Birmingham Cover February 2019.Qxp Birmingham Cover 21/01/2019 18:46 Page 1

Birmingham Cover February 2019.qxp_Birmingham Cover 21/01/2019 18:46 Page 1

Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands FATBOY SLIM INTERVIEWEW INSIDE...INSIDE... BIRMINGHAM WHAT’S ON FEBRUARY 2019 Birmingham ISSUE 398 FEBRUARY 20199 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD Onbirminghamwhatson.co.ukk

PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

NO MORE TOURS 2 The Prince of Darkness plays Resorts World Arena WTE:@WHATSONBRUMTWITTER:

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST BRB ballet at the Hippodrome FACEBOOK:@WHATSONBIRMINGHAM

BRITISH ATHLETICS Indoor Championships at Arena Birmingham BIRMINGHAMWHATSON.CO.UK BRB Beauty And The Beast Full Feb 2019.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 17:26 Page 1 Contents February Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 12:56 Page 2

February 2019

Contents

The Cat In The Hat - feline fun as Dr Seuss’s much-loved characters come to life at The REP... page 31

Ozzy Osbourne Danielle de Niese Star Man the list

The Prince of Darkness plays celebrated soprano performs Professor Brian Cox takes us on Your 16-page Resorts World Arena Valentine’s Day recital in Brum an adventure in space and time week-by-week listings guide page 15 feature page 16 feature page 22 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 10. Food 15. Music 20. Comedy 24. Theatre 35. Film 38. Visual Arts 43. Events

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

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 MEDIA GROUP Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Steve Adams, Lauren Cole, Nanci Davies, Jack Rolfe, Daisy Sparkle, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee, Patsy Moss Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Birmingham February .qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 17:32 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

Birmingham theatre co-produces city’s Chinese New Year event Birmingham Hippodrome is once again co-producing the city’s official Chinese New Year celebrations. Collaborating with Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee and the event’s headline sponsor, Birmingham Airport, the Hurst Street theatre is presenting ‘an array of traditional performances, tantalising food and creative craft workshops’ to celebrate the ar- rival of the Year of the Pig. Event highlights include a parade of lion and dragon dancers, performances of acrobatics and martial arts from Shaolin War- riors, hip-hop danceworks by Hong Kong-born choreographer Si Rawlinson, and traditional fan and face-changing dancing from Dans Dance Company. Circus performances, karaoke, market stalls and funfair rides feature too, as do free performances in the Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio and family craft workshops in the theatre’s foyers. The Chinese New Year celebrations are being held at locations across the city from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 February. For more detailed information about what’s taking place, where and when, visit birminghamhippodrome.com

New development for Brum Craic takes place at the venue on Forward - group exhibition Thursday 28 February and features headliner city’s £1.5billion project Andy White. celebrates Brum artists Held once a month, the show’s March edition A group exhibition celebrating artists living will celebrate International Women’s Day, and working in Birmingham is currently with Daisy Earl headlining. Visit thsh.co.uk available to view at the city’s Medicine Bak- for more information. ery & Gallery venue. Forward: New Art From Birmingham highlights the depth and vitality of a wide range of practices currently being employed by BCMG to host Chinese some of the Midlands’ most creative talents. mouth-organ performer The exhibition shows until Sunday 24 March. Birmingham City Council has announced Performances by Chinese sheng mouth organ Lendlease as its development partner to de- expert Wu Wei and a concert inspired by liver the transformation of the Birmingham composers who have crossed the English Dining out on love at Smithfield site. Channel are among the highlights of Birm- Located in the heart of the city centre, Birm- ingham Contemporary Music Group’s spring Birmingham museum ingham Smithfield is a £1.5billion initiative 2019 programme. that will ‘reposition the city on an interna- The season’s line-up also features a family tional stage’. The project will provide a new concert during which visitors can spend an home for the historic Bull Ring retail mar- hour with Wu Wei and explore music from kets, a new public square, integrated public across the centuries. transport and more than 2,000 homes with a For more information, visit bcmg.org.uk public park and community facilities. The development is part of Birmingham’s Big City Plan, launched in 2010, which sets out a 25-year vision to grow the city centre by more Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is hosting than 25%. a Valentine dinner in its Edwardian Tearoom on Thursday 14 February. The special event will see the museum’s team of talented chefs treat diners to a romantic Having the Craic in Brum five-course meal. Local guitarist and singer- Birmingham comedy fans should get along to songwriter Robert Lane will serenade the din- the city’s Symphony Hall this month to check ing couples with live music throughout the out a show that’s dedicated to promoting the evening. For more information, visit birming- very best in up-and-coming local talent. hammuseums.org.uk 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham February .qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 17:32 Page 2

First Word

50 years of Black Sabbath on show in Birmingham Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG) will this summer host a major exhibition exploring the legacy of local heavy metal superstars Black Sabbath. Showing at the BRB appoints venue from 22 June to 29 Carlos Acosta as September, Black Sabbath: 50 its new Director Years will explain how the music of four working-class Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) has lads captured the hearts and appointed the internationally minds of a global fanbase. renowned Carlos Acosta as its new Commenting on the exhibi- Director. Carlos will take up the tion, a spokesperson at Birm- post in January 2020, replacing ingham Museums Trust said: David Bintley, who is standing “Black Sabbath are Birming- down from the role in the summer. ham legends and we’re Commenting on his appointment, thrilled to be hosting this ex- Carlos said: “My ambition is to hibition. We will keep fans build on BRB’s classical traditions, updated when tickets go on to expand its repertoire and to sale and look forward to wel- reach out to new and more diverse coming them to BMAG this audiences. I want to define what it summer to trace Black Sab- is to be a world-leading classical bath’s journey from their be- ballet company in the 21st century.” ginnings in Aston to global success.”

Anniversary gig Star performers to for popular pair visit Birmingham’s Guitarist & vocalist Kevin popular arts centre Dempsey and fiddle & man- Visits by Jasmin Vardimon’s dolin player Joe Broughton are dance company, folk luminaries celebrating 20 years of making Eliza & Martin Carthy and topical music together by performing comedians Rob Newman and a series of gigs over the next Mark Thomas will no doubt see few weeks, including two the sold-out signs going up at shows in the Midlands. Birmingham’s Midlands Arts The fellas appear at Birming- Centre this season. ham’s Kitchen Garden Cafe on To check out the venue’s full Thursday 28 February and line-up of events, visit macbirm- Coventry’s Albany Theatre on ingham.co.uk Sunday 10 March. For more information, visit dempseybroughton.co.uk Insomnia at Easter? The UK’s biggest gaming festival will return to Birmingham’s NEC across the Easter weekend. From old-school arcade games to cutting-edge VR technology, In- somnia 2019 takes place at the venue from 19 to 22 April. For more information, visit insom- niagamingfestival.com whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Birmingham February .qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 17:32 Page 3

First Word

Dance Hub Birmingham to promote South Asian dance genre artists Dance Hub Birmingham has announced a commissioning round for West Midlands-based South Asian dance genre artists who will be developing and presenting work in the region. The organisation, which will award four commissions of up to £7.5k, is keen to support classically trained dancers in South Asian dance styles as they explore choreographic practice and develop new commissioned work. The deadline for applications is 11 February. Commenting on the announcement, Monique Deletant, Direc- tor of Dance Hub Birmingham, said: “I'm really excited about the work that comes from the artistic commissions and the opportunity to see new performances. These commissions build on the fantastic work happening in the West Midlands, and this next round gives us a chance to grow dance work in areas that historically have been underfunded.” For more information, visit culturecentral.co.uk/dance-hub

Northern Ballet Spread the word! Verve Poetry Festival Strum away at pirouette onto the returns to the heart of Birmingham the Conservatoire big screen A four-day festival of ‘world class’ poetry and spoken word is being A live interview with and recital Northern Ballet’s short dance held in the heart of Birmingham this month. Featuring special collab- by Milos Karadagli is among version of Elves And The Shoe- orations, cross-genre performances and ‘inspiring’ workshops, Verve the highlights of theć Royal maker will make its cinema takes place at the Old Rep Theatre from Thursday 14 to Sunday 17 Birmingham Conservatoire’s debut this month. The show is February. For more information, visit vervepoetryfestival.com guitar festival, taking place at one of six dance works created the venue on Saturday 2 & Sun- specifically for children by the day 3 February. The event also award-winning company. It will features a workshop run by fla- be screened in collaboration menco star Daniel Martinez for with CinEvents at cinemas the novice flamenco guitarist, across the Midlands on Satur- and a masterclass and recital day 23 February. To search for by David Russell. To check out your closest participating cin- the full programme of events, ema and to book tickets, visit visit bcu.ac.uk bitesizedballets.com Fed up of the loved-up? Anti-Valentine All You Need Is shindig offers a fun alternative... Love as Beatles festival returns If the thought of Valentine’s Day makes you come out in a cold A day-long festival celebrating sweat, you should head for Birmingham’s Midlands Arts Centre The Beatles makes a welcome (MAC) on the 14th of this month, where an Anti-Valentine’s shindig return to Birmingham this includes a complimentary cocktail or mocktail, unlimited party month. food, Anti-Valentine’s games with prizes, live music and a screen- Taking place on Sunday 10 ing of the movie Fatal Attraction. February at venues in the Kings And as well as the Anti-Valentine’s Party, Midlands Arts Centre is Heath area of the city, the All also screening, earlier the same evening, a Galentine’s movie - You Need Is Love event features that’s a ‘gal pals’ film for gals to watch with their gal pals (we hope Beatles homages by a selection we’ve explained that concept clearly for you!). Romy And Michele’s of local musicians and a perfor- High School Reunion stars Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino as best mance from top tribute band friends who, when attending their high-school reunion, determine Made In Liverpool. to prove just how successful they are - in the process making full use of fabulous outfits and fabricated life stories... Visit macbirmingham.co.uk for more information.

6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham February .qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 17:32 Page 4 Fatboy Slim.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 19:05 Page 1

Fatboy in the arena

8 whatsonlive.co.uk Fatboy Slim.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 19:05 Page 2

by Lauren Foster

What’s On catches up with DJ superstar Norman Cook - better known as the legendary Fatboy Slim - as he prepares to visit Arena Birmingham...

It’s been more than 20 years since the release mate’s wedding than I am to be inflicting it quite an individual style, the way he makes of Norman Cook’s global breakthrough on the rest of you. Over the years I've realised documentaries; they’re not traditional. It’s album - You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby - yet that I'm a much better DJ than I am a bass been a pleasure to work with him - he’s been the 55-year-old remains very much a current player.” one of my favourites for many years. It’s re- and prominent member of the world music ally nice to flex different muscles but still be After The Housemartins split, Cook formed scene. working within the parameters of the Ibiza the electronic band Beats International in his soundtrack, which has been the soundtrack Praised by critics for its sound and style, the home town of Brighton, producing number- of my life for the last 25 years. album - which features two of the most popu- one single Dub Be Good To Me. lar Fatboy Slim songs, Praise You and Right Fatboy Slim followed shortly afterwards, in “The intention is to premiere it at Glaston- Here, Right Now - brought international at- 1996. bury this year, but if I'm not there presenting tention to Norman, earning him a Brit the film, I'll be there anyway - you know me. Since then, Norman has become one of the Award in 1999, and was later certified four Isn’t it amazing how we all miss Glastonbury global DJ scene’s most treasured and impor- times platinum. during the fallow year? I was thinking it may tant figures. His infamous Big Beach Bou- be nice to have a year off, but I've really This year sees the global superstar heading tique gig in 2002 saw a staggering 250,000 missed it. It seems like it’s been three years! out on tour for the umpteenth time - but on fans flock to Brighton beach and he’s worked It’s good, though, because we’re all really this occasion he’ll be creating something ‘un- with musical greats aplenty, including David chomping at the bit to get back there now. usual and completely different’. Expect a big Byrne and Iggy Pop. You’ll be seeing me in all the familiar places production, a revolving stage, rave ushers Norman recently became the first DJ to per- over the summer - lots of Ibiza action and lots and a live smiley face experience. No seat in form at the top of Brighton’s i360 tower. So of festival action. I’m really, really enjoying the house will be far away from the stage. how was that experience, and are there any DJing - it’s a wonderful job!” “I’ve played different shows at festivals, on other particular locations in which he’d like If you’ve ever been to a Fatboy Slim gig or beaches and in big venues,” says Norman, to perform? watched one on YouTube, you’ll absolutely “but I've always shied away from arenas, “Well, that was definitely top of my bucket know that he 100 percent means what he even though I’ve always thought it’s some- list. It’s just up the road from me. I'm very says about loving his trade - his enthusiasm thing you should do in your lifetime. Arenas Brighton-centric, and there was nobody else for DJing couldn’t be more apparent than dur- can be quite impersonal places; it’s quite who was going to do that. We’ve been trying ing his gigs. hard to get atmosphere going, and they can for three years to make that happen, so to fi- be quite cavernous and daunting for DJs. I “Is it weird to say that I actually enjoy it more nally do it was quite emotional. It was such a had a one-off show last year at O2 in London, now? Obviously, as I get older, there’s some beautiful sunset, almost like the gods were and we worked out that if we did it in the kind of clock running that says some day I'll approving of what we were doing. It was nice round, all of a sudden, rather than feeling have to stop doing it, so I'm savouring it because it put Brighton on the map too. Still like an arena, it felt like a big nightclub. For more. Now I'm DJing sober, I'm remembering on my bucket list? Obviously outer space some reason, it worked. It takes away all the more. It might’ve been better back then, but would be good. I thought I’d got a gig there impersonality and you forget you’re in an as far as I remember, it’s better now. It’s the actually. Richard Branson phoned me up and arena; it’s just me in the middle of people most wonderful job in the world, and it ticks offered me the job of being the first DJ to play having a load of rave-up nonsense which to- all the boxes for me. I love music, I love per- in space, but it turned out it was Beardyman tally works. So we thought we’d roll it out forming and I love just travelling around the doing an impersonation.” around the country. It’s a chance to do the world, making friends, telling stories and show I’ve always wanted to do in terms of As well as his upcoming tour, Norman reveals sharing music.” size and production.” that he’s currently working on the music for a Having achieved so much in his life, what are film that Julien Temple is making about Ibiza. Norman first came to musical prominence in Norman’s highlights? the mid-1980s during his time with indie rock “It’s called Ibiza: The Silent Movie, but rather “The gig on Brighton beach, definitely! Hav- band The Housemartins. After three top-10 than getting Paul Oakenfold, Pete Tong and ing number ones - that feels like the pinnacle albums and six top-20 singles, the band de- me to bang on about Ibiza, it’s about the his- because you know you’re doing it right. I’m cided to go their separate ways. tory of the island before we invaded it. It very proud of my children, of course. I look starts with the Venetians and the Romans, “I might consider playing in a band again, back on those things and think, ‘Yeah, that the Nazis and all the different people who’ve but probably not The Housemartins. I’m still was a good idea; that was worth doing.” visited it over the years. It’s a lighthearted mates with them, but we did vow never to re- documentary, but it’s silent, there’s no vox form. We still get together every now and pops and there’s no commentary. The music Fatboy Slim plays Arena Birmingham on again to confirm our vows. To be honest, I'm and the visuals tell the story. Julien has got Friday 22 February. more likely to be playing in a band at a

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Food February Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 17:31 Page 1

Food

Everything we ordered was served at once, tapas style, with which we had no issue whatso- ever. However, because the plates to share were much larger than your average tapas dish, they took longer to eat, which re- sulted in some of the dishes dropping in temperature by the time we got round to them. We moved on to our last savoury dish of the evening, the duck curry. Although slightly cold in temperature, due to being left until last, it boasted an enjoyable sweet-and-strong tamarind flavour. There wasn’t as much duck as I'd have liked for the £11.95 price tag, but it was a tasty REVIEW: Aluna The chilli salt squid, however, dish nonetheless. was underwhelming. Even with Although we encountered a cou- Mailbox cocktail favourite ticks food the sauce poured on top, there ple of hiccups flavour-wise dur- boxes with pan-Asian-inspired menu was little to no flavour. The squid ing the course of our meal, the pieces were cold and in no way presentation was aesthetically Known predominantly for their pressed from the off - the venue salty, which was a shame as it’s pleasing and of an impressive expansive and inventive cocktail boasted a fantastic, lively atmo- usually one of our favourite standard. dishes. menu, popular bar & eatery sphere and was the perfect set- Service at both the bar and in the Aluna have recently launched a ting in which to get the weekend From the ‘plates to share’ sec- restaurant area was exemplary - new menu with the help of Lon- under way. tion, we ordered: the red aro- hats off to the staff for making don consultancy Kinkou. We kickstarted proceedings with matic crispy duck curry with our debut visit an enjoyable one. tamarind, baby aubergine, baby Kinkou have a reputation for cre- an extremely tasty Aluna Secret On another positive note, Aluna corn, crispy sweet basil and wild ating dishes that are light yet lux- cocktail - a vodka-based concoc- have certainly perfected all ginger; the beef bulgogi sirloin urious, and Aluna’s new tion which had the taste and things beverage. Their cocktails with grilled asparagus and green pan-Asian-inspired menu is said consistency of a strawberry milk- are absolutely delicious and the peppercorn yoghurt; and the to be a culmination of the chef’s shake. Served in a martini glass, lagers are crisp and fresh - wasabi lamb chops with parsley, experience and dedication to the ‘secret sugar’ that topped the there’s nothing worse than a flat coconut, red chilli and pickled food. drink was set alight at the table, pint! providing a crème brûlée-style cucumber. Located at The Mailbox, one of The canalside location is cer- coating that tasted of marshmal- We started with the ever-so-tasty Birmingham’s best-known din- tainly a draw too, and I can eas- low. It was tremendous! lamb chops. The meat was ing-out destinations, the restau- ily imagine myself making use of cooked to perfection and boasted rant boasts a range of signature The food menu featured six sec- the outside seating in the sum- a melt-in-the-mouth texture. I dishes: seared beef sashimi with tions - while you wait, small mer whilst enjoying another didn’t get much coconut, but the apple, pickled cucumber, enoki dishes, plates to share, salads, melon colada or several. beautifully cooked lamb, subtle mushroom, lemongrass and gin- sides and desserts. Lauren Foster wasabi flavouring and the pick- ger dressing; chilli soft shell crab We ordered from the small- tempura with lemon soy and led garnish made for a very en- dishes section: chilli salt squid Food: nnnnn green chilli aioli; red scallop joyable plate of food. with spring onion, shichimi pep- Service: nnnnn curry. Next up was the beef. As with the per and yuzu & mirin sauce; and Ambience: nnnnn lamb, the meat was cooked per- Many of the dishes are suitable pan-roasted scallops with wasabi Overall value nnnnn fectly. Served medium rare, it for those on gluten-free, vegetar- aioli, crushed pea and purple OVERALL nnnnn ian and vegan diets. shisho. was nicely seasoned and of a high quality. I annoyingly My partner and I chose to visit The scallops were delicious, of a Aluna poured the entire pot of green 128-130 the canalside venue on a Friday good size and cooked perfectly. peppercorn yoghurt over the The Mailbox evening. The bar was packed out Served in the shell, they were meat before I’d tried it. It was a Wharfside Street with groups of friends and cou- nicely seared on both sides yet bit too sour for my liking and Birmingham ples, and the restaurant area was soft in the middle. I could have ended up masking the taste of B1 1RQ suitably busy too. I was im- eaten the dish three times over. the beef - a mistake on my part. Tel: 0121 633 9987 10 whatsonlive.co.uk Food February Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 17:31 Page 2 Kevin Clifton.qxp_Layout 1 22/01/2019 10:59 Page 1

Rocking it! Kevin Clifton unleashes his inner rock star... Kevin Clifton.qxp_Layout 1 22/01/2019 10:59 Page 2

by Patsy Moss

Kevin Clifton is temporarily hanging up his dance shoes to play rock legend Stacee Jaxx in hit jukebox musical Rock Of Ages. What’s On recently caught up with the Strictly Come Dancing 2018 Glitterball winner to find out more...

Last year ended on an enormous high for So how does Kevin plan to tackle a role made on in our parents’ dance classes. I was just Kevin Clifton. As Strictly Come Dancing fans famous by Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise? stood at the back trying to copy them. And will know, Kevin and his dance partner, then at some point I started to go to one of “I’d actually seen the musical quite a few Stacey Dooley, won the TV show’s public the classes. I guess I’ve never really known times before the film came out, so Tom Cruise vote, meaning that he finally got to lift the any different, but there was never any pres- was one of the last people I saw as Stacee. coveted Glitterball trophy after coming so sure. It was just a normal part of life - wake I’ve seen the show both on Broadway and in close on a couple of previous occasions. up, eat breakfast, go to school (or work, as I the West End, and in all honesty it’s my got older) and then go dancing. It’s always Unassuming and ever so modest, Kevin was favourite show. Stacee is quite over the top been a normal part of my day. I just loved to genuinely surprised by the result: “I didn’t and flamboyant. He’s really self-obsessed, so dance, but I’d always wondered about musi- think for one second that we were going to I need to tap into all of that a little bit and be cal theatre, especially as I got older. Dance is win. I thought it was going to be another as pretentious as I can about it all. As far as something I’ve always done, but with musi- runners-up spot, so when Tess called out our rock icons are concerned, I went over to Paris cal theatre it was mor names, it was just total shock. My legs kind of to visit Jim Morrison’s grave because I e of a conscious deci- gave way and I screamed. I’d always thought thought that would be a really cool rock’n’roll sion, something that I was leaning towards; that if it did ever happen, I’d be cool, calm thing to do, and I want to tap into a bit of well, either that or becoming a rock star, so and collected. Instead, I just lost control and him. As for over-the-top flamboyancy, I’ll this has all worked out nicely.” started crying!” probably look to the band The Darkness. Be- Although obsessed with dancing and in- tween them, they play into the Rock Of Ages What makes the win even sweeter for Kevin is trigued by musical theatre, Kevin did have ethos quite nicely.” that he nearly didn’t make it to the Strictly his eye on one other career for a period of time: “I wanted to be a wrestler - like, a WWE dancefloor. Having been rejected twice, his Kevin is no stranger to musical theatre, hav- wrestler. That’s what I thought I’d be, but I opportunity only came when the producers ing made his debut in Dirty Dancing in the would never have looked the part.” upped the ante and decided to make the West End - but how will his vocals stand up show bigger - increasing the number of to belting out the show’s repertoire of rock- Kevin most certainly does look the part as a dancers from 14 to 15 and finally giving Kevin ’n’roll classics, including Bon Jovi’s Wanted Strictly dancer, though - so will he be return- the break he needed to showcase his dancing Dead Or Alive and Foreigner’s I Want To ing to the hit BBC One television show in the prowess. “I feel like I snuck in through the Know What Love Is? autumn? back door a little bit to get into the show. This “I’ve always loved singing, and I used to have “I hope they’ll ask me back, but they don’t five-year journey has been one of trying and a lot of singing lessons when I was doing make any decisions until a couple of months trying and just never giving up.” Dirty Dancing, even though I only had to do into the new year. They normally have an ini- As many of the show’s dancers and celebri- backing vocals in that particular show. As for tial conversation with you around February ties hit the road with the Strictly Live Tour, my vocal range, I can get up quite high, or March, and then, if they want you, you get Kevin is living another dream - playing Stacee which was one of the reasons I was interested offered a contract later in the year. If they still Jaxx in the UK tour of acclaimed jukebox mu- in doing this. The thing I need to focus on is want me on the show, then yes, I’d love to be sical Rock Of Ages. So just how rock’n’roll is the maintenance of the voice, and that’s there.” he? something I’m continuing to work on so that I can sustain doing seven or eight shows a “The truth is I’m not really rock’n’roll at all, week.” but I’ve always fancied myself as a wannabe In the meantime, you can catch Kevin in rock star. I always felt before Strictly that I It would be fair to assume that Grimsby-born Rock Of Ages at the Regent Theatre, Stoke- dressed the part all of the time. I would wear Kevin was always destined for a career in on-Trent, from Tues 12 to Sat 16 February. leather trousers, big boots and a long leather dance - both his parents were dance teachers, coat. I had this long black hair and wore eye- while his sister, Joanne Clifton, won Strictly He will then be bringing his Burn The liner and makeup all of the time. I love rock- in 2015. She’s since carved out an impressive Floor tour to the region in the spring. ’n’roll music, but when it actually comes to career in musical theatre. Visit whatsonlive.co.uk for venues and acting up like a rock star, then not anymore. “My first dance class, so I’ve been told, was dates. Even at the Strictly wrap party, I left early be- when I was about four years old. I just started cause I wanted to get home and have a cup of joining in as I was watching what was going tea.” Food February Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 17:31 Page 3 Food February Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 17:31 Page 4

Food

Midlands Arts Centre to host Dirty Vegan pop-up nights Fancy a cool night out in Birmingham with vegan food and live music? If so, Midlands Arts Centre is the place to head for. The popular venue is playing host to two ticketed Dirty Vegan nights - a dessert night on 8 February and a curry night on 1 March - with sittings at 7.30pm, 7.45pm and 8pm for both events... For more information, visit macbirmingham.co.uk

Little Dessert Shop to open first restaurant in Brum’s city centre Little Dessert Shop is opening its first restaurant in Birmingham city centre. Sweet treats available from the venue Multi-million pound rooftop bar & restaurant opens at include a range of cookie dough (white choc chip, choc bar and Everything I Birmingham’s popular Resorts World venue Want being among the favourites), A new rooftop bar & restaurant has opened its doors at Birmingham’s Resorts World. waffles including I'm Nuts About You, Described as an exciting new social dining & drinking experience with stunning views, Sky By The Malteser Teaser, Broken Rainbow and Water has a capacity of 260, a private-dining space for groups of 12 to 48, and a Chef’s Table option Oreo Explosion, and a selection of for between two and 10 people. crepes, brownies, bakes, milkshakes, The menu has been created by Birmingham-born Head Chef Aaron Darnley. Dishes include slow- gelatos and more... cooked ox cheek, bamboo steamed medallion of cod with a chorizo & bean cassoulet, lamb hotpot The shop will open on Link Street, with sticky red cabbage, and lightly spiced curried sweet potato, cauliflower, spinach and peas although its launch date is yet to be with puffed black rice. announced.

