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Birmingham Cover Online.qxp_Birmingham Cover 05/01/2016 11:33 Page 1

Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands Birmingham ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sOnISSUE 361 JANUARY 2016 KEVIN HART LITTLE FOCKERS STAR LIVE IN BIRMINGHAM

inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

LEONALEONA LEWISLEWIS EMPOWERED IN THE MIDLANDS interviewinterview inside...inside... Belgrade (FP) DEC 2015.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2015 20:22 Page 1 Contents December Region 1 (REVAMP).qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:22 Page 1

January 2016

Contents

The Rocky Horror Show - Frank N Furter back in Brum with a brand new version page 28

Nicola Benedetti Kevin Hart Anna Maxwell Martin the list

Acclaimed violinist joins the Little Fockers star live in Brum BAFTA winner brings Lady Your 16-page CBSO at Symphony Hall page 24 Macbeth to The REP week-by-week listings guide page 16 page 22 page 51

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4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 24. Comedy 28. Theatre 38. Film 42. Visual Arts 44. Events

@whatsonbrum @whatsonwarwicks @whatsonworcs Birmingham What’s On Magazine Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire What’s On Magazine

Editorial Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Editorial: Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 MAGAZINE GROUP Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Chris Eldon Lee, Heather Kincaid, Steve Adams, Helen Stallard, Clare Higgins, Tina Freeth. Managing Director: Paul Oliver Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell, Chris Atherton 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 Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:49 Page 1

First Word

Grammy Award nomination for Birmingham music group Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG) has been nominated for its first ever Grammy Award. The nomination was received for the ensemble’s recording of Gerald Barry’s zany operatic setting of The Importance Of Being Earnest. Commenting on the accolade, BCMG Artistic Director Stephen Newbould said: “What an end to 2015 we had! We’re over the moon at this Grammy nomination. Our con- gratulations extend, of course, to Gerald Barry for his extraordinary score, to Thomas Adés for his masterful con- ducting, and to NMC Recordings for having the foresight to record and release the work for us all to enjoy. For Birmingham Contemporary Music Group to be listed amongst prestigious artists gives genuine recognition to the quality of our work on an international stage.” The Grammy Awards take place on 15 February. Grammy Award nominated Birmingham Contemporary Music Group

Literacy initiative invites the Young Voices Arnie set to entertain community to join in ready to sing diners at black-tie event their hearts out... The world’s largest children’s choir is this month celebrating its twentieth anniversary with five performances in Birmingham. In total, Young Voices will be completing twenty arena dates up and down the country. The choir performs all styles of music and is designed to unify children from Legendary movie star and one-time Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger is head- A new literacy-focused arts project has been launched in across the region. ing to Birmingham this month, to host an the West Midlands. The Big Read aims to encourage litera- Over the years, Young exclusive black-tie dinner event. cy development through creativity. The initiative invites Voices have performed An Experience With Arnold Schwarzenegger schools and community groups to decorate BookBench with artists such as takes place at the city’s International sculptures, which are benches shaped as open books. Alexandra Burke, Joss Convention Centre on 21 January and fea- The project is being presented by Wild In Art with the Stone and Gary Barlow, tures a live interview with the Hollywood Schools of King Edward VI and in association with the as well as raising over actor. National Literacy Trust and Birmingham Children’s £1million for various chil- Other attractions on the night include Hospital Charity. The painted BookBenches will furnish dren’s charities. Terminator-themed events, a lifesize the region’s museums, libraries and cultural hubs, turning The choir performs at the Schwarzenegger model display, a the city and surrounding regions into a virtual library. NEC, Birmingham, from Schwarzenegger and Terminator imperson- The Big Read will be complemented by a programme of 11 to 15 January. ator, a twenty-two-piece orchestra and Rat activities based around the displays. These will include Pack singer, and a charity auction with poetry slams, storytelling sessions, creative writing and signed, bespoke Schwarzenegger comic book illustration workshops. If you’d like to register memorabilia. your school or community group for The Big Read, or if your venue is interested in exhibiting BookBenches and supporting The Big Read with literacy-focused activities, visit thebigread.org.uk or email [email protected].

4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:03 Page 2

Entertainment news from around the region

Science festival Dance that line-up announced subverts the

Author, broadcaster and anatomist senses Professor Alice Roberts will discuss The history of homosexu- her latest BBC series, The Celts, at ality in twentieth century the fourth University of Birmingham Arts & Science Festival, which takes Spain is the subject of a place in March. brand new show from The festival brings together leading choreographer Carlos scientists, thinkers and artists from Pons Guerra and his the university and wider city for a DeNada Dance Theatre week of free talks, events, exhibi- company. tions and performance. It also includes presentations by leading Showing in Birmingham arts organisations around the city. next month, dance triple These include Ikon Gallery, Vivid bill Ham And Passion is Projects, Grand Union, Birmingham being promoted as an Open Media and mac Birmingham. evening of ‘seductive, This year taking the theme of provocative and emphati- Memory And Forgetting, the festival will explore the idea of memory in cally Spanish contempo- our culture and of the social signifi- rary dance theatre that cance of remembrance and memori- will subvert the senses’. alisation. The production visits the Commenting on the event, Laura city’s mac venue on Milner, Cultural Partnerships Thursday 25 February. Manager at the University of Birmingham, said: “The festival is a chance for curious minds to delve into new thinking from leading aca- demics and artists. It overlooks the Celebrating 400 years of the Bard traditional division between arts Matt Slack and science: each discipline can returns for With this year marking the four hundredth anniversary of inform the other, sparking debate 2016 panto Shakespeare’s death, the playwright’s home of Stratford-upon-Avon is and new understanding about the currently gearing up to commemorate the occasion. rich world in which we live.” Dick Whittington will The popular town, and venues in the surrounding area, will be cele- The University of Birmingham Arts be hoping the streets of brating his legacy with a range of new exhibitions and events. These & Science Festival takes place at the the Midlands are paved university and across the city from include a new, immersive theatrical experience at the Royal with gold next 14 to 20 March. Shakespeare Company, a reimagining of Shakespeare’s final home, Christmas, with the leg- and the opening - for the first time to the general public - of endary lad having been Shakespeare’s Schoolroom at King Edward VI School. selected by Birmingham Round The World For more information, visit shakespeares-england.co.uk Hippodrome for its for comedian 2016/17 pantomime. Presented, as usual, by The Play’s The Thing at the RSC Qdos Entertainment, the world's biggest pan- A new exhibition is set to reveal the tomime producer, the secrets behind the world’s most show will run at the famous theatre company. Hurst Street venue from The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Monday 19 December (RSC) The Play’s The Thing opens in 2016 to Sunday 29 Stratford-upon-Avon in June. January 2017. The new family-friendly visitor attrac- Critically acclaimed comedian tion offers members of the general Russell Howard has announced that public the chance to discover the he’ll be performing in Birmingham - secrets and stories behind the mak- but fans will have to wait a while to ing of the Company’s world famous productions. see him, as he won’t be bringing his new show to the city until March There’s also the chance to see some of the RSC’s beautifully crafted 2017. costumes and props, and learn how magical and gory stage and sound Round The World will be Russell’s effects are made. biggest global tour to date, and will Commenting on The Play’s The Thing, Geraldine Collinge, RSC see the Bristol-born funnyman mak- Director of Events & Exhibitions, said: “The exhibition will let people ing a return to the live stage for the discover how our productions have been made over the years and how first time in three years. Russell Howard: Round The World Matt Slack returns for we create them now. The public space will also include a stunning shows at the Genting Arena, his 4th Panto season at new artwork by Steven Follen.” Birmingham, on 17 March 2017. the Hippodrome! The Play’s The Thing opens on 21 June to coincide with the RSC’s Midsummer celebrations.

whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:03 Page 3 Great Theatre at the Grand!

TUE 2 - SAT 6 FEB TUE 9 - SAT 20 FEB SUN 21 FEB

The National Theatre Production

J.B. Priestly’s Classic Thriller

Directed by Stephen Daldry

THU 25 - SAT 27 FEB TUE 8 - SAT 12 MAR TUE 15 - SAT 19 MAR

Music by STEVEN MARGOSHES Lyrics by JAQUES LEVY Book by JOSE FERNADEZ Based on a concept by David DeSilva (Title song “Fame” written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore) This amateur production is presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LTD. ON BEHALF OF MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL OF NEW YORK

SUN 20 - TUE 22 MAR SAT 26 MAR THU 31 MAR THE RUSSIAN STATE BALLET OF SIBERIA THE SNOW MAIDEN Sleeping Beauty Swan Lake

Box Office 01902 42 92 12 BOOK ONLINE AT www.grandtheatre.co.uk First Word Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:50 Page 4

First Word

Birmingham’s Citizen Khan tour NEW SHOWS Much-loved TV comedy character Mr Khan is heading out on AND GIGS tour. Birmingham-born funnyman Adil Ray is bringing his ANNOUNCED! larger-than-life creation to the Genting Arena in the Spring.

Ray’s series, Citizen Khan, is currently the most watched THE GAME comedy show on British television. Mon 8 Feb - O2 Academy Commenting on the announcement of the live tour, Mr Khan LOYLE CARTER Tues 9 Feb - Hare & Hounds himself said: “This is a family show, so bring everybodies - but FATHERSON please, if you are Indian (or ginger) you must sit at the back and Mon 15 Feb - The Rainbow don't drink too much! I look forward to answering any questions Venues on the night. And if you're lucky, I’ll have a photo taken with you MYSTERY JETS - unless you're from the tax office or immigration, then you can Thurs 18 Feb - O2 Institute stay at home.” THE FAT WHITE FAMILY Citizen Khan: They All Know Me! visits Birmingham’s Genting Sat 20 Feb - O2 Institute Arena on 6 May. DAMIEN DEMPSEY Thurs 25 Feb - O2 Academy THE CULT Tues 1 March - O2 Institute FEARLESS VAMPIRE Anniversary End Of The Rainbow for Loose Woman KILLERS show for Thurs 3 March - O2 Academy Loose Women favourite Lisa Maxwell is set to star ADY SULEIMAN Viennese as Judy Garland in a new version of End Of The Sun 6 March - Hare & Hounds academy Rainbow, which visits the Midlands in the Spring. LADY LESHURR Lisa, who starred as Samantha Nixon in ITV’s Sun 6 March - O2 Academy The Spanish Riding School long-running police series The Bill, will be joined TOSELAND of Vienna is this year cele- Tues 15 March - O2 Academy in the show by Gary Wilmot and Sam Attwater. brating its four hundred- EMMY THE GREAT Written by Peter Quilter, End Of The Rainbow and-fiftieth anniversary Sat 19 March - O2 Institute catches up with Judy Garland in London during with a series of exclusive TONY IOMMI December 1968, with the Wizard Of Oz star des- shows in Birmingham and Sat 19 March - Symphony Hall perate to get her faltering career back on track London. MARIAH CAREY Sun 20 March via a hugely demanding series of concerts. - Barclaycard Arena The shows will be hosted by Featured songs include The Man That Got Away, Come Rain Or Come DISCIPLES Thurs 24 March - TV presenter and British Shine, The Trolley Song and, of course, Somewhere Over The The Rainbow Venues Dressage Ambassador Nicki Rainbow. ADELE - Tues 29 March - Wed Chapman. 30 March and Fri 1 - Sat 2 April The show runs at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 18 to 20 Commenting on her - Genting Arena - SOLD OUT April and New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from 21 to 25 June. involvement, Nicki said: KREPT AND KONAN Wed 6 April - O2 Institute “The Spanish Riding School SHONEN KNIFE of Vienna tours are rare and Home town gig for British female rapper Sat 16 April - The Oobleck exceptional. I’ve witnessed HOLY ESQUE Sat 16 April - first hand these graceful Birmingham-born MC Lady Leshurr will be play- The Sunflower Lounge horses thrilling crowds with ing her home city in early March, as part of a UK JEFF LYNNES ELO Thurs 16 - their astonishing combina- tour. Hailed by Vogue as ‘Britain’s hottest female Fri 17 April - Genting Arena & tion of elegance and power. rapper’, the MOBO Award nominee - real name Fri 24 June - Barclaycard Arena This is an extraordinary, Melesha O'Garro - is best known for her Queen's DISNEY FROZEN WITH CBSO Sat 16 April - Symphony Hall once-in-a-lifetime opportu- Speech series of freestyles, the fourth of which NAO Wed 20 April - O2 Institute nity to witness these world- went viral last year, and has collaborated with TROYE SIVAN renowned horses perform- the likes of Tinie Tempah, Etta Bond, Gyptian Sat 23 April - O2 Institute ing in the UK during the and Fatman Scoop. She appears at the 02 MAC MILLER academy’s momentous four Academy 2 on Sunday 6 March. Thurs 28 April - O2 Institute hundred-and-fiftieth MANIC STREET PREACHERS anniversary year.” + THE EDITORS The Spanish Riding School Magic direct from the West End Sat 14 May - Genting Arena of Vienna perform at the SPACE A West End show hailed as ‘the UK’s biggest magic spectacular’ visits Sat 21 May - O2 Academy Barclaycard Arena, the Midlands next month. Fusing ‘death-defying’ stunts, technologi- HEART Birmingham, from 18 to 20 Sun 3 July - Symphony Hall cal trickery and close-up magic, Impossible reinvents some of the November. biggest illusions in history. LIONEL RICHIE Thurs 7 July - Barclaycard Arena The touring version of the show features three original West End cast THE KING IS BACK Sat 3 members - daredevil escapologist Jonathan Goodwin, mind-reading @ L September - Barclaycard Arena specialist Chris Cox and illusionist Ben Hart. JUSTIN BIEBER The trio are joined by Britain’s Got Talent star James More, Cirque du Mon 17 - Tues 18 Oct - Soleil and Hollywood trickster Lee Thompson and hip-hop and break- Barclaycard Arena dancing magician Magical Bones. Impossible visits the New THE FOUR TOPS AND THE Wed 26 Oct - Alexandra Theatre from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 February. TEMPTATIONS Genting Arena whatsonlive.co.uk 7 Boomtime in Brum DPS - MM.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:00 Page 1

FEATURE BOOMTIMEbrum

#MidlandsEngine #CultureMatters #HelloBirmingham

Birmingham’s nec celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2016

There were There were some We loved... celebrations... new additions...

10 years of Moseley Folk Grand Central and The Big Hoot Festival New Street Station Birmingham Weekender 25 years of Birmingham Midland Metro in the Jewellery Quarter Festival Royal Ballet and Cadbury City centre BBC Music Awards World at Bournville Resorts World Foodies Festival 50 years of Ikon Gallery Everyman Theatre at Cannon Hill Park at The Mailbox

8 whatsonlive.co.uk Boomtime in Brum DPS - MM.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:00 Page 2

A new year inevitably brings with it new ambitions. And for the city of Birmingham, one ambition surely stands head and shoulders above most others - to try and better 2015’s record-breaking visitor numbers.

It’s currently boomtime in Brum, with turing - offers irrefutable evidence the city’s visitor economy hitting an of the city’s growing importance in LOOKING all-time high during the past twelve terms of the UK’s economic recovery. AHEAD... months. According to recently released In the field of arts and entertainment figures, a staggering thirty-eight mil- too, Birmingham is positively flying. So 2016 has dawned and a bright new lion people visited the second city last Last year saw the city host its biggest era for England’s second city looks set year, generating tourism revenue in ex- ever arts festival, The Birmingham to continue. Expect plenty of high- cess of £6billion. Weekender, and its biggest ever charity lights in the forthcoming months, from And those thirty-eight million visitors art exhibition, The Big Hoot. The BBC the return of the International Dance will certainly have been well rewarded Music Awards came to Brum too, and Festival Birmingham to 40th anniver- for investing their time and energy in will return again later this year. sary celebrations for the NEC and the city. Birmingham is absolutely 400th anniversary commemorations And there were plenty of memorable thriving at the moment, a fact ably il- for William Shakespeare from CBSO anniversaries to celebrate as well, with lustrated by the recent openings of and the Library of Birmingham. Birmingham Royal Ballet, Cadbury New Street Station, John Lewis, the World, Ikon Gallery and Moseley Folk With so much going on in the city, you Grand Central shopping destination, Festival all reaching special mile- can also expect last year’s impressive Resorts World leisure complex and the stones... figure of thirty-eight million visitors to Midland Metro tram line from Snow be well and truly surpassed... Hill to New Street. Last year also saw a record footfall at Birmingham airport, a sure sign of the city’s increasingly impressive interna- 2015 saw the city host its biggest ever arts tional status. And the Government’s recent launch of the Midlands Engine - festival, The Birmingham Weekender - an ambitious plan to put Brum at the ‘‘ attracting around 69,000 people. heartland of innovation and manufac- ” whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Diana Vickers Interview.qxp_Layout 1 05/01/2016 10:49 Page 1

Doing the time warp with Diana Vickers Diana Vickers Interview.qxp_Layout 1 05/01/2016 10:49 Page 2

INTERVIEW

Diana Vickers became a household name back in 2008 when she appeared in hit ITV1 talent show The X Factor. After making the semi-finals, Vickers released a number one debut single and album before taking to the West End stage in The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice. Since then, she’s been expanding her career in acting, both on stage and on screen. Now she’s heading to the Midlands to play the role of Janet in Richard O’Brien’s ever-popular rock’n’roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show. Here, she tells Midlands Zone all about it...

Is singing and acting something you’ve When it all comes together and you see the them to like me and think that I'm doing a good wanted to do since you were very young, final edit, it's really quite magical. I'd certainly job. It's such an important part of the show that Diana? love to do more screen work. It's the plan to do they like my portrayal of the character. I'm just more after I finish my current projects. trying to put my own stamp on things. I Oh yeah, it's been something I've wanted to do auditioned for the part and worked really hard, for as long as I can remember. I went to ballet, Who inspires your work? so I'm just going to go in there and do my best tap and singing lessons, as well as acting Acting-wise, Meryl Streep is a genius! I think and do it my way. I hope the audiences will school at the weekends. So yeah, it's she inspires a lot of people. Music-wise, I don't enjoy Janet as much as I enjoy playing her. something I've always wanted to do. really know. I grew up listening to all sorts of Were you a Rocky Horror fan before you Obviously you're best known from The X artists, from Celine Dion to The Beatles. There agreed to take part in the show? Factor. At the time, you were only 17. were a lot of people who inspired me. Reflecting on that experience eight years Yeah, I knew the film, as I'd seen it when I was later, would you have done anything younger. I've got a lot of friends who go and differently? “She's very see the show when it tours; they're huge superfans. I loved the film and was very aware No, I don't think I'd have done anything of it, but now I've got the fever! It's safe to say differently when it comes to what happened on virginal, she's a that I'm now a big Rocky Horror fan! the show. I perhaps wish I'd done it when I was a little bit older, maybe. It's such a big thing to young woman How would you describe Rocky Horror? do; it's quite stressful. I don't have any regrets It's such a fun show! It's a rollercoaster of a at all. It was a great experience and was very who's very show. It's filled with great songs and amazing much ‘of the moment’. I'm very happy with dancing. It's raunchy, it's sexy, it has sass and what's happened since then, so I can't really sweet and it's really funny. All of that and yet quite moan about the whole experience. emotional at the same time. It's very character- Did you ever expect to grab the top spot in innocent. Then driven too. If you want a good night out, where the charts with your debut single, Once, and you can get up and dance at the theatre, it's your debut album, Songs From The Tainted halfway through definitely the show to see! Cherry Tree? What's it like working with the rest of the No, I was so overwhelmed! When I got the she becomes cast? Is there a chemistry? number one single, it was wonderful - but when Yeah, we all get along like a house on fire! It's the album went to number one as well, that this sexy vixen” such a great company; they're all really lovely. was so overwhelming. It was such a big body Everybody works really hard and there's no of work, and I'd poured so much time, blood, You're heading to the Midlands to star in the bad energy. I'm excited to get on the road with sweat and tears into it. It was totally legendary Rocky Horror Show. Are you them all. Liam Tamne, who's playing Frank N unexpected and something that I'll always be excited? Furter, is absolutely fantastic. Every time I very grateful for. Yeah! I really can't wait! I'm really nervous and watch him, I'm in complete awe of him! The You moved into musical theatre in 2009, excited about the audiences because I've whole company hold it all together and help taking the title role in the West End never played such a big part before. And, of each other out. I couldn't hope for a better production of The Rise And Fall Of Little course, Rocky Horror has such a huge, cult team, to be honest! Voice. What made you decide to take up a following. When we're in rehearsals, everyone's What would be your ideal role in theatre? new career in theatre so soon after your thinking about the audience and what they time on The X Factor? want. I'm excited to see their reactions, but I'm There are so many great characters out there. I'd love to play Roxie Hart in Chicago. That I did theatre when I was younger and I loved it. equally worried about shout-outs or heckles! would be a bit of a dream! It was something that I wanted to do eventually But yes, I certainly can't wait to visit the anyway. Nica Burns, the producer of Little Midlands and get on stage! Would you like to produce more music in Voice, and Jim Cartwright, the author, You're playing the role of Janet alongside a the future? approached me. I was actually in the middle of great cast. What excites you most about Yeah, never say never! I love writing and I love writing my album and was keen to get on with your character? singing, but right now, I'm concentrating on my recording it. But Little Voice was such a great I love how, at the beginning, she's very virginal; acting. In the past, I've spent so much time in opportunity that I decided my album could wait she's a young woman who's very sweet and the studio on my music that I'm taking some for a while. Taking the part is one of the best innocent. Then, halfway through, this sexy time out to do something different. things I ever did. It opened so many doors and vixen is released in her. I love singing Touch taught me so much. It trained me so well in Me and I love doing the bedroom scenes - terms of my acting and my voice. It was a real they're such fun! It's a real buzz when I do that Godsend for me, getting that part. - and to see the transformation she goes Diana Vickers stars in The Rocky You then moved into acting roles in film and through is really exciting. Horror Show at Birmingham’s New TV. Is this something you'd like to do more Alexandra Theatre from Monday 25 The Rocky Horror Show was first produced of in the future? until Saturday 30 January, in 1973 and has since become a global Nottingham’s Theatre Royal from Yeah, definitely. I love it. I especially love doing phenomenon. Do you feel any pressure to Monday 25 until Saturday 30 April comedy. I did Give Out Girls and, more live up to past performers in the same role? recently, Top Coppers. I've also done a couple and at Stoke’s Regent Theatre from Yeah, I do. Like I said, the fans are so involved of pilots for other comedies. I just love it. Doing Monday 23 until Saturday 28 May. and absolutely love the show. I really want TV is really time-consuming but such great fun. 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Food

Top eateries in prestigious guide... Sabai Sabai scoops award An impressive eighteen Harborne, Carters of Moseley Birmingham restaurants have and Edmunds. Hardens base Popular Thai eatery Sabai Sabai has been featured in the prestigious their list on a survey of over six been named Best Restaurant at the Hardens Guide 2016. thousand restaurant visitors and first ever Birmingham Awards, which Listed Brum eateries include claim to be the UK’s most Best Indian were recently held at the prestigious Purnell’s, Adam’s, Turners of authoritative restaurant guide. Edgbaston Cricket Ground. restaurant at Winning the coveted title topped off Curry a great 2015 for Sabai Sabai, which Gin bar opens in Jewellery Quarter Awards has restaurants in Harborne and Moseley; earlier in the year, its Birmingham eatery Two of Birmingham’s best bar- With just twenty-four seats, the founder and owner, Juree Chidwick, Pushkar has been tenders have gone it alone. venue is set to become one of was named Entrepreneur of the Year named the Midlands’ After making a name for himself the city’s smallest and most at the West Midlands Woman of best restaurant at the as bar manager of Great exclusive bars. Achievement awards. Hampton Street venue The 2015 British Curry Church, cocktail guru Amanjot Awards. Singh Johal has joined forces The popular fine-din- with Rob Wood (formerly of The ing Indian restaurant, Edgbaston and The Kenilworth) based in the city’s to open a specialist gin & tonic Broad Street, beat off bar. the challenge of eleven The award-winning duo will other eateries to win deliver table service in a former the coveted title. corner shop at 40 Cox Street, overlooking St Paul’s Square.

