated to works by towards and hoping for. nightmarish dreamscapes, to one and one for all!’ Fri, The Birmingham-based Stan’s Cafe and last Wed & Thurs, The Door, 6pm become one creature after Studio, 7pm another, lurking in the darkest year’s festival winners, Denmark’s Out Of MI GRAN OBRA: DAVID ESPINOSA WUNSCHKONZERT: MAURA Three hundred actors, herds of recesses of the mind, Thurs, MORALES One woman's grasp Balanz. animals and a military The Studio, 7pm for a sensual life of joy, wonder Finger, Trigger, Bullet, Gun is a short play orchestra present an LOOPS AND BREAKS: JULIA and dreams realised, beyond by Nenad Prokiv, written for Stan’s Cafe. exploration of balance, SCHWARZBACH Julia invites her everyday monotony, loneliness The play asks, if a Serbian finger pulled the substance and artistic practice, audience to make the action by and longing, Fri, The Studio, trigger which started World War One, who Wed & Thurs, The Door, responding to a series of 9.30pm 6.10pm shifting instructions prepared put the bullet in the gun? The show WAITING: MOKHALLAD RASEM FROM THE WALTZ TO THE especially for the BE Festival Different worlds clash quietly climaxes with the toppling of thousands of MAMBO: RADIOBALLET crowd, Thurs, The Studio, 7pm through traces of dance, dominoes. A 1960s Hungarian ballroom ISLA’S GARDEN: ANNA PESCHKE performance and film in a Next Door Out Of Balanz fuse intimate dance manual becomes a tool An unscrupulous officer and meditation upon the storytelling and high-octane physical theatre for questioning today's dogmas concentration camp doctor, this fundamental human experience surrounding beauty and ‘She-Wolf of the SS’ is an of waiting, Fri, The Studio, to explore what it is that really connects us. education. Wed, The Studio, unsettling creation, inhabited 9.30pm 7pm here by the artist to interrogate THE INVERSE OF THE PLOT: WEEK TWO 8 - 12 JULY PLAZA AVELLANEDA: TEATRO the appeal of German Fascism, JAIME VALLAURE A response to SECRETO Stories with a refined Thurs, The Studio, 9.30pm BE Festival’s unique takeover BE FESTIVAL REP TAKEOVER informality, investigating THE INVASION OF THE BODY of The REP; a performance narrative through a physical SNATCHERS: LA CASA EN EL which flips our understanding The festival’s second week sees the REP approach that invites an ARBOL Fragments of ’50s of how theatre space works. audience further into the scripts and sequels work in Sat, Secret location building turned back-to-front, as audiences depths of contemporary texts. conversation with video IMPRESSIONS D’AFRIQUE: MK access the venue from the rear entrance on Wed, The Studio, 7pm projection to present an Raymond Roussel’s 1910 novel Cambridge Street, where they’ll enter a EVERYTHING WE WERE (NOT) unsettling B-Movie mash-up of forms the backdrop to mk’s relaxed hub complete with soft furnishings, BORN WITH: KIJO GROUP our notions of identity and crowded system of chain cabaret stage, cafe and bar. The REP’s A sparse, forensic examination collectivism, Thurs, The Studio, reactions and ballistic 9.30pm main stage will be transformed into a pop- of the internal and external choreography. boundaries of identity and the GHOSTLAND CINEMA: MINGBEAST Sat, The Studio, 7pm up restaurant, where interval dinners will be human body. Wed, The Studio, IN COLLABORATION WITH AWKWARD HAPPENINGS: STUDIO served to both artists and audiences. 9.30pm SLEEPWALK COLLECTIVE MATEJKA The passage of a Each evening performance will feature four BEATING MCENROE: JAMIE WOOD A cryptic and chaotic relationship, painted in its full different studio shows - each no longer than Bjorn Borg, the self-controlled exploration of how we colours of intimacy and doubt... tennis champion and epitome remember - and of why we Sat, The Studio, 9.30pm thirty minutes - plus three more limited- might prefer to forget, capacity pieces, taking place in other of cool, was everything six- SHOW: ANTONIO TAGLIARINI The year-old Jamie wanted to be. Fri, The Studio, 7pm audience helps a beleaguered spaces within The REP. Then John McEnroe came DOES IT START WITH A KISS?: performer attempt an along... Wed, The Studio, EVA DUDA DANCE COMPANY For information on all festival events, visit impossible self-portrait. Sat, 9.30pm Questions of individual agency The Studio, 9.30pm WWW.BEFESTIVAL.ORG and submission spill from

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Peatbog Faeries Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Wed 9 July Although mainly influenced by traditional celtic music, the Peatbog Faeries create a sound that also embodies numerous other styles and influences, including folk, electronica, rock and jazz. Well established on the circuit, having formed way back in 1991, the ensemble’s music brings together a blend of programmed effects with traditional celtic arrangements played on bagpipes, fiddles and whistles. The Faeries visit the Midlands from their home on the Isle of Skye.

Robbie Williams LG Arena, Birmingham, Sat 6 - Sun 7 July The Midnight Beast With six of his albums featuring among the top one hundred biggest-selling in the UK, an The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 25 July entry in the Guinness Book Of World Records for selling over one-and-a-half million tick- Are they musicians? Are they comedians? Are they ets for a tour in a single day, and almost eighty million record sales to his name world- actors? The Midnight Beast are all these and more. wide, Midlands-born Robbie needs no introduction. Whether with Take That or as a solo Stefan Abingdon, Dru Wakely and Ashley Horne artist, Williams is a heavyweight performer whose popularity has endured despite the started out making YouTube videos - including a passing of time and no shortage of negative publicity along the way. parody of Kesha’s Tik Tok that she hailed “better He appears at the LG this month on the back of late-2013 album release Swings Both than my version” - before scoring a self-titled Ways - his second swing album after 2001's Swing When You're Winning and the fourth Channel Four sitcom. They’ve now amassed over best-selling UK album of last year. sixty-eight million views on YouTube and released a new album, Shtick Heads, which hit Number One in the iTunes Comedy chart. See them here on Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra their Dirty Weekender tour. The Quarry Park, Shrewsbury, Sat 12 July Jools Holland is - somewhat unfairly, it should be said - often viewed as little more than an arch-fan, albeit one with his finger firmly on the musical pulse. Tame Impala His well-established BBC TV show has long been an eclectic mixture of styles and gen- The Institute, Birmingham, Mon 14 July res, encompassing music from across the world. His own talent on the piano is im- “Our way of doing music is very organic,” explains mense, and his attitude towards his famed rhythm & blues orchestra friendly and Kevin Parker, the Australian psychedelic rock musi- egalitarian. The result is a joyous celebration of music, and a sound to which you can’t cian who fronts Tame Impala. “There’s a repetitive- help but tap your feet. The band are quite a hit on the summer festival circuit for this very ness about it; it’s meant to be hypnotic, almost in a reason, with Holland’s familiarity with a bewildering range of material inevitably feeding kind of electronic nature.” into the group’s music-making endeavours. Support on this occasion comes from Marc The band formed in 2007 and came to prominence Almond, Melanie C and Ruby Turner. three years later with the release of their debut album, Innerspeaker. Two years afterwards, follow- up effort Lonerism scored a massive hit with the critics. Making psychedelic hypno-groove melodic rock music that Parker says is as influenced ‘by English folk as it is homeless folk’, and as much by ‘Turkish prog as it is by Turkish Delight’, the highly regarded ensemble stop off in Birmingham as part of a European summer tour.

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Music PREVIEWS Jim Moray Stafford Gatehouse, Mon 7 July An established star of the contemporary folk scene, Jim Moray is widely considered to be one of the most consistently inventive musicians working in English traditional music today. This latest tour sees him showcasing music from his forthcoming album of traditional ballads, but fans will be equally eager for him to raid his back-catalogue - with five groundbreaking albums to his name, there’s no shortage of material they’ll be happy to hear again. Very much at the forefront of the UK folk revival, Jim last year celebrated the tenth anniversary of landmark debut album Sweet England, and looks set to add to the five BBC Radio Two Folk Awards already taking pride of place on his mantelpiece.

Bellowhead Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, Sat 5 July This eleven-piece group merge folk, jazz, funk, classical and world music influences with a twist of English music hall. Between them, they play more than twenty instruments in a unique mix, and have picked up numerous coveted awards in recognition of their quality. High energy and highly talented, the band recently released their latest album, Revival, in celebration of their tenth anniversary.

Utah Jazz Paul Weller The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury, Fri 18 July Delamere Forest, Crewe, Fri 4 July; Warwick Daryl Hall & John Oates Castle, Fri 11 July It’s been a couple of years since Luke (Utah Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Tues 22 July Jazz, to his worldwide drum & bass fanbase) Not many solo artists can claim to be as in- It’s been nearly ten years since ’80s pop released his last liquid funk longplayer, so the stantly identifiable in both sound and appear- icons Hall and Oates last performed in the time is right for album number three to sur- ance as the legendary Paul Weller. Now more UK, so this Symphony Hall appearance has face. Trends may have changed, his sound of a brand than an individual, the man is a PR understandably excited their legion of loyal may have evolved, but the beautiful and executive’s dream. However, as an antidote fans. Performing together since 1970, the warming melodies persist, reminding us why to these cynical pre-packaged days, there’s duo really hit the big time in the latter part of he’s often referred to substance behind the spin. that decade, their star then shining bright as ‘the soul prince'. Doomed to be forever known as the Mod-fa- until the mid-1980s. His non-stop world ther (if only behind his back), Weller has Expect the fellas to dig deep into their four- touring continues to done much of his growing up in public. From decades-long back-catalogue when they play promote Portfolio, re- the heady punk-pop days of The Jam in the Birmingham, with performances of massive leased on Spearhead 1970s to the more soulful Style Council of the hits like You Make My Dreams, Out Of Touch, Records a few days 1980s, he's graduated to a solo career con- Private Eyes and Maneater certain to be after promoters Per- sisting of solid guitar work punctuated by the among the highlights of a memorable ception bring him to flashes of lyrical ingenuity. evening. Shrewsbury.

Raghu Dixit The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 27 July One of India’s biggest cultural and musical exports, Raghu Dixit has appeared on Jools Holland and at Glastonbury, and has also performed for Her Majesty The Queen. He’s been described as a ‘transcendental, folk- rocking singer-songwriter’, presenting Indian music rooted in tradition but fused with a contemporary sound. Raghu is currently touring with his new album, Jag Changa. The Brian Jonestown Massacre Simply Soweto Encha O2 Academy, Birmingham, Mon 7 July One of the most experimental and fluid Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Fri 18 - Sat 19 July bands in music, BJM have seen forty members join the ranks in nearly thirty years and Here performing as part of Birmingham Fest are named after both the Rolling Stones’ gui- 2014, South African a cappella group Simply tarist and a mass cult suicide. Soweto Encha make music that’s been de- They’ve notched up fourteen albums during scribed as ‘a sound sensation’. Showcasing their career, with latest release Revelation R’n’B, doo-wop, gospel, pop and jazz, they very much a continuation of their signature perform original material, cover songs, and neo-psychedelic sound. Taking the genre to traditional African music from the Zulu, dark depths, it’s trippy, spacey and introspec- Tswana and Xhosa cultures. Their show is tive, tinged with Eastern sitar but also influ- beautifully choreographed, too, and pays enced by world music from the Middle East tribute to the late Nelson Mandela. and Brazil. Carsick Cars support.

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THE BRIAN JONESTOWN LISTINGS MASSACRE O2 Academy, MusicGIG REVIEWS Music Birmingham JIM MORAY Stafford For further reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Gatehouse Theatre For full listing information on gigs, THE WINERY DOGS The including times and dates, Slade Rooms, Wolver- visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk hampton London Grammar Civic Hall, Wolverhampton SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY & Fresh from their recent Ivor Novello Award win, London Grammar THE ASBURY JUKES The were welcomed to Wolverhampton’s stunning retro Civic Hall by a Robin, Bilston truly mixed bunch of punters, from bearded hipsters in their skinny TUE 1 JULY SAT 5 JULY TRASH TALK The Sug- armill, Stoke-on-Trent jeans to middle-aged art teacher types and all the tribes in between. IAN MCLAGAN Hare & MR BEN The Jam House, A LITTLE NIGHTMARE This trio’s music obviously appeals to all ages. Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham MUSIC Lichfield Garrick First up was the track which started it all, Hey Now, originally posted THE JAZZ COMPOSERS KICK UP THE 80'S The on YouTube in late 2012. Standing centre-stage but slightly in the ENSEMBLE The Jam Robin, Bilston TUE 8 JULY shadows - which kind of set the tone for the gig - Hannah Reid per- House, Birmingham MERCURY - QUEEN TRIB- THE ENEMY The Sug- UTE Trentham Gardens, SEBASTIAN BACH formed some impressive vocal gymnastics before launching effort- The armill, Stoke-on-Trent Stoke-on-Trent Slade Rooms, Wolver- lessly into the body of the song. In fact, throughout the fifty-five-minute UPRAWR’S SUMMER PAR- hampton set, Hannah's vocals were pitch-perfect, the audience enjoying her ADISE The Asylum, RIXTON O2 Academy, performance in an almost reverential silence. WED 2 JULY Birmingham Birmingham Hannah, Dot and Dan performed each and every track from debut THE FULL ENGLISH mac, ROBBIE WILLIAMS LG CARL SINCLAIR DUO The Arena, Birmingham album If You Wait. The arrangements were almost identical to the Birmingham Jam House, B’ham KFAMOVES PRESENTS MUSIC FOR YOUTH NA- album, a fact which displayed either a supreme confidence or a touch THE REVEREND PEYTON'S BIG DAMN BAND The MOVE TO THE RHYTHM TIONAL FESTIVAL Various of laziness. I'm veering towards the former. Robin, Bilston Symphony Hall, venues around B’ham With Interlude, the original white backcloth was removed to reveal six TWO MAN TING The Yard- Birmingham string players on a raised platform. Some mighty fine lighting very ef- bird Jazz Club, Birming- GIMME GIMME NIGHT WED 9 JULY FEVER Prince Of Wales fectively lifted the atmosphere. The good vibes continued with Wasting ham THREE STEP MANOEUVRE GARY NUMAN The As- Centre, Cannock Chase My Young Years, one of the band’s strongest songs. That said, it was FUNKY ORGAN TRIO The sembly, Leamington ONE STOP BOOGIE - 70S V a pity to see so many smartphones being raised into the air. Rather Yardbird Jazz Club, Spa 80S The River Rooms, Birmingham than enjoying the live performance, some people preferred to scrab- STEVE AJAO BLUES GI- Stourbridge GOSPEL CENTRAL The ble to get a poorly recorded version that they most likely wouldn’t ANTS The Jam House, MADDY STORM The Sug- Jam House, B’ham watch again later. A waste indeed. Birmingham armill, Stoke-on-Trent TIPITINA Wem Town Hall, SOULFLY The Slade The only cover version of the set was Nightcall. With the aforemen- North Shropshire Rooms, W’hampton tioned strings and superb lighting, this was a real highlight, finally giv- THU 3 JULY THE REDEEMED The THE PEATBOG FAERIES Hare & Hounds, B’ham ing the audience something to move to. SCHOOL OF ROCK & POP Drum, Birmingham After the award-winning Strong, it was time for the encore. In a rare THE DESTROYERS mac, RAGE OF ANGELS The SHOWCASE O2 Acad- River Rooms, Stour- moment of verbal communication with the crowd, Hannah admitted emy, Birmingham Birmingham JAI-JAGDEESH mac, bridge she felt a bit of a fraud ending a show, with everyone knowing they’d SILENT SCREAMS The MUSIC FOR YOUTH NA- Asylum, Birmingham Birmingham be back on shortly for a couple more songs. But what a couple of STAR OF THE SEA Irish TIONAL FESTIVAL Various songs they were: Metal And Dust and If You Wait, the album’s title - THAT'LL BE THE DAY The venues around B’ham Place, Oakengates, Centre, Birmingham THIRD ANGLE PROJECTION and, in my view, its strongest - track, which saw Hannah at the piano Telford THU 10 JULY doing what she does best, delivering flawless vocals. TONY JOE WHITE The The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham The only disappointment of the night was that we weren't treated to Robin, Bilston JO HARMAN The Robin, TEMPLETON PEK The OMAR The Jam House, Bilston anything new. Flapper, Birmingham Birmingham MUSIC FOR YOUTH NA- So what’s up next for London Grammar, and what can we expect from SMOOVE & TURRELL Hare WBS MUSIC CONCERT An TIONAL FESTIVAL Various that ‘difficult’ second album? The hipsters, art teacher types and I & Hounds, B’ham evening of country/folk venues around B’ham STATED QUO, JACKIE LYN- can’t wait to find out. Tony Maxwell nnnn performed by the Ex- ELKIE BROOKS Crewe TON & MERCHANTS OF press Club, The Edge Lyceum COOL The Roadhouse, Arts Centre, Much Wen- LARRY MILLER The River Birmingham lock, Shropshire Rooms, Stourbridge THE DINOSAUR CLUB Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon ECHO AND THE BUNNY- JOHN OTWAY Hare & John Grant Route 44, Birmingham MEN Wulfrun Hall, Hounds, Birmingham First coming to prominence in the mid-1990s as frontman in the alt- KWAI & LORD BYRON Wolverhampton 1-EYE The Jam House, Hare & Hounds, B’ham rock band The Czars, American singer-songwriter John Grant took to BAM MARGERA'S Birmingham CITIES PREPARE FOR AT- the stage at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre as part of his European F**KFACE UNSTOPPABLE OUR MUTUAL FRIEND The TACK Ort Cafe, B’ham summer tour. O2 Academy, B’ham Roadhouse, B’ham John opened the set with the sardonic, synth-led You Don’t Have To, SUN 6 JULY LIGHT THE SKIES O2 from his second and most recent solo album, Pale Green Ghosts. Its FRI 4 JUL Academy, Birmingham mid-tempo beat and John’s deep, resonant vocals filled the large au- MR BEN The Jam House, ROBBIE WILLIAMS LG ditorium. Already, the audience was in the palm of his hand. John’s Birmingham Arena, Birmingham FRI 11 JULY MIXTAPE SAINTS The Ac- CODY SIMPSON The Insti- music isn’t pop; by his own admission, it’s ‘angry and sarcastic’. The B'SPOKE The Jam tress & Bishop, B’ham tute, Birmingham second track of the set, Vietnam, is laced with both. His autobiograph- House, Birmingham MAETLOAF SHILLEAGH Irish Centre, The Robin, JOHN COGHLAN'S QUO ical and almost confessional lyrics are tempered not only by the clas- Bilston Birmingham The Robin, Bilston sically melodious and beautifully played keyboard of Coventry-born THE ELO EXPERIENCE SALLY PEPPER The Yard- FLEETWOOD BAC The Chris Pemberton but also, of course, by the warmth and depth of Wulfrun Hall, W’hamp- bird Jazz Club, B’ham TORI REED The Marr's Roadhouse, B’ham John’s own vocals. ton MUSIC FOR YOUTH NA- PAUL WELLER Delamere Bar, Worcester The band were sharp. When it came to playing the album title-track, TIONAL FESTIVAL Various Forest, Cheshire STEVE AJAO'S CLUB venues around B’ham the power and energy was fantastic. John alternated between deter- THE 80'S PROJECT BEBOP The Spotted The ADRIAN LITVINOFF’S IN- mined vocals and ominous synth-playing. Stark back-lighting and River Rooms, Stour- Dog, Birmingham TERPLAY Symphony strobes pushed the sound into the crowd. Inevitably, it was GMF - a bridge UNTO US & COLOURFLOW Hall, Birmingham HANSU-TORI Symphony The Robin, Bilston song rejoicing in personal faults and reflecting a steely determination PAUL WELLER Warwick Hall, Birmingham THE MINIATURE CONCERT to make them count for something - that most fans wanted to hear. Castle PAT BRESLINIrish Cen- BAND Avoncroft Mu- When it came, it was delivered with confidence and swagger. KRAAK & SMAAK Hare & tre, Birmingham seum, Bromsgrove Hounds, Birmingham At times during the performance, John took a backseat vocally, allow- JAYNE POWELL Ort Cafe, THE WOOHOO REVIEW IN HINDSIGHT O2 Acad- ing the music to speak for itself as he sat, almost motionless, playing Birmingham Lichfield Garrick emy, Birmingham CHASING TRAITS keyboards/synth. Although intensely personal, his music isn’t self-in- The CHOIR WITH NO NAME Sugarmill, Stoke-on- MON 7 JULY dulgent; its dark humour allows no room for self-pity, a fact evidenced mac, Birmingham Trent by the jokes and banter he shared with the audience. EXTREME O2 Academy, DEAD SEA SKULLS The SAD SALLY The Flapper, Birmingham Victoria, Birmingham The set ended with a mighty version of Queen Of Denmark. Birmingham KATHRYN TICKELL AND FOLK CRUISE Sabrina The encores were acoustic: a poignant version of Abba’s song of ‘love SLYDE ALIVE The Road- THE SIDE Lichfield Gar- Boat, Shrewsbury house, Birmingham betrayed’, Angel Eyes (a favourite of his); a nod to his time with The rick JOE LONGTHORNE The GRACE THE SKIES The Czars, Drugs; and the beautifully rich love song, Caramel. THE DUNNETT/BAXTER BIG Place, Oakengates, Asylum, Birmingham Ted Finlay nnnn BAND The Yardbird Jazz Telford Club, Birmingham LONG DISTANCE Irish

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TROMANS BAND Sym- THE RANTERS Hare & phony Hall, B’ham Hounds, Birmingham Ron Pope LISTINGS The Institute Music SLOW CLUB The Institute, NOT JUST JAZZ Crescent Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham SONS OF CALIBRE Irish STEVEN SEAGAL'S BLUES For full listing information on gigs, Centre, Birmingham BAND The Robin, Bilston including times and dates, BON GIOVI The Road- visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk house, Birmingham TUE 22 JULY ONETHOUSANDSUNS The Actress & Bishop, Birm- STEVEN SEAGAL'S BLUES Centre, Birmingham LITTLE JIMMY Irish Cen- ingham BAND The Robin, Bilston LAU Lichfield Garrick tre, Birmingham UTAH JAZZ The Butter- DARYL HALL & JOHN HANNAH BROWN Ort METAL TO THE MASSES market, Shropshire OATES Symphony Hall, Cafe, Birmingham FINAL The Roadhouse, HOT CLUB DE SWING - Birmingham BAD MANNERS The River Birmingham JULY BALL Hare & CITIZEN, DIAMOND YOUTH Rooms, Stourbridge TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL Hounds, Birmingham & HEADROOM The Flap- MUSIC FOR YOUTH - CHOIR Birmingham FULLY LOADED & MR per, Birmingham ROCK, POP & URBAN Town Hall APOLLO Route 44, MIKE DIGNAM The Insti- Birmingham Town Hall MORPHEUS RISING The Birmingham tute, Birmingham NICKY BLACKMARKET The Robin, Bilston SIMPLY SOWETO ENCHA RON POPE The Institute, Buttermarket, Shrews- LIVE AT THE CASTLE Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham bury Stafford Castle Birmingham MAYSA The Jam House, RUSS WINSTANLEY Hare TAKE IT TO THE STAGE Birmingham & Hounds, Birmingham mac, Birmingham MORAL PANICS The Sug- SAT 19 JUL armill, Stoke-on-Trent WED 23 JULY MON 14 JULY SOLID SOUL The Jam THE MOURNING SUNS Ort RODGERS TRIBUTE The JAMES HICKMAN & DAN EVE SELIS The Robin, Cafe, Birmingham Roadhouse, B’ham THE NATIONAL ROCK & House, Birmingham CASSIDY Lion Hotel, Bilston VINCENT FLATT'S FINAL NOTHING BUT THIEVES POP FESTIVAL O2 Acad- JEAN GENIE The Robin, Shrewsbury NURVRAX JAM The Yard- DRIVE Route 44, B’ham The Yardbird Jazz Club, emy, Birmingham Bilston PENGUIN CAFE Lichfield bird Jazz Club, B’ham THE MIDNIGHT BEAST The Birmingham TAME IMPALA The Insti- SIMPLY SOWETO ENCHA Cathedral THERE'LL ALWAYS BE AN Sugarmill, Stoke-on- tute, Birmingham Old Joint Stock Theatre, ENGLAND The Place, Trent SOLEY MOURNING, THE Birmingham MON 28 JULY SAT 12 JULY Oakengates, Telford, EMPTY CAN, CYNICAL DARK SIDE OF THE WALL Shropshire LAYLA ZOE B'SPOKE The Jam RENEGADE, SUNDAY 44 & The Roadhouse, B’ham SAT 26 JULY The Robin, FRED WESLEY The Drum, Bilston House, Birmingham ELEVATE The Robin, SECRETS OF MARIANA, Birmingham THE SUBTERRANEANS BURT BACHARACH Sym- MUSIC FOR YOUTH NA- Bilston STONEPIT LANE, NEV- GORDIE MACKEEMAN & The Jam House, B’ham TIONAL FESTIVAL Various AC ACADEMY SING WITH ERENDER, CELESTIAL phony Hall, Birmingham HIS RHYTHM BOYS Hare MAD P Hare & Hounds, venues around B’ham RUSSELL WATSON Sym- WISH & RUSTLUNG The & Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham ULTIMATE MADNESS V phony Hall, B’ham Flapper, Birmingham BROTHERS GROOVE The TUE 29 JULY SKA & 2 TONE REVUE The BETRAYAL The Sugarmill, JOHNNY 2 BAD The Jam House, B’ham Robin, Bilston Stoke-on-Trent Robin, Bilston TUE 15 JULY LOWER THAN ATLANTIS RYAN MCGARVEY BAND THE KOMMITMENTS The METROPOLITAN BRASS STONE THE ALCHEMIST The Sugarmill, Stoke- The Sugarmill, Stoke- The Robin, Bilston Roadhouse, B’ham THE NATIONAL ROCK & QUINTET Symphony on-Trent on-Trent ARNOCORPS The Asy- LYNUS, PHOENIX RISING, POP FESTIVAL O2 Acad- Hall, Birmingham ABBA REUNION Victoria lum, Birmingham THE OLDEST HOUSE & emy, Birmingham MOTOWN'S GREATEST THU 24 JULY Hall, Stoke-on-Trent DOLLS WEAVER The HEAVEN & EARTH The HITS New Alexandra OTIS GIBBS Birch- Flapper, Birmingham Robin, Bilston Theatre, Birmingham WED 30 JULY GUNNRUNNER The meadow, Broseley, THE FORTUNES The Edge DELANO MILLS NOT A TOUCH OF VEGAS Lich- Robin, Bilston Shropshire Arts Centre, Much Wen- STRICTLY JAZZ QUARTET field Garrick MARK MORRISS The Ac- RYAN MCGARVEY BAND THE 80'S V THE 90'S SWEET BABY JAMES Lich- lock, South Shropshire The Jam House, B’ham The tress & Bishop, B’ham The Roadhouse, Birm- JOOLS HOLLAND & HIS River Rooms, Stour- field Garrick ingham ROCK 4 MACMILLAN The- PHORIA The Sunflower RHYTHM & BLUES OR- WED 16 JULY bridge atre Severn, Shrews- JULIE DEXTER The Jam IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE Lounge, Birmingham CHESTRA The Quarry bury House, Birmingham Park, Shrewsbury STATE TERRORISM TOUR JOOLS HOLLAND & HIS THE PRETTY THINGS THE NATIONAL ROCK & MIKE SANCHEZ BAND The RHYTHM & BLUES OR- LIMEHOUSE LIZZY Tam- POP FESTIVAL O2 Acad- The Drum, Birmingham Jam House, B’ham PEEPSHOW The Robin, THE CHOIR THAT ROCKS CHESTRA Eastnor Castle worth Assembly Rooms emy, Birmingham THE LAST CARNIVAL O2 Bilston OUR WORLD BELOW The Symphony Hall, B’ham Deer Park, Hereford- THE SHIRES The Insti- KIRAN LEONARD Hare & Academy, Birmingham shire Slade Rooms, Wolver- Hounds, Birmingham AN EVENING WITH GILLES LOWER THAN ATLANTIS tute, Birmingham hampton PETERSON Hare & SWEDE DREAMZ - ABBA LAURENCE JONES BAND The Institute, B’ham TRIBUTE NIGHT The CRAIG CHARLES Hare & The Robin, Bilston Hounds, Birmingham X CONTRACT, THU 31 JULY Hounds, Birmingham FRAN THE MAN Irish Cen- Great Barr Hotel, B’ham PROMETHEA, THE SENTON KICK UP THE 80'S The VALVE SOUND SYSTEM tre, Birmingham BOMBS & ANESIS The DEL CAMINO The Jam The Institute, B’ham THU 17 JUL DIZZY LIZZY Moochers, River Rooms, Stour- House, Birmingham Roadhouse, B’ham bridge THE DECADES BAND The TOPLOADER The Jam Stourbridge JP COOPER Hare & GLASSBULLET SWIM WITH SHARKS Irish River Rooms, Stour- House, Birmingham O2 Acad- FRI 25 JULY Hounds, Birmingham bridge emy, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham NOSOUND The Robin, FIVE STAR SWING: THE THE SIMON AND GAR- TRIBUTE TO CAL TJADER ESTATES The Actress & THE SUBTERRANEANS Bilston BIG BAND Artrix, Broms- FUNKEL STORY Ludlow The Hive, Shrewsbury Bishop, Birmingham The Jam House, B’ham AUGUSTUS CAESAR The grove Assembly Rooms, THE RYANS Irish Centre, LADY LUCK AND THE LATE TAKE THAT EXPERIENCE FRED ZEPPELIN The Roadhouse, Birming- Birmingham Trentham Gardens, Robin, Bilston Shropshire NIGHT PLAYERS The SOULSHAKE The Yard- ham COURTNEY PINE Lichfield Roadhouse, B’ham Stoke-on-Trent DARKSIDE - THE PINK LOVE CHANGES EVERY- MATTHEW EDWARDS & bird Jazz Club, B’ham Garrick 10CC The Robin, Bilston FLOYD SHOW Belgrade THING Theatre Severn, SUNJAY BRAYNE & THE UNFORTUNATES Hare Theatre, Coventry SISTER SHOTGUN O2 TROYKA & PULCINELLA Academy, Birmingham Shrewsbury BETHAN AND THE MOR- The Tin Music And Arts, & Hounds, Birmingham DESPERADO - THE VERY SWEDE DREAMZ - ABBA GANS Ort Cafe, B’ham BEST OF THE EAGLES The THE MICKY GREANEY Coventry BAND Ort Cafe, B’ham TRIBUTE NIGHT The THE NATIONAL ROCK & THE STRUTS The River SUN 20 JULY Roadhouse, B’ham Great Barr Hotel, B’ham POP FESTIVAL O2 Acad- THE GUNS N' ROSES EX- TRANSMISSION - JOY DI- Rooms, Stourbridge VISION TRIBUTE The THE BON JOVI EXPERI- emy, Birmingham THE AMORETTES, PENCILS SNAKECHARMER The As- PERIENCE The River ENCE The River Rooms, TFI90 The Actress & sembly, Leamington Rooms, Stourbridge Roadhouse, B’ham FOR PISTOLS & FOOLS THE BIG FOUR TRIBUTE Stourbridge Bishop, Birmingham GLORY The Slade Spa YOUNG PILGRIMS Sym- WARLORD UK O2 Acad- A FUSION OF VOICES AND ULTIMATE GENESIS O2 phony Hall, B’ham BAND Route 44, B’ham Rooms, Wolverhampton BACK TO THE 80S Tren- emy, Birmingham SAXOPHONES Ludlow As- DAVINA AND THE Academy, Birmingham ONDAHWUN The Actress THE MANFREDS Lichfield sembly Rooms, South PAUL CARRACK The & Bishop, Birmingham tham Gardens, Stoke- VAGABONDS Hare & on-Trent Garrick Shropshire Hounds, Birmingham Robin, Bilston TIDES, PAGE44 & KEEP HAWK EYES The Flapper, ALEX OHM & DUKE The IRENE & TOM Irish Cen- THE CHANGE The Insti- SLOWBURNER Wheathill THE SHALFONTS Ort Court Farm, Shropshire Birmingham Sunflower Lounge, Cafe, Birmingham tre, Birmingham tute, Birmingham UNDER THE COVERS Irish Birmingham SPITTING FEATHERS, LAST WHOLE LOTTA DC SUN 27 JUL Centre, Birmingham KASTELLA O2 Academy, FRI 18 JULY TRAIN & HORROR ON THE Moochers, Stourbridge BOXCAR ALDOUS HUXLEY Birmingham HIGH SEAS The Road- THE NORTONS O2 Acad- THE KINGS DIVISION BAND & ANDY OLIVERI Ort SOLID SOUL The Jam house, B’ham emy, Birmingham Crewe Lyceum Cafe, Birmingham KIDS CAN’T FLY SUN 13 JULY House, Birmingham O2 Acad- PIONEER The Actress & IMPERIA The Robin, Bil- IVOR & LYNN'S CLASSIC emy, Birmingham Bishop, Birmingham ROCK DISCO Route 44, THE NATIONAL ROCK & WHO'S WHO & THE JAM'D ston REBECCA FERGUSON Birmingham POP FESTIVAL O2 Acad- The Robin, Bilston RAGHU DIXIT The Glee MON 21 JULY Ricoh Arena, Coventry TOM JONES TRIBUTE emy, Birmingham MARTYR DE MONA The Club, Birmingham LIBERTY LIES The Slade Genting Club, Hanley, THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN River Rooms, Stour- ONSLAUGHT O2 Acad- BLAKE & BRAZIL Irish Rooms, Wolverhampton Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton Grand bridge emy, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham ALISON SYMONS & STEVE BROOM BEZZUMS The HEARTBREAKER - PAUL Theatre HANS CHEW & RHINO & Marr's Bar, Worcester

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Classical Music PREVIEWS The Royal Opera: Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 6 July Tragic opera and romantic farce combine perfectly in Richard Strauss’ brilliant chamber opera. Celebrating the one hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of the composer’s birth, Christof Loy’s eye-catching production takes time out from its London run to delight Birmingham audiences. Under the baton of Sir Antonio Pappano, an impressive cast transports viewers to a baroque Vienna, where a grand opera company and a panto troupe are forced onto the same stage. The resulting scenes have been described as ‘uproarious, unpre- dictable - and ultimately sublime’. Finnish opera singer Karita Mattila takes the lead as Ariadne, opposite Italian tenor Roberto Saccà as Bacchus. Other casting includes Jane Archibald (Zerbinetta), Ruxandra Donose (composer), Markus Werba (Harlequin) and Sir Thomas Allen The King’s Singers (The Music Master). Sung in German with English surtitles.

