Shropshire Cover Online.Qxp Birmingham Cover 24/08/2016 10:11 Page 1

Shropshire Cover Online.qxp_Birmingham Cover 24/08/2016 10:11 Page 1

Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ISSUE 369 SEPTEMBER 2016

Shropshire

’ SISTER ACT BACK IN THE MIDLANDS WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On shropshirewhatson.co.uk

inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

Tells his West End story at Henry Tudor House DanielInterview Inside... Koek Contents Shropshire.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:53 Page 1

THE HIVE FAMILY FILM SEASON OF RELAXED SREENINGS

18 SEPT, 1.30PM, 11 NOV, 4PM, BEAUTY AND MARY POPPINS THE BEAST Another of Disney’s family Walt Disney Pictures 1991 classics! The Banks family classic capturing the needs a new nanny, but fantastic journey of Belle, when the wind direction a bright and beautiful changes it blows the young woman who's extraordinary Mary taken prisoner by a Poppins into their lives hideous beast in his with the help of Bert the U 5+ castle... U 6+ street

30 OCT, 1.30PM, 27 NOV, 1.30PM, THE SECRET OF ZARAFA* THE KELLS * A heart-warming Classic and enchanting animation showing the animated story features friendship between Maki the Young Brendan, who and the orphan giraffe, lives in the Abbey of Kells, Zarafa. Under the cover of a remote medieval out- darkness a small boy, post under siege from Maki, loosens the shack- raiding barbarians. les that bind him and U 9+ PG 9+ escapes into the desert

30 OCT, 1.30PM, 18 DEC, 1.30PM, GOOSEBUMPS ARISTOCATS Based on the Best-Selling In the heart of Paris, a series of books, this family kind and eccentric mil- film is filled with thrills lionairess wills her entire and spills! Upset about estate to Duchess, her moving from a big city to high-society cat, and her a small town, teenager three little kittens. Laughs Zach Cooper finds a silver and adventure ensue as lining when he meets the the greedy, bumbling but- PG 9+ beautiful girl, Hannah. U 4+ ler pulls off the ultimate

5 BELMONT, SHREWBURY, SY1 1TE 01743 234970. WWW.HIVEONLINE.ORG.UK @HiveShrewsbury * Some ﬁlm screenings also include workshops - please contact the Hive for more information Contents Shropshire.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:54 Page 2

September 2016

Contents

The Shawshank Redemption - new staging of Stephen King’s 1982 novella at The Grand ... page 30

Steve Nallon Daniel Koek Isy Suttie the list

on playing Margaret Thatcher in Australian tenor tells his Peep Show star on tour with Your 16-page new stage show West End story The Actual One week-by-week listings guide Interview page 8 Interview page 16 Interview page 22 page 51

inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 20. Comedy 26. Theatre 37. Film 40. Visual Arts 45. Events

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

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Whats On Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 MAGAZINE GROUP Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Adam Jaremko, David Vincent Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. FIRST WORD September Shrops_Staffs_Wolves.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 17:23 Page 1

First Word

Photographer’s book offers a taste of the Black Country A photographer who’s spent two years creating an intimate photographic portrait of the Black Country town of Smethwick, its people and its food, has had her work showcased in a brand new publication. Home Made In Smethwick features Liz Hingley’s photographs presented alongside the hand-written recipes of Smethwick residents. Commenting on the publication, Liz said: “The smells of cooking from all around the world permeate the terraced streets of Smethwick. I was generously welcomed into homes and given the unique opportunity to taste personal dishes embedded with meanings and associations. All those I met contributed to this celebration of the social heritage and culinary richness of Smethwick today. With the aim of capturing the essence of a community, I’ve been the lucky guest at their table and passenger on their journey.” Home Made In Smethwick was commissioned by Multistory, a community arts charity based in West Bromwich. The book can be purchased from Multistory’s website - multistory.org.uk/shop/

Wanted! Football fans to Wolverhampton university share their stories... aiming to transform city’s Supporters of Birmingham’s three major derelict brewery football clubs are being invited to help cre- The University of Wolverhampton has sub- ate a new play. mitted planning and listed building consent Birmingham Repertory Theatre wants fans of applications to transform a derelict brewery Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West into an education hub. Bromwich Albion to share their stories about The university is hoping to relocate its why they love the game and why their club is School of Architecture And The Built so important to them. Environment to the city’s former Springfield The contributions are needed for a new play, Brewery site. A Grand re-opening! Stadium, which will premiere at The REP Commenting on the plans, the university’s The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre reopens next summer. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: on Saturday 10 September following a major “Birmingham is lucky to have three football “Our aim through the redevelopment of this front-of-house refurbishment and an clubs, all with a huge, loyal following,” says brownfield site is for the new centre to act as upgrade of its auditorium seating. the play’s director, Mohamed El Khatib, “so a catalyst for the wider economic and social The popular venue has temporarily moved The REP is the perfect place for us to create regeneration of Wolverhampton. its box office to the foyer of the nearby Light Stadium. Football is full of drama, adrena- “The new site will provide a collaborative House Media Centre. The box office will line and emotion, both on and off the pitch, research environment, working closely with remain at the neighbouring venue until the and we want to talk to the supporters who business and offering cutting-edge facilities 9th of the month. make football what it is. equipped with the latest technologies, to Forthcoming programming at the theatre fea- “We’re keen to hear why fans have grown up provide innovative teaching across a lifelong tures comedian-ventriloquist Nina Conti (25 supporting their particular club and why learning ladder of opportunities.” September), an evening with MasterChef some families have supported one team for finalist Jimmy Osmond (26 September), a generations.” new staging of Stephen King’s The Stadium is part of The REP’s Furnace initia- Shawshank Redemption (27 September to 1 tive, offering local people opportunities to October) and the ever-popular musical, The develop new talents, discover how theatre is Sound Of Music (4 to 8 October). made and create their own shows. Online and telephone bookings are unaffect- Any Villa, Birmingham or West Brom sup- ed by the Grand’s box office currently being porters interested in sharing their stories situated at the Light House Media Centre. and explaining their passion for their club The box office is still contactable on its usual should contact Rosalyn.lesurf-olner@birm- number of 01902 429212. Its opening hours ingham-rep.co.uk or call 0121 245 2023. are 11am till 6pm Monday to Saturday.

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Entertainment news from around the region

New film festival for Shropshire A group of volunteers who’re passionate about the arts have launched an international film festival in Wellington, Shropshire. Clifton Community Arts Centre Ltd is presenting four movies during the course of September, one on each Saturday of the month. Beginning with Indian film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, the festival also includes Canadian drama Home Again, quirky Chinese romance Mermaid and the Oscar- winning Polish film, Ida. The four-film presentation pre- cedes the town’s Autumn Film Festival in October, which is being held in association with the Wellington Festival. For more information, visit the- clifton.org West End musical kicks off UK tour in Shropshire A critically acclaimed West End musical is visiting Shropshire this month as part of a UK tour. Ex-Poet Laureate Following in the footsteps of other ’60s jukebox musicals about The Beatles and The Kinks, All Or launches debut Nothing tells the story of mod favourites The Small Faces. book in Wolves Although surviving in their original incarnation for only four years, The Small Faces made a significant splash on the music scene, enjoying chart hits with numbers including Whatcha Gonna Do Former Birmingham Poet Laureate About It, Tin Soldier, Lazy Sunday, Here Comes The Nice, Itchycoo Park and the show’s title track. Roy McFarlane will be at the Arena The production visits Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, from Monday 19 to Wednesday 21 September. Theatre in Wolverhampton on 14 September to launch his debut collection of poems. Entitled Beginning With Your Last Breath, the collection explores the themes of love, loss, adoption and From Harlem Telford is The Place to be for panto identity. Tickets to the event, which starts at to Cannock... fun with Bernie and his ostrich... 7.30pm, cost £5. One of opera’s most The latest addition to the cast of this year’s panto at Oakengates sought-after international Theatre’s The Place might well arrive at the Telford venue in a performers is making an rather unusual way. On an ostrich! appearance in the Long-established comedian and entertainer Bernie Clifton - who's Midlands this month as best known for ‘riding’ faithful ostrich companion Oswald - will part of an autumn tour. be appearing in the Shropshire theatre’s Christmas presentation of Noah Stewart will be pre- Sleeping Beauty alongside Wink Taylor from CITV’s The Sooty senting a programme of Show. opera favourites and Commenting on the news, the show’s producer and director, musical theatre numbers James Shone, said: “Bernie is a true entertainer, and we’re sure when he stops off at the he’ll be a firm favourite with the audience at every single perform- Prince Of Wales Centre in ance. He’s supported by an amazing cast that’s set to catch the Cannock on 28 September. imagination of the crowd, from the very youngest to the very old- All welcome at The show will also see est viewer, from curtain up until the very end. Ride & Stride Noah paying tribute to the “Sleeping Beauty is a classic panto, and we’re excited to be bring- music that inspired him ing it to life, complete with the best laughs, scenery, costumes, Shropshire’s Historic Churches effects and obligatory panto clichés, for the people of Telford and Trust is aiming to raise £30,000 this as a young boy growing month when it stages a sponsored up in Harlem. beyond.” Ride & Stride on Saturday 10 The show runs from Wednesday 7 to September. Saturday 31 December. A relaxed The event will see cyclists, walkers performance takes place on Friday and riders visiting as many places 30 December at 11am. of worship - of all denominations - Tickets are now on sale and can be as possible between the hours of 10am and 6pm, in an effort to raise booked online at money for the county’s historic theplacetelford.com, by calling the churches. box office on 01952 382382, or in For more information about how to person at the theatre or Southwater participate in the event, visit shrop- One in Telford Town Centre. shirehct.org.uk whatsonlive.co.uk 5 FIRST WORD September Shrops_Staffs_Wolves.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 17:23 Page 3

First Word

Further casting announced for The return of Wolverhampton’s biggest pantomime The Fizzogs

Britain’s Got Talent soprano Lucy Kay and illusionist Stefan Pejic Award-winning Midlands have joined the cast of the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s 2016/17 theatre company Fizzog pantomime. Productions make a wel- Lucy will take the role of Princess Jasmine and Stefan the part of come return to the stage evil sorcerer Abanazar in the venue’s eagerly anticipated production next month when they pres- of Aladdin. ent A Black Country The talented duo join Joe McElderry, Lisa Riley, Ben Faulks, Doreen Fairytale... Ay It! at the Tipton and Ian Adams in the show, which runs at the Grand from Wolverhampton Grand Saturday 10 December till Sunday 22 January. Theatre. Tickets are already on sale and can be booked in person, by phone The company is best known on 01902 429212, or online at grandtheatre.co.uk. for its stage productions 50 Shades Of Fizzog and Freezin’, and for its creation of internet sensations The Dancing Grannies. Alternative Comedy festival promises Comprising Sue Hawkins, music event 10 days of mirth Jacky Fellows and Deb replaces Nicholls - and occasionally Birmingham Comedy Festival (BCF) this year featuring guest performers - cancelled features headline appearances by Romesh Fizzog describes its Grand festival Ranganathan (9 & 12 Oct, Town Hall), Sam Theatre show as ‘another Wills appearing as The Boy With Tape On non-traditional tale of fanta- Following the recent can- His Face (13-15 Oct, mac Birmingham) and sy, perfected in a single cellation of the Shrewsbury Kerry Godliman, co-star of the Ricky Gervais afternoon’s rehearsal!’ Fields Forever festival, the television series, Derek (14 Oct, The Glee). The production shows at the town’s popular nightclub, Returning in October to provide another 10 days of mirth, the annual Grand on 27 October. The Buttermarket, is set to event also features performances by Matt Forde, Justin Moorhouse, For more information, visit hold a free alternative music Nathan Caton, Tony Law and Jason Byrne. thefizzogs.com event for all ticket holders, Other festival highlights include hit musical The Rocky Horror Show, featuring local bands and Paul Richards’ 50 Ways To Leave Your Drummer - in which the musi- promoters. cian/comedian recounts the experience of being fired by 50 acts, Acts on board so far include including Frank Turner and Heaven 17 - live panel show Panelbeaters, promoters Perception co-created by Mock The Week’s Gary Delaney, and two free-to-attend (Conspire, Escape, Jay Dubz Sunday afternoon ‘half-dayer’ events featuring 18 comedians perform- and Tim Ryan), Pop Up ing new shows. House (Lomas, Duarte The Birmingham Comedy Festival runs from Friday 7 to Sunday 16 Castro, Lokia, Reg, Dan & October. For full details, visit: bhamcomfest.co.uk Jay) and Traffic (Bazland, James Taylor and Will Abba magic, Purcell). There are live sets from Andy O’Brien, Financial boost for Midlands museums karaoke-style... Independent Country, Ryan Six West Midlands museums have been awarded a total of £414,719 by Karaoke-loving Abba fans Evans, George Rowlands Arts Council England to help them become more sustainable business- should get themselves along and Amelia Caesar. There’s es. to Pattingham in also a BBC Introducing The money comes from the Arts Council’s Museum Resilience Fund and Staffordshire on the final Shropshire Stage, contribu- will support a range of projects to ensure the museums have the Wednesday of this month. tors to which are yet to be resources they need to make the most of their collections. The village’s Chad Singers announced. Commenting on the award, Peter Knott, Area Director for Arts Council are holding a free open For further event informa- England, said: “In the Midlands we’re fortunate to have an exceptional evening for anyone who’d tion and announcements, mix of museums housing local histories and national treasures. We like to join in a karaoke-style visit thebuttermarket.co.uk. believe these museums - and the objects they keep safe - play a vital singalong to the music of the part in community life, helping us celebrate our heritage, deepening our legendary Swedish knowledge of the world around us, and entertaining people of all ages. supertroupers. This latest investment from our Museum Resilience Fund is about help- The event takes place on 28 ing our region’s museums become more sustainable businesses so that September in Pattingham their rich collections can be used and enjoyed for many years to come.” Village Hall, from 7.30pm to The six museums are: Lapworth Geology Museum, Birmingham (award- 9.30pm. ed £58,184); Shropshire Council (£72,890); Museum of Cannock Chase, For further information, con- Staffordshire (£78,000); Staffordshire Archives & Heritage Service tact Gena Richards on 01902 (£102,000); Compton Verney, Warwickshire (£56,000); and Association 700188 or Sue Penny on of British Transport & Engineering Museums, Warwickshire (£47,645). 01902 700136.

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FEATURE

Steve Nallon talks to What’s On about playing Margaret Thatcher in Jonathan Maitland’s story of loyalty, love, political morality and Britishness...

On 13 November 1990, Geoffrey Howe deliv- “She was much crueller than I thought,” says ered the fatal blow to Margaret Thatcher's Nallon of Thatcher. “When she moved Geof- premiership with a devastating resignation frey out of the Foreign Office, she basically speech that sent shockwaves through parlia- fired him, and took away his home, because ment. His attack was uncharacteristic and al- when you're Foreign Secretary you get a most entirely unexpected: such was Howe's grace-and-favour country house. Apparently, reputation for quietness and docility that his the way she took it away from him was quite Labour opponent Denis Healey once likened spiteful. I think what the play makes clear is criticism from him to “being savaged by a that Prime Ministers are very, very powerful. dead sheep”. They're the ones that appoint and shape the So Dead Sheep became the title of Jonathan government, and we're seeing it again at the Maitland's first play, inspired by the turbulent moment with Theresa May.” relationship between the Iron Lady and this Of course, as it turned out, far from chasten- ‘mouse that roared’. Arriving at the Birming- ing him, Thatcher's snub pushed Howe to ham REP this month and then visiting kick back with a response that would ulti- Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn and Coventry’s mately be her own undoing. Among Howe's Belgrade in October, the production stars main motives for resigning was the Prime James Wilby as Geoffrey Howe, alongside Minister’s undermining of EMU (Economic Spitting Image's Steve Nallon as Thatcher. and Monetary Union of the European Union) “I remember watching Howe's speech at the policies proposed by the Chancellor and the time and just thinking, 'She's toast!'” Nallon Governor of the Bank of England. recalls. “One of the great dramatic points is “It’s rather like sending your opening bats- that there's a rule that you can't be heckled men to the crease,” Howe said of her interfer- when you're making a resignation speech ence, “only for them to find, as the first balls from the government. So here was an ideal are being bowled, that their bats have been opportunity for this very quiet man to say ex- broken before the game by the team captain.” actly what he wanted, and he stabbed her, At the time, disputes over what the extent and and you can see it on her face. We do most of nature of Britain's involvement in Europe the speech in the play, and when we do that ought to be caused massive rifts within the scene, it's electric! It puts the audience right party which continue to this day: the conver- in the House of Commons.” sations that finally brought about a referen- Well before Howe's final decision to leave the dum on Britain's EU membership in 2016 Cabinet, tensions had been growing between actually began decades earlier. him and Thatcher. Having previously served “I'm 55 now and I've been aware of the argu- as both Chancellor of the Exchequer and For- ments about Europe since I was a kid,” says eign Secretary, he regarded the offer of Home Nallon. “Britain first tried to join the common Secretary in the Prime Minister's 1989 cabinet market, as it was then, back in the 1960s. Had reshuffle as a demotion - a punishment for the referendum vote been to remain, I think disagreeing with her on key foreign policy de- that would have been it - Dead Sheep would cisions. He turned down the position, instead have become a museum piece. But with the becoming Deputy Prime Minister and Leader prospect of Brexit, the play feels very contem- of the House of Commons. porary, and the philosophical arguments Alexandra Gilbreath

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by Heather Kincaid

providing voices for multiple personalities including hers, he's since lent his talents in vocal impersonation to various films and TV shows, often without a credit. “Bizarrely, recordings of Mrs Thatcher are quite difficult to clear for copyright reasons. It's hard to get clearance to use recordings of her speeches in parliament or even clips from the BBC, so more than once I've gone into a studio and done the voice for films and so on, because it's so much easier and cheaper for them.” Far from making him an obvious choice for the role, however, his experience as an im- pressionist has been a source of scepticism for some, often hindering his ability to find ‘serious’ acting work. “I don't think anybody wanted me to do this play. It was my friend Alistair McGowan who suggested to the writer that they get me in for a reading. Alistair and I have both suffered over the years because directors and casting people will say that they don't want an im- about Britain's place in Europe and the world pressionist, they want an actor, whereas we From Handbagged to The Iron Lady, Dead just buzz with excitement.” share the opinion that the two things aren't Sheep is far from the first production on Nevertheless, the way Jonathan Maitland’s mutually exclusive.” stage or screen to place Britain's first female play tells it, the Europe question was only Then, of course, there's the fact that he's a and perhaps most divisive Prime Minister part of the wider story of Howe's clashes with man who'll be cross-dressing for the part, centre stage. Just what is it about Thatcher his party leader: a much longer-running con- which might lead some to be concerned that and her government that has captured the flict of loyalty also helped to spur him on to his casting could undermine the more seri- imaginations of so many writers? his momentous decision. ous elements of the story. They needn't “I think it's partly just the fact that it's now “It became very clear that Geoffrey Howe's worry, however: there's a world of difference history, but of course, there are some great wife and Margaret Thatcher really hated each between Dead Sheep and shows like Mar- stories from that period, and she's a great other,” Nallon explains. “Howe was obvi- garet Thatcher: Queen Of Soho. character. I should add that the play is also ously loyal to his wife, but he also had great “To be honest, I don't really like the word very funny. My favourite scene is actually one loyalty to Thatcher, so he was torn between 'drag'. I can see why journalists and review- where I don't even speak. Thatcher was the two of them, and that became the basis of ers have described it that way, but I think it's known for not having a sense of humour, and the play. When I spoke to Jonathan Maitland misleading. There's nothing wrong with there's a wonderful moment where someone about who had influenced him as a writer, he drag, but what drag artists do is constantly tells her a joke, and all she does is stare at mentioned Terence Rattigan, who wrote remind you of the fact that they're a man the man with incredulity. Every single night, plays that were very talky and also very dressed up as a woman. They'll usually be that's what gets the biggest laugh from the human, often on big themes like loyalty. I wearing an outrageous outfit and exagger- audience.” think you can see that influence in Dead ated make-up to draw attention to the artifi- Sheep.” cial nature of what they're doing, whereas I Dead Sheep shows at Birmingham REP Though physically portraying Thatcher for simply regard the outfit as a costume like any from Monday 26 September to Saturday 1 the first time in this play, Nallon is certainly other. In fact, a lot of the people who came to October and at Theatre Severn, no stranger to capturing the way she sounds. see the show didn't even know it was a man Shrewsbury from Monday 3 to Having made his name on Spitting Image doing it!” Saturday 8 October.

It became very clear that Geoffrey Howe’s wife ‘‘ and Margaret Thatcher really hated each other ” whatsonlive.co.uk 9 FOOD September - SHROPS/STAFFS/WOLVES.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:24 Page 1 3 OF SHREWSBURY’S BEST RESTAURANTS AND BARS

all located opposite the historic and beautiful Shrewsbury Abbey!

Cafe Bar & Restaurant Ramen Noodle Bar Bar & Restaurant www.thepeachtree.co.uk www.momonoki.co.uk www.havanarepublic.co.uk

ALL OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! 18-21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. SY2 6AE. Tel: 01743 355055 FOOD September - SHROPS/STAFFS/WOLVES.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:24 Page 2

Food

Celebrating the Chinese Harvest Pop into the pop-up at The Pound Festival at Chung Ying for live music and nosh... Birmingham’s Chung Ying Birmingham eateries on the A new pop-up meat & fish Shropshire sirloin on the restaurant group is marking this night of Thursday 22 September, menu is being launched at a bone and half-grilled lobster. month’s Moon Festival - the providing patrons with a menu Shropshire pub this month. The launch evening also fea- Chinese harvest festival - by of Cantonese cuisine, a variety of From Friday 16 September, tures a performance by Irish offering customers ‘a fantastic oriental wines and Moon cake. The Pound Inn at Church folk singer Brendan night of food, drink and live The evening will also include Stretton will offer a selection Monaghan. entertainment’. live music and karaoke. of dishes including For more information, visit The company is hosting celebra- For more information, visit Shropshire ribeye steak, thepound.org.uk tions at all three of its chungying.co.uk whole grilled lemon sole,

REVIEW: The Yockleton Arms, Shropshire it was the risotto that stood out for me - so much so, in fact, that The perfect recipe for an enjoyable evening... I’d say it was the highlight of the evening. The flavour was outstanding - one of the best risot- tos I’ve ever tasted. On recommendation I chose the lemon tart for dessert. Both the filling and the pastry were lovely, the flavours a spot-on balance between sharp and sweet. My partner opted for the ice cream selection, which consisted of chocolate, vanilla and strawber- ry. I’d have liked to have seen a few more dessert options on the menu, but I’m sure that will come with time. Located eight miles outside Shrewsbury, The Yockleton Arms Shropshire-based restaurant The mary in a white wine cream, roasted pork belly served with is a little out of the way, but Yockleton Arms, formerly The served with fresh bread. The scallops, pea veloute, black pud- don’t let that put you off visiting. Pink Elephant, has recently been dish was delicious. The mussels ding & rosemary mash and The menu isn’t extensive - show- taken over by Liam Hall. The were fresh and meaty, the white crackling. My partner opted for casing six starters and six mains eatery has undergone a complete wine cream by far the nicest I’ve the loch-reared sea trout accom- - but the food is delicious and overhaul, with changes made to tasted - rich and full of flavour. It panied by a scallop and crayfish nicely presented, the prices rea- the menu, decor and staff. topped everything I’d sampled in risotto and buttered asparagus. sonable and the staff welcoming Having not long moved from Belgium earlier in the year - a Both were presented nicely and and friendly. The perfect recipe Shrewsbury venue The Loopy huge achievement given that arrived in good time. for an enjoyable evening. Shrew, Liam’s purchase of The moules frites is the country’s sig- Just as we were about to tuck in, Lauren Foster Yockleton Arms sees him fulfill- nature dish. some extra crackling was deliv- ing his lifelong ambition to own Sticking with the seafood theme, ered to our table - a lovely touch. Food: n n n n n his own restaurant. my partner opted for the seared You can never have too much Service: n n n n n mackerel fillet. It was served crackling! The venue boasts a classic Ambience: n n n n n with wasabi mayo, pickled veg- British menu with chef-inspired The pork belly was tender and Overall value n n n n n etables and rocket shoots. The twists. Liam, who prides himself full of flavour, cooked to perfec- OVERALL n n n n n on using local produce - all lamb fish was beautiful. The pickled tion. The scallops were cooked ALL OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! veg added a little acidity, whilst and beef is sourced within a well and the black pudding & half-mile radius - is aiming ‘to the subtle kick from the wasabi rosemary mash an unusual yet bring high-quality, local British provided another dimension. tasty accompaniment. The addi- The Yockleton Arms food back to the local communi- The chef’s knowledge of flavour tion of the pea veloute added a Stoney Stretton ty’ - and that’s exactly what we combination was showcased per- burst of freshness and helped to Shropshire got. fectly in this dish - another suc- bring the whole dish together. SY5 9PG cessful starter. Tel: 01743 821491 To start, I chose the mussels The trout, too, was cooked to with chopped bacon and rose- For my main, I chose the slow- perfection and tasted fresh, but

whatsonlive.co.uk 11 FOOD September - SHROPS/STAFFS/WOLVES.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:24 Page 3

Live Music - September Sat 3rd Sept, Wed 14th Sept, 9pm 9pm MICHAELA ANDY MILLS WYLDE

Sat 10th Sept, Sat 17th June, 9pm 9pm THE JORDAN ACOUSTIC BROWN UNDERDOGS

Victoria Quay, Victoria Avenue, Shrewsbury, SY1 1HH Tel: 01743 233244 www.visitriverbank.co.uk

The Yockleton Arms is under new management, offering a new and exciting venue in the countryside. We offer a locally sourced menu and use as many local products as possible using Lamb, Beef & Pork from local farms.