REVIEW: Andy Waters at Resort World impressive, if not more so. Cooked to absolute perfection, Affordable luxury at it’s best... the crispness of the puff pastry provided the perfect counter- The latest jewel in Birmingham’s classics. point to the earthiness of the culinary crown, Waters Entering the immaculately fin- salmon, which was melt-in-the- Restaurant prides itself on pro- ished interior - tastefully deco- mouth delicious and easily viding affordable no-frills fine rated in a palette of yellow, ranked among some of the best dining in relaxed and friendly beige and cream and accented I’ve tasted. surroundings. with silver leaf, natural pine and Opting for ‘duo of lamb - braised white chocolate - stepping out Located at the heart of the newly chrome lighting fixtures - I was breast and seared cutlet with into the bustling retail and opened Resorts World - a immediately struck by the quali- cauliflower, capers, baby turnips leisure complex was something £150million complex boasting ty of both my surroundings and and sugared carrots’ at £18, my of a shock to the system. This over fifty retail and restaurant the waiting staff, who achieved main course, if a little on the was a testament, no doubt, to outlets, an international hotel, just the right combination of small size for the price, was the venue’s unique sense of inti- casino and eleven-screen multi- attentiveness and discretion. nonetheless delicious - as was macy. plex cinema - it’s hard to imag- For starters (ranging from a very my partner’s choice of ‘slow- Whether it’s a leisurely lunch ine Michelin-starred chef Andy reasonable £6.95 to £9.25), I cooked blade of beef, baby with family, fine dining with Waters finding a more perfect opted for the duck liver parfait onions, lardons of smoked friends or a bite to eat with busi- setting in which to launch his with roasted almonds, Asian bacon and button mushrooms’. ness colleagues that you’re after, latest venture. pears and toasted brioche The only weakness was the side this is affordable luxury at its Conveniently situated for com- (£8.50) - delicately flavoured, order of seasonal vegetables, best. Kathryn Ewing muter traffic, day and evening beautifully textured and made consisting of new boiled pota- visitors and the ever-expanding all the more enjoyable by the toes, seasonal greens and baby Food: n n n n n tourist market, this eagerly chef’s recommendation of a carrots. These seemed a little Service: n n n n n awaited addition to glass of Chateau Thenac at rushed in execution, given the Ambience: n n n n n Birmingham’s already enviable £5.95. Its intense sweetness quality of the experience overall. Overall value n n n n n dining culture successfully counteracted the smoky depth of Having rounded off my meal OVERALL n n n n n bridges the gap between high the parfait perfectly. with Waters’ signature dessert of Andy Waters, end and high street, boasting an My partner’s choice of cured delice of chocolate, marmalade Resorts World Birmingham, extensive menu of freshly pre- salmon with puff pastry sand- ice cream and shortbread crum- pared dishes which marry wich, filled with smoked Pendigo Way, ble (£9.50) - a richly indulgent B40 1PU Waters’ signature panache with salmon, horseradish, lemon zest mix of bitter and fruit flavours Tel: 0121 273 1238 a healthy respect for age-old and cracked pepper, was just as punctuated with hits of sweet, whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Leona Lewis DPS.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:27 Page 1

INTERVIEW

leona lewis London-born Leona Lewis rose to fame back in 2006 when she won the third series of The X Factor. Best known for her 2008 award-winning single, Bleeding Love - which hit number one in over thirty countries - she’s back on the road after a three-year break from touring, to promote the release of fifth album I Am. With Leona next month bringing her new show to Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, Lauren Foster chatted to her about the new album, her departure from Simon Cowell’s Syco Records and her I Am Empowered campaign…

What was the inspiration I didn’t automatically leave the You recently sang in Italy with behind new album I Am? label and jump into a new deal. I Andrea Bocelli. How did that I started writing I Am independ- actually had time where I was out come about? ently, so really out of a record of a label and just me, on my own I studied opera from a young age, deal. I wanted to write an album and making the album, which so for me to be asked by Andrea that was very empowering and definitely had its ups and downs. was just a dream come true. uplifting - and a lot of its tone has After I started recording the When I first got asked, I was like, that feel to it. There are songs on album, that was when I decided ‘No, I can’t do it’ because I was there like Thunder And Fire to find a label to promote it. too scared. But then I got a bit Under My Feet, which is about more confident, and I’m now so getting up and doing something; You won The X Factor back in happy that I did it. It’s literally a about really giving you that en- 2006. Does it feel like almost a memory I will never forget. ergy to get out there and over- decade since you shot to star- come any obstacles that may be dom? Do you still get nervous in your way. It’s very uplifting. No, it’s flown by so quickly. Every before going on stage? time I say that to someone, Yeah, I still do - and I allow my- What makes it different to your they’re like, ‘No, it hasn’t been self to have that little bit of nerv- previous four albums? that long, it’s been maybe four or ousness. If it gets too much, I Well, I feel like this album, al- five years’. It really has flown by have to have a talk with myself though it’s me and I’m all about for me. and calm myself down. Usually really heartfelt songs, is coming I’m quite good, though, and have from a bit of a stronger place than More often than not, winners of just enough nervousness to give before. Maybe my other albums talent shows disappear off the me that adrenaline rush. were from a more vulnerable radar. You’re one of the very place. few who’re still in the lime- What’s the most memorable light. That must be a great performance of your career? After seven years on Simon feeling... There are quite a few. I got to play Cowell’s label, Syco Records, Yeah, it’s great that people are the Beijing Olympics closing cere- you signed to Island Records to still buying my music and feeling mony, which was really cool. I did release and promote your new the things that I’m saying. Obvi- a really lovely gig in St Tropez, album. Why the move? ously, everything has its high and looking out on to the water - I’ve I decided that I needed a change. low moments. I’ve always stayed been lucky to play a few gigs look- I find sometimes that when you’re true to what I love to do, to my- ing out over beautiful scenery, in a situation for a long time, you self, and to my hardcore fans, which is fantastic. I played with can get a bit comfortable. I really who’ve really supported me. It’s Stevie Wonder too, and with An- felt like it was time to change and been amazing for me. I feel very drea. So yeah, I’ve had a few re- do something a bit different. lucky. ally memorable experiences.

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Interview by Lauren Foster

Who are your musical more hustle and bustle; everything devastating into something influences? one’s very close and there’s more that was actually positive in her Singer-songwriter Eva Cassidy - of a community feeling. The style life. I started getting lots of sto- she’s one of my favourites - and and the vibe of London is very ries like that one sent to me, and Alicia Adams. Vocalists I love are cool. I wanted to share them by put- Whitney Houston and Sia. I really ting them on my social media. It like her voice; she’s amazing right Tell us about your I Am was really about having a bit of a now. Empowered campaign... social shift - especially now, with I Am Empowered started out so much negative and crazy news If you could collaborate with being an empowerment month. happening. I just felt it was im-

anyone in the industry, who I really felt Every day, I’d share something on portant to share something on would it be and why? my social media that was either a the flip side that was uplifting. Right now, I’d probably say Sia, like it was speech by someone that was em-

because I’m inspired by her. Bruno ‘‘time to powering, some words or a quote You start your UK tour in Mars too; I’ve always loved him. I change that I loved, some pictures or a February. Is there anything just heard a song by Beyonce and story. Fans started writing to me else in the pipeline for 2016? Coldplay. I’ve always liked the idea and do ‘‘ sharing their stories, and I would I want to get back in the studio of doing something with Coldplay. something share them as well. I started the again after the tour. The tour was I’ve always love that band. a bit campaign to get people involved initially going to be a bit longer, in sharing stories about the dif- but I made it this length so that I You’ve got a house over in LA. different ferent obstacles that people have had time to get back in the studio How does life over there com- to overcome. and start writing again. I want to pare to life in London? There was a girl who sent me a spend time with the family and It’s very different. I’m based in story about how members of her chill out too, so I’m looking for- both places. I’ve got a place in LA family had been killed by some- ward to that. because I do a lot of songwriting one that was close to them. She’d and recording there. It’s just such turned her life around - she’d a different feel. In LA, you get a lot been in a very dark place - and of space. trained to become a nurse so that Leona Lewis plays Symphony I’ve got horses, so there’s a lot of she could help and save people. Hall, Birmingham on Sunday land for them. London is a little bit She’d managed to turn some- 28 February

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Gigs

The Libertines Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Wed 27 January To say rock four-piece The Libertines have had a bumpy ride would be an understate- ment. The band rose to fame in 2002 following the release of debut album Up The Bracket. The same year saw them win Best New Band at the NME Awards and bag support slots with Morrissey and the Sex Pistols. The positive vibe was painfully short-lived, however. Within twelve months, Pete Doherty’s drug use had precipitated some major tensions, and relationships within the group took a decided turn for the worse. Doherty even burgled band mate Carl Bârat’s flat, for which he was sentenced to six months in prison. In 2004, the band released second album The Libertines - which topped the UK album to put all that bad feeling to one side - 2010 Expect to hear favourites such as What A chart - but Barât’s refusal to continue along- saw a reunion show at the Reading and Waster, Can’t Stand Me Now and Don’t Look side former best buddy Doherty brought the Leeds Festivals, and their live performances Back Into The Sun, as well as songs from curtain down on the controversial four-piece. and stage chemistry successfully recall the new album Anthems For Doomed Youth. Miraculously, the boys have since managed glory days of the past.

Daughter Nahko And Medicine O2 Institute, Birmingham, Wed 20 January For The People The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Sat 23 January This five-member American world music collective deliver a fusion of cultural musical influences. “The oral tradition of storytelling is so important for our generation to bring with us,” says Nahko. “Part of what we try to convey is accountability and empowerment. These songs direct us to look at ourselves, whether it’s about a social issue, environmental or a personal Although commonly labelled a folk band, issue. They embrace Bob Marley’s idea of Daughter only just manage to fit the mould. world-bridging, bringing people together to resolve differences. For us, music is a Playing the kind of music that’s both tool to create healing and activate people touching and heart-wrenchingly poetic, the to change things... I think our music pro- motes the bridging of all tribes.” Paul Carrack three-piece regularly sell out shows and have Malvern Theatres, Worcestershire, Fri 22 Jan Sheffield-born singer and musician Paul been playlisted by Radio One, 6 Music and Carrack has enjoyed a long and distin- XFM. Spearhead Elena Tonra’s lyrics are guished career. He’s performed in numerous bands down the years, including such heavy- impressively deep, covering thought- weight ensembles as Ace, Squeeze, Mike And provoking subjects such as doubt and The Mechanics and Roxy Music. He’s also paid his dues as a session and touring musi- loneliness. By contrast, her fractured vocals cian, and can point to his fair share of solo are as light as a wisp of smoke. success too. Oh, and he’s no slouch when it comes to Their second album - Not To Disappear - is songwriting either, with Tom Jones, The released on the fifteenth of this month. Eagles and Jools Holland all having benefit- ted from his remarkable talent.

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Gig previews from around the region

Minus The Bear The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 22 January; O2 Academy, Birmingham, Fri 29 January

Founded in 2001, indie rock four-piece Minus The Bear feature both current and former members of Botch, Kill Sadie and Sharks Keep Moving. They’ve released an impressive five albums and four EPs. Last year marked the tenth Massive Attack istered a huge success with debut album Blue anniversary of the band’s sec- Lines, scoring a further hit with second O2 Academy, Birmingham, Sat 30 January ond album - Meno El Oso - a album Protection. record which marked them out Alongside Portishead and Tricky, Massive Their third release, Mezzanine, sold over four as fearless experimentalists. Attack are one of the most respected acts million copies, making it their biggest-selling These Midlands gigs are part of from the famed 'trip hop' scene. release to date. a string of anniversary dates. Comprising Robert Del Naja and Grant The pair appear in Birmingham this month Support comes from Aero Flynn. Marshall - alongside an array of guest vocal- as part of their first tour in five years. ists and musical collaborators - the band reg- Blair Dunlop Stafford Gatehouse, Patty Griffin Dub Smugglers Mon 11 January The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 24 January Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Fri 8 January Twenty-three-year-old Blair has Since appearing at Outlook Festival 2011, showcased his skills as a singer, Patty Griffin is a Grammy Award-winning Dub Smugglers and their sound system have guitarist and songwriter with artist who’s achieved great acclaim both for become one of the most popular reggae and debut album Blight And her songwriting and her powerful voice. dub acts on the scene. Blossom and its follow up, Her albums Living With Ghosts (1996) and The sound system was first constructed in House Of Jacks. Flaming Red (1998) are considered seminal 2008 and has been touring the UK and Presenting a sound that’s tinged works in the singer-songwriter genre, while Europe ever since, performing alongside the with an American country and her songs have been covered by artists likes of Channel One, Mungos Hifi, Iration bluegrass feel, Blair is part of a including Emmylou Harris and The Dixie Steppas and Tippa Irie. famous musical dynasty; his Chicks. father is Ashley Hutchings, the New album As Servant Of Love travels famed co-founder of Fairport through different musical terrains, bringing Convention. together folk and blues, rock and jazz and Ashley joined his son on Blight ancient and modern sounds - providing Patty And Blossom, which was hailed with the perfect opportunity to show that her as one of the most well-crafted 1990s magic remains very much intact. Dub Smugglers Matthew E White folk albums of 2013. Matthew E White Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 27 January American songwriter and producer Matthew E White created the label Spacebomb Records in 2011, through which he then released debut album Big Inner and follow- up offering Fresh Blood. In addition to his solo work, White is also the leader of the avant-garde jazz big band Fight The Big Bull, for which he composes and arranges all music.

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Classical Music

Nicola Benedetti: Mitsuko Uchida Recital Syzmanowski Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 19 January Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 27 January Acclaimed pianist Mitsuko Uchida has Mesmerising audiences and critics alike with tireless fingers when it comes to playing her musicality and poise, Scottish-born violin- the piano, admitting it’s always her back, ist Nicola Benedetti is one of classical music’s shoulders and brain that need to take a most sought-after performers. break. Her road to fame began when she won Young Mitsuko owns four Steinways, the oldest Musician of the Year in 2004. Awarded an of which dates back to the early 1960s. MBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours list, And she has an interesting way of Benedetti went on to make chart history by viewing her pianos. “They're like human becoming the first Scottish classical artist to beings - all men,” she told the Guardian. break into the UK top twenty. She also played “Number Two is good for practising on. a patriotic role at the opening ceremony of the The third I call the Boy from Munich - Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. the kind that would drive a sports car. This Midlands concert sees her beginning the The fourth is the youngster, just getting City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s nappy trained.” mini-cycle of Szymanowski violin concertos Hailed for the probing and imaginative with the ‘ravishing, fantastical’ Second. quality of her playing, Mitsuko here per- Lahav Shani conducts. forms the following programme: Berg’s Piano Sonato Op1; Schubert’s Four Impromptus D899; Mozart’s Rondo in A minor K511; and Schumann’s Piano Sonata No.1 in sharp minor Op11. Tippett Quartet Chinese New Year Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 15 January Concert Bramall Music Building, Birmingham University, Thurs 28 January

“Chinese New Year offers the perfect opportunity for the University of Birmingham to celebrate our proud and longstanding relationship with China,” says the university’s Director of International Relations, Peter Clack. “Our engagement with China spans one hundred years, and with many more exciting initiatives under- way, we believe this intercultural friendship will go from strength to strength.” World-class musicians Di Xiao (pianist), Julian Lloyd Webber (cellist) and Xiefei Yang (guitarist) here cele- Boasting a broad and diverse repertoire, the brate the arrival of the Year of the Tippett Quartet have been delighting critics Sheep, playing traditional Chinese and audiences alike with their animated, music ‘that’s set to transport the audi- virtuosic performances for well over a ence to the land of dragons and decade. Equally comfortable playing the emperors’. CBSO Scheherazade music of both classical and Hollywood Symphony Hall, Birmingham, composers, the quartet consists of violinists Thurs 14 & Sat 16 January John Mills and Jeremy Isaac, Lydia Lowndes- Northcott (viola) and cellist Bozidar Vukotic. Andrew Gourlay is the man with the This concert sees them performing Haydn’s baton as the CBSO open Nikolai Rimsky- String Quartet in C Op 20 No 2, Robert Korsakov’s ‘book’ of musical stories. Simpson’s String Quartet No 14 (1990), and Scheherazade was an Arabic queen and Mendelssohn’s String Quartet in F minor Op the storyteller of The Arabian Nights. The 80, written in grief for the loss of his beloved legendary Russian composer’s 1888 sym- sister Fanny. phonic poem brilliantly retells her story. Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, 16 and Rachmaninov’s jazzy Piano Concerto No 4 also feature on the programme. Di Xiao

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Festivals

Photo credit: Shrewsbury Folk Festival

When it comes to music - todotfestival.co.uk APRIL regardless of your preference, be it BIRMINGHAM PRIDE Line up to be announced, Sat 28 - Sun 29 May, Birmingham Gay Village. Information jazz, indie, folk, classical, world or CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Line up includes and tickets at birminghampride.com Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Frankfurt Radio Big pop - you’re almost certain to find a Band and Giovanni Guidi Trio, Wed 27 Apr - Mon 2 festival in the Midlands to suit your May, various venues in Cheltenham. More informat JUNE ion and tickets at cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz taste. And 2016 looks set to be WIRRAL FOLK FESTIVAL Line up includes Ralph another bumper year for the McTell, Eddi Reader and Oysterband Thurs 2 - Sun 5 MAY Jun, The Whitby Club, Cheshire. More information region’s festival goers... and tickets at wirralfolkonthecoast.com SWINGAMAJIG Line up to be announced, Sun 1 May, WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL Line up includes Peter Hook & venue to be announced, Birmingham. More informa- The Light, Kate Rusby and From The Jam, Fri 3 - Sun Panic! At The Disco, Of Mice And Men and tion and tickets at swingamajig.co.uk New Found Glory are confirmed to play 5 Jun, Cheltenham Racecourse. More information HANDMADE Headliners announced so far include We and tickets at wychwoodfestival.com Slamdunk in Birmingham, Rosanne Cash - Are Scientists and 65daysofstatic, Fri 29 Apr - Sun 1 LUNAR FESTIVAL A family friendly festival set in the May, O2 Academy, Leicester. More information at daughter of Johnny - makes her much-antici- spiritual home of Nick Drake. Line up to be handmadefestival.co.uk pated debut at Shrewsbury Folk. American announced, Fri 3 - Sun 5 Jun, Tanworth in Arden, jazz trumpeter, composer and producer UPTON UPON SEVERN FOLK FESTIVAL Line up to be Warwickshire. More information and tickets at lunar- announced, Fri 29 Apr - Mon 2 May, various venues, festival.co.uk Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah plays Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire. More informa- THE ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN Line up includes Cheltenham Jazz, and The Neville Staple tion and tickets at uptonfolk.org The Blockheads, Nell Bryden and King King, Fri 3 - Band and the Brand New Heavies form part LEAMINGTON MUSIC FESTIVAL Celebrating the 30th Sun 5 Jun, Uttoxeter Racecourse. More information of the line-up at Leicester’s Big Day Out. anniversary of the Guarneri Piano Trio and the 40th and tickets at acousticfestival.co.uk anniversary of the Martinu String Quartet, Fri 29 Apr ASPARAFEST Line up to be announced, Sat 4 - Sun 5 - Tues 3 May, Royal Pump Rooms. More information Jun, Ashdown Farm, Evesham, Worcestershire. More And with increasing numbers of people at leamingtonmusic.org information and tickets at asparafest.co.uk choosing to trade the traditional summer ONE BIG DAY OUT Line up includes The Brand New ENGLISH HAYDN FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Heavies, The Neville Staple Band, Stone Foundation break for a weekend (or two, or three...) at a Thurs 8 - Sun 12 Jun, Bridgnorth. Information at eng- and New Street Adventure, Sat 30 Apr, De Montfort festival, it makes sense to plan ahead and lishhaydn.com Hall, Leicester. Information and tickets here demont- save money by taking advantage of the many forthall.co.uk GATE TO SOUTHWELL FOLK FESTIVAL Line up includes Hayseed Dixie, Show of Hands and Eddi Reader, early-bird packages available. FUDGESTOCK Line up includes Dead Sea Skulls, The Thurs 9 - Sun 12 Jun, Southwell, Nottingham. More We’ve taken a look at what’s currently on Father Teds and Six Appeal, Sun 1 May, The Robin, information and tickets at Bilston. Tickets can be purchased at therobin.co.uk offer and will keep you informed as more southwellfolkfestival.org.uk BEARDED THEORY Line up includes From the Jam, programming is announced. Keep up to date DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL Headlining are Iron Maiden, Wilko Johnson and Turin Brakes, Thurs 26 - Sun 29 by checking our festivals section online at Black Sabbath and Rammstein, Fri 10 - Sun 12 Jun, May, Catton Hall, South Derbyshire. More informa- Donington Park, Derby. Information and tickets at tion and tickets at beardedtheory.co.uk whatsonlive.co.uk downloadfestival.co.uk BREAKING BANDS Line up includes Reign of Fury, Evil LET’S ROCK BIRMINGHAM Line up to be announced, Masquerade and Blaze Bayle, Fri 27 - Sun 29 May, Sat 11 Jun, Sandwell Valley Country Park, West Stoke Prior Sports & Country Club, Bromsgove. More Bromwich. More information and tickets at letsrock- information and tickets at FEBRUARY birmingham.com/ breakingbandsfestival.com LEAMINGTON PEACE FESTIVAL Line up to be CHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL Line up includes Melrose THE INTER VARSITY FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL The 65th announced, Sat 11 - Sun 12 Jun, Pump Rooms Quartet, Blackbeard’s Tea Party and Nancy Kerr & IVFDF will see performances from Les Zéoles, Gardens, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. More infor- James Fagan, Fri 27 - Mon 30 May, Kelsall Village. Steamchicken, Peeping Tom and Folkus Pocus, Fri mation at peacefestival.org.uk 26 - Sun 28 Feb, various venues in Coventry More information and tickets at chesterfolk.org.uk 110 ABOVE FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Fri 17 SLAMDUNK FESTIVAL Celebrating its 10th anniver- - Sun 19 Jun, Gospall Hall Farm, Leicestershire. More sary, line up includes Panic! At the Disco, Of Mice & information at tickets visit 110above.com/ MARCH Men, New Found Glory and Four Years Strong, Sun 29 May, Genting Arena, Birmingham. Tickets can be ALCESTER FOLK FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, NANTWICH JAZZ, BLUES & MUSIC FESTIVAL purchased from slamdunkmusic.com Fri 17 - Sun 19 Jun, Holly Bush, Alcester, Warwickshire. More information and tickets at alces- Celebrating its 20th year, the line up includes Big DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL The UK’s premier festival for terfolkfestival.org.uk Country, FM, Bad Manners and Kyla Box, Thurs 24 - unearthing the hottest new talent around, alongside Mon 28 Mar, various venues in Nantwich. More infor- established acts from all over the globe. Line up to FOXTON LOCKS FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, mation and tickets available at nantwichjazz.com be announced, Sun 29 May, various venues, Sat 18 - Sun 19 Jun, Foxton Locks, Leicestershire. Nottingham. More information and tickets at dot- More information and tickets at