Birmingham Beer Chez Mal launches modern-twist vegan menu for winter Week returns for 2019 Malmaison’s Chez Mal Brasserie & Bar in Birmingham has unveiled a brand new vegan menu, providing a A week-long festival celebrating modern twist on traditional winter flavours. Birmingham’s flourishing beer scene The new menu features, among other dishes: tempura makes a welcome return to the city of seasonal vegetables with jalapeños and lime & from 19 to 28 July. Birmingham Beer sweet chilli sauce; caramelised red onion hummus, Week brings together breweries, pubs, truffled leeks & sesame flatbread; and roast aubergine, bars, bottle shops and restaurants to winter squash and red pepper bhuna, served alongside create ‘exciting events with good music, fluffy pilaf rice and grilled Indian bread. food and great beer’. There’s also a vegan take on Mal’s signature Valrhona chocolate fondue dish. Laying off the booze? The chic hotel brand has got a range of non-alcoholic ‘feelgood’ cocktails to enjoy, including a dry gin & tonic comprising Seedlip Garden 108 non-alcoholic gin, Fevertree light tonic, cucumber, blueberries and mint. Chez Mal Brasserie & Bar is situated within Malmaison Hotel at The Mailbox, Birmingham. To check out the venue’s complete menu and for more information, visit malmaison.com/locations/birmingham/chez-mal- brasserie whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Ray and Liz for online mag.qxp_Layout 1 31/01/2019 10:37 Page 1

Ray & Liz Richard Billingham’s debut film explores growing up in 70s Midlands Ray and Liz for online mag.qxp_Layout 1 31/01/2019 10:37 Page 2

Richard Billingham is a born-and-raised Birmingham photographer, artist, and now director. His debut feature film, Ray & Liz explores the memories of his family from his childhood, whilst growing up in 70s Midlands. The film looks at the lives of his alcoholic father Ray; his mother Liz; and his younger brother Jason, who lived on the margins of society and societal taboos.

You wrote the film a long time ago; do you brim, and pickled red cabbage. That’s time stood still. And that out the window, think all your photography has been a sto- such a specific choice to make, is that a time was moving forwards; time was still for ryboard to the test out moments of the very firm memory for you? us. There’s a symmetry there with animals film you had in your head? Yes! And the pickle going onto white bread and cages, time stood still for them in a way. Well, I made that work in the early 90s. and then the fingerprints in the bread. It You’ve mentioned before a fascination Maybe I’d have used moving images, a video makes it particular. with confinement. You’ve mentioned be- camera. But the thing is, it wasn’t affordable Photography is a quite solitary and per- fore you were planning to make a 20 back then. I think the first video camera I got sonal experience; how did you find it let- minute short film set in a prison. was in 1996 and that was £1000. So 96’ was ting others become part of that process in That was an idea I had, yes. There’s a short when they first became affordable. I probably terms of lighting and design? story that I was interested in and I did write a would’ve used moving image and moved script, but it’s one of those projects that onto that a lot quicker, if the technology had Yes, photography is solitary, or can be, espe- never happened. To go back and do that now been there. cially landscape photography. It’s a different sort of process though; it’s documentary. And wouldn’t make much sense because I’ve done In relation to technology, in the film, a film, you have to recreate everything before something similar in this film. I might be re- tape recorder has a significance to a par- you can film it, it’s a very different process. I peating a lot of things if I went back and ticular scene – was that just part of the was trying to recreate memories, so it’s just made that. plot, or the factual beginnings of your fas- what you have to do. I enjoyed it, working When I was a little kid, I do remember watch- cination with capturing real life? with lots of different people because it was a ing a film A Man Escaped, by Robert Bresson. No, I used to have a tape recorder like that, learning process. I remember that film being on the TV and and I used to make audio tapes of friends and being very intrigued by it. It was very tense, As a photographer, you focus on visual family, especially of my Uncle. I’d say ‘Can even though it was just this prisoner picking composition, so when it came to sound, you do this?’ or ‘Can you take off George away at the wood of his door. you needed something that would com- Formby?’, and he would. And also, I’d tape plement the visuals. How involved were Throughout the film, there’s an element of conversations and things off the radio if I you with sound designer Joakim Sund- religious imagery. Some film makers who thought they was interesting. In fact, I still strom? have come from a Christian/ Catholic have some of those audiotapes, and I used background have a tendency to include them as research for the film. So yes, it prob- With the voices, for example, the voices of iconography in their films. Coogan ex- ably was, before the camera. The first time I your family are in your head, that’s fine to plored this extensively in ‘PHILOMENA’, got a camera I was 19, I’d been recording deal with. Natural sounds were fine, the only and Dennis Kelly says his plays, particu- since I was about 10. I guess it’s a way of ob- problem I maybe had was, I don’t have many larly ‘DEBRIS’, deals with what he calls jectifying the world around you. musical memories. When I was a kid, the TV was on all the time, it was very rare the radio ‘Catholic guilt’. How was this specific to Was it a way to process it, listening back was on and we heard songs. So I had help you? to the conversations? with the music; Jacqui (Davies), the producer It was always around on the walls, I think my Probably, but I wouldn’t have been able to ar- helped choose the music that you hear in the mum used to put things on the wall like that. ticulate that back then. film, so that was tricky for me. My Uncle believed in that – Lol, in the film, he believed in God. My mum didn’t believe in You’re so meticulous in terms of your di- And although the 70s were perhaps a drab God, I think maybe she put it up because she rection, was it difficult to find actors that era, everything both visually and sound- saw it around when she was a kid. It adds were happy with this process? Did you wise are very busy. Was that something texture, and maybe tells you something like to rehearse and shoot on first takes to that came from your memories? about the characters. give it a natural feel? Well it was intentional, you have to keep the No, I didn’t find it difficult, but it was hard to viewer engaged and the more visually stimu- If you were to make another film, do you find actors in the sense that they had to look lating it is the better. When you remember feel you’ve said everything you want to like family members, and have to be good ac- things, you do remember the more textural, within the world of Ray and Liz? And if tors at the same time. Yes, I did do quite a bit or maybe you feel them more? Looking at you did, would you have had to been the of rehearsing. The scene where Ray, Lol and other movies, I do remember scenes in that one wrote it to make it a personal enough Liz are together, when Lol walks in, I re- are very textural, like Ivan’s Childhood. experience? hearsed that a lot. I told them the spaces of I think so, yes; It’d be completely different. I Some of the busiest scenes involves ani- the room to inhabit; I was quite specific, be- am writing things, but I haven’t tried to seek mals. Are they somewhat a parallel of cause I’m trying to recreate things I remem- out any scripts. Ray’s self-imposed captivity, or Jason ber. being left alone in the flat? There’s a lot of specific visual elements, Well when I was a kid growing up, and we Ray & Liz will be shown 24th January at such as Ray filling his drinks to the very lived in these four walls, I had a sense that Midlands Art Centre, Birmingham at 7pm GIGS February Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 12:25 Page 1

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Gigs

Ozzy Osbourne Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, Sat 9 February The Prince of Darkness is back in his home- town this month to present his final global extravaganza - No More Tours 2. Having amassed sales of more than 100 million records both solo and with Black Sab- bath, Ozzy is using the show to celebrate five glorious decades in the music business.

Peach and was invited to play for Ben UFO during his XOYO residency last year. Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Sat 16 February The talented producer’s debut offering, Silky, was the stand-out track on Inter- Bridging the gaps between house, techno graded, a new imprint launched by Midland and electro, London-based Canadian Peach for emerging artists. regularly performs at prestigious institu- Her gig at the Hare & Hounds this month is Beans On Toast tions including Phonox and Corsica Studios, her first ever in Birmingham. The Castle & Falcon, Birmingham, Fri 15 February Beans On Toast emerged from the London King King Kaiser Chiefs folk scene over a decade ago, making a splash with songs about sex, drugs and poli- Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 1 February O2 Academy, Birmingham, Sat 2 February tics. Sticking firmly to his own tradition of re- Scottish award winners King King have been Fronted by the charismatic Ricky Wilson, leasing a new album on the same date each described as ‘the living, breathing here-and- primarily inspired by new wave and punk- year, Beans’ latest offering, A Bird In The now of classic rock music’. rock music of the late 1970s and ’80s, and Hand, is a celebration of love, life, family and With a reputation for creating a fantastic having long ago established themselves as the world in which we live. chemistry with their audience, the band one of the leading bands of their generation, This latest Birmingham gig forms part of one boast an outstanding back-catalogue, a full- Kaiser Chiefs have released a succession of of his biggest-ever tours and sees him per- blooded style, technical brilliance and im- classic albums since forming in Leeds 19 forming alongside a full live band. passioned vocals from lead singer Alan years ago. Their long list of anthemic singles Nimmo. This is a must-see show for rock and includes Oh My God, I Predict A Riot, Every- blues lovers alike. day I Love You Less And Less, Ruby and Never Miss A Beat. The boys visit Birmingham in support of Tears For Fears their latest album, KC7. Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, Tues 12 February One of the UK’s most influential bands, Tears For Fears - otherwise known as Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith - have sold more than 30 million records worldwide and boast a string of huge hits, including Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Shout, Mad World, Head Over Heels and Woman In Chains. They’re visiting Birmingham this month with their Rule The World tour, rescheduled from last year. whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Danielle de Niese.qxp_Layout 1 01/02/2019 10:54 Page 1 © Decca/Chris Dunlop

16 whatsonlive.co.uk Danielle de Niese.qxp_Layout 1 01/02/2019 10:54 Page 2

by Stephen Taylor

Love Is In The Air Danielle de Niese performs a Valentine’s Day concert in Brum

For celebrated soprano Danielle De Niese, the that’s likely to be reflected in a performance that echoed the marriage of Christie’s grand- 14th of February will always be an extra-spe- to suit all tastes. father, John Christie, who constructed the cial day. So when she performs in Birming- original opera house for his wife, Canadian “I’m going to do some arias in the first half, ham this Valentine’s Day, she will also be soprano Audrey Mildmay. and in the second it’s going to be a lot of mu- celebrating an important anniversary. sical repertoire, so I’m doing stuff from the Now resident at Glyndebourne, Danielle will “My husband proposed to me on Valentine’s golden age of musicals like ‘You say to-may- play the title role in a new production of Jules Day, in 2009, so it’s an extra-special day be- to, I say to-mah-to’ and fun things about play- Massenet’s Cendrillon at the festival in June. cause we always remember that. He waited ful love. I want to do some songs of Before that, she returns to London’s West End until Valentine’s Day, which meant that we Bernstein’s, which are all about wistful, ro- for a revival of Man Of La Mancha, where she were in Bowling Green, Ohio.” mantic love, and I want to end on a high, cel- will be joined by a familiar face to fans of hit ebrating all the great things about love.” TV comedy shows Cheers and Frasier: “It’s De Niese’s Valentine’s Night Special at the going to be with Kelsey Grammer, and he’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire sees her re- Danielle’s rise to stardom began in 1988, at incredible. It’s an amazing chance for me and turning to a venue that holds fond memories the tender age of nine, when she became the a dream come true.” for her from a couple of years ago. youngest winner of Australian television programme Young Talent Time, in which she Danielle will notch up a decade as a UK resi- “I’d been invited by Royal Birmingham Con- performed a medley of Whitney Houston hits. dent later this year - and it would appear that servatoire Principal Julian Lloyd Webber to Her prize was $5,000 and a grand piano that she’s settled very well into life in rural Eng- sing at his birthday celebrations, and that’s she still owns. Soon after, her family relo- land. how we connected. As soon as Julian wanted cated to the States, where her career as a tal- to get me back, I said yes. I’m thrilled to come “Getting to know England was like returning ented young singer and dancer flourished. back. I found the audience so warm, nice, to a little piece of myself because I grew up in lovely and very engaged. When asked about her earliest Valentine’s Australia, in the Commonwealth, with the Day memory, Danielle recalls a gift she re- monarchy. All of these things, their roots are “The first thing that happened when Julian ceived from an admirer at junior high school: in England but they took root in Australia, so asked, ‘Do you want to perform the recital on “My first Valentine’s Day memory was when I there are a lot of things that I relate to in a Valentine’s Day?’ was that I rang my husband was in sixth grade. This boy gave me a ring much more ‘feels like home’ way. and said, ‘Do you want to come to Birming- watch - rings that had little watch dials on ham on Valentine’s Day?’ and he said, ‘Sure.’ “I feel fully a part of English life, and I feel them - but I remember telling him, ‘Gene, I like England has really taken me in as one of “I’ve always been a real girly girl, somebody really like you so much, but there’s just no its own. Rather than feeling out of place who’s in love with love. I love that about my- spark.’” everywhere I go, I find commonality every- self, and I love that that hasn’t changed as Danielle made her debut at the prestigious where I go, and that really helps me feel at I’ve grown older, wiser and had more love ex- Glyndebourne Festival Opera in 2005, when home.” periences. I’m still totally enamoured with she stepped in at short notice to play Cleopa- love, which is why I said yes to doing a recital tra in Handel’s Giulio Cesare. She received on Valentine’s Day.” enough critical plaudits to earn her a return Danielle de Niese performs her Valentine's While the Australian-born diva is known as to the South Downs. Four years later, she Night Special at The Bradshaw Hall, Royal an opera singer, her versatility has seen her went one step further by marrying Glynde- Birmingham Conservatoire, on Thursday tackle a wide range of musical genres, a fact bourne Director Gus Christie. It was a match 14 February.

whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Classical February Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 12:27 Page 1

Classical

Ex Cathedra: Purcell, The Indian Queen Birmingham Town Hall, Sun 17 February Jeffrey Skidmore (pictured) once again picks up the baton to conduct Birming- ham’s highly rated early music ensemble. On this occasion, they’re performing Pur- cell’s famous tale of tangled loyalties and seemingly hopeless love, as war rages between a Mexican Indian Queen and an Inca king. The concert closes the newly revived Birmingham Festival of Early Music, more details of which can be found below...

CBSO: Mozart & Brahms Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 28 February It may only be February, but if the programme for this concert is anything to go by, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra already have one eye firmly set on summer. With Olari Elts taking on conducting duties for this afternoon concert, the CBSO turn their attention to Brahms’s First Serenade. A work evocative of warm nights and romantic melodies, the piece is widely considered to be the sunniest symphony the composer ever produced. Birmingham Festival Beethoven’s stirring Leonore Overture No3 and Mozart’s exuberant Double Piano Concerto of Early Music also feature, as do talented Dutch pianists and siblings Lucas and Arthur Jussen (pictured). The Barber Institute, University of Birmingham, Sun 3 - Sun 17 February Birmingham’s own Ex Cathedra (see Tasmin Little Birmingham above), Consortium 5 (pictured below) Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Philharmonic Orchestra and the Binchois Consort are among the Wed 6 February ensembles featuring in this eagerly antici- The Bramall, University of Birmingham, One of the UK’s favourite classical musi- Sun 10 February pated event. cians here joins forces with one of the The festival brings together young musi- Midlands’ most widely admired orchestras cians and leading researchers for a series for a concert featuring one of classical of concerts, recitals and talks exploring music’s best-known works. instrumental and vocal music from the Or, to be more specific: Tasmin Little takes medieval period. World premieres de- to the stage with the Stratford-upon-Avon- signed to be performed alongside earlier based Orchestra of the Swan to present repertoire are also included. Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. The programme of work also features Vivaldi’s Concerto Grosso in D minor, Arvo Pärt’s Fratres and Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins. The orchestra’s concert master, One of the region’s best known and most David Le Page, shares violin duties with the admired non-professional orchestras, the uber-talented Tasmin. Birmingham Phil was voted ‘best orchestra in the Midlands’ in the 2018 What's On Readers' Awards. Their latest concert sees them presenting a programme of well-known movie music, including Star Wars, Back To The Future, As- sault On Beautiful Gorky and Rhapsody In Blue. Principal Guest Conductor Richard Laing is the man at the helm.

18 whatsonlive.co.uk B'ham Conservatoire F/P Jan 2019.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 17:53 Page 1 Blue Orange for online mag.qxp_Layout 1 31/01/2019 10:37 Page 1 Blue Orange for online mag.qxp_Layout 1 31/01/2019 10:37 Page 2

Peeling back the layers

Richard Lintern takes on new role at The Rep

For millions of television viewers, actor ther have these issues themselves or they will Old Vic last year, the Netflix series Mind- Richard Lintern is best known as a patholo- have friends who have issues about confi- hunter and he also wrote the screen adapta- gist – but this month he switches medical dence, about crises in people’s lives or about tions of Ian McEwan’s Enduring Love and professions to become a psychiatrist. mental health in one way or another.” Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. Richard, who has played Dr Thomas Cham- And Richard believes audience members will Blue/Orange may have been written nearly berlain in six series of the hit BBC drama also have strong opinions over the decisions two decades ago but Richard says it hasn’t Silent Witness, is taking on a new role in the surrounding the future for Christopher. dated at all – in fact its themes may be even play Blue/Orange at Birmingham Repertory more pertinent in 2019 than they were in Theatre. “The two psychiatrists, a younger one and an 2000. older one, have very different views about Written by Joe Penhall, Blue/Orange pre- how the young man should be treated. “The reason I was attracted to do the play is miered at the National Theatre in 2000 before because it’s a terrific piece of theatre,” transferring to the West End and picking up a “And so it ends up with the audience mem- Richard says. “It was a massive success in the raft of awards. It tells the story of Christo- bers becoming almost amateur psychiatrists West End and there’s a reason it’s being re- pher, who is sectioned to a psychiatric unit themselves because they will either agree or vived. The issues are as contemporary and where professionals wrangle over his diagno- disagree with the course of treatment which relevant today, if not more so, than they were sis and treatment. one or other of the psychiatrists is recom- when this play was first written 20 years ago. mending.” When Christopher tells the specialists he is You can’t open a paper these days without the son of the former Ugandan president Idi The specialists are not just influenced by reading about teenagers struggling with de- Amin, he opens a Pandora’s box of racism, their age and experience – their views are pression or women or men having issues misunderstanding, prejudice, professional ri- also coloured by the fact that Christopher is around mental health. valry and bigotry. black. “It’s rather a sad thing to say that the themes Richard plays the senior consultant Robert “Race massively impacts on those decisions – are still so relevant. If you’d asked the people alongside Thomas Coombes as junior con- whether there’s an unconscious bias or a who did the play originally if they’d thought sultant Bruce and Ivan Oyik as Christopher in conscious bias,” says Richard. “I’ll leave the that 20 years in the future these issues of race the new production directed by Birmingham people who come and see the show to decide and mental health would be as relevant and Rep’s associate director Daniel Bailey. And whether or not, certainly my character, has a as full of controversy now as they were then, Richard says both the play and his role are hidden agenda. they would probably have said not. They thought-provoking. would have expected us to make progress on “I don’t want to pre-judge him. In many ways them. “Whenever I talk to my friends about the he says things which are valid and justifiable play, if you don’t present it in the right way, it but at certain points he comes out with stuff “Sadly we haven’t and in a multicultural en- sounds like the worst play in the history of which will take the audience’s breath away – vironment like Birmingham the play is a very the world because it’s about mental health or I certainly hope it will!” relevant reminder of that.” and race,” Richard says. Blue/Orange was one of Joe Penhall’s first “But it’s actually hysterically funny and it’s a successful theatre productions. His other Blue Orange shows at The Rep, play that has issues in it which will touch vir- works include The Kinks’ musical Sunny Af- Birmingham from Fri 1 - Saturday 16 tually everyone in the audience. They will ei- ternoon, Mood Music which premiered at the February Comedy February.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 14:02 Page 1

Comedy

Robert White The Old Rep, Birmingham, Fri 22 February; Prince Of Wales Theatre, Cannock, Thurs 7 March; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Fri 22 March Clever jokes and pitch-perfect delivery are the stock in trade of gay, Aspergeric and quarter-Welsh musical comedian Robert White. Robert’s been playing the Edinburgh Fringe to great effect for the better part of a decade now, but really came to prominence last year when he made the final of Britain’s Got Talent. He’s visiting the Midlands this month with a suitcase full of his trademark vests and a show that’s appropriately enti- tled The Tank Top Tour.

Jessie Cave Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 24 February; Birmingham Hippodrome, Sat 9 March “I think that maybe being open about sex and relationships - things like STDs, monogamy, pregnancy, motherhood - allows us all to feel a little less alone sometimes.” So says rising star of the comedy circuit Jessie Cave, whose latest show, Sunrise, is all about her experiences of dating following a tricky breakup with the father of her children, fellow comedian Alfie Brown.

Tony Law Dave Spikey Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Stafford Gatehouse, Thurs 21 February; Wed 20 February Malvern Theatres,Thurs 21 March Zany alternative comedy is the name of Tony Law's game, a fact which means his audience is guaranteed an evening of truly off-the-wall, boundary-defying standup. The popular Canadian funnyman appears on Henry Tudor House’s Comedy Club bill this month alongside Danny McLoughlin and the event’s resident host, Dan Nightingale.

Dave Spikey is not only a very funny man, he’s also got the silverware to prove it, including a prestigious British Comedy Jack Barry Award and an equally coveted gong from Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, the Royal Television Society. Co-writer of Fri 22 February Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights (in which he Having previously provided tour support for played the role of Jerry), he turns up here James Acaster and Joe Lycett, Jack Barry with a touring show designed to celebrate here steps out on his own for a show that the 30th anniversary of his decision to sees him explaining the ‘thrills, spills and swap a career as a biomedical scientist for slip-ups’ associated with his unofficial ap- a life spent on the UK comedy circuit. pointment as his feuding parents’ couples Audiences are duly warned to prepare therapist. “It’s all good clean fun,” says themselves for an evening of great hilarity Jack, “just be sure not to bring along your in the company of a master craftsman. mum and dad!” 20 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy February.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 14:02 Page 2

Carl Hutchinson Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Fri 15 February; The REP, Birmingham, Sat 9 March Observational comedian Carl Hutchinson makes a welcome return with a show that covers all manner of common-or-garden topics, from the challenges of buying a house to the experience of having kids. Prior to becoming a full-time standup, Carl spent some time as a maths teacher. ”There are certainly comparisons between the two professions,” says the popular Geordie comedian, “but the definite advantage with comedy is that if you have a bad gig, you can rest assured that you don't have to see the same audience the next day at 10am!”