OPENING TIMES: MON, TUES - CLOSED WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY 12-9 SUNDAY 12- 4

Tel: 01743 821 491 www.facebook.com/theyockletonarms [email protected] UNDER NEW MANGEMENT

12 whatsonlive.co.uk FOOD September - SHROPS/STAFFS/WOLVES.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:24 Page 4

Food

A vegan’s delight in Wolverhampton The ninth annual West Midlands Vegan Festival takes place at Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall next month (Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 October). The two-day event will feature 120- plus stalls offering hot and raw food, cakes, confectionary, footwear, clothing, cosmetics and toiletries. The festival also includes 10 cookery demonstrations, 40 talks, a selection of live, on-stage entertainment throughout the weekend, a vegan bar, alternative thera- pies and numerous kids’ activities. For more information, visit mid- landsveganfestival.org.uk

Ludlow Food Festival Great British Menu winner Richard Bainbridge activities catering for all ages. and Masterchef: The Professionals winner Mark Numerous regular elements of the festival, Stinchcombe feature among the guests at this including a kids’ area with cookery lessons, are Telford pub restored month’s Ludlow Food Festival (9 to 11 presented within the castle grounds, while the to its former glory September). show’s always-popular food trails take place Richard and Mark will be joined by Adam out in the wider town. A Shropshire pub built in the early Johnson, best known from the BBC TV show, New for 2016 is a series of talks and debates 1800s has been restored and Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Secrets. around the theme of sustainable food and reopened. Now in its 14th year, the festival’s attractions farming, and reducing waste. The Ugly Duckling in Telford is include more than 180 artisan food producers For more information, visit described by its owners as having and an abundance of demonstrations and foodfestival.co.uk been ‘returned to its former glory but with a modern twist, combining the best of old and new’. “Our aim is to provide a casual and Stone Food And Drink Festival informal space,” they explain, “but with no compromise on the quality The 12th edition of Staffordshire’s biggest gas- of the food. Our inspiration comes tronomic celebration is taking place at the end from dining tables across Europe. of the month. The food style is strong and bold, The Stone Food And Drink Festival debuted in with an emphasis on simplicity and 2005 and attracts thousands of food lovers to using the finest ingredients we can the delightful market town every autumn. source.” As ever, this year’s event features a wide range of attractions for visitors to enjoy, including a pop-up gourmet restaurant, a beer tent and a wide selection of ready-to-eat cuisine, from Staffordshire oatcakes through to exotic street food. Cookery demonstrations and masterclass- es, numerous talks and plenty of live music also feature. Professor Panic and his performers from Panic Circus are on hand too, keeping youngsters entertained with circus workshops and free puppet and clown shows. The festival takes place from Friday 30 September to Sunday 2 October. For more information, visit stonefooddrink.org.uk

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Gigs

Goldie The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury, Fri 9 September Metalheadz founder Goldie is without doubt one of the biggest names in electronic music, not only in the UK but also worldwide. Having sold more than three million records globally, the music pioneer has transformed an under- ground British sound into a mainstream international movement with the evolution of drum & bass, collaborating with major pop icons along the way. As well as conquering the spheres of art and music, he’s also made his mark in the acting world, appearing on TV in EastEnders and on the big screen in Guy Ritchie’s gangster flick Snatch and Bond movie The World Is Not Enough. He returns to the Buttermarket cellars - alongside MC Codebreaker - for the first time in 14 years, for what promises to be an unmissable event for jungle and drum & bass fans alike. Perception residents Conspire and Jay Dubz support.

The Leisure Society Hypnotic Brass Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Ensemble Sun 25 September Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Thurs 29 September Hypnotic Brass are an eight-piece Chicago-based ensemble consisting of eight sons of the jazz trumpeter Phil Cohran. Their musical style ranges from hip-hop and jazz to funk and rock, incorporating calypso and gypsy music along the way. They’ve recorded with artists such as Erykah Badu and Ghostface Killah, and performed with the likes of Wu Tang Clan, De La Soul, Prince, Femi Kuti and Gorillaz, to name but a few. Their hit song War was featured in box office favourite The Hunger Games. The ensemble’s latest release, Sound Rhythm & Form, is said to be ‘a teaser to satisfy the fans who’ve been waiting Roy Harper The Leisure Society are an English rock band patiently for Bad Boys Of Jazz’, which is comprising founding members Nick Symphony Hall, Birmingham, set to be released next year. Wed 7 September Hemming, Christian Hardy and Mike Siddell. The group began the year with a three-week English folk-rock singer Roy Harper has been tour of Italy in a pared-down acoustic-trio on the professional music scene since the formation. mid-1960s. With 23 studio LPs and almost as This month, they’re bringing that Italian many live and compilation releases to his inspiration back to the UK, playing a four- name - not to mention public endorsements date tour of intimate venues, one of which is from the likes of Fleet Foxes, Led Zeppelin Henry Tudor House. and Kate Bush - it’s little wonder he’s been “These UK dates are entirely for our fans,” honoured with both the MOJO Hero Award says Christian. “We’re going to crowdsource (2005) and Lifetime Achievement Award at the setlist using our social media pages, so it the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards (2013). should be a totally different show every Roy visits Birmingham in celebration of his night.” 75th birthday.

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Gig previews from around the region

Beth Orton O2 Institute, Birmingham, Wed 28 September

Best known for her folktronica sound, English singer-songwriter Beth Orton came to prominence in the mid-1990s via collaborations with William Orbit, Red Snapper and The Chemical Brothers. Her first solo album, Trailer Park (she chooses not to count the earlier, the song that’s lent its name to his band’s Orbit-influenced SuperPinkyMandy, Toseland new album. “It’s about when things aren't which was released only in Japan), The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, going your way, or you seem to be getting received great critical acclaim, and Wed 28 September; The Slade Rooms, nowhere fast. I wanted a song you could she’s since released a further four - Wolverhampton, Thurs 29 September sing to release that energy and frustration.” Central Reservation (1999), “Cradle The Rage is all about trying to con- Having recently supported the legendary Daybreaker (2002), Comfort Of trol the frustrations of life that we all go Deep Purple, the band visit Wolverhampton Strangers (2006) and Sugaring through,” says former world superbike to promote their new album. Season (2012). champion James Toseland in talking about Orton's latest offering, Kidsticks, includes the song 1973, the music video for which featured the singer spray-painting a federally protected cholla cactus and Joshua Tree in the Haley Reinhart Megson southern California desert, a move The Glee Club, Birmingham, Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham, which did not go down well with the Mon 19 September Tues 20 September; The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Staffordshire, Thurs 20 September locals... Since releasing first album On The Side in 2004, husband-and-wife team Stu and Milburn Debbie Hanna have developed an enviable The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, reputation on the English folk music circuit. Thurs 22 September Specialising in self-composed melodies which bring together intimate harmony singing and multi-instrumental acoustic playing, the pair have released numerous albums since On The Side, with their latest studio offering - Good Times Will Come Again - available now. Joe Carnall (lead vocals/bass), Louis Carnall (vocals/rhythm guitar), Tom Twenty-five-year-old Haley Reinhart is an Rowley (lead guitar) and Joe Green American singer, songwriter and voice (drummer) formed Milburn back in actress from Chicago who rose to promi- 2001, having developed their friend- nence after coming third in the 10th series of ship whilst playing football togeth- American Idol. er.After the release of two successful Reinhart garnered widespread recognition albums, Well Well Well (2006) and in 2015 for performing and touring with These Are The Facts (2007), and per- Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, and for forming an abundance of sell-out her cover of Elvis' Can't Help Falling In shows, the Sheffield four-piece called Love. The latter appeared in a TV ad for it a day following an attack on band Extra Gum, racking up nearly 13 million member Louis. views on YouTube and peaking at number Eight years later, the boys have 16 on the US Adult Contemporary Chart. announced a UK tour following a She performs in the Midlands as part of a sold-out, four-night residency back UK headline tour to support her new album, in the spring. Better. For the complete gig guide visit whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Daniel Koek DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:26 Page 1

FEATURE

MY WEST END STORY

Daniel Koek performs at Shrewsbury's Henry Tudor House

He's played countless coveted roles in the end, people like hearing a nice melody much-loved musicals, performed in major with a through-line and a chorus and good international venues from Edinburgh to lyrics. It can be really joyous and inspira- Adelaide, taken on the part of Tony in West tional for them.” Side Story's 50th anniversary tour and be- For a singer with such varied interests, come the West End's youngest ever Jean there are endless possibilities when it Valjean; over the last 10 years, Australian comes to assembling material for a new tenor Daniel Koek has been making waves album or tour, but as far as Koek is con- in musical theatre around the world, as cerned, there are two key factors in choos- well as releasing two successful solo al- ing what to include: the personal emotional bums. This month, as part of an ongoing resonance of a song, and the potential to UK regional tour, Koek visits Shrewsbury's make it his own. Henry Tudor House for a small-scale con- “I think music inspires us and touches us cert that will take listeners on a journey on a daily basis, and there are certain songs through the highs and lows of his career so and pieces of music that form a kind of far. soundtrack to your life. Sometimes you just “I originally put the show together for the find yourself coming back to a song that re- 2015 Cabaret Festival in Adelaide, to mark minds you of a particular occasion or a the 10th anniversary of me moving to Lon- poignant moment or a success that you've don to study musical theatre,” he explains. had. I remember those and set them aside “It's a very intimate sort of show with just for when I'm putting together shows like me and a piano, doing songs and stories this. Of course, I also like to put my own about all the ups and downs and the roles slant on things, like with Set Fire To The I've played along the way.” Rain. It's a beautiful song with such a great Though classically trained, Koek is best lyric that when I did it for the album, I de- known for his renditions of popular musi- cided to make it more acoustic, especially cal show tunes. As such, both his albums at the beginning.” and his solo concerts feature an eclectic Released last year, Koek's second album, mix of songs ranging from Italian arias to HiGH, includes a medley of Billy Joel songs contemporary pop hits, all brought together - And So It Goes and She's Always A in an engaging crossover style that's been Woman - as well as a rendition of Josh described as ‘popera’. Groban's February Song, both of which, he “I think it’s a genre of music that’s always says, will appear in the concert. The album been quite popular and helps to make clas- also features the vocal talents of former G4 sical music more accessible. While I've tenor Jonathan Ansell, as well as Britain's been classically trained, I've always loved Got Talent's Charlotte Jaconelli, with whom the big production songs as well. I think in Koek has also performed live.

16 whatsonlive.co.uk Daniel Koek DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:26 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

“Charlotte actually originally came to me of control over the finished product to artists it was my sixth year in a row of doing eight after she parted ways with Jonathan [An- and creators. shows a week. Not that I wasn't enjoying it, toine, her former singing partner]. She’d seen “I've always been very determined and very but towards the end of Les Mis, I found my- me in Les Mis and her management called up focused on the kind of music that I want to self becoming all new levels of exhausted, to ask if I would be interested in doing a duet make. Sometimes, if you're signed to a major and I think sometimes you just need to listen on her album. She's a beautiful little up-and- label, that can get taken out of your hands, to your body and your mental state and give coming star, so of course I jumped at the which I don't really like the idea of.” yourself a rest. chance. With Bring It Home, after doing Les Over the years, Koek has built up an impres- “I also decided it was time to kind of regroup Mis, I knew I wanted it on my new album, sive list of stage credits, including parts in and redefine myself as an artist, rather than but of course everyone who plays that role West Side Story, South Pacific, Chess and just being the product of someone else's records it for an album, so I was looking for a Saturday Night Fever, but his most stand-out show. I think that's a trap that a lot of musi- way of doing something different with it. The role, as previously mentioned, has been Jean cal theatre performers get stuck in: obviously arrangement I did with my MD works really Valjean in the West End production of Les the financial rewards of doing lots of big well with two male voices, and Jonathan's a Miserables. As much as it's a joy and a privi- shows are high, and you can become reliant beautiful tenor, so we brought him on board lege to play a part like that, however, Koek is on that if you don't do something fresh and for that.” also candid about the costs. new to inspire yourself. To raise the money for his album, Koek “When you're in a production like that, it “At the moment, I'm really enjoying being turned to crowdfunding website PledgeMu- means doing seven or eight shows a week, able to do regional gigs like this one in sic, enabling him to capitalise on his existing sometimes two a day, and that particular part Shrewsbury. It will be my very first time fanbase and offer them a range of perks and is like a marathon. It's really all-consuming, there, but I've got a property up in Der- goodies for supporting his work. and from an audience perspective, it requires byshire where I'll be staying for the weekend, “It's a really great platform for engaging the you to be bang on the money all the time, so so it won't be far for me to travel. fans you already have and getting them on you just have to really knuckle down and “I'm also doing a lot of corporate work. I'll go board with the funding of a new album. Ob- keep yourself very fit and healthy and fo- out and headline cruise ships from time to viously, in this day and age, making money cused and look after your body. For a while, I time, and I've been doing some writing. Just out of music is much harder, and creating basically had no social life and no personal not having that packed schedule gives you something on the scale I did for the second life, but it's a sacrifice you make for your ca- time and energy to create things.” album isn't cheap - there are the musicians reer.” and the arrangements and the photoshoots, Over time, this strenuous routine began to which can all really add up. This way, people take its toll, and Koek realised it was time to can help by doing anything from buying the make a change. After taking some time out to album on pre-sale to getting signed items or Daniel Koek: My West End Story is at recover, he began to focus on smaller con- gig tickets and experiences with me. It makes Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury on certs, as well as recording his album and de- the fans feel involved and that's what I really Sunday 11 September. veloping new material. like about it.” “I'd been lucky enough to go from show to As well as giving a sense of ownership to the show, touring both nationally and interna- fans, crowdfunding also offers a greater level tionally, so by the time I finished in Les Mis,

whatsonlive.co.uk 17 BCMG DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2016 15:46 Page 1

FEATURE

Stephan Meier

Heather Kincaid talks to Birmingham Contemporary Music Group’s new Artistic Director…

Almost 30 years after helping to set up the organisation back in 1987, husband-and-wife team Stephen and Jackie Newbould have finally bid goodbye to Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, stepping down from their respective roles as Artistic Director and Executive Producer. Since 2001, under Stephen's watchful eye, BCMG has flowered into one of Europe's most well-respected music ensembles, and the departure of not just one, but two of its key figures is bound to entail major changes. The Artistic Director's shoes might be big ones to fill, but BCMG is confident it's found the right man for the job in percussionist, composer and conductor Stephan Meier, who is eager to get stuck in to the task ahead. What's On spoke to Meier to find out more about his background and his plans for the future of the group. “I'm finding it absolutely thrilling here so far!” Meier enthuses. “I feel like this is a very special story which I'm diving into at the moment.” Originally from Germany, Meier rose to prominence on the contemporary music scene as the founder and Artistic Director of Hanover's acclaimed Das Neue Ensemble. It was in this capacity that his awareness of BCMG and its work began to grow. “I've known some of the musicians here for quite a long time, having met them in Frankfurt and Berlin and other places where contemporary music is pushed forward. Those shared experiences have been in the background while working with my own Das Neue Ensemble.” As someone coming from outside the UK, Meier brings with him a wealth of knowledge about music from across Europe that will be invaluable in the role. His vision for BCMG is of a dynamic, outward-looking, international organisation that can hold its own on the world stage. “I'm looking forward to broadening the scope of BCMG DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2016 15:46 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

BCMG and bringing more of the excellent First established in 1992, Sound Investment staying on as Artistic Director of Das Neue. music being worked on around the world to is a unique BCMG creation that pioneered “Having set up this small ensemble in Birmingham. I think it would be lovely to crowdfunding for new commissions long be- Hanover for contemporary music, I feel that build up BCMG's exceptional standard of fore the use of such methods of raising saying goodbye to it would be like giving up playing and performing knowledge on a money for creative projects became popu- my identity. But I don't think it will be a global level.” larised online. This radical approach has problem for me, otherwise I wouldn't have In this, he's not alone. Meier's arrival in proved highly successful, enabling BCMG to been chosen. Just look at Mirga, who I think Birmingham happens to coincide with the position itself at the forefront of contempo- has three jobs at the moment! My impression appointment of the Lithuanian Mirga rary music. To date, the scheme has given is that the board who appointed me would Gražinyt -Tyla as Music Director of the City rise to over 70 original works by an impres- see this as an advantage rather than a disad- of Birminghamė Symphony Orchestra, an or- sive array of composers, as well as encourag- vantage, because of the possibilities it opens ganisation with which BCMG has always fos- ing a sense of ownership and direct up for international exchange.” engagement from its supporters. tered strong ties. Add to this the ongoing Far from being troubled by the workload, redevelopment of the Birmingham Conserva- “The composers from the BCMG family, if I then, Meier is looking forward to the chal- toire under its new Principal, Julian Lloyd- may put it like that, are at the core of what lenges ahead. Having previously described Webber, as well as the arrival of Caroline we're doing over the coming months - people BCMG as “one of the world's finest new Newton as Executive Producer at BCMG, and like Thomas Adès and Colin Matthews, as music ensembles, admired for its joyous, un- the coming year starts to feel like a very ex- well as younger musicians like our fantastic compromising championing of the music of citing time for music in the city. Apprentice Composer-in-Residence Patrick today,” he views it as a privilege to lead the “I'm continuously meeting people who are Brennan. I'm very much looking forward to group through this exciting new chapter in really intensely keen to drive things forward, being part of this process of collaboration its story. and co-operation.” who are very open to new ideas and to every “There are two things, I believe, that make possibility. And not just in the musical field, Elsewhere, Meier will also be overseeing the this group so special. The first is the extraor- I have to add.” group's education and outreach arm, taking dinary capability of the players, who are all Among Meier's main responsibilities in his a lead on its various projects. working at a standard well above what is new position will be programming the many “BCMG has gained a worldwide reputation, usual. The second is the way in which they concerts and events that fill the BCMG calen- not only artistically, but also in the sector work together as an ensemble. There is a re- dar, as well as commissioning new work which they call Learning & Participation. I ally wonderful community of musicians here from current composers. For the 2016/17 sea- would say that currently, the main focus is - 'work' is almost not the right word to de- son, he will be mainly focused on continuing on young people, so I hope to extend that to scribe what they are doing, since you can see the work of his predecessor and seeing encompass the wider public. We have won- how much they're enjoying going on these through projects already set in motion. derful plans in terms of broadening these ac- adventures together. It's a fantastic starting “For the next 12 months, Stephen has set a tivities, and I hope that all curious people point for me to build from.” wonderful programme celebrating all the will want to share with BCMG in exploring things that BCMG has reached and achieved. what today's music will be.” Our next season will be about building up a Without a doubt, it's going to be an ex- Stephan Meier's tenure as Artistic Direc- strong network of nationwide and worldwide tremely busy period for Meier. As well as tor of BCMG begins with the 2016/17 sea- eminent composers and conductors, as well spending time mapping out the future of son. A full programme of events and as building up the Sound Investment BCMG, he'll also be continuing with much of activities is available at whatsonlive.co.uk scheme.” his work back home in Germany, including Regent Theatre (FP- September 16).qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:59 Page 1 Festivals September.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:16 Page 2

Festivals

Moseley Folk Festival Moseley Park, Birmingham, Fri 2 - Sun 4 September There’s no need to walk 500 miles to see The Proclaimers this month - they’re much closer to home than that, sharing headlining duties at this genre-hopping annual festival. Presented in the stunning setting of Moseley Park, the event has a reputation for punching above its weight when it comes to enticing star names, and this year is no exception. Along with Scottish twins Craig and Charlie, who’ll draw proceedings to a close on the Sunday, the line-up also includes Levellers, The Coral, The Jayhawks and Billy Bragg. Other notable names taking to the stage at the three-day festival are Phosphorescent, Songhoy Blues, Oysterband and Benjamin Francis Leftwich. Line-up at a glance: Levellers, The Coral, The Proclaimers, Billy Bragg, The Jayhawks, Songhoy Blues, Phosphorescent, Oysterband, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle, Sam Lee & Friends, This Is The Kit, Laura Gibson, Steve Tilston.

Kenilworth Arts Festival Stafford Blues Festival Rockstock And Barrel The Chimneys, Willington, Derbyshire, Various venues, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, Lower Drayton Farm, Nr Penkridge, Fri 30 September - Sat 1 October Mon 12 - Sun 18 September Staffordshire, Fri 2 - Sun 4 September A small but perfectly formed event is how its “Our aim,” explain the organisers of Eager to ensure the second edition of relatively modest band of dedicated enthusi- Kenilworth Arts Festival, “is to bring together the Stafford Blues Festival builds on asts would describe Rockstock And Barrel, a some of the finest contemporary music, liter- the promising notes sounded by last festival taking place in the shadow of the ature and art from across the country, as well year’s inaugural offering, organisers Willington cooling towers. as to offer a platform for bright local talent. have added what they describe as ‘a Live power lines overhead, an atmosphere “That said, it’s important to point out that touch of rock’ to this year’s event. The sparking with electricity, plenty of highly ‘arts’ isn’t intended as a code word for Sick Notes, Stuart Woolfenden and charged music and no small amount of ‘hodgepodge’. We have a very clear vision for Rock Dogs will all be on hand to offer brain-battering cider ensure the two-day the festival, and our insistence on quality, a side-order of headbanging to go event boasts a style and character all its originality and contemporary creative with the main dish of chilled-out jazz own. expression will shape the programme of and blues. This year’s line-up features Nottingham folk- events.” There’s also a Women In Blues day, punk/ska band Ferocious Dog and South Previously called the Kenilworth Festival and featuring contributions from female Yorkshire blues/rockers Black Tartan Clan, rebranded for this year, the event includes artists including the internationally both of whom are headlining. contributions from critically acclaimed con- acclaimed Judy Emeline and up-and- temporary artists and keynote speakers. coming local talent Rheanna Line-up at a glance: Ferocious Dog (pic- There are numerous workshops to attend as Forrester. tured), Black Tartan Clan, The Lagan, Blind well, and a free, open-air, child-friendly get- A jam/open-mic session kickstarts Fever Hillbilly Blues, Headsticks, Star together in Abbey Fields featuring music, proceedings on the Thursday, at what Botherers, Emma And The Professor, We food, arts & crafts and stalls selling local promises to be a pleasantly low-key Steal Flyers, The Bar-Steward Sons Of Val produce. get-together boasting a relaxed, family Doonican, The Blue Horizon, The Eskies. atmosphere. Line-up at a glance: Jason Rebello, Kitty MacFarlane, Line-up at a glance: Stu Woolfenden, Luke Jackson, Rachel The Sick Notes, Rockdogs, Bang To Sermanni (pictured), Rights, Rainbreakers, Lol Goodman Rebecca Omonira-Oyekanmi, Band, Pistol Pete Wearn, Used Blues, Rob Cowen, The Ayoub Ged Wilson, Ben Miles, Cold Flame, Sisters, Andrew Davies, Voodoo Stone, Blackfish, The Zoe Claire Trevien, David Morley, Green Band, Maggie Thomas, Narn, Jo Bell, Jonathan Edwards, The Bonny Lou Band, Imaner, Luke Kennard, Sarah Howe. Northbound, Barrel House Jukes.

For more festivals visit whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Comedy September.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:10 Page 1

Comedy

Romesh Ranganathan William Aston Hall, Wrexham, Sat 24 September; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 25 September; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Thurs 29 September; Malvern Theatre, Sat 8 October; Birmingham Town Hall, Sun 9 & Wed 12 October; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 14 October; Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 29 October Romesh Ranganathan’s transition from maths teacher to stand-up comedian wasn’t always an easy one. "When I was starting out,” Romesh recalls, “I’d be performing to one man and his dog in a local pub, and all of a sudden my sixth for- mers would turn up to watch me die on stage. Telling them off in class the following day was certainly not easy!” With his support slots having included one for Ricky Gervais, Romesh has become a familiar face on TV, having lent his talents to, among other series, Live At The Apollo and Stand Up For The Week. He’s returning to the Midlands this month with brand new show Irrational, in which he’ll not only examine the global issues close to his heart but also explain why everybody else is wrong about them...

Six of the best...

Sara Andrea Funhouse Pascoe Hubert Comedy Stratford The Glee Club, Night Artshouse, Thurs Fri 23 - Sat 24 Brewhouse Arts 22 September September Centre, Thurs 22 In common with At a gangly 6ft 2in, September Mitch Benn Andrea Hubert BRMB presenter (opposite page), stands out from Tom Binns became Sara Pascoe is the crowd even former BRMB pre- clear about one before she opens senter Tom Binns thing - there are no off-limit subjects when it her mouth, let alone tells a joke. on Christmas Day 2009. It was on that day comes to comedy. A second-place finish in all manner of presti- that he stopped the Birmingham radio sta- “People forgive the subject matter when they gious stand-up competitions offers tion’s broadcast of the Queen's Speech, find something funny,” she says, “but that irrefutable evidence of the consistently high declared it to be “Two words: Bor-ring”, and doesn’t mean the comedian has no responsi- quality of her material. played the Wham song Last Christmas bility to question their own material. If Her Edinburgh stand-up show this summer instead... According to Tom, there’s plenty they’re going to tell a joke about rape, they took the theme of depression - not a subject more to that story than meets the eye, but the should first consider how you might feel if that’s an obvious bag of laughs but certainly bottom line is that he was subsequently you’ve been a victim of it. If, after that, they one that’s been significant in Andrea’s life. sacked from the station. Not that the dis- still feel it’s a joke worth telling, then they’ll Having suffered with the ‘black dog’ for missal has weighed too heavily on his career be doing so with complete faith in their own years, she finally decided to take antidepres- in the years which have followed, thanks in material, which is great.” sants - and hasn’t looked back since. She no small measure to his impressive comic tal- Sara first entered the realm of stand-up com- would advise anybody in a similar position to ent. edy back in 2007. Since that time she’s con- follow her lead - just bite the bullet and swal- He’s best known on the circuit for his alter tinued to develop both her act and her CV, low the pill. “Do take them,” she urges. egos, Ivan Brackenbury - an inept hospital with roles in The Thick Of It and Being “Positive feelings will start to creep in. radio DJ - and Ian D Montford - a man whose Human sitting alongside her live work. Embrace them the way you would a polite propensity for getting things wrong belies his new boyfriend after years of bastards.” belief that he’s Britain's top psychic. Tom here appears as both characters. 20 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy September.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:10 Page 2

Mitch Benn Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 10 September; Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Thurs 22 September “I wouldn’t say there’s an absolutely taboo subject when it comes to comedy,” says Mitch Benn, who visits the Midlands this month with his Don’t Believe A Word tour, “but there are some things which are just so hard to make funny, you’d probably just upset yourself and everyone else by trying. Sure, I have the right to crack jokes about everything. The question is, do I have the capacity to crack jokes about everything? Am I that good that I can take the most abhorrent subjects and make them funny? “I’ve often thought that offensive humour is a bit of an oddity. In my mind, if something’s offensive, then it’s not funny. I’m also quite suspicious of self-consciously dark humour. My problem with it is that I think it shifts the burden onto the audience. It makes it their job to find me funny, rather than it being my job to make them laugh. As a comedian, I believe it’s never the audience’s responsibility to find you funny.”

Ross Bridget Tape Face Noble Christie The Core, Solihull, Sun 18 September; The Place, Royal Shakespeare Royal Spa Centre, Oakengates, Theatre, Stratford- Leamington Spa, Shropshire, upon-Avon, Sun 18 Wed 12 October; Thurs 22 - Fri 23 September mac, Birmingham, September Bridget Christie Thurs 13 - Sat 15 Geordie comic October; Wulfrun describes herself as Hall, W’hampton, Ross Noble may ‘a female person’ Tues 1 November not have hit the and ‘the only stand- Otherwise known heights once up to have been billed as The Boy With Tape On His Face, hailed as expected of him, but he’s undoubtedly one alongside both Lionel Blair and Naomi Wolf’. a modern-day Buster Keaton and described of the UK’s most talented funnymen. He also Bridget’s appearance at the Royal as 'a mad scientist of vaudevillian pranks', has a nice line in surreal comedy, never gives Shakespeare Theatre, alongside comedian there's no question that Canadian comedian an audience the same show twice, and and writer Andy Hamilton, is sandwiched Sam Wills brings something to the table boasts hundreds of thousands of followers between her Edinburgh Festival appearances that’s just a little bit different. on Twitter. and numerous London performances of Mime with noise, stand-up with no talking, He’s heading for the Midlands this month to Because You Demanded It, her new show and drama with no acting are among the perform a warm-up for his brand new show, about Brexit. novelty numbers he peddles in his shows, Brain Dump, and includes among his jokes, “If you didn’t want to leave the EU,” says which have also been known to draw on a “If the Pope doesn't want to be knocked Bridget, “or you did, but now don’t because heritage that includes magic, puppetry and down, he shouldn't dress up as a skittle”. everything’s gone to shit, then this is Motown. absolutely the show for you.” Oh, and the films of Patrick Swayze... Gags include: “Every vagina is a unique snowflake... made of gammon”, and “Feminism isn’t a fad. It’s not like Angry Birds. Although it does involve a lot of angry birds. Bad example.”