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Music festivals 2016

foxtonlocksfestival.co.uk THE FESTIVAL AT THE EDGE Line up to be announced, PERSHORE JAZZ FESTIVAL Fri 19 - Sun 21 Aug, Fri 15 - Sun 17 Jul, Stokes Barn, Much Wenlock, Pershore College, Worcestershire. More information UPTON-UPON-SEVERN JAZZ FESTIVAL Line up includes Shropshire. More information at and tickets at pershorejazz.org.uk Stephanie Trick, The London Swing Orchestra and festivalattheedge.org MellowTone, Thurs 23 - Sun 26 Jun, venues across V FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Sat 20 - Sun 21 Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire. More informa- L FEST Line up to be announced, Fri 15 - Mon 18 Jul, Aug, Weston Park, Shropshire. More information and tion and tickets at uptonjazz.co.uk Uttoxeter Racecourse, Staffordshire. More informa- tickets at vfestival.com tion and tickets at lfest.co.uk LICHFIELD BLUES & JAZZ FESTIVAL Line up to be FAKE FESTIVALS The UK’s only touring tribute bands announced, Fri 24 - Sun 26 Jun, various venues, BIRMINGHAM FEST Line up to be announced, Fri 15 - festival. Line up to be announced, Sat 20 Aug, Selly Lichfield, Staffordshire. More information and tick- Sun 31 Jul, various theatres across Birmingham. More Oak, Birmingham and Sat 27 Aug, The Quarry, ets at lichfieldarts.org.uk information and tickets at birminghamfest.co.uk Shrewsbury. More information and tickets at fakefes- tivals.co.uk LINTON FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Fri 24 - BUG JAM Line up to be announced, Fri 17 - Sun 19 Sun 26 Jun, The Alma Inn, Linton, Herefordshire. Jul, Santa Pod Raceway, Northamptonshire. More SHAMBALA Line up to be announced, Thurs 25 - Sun More information and tickets at lintonfestival.org information and tickets at bugjam.co.uk 28 Aug, a secret location near Market Harborough, Northamptonshire. More information at shambal- KINETON MUSIC FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL Line up includes Show of afestival.org Sat 25 Jun, Kineton Sports and Social Club, Little Hands, The Unthanks and Korrontzi, Thurs 21 - Sun Kineton. More information and tickets at 24 Jul, Warwick School, Warwick. More information PRESTEIGNE FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, kinetonmusicfestival.co.uk and tickets at warwickfolkfestival.co.uk Thurs 25 - Tues 30 Aug, Powys, Wales. More information and tickets at presteignefestival.com NOZSTOCK Line up to be announced, Fri 22 - Sun 24 Jul, Rowden Paddocks, Bromyard, Herefordshire. CREAMFIELDS Line up to be announced, Fri 26 - Sun JULY More information and tickets at nozstock.com 28 Aug, Cheshire. More information at creamfields.com SPLENDOUR Line up to be announced, Sat 23 Jul, CAMPERJAM Line up to be announced, Fri 1 - Sun 3 Wollaton Park, Nottingham. More information and BEERMAGEDDON Line up to be announced, Fri 26 - Jul, Weston Park, Shropshire. Information and tick- tickets at splendourfestival.com Sun 28 Aug, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove. More informa- ets at camperjam.com tion and tickets at beermageddon.co.uk BAREFOOT FESTIVAL First acts confirmed are Brad NATIONAL FOREST FOLK FESTIVAL Line up includes GREENBELT FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Fri 26 Shaw, The Mojo Slide, The Fruitful Earth and Fern Lucy Ward, The Shee, Monster Ceilidh Band and - Mon 29 Aug, Boughton House, Northamptonshire. Teather, Fri 29 - Sun 31 Jul, Prestwold Hall, Hannah James’ Jigdoll, Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jul, Moira More information and tickets at greenbelt.org.uk Leicestershire. More information and tickets at bare- Miners’ Welfare Hall, Leicestershire. Information and footfestival.com SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL Line up includes tickets at nationalforestfolk.com Levellers, Rosanne Cash, Raghu Dixit and Show Of CARFEST NORTH Line up includes The Corrs, ABC, LICHFIELD FESTIVAL Celebrating its 35th year. Line up Hands, Fri 26 - Mon 29 Aug, Greenhous West Mid Billy Ocean and Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, Fri 29 - to be announced, Fri 1 - Sun 10 Jul, Lichfield Showground, Shrewsbury. More information and Sun 31 Jul, Bolesworth Castle, Cheshire. More info- Cathedral and Lichfield Garrick Theatre, tickets at shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk mation and tickets at www.carfest.org Staffordshire. More information at lichfieldfestival.org LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL EISTEDDFOD AUGUST SEPTEMBER Line up to be announced, Tues 5 - Sun 10 Jul, Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen. More information BULLDOG BASH Line up to be announced, Thurs 11 - MOSELEY FOLK FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, and tickets at international-eisteddfod.co.uk Sun 14 Aug, Long Marston Airfield, Stratford Upon Fri 2 - Sun 4 Sep, Moseley Park, Birmingham. More information and tickets at moseleyfolk.co.uk NOISILY FESTIVAL Line up includes Patrice Baumel, Avon. More information and tickets at Tristan and Koan Sound, Thurs 7 - Sun 10 Jul, Coney bulldogbash.co.uk ONBOARD THE CRAFT FESTIVAL Line up to be Woods at Noseley Hall, Leicestershire. More informa- BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR Twisted Sister, Mastodon and announced, Fri 9 - Sun 10 Sep, Stoke Prior, tion and tickets at noisilyfestival.com Slayer headline, Thurs 11 - Sun 14 Aug, Catton Hall, Bromsgrove. More information and tickets at soni- crocksolstice.com NAPTON MUSIC FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Derbyshire. More information and tickets at blood- Fri 8 - Sat 9 Jul, Village Centre, Napton on the Hill, stock.uk.com BROMYARD FOLK FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Warwickshire. More information at LAKEFEST Starsailor are the first headline act Fri 9 - Sun 11 Sep, Bromyard, Herefordshire. More naptonfestival.co.uk announced, Thurs 11 - Sun 14 Aug, Eastnor Castle, information and tickets at bromyardfolkfestival.co.uk LICHFIELD FUSE FESTIVAL A free family community Herefordshire. More information and tickets at lake- WORCESTER MUSIC FESTIVAL Line up to be arts event. Line up to be announced, Fri 8 - Sat 9 Jul, fest.co.uk/ announced, Fri 16 - Sun 18 Sep, venues across Beacon Park, Staffordshire. More information at lich- FARMER PHIL’S FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Worcester. More information and tickets at worces- fieldarts.org.uk Fri 12 - Sun 14 Aug, near Gatten Farm, Shropshire. termusicfestival.co.uk MOSTLY JAZZ, FUNK AND SOUL FESTIVAL De La Soul More informaiton and tickets at announced as Friday’s headline act, Fri 8 - Sun 10 farmerphilsfestival.com OCTOBER Jul, Moseley Park, Birmingham. More information BETLEY CONCERTS Will Young and Simply Red have and tickets at mostlyjazz.co.uk been announced to headline, Fri 12 - Sun 14 Aug, LICHFIELD FESTIVAL OF FOLK Line up to be SHREWSBURY FIELDS FOREVER Line up to be Betley Court Farm, Cheshire. More information and announced, Fri 14 - Sun 16 Oct, venues around announced, The Quarry, Shrewsbury, Fri 15 - Sun 17 tickets at betleyconcerts.com Lichfield, Staffordshire. More information at lichfiel- Jul, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. More information at THE JUST SO FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Fri darts.org.uk shrewsburyfieldsforever.com 19 - Sun 21 Aug, Rode Hall Parkland, Cheshire. More information and tickets at justsofestival.org.uk whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Julian Lloyd Webber DPS .qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:38 Page 1

FEATURE

JULIAN LLOYD WEBBER Reflects on access to the arts, community engagement and life in the second city...

Following the difficult decision in disguise. “When we lose the rare that they'll pay a lot of to retire from public performance Adrian Boult Hall at the end of money for a ticket to something last year, celebrated cellist and June, it won't be easy, but we're they don't know whether or not conductor Julian Lloyd Webber taking it as an opportunity to go they'll enjoy.” began his tenure as Principal of out and play concerts all over the the Birmingham Conservatoire in city. We've got a new outreach But it's not all about facilitating September. A long-term, passion- manager here, Richard Shrews- access to music for children and ate advocate for the improvement bury, and we have lots of plans to young people: Lloyd Webber of music education, Lloyd Webber get out and engage with the com- hopes to make audiences of all is a natural fit for the role, as part munity, particularly with young ages more aware of the conserva- of which he will oversee a reloca- children. I want the conservatoire toire's diverse, exciting and very tion to a brand new, £40million to be right at the centre of what's affordably priced public events. building. going on in Birmingham, not something that's hidden away.” The programme for the new term “This building works well includes concerts and master- enough, but we'll be going some- As founder and chairman of classes from acclaimed perform- where so much better,” says Ju- music development charity Sis- ers like pianist Peter Donohoe lian, sitting in a large office at the tema England, Lloyd Webber has and baritone singer Roderick conservatoire's current home in long been involved in outreach Williams, the continuation of the the Adrian Boult Hall. “The new and community projects, provid- ongoing Completely Brahms sea- place is going to be state of the ing him with experience which he son - with two concerts each in art, totally focused around music. hopes to use in his new role at the January and March - and an ambi- There won't be many rooms like conservatoire. Dismayed by lim- tious, five-day Schubert Festival this around - most of the admin ited access to music tuition for in February which will see staff will be next door. It's a very excit- children, he recently hit out and students explore the coming time for me to join.” against plans to spend £500mil- poser's work via up to five con- lion on a new London concert certs per day. It's not only Set for completion in 2017, the hall, calling it a “wrong priority”. classical music on offer, either: new conservatoire will be the “It upsets me so much to see that March's Frontiers Festival will cel- UK's first in around thirty years. the majority of children aren't get- ebrate experimental, boundary- Located on Jennens Road, be- ting access to classical music. pushing work from contemporary tween Millennium Point and Music lessons and instruments composers, as well as showcasing Birmingham Ormiston Academy, are increasingly paid for by par- original music by the conserva- it will include over seventy music ents. In my view, children have a toire's composition students. practice rooms and five perform- right to experience music, and ance venues: a four hundred-seat they should get that in school. It's With most events priced at under concert hall, a one hundred-and- all very well having gleaming new £10, a glance across the pro- fifty-seat recital hall and smaller concert halls - but to splash out gramme should leave you feeling rooms dedicated to jazz, organ £500million when most children spoilt for choice. music and experimental work. aren't learning music at all, be- “People need to realise how many Naturally, of course, the transi- cause of the cutbacks, seems public concerts there are going on tion will bring difficulties, but the wrong. Where are the audience here, many of them free. The new principal wonders whether going to come from? People don't value is unbelievable: if you were these might not prove a blessing just walk in to things - it's very listening to an equivalent concert

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Feature by Heather Kincaid

in London, you'd be paying about Webber hopes to bring arts insti- taken time. In 2014, he an- four times the price. We had a con- tutions together so that the city nounced he was retiring from cert by a famous pianist called can begin to act “as a single en- public performance due to a her- Robert Levin at the beginning of tity”. niated neck disc which was af- this term, and he was playing the fecting his ability to play. same concert at the Wigmore Hall Another of his aims is to equip “I will always miss performing. If near Marylebone Station. I worked students with practical skills to you're lucky enough to be a solo out that it was cheaper to get the help them forge careers in the player and have that contact with train from Marylebone to Moor music industry - something he an audience, it's an incredible

Street and listen to him here than feels was lacking in his own edu- thing. It's unfortunate that the in- it was to hear him play in Lon- cation. jury was so specific in causing a don.” “There's often a very regimented loss of power in my bowing arm -

There’s approach to learning instru- I might not have even noticed Greater expense is just one of the nothing you ments, where you shut yourself anything was wrong if I wasn't a many things Lloyd Webber doesn't can get in away for six hours a day and cellist. But it's a really full-on job miss about London, where he lived ‘‘ ‘‘ practise playing the same music here, so I don't have much time London his whole life before his recent everybody else plays. We've got to think about it at the moment, move to Birmingham. that you to think outside the box more. which is good. I’ve always been “There's nothing you can get in can’t get in There are many different things passionate about education, and London that you can't get in Birm- Birmingham you can do in music besides I have a huge amount of knowl- ingham. Symphony Hall and Town being a concert musician, and I edge about working in music to Hall are amazing concert venues, want the students to find differ- share, so I'm doing something with things of a very high standard ent ways to use their individual which I think is very valuable going on all year, and the CBSO is talents. Some of the most suc- now. I wouldn't be here if it had- a world-class orchestra. I don't cessful people I've met in music n't happened, so there are posi- think people elsewhere realise didn't think they would end up tives.” how much is going on here: you where they are now when they could be out every night if you went to college, like being a wanted to. Another thing I like record producer, for example. about it here is that everything is We've got great people coming in within walking distance. That's so from all sides of the industry to different to London.” talk to the students.”

The ‘tight-knit’ nature of Birming- Nevertheless, Lloyd Webber him- To find out more about ham's city centre allows connec- self remains best known as a programming at Birmingham tions to be fostered easily between concert musician, and adjusting Conservatoire visit, related organisations, and Lloyd to a new life without his cello has bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire

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FEATURE Anna BAFTA winner talks about Maxwell her interpretation of the iconic character of Martin Lady Macbeth.

Feature by Heather Kincaid

Shakespearean verse meets carefully chore- and she talks about breast milk, which gives ographed physical performance in a visceral the impression that she understands the new production of Macbeth from company has. Funnily enough, although I’ve feeling of being a mother. That's something theatre/dance directing duo Carrie Cracknell been taking part in the dancing for weeks, I I’ve used, though not too heavily. There's a and Lucy Guerin, arriving at the don't actually have to do any in the final sort of hint towards the end, when she's Birmingham REP this month following its production - it was probably all cut out be- sleepwalking, that perhaps there was a initial run at the Young Vic. John Heffernan cause I was so bad!” child at some point in their lives.” stars as the ill-fated protagonist, alongside Fortunately, there's been one less thing to Maxwell Martin initially rose to prominence two-time BAFTA winner Anna Maxwell Mar- worry about than in some Macbeth produc- for her performance as Philip Pullman's tin. What's On spoke to Maxwell Martin to tions: the superstitious tradition of avoiding much-loved heroine Lyra in a six-hour stage talk about her interpretation of the iconic the play's name around the theatre has been adaptation of His Dark Materials. Yet despite character of Lady Macbeth. happily avoided. this early evidence of her commanding stage “The production is set in a modern world, presence and tremendous on-stage stamina, with a set that looks a bit like a bunker,” “I'd forgotten all about that!” Anna ex- she says she feels more comfortable in front says Maxwell Martin, “but I think the most claims. “None of us have been worrying of a camera than treading the boards. important thing about it is the way it com- about the superstitions, which is probably bines the text of the play with dance and for the best!” Cracknell and Guerin's only “I do find it difficult and I'm not sure theatre movement - a kind of physical manifestation previous collaboration was on the National is my natural home, but I still always of what's happening in the story.” Theatre's recent production of Medea, which have a good time. I love being part of a com- met with huge critical acclaim. By transport- The acting cast is supported by a small team pany of actors, and I love exploring a play ing Euripides' tragic tale to a contemporary of dancers offering a disturbing portrayal of for four or six weeks or however long the re- domestic setting, the duo created a claustro- the three witches, whose enigmatic hearsal time is. But it's the parts that draw phobically intimate horror exploring the prophecy inspires Macbeth to kill the King me back really. Whenever something by desperation that might drive a loving and take his crown. Chekhov or Shakespeare comes along, mother (played by a chillingly believable there’s an urge to take it. It's endlessly fasci- “The play makes it hard to know whether Helen McCrory) to kill her own children. nating doing Shakespeare because if you the witches are a symptom of Macbeth's fail- There are obvious parallels with Macbeth, analyse the text, it reveals lots of little jewels ing mind, or a supernatural force com- which also features at its heart a frustrated to you, sometimes even as you're speaking pelling him to act the way he does,” woman, driven to murderous extremes. it during the run of a play. I never get bored continues Anna. “They feature a lot in our “There's always a difficulty in making those doing Shakespeare.” production - however you read them, they're murderous figures believable in a domestic a constant presence in his mind, and they're On screen, Maxwell Martin's two BAFTAs setting, and that’s something I struggled represented in quite a scary, heightened way were received for her roles as Esther Sum- with. I try not to play her as a monstrous fig- in these fleshy-coloured outfits. If you take merton in the BBC's 2005 dramatisation of ure. There are a lot of different interpreta- them as something hallucinatory, then Bleak House, and as ‘N’ in Channel Four's tions about what Lady Macbeth is driven by, that's something that will fit in to any time Poppy Shakespeare. Fast building a reputa- so I've tried to find the humanity in her.” or place: certainly mental health is as much tion for her period performances, she’s also a part of our world as it was a part of Shake- Unlike Medea, driven to butcher her own appeared in South Riding, The Night Watch, speare's.” offspring, this version of Lady Macbeth pres- The Bletchley Circle and Death Comes To ents us with a woman who may have been Pemberley. More recently, you might have Physical training has not been exclusive to left traumatised by a loss beyond her con- seen her playing Mary Shelley in ITV's The the professional dancers, with everyone trol. Frankenstein Chronicles or Ethel Rogers in coming together to practise as “one big the Boxing Day broadcast of And Then group”. Of course, getting to grips with the “There's a long-running debate about refer- There Were None. choreography has been a challenge for the ences to a dead child in the play. Some pro- actors, but it's one that, for the most part, ductions have embraced that, but others they've embraced. feel that there isn't enough textual evidence to support that being a significant driving Anna Maxwell Martin stars in Hamlet at “It's really new to me, and it was a bit scary force. I think there probably is. Both Mac- The REP, Birmingham at first, but I've loved it - I think the whole beth and Lady Macbeth talk about a child, from Tues 26 to Sat 30 January 22 whatsonlive.co.uk Anna Maxwell single page MM.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:17 Page 2 Comedy Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:10 Page 1

Comedy

Little Fockers star live in Birmingham

Kevin Hart Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Fri 15 January

Philadelphia-born actor and comedian Kevin Hart is a big star on the far side of the pond, appearing in movies including Little Fockers, The 40 Year Old Virgin and Scary Movie 4. An example of his line in humour is: “Ever argue with a female and, in the middle of the argument, you no longer feel safe because of her actions? She may start pacing back and forth, breathing out her nose. You know what my girl do? When she get mad, she start talking in the third person. That’s scary as hell because that’s her way of telling me that, from this point on, she is not responsible for none of her actions.”

Six of the best...

Stephen K Amos Isy Suttie Mike Gunn Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Fri 15 January; The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 31 January The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 26 January; Royal Spa Centre, Sat 16 January Leamington Spa, Wed 27 January Although a self-confessed pessimist who, on his own admission, “is not a natural choice "I used to do a joke where I said I'd have to Recognise the face but not the name? If so, for a career making people laugh”, Mike wait for Lenny Henry to die before I could get chances are you're a fan of cult TV comedy Gunn is nonetheless very good at generating on television," says Stephen K Amos, refer- series Peep Show, in which Isy played the moments of ring to his character of mirth for his belief that big Dobbie. fast-growing breaks for A writer and and ever- black comedi- musician as appreciative ans are few well as an actor audience. and far and comedian, Mike’s road to between. Isy's touring in the stand-up Whatever the support of her microphone truth, there's first book, The has been a little question Actual One. thorny one, that Stephen's She describes it taking in all very much basking in the televisual limelight as ‘a memoir about the moment in your late manner of these days. twenties when you suddenly realise that all truly grim jobs His success is no surprise, mind, given the your mates are growing up without you”. and an addic- quality of his material and his effortless abil- Her gags include: “My mate's a really bad tion to heroin. ity to strike all the right chords with his ever- actor. He got mugged and then had to audi- He’s been clean for a good few years now, appreciative audience. tion to play himself in the Crimewatch recon- which is more than can be said for some of struction. He got Passerby Number Two.” his jokes, one of which is: “My wife wants to be buried in her wedding dress. In which case she’d better hope she dies of some kind of wasting disease.”