Sindhu Vee Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 13 Febru- ary; Glee Club, Birmingham, Fri 22 February “Kids are to marriage as tsunamis are to beach holidays,” explains former banker Sindhu Vee, who’s this month touring to the Midlands with first ever solo offering Sand- hog, a show that proved an unqualified success at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe. Although her previous career in the City no doubt offers plenty of material for a standup show, Sindhu’s decided to let the subject of finance gain some extra interest in the com- Zakir Khan Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 17 February edy bank for the time being. “I’ve been writing jokes ever since I was a them.” Instead, she’s turning the spotlight on the kid,” says Indian comedian Zakir Khan. “My The winner of Comedy Central’s ‘best trials and tribulations of marriage and do- early years were spent in a boys’ school, a standup comic of India’ award, Zakir has per- mestic life. fact that gave me a near-unlimited stock of formed more than 1,000 sold-out shows in tales that I could use to make people roll venues across the world. He’s this year bring- around on the floor. The challenge for me ing his act to the UK for the very first time. was working out the best way to present

Adam Kay Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 6 February; New Vic Theatre, Newcastle- under-Lyme, Wed 24 April After watching an Adam Kay performance, Stephen Fry declared, “This made me very, very happy.” Numerous sell-out years at the Edin- burgh Fringe and tens of millions of YouTube hits later, former obstetrician and gynaecologist Adam is this month visiting the Midlands with his latest tour, This Is Going To Hurt: Secret Di- aries Of A Junior Doctor. The show features one hour and one minute’s-worth of humorous material based on his bestselling book of the same name. Expect splendidly silly spoof songs and some seriously shocking stories from the NHS frontline...

whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Brian Cox.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 10:40 Page 1

starProfessor Brian Cox takes man us on adventure in space and time

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Brian Cox.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 10:40 Page 2

It isn’t easy making complicated ideas accessible to a mass audience, but Professor Brian Cox has spent the last decade doing precisely that to stunning effect. His exploration of particle physics and astronomy on TV shows such as Stargazing Live, Wonders Of The Solar System and Forces Of Nature have entranced millions of viewers. And given the vast numbers who got off their sofas to check out his last touring show, people clearly can’t get enough of Brian in person either - so much so, in fact, that he’s even earned himself an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for ‘most tickets sold for a science tour’.

While Brian can rightly be proud of such nology a year-and-a-half in advance or you Talking of impersonations, Brian is one of achievements, it merely confirms a long- can’t get it - lots of massive rock bands like numerous celebrities to have been immor- standing belief of his: “I’ve always thought Coldplay and U2 use it - and it’s really expen- talised in mimicry by Dead Ringers’ Jon Cul- that most people are interested in these sive, so you take a risk. But it’s worth it to see shaw. Does he take this as a compliment? “I ideas. If science is available, they’ll come and these images of the cosmos as you’ve never know Jon very well, but he’s doing the 40- listen and think and enjoy being challenged. seen them before.” year-old me and hasn’t moved on to the al- Everybody’s interested in questions or ideas most-50-year-old me. I’ve evolved in the way I Brian’s mention of globetrotting rock behe- that are best addressed by astronomy or present television programmes, but the early moths provides the perfect opportunity to physics or biology or geology; they’re inter- ones are exactly like Jon Culshaw. But now I ask him about his own previous life as a ested in whether aliens are out there, or how speak a bit faster and keep my arms in check member of ’90s bands Dare and D:Ream. The the universe began, or how it’s going to end. a bit more.” latter had a number-one hit with Things Can “Some people get the mistaken impression Only Get Better, the song New Labour As well as putting on entertaining and en- that they won’t be able to understand it; that adopted as its anthem for the 1997 general lightening live shows, Brian is also keen to science is for weird boffin-type people. It’s election. So is there a little bit of Brian that dispel some myths about his work. One of very important to get the message across, es- hankers after those bygone days in the music them is that scientists spend hour upon hour pecially to children, that scientists have cho- industry? every day on their own in the lab, shuffling sen a career in finding out about nature, and home to write up their research before doing “There really isn’t. I’d say I’m a competent that’s it. You don’t have to be freakishly it all again the next day. “One of the key musician, but not that good! I think if I’d got clever. You don’t have to be Mozart to be a points about modern science - certainly as- to my age now in music, I wouldn’t have been professional musician or Einstein to be a sci- tronomy and particle physics - is that it’s ex- creating great things; I don’t think I have it in entist, otherwise we wouldn’t have many!” tremely collaborative and international. With me. I couldn’t write Abbey Road, and that’s the science I do, no single country can build With his forthcoming tour, Brian will once what I’d have wanted to do, so I think I’m not those facilities anymore. One of the great at- again aim to have audiences walk away with good enough. I can play and operate in a tractions of the job, which I emphasise par- a better understanding about the universe’s band, but that’s about it. I’m definitely better ticularly for younger people thinking of a origins and evolution than they had when at science than I am at music.” career in science, is that you get to travel and they bought their ticket. And this time round, Joining Brian onstage for the Q&A section of meet different people from different cultures he’ll be educating and entertaining consider- the show will be comedian Robin Ince, the and countries, and this is vitally important. ably bigger audiences: “For the last tour, we pair having worked together on BBC Radio The more perspectives we can get, the more had a lot of dates in smaller venues, and they Four’s The Infinite Monkey Cage since 2009. likely we are to understand nature. This col- sold out very quickly. So we decided to put So was he a fan of Robin’s before they teamed laboration is a blueprint for the way that our more shows in arenas, which I thought I up? “I’d never heard of him until I worked civilisation must develop. We all live on the wouldn’t enjoy because it wouldn’t be the with him! There was this idea of doing a topi- same planet, after all.” same experience. But what it allowed us to cal science show on Radio Four. I was intro- do was to use these enormous hi-res LED duced to him because the producer wanted to screens, and suddenly the images from the see if it would work, having a comedian and Hubble Space Telescope and the Cassini a scientist co-presenting. And it did work be- spacecraft around Saturn came to life in a Brian Cox Universal: Adventure In Space cause, among other things, Robin is one of way that I’d never seen before. You usually & Time visits Arena Birmingham on the most well-read people I know, so he’s full look at them on a computer monitor. I think Saturday 23 February, returning to the of information and he knows something the audience really enjoyed the spectacle that venue in the autumn, on Saturday 21 about everything. He’s also been trying to astronomy can deliver. The only downsides September. teach me how to impersonate John Peel, but I are that you have to book that kind of tech- just can’t do it.”

whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Theatre February new.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 19:14 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Annie character until the end of April, at which point Craig Revel Horwood will step back into a role that he first performed in 2015. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 19 - Sat 23 February; Birmingham A heart-warming rags-to-riches story of a little girl who finds herself Hippodrome, Tues 23 July - Sun 11 August; Regent Theatre, transported from a New York orphanage to the luxurious world of mil- Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 18 - Sat 23 November lionaire Oliver Warbucks, the show features plenty of memorable Anita Dobson is the latest high-profile performer to take on the cov- songs, including It's A Hard Knock Life, I Don’t Need Anything But eted role of Miss Hannigan in Annie, the oft-touring Broadway musi- You, Easy Street and, of course, the legendary Tomorrow. cal that’s once again hitting the road this month. Anita is playing the

Blue Orange The Misogyny Trials Nick Hancock (pictured), who’s best remembered as the 1990s host of TV shows The REP, Birmingham, Fri 1 - Sat 16 February Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, They Think It’s All Over and Room 101. “The Thurs 28 February Racism, ideology, prejudice and egotism lie play’s central idea is of being swept up into at the heart of this Olivier Award-winning The Misogyny Trials is the product of a col- some sort of white-collar criminal enterprise play by Joe Penhall, best known to Netflix laboration between seven female writers without really knowing how it happened. subscribers as the creator of hit serial-killer who are members of Shakti Women, a 12- Octopus Soup! may not be Bertolt Brecht, but show Mindhunter. year-old Midlands organisation dedicated to I’m hoping that it’s going to be a slick, funny In a London psychiatric hospital, the helping women reach their full potential. Set farce and an enjoyable evening of nonsense schizophrenic Christopher states that he’s in 2030, 10 years after the outlawing of and fun.” the son of former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin misogyny but with the practice still rife, the - a claim that leaves his doctor and senior play takes a look at some of the cases consultant at serious odds with each other... brought before Judge Serendipity Hope, a woman dedicated to stamping out misogyny in all its ugly forms - even as she grapples with some deep, dark secrets of her own...

Octopus Soup! Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Sat 2 - Sat 16 February “My Octopus Soup! character, Seymour, is a slightly down-on-his-luck insurance broker,” explains Stoke-born and Shrewsbury-based

24 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre February new.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 19:14 Page 2 RSC feature-2.qxp_Layout 1 22/01/2019 10:58 Page 1

21st century Shakespeare

RSC puts inclusivity front and centre in three new Shakespeare comedies... RSC feature-2.qxp_Layout 1 22/01/2019 10:58 Page 2

by Peter Joshua

A collaborative cross-cast ensemble - reflecting the nation in terms of gender, ethnicity, regionality and disability - is this year presenting three Shakespeare comedies at the RSC, two of which open in the next few weeks. What’s On chats to the respective directors of As You Like It and The Taming Of The Shrew to find out more about their brand new shows...

“This season reflects the power of storytelling high-profile artists, including Peggy Ashcroft, restrictions that a woman in 1590s England in its most essential form,” says RSC Artistic Vanessa Redgrave, Eileen Atkins and Juliet would’ve had. The actors are playing their Director Gregory Doran in talking about the Stevenson. Kimberley firmly believes that own gender, but we’ve flipped which gender company’s summer line-up of shows. “With Lucy Phelps will be a worthy addition to that holds power.” directors Justin Audibert and Kimberley roll of honour: “Lucy is relentlessly intelli- So why has Justin decided to take such an in- Sykes, I’m creating a company which reflects gent and rigorous in what she, as an actress teresting route with the play? the nation in terms of gender, ethnicity, re- and as a woman, wants from the world, and “At the moment, there’s an important conver- gionality and disability - 27 actors who will she does all of that with generosity and the sation about gender and power and where all appear in two out of three Shakespeare most infectious spirit. I think you have to that lies, and whenever you make any play or plays.” have both of those things to play Rosalind. work of art of any kind, you’re always influ- The plays to which Gregory refers are As You Lucy’s never satisfied as an artist. She’s always digging, always chipping away. But if enced by what’s going on around you. During Like It, The Taming Of The Shrew and, later rehearsals it’s been fascinating to see how in the year, Measure For Measure. And as you chip, chip, chip away in rehearsal, and then walk on stage and you’ve stopped chip- things feel when, for example, a mother sells you’d expect from a company determined to off her two sons, as opposed to in the tradi- build on its commitment to inclusivity, the ping because you’ve decided what it is, then you’ve lost Rosalind - whereas Lucy has the tional retelling, when a father sells off his productions are reflective of society’s ongo- two daughters. We’re somehow not shocked ing conversations about a range of issues, in- bravery to keep discovering, to keep searching.” by the traditional version, but when we see a cluding the empowerment of women. This is mother selling off her sons, that feels trans- strongly evidenced in the first of the three What does Kimberley hope audiences take gressive.” plays to open - As You Like It, directed by away from the production? Justin’s version of Shrew certainly promises Kimberley Sykes. The play’s lead character, “I would like them to take away a new rela- to be thought-provoking, but might it not also Rosalind, is credited with more lines than tionship with their own ‘magician’. To feel face accusations of being gimmicky? any other female Shakespearean character. able to explore the possibility of and poten- “I can understand why someone might feel tial for change, especially right now, with all So was this something that attracted Kimber- that, but I’d like to think that, as a company of the uncertainty in this country and Europe ley to the play? of 19, we’re going about this with a sense of and the rest of the world. To feel that change intellectual curiosity and artistic enquiry. I “Yes absolutely! I was drawn to a woman is possible, and that change can come by think you have to come and see the show to who’s busy working out who she is as the working together, learning from each other make up your own mind. The fact that if you play unfolds. I think sometimes with Shake- and from being more honest; being brave come, the vast majority of the lines are going speare’s women, it feels like they already enough to jump off the cliff into the un- to be spoken by women in those iconic roles know who they are. Or that their internal life known.” isn’t really the thing that Shakespeare is ex- means that the play is going to feel different ploring in the play. With Rosalind, it’s com- Jumping off the cliff into the unknown is ex- to every other time you may have seen it. actly what Kimberley’s fellow RSC director, pletely different. She changes her mind all “The late, great and much-missed Cicely Justin Audibert, is doing with The Taming Of the time, and she changes her mind with us, Berry from the RSC Voice Department has al- The Shrew, which opens in Stratford next with the audience. ways been my guiding light. She said you month: “I didn’t want to make a Shrew in the have to make the play talk to now - and that’s “She talks about this magician, this uncle way it’s been done many times before,” says exactly what we’re trying to do with this pro- magician, who she’s conversed with since the Justin. “I’m really interested in seeing what duction.” age of three. Lucy Phelps, who’s playing Ros- happens when you get female actors to play alind, and I have talked a lot about who on traditionally powerful male roles, and vice earth this magician is. We feel that this magi- versa. cian is inside all of us, representing the po- “So for example, the role of Petruchio, which As You Like It shows at the Royal tential for change and to be different people. we’ve renamed Petruchia, is being played by Shakespeare Theatre (RST), Stratford- The play is really all about Rosalind having a Claire Price as a woman in a woman’s cos- upon-Avon, from 14 February to 31 August. conversation with herself to find a route to tume, but with the same character motiva- contentment, and that’s not easy. Sometimes The Taming Of The Shrew shows at the tions and social status as Petruchio in any you have to crawl through the dirt to get to same venue from 8 March to 31 August. other production. Likewise Katherine is being the diamond.” played by a male actor, Joseph Arkley, and Measure For Measure, directed by Gregory Down the years, the character of Rosalind he’s playing it as a man and will be wearing a Doran, shows at the RST from 28 June to has been played for the RSC by numerous man’s costume, but will have the same social 29 August. Theatre February new.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 19:14 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Glengarry Glen Ross The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 18 - Sat 23 February Although David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize- winning classic is probably best known from its 1992 all-star movie adaptation, the Christian Slater/Robert Glenister version of the play that’s showing in the London West End until the third of this month has certainly been winning some plaudits of its own. Visiting Birmingham just two weeks after closing at the Playhouse Theatre, and starring one-time EastEnders heartthrob Nigel Harman (pictured left), the show tells the story of four under-pressure Chicago real-estate salesmen and their desperate attempts to close some deals. If they’re successful enough, they can win a Cadillac; if they’re not, the scrapheap beckons... Harman is joined in the cast by Mark Benton (pictured right).

The Capital When aspiring earth scientist Melvin Ferd the mated sets and innovative puppetry, the Third attempts to clean up Tromaville’s pol- show focuses on the idea of miniaturised Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 12 lution problem, the town’s corrupt mayor has human workers - Intronauts - who’re injected February; Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 13 February him thrown into a vat of toxic waste - from into the body in order to carry out essential which he emerges as New Jersey's first ever maintenance work. The question is, though... The ever-clever Stan’s Cafe are at their im- superhero, The Toxic Avenger... Do people actually want to know about pressively ingenious best with this latest slice what’s going on inside them?... of thought-provoking theatre. Performed without words to a ‘stunning’ soundtrack, The Capital uses moving-walk- Metamorphosis ways to present a visual story based around The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, The House On Cold Hill themes of financial and social inequality. Tues 26 February - Sat 2 March Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 4 - Sat 9 Stan’s Cafe are presenting the show in associ- A desire for more control over the material he February; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 11 - Sat 16 February ation with Birmingham Repertory Theatre. was performing inspired actor Adam Lloyd- James to set up Beyond The Horizon (BTH) EastEnders’ favourite Rita Simons and four years ago - since which time the theatre Strictly 2017 winner Joe McFadden spearhead company has majored in producing dynamic this new stage adaptation of Peter James’ in- and immersive touring shows driven by emo- genious novel. With more than 17 million tive stories and high-quality effects. Latest copies of his books sold worldwide, James’ production Metamorphosis - Franz Kafka’s reputation as a talented crime-fiction author famous story about a man who wakes up one was further enhanced a couple of years back morning to find that he’s been transformed when he received the coveted Diamond Dag- into ‘a monstrous vermin’ - looks set to fur- ger award, crime-writing’s highest honour. ther enhance BTH’s reputation as one of the This latest stage adaptation of the novelist’s UK’s brightest new theatre companies. Lloyd- work sees the Hargreaves family moving into James himself takes the lead role of Gregor. the house of their dreams - a house, it soon becomes apparent, in which they may not be alone... Intronauts Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, The Toxic Avenger Wed 20 - Fri 22 February The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Green Ginger are frequently praised for their Thurs 7 - Sat 16 February refreshingly anarchic approach to theatre - There’s certainly nothing toxic about this and this latest production offers them plenty show - a five-star rock musical based on a of opportunity to illustrate just why they’ve cult classic and boasting a fantastically origi- become so widely admired. Set in the near fu- nal storyline. ture and blending absurd visual comedy, ani-

26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre February new.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 19:14 Page 4 Ida Barr-2.qxp_Layout 1 22/01/2019 10:57 Page 1

Setting the Barr... A character comedian, musician, Olivier Award-winning experiential theatre-maker and all-round entertainer, Christopher Green this month brings his music hall ‘creation’, Ida Barr, to Coventry’s Warwick Arts Centre. What’s On recently caught up with him to find out more...

Ida Barr is an extremely elderly lady with symbolises her and her gangster-grandma ating to make changes for the good rather than many extraordinary talents. As an old-fash- titude.” having such hostility.” ioned music hall singer turned grime & hip- So what does Christopher think makes Ida so Audience participation is frequently a part of hop rapper, Ida fuses her old and new music funny? Christopher’s character comedy shows. But genres in revolutionary performances filled don’t be put off by that - it’s not as intense as with fun and laughter. “Ida herself steers clear of doing old-fash- you’d think… ioned jokes because she’s worried about ‘I’m really interested in music hall and other being misinterpreted by the modern genera- “Audience participation is an awful phrase forms of old-school entertainment like vari- tion, but she’s really, really funny inadver- and I really hate using it, because while it’s ety,” says Christopher Green, the man behind tently. It’s just that clash of old meets young, one that people understand, it makes every- Ida. “I’ve spent a lot of time researching in typically British meets multicultural urban body really worried. But actually, certainly in the archives, and a lot of that time at the city life. It’s just observations on what life is the context of Ida, the audience involvement British Library. I found some mentions of this like now if you’re impossibly old, have been is really, really gentle because it’s just like Royal Music Hall singer called Ida Barr. She around to see so much happen, but are now having a sing-song. I really do believe in the died in 1969, and I just really liked the sound struggling to understand things in the mod- power of collective. Groups of people are re- of her. Seeing as most people don’t remember ern world.” ally powerful, and I think the angry mob is her, I thought that instead of just inventing very rare - a benign, well-meaning crowd is something completely new, I’d resurrect her Ida’s latest show, Granarchist, explores the much more common. I really, really like in a certain way. I imagined that she hadn’t dreaded ‘p’-word - politics - in a lighthearted group behaviour. So it’s not like I’m getting died in the ’60s but had carried on living but very frank way. one person out of the audience and saying, until she was incredibly old. I thought that right, do this, and I’m going to make a fool of she seemed pretty sparky, and that by now “What I’m exploring with this new show is you. It’s absolutely the whole audience she’d have thought of doing something com- the idea that ordinary people are voicing singing along, or making decisions amongst pletely new, so my character is combining old their unhappiness and dissatisfaction with themselves and talking to me as a collective and modern songs. It’s a very basic comic their political structures a lot more. I think group. I think having a sing-song in shows is confit to have an oldie doing contemporary we could do worse than listening to a really something we used to do a lot, and we’ve rap.” old lady whose learned a few things. I think her sort of attitude, of not caring anymore be- kind of lost that.” Ida calls her genre ‘artificial hip-hop’ - as cause she’s got nothing to lose so just says Alongside Ida, Christopher’s other characters Christopher explains: “The ‘artificial hip- everything as it is, is great. I think she’s got include Tina C, a raunchy satire on country hop’ refers to the ‘pensioner music hall really great values; they’re very open and tol- singers: “I think what you have to contem- singer meets the streets’ idea, so you’ll get a erant. Being overwhelmed by a lack of com- plate when going into standup is which ver- really old woman rapping about her prescrip- mon sense in our political structures seems sion of yourself you want to present. All tion meds. I think my favourite Ida song is to be rife among us all at the moment. She’s standups are a part of themselves that’s mag- Get Old Or Die Trying - I think that really really no-nonsense, talking as it is and want- nified for the audience. In terms of that Ida Barr-2.qxp_Layout 1 22/01/2019 10:57 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

All standups are a part of ‘‘themselves that’s magnified for the audience. In terms of that process, I find it much easier and much more fun for me - and therefore for the audience - to be someone completely different to me. ’’

process, I find it much easier and much more fun for me - and therefore for the audience - to be someone completely different to me. I think that’s why two of my most successful characters have been women: Ida Barr and Tina C. Some performers work really well being completely different from themselves, and some work well being closer to themselves. I definitely prefer to be as far away as possible! It’s also a way of being able to sing, as I’m primarily a musician and entertainer. So having a musical character who can sing all kinds of songs, whether good or bad, and make them work just makes sense really.” Although he’s currently touring with Ida, Christopher has other irons in the fire: “I have two big strands to my career. One is the character comedy, the other is experiential theatre. A lot of my creative work is in that theatre field. I’m doing a big show this year for a fake old people’s home, where the audience come and live for three days and the elderly people care for them. It’s pretty full-on as a piece. I’m hoping lots of people get excited about it, and that it really gets people talking about vulnerability, loneliness and all of that. Obviously, I’m very interested in ageing and why people are scared of it, and I’m exploring that subject both through Ida and through this new piece.”

Ida Barr: Granarchist shows at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, on Thursday 21 February. Theatre February new.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 19:14 Page 5 Theatre February new.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 19:14 Page 6

Theatre previews from around the region Theatre

The Band Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 26 February - Sat 2 March Despite being co-produced by Take That and featuring their music, Tim Firth’s show isn’t about Gary Bar- low and co. It’s actually a story about the fans, the power music can have over people and, as Firth himself says, how music ‘makes time travellers of us all’. For five teenage girls in 1992, ‘The Boys’ and their music are everything. Twenty-five years later, the quintet attempt to rekindle their friendship with a trip to a concert by the band they loved so dearly as teenagers. But none of the ladies’ lives have turned out quite the way they were expecting...

Kinky Boots Today on 1 November 1977, Mike Leigh’s Abi- be honest, it wasn’t something that I knew I gail’s Party became an instant hit and cata- cared about until I started reading stories Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, pulted the brilliant Alison Steadman to about people who’d been affected by it.” Mon 28 January - Sat 9 February; Birmingham Hippodrome, stardom. A fascinating study of the preten- Focusing on the difficulties experienced by a Mon 11 - Sat 23 March sions of 1970s suburbia, the play focuses on soldier returning from the war in The newly appointed manager of his late fa- the interplay between five ill-matched char- Afghanistan, the show has been produced in ther’s shoe factory in Northampton, Charlie acters during an evening characterised by al- collaboration with British war veterans and Price has got some tough decisions to make cohol, cigarettes, Demis Roussos records and their extended support networks. as he attempts to save the struggling busi- cheesy nibbles. ness. After a chance meeting with drag queen Steadman’s portrayal of the monstrous Bev- Lola, Charlie identifies a potentially lucrative erly was so definitive that it’s since been vir- niche market - creating footwear to cater for tually impossible for any actress to play the men who dress as women... character in any other way. Jodie Prenger is A topical story about diversity and accep- the latest to embrace the challenge. tance, Kinky Boots is based on the 2005 film of the same name and features music & lyrics by ’80s pop star Cyndi Lauper. Expect a feelgood evening of catchy tunes, fierce anthems and warm-hearted humour.

Back In Our Day: The Life & Times Of The Dancing Grannies Theatre On The Steps, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, Fri 1 & Sat 2 February; Forest Arts Centre, A Brave Face Walsall, Fri 15 February; Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 22 February Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 26 & Wed 27 February; Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Black Country laughter merchants Fizzog Fri 29 Mar; Lichfield Garrick, Sat 30 March; make a welcome return with their internet Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 10 April sensations The Dancing Grannies, presenting Worcestershire-based full mask theatre a show that charts the elderly trio’s fabulous Abigail’s Party company Vamos here tackle the emotional friendship, from the 1940s right through to Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, subject of post-traumatic stress. the present day. Mon 18 - Sat 23 February “I wasn’t very aware of PTS before,” says Making its television debut as a BBC Play For Vamos’ Artistic Director, Rachel Savage. “To

28 whatsonlive.co.uk Rufus Norris DPS Macbeth the grand.qxp_Layout 1 22/01/2019 11:00 Page 1

21ST CENTURY MACBETH Rufus Norris DPS Macbeth the grand.qxp_Layout 1 22/01/2019 11:00 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

What’s On catches up with National Theatre Artistic Director Rufus Norris to discuss the reimagined production of Macbeth he’s touring to Wolverhampton next month...