Three Choirs Festival Karita Mattila various locations in and around Worcester, Sat 26 July - Sat 2 August Held annually since the early eighteenth century, the Three Choirs Festival rotates between the cities of Hereford, Worcester and Gloucester, showcasing an eclectic range of choral performances from across Britain, Europe, America and Australasia, as well as theatre, lectures, mas- terclasses and exhibitions. This year it’s the turn of Worcester to host the week-long event, which is commemorating the centenary of the outbreak of World War One. The festival opens with a morning service in the city’s cathedral on the Saturday. It’s followed in the evening by a performance of Britten’s War Requiem, in which Dr Peter Nardone and Ger- raint Bowen conduct the Festival Chorus and Philharmonia Orchestra, with vocals provided by Susan Gritton (soprano), James Oxley (tenor) and David Wilson-Johnson (baritone). Other festival highlights include performances by the Aquilin Ensemble (Huntingdon Hall, 27 July), Tenebrae (Worcester Cathedral, 29 July), Elgar and Korngold Piano Quintets (Pershore Abbey, 30 July), and The King’s Singers (Worcester Cathedral, 31 July). For full festival event listings, visit www.3choirs.org The Sixteen Last Night Of The Lichfield Cathedral, Tues 8 July Summer Proms Recognised as one of the world’s greatest ensembles, The Six- Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 5 July teen were formed by conductor Harry Christophers thirty-five As quintessentially English as cucumber years ago with the aim of providing a fresh insight into Baroque sandwiches and Pimms, the ever-popular and early classical music and a diversity of twentieth and twenty- first-century music. With over one hundred recordings under their Last Night Of The Summer Proms promis- belt and numerous accolades to their name, they return to the es to provide an evening of uplifting clas- Midlands this month to perform in the beautiful setting of Lichfield sics and prom favourites. Works from Cathedral. Elias String some of the world’s greatest composers - Presenting The Choral Pilgrimage, ‘an annual tour which aims to Quartet Rossini, Bizet, Sibelius and Mozart - are bring music back to the buildings for which it was written’, Harry played out alongside rousing favourites St Michael’s Church, Jerusalem, Land Of Hope And Glory, Nes- Christophers directs the ensemble in a programme of works that Lichfield, Fri 11 July includes: Sheppard’s Gaude, gaude, gaude Maria; Mundy’s sun Dorma and the Dambusters March. Taking their name from The concert is performed by the London Adolscentulus sum ego; Davy’s O Domine caeli terraeque; Shep- Mendelssohn’s oratorio, pard’s Libera no I and II; Shepphard’s In manus tuas I; Davy’s Concert Orchestra under the direction of Elijah - Elias is the German conductor Hilary Davan Wetton. Ah, mine heart, remember thee well; Sheppard’s In manus tuas form - the Elias String III and Mundy’s Vox patris caelestis. Vocals come from Angharad Morgan Quartet formed in 1988 (soprano), Katie Bray (mezzo soprano) and while students at Man- John Pierce (tenor). chester’s Royal Northern College of Music. In 2010 Angharad Morgan the quartet received the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, and have since performed at some of the world’s most prestigious chamber venues and alongside a plethora of highly respected artists. Stopping off in the region to perform as part of the annual Lichfield Festival, the quartet present a programme comprising works by Haydn, Webber and Beethoven.

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brooke & Ian Venables, Tenebrae - Worcester Cathedral Sun 20 July, Tarde- Classical LISTINGS bigge Church, Worces- ter For full listing information on classical ENSEMBLE 360: OBOE concerts, including times and dates, STRING Programme visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk includes works by Mozart & Britten, Mon THE MAGIC FLUTE Mid- Great War, from unac- 21 July, New Vic The- lands opera present a companied Bach to atre, Newcastle-under- colourful production of Bolero, Latin style Lyme Mozart’s whimsical music to military march- CBSO YOUTH ORCHESTRA opera, Tues 1 - Sat 5 es, and English music Programme includes July, Crescent Theatre, by Vaughan-Williams, works by Kodaly, Birmingham Butterworth & Elgar Strauss & Beethoven, soprano), Mon 28 July, vanov, Kalinnikov, Glin- Worcester Cathedral THE TURN OF THE SCREW accompanied by read- Sat 26 July, Birming- Worcester Cathedral ka, Chesnokov, Golo- FESTIVAL CHORUS & Featuring Seastar ings of war poems, ham Town Hall LAY CLERKS IN CONCERT vanov, Sheremetiev, PHILHARMONIA ORCHES- Opera, Susie Self (con- Wed 9 July, Avoncroft A SHROPSHIRE LAD: THE Programme includes Tchaikovsky & Kedrow, TRA Programme ductor) and Michael Museum, Bromsgrove GREAT WAR IN ENGLISH Arthur Sullivan’s The Tues 29 July, Worcester includes works by Black (piano), Tues 1 LAURA VAN DER HEIJDEN: SONG Featuring Roder- Long Day Closes, Mon Cathedral Strauss, Korngold & July, Avoncroft Muse- YOUNG ARTIST CONCERT ick Williams (baritone) 28 July, College Hall, RODOLFUS CHOIR; TIME Walton, Wed 30 July, um, Bromsgrove Programme includes & Gary Matthewman Worcester AND ITS PASSING Pro- Worcester Cathedral CBSO BLUEBEARD’S CAS- works by Schumann, (piano), Sat 26 July, AISA IJIR PIANO CONCERT gramme includes works THE BUSCH PIANO TRIO TLE Featuring Edward Ligeti & Brahms, Wed 9 Huntingdon Hall, Programme includes by Tavener, Tallis, Arvo Programme includes Gardner (conductor), July, Lady Chapel, Lich- Worcester works by Debussy, de Part & Kodaly, Wed 30 works by Haydn & Dvo- Ekaterina Gubanova field Cathedral BRITTEN WAR REQUIEM Falla, Rachmaninov & July, St George’s rak, Thurs 31 July, St (mezzo) and Gabor THE JOHN WILSON Featuring the Festival Prokofiev, Tues 29 July, Church, Barbourne, Martin’s Church, Bretz (bass). Pro- ORCHESTRA Featuring Chorus & Philharmonia Huntingdon Hall, Worcestershire Worcester gramme includes works Matt Ford, Wed 9 July, Orchestra, Sat 26 July, Worcester LUNCHTIME YOUNG THE KING’S SINGERS Pro- by Janacek & Bartok, Lichfield Cathedral Worcester Cathedral LUNCHTIME YOUNG ARTISTS SERIES SVET- gramme includes works Wed 2 July, Symphony CATRIN FINCH & SECKOU OPUS ANGLICANUM: THE ARTIST SERIES WITH LANA MOCHALOVA Pro- by Byrd, Morley, Dow- Hall, Birmingham KEITA Wed 9 July, Lady SONG OF ANGELS The ROSE HSIEN Programme gramme includes works land, Libby Larsen, COSI FAN TUTTE - OPERA Chapel, Lichfield Cathe- five-man a cappella includes works by by Schumann & Rach- Shearing, Schubert, UK Opera UK bring dral group present a pro- Debussy, Elgar & Ravel, maninov, Wed 30 July, Schumann, Faure & Mozart's comic opera PETER MOORE: YOUNG gramme of works by Tues 29 July, St Mar- St Martin’s Church, Auric, Thurs 31 July, into the twenty-first cen- ARTIST CONCERT Thurs Gibbons, Howard tin’s Church, Worcester Worcester Worcester Cathedral tury. Sung in English, 10 July, Lady Chapel, Skempton & Byrd, Sat ACADEMY OF ANCIENT ARONOWITZ ENSEMBLE REFLECTIONS OF 1914 Wed 2 July, Lichfield Lichfield Cathedral 26 July, College Hall, MUSIC ORCHESTRA & Programme includes Featuring Roderick Garrick JAN GARBAREK AND THE Worcester THREE CATHEDRAL Elgar & Korngold piano Williams (baritone), ALISTAIR MOSELEY & THE HILLIARD ENSEMBLE THE AQUILON ENSEMBLE CHOIRS Programme quintets, Wed 30 July, Yeree Suh (soprano), VIRR QUARTET Opportu- Thurs 10 July, Lichfield Programme includes comprises Mass in B Pershore Abbey, Peter Hoare (tenor), nity to hear two won- Cathedral works by Beethoven, Minor, Tues 29 July, Worcestershire Festival Chorus & Phil- derful works – Mozart’s ADRIAN LITVINOFF’S Reicha, Arnold, Szer- Worcester Cathedral THREE CATHEDRAL harmonia Orchestra, Clarinet Quintet, paired INTERPLAY Fri 11 July, vansky & Bizet, Sun 27 TENABRAE:RUSSIAN CHOIRS Programme Thurs 31 July, Worces- with Weber’s Clarinet Symphony Hall, B’ham July, Kings School, TREASURES Programme includes works by ter Cathedral Quintet, Wed 2 July, ELIAS STRING QUARTET Worcester includes works by Tomkins, Howells, Byrd Artrix, Bromsgrove Programme includes SACCONI QUARTET: Rachmaninov, Golo- & Mathias, Wed 30 July, THE BERKLEY SALON works by Haydn, TOWARDS THE NEW ENSEMBLE Thurs 3 July, Webern & Beethoven, WORLD Programme Solihull Arts Complex Fri 11 July, St Michael’s includes works by CBSO NEW YORK - A Church, Lichfield Janacek, Mozart & Dvo- GERSHWIN AND BERN- GHISLAINE REECE-TRAPP rak, Sun 27 July, Hunt- STEIN GALA Featuring Fri 11 July, Lichfield ingdon Hall, Worcester Martin Yates (conduc- Cathedral FESTIVAL CHORUS & tor), West End vocalists OPERA GALA A black tie PHILHARMONIA ORCHES- and Victor Sangiorgio evening set amongst TRA Programme com- (piano). Programme Compton's Moore prises Dvorak’s Stabat includes music by Rodin exhibition. The Mater, Sun 27 July, Gershwin and Bern- evening sees Diva Worcester Cathedral stein, Fri 4 July, Sym- Opera perform Mozart's THE SOUNDS OF BURT phony Hall, B’ham Don Giovanni, Sat 12 BACHARACH Mon 28 BRODSKY QUARTET Pro- July, Compton Verney July, Symphony Hall, gramme includes works Gallery, Warwickshire Birmingham by Brahms, Borodin & CALLUM SMART: YOUNG THREE CHOIRS FESTIVAL Panufnik, Fri 4 July, St ARTIST CONCERT Pro- YOUTH CHOIR Pro- Michael’s Church, Lich- gramme includes works gramme includes works field by Brahms, Mozart, by Paul Mealor, Vaugh- 2014 BRANT INTERNA- Saint-Saens & Franck, an Williams & Joseph TIONAL PIANO COMPETI- Sat 12 July, Lady Phibbs, Mon 28 July, TION BIRMINGHAM - THE Chapel, Lichfield Cathe- Worcester Cathedral FINAL Sat 5 July, Birm- dral LUNCHTIME YOUNG ingham Town Hall BBC PHILHARMONIC ARTIST SERIES ORGAN CHETHAM’S SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring RECITAL Programme ORCHESTRA Programme violinist Tasmin Little. includes works by Bux- includes works by Programme includes tehude, JS Bach, Byrd, Debussy, Ravel & Szy- works by Mendelssohn, Howells, Langlais, manowski, Sat 5 July, Moeran, Vaughan Durufle & Franck, Mon Lichfield Cathedral Williams & Elgar, Sat 12 28 July, St Martin’s ACADEMIA MUSICA CHOIR July, Lichfield Cathedral Church, Worcester Sat 5 July, Great SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PROTEUS ENSEMBLE Fea- Malvern Priory, Programme includes turing Stephen Shellard Worcester works by Borodin, (conductor) & Christo- LAST NIGHT OF THE SUM- Smetana, Grieg & pher Allsop (organ). MER PROMS Sat 5 July, Tchaikovsky, Sun 13 Programme includes Symphony Hall, B’ham July, Stratford Civic Hall works by Parry, David THE ROYAL OPERA: METROPOLITAN BRASS Briggs, Tavener, Bain- STRAUSS’ ARIADNE AUF QUINTET Part of Musical ton, Donald Hunt, Duru- NAXOS Sun 6 July, Sym- Picnic. Recommended fle, Villette & David phony Hall, B’ham for ages 0-7, Sat 19 Briggs, Mon 28 July, THE SIXTEEN: CHORALE July, Symphony Hall, Pershore Abbey, PILGRIMAGE 2014 Tues 8 Birmingham Worcestershire July, Lichfield Cathedral ELIZABETH ATHERTON FESTIVAL CHORUS & AQUARELLE GUITAR Supported by Robert PHILHARMONIA ORCHES- QUARTET Tues 8 July, Plane (clarinet) & TRA Featuring Juraj Swinfen Hall, Lichfield Michael Pollock (piano). Valcuha (conductor), THE MINIATURE CONCERT Programme includes Katherine Broderick BAND Concert marking works by Purcell, Finzi, (soprano) & Jennifer the centenary of the Warlock, Joseph Hol- Johnston (mezzo

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Duncan Oakley Comedy The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Fri 4 July Box Office Just as comfortable with the guitar, harmonica, drums and piano as he is with a big bagful of ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE top gags, Duncan Oakley presents what’s 01527 577330 probably most easily described as a musical BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL comedy act. He’s a performer best kept out of 0121 780 3333 earshot of your grandmother, with his stand-up CIVIC HALL, routine being liberally peppered with four-letter WOLVERHAMPTON expletives and gags 0870 320 7000 about drinking and COURTYARD THEATRE, shagging. There’s HEREFORD 01432 340555 some silly stuff in THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM there too - a previous 0121 333 2444 musical composition DRUMMONDS BAR, bore the title The Girl WORCESTER With A Bum For A 01905 28190 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, Face... MUCH WENLOCK 01952 728911 EVESHAM ARTS CENTRE, Virginia Ironside WORCESTERSHIRE Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 11 July 01386 446944 FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, Best known as a journalist, agony aunt and LEEK, STAFFS author, Virginia Ironside is currently touring with Rhys Darby 01538 386112 this Nigel Planer-directed show. Birmingham Town Hall, Sun 20 July THE GEORGE HOTEL, “When an agony aunt reaches sixty,” observes According to Jim Carrey, who knows a thing or two about being a BURSLEM, STAFFS Virginia, “she can lie like a trooper, jump off a popular funnyman, Rhys Darby - aka band manager Murray Hewitt in 07763301081 THE GLEE CLUB, bridge - or take to the stage.” Flight Of The Conchords - is "just absolutely brilliant. He’s got that BIRMINGHAM Judging by the show’s reviews thus far, Peter Sellers madness inside him”. 0871 4720400 Virginia’s decision to select the latter of those Far be it from us to argue with so glowing an assessment from so HIGHLIGHT, BIRMINGHAM, options has proved to be the right one, with well respected a source. Instead, we'll just settle for telling you that 0844 844 0044 plenty by way of glowing praise heading in the Rhys's shows tend to combine surreal musings, hilarious stories from HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER, direction of this legendary doyenne of Fleet his life and a healthy dollop of nonsense and fantasy. Jokes include: 01905 611427 Street. “It’s a kind of ‘granny stand-up’,” she’s “My girlfriend recently told me that she's into self-harming. So for her KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE, said of the show, “and I thoroughly enjoy it - as, birthday I got her a hammer and said ‘knock yourself out.’” BIRMINGHAM it appears, do the audiences!” 0121 443 4725 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01584 878141 Addy van der Borgh MAC, BIRMINGHAM The George Hotel, Lichfield, Thurs 3 July 0121 446 3232 OAKENGATES THEATRE, Likening somebody to Marmite - you either love TELFORD them or hate them - has nowadays become a 01952 382382 fairly commonplace way of describing a partic- PALACE THEATRE, REDDITCH ular type of person. Addy van der Borgh is one 01527 65203 comedian for whom that comparison is entirely PLAYERS BAR, appropriate. Addy’s not the most sophisticated BIRMINGHAM comedian on the circuit, relying a little more 0121 643 6871 than he should do on silly accents, facial THE ROSES THEATRE expressions and a capacity to play the harmon- TEWKESBURY 01684 295074 ica. That said, he’s also been described - in ROYAL SPA CENTRE, positive terms - as a ‘lucid Bill Bailey’, and has LEAMINGTON SPA been doing the rounds for long enough to 01926 334418 know that there’s a SHOWCASE, COVENTRY, significant audience 0871 220 1000 THE SLADE ROOMS, ready and willing to WOLVERHAMPTON buy into his quirky 0870 320 7000 brand of comedy. SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX Jokes include: “You 0121 704 6962 have to remember all Dan Nightingale STAFFORD GATEHOUSE Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 13 July THEATRE the trivia that your girl- 01785 254653 friend tells you, An evening of Dan Nightingale comedy has been likened to a night THEATRE SEVERN, because eventually out on the beers with your best mate. There’s precious little not to SHREWSBURY you get tested. She'll like about Dan. At turns, he manages to be a bit of a tragic figure, a 01743 281281 hugely endearing top chum and a fella whose switched-on observa- WARWICK ARTS CENTRE go, ‘What's my 02476 524524 favourite flower?’, and tions are both profound enough to make you think hard and funny WULFRUN HALL, you murmur to your- enough to make you laugh out loud. WOLVERHAMPTON self, ‘Shit, I wasn't lis- His choice of material could maybe be a bit braver, but he’s 0870 320 7000 tening! Self-raising?.” nonetheless good value for money - very much the kind of comedian you’d contemplate catching again and again. 20 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy July Region Two.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2014 12:38 Page 2

JASON MANFORD Weds DAN NIGHTINGALE & MC DAMION LARKIN Sat VAHID JAHANGARD Fri 25 LISTINGS 9 July, Palace Theatre, GLENN WOOL Sun 13 19 July, Regent July, National Brewery Comedy Redditch July, Theatre Severn, Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Centre, Burton-Upon- SARA PASCOE & JOHN Shrewsbury GARY DELANEY, SEAN Trent ROBINS Thurs 10 July, JASON MANFORD Tues PERCIVAL, TOM LLOYD LANGFORD, WES For full listing information on comedy mac, Birmingham 15 July, Oakengates WRIGGLESWORTH & ZAHARUK, COMEDY gigs including times and dates visit LEE EVANS Thurs 10 Theatre, Telford JUSTIN MOORHOUSE Sat CAROUSEL, RUDI www.whatsonlive.co.uk July, Regent Theatre, JASON MANFORD Weds 19 July, Players Bar, LICKWOOD & GORDON Stoke-on-Trent 16 July, Royal Spa Birmingham SOUTHERN Fri 25 - Sat JULIAN DEANE, IMRAN Centre, Leamington TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, 26 July, The Glee Club, MILTON JONES & PAUL Courtyard Theatre YUSUF, COMEDY Spa MIKE BELGRAVE, OLA & Birmingham ZERDIN Weds 2 July, DUNCAN OAKLEY, CAROUSEL & ANDY MICHAEL FABBRI, DAVID RHYS MATTHEWSON Sat MANDY KNIGHT, MICKEY Ludlow Castle, Ludlow, DAMION LARKIN, PLUS ROBINSON Thurs 10 TRENT, COMEDY 19 July, Coventry D, JIMMY MCGHIE & South Shropshire TWO COMICS TBC Fri 4 July, The Glee Club, CAROUSEL & ANDY Showcase WILL MARS Fri 25 July, DAVE TWENTYMAN PLUS July Birmingham ROBINSON Thurs 17 THE LAUGHTER CREWE Highlight Comedy GUESTS Weds 2 July, The Slade Rooms, THE IMPROLYMPIANS Fri July, The Glee Club, Sun 20 July, Crewe Club, Birmingham The Custard Factory, Wolverhampton 11 July, mac, Birmingham Lyceum MANDY KNIGHT, MICKEY Birmingham DANNY MCLOUGHLIN, Birmingham ADDY VAN DER BORGH & RHYS DARBY Sun 20 D, JIMMY MCGHIE & ANDY WHITE, DAN SMITH FREDRIK ANDERSSON, GEOFF BOYZ, ANGIE ED GAMBLE Thurs 17 July, Birmingham Town DANNY WARD Sat 26 PLUS TWO COMICS TBC JARRED CHRISTMAS & MCEVOY, PRINCE ABDI & July, mac, Birmingham Hall July, Highlight Comedy Thurs 3 July, MATT REES Fri 4 - Sat 5 LUKE TOULSON Fri 11 - STAND UP COMEDY TOM STADE, LUCY Club, Birmingham Stourbridge Town Hall July, The Glee Club, Sat 12 July, Highlight SHOWCASE Fri 18 July, PORTER & RYAN GOUGH COMEDY IN THE MET, JETHRO Thurs 3 July, Birmingham Comedy Club, mac , Birmingham Sun 20 July, Urban LINE UP TBC Sat 26 July, Palace Theatre, KEN DODD Sat 5 July Birmingham PAUL MCCAFFREY, Coffee Company, Stafford Gatehouse Redditch Malvern Theatres JULIAN DEANE, IMRAN KIERAN BOYD & STEVE Birmingham Theatre ZOE LYONS & ROB ROUSE STEVE GRIBBIN, PENELLA YUSUF, COMEDY BUGEJA Fri 18 July, JEWELLERY QUARTER JUNIOR SIMPSON, JOSH Thurs 3 July, mac, MELLOR, COMIC TBC, & CAROUSEL, ANTHONY J Hereford Courtyard COMEDY MINI FRINGE II HOWIE, PAUL TONKINSON Birmingham MIKE WILSON Sat 5 July BROWN & GARY LITTLE Theatre Sun 20 July, Rose Villa & COLIN MANFORD Sat ADDY VAN DER BORGH, Players Bar, Fri 11 - Sat 12 July, The STAND-UP STAIRS Tavern, Birmingham 26 July, Players Bar, JO CAULFIELD, CHRIS Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham COMEDY SHOW Fri 18 LLOYD LANGFORD, WES Birmingham WASHINGTON & ANDY STEVE ROYLE, SAM JAMES ACASTER, July, Palace Theatre, ZAHARUK, COMEDY MATTHEW OSBORN, KIND Thurs 3 July, The AVERY, ALFIE MOORE & ANDREW BIRD, JO Redditch CAROUSEL & ANDY SCOTT GIBSON, PETE George Hotel, Lichfield LUKE GRAVES Sat 5 July CAUFIELD & MICK FERRY MICHAEL FABBRI, DAVID ROBINSON Thurs 24 OTWAY & TOM TOAL Sat ANDY ROBINSON, JARRED Coventry Showcase Sat 12 July, Players TRENT, COMEDY July, The Glee Club, 26 July, Coventry CHRISTMAS, COMEDY JOHN BISHOP Sun 6 Bar, Birmingham CAROUSEL, PIERRE Birmingham Showcase CAROUSEL & FREDRICK July, The Glee Club, TREVOR CROOK, TONY HOLLINS & ALFIE MOORE PATRICK MONAHAN & JETHRO Weds 30 - ANDERSSON Thurs 3 Birmingham JAMESON, MIKE NEWALL Fri 18 - Sat 19 July, The ANDREW BIRD Thurs 24 Thurs 31 July, Hereford July, The Glee Club, JUSTIN MOORHOUSE & & LOST VOICE GUY Sat Glee Club, Birmingham July, mac , Birmingham Courtyard Theatre Birmingham JASON COOK Tues 8 12 July, Coventry OWEN O'NEILL, QUINCY, ANGELA BARNES & DAVE HADINGHAM, PETER STEPHEN K. AMOS, July, Rose Villa Tavern, Showcase IMRAN YUSUF & ADAM HENRY PARKER Fri 25 WHITE, COMEDY SPECIAL P, JOHN SIMMIT Birmingham JETHRO Sun 13 July, ROWE Fri 18 - Sat 19 July, Ludlow Assembly CAROUSEL & ANDY PLUS SPECIAL GUEST Fri BARBARA NICE, MADGE The Roses Theatre, July, Highlight Comedy Rooms, South ROBINSON Thurs 31 - 4 July, The Drum, HOOKS, MANDY MUDEN & Tewkesbury Club, Birmingham Shropshire Sat 2 Aug, The Glee Birmingham MAUREEN YOUNGER ROUGH WORKS Sun 13 HARRIETT DYER Sat 19 GARY COLMAN, DIANE Club, Birmingham GARETH RICHARD, DIANE Weds 9 July, Kitchen July, The Glee Club, July, mac, Birmingham SPENCER, COOK & SPENCER & HALEY ELLIS Garden Cafe, Birmingham LOL COMEDY CLUB WITH DAVIES, JACK SHANIK & Fri 4 July, Hereford Birmingham

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Rock Of Ages Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 14 - Sat 19 July Cinema-goers who caught the 2012 movie version of Rock Of Ages, proverbial rafters with classic ’80s numbers. starring Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand and Catherine Zeta- So if, for you, the decade of Glasnost, yuppies, Miami Vice and mullet Jones, will know exactly what to expect from this feelgood musical. hair-dos took place against a soundtrack of rock anthems such as For those who didn’t and therefore don’t, it focuses on the romance We Built This City, The Final Countdown and I Wanna Know What between a smalltown girl and a big-city rocker, and is packed to its Love Is, then this is undoubtedly a show worth catching.

Avenue Q Lichfield Garrick, Thurs 24 - Sat 26 July Described by The Times as ‘the best musical of the decade’, the Tony Award-winning Avenue Q focuses on subjects such as dating, racism, being gay and finding your purpose in life. At the centre of the story is Princeton, a bright-eyed college graduate with a tiny bank balance who's easily distracted by a busty blonde and a plethora of weird and wonderful friends. Hilariously funny, Avenue Q is nonetheless probably not suitable for those who’re easily offended...

WIN TICKETS whatsonlive.co.uk Show Boat to enter Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 2 - Sat 5 July Following a much-acclaimed production of Porgy & Bess at Birmingham Hippodrome in 2012, Cape Town Opera this month returns to the venue with this new version of one of America’s oldest musicals. Premiered on Broadway in 1927, Show Boat tells the story of the old American south by following the lives of performers, stagehands and dock workers on the Cotton Blossom, a Mississippi River Show Boat. The Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II musical features well-loved melodies including Ol’ Man River and Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man....

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STAFFORD FESTIVAL SHAKESPEARE: AS YOU LIKE IT STAFFORD CASTLE Sun 29 June - Sat 12 July

£11 - £25

The stunning grounds of Stafford Castle make the perfect setting to celebrate one of Shakespeare's most popular musical comedies. This production is set in the late sixties, just as cold war paranoia gives way to the counter culture of free expres- sion, free verse and free love. Starring Only Fools and Horses Legend John Challis and Coronation Street Star Eric Potts, As You Like It will be the perfect start to your summer. BEN HART: THE OUTSIDER THE MET STUDIO Fri 4 July Having spent his life using magic to solve impossible prob- lems, award-winning magician Ben Hart turns his attention to himself. Be amazed by his magic, impressed by his skill and moved by how the owner of such a brilliant mind can still be so in need of a cup of tea 8.00pm, £13/£12 concs and a cuddle… Family £40 VIRGINIA IRONSIDE THE MET STUDIO Fri 11July When an agony aunt reaches sixty, she can lie like a trooper, jump off a bridge – or take to the stage. In Virginia Ironside’s case, she’s still an agony columnist for The Independent, but she also performs her one woman show Growing Old Dis- gracefully. She explains why 7.30pm, £12/£10 concs unlimited free drugs, fun funer- als, grandchildren and sex – or even better, no sex – make the sixties the best (and funniest) time of your life. THE GRUFFALO GATEHOUSE THEATRE Tue 22 - Wed 23 July

Various Times, £11 Buy 10 get 1 free

Don’t miss Tall Stories’ hit musical stage adaption of the award winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The perfect family treat with plenty of songs, laughs and scary fun for children age 3+ and their grown ups. COMEDY IN THE MET THE MET STUDIO Sat 26 July Bringing you the very best in live comedy from around the country, The MET Studio has line ups to rival the biggest comedy clubs in the UK. The 8pm, £10 MET Studio has become a regular stop off for those travelling to and from the Edinburgh fringe or preparing for their slot on Russell Howard’s Good News Show. The MET Comedy nights are regular sell outs so make sure you book early to avoid disappointment! DOCTOR DOLITTLE GATEHOUSE THEATRE Wed 13 - Sat 16 August Following on from the huge success of the 2013 production Whistle Down The Wind, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Sum- mer School present the classic tale of kindness 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Tickets £8 - £36 to animals in a big Broadway-sized family musical. All of the characters we’ve come to love through the stories of Hugh Lofting are given new life in this magical stage adapation.