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FEATURE

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Isy Suttie DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:09 Page 2

by Brian Donaldson Isy Suttie

Best known for playing Dobby in Channel Four’s Peep Show, comedian Isy Suttie this month visits the Midlands to promote her book, The Actual One. What’s On recently caught up with her to find out more…

Isy Suttie has been swapping the lights of the after with. And nor is it me going about leav- pared to some things where you’re running stage for the glow of her desk lamp recently, ing my knickers on rugby posts. It’s quite an out of time and everyone is a bit knackered. and now that she's completed her book, The honest account of me bumbling through life But with Peep Show, even when we were re- Actual One, she's back on tour with a new trying to make the best of things.” ally up against it, the cast and the director show of the same name. However, it’s not ex- Certainly, Isy Suttie has made more than the never made it feel like work. A lot of that is to actly like a regular stand-up tour - as she ex- best of things when it comes to her career in do with the writing; when you know you plains: “It’s effectively a book tour, but I still comedy to date, with a series of successful have a really great script, everyone is more want to make it as varied as possible, so Edinburgh Fringe shows under her belt. relaxed and you’re on a very solid founda- there’ll be bits of stand-up and songs and I’ll Love Lost In The British Retail Industry was tion.” be chatting to the audience. The book is an her acclaimed 2007 character-led debut, Now that Suttie is a published author as well account of me being single and in various re- while her most recent appearance was in as a TV actress, musical comedian and lationships in my late 20s/early 30s, but 2011, with Pearl And Dave. “When I was award-winning radio playwright (her adapta- what’s come out from the writing of it is a cel- growing up, I always wanted to be an actress tion of Pearl And Dave for Radio Four won ebration of friendship. What I do generally is and musician. I never thought I’d go into the Sony Radio Academy Award in 2013), her quite upbeat, and I’m not about to do a series comedy, although I was always larking about career’s building blocks are rock-solid. And of one-liners about misery, so it will hope- and playing the fool at school. I used to write thanks to her aforementioned ‘book tour’, fully be quite spirited and fun.” these serious songs, and around the age of 2016 is proving to be a big year for her. When she came to deciding how she wanted 18, I really thought I could be a folk singer “When you’re writing a live show, you just to structure The Actual One (the working title and an actress. I just knew that I’d want to have to think, ‘Is this funny?’ You might say, of which was Glass Half Full), Suttie took a tell stories in my songs.” ‘Well, I’ve done enough funny stuff to earn degree of inspiration from Lena Dunham, the It would be fair to say that music has been an the right to talk about my dead grandfather creator of US hit comedy-drama Girls and au- important element in much of Suttie’s work. for 10 minutes’, but when you’re writing a thor of Not That Kind Of Girl. “Her book is As a teenager, she was a regional winner in book, you can allow yourself a bit of space. written in essay form where there’s no narra- the Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Competition, You can plunge deeper down in a book than tive per se or even a thread running through while a few years later she won the Julian you can on stage. I love doing radio, but it; it’s just chapters about different periods of Slade Songwriting Competition. Subse- you’re always a bit confined because you her life, and that works brilliantly. I’d toyed quently, she’s been tour support for one of can’t talk about sex unless you’re alluding to with doing my book that way, but it felt that her heroes (ex-Carter The Unstoppable Sex it. With the book, I found I could write about the right thing was to write about a concen- Machine leader Jim Bob) and enlisted the whatever I wanted, with no need to shy away trated period of time.” help of another idol, The Stranglers’ Jean- from any of those cringey and sometimes sad One of the main events in this period features Jacques Burnel, for a short film she made, moments that feel more honest. I had a rule the time Suttie was back at her parents’ The Best Night Of Roxy’s Life. that I wouldn’t write anything in the book house feeling a little sorry for herself having TV has also come a-calling for Suttie, with that I wouldn’t say on stage. I do talk about just witnessed her pregnant best mate mov- appearances opposite Alan Davies in BBC sex; I mean, it’s not Jordan’s autobiography ing away. “As a joke, my mum and I set up an kitchen drama Whites, as a regular character or anything, but if I thought it would be good internet dating profile for me and she started in Shameless’ 11th season and, in arguably for the reader to know something, then I’d choosing guys for me and logging in as me. It her biggest coup, a recurring role across sev- put it in. And the best bit, of course, is that culminated in a bet where, if I didn’t end up eral seasons as Dobby in Peep Show. With you can’t see people’s faces when they’re with a boyfriend in a month, I’d go on a date that series coming to a close in 2015, it was reading it.” with someone she’d chosen. She really got the right moment for Suttie to reflect on into it. I talk a lot in the book about the na- being part of one of Britain’s most critically ture of relationships according to my experi- adored sitcoms of recent times. ence, and the fact that I know more unhappy Isy Suttie brings her The Actual One Book “When I got on Peep Show, I didn’t fully re- people who are in relationships than aren’t. Tour to the Glee Club, Birmingham on alise how big it was. I remember being nerv- This isn’t a book that’s the equivalent of a Friday 23 September. ous for the whole of my first series because it romcom, where I’m all Bridget Jonesy and Hard copies of The Actual One are now felt like a big jump for me. The writing never eventually find someone to live happily ever available from all leading book shops. wavered, and it was so relaxed there com-

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Dance Dance previews from around the region

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Birmingham Hippodrome, Fri 23 - Sat 24 September It’s been six years since the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater last performed in Birmingham, so this return visit is long over- due. Since forming in the late 1950s, the company has bedazzled more than 20 million people across 70-plus countries on six continents and continues to impress with its theatrical style of performance. The ensemble here present a repertoire of seven shows across two days. Their all-too-brief stop-off at the Hippodrome is brought to a close with a performance of Revelations. Choreographed by founding father Ailey and first performed in 1960, the work uses song-sermons, spiritu- als, holy blues and gospel songs to tell the story of the African-American journey from slavery to freedom.

National Dance Company notion of rhythm - and Lee Johnston’s They BRB: The Tempest Seek To Find The Happiness They Seem, a Of Wales: Folk ‘heart-wrenching exploration of the separa- Birmingham Hippodrome, Sat 1 - Sat 8 October DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, tion and disconnection within a relation- Birmingham Hippodrome, ship’. Thurs 22 - Fri 23 September David Bintley’s full-length ballet version of The Tempest has been a long time coming - 30 years, in fact. Rosie Kay Dance “Thirty years ago I made my first full-length ballet, The Swan Of Tuonela,” explains Company Double Bill David, the artistic director of Birmingham mac, Birmingham, Royal Ballet, the company next month per- Thurs 15 - Sat 16 September forming the brand new work. “The music Rosie Kay’s Midlands-based company here was derived from a number of Sibelius’s present two pieces that perfectly illustrate scores, including the overture from his inci- why the ensemble is so highly regarded on dental music to The Tempest. Later, I the UK dance scene. acquired a recording of the complete music Bach, dubstep and electronica provide the and was fired to make a ballet. soundscape against which the dancers per- Unfortunately my excitement was tempered form Double Points: K, an impressive study by my feeling that this music, excellent National Dance Company Wales’ new artistic of synchronicity and stamina. though it was, was not the score for me to director, Caroline Finn, is one of three lead- Meanwhile, it’s the paintings of visual arts make ‘my’ Tempest to, so the idea was rele- ing choreographers whose work is being duo Huntley Muir that provide the compa- gated to the back burner.” presented in this brand new show. Well ny’s inspiration for Motel - a ‘dark, sexy and And there it remained - until, that is, David known for her quirky style, Finn here pres- exciting’ work exploring the spaces in which discovered the music of British composer ents Folk, a darkly comic piece that explores ‘illicit affairs occur and secret relationships Sally Beamish. “Her output is pictorial in the theme of social dynamics. play out’. concept,” he says, “often lyrical, dramatic, “I wanted to create a community in which pulse driven and strongly, recognisably the characters could exist that was surreal structured. Imagine my delight on meeting yet familiar,” explains Caroline, “a world her and learning that she’d longed to write that we can all relate to on some level but for dance!” which isn’t immediately identifiable or Bintley’s Tempest is the highlight of recognisable. Folk is a piece which features Birmingham Royal Ballet’s contribution to some quite intense moments, but it also has Shakespeare400, a nationwide festival mark- a dash of dark British humour.” ing the 400th anniversary of the play- Alongside Finn’s work, the company also wright’s death. The ballet will head out on a performs Alexander Ekman’s Tuplet - a witty UK tour following its premiere at the and high-octane exploration of the simple Hippodrome next month.

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Sister Act New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 12 - Sat 17 September; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 27 February - Sat 4 March; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 8 - Sat 13 May Alexandra Burke stars in this hit show, which is based on the Whoopi Goldberg film of the same name and directed by Craig Revel Horwood. Packed to the rafters with songs inspired by Motown, funk, soul and disco, Sister Act tells the story of disco diva Deloris Van Cartier. After witnessing a murder, Deloris is put in protective custody by the police, in the one place they feel confident she won't be found - a convent, and disguised as a nun...

The Importance Of Labels ed snakes!”... Patrick Marley’s well-reviewed work is a Being Earnest Lichfield Garrick, Fri 30 September thoughtfully compiled celebration of the The REP, Birmingham, Worklight Theatre came to prominence five flawed genius that Wilde so colourfully and Fri 9 - Sat 24 September years ago with their debut show, How To accurately described himself to be in De Start A Riot. They’ve been building a solid Profundis. The production visits various reputation for thoughtfully constructed stage points in the writer’s life, introducing the work ever since. people who influenced him and charting the Labels, their third offering, is a one-man triumphs and tragedies of one of Irish litera- show that seeks to highlight the dangers of ture’s most talented and controversial char- trivialising racism, examining how the use of acters. language reflects people’s personal preju- dices and those of society in general. The show uses comedy, storytelling and spo- A Slave To Love ken word to highlight its message, with per- mac, Birmingham, Fri 16 - Sat 17 September former Joe Sellman-Leava warning his audience to expect ‘paper planes, racist “My play is set in 1860 Jamestown, Virginia,” romances and lots of sticky labels!’ explains writer and director Nathalie Bazan in talking about her new work. “It tells the story of three slaves sold at auction to Patrick Marley: Governor John Johnson to work on his small “We're not messing with genius,” says Curve plantation. Leicester's Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster, in Wilde At Heart “As the story unfolds, we discover the truth speaking about the venue’s new version of The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, behind the lies, the secrets kept hidden and Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, a co-produc- Fri 16 - Sat 17 September the sacrifices made for love. A life is at risk tion with Birmingham Rep. “People who “The gods had given me almost everything,” for committing the ultimate crime. Falling in know and love the play are going to get a wrote Oscar Wilde in De Profundis, the letter love. Or was it des- very fine reading of it. he sent to his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, tiny all along?” “Hopefully it's the best of both worlds: I from his cell in Reading gaol, where he’d Containing strong think young people coming to see it for the been imprisoned for acts of gross indecency language and first time will love the anarchy of these with other males. “Genius, brilliancy, intel- scenes of nudity young people telling porkies and creating lectual daring. Whatever I touched I made and violence, A alter-egos to escape their overbearing par- beautiful... Along with these things, I had Slave To Love is ents and guardians, and people who’re a bit things that were different. I let myself be presented in associ- older and know the play will get to see some- lured into long spells of senseless and sensu- ation with Lying thing very glamorous and unlike any produc- al ease... The danger was half the excite- Lips Theatre tion they've ever seen before.” ment... They were to me the brightest of gild- Company.

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Do something different, see something new

Dance Consortium presents

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Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate

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0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre September .qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:08 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 7 - Sun 18 September Everybody's favourite flying car makes a welcome return to the Midlands this month, complete with ‘sensational’ sets, ‘stunning’ special effects, the Sherman Brothers’ mem- orable score and a high-energy cast headed by Lee Mead, Claire Sweeney and comedian Phill Jupitus. When eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts (Mead) creates an amazing flying car, he takes his family to the fictional country of Vulgaria. But all is not well in the European barony, where the sinister Baron Bomburst has decided to make children illegal... Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain and the Oscar-nominated title song feature among the show’s best-known musical numbers.

Little Shop Of Horrors by the playwright in 1997, is every bit as orig- Disco Pigs inal and thought-provoking as her later Lichfield Garrick, Tues 20 - Sat 24 September; award winner. The REP, Birmingham, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 27 Thurs 29 September - Sat 1 October September - Sat 1 October Set in the 1920s, it focuses on the friendship between Dora and Persephone, who find Enda Walsh’s fast and furious play, about This cult, tongue-in-cheek show is an affec- themselves incarcerated in a hospital for the the fragility of a friendship that asks too tionate spoof of 1950s science fiction movies. criminally insane. Dora is there for wishing much, caused a significant stir when it It’s probably best known from its 1980s film to dress and live like a man, Persephone debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe way back version, which featured a hilarious turn from because she bore an illegitimate child. in 1997. Steve Martin as sadistic dentist Orin As the years pass and their desperation Darren and Sinead have known one another Scrivello. The show-stealing role is here intensifies, the friends adopt alter egos and all of their lives, having been born seconds taken by Welsh baritone and one-time X take refuge in a fantasy world of their own apart in Cork City hospital. They’re close - Factor star Rhydian Roberts, whose musical creation - a world inhabited by Doris Day, almost telepathically close. So close, in fact, theatre CV includes productions of Grease, Bolshevik women, a Moulinex hand whisk that they’ve renamed themselves Pig and We Will Rock You, The War Of The Worlds, and airswimming... Runt, developed their very own language Jesus Christ Superstar and The Rocky Horror and created a special fantasy world in which Show. they can shelter from reality. But as they pre- The Collector pare to enjoy a 17th birthday binge, it’s clear that all is no longer well between the pair. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 27 September; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Pig needs more from Runt, and Runt needs Thurs 29 September - Sat 1 October more from life. When When the pro-Western Nazir is offered a job reality violently col- as a translator by the Allies in Iraq’s Mazrat lides with their fan- Prison, once one of Saddam Hussein's most tasy, it isn’t too long notorious torture houses, he gratefully before their self-cre- accepts. The money he makes will allow him ated world begins to to marry his sweetheart, Zoya. He’ll also be crumble... able to feel that he’s making a positive contribution towards the building of a new Iraq. But when he’s recognised by a new prisoner, Dial M For Murder a psychotic supporter of the old regime, it Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, isn’t long before Nazir’s life becomes a living Thurs 22 September - Sat 1 October hell... Frederick Knott’s erotic tale of betrayal, pas- Henry Naylor's highly acclaimed show sion and murder is best known from its 1954 Airswimming bagged the prestigious Scotsman Fringe First Alfred Hitchcock-directed film version star- Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Award at the 2014 Edinburgh Festival, a suc- ring Ray Milland and Grace Kelly. Fri 23 September cess which was followed by a sold-out run at When Tony becomes convinced that wife Charlotte Jones may be best known for her London's Arcola Theatre. 2001 offering, Humble Boy, but this sad-yet- Margot is having an affair, he devises a plan funny story of two forgotten women, written to have her murdered...

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Theatre

The Shawshank Redemption Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 27 September - Sat 1 October Given that film critics regard The Shawshank Redemption as one of the greatest movies of all time, it’s hardly surprising to find that its stage version is out on the road and doing good business. Based on a 1982 Stephen King novella, the story revolves around the character of Andy Dufresne, a man serving a double life sentence at the notorious Shawshank facility. An unlike- ly friendship with prison fixer Red makes life a little more bearable - but when the warden decides to make Andy’s life hell, the nothing- to-lose lifer hatches a daring and ingenious plan to escape... Paul Nicholls (Joe Wickes in EastEnders), Ben Onwukwe (Stuart McKenzie in London’s Burning) and Jack Ellis (Prime Suspect, Coronation Street) star.

The Rover Lady Anna: All At Sea Who’s Afraid Of Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Malvern Theatres, Virginia Woolf? Thurs 8 September - Sat 11 February Mon 26 September - Sat 1 October Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 17 - Sun 18 September; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Thurs Thirty years after last being staged by the 22 - Sat 24 September RSC (as part of the Swan Theatre’s opening season), this anarchic restoration comedy Edward Albee’s 1962 play is best remembered makes a welcome return to Stratford for a from its film version, which starred Richard new generation to enjoy. It was written by Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Aphra Behn, a woman considered by many The play focuses on a middle-aged couple to be the first ever professional female play- named Martha and George and examines the wright in England. spectacular decline of their marriage. As the Premiering in 1677, The Rover presents the couple wage war against one another, in the story of three wandering cavaliers, exiled “Last year was the bicentenary of process drawing their young house-party from Cromwell’s England, who meet up in a Anthony Trollope’s birth,” says his guests into a series of all-or-nothing ‘games’, Spanish colony as carnival begins. descendant, the novelist Joanna it becomes increasingly hard for them to dis- When three wealthy sisters disappear into Trollope, “so what could celebrate it tinguish the line between fact and fiction... the city in search of love, an evening of better than a play inspired by his novel This particular staging is presented by local seduction, intrigue and danger is very much about one of the great themes of our theatre troupe All & Sundry. in prospect... own times - that of defying convention “We’re basing it in a kind of reinvented 17th and convenience to follow one’s heart. century world,” explains director Loveday Even the title of the play is apt, since he The Woman In Black Ingram. “Essentially, we've taken all the was at sea when he wrote it, on his way Lichfield Garrick, Tues 13 - Sat 17 September; ingredients that make up the play - the carni- to Australia.” Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 18 - Sat 22 October val, the Catholicism, Spanish colonial rule, Busying himself aboard a steamship by the excessiveness, the wonderful, multicul- writing a scandal entitled Lady Anna, The Woman In Black, adapted by Stephen tural, dangerous city - and we've created our Trollope finds that his story of intrigue, Mallatratt from the Susan Hill novel, is a own version of it. It's very exciting to bring it rebellion and social politics proves classic ghost story first performed in 1989. to life - it should feel hot, steamy and sexy in hugely divisive among his fellow pas- It’s since become one of the West End's most a way that's not necessarily English, I hope.” sengers... successful plays and was made into a film Craig Baxter’s dramatisation of the 1873 starring Daniel Radcliffe in 2012. novel was commissioned by the Solicitor Arthur Kipp believes that his family Trollope Society as part of the author’s have somehow been cursed by a mysterious bicentenary celebrations and sees a woman in black. In an attempt to tell his cast of seven playing multiple roles. story, and to exorcise the evil curse which Although the production hasn’t met he’s convinced hangs over him, he hires a with universal acclaim since debuting young actor to assist him in recounting his last summer, it’s certainly enjoyed its experiences... fair share of exuberant reviews.

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Cats Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 5 - Sat 10 September A spectacular and captivating adaptation of TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats, this Andrew Lloyd Webber production has been performed in over 300 cities in more than 20 countries around the world. It's also widely considered to be the show that redefined the modern musical. As well as paving the way for a seemingly relentless stream of blockbuster hits, it also gave starring roles to Elaine Page, Sarah Brightman and Brian Blessed. All in all, then, one helluva theatrical experience...

My Big Fat Cow Pat Stick Man Giants On The Hill Wedding Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Fri 23 - Sat 24 September Thurs 29 September Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton, Wed 28 September; Quatt Village Hall, “Scamp Theatre send shivers down my In a fictional rural community, two farming Bridgnorth, South Shropshire, Fri 30 spine,” reveals Julia Donaldson, the co-cre- families find their longstanding friendship September ator (along with Alex Scheffler) of the hugely put under strain when they discover that a Based on the lives and stories of Midlanders, popular children’s book on which this show large wind farm is to be developed nearby... this three-way co-commission from Black is based. “They’re so lively and innovative. I Centric Theatre Company are the ensemble Country Touring, Arts Alive and Kali Theatre love their production of Stick Man, and so do behind this thought-provoking work, which garnered plenty of positive reviews on a pre- the audiences.” seeks to take a balanced view in the topical vious tour of theatre venues and village Julia’s not wrong - audiences most definitely debate about wind turbines and the urgent halls. It focuses on the wedding reception of do love the show, as a smash-hit season in need to find sustainable energy sources. As country girl Clare and city boy Arjun, in the the West End ably demonstrated. befits the subject matter, Centric have been process taking a lighthearted look at mixed Featuring a trio of talented performers, the exploring ways to enable their production to marriages and rural weddings. Fast-paced production brings together puppetry, songs, function 'off grid', with the three performers and peppered with neat twists, the show also live music and ‘funky moves’ to tell the story generating the energy to power the show. boasts an end-of-performance disco Bhangra of Stick Man’s desperate attempts to get back dance, designed to get the audience up on to the family tree. their feet and moving to the beat. Suitable for children aged three and older. Romeo And Juliet Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Thurs 8, Sat 10, Mon 12 & Wed 14, Fri 16 & Honk! The Musical Sat 17 September Widely regarded as Shakespeare’s fifth The Old Rep, Birmingham, tragedy, this story of a forbidden and secret Wed 14 - Sat 17 September love tends to fair less well critically than the At the time of writing, Stiles & Drewe’s hit rest of the playwright’s high-profile works. musical has been performed in excess of Nonetheless, its popularity is ensured by its 8,000 times, at venues across the world. It's timeless themes and its regular appearance based on Hans Christian Andersen's The as a study text on the National Curriculum. Ugly Duckling and tells the story of an odd- This new version of the play, presented by looking baby duck and his quest to find his Here To There Productions, sets the action in mother. But while en route, he encounters a England in the rock’n’roll era of the mid- beautiful swan tangled in a fishing line and 1950s. Expect teddy boys, greasers on motor- subsequently falls in love... bikes and an original score played by a live This quacker of a well-hatched story is here band. presented by Great Barr Musical Theatre Company.

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FEATURE

THE MANDELA TRILOGY Cape Town Opera this month return to Birmingham Hippodrome to present an epic operatic tribute to the life of Nelson Mandela...

On 11 February 1990, 27 years after he was opera sees three singers - tenor Lukhany- first imprisoned and in the face of consider- oMoyake and baritones Mandla Mndebele able political pressure, Nelson Mandela fi- and Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri - portray differ- nally regained his freedom. Four years ent incarnations of the character. later, at the age of 75, he would go on to be- “We're three different individuals, and the come both the oldest and the first non- versions of him are like different charac- white president in South African history. ters,” says Mahaka-Phiri. “So every now The image of the serene elder statesman, and then, we might have similar gestures, with his careworn eyes, broad smile and but mostly Mandela's power resides in still- awe-inspiring presence, is now ingrained in ness. He doesn't need to do much. He can The message is minds the world over, yet that familiar pic- command people just with his voice and his ‘‘ ture represents just a tiny portion of his life. presence, and that's something the three of very strong - we Though his long struggle against apartheid us really worked on.” has gone down in history, it's easy to forget “Nobody can imitate Mandela's charisma,” need to strive about the flawed humanity of the man be- Williams adds, “but each performer brings hind the legend. his own, and by having different people infor a non-racial Written and directed by Michael Williams terpreting him, you start to get a sense of and performed by the outstanding, world- the whole.” society... class Cape Town Opera, Mandela Trilogy il- Alongside the three Mandelas, the show luminates a life that spanned almost an also introduces three of the women in his entire century, with an innovative score by life - his first wife Evelyn (Pumza Mxinwa), Mike Campbell and Peter Louis van Dijk. his second wife and partner in politics Win- “Mandela himself said, 'I am more a sinner nie (Siphamandla Yakupa), and the jazz ” than a saint,'” says Michael Williams. singer Dolly Rathebe (Candida Mosoma) “You'll see that elder statesman in the final with whom he became involved before his section of the piece, but you're also going to second marriage. see the brash, eager young man who stole “Dolly is a huge icon!” Mosoma explains. his father's cattle, high-tailed it out of the “She was an amazing crooner, a beautiful village on a train and went to work in a blues and jazz singer, and she was consid- mine. You'll see the suave, elegant man in a ered to be South Africa's first black pin-up suit, a womaniser with a cigarette in hand girl.” as if he's Cary Grant. You'll see how he Though her relationship with Mandela has made a lot of mistakes and that he origi- never been widely spoken of, in the 2003 nally called for violence, which he later re- documentary Sophiatown, Rathebe inti- gretted.” mated that during the time she knew him in Divided into three acts, each correlating the ’90s, they were close enough that she with different periods in Mandela's life, the would have married him if he had asked

34 whatsonlive.co.uk Mandela Triology DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:02 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

her. But there were reasons why that was not “I think it's a lovely mixture of different gen- riod. Do you know how many days 27 years to be. res - like a recipe of music,” says Mahaka- is? It's nearly 10,000 days - that's how long “I think she kept herself quite separate from Phiri. “We start with some Xhosa opera, and he was away from society. When they took the politics,” says Mosoma. “She wasn't that then we move into a drastically different jazz him out of prison for the first time, four years girl - she just wanted to be a singer. I think in style, where all these opera singers will be before his official release, they had to intro- the end he needed someone who was ready dancing like trained theatre performers. And duce him to things like cell phones - he'd to be on the front line with him, and he then in Act Three, we've got a more pure op- never seen one before. They took him on found that partner in Winnie.” eratic style, with 15-minute arias. I think it's trips and you can just imagine this old man fantastic!” driving around - at one point in the show he The rule of three that forms both the basic says, 'I was a tourist in a remarkable land.' structure of the show as well as the founda- Xhosa - pronounced with a hard, ‘K’-like He didn't even know how to open a can of tion of the casting and character choices is click that's pretty difficult for Brits to wrap Coke!” also echoed in other aspects of the produc- their tongues around - is the language of sev- tion. eral South African cultures, including Man- With a whole new generation born since 1990 dela's own Thembu people. It's also spoken having now grown up with only a vague “The whole notion of a triad is important as a by many - though not all - of the performers sense of who Mandela was and what he went literary concept - it gives you balance and in the company. through, and with racism apparently on the rhythm,” Williams explains. “There are the rise in many places, it's vital that his mes- three women in his life, the three prisons “The first act is really a sort of journey into sage of equality and reconciliation continues that he's in, the three speeches that he makes the music of the countryside,” says Williams. to be promoted. and three conversations he has with 'White “Traditional songs are woven into the score Man'.” alongside new music. I didn't know the lan- “I think his death has made it more poignant guage beforehand, but with a company that's and also more important,” Williams contin- With each of these three acts composed in a about 90% young Xhosa men and women, ues. “The message is very strong - we need to different style, the music matches Mandela's you do start to get to know it a bit. We have strive for a non-racial society, to not be afraid story in richness and complexity. Though surtitles, so audiences will always be able to of the ‘Other’, and to reconcile with our ene- Mandela Trilogy is officially an opera, it's understand what’s being sung.” mies. What a great opportunity to share that threaded through with songs in accessible through a rousing, foot-stomping, exciting styles, from the folk and traditional music of From the days of his headstrong youth, form such as musical theatre - it's a gift of a South Africa, to the popular tunes of the jazz through his early involvement in politics and story!” scene Mandela encountered in Sophiatown. a lengthy incarceration from which he was Williams sees the show as fundamentally a not permitted leave even to attend his own piece of musical theatre that he hopes can be son's funeral, to his eventual, triumphant re- enjoyed by a wide and varied audience. lease, Mandela's story makes for an emo- Mandela Trilogy shows at Birmingham tional whirlwind of a production. Hippodrome on Tuesday 20 and “It's such a breath of fresh air!” says Mo- Wednesday 21 September soma. “Usually, whether you're going to a “One of the sad things I discovered,” says musical or an opera, you know more or less Williams, “was that while he was in prison, what you're getting yourself into, but with they gave him calendars every year full of this you don't at all.” photographs of white South Africa. You can see all his notes on them over this 27-year pe-

whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Sunny Afternoon DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2016 15:45 Page 1