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s fiercest news feeds and many of the play’s thematic good. I have sympathy for the old-school crit- tragedies. The familiar story of murder, deceit roots.” ics in broadsheet newspapers because they and suicide undergoes a thrilling remake for have incredible knowledge of theatre, and The metaphysical is also a vital part of the National Theatre’s (NT) touring production. it’s very difficult for them at the moment be- play. In productions of Macbeth, creatives cause a lot of the arts sections are being cut “I feel Macbeth speaks very keenly to a lot of must think carefully about how the witches back. However, I’m also all for the diversifica- aspects of nowadays,” explains NT’s Artistic fit into their vision. tion of criticism through the world of blog- Director, Rufus Norris. “It’s a story of cor- “The witches are a hugely important element ging and social media, as it’s much closer to rupted leadership, ambition and survival. You of the play. There’s something very unevent- the informed word-of-mouth you get from au- don’t have to look very far in the world to see ful about other-worldly goings-on in the 11th dience members.” how ambition can change leaders, and how century, and still a lot of pagan belief sys- taking various courses of action can lead to a Moving away from talking about Macbeth, tems giving a context to that metaphysical corruption of them spiritually and literally. If what does Rufus feel is the National The- world. In conflict situations, even nowadays, you look to places like Syria or Libya, it’s not atre’s primary remit? superstitions rise to the surface. People hard to see contemporary parallels to my vi- adopt different belief systems, or begin to put “We have to live up to our name. Obviously, sion of the play.” their faith in lucky charms and the like, to we have to make theatre that’s good, but be- Rufus believes it’s these parallels that al- help themselves find a way through the hor- yond that, we have to continue to earn that lowed him to take Macbeth from the 11th cen- ror. That’s how our setting honours the meta- title of ‘national’. For me, part of the Brexit tury to a contemporary post-civil war setting: physical.” vote was a very deep protest against inequal- “Eleventh century Scotland was a time where ity of opportunity and the break-up of com- Rufus’ Macbeth wasn’t received all that well Vikings were rampaging. Trying to keep a munities all over Britain. It’s part of our duty by the critics when it debuted at London’s kingdom together at that time would’ve been and privilege to make sure we prioritise en- Olivier Theatre: “I think there’s generally just really difficult. I’ve seen various productions couraging and supporting arts centres, the- a resistance to updating Shakespeare - and of Macbeth, where it’s set in the 1920s or the atres and all creative infrastructure around also, many people don’t really like looking 16th century, and I don’t think they work be- the country, because theatre does bring ev- with a depressing or pessimistic eye to the fu- cause the play rapidly becomes about rich eryone together. It’s also important to main- ture. Our concept wasn’t just plucked from people killing other rich people. The influ- tain equality of opportunity across the UK. nowhere. I think the brilliance of Shake- ence of corrupt, ambitious leadership and the It’s a no-brainer to take this production speare is that it can easily be adapted. It’s a relationship between characters comes around the country, and in certain key slightly abbreviated text in our case, but I’ve through, but I feel it misses that true 11th cen- places, like Wolverhampton, to make our never seen a Shakespeare play that wasn’t in tury element of ‘survival’. To get by in that tu- communication and collaboration deeper, to some way. We cut one or two sequences, multuous environment, people would’ve had address how important the creative indus- which the die-hard Shakespeare fans were to take opportunities when they came, which tries are to our nation.” critical of, but I was genuinely surprised by sometimes may have provoked the kind of the reaction from some critics, and obviously Encouraging engagement with the arts in ed- radical, murderous action we see in Macbeth. very disappointed. However, the auditorium ucation is also something about which Rufus “Therefore, the contemporary setting was an has always been full and the audience’s re- is passionate: “The degradation of arts in ed- obvious place to go for me. If all the lights sponse to it has been very positive. I’m just ucation is a huge issue. There’s a relentless went out, the internet stopped working, the very relieved that word-of-mouth pushed drive by authorities towards maths and the banks stopped giving people their money back against the tide of those initial negative sciences, or to see literature as the only valu- and the rubbish was no longer collected, in a responses.” able art. I do feel very strongly that drama week, let alone a month, the streets would texts are being studied in schools in a way Despite the lack of correlation between critic look very different. In 10 years’ time, when that focuses solely on them being words on a and audience reaction, Rufus still believes we would see those who’d survived and had page, rather than what they’re supposed to theatre criticism to be of immense value. adapted to living in this new world, the scene be - a performance.” would probably play out much more like the “I think critics are important, particularly for 11th century Scotland of Macbeth than any productions with less well-known titles and other time since. It made sense to place Mac- without any serious stars. Those reviews are Macbeth shows at the Wolverhampton beth in a contemporary, post-civil war set- essential because fewer people would buy a Grand Theatre from Tuesday 12 to ting, which chimes with what we see on our ticket without having already been told it’s Saturday 16 March Theatre February new.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 19:14 Page 7 Theatre February new.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 19:14 Page 8

Theatre for younger audiences... Theatre

that Fireman Sam, Noddy, Shimmer & Shine and all their friends are on hand to help out... If you’ve watched the TV series and/or been to a previous live production, you’ll already know what to expect from this latest Milkshake! show. If not, get ready for an event that promises lots of laughter, bucket- loads of family fun, bags of audience participation and plenty of singing and dancing.

Jack And The Beanstalk Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 22 February Jack and his mam are hard-up and have no choice but to take their cow to market to raise some cash. However, Jack being Jack, he de- cides to trade her in (the cow, that is, not his The Cat In The Hat have ever met. And what’s more, he’s got a mam) for a handful of magic beans, which fantastic talent for turning the rainiest of af- then grow into a real ogre of a beanstalk... The REP, Birmingham, ternoons into the most amazing of adven- Tues 26 February - Sun 3 March If you’re up for a bit of post-panto-season fe- tures... This latest theatrical version of Dr fi-fo-fumming, the Gatehouse is most defi- The Cat In The Hat is the funniest, most Seuss’s much-loved book boasts plenty of nitely the venue to head for, as the hugely mischievous cat that Sally and her brother circus-style action. popular Lyngo Theatre prove that not every encounter with a grumpy, cash-counting ogre need end in tears. Elmer The Patchwork Exciting Science Show Elephant The Core Theatre, Solihull, Wed 20 February Albany Theatre, Coventry, Sat 2 February; The If your kids love things that wiz, bang, pop Mimi And The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, and splurt, then this is most definitely the Wed 27 & Thurs 28 February Mountain Dragon production for them! Created with children Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 21 February This lively production tells the story of a aged four and older in mind, and featuring This ‘magical musical puppetry adventure’ is patchwork elephant who determines to hide ‘silly, fun and factual’ science experiments, presented by Skewbald Theatre and based on his ‘true colours’ in an effort to blend in, only the show is being hailed by its producers as the popular children’s book by Michael Mor- to find that he feels happiest when he’s sim- ‘the perfect way to engage the imagination purgo. The story unfolds in the snowy moun- ply being himself. during a dull and boring half-term holiday’. Selladoor Family is the company behind this tains of Switzerland, where the villagers of latest stage presentation of David McKee's Dorta create a cacophony of noise in order to much-loved creation, which comes complete keep away the Mountain Dragon. with puppetry, plenty of colour and, er, a The Amazing Adventures But when a young girl named Mimi discovers trunk-load of fun... Of Pinocchio a baby dragon sleeping in her woodshed, she realises that she must conquer her over- Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 24 February whelming sense of fear in order to return the Sourpuss The walking, talking puppet with the mis- little creature to its fiercesome mother... chievous nose that grows and grows when- Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, ever he tells even the smallest of porky pies Sun 17 February makes a welcome return in a brand new, Buzzing bees, chirpy robins, vibrant flowers larger-than-life musical. Immersion Theatre Twirlywoos Live! and stinky rubbish are much in evidence are the company behind this latest version of Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 22 - Sun 24 when a grumpy ginger cat named Sourpuss Carlo Collodi’s classic tale. February; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, finds himself shut out of the house. Tues 26 February Intrigued by the garden, he heads off on an The Twirlywoos’ big red boat drops anchor adventure that makes him realise there’s at two major Midlands venues this month. maybe more to the great outdoors than he’d Milkshake! Live 2019 CBeebies stars Great BigHoo, Toodloo, previously imagined... Brierley Hill Civic Hall, Wed 20 February; Lich- Chickedy and Chick have earned themselves Featuring beautifully handcrafted string and field Garrick, Sat 23 February; Prince Of Wales an impressive following of young television shadow puppets, the show is performed by Theatre, Cannock, Wed 17 April viewers since debuting in 2015. They’re visit- professional puppeteer Lori Hopkins and is Milkshake Monkey’s desire to put on a new ing the region with a live show that features suitable for youngsters aged between three musical has hit the skids due to a nasty bout mischief, music, plenty of surprises and and eight. of rampant stage fright - so thank heaven some beautifully inventive puppetry.

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Dance

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 5 - Sat 16 February “It’s always exciting to bring back Swan Lake,” says Matthew Bourne, whose company, New Adventures, bring his classic version of the legendary ballet back to the Hip- podrome this month. “So many people love it, and you know they’re going to want to come and see it again and bring along friends and family who didn’t see it last time.” First staged in 1995 and the longest-running ballet in the West End and on Broadway, Bourne’s Swan Lake is best known for the fact of having an all-male cast. “It was such an iconic image for people to have a male dancing swan,” continues Matthew. “It was very unex- pected, and people couldn’t imagine what it was going to look like. It got dubbed ‘the gay Swan Lake’, which wasn’t what the aim was, but there was certainly a story within it that was very meaningful for gay audiences, and I celebrate that. It’s accepted now by a much wider audience, who, rather than be shocked by any element of it, find it uplifting that this is a story being told about a young man who’s confused about his future and his sexuality. I think that’s something which is very meaningful for young people in the audience.”

Torus Autin Dance Theatre: A stories around sex, love and relationships unravels, with audience participation and The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, Posi+ive Life original scenography transporting the Fri 15 & Sat 16 February Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, guests to the heart of the piece.” “Torus is a return to the tribal,” explain Rudi Thurs 14 February Now in its sixth year, Autin Dance Theatre Cole and Júlia Robert Parés, the co-artistic di- Project-based Birmingham company has gained an enviable reputation for rectors of Humanhood, the contemporary Autin Dance Theatre describes its re- producing impressively innovative artistic dance ensemble presenting the show. worked version of this 2017 show as ‘an performances based around contempo- “It’s a tribal hurricane of effortless fluidity interactive sex education and coming-of- rary social issues and events. The com- where rhythm takes over the performers and age dance-theatre experience for pany also runs an extensive the viewer.” teenagers and young adults’. “The piece community-focused learning and partici- Commissioned by DanceXchange and Sadler’s is a special invitation to a house party like pation programme. Wells, the new show explores issues relating to no other,” explains company founder and physics and Eastern mysticism, contemplating choreographer Johnny Autin. “A web of the ways in which the connections between these two seemingly very different subjects ‘shape our human experience of ourselves and BalletBoyz: Them/Us reality’. Lichfield Garrick, Thurs 28 February This innovative double bill is a brand new collaboration from Ballet Boyz’s critically acclaimed dancers and Olivier Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. The first of the two shows, Them - set to a score by emerging composer Char- lotte Harding - is the work of the company's own in-house talent. The follow-up presentation, Us, is inspired by the Wheeldon-choreo- graphed duet that featured in the company's previous show, Fourteen Days. 32 whatsonlive.co.uk Dance February 2019-2.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 13:54 Page 2

Dance previews from around the region

Giovanni Pernice: Dance Is Life Albany Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 21 February; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 24 February; Lichfield Garrick, Sun 31 March; Oakengates Theatre at The Place, Telford, Mon 1 April Giovanni Pernice is a two-time Guinness Book of Records star, thanks to the stunning speed at which he can perform jive kicks & flicks and Charleston swivels. Here presenting a production that’s maybe just a cut or two above similar showcases by other much-loved Strictly stars, the 28-year-old Ital- ian is visiting the Midlands just 11 short days after finishing the Strictly Live! tour, during which he once again teamed up with his 2018 celebrity dance partner, Steps’ Faye Tozer. Strictly’s newest pro, Luba Mushtuk, joins in the fun.

Birmingham Royal Ballet: Beauty And The Beast Birmingham Hippodrome, to spend the rest of his life as a grotesque Tues 19 February - Sat 2 March beast, eventually finds salvation in the Beauty And The Beast is one of Birming- heart of a beautiful girl. ham Royal Ballet’s most popular produc- Featuring a golden ballroom full of won- tions, thanks in no small measure to David drous animals and a magical transforma- Bintley’s rich choreography and Philip tion as the beast once again becomes a Prowse’s stunning sets. handsome prince, the production’s music Much loved by generations, the story tells is composed by Glenn Buhr and performed of a cruel prince who, having been cursed by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

Jasmin Vardimon: Medusa Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat 9 February; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 18 February Founded in 1998, Jasmin Vardimon’s company combines physical theatre and quirky characteri- sation with innovative technologies, text and dance. The choreographer’s latest work, focusing on the myth surrounding the powerful feminine symbol of Medusa and its various connotations in contemporary life, was created on the coast of Barcelona and inspired by its marine life. “A lot of the time, people stay behind after our performance for the post-show discussion,” explains Jasmin. “You can see that they’re emotion- ally attached or intellectually engaged and want to speak and talk about it more. And that’s exactly what I always hope to do with my art. I want to make people think and ask questions; I don't want to give answers. At the end of the day, I see myself as a storyteller and communicator about things that are important to me.”

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Film

Green Book CERT 12a (130 mins) Starring Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini Directed by Peter Farrelly (USA) Voted best film of the year by the National Board of Review, Green Book is shaping up to be a major Oscar contender. Mahershala Ali (Moonlight) has already won a fistful of glittering prizes as the classical jazz pianist 'Doc' Don Shirley, who tours the Deep South in the 1960s. As a flipside to Driving Miss Daisy, Shirley’s chauffeur is actually an Italian-American bouncer, played by Mortensen, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for his part (although Ali actually won it). Based on interviews with Shirley, the film marks a seismic artistic switch for its writer-director Peter Farrelly, who is better known for his gross-out comedies Dumb And Dumber, Shallow Hal and There's Something About Mary. Released Fri 1 Feb EDITOR’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in February...

Can You Ever Forgive Me? Escape Room How To Train Your Dragon: CERT 15 (106 mins) CERT 15 (99 mins) The Hidden World Starring Melissa McCarthy, Richard E Grant, Starring Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, CERT PG (104 mins) Dolly Wells, Jane Curtin Deborah Ann Woll, Tyler Labine Directed by Marielle Heller (USA) Directed by Adam Robitel (USA) With the voices of Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Cate Blanchett, Craig Ferguson, Six strangers find themselves trapped in a Jonah Hill, Kit Harington, Gerard Butler series of rooms that only offer a meagre Directed by Dean DeBlois (USA) possibility of escape… Fans of Saw, The Maze Runner and especially Cube take note. Filmed in South Africa. Released Fri 1 Feb

The first two cartoons were terrific and this Based on the eponymous memoir by Lee Is- one builds on the mythical universe of burly rael, this bittersweet drama tells how the bi- Scotsmen and flying creatures, as Hiccup ographer turned to forgery to keep up with (Baruchel) discovers ‘The Hidden World,’ a her rent. It’s a fascinating tale well told with dragon utopia that may be under threat. sparkling performances from the three leads. Released Fri 1 Feb Released Fri 1 Feb whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Film February 1.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 20:01 Page 3

Film

Alita: Battle Angel If Beale Street Could Talk Instant Family CERT 12a (122 mins) CERT 15 (119 mins) CERT 12a (118 mins) Starring Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Starring KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Colman Starring Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali, Ed Skrein, Domingo, Dave Franco, Ed Skrein, Regina Moner, Margo Martindale, Julie Hagerty, Oc- Jackie Earle Haley King Directed by Barry Jenkins (USA) tavia Spencer Directed by Sean Anders (USA)) Directed by Robert Rodriguez (USA) The first film from Barry Jenkins since his Oscar-winning Moonlight (2016), this drama follows a pregnant woman (Layne) as she tries to clear the name of her wrongly ac- cused lover. Based on the 1974 novel by James Baldwin. Released Fri 8 Feb

Produced and co-scripted by James Cameron, Mark Wahlberg returns to comedy (after the this is a big-budget adaptation of the cyber- blistering heroics of Mile 22) and is punk manga comic. Set in a post-apocalyptic reunited with Sean Anders, director of world, it stars Salazar as a disembodied soul Daddy’s Home and Daddy’s Home 2. He who is given a body by a scientist (Waltz), en- (Marky Mark) and Rose Byrne play eager par- abling her to try and find out who she really ents whose cup runneth over when they is. Expect lashings of CGI. adopt three children. Idiots. Released Wed 6 Feb Released Thurs 14 Feb The Lego Movie 2: The All Is True CERT 12a (101 mins) Isn’t It Romantic CERT tbc CERT PG (126 mins) Starring Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Ian Second Part Starring Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth, Adam McKellen Directed by Kenneth Branagh (UK) With the voices of Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, DeVine, Priyanka Chopra, Jennifer Saunders In a bizarre about-face of his TV sitcom Up- Tiffany Haddish, Will Arnett, Channing Tatum, Directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson Margot Robbie Directed by Mike Mitchell (USA/Australia) start Crow, scenarist Ben Elton looks at (USA/Australia/Denmark/Canada/Norway) Shakespeare in his later years as he mourns The boxy figurines are back for another ad- the death of his son Hamnet and the destruc- venture set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. tion of The Globe theatre due to fire. Writing, By the sounds of it, the collective tongue re- it seems, is the last thing on the Bard’s mind. mains in its cheek as Batman, Superman, Released Fri 8 Feb Aquaman and Emmet struggle to preserve the status quo of Apocalypseburg. Boy Erased CERT 15 (115 mins) Released Fri 8 Feb Starring Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Joel Edgerton, Joe Alwyn, Xavier Dolan When Natalie, an Australian architect work- Directed by Joel Edgerton (USA/Australia) ing in New York (Rebel Wilson), is knocked When the son of a preacher is raped by a fel- out, she wakes up to find herself stuck inside low student, he is sent away to a gay therapy a romcom. It’s full of clichés and other hack- conversion centre. Amazingly, there are still neyed situations, but in order to claw her way 36 states that allow conversion therapy to be back to reality, Natalie must first find true practised on minors and this sensitive drama love within her new parameters. is based on the real-life memoirs of Garrard Released Fri 15 Feb Conley. Released Fri 8 Feb Happy Death Day 2U The Kid Who Would CERT 15 (120 mins) Be King CERT PG Starring Jessica Rothe, Israel Broussard, Starring Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Tom Taylor, Phi Vu, Suraj Sharma, Steve Zissis Rebecca Ferguson, Patrick Stewart, Denise Directed by Christopher Landon (USA) Gough Directed by Joe Cornish (UK/USA) Two years ago, Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) Alex Elliot is bullied at school but discovers had a habit of dying every day. And now her that he is bestowed with a very special, cen- friends are at it. But who’s the killer? turies’ old power. A modern-day reincarna- tion of King Arthur, Alex is compelled to Released Thurs 14 Feb

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Film highlights released in February...

protect his world from the ancient forces of darkness rallied by Morgana le Fay (Fergu- son). Alex is played by Louis Ashbourne Serkis, son of the actor and director Andy Serkis. Released Fri 15 Feb

Capernaum CERT tbc (121 mins) Starring Zain Al Rafeea, Yordanos Shiferaw, Boluwatife Treasure Bankole Directed by Na- dine Labaki (Lebanon) CRITIC’S CHOICE Winner of the Jury Prize at last year’s Cannes that can be heard around the world... film festival, Capernaum is the extraordinary A Private War CERT 15 (110 mins) story of a 12-year-old Syrian refugee boy who A Private War - based on Marie Brenner’s Starring Rosamund Pike, Jamie Dornan, Tom feature, Marie Colvin’s Private War, for takes his parents to court. Hollander, Stanley Tucci, Corey Johnson, Vanity Fair - marks the ‘fictional’ debut of Released Fri 22 Feb Faye Marsay Directed by Matthew Heineman (UK/USA) Matthew Heineman, who directed the vis- “Nobody in their right mind would do what ceral, harrowing Cartel Land and City Of you do,” Sean Ryan tells Marie Colvin. He Ghosts, two of the best documentaries in is the foreign editor for The Sunday Times, the last decade. Here, he applies his nose she is his star player, a fearless correspon- for the frontline drama with an accom- dent who has reported from the hellholes plished verve, while permitting his actors of Chechnya, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Sri the chance to shine. Lanka, Iraq and Afghanistan. As Colvin, Rosamund Pike is as selfless in As the film opens, Marie Colvin’s voice ru- her portrayal of a one-eyed alcoholic minates on the nature of her work and of woman in her 50s as was Nicole Kidman as her fear, something, she says, that came the washed-up alcoholic cop in Destroyer, after the fact. She is in Homs, Syria, a place but Pike inhabits her role more fully. She Cold Pursuit CERT tbc (118 mins) where houses, streets and whole districts never seems to be acting and is every inch Starring Liam Neeson, Laura Dern, Emmy have been reduced to rubble, decorated by the damaged, searching and highly intelli- Rossum, Tom Bateman, William Forsythe gent reporter that Colvin obviously was. Directed by Hans Petter Moland (USA) the entrails of its inhabitants. Her job is to share the fear, to give her subjects a voice Released Fri 15 Feb Liam Neeson is on the warpath again, this time seeking retribution for the death of his son at the hands of a drug cartel. The differ- ence this time is that Liam plays a snow- plough operator. It’s a remake of the 2014 On The Basis Of Sex The Rhythm Section CERT tbc Norwegian actioner In Order Of Disappear- CERT 12a (120 mins) Starring Blake Lively, Jude Law, Max Casella, ance, also directed by Hans Petter Moland. Starring Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Daniel Mays, Richard Brake, Sterling K Brown Released Fri 22 Feb Theroux, Sam Waterston, Kathy Bates, Cailee Directed by Reed Morano (UK/USA) Spaeny, Jack Reynor Stephanie Patrick (Blake Lively) was meant Directed by Mimi Leder (USA) to be on a flight that killed her family. Then That’s sex as in gender. Following the mar- she discovers that the crash was not an acci- vellously engaging documentary RBG last dent… Based on the novel by Mark Burnell month, now comes the dramatisation of the and directed by the former cinematographer early years of the iconoclastic Ruth Bader Reed Morano, so it should look good. Ginsberg, the Supreme Court justice who Released Fri 22 Feb fought the corner for her sex. Released Fri 22 Feb

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Visual Arts previews from around the region

Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, Sat 16 February - Sun 2 June The Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition makes a welcome return to the Herbert this month in the form of 100 stunning images. The on-show pics were selected by expert judges and drawn from a staggering 45,000-plus entries, the images being rated for their creativity, originality and technical excellence. Open both to professional and amateur snappers, the competition celebrates biodiversity, promotes conservation and champions ethical photography. In the process, it also provides visitors with the opportunity to view dramatic landscapes and endangered habitats, as well as to come face-to-face with some of the

world’s most bizarre species. © Marsel van Oosten - Wildlife Photographer of the Year the of Photographer Wildlife - Oosten Marsel van ©

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Visual Arts

Pick Of The Pops Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 2 February - Sun 1 September Wolverhampton Art Gallery boasts the UK’s largest collection of Pop Art outside of London - so it’s hardly surprising that the venue frequently mounts exhibitions celebrating the hugely influential 20th century art movement. This particular show is a little different from its predecessors, however, with visitors being given the chance to vote for their favourite on-display work of art. The re- sults will then be used to form the gallery’s very own ‘pick of the Pops’… Featured image is Colour Her Gone by Pauline Boty (1962) Leonardo da Vinci: A Life In Drawing and copyright is the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Artist’s Estate. Fri 1 February - Mon 6 May Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery’s (BMAG) display of 12 drawings by Leonardo da Vinci forms part of a nationwide Drawing Out The Sound event to mark the 500th anniversary of the artist’s death. Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham, Featuring a total of 144 of the Renaissance master's greatest until Sun 19 May artworks, drawn from the Royal Collection and displayed in 12 simultaneous exhibitions across the country, A Life In Drawing provides the widest-ever UK audience with the opportunity to see the work of a truly extraordinary artist. None of the 12 drawings on display at BMAG have ever before been seen in Birmingham. The exhibition is accompanied by a series of talks and tours, as well as a programme of events aimed at ‘bringing to life’ Leonardo’s techniques, to enhance visitors’ appreciation of the drawings on show.