BOOKONLINE Box Office 01785 254653 www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk

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Theatre PREVIEWS Caitlin Moran: How To Build A Girl New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 16 July Broadcaster, TV critic and newspaper columnist Caitlin Moran is a performer of many talents, as this new touring show is certain to illustrate. The woman who once described sex as ‘an incredibly relaxing thing to do before or after Newsnight’ visits Birmingham in an effort to get out of doing her fair share of the childcare (well, so her publicity says), and will be talking about subjects including Sherlock, David Bowie, big hair, feminism, welfare and ‘that amazing heavy-metal kid on Gogglebox who never says anything’. Flash Mob Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Tues 15 - Wed 16 July Flash Mob is the latest celebrity-driven dance show to grace venues across the UK. Described as celebrating ‘the various emotions that dance can bring to an audience’, the show promises to provide an exhilarating night out for all ages, with performances in Latin, locking, Celtic, contemporary, jazz and jump-jive all taking their place on the evening’s agenda. Headlined by Kevin Clifton (Strictly Come Dancing), the production features performances from World Street Dance champions Flawless, the Olivier-nominated Tommy Franzen (from BBC’s So You Think You Can Dance), contemporary As You Like It duo Alleviate, and Irish fusion duo Brosena (from Sky One’s Got To Dance). Stafford Castle, until Sat 12 July An Audience With Colin Fry Open All Hours Two familiar television faces are taking starring roles in this outdoor production. The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 24 - Sat 26 July Only Fools And Horses favourite John Chal- Thurs 24 July lis, who played droll yuppie Boycie in the Familiar Satellite TV face Colin Fry spends Roy Clarke’s BBC TV series about the comic long-running BBC One sitcom, stars as the his career making contact with the dead, so misadventures of shopkeeper Albert Ark- melancholic Lord Jaques, while Eric Potts - just how interested you are in grabbing your- wright and put-upon errand boy Granville - familiar to Coronation Street viewers as self a ticket to see his show will depend on as played by Ronnie Barker and David Jason eccentric baker Diggory Compton - plays the whether you believe in life after death. If you - is the latest in a now-significant line of telly court fool, Touchstone. don’t, you’re likely to be of the opinion that sitcoms to be adapted for the theatre. Although the show is being performed in the Fry is the worst kind of showman, preying on This stage version has been specially com- open air, all audience seating is covered. the bereaved and missioned to celebrate the fortieth anniver- vulnerable to serve sary of the series’ television premiere, and his own ends. If, on brings together memorable moments from Carmilla the other hand, over twenty classic episodes. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, you reckon the Tues 8 - Sat 12 July spirit world does Leicester-born playwright David Campton’s exist, then prepare Carmilla has been adapted from a story of to be amazed by a the same name by nineteenth century Irish man with a jaw- writer Sheridan Le Fanu. A Gothic novella, it droppingly uncan- tells the tale of a young woman’s encounter ny talent. with a female vampire - the Carmilla of the title. Originally published in 1871, Carmilla predates Bram Stoker’s more famous Dracu- A History Of Falling Things la by a quarter of a century. This David New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Campton version was first published and Fri 11 - Sat 26 July produced in the mid-1970s. This production The highly regarded James Graham is the Sweet Rockall features Peter Amory, Karen Ford (pictured) playwright behind this thought-provoking and Michelle Morris. AE Harris Building, Birmingham, slice of twenty-first century romance. The Thurs 3 - Sat 5 July story revolves around two people - Robin This new play by David Gray is a worryingly and Jacqui - who’re looking for love. When believable political satire in which egos, sex they meet one another in cyberspace and and crossed wires conspire to bring the discover that they live only five minutes world to the brink of war. Rockall is a rock in apart, it would seem that Cupid’s arrow has the wilderness of the Atlantic Ocean. Despite struck a definite being uninhabitable, it’s the subject of an bullseye. ownership battle between no fewer than four Problem is, nei- countries, all of which are eager to claim the ther of them have oil reserves that potentially surround it. The the courage to four-way tug-of-war is ongoing - until, that is, confront their fear a seemingly innocuous press statement from of leaving the the Icelandic Government sets the wheels in safety of their motion for a diplomatic crisis on a grand home... scale... www.whatsonlive.co.uk 25 Theatre June Region Two.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2014 20:41 Page 5

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO VIEW MORE SHOWS!

Frankwell Quay, Box Office 01743 281 281 Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Book Online www.theatresevern.co.uk SY3 8FT

MONDAY 30 JUNE - SATURDAY 5 JULY Thurs 3rd July THAT’LL BE THE DAY Time: 7.30pm

Fri 11th July JOE LONGTHORNE Time: 7.30pm

Wed 23rd July TUESDAY 8 & WEDNESDAY 9 JULY THERE’LL ALWAYS BE ENGLAND Time: 2.00pm

Thurs 24th July COLIN FRY: THE VOICES FROM HEAVEN SHOW Time: 7.30pm

Thurs 7th - Sat 9th August FRIDAY 11 JULY TUESDAY 22 JULY OAKENGATES THEATRE YOUTH SUMMER PROJECT PRESENTS OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR Times: Thurs - Sat, 7.30pm Sat Mat: 2.30pm

Thurs 14th August QUANTUM THEATRE PRESENTS ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS Times: 1.30pm & 4.30pm THURSDAY 24 - SATURDAY 26 JULY

Thurs 4th September AN EVENING OF CLAIRVOYANCE OPEN ALL WITH JOHN COOK HOURS Time: 7.30pm "A terrific 40th anniversary celebration of a memorable television show." Fri 12th Sept Sir David Jason OBE ROY ORBISON AND FRIENDS Time: 7.30pm SUNDAY 27 JULY

Sat 20th September OLD MACDONALD PATRICIA HAD A FARM Time: 2.30pm ROUTLEDGE FACING THE MUSIC: A LIFE IN MUSICAL THE- ATRE

TWC GP 00838

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Theatre PREVIEWS Black Coffee Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, until Sat 5 July; New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 7 - Sat 12 July Take a play by the Queen of Crime and a company dedicated to producing new versions of her work, and there’s every chance you’ll be left with an evening of high-quality, brain-teasing theatre. This latest version of Black Coffee promises to make for just such an evening. The Official Agatha Christie The- atre Company here make a welcome return with the first play ever written by Ms Christie. When eccentric inventor Sir Claud Amory is murdered and his new formula stolen, it’s time for a legendary Belgian detective with an almost-as-legendary wax moustache to put his ‘little grey cells’ to work and uncover the perpetrator of the dastardly crime... Scooby-Doo Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Thurs 17 - Sun 20 July Hanna-Barbera’s 1969 animated creation has enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent times, with new television series and even a couple of big-screen movie versions ensuring brand new generations of admirers have been able to enjoy the wacky adventures of the cowardly mut and his faithful companions. Scooby’s no stranger to the stage either, and this latest offering seems certain to press all the appropriate buttons when it comes to providing an evening of family-friendly fun. As you’d expect, the storyline itself’s not really all that rele- vant - suffice it to say Scooby and Shaggy have got plenty of reason to quiver at their respec- tive knees when a trip to Egypt brings the gang into contact with mysterious mummies and freaky Pharaohs!

In The Night Garden Live children aged seven and older, the show Peter Pan And The Lost Boys finds two futuristic science students explor- Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire, Sat 12 - Sat 26 July ing, exploding and experimenting with any- Thurs 31 July; Wightwick Manor, Wolver- If your little ones are big fans of the top-rated thing and everything they can get their hampton, Sun 10 August hands on, in a fun and frantic attempt to CBeebies television series, they’re certain to Second star to the right and straight on till demonstrate all forms of energy live on love this live version as well. And it’s not only morning - that's the way to Neverland. Fly stage. the kids who’re in love with the production - away with the boy who wouldn't grow up to a audience surveys and parents' reviews on magical island filled with adventure. Meet a NightGardenLive.com reveal that, for nine out real fairy and the wicked Captain Hook - and of ten adults, it’s a five-out-of-five theatrical don’t forget to listen out for the ‘tick-tock’ of experience! Taking place in an all-weather, a very hungry crocodile too. That said, this purpose-built inflatable showdome featuring Heartbreak Productions offering is no com- numerous family-friendly facilities, the show mon-or-garden uses full-size costumes and magical puppets version of the to bring to life Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka JM Barrie clas- Pakka and friends. In The Night Garden cre- sic, presenting, ator and composer Andrew Davenport has as it does, the written the show, with Royal Ballet choreogra- Lost Boys stag- pher Will Tuckett taking the director’s chair. ing an overnight protest to save their local Norsome skate park... mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 25 - Sat 26 July This potent blend of comedy, music, physical The Gruffalo theatre and, er, quality cross-dressing is Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, being presented in the great outdoors. So Thurs 22 - Wed 23 July given its subject matter of Norse mythology, With over four million copies of the book hav- it’s to be hoped that neither omnipotent Odin ing been sold, it's fair to say that Julia Don- nor thundergod Thor decide it’s high time to aldson and Axel Scheffler's award-winning open the heavens! Bringing together stories Gruffalo has captured the hearts and minds Science Museum of gods, giants, elves and ‘a very angry of children everywhere. Presenting songs, snake face-off’, this laughs and scary fun that's ideal for children Live On Tour high-energy offering aged three and upwards, the stage version Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, is presented by the follows Mouse as he heads out on his jour- Tues 8 - Wed 9 July award-winning Tem- ney through the deep dark wood, scaring Studying physics isn’t most people’s idea of ple Theatre, and away hungry animals with tall stories of the having a good time, but this Science Muse- should be well worth terrifying Gruffalo. Imagine his surprise, then, um Live presentation ably illustrates what the a look if you’re in the when he suddenly finds himself coming face- unenamoured are missing out on - namely, market for a none- to-face with the very creature that he's imag- bubbles, fireballs, explosions, rockets, and too-subtle chuckle or ined! the fun of living dangerously! Suitable for several.

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Theatre LISTINGS Annie Get Your Gun - New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham For full listing information on theatre productions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

production of one of From Shakespeare's most TUE 1 JULY popular musical comedies, until Sat 12 July, Stafford Castle EUROBEAT, ALMOST HENRY IV PARTS I & II EUROVISION (SARAJEVO) RSC Associate Artist Great Barr Musical The- Antony Sher returns to atre Company present the Company to play a stage musical which the infamous comic celebrates the Eurovi- knight Falstaff, until Sat sion Song Contest, until 6 Sep, Royal Shake- Fri 4 July, Old Rep, speare Theatre, Strat- Birmingham ford-upon-Avon THE RAPE OF LUCRECE THE ROARING GIRL Jo Internationally Davies directs Lisa Dil- acclaimed singer lon as the dynamic, Camille O'Sullivan stars cross-dressing heroine in Shakespeare’s terri- in a new version of ble tale of lust, rape Thomas Middleton & and politics, until Fri 4 Thomas Dekker's July, The Swan Theatre, Jacobean comedy, until Stratford-upon-Avon Tues 30 Sep, The Swan THE MAGIC FLUTE Mid- Theatre, Stratford-upon- Jen Davis, both sup- A SMALL FAMILY BUSI- ance for young chil- is the perfect seasonal lands Opera present a Avon ported artists on the NESS A National The- dren, Tues 8 July, Lich- backdrop for what is colourful production of ARDEN OF FAVERSHAM Birmingham REP atre Live screening of field Garrick widely regarded as ‘the Mozart's whimsical Polly Findlay makes her Foundry Programme, Alan Ayckbourn's SCIENCE MUSEUM LIVE greatest and most opera, until Sat 5 July, RSC debut, directing Thurs 3 - Sat 5 July, riotous exposure of ON TOUR! London's famous circus on Crescent Theatre, Birm- this darkly comic thriller AE Harris Building, entrepreneurial greed, world-famous Science earth’, Weds 9 - Sun 13 ingham which focuses on a Birmingham Sat 5 July, mac - Mid- Museum takes to the July, Beckett's Farm, AROUND THE WORLD IN husband, wife and lover BEN HART Performance lands Arts Centre, Birm- road to present a brand Wythall, Warwickshire EIGHTY DAYS A new who find themselves from the award-winning ingham new live show that's set WICKED Hit West End adaptation of Jules locked within a deadly magician, Fri 4 July, A STEP IN TIME Gaston- to challenge the brains musical flies into Verne’s famous story game, until Thurs 2 Stafford Gatehouse Payne Dance & Theatre of children aged seven Brum... Weds 9 July - follows the adventures Oct, The Swan Theatre, Theatre School present their and older Tues 8 - Sat 6 Sep, Birmingham of Phileas Fogg and his Stratford-upon-Avon FASCINATING AIDA Fri 4 annual show, covering Weds 9 July, Theatre Hippodrome French valet Passepa- WILD Presented by But- July, Lichfield Garrick a variety of dance Severn, Shrewsbury ONCE UPON A TIME IN A rtout as they attempt to termilk Dance Acade- JULIE MADLY DEEPLY styles. Sat 5 - Sun 6 CARMILLA David Camp- WESTERN New show circumnavigate the my, Tues 1 - Sat 5 July, West End actress & July, The Place, Oaken- ton's Gothic thriller in from the award-win- gates Theatre globe in only eighty Stoke Repertory The- Fascinating Aida star two acts, Tues 8 - Sat ning, internationally UNDERNEATH THE ARCH- days, until Sat 5 July, atre Sarah-Louise Young 12 July, Wolverhampton touring troupe of ES The story in songs New Vic Theatre, New- NEXT DOOR The much- presents a cabaret per- Grand Theatre clowns Le Navet Bete, and sketches of two of castle-under-Lyme acclaimed and award- formance which looks TWELFTH NIGHT Odd- Thurs 10 July, Lichfield Britain's most popular Garrick 20TH CENTURY BOY - THE winning Out Of Balanz at the fame and fandom socks present a mad- entertainers, the love- PIRATES OF PENZANCE MUSICAL Musical based fuse intimate story- of Dame Julie Andrews, cap musical treat which able Bud Flanagan and Illyria Theatre Company on the life of Marc telling with high-octane Fri 4 - Sat 5 July, Lich- sees Shakespeare's the urbane Chesney present an outdoor pro- Bolan, until Sat 5 July, physical theatre to field Garrick love stories intertwined Allen - and their associ- duction of Gilbert & Sul- Wolverhampton Grand explore what it is that WWI CENTENARY AND D- with well-known British ation with The Crazy livan’s popular comic Theatre connects us, Weds 2 - DAY 70TH ANNIVERSARY chart hits to keep the Gang, Sat 5 - Thurs 24 opera, Thurs 10 July, BLACK COFFEE Agatha Fri 4 July, The REP, COMMEMORATION CON- blood pumping and the July, Oldbury Rep - Bar- Dorothy Clive Garden, Christie classic starring Birmingham CERT Featuring the mood merry, Weds 9 low Theatre Nr Market Drayton, Robert Powell, Liza SHOW BOAT Cape Town music of the time, July, Blue Coat School, Shropshire HAMLET CL Rep Com- Goddard, Gary Mavers Opera return to the including Glenn Miller, Hereford THE TEMPEST Shake- pany present a short- & Ben Nealon, until Sat Midlands to perform played by the superb SUMMER DANCE speare's magical play ened, contemporary 5 July, Theatre Severn, one of the first Ameri- Don Mather Big Band, Presented by William where drama, mystery, version of Shake- Shrewsbury can musicals ever writ- vocalists and the Birm- Brookes School, romance and comedy speare's famous THE COMEDY OF ERRORS ten, Weds 2 - Sat 5 ingham Military Com- Weds 9 - Thurs 10 July, combine to create the tragedy, told from a Presented by Rooftop July, Birmingham Hip- munity Choir, Sat 5 The Edge Arts Centre, story of an overthrown female perspective, Much Wenlock, South Theatre Company as podrome July, Old Rep, Birming- Duke and his desire for Sun 6 July, The Dell, Shropshire part of Ludlow Fringe, THAT'LL BE THE DAY ham justice, Thurs 10 - Sat Stratford-upon-Avon THE HYSTERICAL HISTO- until Sat 5 July, Ludlow Rock'n'Roll spectacular THE IMPORTANCE OF 12 July, The Belfrey SUMMER SHOWCASE RY TOUR Acclaimed the- Brewery, South Shrop- combining music from BEING ERNEST Outdoor Theatre, Wellington, 2014 An evening of atre company and com- Shropshire shire the ’50s, ’60s & ’70s performance of Oscar ANNIE GET YOUR GUN monologues, short edy duo Lipservice ECHO BEACH Spotlight with wacky comedy Wilde’s classic comedy, deliver a whirlwind tour Major new production scenes and music, to Youth Productions step routines, Thurs 3 July, Sat 5 July, Whittington of Britain’s female of the Tony Award-win- showcase the talents of back into the ’80s, to a The Place, Oakengates Castle, North Shrop- national treasures, ning version of Irving the Crescent's young world where sex dis- Theatre, Telford, Shrop- shire Weds 9 - Thurs 10 July, actors, Sun 6 July, crimination is being Berlin's classic musical. shire THE REDEEMED A move- Lichfield Garrick Jason Donovan, Emma Crescent Theatre, Birm- replaced by equality... THE TWIST New musical ment of youthful energy THE SHOWCASE Stage 2 Thurs 10 - Sat 12 July, Williams and Norman ingham featuring songs from boasting seventeen Performing Arts return Forest Arts Centre, Wal- Pace star, until Sat 5 the ’50s and ’60s, members, including with their annual dance sall July, New Alexandra Week Commencing Thurs 3 July, Lichfield singers, guitarists, show, Weds 9 - Thurs LORD ARTHURS SAVILE'S Theatre, Birmingham Garrick dancers and drummers, MON 7 JULY 10 July, Theatre Sev- CRIME Acocks Green MIDSUMMER MISCHIEF A THE WEDDING SINGER Sat 5 July, The Drum, ern, Shrewsbury Am Dram Group Stage festival of exciting new Young Performers The- Birmingham WEST SIDE STORY Ama- 27 present their version plays, performed in a BLACK COFFEE Agatha atre Group present an A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S teur production pre- of Oscar Wilde's semi- purpose-built tempo- Christie classic starring amateur production of DREAM Students and sented by Musical comic mystery, Thurs rary studio on the cur- Robert Powell, Liza the hit musical about alumni from the Univer- Youth Theatre Stafford, 10 - Sat 12 July, Old rent Courtyard Theatre Goddard, Gary Mavers rock star-wannabe Rob- sity of Exeter present Weds 9 - Sat 12 July, Rep, Birmingham stage, until Sat 12 July, & Ben Nealon, Mon 7 - bie Hart, Thurs 3 - Fri 4 the wild escapades of Stafford Gatehouse THE GREAT WAR An The Courtyard, Strat- Sat 12 July, New July, Theatre Severn, lovers, fairies and Theatre evening of poetry & ford-upon-Avon Alexandra Theatre, Shrewsbury mechanicals in a chaot- MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS music to commemorate AS YOU LIKE IT Stafford Birmingham Moscow’s cultural & SWEET ROCKALL A new ic world of folly, IF YOU SEE A CROCODILE the centenary of World Festival Shakespeare artistic quarter, ‘Park play written by David Sat 5 July, The Dell, Gazebo Theatre pres- War One, Fri 11 July, presents an outdoor Gorkogo’ (Gorky Park), Gray and directed by Stratford-upon-Avon ent a theatre perform- National Memorial

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shows including Fools presents Christo- LISTINGS Seussical, Camp Rock pher Murray and The Only Way Is Downton - Lichfield Garrick Theatre and Footloose, plus Joanne Tremarco in a new numbers from Les production which sees For full listing information on theatre Miserables, Shrek and a human-sized penis productions, including times and dates, Dreamgirls, Sat 12 July, and vulva dance, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre Severn, argue, love and strug- Shrewsbury gle in endless permuta- Arboretum, Stafford- PINOCCHIO Amateur per- THE COMEDY OF ERRORS tions, Sun 13 July, The shire formance from Adage Outdoor production Blue Orange Theatre, BURLESQUE IS BACK IN Dance & Fitness Stu- presented by the Birmingham TOWN HP Saucy Pro- dio, Fri 11 - Sat 12 July, Shakespeare Young HEAD GIRL Taking ductions present an Crescent Theatre, Birm- Company, Sat 12 - Sun Chances present a new evening of striptease ingham 13 July, The Dell, Strat- dark comedy set in the combined with vintage A HISTORY OF FALLING ford-upon-Avon sixth form of an all-girls glamour, comedy and THINGS James Gra- OLD WIVES' TALE Pre- private school, Sun 13 elegance. Alabama ham's twenty-first cen- sented by the Shake- July - Tues 15 July, The Boom, Angela LaVey, tury love story, Fri 11 - speare Young Compa- Blue Orange Theatre, Jacques Bruxelles, Jas- Sat 26 July, New Vic ny, Sat 12 - Sun 13 Birmingham mine Noir, Kitty Ribbons Theatre, Newcastle- July, The Dell, Stratford- and Venus Starr fea- under-Lyme upon-Avon Week Commencing ture, Fri 11 July, Cres- SHROPSHIRE BOYS DANC- STATISTICS UNAVAILABLE MON 14 JULY cent Theatre, Birming- ING: NO MAN'S LAND Live Blue Orange Theatre dance performance by presents a thought-pro- ham RHYTHM OF THE DANCE THE BOY FROM THE young men and boys voking production con- Featuring thirty 'BORO Three In One from across Shropshire, sisting of four new dancers, a traditional, Productions present the Sat 12 July, Theatre pieces of writing which live Irish band and the story of an ordinary sol- Severn, Shrewsbury explore issues of 'dashing' Young Irish dier, one-time farm THE PLEASURE IS YOURS human interaction, rela- Tenors, Mon 14 - Tues worker and shop keep- A multimedia character tionships and social 15 July, New Alexandra er who’s thrust into the comedy show with dynamics, Sat 12 - Sun Theatre, Birmingham mud and blood of songs and sandwiches, 13 July, The Blue ROCK OF AGES Mon 14 trench warfare, Fri 11 Sat 12 July, Old Joint Orange Theatre, Birm- July - Sat 19 July, July, The Blue Orange Stock Theatre, Birming- ingham Regent Theatre, Stoke- Theatre, Birmingham ham IN THE NIGHT GARDEN AN EVENING OF DIRTY on-Trent ALL THE BEST! Stripped LIVE Musical theatre July, mac - Midlands physical comedy, popu- DANCING A tribute show JUKEBOX VOL.2 Get Your Down Theatre presents experience for the Arts Centre, Birming- lar tunes and special featuring great songs Wigle On present a some of its most popu- whole family that's pre- ham effects, Thurs 17 - Sun and memorable danc- musical selection of lar sketches, including sented within a pur- ing, Fri 11 July treats for 'Wigles' of all OH, WHAT A LOVELY WAR 20 July, Wolverhampton Robin's Nervous Break- pose-built touring the- Theatre Severn, ages, Tues 15 July, Presented by The Grand Theatre down, Hitler's Bad Day Shrewsbury atre. Made up of two Theatre Severn, Young Rep, Weds 16 UK PLC, WITH CAMILLA RHYTHM OF THE DANCE and the infamous Fiesta state-of-the-art show Shrewsbury July - Fri 18 July, Stoke CANCANTATA AND THE Featuring thirty Scene... Sat 12 July, domes, the setting FLASH MOB Tues 15 - Repertory Theatre COCKROACH A guided dancers, a traditional The Blue Orange The- recreates the magical Weds 16 July, Wolver- HOLLY Bittersweet musi- tour in music of the live full Irish band and atre, Birmingham world of the popular hampton Grand The- cal from Jars Of Clay, strange and shadowy the 'dashing' Young TWELFTH NIGHT Odd- BBC children's show, atre Weds 16 - Sat 19 July, world of outsourcing Irish Tenors, Fri 11 July, socks present a mad- Sat 12 - Sat 26 July, CAITLIN MORAN: LIVE The Blue Orange The- and globalisation, Regent Theatre, Stoke- cap musical treat which Cannon Hill Park, Birm- The well-known author, atre, Birmingham where elected govern- on-Trent sees Shakespeare's ingham journalist and broad- THE DREAMBOYS The ments are largely FAR FROM THE SEA The- love stories intertwined THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF caster hits the road with UK’s top male glamour redundant... Fri 18 July, atre Absolute present with well-known British VERONA Full staging of her new one-woman show, Thurs 17 July, The Blue Orange The- Steve Waters' humor- chart hits to keep the Shakespeare’s exuber- show, featuring high- New Alexandra Theatre, atre, Birmingham ous play about power, blood pumping and the ant romantic comedy, lights from How To Be Birmingham WIFE AFTER DEATH Ama- place, and the industry mood merry, Sat 12 Sat 12 July - Thurs 4 A Woman, Morantholo- LOVE IS A CAT SKIN RUG teur production of Eric of war, Fri 11 - Sat 12 July, Cannon Hill Park, Sep, Royal Shake- gy and Caitlin's new Headless Doctor The- Chappell's acclaimed July, Old Joint Stock Birmingham speare Theatre, Strat- book: How To Build A atre Company present comedy based upon Theatre, Birmingham THE MAGIC OF DISNEY ford-upon-Avon Girl, Weds 16 July, New a 'sexy, surreal and the death of a sitcom THE ONLY WAY IS DOWN- Victoria's School of MD SCHOOL OF PER- Alexandra Theatre, unflinching exploration actor, a throng of griev- TON Luke Kempner's Dance & Performing FORMING ARTS Show- Birmingham of what love really ing friends, a mis- tour-de-force comedy Arts presents a showcase of works featuring THE ADVENTURES OF means', Thurs 17 July, placed relative and dirty about life at Downton case of its latest works, a range of styles, Sun SHERLOCK HOLMES Old Joint Stock The- secrets, Fri 18 - Sat 26 Abbey, Fri 11 - Sat 12 Sat 12 July, mac - Mid- 13 July, The Place, Chapterhouse Theatre atre, Birmingham July, Hall Green Little July, Lichfield Garrick lands Arts Centre, Birm- Oakengates Theatre, Company tell the story THE ADVENTURES OF Theatre, Birmingham PAPER IN MY PANTS Stu- ingham Telford of the world’s greatest SHERLOCK HOLMES WHAT'S MY NAME? dio Three present a TARRUN AND THE ELE- DARE TO DREAM Grazia detective, Weds 16 Chapterhouse Theatre Showcase of works comedy which explores PHANT Non Nonsense Academy of Dance July, Birmingham Company tell the story presented by Telford the boundaries Theatre Company pres- present an evening of Botanical Gardens of the world’s greatest Academy of Performing between reality and fic- ent a faraway tale for dancing, singing, tricks BOYBAND THE MUSICAL detective, Thurs 17 Arts, Sat 19 July, The tion, free will and deter- children, Sat 12 July, and flicks... Sun 13 Get Your Wigle On July, Hampton Court, Place, Oakengates The- mination, and pizza and Lichfield Garrick July, Crescent Theatre, present Peter Quilter's Herefordshire atre, Telford Birmingham UNDER THE SUN chicken, Fri 11 - Sat 12 YPTG THROUGH THE contemporary musical, Graeme A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S THE FIG LEAF WARS The Braidwood directs a July, The Blue Orange YEARS Showcase featur- featuring songs from DREAM Presented by Nomadic Academy For cornucopia of the con- Theatre, Birmingham ing hits from past One Direction, Take the Royal Navy Theatre temporary, the bizarre, That, Westlife, The Association, Sat 19 Wanted, Boyzone and the serious, the absurd and the just plain funny July, The Dell, Stratford- N-Sync, Weds 16 July, upon-Avon Theatre Severn, - a miscellany of short plays from some of THESPIANAGE: SKETCH Shrewsbury Birmingham's foremost APPEAL Thespianage TANGOMOTION A breath- playwrights, Thurs 17- Productions make their taking journey into the Fri 18 July, Old Joint Birmingham Fringe heart of Tango with four Stock Theatre, Birming- debut with an hour-long outstanding dancers, ham show of songs, satire & Weds 16 July, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle- SWALLOWS AND AMA- silliness, Sat 19 July, under-Lyme ZONS Stage2 present Old Joint Stock The- ANY FOOL CAN START A Helen Edmundson's atre, Birmingham WAR A playful collabo- staging of Arthurs Ran- SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL ration between interna- some's tale of adven- Amateur production tionally renowned the- ture, Thurs 17 - Sat 19 presented by Get Your atre company Stan’s July, Crescent Theatre, Wigle On, Sat 19 - Sun Cafe and one of Birm- Birmingham 20 July, Theatre Sev- ingham’s most adven- SCOOBY-DOO - THE MYS- ern, Shrewsbury turous primary schools, TERY OF THE PYRAMID SILLY COW Ben Elton's Any Fool Can Start A War - mac, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham Weds 16 - Thurs 17 Family show featuring observational comedy,

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BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA, JULY 2014 LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE HIGHLIGHTS

Friday 11th July Tuesday 15th & Thursday 17th July DEAN FRIEDMAN Wednesday 16th July THE BIG BAND INTIMATE STUDIO SHOW THE ENERGY SWING ALONG WITH FIVE SHOW STAR SWING EXPLOSIVE FAMILY SHOW FROM THE SCIENCE MUSEUM

Friday 18th July Wednesday 23rd July Saturday 26th July MONEY FOR SKYLIGHT DESPERADO EAGLES TRIBUTE PRESENTS NOTHING ENCORE SCREENING THE HOTEL CALIFORNIA TOP TRIBUTE TO DIRE FROM NT LIVE SHOW STRAITS

,FORTHCOMING CINEMA: The Two Faces Of January (12A) Grace Of Monaco (PG) // The Wind Rises (PG) // Maleficent (PG) In Secret (15) // Legend of Oz (U) // Jimmy’s Hall (12A) // Belle (12A)

The new Artrix brochure is available to download on www.artrix.co.uk For bookings & full details log onto www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ Free parking on-site