FEATURE

Days To Remember

There's a heavy rumbling deep in your we grew up listening to this music, having ments, but there are also other people on chest, right at the base of your throat, as a our dads or uncles or whoever saying, stage playing trombones and guitars and thunderous guitar riff tears through the 'You've got to check out this band, they're things, and it's amazing to watch.” stage and reverberates around the audito- brilliant!' Learning the guitar became an ob- “His drum solo is amazing!” adds Newn- rium, shaking seats and rattling bones. This vious step for me, and I joined a band while ham. “You should come and see it just for is sound you can feel: raw, visceral and ag- I was at school, so when this came up it was that!” gressive. It is, insists an adamant young Ray an ideal melting pot for me.” While The Kinks' blistering early hits might Davies, “the best song [he's] ever written,” In this, Newnham is not alone among the prefigure the distinctive sounds of punk, kicking back against the managers demand- cast taking The Kinks musical out on its first grunge and metal by several years, Ray ing something safer, something saleable. ever UK tour. Andrew Gallo, who plays the Davies, the mastermind behind the band, This isn't really Top Of The Pops 1964, but as volatile drummer Mick Avory, also spent would soon become best known as a rather the iconic roar of You Really Got Me floods part of his youth performing in bands, while more introspective and sardonic observer of the theatre hosting Sunny Afternoon, The Ryan O'Donnell, who plays the band's ‘modern life’. At times sharply satirical, at Kinks' iconic single sounds as fresh and ur- charismatic frontman Ray, boasts a stint as a others wistful and nostalgic, his lyrics con- gent as ever. member of Jethro Tull among his musical trast an anger bordering on cynicism with “There are a lot of people who were around credits, as well as an appearance in an essentially romantic, sentimental heart. to see them at the time who have now got to Quadrophenia on stage. Sunny Afternoon casts Ray as its thoughtful an age where they want to relive that,” says “Sunny Afternoon is a great show for seeing and quietly driven protagonist, trying to Mark Newnham, who's responsible for actor-musicianship,” says Gallo. “As the hold the band together as it threatens to im- recreating Dave Davies' game-changing gui- members of the band we play all our instru- plode around him. Though anyone who's tar style on stage. “From our point of view, Sunny Afternoon DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2016 15:45 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

If there are theatre buffs out there who like a good script ‘‘ and witty gags, then what Joe Penhall has written is bang on the money ” ever seen the real Ray Davies live isn't likely dence that fame and fortune can procure; managers singing it, which works just as to forget his on-stage energy, this more in- hardly surprising when one realises that he well as having Ray narrating it, if you like.” troverted side of him is reflected in the cast's wasn't yet an adult when The Kinks first “All of the songs work and fit in the right experiences of meeting the man. made it big. In one outrageous scene, Dave place in the story,” Gallo agrees. “One of my “He's very... not exactly quiet,” explains swings from a chandelier clad in a pink neg- favourite songs in the show is Money Go Ryan O'Donnell, “but he keeps his thoughts ligée he's swapped with a strange woman Round, which is the tale of where all the to himself, and whatever he does say is for his own clothes - nor is this the only time money disappears to, and it's quite specific. never what you expect. I don't think I've he shows up in a dress. Meanwhile, the It's really overt in naming different people, ever asked him for any advice, but he some- homesick Ray, missing his wife and new- so when we do it on stage, it feels like it was times offers it here and there.” born baby, is sent into a deep, depressive written for this.” funk as the financial and emotional pres- “It was quite strange when he came into the Far from simply being a high-quality tribute sures of touring the US grow and his band- space where we were rehearsing for the first act, then, Sunny Afternoon is an intimate mates' constant tiffs erupt in bloody three weeks,” says Garmon Rhys, who plays domestic drama with touching moments be- violence on stage. But if Ray is the brooding bassist Peter Quaife. “We all went round and tween siblings and spouses, a big-scale Yin to Dave's flamboyant Yang, as Sunny Af- introduced ourselves, and when it came to band biopic that crosses continents and ternoon amply demonstrates, his contain- me, he said, 'Yeah, we've met.' He said it as deals with the giddy whirlwind of sudden ment does nothing to dampen his ambition; if I’d forgotten that I'd met him, and in my success, and a feel-good party that ends it’s sacking the band's greedy management head I was going, 'Dude, I would remember with everyone in the audience up on their that eventually gets him back on form. that. You are Ray Davies.' But it was quite feet. “I was really shocked by how much these sweet.” “Even without the songs in it, I think it guys took the reins when some of them were “I remember the first time he came to watch would still be a really good show,” says still in their teens to begin with,” says O'- me do it,” recalls O’Donnell. “I didn't know Newnham. “If there are theatre buffs out Donnell. “They went over and took America he was in until about halfway through when there who like a good script and witty gags, by storm, and when they kept getting used I saw him and I just thought, 'Oh my God, then what Joe Penhall has written is bang by their management, Ray stood up to them this changes everything!’ I always think it on the money.” and took the credit back and refused to let must be difficult for him to allow some of anything stop him. When you look back at “I think the reason it's been so successful,” the details of the story to be put on stage it, I don't think I could have done now what offers Rhys, “is that not only is it a collec- while he's still around to watch it, but what Ray did when he was 20 years old. Not many tion of really amazing songs, but it's also got I'm trying to present in my performance isn’t people could have done it.” such a strong set of characters and a great necessarily a direct version of Ray. From story. It's so well written that you feel as Despite not being directly written for the what I've seen of him, he thinks about though you know them straight away and show, many of The Kinks' songs have a clear things very intensely but doesn't always vo- you really invest in all of them, so by the narrative, and are so transparently inspired calise those thoughts. Obviously we need to end of the play it's like you've been on this by Ray's personal experiences as to slide get the story out of him, so in our version amazing journey with them.” he's a bit more brash and loud with more of neatly into the account of his life as told a physicality, but sometimes when he comes through Sunny Afternoon's biographical to watch the show, I feel like I should tone it plot. Sunny Afternoon shows at the New down a bit!” “Ray is such a good storyteller anyway,” Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues- says Newnham, “but what's different here is It's this relative reserve that makes Ray's he- day 6 to Saturday 10 September; Regent that you have the various characters on donistic little brother his perfect foil in the Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tuesday 29 No- stage. For example, in Well Respected Man production. Dubbed ‘Dave the Rave’, the vember to Saturday 3 December. guitarist dives head-first into all the deca- About Town, you have these well-respected Film Sep- GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:12 Page 1

To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk

Win!

Tickets to Summer Nights Tickets to Daniel Koek Tickets to The Three Degrees at Film Festival ‘My West End Story' The Old Rep

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To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk also follow us on Twitter for more great competitions 36 whatsonlive.co.uk Film Sep- GROUP.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:12 Page 2

Film

Bridget Jones's Baby CERT tbc Starring Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey, Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones, Emma Thompson, Sally Phillips, Celia Imrie, Shirley Henderson Directed by Sharon Maguire (UK/USA/France/Ireland) Twelve years on and Bridget is still composing her diaries. And this time she really does have something to write about: her bump. Scripted by the redoubtable triumvirate of Emma Thompson, Helen Fielding and Dan Mazer, the romcom sees Bridget battling with her forties but settling down to a contented routine with her reliable circle of friends. And then a dashing American enters her life… Based on the columns that Helen Fielding wrote for The Independent in 2005, BJB suffered a tumultuous production history with a number of writers dipping their toes in the material until the final script was birthed. Ed Sheeran appears as himself. Released Fri 16 September

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in September...

Café Society CERT 12a (96 mins) Sausage Party CERT 15 (89 mins) Starring Jeannie Berlin, Steve Carell, Jesse With the voices of Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig, Eisenberg, Blake Lively, Parker Posey, Kristen Jonah Hill, Bill Hader, Michael Cera, James Stewart, Corey Stoll, Ken Stott Franco Directed by Greg Tiernan (USA) Directed by Woody Allen (USA) In animation, nothing is too weird, apparent- Woody Allen’s 45th feature as writer-director ly. Here, a sausage called Frank (voiced by sees Jesse Eisenberg as a young man who Seth Rogen), who resides in a supermarket leaves New York for Hollywood, where he called Shopwell's, discovers the fate of what falls in love with the secretary of his uncle will happen to him should he be sold to a (Steve Carell). Bruce Willis was originally customer. So he teams up with his girlfriend, cast as the uncle, but Woody fired him on a hot dog bun (Kristen Wiig), to escape… account of his prima donna behaviour. Expect what is known as ‘adult’ humour. Released Fri 2 September Released Fri 2 September

Morgan CERT tbc Starring Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy, Toby Jones, Rose Leslie, Michelle Yeoh, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Paul Giamatti Directed by Luke Scott (USA) Morgan is a suitable case for treatment. An artificial ‘being’ created in a labora- tory, Morgan has got rather out of hand and somebody has to terminate her… The director Luke Scott is the son of director Ridley, so this could be special. Released Fri 2 September

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Film

Ben-Hur CERT 12a (123 mins) Starring Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell, Rodrigo Santoro, Nazanin Boniadi, Morgan Freeman Directed by Timur Bekmambetov (USA) Not so much a remake of the Oscar-winning epic of 1959 as a "re-imagining" of Lew Wallace's 1880 novel. Judah Ben-Hur (Huston) is a Jewish nobleman who, after years of slavery, sets out to avenge his childhood friend who betrayed him. Expect chari- ots. And CGI. In 3D. Released Wed 7 September

CRITIC’S CHOICE

The Magnificent Seven story: seven gun-toting outlaws are unit- ed under the supervision of a bounty CERT 12a (133 mins) hunter to help defend a small town Starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, against a ruthless industrialist (Peter Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, Byung- hun Lee, Peter Sarsgaard, Manuel Garcia- Sarsgaard). The original star, the magnif- Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, Haley Bennett icent Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune, was Directed by Antoine Fuqua (USA) replaced by the Russian-born Yul Who would have thought that Akira Brynner in the first remake and has now Kurosawa’s Japanese classic, Seven been transmogrified into a black man. Samurai (1954), would end up as one of And Denzel Washington is in good the most beloved Westerns of all time? hands: the director Antoine Fuqua Well, the 1960 remake with Yul Brynner steered Denzel to an Oscar in his 2001 and Steve McQueen looks pretty stodgy crime thriller Training Day. and dated today, so another remake was Released Fri 23 September perhaps inevitable. It’s the same old

Anthropoid CERT 15 (120 mins) Don’t Breathe CERT 15 (88 mins) Starring Cillian Murphy, Jamie Dornan, A a Starring Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Geislerová, Toby Jones, Harry Lloyd, Charlotteň Zovatto, Stephen Lang Le Bon Directed by Sean Ellis (UK/ Directed by Fede Alvarez (USA) France/Czech Republic) Rocky and her younger sister need some ‘Anthropoid’ was the code name used by the money fast. So they decide to break into the Czechs for their mission to assassinate SS home of a blind man, who is believed to be General Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi behind pretty well-off. However, they underestimat- the Final Solution. This is the (true) story of ed the ingenuity of the sightless occupant… two soldiers who are parachuted into their The reviews in the US were excellent. homeland in order to carry out the plan. Released Fri 9 September Released Fri 9 September

Captain Fantastic CERT 15 (120 mins) Starring Viggo Mortensen, Frank Langella, Kathryn Hahn, Steve Zahn, George MacKay Directed by Matt Ross (USA) Jason Bourne is not the only one living off the grid. A man called Ben (Mortensen) has managed to raise his six children single- handed in the deepest recesses of the forests of the Pacific Northwest. But when they’re forced to attend the funeral of the children’s mother in New Mexico, Ben finds out what it’s like to be a father in the real world. Released Fri 9 September

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Film releases in September

Hell Or High Water The Infiltrator Free State Of Jones CERT 15 (102 mins) CERT 15 (127 mins) CERT tbc Starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Starring Bryan Cranston, Diane Kruger, Starring Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Gil Birmingham Benjamin Bratt, John Leguizamo, Amy Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali, Keri Russell, Directed by David Mackenzie (USA) Ryan, Saïd Taghmaoui, Olympia Dukakis Brendan Gleeson Directed by Brad Furman (USA) Directed by Gary Ross (USA) Chris Pine has already been through hell and high water this year (in the waterlogged Based on the autobiography of US Set shortly after 1862, after the Battle of Finest Hours), but here the title proves to be Customs agent Robert Mazur Corinth in Mississippi, this true-life drama a little more metaphorical. He plays a Texan (Cranston), this is the story of Mazur’s stars McConaughey as Newton Knight, a farmer whose business is facing foreclosure, undercover operation in which he pre- poor farmer. It was he, during the American so he and his brother, an ex-con, set about tended to be a corrupt businessman. Civil War, who gathered together a ragbag of acquiring some major cash by somewhat His aim was to expose a Colombian local farmers and slaves and led an armed unorthodox means…. money-laundering drug cartel run by rebellion against the Confederacy. Gary Ross none other than Pablo Escobar. has only directed three films in the last eight- Released Fri 9 September Released Fri 16 September een years, but they do happen to be Pleasantville, Seabiscuit and The Hunger Games, so we’re expecting great things from The Girl With All this. Released Fri 30 September The Gifts CERT 15 (111 mins) Starring Gemma Arterton, Paddy Considine, Glenn Close, Sennia Nanua, Anamaria Marinca Directed by Colm McCarthy (USA) Adapted by M.R. Carey from his own novel, this is another sci-fi thriller set in a post-apocalyptic dystopian future. When a fungal infection wipes out most of mankind (check your toe- nails!), a teacher and a scientist set out Kubo And The Two Strings on a journey of survival – with a young teenage girl CERT tbc (Nanua) unlike With the voices of Charlize Theron, Art normal human Parkinson, Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara, George Takei, Matthew McConaughey beings… Some Directed by Travis Knight (USA) of the footage Miss Peregrine's Home In a small village in ancient Japan, a boy of London was For Peculiar Children called Kubo looks after his ailing mother. actually shot in CERT tbc Chernobyl. Then a vengeful spirit from the past upsets Starring Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Chris the status quo and Kubo must go in search of Released Fri O'Dowd, Allison Janney, Rupert Everett, a magical suit of armour once worn by his 23 September Terence Stamp, Judi Dench, Samuel L. Jackson Directed by Tim Burton (USA) father, a legendary samurai. Filmed in the painstaking form of stop motion animation. Nobody does peculiar like Tim Burton, so In 3D. he’s a good choice to adapt Ransom Riggs’ Deepwater Horizon 2011 novel for ‘young adults.’ The epony- Released Fri 9 September CERT tbc mous home is for orphans with peculiar Starring Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, traits, like a sort of X-Mansion for the young. John Malkovich, Gina Rodriguez, Dylan Appropriately, the screenplay is by Jane Blair Witch CERT 15 (89 mins) O'Brien, Kate Hudson Goldman, who co-scripted X-Men: First Directed by Peter Berg (USA) Starring James Allen McCune, Valorie Curry, Class. Callie Hernandez, Brandon Scott It was, of course, the worst oil spill in Directed by Adam Wingard (USA) US history – when the eponymous rig Released Fri 30 September The 1999 phenomenon that prompted the blew up and sent hundreds of thou- craze for cheap “found footage” films now, sands of gallons of crude into the Gulf seventeen years later, returns as a sequel. of Mexico. Wahlberg will be playing James, the brother of Heather – who is still the real-life hero Mike Williams, pair- missing – decides to retrace her steps in the ing up with director Peter Berg again creepy Black Hills Forest of Maryland. And after their collaboration on Lone he brings a documentary crew along with Survivor (2013). Next, they’ll be team- him… This actually got rather good reviews ing up on a film about the Boston in the US. Marathon bombing. Released Thurs 15 September Released Fri 30 September

whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Visual Arts September NEW.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:13 Page 1

Visual Arts

Birmingham Big Art Project Library Of Birmingham, Mon 5 September - Sun 4 December This month moving to the Library of Birmingham from the city’s Millennium Point, the Big Art Project exhibition features five proposals by five artists for ‘the most ambitious public art commission in Birmingham’s long history’. The Birmingham Big Art Project has hired artist-run organisation and gallery Eastside Projects as the initiative’s commissioning agents. The process will create a £2million permanent public artwork to the east of the city centre, at a site that will become a busy arrival point following the construction of Birmingham’s High-Speed Railway Station (HS2). Visitors to the Library of Birmingham exhibition are being encouraged to share their opin- ions on all five proposals. The winning pro- posal will be chosen in January.

Mitra Saboury: Oliver Jones: Divine Jeremy Deller: Pulling Walls New Art Gallery, Walsall, The Battle Of Orgreave until Sun 20 November Grand Union, Birmingham, Worcester City Art Gallery, Fri 2 September - Fri 4 November Shropshire-born, Birmingham-based, John Sat 17 September - Sat 26 November Ruskin Prize-nominated artist Oliver Jones’s “It wouldn’t be an exaggeration,” says artist photorealist chalk drawings contemplate the Jeremy Deller in talking about his exhibition, ways in which the media advertises, manipu- “to say that the Miners’ Strike, like a civil lates and exploits imagery of flesh. war, had a traumatically divisive effect at all Alongside a selection of works from his levels of life in the UK.” impressive portfolio, the internationally Deller’s artwork is a spectacular recreation of acclaimed artist is also presenting a new, events that took place on 18 June 1984, when large-scale, multi-panel work created specifi- some of the strike’s most violent clashes took cally for the exhibition. Taking the studio of place at the site of the Orgreave coking plant the tattoo artist as its subject, Divine is Mitra Saboury describes her body as a tool in South Yorkshire. described by Oliver as ‘emblematic of a reli- with which to navigate the environment. The recreation, which was co-ordinated for gious altar-piece’. “I want to touch everything,” she says, “to Deller by a historical re-enactment expert, “Through the work,” explains Oliver, “I’m fill every hole in the asphalt, every crack in featured more than 800 people, including hoping to prompt questions about the psy- the granite. To click the rust off the iron former miners and ex-policemen. chology of body modification and the role of fence.” “Families were torn apart by the strike extreme procedures in the attainment of Saboury splits her time between London and because of divided loyalties,” Jeremy contin- physical perfection.” Los Angeles and uses performance, video ues. “The union movement was split on its and installation to explore the impact of the willingness to support the National Union of built environment on the human body. Mineworkers... in all but name it became an Pulling Walls is her first solo show outside ideological and industrial battle between the the US and follows on from a residency at two sections of British society.” Birmingham’s Grand Union in summer 2015. On loan from Tate, the exhibition also “I didn’t have a car but the public trans- includes a documentary film, directed by portation in the city was great,” she says, “so Mike Figgis, and objects, images and audio I was working from the point of view of a recordings from Deller's archive of research pedestrian. I pushed myself against surfaces, materials for his reenactment of the battle. and I ruined so many pairs of shoes! Working in Birmingham was great because I could walk the city in a day, and really came to understand it from my feet.”

40 whatsonlive.co.uk . Visual Arts September NEW.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:13 Page 2

Lost Generation Heavenly Lights: The Untold Shire Hall Gallery, Staffordshire, Story Of Stained Glass Artist Sat 10 September - Sat 29 October Margaret Agnes Rope Artist Andy Farr here exhibits work Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, from a recent project he conducted Mon 12 September - Sun 15 January with students in the Midlands and The artwork of a Shrewsbury woman who was Yorkshire. one of the great female artists of the early 20th Designed to make the ongoing World century is the subject of this new exhibition. War One centenary more relevant to Margaret Agnes Rope - or Marga, as she was young people, the project provides an known - was born in 1882 and produced stained insight into the experience of being a glass that can be found in churches and cathe- teenager living in Britain 100 years drals on three continents. Although her work is ago - an experience which makes for collected by museums in the US, she’s now large- sobering reading. ly forgotten here in the UK. The grim truth was that a 1914 teenag- Commenting on Heavenly Lights, Stuart West, er would have found a third of their Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture friends were dead by the end of the and leisure, said: “Despite her obvious genius, war four years later. And those young Margaret’s name is hardly remembered at all. We people who did survive the ravages of hope this exhibition - the first dedicated solely to the conflict would have been physical- her work and times - will give her reputation the ly injured and mentally scarred... boost it deserves.” Lost Generation is an Arts Council- funded initiative.

For more visual arts listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 41 CircusMASH DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:08 Page 1

FEATURE

Attempting the Impossible

Birmingham-based company CircusMASH specialises in the use of circus arts and performance to help people of all ages build their confidence and self-esteem. The company runs circus training events, workshops and classes, youth circus programmes and school workshops across the West Midlands region. Heather Kincaid visited them to find out more about circus skills - and have a go herself... I don't drive, which, as far as getting enough exercise is concerned, is probably just as well. For at least the best part of a decade, I've de- pended on tons of walking and a whole lot of laptop and heavy book-lugging to keep me in reasonably good health. At school, I looked forward to PE about as much as I'd look forward to a kick in the teeth, and even now, the thought of entering a gym sends an involun- tary shudder down my spine. As far as balance and co-ordination are concerned, let's just say they're concepts I hope to one day understand in more than theory. You can perhaps imagine, then, my reaction to being asked to participate in a ‘Mixed Aer- ial’ circus skills workshop, even one that did claim to be for beginners. Arranging a date to come along over the phone, I did my best to be enthusiastic and laugh it off - it is, after all, my job - but silently the terror set in. Never mind what I'd do when I got there - I didn't even have anything appropriate to wear. In the end, the best I could come up with at short notice was a pair of harem pants from the music festival where I'd spent the four

42 whatsonlive.co.uk CircusMASH DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:08 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

preceding days (everything else I owned was maybe a couple more sessions, I felt as ing was that, when it came to the aerial jeans or skirts). though I could be up there with the rest of hoop act, I realised I could understand a lot After stretches, the very first task I was faced them. of what the performer was doing. Some of with at the class was vaulting up from a Reassuringly, too, I wasn't the only one who the moves were clearly a long way off what crash mat to straddle a hoop suspended was finding it tricky - I found myself ‘team- I'd attempted, and even those I recognised from the ceiling. I think I probably laughed ing up’ with someone else who'd done some were done with much more grace and confi- when I first saw it. If this is where we're similar stuff before, but had been out of dence. Nevertheless, what struck me most is starting, ran my thoughts, we might as well practice for a while. The atmosphere of that it no longer looked like magic, or some- call it a day now. But the thing that no one friendly, mutual encouragement is another thing beyond the realms of possibility for ever tells you is that it actually all gets easier thing that distinctly marked this out from al- the likes of me. I even noticed a sneaky side- from that point on. most all my past experience of doing any- ways climb onto the hoop - and it actually looked pretty good! Over the last few years, work and various thing physical. Competition is easily the voluntary projects have taken me to see most off-putting thing any beginner has to Would I go back? Maybe if I lived in Birming- plenty of circus shows - not as many as a face - there's not much that knocks your ham - it's quite a long way for me to travel die-hard enthusiast would get through, but confidence more than doing your best and out at present. But if you do and you're even certainly more than your average person on still knowing you are, in a very definable slightly tempted, I'd definitely recommend the street. As I said to one of the leaders at way, the worst. Here were no ranking sys- giving it a go, whether you're a circus enthu- my class, to the uninitiated like me, most of tems, no fixed goals or winners and losers - siast, someone who wants to learn somewhat the pros do, seemingly with no effort just the room to try things out and learn at thing new, or just looking for a novel way of at all, always looks like nothing short of your own pace. keeping fit. Just make sure you dress better magic. The likelihood of me ever doing any- Plastered on postcards and across their web- than I did. thing like that seemed about as remote as site, CircusMASH's slogan is ‘Achieve the im- If you’re thinking of going along to one of my chances of becoming prime minister or possible’ and it suits them. What's so great the sessions, here's a list of dos and don'ts I travelling into space. about their approach is the sense of achieve- learned from my first effort! The truth is, though, that climbing to the top ment you'll feel from mastering a few simple has never really been the hard part; of steps. To the untrained eye, the results of course it takes talent to be the absolute best even the most basic grounding look immedi- CircusMASH offers a wide range of at what you do, but achieving reasonable ately impressive. At the same time, there's classes aimed at various abilities, as well competence in anything is mostly down to also an acknowledgement that what they do as parties, youth programmes and open time and dedication. What this means is can seem ‘impossible’. Here, you'll meet no space for training. For more information, that the most seemingly insurmountable underlying assumptions that you're bring- visit circusmash.co.uk. barrier to learning a new skill is always just ing with you any prior knowledge, and you beginning. can go over things as many times as you like until you get a grip on them. Regardless of I'll be honest, I never did quite manage that your ability when you come in, if it's your Dos and Don'ts head-on straddle of the hoop, but once I first go at it, then by the time you leave, learned that you could get up from the side you'll almost certainly have managed some- DO wear comfortable clothing. You'll need instead, I was away, and more or less man- to be able to move freely, but you might be thing that you've never done before. aged everything else that was thrown at me. hanging upside down at times, so you It was even (dare I say it?) really fun. Silks Two weeks later, I was invited along to the probably don't want anything too loose. company's Hullabaloo event at Woodlands are harder. I was fine with all the pretty DO ask for help if you're having trouble. Football Pitch in Bournville, Birmingham - a moves and balances, but the monkey-like The team is very patient at explaining shimmy up the drapes proved more of a kind of combination showcase and hands- things – several times, if necessary, as I problem. What was interesting, though, was on family fun day for the local community. found... that I didn't necessarily find things difficult Free from all the embarrassment and inhibi- tions that us hopeless grown-ups feel, ex- DON'T give up. Some things take a bit of for the reasons that I thought I would. I was practice, but you'll get there. definitely stronger than I imagined. Most of cited kids packed in, dying to have a go at my issues were technical. I couldn't get the everything and completely unperturbed DON'T rush your stretches at the end, es- motion right, but sort of understood what I when things went wrong. It was a joy to pecially if you're not used to this sort of was doing wrong to the point that, with watch them, but what was even more excit- thing. Trust me, you'll regret it.