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Stewart Lee Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sunday 31 January When you've been voted the forty-first Best Ever Stand-up Comedian, you know you've arrived - well, kind of! Stewart Lee shot to fame courtesy of his partnership with Richard Herring. He’s continued to press all the right buttons as a solo entity too, scoring a hit with Jerry Springer The Opera. His style of comedy won't make for the most comfortable of rides, but he's thought-provoking, funny and memorable, so suffer- ing the odd moment that makes you awkward is a small price to pay for an otherwise great night out.

Rob Rouse Joel Dommett Ellie Taylor The Glee Club, Birmingham, The Glee Club, Birmingham, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham, Thurs 28 - Sat 30 January Fri 8 - Saturday 9 January; Thurs 14 January Lichfield Garrick, Fri 22 January Boasting a plethora of TV credits, including Ellie Taylor kickstarted her comedy career in Channel Four's 8 Out Of 10 Cats, ITV's “I absolutely love performing in small, inti- her late twenties, performing in stand-up Celebrity Juice and Dave's One Night Stand, mate spaces,” says Joel Dommett, once the reality TV series Show Me The Funny. Rob Rouse ped- face of MTV - “I got some other television work out of that dles a hyperac- until he was and a few bookings,” recalls Ellie, “but peo- tive brand of sacked at the ple’s expectations outweighed what I was humour that’s age of twenty- able to provide. I wasn’t really good enough much in seven for being at that stage.” demand. ‘too old’. “I’d Now in her early thirties, “I’m hugely far rather do a Ellie’s comedy has come a lucky not to small gig in long way in a short time. have a real front of fifty “It was tricky back then,” job,” says Rob, who’s recently launched his people, but be she admits, “getting very own podcast. “Something that essen- doing new offers that I wasn’t ready tially used to get me told off at school now stuff, than do old stuff in front of five thou- for, but I really do feel earns me a living. Genuinely, that’s how it sand people.” like I’m there now.” feels - to a certain degree anyway. There’s Joel’s extremely committed to the business of stuff that I wasn’t meant to say at school, or keeping his act fresh. “I’m working on mate- things that I wasn’t meant to say at work, rial pretty much all the time,” explains the that I can now say on stage. I can arse about, one-time warm-up act for Justin Bieber I can say exactly what I want, regardless of whose television work includes Skins, Live how offensive people may or may not think it In Chelsea and Impractical Jokers UK. “In is. As long as I’m accountable for what I say, fact, I try to put in something new every time then I can do it. Without being churlish I go on stage. If there’s something new in about it, it feels like a very healthy way for there, it brightens up the whole set and gives me to live my life.” it more energy and excitement.” For more comedy listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 25 Steve Punt DPS.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:39 Page 1

FEATURE

steve punt talks about joining the cast of Rocky Horror

With the latest tour of The Rocky Horror Show set to land in Birmingham's New Alexandra Theatre this month, comedian Steve Punt joins the cast of the surreal sci-fi classic in the role of the Narrator. A well-established presence on the UK comedy circuit, Punt is best known for his work as one half of long-running double-act Punt and Dennis. Independently, he also writes for, among other shows, CBBC's Horrible Histories. But despite a successful showbiz career with ample experience in musical comedy, The Rocky Horror Show tour marks Steve's first appearance in a live stage musical. What's On caught up with him to find out more.

You'll be opening the new Rocky Horror Show tour in Brighton, Steve, which is something of a natural home for the show. Are you feeling the pressure of audience expectation? Lots of the actors have done it before, so you've got around you a kind of cushion of people who know the show backwards, and there'll be a weekend of previews to help those of us who’re new to it. But to be honest, having the chance to rehearse something properly for three weeks is a relative luxury for me! Comedians don't really rehearse much anyway, and a lot of what I do is topical, so it's only written a few days before. Also, with radio, you have a script in front of you, so you don't have to learn anything. I'm really enjoying the process of working it all through properly with the cast and getting everything fixed in my head.

Were you much of a Rocky Horror fan before you were offered the part? I'd seen it a few times so I knew it fairly well. Some of the songs I've known since I was a teenager, and some bits stick in my memory more than others, so it's really interesting to see how it all fits together. It's such a well- worked show - it's been on for forty years, so every single second of it has been meticu- lously worked out.

What do you think it is about the show that's made it such an enduring success? I think there's a whole mix of stuff that makes it slightly addictive. It's just so weird and so different from everything else that if you've ever seen it at all, you're not likely to

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I’m sure anyone who's ever had anything to do with the show before would secretly like to try out the full Frank-N- ‘‘ Furter get up - particularly the cloak. ”

forget it. There are lots of moments in the show that are very memorable visually and musically. I guess that's why it's become a show where the audience joins in a lot. Music I think is almost uniquely powerful in the way it wraps up memories for people, and it's probably been around long enough now that people who saw the original production will be bringing their families along. It's almost like the more familiar it becomes, the more people want to stay with it. Now, with so many jukebox musicals around, it probably stands out in a slightly different way to how it originally did. In a sense this is quite an old-fashioned, proper stage musical, with songs that tell a story and belong at too much about everyone who's played the things. Writing is about being able to polish their own point in the action. It also has a bit part before. It has to be between you and the something to perfection, and it's a very quiet, more depth to it than you might expect. It's text. concentrated pursuit, whereas during a per- gained this reputation for just being a romp formance you're completely in the moment with lots of audience participation, but the What's your costume like? Do you get and if anything goes wrong there's nothing last twenty minutes make you feel like you're a fancy smoking jacket? you can do about it, so there's an adrenaline seeing a proper piece of theatre. I've got a marvellous smoking jacket that's rush you don't really get from writing. actually being made from scratch! I'm not As a comedian, I'm sure you've dealt with generally the sort of person who gets jackets More recently you've been involved in cre- hecklers, but The Rocky Horror Show made, so on the rare occasions when it hap- ating work for kids, like Horrible Histo- takes audience participation to a new pens it's quite exciting. You can feel the be- ries. Is it different writing for children? level. Is that something you're looking for- spoke way that it fits, and in a largely Partly it depends on the age, but certainly I ward to? ready-made world there's a very old-school think once they're about eight or so, you We were talking about this in rehearsal the thrill to being fitted. should never talk down to children. They other day. You can't really think of it as heck- sense it immediately. As a kid, I always liked ling, which is often malicious and designed Have you ever been tempted to try out the stuff that was slightly too old for me - there to trip you up. In this case, it's more that the full Frank-N-Furter get up? was something aspirational about wanting to audience are part of the show - the obvious I'm sure anyone who's ever had anything to watch or read something more grown-up. In comparison is with pantomime. It is slightly do with the show before would secretly like the very first meeting for Horrible Histories, daunting because even when you know to try out the full Frank-N-Furter get up - par- we were told not to consciously write it for something, if you get interrupted halfway ticularly the cloak. It's amazing! It's very children, but to just treat it like a sketch show through, it can throw you, so there is a feel- much of its time, from that mid-’70s era when about history, and I think that's key to its suc- ing of trepidation among those joining for the pop acts like David Bowie and Peter Gabriel cess. All of the writers and the producer came first time. But it comes with the territory, and had all their elaborate stage costumes. The from comedy rather than children's back- not only have I been fully warned about it, costumes do make this show feel like it's in grounds, and it's gone on to win comedy I've actually been given a script with all the its own world, which is a powerful thing in awards. It's immensely enjoyable to work on. usual heckles in it so I can get used to the any production, but there's also a kind of pe- Of course, that involved big, silly costumes timing and where you need to leave pauses. riod charm to it now. too. You see - cloaks are always funny! The Narrator role is being shared between You do a lot of behind-the-scenes writing you and two other people (Charlie Condou and editing as well as performing. Do you and Philip Franks) on this tour - has there have a preference for either? been any sense of competition between There's an element of the grass always being you? greener, where part of you always wants to be We haven't seen each other rehearsing, and I doing whatever you're not doing at that moment. When I'm writing something, I always get the feeling we're all trying to come at it The Rocky Horror Show plays New from different angles. There are many ways think it would be nice to be performing it, and then when I'm performing, I feel like I'd Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Monday you can play it, and I think that's precisely 25 to Saturday 30 January, Malvern The- rather be tucked away in a nice café some- why they bring different people in. I suppose atre, Worcestershire, Monday 9 to Saturday it's like any part that people already know - where with a coffee and a laptop. The truth is 14 May and Regent Theatre, Stoke-on- when you do Shakespeare, you can't think I enjoy both, but they give you very different Trent, Monday 23 to Saturday 28 May.

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Theatre

The Rocky Horror Show New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 25 - Sat 30 January; Malvern Theatre, Mon 9 - Sat 14 May; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 23 - Sat 28 May Ben Freeman stars opposite X Factor finalist Diana Vickers in this new touring version of Richard O’Brien’s cult classic. It tells the tale of straight-laced Brad (Freeman) and the deliciously corruptible Janet (Vickers), who arrive at the castle of the alien transvestite Frank N Furter and witness the birth of the monster, Rocky. Great fun’s a guarantee - particularly if you get into the spirit of things and attend the show dressed in your very best stockings and suspenders (as many patrons do)! Other casting includes Paul Cattermole as Eddie/Dr Scott, Kristian Lavercombe as Riff Raff, and comedian Steve Punt (of Punt & Dennis fame) as the narrator.

The Snowman The Sisterhood Crazy Glue The REP, Birmingham, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, mac, Birmingham, Thurs 21 January Wed 20 - Sun 24 January Sat 30 January - Sat 20 February Single Shoe Productions, the company Henriette may want to marry the man she behind this ‘tragicomedy about loss’, cite as loves, but her mother, aunt and sister have their inspiration the physical comedy of other plans for her... Buster Keaton and the madcap absurdity of Highly acclaimed playwright and translator Looney Tunes. Ranjit Bolt has here adapted the classic A cast of two here bring together clowning, Molière satire Les Femmes Savantes, updat- dance, mime, quirky humour and an evoca- ing it from its original seventeenth century tive 1930s soundtrack to reveal ‘the crazy, setting to France during the 1980s. sticky, messy side of marriage’. A fast-paced comedy, it sees the Belgrade’s Artistic Director, Hamish Glen, making a welcome return to the subject of marriage following a string of successful classic comedies.

Yizcor New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Making a welcome return to The REP in its Mon 25 January traditional New Year slot, Raymond Briggs's The Snowman is best known, of course, for Writer and director Sue Moffat’s powerful Howard Blake's classic song, Walking In The drama-documentary is here presented to Air. mark United Nations Holocaust Memorial When a young boy’s snowman comes to life Day. Using actual words - from diaries, let- on Christmas Eve, the pair set off on a night- ters and poems - of young people who expe- time quest for excitement. rienced the events leading up to the On their travels they meet reindeer, dancing Holocaust, it tells the story of teenagers penguins and some of the Snowman’s many Ariella and Moshe, along the way providing and varied friends. ‘powerful testimony’ to the devastating The adventure's not without its anxieties, effects of prejudice and discrimination. though, with the evil Jack Frost eager to get The play has been developed with support his icy mits on the pair of unlikely chums... from the Imperial War Museum and Val and Ibi Ginsburg, survivors of the Auschwitz and Dachau concentration camps.

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Theatre previews from around the region

WIN! TICKETS To enter visit whatsonlive.co.uk We’re Going On A Bear Hunt Birmingham Town Hall, until Wed 13 January This delightful adaptation of Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s popular picture book follows a family as they head out on an intrepid quest to find a bear. Catchy songs, interactive scenes and plenty of hands-on adventure are combined with swishy swashy grass and oozy, squelchy mud in a show that seems certain to keep youngsters well and truly entertained.

The Legend Of Moscow State Circus to astonishing displays of human skill and King Arthur endurance - many of which are evident in its Artrix, Bromsgrove, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, latest production, Zhelaniy. Sun 10 January; Thurs 28 January The Place, Oakengates, Based on a popular Russian folklore story, Shropshire, Sun 24 January The Moscow State Circus is very possibly the the show transports its audience to ‘a won- best-known circus in the world, based on drous and mysterious enchanted garden’. It’s over two hundred years of tradition. there that wishes are granted to the beautiful When animals became an unpopular aspect Zhenya, who finds herself surrounded by ‘a of circuses, this flexible family favourite multitude of flying, back-flipping, juggling, adapted to survive by moving the emphasis wire-walking and roller-skating performers’.

Locus Amoenus Death of a Salesman Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 30 January Sat 16 - Sat 30 January As the world changes around him, Willy Loman struggles to keep up. An on-the-road Although zany funsters salesman for longer than he cares to remem- Oddsocks are probably best ber, Willy’s notched up countless miles in his known for their humorous takes efforts to earn an honest crust for himself on the works of William and his family. But as the corporate world Shakespeare, they occasionally moves on, sixty-year-old Willy finds himself like to shake things up a bit by questioning the decisions he’s made - and looking for their inspiration wonders how the world can care so little for a elsewhere. man who’s given so much... This is one such occasion. Arthur Miller’s poignant and harrowing play Magic, music, mirth, jousting is regarded as one of the twentieth century’s knights - and an impressively Atresbandes is a Catalan company with a most influential works, its study of loneliness gutsy Guinevere - are all present growing reputation for producing thought- and failure having touched a chord with post- and correct in this high-energy provoking works of theatre that can some- war America. production. times be a little bit perturbing. At a time when society is changing at an ever- The company are promoting the This latest offering - their fourth - takes a faster pace, the play continues to have reso- show as ‘an exciting, interactive look at the final thoughts of three people who nance today, particularly for anybody who’s and action-packed winter treat catch a train and tragically die following a ever had the feeling that the world is passing for all the family’. derailment. them by. A sharp and perceptive piece, it offers Atresbandes’ trio of performers plenty of opportunity to show exactly why they’re considered to be one of Europe’s most promising theatrical ensembles.

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Winter/Spring A new look for a new year

Until Tue 9 - Sun 31 Jan Sat 13 Feb From £14 From £18.50

Wed 17 - Sat 20 Feb Ashton Double Bill Wed 24 - Sat 27 Feb Romeo & Juliet

Wed 17 - Wed 9 Mar - Mon 25 - Sat 27 Feb Sat 23 Apr Sat 30 Apr From £10 From £25 From £13.50

IDFB is an award winning biennial festival produced by DanceXchange in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome, funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council. Nederlands Carlos Acosta Cloud Gate Dance Dance: Sampled Ballet BC Dans Theater 2 Theatre of Taiwan

Tue 3 & Fri 6 & Tue 10 & Tue 17 & Fri 20 & Wed 4 May Sat 7 May Wed11May Wed18May Sat 21 May From £15 From £15 From £15 £15 From £15

0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p/min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:41 Page 4

Theatre previews from around the region

Private Lives Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 25 - Sat 30 January; New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 8 - Sat 13 February Tom Chambers and Charlotte Ritchie star in this major revival of Noël Coward's ever- The Great popular masterpiece. Gatsby Written in 1930 with all of his trademark élan, Private Lives is one of Coward’s Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 28 - Sat 30 January sharpest comedies. It tells of a divorced couple - Amanda and Elyot - who meet each The hugely innovative other again on their second honeymoons in Blackeyed Theatre is the com- Deauville, and begin to consider dumping pany behind this new stage their new loves to try and rekindle their adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald's literary master- relationship. piece. Typically replete with devastating one-lin- Set in the American Jazz Age of ers, Private Lives is a cynical portrayal of the Roaring Twenties, the story married life, infidelity, selfishness and inse- focuses on the quixotic passion curity. of mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby for the beautiful former debutante, Daisy Buchanan. In the process of recounting the tale - told though the eyes of Gatsby's Long Island neigh- Abuelo The Circus Of Horrors: bour, Nick Carraway - The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 14 - Sat 16 January Fitzgerald presents not only the Carnevil story of a delightfully decadent Lichfield Garrick, Tues 12 January; decade but also a cautionary Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Fri 15 January; tale about the American

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 6 Dream... March; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sat 26 March An off-kilter affair that bears more resemblance Chinese New to a freak show than any modern definition of a Year circus, the one-time Britain’s Got Talent finalists Wolverhampton Grand here present a world beyond political correct- Theatre, Sun 31 January

ness and taste. With the performers dressed in a manner reminiscent of The Rocky Horror Show, If New Year left you with a yearning for further such festiv- there’s no denying the skill of those participat- ities, then this is the show for ing - or indeed the ensemble’s sheer ‘wow’ fac- you. tor. This latest offering is set in Victorian One month after we all wel- London and follows three adolescents who run comed in 2016, you’re here away to the circus. Trouble is, this particular cir- invited to sit back and sample cus is no stroll in the big top, plagued, as it is, an evening of New Year cele- In a story which ponders the question of what by ‘a swarm of killer klowns, demon dwarfs, brations Chinese style. - can be learned from different generations, a death-defying aerialists and fire-limboing acro- Attractions include the ‘auspi- S bats’. The show climaxes in what’s being young black Birmingham woman is struggling cious’ Lion Dance, the ancient with an identity crisis. described by the company as ‘an awesome, magic of face changing and no In an effort to better understand who she is, she flaming apocalypse’. little amount of juggling, acrobatics and kung fu fighting. explores her heritage through the legacy of her ‘jolly, gambling, allotment-obsessed, story- Heck, there’s even some ‘nim-

telling grandfather’. The Elves And ble staff-spinning’ to enjoy, not to mention the sure-to-be-cap- Created in the REP Foundry, Abuelo is the first The Shoemakers tivating antics of numerous, er, full-length show from Amahra Spence. Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent, 'monkeys'. Staffs, Sat 23 January The Lover Things aren’t going well in the shoemakers’ Austentatious shop. The old shoemakers are hungry and cold Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, and down to the final piece of leather to make Lichfield Garrick, Tues 12 - Thurs 14 January Wed 20 - Thurs 21 January one last pair of shoes. Award-winning production company Misnomer But help comes in a very unexpected way... Austentatious visits the Theatre here present Harold Pinter's surreal Live music, puppetry, physical storytelling and Midlands having garnered plenty of praise when it one-act work about a couple who resort to role- ‘plenty of elf magic’ are here brought together play to spice up their relationship - and in so by Derby Theatre & Big Window. debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe. Lighthearted and doing take their audience on a rollercoaster ride The show has been developed for children aged delightfully throwaway, it finds of confusion and deceit... between three and seven. the performers utilising audi- Tamworth-based actors Olivia Shepherd and ence suggestions to develop a Neil Lucas star. play that not only pays homage to Jane Austen but also gener- birminghamhippodrome.com ates plenty of laughter along For full theatre listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk the way. C whatsonlive.co.uk 31 Theatre - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:41 Page 5

Pantomimes and festive shows in January

Aladdin Cinderella: A Fairytale Dick Whittington Birmingham Hippodrome, mac, Birmingham, until Sat 9 January And His Cat until Sun 31 January Tobacco Factory Theatres and Travelling Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 20 - Sat 23 January Marti Pellow here makes his pantomime Light Theatre Company’s brilliantly quirky debut - and is being helped to settle right in take on this best-loved of fairytales visits the The story of a young man who heads for by the guiding hand of panto veteran Julian Midlands on the back of hugely successful London in search of fame and fortune is one Clary. runs at two London venues. of the most popular of all Christmas-season Former Joseph star Lee Mead, meanwhile, A 2013 Olivier Award nominee and a 2014 Off shows (okay, this one’s arriving a tad late). takes on the role of Aladdin, while Matt West End Award winner, the show is suitable With the dastardly King Rat putting in an Slack and Andrew Ryan play Wishee Washee for children aged six and older. appearance, and heady romance with the and Widow Twankey respectively. delightful Alice very much on the cards for Stunning 3D effects and a Santa’s sackworth our eponymous hero, this is a show that of quality comedy - both mainstay ingredi- Beauty And The Beast looks set to be packed to its post-festive ents in the Hippodrome’s winning recipe for Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, rafters with action, comedy and fun. pantomime fun - are also present and correct until Sat 9 January Presented by Jars Of Clay. in 2015’s blockbuster offering. AIan Lauchlan makes a welcome return to Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti is certainly the Belgrade pantomime, this time to take enjoying his first experience of starring in on the role of Dame Clarabelle Crumble. Peter Pan pantomime: “Panto is a rite of passage. I This year’s offering is being described by the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, think the British embrace it because we see it theatre as ‘an enchanting tale of heroic until Sun 3 January; Wolverhampton Grand for what it is and understand it for what it is. adventure, true love, messy mayhem and fes- Theatre, until Sun 24 January We get it. Everything’s amped up, every- tive frivolity which promises to be the most JM Barrie's timeless tale of the boy who thing’s larger than life, there’s nothing subtle beautiful and beastly yet’. never grew up has long been a popular about it. It’s very family-orientated but it also Sounds like the sort of experience it’s well choice with theatres looking to provide a fes- spans generations.” worth sending yourself to Coventry for - if tive-season family production. And as previously mentioned, on this partic- you don’t already live there, of course... And there’s certainly no bucking of that par- ular occasion it also comes complete with ticular trend this Christmas, with two of the Julian Clary. “Now there’s a man who’ll put a Midlands’ biggest venues offering audiences smile on your face!” says Marti, who’s also Wendy And Peter Pan young and old the chance to enjoy an action- responsible for the show’s score. Royal Shakespeare Theatre, packed adventure in Neverland. Read the full interview with Marti online at Stratford-upon-Avon, until Sun 31 January At Wolverhampton Grand, long-in-the-tooth whatsonlive.co.uk JM Barrie’s timeless tale of daring heroics, pantomime favourites John ‘Nasty Nick’ everlasting childhood, dastardly pirates and Altman and the Chuckle Brothers ensure Dick Whittington lost children is here reimagined by director there’s plenty of comedy to enjoy alongside Ella Hickson, who takes her characters on a all that splicing of mainbraces and shivering Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, of timbers. until Sun 10 January transformative journey beyond the sheltered landscapes of the Edwardian nursery. Meanwhile, at the Regent Theatre, Jonathan Shrewsbury panto favourite Brad Fitt here Wilkes and Christian Patterson look set to dons a frock or several to star as Dolly the In a swashbuckling family adventure, she hurls them headlong into a Neverland of further cement their status as Stoke-on- Cook in the ever-popular story of a young Trent’s favourite panto duo. While Christian man who heads for London in search of fame their own imagining, where shadows lurk around every corner, battles are fought and plays Captain Hook, Jonathan marks his and fortune. tenth year in festive entertainment by play- With the happy-go-lucky Dick finding him- won, happy thoughts are rediscovered, and heroines (as well as heroes) are made. ing the conniving pirate’s comedy side-kick, self involved in all sorts of adventures, and Smee. the dastardly King Rat up to no good, an evening of action, comedy and festive fun seems pretty much guaranteed. For full theatre listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk

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FEATURE Matthew Bugg

talks about his scandalous story of burlesque, blackmail and bombshells...