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Theatre LISTINGS

For full listing information on theatre productions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

centred around the keep one another alive, 'slick and savage’ world Tues 22 July, Old Joint of the tabloid press, Sat Stock Theatre, Birming- 19 - Sat 26 July, Cres- ham cent Theatre, Birming- THE GRUFFALO Tall Sto- ham ries present their adap- ALPHABET AVENUE Inter- tation of Julia Donald- active performance son's magical tale for exploring children's children, Tues 22 - responses to their first Weds 23 July, Stafford experience of theatre, Gatehouse Theatre Sat 19 - Sun 27 July, NO SMOKE Colin Ward's The Blue Orange The- story about the percep- atre, Birmingham tions and judgements HAL Ingenious Theatre of truth in the hands of present a stripped an uncomfortable rela- down version of Shake- tionship between the speare's Henry IV Part I, law, the media and focusing on the rela- society, Tues 22 - Thurs tionship between the 24 July, The Blue Prince of Wales and Orange Theatre, Birm- Falstaff, Sun 20 July, ingham The Dell, Stratford- A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S upon-Avon DREAM The wild SHORTS 2 The Blue escapades of lovers, Orange Writers group fairies and mechanicals in a chaotic world of present an evening of The Gruffalo - Stafford Gatehouse Theatre rehearsed readings of folly, Weds 23 July, Birmingham Botanical new writing, Sun 20 tion and betrayal, July, The Blue Orange on the future of our broadcaster Edward Gardens July, The Blue Orange adventure and death, Theatre, Birmingham health & welfare sys- Seckerson talk to Patri- AN AUDIENCE WITH COLIN Theatre, Birmingham based on the true story TWELFTH NIGHT (OR tem, Sat 26 July, The cia Routledge about FRY Thurs 24 July, The UNFOLD CREATES of Valerian Albanov, WHAT YOU WILL) Mad- Blue Orange Theatre, her experience and Place, Oakengates The- Phenix RDC Youth Thurs 24 July, mac - cap Theatre produc- Birmingham success in musical theatre, Telford present a showcase of Midlands Arts Centre, tions fuse music, THE TEMPEST Glouces- atre, Sun 27 July, The- THE RASHOMON EFFECT/ contemporary dance Birmingham dance, physical theatre tershire Youth Players atre Severn, Shrews- VERTICAL ROAD A dou- from the company's AVENUE Q Tony Award- & stage combat with bring fresh eyes to bury repertoire, Sun 20 July, ble-bill of works by winning musical that the original script in an Shakespeare's mystical BURLESQUE IS BACK IN Crescent Theatre, Birm Guest Artistic Director centres on a group of innovative performance tale, Sat 26 - Sun 27 TOWN HP Saucy Pro- ingham Akram Khan, Thurs 24 loveable yet hopeless of Shakespeare's finest July, The Dell, Stratford- ductions present an July, mac - Midlands characters on a down- comedy, Fri 25 July, upon-Avon evening of striptease Arts Centre, Birming- Week Commencing town New York street, mac - Midlands Arts THE LIFE AND TIMES OF combined with vintage ham Thurs 24 - Sat 26 July, Centre, Birmingham THE TAT MAN A new play glamour, comedy and MON 21 JULY THE TAMING OF THE Lichfield Garrick NORSESOME Music, by David Calcutt taking elegance. Alabama SHREW Presented by OPEN ALL HOURS Stage physical theatre and an intimate look at the Boom, Angela LaVey, AN EVENING OF IMPROVI- Folksy Theatre Compa- adaptation of the huge- cross-dressing come life and times of the Tat Jacques Bruxelles, Jas- SATION Members of Box ny, Thurs 24 July, Bish- ly popular BBC televi- together in a family- Man, through tales of mine Noir, Kitty Ribbons Of Frogs present their ops Wood Centre Gar- sion series... Thurs 24 - friendly production fea- travelling folk, bloody and Venus Starr fea- own inimitable brand of den, Stourport-on-Sev- Sat 26 July, Theatre turing gods, giants, births, blacksmiths, ture, Sun 27 July, Cres- high-octane improvised ern Severn, Shrewsbury elves and a very angry devils and talking hors- cent Theatre, Birming- nonsense from audi- YESTERDAY AN INCIDENT DOUBLE BOOKED AND snake, Fri 25 - Sat 26 es... Sat 26 - Sun 27 ham ence suggestions, Mon OCCURRED Mark Raven- SOMETHING FISHY ‘A July, mac - Midlands July, The Blue Orange 21 July, The Blue hill's contemporary hilarious and instantly Arts Centre, Birming- Theatre, Birmingham Orange Theatre, Birm- British drama, which Week Commencing recognisable depiction ham SORTED Big D presents ingham questions the lengths of family mores.’ Fri 25 THE JUNGLE BOOK Chap- a comic drama featur- MON 28 JULY BUGLE BOY The life story to which we're prepared July, Lichfield Garrick terhouse Theatre Com- ing bickering family of Glenn Miller, Tues 22 to go to uncover perpe- THE MEMOIRS OF MOD- pany present an out- members, flat tyres, ill- PETER PAN AND THE LOST July, Theatre Severn, trators of violent crime, GER MORRISH Fri 25 door production of ness and ailments, men BOYS Heartbreak Pro- Shrewsbury Thurs 24 July, Old Joint July, The Blue Orange Rudyard Kipling’s in their night attire and ductions present a con- NINE Midlands-based Stock Theatre, Birming- Theatre, Birmingham enchanting tale, Sat 26 piles of ironing... Sat 26 temporary version of Cataclysm Theatre ham SHUFFLING PHILOSO- July, Erddig National - Sun 27 July, The Blue JM Barrie’s fantastical present a tale of two A WORLD BEYOND MAN PHIES A one-man show Trust, Wrexham, Clywd Orange Theatre, Birm- tale, Thurs 31 July, women held against An intimate telling of an in which Jin Lee fuses THE BEST OF THEATRE ingham Shugborough Estate, their will, and the mind epic story of ice and his love for card artistry EXCHANGE A rolling, BOLLYWOOD EXPRESS Staffordshire games they employ to polar bears, determina- and storytelling, Fri 25 strolling, informal show- One hundred-and-fifty FOGHORN IMPROV: case of some of the students from the Bolly- MORNING CAMPERS! Bugle Boy - Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury best work-in-progress wood Dreams Academy Improvised games & theatre in the region, explore the popular stories with audiences Sat 26 July, Old Joint dance form and how it transposed to the Stock Theatre, Birming- varies in India's different 1950s and the only hol- ham regions, Sat 26 - Sun iday camp in Birming- 27 July Crescent The- DEFYING GRAVITY Fol- ham... Thurs 31 July atre, Birmingham, lowspot Theatre cele- Old Joint Stock The- THE MERCHANT OF brate the best of con- atre, Birmingham VENICE Rain Or Shine temporary American PILOT NIGHTS A space Theatre present an out- musical theatre, Sat 26 where theatre-makers door production of July, The Blue Orange can try out their work Shakespeare's famous Theatre, Birmingham and new ideas in front tale, Sun 27 July, FIRST DO NO HARM Tea of a 'lively and support- Goodrich Castle, Here- And Tenacity present ive' crowd, Thurs 31 ford Hilary Spiers' drama, July, mac - Midlands PATRICIA ROUTLEDGE: which examines a for- Arts Centre, Birming- FACING THE MUSIC A fas- gotten corner of history, ham cinating encounter encouraging discussion which sees writer and

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Theatre REVIEWS

Below are reviews of theatre productions we checked out last month. For further theatre reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk September In The Rain Lichfield Garrick Having previously visited the main stage at the Garrick, we were delighted to discover that we’d be viewing September In The Rain in the smaller, intimate Studio space. The Studio, with its capacity of no more than a hundred and without a stage to perform on, is the perfect venue for a play like this, where the emphasis is on acting and storytelling rather than high production values or technical extravagance. John Godber’s tale, here directed by Gareth Tudor Price, introduces us to an elderly couple - strong- One Man, Two Guvnors willed Yorkshire miner Jack (Heartbeat’s David Birmingham Hippodrome Lonsdale) and his put-upon spouse, Liz (Sarah As a huge fan of Shakespeare, Fawlty Towers and belly laughs, I found this screwball Jane Buckley, best known from Hollyoaks) - as comedy - which drew from the first two and featured plenty of the third - had me grin- they prepare to board the bus to Blackpool, their ning from the off. annual holiday destination since before they were Based on Carlo Goldoni’s 1746 play, The Servant Of Two Masters, this National The- married. The couple, talking directly to the audi- atre production kicked off with rockabilly-style band The Craze performing brilliantly in ence, reminisce about their very first trip to Britain’s natty suits. Set in 1960s Brighton, the story focuses on the permanently hungry Fran- favourite seaside town in the 1950s, and soon cis Henshall (Gavin Spokes), who lands two jobs - hence the ‘two guvnors’ of the title we’re right back there with them. (Alicia Davies and Patrick Warner) - and spends the entire play preventing said bosses Boarding houses, traffic jams, knotted hankies, from meeting, with calamitous consequences. deck chairs, dancing, fish and chips and, of The production was slow to get going but then rattled along at a breakneck speed. course, Blackpool Tower are all present and cor- Only a writer of Richard Bean’s calibre could have presented this hilarious revival, rect in this affectionate and nostalgic tale. helped by wonderful direction and set designs. I was twice warned not to reveal the When venue and production, story, direction and surprises, and they’re certainly well worth waiting for. cast work this well together, the result is sure to be A cracking cast turned in fabulous performances, complete with expert comic timing to satisfying. This is a touching comedy-drama that spare. Gavin Spokes’ exuberance stole the show, his complete lack of vanity helping did not disappoint. Simon Carter n n n n him to portray a larger-than-life character. The side-splitting dinner scene was easily the best; I can’t remember laughing so much in a long time! Inevitably, the pace of the second half waned, but reached a song-and-dance conclusion to ensure an uplifting Khandan ending. A wonderful way to perk up a gloomy evening. Well done to all concerned! The REP, Birmingham Malaka Chowdhury n n n n It isn’t every day that a play resonates in quite such an intense way. As a second-generation British-Asian woman, Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti’s pow- Theatre Box Office erful depiction of an extended Punjabi family and their conflicting dreams hit close to home. Birmingham GRAND THEATRE, Warwickshire Fierce Punjabi matriarch and widow Jeeto Gill 01902 429212 ALEXANDRA THEATRE BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL (Sudha Buchar) lives with her ambitious son, Pal 0844 871 3011 NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE 024 7637 6707 01902 572090 (Rez Kempton), and his sweet-natured wife, Liz BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME BELGRADE THEATRE, COVENTRY (Lauren Crace). Wistfully dreaming of returning 0844 338 5000 OLDBURY REP, OLDBURY 024 7655 3055 0121 552 2761 home to India, Jeeto expects Pal to manage his BIRMINGHAM REP BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE, WARWICK father’s shop. Pal has bigger dreams of opening a 0121 236 4455 Shropshire 01926 776438 THE BLUE ORANGE THEATRE THE DREAM FACTORY nursing home with his brother-in-law, Major (Neil THE BELFREY, WELLINGTON 0121 212 2643 01926 419555 D’Souza), while all Liz wants is a baby. 01952 222277 CRESCENT THEATRE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE This family turmoil implodes when their cousin’s THE EDGE, MUCH WENLOCK 0121 643 5858 THEATRE, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON needy wife, Reema (Preeya Kalidas), comes to 01952 728911 DOVEHOUSE THEATRE 0844 800 1110 THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY stay, shattering their hopes. 0121 706 7139 ROYAL SPA CENTRE 01743 234970 Unfolding at The Rep’s Studio venue, this funny THE DRUM 0121 333 2444 LEAMINGTON 01926 334418 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY yet emotional drama recreated an authentic South WARWICK ARTS CENTRE, COVENTRY HALL GREEN LITTLE THEATRE ROOMS 01584 878141 Asian household, right down to the bag of atta 0121 707 1874 02476 524524 THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, TELFORD flour and constant char! Reconciling family expec- MAC 0121 446 3232 01952 382382 Worcestershire tations with personal autonomy is an aching reality MIXING BOWL THEATRE THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY for many second-generation South Asians, and I 0121 224 7545 01743 281281 ARTRIX ARTS CENTRE, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 found myself recognising certain elements - for OLD JOINT STOCK THEATRE WEM TOWN HALL example, the patronising Shaadi.com website for 0121 200 0946 01939 232299 THE HIVE 01905 822866 singletons! This heartbreaking struggle was pre- OLD REP 0121 245 4455 HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER sented, with much pathos, through the eyes of the SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX Staffordshire 0121 704 6962 01905 611427 troubled Pal, and via a host of likeable characters LICHFIELD GARRICK 01543 412121 MALVERN THEATRE and numerous outstanding performances - the 01684 892277 Black Country NEW VIC 01782 717962 Buchar-Kempton dynamic was positively incendi- NORBURY THEATRE, DROITWICH ARENA THEATRE PRINCE OF WALES 01905 770154 ary. With their disintegrated dreams culminating in WOLVERHAMPTON CENTRE, CANNOCK tragedy, it’s with a keen understanding of the 01902 321321 01543 578762 PALACE THEATRE REDDITCH 01527 65203 human heart that Bhatti portrays how our cher- BLOXWICH THEATRE REGENT THEATRE, STOKE ished dreams are inexplicably affected by our 01922 653183 0870 060 6649 ROSE THEATRE, 01562 743745 choices. Khandan’s resounding triumph was in DUDLEY CONCERT HALL RUGELEY ROSE THEATRE 01384 812812 01889 584036 SWAN THEATRE, skilfully depicting how South Asian families remain WORCESTER 01905 611427 FOREST ARTS CENTRE, WALSALL STAFFORD GATEHOUSE a blessed curse, bound with honour, duty and 01785 254653 01922 654555 unparalleled love. Simply marvellous. STOKE REPERTORY THEATRE Malaka Chowdhury n n n n 01782 209784 34 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre July region one.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2014 15:36 Page 14

ANTONY & CLEOPATRA WEST END LISTINGS: Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre WEST END Theatre, booking until MUSICALS MAMMA MIA! Novello 24 Aug 2014 Theatre, booking until BAKERSFIELD MIST- BILLY ELLIOT – 25 Apr 2015 Duchess Theatre, book- THE MUSICAL MATILDA THE MUSICAL ing until 30 Aug 2014 Victoria Palace Theatre, Cambridge Theatre, BRING UP THE BODIES booking until 16 May booking until 24 May Aldwych Theatre, book- 2015 2015 ing until 6 Sept 2014 BODYGUARD Adelphi MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL DOCTOR SCROGGY’S WAR Theatre, booking until Shaftesbury Theatre, 9 Shakespeare’s Globe 30 Aug 2014 Oct 2014 - 28 Mar 2015 Theatre, 12 Sept - 10 BOOK OF MORMON MISS SAIGON Prince Oct 2014 Prince Of Wales The- Edward Theatre,now GHOST STORIES atre, booking until 23 booking until 25 Apr Arts Theatre, booking Aug 2014 2015 until 17 Aug 2014 CHARLIE AND THE ONCE Phoenix Theatre, GOLEM Young Vic CHOCOLATE FACTORY - booking until 4 July Theatre, booking until THE MUSICAL 2015 17 Jan 2015 Drury Lane Royal, PAJAMA GAME booking until 30 May Shaftesbury Theatre, COMEDY 2015 now booking until 13 COMMITMENTS Sept 2014 39 STEPS Criterion The- Victoria Palace Theatre, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA atre, booking until 18 booking until 19 Apr Her Majesty's Theatre, Oct 2014 2015 booking until 25 Apr CONFESSIONS OF DIRTY ROTTEN 2015 GORDON BROWN Ambas- SCOUNDRELS PORGY AND BESS sadors Theatre, book- Savoy Theatre, booking Open Air Theatre, ing until 30 July 2014 until 7 Mar 2015 Regents Park, 17 Jul - HANDBAGGED JERSEY BOYS 23 Aug 2014 Vaudeville Theatre, Piccadilly Theatre, STOMP booking until 2 Aug booking until 15 Feb Ambassadors Theatre, 2014 Stars of Boyzone take to the West End stage 2015 booking until 21 Dec JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN LES MISÉRABLES 2014 PERFECT NONSENSE Ronan Keating and Keith Duffy are to make their West End debuts Duke Of York’s Theatre, in two separate productions on the London stage. Keating will join Queen's Theatre, book- THRILLER LIVE ing until 25 Apr 2015 Lyric Theatre, booking booking until 20 Sept the cast of Once at the Phoenix Theatre from 17 November, play- LET IT BE Garrick The- until 19 Apr 2015 2014 ing the lead role of Guy in the much-heralded musical version of atre, booking until 21 WICKED TWELFTH KNIGHT John Carney’s hit film. Duffy, meanwhile, will star in the West End Sept 2014 Apollo Victoria Theatre, RE-IMAGINED Open Air transfer of Theatre503’s production of A Handful Of Stars at Trafal- LION KING booking until 25 Apr Theatre, Regent’s Park, booking until 12 July gar Studios in July. Duffy’s no stranger to acting, having starred Lyceum Theatre, book- 2015 ing until 4 Jan 2015 2014 as Ciaran in Coronation Street. Keating’s acting credits include the MADE IN DAGENHAM -THE DRAMA MY NIGHT WITH REG role of James Dickens in the 2013 romantic comedy, Goddess. MUSICAL Adelphi The- 1984 Playhouse The- Donmar Warehouse Talking about his impending role, Keating said: “When I was atre, 9 Oct 2014 - 28 atre, booking until 23 31 Jul - 27 Sept 2014 asked about playing the lead male - who’s a busker in Dublin - I Mar 2015 Aug 2014 was completely overwhelmed, because I knew it would be perfect. This was my home town, my people, and the place where I began my own music career. But, as exciting as that is, it's scary too. I've never performed in the West End and this is a huge challenge and commitment. I'm really looking forward to returning to London later this year and completely sinking my teeth into the role. I think there's going to be lots to learn and lots to gain from this experience, and I just want to be the absolute best that I can be."

Casting announced for Kander And Ebb musical Acclaimed Broadway actor Brandon Victor Dixon is to make his West End debut later this year when Susan Stroman’s Young Vic production of The Scottsboro Boys transfers to the Garrick The- atre. Dixon will star as Haywood Patterson, a role he created in the original US production. He’ll be joined in the Kander & Ebb musical by fellow Americans Colman Domingo, Forrest McClendon and James T Lane. The show tells the story of nine young black men travelling on a train through Scottsboro, Alabama, in 1931, in search of a new life. The Scottsboro Boys opens at The Garrick in October.

Christmas treat in store at Duchess Theatre Will Tuckett’s Oliver Award-winning adaptation of Kenneth Gra- hame’s Wind In The Willows is to return to the West End this Christmas. The production draws inspiration from the music of Edwardian composer George Butterworth, with the action set to a score by Martin Ward. Brought to the stage by the Royal Opera House and with casting soon to be announced, the production opens at The Duchess Theatre on 26 November, where it will run for an eight week period.

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Film TO WATCH THE LATEST MOVIE TRAILERS, VISIT: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

From FRI 25 JULY

Guardians Of The Galaxy CERT tbc Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Benicio del ToroDirected by James Gunn (USA) TOP 5 The tenth instalment in the so-called ‘Marvel Cinematic Universe,’ Guardians Of The Galaxy stars Chris Pratt FILM BOX OFFICE (from TV's Parks And Recreation) as the half-alien, half-human pilot Peter Quill. When Quill steals a special ‘orb’ from the villainous Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace), he is forced to form an uneasy alliance with a ragtag group of extra-terrestrial misfits. The film is a combination of live-action, CGI effects and motion capture tech- 22 Jump Street (15) nology. And we can’t wait to see Vin Diesel as Groot, a humanoid tree, a part he was obviously born to play. 1 In 3D. X-Men: Days Of 2 Future Past (12a) 3 Edge Of Tomorrow (12a) 4 Maleficent(PG) 5 Godzilla (12a)

From THU 17 JULY

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes CERT tbc Starring Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Andy Serkis, Judy Greer, Toby Kebbell Directed by Matt Reeves (USA) Believe it or not, this is the eighth instalment in the Planet Of The Apes franchise. But the last one was the best of the lot - so far. Here, Caesar and his army of genetically modified simian soldiers face a band of humans that survived the virus that all but wiped out mankind. It’s ten years on from the events of the last film (Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes), but can the apes and their subordinate humans reach a truce? The next 22 Jump Street chapter is already in the works. In 3D.

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FilmNEW RELEASES

Now Showing

Arthur And Mike CERT 15 (93 mins) Starring Colin Firth, Emily Blunt, Anne Heche, Sterling Beaumon Directed by Dante Ariola (USA) Actually filmed in 2011, this is the story of a former professional golfer who fakes his own death in order to escape a life of failure. Then, in his new incarnation as Arthur Newman, he encounters a woman who is also fleeing her old identity.

From THU 10 JULY

misanthropic actor who’s turned his back on the stage sounds like a part tailor-made for him. Transformers: Age Of Extinction CERT 12a (165 mins) Then his grumpy Released from Fri 4 July thesp is ap- Starring Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, proached by an- Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor, Kelsey Gram- other actor mer, Sophia Myles Cycling With Moliere (Wilson) to make Directed by Michael Bay (USA) CERT 15 (105 mins) a comeback in a Four years after the invasion of Chicago, a Starring Fabrice Luchini, Lambert Wilson, production of mechanic (Wahlberg) and his daughter Maya Sansa, Camille Japy Moliere’s The Mis- (Peltz, from TV’s Bates Motel) stumble Directed by Philippe Le Guay (France) anthrope. Unfortu- across a deactivated Optimus Prime (you Fabrice Luchini is one of the most wonderful ac- nately, it’s not the know, the leader of the Autobots). Their lives tors working in France today. To see him play a leading part… are about to change forever… In 3D.

For full film listings, showings and booking links visit: whatsonlive.co.uk

View the latest trailers on line

38 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Film - July.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2014 20:26 Page 4

Tammy CERT 15 (97 mins) Starring Melissa McCarthy, Susan Sarandon, Allison Janney, Toni Collette, Sandra Oh, Dan Aykroyd, Kathy Bates Directed by Michael Bay (USA) Now that she’s a bona fide box-office star, Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids, Identity Thief, The Heat) takes solo billing above the title in this comedy. She plays Tammy, who takes to the road with her dipsomaniac grandmother (Sarandon) after losing her job, her car and her husband. Remember Thelma & Louise? Well, forget it.

From Released from Fri 11 July FRI 11 JULY

Begin Again CERT 15 (104 mins) Starring Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, Adam Levine, James Corden, Cee Mr Morgan’s Last Love How To Train Your Dragon 2 Lo Green, Catherine Keener CERT 12a (116 mins) CERT PG (102 mins) Directed by John Carney (USA) Starring Michael Caine, Clémence Poésy, Featuring the voices of Jay Baruchel, Cate Having played bass for the Irish band The Justin Kirk, Jane Alexander, Gillian Anderson Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Frames, filmed their music videos and then di- Directed by Sandra Nettelbeck America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher (Germany/Belgium/USA/France) rected Once, about a street musician, John Car- Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, Djimon Houn- ney returns to the music world for his American Michael Caine may be eighty-one but that does- sou, Kit Harington Directed by Dean DeBlois (USA) directorial debut. Keira Knightley plays a singer- n’t mean he still hasn’t got an eye for the young songwriter who moves to New York with her ladies. Here he plays retired philosophy profes- Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois’ How To boyfriend, only to be cheated on by him. She sor Matthew Morgan Train Your Dragon (2010) was a hard act to then meets Dan (Ruffalo), a disillusioned music who lives in Paris follow. However, DreamWorks Animation has executive… Keira sings! and ‘takes up’ with a pulled out all the stops to produce a cartoon French dance in- spectacular to rival the entertainment value of structor (Poésy, the original. So, now that all the Vikings of aged 31). From San- Berk are at one with the dragons in their dra Nettelbeck, who midst, young Hiccup (Baruchel) feels free to directed the highly explore neighbouring lands on the back of his acclaimed German trusted Toothless. But beyond the familiar film Mostly Martha horizon lie new peoples with a less sympa- (2001). thetic disposition towards our soaring friends... How To Train Your Dragon 2, under Released from Fri 18 July the sole direction of Dean DeBlois, is full of eco-friendly evangelism, warning against the wrong of killing something just because it’s different (Hiccup: “Dragons are kind, amazing Grand Central CERT 15 (95 mins) creatures that can bring people together”). Boyhood CERT 15 (166 mins) Starring Tahar Rahim, Léa Seydoux, Denis There’s also lashings of humour, wonderful di- Starring Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Ménochet, Olivier Gourmet, Johan Libéreau alogue (“soil my britches!” should be adopted Ethan Hawke, Lorelei Linklater Directed by Rebecca Zlotowski (France/Austria) as a preferable alternative to “WTF?”) and en- Directed by Richard Linklater (USA) gaging, colourful characters. But it’s a mark of Winner of the François Chalais Prize at Cannes, This is one film that lives up to its title. Started in the film’s intelligence that we are allowed this is the story of a decontamination sub-con- the summer of 2002, the drama continued pro- some downtime with these individuals - the tractor at a nu- duction through to October 2013, having shot naturalistic human interaction of the charac- clear power plant for a few weeks every year in-between. The film ters is remarkable. One may wonder why Hic- in the lower valley is the story of Mason Jr (Coltrane) and follows cup, coming from a line of Scottish Vikings, of the Rhone. It him from the age of six to eighteen. It’s no sur- has an American accent and Cate Blanchett, doesn’t sound prise, then, that the completed picture runs for as a “feral vigilante dragon lady,” has yet to very exciting, but one hundred-and-sixty-five minutes. Winner of master her Caledonian brogue. But these are the film deals with the Silver Bear for Best Director at this year’s small quibbles when everything else fits to- the everyday Berlin festival. gether so magically. In 3D. problem of radia- tion contamina- tion and stars two Jealousy CERT 12a (77 mins) of France’s Starring Anna Mouglalis, Louis Garrel, Re- hottest young per- becca Convenant, Esther Garrel formers: Tahar Directed by Philippe Garrel (France) Rahim (A Once again the veteran French filmmaker Prophet) and Léa Philippe Garrel casts his son (Louis) in the cen- Seydoux (Blue is tral role of a very Gallic tale of thwarted love. the Warmest This one is set in the world of the theatre and Colour). Louis (Garrel) is an impoverished actor desper-

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ate to make the woman he loves a star. But the prospects don’t look good… Unlike the director’s most famous film, Les amants réguliers (aka Regular Lovers), which was three hours’ long, this is a mere seventy-seven minutes. And it’s in black-and-white.

Some Like It Hot CERT U (116 mins) Starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, George Raft, Pat O’Brien, Joe E. Brown Directed by Billy Wilder (USA) Voted greatest comedy of all time by the Ameri- can Film Institute, Some Like It Hot is likely to be re-released many times yet. Chock-full of iconic moments, it does boast some sparkling dialogue from Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond and is powered by enormous comic energy. But it’s funny to think, looking at it now, that the 1959 film was deemed too provocative for some From US states. So Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon FRI 25 dress up as women - to escape the clutches of JULY some Chicago mobsters - but they wouldn’t pass muster today. Now the farcical elements CERT 15 (117 mins) CERT tbc seem a little over-ripe, while Marilyn Monroe ap- Joe Hercules pears more sweet and ordinary than pneumatic Starring Nicolas Cage, Tye Sheridan, Gary Starring Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, Poulter, Ronnie Gene Blevins, Adriene Mish- Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mul- and goddess-like. ler Directed by David Gordon Green (USA) lan, John Hurt Just as the role of Rooster Cogburn (in True Directed by Brett Ratner (USA) Grit) was a hand-in-glove part for John We know, there was a Hercules film back in Wayne, so the role of Joe Ransom is a tailor- March (The Legend Of Hercules), but did any- made vehicle for Nicolas Cage. A grizzled ex- body actually see it? This one is based on the con with an alcohol and cigarette addiction, graphic novel Hercules: The Thracian Wars Joe is a tough nut trying to stay on the right and has a much better cast. The Rock (sorry, side of the law. When a fifteen-year-old drifter Dwayne Johnson) stars as the demi-god and (Sheridan) enters his life, Joe’s parental in- is recruited by the King of Thrace (John Hurt) stincts are kindled, just as the emotional tem- to combat a tyrannical warlord. Let the mus- perature in his small community heats up. cles clench. And as incoherent rednecks and pot-bellied policemen circle the narrative, so an air of im- manager of Manchester United. Set in 1984, it pending violence builds. The director David Released from Fri 25 July tells of the time Busby came out of retirement to Gordon Green has always had an eye - and coach a team of young Mancunian schoolboys. ear - for the underbelly of American life, and Pudsey The Dog: The Movie here he draws on the hardscrabble ugliness CERT tbc of the backwoods of Texas to stoke his The Purge Anarchy CERT tbc drama. Cage is brilliantly effective as the Featuring the voices of David Walliams, Olivia Starring Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo, Zach Gil- Colman, Peter Serafinowicz, Lorraine Kelly, morally divided loner, while the camerawork, ford, Kiele Sanchez, Michael K. Williams Amanda Holden; and with John Sessions music and intoxicating visuals add to the sim- Directed by James DeMonaco (USA) Directed by Nick Moore (UK) mering stew. Based on the 1991 novel by Last year’s The Purge was one of the most dis- From the director of Horrid Henry: The Movie Larry Brown. turbing and frightening films of 2013. Set in the comes this all-new family adventure about the not-too-distant future, the US government de- border collie/bichon frise/Chinese crested pow- clares a twelve-hour amnesty when anybody derpuff cross. On-the-ball viewers will recall that can commit any crime they like. This time, dur- Pudsey - with his trainer Ashleigh Butler - won ing ‘the purge,’ a couple’s car runs out of petrol Britain’s Got Talent two years ago by doing and they find themselves the prey of a crime- doggy tricks. Here, Pudsey and his three sib- hungry mob… lings move from London to a sleepy seaside village where Pudsey aims to thwart the nefarious dealings of a certain Mr Thorne and his cat Faustus.