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Birmingham @WHATSONBRUM Wolverhampton @WHATSONWOLVES Shropshire @WHATSONSHROPS staffordshire @WHATSONSTAFFS Worcestershire @WHATSONWORCS warwickshire @WHATSONWARWICKS

44 whatsonlive.co.uk Events September.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:15 Page 2

Events

A Place In The Sun Hamilton, all of whom will be on hand to share their experience and offer advice on buying a property abroad. NEC, Birmingham, Fri 23 - Sun 25 September Whether it’s the idea of finding a place in Spain, France, Portugal or The official exhibition show of Channel Four’s popular oversees trav- further afield that floats your boat, A Place In The Sun is the perfect el series returns to the Midlands this month, complete with presen- event from which to launch an exciting new travel adventure. ters Amanda Lamb, Jasmine Harman, Jonnie Irwin and Laura

Trucking Live Shropshire British Superbike Midland Game Fair Oswestry Showground, Shropshire, Championship Weston Park, Shropshire, Sat 24 - Sun 25 September Sat 17 - Sun 18 September Donington Park, If traditional country pursuits are your pas- Widely considered to be the ‘friendliest’ Fri 16 - Sun 18 September event of its kind in the UK, Trucking Live sion, the well-established Midland Game Attracting some of the best-known Fair makes for a rewarding weekend. The Shropshire features a line-up of main arena names in the sport, the Superbike entertainment that includes appearances by premier event of its kind in the country, the Championship is Britain’s biggest show features an impressive selection of quad-bike-riding stuntman the Kangaroo motorbike racing series. Kid. attractions, with everything from clay shoot- This Donington meet is the first round ing to game and coarse fishing demonstra- There’s also a display of hundreds of trucks of the crucial ‘showdown’ phase and to enjoy, the region’s largest showcase of tions. Gun dog competitions, falconry dis- promises a weekend of high-quality plays, family entertainment, live music, a truck accessories, and celebrity guests visit- bike racing. ing on both days of the weekend. On the food festival, fine arts and traditional rural There’s action from the packed-out crafts also feature, as do over 700 trade Saturday, it’s Coronation Street star Antony grids of the National Superstock 1000 Cotton, taking a break from playing bar- stands catering for a wide range of visitors’ & 600 to enjoy, along with the British countryside shopping needs. tender Sean Tulley, who joins in the fun. Supersport Championship, the The Sunday sees Motostar Championship and an FIM fellow Corrie World Sidecar race. favourite Ryan Donington is once again operating an Thomas (Jason open-paddock policy, allowing specta- Grimshaw) tors to mingle with the riders and see appearing at the the teams in action. event with his real-life brother Adam, who plays Adam Barton in Emmerdale.

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more events from around the region

Events

Middle Earth Festival Sarehole Mill, Birmingham, Sat 3 - Sun 4 September If you’re a fan of The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit but haven’t yet checked out this family-friendly festival, then it’s fair to say you’re missing a Gandalf- sized trick. First taking place in 1998, when it was called Fun At The Mill, the event has proved enormously popular with Tolkien enthusiasts and made a comeback in 2015 following a year’s absence due to a lack of volunteers. Attractions at this year’s get-together include living history camps, medieval traders, food stalls, weapon displays, Glamping Show children’s activities and a cos- Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Described as ‘a showcase of all that’s glamping tume pageant, not to mention Thurs 22 - Sat 24 September in camping’, the show presents a wide selec- the chance to encounter all man- The Glamping Show is making a welcome tion of pop-up, temporary and pre-pitched ner of characters from the return to the Midlands this month. accommodation solutions, including yurts, tipi famous fantasy novels, includ- Glamping is a more luxurious form of camping and safari tents. ing hobbits, elves and orcs... that’s become increasingly popular during the It also features contributions from experts on last few years and is now a prominent part of subjects such as bushcraft, up-cycling and sur- the leisure business. vival techniques.

Cycle Show Harvest Festival NEC, Birmingham, Fri 23 - Sun 25 September Blists Hill Victorian Town, Shropshire, With cycling’s profile in the UK at an all-time Sun 18 September high, this hugely popular show is not surpris- Hymns in the Mission Church, a main service ingly bigger than ever, with over 280 bike com- in the Pleasure Gardens (complete with a dis- panies in attendance to showcase their latest play of produce) and the opportunity to enjoy kit. an afternoon of morris dancing provide visitors The event also features a dedicated eBike area to Blists Hill with the chance to experience a Stafford Arts plus test track and a new drop-in lounge-come- Victorian-style Harvest Festival this month. theatre especially for female cyclists. And with One of 10 award-winning Ironbridge Gorge Festival this year's show coming hot on the heels of the museums and populated by friendly and Stafford Town Centre, Sat 17 September Rio Olympics, organisers are also promising ‘a informative costumed characters, Blists Hill is stellar line-up of medal winners, current pro very much an interactive experience. Stafford’s sixth arts festival sees riders and legends of the sport’. Attractions include numerous shops, among dancers, musicians and artists which are a general drapers, a blacksmiths and taking to the streets to provide a pharmacy. There’s also a pub and a bank, passers-by with a range of per- shire horses (horse-and-cart rides), blast fur- formances and activities to naces, the cottage gardens, a doctor’s room, a enjoy. funiculars train, a clay mine ride and a funfair Free-to-participate arts & crafts featuring carousel, chair-o-planes and game workshops ensure there’s plenty stalls. of opportunity for children to get Visitors to Blists Hill can get a yearly pass, hands-on with a range of activi- allowing them to enjoy the town as many times ties. as they wish during a 12-month period and Street theatre performers, face also to check out the other museums managed painting opportunities and a by the Ironbridge Gorge Trust. bubbleologist further add to an extensive programme of entertainment.

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more events from around the region

Events

Mid-Autumn Festival Arcadian Centre, Birmingham, Fri 16 September Musical performances, martial arts demonstrations, high-kicking lion dancing, the culinary delights of a street food festival and a ‘spectacular’ fireworks finale all feature in this popular Chinese event. Taking place on the day of the year when the moon is supposedly at its fullest and brightest, the festival is held in celebration of the harvest. “It’s a day when families come together to share a meal and celebrate as one,” explains James Wong, chair of Birmingham’s Chinese Festival Committee. “People travel far and wide to be with their loved ones on this special day. We are inviting people of all ages to come together and join us in the celebrations, as we do every year. With the recent events in the US, France and Turkey, the festival is even more vital, allowing communities to come together and celebrate in a safe environment.”

Every September over 40,000 volunteers across England organise 5,000 events to celebrate the country’s fantastic history, architecture and culture. These Heritage Open Days offer you a chance to discover hidden places, try out new experiences and learn fascinating facts about some of England’s most interesting visitor destinations - all free of charge. Below we’ve selected a few Midlands highlights from this year’s four-day festival. You can find an extensive list of Heritage Open Days events, both in the Midlands and fur- Thursday 8 - Sunday 11 September ther afield, at heritageopendays.org.uk Highlights

Warwickshire

Birmingham Worcestershire ALL THE FUN OF THE COURTYARD FETE Experience POP-UP GARDEN EXHIBITION A drop-in exhibition CONSERVATION AT THE COMMANDERY Featuring how people lived and worked in the courtyard looking at plants, gardens and gardening in talks, tours and demonstrations of conservation from the 1840s to the 1970s. Join in with the Shakespeare’s time, including children’s activi- skills. Discover how the Commandery’s team courtyard fete and try your hand at traditional ties and illustrated talks from the Head of care for the medieval building’s special archi- games. Sat 10 September, Birmingham Back to Gardens. Sat 10 - Sun 11 September, The tectural features. Sun 11 September, The Backs, Birmingham Shakespeare Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon Commandery, Worcester

The Black Country Shropshire

Staffordshire

EDWARDIAN FAMILY DAY Watch performances of THE DUDLEY GHOST TOUR HISTORY & SHREWSBURY FLAXMILL MALTINGS OPEN DAY the Charleston and demonstrations of MEMORABILIA EXHIBITION An exhibition of masks, Discover the history of the grade one listed Edwardian cookery, and take part in numerous puppets and costumes used on the Ghost Tour buildings and their uses over two centuries. themed craft activities. Sat 10 September, The and other projects from local theatres and tele- There will also be family-friendly activities and Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, vision. Fri 9 - Sun 11 September, Station Hotel, entertainment. Sat 10 - Sun 11 September, Staffordshire Dudley Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, Shropshire

Check The List for individual events taking place in your region

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whatsonlive.co.uk 49 The List Cover September Wolves/Staffs/Shrops.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:44 Page 1

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Your week to week listings guide September 2016 thelist Spitfire 10k Run at RAF Cosford, Shropshire - Sunday 4 September 4 Sunday - Shropshire Cosford, RAF at Run 10k Spitfire

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

What’s On Thurs 1 to Sun 11 September Mon 12 to Sun 18 September Mon 19 to Sun 25 September Mon 26 to Fri 30 September

T-Picnic at Telford Town Park The Woman In Black at Justin Live! at Wolverhampton Pete Firman - comedy musician Sat 3 September Lichfield Garrick Grand Theatre at Theatre Severn Tues 13 - Sat 17 September Sun 25 September Wed 28 August

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thelist Thursday 1 - Sun 11 September The Rainbow Venues, LUCIE SILVAS Fri 9 Sept, THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER Gigs Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham ARCADIA Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford Sat 3 Sept, THE ABSOLUTE KINKS Fri The Sugarmill, Stoke- 9 Sept, Hare & QUILL Thurs 1 Sept, Visual Arts COAST Exhibition of paintings, photo- on-Trent Hounds, Birmingham graphs, textiles, glass and ceramics mac, Birmingham IO EARTH Sun 4 Sept, JAMES BURTON Fri 9 inspired by the coast, until Sun 4 TIM BURGESS & PETER Bilston Craft Gallery The Robin, Bilston Sept, The Robin, Sept GORDON Thurs 1 Sept, TEMPERED NOT QUENCHED - THE STU WHISTON Mon 5 Bilston NEW SWEETHEARTS - MORWENNA CATT Hare & Hounds, B’ham BATTLE FOR BILSTON'S STEELWORKS Sept, Foxlowe Arts TUSSK Fri 9 Sept, The A textile installation of outsized THE HUNNA - LIVE PER- Exploring an overlooked chapter in Centre, Leek, Staffs Sugarmill, Stoke-on- Sweetheart cushions by Morwenna FORMANCE AND ALBUM Britain’s industrial relations history, Trent until Sat 17 Sept Catt which mimic the pincushions SIGNING Thurs 1 Sept, SUNFLOWER BEAN Mon that were often created by wounded HMV Bullring, B’ham 5 Sept, Hare & PINEGROVE Fri 9 Sept, Hounds, Birmingham The Sunflower Lounge, Dudley Museum & Art Gallery soldiers recovering in hospitals dur- CROWDED SCOUSE Thurs Birmingham MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU Private ing WWI, Sat 10 Sept - Sat 29 Oct 1 Sept, The Robin, NASHVILLE IN THE collection of everything Star Wars NEW IN:TOWN STAFFORDSHIRE ENJOY Bilston ROUND: SONGS FROM ATOMIC BLONDIE Sat 10 MUSIC CITY Mon 5 Sept, Sept, Theatre Severn, that Lego can produce, until Sat 10 ART Providing a unique insight into BACK:N:BLACK Fri 2 Stafford Gatehouse Shrewsbury Sept how an artist's portfolio of work can Sept, The Robin, Theatre NEW A BRUSH WITH NATURE The change throughout the course of a Bilston DARKSIDE - THE PINK calendar year, Sat 17 Sept - Sun 23 ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER FLOYD SHOW Sat 10 Wildlife Art Society International pres- STAFFORD BLUES Oct Tues 6 Sept, O2 Sept, Stafford ent a national exhibition of animal FESTIVAL Fri 2 - Sun 4 Academy, Birmingham Gatehouse Theatre illustrations. Includes some recent Weston Park Sept, Lower Drayton works from Dudley Zoo, Sat 24 Sept Farm, Nr Penkridge LIONLIMB Tues 6 Sept, GO WEST Sat 10 Sept, - Sat 19 Nov NEW GRAHAM COLLING Photographic Hare & Hounds, B’ham The Place, Oakengates AMELIA CAESAR Fri 2 exhibition showing Weston Park Theatre, Telford Himley Hall & Park, Dudley throughout the seasons, Thurs 1 - Sept, Havana Republic DUOTONE Tues 6 Sept, Bar and Restaurant, Kitchen Garden Cafe, THE FULL SHA BANG Sat A BRUSH FOR LIFE Exhibition by Thurs 29 Sept Shrewsbury Birmingham 10 Sept, The Irish Wolverhampton-born illustrator and Wolverhampton Art Gallery Centre, Birmingham fine artist Rebecca Cresswell. LANY Fri 2 Sept, O2 LUCAS D & THE GROOVE Rebecca specialises in ‘art in health- WILD AND WACKY ON THE WEB A series Academy, Birmingham GHETTO Wed 7 Sept, THE DESTROYERS Sat 10 of short films and animations The Jam House, B’ham Sept, Hare & Hounds, care’ and pet portraits, until Sun 4 ADRIAN SHERWOOD Fri 2 inspired by the lives of the weird and Birmingham Sept Sept, Hare & Hounds, MONTPARNASSE Wed 7 wonderful creatures around us, Birmingham Sept, Kitchen Garden KICK UP THE 80'S Sat 10 made by a global community of digi- Cafe, Birmingham Sept, The Robin, Museum of Cannock Chase THE HARRINGTONS Fri 2 tal artists, until Thurs 1 Sept Bilston JEAN WALKER: SIGHTSEEING New col- Sept, The Rainbow ROY HARPER Wed 7 WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR lection of striking oil paintings focus- Venues, Birmingham Sept, Symphony Hall, ACDC UK AND SACK ing on Jean’s sightseeing travels, Take in some of the world’s most Birmingham SABBATH Sat 10 Sept, astonishing sights and see nature at TRITONE QUARTET Fri 2 until Fri 14 Oct KING GIZZARD AND THE The Slade Rooms, its most staggering, until Sun 18 Sept, Symphony Hall, LIZARD WIZARD Wed 7 Wolverhampton Sept Birmingham New Art Gallery - Walsall Sept, Hare & Hounds, GORDIE MACKEEMAN & LIVE/WIRE - THE AC/DC LAND, SEA AND AIR Artists include THE ART OF DRAWING A rare chance to Birmingham HIS RHYTHM BOYS Sat see a large body of drawings held by SHOW Fri 2 Sept, The Frank Bowling, Tiffany Chung, Agnes GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, 10 Sept, Theatre the art gallery encompassing three Sugarmill, Stoke-on- Denes, Tania Kovats and Cornelia FUNK AND SOUL OPEN Severn, Shrewsbury themes: the human form; landscape Trent Parker, until Sun 4 Sept MIC NIGHT Wed 7 Sept, QE2 - THE VERY BEST OF & nature; industry & architecture, EXHAILERS Fri 2 Sept, ARTIST TEACHER SCHEME EXHIBITION The Night Owl, B’ham QUEEN Sat 10 Sept, The until Sun 25 Sept The Sunflower Lounge, The scheme is a continuing profes- Roadhouse, B’ham Birmingham SUPERCLOUD GANG + sional development course run in Other VISUAL ARTS ICEY STANLEY + WILLS ANDY MILLS Sat 10 MAINLY MADNESS Sat 3 partnership between The New Art Wed 7 Sept, The Sept, Havana Republic PRINTMAKERS Showcasing work in Sept, The Robin, Gallery Walsall, Ikon Gallery and Sunflower Lounge, Bar and Restaurant, Birmingham City University, until Sun etching, collography, lino-cut, wood- Bilston cut, wood engraving and drypoint, Birmingham Shrewsbury 25 Sept BEN PORTSMOUTH IS until Sat 3 Sept, Silk Top Hat Gallery, STICKY FINGERS Thurs 8 ELVANA Sat 10 Sept, O2 NEW EVA ROTHSCHILD ALTERNATIVE TO ELVIS Sat 3 Sept, Ludlow Sept, O2 Institute, Academy, Birmingham POWER Irish sculptor Eva Rothschild's Barclaycard Arena, SUMMER EXHIBITION Birmingham first solo exhibition in the Midlands. Paintings by Birmingham JUMP Sat 10 Sept, artist Stephen Law, along with work CONNIE LUSH BAND Newhampton Arts The new body of work includes a JOE LONGTHORNE Sat 3 specially commissioned piece using from guest artists Christoper Thurs 8 Sept, The Centre, Wolverhampton Madeley and Lena Jarl Churm, until Sept, New Alexandra leather, a material at the centre of Robin, Bilston THE MOODY BLUES' JOHN Sat 3 Sept, The Bear Steps Gallery, Theatre, Birmingham Walsall's manufacturing industry, Sat DAVE GILES & JOE LODGE Sat 10 Sept, Shrewsbury THE GLITTER BAND Sat 3 24 Sept - Sun 15 Jan 2017 MCCORRISTON Thurs 8 Lichfield Garrick SUMMER EXHIBITION Reprising some Sept, The Roadhouse, Sept, The Sunflower ADAM FRENCH Sat 10 Potteries Museum & Art earlier exhibitions of the year and Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham Sept, The Sugarmill, Gallery, Stoke-On-Trent also featuring a selection of new BUSTED Sat 3 Sept, GOLDIE Fri 9 Sept, The Stoke-on-Trent work, until Sat 3 Sept, Silk Top Hat Wolverhampton BEATRIX'S ANIMALS Celebration of the Buttermarket, 150th anniversary of the birth of Gallery, Ludlow Racecourse DANIEL KOEK Sun 11 Shrewsbury Sept, Henry Tudor Beatrix Potter, until Sat 24 Sept CIRCUS POSTER COLLECTION - ANDREW THE SOUTHMARTINS Sat PURPLE ZEPPELIN Fri 9 House, Shrewsbury & FRED VAN BUREN Exhibition of 3 Sept, O2 Academy, FIRST WORLD WAR REPLICA TRENCH Sept, The Place, until Sun 11 Nov 2018 colourful posters used to advertise Birmingham MICK FLAVIN Sun 11 Oakengates Theatre, Sept, The Irish Centre, travelling circus groups performing NIBBS & EDDY Sat 3 Telford, Shropshire Birmingham Qube Gallery, Oswestry across the country, until Sun 4 Sept, Sept, Havana Republic THE COUNTERFEIT NEW OPEN ART COMPETITION Newcastle Borough Museum and Art Bar and Restaurant, MITCH MALLOY - VAN STONES Fri 9 Sept, Exhibition of shortlisted entries, on Gallery Shrewsbury HALEN’S LOST BOY Sun Lichfield Garrick 11 Sept, The Robin, the theme of migration, Mon 12 Sept DESIGN AND DESIRE: THE GREAT MOTHERSHIP - LED ROD STEWART TRIBUTE Bilston - Mon 7 Nov EXHIBITION OF 1851 Objects and ZEPPLIN TRIBUTE Sat 3 NIGHT Fri 9 Sept, The images, including prints and paint- Sept, Prince Of Wales REG MEUROSS Sun 11 Red House Glass Cone, Irish Centre, B’ham ings from the Elton Collection, tell Centre, Cannock Sept, Kitchen Garden Stourbridge the story of how the Great Exhibition HEIDI BROWNE Fri 9 Cafe, Birmingham HARRY JORDAN Sat 3 OUR HOUSE Interactive family exhibi- became one of the most influential Sept, Havana Republic A NIGHT IN NASHVILLE and renowned events of the 19th Sept, The Sunflower tion, until Sun 25 Sept Bar and Restaurant, Sun 11 Sept, The Hive, century, until Fri 24 Feb 2017, Lounge, Birmingham Shrewsbury Shrewsbury Coalbrookdale Gallery, Telford LISTENER Sat 3 Sept,

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Thursday 1 - Sun 11 September

dom, Tues 6 - Sat 10 Sept, New present a collection of beautiful, Classical Music Theatre Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham funny and captivating Vietnamese A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Here To folk tales, Sun 11 Sept, mac, There Productions present a re-imag- Birmingham BOURNVILLE STRING ORCHESTRA NIGHT OF THE BRIDE OF PLAN 9 FROM ining of Shakespeare’s comedy clas- Featuring Timothy English (conduc- OUTER SPACE Tongue-in-cheek hom- sic, Wed 7 Sept, Ludlow Assembly tor), Caroline Pether (leader), Naina age to one of Tinseltown's most Rooms, South Shropshire Reddy (voice), Ivy Laugh, Bronagh famous yet least talented directors, Lee & Junias Wong (violin soloists), Ed Wood, until Sat 10 Sep, The Blue ANNIE THE MUSICAL DE Caversmill Talks / Sat 3 Sept, The Barber Concert Orange Theatre, Birmingham Theatre Company present an ama- Institute, Birmingham teur production of the rags-to-riches MAVERICK The New Vic legend that is story of little orphan Annie, Wed 7 - CENTRAL ENGLAND CAMERATA CONCERT Spoken Word Eric returns with his multi-talented, Sat 10 Sept, Stoke Repertory Featuring music by Andrew Downes, multi-instrumental company of Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent WILLIAM ALEXANDER HARVEY AND including Symphony No.1, Sat 3 actors, singers and musicians in a LAURENCE CADBURY - HERITAGE TALKS Sept, Birmingham Cathedral dead-or-alive tale of the Wild West, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Featuring Lee Mead as Caractacus Potts, Gillian Ellis and Daniel Callicott pres- BRASS BAND GALA CONCERT Featuring until Sat 10 Sept, New Vic Theatre, Claire Sweeney as Baroness ent two talks focusing on men who Black Dyke Band, Foden’s Band & Newcastle-under-Lyme Bomburst and Andy Hockley as made a significant contribution to Cory Band, Nicholas Childs (conduc- KING LEAR RSC Artistic Director Grandpa Potts, Wed 7 - Sun 18 Sept, Selly Manor, Thurs 8 Sept, Selly tor) Sun 11 Sept, Symphony Hall, Gregory Doran directs Antony Sher Birmingham Hippodrome Manor, Birmingham Birmingham in the title role, until Sat 15 Oct, SPECIALIST TALK: ROSSETTI & HIS Royal Shakespeare Theatre, MORBID CURIOSITIES A selection of CIRCLE Relaxed talk followed by a Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian horror fiction, featuring stage adaptations of The Yellow walking tour of the collection, Thurs THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN Based on Wallpaper, John Charrington's 8 Sept, Wightwick Manor, Chaucer's The Knight's Tale, The Two Wedding and The Old Nurse's Story, Wolverhampton Comedy Gigs Noble Kinsmen is attributed to John Thurs 8 Sept, Old Joint Stock Fletcher and William Shakespeare Theatre, Birmingham and is best described as a tragicom- MANILLA ROAD COMEDY Thurs 1 Sept, edy exploring the intoxication and ROMEO & JULIET Here To There The Victoria, Birmingham strangeness of love, until Tue 7 Productions transport the world’s SOL BERNSTEIN, TOM WRIGGLESWORTH Feb,The Swan Theatre, Stratford- most famous love story to the era of Film & LENNY SHERMAN & SALLY-ANNE upon-Avon teddy boys, greasers on motorbikes INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: HAYWARD Thurs 1 Sept and Rock’n’Roll, Thurs 8 Sept, SPRINKLE OF GLITTER Presents The George Hotel, Lichfield Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South LouiseLive! New show featuring sto- Shropshire THE WAIT (12a) Anna accidentally ries about dating, tales of life as an bumps into her son’s fiancée at a RACHAEL YOUNG: I, MYSELF & ME One- internet sensation, mother and friend, villa in Sicily and together they wait woman show about loneliness, life-confidence tips and fashion suc- for his return, although Anna knows breaking free and bravery, inspired cesses and failures, Fri 2 Sept, The better… Stars Juliette Binoche & Lou by autobiographical material, Thurs 8 Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham de Laâge. Foreign language, subti- Sept, mac, Birmingham TORCHER CHAMBER ARKESTRA tled. Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Craftspace Curates present a per- ROCK OF AGES Get Your Wigle On until Thurs 1 Sept present an amateur staging of the formance featuring fire, live and elec- DAVID BRENT: LIFE ON THE ROAD (15) popular jukebox musical, Thurs 8 - tronic music, and glass blowing, Fri 2 David Brent, you will remember, is Sat 10 Sept, Theatre Severn, - Sat 3 Sept, mac, Birmingham the character that Ricky Gervais Shrewsbury SOMEWHERE UNDER THE RAINBOW played in the mockumentary sitcom West End performer Sharon Sexton THE ROVER Aphra Behn's anarchic The Office (2001-7). Now, 15 years stars in Cillian O'Donnachadha's one- restoration comedy, set in the topsy- later, Brent fancies himself a rock star woman show which, set in the inti- turvy world of the carnival. Loveday and is followed up and down the Ingram (The Merchant Of Venice, MARTIN MOR & ALFIE BROWN Thurs 1 mate surroundings of Liza's Minnelli's country by a camera crew. However, 2001) returns to the RSC to direct, Sept, Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, dressing room, shares legendary sto- Brent’s delusions of grandeur sit Thurs 8 Sept - Sat 11 Feb, The Swan Staffordshire ries and secrets from a fascinating uneasily in the real world… Stars career, Sat 3 Sept, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Ricky Gervais & Doc Brown. Light ASHER TRELEAVEN, JONNY PELHAM & Theatre, Birmingham THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TAT MAN House Media Centre, COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY One-man play featuring the rag-and- Wolverhampton until 1 Sept ROBINSON Thurs 1 Sept, The Glee MORGAN & WEST: PARLOUR TRICKS tat tales gathered during the tat Club, Birmingham Time-travelling duo Morgan & West SUMMERTIME (15) Two women from present a show ‘chock full of jaw- man's years on the road, Fri 9 Sept, entirely different worlds - Carole is a ASHER TRELEAVEN, TOM TOAL, JONNY dropping, brain-bursting, gasp-elicit- Lichfield Garrick militant feminist teaching Spanish in PELHAM & JONNY AWSUM Fri 2 - Sat 3 ing feats of magic’, Sat 3 Sept, mac, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Here To Paris and Delphine is a farmer’s Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham There Productions present a re-imag- daughter committed to her parents in PAUL SINHA, ANDRE VINCENT, STEVE rural southwest France - fall passion- THE AGE OF CONSENT The Green ining of Shakespeare’s comedy clas- WILLIAMS & COLIN COLE Fri 2 - Sat 3 ately in love. Stars Cécile de France Room Theatre Company present two sic, Fri 9 - Sun 11 Sept, Ludlow Sept, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham & Izïa Higelin. Ludlow Assembly acutely uncomfortable monologues Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire Rooms, South Shropshire, Thurs 1 & CAREY MARX, COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH about childhood, responsibility and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Sat 3 Sept ANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC Thurs 8 the shattering of innocence, Sat 3 Cathy Tyson stars as Lady Bracknell Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham Sept, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham in Nikolai Foster’s contemporary STAR TREK BEYOND (12a) How many Star Trek films have there been? ROBIN MORGAN, CAREY MARX, CATS Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash- staging of Oscar Wilde’s class come- Whoops, this is the 13th and the third ANTHONY J BROWN & GEORGE EGG Fri 9 hit musical, adapted from TS Elliot’s dy, Fri 9 - Sat 24 Sept, The REP, in the rebooted series. Simon Pegg - Sat 10 Sept, The Glee Club, B’ham Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Birmingham penned the screenplay (in collabora- Cats, Mon 5 - Sat 10 Sept, Regent ROMEO & JULIET Here To There RICH WILSON, GEOFF BOYZ, TOM LUCY tion with Doug Jung) and takes the Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Productions transport the world’s & RAYMOND AND MR TIMPKINS REVUE USS Enterprise into the furthest most famous love story to the era of Fri 9 - Sat 10 Sept, The Comedy Loft, THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD The reaches of unchartered space where teddy boys, greasers on motorbikes Birmingham National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera the crew encounters a really nasty and Rock’n’Roll, Sat 10 Sept, Ludlow GARY DELANEY Sun 11 Sept, The Glee Company present a brand new pro- piece of work (Idris Elba). Festival Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire Club, Birmingham duction of one of G&S’s most popu- Drayton Centre, Festival Drayton, lar operettas, Tues 6 Sept, Malvern THE LADY IN THE VAN Crescent JUNIOR JESTERS #5 Sun 11 Sept, North Shropshire, Fri 2 Sept Theatre Theatre Company presents its ver- Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE (15) SUNNY AFTERNOON Olivier Award-win- sion of Alan Bennett’s iconic and cel- WES ZAHARUK, JAMES COOK, MARKUS Darling, you know everything’s going ning musical which tells the captivat- ebrated memoir, Sat 10 - Sat 17 BIRDMAN & DAN NIGHTINGALE Sun 11 to be fabulous, if not outrageous. ing tale of how one of Britain's great- Sept, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Sept, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury The eternally youthful Jennifer est bands, The Kinks, rose to star- RICE PAPER TALES Trikhon Theatre Saunders and Joanna Lumley reprise