A writer, composer, producer, director, musician, actor and dancer, the multi-talented Matthew Bugg is the mastermind behind the modern hit musical Miss Nightingale, which flies into Coventry's Belgrade Theatre on its fifth and final UK tour in February. Set in the dark days of the Second World War, the show tells the tale of an unlikely collaboration between a cabaret singing sensation and a Polish refugee songwriter, delving into the latter's illicit same-sex love affair with an upper-class impresario.

“Before Miss Nightingale, I hadn't done much musical theatre,” admits Matthew. “I find that a lot of it doesn't really excite me - it can be very predictable and often doesn't engage your brain enough. I wanted to challenge people's expectations of what musicals could be by combining the best bits of musical theatre - the fantastic show tunes, the wit and the humour - with a really strong, surprising story, and I think with Miss Nightingale we've achieved that. This is a show which makes people cry with laughter one moment and moves them to tears the next.”

Creating a challenging, thought-provoking story with sufficient depth involved extensive research into the war period and the real-life situations people faced. As the horror of war and totalitarian regimes created a climate of fear, homosexuality was considered dangerous and unpatriotic, and women's social roles changed dramatically while sons and husbands were away from home fighting.

For those interested in finding out more about the history behind the musical, Bugg and his Marketing Director partner, Toby Oliver, have compiled a range of brilliant resources. These are accessible via the Miss Nightingale website and include images, videos, articles and lists of recommended books and films. “My husband Toby and I run the company together, and his approach to theatre is very

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Feature by Heather Kincaid

much a research-based one, with an aca- “I play Harry, who’s the brother of the lead leaving college, but he's just astonishing, demic validation for everything we do. His character. He's a northern, working class whereas Clara Darcy (Maggie/Miss first degree was in English and Drama, and lad who’s come home on leave and is look- Nightingale) is a very experienced actor- then he went on to do an MA at RADA. It ing for a good time. He's got some really musician who’s had a lot of lead roles - she was great having him on board because mucky one-liners, and it's great fun to play was previously in Propaganda Swing at the he'd always be questioning me and mak- a part where almost every single line gets a Belgrade.” ing really insightful points about historical laugh from the audience. But it's a very accuracy. Providing that information for small part - he's only in one scene - which Bugg hopes that his radical approach will those who want it is a really important part is good, because I think I would’ve strug- encourage both audiences and new cre- of what we're trying to do in terms of gled to juggle a bigger one with everything ators to think about the musical genre dif- demonstrating that there can be much else!” ferently. more to musical theatre than people often think.” Interestingly, for Bugg, juggling these re- “We want this to be a show that appeals to sponsibilities isn't about trying to retain people who already go to musicals, but Toby's family were also an invaluable re- full control of the project. If anything, he equally, if you're the sort of person who source, having fled to Britain just before says, it allows for a greater level of input doesn't normally like them, we hope that the outbreak of war. from the rest of the team. this might be the one to change your mind. “George's story is similar to what hap- “It's a huge workload, but we have a great We do have audience members saying that pened to members of Toby's family. They support network behind us, and I think it all the time - often people who've been were all either German or Czechoslovakian brings a real clarity of focus to the project. dragged along to see it by their partners Jews who were fortunate enough to get out Because the pool of people working on the have ended up really enjoying it. before people started being sent to concen- show is very small, we're able to be very “We're now the most successful original tration camps. They've been to see the collaborative. Listening to each other be- British musical for the last decade. If you show and they absolutely love it.” comes quite easy when you've only got a look at other popular musicals, they're all Since making its first outing as a small, small number of people to listen to, so based on pre-existing works. I like to think studio-theatre production in 2011, Miss everyone can have a say on everything, we're the vanguard of a new movement Nightingale has evolved considerably, with and we're still able to drive things forward of people who’re trying to rediscover what changes not only to cast and crew but also quickly and efficiently.” the British musical can be.” to the shape of the show itself. If Bugg makes big demands of himself, his “Originally there were only three actors expectations of the cast are equally high. and a separate band, so the biggest change Every performer in the show must be able is that we've now got a company of six per- to dance, play instruments and sing as My husband Toby and I run formers who are all actor-musicians. well as act. Perhaps surprisingly, for this ‘‘the company together, and his There's also been a lot of restructuring. In tour at least, they've had few problems fill- approach to theatre is very much total there have been about thirty-five ing every role. songs written, and only about twenty-two a research-based one, with an of them are in the current version, four of “We had very long shortlists. It was hard academic validation for which are new. I think this illustrates the when we first started and no one really level of rigour we're approaching it with, knew what we were doing, but since 2013, everything we do. and that's probably partly why it's doing so we've been inundated with people want- well.” ing to work with us - partly because they liked what we were doing but also because That rigour and drive for perfection sees word got round the industry that we had Bugg take on multiple roles within the this very collaborative way of working. Miss Nightingale shows at the Belgrade company: in addition to composing the ” From then on, we've had the absolute pick music, writing the libretto, producing and of the crop, and this year we've got a really Theatre, Coventry from Tues 9 to Sat 13 serving as musical director, he also plays impressive cast, all with very different lev- February. More information about the multiple instruments and has a small els of experience. For Connor O'Kane show and its history can be found at acting part. (George), this is his first big job after missnightingale.co.uk. whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Dance Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:16 Page 1

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Dance

Akram Khan Company: Chotto Desh The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Fri 29 - Sat 30 January Cross-cultural storytelling lies at the heart of this Akram Khan Company celebration of the human spirit and its admirable resilience in times of trouble. Adapted from Khan’s DESH, a 2011 production for children and their families, it runs for fifty minutes and tells ‘the compelling tale of a young man’s dreams and memories from Britain to Bangladesh’. Theatre-Rites director Sue Buckmaster has helmed the show, which, it’s promised, will be ‘a magical, thrilling and poignant dance theatre experience for families to enjoy together’.

Anton & Erin Strictly Come Symphony Hall, Dancing Live Birmingham, Barclaycard Arena, Sat 30 January Fri 22 - Sun 24 January Celebrity dancing The ever glitzy and always glam- duo Anton du Beke orous Strictly Come Dancing hits and Erin Boeg return the road again this month. to Birmingham’s Hosted by Mel Giedroyc - and Symphony Hall this with regular judges Len month with their Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood brand new show. and Bruno Tonioli in tow - the Blending smart cho- live version sees the show’s pop- reography, sassy ular dancers putting their celebri- tunes and sparkly ty partners through their paces costumes, Anton with a host of new routines. And Erin are joined The Snow Queen Performing everything from ball- by the twenty-five- room and paso doble to the waltz Prince Of Wales Theatre, Cannock, Thurs 21 piece London Concert January; Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, and tango, the show’s stars are Orchestra, Fri 22 January; sure to delight Strictly’s loyal six ensemble fans. The Snow Queen is ruler of all she surveys. dancers, guest singer Taking to the dancefloor this year When she kidnaps young Kay, it’s left to his Lance Ellington and are: Call The Midwife actress sister, Gerda, to save him from a bleak future conductor Richard Helen George; The Wanted’s Jay in the frostbitten wastelands... Balcombe. The well-reviewed Ballet Theatre UK is the McGuiness; EastEnders actor Jake company here giving this classic Hans Wood; Frankie Bridge from The Christian Andersen fairytale an imaginative Saturdays; actress Georgia May new treatment. Foote from Coronation Street; TV Expect ‘beautiful costumes’ ‘glittering stage chef Ainsley Harriott; and televi- sets’ and a ‘glorious and magical score’. sion presenter Anita Rani.

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Film

The Hateful Eight CERT 18 (168 mins) Starring Samuel L Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demián Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, James Parks, Channing Tatum Directed by Quentin Tarantino (USA) Two high-profile, snow-swept Westerns blow into England this month from world-class directors. This one is Tarantino’s long-awaited re-imagining of The Magnificent Seven, with less clean-cut protagonists. Set in post- Civil War Wyoming, the film features eight disparate bounty hunters who take refuge at a stagecoach stopover during a blizzard. This being Tarantino, one can expect some pretty strong violence and explicit (male) nudity. The music is composed by the eighty-seven- year-old Ennio Morricone, his first score for a Western in forty years. Filmed in the Ultra Panavision 70 process. Released Fri 8 January

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in January...

The Danish Girl CERT 15 (120 mins) Room CERT 15 (115 mins) Starring Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander, Starring Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay Ben Whishaw, Sebastian Koch, Amber Heard, Directed by Lenny Abrahamson Matthias Schoenaerts (Ireland/Canada) Directed by Tom Hooper (UK/Germany/USA) In the room, Joy and her five-year-old son have found a sort of equilibrium. For Jack, it’s all he’s ever known, but for Joy there is an alternative. The ‘other’ world - that place populated by other children, by cats and Joy CERT 12a (124 mins) dogs and trees and houses - is a magic place Starring Jennifer Lawrence, dreamed up by the television in the room. Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, For Jack, though, the real world stretches all Édgar Ramírez, Isabella Rossellini, the way to the end, round and round the Diane Ladd, Virginia Madsen four corners of his small universe… Directed by David O. Russell (USA) The claustrophobic domain of Emma That’s Joy, as in Joy Mangano, the Donoghue's 2010 novel cannot have seemed Tom Hooper previously directed The King’s remarkable woman who founded a an obvious choice for a movie. But Speech and Les Misérables and his latest business empire after inventing the Donoghue wrote the screenplay herself film has been generating Oscar buzz since Miracle Mop. And if that sounds a little before any filmmakers came begging. To last summer. Eddie Redmayne plays the Dynasty for you, look at the cast and sustain the emotional drama of the piece, transgender pioneer Lili Elbe, who started remember that David O Russell direct- one needed two outstanding actors, and the her life as the (male) artist Einar Magnus ed The Fighter, Silver Linings Irish director Lenny Abrahamson has found Andreas Wegener. Redmayne and Alicia Playbook and American Hustle. them. The seven-year-old Jacob Tremblay is Vikander - the latter as Lili’s wife, the illus- Jennifer Lawrence is said to be simply extraordinary as Jack, a damned fine trator Gerda Wegener are virtually guaran- extraordinary in the role. Again. reason to see the film in itself. But Brie teed Oscar nominations. Inspired by real Released Fri 1 January Larson is every bit as good as Joy and events in Denmark in the 1920s. together they collude to create 2015’s most Released Fri 1 January consistently gripping, moving and original drama. Released Fri 1 January 38 whatsonlive.co.uk Film Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:29 Page 2

Film releases in January

CRITIC’S CHOICE 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi CERT 15 (115 mins) Starring James Badge Dale, John Krasinski, Max Martini, Dominic Fumusa, Toby Stephens Directed by Michael Bay (USA) Although Michael ‘Transformers’ Bay is at the helm, this is actually a true story. In 2012, on September 11, an American compound in Libya comes under fire by Islamist militants and the American Ambassador is shot dead. A group of CIA security contractors fight back. Released Fri 29 January

The Revenant bear. Incensed by his abandonment, Glass dreams of revenge - but first must CERT 15 (156 mins) find the will to survive in unhospitable Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, terrain. The actor even ate raw meat to Will Poulter, Paul Anderson, Lukas Haas remain in character, which is pretty ded- Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu icated considering that DiCaprio is a veg- (USA) etarian. And because the director insist- Inspired by true events and filmed in the ed on shooting in natural light, the film frozen wilds of Alberta and British ran significantly over schedule, forcing Columbia, The Revenant has Oscar writ- the production to move to southern ten all over it. DiCaprio plays Hugh Argentina after all the original snow Glass, an 1820s’ frontiersman who was had melted. left for dead after being mauled by a Released Fri 15 January

Creed CERT 12a (133 mins) The Big Short CERT 15 (130 mins) Starring Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rash d Gosling, Brad Pitt, Marisa Tomei, Margot Robbie Directed by Ryan Coogler (USA)ā Directed by Adam McKay (USA) For Creed, think Apollo Creed, or more accu- The recent economic crisis is given a make- rately Adonis ‘Donnie’ Creed, Apollo’s son. over in this comic drama from the director Apollo was Rocky Balboa’s main pugilistic of the Anchorman films. And it’s based on a rival in the Oscar-winning 1976 film Rocky. true story. What makes it so compelling are But time has moved on and now the ageing the characters that people the battlefield, Rocky takes on the role of trainer for his old real eccentrics who rose to the top of the adversary’s boy. Filmed in Philadelphia and cesspool in spite of their quirks. Christian Liverpool. Bale is Michael Burry, a sort-of genius who Released Fri 15 January turns up to work in sandals and Bermuda shorts and utters two words that could gain The Big Short its immortality: “Everybody’s The 5th Wave CERT 12a tbc wrong.” Arrogance was certainly a factor in Starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, the financial crisis, as was greed and bare- Ron Livingston, Maggie Siff, Maria Bello, faced fraud. If you can’t tell your triple A- Liev Schreiber rated package from your bespoke tranche Directed by J. Blakeson (USA) opportunity, don’t worry. As one exasperat- The world is under attack from aliens and ed character exclaims: “It’s like two plus after four extraterrestrial assaults, the earth two equals fish.” The result is a stylish, is all but destroyed. One of our planet’s last smart, fast and irreverent Western in which survivors, Cassie (Moretz) teams up with a the lassos and bullets have been replaced young man who may be her last hope - if by strategy and big words. she can trust him. Adapted from the young Released Fri 22 January adult novel by Rick Yancey, this is the first of a proposed trilogy (here we go again). Released Fri 22 January

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Film

Spotlight A War CERT 15 (115 mins) CERT 15 (115 mins) Starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel Starring Pilou Asbæk, Tuva Novotny, Søren McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Malling, Dar Salim, Charlotte Munck Stanley Tucci Directed by Tobias Lindholm (Denmark) Directed by Tom McCarthy (USA) In war, there are two fronts. For the wife and The spotlight is on Catholic priests in three children of company commander Boston back in 2001. It’s old news now, par- Claus M Pedersen (Asbæk), there is the day- ticularly for those who have seen Alex Ride Along 2 to-day drama of coping without a husband Gibney’s stunning 2012 documentary Mea CERT 15 (115 mins) and father. For Pedersen, there is the more Maxima Culpa: Silence In The House Of Starring Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika immediate drama of saving his men from a God, but Tom McCarthy’s finely researched Sumpter, Benjamin Bratt, Olivia Munn raid by the Taliban in Helmand Province, drama is still a story worth telling. Directed by Tim Story (USA) Afghanistan. ‘Spotlight’ was the name of a special inves- Former security guard Ben Barber Released Fri 8 January tigative unit within The Boston Globe, and (Hart) is now a full-fledged cop and the film reveals more about the mechanics rides along with his soon-to-be broth- of top-tier American journalism than it does er-in-law James Payton (Cube) on a about the corruption of the Catholic church. drug takedown in Miami. But they’re It’s a meticulous and smart, low-key study still not seeing eye-to-eye… of the rigours of investigative reportage, albeit without the narrative energy of, say, Released Fri 22 January Alan J Pakula’s seminal All The President’s Men. Indeed, it is a surprisingly forensic Capture The Flag and unmoving film that is more concerned CERT PG (94 mins) with the mechanics of the newspaper world Directed by Enrique Gato (Spain) than the fall-out from child abuse. While this sounds like a rather patri- Our Brand is Crisis Released Fri 29 January otic (flag-waving) American cartoon, CERT 15 (115 mins) it’s actually the work of Spain’s Starring Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton, Lightbox Animation Studios. The Anthony Mackie, Joaquim de Almeida, Ann ’toon focuses on the twelve-year-old Dowd, Scoot McNairy Mike Goldwing, whose grandfather Directed by David Gordon Green (USA) was supposed to have flown to the moon with Neil Armstrong, but dropped out of the mission when his son - Mike’s father - got chicken-pox. Mike then stowaways on a new flight to the lunar surface to thwart the plans of a Texas billionaire to discred- Sleeping WIth it NASA’s achievements. Cute. In 3D. Released Fri 29 January Other People Based on the 2005 documentary of the same CERT 15 (101 mins) name, this political satire follows a presi- Starring Jason Sudeikis, Alison Brie, Adam dential campaign in Bolivia conducted by Scott, Jason Mantzoukas, Natasha Lyonne, rival American electioneering strategists. Adam Brody, Amanda Peet Amazing, but some of it is true. Ms Bullock’s Directed by Leslye Headland (USA) part was originally written for a male actor. Jake (Sudeikis) is a womaniser. Lainey (Brie) Released Fri 22 January is a serial cheat. But when they get together, sex is the last thing on their minds. They just like each other... The 33 CERT 12a (127 mins) Released Fri 1 January Dirty Grandpa Starring Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Juliette Binoche, James Brolin, Lou Diamond CERT 15 (115 mins) Phillips, Gabriel Byrne Starring Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Zoey Directed by Patricia Riggen (Chile/Colombia) Deutch, Aubrey Plaza, Dermot Mulroney, Julianne Hough Directed by The thirty-three were the Chilean miners Dan Mazer (USA) who found themselves trapped when their Days before his wedding, Jason gold and copper mine collapsed in 2010. The (Efron) is tricked into driving his event captured the imagination of the world debauched grandfather to Florida for and a film of the disaster was perhaps the spring break. Not to be confused inevitable. It features the very last score of with the Jackass movie Bad Grandpa the late Oscar-winning composer James (2013). Horner. Released Fri 29 January Released Fri 29 January 40 whatsonlive.co.uk Film Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:29 Page 4

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

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Visual Arts

Janet Mendelsohn: Varna Road Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, Wed 27 January - Sun 3 April

American academic and documentary film- maker Janet Mendelsohn was a student at the University of Birmingham in the late 1960s. While there, she began to explore ways in which photography could be used in field research. Her resulting project comprised nearly three thousand photographs, the majority of which depicted everyday life in the Birmingham inner-city district of Balsall Heath. Many of the photos featured a sex worker referred to as Kathleen, with whom the pho- tographer formed a close relationship. This new Ikon exhibition presents a significant selection of photos from Mendelsohn’s project, not only illustrating the unquestion- able talent of the woman behind the lens but also providing a fascinating insight into a community in an acute state of flux...

Jan Vanriet: The Music Boy Still, Still Life Richard Woods: The New Art Gallery, Walsall, Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, Duck Weave Fri 29 January - Sun 8 May Sat 9 January - Sun 6 March Eastside Projects, Birmingham, Sat 30 January - Sat 9 April A ‘still life’ work of art features a depic- Richard Woods is wide- tion of inanimate, everyday objects. ly known for his large- These can be either natural or manufac- scale transformative tured. graphic artworks on To shed further light on the matter, the architecture, and for Tate Museum’s glossary defines the sub- his inventive and play- ject of a still life as ‘anything that does ful sculpture, painting not move or is dead’... and woodblock printed This thought-provoking exhibition, com- furniture. Woods here prising paintings, photographs, textiles researches the rede- and installations, takes a look at select- ployment of a thousand-year-old Midlands ed artists’ approaches to still life, bring- construction technique. ing together work which is conventional with pieces that are experimental. Hopes And Dreams: Statement Of Intent Explored Belgian artist Jan Vanriet’s work is heavily influenced by the Second World War stories Parkside Gallery, Birmingham City University, Mon 11 January - Fri 12 February and memories conveyed to him by his parents, who met in the Mauthausen concentra- “We invited our members to submit works tion camp. based around the theme of manifestos,” As such, themes of love, loss, identity, des- explains Letter Exchange, a small group of tiny and disappearance are greatly in evi- lettering professionals dedicated to preserv- dence in his paintings. Yet despite such ing, promoting and developing expertise in weighty subject matter, his works invariably the lettering arts. “The words in the exhibi- manage to convey a sense of the artist’s play- tion are eclectic and diverse, in turns enig- fulness and his lightness of touch. matic, obscure, uplifting and inspirational. The exhibition’s title refers to a polyptych of The exhibits demonstrate an innate under- four paintings depicting Vanriet’s uncle as a standing of letterforms and are executed boy, playing the accordion in the presence of with the technical skill that underpins the his mother before the war (as seen above). commitment of Letter Exchange members to the very best in the lettering arts.” 42 whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:48 Page 2

A World To Win: Gerard Byrne: Posters Of Protest 1/125 Of A Second And Revolution Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 16 January - Sat 12 March Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 30 January - Sunday 10 April The means by which the present can Drawing on the Victoria & Albert be understood through a revisiting of Museum’s collection, this fasci- the past is explored in the work of nating exhibition takes a look at Irish artist Gerard Byrne. a century of posters specifically Byrne, who utilises photography, designed and displayed with the video and live art, is renowned for his intention of prompting and pro- film installations, which re-enact con- moting political change. versations from specific historic The display features around sev- moments. enty posters and showcases the This latest exhibition centres on the work of diverse artists, graphic world premiere of a new film by the designers and print collectives. artist. During its course, he stages a con- frontation between the photographic image and the forms of representation that it supplanted.

For more comedy listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Events Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:57 Page 1

Events

Monster Energy Arenacross Genting Arena, Birmingham, Sat 23 - Sun 24 January An absolute must for extreme sports fans, the Monster Energy Arenacross Tour brings all the spectacular elements of motorcross indoors for a ‘non-stop white-knuckle ride’. Set to a pumping soundtrack and laser show, Arenacross sees the world’s best freestylers taking to the track to present some truly awe-inspiring entertainment. Alongside plenty of top British talent, the show also features riders representing America, France, Spain, Italy, Estonia and Finland - not to mention racing gladiators from as young as seven taking to the circuit in search of Arenacross glory...

Tattoo Freeze BBL Cup Final The International Centre, Telford, Camper Mart Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Shropshire, Sun 31 January The International Centre, Telford, Sun 17 January Shropshire, Sun 31 January One of the most eagerly anticipated dates on “The aim of Camper Mart,” explain the British Basketball League (BBL) calendar, the event’s organisers, “is to cater for this annual event sees stars of the national every conceivable need for people who game go head-to-head in pursuit of coveted own, are restoring, maintaining, cus- silverware. tomising or who just simply display an The get-together also features some of interest in owning a Volkswagen Europe’s top slam dunkers - giving it their all Camper. in a bid to become the BBL Slam Dunk “Our trade stalls display a plethora of Champion - and the Women’s British VW goodies, giving our visitor excel- Basketball League Trophy Final, taking place lent choice. during the show for the second year running. “And if you’re having problems with your bus, want some general advice on tuning, modifications or anything bus related, our resident ‘bus doctor’ team is on hand to help out.”