Believe CERT PG (96 mins) Starring Brian Cox, Natascha McElhone, Toby Stephens, Anne Reid, Jack Smith, Philip Jackson, Kate Ashfield Directed by David Scheinmann (UK) If you’re not tired of football by now, here’s a true story about Matt Busby (Cox), erstwhile

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ripped straight from the lice officer while being re- Sun 13 - Thurs 17 July; Ar- Thurs 31 July headlines, based on the strained by another. The trix, Bromsgrove, Fri 18 - FilmA-Z LISTINGS book by Captain Phillips mobile phone footage has Thurs 24 July Jimmy’s Hall 12a himself in collaboration been seen by millions of Barry Ward plays the real- All films are currently on general release with Stephan Talty. Show- people. This drama traces Harold And Maud 15 life political activist Jimmy unless otherwise stated. For full listing ing at Foxlowe Arts Centre, Oscar’s last twenty-four The film follows the bur- Gralton, who becomes information, including times and dates, Leek, Tues 1 July hours. Stars Michael B. geoning relationship be- the only Irishman ever to Jordan, Melonie Diaz. tween the gloomy, be deported from Ireland. visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk The Dallas Buyers Club Showing at mac, Birming- twenty-year-old, suicide- This is the story of the 15 ham, Sun 13 - Thurs 17 staging Harold and the dance hall he built. Also 1984 15 Beyond The Edge PG Based on a lengthy article July; The Roses Theatre, sprightly octogenarian stars Simone Kirby. George Orwell's novel of a Docudrama charting Ed- in the Dallas Morning Tewkesbury, Sat 26 July Maude, whose bohemian Showing at Stoke Film totalitarian future society, mund Hilary's historical News, this is a true story wiles and open-arms ap- Theatre, Stoke-On-Trent, in which a man whose ascent of Mount Everest about a homophobic The Grand Budapest proach to living enable Fri 4 July; Ludlow Assem- daily work is rewriting his- in 1953. Combining re- rodeo jock who contracts Hotel 12a Harold's first gentle steps bly Rooms, Weds 23 - tory tries to rebel by falling constructions, found Aids. Matthew Mc- The adventures of the leg- towards embracing exis- Thurs 24 July; Courtyard in love. Stars John Hurt, footage, photographs and Conaughey & Jennifer endary concierge Gus- tence. Showing at Electric Theatre, Hereford, Fri 25 - Suzanna Hamilton. Show- interviews. Showing at Garner star. Showing at tave H. As played by Cinema, Birmingham, Mon 28 July; The Roses ing at Crescent Theatre, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Foxlowe Arts Centre, Tues Ralph Fiennes, Gustave H Weds 30 - Thurs 31 July Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues Birmingham, Weds 9 July South Shropshire, Sat 12 8 July is a wonderful comic char- 29 - Weds 30 July July acter, an articulate, manip- Here And Now 12a 12 Years A Slave 15 Devil’s Knot 15 ulative and brazen fellow A sweet tale of a holiday The Last Picture Show Based on the autobiogra- Blue Ruin 15 Based on the book by who abuses his position romance between lippy 15 phy of Soloman Northup, Dwight Evans is a mysteri- Mara Leveritt, this is the with startling zeal. Ac- city girl Grace and sullen Set in a bleak, isolated who was kidnapped and ous outsider whose quiet true story of three eight- cused of murder and country boy Say. She’s Texas town, this is the sold into slavery in 1841. life on the margins is year-old boys who went chased all over the shop, angry that her parents are story of teenager Sonny Chiwetel Ejiofor and turned upside-down when missing in 1993 in West the fellow never loses his tearing their marriage and his friend Duane, Michael Fassbender star. he returns to his child- Memphis. In the event, nerve. Showing at Stour- apart, while the intriguing who’re destined to fall out Showing at Stourbridge hood home to carry out the boys’ naked bodies bridge Town Hall, Mon 21 Say barely speaks. Stars over their interest in the Town Hall, Mon 7 July; an act of vengeance. were found horrifically July Lauren Johns, Andy stunningly beautiful and The Edge Arts Centre, Proving himself an ama- beaten. Colin Firth plays Rush. Showing at Court- exquisitely manipulative Much Wenlock, Mon 14 teur assassin, he winds the private investigator on Gentlemen Prefer yard Theatre, Hereford, Jacy. Stars Timothy Bot- July up in a brutal fight to pro- the case. Showing at Old Sun 6 - Thurs 17 July toms, Jeff Bridges, Cybill Blondes U tect his estranged family. Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Shepherd. Showing at Two singers, best friends Before The Winter Chill Stars Macon Blair, Devin until Thurs 3 July Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke- Lorelei Lee and Dorothy Honey I Shrunk The 15 Ratray. Showing at Lud- on-Trent, Mon 7 July Shaw, travel to Paris pur- Kids U An upmarket Parisian low Assembly Rooms, Fri A Farewell To Arms PG sued by a private detec- Erstwhile inventor Prof couple’s marriage is put - Sat 5 July; Courtyard A tale of the love between tive hired by Lorelei’s Wayne Szalinski has been Legends Of Oz: under strain when Paul Theatre, Hereford, Mon 21 ambulance driver Lt. fiancé’s disapproving fa- experimenting with an Dorothy’s Return U starts to receive unwanted - Weds 23 July Henry and Nurse Cather- ther to keep an eye on electromagnetic shrinking In this animated musical attention from a younger ine Barkley during World her, a rich, enamoured old machine. He leaves the sequel to the family clas- woman. With bunches of War One. The action man and many other dot- device unattended in his sic, Dorothy wakes up in roses arriving on a daily takes place in Italy. The ing admirers. Stars Jane attic; shortly afterward, it’s post-tornado Kansas, only basis, he begins to take two fall in love during Russell, Marilyn Monroe. accidentally activated and to be whisked back to Oz an interest in her life. the war and will stop at WATCH Showing at Courtyard The- the machine is aimed at to try to save her old Who then, is stalking nothing to be to- atre, Hereford, Thurs 24 - his children, as well as the friends the Scarecrow, the who? Stars Daniel gether. Stars Gary Fri 25 July son of a neighbour. Show- Lion, the Tin Man and Auteuil, Kristin Scott THE FILM Cooper, Helen ing at mac, Birmingham, Glinda from a devious Thomas. Showing at Hayes. Showing at Godzilla 12a Sat 5 July new villain. With the Ludlow Assembly The Roses Theatre, As if Godzilla wasn’t terri- voices of Hugh Dancy, Rooms, South Shrop- TRAILERS AT Tewkesbury, Thurs 17 fying enough, there are In Secret 15 Lea Michele. Showing at shire, Mon 14 - Weds July In 1860s Paris, Therese, The Roses Theatre, 16 July; The Roses The- whatsonlive.co.uk even more malevolent creatures out there, threat- forced into a loveless mar- Tewkesbury, Weds 23 - atre, Tewkesbury, Thurs 17 Frank 15 ening humanity’s very ex- riage by her domineering Tues 29 July July; Courtyard Theatre, Frank is the lead singer of istence. And Godzilla is aunt, embarks on a pas- Hereford, Fri 25 - Weds 30 a band called Soronprfbs pitted against them. Stars sionate affair and hatches Locke 15 July Breakfast [sic], who wears a large Aaron Taylor-Johnson. a deadly plan to secure a While driving from Birm- At Tiffany’s PG papier-mâché mask, not Showing at Ludlow As- future with her new lover. ingham to London, a con- Belle 12a A lonely, struggling writer only when he performs, sembly Rooms, South Stars Elizabeth Olsen, struction manager Based on true events, this becomes enchanted with but when he sleeps and Shropshire, Fri 18 - Sat 19 Oscar Isaac, Tom Felton. receives a phone call. The is the story of Dido Eliza- his neighbour, Holly Go- showers, too. Jon Bur- July Showing at The Roses remainder of the film sees beth Belle, a former slave lightly: an independent roughs is the wannabe Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon Ivan Locke attempting to who’s brought up by her young woman who strives musician who joins the Grace Of Monaco PG 21 - Weds 27 July salvage his life via mobile great uncle. What’s sur- to be a high-climbing so- band when they move to Olivier Dahan’s biography phone as he continues to prising is that Dido is cialite with a penchant for Ireland to cut an album. deals with the marital cri- Jersey Boys 15 race home. Stars Tom mixed race and her uncle high-fashion and wild par- Stars Michael Fassben- sis of the former Grace Before The Beatles, the Hardy, with the voices of was the 1st Earl of Mans- ties. Stars Audrey Hep- der, Domhnall Gleeson. Kelly, who went from most popular rock band Tom Holland, Olivia Col- field, William Murray. Con- burn, George Peppard. Showing at Ludlow As- being Hollywood royalty of all time was The Four man. Showing at Ludlow sequently, Dido is raised Showing at Courtyard The- sembly Rooms, South to bona fide European Seasons. The Broadway Assembly Rooms, Tues 1 - as an aristocrat. Showing atre, Hereford, Weds 16 - Shropshire, Thurs 10 - Fri sovereignty. Starring musical that chronicled Weds 2 July; The Roses at Warwick Arts Centre, Thurs 17 July 11 July; The Roses The- Nicole Kidman and Tim their amazing career has Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 4 Coventry, until Thurs 3 atre, Tewkesbury, Sat 12 Roth. Showing at Light been brought to the big July July; Courtyard Theatre, Captain Phillips 12a July screen by Clint Eastwood. Hereford, Fri 25 - Thurs 31 Tom Hanks plays the House Media Centre, Wolverhampton, until Stars John Lloyd Young, The Love Punch 15 July; The Roses Theatre, eponymous Captain Fruitvale Station 15 Thurs 3 July; The Roses Erich Bergen. Showing at The Love Punch is the Tewkesbury, from Thurs Richard Phillips, who was On New Year’s Eve 2008, Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues mac, Birmingham, Fri 18 - story of two divorcees. 31 July abducted by Somali pi- Oscar Grant III was shot at 8 - Thurs 10 July; Court- Thurs 24 July: Courtyard Reunited at a wedding, rates in 2009. It’s a tale point blank range by a po- yard Theatre, Hereford, Theatre, Hereford, Fri 25 - the ex-couple decide to

FOREST ARTS CENTRE, WAL- ODEON TELFORD ODEON TAMWORTH Worcestershire CINEMA Box Office SALL 01922 645 555 0871 224 4007 0871 224 4007 ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE OMH SHREWSBURY 01527 577330 Shropshire 01743 281281 Warwickshire Birmingham SHOWCASE 0871 220 1000 MALVERN THEATRE VUE CINEMA Star City 08712 CINEWORLD, SHREWSBURY WEM TOWN HALL ODEON COVENTRY 0845 287 2146 CINEWORLD Broad St, B’ham 0871 200 2000 01939 232299 0871 224 4007 240 240 THE NORBURY THEATRE, 0871 200 2000 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, Staffordshire ODEON NUNEATON DROITWICH SPA CINEWORLD Solihull Black Country MUCH WENLOCK 0871 224 4007 08444 777 1000 0871 200 2000 CINEWORLD W’HAMPTON 01952 728 911 CINEWORLD, BURTON-UPON- SHOWCASE, COVENTRY TRENT 0871 200 2000 WAREHOUSE, KIDDER- ELECTRIC, B’ham 0871 200 2000 FESTIVAL DRAYTON CENTRE, 0871 220 1000 MINSTER 0121 643 7879 LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CEN- MARKET DRAYTON THE STAFFORD CINEMA, VUE, LEAMINGTON SPA 01562 747773 STAFFORD EMPIRE 0871 471 4714 TRE, W’HAMPTON 01902 01630 654 444 08712 240 240 VUE, WORCESTER 0207 438 9580 MILLENNIUM POINT 716055 THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY PICTURE HOUSE, STRAT- 0871 224 0240 0121 202 2222 ODEON MERRY HILL, DUD- 01743 234 970 FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, FORD-UPON-AVON 0871 902 THE ROSE’S THEATRE, LEY 0871 22 44007 LEEK 01538 386 112 MAC 0121 446 3232 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS 5741 TEWKESBURY ODEON 0871 224 4007 SHOWCASE, DUDLEY 01584 878 141 STOKE FILM THEATRE, 01782 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE 01684 295 074 0871 220 1000 411188 COVENTRY 02476 524524 REEL Quinton 0121 421 5316 MAJESTIC, BRIDGNORTH 01746 761815

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team up to retrieve the rein the wake of an Israeli American reporter in fantasies filled with hero- French Riviera. But she Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke- tirement money stolen soldier’s killing. Stars Rome. Stars Audrey Hep- ism, romance and action. proves her love by help- On-Trent, Sat 5 July; Artrix, from them. Stars Pierce Adam Bakri, Leem burn, Gregory Peck. Showing at Forest Arts ing him escape so he can Bromsgrove, Mon 21 - Fri Brosnan, Emma Thomp- Lubany.Showing at Light Showing at Light House Centre, Walsall, Fri 11 July clear his name. Also stars 25 July; The Roses The- son. Showing at Artrix, House Media Centre, Media Centre, Wolver- Cary Grant. Showing at atre, Tewkesbury, Thurs 24 Bromsgrove, until Fri 4 Wolverhampton, Tues 1 hampton, Sun 20 July; Sunshine On LeithPG Courtyard Theatre, Here- July July July; Courtyard Theatre, Crescent Theatre, Birm- Inspired by the album of ford, Fri 4 - Sun 6 July Hereford, Mon 21 - Tues ingham, Thurs 31 July the same name by The X-Men: Days Of Future Mandela: Long Walk To 22 July; The Roses The- Proclaimers, Sunshine On The Two Faces Of Jan- Past12a Freedom12a atre, Tewkesbury, Mon 28 Run And Jump15 Leith went from vinyl to uary 12a The future is looking rather The late anti-apartheid ac- July An American doctor trav- CD to stage musical. The The ubiquitous Oscar grim again, so Wolverine tivist Nelson Mandela has els to Ireland to study the film version follows the Isaac (Inside Llewyn (Jackman) is sent back in been played by several Postman Pat: The Casey family after thirty- story of two soldiers from Davis) is back in this time to alter the course of actors, but this is the first MovieU eight-year-old Conor suf- Afghanistan who have to thriller based on the novel history. Stars Hugh Jack- film to be based on Man- Postman Pat now has his fers a stroke which adjust to civilian life in Ed- by Patricia Highsmith. He man, James McAvoy, dela’s autobiography. own (computer-animated) changes his personality, inburgh.Showing at Nor- plays Rydal, a tour guide Michael Fassbender. Idris Elba stars.Showing movie. But who thought leaving dynamo wife and bury Theatre, Weds 16 who shows an American Showing at Festival Dray- at The Edge Arts Centre, that Ronan Keating would mother Vanetia to run the July couple around the Acrop- ton Centre, Market Dray- Much Wenlock, Mon 7 end up singing for the show. Stars Maxine olis of Athens. But Rydal ton, Fri 4, Mon 7 & Tues 8 July; Foxlowe Arts Centre, friendly postman of Peake, Will Forte.Show- A Thousand Times is not all he seems - and July Leek, Tues 15 July Greendale? Yep, PP ening at Light House Media Good Night15 neither, for that matter, is ters a TV talent show, Centre, Wolverhampton, Rebecca is a top war pho- his new friend, Chester The Young And Prodi- until Tues 1 July; The MacFarland. Also stars MaleficentPG leaving his postal duties to tographer. While photo- gious TS Spivit12a Roses Theatre, Tewkes- Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Disney serves up their a line of rather suspicious graphing a female suicide The story of a ten-year-old bury, Tues 29 July Dunst.Showing at The own version of a fairytale robots.Showing at The bomber group, she’s cartographer who sets out Roses Theatre, Tewkes- with this retelling of Sleep- Roses Theatre, Tewkes- badly hurt in an explosion. across country to receive a Saving Mr BanksPG bury, Weds 2 - Mon 7 July; ing Beauty. The twist is bury, from Weds 30 July Back home, her husband prize at the Smithsonian In- Biog of PL Travers, the au- Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 11 - that it’s told from the view- and daughters can no stitute for his discovery of a thor of Mary Poppins. The Mon 14 July point of the wicked fairy Quadrophenia18 longer bear the thought of perpetual-motion machine. film is divided between ‘Mistress of All Evil’, as Franc Roddam’s her dying on assignment. Directed by Jean-Pierre Je- Travers’ early years in The Wind RisesPG created in the original Quadrophenia describes She’s given an ultimatum: unet. Stars Kyle Catlett, He- Australia and the later ne- Hayao Miyazaki is one of 1959 cartoon. Stars An- the experiences of Jimmy choose between your lena Bonham Carter. gotiations with Disney to the leading talents in ani- gelina Jolie and Sharlto and his Mod friends in work or your family. Stars Expect vivid characters and make a film of her popular mation today, having won Copley.Showing at Lud- 1965 London, and how Juliette Binoche, Nikolaj lashings of charm.Show- children’s novel. Emma countless awards and even low Assembly Rooms, they create a world out- Coster-Waldau.Showing ing at Warwick Arts Cen- Thompson & Tom Hanks an Oscar (for his peerless South Shropshire, until side the humdrum and at Ludlow Assembly tre, Coventry, until Thurs 3 star.Showing at Forest 2001 fantasy Spirited Thurs 3 July; Artrix, Broms- mainstream with their Rooms, Mon 7 - Tues 9 July; mac, Birmingham, Arts Centre, Walsall, Thurs Away). Here, he’s adapted grove, Weds 23 - Thurs 24 scooters,Showing at Light July; The Roses Theatre, Sat 12 - Tues 15 July; Lud- 24 July his own manga comic, a July; Courtyard Theatre, House Media Centre, Tewkesbury, Mon 14 July low Assembly Rooms, Fri fictionalised biography of Hereford, Fri 25 - Thurs 31 Wolverhampton, Sun 20 25 - Tues 29 July July July The Secret Life Of Wal- To Catch A ThiefPG the aircraft designer Jiro ter MittyPG In Hitchcock’s classic Horikoshi.Showing at Omar 15 Roman HolidayU Ben Stiller directs and thriller, Grace Kelly plays A young Palestinian free- Romantic comedy telling stars in James Thurber's pampered heiress dom fighter agrees to the story of a bored and classic story of a day- Frances, who suspects re- For full listings visit: work as an informant after sheltered princess who dreamer who escapes his formed jewel thief The Cat he’s tricked into an admis- escapes her guardians anonymous life by disap- of a rash of gem thefts in www.whatsonlive.co.uk sion of guilt by association and falls in love with an pearing into a world of the luxury hotels of the

DVD NEW RELEASES The Book Thief 12a The Lunchbox PG In World War Two Ger- While attempting to spice many, young Liesel finds up her marriage, Ila puts a solace by stealing books note in her husband’s and sharing them with oth- lunchbox. But when it’s ers. In the basement of her delivered to Saajan, a home, Max, a Jewish lonely man on the verge refugee sheltered by her of retirement, an ex- adoptive parents, is teach- change of notes begins ing her to read. Stars So- and a relationship devel- phie Nélisse. ops that could jeopardise Released 7 July both of their worlds. Released 14 July

Need For Speed 12a Based on the most suc- cessful video racing game franchise ever, there are fast cars and unique action sequences in this story of revenge and retri- bution. Stars Aaron Paul. Released 21 July Under The Skin 15 From the director of Sexy The Grand Budapest hacker looking for the A Long Way Down 15 About Last Night 15 Beast and Birth (Jonathan Hotel 15 meaning of life. Of course, Johnny Depp bought the A remake of the 1986 rom- Glazer), this science fiction An original story about a it’s all there in the algebra - rights to Nick Hornby’s com, this version has thriller stars Scarlett Jo- concierge in an imagi- except that Life keeps on 2005 novel before it was changed the colour of the hansson as an alien who nary European country. getting in the way… Stars even published, but has characters and switched preys on hitchhikers in Ralph Fiennes plays the Christoph Waltz and taken a back seat on this the locale. But it’s still about Scotland. You’ll either love it porter of the eponymous Mélanie Thierry. Directed by all-British production. It tells the complications of love or hate it. establishment (in the Re- Terry Gilliam. the story of four people and relationships. Released 14 July public of Zubrowka), and Released 21 July who decide to commit sui- Released 28 July his adventures prove to cide by jumping off a tall be predictably uncon- building in London on New The Lego Movie U ventional. Also stars F Year’s Eve. The twist is that Ordinary guy Emmet is Murray Abraham. Di- they’re all strangers and mistaken for someone who rected by Wes Anderson. each character’s attempt to has the key to save the Released 7 July end his life in solitude is ru- world and finds himself ined by the appearance of drafted to join an epic quest the other. and stop an evil tyrant - a Stars Pierce Brosnan and quest for which he is hilari- The Zero Theorem 15 A science fiction fantasy Toni Collette. ously underprepared. Released 28 July Released 21 July about a reclusive computer

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Birmingham Jazz Festival Various locations in and around Birmingham, Fri 18 - Sun 27 July Set to brighten up all manner of nooks, crannies, shuts and passages in and around the city centre, the annual Birmingham International Jazz Festival entices thousands of visitors to the region every year with its impressive line-up of artists and impromptu performances. In celebration of the festival’s thirtieth anniversary, organisers are promis- ing a bumper event this month, with one hundred- and-seventy-five performances taking place across eighty venues, most of which offer free admission. Although very much a Birmingham affair, the festival regularly attracts acts from across the world. Performers from the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Spain and the USA all feature in this year’s programme.

The Jake Leg Jug Band - The Bureau, Steel Pulse The Mailbox & The Brasshouse

Simmer Down Festival Handsworth Park, Birmingham, Sun 20 July Very much a community affair, Simmer Down is a one-day event celebrating Birmingham’s rich cultural diversity and musical heritage. Organised by The Drum, this year’s event is of special significance, as it forms part of the Aston-based arts centre’s twentieth anniversary celebrations. Musical greats who’ve helped put the Midlands on the map headline the festival’s fifth outing. Grammy Award-winning Steel Pulse - one of the most recognisable reggae acts of all time - appear on the bill alongside Apache Indian, whose fusion of Asian, West Indian and English musical cultures has secured him a global reputation. Musical Youth’s Michael Grant and Dennis Seaton also feature. In addition to its offer of top- notch live entertainment, the festival also hosts an impressive programme of dance Wireless Festival activities, arts and education workshops, and craft stalls from around the world. Perry Park, Birmingham, Fri 4 - Sun 6 July Wireless is the latest festival to establish a dual- site status, with performers taking to the stage during the same weekend in both London’s Finsbury Park and, for the first time, in Birmingham’s Perry Park. In the Midlands, Canadian R&B artist Drake takes top billing on the Friday evening, featuring in a line-up that also includes Rudimental, Knife Party, Wiz Khafila, Labrinth and Azealia Banks. The Saturday evening sees Doo-Wops & Hooligans star Bruno Mars, Outkast, Ellie Goulding and Robin Thicke take the top four slots, while Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Tinie Tempah and Basement Jaxx are guaranteed to bring the festival to an explosive finale on the Sunday night. Blondie, Foxes, Clean Bandit, John Newman and Ella Eyre are just a few of the many other notable acts worth a watch over the weekend. The Selecter Coventry Godiva Festival Memorial Park, Coventry, Fri 4 - Sun 6 July Maintaining its status as one of the biggest free, ticketless festivals in the country, Godiva this year hosts a ska-tastic programme, with Horace Panter, Neville Staple and King Hammond all performing. Friday evening sees The Selecter presenting their semi- nal album, Too Much Pressure, in its entirety, after which they hand over the stage to the headlining Buzzcocks, one of the original trinity of British punk groups. Eighties band The Happy Mondays take top billing on the Saturday evening, while The Lightening Seeds round off the festival with a selection of their crowdpleasing hits on the Sunday. As well as its plethora of well-known names - We Are Scientists, The Ordinary Boys and Funeral For A Friend included - Godiva Festival also provides a platform on which local artists and bands can showcase their skills, while up-and-coming Ellie Goulding comedians are encouraged to ply their wares in the site’s Fargo Village Tent.

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Festivals Splendour Festival Wollaton Park, Nottingham, Sat 19 July Established as Nottingham’s largest outdoor music event and taking place in a stunning setting, Splendour provides its thousands of visitors - of all ages - with the chance to enjoy music both from internationally renowned artists and local up- and-coming talent. Singer-songwriter Tom O’Dell has established quite a following since his debut album, Long Way Down, was released in June 2013, and here performs alongside Happy Mondays, Scouting For Girls, Foxes and The Beat. The Boomtown Rats, Reverend & The Makers and The Rifles appear on the Confetti Stage, while additional entertainment for younger visitors comes courtesy of a kids’ area and funfair.

Mr George’s Famous Last Words Fuse Festival Beacon Park, Lichfield, Fri 11 - Sun 13 July Organised by Lichfield Arts (the team behind the ever-popular Lichfield Folk Festival), this annual community event features a wide variety of arts-based activities. Since its debut more than ten years ago, Fuse has become one of the largest free community arts festivals in the Midlands, attracting thousands of people to Beacon Park to enjoy a diverse range of music performances, theatre skills, storytelling sessions and work- Happy Mondays shops, as well as to browse the festival market’s many and varied stalls. With its three entertainment marquees - Beacon Stage, Park Stage and Cafe Fuse - the festival is a veritable honeypot of talented local and not-so-local bands. Mister George’s Famous Burton Jazz Festival Last Words, a five-piece inspired by the likes of The Killers, Gaslight Anthem and Bruce National Brewery Centre, Burton-upon-Trent, Springsteen, kick off Friday’s proceedings on the Park Stage, while The Born Again Thurs 18 - Sat 19 July Beatles promise to replicate the ‘true sounds’ of the Fab Four in the Beacon Tent. The Chris Elliot Band, Wildfire Rock, the Annie Whitehead Band, The Assist, Wally Von With its unique setting in Burton’s National Zipper, The Arcadians and Radio Mary also contribute to the three-day event. Brewery Centre, this two-day festival delivers a feast of jazz presented by some of the finest performers in the genre. Acclaimed quartet Gypsy Fire and one of Europe’s finest jazz vocalists, Claire Martin, perform consecutively in the main marquee on the Saturday evening. Other notable names featured on the bill include Art Theman Quartet, Zoe Gilby Trio, Ollie Howell Quintet and Stuart McDonald and Organik Trio. Warwick Folk Festival Warwick Showground, Thurs 24 - Sun 27 July Now in its thirty-fifth year, Warwick Folk Festival continues to attract the creme de la creme of the folk world, with Richard Thompson, Breabach, Habadekuk and Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys all headlining in 2014. In addition to four days’-worth of extensive music on its main stages, the festival features a programme of ceilidhs, workshops and talks, dance, a crafts and music fair, a family festival and impromptu acoustic sessions. The accompanying Food & Real Ale And Cider Festival provides visitors with the chance to sample an array of international cuisine. New Rope String Band Festival At The Edge Stoke Barns, Much Wenlock, South Shropshire, Fri 18 - Sun 20 July The beautiful setting of Wenlock Edge provides a perfect backdrop for this annual get- together, which features artists from across the globe. Recognised as one of the oldest events of its kind in England, Festival At The Edge launches major new storytelling endeavours and features performances from some of folk’s finest. Artists confirmed to appear in 2014 include fiddle and melodian players Jess and Richard Arrowsmith, funky folksters Blackbeard’s Tea Party, French trio EnChante and multi-award-winning Anglo- Australian duo James Fagan and Nancy Kerr. Wonderful musicianship and side-splitting comedy comes courtesy of the New Rope String Band, while Canada’s Gail Nyoka, British/Indian storyteller Peter Chand and New Zealand’s self-confessed story-o-phile Richard Thompson and frock-o-holic Tanya Batt are amongst those with a delightful tale or two to tell. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Festivals July 2014.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2014 20:21 Page 5