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thelist Thursday 1 - Sun 11 September their small-screen roles as Edina and Elwood are off on a "mission from NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE SUMMER WORKSHOP - PAPER PLANES Patsy and get into awful trouble, forc- God" to raise funds for the orphan- Thurs 1 Sept, Selly Manor, B’ham Released from Fri 9 September ing them to flee to the French age in which they grew up. The only showing at selected cinemas NON-DIGITAL GAMES DAY Play board & Riviera. At least the champagne will thing they can do is do what they do other traditional games, Thurs 1 be good there. And let’s just say that best: play music. So they get their Sept, Haden Hill House Museum, Kate Moss is a trouper. Old Market old band together and they're on BEN-HUR (tbc) Cradley Heath Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 2 - Mon 5 Sept their way - yet not without getting in ACTOR IN LAW (tbc) SUMMER FOREST SCHOOL Create your THE SHALLOWS (15) Just when you a bit of trouble here and there. Stars CAFE SOCIETY (12A) own name necklace then find out thought it was safe… A surfer on a John Belushi & Dan Aykroyd. mac, Birmingham, Sat 3 Sept ANTHROPOID (15) how to use tools safely to coppice secluded beach in Mexico finds her- hazel and decorate a hill-walking self the prey of a great white shark, GOLDEN YEARS (12a) Fate, the pen- BAAR BAAR DEKHO (tbc) stick. Make a musical instrument even though she’s only 200 yards sions crisis and a steadfast refusal to THE BLUE ROOM (15) called a kazoo to take home with from the beach. Stars Blake Lively accept the injustice of old age con- CAPTAIN FANTASTIC (15) you, Thurs 1 Sept, Shropshire Hills and Óscar Jaenada. The Electric trive to force law-abiding retired cou- Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, Cinema, Birmingham, Fri 2 - Thurs 8 ple Arthur and Martha into a life of DON'T BREATHE (tbc) South Shropshire Sept crime. Refusing to take the loss of HELL OR HIGH WATER (15) their pensions lying down, they WILD STORYTELLING Folklore, myths THE BFG (PG) A live-action adaptation KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS (tbc) and fairytales from Shropshire's best of Roald Dahl’s story of the lonely decide to take back what was theirs in the first place. They decide to start THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (PG) loved storytellers, Thurs 1 Sept, giant (played here by Mark Rylance) Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Shrewsbury who kidnaps a little girl (Ruby robbing banks. Stars Bernard Hill & THE LAND OF THE ENLIGHTENED (tbc) Simon Callow. Stourbridge Town FABRIC FLOWER POWER Try rag rug- Barnhill) to help him outwit the man- THEO AND HUGO (18) eating giants that have been plagu- Hall, Mon 5 Sept ging techniques in this drop-in working the human world. Also stars GARY NUMAN: ANDROID IN LA LA LAND shop and make a shabby chic organ- Ruby Barnhill & Dame Penelope + DIRECTOR Q&A (15) Filmed with za flower brooch or hair slide to take Wilton. Festival drayton Centre, candour, warmth and humour, home with you, Thurs 1 Sept, Market Drayton, South Shropshire, Android In La La Land explores life Events Gladstone Pottery Museum, Stoke- Fri 2 Sept; Wem Town Hall, North for Gary and his Numanoid family as on-Trent Shropshire, Sun 4 - Thurs 8 Sept; they set up home in California and as SUMMER FORESTRY ADVENTURE CLUB STONE SOUP Hands-on cookery for mac, Birmingham, until Tues 13 Sept Gary records his eagerly anticipated Enjoy bug hunts, campfire stories & youngsters, Thurs 1 - Fri 2 Sept, new album Splinter. With exclusive songs, cooking, crafts and more in Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, access to the Numan family as they this Forestry Adventure Club, until Fri Craven Arms, South Shropshire unpack in California, the story 2 Sept, Arley Arboretum, Bewdley SELF-LED DINOSAUR TRAIL Follow the unfolds at home, in the studio and DINOSAURS AWAKEN MAIZE MAZE clues around the park and solve the on the road. This screening will be Navigate the 10-acre maize maze in puzzle for a small prize, Thurs 1 - followed by a live onstage director the shape of a huge T-Rex skeleton. Sun 4 Sept, Severn Valley Country Q&A. The Electric Cinema, Follow the three miles of pathways, Park, Bridgnorth, Shropshire Birmingham, Tues 6 Sept bridges and viewing towers, collect- SEVEN SECRET DOORS Each of the CAESAR & CLEOPATRA (PG) A witty and ing T-Rex bones as you go, until Sun seven doors leads to a magical place seductive comedy about the relation- 4 Sept, National Forest Adventure in the gardens, Thurs 1 - Sun 4 Sept, ship between a veteran Roman politi- Farm, Burton-on-Trent Shugborough Historic Working cal strategist and an enchanting GREAT FIRE OF LONDON WEEK Estate, Staffordshire Egyptian teenage queen. Stars Commemorate 350 years since the SUMMER HOLIDAY CANDLE DIPPING Christopher Plummer & Nikki M Great Fire of London at Blakesley James. mac, Birmingham, Thurs 8 WORKSHOPS Thurs 1 - Tues 6 Sept, Hall with themed crafts, garden and Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE (U) It’s all Sept house trails, quizzes and perform- getting a bit serious. When Scrat, the THE REVENANT (15) Leonardo ances based on the Great Fire, until WILD STORY TELLING Folklore, myths single-minded sabre-tooth squirrel, DiCaprio plays Hugh Glass, an Sun 4 Sept, Blakesley Hall, B’ham and fairytales from Shropshire's best leaves Earth in pursuit of his elusive loved storytellers, Fri 2 Sept, 1820s’ frontiersman who was left for MISS ELIZABETH BOAT TRIPS Take a acorn, he triggers a series of cosmic dead after being mauled by a bear. Whitcliffe Common, Ludlow, South events that threaten the future of the gentle cruise along the mile-long, Shropshire Incensed by his abandonment, Glass Lancelot 'Capability' Brown-designed planet. So Manny, Sid and co. have dreams of revenge - but first must HADEN HILL HOUSE DAY Find out more to move home (again) in order to lake. Enjoy breathtaking views of the find the will to survive in unhospitable woodlands and gardens on the eco- about the house by joining in with preserve their respective species. terrain. Also stars Tom Hardy & quizzes and trails, Fri 2 Sept, Haden With the voices of Ray Romano & logically friendly, electrically pow- Domhnall Gleeson. Forest Arts ered, 42-seat catamaran, until Tues 6 Hill House Museum, Cradley Heath, John Leguizamo. Ludlow Assembly Centre, Walsall, Fri 9 Sept Dudley Rooms, South Shropshire, Sat 3 Sept Sept, Trentham Estate, Stoke-on- WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FAC- Trent TEDDY BEAR'S PICNIC Fri 2 Sept, FINDING DORY (U) Finding Nemo has TORY (PG) Charlie Bucket, whose FAMILY SUMMER ACTIVITIES until Sat Severn Valley Country Park, become the sixth highest-grossing family is poor, strikes it lucky when Bridgnorth, South Shropshire cartoon of all time, with a tidy 17 Sept, Gas Hall, Birmingham he discovers one of the five golden Museum & Art Gallery WHITTINGTON COUNTRYSIDE AND CRAFT $937million in the bank. So, here is tickets to tour Willy Wonka’s mysteri- the sequel. Dory is the forgetful BATTLE OF THE SOMME GUIDED WALK FAIR Sat 3 Sept, Bit End Field, ous chocolate factory. Gene Wilder Staffordshire Pacific regal blue tang (from the first stars in this Roald Dahl classic. mac, Every Sunday join one of the expert film), which, in case you’ve been Birmingham, Sat 10 Sept guides on a tour around the grounds THE WRITE TACK: A CREATIVE WRITING away, is a fish. She (voiced by Ellen to discover just some of the memori- WORKSHOP Sat 3 Sept, Black Country DeGeneres) suddenly remembers als which have links to the Battle of Living Museum, Dudley the events of her childhood and so the Somme, until Sun 20 Nov, T PICNIC Cultural showcase of music, sets off to find her family. There will NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE National Memorial Arboretum, dance and food from around the be adventure along the way… Staffordshire Released from Fri 2 September world, Sat 3 Sept, Telford Town Park, Festival Drayton Centre, Market MAISY’S MAIZE MAZE until Fri 30 Sept, Shropshire Drayton, North Shropshire, Sat 3 showing at selected cinemas Park Hall Farm, Oswestry, North GLASS PAINTING Sept Ideal for beginners, Shropshire Sat 3 Sept, Black Country Living WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (PG) A THE 9TH LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX (15) KIDS' ADVENTURE DAYS More than 20 Museum, Dudley tale of a man, a woman and a rabbit BROTHERHOOD (15) outdoor activities, under the supervi- 4X4 IN THE FOREST in a triangle of trouble. It's a world Join the rangers in CAFE SOCIETY (12A) sion of highly qualified staff, Thurs 1 your 4x4 to explore Cannock Chase. where laughing can be dangerous, Sept, The Old Vicarage Adventure romance can be hilarious, and Toons JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY (tbc) Meet at Birches Valley Forest Centre, Centre, Kidderminster Sat 3 Sept, Cannock Chase Forest, and people live side by side. Stars MORGAN (tbc) Bob Hoskins & Christopher Lloyd. WILD STORYTELLING Folklore, myths Staffordshire ONE MORE TIME WITH FEELING (tbc) mac, Birmingham, Sat 3 Sept and fairytales from Shropshire's best DYEING WITH NATURAL MATERIALS SAUSAGE PARTY (15) loved storytellers, Thurs 1 Sept, THE BLUES BROTHERS (15) Direct out Introduction to the surprising colours Boathouse Visitor Centre, Ellesmere, of natural dyes, Sat 3 Sept, Fordhall of jail, Jake Blues and his Brother THINGS TO COME (12A) Shropshire

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Thursday 1 - Sun 11 September

Organic Farm, Market Drayton, Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 10 - North Shropshire GUY DAY’S HINTS & TIPS: GUY’S Sun 11 Sept, Birmingham City HANDSWORTH HERITAGE WALK Sat 3 BRITISH BAKE OFF Guy demonstrates Centre Sept, Soho House, Birmingham dishes, offers practical advice and THE BASIL BRUSH SHOW Sat 10 - Sun BIRMINGHAM HONEY SHOW Back for a reveals tricks of the trade, Tues 6 - 11 Sep, Cadbury World, Bournville, sixth year, a chance to learn all Thurs 8 Sept, Weston Park, Staffs Birmingham about bees, honey and the craft of HANDSWORTH HERITAGE WALK Wed 7 THE BIRMINGHAM CRUISE SHOW 2016 bee keeping, Sat 3 - Sun 4 Sept, Sept, Soho House, Birmingham Sat 10 - Sun 11 Sept, NEC, Martineau Gardens, Birmingham MISS ELIZABETH BOAT TRIPS Take a Birmingham BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 3 - gentle cruise along the mile-long, WAR IN THE VALLEY Churnet Valley is Sun 4 Sept, Birmingham City Centre Lancelot Capability Brown-designed transported back to the 1940s, Sat BEGINNERS BLACKWORK WORKSHOP lake. Enjoy breathtaking views of the 10 - Sun 11 Sep, Churnet Valley Have a go at this striking form of woodlands and gardens on an eco- Railway, Staffordshire 16th/17th century embroidery, Sat 3 logically friendly, electrically pow- HADEN HALL OPEN DAY Sat 10 - Sun - Sun 4 Sept, Moseley Old Hall, ered, 42-seat catamaran, Wed 7 - 11 Sept, Haden Hill House Museum, Wolverhampton Sun 11 Sept, Trentham Estate, Cradley Heath Stoke-on-Trent CRITTERISH ALLSORTS Hands-on ani- SPUDFEST Take the Spud Shuttle mal sessions. Meet the critters and ARTIST GROUP - HERITAGE OPEN DAY Tractor Ride to the potato plot and learn all about them, Sat 3 - Sun 4 An opportunity to see behind the dig up your own spuds, Sat 10 - Sun Sept, Trentham Gardens, Stoke-on- scenes in a tour of the museum 11 Sept, National Forest Adventure Trent stores. You will then be able to Farm, Burton-upon-Trent spend some time sketching and tak- CINEMA IN THE CASTLE Sat 3 - Sun 4 ing photographs in the large object OPEN DOORS Entry to the castle, Clive Sept, Ludlow Castle, Shropshire rooms, Wed 7 Sept, Black Country Museum and garden is free of RSPB NATURE EVENT Learn how you Living Museum, Dudley charge to all visitors, Sat 10 Sept, can help give nature a home, Sat 3 - Powis Castle and Garden, nr STOKESAY CASTLE: PAST, PRESENT AND Welshpool, Powys Sun 4 Sept, Trentham Monkey FUTURE Join conservation architect Forest, Stoke-on-Trent Robert Tolley for an exclusive WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SPUDFEST Take the Spud Shuttle behind-the-scenes tour, Wed 7 Sept, BOULTON AND WATT Admire fine Tractor Ride to the potato plot and Stokesay Castle, Ludlow, South Georgian and Victorian architecture, dig up your own spuds, Sat 3 - Sun Shropshire a convent designed by Augustus Pugin, a church built nearly 1,000 4 Sept, National Forest Adventure BEST'S ANGELS Exploration of the Farm, Burton-on-Trent years ago and magnificent civic lives of people who lived in the buildings, Sat 10 - Sun 11 Sept, DOLLS HOUSE FAIR An interesting dis- house at the turn of the 20th century, Soho House, Birmingham play of doll houses and miniatures, Thurs 8 - Sun 11 Sept, Haden Hill Sun 4 Sept, Staffordshire County House Museum, Cradley Heath, TRENTHAM FERN TRAIN TRIPS Take a Showground Dudley trip on the Trentham Fern, the resident diesel engine that chuffs along TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Sun 4 Sept, ROMAN VS FOUSEY Join the YouTube the lakeside on a light gauge rail- NEC, Birmingham sensations for an evening of sketch- way, Sat 10 - Tues 13 Sept, SHAKESPEARE AND MEDIEVAL es, stand-up comedy & pranks, Fri 9 Trentham Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent Sept, O2 Academy, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM BUS TOUR Combined TURTLE FEST Unique activites plus guided walking and bus tour looking SUMMER NIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL: THE fun & engaging creature talks. at the origins of Birmingham and its GREAT GATSBY Pack your picnic ham- There’ll also be a chance to meet medieval past, Sun 4 Sept, per and wear your best 1920s out- Molokai the Sealife Centre’s giant Birmingham City Centre fits, Fri 9 Sept, Attingham Park, green turtle who turns 40 this year, REGGAE CARIBBEAN COOKOUT Sun 4 Shropshire Sat 10 - Sun 18 Sept, National Sea Sept, Coffin Works, Birmingham PEAKY BLINDERS NIGHT Fri 9 - Sat 10 Life Centre, Birmingham ANTIQUE AND COLLECTORS FAIR Sun 4 Sept, Black Country Living Museum, CLIMB LORD HILL'S COLUMN Sun 11 Sept, Bantock House & Park, Dudley Sept, Shrewsbury Town Centre Wolverhampton LUDLOW FOOD FESTIVAL Find out CIRCUS SKILLS WORKSHOP Sun 11 SPITFIRE 10K COSFORD Sun 4 Sept, more on page 13, Fri 9 - Sun 11 Sept, Eastnor Castle Deer Park, RAF Cosford, Shropshire Sept, Ludlow Castle, Shropshire Herefordshire ROTARY CLUB COUNTRY FESTIVAL Sun ROALD DAHL’S WAR To celebrate PADDINGTON VISIT Ride out into the 4 Sept, Birmingham Botanical Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday, histori- countryside on one of the steam Gardens an Graham Laurie explores the leg- trains to meet a well-known charac- endary author’s life and career, Sat ter, Sun 11 Sept, Severn Valley MEET THE BEEKEEPER Find out more 10 Sept, RAF Cosford, Shropshire about bees and beekeeping, Sun 4 Railway, Kidderminster Sept, Dudmaston Estate, Bridgnorth, SUMMER NIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL: LES PROMS IN THE PARK The popular Shropshire MISERABLES Dress up in your best music afternoon returns this year Les Miserables costume, Sat 10 with jazz, easy listening music and KNIGHTS' SCHOOL Medieval mayhem Sept, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury and junior jousting for children, Sun the Halesowen Brass Band. Bring 4 Sept, Eastnor Castle Deer Park, KINGS NORTON FARMERS' MARKET Sat your picnic and enjoy the atmos- Herefordshire 10 Sept, The Green, Kings Norton, phere, Sun 11 Sept, Haden Hill Birmingham House Museum, Cradley Heath ON THE BUSES! Vintage buses on display at Bewdley Station, Sun 4 Sept, ATTIC TOURS Special tours of the COMMUNITY FOOD FESTIVAL AND Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Harvington Hall attics, Sat 10 - Sun HERITAGE OPEN DAY Sun 11 Sept, Kidderminster 11 Sept, Harvington Hall, Winterbourne House & Garden, Kidderminster Birmingham PASTRIES AND TARTS WITH MILLY REES Learn how to make rough puff and TAMORTH FOOD GUSTO A chance for THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME FILM choux pastry, Sun 4 Sept, local artisans to showcase their artis- SCREENING Imperial War Museumss Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, tic flare, Tamworth Gusto also fea- UNESCO-listed film screening, Sun Craven Arms, South Shropshire tures live entertainment, demonstra- 11 Sept, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham tions and tastings, Sat 10 - Sun 11 MIDDLE-EARTH FESTIVAL A celebration BIKE WITH MIKE Join Ranger Mike on Sept, Pleasure Grounds, Tamworth a bike ride through Comer Wood, of all things Tolkien, Sun 4 - Mon 5 Castle, Staffs Sept, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham Sun 11 Sept, Dudmaston Estate, NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW Sat Bridgnorth, Shropshire TUESDAY TILE DECORATING 10 - Sun 11 Sept, Staffordshire WORKSHOPS Tues 6 Sept, Jackfield County Showground

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thelist Monday 12 - Sunday 18 September Birmingham staging of the hit musical, based on ALAN BRAXE Fri 16 Sept, Classical Music the film of the same title, Mon 12 - Hare & Hounds, B’ham Sat 17 Sept, New Alexandra Theatre, ORGAN CONCERT BY JOHN SCOTT Birmingham THE FORTUNES Fri 16 WHITELEY Fri 16 Sept, Wellington Sept, Theatre Severn, THAT'LL BE THE DAY A musical romp Methodist Church, Shropshire Shrewsbury through the youthful days of COLD CALLING: THE ARCTIC PROJECT Fri Rock’n’Roll in the ’50s, on through BONSAI & REDFACES Fri 16 - Sat 17 Sept, Birmingham the Swinging ’60s and into the taste- 16 Sept, The Sugarmill, Repertory Theatre free days of the 1970s, Tues 13 Sept, Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton Grand Theatre ORGAN PROM WITH MARTYN NOBLE SARAH MOULE Fri 16 Programme includes works by OLIVER! The Mellow Dramatics pres- Sept, New Vic Theatre, Franck, Mozart, JS Bach & Handel, ent an amateur staging of Lionel Newcastle-under-Lyme Sat 17 Sept, Victoria Hall, Hanley, Bart’s musical version of Charles TOMMASO STARACE & Stoke-on-Trent Dickens’ novel, Tues 13 Sept, MICHELE DI TORO Sun Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon- B.A ZIMMERMANN: SONATA FOR SOLO 11 Sept, The Hive Trent CELLO BCMG cellist and founding Shrewsbury musician Ulrich Heinen performs A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Here To THE ULTIMATE EAGLES Bernd Alois Zimmermann's Sonata There Productions present a re-imag- Sat 17 Sept, William for solo cello, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Sept, ining of Shakespeare’s comedy clas- Aston Hall, Wrexham Ikon Gallery, Birmingham sic, Tues 13 Sept, Ludlow Assembly FRED ZEPPELIN Tribute Rooms, South Shropshire band to Led Zeppelin JOAN COLLINS The actress, philan- Sat 17 Sept, The thropist and best-selling author Robin, Bilston shares stories and secrets from her WILLIAM CONTROL Sat Comedy Gigs celebrated life and career, Tues 13 17 Sept, The Rainbow Sept, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Ray Quinn - The Robin, Bilston Venues, Birmingham THE WOMAN IN BLACK Stephen LOUDEEMY SOUP COMEDY NIGHT Mon Mallatratt’s ingenious stage adapta- BACK TO BACHARACH THE PHONICS Sat 17 12 Sept, The Blue Orange Theatre, tion of Susan Hill’s acclaimed ghost Wed 14 Sept, Theatre Sept, The Roadhouse, Birmingham Gigs story, Tues 13 - Sat 17 Sept, Lichfield Severn, Shrewsbury Birmingham KAREN BAYLEY, JULIE JEPSON, MANDY Garrick THE ACOUSTIC STRAWBS DAN PAGE Sat 17 Sept, MUDEN & MAUREEN YOUNGER Wed 14 BARBARA DICKSON Mon ROMEO & JULIET Here To There Thurs 15 Sept, New Vic Havana Republic Bar Sept, Kitchen Garden Cafe, B’ham 12 Sept, New Vic Productions transport the world’s Theatre, Newcastle- and Restaurant, Theatre, Newcastle- GARY DELANEY Thurs 15 Sept, The most famous love story to the era of under-Lyme Shrewsbury under-Lyme Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton teddy boys, greasers on motorbikes STEVE KNIGHTLEY Thurs ASHA BHOSLE Sat 17 CELESTIAL FIRE FEATUR- MICK FERRY, GORDON SOUTHERN & and Rock’n’Roll, Wed 14 Sept, 15 Sept, Birchmeadow Sept, Genting Arena, ING DAVE BAINBRIDGE COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Centre, Broseley, Birmingham Mon 12 Sept, The ROBINSON Thurs 15 Sept, The Glee Shropshire Shropshire Robin, Bilston THE FALL OF TROY Sat Club, Birmingham HONK! THE MUSICAL Amateur produc- THE BOWIE EXPERIENCE 17 Sept, The Asylum, NASHVILLE IN THE PAUL SINHA, INGRID DAHLE, TAMAR tion of Stiles & Drewe's hit musical, Thurs 15 Sept, Birmingham ROUND: SONGS FROM BROADBENT & CHRIS PURCHASE Fri 16 Wed 14 - Sat 17 Sept, The Old Rep Wolverhampton Grand MUSIC CITY Mon 12 KING GOAT Sat 17 Sept, Sept, Lichfield Garrick Theatre, Birmingham Theatre The Slade Rooms, Sept, Kitchen Garden SEAN PERCIVAL, MARKUS BIRDMAN & MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS Possibly the Wolverhampton Cafe, Birmingham MADISON VIOLET Thurs KAREN BAILEY Fri 16 Sept, Molineux best-known circus in the world here 15 Sept, The Glee SHARKS Tues 13 Sept, SAM LEE AND THE Stadium, Wolverhampton presents its latest production, Club, Birmingham The Robin, Bilston ROUNDHOUSE CHOIR Sat Zhelaniy, transporting its audience to STEVIE NIMMO TRIO 17 Sept, mac, B’ham ‘a wondrous and mysterious DAN WALSH & JOHN Thurs 15 Sept, The enchanted garden’, Wed 14 - Sun 18 DOWLING Tues 13 Sept, GOSKINO Sat 17 Sept, Robin, Bilston The Sunflower Lounge, Sept, Shugborough Historic Working Kitchen Garden Cafe, Estate, Staffordshire Birmingham ALBERT HAMMOND Thurs Birmingham 15 Sept, Theatre ROGER MCGOUGH AND LITTLE MACHINE LEVEL UP SEASON 4.5 THE MAGNIFICENT MUSIC Severn, Shrewsbury HALL Sat 17 Sept, New Thurs 15 Sept, Theatre Severn, (FEATURING SOWETO Shrewsbury KINCH) Tues 13 Sept, THEE MVPS Thurs 15 Vic Theatre, Newcastle- The REP, Birmingham Sept, The Sunflower under-Lyme A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Here To Lounge, Birmingham THE MOVE Sun 18 Sept, There Productions present a re-imag- BLACK PEAKS & HECK ining of Shakespeare’s comedy clas- BIG COUNTRY Fri 16 Prince Of Wales Tues 13 Sept, The sic, Thurs 15 Sept, Ludlow Assembly Sept, The Robin, Centre, Cannock Slade Rooms, MICK FERRY, GORDON SOUTHERN, JOHN Rooms, South Shropshire Wolverhampton Bilston LEON HENDRIX Sun 18 LYNN & PRINCE ABDI Fri 16 - Sat 17 DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS Amateur B'SPOKE Fri 16 Sept, - Sept, The Robin, Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham CLUB KURU + YUNG production presented by Cannock Sat 17 Sept, The Jam Bilston JIMMY’S BIG IDEAS Tues MANDY KNIGHT, ALEX BOARDMAN, MIKE Chase Drama Society, Thurs 15 - Sat House, Birmingham 13 Sept, The Sunflower DILLY DALLY Sun 18 WILMOT & RHODRI RHYS Fri 16 - Sat 17 Sept, Prince Of Wales Centre, Lounge, Birmingham FLATBUSH ZOMBIES Fri Sept, Hare & Hounds, 17 Sept, The Comedy Loft, B’ham Cannock 16 Sept, O2 Institute, Birmingham GOSPEL CENTRAL Wed JUKEBOX MUSICALS IN CONCERT Birmingham 14 Sept, The Jam SOUL CITY Sun 18 Sept, Featuring hits from popular jukebox House, Birmingham SMALL FAKERS Fri 16 The Roadhouse, B’ham musicals, Fri 16 - Sat 17 Sept, Old RAY QUINN Wed 14 Sept, The Roadhouse, GUTTERDÄMMERUNG Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham Theatre Sept, The Robin, Sun 18 Sept, O2 ROMEO & JULIET Here To There Bilston NIBBS & EDDY Fri 16 Academy, Birmingham Productions transport the world’s BOO HEWERDINE + DAN Sept, Havana Republic WHISPERED & ROMEO & JULIET Here To There most famous love story to the era of WHITEHOUSE Wed 14 Bar and Restaurant, COUNTLESS SKIES Sun Productions transport the world’s teddy boys, greasers on motorbikes Sept, Henry Tudor Shrewsbury 18 Sept, The Rainbow most famous love story to the era of and Rock’n’Roll, Fri 16 - Sat 17 Sept, House, Shrewsbury MOTOWN AND SOUL Venues, Birmingham teddy boys, greasers on motorbikes Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South and Rock’n’Roll, Mon 12 Sept, GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, NIGHT WITH DJ PAUL THE MOODY BLUES' JOHN Shropshire Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South FUNK AND SOUL OPEN KELLY Fri 16 Sept, The LODGE Sun 18 Sept, COLD CALLING: THE ARCTIC PROJECT Shropshire MIC NIGHT Wed 14 Irish Centre, B’ham Theatre Severn, Musicians and artists unite against a Sept, The Night Owl, NOAH GUTHRIE Fri 16 Shrewsbury SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL Alexandra backdrop of beautiful Arctic land- Birmingham Sept, O2 Institute, Burke stars in Craig Revel Horwood’s scapes for a powerful exploration of