The Range snacks, hysteria, diversity initiatives, grief, sadness, flu, joy, irreverence and Eastside Projects, Birmingham, until Sat 27 April pleasure. We hope you enjoy the show.” “The Range is an exhibition approached A bravura display of drawings and prints by as an artwork,” explains its curator, Re- artists ranging from Dürer to Renoir, Drawing hana Zaman. “It uses instinct and intu- Out The Sound explores the ways in which vi- ition as a guiding principle, bringing sual artists have risen to the challenge of depict- together a group of people and sharing ing music and sound through the silent media resources, both material and emotional, of graphic art. to realise an idea. The exhibition coincides with the Barber’s loan “The artists gathered in this show, and of the National Portrait Gallery’s Johan Zoffany for the purposes of this show, speak to a masterpiece, The Sharp Family. The sumptu- sentiment, an attitude, a conviction; ously painted artwork depicts 13 musicmaking they have the range. All have shown relatives who captivated 18th century audiences work or created a public discussion that with al-fresco performances from their barge on I have found myself drawn to. All the the Thames. artists have crafted new works for the The painting, never before seen outside London, show - a show initiated by one group is the centrepiece of a Barber programme of gathering in October 2018, a WhatsApp events and presentations - including Drawing group chat and endless email threads. Out The Sound - which has been designed to in- “We discuss suns and moons, rice vestigate the subject of music in art.

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Award FINALISTS in each category announced! VOTE for your WINNER! Readers’ What’sOn Awards

Yes, you VOTED in your thousands in the first round of nominations in the What’s On Readers’ Awards - over 15,000 votes across the West Midlands region!Now it’s time for you to VOTE once more to choose your ultimate WINNER in each category! Here are the award shortlist finalists:

Midlands Large Theatre Broadway Messiah - Symphony Hall l Birmingham Hippodrome l Birmingham Royal Ballet: Sleeping l Welsh National Opera: War & Peace - l Belgrade Theatre - Coventry Beauty Birmingham Hippodrome l Royal Shakespeare Theatre - Stratford l Birmingham Royal Ballet: The l The Alexandra Theatre - Birmingham Nutcracker Best Touring Theatre Play/Show l The REP - Birmingham l Matthew Bourne: Cinderella l Blood Brothers l Wolverhampton Grand Theatre l Transitions Dance Company Triple Bill l Brighton Rock l Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde Best Touring Musical Best Orchestra/Choir l The Play That Goes Wrong l Dirty Dancing l Birmingham Cathedral Choir l War Horse l Jersey Boys l Birmingham Gay Symphony l Mamma Mia Orchestra Best Pantomime in l Matilda l Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra The Midlands 2018/19 l Wicked l CBSO l Dick Whittington - Lichfield Garrick l Shrewsbury Symphony Orchestra l Mother Goose - Theatre Severn Best Home-Produced Show l Peter Pan - Birmingham Hippodrome l A Christmas Carol - RSC l Sleeping Beauty - Belgrade Theatre Best Classical/Operatic l Boogie Nights - The Alexandra Theatre l Sleeping Beauty - Production l Once Upon A Mattress - Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Birmingham Cathedral Choir: The Lichfield Garrick l Divine Beauty - Birmingham Cathedral l Pinocchio - The Old Rep Best Kids Show l Birmingham Philharmonic: War & l The Wizard Of Oz - The REP l Awful Auntie Peace - The Bramall l Disney On Ice: Dream Big l CBSO: Spectacular Classics - l Disney On Ice: Best Dance Production Symphony Hall Worlds Of Enchantment l Anton & Erin: From Hollywood To l City Of Birmingham Choir: Handel’s l Elf: A Christmas Spectacular VOTE today atwhatsonlive.co.uk

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#readersawards2019

l The Snowman Annie - Belgrade Theatre l Adam Bennett - The Cross in l Get Your Wigle On: Grease - Theatre Kenilworth, Warwickshire Best Arts/Cultural Festival Severn, Shrewsbury l Adam Stokes - Adams, Birmingham l Artsfest - Wolverhampton l Lichfield Operatic Society: Avenue Q - l Brad Carter - Carters Of Moseley, l Birmingham Comedy Festival Lichfield Garrick Birmingham l Birmingham Fest l Glynn Purnell - Purnell’s, Birmingham l Birmingham International Dance Best Comedy Night l Josh Crouch - CSONS, Shrewsbury Festival l Comedy Carousel at l Lichfield Arts’ Fuse Festival The Glee Club - Birmingham Best Midlands Food Festival l Comedy at Henry Tudor House, l Colmore Food Festival - Birmingham Best Exhibition Shrewsbury l Foodies Festival Birmingham l Coming Out: Sexuality, Gender & l Funhouse Comedy - Birmingham & l Lichfield Food Festival Identity - Birmingham Museum & Art West Midlands l Ludlow Food Festival Gallery l Just The Tonic - Birmingham l Shrewsbury Food Festival l Dippy The Dinosaur - Birmingham l Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Museum & Art Gallery Best Street Food Vendor l LEGO: Brick History - Shrewsbury Best Midlands Music Venue l Bournville Waffle Co Museum & Art Gallery l Arena Birmingham l Dick’s Smokehouse l Real Bodies: The Exhibition - NEC, l O2 Academy - Birmingham l Press De Cuba Birmingham l Resorts World Arena - Birmingham l Urban Cheesecake l Women. Power. Protest - Birmingham l Symphony Hall, Birmingham l Vegan Grindhouse Museum & Art Gallery l The Empire - Coventry Best Amateur Best Midlands Market Best Midlands Music Festival Dramatic/Operatic Group Production l Beckett’s Farm - Birmingham l Birmingham Pride l Birmingham & Midland Operatic l Bullring Indoor Market - Birmingham Download Society: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang l l FarGo Village - Birmingham l Godiva l Birmingham Ormiston Academy: Lord l Moseley Arts Market - Birmingham Moseley Folk Festival Of Flies - The Old Rep Theatre, l l Shrewsbury Market Hall Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Birmingham l Best Midlands Chef l Coventry Musical Theatre Society:

What’sOn FINALISTS in each REGION

BIRMINGHAM Best Music l Birmingham Lit Fest Gardens Best Indoor Event Best Independent Festival l Flatpack l Birmingham Museum Restaurant & Art Gallery l Birmingham Best Arts/Theatre International Tattoo l Carters Of Moseley l Birmingham Pride Best Food l Cadbury World l British Athletics Indoor l Little Blackwood Venue l Birmingham & Solihull l National Sealife Festival/Event Championships l The Meat Shack l Crescent Theatre Jazz & Blues Festival Centre l Crufts l Original Patty Men l Core Theatre, Solihull l MADE Festival l BBC Good Food l Thinktank l MCM Birmingham Purnell’s Midlands Arts Centre l Moseley Folk Show l l Comic Con l The Old Joint Stock l Mostly Jazz, Funk & l Birmingham Cocktail Soul Weekend Best Outdoor l Polar Express B’ham l The Old Rep Best Independent Colmore Food Festival Event l The REP l Coffee Shop Best Arts l Digbeth Dining Club l Birmingham Frankfurt Best Gallery/ Cherry Reds Cafe Bar Best Music Venue Festival l Foodies Festival at Christmas Market Exhibition Venue l Cannon Hill Park l Damascena Coffee l Ice Skate Birmingham The Barber Institute l The Asylum l Arts & Science Fest l House l Magical Lantern Birmingham Museum l The Glee Club (University of B’ham) l l Java Lounge Best Visitor Festival Birmingham & Art Gallery l Hare & Hounds l Birmingham Comedy l Wayland’s Yard Attraction l Summer in Southside Coffin Works l The Jam House Festival l l Yorks Cafe & Coffee l We Are Balsall Heath l IKON Gallery l The Night Owl l Birmingham Int Dance l Birmingham Back to Street Market Roasters Festival Backs l Midlands Arts Centre l Birmingham Botanical and choose your WINNER!

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What’sOn FINALISTS in each REGION

Best Independent l Il Michaelango, Best Gallery/ Best Independent l National Memorial l Shrewsbury Literary Bar/Pub Brierley Hill Exhibition Venue Restaurant Arboretum Festival l The Old Glasshouse, l Tamworth Castle l Wellington Arts l 1000 Trades CET Building, Bolero Bar & Kitchen, Dudley l l Festival l The Old Crown, Coventry Worcester Best Event Digbeth l Compton Verney l Dine India, l Cathedral Illuminated Best Visitor Coventry Music Bromsgrove l The Old Joint Stock WARWICKSHIRE l at Lichfield Cathedral Attraction l The Plough, Harborne Museum l The Old Rectifying l Fireworks Spectacular Attingham Park l The Prince Of Wales, l Herbert Art Gallery House, Worcester at Drayton Manor l Best Arts/Theatre l British Ironworks Moseley l Leamington Spa Art l The Olive Branch, l Lichfield Proms in Venue Gallery & Museum Worcester Beacon Park Centre, Oswestry l The Orangery, l Hawkstone Park & l Albany Theatre, l Scarefest at Alton BLACK COUNTRY Coventry Best Independent Redditch Towers Follies l Belgrade Theatre, Restaurant l Staffordshire County l Ironbridge Museums l Severn Valley Railway, Coventry Shields Of Henley STAFFORDSHIRE Show Best Arts/Theatre l Bridgnorth l Royal Shakespeare l The Cross, Kenilworth Venue Theatre, Stratford Best Independent l Dough And Brew, Best Event l Arena Theatre l Royal Spa Centre, Warwick Best Arts/Theatre Restaurant Chocolate Festival, l Forest Arts Centre, Leamington Spa l My Dhabba, Coventry Venue l 1709, The Brasserie l Walsall l Warwick Arts Centre Shrewsbury l Simmer Down l Lichfield Garrick l Mackenzies, Lichfield Grand Theatre, l Ludlow Medieval l Restaurant, Coventry l Mitchell Arts Centre, l The New Olive Tree, Wolverhampton Best Music Venue Stoke-on-Trent Cheadle Fayre Light House Media Shrewsbury Flower l The Assembly, WORCESTERSHIRE l New Vic Theatre, l NOM Restaurant, l Centre, W’hampton l Show Leamington Spa Newcastle-under-Lyme Hanley l Newhampton Arts l Shropshire l The Kasbah, Coventry l Regent Theatre, l Olive Tree, Lichfield Centre, Wolverhampton Oktoberfest l Knights’ Wine Bar, Best Arts/Theatre Stoke-on-Trent l The Polar Express, Coventry Venue l Stafford Gatehouse SHROPSHIRE Best Music Venue The Tin Music & Arts, Theatre Telford Steam Railway l Artrix, Bromsgrove Coventry l l Brierley Civic Hall Huntingdon Hall, Warwick Arts Centre, l Best Music Venue Best Arts/Theatre l Dudley Town Hall l Worcester Best Gallery/ Coventry Eleven, Venue l Newhampton Arts l Malvern Theatres l Exhibition Venue Centre, Wolverhampton l Palace Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent l Theatre On The Steps l The Robin, Bilston Best Festival Redditch l Lichfield Guildhall l Theatre Severn l Bear Steps Art Gallery, Shrewsbury l The Slade Rooms, l Godiva Festival l Swan Theatre, l Victoria Hall, Hanley l The Hive, Shrewsbury l Coalbrookdale Wolverhampton l Leamington Food and Worcester l The Sugarmill, Stoke l The Place, Telford Drink Festival l The Underground, l Ludlow Assembly Gallery, Ironbridge l Stratford River Festival Best Music Venue Stoke Rooms l Shrewsbury Museum Best Visitor & Art Gallery l Warwick Folk Festival l The Boar's Head, Best Music Venue Attraction l Stratford-upon-Avon Kidderminster Best Music l Twenty Twenty l Albert's Shed, Gallery, Much Wenlock l Black Country Living Music Festival l Huntingdon Hall, Festival Worcester Shrewsbury l Willow Gallery, Museum Lichfield Arts' Fuse The Marr's Bar, l l The Buttermarket, Oswestry l Dudley Canal & Best Visitor l Festival Tunnel Trust Worcester Shrewsbury l Lichfield Blues & Attraction l Paradiddles Music l Havana Republic, Best Independent l Dudley Zoo Jazz Festival RAF Cosford Museum l Charlecote Park Cafe Bar, Worcester Shrewsbury l l Lichfield Festival Restaurant Wightwick Manor l Coventry Music l The Queen’s Head, l Henry Tudor House, l l Lichfield Festival Of l CSONS, Shrewsbury Museum Bromsgrove Shrewsbury Folk l Henry Tudor House, l Coventry Transport l The Hive, Shrewsbury l Staffs Fest Shrewsbury Best Event Museum Best Music l Hundred House, l Kenilworth Castle Festival l 100 Years Of The RAF Best Music Telford Festival, RAF Cosford l Warwick Castle l Bewdley Festival Best Arts Festival Big Feast, l The Olive Tree, 1940s Evening - Black l Bromsgrove Folk l Festival l Stoke-on-Trent Shrewsbury Country Living Museum Festival l Beardy Folk Festival Best Event l Lichfield Festival l Umai, Shrewsbury l Cosford Air Show l Upton Blues Festival l Farmer Phil’s Festival l Stafford Arts Festival l Peaky Blinders Nights l Art In The Park, l Upton Jazz Festival l Let’s Rock l Stoke Literary Festival at BCLM Leamington Spa l Worcester Music Shrewsbury Best Independent Festival l Tamworth Arts Festival l Wolverhampton l Coventry Steampunk l Shrewsbury Folk Café Literature Festival Carnival Festival l The Bird’s Nest Cafe, l Dragon Slayer at Best Event Best Food l Shropfest Shrewsbury Best Gallery/ Warwick Castle l Bromsgrove Light Festival l The Coffee House, Festival Of Exhibition Venue l Festival l Great British Food Best Food Shrewsbury Imagineers, Coventry l Malvern Food Festival Festival l Bilston Craft Gallery l CSONS at The Green l HSBC City Ride, l Worcester Festival l Lichfield Food Festival Festival l Dudley Museum Cafe, Ludlow Coventry l Worcester Food l Field to Fork At The Archives l Stafford Cheese & Ale l Ginger & Co. Festival Festival l Great British Food l Light House Shrewsbury Best Food l Worcester Stone Food & Drink Festival, Weston Park Media Centre, l l House Coffee Co. Oktoberfest Ludlow Food Festival Wolverhampton Festival/Event Festival l l Tamworth Food Gusto l Owestry Food & Drink l New Art Gallery, l Coventry Food And Best Visitor Festival Festival Walsall Drink Festival l Shrewsbury Food l Wolverhampton Digbeth Dining at Attraction l Festival Museum & Art Gallery Coventry Cathedral l Avoncroft,Bromsgrove Best Visitor l Fargo’s Vegan l Hanbury Hall Attraction VOTE Best Independent Festival, Coventry and Gardens l Alton Towers Best Arts Festival l West Mid Safari Park Restaurant l Royal Leamington l Cannock Chase l Church Stretton Arts Food & Drink Festival l Severn Valley Railway, Visitor Centre Festival Banks Bistro, Bewdley NOW! l l Warwick Food Festival l Drayton Manor l Ludlow Fringe Festival l Witley Court, Wolverhampton Theme Park l Oswestry Literary l Bella, Wolverhampton Worcester l Lichfield Cathedral Festival l Fiume, W’hampton

42 whatsonlive.co.uk Events February Copy.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 20:05 Page 1

Events previews from around the region Events

Lantern Walk Croome Park, Worcester, Sat 9 February

Visitors participating in this 1.5- mile walk around Croome’s pic- turesque grounds will be given a lantern and LED candle to take with them, so that they can help Race Retro disciplines including formula and circuit rac- light up the parkland as they make ing, rallying and motorcycling. Stoneleigh Park, Staffordshire their way along the route. Fri 22 - Sun 24 February Visitors also have the chance to purchase parts, The event is being held in aid of St spares, helmets and clothing from more than Richard’s Hospice in Worcester. The turbo-charged era of Formula One is cele- 250 specialist exhibitors - not to mention the brated at this year’s Race Retro. Zooming into opportunity to bag themselves a racing or rally its 17th year, the event showcases motorsport car in a special auction! Harry Potter Book Night Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust, Pirate And Princess Open Cockpits: Thurs 7 February Takeover Hunter and Phantom Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire, RAF Museum, Cosford, Sat 16 - Sun 24 February Fri 15 - Sun 24 February The RAF Museum Cosford is this half term opening up the Hawker Hunter F Mk4 cockpit for closer inspection. It’s also allowing visitors to take a seat inside the McDonnell Douglas Phan- tom FG1, featured as part of the museum’s National Cold War Exhibition. Alongside the cockpits will be a Cold War han- dling collection, consisting of helmets, life jackets and a collection of photos.

Well shiver those timbers and straighten that tiara - Alton Towers Resort is certainly the place to take your little pirates and princesses this Expelliarmus! Celebrating all half-term holiday! things Harry Potter, this ‘magical’ The popular visitor attraction is hosting a range evening of wizard fun features a of family-focused themed activities this month, spellbinding selection of free activ- including a disco, a treasure hunt, meet-and- ities for visitors to enjoy, including greets with CBeebies Land characters and the the chance to create their own chance to learn some essential pirate skills. wand, make magic potions and Away from the princess & pirate theme, visitors head out on a quest for some magi- can check out Sharkbait Reef to see a variety of cal creatures. amazing fish, splash around in the tropical sur- Participants are encouraged to don roundings of the Alton Towers Waterpark, and their very best Wizarding World enjoy a round of what’s being termed ‘extraordi- fancy dress for the event. nary’ golf. whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Events February Copy.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 20:05 Page 2

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Events previews from around the region Events

Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust Various Shakespeare Birthplace Trust venues, Sat 16 - Sun 24 February

There's plenty of fun to be had at Shakespeare's family homes this February half term, with a series of special events taking place across five venues. Highlights include a Jacobean sugar work workshop at Hall’s Croft, a chance to see the super- moon at a special stargazing event in the gardens of Shakespeare's Hands-on workshops also feature in the venue’s Pop-up Planetarium New Place, and the opportunity line-up of holiday attractions, with youngsters for younger audiences to have a Enginuity, Ironbridge, Shropshire, having the opportunity to use craft materials to Sat 16 - Sun 24 February go at creating their very own ver- design and make (and then take home) their very sion of a Shakespeare play in the Families can check out the night sky and dis- own space-themed model.... Budding as- puppet theatre. cover more about the solar system, distant stars tronomers can enjoy an evening of sky-gazing on and outer space in a pop-up planetarium at Iron- Tuesday the 19th, complete with the chance to bridge Gorge Museums’ Enginuity this half-term. see some fantastic star constellations. Jawsome Sharks National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham, Sat 9 February - Sun 10 March The National Sea Life Centre is promising that this brand new event will have plenty of ‘extra bite’, as families come face-to-fin with some of the venue’s most ‘jawsome’ species in the UK’s only 360-degree Ocean Tunnel. The fully immersive experience gives visitors the chance to check out a number of sharks, including the Black-tip Reef, Nurse and Zebra varieties. Younger visitors, meanwhile, can become Jawsome Shark Rangers Caravan, Camping & tion and advice about where to head for and by helping Professor Finn to find what to do when they get there. some missing sharks’ teeth. Motorhome Show The six-day event also features plenty of free NEC, Birmingham, Tues 19 - Sun 24 February activities and attractions, including the Holiday The UK’s biggest showcase of motorhomes, Park Experience, bringing a park holiday to life campervans, caravans, caravan holiday homes and including a climbing wall, play area, and lodges returns to Birmingham this month. bushcraft classes and more. Visitors to the show can check out all the new- Other features include a top dog arena, a full season models and products, stock up on their programme of speakers, live cookery demon- holiday accessories. and gather ideas, inspira- strations and motorhome manoeuvring tuition.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Thomas & Friends Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire, Sat 9 - Sun 24 February

Thomas the Tank Engine fans are certainly well catered for at Dray- ton Manor Park this half term. The Staffordshire visitor attraction is home to Europe’s only Thomas Land and will be running numerous rides during the holiday period, including Harold Helicopter Tours, Bertie Bus and Cranky Crane. Among the venue’s other half- SPAR British Athletics not-to-be-missed opportunity to see some of the term highlights are selected fam- UK’s finest performers coming together for a ily-favourite rides around the Indoor Championships weekend of high-quality action. park (not including the thrill Arena Birmingham, Sat 9 & Sun 10 February The championships comprise a total of 13 events - rides), live shows with the Fat This is the 63rd edition of the indoor champi- including the 60m sprint and 5,000m race walk - Controller and friends, and the onships, providing Midlands athletics fans with a and have a grand total of 26 titles up for grabs. chance to check out the 15-acre zoo, complete with red pandas Tika and Pema. Tattoo Freeze Whodunnit? Telford International Centre, Sat 2 & Sun 3 February Aston Hall, Birmingham, Sat 23 February Celebrating its 10th year and following on from the success of previous shows, this spe- Whodunnit? is described as a cialist event offers members of the general drop-dead-fun, time-travelling public the chance to get themselves tattooed mystery-trail aimed at families by one (or more!) of the 200-plus talented tat- and those young at heart. tooists who’ll be in attendance. Participants are invited to travel The two-day get-together also features bur- back to the Victorian era to find lesque performances, body painting, circus out who stole the precious and workshops and numerous trade stands sell- mystical Star of Al-Ara gem... ing everything from clothing to cupcakes. The wearing of Victorian costume for the event is greatly encour- RSC half-term activities aged but by no means essential. Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon, Mon 18 - Fri 22 February The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is hosting a range of workshops for young thespians during February half term, providing activities for children aged four to eight, nine to 12 and 13 to 17. Using approaches straight from the RSC rehearsal rooms, kids will have the opportunity to hone their talents in singing, clowning and set design. They also get the chance to reenact Shake- speare’s classic comedy, As You Like It. whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Events February Copy.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 20:06 Page 6

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Events previews from around the region Events

The Classic Dirt Bike Show Telford International Centre, Sat 16 & Sun 17 February

This annual off-road and road-racing show makes a welcome return. Multiple world, indoor and British Trials champion Dougie Lampkin and ‘BSA warrior’ John Banks have been confirmed as the star guests for 2019. The off-road leg- Discover Bostin’ sure-to-be-lively two-day event. ends will be giving fans the low- Black Country Fittle All manner of dishes and delights will be avail- down on their spectacular careers. able to sample as Black Country Living Museum The show also features an outdoor Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, characters cook up a storm. Younger visitors, autojumble, overflowing with bar- Sat 16 - Sun 24 February meanwhile, not only get to check out the tasty gains and boasting classic dirt Discover the Black Country’s “bostin’ fittle” tucker but can also enjoy street games, competi- bike machinery galore, from parts (‘good food’ in Black Country ‘spake’!) at this tions, crafts and street theatre. and spares to accessories, riding kits and bike projects. Dragon Hunt Chinese New Year Tamworth Castle, Sat 16 - Fri 22 February Of The Pig Tamworth Castle’s resident dragon, Ruby, and her brother, Hafgrim, have gone missing while Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, Sun 10 February playing a game of hide & seek. And they’re prob- The Potteries’ popular Chinese ably going to stay horribly lost too, unless some New Year celebrations are back, young and enthusiastic half-term-holiday visi- this time welcoming in the Year of tors are willing to put in the hard yards to help the Pig. find them!... The dragon hunt is just one of nu- Highlights of the event include merous dragon-based activities taking place at traditional music and dance, with the castle this month; kids can also learn how to dragon, lion and unicorn dance decorate the dragon’s den, identify dragon eggs Nick Sharratt’s Right performances all featuring. and have a go at a dragon-related craft. Royal Drawalong Chinese craft workshops, fire- The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, crackers and acrobatics are also Tues 19 February included in the day’s programme Grab your pencils & paper and join acclaimed of entertainment. children’s writer and illustrator Nick Sharratt as he hosts a fun-filled family-friendly drawalong. Nick will show participants how to sketch favourite characters, including Tracy Beaker and Timothy Pope, and share ways of creating fantastic creatures like dragons and uni- corns. And to celebrate his latest book, Nice Work For The Cat And The King, everything will have a special 'royal' twist!

whatsonlive.co.uk 49 Paws Cafe for online mag.qxp_Layout 1 31/01/2019 10:36 Page 1

Feline coffee shop is just purr-fect... Paws Cafe opens in Shrewsbury Paws Cafe for online mag.qxp_Layout 1 31/01/2019 10:36 Page 2