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Apache Indian, Reggae LOUNGE ON THE FARM Jazz Orchestra & Craig Johnson & Hall and Listings Revolution & Musical Featuring Fun Lovin’ Milverton, Fri 15 - Sun Oates, Fri 29 - Sun 31 Festivals Youth, Sun 20 July, Criminals, Peter Hook 17 Aug, Pershore Aug, Capesthorne Hall, Handsworth Park, and the Light, DJ Yoda College, Worcestershire Cheshire For full listing information on festivals, Birmingham & Courtney Pine, Sat 2 THE MOIRA FURNACE FUSION FESTIVAL including dates and line-up, visit ROCK AND BLUES OLD Aug, Merton Farm, FOLK FESTIVAL Featuring Featuring Jessie J, SCHOOL WEEKENDER Barkby, Nr Leicester Blackbeard’s Tea Party, Pitbull, Lawson & www.whatsonlive.co.uk Featuring Toseland, BULLDOG BASH Other Roads, Lucy Dizzee Rascal, Sat 30 - Dean James, The Kate Eddie and the Hot Featuring Dirty DC, Ward, Something Nasty Sun 31 Aug, Cofton JULY Gee Band & King Rods, Pig Iron & Aynt Skynyrd, The In The Woodshed, Fri Park, Birmingham Edwards School Slaveout, Thurs 24 - Sat Kommitments, Half 15 - Sun 17 Aug, Moira CHELTENHAM MUSIC FES- Orchestra, Fri 11 - Sun 26 July, Coney Grey Deaf Clatch, Thurs 7 - Furnace Museum and SEPTEMBER TIVAL Featuring 13 July, Beacon Park, Showground, Sun 10 Aug, Monument Site, Brodsky Quartet, Lichfield Derbyshire Shakespeare County Derbyshire FESTIVAL NO.6 Featuring Buskaid Soweto Strings BROMSGROVE FOLK FES- WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL Raceway, Stratford BAKEWELL MUSIC FESTI- Pet Shop Boys, Beck, & Nicola Benedetti, TIVAL Featuring Dougie Featuring Habadekuk, Upon Avon VAL Featuring Chas London Grammar, Wed 2 - Sun 13 July, Mclean, Richard John Tams and Barry BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR Hodge’s Band, John Bonobo & Martha and Various venues Digance, Anthony John Coope, Gordie Featuring Megadeth, Coghlan’s Quo, Lucy the Vandellas, Fri 5 - LICHFIELD FESTIVAL Clarke & Mike Silver, Fri MacKeeman and his Down, Emperor & Ward & George Sun 7 Sept, 2014 line-up includes; 11 - Sun 13 July, The Rhythm Boys & Carcass, Thurs 7 - Sun Borowski, Fri 15 - Sun Portmeirion, North Brodsky, Catrin Finch & Bowling Green, Breabach, Thurs 24 - 10 Aug, Catton Park, 17 Aug, The Wales Seckou Keita, Benjamin Bromsgrove, Sun 27 July, various Derbyshire Showground, ONBOARD THE CRAFT Baker & Aquarelle Worcestershire venues around STRAWBERRY FIELDS Derbyshire FESTIVAL Featuring Pre- String Quartet, Fri 4 - WORKHOUSE FESTIVAL Warwickshire FESTIVAL Featuring LICHFIELD FAKE FESTIVAL Mad, Moulettes, Sat 13 July, Various Featuring Ash GLOBAL GATHERING Reverend And The Featuring Supreme Leatheratm Harvey venues around Lichfield Mandrake, Bleedin Featuring Prodigy, Makers, Steve Lawler, Queen, Oasish & Bainbridge & Flutatious, NATIONAL FOREST FOLK Noses, Soul Preachers Chase & Status, David The Rifles & Catfish and Coldplace, Sat 16 Aug, Fri 5 - Sat 6 Sept, Stoke FESTIVAL Featuring & The Misty Blue Trio, Guetta & Knife Party, Fri the Bottlemen, Fri 8 - Beacon Park, Lichfield, Prior Country Club, Steeleye Span, Fri 11 - Mon 14 July, 25 - Sat 26 July, Long Sun 10 Aug, Cattow Staffordshire Bromsgrove Shooglenifty, The Llanfyllin, Powys Marston Airfield, Farm, Leicester SUMMER FESTIVAL WHITWELL FESTIVAL OF Mighty Doonans & The NOISILY FESTIVAL Stratford upon Avon FARMER PHIL’S FESTIVAL Featuring Ms Dynamite, MUSIC Featuring Doctor Shee, Fri 4 - Sun 6 July, Featuring Max Cooper, DEERSTOCK Featuring Featuring The Orb, The Hannah Wants, DJ and the Medics, James Conkers, Leicestershire Slam, Gaudi & This Wicked Tongue, Blockheads, Ferocious Luck & Neat & Artful Warner Prophecies, GODIVA FESTIVAL Symphonix, Fri 11 - Cadets, Parasite, Dog & The Delray Dodger, Sat 16 Aug, Dirtbox Disco & I Set Featuring Happy Sun 13 July, Coney Bongolistic Intent, Fri Rockets, Fri 8 - Sun 10 Donington Park, Derby The Sea On Fire, Fri 5 - Mondays, Funeral For A Woods, Leicestershire 25 - Sun 27 July, Aug, Gatten Farm, SHAMBALA FESTIVAL Sun 7 Sept, Community Friend, We Are THE ROCK AND BIKE FEST Newton, Nottingham Shrewsbury Featuring Mulatu Centre, Whitwell, Scientists & Buzzcocks, Featuring White Coast SINGING STICKS FESTIVAL JUNCTION 16 Featuring Astatke, Collie Buddz, Derbyshire Fri 4 - Sun 6 July, Rebels, Chase The Ace, Featuring Los Monkeys Katherine Jenkins, Fri 8 Public Service STOURBRIDGE FOLK FES- Memorial Park, Snakecharmer & Evil Musica, Inta Africa, Dub - Sun 10 Aug, Betley Broadcasting, Cumbria TIVAL Featuring The Coventry Scarecrow, Thurs 17 - Didge & Super Roo, Fri Court Farm, Crewe, All Stars, By The Rivers Strawbs, Scott WIRELESS FESTIVAL Sun 20 July, Carnfield 25 - Sun 27 July, The Cheshire & Babyhead, Thur 21 - Matthews, Roberts & Featuring Kayne West, Hall, Derby Overstone Scout Camp, LAKEFEST Featuring The Sun 24, Secret location Lakeman & The Outkast, Bruno Mars, BIRMINGHAM INTERNA- Northamptonshire Bad Shepherds, in The Midlands Stubble Brothers, Fri 5 - Drake, Fri 4 - Sun 6 TIONAL JAZZ AND BLUES INDIETRACKS MUSIC FES- Buzzcocks, Shed CREAMFIELDS Featuring Sun 7 Sept, Red House July, Perry Park, FESTIVAL Featuring TIVAL Featuring Gruff Seven & Lightning Avicii, Deadmau5, Glass Cone, Birmingham Bratislava Hot Rhys, Allo Darlin’, Dean Seeds, Fri 8 - Sun 10 Fatboy Slim & Above Stourbridge STRATFORD RIVER FESTI- Serenaders, Bruce Wareham & Spearmint, Aug, Croft Farm and Beyond, Fri 22 - OAKFEST Featuring Bad VAL 2014 line-up to be Adams, Art Themen & Fri 25 - Sun 27 July, Waterpark, Tewkesbury Sun 24 Aug, Daresbury, Manners, From The announced, Sat 5 - Sun Electric Swing Circus, Butterley Station, RUGBY MUSIC FESTIVAL Cheshire Jam & The Troggs, Sat 6 July, Recreation Fri 18 - Sun 27 July, Derbyshire Featuring Dead BEERMAGEDDON 6 Sept, Hartshill Park, Ground, Stratford-upon- Various locations BAREFOOT FESTIVAL Frequency, White Men Featuring Lawnmower Telford, Shropshire Avon throughout Birmingham Featuring SuperEvolver, Can’t Funk, Soul Deth, Skreamer, The ZOO PROJECT Featuring BLUES AT THE FOLD L FEST Featuring Erin DC Fontana & Laurel Rhymaz & Paper Street, Starry Wisdom Cult & Groove Armada, Mr Featuring Steve McKeown, Never The Canyons, Fri 25 - Mon Sat 9 Aug, Whitehall Kambrium, Fri 22 - Sun Scruff, Ten Walls & Ben Morrison, Mumbo- Bride, D’lys, Jenny 28 July, Prestwold Hall, Recreational Grounds, 24 Aug, Stoke Prior UFO, Fri 12 - Sun 14 Jumbo, Wily Bo Walker Lockyer & Sounds Of Leicestershire Rugby, Warwickshire Country Club, Sept, Donington Park, and the Mescal Canyon Sirens, Fri 18 - Mon 21 LEICESTER MUSIC FESTI- OSFEST Featuring Bromsgrove Derbyshire Troubadours & The June, Uttoxeter VAL Featuring Professor Paloma Faith (DJ set), SHREWSBURY FOLK FES- SHREWSBURY FIELDS Blues Duo featuring Racecourse, Green, Tinie Tempah, The Hoosiers, From TIVAL Featuring FOREVER FESTIVAL Tommy Allen and Staffordshire Kool & The Gang, The Jam & The Bay Bellowhead, Seth Featuring Tinie Tempah, Johnny Hewit, Sat 5 HOLE IN THE WALL Blind Labrinth, Fri 25 - Sat 26 City Rollers, Sat 9 - Sun Lakeman, Blackie and Shed Seven, New York July, The Fold, Lemon, The Bookends, July, Welford Road 10 Aug, Oswestry the Rodeo Kings & Lau, Tourists & Blues Boy Worcester Mummy Mia! & The Stadium, Leicestershire Showground, Fri 22 - Mon 25 Aug, Dan Own, Fri 12 - Sun 2000TRESS FESTIVAL Quo AKA Four Rossis, CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTI- Shropshire West Midland 14 Sept, West Midland Featuring Frightened Fri 18 - Sun 20 July, VAL Featuring Van THE GREEN MAN FESTI- Showground, Showground, Rabbit, The Bronx, Kids Hopton Court, Morrison, Sinead VAL Featuring Beirut, Shrewsbury Shrewsbury In Glass Houses, Blood Kidderminster O’Connor, Newton First Aid Kit, Neutral T-LIVE Featuring Rick ROCK AND METAL CIRCUS Red Shoes, Thurs 10 - ALIVE AT DELAPRE PARK Faulkner & Ladysmith Milk Hotel & The Astley, Lawson, Go FESTIVAL Featuring Sat 12 July, Upcote Featuring Simple Black Mambazo, Thurs Waterboys, Thurs 14 - West & Union J, Fri 29 - Voodoo Six, Exit State, Farm, Cheltenham, Minds, Boyzone, 31 - Sun 3 Aug, Cherry Sun 17 Aug, Glanusk Sat 30 Aug, Telford Gehtika & Triaxis, Fri 12 Gloucestershire Bananarama & Rick Hinton Hall Ground, Park, Powys Town Park, Shropshire - Sun 14 Sept, Sywell BREWOOD MUSIC FESTI- Astley, Fri 18 - Sun 20 Cambridge V FESTIVAL Featuring MOSELEY FOLK FESTIVAL Aerodome, VAL Featuring Glenn July, Delapre Park, Justin Timberlake, The Featuring Johnny Marr, Northamptonshire Tilbrook, Laurence Northamptonshire Killers, Ed Sheeran & The Waterboys, Richard AUGUST BROMYARD FOLK FESTI- Jones, Toploader & By SPLENDOUR Featuring Paolo Nutini, Sat 16 - Thompson & Lau, Fri VAL Featuring The Rivers, Thurs 10 - Tom Odell, Happy Sun 17 Aug, Weston 29 - Sun 31 Aug, Oysterband, Vin Sun 13, Market Place, Mondays, Boomtown Y-NOT Featuring Dizzee Park, Staffordshire Moseley Park, Garbutt, The Old Dance Brewood, Staffordshire Rats & Reverend And Rascal, White Lies, ALT-FEST Featuring The Birmingham School & Whapweasel, NAPTON FESTIVAL The Makers, Sat 19 Frank Turner and The Cult, Gary Numan, WORCESTER MUSIC FES- Fri 12 - Sun 14 Sept, Featuring Grace Solero, July, Wollaton Park, Sleeping Souls & The Cradle Of Filth & Arch TIVAL Featuring The Various locations Voodoo Vegas, Nina Nottingham Fratellis, Fri 1 Aug - Sun Enemy, Fri 15 - Sun 17 Crooked Empire, around Bromyard Baker & The Fallows, ONE BEAT WEEKENDER 3 Aug, Mouldrige Lane, Aug, Boughton House, Skewwhiff, Cracked SNODFEST Featuring Fri 11 - Sat 12 July, Featuring Troumaca, Derbyshire Northamptonshire Actors & Point Zero, Fri Skewwhiff, Shatter Napton Village Hall Johnny Foreigner, CARFEST NORTH THE JUST SO FESTIVAL 29 - Sun 31, Various Effect, Ronin & Crazy Grounds, Warwickshire Dumb & Juice, Sat 19 - Featuring Jools Featuring Gabby Young locations around 88s, Sat 13 Sept, The MOSTLY JAZZ, FUNK & Sun 20 July, Cannon Holland, Seasick Steve, and Other Animals, Worcester Park, Worcestershire SOUL FESTIVAL Hill Park, Birmingham Erasure & Eliza Perhaps Contraption, OFF THE TRACKS SUM- Featuring Mavis FOLK BY THE OAK Doolittle, Fri 1 - Sun 3 Mr Wilson’s Second MER FESTIVAL Featuring Staples, Earth Wind & Featuring Seth Aug, Oulton Park Race Liners & Kidnap Alice, The Orb, Ozric Fire Experience featur- Lakeman, Kathryn Circuit, Cheshire Fri 15 - Sun 17 Aug, Tentacles & OCTOBER ing Al McKay, Fun Tickell & The Side, NOZSTOCK Featuring Rode Hall Parkland, Treacherous Orchestra, Lovin’ Criminals & Josienne Clarke & Ben Roots Manuva, The Cheshire Fri 29 - Sun 31 Aug, DERBY FOLK FESTIVAL Omar Souleyman, Fri Walker, Sun 20 July, Heavy, The Skints & PERSHORE JAZZ FESTIVAL Donington Park Featuring David Gibb, 11 - Sun 13 July, various venues around Molotov Jukebox, Fri 1 Featuring Adrian Cox Farmhouse, Derbyshire Elly Lucas & Cardboard Moseley Park, B’ham Nottingham - Sun 3 Aug, The Farm, Quartet, Alan Barnes, REWIND FESTIVAL Fox, Fri 3 - Sun 5 Oct, FUSE FESTIVAL Featuring SIMMER DOWN FESTIVAL Bromyard, Bohem Ragtime Jazz Featuring Billy Ocean, Assembly Rooms, Tom Woodman Band, Featuring Steel Pulse, Worcestershire Band, Midland Youth Boomtown Rats, Holly Market Place, Derby

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A Glass Act Bilston Craft Gallery, until Sat 30 August Functional objects for domestic use - from the everyday tumbler through to intricate candelabras - are featured in this exhibition of contemporary glass tableware. The display explores not only why so many craftspeople focus on making items for the table but also how people use, understand and value glassware. The items on show have been blown, cast, kiln-formed, fused and engraved, and offer a fascinating insight into the potential of the medium.

Noémie Goudal: The Geometrical Determination Of Julio le Parc, Longue March, 1976, Lithograph © The Artist The Sunrise New Art Gallery, Walsall, Pop Europe! Thurs 10 July - Sun 14 September Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 5 July - Sat 7 February, 2015 French artist Noémie Goudal is much admired for Taking a look at artists working on the continent in a comparative aesthetic, Pop Europe! her large-format photographs which, inspired by brings together colourful Pop and Op Art with examples of Expressionist and Abstract secluded and isolated places, possess an impres- art. The exhibition seeks to place Europe’s contribution to Pop Art in the context of the sive narrative power. work being produced on both sides of the Atlantic, in Britain and America. Featuring new examples of the kind of work for A free mobile app to accompany the exhibition is being released to coincide with the which she’s become well known, this is Noémie’s opening of the exhibition and a book exploring the key ideas expressed in the exhibition, first ever solo exhibition, and sees the artist also entitled POP EUROPE!, will be available from the Art Gallery. extend her photographic practice into the area of film and installation for the very first time. Noémie’s new works refer to Brutalist and Cosmic Exposed: The Body Indian architecture, exploring her ongoing interest in geomorphic structures and the relationship In Art From Durer between nature and artifice. To Freud Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, Sat 12 July - Sun 31 August Exploring artistic responses to the human body, this new Herbert partnership with Birmingham Museum features Burne-Jones’ pre-raphaelite Pygmalion series, presenting ideals of love and aspiration. Via works by Albrecht Dürer, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Barbara Hepworth, Helen Chadwick, Francis Bacon, Gillian Wearing and Lucian Freud, Exposed rein- forces Jones’ five themes: the body as focus for the artist’s observation; the creation of the ‘ideal’ body; the mutation of the body; art as a means of preserv- ing and memorialising the body; Noémie Goudal, Tanker (film still), 2014, Courtesy the and the body as a vehicle for the artist. Commissioned by The New Art Gallery Walsall. artist’s imagination and fantasy.

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and ceramics, until Sat Cezanne & Picasso, PREVIEWS LISTINGS 30 Aug, Rugby Museum until Sun 5 Oct, The VisualArts VisualArts & Art Gallery Barber Institute, Birmingham For full listing information on Visual Art PHOENIX: THE STORY OF THE BRITISH HEAT RESIST- A RIVER RUNS THROUGH Further exhibitions exhibitions, including times and dates, ING GLASS COMPANY IT Works on paper from visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Showcase of works cel- the Barber’s collection, ebrating the Bilston- until Sun 26 Oct, The based Phoenix compa- Barber Institute, SIGNIFICANT FEATURES A JENNY RYRIE: WHITE ny, until Sat 30 Aug, Birmingham A Trio Of Artists collaborative project WATER, WHITE LIGHT A Bilston Craft Gallery TOM, FRANK AND MAY Red House Glass Cone, Stourbridge, from BA & MA students display of abstract paint- MADE AT MAC - CERAMICS Original material, uni- until Sun 3 August from the Architecture & ings in water-based Led by tutors Sue Dyer forms, handling activi- Art & Design courses at media that respond to Comprising paintings inspired by nature, por- and Wendy Tournay, the ties and a short film Birmingham City the natural and mystical exhibition puts a spot- which demonstrates the traits and collograph prints, A Trio Of Artists University, until Sat 5 energies of the sea and light on ceramics and is role played by the Merry showcases work by three talented July, School of Art coastline, until Sat 26 set to inspire audiences family during World War Midlanders - Anne Hackett, Clare Sherwen Bournville, Birmingham July, RBSA Gallery, and students alike, until One, until Fri 31 Oct, Birmingham and Chris Taplee. STAFFORDSHIRE OPEN Sun 31 Aug, mac, Blakesley Hall, Former Birmingham University tutor Anne ART Annual showcase LASTING IMPRESSIONS: Birmingham Birmingham for the region’s artistic 20TH CENTURY PORTRAIT produces acrylic, watercolour and collaged CORNELIA PARKER EXHIBI- SENSATIONAL CLAY ‘Fun talent, until Sun 6 July, PRINTS Third in a collab- images of plants and flowers. TION The third in a series and thought-provoking Shire Hall Gallery, orative series with the of five exhibitions to be exhibition for all the fam- Wolverhampton University graduate Clare Stafford National Portrait Gallery, presented in Ikon's ily’, until Sat 1 Nov, specialises in collograph prints which have a London, until Sun 28 RICHARD LONG: SPRING Tower Room as part of Worcester City Art Sept, The Barber textual and tonal quality that denote a sense CIRCLE, 1992 until Wed 9 the gallery's birthday cel- Gallery & Museum of heritage. Oldbury-based Chris paints July, The New Art Institute, Birmingham ebrations, until Sun 31 SYMMETRY IN SCULP- Gallery, Walsall BRIAN AND GILL TANDY under the name of Kris Whoosh, and is a Aug, Ikon Gallery, TURE Focusing on the EXHIBITION Selling exhi- self-taught portrait artist working mainly with JUSTYNA PTAK: THE Birmingham recent work of one of bition of works inspired acrylic and oils. HOUSE Collection of COME CREATE Exhibition the UK’s most exciting by the geological struc- photographs & large to inspire visitors to British Asian artists, Commenting on A Trio Of Artists, John Millar, tures of Brown Clee Hill transparencies which explore and demon- Zarah Hussain, until director of the urban environment at Dudley in south Shropshire, explore the relationship strate their creativity Sun 2 Nov, Birmingham until Wed 30 July, Council, which runs the Red House Glass between thought & through displays, Museum & Art Gallery Cone, said: “This is a beautiful exhibition. image, until Sat 12 July, Weston Park, hands-on interactives TRUE TO LIFE? NEW PHO- Wolverhampton Art Staffordshire The artists all have very different styles and and fun activities, until TOGRAPHY FROM THE Gallery WE WORKED AT THE subjects, resulting in an eclectic range of Sun 7 Sept, Thinktank, MIDDLE EAST Exhibition PORCELAIN Photographic pieces that work together because of their PRIZE EXHIBITION Popular Birmingham featuring a selection of exhibition focusing on exhibition which pro- EIGHT CENTURIES OF HIS- loaned photos from the local flavour. I’m sure that people visiting the some of Royal vides a platform for TORY Exhibition looking British and Victoria & cone will enjoy this exhibition as part of their Worcester’s many crafts- artists in a range of at the life and times of Albert Museums, until men and women, until day out.” media, until Sat 12 July, the Earls of Dudley, who Sun 2 Nov, Birmingham Fri 1 Aug, The Museum RBSA, Birmingham lived at Himley Hall, until Museum & Art Gallery of Royal Worcester HAWTHORN MAKES THE Sun 7 Sept, Himley Hall BACK TO FRONT: 40 PER- GRACE SCHWINDT: ONLY A SWEETEST BREAD & Park, Dudley MANENT COLLECTION FREE INDIVIDUAL CAN As Exciting As We Can Exhibition exploring the CERAMIC EMPIRE: THE GEMS Exhibition which CREATE A FREE SOCIETY art of breadmaking and TRADE IN STAFFORDSHIRE celebrates the fortieth Film installation which Make It the baking heritage of POTTERY Exhibition anniversary of the revisits discussions the north Staffordshire, until exploring the supply gallery’s Garman Ryan Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, artist witnessed as a Sat 13 July, Newcastle and representation of collection, until Sat 16 Wed 2 July - Sun 31 August child surrounded by left- Borough Museum & Art the Empire in Nov, New Art Gallery, wing individuals, until Presented as part of the Ikon’s fiftieth Gallery, Staffordshire Staffordshire pottery, Walsall anniversary celebrations, As Exciting As We Sat 2 Aug, Eastside mounted to coincide WHO AM I? Exploring the Projects, Birmingham WALSALL’S GREAT WAR Can Make It surveys the gallery’s programme concept of citizenship, with MP Tristram Hunt’s Exhibition marking the HOME AWAY FROM HOME of work from the 1980s, a decade which saw heritage and identity in new book on the cities centenary of WWI and Photographs, artefacts England today, until of the Empire, until Sun the impact of the Home the rise of postmodernism in line with broad- and oral history come Mon 15 July, The Drum, 7 Sept, The Potteries Front on Walsall, until er cultural shifts taking place under the together in this exhibi- Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Sat 29 Nov, Walsall Thatcher government. The exhibition brings tion, which captures the Stoke-on-Trent THE GREAT WAR COM- Local History Centre together paintings, sculpture, installation, film experiences of women MEMORATIVE EXHIBITION 40 YEARS OF WATCHING FAITH AND FORTUNE and photography, with highlights including migrating from Mirpur to PAINT DRY Featuring the Exhibition by the Birmingham in the Exhibition exploring the Dennis Oppenheim’s Vibrating Forest (1982) Cheshire Artist Network, work of fine artist, car- early histories of two of 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, toonist and comedy - a piece made from welded steel, a can- until Fri 18 July, RAF until Sun 3 Aug, the world’s great reli- Museum, Cosford writer Geoff Tristram, gions, until Sun 30 Nov, dyfloss-maker and unfired fireworks - and Birmingham Museum & until Sun 7 Sept, Himley Charles Garrad’s Monsoon (1986), which ARTISTS’ STUDIO: SARAH Art Gallery The Barber Institute, Park & Hall, Dudley Birmingham sees a small South East Asian restaurant TAYLOR SILVERWOOD DANIEL MEADOWS: EARLY Exhibition from SECRET GARDEN CRAFT THE JEWELLERY QUARTER subjected to theatrical effects of thunder and PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKS EXHIBITION Collection of Birmingham-based artist Impressive works from DURING THE FIRST lightning in order to conjure up an evocative Sarah Taylor jewellery, textiles and WORLD WAR Exhibition one of the most influen- ceramics exploring fairy- environment... The culture and politics of the Silverwood, whose tial figures to emerge of artefacts, images and 1980s is the focus of a related public pro- practice is grounded in tales and narratives, oral histories relating to from the new wave of until Sat 13 Sep, RBSA gramme that includes artists’ talks and film drawing, narrative and British independent the recruitment of sol- landscape, until Sun 20 Gallery, Birmingham screenings. photography in the diers from the Jewellery July, New Art Gallery, 1970s, until Sun 17 Aug, MARVELLOUS MACHINES: Quarter, until Sun 14 Walsall Library of Birmingham THE WONDERFUL WORLD Dec, Museum of the OF ROWLAND EMETT The Jewellery Quarter, LARISSA SANSOUR: SUMMER SHOWCASE largest ever display of Birmingham NATION ESTATE Featuring textiles, Palestinian artist Larissa Emett’s work, telling the TRACED Permanent exhi- ceramics, homewares story of the innovator’s Sansour presents an and delicate paper jew- bition tracing the suc- iconic take on the politi- life in Birmingham, until cess of art & design in ellery, until Sat 16 Aug, Sun 21 Sept, cal situation in Israel and Bilston Craft Gallery Wolverhampton, and Palestine, until Sat 26 Birmingham Museum & bringing together works 400 YEARS OF THE SELFIE July, Wolverhampton Art Art Gallery by local artists from the Exploring how the mod- Gallery LASTING IMPRESSIONS museum’s collection, ern portrait developed in Third in a collaborative until Wed 31 Dec, HOLLY ANTRUM: A DIF- England, from the series with the National Wolverhampton Art FUSE CITIZEN Solo exhi- Elizabethans to photo- bition comprising digital Portrait Gallery, London, Gallery graphs taken by Martin until Sun 28 Sept, The film & printmaking, until Parr in Sandwell in CRAFTSENSE Featuring Sat 26 July, Grand Barber Institute, over one hundred of the 2010, until Sat 30 Aug, Birmingham Union, Birmingham Wednesbury Museum & world-renowned Bilston RAINBOW BRIDGE - THE Art Gallery CONVERSATIONS A dis- enamels, until Wed 31 play which spans four Dec, Bilston Craft SILENT VOICES Exhibition THE BEST IS NOT TOO by Glenda Dolman, until centuries of printmaking Gallery GOOD FOR YOU and features works by Sat 26 July, Bilston Craft Showcase of Pop Art SENSING SCULPTURE Gallery Rembrandt, Goya, Featuring new sculp-

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West Midlands region STATIC: STILL LIFE RECON- SHARIF WAKED - CHIC who require Palestinians LISTINGS speaking various mono- SIDERED A series of POINT: FASHION FOR to demonstrate that they VisualArts logues as if from the works which bring ISRAELI CHECKPOINTS are not carrying explo- grave, Fri 18 July - Sun together a range of Palestinian artist Sharif sives or weapons, Wed For full listing information on Visual Art 12 Oct, New Art Gallery, artistic styles from the Waked presents a glam- 30 July - Sat 20 Sept, exhibitions, including times and dates, Walsall late-1800s to the pres- orous fashion show, but Wolverhampton Art visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk SHROPSHIRE SCRIBES ent day, Sat 26 July - with uniquely designed Gallery CALLIGRAPHY EXHIBITION Wed 31 Dec, clothes made to meet Demonstrations and a Birmingham Museum & the daily demands of tures alongside old SUMMER SHOWCASE Art Gallery the checkpoint soldiers, favourites, until Wed 31 Selling exhibition featur- chance to try your hand Dec, Wolverhampton Art ing jewellery, ceramics, at calligraphy, Sat 19 Gallery mosaic wall pieces & July - Sat 2 Aug, St Museums & Art Galleries textile works, Sat 12 Mary’s Church, WOLVERHAMPTON PHOTO- Shrewsbury GRAPHIC SOCIETY July - Sun 31 Aug, Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford SIAN MACFARLANE: WE Birmingham BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS Staffordshire Exhibition which traces MUSEUM, DUDLEY ARE ILLUMINATED NEWCASTLE BOROUGH the rich and influential PRINT BIENNIAL Open ARTIFEX Sutton Coldfield 01384 812745 Exhibition which acts as 0121 323 3776 MUSEUM & ART GALLERY history of photography exhibition comprising DUDLEY MUSEUM & ART a response to the BARBER INSTITUTE 01782 232323 in Wolverhampton from works using a variety of GALLERY the mid-19th century to techniques, Wed 16 artist’s research into the 0121 414 7333 THE POTTERIES MUSEUM & 01384 815575 ART GALLERY, STOKE-ON- the present day, Tues 1 July - Sat 23 Aug, history of fairs and car- BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & nivals, cinema and cele- ART GALLERY 0121 303 LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CENTRE TRENT 01782 232323 - Thurs 31 July, RBSA, Birmingham WOLVERHAMPTON Wolverhampton City bration in the Walsall 2834 SHIRE HALL GALLERY SOUND AND VISION 01902 716055 STAFFORD 01785 278345 Archives area, from the 19th cen- CASTLE GALLERIES Family-friendly interac- tury to the present day, 0121 248 8484 THE NEW ART GALLERY STAFFORDSHIRE MUSEUM, AEROFILMS: BRITAIN tive exhibition compris- Mon 21 July - Sun 3 WALSALL 01922 654400 SHUGBOROUGH FROM ABOVE ing themed crafts and GRAND UNION 01889 881388 Aug, New Art Gallery, 0121 643 9079 RED HOUSE GLASS CONE Photographic exhibition trails around the muse- Walsall 01384 812750 providing a unique view um, Sat 19 July - Sun IKON GALLERY WOLVERHAMPTON ART of the development of 31 Aug, Newcastle STAN JOYCE ARBSA 0121 248 0708 Warwickshire GALLERY 01902 552055 Britain’s urban centres Borough Museum & Art Retrospective exhibition NUMBER NINE THE GALLERY COMPTON VERNEY GALLERY and rural landscapes of Gallery, Staffordshire highlighting the artist’s 0121 643 9099 01926 645500 lifelong passion for art, Shropshire the 20th century, Tues 1 EXHIBITION OF PHOTO- RBSA GALLERY HERBERT ART GALLERY July - Sun 31 Aug, from nudes to land- 0121 2364353 BEAR STEPS GALLERY, COVENTRY 02476 832386 GRAPHS FROM THE TER- scapes, Mon 21 July - Library of Birmingham SHREWSBURY MEAD GALLERY WARWICK ENCE SPENCER ARCHIVE Sat 30 Aug, RBSA, STRYX GALLERY, DIGBETH [email protected] 01743 344994 02476 524524 DEALING WITH DREAMS: Eclectic collection of Birmingham THE GARMAN RYAN COL- work from the one-time THREE WHITE WALLS SHREWSBURY MUSEUM & ROYAL PUMP ROOMS LECTION 40TH ANNIVER- photojournalist of LIFE BRIAN YALE: FIRST GALLERY ART GALLERY 01926 742700 SARY Exhibition which magazine. This exhibi- WORLD WAR BATTLEFIELD 0121 200 3328 01743 258885 RUGBY MUSEUM & ART tells the stories of the tion has been curated PAINTINGS Exhibition of TWENTY TWENTY GALLERY, GALLERY 01788 533201 Garman Ryan collection by Spencer’s daughter work by Cradley-born Black Country MUCH WENLOCK artist Brian Yale which 01952 727952 from its conception to Cara, Sat 19 July - Sun BANTOCK HOUSE Worcestershire the present day, with 31 Aug, Shrewsbury forms part of the THE WILLOW GALLERY, gallery’s commemora- WOLVERHAMPTON WORCESTER CITY ART previously unseen Museum & Art Gallery 01902 552195 OSWESTRY archive material and art- tion of the First World 01691 657575 GALLERY 01905 25371 GILLIAN WEARING: WE War, Sat 26 July - Sat 29 BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY works, Thurs 10 July - ARE HERE A single- 01902 552507 Sun 16 Nov, The New Nov, Wolverhampton Art Visit whatsonlive.co.uk screen video work fea- Gallery for venue website details Art Gallery, Walsall turing people from the

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Antiques For Everyone NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 24 - Sun 27 July As one of the UK’s largest fairs of its kind, Antiques For Everyone expert Vanessa Paterson, the collection is one of the biggest of its continues to attract a huge number of dealers from across the UK kind ever to be exhibited in the UK. and abroad. They descend on Birmingham’s NEC to showcase an Book lovers, meanwhile, are sure to be interested in an illustrated eclectic array of antiques and collectables, ranging from kitchenalia limited edition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, marking the four hun- through to fine works of art worth in excess of £20,000. dred-and-fiftieth anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth. The high-profile event regularly features impressive displays of Each book is individually numbered and signed by celebrated illus- unusual items. An exhibition of amber - the world’s oldest antique, at trator and artist Christian Birmingham, with just four hundred-and-fifty between twenty and one hundred million-years-old - takes centre- copies produced and launched at the fair. stage at this summer’s event. Curated by world-renowned amber

Camper Jam Weston Park, Staffordshire, Fri 4 - Sun 6 July The beautiful grounds of Weston Park provide the perfect setting for this popular annual event, which is aimed at owners and lovers of the VW Bus in all its models and types. One of the most anticipated and highly regarded Volkswagen shows on the calendar, the weekend-long Camper Jam this year includes live music tributes to Abba, Madonna and Michael Jackson, drumming workshops, the K9 Dog Show, children’s entertainment with Rooobarb Krumble, Barefoot Chef’s Celebrity Barbie Challenge, Boomwhackers Workshop and the Onesie Party. 1940s Weekend Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Sat 19 - Sun 20 July Spivs, canary girls and British and US troops take centre-stage at Dudley’s award-winning open-air museum this month, where visitors are invited to dress in costume and experience the spirit of the 1940s. Make do and mend, home front kitchen and beauty tips all feature on the wartime agenda, while those thinking of getting spliced vintage-style are sure to be interested in the array of wedding dresses on display in the on-site chapel. A memorabilia market, period activities, and musical entertainment courtesy of vocalist Laura Bill are just a few of the other attractions on offer over the weekend. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 55 Events July Region Two.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2014 20:52 Page 3

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Events PREVIEWS CBD Food Festival Victoria Square, Birmingham, Fri 18 - Sat 19 July Showcasing the ‘excellent food and drink offering’ available in Birmingham’s commercial quarter, Colmore Business District, this two-day event features an eclectic programme of entertainment and edible delights. In addition to demonstrations from top chefs, baristas and mixologists, visitors can enjoy outdoor theatre performances and a magic show, while music comes courtesy of Colmore Chorus and the Birmingham International Jazz and Blues Festival. The festival features plenty of old favourites, amongst which are the Michelin-starred Purnells restaurant, Nepalese venue Jojolapa, the Urban Coffee Company, the Old Joint Stock Pub & Theatre, Hotel du Vin, Metro Bar & Grill and Opus At Cornwall Ancient Wisdom Street. Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, Tues 1 July - Mon 1 September A warm welcome is also extended to some Ever wondered what the ancients did for us? If so, this interactive touring exhibition - new to of the district’s newer venues, with contem- Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery - should hopefully satisfy your curiosity, courtesy of its porary Indian restaurant Isaacs, bar and deli plethora of child-friendly, hands-on activities. Find out how the Greeks used the sun to burn The Bureau, oriental restaurant Chung Ying their enemies’ ships, how the Egyptians locked their doors, and how to write your name in Central and craft beer and food experts Pure hieroglyphics. Accompanying activities include using small marble and stone tiles to create Bar & Kitchen each having a presence at this your own mosaic design, building a Roman arch and testing its strength, and learning the art major event on Birmingham’s gastro calen- of communicating with your friends using flags, just as the Romans did. dar. Made In China Workshop Eastnor Castle Country Show Enginuity, Ironbridge, Shropshire, Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire, Sat 19 July - Sun 31 August Sat 12 - Sun 13 July Discover more about China’s inventions, sci- Acclaimed medieval jousting team Knights ence and technologies via a series of Of The Damned are one of the highlights at themed workshops over the school summer this brand new show. Organised by Oakleigh holidays. Hands-on activities include using Fairs, the two-day event has all the elements brightly coloured cards and tissue paper to of a perfect family day out. As well as the make kites, boats and shadow puppets; dec- Knights, the programme also includes: Living orating paper bricks to place in the on-site History re-enactors A Moment In Time, offer- Great Wall Of Enginuity; solving trangram ing an insight into different periods through- puzzles and following a trail which links the out history; a traditional Punch & Judy show; museum’s exhibits to the inventions in cookery demonstrations from Masterchef The Science Of Circus China. Presenter-led shows in Gadgetdom - finalist Ondine Hartgroves; and practical Thinktank, Birmingham, Tues 29 July highlighting the enormous contribution that horse demonstrations with horse whisperer Grant Bastin. Ever wondered why jugglers love gravity, China has made to the world of design and Birds of prey flying displays, a goat show, how clowns use ‘the force’ like a Jedi, or technology - also feature. displays of working gundogs, terrier racing, why unicyclists need to keep moving to stay traditional craft demonstrations, performanc- still? Well, this unique one-day event promises from Plonkers agricultural orchestra and es to provide the answers to these questions the Companion Dog Show also feature. The and more in an exploration of the thrills and only thing that’s not guaranteed is the sun- spills of the circus. One of a series of five shine, so fingers crossed on that one! Circus Academy presentations across Birmingham Museum sites, The Science Of Circus offers visitors the chance not only to enjoy a summer of circus skills and performances but also to uncover some of the hid- den treasures within the city. Cosford Food Festival RAF Cosford, Nr Wolverhampton, Sat 26 - Sun 27 July Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, which attracted in excess of six thousand-five hundred visitors, Cosford Food Festival this month returns with yet more attractions to tantalise the tastebuds. The show features eighty-plus independent food and drink retailers showcasing their wares, a vast programme of food-related events, live music and children’s craft activities. A £5 adult ticket to the show also allows access to the RAF Museum, home to over seventy historic aircraft (including the world’s oldest Spitfire and the mighty Vulcan bomber, to name but two).