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thelist love, loneliness and loss. World premiere presented by Birmingham Talks / Repertory Theatre and the City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Fri 16 - Sat 17 Sept, The REP, Spoken Word Birmingham A SLAVE TO LOVE Lying Lips Theatre ROUND THE FOOTLIGHTS: THE Company present the 19th century UNOFFICIAL THEATRE TOUR Join story of three slaves sold at auction author Mick Escott as he discusses to work on a small plantation, Fri 16 his latest book, which gives a candid insight into a life spent in the arts, Sat 17 Sept, The REP, Birmingham TEN LETTERS A new piece of inter- generational poetry theatre about Birmingham, starring the best in local poetry talent, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Sept, mac, Birmingham

- Sat 17 Sept, mac, Birmingham UNCLE’S STORY SHOP Unique interactive theatre experience which Film encourages young audiences to INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: help create new stories, Sat 17 Sept, The REP, Birmingham JOY (12A) Based on the true story of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Here Joy Mangano, who invented a To There Productions present a re- household cleaning device and imagining of Shakespeare’s come- went on to establish a business dy classic, Sat 17 Sept, Ludlow dynasty. Stars Jennifer Lawrence & Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire Robert De Niro. Edge Arts Centre, TEN LETTERS New piece of intergen- Much Wenlock, South Shropshire, erational poetry theatre about Mon 12 Sept Birmingham, featuring the best in THE TRENCH (15) Covering 48 hours local poetry talent. Produced by in the days leading up to the Battle Giovanni 'Spoz' Esposito and Lorna of the Somme in 1916, this film re- Meehan, and incorporating multi- tells the story of war through the media and live music, Sat 17 - Sun eyes of 17-year-old Billy McFarlane. 18 Sept, mac, Birmingham Stars Paul Nicholls, Daniel Craig. THE MAGIC OF THE MUSICALS Forest Arts Centre, Walsall, Tues 13 Concert-style show featuring hit Sept songs from some of the biggest I WISH (PG) Film by acclaimed names in musical theatre, including Japanese director Hirokazu Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Koreeda looks at the life of two Sondheim, George Gershwin and young brothers who try to reunite Rodgers & Hammerstein, Sun 18 their family as, after their parents’ Sept, Lichfield Garrick divorce, they’re forced to live in separate cities... Foreign language, subtitled. The Hive, Shrewsbury, Wed 14 Sept MEN & CHICKEN (15) Gabriel and Elias are two very different brothers. Their father is dead. Things take a turn when the brothers learn, through a videotape recorded by their now late father, that he in fact wasn't their biological dad... Stars David Dencik & Mads Mikkelsen. Foreign language, subtitled. Stoke Film Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 15 Sept JASON BOURNE (12a) Jason Bourne is beginning to remember stuff. And so he sets about trying to uncover the truth about who he really is... Dance The good news is that Paul Greengrass returns as the director of this hopelessly addictive fran- ROSIE KAY DANCE COMPANY Double chise (he directed the best in the bill of athletic, intelligent and techni- series, The Bourne Supremacy and cal dance routines. The featured The Bourne Ultimatum). Stars Matt shows are Double Points: K - a Damon & Julia Stiles. Festival study of synchronicity and stamina Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, set to a soundtrack of Bach, dub South Shropshire, Fri 16 Sept step and electronica - and Motel, a ‘dark, sexy and exciting’ piece inspired by the paintings of visual arts duo Huntley Muir, Thurs 15 - Sat 16 Sept, mac, Birmingham

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thelist Monday 12 - Sunday 18 September NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: John Nash's Italianate villa designs, Fri 16 Sept, Attingham Park, Released Fri 16 September, showing Shropshire at selected cinemas A TASTE OF HISTORY - A BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK TOUR Exclusive culi- BRIDGET JONES'S BABY (tbc) nary evening tour of Aston Hall. THE BROTHER (tbc) Explore the art and theatre of dining through the ages, Fri 16 Sept, Aston THE CLAN (tbc) Hall, Birmingham EL SUR (THE SOUTH) (PG) OPEN COCKPITS EVENING Climb on HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE (tbc) board a selection of historic aircraft THE INFILTRATOR (15) and sit in the pilot’s seat, Fri 16 - Sat THE NEIGHBOUR (tbc) 17 Sept, RAF Cosford, Shropshire BIRMINGHAM CHILLI FESTIVAL BLAIR WITCH (tbc) Sat 17 Sept, Brindleyplace, Birmingham HERITAGE OPEN DAY See orchards full of fruit and pick your own harvest of damsons and apples, Sat 17 Sept, Events Brockhampton Estate, Herefordshire SECRET LIFE OF OLD HOUSES 1: CONSTRUCTION Focusing on the con- BAKE AND MAKE - THE ART OF BREAD struction and welfare of old buildings AND BUTTER Find out how people in - understanding bricks and mortar, the 17th century ran their home, architectural features, conservation bake a loaf of bread and make but- and general maintenance, Sat 17 ter, Mon 12 Sept, Moseley Old Hall, Sept, Black Country Living Museum, Wolverhampton Dudley CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER - TALK, Q&A WILDLIFE WATCH GROUP: HARVEST AND BOOK SIGNING Mon 12 Sept, The BONANZA Activities and walks for chil- Glee Club, Birmingham dren, Sat 17 Sept, National Memorial Chilli Festival TUESDAY TILE DECORATING Arboretum, Staffordshire Brindleyplace, Birmingham, Sat 17 September WORKSHOPS Tues 13 Sept, Jackfield SILVER RING WORKSHOP Join local Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire designer-maker Grace Page to create Temperatures are set to rise in Brindleyplace mid-month with the FLAVOURED BREADS WITH KATHLEEN your own silver ring, Sat 17 Sept, welcome return of the almost-too-hot-to-handle Birmingham Chilli CORFIELD Tues 13 Sept, Shropshire Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Festival. The event is now in its sixth year and as usual features Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms, Birmingham numerous food stalls selling a wide range of chilli-influenced street South Shropshire MEREFEST Featuring Farmers Market, cuisine. Plenty of live music and family entertainment is also on the MEET SIR THOMAS HOLTE: A crafts, free activities, pop-up restau- bill, as is the always-popular chilli-eating competition. BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK TOUR rant, live music & more, Sat 17 Sept, Wed 14 Sept, Aston Hall, Ellesmere, Shropshire Birmingham MIDLAND GAME FAIR Country pursuits trip on the Trentham Fern, the resi- Dudmaston Estate, Shropshire MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS event, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Sept, Weston Wed 14 - Sun dent diesel engine that chuffs along 18 Sept, Shugborough Historic Park, Staffordshire ANTIQUE & VINTAGE FAIR Sun 18 Sept, the lakeside on a light gauge railway, Maws Craft Centre, Telford, Working Estate, Staffordshire VOLUNTEER WEEKEND Sat 17 - Sun 18 Sat 17 - Tues 20 Sept, Trentham Shropshire MISS ELIZABETH BOAT TRIPS Take a Sept, Fordhall Organic Farm, Market Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent gentle cruise along the mile-long, Drayton, Shropshire STAFFORDSHIRE WEDDING SHOW Sun CRONKHILL OPEN DAY See a major 18 Sept, Staffordshire County Lancelot 'Capability' Brown-designed HERITAGE WEEKEND AT CADBURY restoration project in action on one Showground lake. Enjoy breathtaking views of the WORLD Sat 17 - Sun 18 Sept, of the first and finest examples of woodlands and gardens from an Cadbury World, Bournville. John Nash's Italianate villa designs, TUDOR THREADS AND STUART SEWING ecologically friendly, electrically pow- Birmingham Sun 18 Sept, Attingham Park, Meet the costumed volunteers as ered, 42-seat catamaran, Wed 14 - they sew, embroider and stitch their BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 17 - Shropshire Sun 18 Sept, Trentham Estate, way back to the 17th century, Sun 18 Sun 18 Sept, Birmingham City Stoke-on-Trent HSBC BIKEFEST 2016 Now in its sec- - Mon 19 Sept, Moseley Old Hall, Centre ond year, BikeFest is completely free SPECIALIST TALK - THE PRE- Wolverhampton and aims to inspire Birmingham peo- RAPHAELITES - SEX, DRUGS AND POET- IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS ple to get active, Sun 18 Sept, RY TODAY... Join in with the insect- Tongue-in-cheek evening tour Victoria Square, Birmingham with a definite adult slant, Thurs 15 themed activities, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Sept, Wightwick Manor, Sept, Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton Wolverhampton VOLUNTEER OPEN DAY Whether you're BATTLE OF CROGEN MEDIEVAL WEEKEND - WITH CWMWD IAL A look at life in the NATURE'S HARVEST WALK Sun 18 Sept, an experienced gardener, or just Attingham Park, Shropshire have an interest and want to learn early medieval period with re-enact- more, Trentham needs you!, Thurs ing groups Cwmwd Ial and Les Miles HARVEST FESTIVAL Sun 18 Sept, Blists 15 Sept, Trentham Gardens, Stoke- des Marches, Sat 17 - Sun 18 Sept, Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire Chirk Castle, nr Wrexham on-Trent DAMSON WALK AND PICK Sun 18 Sept, WOMEN'S WORK: A BIRMINGHAM AUTUMN WATCH WEEKEND Focusing Brockhampton Estate, Herefordshire on everything from wild birds to HERITAGE WEEK TOUR Find out about DIRTRUN - THE GOTHIC GAUNTLET Run mammals and insects, Sat 17 - Sun the lives of women who lived at between ancient trees, explore ram- 18 Sept, Lower Drayton Farm, Aston Hall, Thurs 15 - Fri 16 Sept, parts and take in the beautiful Stafford Aston Hall, Birmingham Herefordshire scenery, Sun 18 Sept, THE MACMILLAN WORLD SPUDFEST Take the Spud Shuttle Croft Castle, nr Leominster Tractor Ride to the potato plot and CHAMPIONSHIP CORACLE RACE Fri 16 DUDMASTON TREES - FACT, FICTION AND dig up your own spuds, Sat 17 - Sun Sept, Shrewsbury Town Centre FANTASY Dudmaston's resident story- 18 Sept, National Forest Adventure teller leads visitors through the INTRODUCTION TO POLE LATHE TURNING Farm, Burton-on-Trent Fri 16 Sept, Brockhampton Estate, woodland, weaving a fantastical story Herefordshire 5TH ANNUAL CHILLI FESTIVAL Sat 17 - as he goes. Listen to tales inspired Sun 18 Sept, The Dorothy Clive by the trees and the human hands CRONKHILL OPEN DAY See a major Garden, Shropshire that have looked after them for hun- restoration project in action on one dreds of years, Sun 18 Sept, of the first and finest examples of TRENTHAM FERN TRAIN TRIPS Take a 58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 12 - 18 Sept - Wolves/Shrops/Staffs Only VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 15:47 Page 4

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

SAT 10 SEPT, 7.30PM, THE MOODY BLUES' JOHN COMING SOON... LODGE PLUS SUPPORT John will be performing 13-17 September, 7.30pm his favourite Moody Blues Sat Mat 2.30pm songs as well as tracks The Mellow Dramatics from his solo albums. Oliver! £26 - £28.50 Tickets: £12, Tues & Sat Mat £10 TUES 13 - SAT 17 SEPT, 7.30PM, 22 September, 8pm 12+ MATS, 2.30PM Funhouse Comedy Club: THE WOMAN Ivan Brackenbury & Ian D Montfort IN BLACK Tickets: £8 Susan Hill’s acclaimed ghost story comes dramati- cally alive in Stephen 24 September, 8pm Mallatratt’s ingenious stage adaptation. tHe mAdHoUSe Presents From £23.50 Megson plus support

Tickets: £15otd, £12 adv SUN 18 SEPT, 7.30PM THE MAGIC OF THE MUSICALS 30 September, 7.45pm 10 Musicians, 3 West Into The Shadows End Vocalists, 1 Great Performance. Expect Lloyd Webber, Tickets: £11 Sondheim, Gershwin, Rogers and Hammerstein and everything in-between with a spectacular Les , Students 1 October, 8pm £23.50 £18.50 Miserables ﬁnale. Gordie MacKeeman & his Rhythm Boys THU 20 - SAT 24 SEPT, 12+ 7.30PM, MATS, 2.30PM Tickets: £14 otd, £12 adv Sell A Door Theatre Presents LITTLE SHOP 6 October, 4.30pm & 7.30pm OF HORRORS Zest Theatre presents: A charming, kooky and Thrive hilarious musical based on the cult ﬁlm and one of the Tickets: £9 (18+) longest running off- £6 (13-17 +Students) Broadway shows of all time From Starring Rhydian Roberts £21.50 as the sadistic dentist . 7 October, 8pm Mark Watson: FRI 30 SEPT, 7.30PM I’m Not Here R.C. SHERIFF'S JOURNEYS END Tickets: £17 A harrowing insight into the humanity of the First World War based on R.C. Sheriff’s own experiences 11 October, 8pm in the trenches. O’Hooley & Tidow: Shadows Tickets: £12.50 £17 - £19

SAT 1 OCT, 7.30PM 12 October, 8pm NICHOLAS Tony’s Last Tape PARSONS Join raconteur Nicholas Tickets: £12, £10 concessions Parsons for an evening of anecdotal entertainment based on his experience of life and working in the var- 18 October, 1.30pm & 5.30pm ious media of an unpre- dictable and always fasci- MishMash: Hubbub £21.50 nating profession. Tickets: £8, £6 Concessions, £25 family of 4 SUN 16 OCT, 7.30PM LET’S TWIST AGAIN 22 October, 8pm These critically acclaimed Henry Priestman artistes and musicians + Les Glover (support) deliver a fun packed show of amazing music, includ- Tickets: £15 otd, £12 adv ing the greatest hits of Elvis, Dusty Springﬁeld, Lulu,The Beatles, Sandie Shaw, The Drifters and Brewhouse Arts Centre, Union Street, £19.50 many more. Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire DE14 1AA 01283 508100 Box ofﬁce: BOX OFFICE: 01543 412 121 BOOK ONLINE AT www.brewhouse.co.uk www.lichfieldgarrick.com LICHFIELD GARRICK, CASTLE DYKE, LICHFIELD, STAFFS, WS13 6HR

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thelist Monday 19 - Sunday 25 September Birmingham Sept, O2 Institute, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Gigs TONY CHRISTIE Thurs 22 Birmingham Classical Music LOL COMEDY CLUB Sat 24 Sept, Regent Sept, Theatre Severn, JOE SEAGAR Sat 24 Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Shrewsbury Sept, Havana Republic CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY JEREMY HARDY Sat 24 Sept, Theatre Bar and Restaurant, DEAD SEA SKULLS Mon KEE MARCELLO BAND ORCHESTRA Featuring Edward Severn, Shrewsbury Shrewsbury 19 Sept, The Actress & Thurs 22 Sept, The Gardner (conductor) & Steven LLOYD LANGFORD, MICHAEL FABBRI, Bishop, Birmingham Robin, Bilston RAT BOY Sat 24 Sept, Osbourne (piano). Programme ANDREA HUBERT & RORY O'HANLON Sat HALEY REINHART Mon ANGRYFISH Thurs 22 O2 Institute, B’ham includes works by Beethoven, 24 Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham 19 Sept, The Glee Sept, Newhampton MEGSON Sat 24 Sept, Butterworth & Walton, Thurs 22 Sept, WAYNE DEAKIN, ALLYSON JUNE SMITH, Club, Birmingham Arts Centre, The Brewhouse Arts Symphony Hall, Birmingham IVAN BRACKENBURY & IAN D MONTFORD BLUE OCTOBER Mon 19 Wolverhampton Centre, Burton-upon- Sat 24 Sept, The Comedy Loft, Sept, O2 Institute, MIKE BLADEN Thurs 22 Trent Birmingham Birmingham Sept, The Rainbow ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS Sat TIM FITZHIGHAM AS WILL KEMPE, LOTTERY WINNERS TOUR Venues, Birmingham 24 Sept, Regent SHAKESPEARE’S STAND-UP Sat 24 Sept, Mon 19 Sept, Hare & MILBURN Thurs 22 Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent St Mary's Church, Shrewsbury Hounds, Birmingham Sept, The Sugarmill, A R RAHMAN Sat 24 NINA CONTI Sun 25 Sept, THE MAYBYS Mon 19 Stoke-on-Trent Sept, Barclaycard Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Arena, Birmingham Sept, Kitchen Garden TANGERINES + THE THE LAUGHING SOLE COMEDY FOR KIDS Cafe, Birmingham AMERICAS + RISCAS ANNIE MAC PRESENTS Sun 25 Sept, mac, Birmingham WALK OF FAME (ROLLING Thurs 22 Sept, The ALL DAY RAVES Sat 24 STONES) Mon 19 Sept, Sunflower Lounge, Sept, The Rainbow Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham Venues, Birmingham CBSO CENTRE STAGE: QUARTET FOR THE Birmingham HANSU-TORI Fri 23 Sept, AN INTIMATE EVENING END OF TIME Featuring artist in resi- JANE SIBERRY Mon 19 Symphony Hall, B’ham WITH JUSTIN HAYWARD dence Steven Osbourne (piano) & the Theatre CBSO musicians. Programme com- Sept, Henry Tudor BLOSSOMS Fri 23 Sept, Sat 24 Sept, Wolverhampton Grand prises Messiaen’s Quartet for the End House, Shrewsbury O2 Institute, B’ham ALL OR NOTHING: THE MOD MUSICAL Theatre of Time, Fri 23 Sept, CBSO Centre, THE SHERLOCKS Mon 19 TONY MORTIMER Fri 23 Birmingham Carol Harrison’s homage to the life Sept, The Sugarmill, Sept, O2 Academy, TWEET Sat 24 Sept, O2 and music of The Small Faces, Mon CBSO: NOTES FROM A SMALL ISLAND Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham Institute, Birmingham 19 - Wed 21 Sept, Theatre Severn, Featuring Michael Seal (conductor) & IVO NEAME AND MACIEK Shrewsbury DAVE MCPHERSON Mon HANNAH & BRIAN Fri 23 Catherine Arlidge (presenter), Sat 24 PYSZ Sat 24 Sept, 19 Sept, The Sunflower Sept, Havana Republic Sept, Symphony Hall, Birmingham GHOST THE MUSICAL Stage version of Lounge, Birmingham Bar and Restaurant, Arena Theatre, the award-winning movie, Mon 19 - Wolverhampton MUSIC MAZE WITH FLAUTIST TONY ROBB THE THREE DEGREES Shrewsbury Sat 24 Sept, New Alexander Theatre, Sun 25 Sept, CBSO Centre, B’ham Birmingham Tues 20 Sept, The Old LIZZIE AND THE MIKE SILVER & JOHNNY Rep Theatre, B’ham BANSHEES Fri 23 Sept, COPPIN Sat 24 Sept, MANDELA TRILOGY Cape Town Opera’s Newhampton Arts DANIEL O'DONNELL Tues The Roadhouse, epic operatic tribute to the life of Centre, W’hampton 20 Sept, Symphony Birmingham Nelson Mandela, Tues 20 - Wed 21 Sept, Birmingham Hippodrome Hall, Birmingham DESPERADO - THE VERY MUSICIANS AGAINST HOMELESSNESS Sat 24 Comedy Gigs SUNDARA KARMA Tues BEST OF THE EAGLES Fri LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Rhydian Sept, The Sugarmill, 20 Sept, O2 Institute, 23 - Sat 24 Sept, Roberts stars as Orin Scrivello in a Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham Theatre On The Steps, TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 19 Sept, new staging of the hit musical sci-fi Bridgnorth, Shropshire STAN TRACEY LEGACY The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham spoof, Tues 20 - Sat 24 Sept, Lichfield MEGSON Tues 20 Sept, OCTET Sat 24 Sept, Garrick Kitchen Garden Cafe, MIKE SKINNER & MITCH BENN Thurs 22 Sept, mac, Birmingham Birmingham MURKAGE PRESENT Wolverhampton Art Gallery ANIMAL FARM George Orwell’s allegor- TONGA Fri 23 Sept, A FOREIGNERS JOURNEY ical ‘fairy story’, boldly retold in a pro- JOSH SMITH Tues 20 ROSS NOBLE Thurs 22 - Fri 23 Sept Hare & Hounds, B’ham Sun 25 Sept, The The Place, Oakengates Theatre, duction suitable for audiences of all Sept, The Robin, ages, Tues 20 - Sat 24 Sept, Lichfield LENNON: THROUGH A Robin, Bilston Telford, Shropshire Bilston Garrick GLASS ONION Fri 23 THE LEISURE SOCIETY MOON HOOCH Tues 20 LLOYD LANGFORD, MICHAEL FABBRI & Sept, Theatre Severn, Sun 25 Sept, Henry GIRLS Talawa Theatre Company, Sept, Newhampton COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY Shrewsbury Tudor House, ROBINSON Thurs 22 Sept, The Glee HighTide and Soho Theatre present Arts Centre, Theresa Ikoko’s ‘funny and fiercely POPES OF CHILLITOWN Shrewsbury Club, Birmingham Wolverhampton passionate new play’, Tues 20 - Sat Fri 23 Sept, The Slade SEAN WILSON Sun 25 SEAFOAL + ANAVAE ISY SUTTIE Fri 23 Sept, The Glee Club, 24 Sept, The REP, Birmingham Rooms, W’hampton Sept, The Irish Centre, Birmingham Tues 20 Sept, The SHOOTING WITH LIGHT Idle Motion use KINGBIRD Fri 23 Sept, Birmingham Sunflower Lounge, LLOYD LANGFORD, MICHAEL FABBRI & innovative staging, physicality & mul- Ludlow Brewery, South MIC LOWRY Sun 25 Birmingham ANDREA HUBERT & COMIC TBC Fri 23 timedia to piece together the life on Shropshire Sept, Hare & Hounds, ALEXANDER O'NEAL Wed Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham an exceptional woman, glimpsed Birmingham 21 Sept, The Jam MUSIC LIKE LEMONS Fri THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, MATT WELCOME, through the lost photographs she House, Birmingham 23 Sept, The Sunflower THE GLOAMING Sun 25 WAYNE DEAKIN & ALLYSON JUNE SMITH risked her life to take, Wed 21 Sept, Lounge, Birmingham Sept, Symphony Hall, MCFLY Wed 21 Sept, - Fri 23 Sept, The Comedy Loft, B’ham mac, Birmingham Birmingham Fri 23 Sept, O2 THE COUNTERFEIT THE TIME MACHINE Nunkie Theatre Academy, Birmingham STONES Sat 24 Sept, TONY CHRISTIE Sun 25 Company present HG Wells’ science The Robin, Bilston Sept, Lichfield Garrick CAVERN OF ANTI MATTER fiction classic, Wed 21 Sept, The Wed 21 Sept, Hare & KILLERSTREAM Sat 24 US THE DUO Sun 25 Walker Theatre, Theatre Severn, Hounds, Birmingham Sept, The River Sept, O2 Academy, Shrewsbury Rooms, Stourbridge Birmingham GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, BLACK COFFEE Amateur production of FUNK AND SOUL OPEN XVII Sat 24 Sept, O2 COLLEEN GREEN & the only play that Agatha Christie ever MIC NIGHT Wed 21 Academy, Birmingham CASSIE RAMONE Sun 25 wrote about her famous Belgian sleuth, Hercule Poirot, Wed 21 - Sat Sept, The Night Owl, WILD IRISH Sat 24 Sept, Sept, Hare & Hounds, 24 Sept, Dudley Little Theatre Birmingham The Irish Centre, Birmingham JORDAN MACKAMPA Birmingham THE KAZ HAWKINS BAND WOS DOES DISNEY Walsall Operatic Society present a concert-style per- Wed 21 Sept, The ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS: LEE Sun 25 Sept, Lichfield TIM FITZHIGHAM AS WILL KEMPE, formance featuring songs from clas- Sunflower Lounge, 'MEMPHIS' KING Sat 24 Guildhall SHAKESPEARE’S STAND-UP Fri 23 Sept sic Disney movies, Thurs 22 - Sat 24 Birmingham Sept, Regent Theatre, St Leonards Church, Bridgnorth, Sept, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall MEADOWLARK Thurs 22 Stoke-on-Trent South Shropshire DIAL M FOR MURDER Blue Orange Arts Sept, Hare & Hounds, ONLY SHADOWS Sat 24 COMEDY IN THE MET Sat 24 Sept, present Frederick Knott’s erotic tale of