Following on from the success of previous shows, this specialist one-day event offers members of the general public the chance to get themselves tattooed by one (or more!) of the two hundred talented tattooists who’ll be in attendance. Past shows have featured some of the world’s See for all your greatest graffiti artists, BMX and skateboard thelist champions, shopping stalls, children’s activi- events listings ties, national roller derby tournaments and ice sculpture demonstrations and workshops.

44 whatsonlive.co.uk Events Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:22 Page 2 What's On Readers Awards.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:31 Page 1

Readers’ #culturematters Awards #artsmatters

Get VOTING for your favourite Midlands events and venues in the...

Readers’ What’sOn Awards

CATEGORIES INCLUDE BEST: Yes, it’s time for you to show just how much you

Touring Musical appreciate Birmingham and the West Midlands’ Touring Play ever-vibrant arts and entertainment scene! Home Produced Show Front of House Nominate and vote online for your favourites to Regional Theatre Venue help them secure a place in our What’s On Regional Music/Arts Venue Readers’ Awards Top 5 Shortlist. Regional Visitor Attraction Outdoor Event The shortlist will be announced in our February Arts Event issue, when you’ll have another chance to VOTE Art Gallery/Exhibition Venue Exhibition for your favourite in each category. So get voting Comedy Venue now! Midlands Comedian Live Midlands Band Complete our Readership Survey for the chance to Midlands Female Musician WIN £1000 cash! Midlands Male Musician Music Festival VOTE for your NOMINATIONS by 20 January 2016 Arts Festival Family-friendly Festival The Top 5 Shortlist in each category will be announced Food Festival at the end of January - and then you’ll get the chance Independent Cinema Venue to VOTE one more time for your favourites. Voting will Midlands Restaurant close at the end of February. Community Achievement Award WINNERS will be announced in the Spring VOTE today at whatsonlive.co.uk

46 whatsonlive.co.uk Competitions January .qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:21 Page 2

Win! To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk

Tickets for Autosport Tickets to BBL Cup Final Tickets to Into the Hoods International (Remixed)

Closes Monday 11 January Closes Friday 15 January Closes Thursday 18 February Tickets to Of Mice and Men Tickets to Hamlet Tickets to Avenue Q

Closes Tues 1 March Closes Thursday 24 March Closes Tuesday 9 February Tickets to Dial M For Murder Tickets to End of the Rainbow Tickets to Camper Mart

Closes Tuesday 19 January Closes Tuesday 16 February Closes Friday 22 January Tickets to The Monster Energy Tickets to see The Great Tickets to Bring On The Arenacross Tour Gatsby Bollywood

Closes Friday 15 January Closes Friday 22 January Closes Friday 15 April Tickets to The Snowman Tickets to Jackie The Musical Tickets to Wipers

Closes Wednesday 13 January Closes Tuesday 8 March Closes Thursday 5 May

To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk also follow us on Twitter for more great competitions

whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Whats On 30 years FINAL MM NO PICTURES.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:16 Page 1

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of What’s On...

Noticed anything different about this The 1980s. The decade of Glasnost, yuppies, month’s magazine? Miami Vice and mullet hair-dos. The Iron Lady crushed the invading Argentinians and Well, to celebrate our 30th anniversary year, the striking miners. Bob Geldof inspired we’ve had a bit of a makeover, redesigning Live Aid. Football hooliganism saw English your essential What’s On publication. clubs kicked out of Europe. While all of this and plenty more was making We hope you enjoy it! the world go round, here in the Midlands we Let’s pause for a moment to contemplate welcomed a brand new dawn in the field of re- how it all started, the trials and tribulations gional entertainment publications. What’s On Magazine was born, quietly and along the way and, equally importantly, without any fuss. the exciting year ahead! Thirty years later, it’s still here and as popular as ever - long after those mullet hair-dos became a ‘badge of shame’ and the Iron Lady re- linquished her steely grip on the nation. Following the dream Our founder and CEO, Martin “I was a man with a dream,” smiles founder Monahan, reluctantly posing for and chief executive Martin Monahan. “Not that a pic with our very first Apple the bank were impressed by that to begin with. mac (it’s an SE model). Pur- So I used my personal credit card to buy an Am- chased back in 1987, it’s still strad computer - they were all the rage at the part of the furniture today, al- time! - and set about turning that dream into a though obviously it’s no longer reality, without any help from the bank. functional - a bit like Martin, “The early years were tough by comparison some might say! with nowadays, when sending the magazine to

48 whatsonlive.co.uk Whats On 30 years FINAL MM NO PICTURES.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:16 Page 2

feature

Some of the current What’s On team attempting to pose for a quick snap purely for this feature! Quick everyone smile and look at the camera... crikey - oh well this will do!

From left to right: Front: Martin Monahan, founder and CEO; Lauren Foster, Davina Evans, Editorial Director; Lei Woodhouse and Ryan Humphreys. Middle: Sue Jones and Julia Perry, Back - Abi Whitehouse, Brian O’Faolain, Chris Atherton and Adrian Parker - everyone else was too chicken to pose or washing their hair!

print is a breeze - compara- some of the region’s biggest at the same time seeing the our first ever What’s On tively! We’d be up all night theatres. Birmingham and Midlands’ en- Readers’ Awards. preparing the magazine for the “Both the Birmingham Hippo- tertainment scene develop as a What’s On is now making its printers. It had to be printed out drome and Wolverhampton brand too,” says Martin. “And presence felt across various into columns of text and then Grand theatres were on board plenty has happened these last platforms. As well as the six had to be physically pasted from day one,” Martin recalls, thirty years, from the arrival of magazine titles - Birmingham, with cow gum on to printing “and they’ve advertised every Birmingham Royal Ballet and Wolverhampton, Stafford- sheets. It was a hugely labori- month since. It goes without the opening of Symphony Hall shire, Warwickshire, Worces- ous, time-consuming task. By saying how much we’ve appre- in the early days through to any tershire and Shropshire - we the time we’d finished, we ciated their support. And the number of major refurbish- now have one of the best enter- needed matchsticks to keep our ongoing support, of course, of ments and redevelopments of tainment websites in the Mid- eyes open! each and every one of our other our local theatres. We’re very lands. And our significant “It sounds like a real pain but regular advertisers.” proud to have been there growth on Twitter, with 60k looking back, it was a fantasti- As the years passed, the stable throughout, supporting and followers in Birmingham and cally enjoyable time. And we of What’s On titles increased. promoting Birmingham and the over 150k across the whole re- even managed a couple of Where once there was one, now Midlands as a vibrant hub of gion, is phenomenal. claims to fame. We were the there are six. top-quality entertainment.” We will soon be moving to new first publishing company in the “It’s been an amazing experi- offices in Birmingham’s UK to pioneer the desktop pub- ence growing our brand while An exciting future Southside district too, in addi- lishing package QuarkXPress, Thirty years on and still going tion to retaining our Shrews- and one of the first to use an strong indeed. And the future’s bury base. This is a truly apple mac - before they were fa- looking bright too, as the maga- exciting era for the Midlands’ mous!” we needed zine’s Editorial Director, Davina entertainment scene. It’s expanding and developing all the matchsticks to keep Evans, explains. “It’s a really Fantastic support time, and we’re very happy to our eyes open exciting time for us right now, From the word go, the maga- “ and in 2016 we’ve got some ex- be playing our part every step zine enjoyed the support of ” citing new developments - like of the way.” What’sOn

whatsonlive.co.uk 49 Competitions January .qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:21 Page 1 The List Cover.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:44 Page 1

Your week to week listings guide January 2016 thelist ArenaCrosshits the nec in Birmingham -23 and 24 January 2016

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

The Legend of King Arthur Stephen K Amos in Worcester Wanted band member stars in Akram Khan Company presents at Artrix in Bromsgrove and Birmingham Strictly Come Dancing Live Chotto Desh in Birmingham Sun 10 January 15 & 16 January 22 - 24 January 29 and 30 January

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thelist THROUGHOUT January between friendship and duty. Natalie WOLVERHAMPTON SOCIETY OF ARTISTS Abrahami directs, until Sat 23 Jan, Visual Arts Biennial exhibition with a diverse Theatre The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- range of styles, mediums and sub- Avon ject matter, until Sat 27 Feb, CASTING A FORTUNE: FROM CABINETS LOVE FOR LOVE Selina Cadell makes PETER PAN Starring the Chuckle Wolverhampton Art Gallery TO COFFINS EXHIBITION Exploring the her RSC directorial debut with Brothers and John Altman, until Sun TREASURE! DISCOVERING THE history of Newman Brothers, from its Congreve's restoration comedy 24 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD Victorian beginnings making cabinet Interactive where love for love is stronger than Theatre fittings to its rebirth in the 1960s as a exhibition telling the story of how the love for money, until Fri 22 Jan, The Staffordshire Hoard was found and Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon company connected to the royal household, until Fri 29 Jan, Newman saved for the nation, until Sat 12 Mar, WENDY AND PETER PAN Join Wendy, Brothers Coffin Works, Birmingham Bilston Craft Gallery Peter, Tink and Captain Hook in Ella FITTING IN AND GETTING ALONG Hickson's acclaimed re-telling of JM SOCIETY OF ARTISTS The 68th annual exhibition of the Worcester Society of Through personal stories, film and a Barrie's classic children's story, until selection of objects the exhibition Sun 31 Jan, Royal Shakespeare Artists, until Sat 30 Jan, Worcester City Museum & Art Gallery explores the life stories of members Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon of the Birmingham Polish community, SOUND MATTERS; EXPLORING CRAFT until Wed 23 Mar, Birmingham AND SOUND A Craft Council touring Museum & Art Gallery exhibition - seven contemporary PHOENIX - CREATED BY works from a range of creative disci- WOLVERHAMPTON'S SCHOOL CHILDREN ALADDIN Starring Marti Pellow, Julian plines, until Sat 6 Feb, Wolverhampton Art Gallery School student in Wolverhampton Clary, Lee Mead, Matt Slack and has been invited to decorate a feath- Andrew Ryan, until Sun 31 Jan, INDELIBLE MARKS: THE DRESDEN er to become part of a glorious Birmingham Hippodrome PROJECT BY MONICA PETZAL Marking phoenix which will be on display, the 75th anniversary of the Coventry until Thurs 31 Mar, Bilston Craft Blitz and the 70th anniversary of the Gallery, Wolverhampton Dresden bombings; Indelible Marks INHERITING ROME connects Coventry with its twinned Exhibition which city and shares their wartime experi- uses money to explore and question ences, until Sun 7 Feb, Herbert Art our deep-seated familiarity with the Gallery & Museum, Coventry Roman Empire’s imagery, until Sun 24 Apr, The Barber Institute, 75 YEARS: JOHN PIPER AND GUSTAV QUEEN ANNE Helen Edmundson's Birmingham MEZGER John Piper's iconic paintings gripping new play exploring the little WENDY RAMSHAW’S ROOM OF DREAMS of the ruins of Coventry Cathedral on known story of a monarch caught the morning after the Blitz and a An installation made up of many newly commissioned work from parts, from small jewels in frames to Gustav Metzger which explores the large, freestanding furniture, until bombing of Coventry and the Sun 22 May, Birmingham Museum & German city of Munster in the Art Gallery Second World War, until Sun 7 Feb, MADE AT MAC AT HEART OF ENGLAND Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, TRUST HOSPITALS Touring exhibition Coventry by various mac students, until Fri 29 ANDREW KINMONT ARBSA Andrew's July, Heartlands Hospital, Good experiences of working in the land- Hope and Solihull Hospitals scape are reflected in his body of A BIG BANG: THE ORIGINS OF THE POP work, until Sun 7 Feb, RBSA Gallery, ART COLLECTION, PART 2 Andy Birmingham Warhol’s legendary 1968 Campbells OLD WIVES’ TALES: MIGRATION Soup Can and the iconic maquette of JOURNEYS OF BANGLADESHI WOMEN TO a statue of King Kong - originally THE UK Photographic exhibition which commissioned in 1972 for display in gives a unique insight into the lives Birmingham’s Bull Ring - take pride of young Bangladeshi women who of place in this sure-to-be-popular Birmingham came to Birmingham between the exhibition of Pop Art, until Sat 13 @WHATSONBRUM 1960s and 1980s, until Sun 7 Feb, Aug, Wolverhampton Art Gallery Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY IN 130 YEARS Wolverhampton JOAN SHARMA ARBSA A celebration of The story of the @WHATSONWOLVES mothers, babies and mothers-to-be. Museum & Art Gallery, told via a spe- Sculptures in stone and wood, until cial anniversary exhibition, until Thurs Shropshire Sat 20 Feb, RBSA Gallery, 1 Sept, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery @WHATSONSHROPS Birmingham START EXHIBITION ENCHANTED DREAMS The first ever RBSA Members staffordshire exhibition to be dedicated to Pre- and Associates work, Wed 30 Dec - Sat 6 Feb, RBSA Gallery, @WHATSONSTAFFS Raphaelite artist Edward Robert Hughes, until Sun 21 Feb, Birmingham Worcestershire Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery @WHATSONWORCS warwickshire @WHATSONWARWICKS

Enchanted Dreams shows at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery until 21 Feb 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 1-10 Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:55 Page 2

Friday 1 - Sunday 10 January Classical Music Comedy Gigs

JOHANN STRAUSS GALA The Johann TOM ALLEN, PHIL NICHOL, MARK OLVER Strauss Dancers and Orchestra & VINCE ATTA Sat 2 Jan, The Glee return with a brand new show for Club, Birmingham 2016 with irrepressible showman DAVE TWENTYMAN & AARON TWITCHEN Rainer Hersch at the helm, Fri 1 Jan, Mon 4 Jan, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Symphony Hall, B’ham Birmingham ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: A VIENNESE ALFIE MOORE, JAMIE SUTHERLAND, TWIST Join soprano April Fredrick for MICKY P. KERR & BRENNAN REECE Thurs a Viennese evening with a difference. 7 Jan, The George Hotel, Lichfield, Programme includes works by Staffordshire Strauss, Donizetti, Puccini & Lehar, Sat 2 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry CBSO: THE MAGIC OF VIENNA Featuring Stephen Bell (conductor) & Gardar Thor Cortes (tenor). Programme includes works by Suppe, Strauss & Lehar, Sat 2 Jan, Malvern Theatres CBSO: THE MAGIC OF VIENNA Conducted by Stephen Bell & featuring tenor Noah Stewart, the CBSO’s King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys play Artrix on 2 Jan annual Viennese evening features favourites from Strauss, Suppe & STOMPING ON SPIDERS, THE BEAT BROTHERS Sat Lehar, Sun 3 Jan, Symphony Hall, Gigs THE PAUL ROSE TRIO, 9 Jan, The Jam House, Birmingham MARC MILETITCH, MARK Birmingham CBSO: HENRY V Edward Gardner con- DALISO CHAPONDA, JOEL DOMMETT, LEEDHAM & JAMES RAN- THE BEACH BOYS BAND ducts the CBSO and CBSO Chorus THE ULTIMATE ROCK ALISTAIR BARRIE & COMIC TBC Fri 8 - DLE Thurs 7 Jan, Cap Sat 9 Jan, The in the first in a series of concerts to PARTY: GIN ANNIE BAND Sat 9 Jan, The Glee Club, ‘n’ Gown, Worcester Roadhouse, celebrate Shakespeare's 400th Fri 1 Jan, The Robin, Birmingham REM TRIBUTE STIPE Birmingham anniversary. Programme includes Bilston works by Strauss, Vaughan Williams, DANA ALEXANDER, RUSSELL HICKS, Thurs 7 Jan, The NOASIS Sat 9 Jan, KING PLEASURE & THE Verdi & Walton', Thurs 7 Jan, JOHN LYNN & JAY HANDLEY Sat 9 Jan, Robin, Bilston Kasbah, Coventry BISCUIT BOYS Sat 2 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Jongleurs Comedy Club, THE BOOGIE BAPTISTES THE STRAIGHT ACES Sat Artrix, Bromsgrove MARK PADMORE (TENOR) AND PAUL Birmingham Thurs 7 Jan, The Jam 9 Jan, The Marr's Bar, THE GLENN MILLER LEWIS (PIANO) Programme includes House, Birmingham Worcester ORCHESTRA Sat 2 Jan, works Lieder by Brahms, Schubert THE JOHNNY CASH Symphony Hall, VERBAL WARNING, WOB and Wolf, Thurs 7 Jan, Malvern ROADSHOW Fri 8 Jan, Birmingham & ALCOHOL LICKS Sat 9 Theatres Artrix, Bromsgrove Jan, Route 44, B’ham URBAN INTRO Sat 2 Jan, JOSHUA BELL AND THE ACADEMY OF ST DUB SMUGGLERS Fri 8 The Jam House, FIRES THAT DIVIDE Sat 9 MARTIN IN THE FIELDS Programme Jan, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham Jan, The Rainbow includes works by Dvorak, Birmingham Venues, Birmingham RESOLUTION Beethoven, Schumann & Brahms, THE BEAT BROTHERS Fri REVOLUTION Sat 2 Jan, KINGS OF HONG KONG Sat 9 Jan, Symphony Hall, 8 Jan, The Jam House, The Roadhouse, Sat 9 Jan, The Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Rainbow Venues, CBSO: SCHUMANN’S PIANO CONCERTO THE LONG TALL TEXANS Birmingham JEAN GENIE Sat 2 Jan, Featuring Mirga Gražinyt -Tyla (con- Fri 8 Jan, The Rainbow The Robin, Bilston BORN IN THE EIGHTIES ductor) & Beatrice Rana ė(piano). Venues, Birmingham Sat 9 Jan, The River Programme includes works by HOMEOWNER, CABALLO KINGS OV LEON Fri 8 Rooms, Stourbridge Debussy, Schumann & Sibelius, Sun GARY DELANEY Sat 9 Jan, Artrix, BLANCO & HARRY JOR- Jan, The River Rooms, 10 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Bromsgrove DAN Sat 2 Jan, The WHO'S WHO Sat 9 Jan, Stourbridge Sunflower Lounge, The Robin, Bilston Birmingham ROD AND THE FACEZ Fri NOVACROW, SERTRALINE, 8 Jan, The Roadhouse, TOM FORBES Sat 2 Jan, ORPHEUM & RKB Sat 9 Birmingham The Red Man, Jan, Scruffy Murphy’s, Kidderminster NEARLY DAN Fri 8 Jan, Birmingham The Robin, Bilston TOM MASON & LEE FISH- CAPTAIN JEFFREY Sat 9 ER Sat 2 Jan, The Night RISING STRUGGLE, Jan, The Woodland Owl, Birmingham RUSTLUNG, KONCEPT & Cottage, Redditch VENGEFUL ATONEMENT MARIE-CLAIRE BERREEN THE BEN POOLE BAND Fri 8 Jan, Scruffy & HER HUSBANDS Wed 6 Sat 9 Jan, Lichfield Murphy’s, Birmingham Jan, The Red Lion Folk Guildhall, Staffordshire Club, Birmingham TOM FORBES Fri 8 Jan, FUTURE Sun 10 Jan, O2 The Talbot, Pershore ALIEN ANT FARM, INME & Academy, Birmingham THE DIRTY YOUTH Wed 6 VIN GARBUTT Fri 8 Jan, GARY O’DEA Sun 10 Jan, O2 Institute, Lichfield Guildhall, Jan, Kitchen Garden Birmingham Staffordshire Cafe, Birmingham THE JEEPS Wed 6 Jan, LIL SCOTTIE, RET- HIGH HOPES & WARS The Jam House, ROSOUND DJS AND Sun 10 Jan, The Birmingham SHAUN PARKER Fri 8 Rainbow Venues, Jan, The Night Owl, BEN CAPLAN Wed 6 Jan, Birmingham Birmingham Ort Cafe, Birmingham THE PAUL ROSE DICTA- OCCOEUR, SWERVE & ALI CLINTON Wed 6 Jan, TORSHIP Sun 10 Jan, SOUR MASH Fri 8 Jan, The Robin, Bilston Cap ‘n’ Gown, Route 44, Birmingham Worcester Noah Stewart plays Symphony Hall on 3 Jan