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Events PREVIEWS Great British Food Festival Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire, Sat 5 - Sun 6 July A fabulous foodie day out for all the family is promised at this popular event. More than eighty local producers, chef demos, artisan talks, cookery lessons and live music feature in the weekend’s packed programme of activities, with a Cake Off competition and a Men v Food challenge sure to be real highlights of the show. The latter invites the stur- diest of men to test their levels of endurance by taking on the Men versus Meat, Men versus Heat or Men versus Wheat challenges. Those wishing for a less energetic form of entertainment can relax and listen to live music courtesy of the Jam Factory and James Gillespie. Face painting, balloon modelling and kids’ cookery classes are on offer for youngsters, while visitors who pay an additional £5 admission fee get entry to all of Shugborough’s usual attractions. Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire, Sat 26 - Sun 27 July CS Lewis’ much-loved tale is at the centre of this imaginative weekend at Blists Hill Victorian Town. Visitors are invited to attend dressed as characters from the story, join the Queen of Hearts for a game of croquet, and follow a clue-led trail around the town to find the Cheshire Cat. Blists Hill regulars Kaleidoscope and Sundial theatre groups are also on hand, roaming the grounds in costume and performing scenes from the book. A programme of themed, hands-on activities for children and a portrait prize for the best dressed person in costume also feature.

performances, promise ‘nailbiting’ stunts in the main arena on the first day of the show. Jane Austen Day Other weekend highlights include parades of Soho House, Birmingham, Sun 20 July vintage tractors, winning cattle and horses, Step back in time and discover the romantic Meirion Owen & The Quack Pack, displays world of Jane Austen in an event which from the Whitchurch Dog Display Team, explores what life would’ve been like for the Black Country Festival Street Dance Telford and Stafford Morris. eighteenth century English novelist. Various locations across the Black Country, Dippy The Clown, meanwhile, is sure to Promenade drama performances, regency Sat 12 - Sun 14 July delight younger visitors with his hilarious dance workshops and embroidery demon- A celebration on a grand scale, this debuting antics. strations are all presented in the stunning festival features numerous satellite events New attractions for 2014 include Wot’s setting of Soho House. across the region, all of which have the same Cooking, with master chefs, and leading aim in mind - to celebrate Black Country Day. food and wine experts demonstrating their Live music, comedy, food & drink and arts & expertise throughout the day. An interhunt craft events take centre-stage at numerous relay and the Shropshire v Staffordshire YFC Birmingham Beer Bash Bond Co, Digbeth, Birmingham, locations. Here’s just a taster of what’s on intercounty competition also feature. Thurs 24 - Sat 26 July offer... Fizzog Productions promise new comedy An event conceived by a group of beer blog- sketches, a few old favourites and lots of gers and social media beer enthusiasts laughter at Brierley Hill. A taste of the Black returns to Birmingham’s canalside this Country - faggots and peas - is served up at month. Taking place across three evenings Coseley Summerhill Community Centre and (with a Saturday afternoon session thrown in Cradley Heath Library. A Black Country for good measure), the Birmingham Beer weekend, featuring musical performances, Bash does exactly what it says on the tin, live demonstrations and a hot metal trail, providing punters with the chance to enjoy takes place at the Black Country Living some of the best beer the Midlands has to Museum. A real ale festival offers the chance offer. There are plenty of UK beers to enjoy to sample some delightful brews at Dudley too, not to mention an extensive selection of Canal Trust. The American Dream, featuring foreign brews. A special project to bring sev- the sounds of the great American musicals, eral historic beers back to life also comes to is performed at Dudley Town Hall. fruition, with the event showcasing six beers The main event, meanwhile, boasting an Activefest manufactured between 1833 and 1929. And beer historian Ron Pattinson is on hand to extensive programme of outdoor entertain- Shugborough, Staffordshire, ment, takes place at Dudley’s Stone Square Sat 26 - Sun 27 July promote his recent book, which is aimed at on 12 July. For full details of what’s happen- encouraging home brewers to recreate vin- This inaugural event celebrates and pro- tage recipes. An array of edible delights, ing and where, visit www.blackcountryfesti- motes the very best in outdoor pursuits, val.co.uk including street food to suit all tastes, also sports, hobbies and crafts for all ages. The features, as do beer and food-matching ses- two-day festival is designed to appeal to any- sions. And for those Newport Show one looking to try their hand at something wishing to discover and new, and boasts a wide range of exhibitors, learn, the festival’s fringe Chetwynd Park, Newport, Shropshire, sports clubs and retailers. Sat 12 July programme showcases With its ‘something for all’ ethos, the show talks from industry Australian stunt man The Kangaroo Kid and also features a diverse range of entertain- experts, established his equally daring son are the star attractions ment and activities, all of which are designed brewers and new start- at this popular event, which regularly attracts not only to get people motivated but also to ups (and boasts plenty of thousands of visitors. The duo, who’ve won offer inspiration on how to keep your kids Nicci Peet tastings too!). Photography international fame for their adrenaline-packed entertained during the summer holidays.

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Newport, Shropshire home, Tue 8 July, artist Frieda van de Wenlock, Shropshire LISTINGS BIRMINGHAM TOURS Jackfield Tile Museum, Poll, Sat 12 July, SUNBEAM TIGER RALLY Events MUSEUM HERITAGE BUS Ironbridge Herbert Museum & Art Sun 13 July, Heritage Enjoy a ride on the Big MUSIC FOR YOUTH - Gallery, Coventry Motor Centre, Gaydon, For full listing information on Events, Brum Open Top Buz ROCK, POP & URBAN The WHEATON ASTON CARNI- Warwickshire including times and dates, visit and discover MFY National Festival VAL Celebrating the CANAL WALK Sun 13 Birmingham’s unique celebrates its tenth year hundredth anniversary July, Attingham Park, www.whatsonlive.co.uk Heritage Sites on the in Birmingham with of WWI, Sat 12 July, Shrewsbury first Sunday of the over 8,000 of the UK’s Wheaton Aston, SUNDAY TALK WITH BIG BRUM OPEN TOP BUZ month, Sun 6 July, most talented musi- Staffordshire CANON COCHRANE from SIGHTSEEING TOUR Sat 5 Aston Hall/Soho House, cians, all aged 21 and THE OFFICIAL BLACK SLIDEA Insight into the July, Starts Victoria TUES 1 JULY Birmingham under, performing all COUNTRY FESTIVAL MAIN man who was the vicar Square & ends SUMMER SUNDAY FUN & styles of music in the EVENT Featuring poets, of Yardley in the 1920s, Colmore Row, CAR RALLY Sun 6 July, concert halls of the city, buskers & themed Sun 13 July, Blakesley LUDLOW SHAKESPEARE & Birmingham Eastnor Castle, Tues 8 - Sat 12 July, stalls, Sat 12 July, Hall, Birmingham ARTS FESTIVAL until Sun CUSTARD FIND FOOD Herefordshire Birmingham Town Hall Stone Square, Dudley OXFORD ILLUSTRATED 6 July, Ludlow Castle, MARKET Sat 5 July, VINTAGE AND POST VIN- MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS EVENING SCENIC HISTORY OF THE FIRST South Shropshire Gibb Street, TAGE THOROUGHBRED Wed 9 - Sun 13 July, SPECIALS A scenic WORLD WAR Presented TILE DECORATING Birmingham The ever-popular annu- Beckett's Farm, evening ride, with the by acclaimed historian WORKSHOPS Drop-in BOYS BRIGADE 125TH al MAC Vintage meet- Alcester Rd, added option of a tradi- Sir Hew Strachan, Sun sessions where partici- CELEBRATION Sat 5 July, ing in association with Birmingham tional fish and chip 13 July, George Hotel, pants use the tech- Birmingham Botanical the Vintage Sports Car BREWOOD MUSIC FESTI- supper, Sat 12 July, Lichfield nique known as tube Gardens Club, which is a special VAL Showcase of young Severn Valley Railway, UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS: lining to decorate their BIRDS OF PREY EXPERI- draw for lovers of vin- performers spanning Kidderminster BEHIND THE SCENES very own tile to take ENCE Sat 5 July, tage racing cars the numerous musical gen- THE NEWPORT SHOW TOUR Revealing what home, Tue 1 July, Cannock Chase Visitor world over, Sun 6 July, res, Thurs 10 - Sun 13 Annual event which this goes on behind the Jackfield Tile Museum, Centre Shelsey Walsh, July, various locations, year welcomes Aussie scenes of a stately Ironbridge, Shropshire FARMER'S MARKET All Worcestershire Brewood, Stafford daredevil The Kangaroo home, this unique tour STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD the stalls sell local food, SECOND HAND BOOK FOLK CRUISE Live music Kid - and his equally takes in some of the TOUR & VISIT TO CON- drink, craft and pro- SALE Sun 6 July, on board the Sabrina, daring teenage son - site's twenty-eight bed- SERVATION STUDIO Wed duce. Including, Sarehole Mill, Fri 11 July, departs for an adrenaline- rooms and offers a 2 July, Birmingham sweets, apple juice, Birmingham Victoria Quay, fuelled performance in chance to learn about Museum bread, cakes, honey, FAMILY ORIENTEERING Shrewsbury the main arena, Sat 12 the Weston Park REAL ALE FESTIVAL smoked meats, hand COMPETITION Chance to THE GREAT WAR An July, Chetwynd Park, Foundation, the charita- Featuring sixty real dyed yarns, beer, test your navigational evening of poetry & Newport, Shropshire ble trust that owns and ales, ciders & wines, plants and much more, skills, Sun 6 July, music to commemorate HUMBLE PIE PUPPET maintains the venue, Wed 2 - Sat 5 July, Sat 5 July, The Severn Valley Country the centenary of World PANTOMIME Music, Sun 13 July, Weston Dudley Canal Trust Discovery Centre, Park, Bridgnorth, War One, Fri 11 July, magic, mime and Park, Staffordshire LICHFIELD FESTIVAL Craven Arms, South Shropshire National Memorial Humble Pie’s famous RACE FOR LIFE A 5km Annual celebration of Shropshire AWAKEN YOUR SENSES Arboretum, puppets... Sat 12 July, run around the park in classical music, dance, HUMBLE PIE PUPPET Mind, body, spirit event, Staffordshire Wonderland, Telford aid of Cancer Research drama, film, jazz, litera- PANTOMIME Music, Sun 6 July, Kings Heath MIDLAND MOTORHOME Town Park, Shropshire UK, Sun 13 July, ture & poetry, Fri 4 - magic, mime and Cricket Club, SALE Fri 11 - Sun 13 LEATHER BAG-MAKING Himley Hall & Park, Sun 13 July, various Humble Pie’s famous Birmingham July, Stafford County WORKSHOP Create a Wolverhampton locations throughout puppets... Sat 5 July, WISH YOU WERE HERE Showground leather messenger bag LIVING HISTORY DAY & Lichfield Wonderland, Telford History wardrobe Arboretum, with Sarah Benson KNIGHT SCHOOL FRIDAY TWILIGHT: HID- Town Park, Shropshire demonstration of sea- Staffordshire from the Identity Store, Medieval family fun, DEN TREASURES IDENTI- GIFT MAKING side clothing from the BLACK COUNTRY CELE- Sat 12 July, Walsall Sun 13 July, Weoley FICATION EVENING Take WORKSHOPS Sat 5 July, eighteenth century BRATION DAY Featuring Leather Museum Castle, Birmingham along your heirlooms, Jackfield Tile Museum, onwards, Sun 6 July, outdoor stalls, BBQ, WILDFEST Featuring an SUMMER FUN DAY A collectables & antiques Ironbridge, Shropshire Potteries Museum & Art traditional games & array of stalls, live fundraiser day for Marie to be identified, Fri 4 THE GREAT BRITISH FOOD Gallery food, Sat 12 July, music, traditional craft Curie featuring stalls, a July, Potteries Museum FESTIVAL Featuring TREE TRAIL Join Summerhill Community demonstrations & activ- bouncy castle, face & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- games & activities for Himley’s senior park Centre, Coseley ities, Sat 12 July, painting, a Pimms tent Trent kids, balloon races, warden for a walk FIZZGOG PROODUCTIONS: Shropshire Wildlife and much more. Music OVER THE FENCE bake-offs, live music, around the grounds of ANOTHER ONE NIGHT Trust Visitor Centre, entertainment comes Acclaimed Australian and an array of food & Himley Hall, discover- STAND Forming part of Shrewsbury from The Severn Ukes, film festival makes its drink from the show's ing some of the trees Black Country Day, Sat FOOD FESTIVAL A brand The Brickaleles, The debut in Brum, featur- exhibitors, Sat 5 - Sun on site. Pre-booking 12 July, Brierley Hill new addition to the Crown Ukes and Geoff ing selected films 6 July, Shugborough essential! Sun 6 July, Civic Hall Severn Valley Railway Rodgers, Sun 13 July, exploring death, love & Historic Working Estate, Himley Hall, Dudley GLASS ENGRAVING ADULT calendar, Sat 12 - Sun Isle Estate, Bicton, Nr desire, Fri 4 - Sat 5 Staffordshire CAMERA FAIR The UK’s WORKSHOP Learn the 13 July, Severn Valley Shrewsbury July, Films show at The BUSHCRAFT CAMP OUT largest independent basics of hand- Railway, Kidderminster STAFFORD MORRIS Edge in Cheapside & Enjoy a night under the camera fair, featuring engraved glass with BIG BRUM OPEN TOP BUZ Demonstrations of tra- The Custard Factory stars... Booking essen- over one hundred Charlotte Hughes SIGHTSEEING TOUR Sat ditional dancing... Sun Theatre, Birmingham tial! Sat 5 - Sun 6 July, tables and a wide Martin and create a per- 12 - Sun 13 July, Starts 13 July, Moseley Old LONGTON BEER FESTIVAL Dudmaston Estate, range of vendors, Sun sonalised glass to take Victoria Square & ends Hall, Wolverhampton Featuring live music Bridgnorth, Shropshire 6 July, Wolverhampton home, Sat 12 July, Colmore Row, ROSIE’S WALK & FESTI- and a huge range of STEP BACK TO THE 1940S Racecourse Bilston Craft Gallery Birmingham VAL Charity walk fol- beers & ciders, Fri 4 - Popular event taking a CLUB LEGENDS CUP WW2 WEEKEND - THE lowed by live entertain- Sun 6 July, Gladstone lighthearted journey Unique six-a-side STAFFORDS IN 1944 ment & fun activities, Pottery Museum, back to wartime Britain. Week Commencing indoor football tourna- Featuring battle re- Sun 13 July, Aldridge Stoke-on-Trent Attractions include cos- MON 7 JULY ment, Sat 12 July, LG enactments, demon- Airport, Walsall CAMPER JAM Highlights tumed re-enactments, Arena, Birmingham strations & hands-on CIRCUS SKILLS WORK- include live bands, a 1940s Blackout Fair, SUN, SEA & SAND activities, Sat 12 - Sun SHOP Clown around food village, children's displays of historic civil- CONSERVATION WEEK Themed event which 13 July, Staffordshire and have a go at jug- activities and the ever- ian & military vehicles, Series of events in sup- ties in with the Regimental Museum gling, stiltwalking, uni- popular 'cooking in a a wartime operations port of Barbary Potteries’ current exhi- INTERNATIONAL cycling, tightrope-walk- camper' competition, room and stands featur- macaques in the wild, bition. Expect donkey FORMULA CARS & ing, plate-spinning & Fri 4 - Sun 6 July ing period memorabilia, Mon 7 - Sun 13 July, rides, ice cream and SUPPORT RACES Sat 12 more... Sun 13 July, Weston Park, Sat 5 - Sun 6 July, Trentham Monkey 1920s-styled bathers, July - Sun 13 July, Eastnor Castle, Staffordshire Severn Valley Railway, Forest, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 12 July, Potteries Donington Park Herefordshire OPEN DAY Part of Black Kidderminster Staffordshire Museum & Art Gallery, BLACK COUNTRY Country Festival cele- SOOTY’S WACKY WORK- BRINDLEYPLACE FILM Stoke-on-Trent WEEKEND Sat 12 - Sun brations, Sat 5 July, SHOP Brand new, exclu- Week Commencing FESTIVAL Free outdoor VINTAGE TEA PARTY Take 13 July, Black Country Dudley Fire Station sive live show direct event screening a stroll back to the Living Museum, Dudley MON 14 JULY WWI CENTENARY AND D- from CITV, Sat 5 - Sun Birmingham’s favourite ‘make do and mend’ OSWESTRY FOOD & DAY 70TH ANNIVERSARY 6 July, Cadbury World, films, Mon 7 - Sun 13 era of the 1940s with DRINK FESTIVAL Popular COMMEMORATION Birmingham July, Central Square, various themed activi- annual event, Sat 12 - MATTER HATTER’S TEA Concert featuring the SUMMER FOOD & CRAFT Brindleyplace, ties & workshops, Sat Sun 13 July, various PARTY Mon 14 July, music of the time - FAIR Sat 5 - Sun 6 July, Birmingham 12 July, Cathedral venues in and around Birmingham Botanical including Glenn Miller, Attingham Park, Nr TILE DECORATING Close, Lichfield Oswestry, North Gardens played by the superb Shrewsbury WORKSHOPS Drop-in LEAMINGTON SUMMER Shropshire TILE DECORATING Don Mather Big Band, CHETWYND MEDIEVAL sessions where partici- CARNIVAL Sat 12 July, WENLOCK OLYMPIAN WORKSHOPS Drop-in vocalists and the FAIR Featuring all the pants use the tech- Leamington Spa GAMES Featuring com- sessions where partici- Birmingham Military pageant of medieval nique known as tube DRAWING FROM ANTIQUI- petitions in a variety of pants use the tech- Community Choir, Sat 5 England, Sat 5 - Sun 6 lining to decorate their TY Expand your skills sporting disciplines, Sat nique known as tube July, Old Rep, July, Chetwynd Park, Birmingham very own tile to take under the guidance of 12 - Sun 20 July, Much lining to decorate their

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MEETING POINT: corner of Colmore Row & Waterloo Street, Victoria Square

TOUR TIMES: 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm

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

AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE HIRE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

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the grounds to find the clues and win a prize, Events LISTINGS Sat 19 July - Sun 31 Aug, Attingham Park, For full listing information on Events, Shrewsbury including times and dates, visit SUMMER ACTIVITIES Sat www.whatsonlive.co.uk 19 July - Tues 2 Sept, Emma Bridgewater very own tile to take - sit back and celebrate Factory, Stoke-on-Trent home, Tue 15 July, the work of the Marie THE LAUGHTER CREWE A Jackfield Tile Museum, Curie nurses with live comedy and curry Ironbridge, Shropshire music & entertainment, night, Sun 20 July, MEET ME AT BANTOCK Sat 19 July, Crewe Lyceum Regular conversation Shugborough Historic BARBECUE ON THE BEACH club for people aged Working Estate, Take along your bike fifty years and over, Staffordshire and enjoy an early- Tues 15 July, Bantock PEEP BEHIND THE evening ride around House Museum, SCENES A unique Chasewater and Norton Wolverhampton insight into what goes Bog; stop for a BBQ on TENTH ANNIVERSARY on behind the scenes the beach to refuel, GARDEN TOURS Discover to keep Severn Valley Sun 20 July, the story behind the Railway running, Sat 19 Chasewater Country restoration of Trentham July, Severn Valley Park, Brownhills, Staffs Gardens, Fri 18 July, Railway, Kidderminster BUTTERLY WALK Join the Trentham Gardens, 1940S WEEKEND Sat 19 - guided walk and Staffordshire Sun 20 July, Black become part of the SUMMER CERAMIC DROP- Country Living National Butterfly IN WORKSHOPS Fri 18 Museum, Dudley Survey, Sun 20 July, July - Fri 22 August, THE BIG ART SHOW A Sarehole Mill, Coalport China fine art and high-end Birmingham Museum, Ironbridge, craft show featuring BEGINNERS ORIENTEER- Shropshire sculptures, painters, ING Fun activity suitable SUMMER FUN Featuring metal workers, jew- for all ages, Sun 20 a plethora of activities ellers, glass artists, July, Biddulph Grange, Staffs for the school holidays, ceramicists, furniture Seaside fun - The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent Fri 18 July - Sun 28 designers & textiles, HUMBLE PIE PUPPET PANTOMIME Music, Sept, Park Hall Sat 19 - Sun 20 July, roundings that inspired Aug, Moseley Old Hall, Ironbridge, South magic, mime and Countryside, Oswestry, West Midland JRR Tolkien, Sun 20 Wolverhampton Shropshire Humble Pie’s famous North Shropshire Showground, July, Sarehole Mill, EVENING OUTDOOR SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIV- puppets... Sun 20 July, MADE IN CHINA Shrewsbury Birmingham SCREENING OF WAR ITY WEDNESDAYS Castle Wonderland, Telford WORKSHOP Featuring COUNTRY FAIR Artisan- TREASURE HUNT Explore HORSE Tues 22 July, tours with Lady Town Park, Shropshire boatmaking, kites, silk themed fair for all the the magical castle National Memorial Caroline (11am, DRAGONFLY WALK Sun painting, paper-making family, Sat 19 - Sun 20 grounds and collect Arboretum, Burton- 1.30pm & 4pm) and 20 July, Attingham and printing Fri 18 July July, Emma your sweetie treasure, upon-Trent Birds of Prey flying dis- Park, Shrewsbury - Sun 31 August, Bridgewater Factory, Sun 20 - Thurs 24 July, CLAY CUP & SAUCER plays (12.30pm & ICE CREAM SUNDAE AND Enginuity, Ironbridge, Stoke-on-Trent Eastnor Castle, WORKSHOP Children’s 3pm), Wed 23 July, CLASSIC FUN DAY Sun PEEP BEHIND THE LARGE MODEL AIRCRAFT Herefordshire workshop where Ludlow Castle, South 20 July, Apley Farm SCENES Insight into the RALLY An air show in SUMMER TREASURE youngsters can demon- Shropshire Shop, Norton, Shifnal, work that takes place to miniature, Sat 19 July - HUNT Daily holiday fun, strate their creative side PEDAL FOR HEALTH Shropshire keep Severn Valley Sun 20 July, RAF where participants can and make a decorative TASTER DAY Wed 23 CANNOCK CHASE 100 Railway’s heritage Cosford, Nr solve the clues around cup and saucer to take July, Shrewsbury SPORTIVE Trio of rides trains running, Sat 19 Wolverhampton the park to win a home, Tues 22 July, Sports Village, which sees cyclists tra- July, Severn Valley BIG BRUM OPEN TOP BUZ medal, Sun 20 July - Bilston Craft Gallery Shrewsbury versing some of Railway, Kidderminster SIGHTSEEING TOUR Sat Tues 2 September SPORTY PEG PEOPLE SUMMER FUN DAY Staffordshire's most NORTH OF ENGLAND DAL- 19 - Sat 20 July, Starts Hawkstone Park & WORKSHOP Make a ‘peg Featuring children’s beautiful villages, sce- MATION SHOW Sat 19 Victoria Square & ends Follies, Weston-under- person’ playing your entertainment, face nic woodland, exciting July, Stafford Colmore Row, Redcastle, North favourite sport and dec- painting & balloon climbs and stunning Showground Birmingham Shropshire orated in your team modelling, Wed 23 July, countryside, Sun 20 VINTAGE RETRO FAIR IF YOU GO DOWN IN THE colours, Tues 22 July, Gladstone Pottery July, Shugborough Unique and original WOODS... Use sticks to Gladstone Pottery Museum, Stoke-on- Historic Working Estate, Week Commencing clothes, accessories, make a trail for you and Museum, Stoke-on- Trent Staffordshire homeware, jewellery your family to follow MON 21 JULY Trent AWESOME ART ADVEN- SPIRITUAL WOLVERLEY and crafts for sale, Sat before making your GALLERY TALK: JOSEPH TURE See if you’ve got Holistic Event, Sun 20 19 July, St Thomas' own catapult and hav- CHAMBERLAIN, A BIRM- what it takes to become July, Wolverley Church Hall, ing a go at firing it on AWESOME ART ADVEN- INGHAM ICON Tues 22 a great garden detec- Memorial Hall, Stourbridge Moseley’s firing range, TURE See if you’ve got July, Birmingham tive, Wed 23 July, Kidderminster VINTAGE SPORTS CAR Sat 19 - Sun 20 July, what it takes to become Museum & Art Gallery Dudmaston Estate, BUTTERFLY DISPLAY See RACES Sat 19 July Moseley Old Hall, a great garden detec- FESTIVAL OF BRITISH Bridgnorth, close-up some of the Donington Park Wolverhampton tive, Mon 21 July, ARCHAEOLOGY KIDS Shropshire UK’s most beautiful BUSHCRAFT CAMP OUT THE OWL EXPERIENCE Dudmaston Estate, WORKSHOP Tues 22 - BUG HOTEL WORKSHOP butterflies. There’s also Enjoy a night under the See owl conservation in Bridgnorth, Thurs 24 July, Museum Make a bug hotel for a chance to make a big stars... Booking essen- action, with live owls to Shropshire of Cannock Chase, the mini-beasts in your bamboo butterfly with tial! Sat 19 July, admire and hold, Sat SUMMER HOLIDAY TILE Staffs garden, Wed 23 July, local artworker Jim Dudmaston Estate, 19 - Sun 20 July, DECORATING WORKSHOP SILLY SUNGLASSES Sarehole Mill, Morris, Sun 20 July, Bridgnorth, Shropshire Trentham Monkey Mon 21 - Fri 25 July, CRAFT ACTIVITY Make a Birmingham Sarehole Mill, DRUM, DANCE, DYNAMIX Forest, Staffordshire Jackfield Tile Museum, pair of sunglasses to SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIV- Birmingham Day of free musical RALLY IN THE VALLEY Ironbridge, Shropshire wear to the Potteries’ ITY THURSDAYS Castle CAN YOU DIG? Learn entertainment organ- Annual steam & vintage SAND PICTURES WORK- Seaside Exhibition, tours with Lady archaeological skills ised by Shrewsbury engine rally with arena SHOP Mon 21 - Fri 25 Tues 22 - Fri 25 July, Caroline, living history, with the Ironbridge Morris Dancers, Sat 19 displays & crafts, Sat July, Wedgewood Potteries Museum & Art have-a-go archery, Young Archaeologist’s July, The Square, 19 - Sun 20 July, Edgar Museum, Stoke-on- Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent dressing up and vari- Club, an event for kids Shrewsbury Davies Rugby Ground, Trent TEDDY DAY Take your ous other activities, wishing to learn more SILVER PENDANT JEW- Bridgnorth, Shropshire SUMMER CERAMIC DROP- favourite teddy along to Thurs 24 July, Ludlow about what archaeolo- ELLERY WORKSHOP SHROPSHIRE SCRIBES IN WORKSHOPS Mon 21 enjoy trails, stories & Castle, South gists do, Sun 20 July, Adult jewellery work- CALLIGRAPHY EXHIBITION - Fri 25 July, Coalport more... Wed 23 July Shropshire Coalbrookdale Museum shop, Sat 19 July, Demonstrations and a China Museum, Shugborough Historic SUMMERY STAINED of Iron, Ironbridge, Museum of Jewellery chance to try your hand Ironbridge, Shropshire Working Estate, GLASS WINDOWS WORK- Shropshire Quarter, Birmingham at calligraphy, Sat 19 ESCAPE TO FRANCE TRAIL Staffordshire SHOP Children’s event, LUDLOW DOG DAY New MARIE CURIE WALK 10 July - Sat 2 Aug, St Follow King Charles II’s HANDS-ON WITH THE Thurs 24 July, Bilston event with dog display Twilight walk through Mary’s Church, escape from JACKFIELD TILE MOULD Craft Gallery team, stalls, food, com- the estate's nine hun- Shrewsbury Parliamentary soldiers Help the Ironbridge WIND CHIME CRAFT petitions & fun... Sun dred-acre classical SUMMER HOLIDAY in a scaled-down ver- Gorge Archaeology ACTIVITY Have a go at 20 July, Stokesay landscape, in aid of FAMILY ACTIVITIES Sat sion where, using a Volunteer Group cata- making a beaded wind- Court, Craven Arms, Marie Curie Cancer 19 July - Sun 31 compass, you can find logue a collection of chime to take home for South Shropshire Care. Participants are August, Blists Hill, your way to an imagi- tiles moulds, Wed 23 your garden, Thurs 24 THE ORIGINS OF MIDDLE- invited to pack a picnic Ironbridge, Shropshire nary France and safety, July, Coalbrookdale July, Sarehole Mill, EARTH WALK A guided basket and - post walk HOLIDAY TRAILS Explore Mon 21 July - Sun 3 Museum of Iron, Birmingham walk exploring the sur-