Where did you get the inspiration for want it there then just stand up and it will get meaning most cats are done at the same time. Paws Cafe? off. It’s very much the cats’ home here, and It’s nice for the vet to see them in their natu- you’re coming into that, so we have a hatch at ral environment. Whatever the cats need, we James is an engineer and I’m a teacher. About the top where we keep the food and the litter will go out and get it. For example, when we two years ago, we both went through a tough trays, so if they want time out from the cafe, got Elsa, she was underweight, so we took time at work; too many hours, late nights, they can simply go up there. her to the vets straight away and they advised early mornings, and didn’t reap any benefit us about what food and milk we needed. And from it. We have the coffee counter, and some drinks Cleo has a very specific breed gastro food. It are available in the price that you pay. We We’ve got a cat at home and for James’s birth- can all be very expensive, but it’s not a ques- have a selection of cakes and tray cakes, day, my mum got him tickets to the Manches- tion of price but of the cats’ well-being. cookies and things like that, but it’s basically ter cat cafe. We were only supposed to be about just spending time with the cats. We do You’re planning film nights... there for an hour, but we really, really en- have to explain to people that it’s not a zoo or joyed it and found it so calming and relaxing. We’re going to do them every Friday evening, a circus and we can’t guarantee that the cats It was lovely spending time with their cats. starting in February, to ease everyone in. We will interact. We went home feeling quite good about our- do have a premises licence, so you can come selves and quite interested in the concept. We What’s the minimum time people can and have a beer and some popcorn. They will looked into it and found out that there were stay? probably be cat-themed and we’ll put them quite a few popping up in the UK, though on rotation. Because the cinema is quite a The minimum stay is 30 minutes, and then mainly in big cities. Then we went back to small, intimate space, the cats will come and we charge for every five minutes after that. work on the Monday, had another stressful snuggle and watch the film with you. We do have some vouchers that proved very week and just ended up thinking, let’s give it popular over Christmas; if you have vouchers Is there anything else you’re thinking a go, as it had got to the point where we or you have very young children, then you about introducing? didn’t want to do what we were doing any- will need to book. We don’t currently have an more. Yes, James came up with a lovely idea that age-restriction in place like a lot of the other links in with the ‘parent policy’ because we So why Shrewsbury? cat cafes do. We’ve decided that for the first don’t really want to enforce an age limit. So couple of weeks we will run a ‘parent policy’. I’m orignally from Crewe in Cheshire and in February, probably over the half-term holi- It will be up to the parents to make sure their James is from Ludlow, but we live in Telford. day, we’re holding the Cat Academy. If children abide by the rules. So for example, if We often come into Shrewsbury and quite younger children want to come, parents can some children start playing around and like the smaller, one-off, quirky sorts of bring them and do activities or workshops to stressing the cats, the mum and dad will be places, so we actually thought it was an ideal learn about what to do if you were to have a given a warning or alternatively asked to town. But to be honest, we didn’t think we pet, and that it’s not just all cuddles. We’ll be leave because the cats’ welfare is the priority could afford it. But we had a look around at having a variety of workshops on subjects for us. different areas within the town centre and like which types of food they’ll eat, litter came across a few that we really liked and Are there any stand-out personalities trays, what you need to protect them from thought might work for us. among the cats? and when to take them to the vets. When you complete those workshops, you get a certifi- Once you’d found your ideal premises, I think for us the Bengals are the obvious cate and a badge. were there any obstacles to moving things ones. We nicknamed them ‘the raptors’ be- forward? cause they’re so energetic. Bengals have a How did you choose which breeds you bad reputation because they’re so mischie- were going to have? Yes. We looked into it and thought we may vous and very active all the time, unlike other have to have a cattery licence. Other cafes With a lot of research, really. We’ve been to cats who tend just to sit and have a cuddle on offer things like an adoption service or a re- see a lot of cats! It’s quite easy to go with the your knee. But because ours have been hand- homing service, and because they’re doing ‘business head’ on and say, this is our budget reared, they do have that softer side where that, they need a cattery licence. But because - but each cat is individual and different. So they do want the cuddles and the fuss. these are our pets, we didn’t. for example, the Bengals are a lot softer and Cleo is our Canadian Sphynx. We got her more affectionate than a traditional Bengal Talk us though the visitor experience... thinking that she’d be a bit like Marmite - might be, so it was very much a case of want- We take walk-ins and bookings - because you’d either love or hate her. I did take some ing the cats to choose us. So we researched we’re only just opening, we’ve said to people convincing because of the look, so we did the breeds to see if they were suited to an in- that they’re more than welcome to wait in the have a look at other breeds. She’s very affec- door environment and would socialise with reception area, but that it might be a bit of a tionate and loving and can get a little posses- other cats. wait as we’re busy with bookings at the mo- sive with other cats! ment. When they come to the reception desk, How do you look after the cats’ welfare? they’re given some information about the Paws Cafe is sited at 53 Mardol Head, cats and the rules of the cafe. For example, if All of the cats have got a care plan with Shrewsbury, SY1 1PP. Visit a cat is sleeping or walking away from you, Vets4Pets, so they all have monthly de- www.pawscafe.co.uk for further don’t interrupt what it’s doing, don’t pursue fleaing and worming. They’ve all had their information it or pull its tail. And if it comes and sits on vaccinations or are having their boosters, so your lap, your can stroke it, but if you don’t we do have a vet coming in once a month, The List Cover February Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 12:24 Page 1

50 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Cover February Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 12:24 Page 2

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

Chinese New Year Celebrations at The Arcadian, Birmingham - Sun 10 February

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

What’s On Fri 1 to Sun 10 February Mon 11 to Sun 17 February Mon 18 to Sun 24 February Mon 25 to Thurs 28 February

Lenny Henry at Royal Wolf at The REP, Birmingham The Shy Manifesto at Gary Delaney at Birmingham Conservatoire Mon 11 - Wed 13 February The Old Joint Stock Theatre Artrix, Bromsgrove Wed 6 February Fri 22 - Sat 23 February Thurs 28 February

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List Birmingham 1-3 February.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 15:08 Page 1

thelist THROUGHOUT FEBRUARY Gigs RBSA Gallery ENTER SHIKARI Fri 1 Feb, O2 Academy, Visual Arts NEW CARNIVAL Inspired by the extrav- Birmingham agant carnivals of New Orleans and Birmingham Museum & Brazil, this exhibition includes bright THE SNAKE DAVIS TRIO Art Gallery jewellery, vivid ceramics and luxuri- Fri 1 Feb, Pizza Ex- ous textiles, Mon 4 Feb - Sat 1 June press Live, B’ham WOMEN POWER PROTEST Inspired by KING KING the bold work of feminist artists and NEW BRIAN FLETCHER Membranes and Fri 1 Feb, Birmingham Town Hall activists, Women Power Protest aims Fascias - A fascination with derelict to raise awareness, provoke debate industrial sites has led Brian to pro- HER’S Fri 1 Feb, The and assess how much has changed duce paintings based on the textures Sunflower Lounge, for women, until Sun 31 Mar and palimpsests of old walls and Birmingham rusting metal surfaces, Mon 11 Feb - DAZED PRESENTS WITHIN AND WITHOUT: BODY IMAGE AND Sat 23 Mar THE SELF Exhibition examining how PLAYAZ Fri 1 Feb, The social, historical and cultural factors NEW GEORGE JACKSON Exhibition of Mill, Birmingham forms resulting from techniques and affect body image, and how this is ex- WALK LIKE A MAN - CEL- Liela Moss - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham processes employed in pursuit of a pressed through objects and art- EBRATION OF FRANKIE creative equilibrium, Mon 11 Feb - T.REXTASY Fri 1 - Sat 2 Falcon, Birmingham works, until Sun 5 May VALLI AND THE FOUR Sat 6 Apr Feb, Artrix, Broms- VNV NATION TOO CUTE!: SWEET IS ABOUT TO GET SEASONS Fri 1 Feb, Sat 2 Feb, grove The Assylum, B’ham SINISTER A range of artworks that NEW PHOTOGRAPHIC PRIZE EXHIBITION Sutton Coldfield Town HERITAGE: X-PRESS 2, show different takes on cuteness, The third RBSA Photographic Prize Hall HAYLEY KIYOKO Sun 3 exhibition is in partnership with Ar- KELVIN ANDREWS AND from contemporary-based issues to THE ILLEGAL EAGLES Fri Feb, O2 Academy, gentea Gallery and will be displayed PHIL GIFFORD Sat 2 19th century oil paintings, until Sun 1 Feb, The Alexandra Birmingham across both venues, Thurs 14 Feb - Feb, Hare & Hounds, 12 May Theatre, Birmingham ELVIS LIVES Sun 3 Feb, Sat 9 Mar Birmingham COLLECTING BIRMINGHAM: WHO IS Symphont Hall, Birm- BLACKBALLED Fri 1 Feb, KAISER CHIEFS Sat 2 BIRMINGHAM? Discover new collec- ingham Scruffy Murphys, Birm- Feb, O2 Academy, tions that reflect the experiences of The Barber Institute ingham Birmingham STEVE LAMACQ - GOING diverse Birmingham people - from NEW RECOVERY ART 2019 Recovery Art DEAF FOR A LIVING Sun COMMON PEOPLE Fri 1 BUDDY HOLLY’S WINTER working lives to community activists Group provides an invaluable safe 3 Feb, The Slade Feb, The Night Owl, DANCE PARTY Sat 2 and protest movements, until Sun 27 space for people recovering from Rooms, W’hampton Birmingham Feb, The Core Theatre, Oct physical or mental ill health. The exhi- HYENA KILL / KILLER Solihull DARIA KULESH Sun 3 bition features new paintings and BOB: GRUNGE NOISE Feb, The Slade sculptures alongside insights from MACKA B & THE ROOTS Eastside Projects NIGHT! Fri 1 Feb, The Rooms, Wolverhamp- the group in their own words, Fri 1 - RAGGA BAND Sat 2 Feb, Flapper, Birmingham ton MARK ESSEN: BUILD A WALL Mark cre- Sun 10 Feb The Robin, Bilston ates a barrier that talks about lives, JOE ARMON-JONES Sun NU GUINEA ( DJ SET + MARTIN YATES + MAY- invisible walls constructed by govern- 3 Feb, Hare & Hounds, LIVE KEYS) Fri 1 Feb, DAY Sat 2 Feb, The ments, maintained by factions of so- Other VISUAL ARTS Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- Sunflower Lounge, ciety and the media, prohibiting them FORWARD: NEW ART FROM BIRMINGHAM ingham Birmingham THE JONI MITCHELL from being part of wider society, until Group exhibition, including work by BONES PRESENTS A LIT- SONGBOOK Sun 3 Feb, Sat 23 Feb approximately 25 artists living and THE BONGOLIAN Sat 2 Lichfield Guildhall working in the city, that highlights the TLE SOMETHING Fri 1 Feb, The Night Owl, Feb, The Slade LIELA MOSS Sun 3 Feb, Grand Union depth and vitality of a wide range of Birmingham practices, until Sun 24 Mar, Medicine Rooms, Wolverhamp- Hare & Hounds, Birm- NEW LAUREN GAULT: DRYE EYES A se- ton SWEDE DREAMZ - ABBA ingham Bakery & Gallery, Birmingham TRIBUTE Sat 2 Feb, The ries of sculptural moments, through MIKE YOUNG Fri 1 Feb, YOUNG DRUMMER OF objects and sound, Fri 1 Feb - Sat 13 CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION Display of River Rooms, Stour- photographs drawn from the Univer- O2 Institute, B’ham bridge THE YEAR Sun 3 Feb, Apr Artrix, Bromsgrove sity Heritage Archive Collection held FRED ZEPPELIN Fri 1 AND YOU WILL KNOW US Feb, The River Rooms, GHETTS Ikon Gallery in the Cadbury Research Library, until BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD Sun 3 Feb, O2 Fri 29 Mar, Birmingham City Univer- Stourbridge Sat 2 Feb, Castle & Institute, Birmingham A MURDER OF CROWS Display of sity painted crows by artist Matthew Kris- NEW SKY ARTS LANDSCAPE ARTIST OF hanu, until Sun 10 Mar THE YEAR EXHIBITION The official exhibition in collaboration with Sky Arts MAC, Birmingham TV channel, showcasing three paintings from each of the eight finalists MATTHEW KRISHANU: THE SUN NEVER as well as the winning landscape, Sat SETS London-based painter Matthew 2 - Sun 3 Feb, Whitewall Birmingham Krishanu takes inspiration from a childhood spent in Bangladesh to NEW A WASTE LAND Joint exhibition produce dream-like, reflective paint- created by jewellery artists Dan Rus- ings, until Sun 10 Mar sell and Dauvit Alexander which sets out to question and challenge the ille- WAYS OF BELONGING Exhibition includ- gal dumping of consumer waste, ing works by Sabiheh Awanzai Mah- Mon 4 Feb - Fri 1 Mar, Vittoria Street moud, FreeHandFanatic, Farwa Gallery, Birmingham Moledina and Anisa Fazal. The artwork on show represents strong and NEW ART AT THE HEART Exhibition by empowered women, subverting the students of Art At The Heart CIC, stereotypes and offering a new way Wed 20 Feb - Mon 4 Mar, The Core of understanding what it means to Theatre, Solihull belong somewhere, until Sun 17 Mar King King - Birmingham Town Hall 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 1-3 February.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 15:08 Page 2

Friday 1 - Sunday 3 February

NOREEN KHAN, JUDI LOVE, ESTHER MAN- Classical Music ITO, MAUREEN YOUNGER & FATIHA EL- GHORRI Sun 3 Feb, The Glee Club, JONIAN-ILIAS KADESHA (VIOLIN) & Birmingham JEAN-SÉLIM ABDELMOULA (PIANO) Pro- gramme includes works by JS Bach, Beethoven & Ravel, Fri 1 Feb, The Barber Institute, Birmingham Theatre COME & SING! WITH THE BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR Programme comprises TIMON OF ATHENS Simon Godwin di- Elgar’s The Music Makers, Sat 2 Feb, rects Kathryn Hunter in Shake- Selly Oak Methodist Church, B’ham speare's satire on wealth, greed & betrayal, until Fri 22 Feb, The Swan DUO TROBAIRITZ: ROMANCE & REVELRY Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Part of Birmingham’s Early Music Festival and featuring Faye Newton TARTUFFE New updated version of (soprano) & Hazel Brooks (vielle), Moliere’s provocative French classic, Sun 3 Feb, The Barber Institute, Uni- until Sat 23 Feb, The Swan Theatre, Timon Of Athens - The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford-upon-Avon versity of Birmingham Birmingham, Sun 3 Feb ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS A Lichfield Players production, Wed 30 Jan - Sat Film THE GREATEST SHOWMAN (U) Musical. 2 Feb, Lichfield Garrick INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Starring Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams. This is a sing-a-long show- DADMAN: THE BATHTIME WARRIOR A THE FAVOURITE (15) Biography/Com- ing. The Alexandra Theatre, Birming- Comedy show for adults about not baby-sit- edy. Starring Olivia Colman, Emma ham, Sun 3 Feb ting your own kids. Warning: This Stone. Artrix, Bromsgrove, until Mon DARREN HARRIOTT - VISCERAL Fri 1 show uses moderately strong lan- 4 Feb Feb, The Glee Club, Birmingham guage and deals with adult themes, MARY POPPINS RETURNS (U) Adven- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: ANDREW DOYLE Fri 1 Feb, Artrix, Fri 1 Feb, Midlands Arts Centre, Birm- ture/Family. Starring Emily Blunt, Released from Fri 1 Feb, showing at Bromsgrove ingham Emily Mortimer. Midlands Arts Centre, selected cinemas ED GAMBLE Fri 1 Feb, The Old Rep, MISTRESS TO THE MIDNIGHT Spoof of Birmingham, until Thurs 21 Feb CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME (15) Birmingham the classic British horror film, Fri 1 - 9 TO 5 (15) Comedy. Starring Jane ESCAPE ROOM (15) SANDI TOKSVIG Fri 1 - Sat 2 Feb, Birm- Sat 2 Feb, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Fonda, Lily Tomlin. The Mockingbird ingham Hippodrome Birmingham Cinema, Birmingham, Fri 1 Feb GREEN BOOK (12a) THE ARSONISTS Alistair Beaton’s stag- COLETTE (15) Biography/Drama. Star- HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HID- ing of Max Frisch’s 1958 parable, Fri ring Keira Knightley, Eleanor Tomlin- DEN WORLD 1 - Sat 9 Feb, Hall Green Little The- son. Midlands Arts Centre, atre, Birmingham Birmingham, Fri 1 - Wed 6 Feb BLUE ORANGE Joe Penhall's darkly THE FRONT RUNNER (15) funny dissection of institutional Biography/Drama. Starring Hugh racism and mental health in modern Jackman, Vera Farmiga. The Mock- Events Britain, Fri 1 - Sat 16 Feb, The REP, ingbird Cinema, Birmingham, Fri 1 - OPEN ASTON Wander around the Birmingham Thurs 7 Feb grand old mansion, Sun 3 Feb, Aston STEVE STEINMAN’S VAMPIRE’S ROCK BEAUTIFUL BOY (15) Drama. Starring Hall, Birmingham Featuring special guest star Sam Bai- Steve Carell, Timothée Chalamet. ARTS MARKETS Featuring a range of ley, Sat 2 Feb, The Alexandra The- DARREN HARRIOTT Sat 2 Feb, Artrix, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, stalls with a broad selection of quality atre, Birmingham Bromsgrove Fri 1 - Thurs 7 Feb handmade products, including ce- THE SEAGULL The Crescent Theatre STEVE BUGEJA Sat 2 Feb, Lichfield DOWN TO EARTH (U) Documentary. Di- ramics, jewellery, paintings and craft Company present its version of Anton Garrick rected by Renata Heinen & Rolf Win- items, Sun 3 Feb, Midlands Arts Cen- Chekhov's acclaimed drama, Sat 2 - ters. Midlands Arts Centre, tre, Birmingham ANDREW BIRD, RACHEL FAIRBURN, JOSH Sat 9 Feb, Crescent Theatre, B’ham JONES & STEPHEN GRANT Sat 2 Feb, OCTOPUS SOUP! Nick Hancock stars in The Glee Club, B’ham a brand new British farce, Sat 2 - Sat IAN COGNITO, DANIEL MUGGLETON, JU- 16 Feb, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry LIAN DEANE & HAYLEY ELLIS Sat 2 Feb, SING-A-LONG-A THE GREATEST SHOW- The Comedy Loft, B’ham MAN Sun 3 Feb, The Alexandra The- HAL CRUTTENDEN - CHUBSTER Sat 2 atre, Birmingham Feb, The Old Rep, Birmingham

Kids Shows GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE MARTIANS Space-age pantomime, Fri 1 - Sat 2 Feb, The Core Theatre, Solihull

CURTIS WALKER, AURIE STYLA, JAY DROCH & MISS MO'REAL Sat 2 Feb, Talks Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham HIT THE ODE Evening of spoken-word, IMPROV COMEDY WITH BOX OF FROGS Fri 1 Feb, The Patrick Studio, Birm- Sun 3 Feb, The Glee Club, B’ham ingham Hippodrome Dadman: The Bathtime Warrior - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List Birmingham 4 - 10 February.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 15:25 Page 1

54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 4 - 10 February.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 15:25 Page 2

thelist Monday 4 - Sunday 10 February Thurs 7 Feb, The Birmingham STEVEN DEVINE (PERIOD PIANO) Pro- Gigs Robin, Bilston THIRD EYE COLLECTION - Classical gramme includes works by Schubert HANNAH BROWN Thurs 2019 LAUCH Sat 9 Feb, (arr. Gallay), Gounod and Gounod PSYCROPTIC & AVER- 7 Feb, Hare & Mama Roux’s, B’ham (arr. Brémond), Fri 8 Feb, The Barber SIONS CROWN Mon 4 Music Institute, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham SPINNING OFF - UB40 Feb, The Asylum, HARMONIE BAND BEATLEMANIA Thurs 7 TRIBUTE Sat 9 Feb, The Featuring Daniele ENDYMION Programme includes Birmingham Feb, The Bramall, Uni- Night Owl, B’ham Rosina (director) plus Sabrina Ko & works by Beethoven, Ligeti & ODUNSI (THE ENGINE) Olivia Tait (conductors). Programme Brahms, Fri 8 Feb, Artrix, Broms- versity of Birmingham HIDDEN AGENDA: BENNY Mon 4 Feb, Hare & includes works by Haydn, grove BEHEMOTH Thurs 7 PAGE, BRIAN BRAIN- Hounds, Birmingham Beethoven, arr. Friedrich Starke & ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE Feb, O2 Institute, STORM, DJ HYBRID, + Beethoven, arr. Wenzal Sedlak, Mon PROJECTS ORCHESTRA Featuring DAVID KEENAN Mon 4 Birmingham MORE! Sat 9 Feb, Hare 4 Feb, The Bramall, University of Feb, The Sunflower Daniele Rosina (conductor). Pro- FERRIS & SYLVESTER & Hounds, B’ham Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham gramme includes works by Britten, Thurs 7 Feb, The LOST SOCIETY: SAM CHINESE NEW YEAR’S SPECIAL Featur- Bartók & Rachmaninoff, Fri 8 Feb, RIVAL SONS Tues 5 Cuban Embassy, MITCHAM & DYLHEN Sat ing Didi Xiao (piano), Jiaxin Lloyd The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birming- Feb, O2 Academy, Birmingham 9 Feb, Hare & Webber (cello), Shui Zhao (face ham Conservatoire Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham GANGSTAGRASS Fri 8 changing artist) & Du Dan (Chinese EX CATHEDRA; BEGINNINGS & ENDINGS THE JEEPS Tues 5 Feb, traditional dancer), Tues 5 Feb, Sym- Feb, O2 Institute, THE BEST OF WHAM Sat Featuring Jeffrey Skidmore (conduc- The Jam House, Birm- phony Hall, Birmingham Birmingham 9 Feb, Artrix, Broms- tor), Katie Trethewey (soprano), ingham THE SPINOUT REVUE Fri grove Martha McLorinan (alto), Samuel THE FAIM Wed 6 Feb, 8 Feb, The Night Owl, GUYANA Sat 9 Feb, The Boden (tenor) & Greg Skidmore O2 Academy, B’ham Birmingham Sunflower Lounge, (bass). Programme includes works ROSETTA FIRE + CHAS- JARROD DICKENSON + Birmingham by Bach & Roth, Sat 9 Feb, The Bra- ING DEER Wed 6 Feb, JP RUGGIER Fri 8 Feb, AS YOU WERE - LIAM mall, University of Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- The Cuban Embassy, GALLAGHER TRUBUTE ORCHESTRA OF THE ROYAL OPERA ingham Birmingham Sat 9 Feb, Castle & HOUSE Also featuring Sir Antonio VERSATILE Wed 6 Feb, GIMME! GIMME! GIMME! Falcon, Birmingham Pappano (conductor) & Anita O2 Institute, B’ham ABBA AFTER MIDNIGHT BUCKCHERRY / HOOB- Rachvelishvili (soloist). Programme includes works by Stravinsky, Rach- BEN POOLE BAND Wed 6 Fri 8 Feb, Mama STANK Sun 10 Feb, O2 maninoff & Tchaikovsky, Sun 10 Feb, Feb, The Robin, Bil- Roux’s, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham KIAN SOLTANI IN RECITAL Also featur- Symphony Hall, Birmingham ston GEORGE FITZGERALD (DJ HUE AND CRY Sun 10 ing Mario Häring (piano). Pro- BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHES- THE BLACK FEATHERS SET) Fri 8 Feb, Hare & Feb, The Robin, Bil- gramme includes works by TRA Featuring Richard Laing (con- Wed 6 Feb, The Red Hounds, Birmingham ston Schumann, Franghiz Ali Zadeh, ductor) & Samantha Ward (piano). Lion Folk Club, B’ham BOYZONE Fri 8 Feb, SEAN MCGOWAN + SPE- David Helbock and Prokofiev, Tues 5 Programme includes iconic scores Genting Arena, B’ham CIAL GUESTS Sun 10 Feb, Symphony Hall, Birmingham KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY from the movies, Sun 10 Feb, The Feb, The Sunflower DUNEDIN CONSORT: APOLLO AND Wed 6 Feb, The Jam THE URBAN VOODOO Bramall, University of Birmingham House, Birmingham MACHINE Fri 8 Feb, Lounge, Birmingham DAPHNE Part of Birmingham’s Early Music Festival & featuring John Butt BETH ROWLEY: GOTA Lichfield Guildhall OLD FIRM CASUALS + (conductor), Rowan Pierce (so- FRIA - TRACING THE LINE DRONGOS FOR EUROPE TRANSATLANTIC SES- prano) & Matthew Brook (Bass). Pro- TOUR Wed 6 Feb, Sym- + SUCKERPUNCH Sun SIONS Fri 8 Feb, Sym- gramme comprises 3 works by phony Hall, B’ham phony Hall, 10 Feb, Castle & Fal- con, Birmingham Handel, Wed 6 Feb, The Barber Insti- Comedy KOVIC Thurs 7 Feb, O2 Birmingham tute, University of Birmingham TOM STADE Wed 6 Feb, The Glee Institute, Birmingham CHVRCHES Fri 8 - Sat 9 SOCIAL BEINGZ UK TOUR Sun 10 Feb, O2 Insti- ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: TASMIN LIT- Club, Birmingham SHOTTY HORROH LIVE Feb, O2 Academy, tute, Birmingham TLE PLAYS VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS MARK WATSON: THE INFINITE SHOW Thurs 7 Feb, Hare & Birmingham Also featuring David Le Page (violin). Wed 6 - Thurs 7 Feb, Artrix, Broms- Hounds, Birmingham CARNIVAL MAGNIFICO THE LUCID DREAM Sun Programme includes works by Vi- 10 Feb, Hare & grove THE GIRL FROM TIGER WITH BIG NARSTIE Sat 9 valdi, Arvo Pärt & Bach, Wed 6 Feb, Hounds, Birmingham ED BRIMSON, DOMINIC HOLLAND, DAVID BAY Thurs 7 Feb, The Feb, The Mill, B’ham Royal Birmingham Conservatoire CALLAGHAN & SULLY O'SULLIVAN Core Theatre, Solihull THE COUNTERFEIT KH WALK OF FAME PRE- CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- SENT MADE IN LIVER- Thurs 7 Feb, The George Hotel, THE CHRISTIANS Thurs STONES Sat 9 Feb, The CHESTRA: A HERO’S LIFE Featuring POOL BEATLES TRIBUTE Lichfield 7 Feb, The Jam Robin, Bilston Nikolaj Znaider (conductor) & Sun 10 Feb, Hare & ROB NEWMAN - TOTAL ECLIPSE OF House, Birmingham Steven Isserlis (cello). Programme OZZY OSBOURNE Sat 9 Hounds, Birmingham includes works by Strauss & Schu- DESCARTES Thurs 7 Feb, Midlands FOREVER SABBATH Feb, Genting Arena, mann, Wed 6 - Thurs 7 Feb, Sym- Arts Centre, Birmingham phony Hall, Birmingham LAURA LEXX, ANDREW STANLEY PLUS DANIEL LEBHART PIANO CONCERT Pro- COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- gramme includes works by SON Thurs 7 Feb, The Glee Club, Beethoven & Rachmaninoff, Thurs 7 Birmingham Feb, Royal Birmingham Conserva- LAURA LEXX, MARK NELSON, ADAM toire BLOOM & ANDREW STANLEY Fri 8 - Sat CBSO CENTRE STAGE: PÄRT & NIELSEN 9 Feb, The Glee Club, Birmingham Featuring Veronika Klirova (flute), SCOTT CAPURRO Fri 8 Feb, The Glee Emmet Byrne (oboe), Oliver Janes Club, Birmingham (clarinet) & Nikolaj Henriques (bas- GEORGE EGG - DIY CHEF Sat 9 Feb, Ar- soon). Programme includes works trix, Bromsgrove by Pärt, Nielsen & Vasks, Fri 8 Feb, JARRED CHRISTMAS, ROSCO MCLEN- CBSO Centre, Birmingham NAND, CHRIS WASHINGTON & HAYLEY BITE-SIZED BACH Fri 8 Feb, Organ ELLIS Sat 9 Feb, The Comedy Loft, Studio, Royal Birmingham Conserva- Birmingham toire Chvrches - O2 Academy, Birmingham LLOYD GRIFFITH Sun 10 Feb, The ANNEKE SCOTT (NATURAL HORN) & whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List Birmingham 4 - 10 February.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 15:25 Page 3