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Friday 16th September 18+ ALEXANDER O'NEAL Time: 7.30pm

Tuesday 4th October MUMS THE WORD 2 Time: 7.30pm

Wednesday 5th October THE UNIQUE KOMEDY UKULELE ORCHESTRA Time: 7.30pm

Sunday 9th October 3+ MONSTERSAURUS Time: 2.00pm

Thursday 13th October 14+ RICHARD HALL Time: 8.00pm

Thursday 14th October BASIL & CO - THE DINNER SHOW Time: 7.30pm

Sunday 16th October GRIMETHORPE COLLIERY BAND Time: 3.00pm

Friday 21st October LEE MEAD Time: 7.30pm

Thursday 3rd November BYE BYE BABY Time: 7.30pm

TWC GP 01049

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thelist Monday 19 - Sunday 25 September betrayal, passion and murder - best AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS giant (played here by Mark Rylance) Featuring more than 60 ales, 25 known from its 1954 Alfred Phileas Fogg and his faithful manser- who kidnaps a little girl (Ruby ciders and perries, and a programme Hitchcock-directed film version star- vant race to beat the clock. Barnhill) to help him outwit the man- of live entertainment on the Friday ring Ray Milland and Grace Kelly, Presented by the Crescent Theatre eating giants that have been plagu- and Saturday, Thurs 22 - Sat 24 Thurs 22 Sept - Sat 1 Oct, The Blue Company, Sun 25 Sept - Sat 1 Oct, ing the human world. Also stars Sept, Prince Of Wales Centre, Orange Theatre, Birmingham Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Ruby Barnhill & Dame Penelope Cannock A GAMBLER'S GUIDE TO DYING Traverse Wilton. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, THE CYCLE SHOW The UK's biggest Theatre present Gary McNair's inter- South Shropshire, Sat 24 Sept cycling event, Thurs 22 - Sun 25 generational tale of what we live for RAMS (15) In a remote, windswept Sept, NEC, Birmingham and what we leave behind, Fri 23 corner of Iceland reside two prize EGX Thurs 22 - Sun 25 Sept, NEC, Sept, mac, Birmingham Film rams, Garpur and Sproti. Birmingham LENNON THROUGH A GLASS ONION Part INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Coincidentally, they belong to Gummi and Kiddi, who happen to be PACIFIC POWER Flying Scotsman and concert, part biography, this off- Tornado, two world famous steam Broadway success celebrates the neighbours - and brothers - who LEARNING TO DRIVE (15) When her haven’t spoken to each other in 40 locomotives, meet at the Severn genius and music of one of the Valley Railway for the first time, Thurs world’s most treasured icons. West husband leaves her, Manhattan writer years… Anybody who ‘gets’ Wendy Shields decides to capitalise Icelandic humour should relish the 22 - Mon 26 Sept, Severn Valley End performer Daniel Taylor stars, Fri Railway, Kidderminster 23 Sept, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury on her independence by learning to doleful, under-stated and straight- drive. Her instructor, an Indian Sikh, faced portrait of rivalry, competition, MURDER-MYSTERY DINNER is facing a very different nuptial loneliness and sheep. The Hive, EXPERIENCES Performed by the prospect: an arranged marriage. Shrewsbury, Fri 23 Sept Creative Arts Theatre Company, Fri They’re as different as chalk and 23 Sept, Shugborough Historic paneer, but they form a very special Working Estate, Staffordshire bond over the wheel. Stourbridge LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS Fri 23 Sept, Town Hall, Mon 19 Sept NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE National Brewery Centre, Burton- CHEVALIER (18) In the middle of the upon-Trent Aegean Sea, six men on a fishing trip Released from Fri 23 Sept, showing WOLVERLEY BEER FESTIVAL 2016 The decide to play a game, which rapidly at selected cinemas Saturday is dedicated to beer and scales into a broader contest - an music, the Sunday to families, with a SPINE Award-winning performance addictive, tragicomic series of tests funfair on the field and beer and live which charts the explosive friendship to answer the question: Who is the 400 DAYS (tbc) music in the Memorial Hall, Fri 23 between a ferocious, wise-cracking best? Foreign language, subtitled. ALMOST HOLY (PG) Sept, Wolverley Memorial Hall, teenager and an elderly East End Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Kidderminster Shropshire, Mon 19 Sept ASTERIX AND OBELIX - MANSION OF THE widow, Fri 23 Sept, Ludlow Assembly GODS (U) LOCKDOWN II - SANCTUM Fully immer- Rooms, South Shropshire STAR TREK BEYOND (12a) How many BEHEMOTH (tbc) sive zombie experience, Fri 23 Sept, STICK MAN Scamp Theatre present a Star Trek films have there been? The Dana Prison, Shrewsbury COSMOS (tbc) stage adaptation for children, based Whoops, this is the 13th and the on Julia Donaldson and Alex third in the rebooted series. Simon DAVID BRENT: LIFE ON THE ROAD (15) Pegg penned the screenplay (in col- Scheffler's popular children's book, LIGHTS OUT (15) Fri 23 - Sat 24 Sept, Stafford laboration with Doug Jung) and SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS (tbc)) Gatehouse Theatre takes the USS Enterprise into the furthest reaches of unchartered space, THE LAST FIVE YEARS Tony Award-win- where the crew encounters a really ning composer Jason Robert’s nasty piece of work (Idris Elba). intensely personal look at the rela- Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South tionship between a writer and an Shropshire, Mon 19 - Tues 20 Sept actress, presented with the accom- Events paniment of a six-piece orchestra, Fri 23 - Sat 24 Sept, Theatre Severn, ATTINGHAM RE-DISCOVERED TOUR: RE- BOWMAN'S ANTIQUE FAIR Fri 23 Sept, Shrewsbury CREATING A BOLD DESIGN Tues 20 Staffordshire County Showground THE KITCHEN SINK Tom Wells’ funny Sept, Attingham Park, Shropshire BRIDGET JONES'S BABY PREMIERE and huge-hearted play about mar- TREE ID FOR ALL THE FAMILY An inter- Supporting Ladies Fighting Breast riage, families, making ends meet - active learning experience to identify Cancer, Fri 23 Sept, Electric Cinema, and dodgy plumbing, Fri 23 Sept - different trees around the farm, Tues Birmingham Sat 8 Oct, New Vic Theatre, 20 Sept, Fordhall Organic Farm, A PLACE IN THE SUN LIVE The official Newcastle-under-Lyme Market Drayton, North Shropshire exhibition of the hit overseas proper- ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS Lee Memphis TUESDAY TILE DECORATING ty TV show, Fri 23 - Sun 25 Sept, King portrays Elvis during his Vegas WORKSHOPS Tues 20 Sept, Jackfield NEC, Birmingham comeback years, Sat 24 Sept, CHICKLIT (15) A comedy drama about Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire BOWMAN ANTIQUES Comprising up to Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent four men who decide to write a MISS ELIZABETH BOAT TRIPS Take a 400 stalls, Fri 23 - Sun 25 Sept, JUSTIN LIVE! Interactive show featur- steamy novel under a female pseu- gentle cruise along the mile-long, Staffordshire County Showground donym in order to raise the money to ing CBeebies favourite Justin Lancelot 'Capability' Brown-designed PARKHEAD CANAL FESTIVAL Popular Fletcher, Sun 25 Sept, save their local pub. Stars Christian lake. Enjoy breathtaking views of the McKay & Dakota Blue Richards. biennial boat festival organised by Wolverhampton Grand Theatre woodlands and gardens from an Dudley Canal Trust and the Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, ecologically friendly, electrically pow- NINA CONTI: IN YOUR FACE Expect the South Shropshire, Mon 19 Sept Worcester/Birmingham and Droitwich unexpected as Nina and her sidekick ered, 42-seat catamaran, Tues 20 - Canal Society at Parkhead Locks, Fri monkey unleash some ‘hilarious JASON BOURNE (12a) Jason Bourne is Sun 25 Sept, Trentham Estate, 23 - Sun 25 Sept, Dudley Canal witchery’, Sun 25 Sept, beginning to remember stuff. And so Stoke-on-Trent Tunnel and Limestone Mines Wolverhampton Grand Theatre he sets about trying to uncover the PACIFIC POWER - CHARITY DAY Flying truth about who he really is... The DISCOVER RAG RUGGING Sat 24 Sept, Scotsman make its debut, courtesy Birmingham Back to Backs good news is that Paul Greengrass of the Severn Valley Railway returns as the director of this hope- Charitable Trust, Wed 21 Sept, MOSELEY ARTS MARKET Featuring lessly addictive franchise (he direct- Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster locally produced artwork, Sat 24 ed the best in the series, The Bourne Sept, Victoria Parade, Moseley, Supremacy and The Bourne ANTIQUE VALUATION DAY Thurs 22 Birmingham Ultimatum). Stars Matt Damon & Sept, Bantock House & Park, Wolverhampton INTRODUCTION TO JEWELLERY MAKING Julia Stiles. Ludlow Assembly Learn the traditional techniques of Rooms, South Shropshire, Wed 21 - THE GLAMPING SHOW Thurs 22 - Sat bead and chainmail jewellery-mak- Thurs 22 Sept 24 Sept, Stoneleigh Park, ing, Sat 24 Sept, Black Country THE BFG (PG) A live-action adaptation Warwickshire Living Museum, Dudley of Roald Dahl’s story of the lonely CAMRA REAL ALE & CIDER FESTIVAL DIESE L DAY A selection of locomo-

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thelist Monday 19 - Sunday 25 September tives operating a varied service along Mix colours for painting and printing, both the Churnet Valley and Cauldon using natural ingredients that can be Lowe lines, Sat 24 Sept, Churnet found in the garden and kitchen, Sat Valley Railway, Staffordshire 24 Sept, Fordhall Organic Farm, NEWCOMEN ENGINE IN STEAM See the Market Drayton, North Shropshire only full-sized working replica of BAVARIAN EVENINGS Complete with Newcomen’s steam engine of 1712 Bavarian Oompah band and a in steam, Sat 24 - Sun 25 Sept, Black Bavarian buffet feast, Sat 24 Sept, Country Living Museum, Dudley West Midland Safari and Leisure THE SOOTY SHOW: SOOTY IN SPACE Sat Park, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster 24 - Sun 25 Sept, Cadbury World, TRUCKING LIVE SHROPSHIRE Find out Bournville, Birmingham more on page 45, Sat 24 - Sun 25 BIRMINGHAM BUS TOURS 2016 Sat 24 - Sept, Oswestry Showground, Sun 25 Sept, Birmingham City Shropshire Centre AUTUMN STEAM GALA Featuring the FORGE EXPERIENCE DAY Hands-on Knotty Heritage Train, Sat 24 - Sun experience of blacksmithing, Sat 24 - 25 Sept, Foxfield Railway, Stoke-on- Bavarian Evenings - West Midland Safari Park, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster Sun 25 Sept, Black Country Living Trent Museum, Dudley APLEY HARVEST & CRAFT FAIR Sat 24 - EUROPEAN CITY OF SPORT TRIATHLON Shropshire Sat 24 - Sun 25 Sept, Trentham SVARTLAND VIKING WEEKEND Sun 25 Sept, Apley Farm Shop, SHOW BUS INTERNATIONAL Colourful, Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent Experience the life of a Viking, Sat 24 Shifnal, Shropshire themed display of buses old and - Sun 25 Sept, Bodenham APPLE HARVEST FAIR Sat 24 - Sun 25 TRENTHAM FERN TRAIN TRIPS Take a new, Sun 25 Sept, Donington Park Arboretum, Kidderminster Sept, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury trip on the Trentham Fern, the resi- Racing Circuit, Derby dent diesel engine that chuffs along SUTTON RECORD FAIR Sat 24 Sept, SPUDFEST Take the Spud Shuttle AUTUMN EVENT Apple pressing, sea- the lakeside on a light gauge railway, sonal produce, children’s wildlife The Carpenter’s Arms, Sutton Tractor Ride to the potato plot and Sat 24 - Tues 27 Sept, Trentham Coldfield dig up your own spuds, Sat 24 - Sun activities and live music from local Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent bands, Sun 25 Sept, Martineau A SPOTLIGHT ON: THE WOMEN'S LAND 25 Sept, National Forest Adventure FAMILY AUTUMN ANTICS Press apples, Gardens, Birmingham ARMY AND WOMEN'S TIMBER CORPS Farm, Burton-on-Trent produce leaf art, make elf homes and Sat 24 Sept, National Memorial CASTLE COLLECTIONS WEEKEND CLASSIC CAR RALLY Members of the participate in bush craft, Sun 25 Black Country Classic Car Club show Arboretum, Staffordshire Featuring items in the castle's collec- Sept, Eastnor Castle Deer Park, tion not normally available to view, off their vehicles around the site, Sun MIGRANT MUSIC FESTIVAL Sat 24 Sept, Herefordshire 25 Sept, Red House Glass Cone, Soho House, Birmingham Sat 24 - Sun 25 Sept, Tamworth Castle WOODLAND SKILLS DAY Sun 25 Sept, Stourbridge FAMILY-FRIENDLY NATURAL PAINTING Dudmaston Estate, Bridgnorth,

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thelist Monday 26 - Friday 30 September Gatehouse GROUPER Fri 30 Sept - GRIFFITH & ALLYSON SMITH Fri 30 Gigs BETH ORTON Wed 28 Sat 1 Oct, The Jam Classical Music Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham Sept, O2 Institute, House, Birmingham THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, PAUL Birmingham REN HARVIEU Fri 30 MCCAFFERY, GARETH RICHARDS & KANE WATSKY Mon 26 Sept, ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN FEAT LAURA Sept, O2 Institute, BROWN Fri 30 Sept, The Comedy O2 Institute, B’ham TOSELAND Wed 28 VAN DER HEIJDEN (CELLO) David Curtis Sept, The Sugarmill, Birmingham Loft, Birmingham RONAN KEATING Mon 26 conducts. Programme includes Stoke-on-Trent OF MICE & MEN Fri 30 - Tues 27 Sept, works by Haydn & Mozart, Wed 28 Sept, O2 Academy, Symphony Hall, B’ham THE TUTS & TACO HELL Sept, Birmingham Town Hall Wed 28 Sept, Hare & Birmingham JIMMY OSMOND Mon 26 NOAH STEWART Wed 28 Sept, Prince Hounds, Birmingham BEE GEES FEVER Fri 30 Sept, Wolverhampton Of Wales Centre, Cannock Sept, The River Grand Theatre A.J. CROCE Wed 28 BEETHOVEN’S FOURTH Featuring the Sept, Kitchen Garden Rooms, Stourbridge MICHELE STODART Mon City of Birmingham Symphony Cafe, Birmingham ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE 26 Sept, Kitchen Orchestra, Richard Farnes (conduc- Fri 30 Sept, The Garden Cafe, B’ham 6IX 7EVEN Wed 28 Sept, tor) & Jack Liebeck (violin). O2 Institute, B’ham Rainbow Venues, Programme includes works by CHRIS HOLMES EX Birmingham Wagner, Sibelius & Beethoven, Wed W.A.S.P WITH HIS BAND GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, DURAN: THE TRIBUTE Fri 28 - Thurs 29 Sept, Symphony Hall, SEAN PERCIVAL, ISZI LAWRENCE, SEZAR MEAN MAN Mon 26 FUNK AND SOUL OPEN 30 Sept, The Birmingham ALKASSAB, CARMEN ALI & JACK Sept, The Robin, MIC NIGHT Wed 28 Roadhouse, B’ham CAMPBEL Fri 30 Sept, National Bilston Sept, The Night Owl, TRIO SEVERN Featuring Zoe Beyers Birmingham JOE STILGOE Fri 30 (violin), David Powell (cello) & Robert Brewery Centre, Burton-upon-Trent PEGGY SEEGER Tues 27 Sept, The Old Rep Markham (piano). Programme ANDY HAMILTON Fri 30 Sept Sept, Theatre Severn, BLUEGRASS AND OLD Theatre, Birmingham includes Sterndale Bennett’s Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Shrewsbury TIME Wed 28 Sept, The Spotted Dog, THE SUPERSKAS Fri 30 Chamber Trio in A major, Op26 & FE PRETTY VICIOUS Tues 27 Birmingham Sept, The Robin, Bach’s Piano Trio in D Minor, Op25, Sept, O2 Academy, Bilston Fri 30 Sept, CBSO Centre, Birmingham HYPNOTIC BRASS Birmingham ENSEMBLE Thurs 29 FROM THE JAM - THE A & G4 BACK FOR GOOD UK Theatre Sept, Hare & Hounds, B SIDES Fri 30 Sept, O2 TOUR Tues 27 Sept, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham Theatre Severn, MINISTRY OF SCIENCE LIVE New pro- Shrewsbury DEL CAMINO Thurs 29 FLATLANDS Fri 30 Sept, Sept, The Jam House, Havana Republic Bar duction taking an anarchic approach THE ACOUSTIC SESSIONS Comedy Gigs Birmingham and Restaurant, to science communication and look- Tues 27 Sept, The Jam Shrewsbury ing at the inventors and engineers House, Birmingham DEREK RYAN IN CONCERT FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 28 Sept, who’ve shaped and inspired the Thurs 29 Sept, MIVVI Fri 30 Sept, O2 MODERAT Tues 27 Sept, The Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham modern world, Mon 26 Sept, Theatre Crescent Theatre, Academy, Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham PETE FIRMAN Wed 28 Sept, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Birmingham RUTH GRAHAM Fri 30 HANNAH GRACE + GRETA Severn, Shrewsbury JOAN COLLINS The actress, philan- UP ON THE ROOF Thurs Sept, Kitchen Garden ISAAC Tues 27 Sept, thropist and best-selling author 29 Sept, The Robin, Cafe, Birmingham The Sunflower Lounge, shares stories and secrets from her Bilston Birmingham THE REEL HOT CEILIDH celebrated life and career, Mon 26 TOSELAND Thurs 29 PEPPERS Fri 30 Sept, Sept, Birmingham Town Hall YUNG Tues 27 Sept, Sept, The Slade Lichfield Guildhall Hare & Hounds, B’ham THE TEMPEST Presented by four-actor Rooms, PSYCHOSTICK + GREEN company Thick As Thieves, Mon 26 LISA MILLS Wed 28 Wolverhampton JELLY Fri 30 Sept, The Sept, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Sept, Foxlowe Arts EMAROSA Thurs 29 Slade Rooms, Centre, Leek, Staffs PSYCHIC SALLY Evening of medi- Sept, O2 Institute, Wolverhampton umship, Mon 26 Sept, The Place, JUDIE TZUKE Wed 28 Birmingham THE MOODY BLUES' JOHN Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Sept, The Robin, THE BRIAN HUMPHERSON LODGE Fri 30 Sept, Shropshire Bilston PAUL TONKINSON, PHIL NICHOL & TRIO Thurs 29 Sept, Birmingham Town Hall DEAD SHEEP Steve Nailon and KESTON COBBLERS CLUB COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY Wolverhampton Grand BRONCHO Fri 30 Sept, Graham Seed star in Jonathan Wed 28 Sept, The Red ROBINSON Thurs 29 Sept, The Glee Theatre The Sunflower Lounge, Maitland's tale of love, honour, loyalty Lion Folk Club, B’ham Club, Birmingham ARRIVAL UK - ABBA Birmingham and revenge which charts Mrs MEILYR JONES Wed 28 TRIBUTE Thurs 29 Sept, STEVE BUGEJA & COMICS TBC Thurs 29 Thatcher’s demise at the hands of Sept, The Rainbow Lichfield Garrick Sept, Station Pub, Sutton Coldfield one-time friend and political soul- Venues, Birmingham MING CITY ROCKERS JONATHAN PIE Fri 30 Sept, The Glee mate Geoffrey Howe, Mon 26 Sept - KATE RUSBY Wed 28 Thurs 29 Sept, The Club, Birmingham Sat 1 Oct, The REP, Birmingham Sept, Stafford Spotted Dog, B’ham PAUL TONKINSON, PHIL NICHOL, LLOYD DALLOWAY Dyad Productions present

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thelist Monday 26 - Friday 30 September an adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s cel- free days of the 1970s, Wed 28 Sept, Theatre, Wolverhampton ration of relationships across the ebrated map of hearts, minds and Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS The ancient rural/urban, race and gender divides, memories, Tue 27 Sept, Stafford SWINGING AT THE COTTON CLUB Step Australian art of genital origami, live Fri 30 Sept, Quatt Village Hall, Gatehouse Theatre back in time with the Lindy Hop on stage, Thurs 29 Sept, Theatre Bridgnorth, Shropshire LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Rhydian Dance Company & The Harry Severn, Shrewsbury Roberts stars as Orin Scrivello in a Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra, Wed MACBETH - BLOOD WILL HAVE BLOOD new staging of the hit musical sci-fi 28 Sept, New Vic Theatre, The bard’s famous tragedy, reinvent- Talks spoof, Tues 27 Sept - Sat 1 Oct, New Newcastle-under-Lyme ed for young audiences, Thurs 29 Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham THE SHAHNAMEH - THE EPIC BOOK OF Sept, Lichfield Garrick THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION Based KINGS Adventure and romance com- AN EVENING WITH BARRY FRY & RON DISCO PIGS A ‘furious, funny and vio- ATKINSON An evening of behind-the- on Stephen King’s 1982 novella, Rita bine in a production inspired by a lent dash’ through a friendship too Hayworth And Shawshank masterpiece of world literature, Thurs scenes football anecdotes from two close to survive, Thurs 29 Sept - Sat of the Midlands’ most colourful for- Redemption, and the classic Tim 29 Sept, mac, Birmingham 1 Oct, The REP, Birmingham Robbins/Morgan Freeman 1994 mer managers, Mon 26 Sept, GIANTS ON THE HILL Set against the THE COLLECTOR Henry Naylor’s com- Lichfield Garrick movie version, Tue 27 Sept - Sat 1 backdrop of the debate about wind Oct, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre pelling tale of murder, evil and turbines and the urgent need to find betrayal, set in occupied Iraq, Thurs ONE MORE SHOW! Brand new musical sustainable energy sources, three 29 Sept - Sat 1 Oct, Theatre Severn, comedy from the creators of What’s actor-musicians tell the story of a fic- Shrewsbury All The Fuss About? and The tional rural community and the public Film Magnificent Seven, Tues 27 Sept - and personal conflicts caused by the LABELS Worklight Theatre's award- Sat 1 Oct, Stoke Repertory Theatre proposed siting of a windfarm in its winning exploration of issues sur- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: rounding mixed heritage and immi- vicinity, Thurs 29 Sept, Arena THE CARER (15) Appointed to care for MY BIG FAT COW PAT WEDDING Based gration, Fri 30 Sept, Lichfield Garrick on real people’s experience of mixed terminally ill theatrical legend Sir marriages or rural weddings attend- JOURNEYS END RC Sheriffs's harrow- Michael Gifford, Dorottya secretly ed by city dwellers out of their coming insight into the humanity of the hopes to become his pupil. The can- fort zone, this is a lighthearted explo- First World War, based on the tankerous actor bullies and exploits ration of relationships across the author's own experiences in the her until an impromptu exchange rural/urban, race and gender divides, trenches, Fri 30 Sept, Lichfield from Hamlet reveals a mutual love of Wed 28 Sept, Newhampton Arts Garrick Shakespeare. Stars Brian Cox & Centre, Wolverhampton MY BIG FAT COW PAT WEDDING Based Coco Konig. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Tues 27 - THAT'LL BE THE DAY A musical romp on real people’s experience of mixed Wed 28 Sept; Wem Town Hall, North through the youthful days of marriages or rural weddings attend- Shropshire, Tues 27 & Thurs 29 Sept Rock’n’Roll in the ’50s, on through ed by city dwellers out of their com- the Swinging ’60s and into the taste- fort zone, this is a lighthearted explo- SWEET BEAN (PG) Sweet bean paste is

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thelist Monday 26 - Wednesday 30 September the filling of the dorayaki pancakes the true story of a homeless woman that Sentaro (Masatoshi Nagase) who moved into a Bedford van in the sells from his bakery every day. A drive of Alan Bennett’s Camden lonely and remote man, Sentaro home. Based on Bennett’s 1999 play cooks with skill but little enthusiasm. of the same name. Stars Maggie Then he hires eccentric 76-year-old Smith & Alex Jennings. Forest Arts Tokue (Kirin Kiki), who brings with Centre, Walsall, Thurs 29 Sept her a new, secret recipe for bean DAVID BRENT: LIFE ON THE ROAD (15) paste. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, David Brent, you will remember, is South Shropshire, Tues 27, Thurs 29 the character that Ricky Gervais - Fri 30 Sept played in the mockumentary sitcom AVE (15) A free-wheeling road-movie The Office (2001-7). Now, 15 years in which two teenage hitchhikers later, Brent fancies himself a rock star constantly reinvent themselves. Stars and is followed up and down the Angela Nedialkova & Ovanes country by a camera crew. However, Torosian. Foreign language, subti- Brent’s delusions of grandeur sit tled. The Hive, Shrewsbury, Wed 28 uneasily in the real world… Stars Sept Ricky Gervais & Doc Brown. Ludlow CHICKEN + DIRECTOR Q&A (15) Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Richard, 15 years old with learning Fri 30 Sept difficulties, longs to put down roots, but his restless and destructive brother Polly needs to keep moving. When the land they live on is bought The National Wedding Show - NEC, Birmingham by a new landowner, and the electric- Events ity supply to their caravan is cut, their ered, 42-seat catamaran, Wed 28 florists to jewellers and photogra- already precarious living conditions Sep - Sun 2 Oct, Trentham Estate, phers, Fri 30 Sept - Sun 2 Oct, NEC, get even worse. Then a chance TUESDAY TILE DECORATING Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham WORKSHOPS meeting with the new landowner's Tue 27 Sept, Jackfield THE NATIONAL FRANCHISE EXHIBITION STONE FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL Fri 30 daughter, Annabel, leaves Richard Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire Showcasing a huge range of national Sept - Sun 2 Oct, Westbridge Park, besotted, while Polly befriends the MISS ELIZABETH BOAT TRIPS Take a franchise opportunities, Fri 30 Sept - Stone, StaffordshireHEAVYCON New guys who run a seedy travelling fair. gentle cruise along the mile-long, Sat 1 Oct, NEC, Birmingham three-day event held in Birmingham, The Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Lancelot 'Capability' Brown-designed THE NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW ‘the birthplace of heavy metal’, Fri 30 Wed 28 Sept lake. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Featuring more than 300 wedding Sep - Sun 2 Oct, NEC, Birmingham THE LADY IN THE VAN (12a) Inspired by woodlands and gardens from an specialists, from bridal boutiques and ecologically friendly, electrically pow-

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whatsonlive.co.uk 67 Mind Body Soul (FP- September 16).qxp_Layout 1 22/08/2016 16:23 Page 1