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fun with the Victorian Westerners re-enact- Events LISTINGS ment group, Sat 26 - Sun 27 July, Red For full listing information on Events, House Glass Cone, including times and dates, visit Stourbridge www.whatsonlive.co.uk CHURCH STRETTON ARTS FESTIVAL Sat 26 July - CRAFTY THURSDAYS Fun Saltwells Nature Sat 9 Aug, various loca- creative activities for Reserve, Dudley tions, Church Stretton, families, Thurs 24 July, LEEK & DISTRICT SHOW South Shropshire Blakesley Hall, Sat 26 July, Leek, FESTIVAL OF BLACK Birmingham Staffordshire COUNTRY VEHICLES The STORYTELLING WEEK CONCERT IN THE CASTLE annual gathering of Thurs 24 - Wed 30 July, An evening of music cars, motorcycles and Hawkstone Park & and poetry in the commercial vehicles Follies, Weston-under- grounds of Shrewsbury built in the Black Redcastle, North Castle to commemo- Country sees over one Shropshire rate World War One, hundred vehicles SCHOOL HOLIDAY FRIDAY Sat 26 July, parade around the NATURE SESSIONS Join Shrewsbury Castle museum site, Sun 27 the site’s rangers and INTRO TO ACTING WORK- July, Black Country get closer to nature SHOP A course which Living Museum, Dudley around the park, Fri 25 caters for people aged UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS: July, Severn Valley 16-plus which covers BEHIND THE SCENES Country Park, ensemble work, basic TOUR Revealing what Bridgnorth, Shropshire stage & acting tech- goes on behind the SPORTY PEG PEOPLE niques, and how an scenes of a stately WORKSHOP Make a ‘peg actor approaches work- home, this unique tour person’ playing your ing with scripts, Sat 26 takes in some of the favourite sport and dec- July, Old Joint Stock site's twenty-eight bed- orated in your team Theatre, Birmingham rooms and offers a colours, Fri 25 July, EVENING SCENIC chance to learn about Gladstone Pottery SPECIALS A scenic the Weston Park Museum, Stoke-on- evening ride, with the Foundation, the charita- Trent added option of a tradi- ble trust that owns and CHASE CHALLENGE: BUGS tional fish and chip sup- maintains the venue, & BEASTS Meet the per, Sat 26 July, Severn Sun 27 July, Weston creepy crawlies and Valley Railway, Park, Staffordshire Cosford Food Festival - RAF Cosford, Nr Wolverhampton not-so-deadly charac- Kidderminster CLASSIC VEHICLE DAY ters living on the Chase COSFORD FOOD FESTIVAL Featuring a selection of The Clocktower, 29 July, Thinktank, Journey to all four cor- and make some bug- Sat 26 - Sun 27 July, pre-war cars at Donnington Wood, Birmingham ners of Dudmaston’s tastic crafts, Fri 25 July, RAF Cosford, Nr Kidderminster station, Telford SPORTY PEG PEOPLE gardens and see if Cannock Chase Visitor Wolverhampton and a display of Ford WALSALL CLASSIC CAR & WORKSHOP Make a ‘peg you’ve got what it takes Centre, Staffs LARGE LIVING HISTORY cars of all ages at the TRANSPORT SHOW person’ playing your to become a botanist, MURDER MYSTERY EVENT EVENT Sat 26 - Sun 27 Visitor Centre at Featuring over five hun- favourite sport and dec- Wed 30 July, Booking essential! Sat July, Whittington Castle, Highley, Sun 27 July, dred vehicles, jumble & orated in your team Dudmaston Estate, 26 July, Severn Valley North Shropshire Severn Valley Railway, trade stands, and chil- colours, Tues 29 July, Bridgnorth, Shropshire Railway, Kidderminster NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE Kidderminster dren’s funfair, Sun 27 Gladstone Pottery SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIV- HUMBLE PIE PUPPET PAN- RACES Sat 26 - Sun 27 JAZZ @ THE DRUM July, Walsall Arboretum Museum, Stoke-on- ITY WEDNESDAYS Castle TOMIME Music, magic, July, Donington Park WORKSHOP Sun 27 July, BOUNCE & BOING! Get Trent tours with Lady mime and Humble Pie’s BIG BRUM OPEN TOP BUZ The Drum, Birmingham the school holidays off BLACK COUNTRY VOY- Caroline (11am, famous puppets... Sat SIGHTSEEING TOUR Sat AUDITIONING FOR DRAMA to a bouncing start with AGES IN TIPTON 1.30pm & 4pm), and 26 July, Wonderland, 26 - Sun 27 July, Starts SCHOOLS WORKSHOP the ultimate obstacle Members of Ikon Youth Birds of Prey flying dis- Telford Town Park, Victoria Square & ends Find out the do's and course and bouncy Project lead practical plays (12.30pm & Shropshire Colmore Row, dont's of auditioning for castle, Sun 27 - Thurs workshops, including 3pm), Wed 30 July, MAKE YOUR OWN RAG Birmingham drama schools, Sun 27 31 July, Eastnor Castle, painting, badge-making Ludlow Castle, South RUG HEART With craft ACTIVEFEST Celebrating July, Old Joint Stock Herefordshire & zine-making, as well Shropshire specialist Jessie and showcasing the Theatre, Birmingham as hosting public talks, GLASS ENGRAVING CHIL- Lindon, Sat 26 July, very best in outdoor WALLED GARDEN IN Tues 29 July, DREN’S WORKSHOP Wed Birmingham Back to pursuits, sports, hob- BLOOM: FRUIT FEST Help Week Commencing Birmingham Canal, 30 July, Bilston Craft Backs bies, crafts and volun- harvest, and hear how MON 28 JULY Owen Street, Tipton Gallery VIP MUSIC FAIR Sat 26 teer opportunities, best to prepare for KNIGHTS AND HUMBLE PIE PUPPET PAN- July, The Dome/Zellig, Activefest offers some- table and storage, Sun PRINCESSES Hands-on TOMIME Music, magic, Custard Factory, thing for all the family, 27 July, Attingham CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY medieval fun, where mime and Humble Pie’s Birmingham Sat 26 - Sun 27 July, Park, Shrewsbury DAYS: FANTASTIC FLORA young visitors can famous puppets... Wed EERIE EVENINGS GHOST Shugborough Historic CLASSIC VEHICLE DAY Journey to all four cor- transform themselves 30 July, Wonderland, EVENT Sat 26 July, Working Estate, Displays of historic ners of Dudmaston’s into a courtly Lord or Telford Town Park, Dudley Zoo Staffordshire vehicles at stations up gardens and see if Lady, with tips on Shropshire DOULTON CLAY PITS ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN and down the line, Sun you’ve got what it takes everything from curtsies DIG FOR HISTORY Family OPEN DAY Informal WONDERLAND Sat 26 - 27 July, Severn Valley to become a botanist, to combat, Tue 29 - fun day with crafts, events inspired by Sun 27 July, Blists Hill, Railway, Kidderminster Mon 28 July, Wed 30 July, Stokesay archaeology, Wed 30 Doulton’s clay pits, with Ironbridge, Shropshire B-FESTIVAL Charity fun Dudmaston Estate, Castle, South July, Aston Hall, activities including 1940S EVENT Featuring day raising funds for Bridgnorth, Shropshire Shropshire Birmingham walks and creative 1940s music, entertain- Great Ormond Street ACTIVE AFTERNOONS Fun SILLY SUNGLASSES 3D ANIMAL BEASTS Drop workshops, Sat 26 July, ment, costumes, and Hospital, Sun 27 July, activities for children, CRAFT ACTIVITY Make a in and make a funky 3D Mon 28 - Tues 29 July, pair of sunglasses to animal with Ruth Moseley Old Hall, wear to the Potteries’ Radcliffe, Thurs 31 July, Wolverhampton Seaside Exhibition, Walsall Leather SPOON PAL PUPPETS Tues 29 July - Fri 1 Museum WORKSHOP Mon 28 July Aug, Potteries Museum CRAFTY THURSDAYS Fun - Fri 1 Aug, Wedgwood & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- creative activities for Museum, Stoke-on- Trent children, Thurs 31 July, Trent TEDDY DAY Take your Blakesley Hall, SUMMER HOLIDAY TILE favourite teddy along to Birmingham DECORATING WORKSHOP enjoy trails, stories and HEROES AND VILLAINS Mon 28 July - Fri 1 more... Wed 30 July Watch on as Sir William August, Jackfield Tile Shugborough Historic Marshall, the greatest Museum, Ironbridge, Working Estate, knight in England, bat- Shropshire Staffordshire tles it out for prizes and SUMMER CERAMIC DROP- ALIENS V MONSTERS glory. Pick your IN WORKSHOPS Mon 28 Mask-making session favourite knight and July - Fri 1 Aug, for children, Wed 30 cheer him on, Thurs 31 Coalport China July, Walsall Leather July - Fri 1 Aug, Museum, Ironbridge, Museum Goodrich Castle, Shropshire CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY Herefordshire Festival of Black Country Vehicles - Black Country Living Museum, Dudley CIRCUS ACADEMY Tues DAYS: FANTASTIC FLORA

64 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Eating Out July Region two.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2014 20:40 Page 1 Eating Out Asian addition to Shropshire dining A new culinary experience is set to take Shropshire diners by storm this month, with the opening of the pop-up Momo No Ki Ramen Bar on 3 July. The new venture offers a variety of ramen and noodle dishes, as well as sushi and sashimi. Owner Martin Monahan said: “There’s recently been a huge worldwide growth in the popularity of ramen and noodles, and we’re responding to that development. Surprisingly, Momo-Ni-Ko is the first independent ramen and noodle bar in the UK, outside of the capital.” Mr Monahan added: “We’re all extremely proud of our Executive Head Chef, Christopher Burt, who will be launching his fantastic new Momo No Ki cookbook at the same time. There are certainly exciting times ahead.” Momo No Ki is situated next door to Shrewsbury’s popular Peach Tree restaurant, opposite the town’s historic Abbey. In addition to its restaurant facility, Momo No Ki provides a takeaway service for its customers.

A casino gamble worth taking

The lack of intimacy fries, cherry tomatoes and REVIEW offered by the restaurant’s a perfectly seasoned flat proximity to the gaming mushroom - and the tri- While you would have to tables suggested that the umphant tapas plate of stretch your imagination Fahrenheit wasn’t pitching smoked ham, smoked quite some way to picture itself as a romantic hide- lamb, halloumi, pastrami, Broseley chef declared 007 in Stoke-on-Trent, away. This was further olives stuffed with garlic Shropshire Curry Chef 2014 there’s something about illustrated by the menu, and roquitto peppers (I preparing for a visit to a which swayed more told you it was filling!) Dan Coates, Head Chef at Broseley’s award-win- casino that brings out a lit- towards high-end pub The friendly, attentive and ning King And Thai restaurant, has beaten off stiff tle James Bond in all of grub than a la carte. That efficient staff furnished us opposition to become Shropshire Curry Chef us. Driving to the Genting said, the choice of starters with drinks (including a 2014. Dan’s crowning glory was a Thai Green Casino to dine in the and mains was relatively tasty non-alcoholic cock- Curry, which was described by judges as ‘perfec- Fahrenheit Grill, it was wide-ranging (from cala- tail) and even whipped up tion’. In the lead-up to the competition, Dan was hard not to picture oys- mari to hog roast pate on a toffee sauce to accom- mentored by Executive Chief Patron of the King ters, Champagne and the starters menu, and pany our ice cream And Thai, Suree Coates, who passed on her pas- Martinis followed by poker, teriyaki salmon, mixed grill dessert. sion for ‘flavour, texture and presentation’. blackjack and yet more and tapas on the mains). Reasonable prices, tasty Of his win, Dan said: “I’m overwhelmed. I’ve Champagne. The food itself was deli- food and generous por- never entered a competition, but Suree encour- And although the conser- cious and filling - the limit- tions means that, like us, aged me and helped train me. Winning was way vative, square exterior ed choice of desserts may you will leave the beyond my expectations. I’m delighted with the served to tone down the well be due to the fact that Fahrenheit full to the brim. results and the support from our suppliers and fantasy somewhat, the nobody ever has room for And unlike many who visit customers." stylish, plush interior, from one! The Mushroom the casino, you’ll still have the welcoming foyer Rarebit Crostini arrived siz- the shirt on your back. Tasty tapas promised at through to the restaurant, zling with heat and flavour. Kelly Carter didn’t disappoint. The perennial favourite, independent festival Being relatively early din- the prawn cocktail, deliv- Food: n n n n n ers, we were first into the Organisers of the forthcoming Birmingham ered a spicy twist on a Service: n n n n n restaurant, and were Independent Food Fair have welcomed the classic. Ambience: n n n n n Authentic Tapas Group as the event’s Restaurant thrilled to find that we We side-stepped the grill Overall value n n n n n Dining Sponsor. Currently operating the success- could see directly onto the menu (standard grill fare OVERALL n n n n n ful Don Diego in Sutton Coldfield - serving up gaming floors from our of sirloin and rump steak, genuine tapas dishes in authentic surroundings - table. With the restaurant gammon and burgers Genting Casino the group will host the Don Diego Bar de Tapas open until 2am, the atmos- were all on offer) to Eturia Road in Millennium Point for the duration of the festival phere must positively buzz indulge in Chicago chick- Hanley (13 Sept), and will hopefully bring with them a ray as money is won and lost en - served with soft and Stoke-on-Trent or two of Spanish sunshine as well as a taste of in the casino. beautiful sweet potato 01782 213499 Espana. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 65 Eating Out July Region two.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2014 20:40 Page 2

756052 7DG 01746 710 553 Powys LD7 1BL 01547 Staffordshire Restaurant LISTINGS CAFE CHAMPAGNE 253- 520530 255 Bilston Road, Shropshire LA BÉCASSE 17 Corve St, NO 5 Gaol Mews, Stafford Wolverhampton WV2 Ludlow, SY8 1DA 01584 ST16 3AN 01785 22 9900 For full listing information on restau- 2JN 01902 458024 872 325 AFTAB 25 High St, 95 HIGH GREEN Cannock. rants, including opening times and CASA CASITA Upper Ironbridge TF8 7AD LA DOLCE VITA 35 Hills WS11 1BH 01543 type of cuisine, visit: www.whatson- Gornal, Dudley. DY3 01952 432055 Lane, Shrewsbury SY1 573905 1UP 01902 676754 1QU 01743 249126 live.co.uk ALBRIGHT HUSSEY 1709 THE BASSERIE 3-5 CATELLANI’S 6 School St, Ellesmere Rd, LA LANTERNA The Old Lombard St, Lichfield. Wolverhampton, WV1 Shrewsbury, SY4 3AF Vestry, St Julian's WS13 6DP 01543 LOVES The Glasshouse, 4LR 01902 428928 Browning St, B16 8FL 01939 290 523 Church, Shrewsbury 257986 Birmingham 0121 454 5151 CINNAMON COURT Bentley BISTRO JACQUES 77/77a SY1 1UH 01743 233552 BELLA ITALIA 20 Greengate Mill Way, Walsall WS2 LION & PHEASANT 50 AALTO RESTAURANT Hotel MECHU 47 - 59 Summer Mardol, Shrewsbury SY1 St, Stafford, ST16 2HS 0BP 0121 568 6664 1PZ 01743 272586 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury 01785 211968 La Tour, Albert Street, Row, B3 1JJ 0121 212 SY1 1XJ 01743 770345 1661 THE COWSHED Clive BUFFALO STEAK HOUSE CHANDLERS Corn Birmingham B5 5JT Farm Clive Rd, THE LION QUAYS Moreton, 0121 718 8000 METRO BAR & GRILL 73 125 Frankwell, Exchange, Conduit St, Pattingham, WV6 7EN Shrewsbury SY3 8JX Oswestry SY11 3EN Lichfield, WS13 6JU AIR RESTAURANT LG Cornwall St B3 2DF 01902 701888 01691 684300 0121 200 1911 01743 537523 01543 416688 Arena, Bickenhill Rd, THE CROOKED HOUSE BUTLERS Park St, Shifnal, LOCH FYNE Talbot House, THE CORNER HOUSE 0844 338 0333 MOUNT FUJI The Bullring, Coppice Hill, Himley DY3 TF11 9BA 01952 Market Street, Second Avenue,Burton- BANK 4 Brindleyplace, B5 4BH 0121 633 9853 4DA 01384 238583 460662 Shrewsbury SY1 1LG On-Trent DE14 2WF B1 2JB 0121 633 4466 OPUS 54 Cornwall St, THE DITCH 1 Town Hill, 01743 277140 CASA NARANJO Barracks 01283 542321 BAR ESTILO 10-114 B3 2DE 0121 200 2323 Walsall, WS1 2EU Passage, Wyle Cop, LUDLOW KITCHEN CURRY KUTEER 31 Wharfside St, The THE ORIENTAL The 01922 643215 Shrewsbury SY1 01743 Bromfield, Ludlow, SY2 Greengate Street, Stafford Mailbox, B1 1RF 0121 Mailbox, 128-130 DON SALVO 25 Darlington 2JR 01584 856020 643 3443 Wharfside St, B1 1RQ 588165 ST16 2HY Street, Wolverhampton THE MALTHOUSE The 01785 253279 BARAJEE 265 Broad 0121 633 9988 CASA RUIZ 45 High WV1 4HW 01902 712819 Wharfage, Ironbridge Street, B1 2DS 0121 643 PEACHYKEENS 1741 Street, Bridgnorth, WV16 ESSENCE OF THE ORIENT DUNSLEY HALL Dunsley TF8 7NH 01902 433712 6699 Coventry Road, B26 4DX 01746 218 084 27 Broad Eye, Stafford Rd, Kinver, DY7 6LU MORGANS 1 Bellstone, ST16 2QB 01785 BELLA ITALIA 102 New 1DS 0121 764 5519 01384 877077 CHEZ MAW Best Western Valley Hotel, Buildwas Shrewsbury SY1 1HU 229988 Street, B2 4HQ 0121 PENNY BLACKS FARADAYS The 643 1548 The Mailbox, 132-134 Rd, Ironbridge, TF8 7DW 01743 239114 FOUR SEASONS Swinfen Waterfront, Brierley Hill, 01952 432247 MR UNDERHILLS Dinham Hall Lichfield, WS14 BLUE MANGO Regency Wharfside St, B1 1XL Dudley, DY5 1UR Weir, Ludlow Shropshire 9RE 01543 481494 Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS 0121 632 1460 01384 482 882 THE COTTAGE Tern Hill, Market Drayton TF9 3PX SY8 1EH 01584 874431 THE GREEN ROOM Castle 0121 633 4422 PICCOLINO FIVE RIVERS Vicarage 9 Brindleyplace B1 2HS 01630 638984 THE MYTTON & MERMAID Dyke, Lichfield WS13 BLUE PIANO RESTAURANT Place, Walsall WS1 3NA 6HR 01543 412121 AND BAR 24-26 Harborne 0121 634 3055 01922 646164 CROMWELLS 11 Dogpole, Atcham, Shrewsbury, Rd, B15 3AA 0121 454 PITCHER & PIANO Shrewsbury SY1 1EN SY5 6QG 01743 761220 INDIAN VILLAGE FOUR STONES Adam’s 8 Lombard St, Lichfield. 6877 Brindleyplace, B1 2HP 01743 361440 THE OLD ORLETON INN Hill,Clint, Stourbridge, WS13 6DR 01543 0121 643 0214 DA VINCI’S 26 High St, Holyhead Rd, Wellington, BUONISSIMO 1 Albany DY9 9PS 01562 883260 253415 Rd, Harborne, B17 9JX POPPY RED Arcadian Ironbridge, TF8 7AD TF1 2HA 01952 255011 FRANZLS 151 Milcote Rd, INDICA Virage Park, 0121 426 2444 Centre, Birmingham B5 Smethwick, B67 5BN 01952 432250 THE OLD RECTORY HOTEL 4TD 0121 687 1200 Cannock. WS11 0HN CAFE OPUS 1 Oozells 0121 429 7920 DORRINGTON OLD HALL & RESTAURANT Lowe Hill 08712 070417 Square, Brindleyplace, PURNELL’S 55 Cornwall PERSIAN CUISINE Main Road, Wem, Shropshire FRENCH CONNECTION LA DOLCE VITA 19 Stafford B1 2HS 0121 248 3226 St, B3 2DH 0121 212 3 Coventry St, Road, Dorrington, SY4 5UA 01939 233233 9799 Shropshire SY5 7JD St, Stone ST15 8QW CARLUCCIO’S The Water’s Stourbridge DY8 1EP THE PEACH TREE 21 Abbey 01785 817 985 Edge, Brindleyplace PURNELL’SBISTOR & GIN- 01384 390940 01743 719100 Foregate, THE LODGE 24 B1 2HP 0121 633 9262 GER’S BAR 11 Newhall DRAPERS 10 St Mary’s St FRENCH HEN Bromsgrove Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE Birmingham Road, Street, B3 3NY, 0121 Shrewsbury, SY1 1DZ CENTENARY BAR & Rd, Clent, Stourbridge 01743 355055 Shenstone. WS14 0LQ 2000 1588 01743 344679 BRASSERIE Broad Street, DY9 9PY 01562 883040 THE PLUME OF FEATHERS 01543 483334 RED PEPPERS 117 THE FEATHERS Brockton, B1 2EP 0121 245 2080 GOLDEN MOMENTS 2-3 Harley, Shrewsbury SY5 MALABAR 1-2 Water Wharfside St, B1 1RF Much Wenlock TF13 CHUNG YING Ablewell St, Walsall WS1 6LP 01743 727360 Street, Stafford, ST16 0121 643 4202 2EQ 01922 640363 6JR 01746 785202 16-18 Wrottersley Street, PORTER HOUSE 15 St 2AG 01785 227 500/600 SAN CARLO THE HUNGRY BISTRO FENNELS B5 4RT 0121 622 5669 4 Temple St, 81 8 Market Place, Mary’s St, Shrewsbury, MARLOES 13 London CHUNG YING GARDEN 17 B2 5BN 0121 633 0251 Lichfield Street, Shifnall TF11 9AZ SY1 1EQ 01743 358870 Road, Newcastle under Thorpe St, B5 4AT SHIMLA PINKS 215 Broad Wolverhampton, WV1 01952 463020 Lyme, ST4 1LQ 01782 1EQ 01902 546336 THE POUND AT LEEBOT- 0121 666 6622 St, B15 1AY 0121 633 THE FOX INN 46 High St, WOOD Leebotwood, Nr 661983 LE BRASSERIE 5 Lower CIELO 6 Oozells Square, 0366 Much Wenlock TF13 THE MILL 1 Mill St, Stone, Mill Street, Church Stretton SY6 6ND Brindleyplace, B1 2JB SIMPSONS, 20 Highfield 6AD 01952 727292 01694 751477 ST15 8BA 01785 0121 632 6882 Rd, Edgbaston B13 3DU Kidderminster. DY11 FRANK CAFE BAR 129 6UU 01562 744976 RENAISSANCE, 29a 818456 COAST TO COAST 9 0121 454 3434 Frankwell, Shrewsbury MADE IN THAI Darlington Princess St, Shrewsbury, THE NAVIGATION INN Brindleyplace, Broad THE SLUG AND LETTUCE, SY3 8JX 01743 354422 St, Wolverhampton WV1 SY11LW 01743 354289 Newport Road, Gnosall, Street, B1 2HJ Brindley Place, THE GOLDEN CROSS 14 4HW 01902 312512 ROMOLO Victoria Avenue, Stafford ST20 0BN Birmingham B1 2HL Princess St, Shrewsbury, COTE The Mailbox, PARADISE BALTI shrewsbury SY1 1HH 01785 822327 0121 633 3049 7 Lower SY1 1LP 01743 362507 B1 1RX 0121 631 1587 Mill Street, Kidderminster 01743 233244 OLD VICARAGE 2 Main St, STRADA 109-111 GRANARY BAR & GRILL CUCINA RUSTICA 24 DY11 6UU 01562 60479 SARACENS Shrewsbury Branston, Burton, DE14 Wharfside St, The Weston Park, Weston- Ludgate Hill, B3 1DX THE PIE FACTORY 50 Hurst Rd, SY4 4AG 01939 3EX 01283 533222 Mailbox B1 1XL under-Lizard, Nr Shifnal, 0121 233 2277 Lane, Tipton DY4 9AB 210877 PASCAL AT THE OLD VIC- DEL VILLAGGIO 0121 643 7279 TF11 8LE 01952 ARAGE 2 Main Street, 0121 557 1402 SEBASTIANS 45 Willow St, Unit 528, Middle Mall, THAI EDGE 7 Oozells Sq, 852107 Branston, Burton-upon- RED FORT Fold St, Oswestry SY11 1AQ The Bullring. B5 4BE B1 2HL 0121 643 3993 THE GLUTTON CLUB 165- Tren 01283 533222 Wolverhampton, WV1 01691 655444 0121 643 1400 WAGAMAMA Brindley 4LP 01902 424440 167 Frankwell, PASTICHE BISTRO 1 - 2 Mill SHALIMAR 23 Abbey EDMUNDS 6 Brindley Place, birmingham B1 RISTORANTE ROMAGNA 4 Shrewsbury SY3 8LG Street, Stafford, ST16 Foregate, Shrewsbury place, B1 2JB 0121 633 Upper Green, Tettenhall, 01743 361672 2AJ 01782 263 737 SY2 6AE 01743 366658 4944 Black Country Wolverhampton WV6 HADLEY PARK HOUSE THE PEAR TREE Swinfen, FLEET STREET KITCHEN 8QQ 01902 756052 Hadley Park, Telford TF1 SHERAZ 79 Wyle Cop, Nr. Lichfield, WS14 9QR Fleet Street, Islington SAFFRON Wolverhampton 6QJ 01952 677269 Shrewsbury SY1 1UT 01543 481807 ARBOUR LIGHTS 127-128 01743 242321 Gates, B3 1JH 0121 236 Lichfield Street, Walsall Road, Oldbury B69 4RR THE HAYWARDS at The PORTOFINO 38-40 Marsh 0100 WS1 1SY 01922 613361 0121 552 1752 Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop, THE SILVERTON the Old St Stoke-On-Trent, ST1 Dairy, 9-10 Frankwell, ITIHAAS 18 Fleet St, B3 BANKS BISTRO Chapel SIMON’S 520 Chester Rd, Shrewsbury SY1 1UY 1JD 01782 209444 1JL 0121 212 3383 Ash, Wolverhampton Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 01743 353107 Shrewsbury SY3 8JY THE RED ROOM 7 JAMIE’S ITALIAN Middle WV1 4EP 01902 238433 0PU 0121 580 9293 HENRY TUDOR HOUSE 01743 248000 Newcastle Road, Mall, Bullring Shopping BELLA 82 Chapel Ash, SPICES Hollywell Rd, Barracks Passage TIN TINS Wellington Road, Congleton CW12 4HN Centre, B5 4BE Wolverhampton. 01902 Wednesbury. WS10 7PA Shrewsbury SY1 1XA Telford TF2 8AJ 01260 297871 0121 270 3610 427555 0121 502 0720 01743 361666 01952 608688 THORNBURY HALL, RASOI JIMMY SPICES Regency BENGAL FUSION 174 High THE SPRINGHILL HILL VALLEY HOTEL THE WALLS Welsh Walls, Lockwood Rd, Kingsley Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS St, Lye, Stourbridge DY9 Warstones Rd, Penn, Tarporley Road, Oswestry SY11 1AW Holt, Stafford ST10 2DH 0121 643 2111 8LN. 01384 891111 Wolverhampton WV4 Whitchurch SY13 4HA 01691 670970 01538 750831 4LB 01902 342530 LAS IGUANAS Arcadian BILASH 2 Cheapside, 0844 879 9049 ZIZZI RISORANTE 39-40 WOLSELEY ARMS THE SUMMERHOUSE 92 Centre, Hurst St, B5 4TD Wolverhampton, WV1 THE INN AT GRINSHILL High Street, Shrewsbury Wolseley Bridge, Stafford Gospel End Rd, Dudley 0121 622 4466 1TU 01902 427762 The High Street, SY1 1SF 01743 353232 ST17 0XS DY3 4AN 01902 676 Grinshill, Shrewsbury, 01889 883179 LASAN 3-4 Dakota THE BLUE BRICK 102 Buildings, James St, St Broad Gauge Way, SY4 3BL 01939 220410 Paul’s Square, B3 1SD THORNESCROFT KING & THAI Avenue Rd, Wolverhampton WV1 Bridgnorth Rd, 0121 212 3664 1AA 01902 875301 Broseley, Telford TF12 Wolverhampton, WV6 5DL 01952 882004 THE LOFT LOUNGE BRAVACCIOUS 4 Upper 7EQ 01902 700 253 For full Restaurant listings 143 Bromsgrove St, THE KNIGHTON HOTEL Green, Wolverhampton THE WOODMAN B5 6RG 0121 622 2444 Claverley, Broad Street, Knighton, visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk WV6 8QQ 01902 Wolverhampton WV5

66 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Peach Tree Momo No Ki F/P.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2014 17:10 Page 1 grand_whatson FP July:Layout 1 23/06/2014 14:05 Page 1 GreatGreat Theatre Theatre at thetheGrand!Grand!

MON 30 JUNE - SAT 5 JULY TUE 8 - SAT 12 JULY SUN 13 JULY THE SMASH HIT MARC BOLAN MUSICAL! BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS

STARRING PETER AMORY AND IT’S BACK -AND IT’S GONNA LIVE FOREVER! MICHELLE MORRIS

SAT 13 SEPTEMBER TUE 16 SEPTEMBER WED 17 SEPTEMBER

ALSO BOOKING FRI 19 - SAT 20 SEPTEMBER ALSO BOOKING TUE 14 - SAT 18 OCTOBER SAT 22 MARCH TUE 23LESLEY SEPT JOSEPH- SAT 11 OCT HOT FLUSH ...... DIRTY DANCING ...... SUN 30 MARCH THE SOLID SILVER 60s SHOW ...... TUE 21 OCT - SAT 1 NOV SUNTOP 6 APRILHAT ...... THE FAAABULOUS CERI DUPREE SHOW ...... THU 23 - SAT 25 OCT DINOSAURSUN 13 APRIL ZOO ...... BEYOND THE BARRICADE ...... MONTUE 14 4 -- TUES SAT 8 15 NOV APRIL TAP FACTORY ...... REGENERATION ...... FRI 18 APRIL THAT’LL BE THE DAY ...... TUE 11 - SAT 15 NOV THRILLERSAT 19 APRIL LIVE ...... THE CHUCKLE BROTHERS’ SPACE ODDITY ...... SAT 6 DEC - SUN 18 JAN TUESJULIAN 29 APRIL CLARY - SAT 3IN MAY THE PLAYCINDERELLA THAT GOES WRONG

Box Office 01902 42 92 12 BOOK ONLINE AT www.grandtheatre.co.uk