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Monday 4 - Sunday 10 February

thelist Birmingham, Fri 8 - Tues 12 Feb Feb, Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust AN IMPOSSIBLE LOVE (15) Drama/Ro- CHINESE NEW YEAR 2019 (DAY 1) Fea- mance. Starring Virginie Efira, Niels turing performances from Birming- Schneider. Foreign language, subti- ham Conservatoire & Dans Dance tled. Midlands Arts Centre, Birming- Company, Fri 8 Feb, St Philip’s ham, Fri 8 - Wed 13 Feb Cathedral & Grounds, Birmingham STAN & OLLIE (PG) Biography/Comedy. CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS (DAY Starring John C. Reilly, Shirley Hen- 2) Featuring a parade of lion and derson. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 8 - dragon dancers; acrobats and martial Thurs 14 Feb arts from Shaolin Warriors plus Hip- MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS (15) Biogra- Hop dance from Hong Kong born phy/Drama. Starring Saoirse Ronan, choreographer Si Rawlinson, Sat 9 Margot Robbie. Midlands Arts Centre, Feb, Bullring & Grand Central, Birm- Birmingham, Fri 8 - Thurs 14 Feb ingham GLASS (12a) Drama/Mystery. Starring CADBURY CHARACTER SHOWS Sat 9 - Sarah Paulson, Anya Taylor-Joy. The Sun 10 Feb, Cadbury World, B’ham Mockingbird Cinema, Birmingham, Lenny Henry In Conversation - Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Fri 8 - Thurs 14 Feb THE RAFT (12a) Documentary. Directed Glee Club, Birmingham by Marcus Lindeen. Midlands Arts VENUS VS MARS - BATTLE OF THE SEXES Dance Centre, Birmingham, Sat 9 - Tues 12 Featuring Kat B, Njambi McGrath, De- Feb siree Burch, Ashley Hesson & Axel MATTHEW BOURNE'S SWAN LAKE Blake, Sun 10 Feb, The Glee Club, Bourne’s famous reimagining of the Birmingham classic ballet features male dancers NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: as the swans, Tues 5 - Sat 16 Feb, JAWSOME SHARKS Help Professor Released from Wed 6 Feb, showing Birmingham Hippodrome Finn find the missing sharks’ teeth to at selected cinemas become a Jawsome Shark Ranger, JASMIN VARDIMON COMPANY: MEDUSA ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL (12) Sat 9 Feb - Sun 10 Mar, Sea Life Cen- A reflection on the powerful feminine tre, Birmingham symbol of Medusa, the myth and its ALL IS TRUE (12a) THOMAS & FRIENDS FEBRUARY HALF Theatre various connotations in contempo- BOY ERASED (15) BLUE ORANGE Joe Penhall's darkly rary life, Sat 9 Feb, Midlands Arts TERM Meet Thomas and his friends at IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK (15) funny dissection of institutional Centre, Birmingham Europe's only Thomas Land, Sat 9 - Sun 24 Feb, Drayton Manor Theme racism and mental health in modern CINDERELLA Britain, until Sat 16 Feb, The REP, Performed by the Rus- Park, Tamworth Birmingham sian State Ballet of Siberia, Sun 10 TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Explore over Feb, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre 500 stalls packed with all kinds of col- Events lectable toys, trains and models for CANDLELIT TOURS OF THE BACK TO sale, Sun 10 Feb, NEC, Birmingham BACKS Hear the stories of the ordinary CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS (DAY people who called Court 15 home for 3) Featuring acrobatics, circus, dance Talks over 160 years as you walk around performances and karaoke on two TRACEY THORN: ANOTHER PLANET Join the houses, Thurs 7 Feb, Birmingham stages plus, market stalls & fun fair, Thorn as she reconsiders the green- Back to Backs Sun 10 Feb, Chinatown, Birmingham THE GIRL FROM TIGER BAY Musical belt post-war dream, Mon 4 Feb, HARRY POTTER BOOK NIGHT An Hippodrome & The Arcadian, South- show chronicling the unique story of Symphony Hall, Birmingham evening of ‘fabulous free fun’, Thurs 7 side, Birmingham Dame Shirley Bassey, Thurs 7 Feb, LENNY HENRY IN CONVERSATION Wed 6 The Core Theatre, Solihull Feb, Royal Birmingham Conserva- THE TOXIC AVENGER: THE MUSICAL An toire aspiring earth scientist cleans up a POETRY JAM 6TH BIRTHDAY SPECIAL An toxic waste problem, in a show that’s open-mic night that promises to be based on the 1984 cult classic, Thurs ‘unfiltered, unapologetic and united’, 7 - Sat 16 Feb, Old Joint Stock The- Thurs 7 Feb, Birmingham Town Hall atre, Birmingham 'RENE & EDITH' COMEDY DINNER SHOW An eat and drink comedy experience in the company of ’Allo ’Allo’s René, Yvette, Edith, Lt Gruber and Herr Flick, Fri 8 - Sat 9 Feb, Lichfield Gar- Film rick INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: DI & VIV & ROSE The Crescent Theatre Company presents Amelia Bullmore's BERGMAN: A YEAR IN A LIFE (15) Docu- exploration of friendship, Sat 9 - Sat mentary. Directed by Jane Magnus- 16 Feb, Crescent Theatre, B’ham son. Foreign language, subtitled. Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Tues 5 - Thurs 7 Feb THE WARRIORS (18) Crime/Thriller. Starring Michael Beck, James Remar. The Mockingbird Cinema, Birming- Kids Shows ham, Fri 8 Feb GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE MARTIANS MONSTERS AND MEN (15) Drama. Star- Space-age pantomime, Fri 8 - Sat 9 ring Anthony Ramos, John David Feb, The Core Theatre, Solihull Washington. Midlands Arts Centre, Chinese New Year Celebrations - Birmingham Hippodrome

whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Birmingham 11 - 17 February.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 15:57 Page 1

thelist DONELL JONES Thurs WAKENING THE HOLLOW Gigs 14 Feb, O2 Institute, Fri 15 Feb, O2 Insti- Birmingham tute, Birmingham THE MURLOCS / NIGHT SPIELBERG’S + SPECIAL RUTS DC Fri 15 Feb, O2 BEATS Mon 11 Feb, GUESTS Thurs 14 Feb, Institute, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- The Sunflower WHITE LIES Fri 15 Feb, ingham Lounge, Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham HANSON Mon 11 Feb, MARC REBILLET Thurs BEANS ON TOAST Fri 15 Symphony Hall, Birm- 14 Feb, Hare & Feb, Castle & Falcon, ingham Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham WITT LOWRY Tues 12 ELAINE DELMAR Thurs HRH METAL Sat 16 - Feb, O2 Institute, 14 Feb, Pizza Express Sun 17 Feb, O2 Birmingham Live, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham KEITH SLATER’S 60S VOICE OF THE HEART - ADRIAN COX PRESENTS CELEBRATION Tues 12 Danielle de Niese - Royal Birmingham Conservatoire KAREN CARPENTER ‘PROFOUNDLY BLUE’ Sat Feb, The Core The- Thurs 14 Feb, Lichfield 16 Feb, Pizza Express RUSSELL WATSON Featuring Laura atre, Solihull Garrick Live, Birmingham Classical Wright (guest singer), Simon Chalk TEARS FOR FEARS Tues AYODI Thurs 14 Feb, THE CLASSIC ROCK (conductor) & Manchester Concert 12 Feb, Genting The Jam House, Birm- SHOW Sat 16 Feb, Orchestra, Sun 17 Feb, Symphony Arena, Birmingham ingham Birmingham Town Hall Music CHIP Tues 12 Feb, O2 SOMEONE LIKE YOU: THE PEACH Sat 16 Feb, LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT: PEDAL Institute, Birmingham ADELE SONGBOOK Thurs Hare & Hounds, Birm- POWER Mon 11 Feb, Birmingham WHENYOUNG Tues 12 14 Feb, The Core The- ingham Town Hall Feb, Hare & Hounds, atre, Solihull BILL RYDER JONES Sat BOCCHERINI CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL Birmingham VEIN, HIGHER POWER : 16 Feb, Castle & Fal- Mon 11 - Tues 12 Feb, Royal Birm- THUNDER - PLEASE RE- BIRMINGHAM - LESS con, Birmingham ingham Conservatoire MAIN SEATED Tues 12 THAN HALF LEFT! Thurs THE CURV3 Sat 16 Feb, BINCHOIS CONSORT: MUSIC FOR ST Feb, Symphony Hall, 14 Feb, The Flapper, The Night Owl, Birm- CATHERINE & THE HISTORIC SCOTLAND Birmingham Birmingham ingham Programme includes works by Wal- HOT 8 BRASS BAND MALLORY KNOX Thurs ter Frye & John Dunstaple, Wed 13 SUM CELLAR Sat 16 Tues 12 Feb, Hare & 14 Feb, The Asylum, Feb, The Barber Institute, University Feb, Mama Roux’s, Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham of Birmingham Hall, Birmingham Birmingham WILD NOTHING/J FER- MICHAEL STARRING BEN CBSO: SIBELIUS & GRIEG Featuring EX CATHEDRA: PURCELL, THE INDIAN I.O.T.A Sat 16 Feb, NADEZ Tues 12 Feb, Fri 15 Feb, Lichfield Mirga Gražinyte-Tyla (conductor), QUEEN Programme features evoca- Lichfield Guildhall Mama Roux’s, B’ham Garrick Klara Ek (soprano), CBSO Chorus & tive Latin American Baroque music POST MALONE Sat 16 the CBSO Youth Chorus. Pro- unearthed by Jeffrey during his visits POLYPHIA Wed 13 Feb, CASH Fri 15 Feb, O2 Feb, Genting Arena, gramme includes Esa-Pekka Salo- to Mexico and Bolivia, Sun 17 Feb, O2 Academy, B’ham Academy, Birmingham Birmingham nen, Rautavaara, Sibelius & Grieg, Birmingham Town Hall PROFESSOR GREEN G2-DEFINITIVE GENISES THE SEARCHERS Thurs 14 Feb, Symphony Hall, Birm- Wed 13 Feb, O2 Insti- Fri 15 Feb, The Robin, FAREWELL CONCERT ingham tute, Birmingham Bilston TOUR Sat 16 Feb, Ar- DANIELLE DE NIESE - VALENTINE’S SPE- ANOTHER SKY Wed 13 STONE BROKEN Fri 15 trix, Bromsgrove CIAL Thurs 14 Feb, The Bradshaw Feb, Hare & Hounds, Feb, The Mill, B’ham THE DEAD SOUTH Sun Hall, Royal Birmingham Conserva- Comedy Birmingham THE LEMONHEADS Fri 17 Feb, O2 Institute, toire ROB DEERING, JANE GODLEY FEATURING 15 Feb, O2 Academy, HOLY HOLY Wed 13 Birmingham AN EVENING OF MUSIC AND DANCE COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- Feb, Birmingham Birmingham UK PINK FLOYD EXPERI- WITH BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET & SON (THURS). ALISDAIR BECKETT-KING Town Hall MISS KIDDY AND THE ENCE Sun 17 Feb, The THE ROYAL BALLET SINFONIA Pro- & ROBIN MORGAN (FRI & SAT) Thurs 14 THE LOST NOTES Wed CADS Fri 15 Feb, Pizza Alexandra Theatre, gramme includes works by Verdi, - Sat 16 Feb, The Glee Club, B’ham 13 Feb, The Red Lion Express Live, B’ham Birmingham Orff/Bintley, Copland, Prokofiev/Bint- ANDREW MAXWELL - SHOWTIME Fri 15 Folk Club, B’ham ART BRUT Fri 15 Feb, ley, Berlioz, Elgar, Brubeck/Bintley & Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove AMINÉ Sun 17 Feb, Smetana, Fri 15 Feb, Symphony WHITE DENIM Wed 13 Hare & Hounds, Birm- The Mill, Birmingham Hall, Birmingham MANDY MUDEN - CUNNING STUNTS Fri Feb, O2 Institute, ingham JAPANESE TELEVISION 15 Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove Birmingham FRANÇAIX WIND TRIO Featuring Jacob SABREPULSE, NEON STUART GOLDSMITH (PICTURED), KANE + GUESTS Sun 17 Feb, Perkins (oboe), Will Hammond (clar- THE ELVIS YEARS Wed ASYLUM, FIGURE.09 & BROWN, IGNACIO LOPEZ & HAYLEY Hare & Hounds, Birm- inet) & Dominic O’Sullivan (bas- 13 Feb, Wolverhamp- CHROMATOUCH Fri 15 ELLIS ingham soon). Programme includes works Sat 16 Feb, The Comedy Loft, ton Grand Theatre Feb, The Flapper, Birmingham Birmingham VENUS VOICES AND by Ibert Cinq, Beethoven, Bradbury, VALERAS + SPECIAL MAGIC VOICES IN CON- Françaix & Poulenc, Fri 15 Feb, CREEDANCE CLEARWA- GUESTS Wed 13 Feb, CERT Sun 17 Feb, The Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery The Sunflower TER REIMAGINED Fri 15 Core Theatre, Solihull CONSORTIUM 5 Part of Birmingham’s Lounge, Birmingham Feb, Artrix, Broms- grove THE X FACTOR LIVE Early Music Festival. Programme in- TOUR 2019 Sun 17 Feb, cludes works by Dowland, Tye, Pur- Genting Arena, Birm- cell & Byrd, Fri 15 Feb, The Barber ingham Institute, University of Birmingham ROY G HEMMINGS Sun CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- 17 Feb, Lichfield Gar- CHESTRA: PEER GYNT AND THE SEA rick Featuring Mirga Gražinyte-Tyla (con- FAIRPORT CONVENTION ductor), Klara Ek (soprano), Norman GLEE FAMILY COMEDY CLUB Sun 17 2019 WINTOUR Sun 17 Perryman (artist). Programme com- Feb, The Glee Club, Birmingham prises works by iurlionis & Grieg, Feb, Artrix, Broms- ZAKIR KHAN Sun 17 Feb, The Glee Sat 16 Feb, SymphonyČ Hall, B’ham Ruts DC - O2 Institute, Birmingham grove Club, Birmingham 58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 11 - 17 February.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 15:57 Page 2

Monday 11 - Sunday 17 February Theatre Kids Shows WOLF Following sell-out perfor- LORI HOPKINS: SOURPUSS Playful ad- mances at the Edinburgh Fringe, venture for three to eight-year-olds Lewis Doherty brings to life 30 char- featuring string and shadow puppets, acters, car chases and multi-man Sun 17 Feb, Midlands Arts Centre, brawls as he goes on ‘a hilarious ad- Birmingham venture across a cyber-punk landscape’, Mon 11 - Wed 13 Feb, The REP, Birmingham Dance THE NUTCRACKER Performed by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia, Mon 11 Feb, Wolverhampton Grand The- atre SWAN LAKE Lori Hopkins: Sourpuss - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham Performed by the Russian BURNING (15) Drama/Mystery. Starring become a Jawsome Shark Ranger, State Ballet of Siberia, Tues 12 Feb, Yoo Ah-in, Jun Jong-seo. Foreign lan- until Sun 10 Mar, Sea Life Centre, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre BRENDAN COLE: SHOW MAN guage, subtitled. Midlands Arts Cen- Birmingham Brendan tre, Birmingham, Sat 16 - Wed 20 Feb ADULT ONLY EVENING An evening for presents ‘a thrilling extravaganza of SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE big kids where adults can explore BEN HANLIN - 50 Ben presents 50 ‘fan- music and dance, from ballroom to (PG) Animation/Adventure. With the Birmingham’s ‘ultimate indoor play- tastic tricks’ in this fast-paced magic high-energy Latin’, Thurs 14 Feb, voices of Nicolas Cage, Hailee Stein- ground’, Wed 13 Feb, Legoland Dis- show, Mon 11 - Sat 16 Feb, Midlands Wolverhampton Grand Theatre AN EVENING OF MUSIC & DANCE feld. Midlands Arts Centre, Birming- covery Centre, Birmingham Arts Centre, Birmingham Featur- ham, Sat 16 - Fri 22 Feb CANDLELIT TOURS OF THE BACK TO DAD'S ARMY RADIO SHOW Stage show ing Birmingham Royal Ballet & the GONE WITH THE WIND (PG) Romance. BACKS Thurs 14 Feb, Birmingham based on scripts from the original Royal Ballet Sinfonia Fri 15 Feb, Starring Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh. Back to Backs BBC TV comedy series, Tues 12 Feb, Symphony Hall, Birmingham The Core Theatre, Solihull TORUS A ‘tribal hurricane of effortless Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, GREAT BRITISH SHOOTING SHOW The fluidity’ from contemporary dance Sun 17 Feb shooting industry’s leading manufac- AVENUE Q Tues 12 - Sat 16 Feb, The company Humanhood, Fri 15 - Sat 16 turers, distributors, retailers and Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Feb, The Patrick Studio, Birmingham NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: shooting organisations come to- QUENTIN CRISP: NAKED HOPE Mark Far- Hippodrome gether to offer visitors Europe’s relly’s critically acclaimed solo play, Released from Thurs 14 Feb, show- largest and most varied choice of Wed 13 Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove ing at selected cinemas shooting-related products, Fri 15 - LES VACHES DANS LE CHAMP (THE HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U Sun 17 Feb, NEC, Birmingham COWS IN THE FIELD) A haunting story INSTANT FAMILY (12a) CANDLELIT TOURS OF THE BACK TO from Theatre d’Europe, Wed 13 - Sat Film A PRIVATE WAR (15) BACKS Hear the stories of the ordinary 16 Feb, The Blue Orange Theatre, INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: people who called Court 15 home for Birmingham ISN'T IT ROMANTIC over 160 years as you walk around AS YOU LIKE IT Kimberley Sykes di- ROMY & MICHELLE'S HIGH SCHOOL RE- THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING the houses, Sat 16 Feb, Birmingham rects Shakespeare's romantic com- UNION (15) Comedy. Starring Mira Back to Backs Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow. Midlands Arts edy, Thurs 14 Feb - Sat 31 Aug, CADBURY CHARACTER SHOWS Sat 16 - Centre, Birmingham, Thurs 14 Feb Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Strat- Sun 24 Feb, Cadbury World, B’ham ford-upon-Avon LOVE AND DESIRE IN PALESTINE: BON- OPEN ASTON BONE; CONDON LEAD & GAZA CALLING Wander around the CIRCUS OF HORRORS Brand new show Events grand old mansion, Sun 17 Feb, featuring sword swallowers, demon Three films explore Palestinian expe- JAWSOME SHARKS Help Professor Aston Hall, Birmingham dwarfs, knife throwers, contortionists riences of both family and romantic Finn find the missing sharks’ teeth to and more... Fri 15 Feb, Wolverhamp- love under conditions of occupation ton Grand Theatre and dispossession. Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Thurs 14 Feb AN EVENING OF ERIC AND ERN Olivier- nominated comedy duo Ian Ashpitel FANTASTIC BEASTS - CRIMES OF & Jonty Stephens present an evening GRINDELWALD (12a) Adventure/Fan- of iconic routines, songs & sketches, tasy. Starring Eddie Redmayne, Sat 16 Feb, Lichfield Garrick Katherine Waterston. Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 15 Feb COLETTE (15) Biog- raphy/Drama. Star- ring Keira Knightley, Eleanor Tomlinson. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 15 - Wed 20 Feb GREEN BOOK (12a) Comedy/Biography. Starring Viggo Mortensen, Maher- shala Ali. Midlands Arts Centre, Birm- IN OTHER WORDS ‘Intimate, humorous ingham, Fri 15 - Thurs 21 Feb and deeply moving" love story explor- A STAR IS BORN (15) Musical/Drama. ing the effect of Alzheimer’s disease Starring Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga. and the transformative power of Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, music, Sun 17 Feb, Lichfield Garrick Fri 15 - Thurs 21 Feb Adult Only Evening - Legoland Discovery Centre, Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Birmingham 18 - 24 February.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 15:59 Page 1 The List Birmingham 18 - 24 February.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 15:59 Page 2