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thelist Friday 1 - Sunday 10 January WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT Stage 10 Jan, Fargo Village, Coventry Theatre adaptation of Michael Rosen & Helen Film THE GREAT CANADIAN CIRCUS For the Oxenbury’s popular picture book. first time ever, The Great Canadian Expect catchy songs, interactive INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Circus brings their unique daredevil HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL New produc- scenes and plenty of hands-on show to Birmingham, Until - Sun 3 tion of the smash-hit musical come- adventures, until Wed 13 Jan, BEDKNOBS & BROOMSTICKS (U) The Jan, Star City, Birmingham dy, until Sat 2 Jan, New Alexandra Birmingham Town Hall magical children’s classic. Stars FESTIVE SEASON SERVICE Fri 1 - Sun 3 Theatre, Birmingham Angela Lansbury. Sat 2 Jan, Artrix, Jan, Severn Valley Railway, Bromsgrove CINDERELLA Ben Crocker directs the Kidderminster much-loved rags-to-riches story, until HECTOR (15) Hiding from his past, LET'S SKATE SOLIHULL Solihull’s first Sat 2 Jan, Roses Theatre, Hector makes the motorway rest ever outdoor Christmas ice rink, Fri 1 Tewkesbury stops of Britain his home, but he - Sun 3 Jan, Mell Square Shopping can’t hide forever... Stars Peter VAMPOMIME This year’s B2 Xmas Centre, Solihull Show - from the pen of acclaimed Mullan. Sat 2 - Thurs 7 Jan, mac, writer Nick Walker - promises to be a Birmingham CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS See Croome transformed into a Georgian-inspired fangtastic Yuletide treat with added RED ARMY (15) A documentary reveal- Christmas, Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan, Croome bite!, until Sat 2 Jan, Belgrade ing the untold story of the most dom- DICK WHITTINGTON Presented by Park, Worcestershire Theatre, Coventry inating sporting dynasty in history: Worcester Repertory Company, until JACK AND THE BEANSTALK the Soviet Union’s Red Army ice VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS Join a Festive fam- Sun 3 Jan, Swan Theatre, Worcester ily fun with Jack & Dame Trot, until hockey team. Wed 6 - Thurs 7 Jan, Victorian-themed family Christmas, Sat 2 Jan, Royal Spa Centre, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST An enchanting mac, Birmingham celebrating Charles Dickens' love of tale of heroic adventure, true love, Shakespeare, Fri 1 - Wed 6 Jan, Leamington Spa DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (PG) The classic love messy mayhem and festive frivolity Anne Hathaway's Cottage & PETER PAN story is re-released on its fortieth Take a magical trip to which promises to be the most beau- Gardens, Stratford-upon-Avon anniversary. Stars Omar Sharif & Neverland with the Darling children, tiful and beastly yet!, until Sat 9 Jan, Julie Christie. Fri 8 - Tues 12 Jan, WWI, CHRISTMAS AND THE TRUCE A Peter Pan, and not forgetting Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Tinkerbell, until Sat 2 Jan, The Blue mac, Birmingham display showing the contrast Orange Theatre, Birmingham CINDERELLA: A FAIRYTALE Live story- between Christmas spent at home or telling & quirky visual styling come on the battlefields of WWI, Fri 1 - CINDERELLA Boo, hiss and join together in this unique re-telling of NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Wed 6 Jan, Hall's Croft, Stratford- Cinders on a timeless journey in this the classic fairytale of reversed for- Released Fri 1 Jan, showing at upon-Avon family classic, until Sun 3 Jan, tunes, until Sat 9, mac, Birmingham selected cinemas. Albany Theatre, Coventry 17TH CENTURY CHRISTMAS Act out JACK AND THE BEANSTALK THE THE DANISH GIRL (15) your own mummers' play and create JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Starring ROCK'N'ROLL PANTO until Sun 10 Jan, a ghost story as you follow the JOY (12a) Vernie Bennett and Lloyd Daniels, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Christmas trail around Harvard until Sun 3 Jan, Palace Theatre, SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE (15) House, Fri 1 - Wed 6 Jan, Harvard Redditch THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE CS Lewis' timeless classic LES MEPRIS (15) House & The Museum of British PETER PAN A magical show for all the Pewter, Stratford-upon-Avon - a perfect festive treat, until Sat 16 Released Fri 8 Jan, showing at family starring Mark Moraghan, until Jan, The REP, Birmingham selected cinemas. ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM Ice Skate Sun 3 Jan, Malvern Theatres, Birmingham makes a welcome return THE HATEFUL EIGHT (18) Worcestershire to the city centre, Fri 1 - Sun 10 Jan, ALADDIN Traditional family pan- A WAR (18) Centenary Square, Birmingham tomime, written by and starring BOLSHOI BABYLON (PG) BREWERY & COUNTRY PUB TOUR Malcom Stent, until Sun 3 Jan, PARTISAN (15) Scheduled and chartered day trips to Solihull Arts Complex the Cotswolds from Stratford-upon- See Film section for previews on p38 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK until Sun 3 Avon, Fri 1 - Sat 30 Jan, Alcester, Jan, Lichfield Garrick Warwickshire THE THREE MUSKETEERS Playbox FRESH AIR & FAMILY FUN! Enjoy a fam- Theatre present a swashbuckling ily day out, Fri 1 - Sun 31 Jan, Hatton seventeenth century adventure fus- HARD-WORKING FAMILIES Stage 2 Events Adventure World, Coventry present a world premiere production ing romance, treachery, cunning 75 YEARS of Claire Dowie’s response to a politi- Commemorating the plots and deceit, until Sun 3 Jan, The TWISTED BARREL PRESENT: NEW YEARS cian’s vision of ordinary people, anniversary of the Coventry Blitz, Dream Factory, Warwick EVE CELEBRATION The beers will be Thurs 7 - Sat 9 Jan, Crescent with artwork from John Piper and THE TWITS Malvern Theatre Players flowing, the music will be loud, the Theatre, Birmingham Gustav Metzger, Fri 1 Jan - Sun 7 present the Roald Dahl favourite, countdown even louder, and with a Feb, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, until Sun 3 Jan, The Coach House ONLY FOOLS AND 3 COURSES Expect an late licence you’ll be able to party the Coventry evening of chaos and mayhem - with night away, New Years Eve, Fargo Theatre, Malvern, Worcestershire SCIENCE OF SOUND See Symphony extra large portions of comedy and Village, Coventry TREASURE ISLAND Scott Ritchie & extra tasty portions of food cooked Hall transformed into an interactive BOA present an original adaptation ICE SKATING AT WEBBS GARDEN CENTRE by Lichfield's favourite chef, Simon sound laboratory, Fri 1 Jan - Fri 17 of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic WYCHBOLD An open-air real ice rink Smith, Thurs 7 - Sat 9 Jan, Lichfield Jun, Symphony Hall, Birmingham tale, until Sun 3 Jan, The Old Rep with a clear roof covering Fri 1 - Sun Garrick ANNE HATHAWAY'S YOUNG MAN Learn 3 Jan, Webbs Garden Centre, Theatre, Birmingham about Anne Hathaway and William WEIGHT OF TIME Backyard Theatre Worcestershire Ensemble present a new theatre Shakespeare's first few years as KARMEN'S KREATIONS TEA PARTY The piece by Joachim Matschoss which newly-weds, Fri 1 Jan - Sat 17 Dec, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, with tea leaf deals with slave labour, conditions in Anne Hathaway's Cottage & reading from the bottom of your vin- sweatshops, western obsession with Gardens, Stratford-upon-Avon tage cup, Fri 1 - Sun 3 & Fri 8 - Sun celebrities, fashion and body image, Sat 9 Jan, Bridgehouse Theatre, Warwick A CHRISTMAS CAROL Derek Frood stars as Scrooge in a new production of Charles Dickens’ festive classic, Sat 9 - Sat 16 Jan, Malvern Theatre, Worcestershire THE GRUFFALO'S CHILD Tall Stories THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR Theatre Company present Julia Oddsocks brings the English legend Donaldson & Alex Scheffler's award- to life via an 'exciting, interactive and winning sequel, until Sun 3 Jan, action-packed winter treat for all the Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry family’, Sun 10 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List 1-10 Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:55 Page 5

56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 1-10 Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 22:02 Page 6

thelist Friday 1 - Sunday 10 January CHRISTMAS IN SPACE Fri 1 Jan - Mon FIONA BANNER - SCROLL DOWN AND ANTONIO ROBERTS First solo exhibi- 28 Mar, Thinktank at Millennium Visual Arts KEEP SCROLLING Comprising a wide tion, until Sat 23 Jan, BOM Point, Birmingham variety of text pieces, drawings, (Birmingham Open Media) EXCALIBUR COMPUTER FAIR Packed sculptures and films, until Sun 17 JANINE FENTON: A NERVY CHRISTMAS LYNNE SAWYER & KATHERINE WATSON: Jan, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham with computer goods at trade prices, CONTEMPORARY ART/ NATURAL Two sculptural light installations Sat 2 Jan, National Motorcycle MEDICATE 2015 Contemporary collec- LANDSCAPES until 3 Jan, Artrix, using electroluminescent wire, until Museum, Solihull tion exploring the physical, societal Bromsgrove Sat 23 Jan, BOM (Birmingham Open WINTER HERITAGE TOURS OF and psychological effects of disease Media) CRAFTED FOR YOU Annual exhibition of BLAKESLEY HALL Experience one of on people, as well as the values and DIANE WILTSHIRE'S SENTIMENT some of the best craftmakers in the Diane Birmingham’s finest timber-framed practices of medical science, until Midlands, until Sat 9 Jan, Worcester Wiltshire interviewed fifty participants buildings and get a unique insight Sun 17 Jan, Leamington Spa Art City Museum & Art Gallery with varying experiences and back- into the aspirations of the Tudor Gallery & Museum grounds and recorded their respons- classes who lived and worked there. ‘H.N.5 515’ SLAWA HARASYMOWICZ TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT Portraits from es to forty questions. While listening On Wednesdays and Thursdays, Using personal biography (and doc- the University of Birmingham, includ- to the responses, the wearable Wed 6 Jan - Thurs 11 Feb, Blakesley umentary records) to explore one of ing works by Jacob Epstein, Tom device delivers the original partici- Hall, Birmingham the biggest World War Two maritime Phillips, Humphrey Ocean and pants’ emotional response through disasters, until Sat 9 Jan, Centrala WINTER HERITAGE TOURS OF SAREHOLE Jennifer McRae, until Sun 17 Jan, sensation. For over-eighteens only, Gallery & Cafe, Birmingham MILL Taking place on a Wednesday The Barber Institute, Birmingham until Sat 23 Jan BOM (Birmingham and Thursday, explore the idyllic THE AGE OF INNOCENCE Works by JACQUES NIMKI: SEEN/UNSEEN A new Open Media) childhood haunt of JRR Tolkien, Wed notable artists such as Castiglione, permanent installation featuring more ALEX DROZD: SMETHWICK GALTON 6 Jan - Thurs 11 Feb, Sarehole Mill, Adriaen van Ostade, William Hogarth than three hundred barely visible BRIDGE/PORTRAIT OF A STATION Birmingham and John Brett are featured in this works referencing plant drawings, Photographic exhibition of the land- exploration of the evolving imagery NATURE TOTS - ONE WINTERS DAY until Sun 17 Jan, Ikon Gallery, B’ham scape surrounding Smethwick of children and childhood, until Sun Nature Tots aims to encourage an WAR GAMES An interactive exhibition Galton Bridge railway station, until 10 Jan, The Barber Institute, B’ham early interest in wildlife, Thurs 7 Jan, that examines the role of war in child- Sun 24 Jan, mac, Birmingham Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, MADE AT MAC: PHOTOGRAPHY A show- hood play and strategic games from FLINCK IN FOCUS Marking the 400th Coventry case of work from two Kate Green- the 1800s to the present day, until anniversary of Govert Flinck’s birth, led courses, until Sun 10 Jan, mac FARGO THURSDAY FLEA & CAR BOOT Sun 17 Jan, Herbert Art Gallery & until Sun 24 Jan, The Barber Birmingham Stalls of bric-a-brac, vintage mer- Museum, Coventry Institute, Birmingham chandise, antiques, refurbished bikes A TOUCH OF TEXTURE CRAFT EXHIBITION MATHÉ SHEPHEARD ARBSA A semi- THE LIE OF THE LAND Exhibition of and up cycled goods, Thurs 7 Jan, Exhibition of jewellery made using abstract approach that explores a recent paintings by West Midlands- Fargo Village, Coventry alternative materials, including variety of landscapes, including based artist Shaun Morris, Wed 6 - leather, felt, cotton, wool, silk and vel- skies, mountains, water, contours Sun 31 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove vet, until Sat 16 Jan, RBSA Gallery, and textures, until Sat 23 Jan, RBSA Birmingham Gallery, Birmingham

JANUARY 2016 BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA, LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE

Sat 9th January Sun 10th January Sun 17st January GARY DELANEY THE LEGEND OF KING THE RAT PACK THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT ARTHUR TOP TRIBUTE TO FRANK GARY FANTASTIC FAMILY SHOW SINATRA, DEAN MARTIN & FROM ODDSOCKS SAMMY DAVIS JNR

Fri 22nd & Sat 23rd Sun 24th January Sun 31st January January LEE HURST WHITNEY HOUSTON THE COUNTERFEIT COMEDY SHOW NO 9 LIVE EXPERIENCE STONES WITH NYA KING TWO NIGHTS OF FRAUD ROCK

FORTHCOMING CINEMA: Spectre (12A) // Brooklyn (12A) // The Lady In The Van (12A) // Burnt (15) // Bridge Of Spies (12A) // Pride (15) Carol (15) // By The Sea (12A)

FORTHCOMING SCREENINGS: Les Liaisons Dangereuses (NT Live) // La Traviata (ROH Live) // As You Like It (NT Live) // The Magic Flute (ENO Live) The Car Man (Matthew Bourne) // Giselle (Royal Ballet Live)

Download the Artrix brochure on www.artrix.co.uk @artrixarts www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 @artrix arts centre Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ Free parking on-site

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thelist Monday 11 - Sunday 17 January Classical Music Theatre

CONSERVATOIRE RECITAL Featuring THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS: WELCOME TO Roderick Williams (baritone) & Iain THE CARNEVIL The Britain’s Got Talent Burnside (piano). Programme finalists are back on the road with a includes works by Schubert & show ruled by the undead and cli- Schwanengesang, Tues 12 Jan, maxing in an awesome flaming apoc- Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham alypse, Tues 12 Jan, Lichfield Garrick CBSO: SCHEHERAZADE Andrew Gorley THE LOVER Harold Pinter’s surreal conducts the CBSO as they present one-act play, which follows a few three of Ravel’s musical fairytales, days in the life of Richard & Sarah, Thurs 14 & Sat 16 Jan, Symphony who use roleplay to spice up their Hall, Birmingham relationship, Tues 12 - Thurs 14 Jan, CBSO CENTRE STAGE: VERDI AND Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham PUCCINI Featuring Zoë Beyers & ABUELO Amahra Spence’s story, Amanda Lake (violins), Michael which follows the journey of a young Jenkinson (viola), Kate Setterfield black woman experiencing change, (cello), Fri 15 Jan, CBSO Centre, Thurs 14 - Sat 16 Jan, The REP, Birmingham Birmingham COMPLETELY BRAHMS CONSERVATOIRE THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS: WELCOME TO CONCERT Featuring Luke Westcombe THE CARNEVIL The Britain’s Got Talent (clarinet), Tingting Yao (piano), Maria finalists are back on the road with a Oguren (violin) & Anna Barsegjiana show ruled by the undead and cli- (viola) & Lucy French (cello), Fri 15 maxing in an awesome flaming apoc- Blair Dunlop plays Stafford Gatehouse on 11 Jan Jan, Recital Hall, Birmingham alypse, Fri 15 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Conservatoire Coventry THE TIPPETT QUARTET Programme Alexandra Theatre, THE LEYLINES Sat 16 includes works by Hadyn, Robert Gigs Birmingham Jan, The Marr’s Bar, Simpson & Mendelssohn Fri 15 Jan, JAMIE LAWSON Fri 15 Worcester Artrix, Bromsgrove Jan, O2 Institute, BACK TO THE 80'S PARTY BLAIR DUNLOP Mon 11 BARBER LUNCHTIME CONCERT WITH Birmingham WITH THE GR80'S Sat 16 Jan, Stafford SAVITRI GREER & RICHARD UTTLEY Jan, Nailcote Hall, Gatehouse Theatre THE NEW ROMANCE, Programme includes works by IVORY WAVE, GEORGE Berkswell Bartok, Debussy & Faure, Fri 15 Jan, THE NEON COLLECTIVE WILSON, OAK STREET & THE YOUNG Sat 16 Jan, The Barber Institute, Birmingham Mon 11 Jan, Crescent BEYOND THE BAY Fri 15 The Rainbow Venues, Theatre, Birmingham NEW ENGLISH ORCHESTRA AND Jan, O2 Academy, Birmingham SINGERS 40TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION BEN DRUMMOND Tues Birmingham LIME & CRITICS Sat 16 CONCERT This last concert of the sea- 12 Jan, The Jam MC DEVVO Fri 15 Jan, Jan, The Sunflower son features works by Mendelssohn, House, Birmingham The Marr's Bar, Lounge, Birmingham Strauss & Charpentier, as well as KIM LOWINGS AND THE Scottish folk & spiritual music, Sat 16 Worcester THE MODFATHERS Sat 16 GREENWOOD Wed 13 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall VKR VON KRYSTAL ROXZ Jan, The Robin, Bilston Jan, The Red Lion Folk ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE STUDENTS HENRY ROLLINS: CHARMINGLY OBSTI- Fri 15 Jan, Route 44, MC NUTCRACKER’S SPEC- Club, Birmingham Programme include works by Haydn NATE EUROPEAN TOUR Henry Rollins Birmingham TRE BIRTHDAY BALL Sat GOSPEL CENTRAL Wed & Mozart, Sat 16 Jan, Huntingdon visits, complete with an uncompro- THE SUBTERRANEANS Fri 16 Jan, O2 Institute, 13 Jan, The Jam Hall, Worcester mising attitude towards spoken-word 15 Jan, The Jam Birmingham House, Birmingham performances and journalism, Fri 15 House, Birmingham ELKIE BROOKS Sat 16 AVERSIONS CROWN Wed Jan, Birmingham Town Hall BESIDE ALL HOPE Fri 15 Jan, Stafford 13 Jan, The Rainbow BEYOND THE BARRICADE Recreating Jan, The Rainbow Gatehouse Theatre Venues, Birmingham Comedy Gigs original West End/ Broadway musical Venues, Birmingham PHOENIX RISING Wed 13 hit songs, Fri 15 Jan, New Alexandra THE HOPWOOD JUNCTION Jan, The Robin, LOUDEEMY SOUP COMEDY NIGHT Mon Theatre, Birmingham ROAD Fri 15 Jan, The Bilston 11 Jan, The Blue Orange Theatre, WI-FI WARS Live comedy game show Roadhouse, B’ham CHRISTINE ROBIN Wed Birmingham where audience members are THE HAUNTED SOULS Fri 13 Jan, Lichfield ELLIE TAYLOR, JOHN ROBERTSON & encouraged to play along, Sat 16 15 Jan, Cap ‘n’ Gown, Garrick, Staffordshire DALISO CHAPONDA Thurs 14 Jan, Jan, mac, Birmingham Worcester THE KING IS BACK Thurs Bramall Music Building, Birmingham THE STORY OF GUITAR HEROES A jour- THINK FLOYD Fri 15 Jan, 14 Jan, Belgrade STEPHEN K. AMOS Fri 15 Jan, ney through the decades, from The Robin, Bilston Theatre, Coventry Huntingdon Hall, Worcester Rock’n’Roll to modern-day guitar THE SUBTERRANEANS heroes, Sat 16 Jan, Belgrade THE JOHNNY CASH KEVIN HART Fri 15 Jan, Barclaycard Sat 16 Jan, The Jam Theatre, Coventry ROADSHOW Thurs 14 RAT PACK LIVE Sun 17 Arena, Birmingham House, Birmingham Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKERS A Jan, New Alexandra SEAN PERCIVAL, LARRY DEAN, JONNY ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS: LEE new production of the popular Theatre, Birmingham BLACK DYKE BAND Sun AWSUM & NEIL MCFARLANE Fri 15 Jan, 'MEMPHIS' KING Sat 16 Brothers Grimm fairytale, fusing live APOLLO SOUL Thurs 14 17 Jan, Symphony The Glee Club, Birmingham Jan, New Alexandra music, puppetry, physical storytelling Jan, The Jam House, Hall, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham ADAM HESS, KIERAN BOYD & TOMMY and plenty of elf magic, Sat 16 Jan, Birmingham TURNOVER, TEEN BRAINS ROWSON Fri 15 Jan, The Courtyard, SUPREME QUEEN Sat 16 Lichfield Garrick THE SIMON AND GAR- & CLAWS Sun 17 Jan, Hereford Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove DEATH OF A SALESMAN The Crescent FUNKEL STORY - 50TH The Rainbow Venues, PAUL MCCAFFREY, JOHN MOLONEY, JOHN Theatre Company present Arthur SHOWADDYWADDY Sat Birmingham ANNIVERSARY TOUR LYNN & GEORGE EGG Fri 15 - Sat 16 16 Jan, Bedworth Civic Miller's modern American tragedy, Thurs 14 Jan, The STEVE TILSON Sun 17 Jan, Jongleurs Comedy Club, Hall, Warwickshire Sat 16 - Sat 30 Jan, Crescent Robin, Bilston Jan, Kitchen Garden Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham THE BRUNO SHOW - A Cafe, Birmingham TROPE & DISTRICTS SEAN PERCIVAL, LARRY DEAN, JONNY TRIBUTE TO BRUNO SNOW CHILD Tutti Frutti & York Thurs 14 Jan, Hare & BRAVADO - TRIBUTE TO AWSUM & COMIC TBC Sat 16 Jan, The MARS Sat 16 Jan, Theatre Royal present a magical Hounds, Birmingham RUSH Sun 17 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham Lichfield Garrick, story about family, love and the BEYOND THE BARRICADE Robin, Bilston Staffordshire STEPHEN K. AMOS Sat 16 Jan, The Old power of dreams, Sun 17 Jan, mac, Fri 15 Jan, New Rep Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List 11-17 Jan - REGION 1 FINAL VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:45 Page 3