thelist Monday 18 - Sunday 24 February CROWD Thurs 21 Feb, BACK2BACK Sat 23 Feb, ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: Gigs The Jam House, Birm- Mama Roux’s, B’ham Classical SYMPHONIC POP Featuring Nick ingham COOL AND THE GANG: A Davies (conductor), Capital Voices & MAYDAY PARADE & THE THE JOY FORMIDABLE CELEBRATION WITH “THE Music Phil Upton (presenter), Sat 23 Feb, WONDER YEARS Mon Thurs 21 Feb, O2 Insti- SOUNDS OF KOOL” Sat Symphony Hall, Birmingham 18 Feb, O2 Academy, tute, Birmingham 23 Feb, Pizza Express, LOVE’S CONSEQUENCES: AN EVENING CBSO YOUTH ORCHESTRA: COPLAND’S Birmingham OF OPERA LOST TIGER Fri 22 Feb, Birmingham Directed by Emily Sloan. THIRD Featuring Cristian M celaru OHMME Mon 18 Feb, O2 Academy, B’ham THE WHITNEY HOUSTON All proceeds from the evening will go (conductor), Tasmin Little (violin)ā & Hare & Hounds, Birm- to Action for Children, Mon 18 Feb, the City Of Birmingham Symphony BANG BANG ROMEO Fri LIVE EXPERIENCE Sat 23 ingham Feb, Artrix, Broms- The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birming- Orchestra. Programme includes 22 Feb, The Actress & ham Conservatoire works by Anna Clyne, Szymanowsku Bishop, Birmingham grove ZAKIR HUSSAIN AND THE SYMPHONY & Copland, Sun 24 Feb, Symphony ENTER THE DRAGON Sat BRIDGES Fri 22 Feb, ORCHESTRA OF INDIA Featuring Zane Hall, Birmingham The Flapper, B’ham 23 Feb, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham Dalal (conductor) & Zakir Hussain THE BLOCKHEADS Fri (tabla). Programme includes works 22 Feb, The Robin, Bil- FRENCH BOUTIK Sat 23 by Berlioz, Hussain & Rimsky-Kor- ston Feb, The Night Owl, sakov, Tues 19 Feb, Symphony Hall, Birmingham FATBOY SLIM Fri 22 Birmingham Comedy DODGY Sat 23 Feb, O2 Feb, Arena B’ham FRANCK LAURENT-GRANDPRE PIANO TOADALLY FREE COMEDY Mon 18 Feb, LAMONT DOZIER PLUS Institute, Birmingham BLUE OCTOBER Fri 22 CONCERT Tues 19 Feb, Recital Hall, The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham SUPPORT FROM JO HAR- Feb, O2 Institute, MY GENERATION: THE Royal Birmingham Conservatoire MAN Mon 18 Feb, ROB NEWMAN - TOTAL ECLIPSE OF Birmingham WHO STORY Sat 23 XIZI ZHANG PIANO CONCERT Pro- Birmingham Town Hall Feb, The Old Rep The- DESCARTES Thurs 21 Feb, Artrix, MIKE MCGOLDRICK, gramme includes works by Chopin, Bromsgrove HIPPO CAMPUS Mon 18 atre, Birmingham JOHN MCCUSKER & Debussy & Schumann, Tues 19 Feb, Feb, O2 Institute, ADAM ROWE, SEAN COLLINS PLUS COM- JOHN DOYLE Fri 22 Feb, THE CLAUSE Sat 23 Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- Birmingham Feb, O2 Institute, servatoire EDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Midlands Arts Centre, Thurs 21 Feb, The Glee Club, B’ham JAY ROCK Tues 19 Feb, Birmingham Birmingham STRING MOTION SENSOR Millennial O2 Academy, B’ham HOSPITALITY Sat 23 Percussion produced by Serge ADAM ROWE, SEAN COLLINS, JARRED NATHANIEL MORRISON CHRISTMAS & ASHLEY STORRIE Fri 22- THE ORIELLES Tues 19 Feb, The Mill, B’ham Vuille & Adrian Spillett. Featuring AND FRIENDS Fri 22 Sat 23 Feb, The Glee Club, B’ham Feb, Hare & Hounds, Feb, Pizza Express THE SWINGING SIXTIES Maximillian Haft (electric violin) & Birmingham Live, Birmingham SHOW Sat 23 Feb, The Serge Vuille (percussion), Tues 19 BACK IN OUR DAY - THE LIFE AND TIMES Feb, Centrala, Minerva Works, Birm- OF THE DANCING GRANNIES Fri 22 Feb, DU BLONDE Tues 19 Crescent Theatre, BROKEN MINDS PRE- ingham Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Feb, Hare & Hounds, SENTS GROOVERIDER Fri Birmingham Birmingham 22 Feb, Hare & RYAN ROXIE Sat 23 CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- JACK BARRY - TANGO Fri 22 Feb, Mid- CHESTRA: YAMADA CONDUCTS MAN- lands Arts Centre, Birmingham ARIEL POSEN Tues 19 Hounds, Birmingham Feb, The Asylum, FRED Featuring Alexander Gavrylyuk Feb, The Jam House, Birmingham ROBERT WHITE - THE TANK TOP MAN Fri EMO DISCO - FROM (piano) & Kazuki Yamada (conduc- Birmingham 22 Feb, The Old Rep, Birmingham UNDER THE CORK TREE STEELY DAN Sat 23 tor). Programme includes works by RIOT ENSEMBLE WITH SPECIAL Fri 22 Feb, Feb, Resorts World Schumann, Prokofiev & Tchaikovsky, CAREY MARX, BRENNAN REECE, SARA EVAN PARKER, ALEX Hare & Hounds, Birm- Arena, Birmingham Wed 20 Feb, Symphony Hall, B’ham BARRON & HAYLEY ELLIS Sat 23 Feb, HAWKINS AND KIT ingham The Comedy Loft, B’ham THE MANCHESTER JACK MCVEILL (CLARINET), DAVID LE DOWNES' ENEMY Tues PERCOLATE WITH DENIS NIGHT - PART 2 Sat 23 PAGE (VIOLIN), CLARE O’CONNELL BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Sat 23 19 Feb, Midlands Arts SULTA Fri 23 Feb, The Feb, The Slade (CELLO) & VIV MCLEAN (PIANO) Pro- Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove Centre, Birmingham Mill, Birmingham Rooms, Wolverhamp- gramme includes works by Knussen, NILS FRAHM Wed 20 WAKEDOWN Sat 23 ton Thomas Adés, McCabe & Ryan La- Feb, O2 Academy, Feb, O2 Academy, H.E.R. Sat 23 Feb, O2 timer, Fri 22 Feb, The Barber Insti- Birmingham Birmingham Academy, B’ham tute, University of Birmingham JASON MANNS & PAUL REACH OUT TO MOTOWN JOE & KEYSHIA COLE ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE Theatre CARELLA Wed 20 Feb, Sat 23 Feb, The Robin, Sun 24 Feb, O2 COMPOSER’S ORCHESTRA Featuring GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS Nigel Harman Hare & Hounds, Birm- Bilston Academy, Birmingham Daniele Rosina (conductor), Fri 22 and Mark Benton play a couple of ingham cut-throat salesmen in a revival of FLING + MARC Sat 23 PETAL Sun 24 Feb, Feb, The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birm- David Mamet's Olivier and Pulitzer LAU Wed 20 Feb, The Feb, The Cuban Em- Hare & Hounds, Birm- ingham Conservatoire Prize-winning masterpiece, Mon 18 - Glee Club, B’ham bassy, Birmingham ingham LAWSON PIANO TRIO Programme in- Sat 23 Feb, The Alexandra Theatre, cludes works by Panufnik, Rach- GLYMJACK Wed 20 SOUL FUSION - SEAN THE STRUTS Sun 24 Birmingham Feb, The Red Lion MCCABE & GROOVE AS- Feb, O2 Institute, maninov, Paul Juon, Shostakovich & ANNIE Anita Dobson stars as Miss Folk Club, B’ham SASSIN 4HRS Birmingham Dvorak, Fri 22 Feb, Artrix, Broms- grove Hannigan in a revival of the much- JAMES SAYER BAND loved rags-to-riches story, Tues 19 - CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- Wed 20 Feb, The Jam Sat 23 Feb, Wolverhampton Grand House, Birmingham CHESTRA: A NIGHT AT THE OSCARS Theatre Featuring Anthony Weeden (conduc- PETE KENT Wed 20 tor) plus Norman Bowman & Louise CIRQUE BERSERK! Featuring contem- Feb, The Robin, Bil- Dearman (vocalists). Programme in- porary artistry, adrenaline-fuelled ston cludes works by Korngold, Stothart, stunt action and ‘the world's most K-TRAP Thurs 21 Feb, North, Rozsa, Bernstein, Mancini, hair-raising circus act’ - the leg- O2 Institute, B’ham Jarre, Sherman Brothers, Kostal & endary motorcycle Globe of Death, AVI BUFFALO Thurs 21 Williams, Fri 22 Feb, Symphony Hall, Tues 19 - Sun 24 Feb, The REP, Feb, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham THE MIDLAND CHAMBER PLAYERS: THE THE HOLE National Youth Theatre pre- THE VIRGINMARYS RUSSIAN CONNECTION Programme in- sent a new play by Rachel De-lahay, Thurs 21 Feb, The cludes works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Wed 20 - Thurs 21 Feb, The Old Flapper, Birmingham Borodin & Shostakovich, Fri 22 Feb, Rep, Birmingham Birmingham Midland Institute RICKY COOL & THE IN The Struts - O2 Institute, Birmingham IDA BARR: GRANARCHIST Music hall whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Birmingham 18 - 24 February.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 15:59 Page 3

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Monday 18 - Sunday 24 February

thesinger turned rap starlist Ida presents Wed 20 - Thurs 21 Feb, Midlands Arts her brand of artificial hip-hop, Thurs Centre, Birmingham 21 Feb, Warwick Arts Centre, Coven- MIMI AND THE MOUNTAIN DRAGON try Michael Morpurgo’s tale of friend- TINA T’URNER TEA LADY’S STEAMY ship, courage and adventure, pre- BINGO The award-winning domestic sented by Skewbald Theatre, Thurs diva spins her cage of balls to an ’80s 21 Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove soundtrack, Thurs 21 Feb, Old Joint FIRST STAGES: LITTLE GIFT Puppetry & Stock Theatre, Birmingham original music combine in this brand BACK IN OUR DAY: THE LIFE & TIMES OF new story from M6 Theatre & Andy THE DANCING GRANNIES Comedy Marley. Suitable for children aged be- charting the friendship of three re- tween three and seven, Thurs 21 - markable Black Country women, Fri Sat 23 Feb, The REP, Birmingham 22 Feb, The Crescent Theatre, Birm- BRAINIAC LIVE! SCIENCE ABUSE Expect ingham exploding dustbins, combusting mi- LIVING SPIT: GIANTS OF SCIENCE Dim- crowaves and loads of daredevil witted duo Howard Coggins and Stu stunts in this family show based on Mcloughlin present a raucous romp the award-winning TV series, Fri 22 through the history of scientific stu- Feb, Lichfield Garrick pidity, Fri 22 Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove SHLOMO’S BEATBOX ADVENTURE FOR POETIC THEATRE-MAKERS’ SHOWCASE KIDS Become the sonic superhero’s Showcase of new work from the sidekick in a world of funny sounds, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and brilliant noises and cool music, Fri 22 Apples & Snakes Poetic Theatre Mak- Feb, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham ers development programme... Fri 22 The Shy Manifesto - Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham MILKSHAKE! LIVE 2019 Sing and dance & The Core Theatre, Solihull Feb, The REP, Birmingham with your kids’ favourite Milkshake THE SHY MANIFESTO Bittersweet com- friends, Sat 23 Feb, Lichfield Garrick A PRIVATE WAR (15) Biography/Drama. als to create and decorate your own edy-drama about a boy who’s fed up Starring Rosamunde Pike, Jamie Dor- 17th century London buildings, Tues of being told to come out of his shell, nan. Midlands Arts Centre, Birming- 19 Feb, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham Fri 22 - Sat 23 Feb, The Old Joint ham, Fri 22 - Thurs 28 Feb LITTLE SKIPPERS - WONDERFUL WATER Stock Theatre, Birmingham PETERLOO (12a) Drama/History. Star- A 45-minute boat trip followed by a A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS WITH KARL Dance ring Rory Kinnear, Maxine Peake. ‘things to make and do’ session, LOXLEY New touring show, Sat 23 Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Tues 19 - Fri 22 Feb, Dudley Canal Feb, The Core Theatre, Solihull BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Birmingham Sat 23 - Thurs 28 Feb and Tunnel Trust Royal Ballet presents its version of the classic fairytale, Tues 19 Feb - Sat ON HER SHOULDERS (12a) Documen- THE CARAVAN, CAMPING AND MO- 2 Mar, Birmingham Hippodrome tary/Biography. Directed by Alexan- TORHOME SHOW The UK’s biggest dria Bombach. Midlands Arts Centre, showcase of motorhomes, camper- SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT A fusion of Birmingham, Sun 24 Feb vans, caravans, caravan holiday kathak and contemporary dance, live Children DARKEST HOUR (12a) homes and lodges, plus new-season music and physical storytelling, Thurs tents of all sizes, trailer tents and fold- MARK THOMPSON: SPECTACULAR SCI- 21 - Sat 23 Feb, The Patrick Studio, Biography/Drama. Starring Gary Old- man, Lily James. Highbury Theatre, ing caravans, Tues 19 - Sun 24 Feb, ENCE The strange and magical prop- Birmingham Hippodrome NEC, Birmingham erties of matter are explored with Birmingham, Sun 24 Feb fireballs, fire tornadoes and explosive BEGINNERS CLOWNING SKILLS Join experienced comedy performer Jonny chemical reactions, Mon 18 Feb, Mid- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: lands Arts Centre, Birmingham McClean - from the New Old Friends Released from Fri 22 Feb, showing at crimes series - for a workshop explor- Film selected cinemas ing the ins and outs of clowning, Wed INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: COLD PURSUIT 20 Feb, Lichfield Garrick HALE COUNTY THIS MORNING, THIS CAPERNAUM ANIMAL MANIA A chance to meet Ani- mal Mania's cute and furry animals, EVENING (15) Documentary. Directed ON THE BASIS OF SEX (12a) by RaMell Ross. Midlands Arts Cen- Wed 20 Feb, Blakesley Hall, B’ham tre, Birmingham, Tues 19 Feb RHYTHM SECTION OPEN ASTON Wander around the FROZEN (PG) Animation/Adventure. grand old mansion, Wed 20 - Sun 24 With the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina Feb, Aston Hall, Birmingham Menzel. This is a sing-a-long show- RACE RETRO Showcase of classic ing. Lichfield Garrick, Wed 20 Feb cars, motorsport legends, specialist A STAR IS BORN (15) Musical/Drama. Events exhibitors and live rally action, Fri 22 - Starring Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga. CADBURY CHARACTER SHOWS until Sun Sun 24 Feb, Stoneleigh Park, Kenil- Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 18 Feb; 24 Feb, Cadbury World, Birmingham worth The Mockingbird Cinema, Birming- MAKING MONSTERS Join Anna Roe- WHODUNNIT? A FAMILY-FRIENDLY MYS- ham, Wed 20 - Sun 24 Feb buck and unleash your inner creative, TERY TRAIL ‘Drop-dead fun time-trav- BEST F(R)IENDS: VOLUMES 1 & 2 (15) Mon 18 Feb, Lichfield Garrick elling mystery trail aimed at families, and those who’re young at heart’, Sat Comedy/Drama. Starring Greg Ses- RECYCLED SCULPTURES Join sculpture 23 Feb, Aston Hall, Birmingham EXCITING SCIENCE SHOW Half-term tero, Tommy Wiseau. Followed by expert Anna Roebuck to expand your show ‘full of wiz, bang, pop and Q+A with Greg Sestero. Midlands creative abilities and hone new skills, THERE AND BACK AGAIN: JRR TOLKIEN splurt!’, Wed 20 Feb, The Core The- Arts Centre, Birmingham, Thurs 21 Mon 18 Feb, Lichfield Garrick AND SAREHOLE GUIDED WALK Guided atre, Solihull Feb introduction to Tolkien, the area of OPEN ASTON Wander around the WOW! IT’S NIGHT TIME Little Angel pre- THE MULE (15) Crime/Drama. Starring Sarehole and its influence on The grand old mansion, Tues 19 Feb, Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings, sent a staging of Tom Hopgood’s Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper. Mid- Aston Hall, Birmingham nocturnal sequel. Suitable for chil- lands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 22 Sun 24 Feb, Sarehole Mill, Hall CREATE THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON dren aged between two and five, - Thurs 28 Feb Green, Birmingham SKYLINE Use a variety of craft materi- whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Birmingham 25 - 28 February.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 18:53 Page 1 The List Birmingham 25 - 28 February.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 18:54 Page 2

thelist Monday 25 - Thursday 28 February ALLYSON SMITH, JOHN FOTHERGILL Classical PLUS COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 28 Feb, The Glee Music Club, Birmingham LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH THOMAS TROTTER Mon 25 Feb, Birm- ingham Town Hall CALLUM SMART (VIOLIN) & RICHARD Theatre UTTLEY (PIANO) Programme includes THE FULL MONTY Gary Lucy, Andrew works by Beethoven, Schubert & Gi- Dunn, Louis Emerick, Joe Gill, Kai nastera, Tues 26 Feb, Recitall Hall, Owen & James Redmond star in Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Simon Beaufoy's staging of the THE BRITISH PARAORCHESTRA - TERRY Oscar-winning film, Mon 25 Feb - Sat RILEY’S IN C Featuring Extraordinary 2 Mar, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Bodies, Charles Hazlewood (con- THE BAND Tim Firth’s much-ac- ductor), Claire Hodgson & Billy claimed jukebox musical, featuring Alwen (directors), Wed 27 Feb, Birm- the songs of Take That, Tues 26 Feb ingham Town Hall - Sat 2 Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Leif Erikson - The Flapper, Birmingham CASTALIAN QUARTET Featuring Sini Si- Theatre monen & Daniel Roberts (violin), Sunflower Lounge, GEES & BEYOND Wed Charlotte Bonneton (viola) & Christo- Gigs Birmingham 27 Feb, The Robin, Bil- pher Graves (cello). Programme in- ONLY THE POETS Wed ston cludes works by Beethoven & TRIXIE MATTEL Mon 25 27 Feb, O2 Academy, TWENTY ØNE PILØTS Brahms, Wed 27 Feb, Recital Hall, Feb, O2 Academy, Birmingham Wed 27 Feb, Resorts Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Birmingham AREA 11 Wed 27 Feb, World Arena, B’ham THE TROUT QUINTET Featuring DEMOB HAPPY Mon 25 The Asylum, B’ham POP EVIL Thurs 28 Feb, Jonathan Martindale (violin), Louise Feb, O2 Institute, Landsdown (viola), Hannah Roberts MEGAN DAVIES Wed 27 O2 Academy, B’ham Birmingham (cello), Anthony Alcock (double Feb, O2 Institute, ERIC BENÉT Thurs 28 bass) & John Thwaites (piano). Pro- TROY SIVAN Tues 26 Birmingham Feb, O2 Institute, Feb, O2 Academy, gramme comprises Schubert’s Quin- GABBIDON Wed 27 Feb, Birmingham Birmingham tet in A major D.667 ‘The Trout’, Wed The Jam House, Birm- ALINA BZHEZHINSKA 27 Feb, The Bradshaw Hall, Royal SEA GIRLS Tues 26 ingham Thurs 28 Feb, The Tin Birmingham Conservatoire Feb, Hare & Hounds, Music & Arts Centre, SHE DREW THE GUN CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- Birmingham Coventry Wed 27 Feb, Castle & CHESTRA: MOZART & BRAHMS Featur- MOTHERS Tues 26 Feb, Falcon, Birmingham JAY PRINCE Thurs 28 ing Olari Elts (conductor), Lucas & Hare & Hounds, Birm- CONCUBINE Amahra Spence takes a DARIA KULESH & Feb, Hare & Hounds, Arthur Jussen (pianos). Programme ingham Birmingham look at womanhood, sexuality and JOHNNY DYER Wed 27 includes works by Beethoven, faith, Tues 26 Feb - Sat 2 Mar, The THE LEMON TWIGS Tues Feb, The Red Lion ROXY MAGIC Thurs 28 Mozart & Brahms, Thurs 28 Feb, REP, Birmingham 26 Feb, O2 Institute, Folk Club, B’ham Feb, The Robin, Bil- Symphony Hall, Birmingham Birmingham ston METAMORPHOSIS Beyond The Hori- BLUE OYSTER CULT Wed CHAMBER MUSIC SHOWCASE Com- zon bring Franz Kafka's acclaimed LEIF ERIKSON Tues 26 27 Feb, O2 Institute, JEROME THOMAS Thurs muter concert featuring director & vi- literary novella to life using state-of- Feb, The Flapper, Birmingham 28 Feb, The Cuban olinst Caroline Pether, Thurs 28 Feb, the-art makeup and prosthetic ef- Birmingham Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- TRAGEDY: ALL METAL Embassy, Birmingham fects, Tues 26 Feb - Sat 2 Mar, The servatoire IDER Tues 26 Feb, The TRIBUTE TO THE BEE Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham PSYCHIC SALLY - 10 YEAR ANNIVER- SARY TOUR Evening of mediumship, Thurs 28 Feb, Dudley Town Hall THE MISOGYNY TRIALS Snapshot of Comedy some of the cases brought before ROB AUTON Tues 26 Feb, The Glee Judge Serendipity Hope, who’s Club, Birmingham made it her mission to stamp out GARY DELANEY Thurs 28 Feb, Artrix, misogyny in all its ugly forms, but at Bromsgrove the same time is grappling with her own dark secrets, Thurs 28 Feb, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham THE SHY MANIFESTO Bittersweet comedy-drama about a boy who’s fed up of being told to come out of his shell, Thurs 28 Feb, The Core The- atre, Solihull ME AND MY DOLL Birmingham-based company Paperback present a romantic comedy exploring the challenges, joys and pitfalls of allowing yourself to be vulnerable, Thurs 28 Feb - Sat 2 Mar, Old Joint Stock The- atre, Birmingham POPSTARS: THE 90S MUSICAL Packed Twenty One Pilots - Resorts World Arena, Birmingham with smash hits from the ’90s by whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Birmingham 25 - 28 February.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2019 18:54 Page 3

Monday 25 - Thursday 28 February

theartists including The Spicelist Girls, ploration of a childhood haunting BLACK PANTHER (12a) Action/Adven- Backstreet Boys, N*Sync, Britney where nothing is quite as it seems, Dance ture. Starring Chadwick Boseman, Spears, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Wed 27 Feb, Midlands Arts Centre, Michael B. Jordan. The Mockingbird Carey and MC Hammer, Thurs 28 Birmingham TIRABASSO & MASUI Double bill of Cinema, Birmingham, Tues 26 - Wed work from two rising female choreog- Feb - Sat 2 Mar, The Core Theatre, ELMER THE PATCHWORK ELEPHANT The- 27 Feb raphers, Thurs 28 Feb, The Patrick Solihull atre for younger audiences based on Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome the classic children’s book series by David McKee, Wed 27 - Thurs 28 BALLETBOYZ - THEM/US Double bill of Feb, The Alexandra Theatre, B’ham new works,Thurs 28 Feb, Lichfield Events Garrick Children MINI MOTORISTS THE CAT IN THE HAT Family theatre Under-fives activity based on the much-loved book by Dr morning, allowing Seuss, Tues 26 Feb - Sun 3 Mar, The youngsters to dis- REP, Birmingham Talks Film cover through play TRUST FAST HEALTH WITH MICHAEL INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: the world's largest MOSLEY The man behind the iconic collection of historic British cars, Mon STAN & OLLIE (15) Biography/Comedy. 5:2 diet explodes common health 25 Feb, British Motor Museum, Gay- Starring John C. Reilly, Shirley Hen- myths and offers fascinating insights don, Warwickshire derson. Midlands Arts Centre, Birm- into the workings of the human body, MINI MUSEUM ingham, Tues 26 Feb Mon 25 Feb, Birmingham Town Hall ENGINEERS - TOOL DAN SNOW: AN EVENING WITH THE HIS- SKILLS Enjoy play- TORY GUY Historian and TV presenter ing with real tools, Dan recounts anecdotes from his ca- Wed 27 Feb, reer, Tues 26 Feb, Birmingham Town Coventry Trans- Hall port Museum KENDALL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL UK TOUR CANDLELIT TOURS OF THE BACK TO ‘Amazing films and awe-inspiring BACKS Hear the stories of the ordinary talks’ from some of the world's most people who called Court 15 home for dedicated adventurers, Thurs 28 Feb, over 160 years as you walk around I AIN’T AFRAID OF NO GHOST Nostalgic Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham the houses, Thurs 28 Feb, Birming- trip back to the ’80s and a comic ex- ham Back to Backs

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

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