thelist Monday 11 - Sunday 17 January FIONA BANNER - SCROLL DOWN AND Events KEEP SCROLLING Text pieces, drawings, sculptures and films, until Sun 17 Jan, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham AN EVENING WITH JOE WICKS The MEDICATE 2015 Contemporary collec- Body Coach talks about his new tion exploring the physical, societal guide to a healthy lifestyle, Lean In and psychological effects of disease 15, Tues 12 Jan, Waterstones, on people, as well as the values and Birmingham practices of medical science, until DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG Chance to Sun 17 Jan, Leamington Spa Art practise drifting in safe and legal Gallery & Museum conditions on some of the Pod's thir- TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT Portraits from ty acres of open tarmac, Wed 13 the University of Birmingham, includ- Jan, Santa Pod Raceway, Sunset Song ing works by Jacob Epstein, Tom Wellingborough Phillips, Humphrey Ocean and novel, telling the tale of a farmer’s NATURE TOTS - QUACKING DUCKS Jennifer McRae, until Sun 17 Jan, Film daughter coming of age immediately Aiming to encourage an early interest The Barber Institute, Birmingham prior to World War One. Stars in wildlife, Thurs 14 Jan, Brandon JACQUES NIMKI: SEEN/UNSEEN A new Agyness Deyn & Peter Mullan. Fri 15 Marsh Nature Centre, Coventry permanent installation featuring more INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: - Thurs 21 Jan, mac, Birmingham FARGO THURSDAY FLEA & CAR BOOT than three hundred barely visible RADIATOR (15) A put-upon teacher SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (U) Gene Kelly Stalls of bric-a-brac, vintage mer- works referencing plant drawings, returns to his elderly parents to help and Debbie Reynolds hotfoot it chandise, antiques, refurbished bikes until Sun 17 Jan, Ikon Gallery, B’ham his mother care for his father. through this 1920s-set MGM musical. and up cycled goods, Thurs 14 Jan, WAR GAMES An interactive exhibition Starring Daniel Cerqueira & Julia Sat 16 Jan, Electric Cinema, Fargo Village, Coventry that examines the role of war in child- Ford. Mon 11- Thurs 14 Jan, mac, Birmingham PERFORMANCE CAR SHOW With iconic hood play and strategic games from Birmingham NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: brands like Lamborghini, Ferrari, the 1800s to the present day, until THE LESSON (15) A high school Released Fri 15 Jan, showing at McLaren, Aston Martin and Porsche, Sun 17 Jan, Herbert Art Gallery & English teacher faces a moral selected cinemas. Thurs 14 - Sun 17 Jan, NEC, Museum, Coventry quandary when her home is threat- Birmingham CREED (12a) MATHÉ SHEPHEARD ARBSA A semi- ened with repossession. (Subtitled). KARMEN'S KREATIONS TEA PARTY The abstract approach that explores a Stars Margita Gosheva. Mon 11- THE REVENANT (15) Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, with tea leaf variety of landscapes, including Thurs 14 Jan, mac, Birmingham ROOM (15) reading from the bottom of your vin- skies, mountains, water, contours SUNSET SONG (15) An adaptation of IP MAN 3 (15) tage cup, Fri 15 - Sun 17 Jan, Fargo and textures, until Sat 23 Jan, RBSA Lewis Grassic Gribbon’s classic Village, Coventry Gallery, Birmingham See Film section for previews on p38 EXCALIBUR COMPUTER FAIR Computer THE CLIVE BEARDSMORE GIFT The 2015 goods at trade prices, Sat 16 Jan, interventions into the Garman Ryan National Motorcycle Museum, Collection is a selection from a sub- Solihull stantial gift of artworks donated to BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR Unlocking the gallery until Sun 24 Jan, The New the secrets of Witley's partying past, Art Gallery, Walsall Sat 16 Jan, Witley Court, Great EPSTEIN'S ROCK DRILL I TRANSFORMED Witley, Worcestershire BY WAR Rock Drill was destroyed by AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL Cars, stars Epstein at the end of 1915 and and action, Sat 16 - Sun 17 Jan, reformed into the truncated Torso In NEC, Birmingham Metal from Rock Drill, until Sun 24 Jan, The New Art Gallery, Walsall BBL CUP FINAL Two of the top teams in UK Basketball go head to head for ALEX DROZD: SMETHWICK GALTON this coveted prize, Sun 17 Jan, BRIDGE/PORTRAIT OF A STATION Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham Photographic exhibition of the land- scape surrounding Smethwick MIDLAND CLOCK AND WATCH FAIR Sun Galton Bridge railway station, until 17 Jan, National Motorcycle Sun 24 Jan, mac, Birmingham Museum, Solihull FLINCK IN FOCUS Marking the four hundredth anniversary of Govert Flinck’s birth, until Sun 24 Jan, The Visual Arts Barber Institute, Birmingham HOPES + DREAMS: STATEMENTS OF INTENT EXPLORED An exhibition featur- A TOUCH OF TEXTURE CRAFT EXHIBITION ing lettered work, in all types of Exhibition of jewellery made using media, by members of Letter alternative materials, including Exchange, Mon 11 Jan - Fri 12 Feb, leather, felt, cotton, wool, silk and Parkside Gallery, Birmingham velvet, until Sat 16 Jan, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham GERARD BYRNE: 1/125 A SECOND Gerard works with photography, THIS IS NOT A JOKE Exhibition that video and live art to explore the way looks at how contemporary artists we understand the present, through use different facets of humour in their revisiting the past, Sat 16 Jan - Sat work, until Sat 16 Jan, 12 Mar, Warwick Arts Centre, Wolverhampton Art Gallery Coventry

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NOW BOOKING

David O’Doherty The Rat Pack & Judy Friday 12th February, 8:00pm Thursday 25th February, 7:30pm

Gary Delaney The Dreamers Saturday 12th March, 8:00pm Thursday 24th March, 7:30pm

whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List 18-24 Jan - REGION 1 FINAL VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:47 Page 1

thelist Monday 18 - Sunday 24 January CARDUCCI QUARTET Programme Classical Music includes works by Haydn, Gigs Shostakovich, Beethoven, Sun 24 Jan, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester SOUNDBOARD Mon 18 CARMEN Olivier Award-winning BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHES- Jan, Crescent Theatre, OperaUpClose present a new English TRA CONCERT Programme includes Birmingham version of Bizet's wildly popular works by Sullivan, Gounod, THE CORRS Tues 19 opera, Tues 19 Jan, Belgrade Ponchielli, Suppe & Coates, Sun 24 Jan, Genting Arena, Theatre, Coventry Jan, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham MITSUKO UCHIDA PIANO CONCERT Birmingham University JEREMIH Tues 19 Jan, Programme includes works by Berg, O2 Institute, Schubert, Mozart & Schumann, Tues Birmingham 19 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, The Corrs play Genting Arena on 19 Jan Coventry KEITH JAMES Tues 19 Comedy Gigs CBSO SERENADE TO MUSIC Featuring Jan, Kitchen Garden WOOD Thurs 21 Jan, FOR THE PEOPLE Sat 23 Cafe, Birmingham Michael Seal & Simon Halsey (con- TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 18 Jan, Kitchen Garden Cafe, Jan, The Slade Rooms, ductors), the CBSO Youth Chorus, DELANO MILLS AND Birmingham Wolverhampton The Blue Orange Theatre, CBSO Children’s Chorus & sixteen Birmingham STRICTLY NOT JAZZ Tues AYNSLEY LISTER BAND THE SEX PISTOLS soloists from UK conservatoires, 19 Jan, The Jam Thurs 21 Jan, The EXPERIENCE Sat 23 Jan, Programme includes works by DAVE GORMAN Fri 22 Jan, The House, Birmingham Robin, Bilston The Roadhouse, Grainger, Vaughan Williams & Judith Courtyard, Hereford VIEUX FARKA TOURE AIDEN Thurs 21 Jan, Birmingham Weir, Thurs 21 Jan, Symphony Hall, GARY DELANEY Fri 22 Jan, Royal Spa Tues 19 Jan, Warwick The Rainbow Venues, FODEN'S BAND Sat 23 Birmingham Centre, Leamington Spa Arts Centre, Coventry Birmingham Jan, Bedworth Civic CONCERT CLUB: DANNY DRIVER LEE HURST Fri 22 Jan, Solihull Arts MICHAEL SCHENKER'S THE COUNTERFEIT Hall, Warwickshire Programme includes works by Complex TEMPLE OF ROCK Wed STONES Fri 22 Jan, SOLID SOUL Sat 23 Jan, Handel, Chopin, Adès & Beethoven, TONY JAMESON Fri 22 Jan, The 20 Jan, The Robin, Artrix, Bromsgrove The Jam House, Thurs 21 Jan, Malvern Theatres, Courtyard, Hereford Bilston Worcester ONE NIGHT OF ROCK Fri Birmingham JOEL DOMMETT, GARY TRO, BEC HILL & THE PITMEN POETS Wed 22 Jan, New Alexandra THE STORY OF THE JONATHAN ANTOINE Re-arranged date CHRIS PURCHASE Fri 22 Jan, Lichfield 20 Jan, Stafford Theatre, Birmingham BEATLES STARRING for the classically trained tenor, Thurs Garrick, Staffordshire Gatehouse Theatre BEATLEMANIA Sat 23 21 Jan, Bramall Music Building, CANCER BATS Fri 22 Birmingham University DANA ALEXANDER, GAVIN WEBSTER, IAN MALCOLM STENT IN THE Jan, O2 Academy, Jan, Huntingdon Hall, SMITH & COMIC TBC Fri 22 - Sat 23 AFTERNOON Wed 20 Birmingham Worcester Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham Jan, Solihull Arts VAMPIRES ROCK UNCLE LUCIUS Sat 23 Complex Fri 22 QUINCY, ANDREW RYAN, SOFIE HAGAN & Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Jan, The Oobleck, CAREY MARX Fri 22 - Sat 23 Jan, JOHN ETHERIDGE'S Coventry Birmingham Jongleurs Comedy Club, Birmingham SWEET CHORUS Wed 20 IN THIS MOMENT THE NOTEBENDERS Sat Jan, mac, Birmingham Fri 22 COMEDY IN THE MET Sat 23 Jan, Jan, O2 Institute, B’ham 23 Jan, Symphony Stafford Gatehouse Theatre BACK TO BACHARACH Hall, Birmingham PAUL CARRACK Fri 22 NO SUCH THING AS A FISH Sat 23 Jan, Wed 20 Jan, Belgrade SEYES Sat 23 Jan, Theatre, Coventry Jan, Malvern Theatres, mac, Birmingham Worcester Prince Of Wales DAUGHTER Wed 20 Jan, Centre, Cannock KEN DODD Sun 24 Jan, Royal Spa FRED ZEPPELIN Fri 22 Centre, Leamington Spa O2 Institute, ERADIKATOR Sat 23 Jan, Birmingham Jan, The Marr's Bar, LEE HURST Sun 24 Jan, Artrix, Worcester O2 Academy, B’ham BEACH SLANG Wed 20 Bromsgrove THE BON JOVI G2 - DEFINITIVE GENESIS Jan, The Rainbow EXPERIENCE Sat 23 Jan, The Robin, Venues, Birmingham Fri 22 Jan, Palace Theatre, Bilston BIG WOLF BAND Wed 20 Redditch QUADROPHENIA NIGHT - Jan, The Jam House, OCEAN COLOUR SCENE DJ DREW STANSALL (THE Birmingham Fri 22 Jan, Irish Centre, SPECIALS), THE FLOSSIE MALAVIALLE Birmingham ATLANTICS & THE COP- Wed 20 Jan, The Red PERS Sat 23 Jan, O2 THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Opera SOLID SOUL Fri 22 Jan, Lion Folk Club, Academy, Birmingham Warwick transpose Mozart’s contro- The Jam House, B’ham Birmingham BEFORE THE DAWN Sat versial story of social revolution to FRONTEERS Wed 20 CREEDANCE 23 Jan, Lichfield modern-day Westminster, Thurs 21 - Jan, The Sunflower CLEARWATER REVIEW & Garrick, Staffordshire Sat 23 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Lounge, Birmingham THE RAINBREAKERS Fri Coventry 22 Jan, The MISTER WOLF Sat 23 FOREVER JACKSON MUSICAL PORTRAITS: LECTURE RECITALS Roadhouse, B’ham Jan, The Swan Inn, Thurs 21 Jan, Belgrade Evesham WITH KEN HAMILTON Programme Theatre, Coventry THE SUPERSKAS Fri 22 includes works by Chopin, Liszt, THE PAUL ROSE DICTA- Jan, The Robin, Bilston Ireland & Debussy, Fri 22 Jan, The RICHARD DIGANCE Thurs TORSHIP Sat 23 Jan, Barber Institute, Birmingham 21 Jan, Artrix, EUBEN JAMES JAZZ TRIO The Lamb and Flag, Bromsgrove Fri 22 Jan, mac, B’ham Worcester COMPLETELY BRAHMS CONSERVATOIRE CONCERT Featuring Jung Yoon Cho THE ELVIS YEARS Thurs THE HUMDRUM EXPRESS FALLEN & KNIGHTWISH (violin), Nafis Umerkulova (piano), 21 Jan, The Roses Fri 22 Jan, Wagon & Sun 24 Jan, The Naoko Senda (violin), Ruri Kuroda Theatre, Tewkesbury Horses, Birmingham Roadhouse, B’ham (cello) & Yenting Wang (piano), Fri 22 THIS ELEGANT CHAOS, BACK TO BACHARACH PATTY GRIFFIN Sun 24 Jan, Recital Hall, Birmingham MALLEN & NAKED SUN- Dance Thurs 21 Jan, New Jan, The Glee Club, Conservatoire Alexandra Theatre, DAY Fri 22 Jan, Route Birmingham THE CHOIR FACTOR Uplifting evening of Birmingham 44, Birmingham THE SNOW QUEEN DYSMORTAL LIFE Sun 24 song featuring choirs from Ballet Theatre UK THE COUNTERFEIT VICTORIES AT SEA Thurs Jan, Kitchen Garden Gloucester, Cheltenham & present Hans Christian Andersen’s STONES Sat 23 Jan, 21 Jan, Hare & Cafe, Birmingham Tewkesbury, Sat 23 Jan, Roses classic tale, Thurs 21 Jan, Prince Of Hounds, Birmingham Artrix, Bromsgrove Wales Centre, Cannock LIFESIGNS Sun 24 Jan, Theatre, Tewkesbury ABBA MANIA Sat 23 Jan, MOOD INDIGO Thurs 21 The Robin, Bilston SINGALONG WITH THE CBSO: HAYDN'S THE SNOW QUEEN Ballet Theatre UK New Alexandra Jan, The Jam House, THE CREATION Featuring Simon Halsey present Hans Christian Andersen’s Theatre, Birmingham BOUNDLESS BROTHERS Birmingham (conductor) & the CBSO Chorus, Sun classic tale, Fri 22 Jan, Crescent Sun 24 Jan, Cap ‘n’ Theatre, Birmingham CAM PENNER & JON NAHKO AND MEDICINE Gown, Worcester 24 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

62 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 18-24 Jan - REGION 1 FINAL VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:47 Page 2

Monday 18 - Sunday 24 January

SWINGING AT THE COTTON CLUB Action- Theatre packed show celebrating the music, Events Visual Arts dance and songs of the Cotton Club, New York City's famous 1920s & ’30s AN EVENING WITH CHRIS HADFIELD The nightclub, Sat 23 Jan, Belgrade AN EXPERIENCE WITH... ARNOLD ECO-CRAFT EXHIBITION An exhibition twenty-first century’s most famous Theatre, Coventry SCHWARZENEGGER A black-tie dinner showcasing designer makers with an astronaut reflects on his career, Tues event which sees Arnie interviewed ethical approach to craft-making, 19 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham on stage by a yet-to-be announced Mon 18 Jan - Sat 7 May, RBSA THE SOUND OF MUSIC New production celebrity host, Thurs 21 Jan, Gallery, Birmingham of the timeless family musical, Tues International Convention Centre MATHÉ SHEPHEARD ARBSA Exploring a 19 - Sat 23 Jan, Regent Theatre, (ICC), Birmingham variety of landscapes, including Stoke-on-Trent NATURE TOTS - MAMMALS Aiming to skies, mountains, water and textures, MALCOLM STENT IN THE AFTERNOON encourage an early interest in until Sat 23 Jan, RBSA Gallery, Wed 20 Jan, Solihull Arts Complex wildlife, Thurs 21 Jan, Brandon Birmingham Marsh Nature Centre, Coventry EIGHT+8 One-off event showcasing THE CLIVE BEARDSMORE GIFT The 2015 newly devised work from emerging FARGO THURSDAY FLEA & CAR BOOT interventions into the Garman Ryan companies in Birmingham, Wed 20 Stalls of bric-a-brac, vintage mer- Collection is a selection from a sub- Jan, mac, Birmingham chandise, antiques, refurbished bikes stantial gift of artworks donated to SIMON WESTON: MY STORY, MY LIFE and up cycled goods, Thurs 21 Jan, the gallery until Sun 24 Jan, The New AUSTENTATIOUS A new musical which Inspirational show about one man’s Fargo Village, Coventry Art Gallery, Walsall follows a theatre group’s journey as journey from the front line of war, Sat GHOST TOURS OF ASTON HALL EPSTEIN'S ROCK DRILL I TRANSFORMED they unwittingly butcher Jane 23 Jan, Royal Spa Centre, , Sat 23 BY WAR Austen’s classic novel, Pride And Leamington Spa Jan, Aston Hall, Birmingham Rock Drill was destroyed by BLEAK MIDWINTER LIVING HISTORY Epstein at the end of 1915 and Prejudice, Wed 20 - Thurs 21 Jan, FREEZIN’ Black Country panto from Lichfield Garrick WEEKEND Avoncroft’s volunteers wel- reformed into the truncated Torso In Fizzog Productions, Sat 23 Jan, Metal from Rock Drill, until Sun 24 DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT Jars of Crescent Theatre, Birmingham come visitors into the historic houses to see how our ancestors survived Jan, The New Art Gallery, Walsall Clay Theatre Co present a ‘rip-roar- TICK, TICK... BOOM! Autobiographical ing tale of action, romance & adven- winter, Sat 23 - Sun 24 Jan, ALEX DROZD: SMETHWICK GALTON musical by Jonathan Larson telling Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove BRIDGE/PORTRAIT OF A STATION ture’, Wed 20 - Sat 23 Jan, Blue the story of a composer and the sac- THE MONSTER ENERGY ARENACROSS Photographic exhibition, until Sun 24 Orange Theatre, Birmingham rifices he makes to achieve his big TOUR Jan, mac, Birmingham DAISY PULLS IT OFF Award-winning St break in theatre, Sat 23 - Fri 30 Jan, Two nights of indoor motocross FLINCK IN FOCUS Trinian’s-style comedy presented by Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham racing and freestyle MX action, Sat Marking the 400th 23 - Sun 24 Jan, Genting Arena, anniversary of Govert Flinck’s birth, the Lichfield Players, Wed 20 - Sat 23 RENT PERFORMED IN CONCERT Jan, Lichfield Garrick Birmingham until Sun 24 Jan, The Barber Acclaimed musical which follows a Institute, Birmingham THE SNOWMAN Stage show based on year in the life of a group of impover- Raymond Briggs' popular children's ished, artistic friends living in book, Wed 20 - Sun 24 Jan, The REP, Manhattan’s East Village, Sun 24 - Birmingham Mon 25 Jan, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Film

INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: GÜEROS (15) A troublesome teenager is sent to live with his brother in Mexico City. Together, they set out on a road trip to find legendary rock musician Epigmenio Cruz. (Subtitled). Stars Tenoch Huerta. Mon 18 - Thurs 21 Jan, mac, Birmingham MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL (12a) Comedic Middle Ages send-up CRAZY GLUE Single Shoe Productions sees the story of King Arthur framed present a tragicomedy about loss, by a modern-day murder investiga- inspired by Etgar Keret's short story, tion. Stars Graham Chapman & John Thurs 21 Jan, mac, Birmingham Cleese. Thurs 21 Jan, Royal Spa FOREVER JACKSON Ultimate tribute to Centre, Leamington Spa the King of Pop, Thurs 21 Jan, STEAMBOAT BILL, JR. (U) Buster Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Keaton delivers his most famous LADY LUST Using pornography and stunt in this 1928 silent-movie her own sex life as a starting point, favourite about the accident-prone Sarah Hamilton Baker investigates captain of a paddle steamer. Sun 24 what it means to be a woman in the Jan, Electric Cinema, Birmingham twenty-first century, Thurs 21 - Sat 23 Jan, The REP, Birmingham NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: LITTLE BO PEEP Razzle dazzle dance Released Fri 22 Jan, showing at routines, magic and conjuring tricks selected cinemas. for young audiences, Thurs 21- Sun 24 Jan, Swan Theatre, Worcester THE 5TH WAVE (12a) VAMPIRES ROCK Steve Steinman THE BIG SHORT (15) returns as Barron Von Rockula in the OUR BRAND IS CRISIS (15) all-new Ghost Train, Fri 22 Jan, RIDE ALONG 2 (12a) Belgrade Theatre, Coventry THE LAST DIAMOND (tbc) THE MIDNIGHT SOUP A story about los- ing someone you love to themselves, LOST IN KARASTAN (15) Sat 23 Jan, mac, Birmingham See Film section for previews on p38

whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List 25-31 Jan - REGION 1 FINAL VERSION (BACKUP).qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:49 Page 1

64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 25-31 Jan - REGION 1 FINAL VERSION (BACKUP).qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:49 Page 2

thelist Monday 25 - Sunday 31 January Birmingham AWAKE BY DESIGN, Gigs PENTANGLE Thurs 28 WOUNDED CROSS, Classical Music Dance Jan, The Robin, Bilston ENGRAVED DISILLUSION, CELESTIAL WISH & DILLY DALLY Mon 25 HEADS SOUTH Thurs 28 WITHOUT GRACE Sat 30 LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH BRENDAN COLE - A NIGHT TO Jan, Hare & Hounds, Jan, Worcester Arts Jan, O2 Academy, THOMAS TROTTER Programme com- REMEMBER The Strictly star presents Birmingham Workshop Birmingham prises music from Bizet’s Carmen, an evening of ballroom magic and Latin excitement, Fri 29 Jan 2016, THE TEMPERANCE INTERIOR CASTLE Thurs OASIS UK WITH PHIL Mon 25 Jan, Symphony Hall, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre MOVEMENT Mon 25 Jan, 28 Jan, Katie SMITH OASIS TOUR DJ Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham Fitzgerald’s, Sat 30 Jan, The LONDON BAROQUE - VENEZIA, ROMA, CHOTTO DESH Akram Khan Company Stourbridge MUTEMATH Tues 26 Jan, Empire, Coventry LONDRA Featuring Hannah Medlam present an adaptation of their own 2011 work, DESH. For children aged O2 Academy, B’ham FAIRPORT CONVENTION PAUL JONES & DAVE (soprano), Ingrid Seifert & Lukas Fri 29 Jan, Warwick Medlam (violins), Charles Medlam seven-plus and their families, Fri 29 - FORTY FOUR HOURS, KELLY ACOUSTIC DUO Arts Centre, Coventry (cello) & Steven Devine (harpsi- Sat 30 Jan, DanceXchange, GLASS GIANTS, FUTURE Sat 30 Jan, Number 8 chord). Programme includes works Birmingham Hippodrome TALK & IMBIUM Tues 26 IAN HUNTER Fri 29 Jan, Community Arts by Cima, Cavalli, Monteverdi, Grandi, Jan, The Flapper, The Copper Rooms, Centre, Pershore ANTON AND ERIN Sat 30 Jan, Uccellini, Vitali, Cazzati, Handel & Birmingham Coventry Symphony Hall, Birmingham EASTWOOD Sat 30 Jan, Geminia, Tues 26 Jan, St Mary's THE LIBERTINES Wed 27 EVIL SCARECROW Fri 29 Katie Fitzgerald’s, Church, Warwick Jan, Barclaycard Jan, The Slade Rooms, Stourbridge LONDON HAYDN QUARTET The pro- Arena, Birmingham Wolverhampton DURAN (DURAN DURAN) gramme comprises Hummel’s VOODOO GLOW SKULLS MAYDAY PARADE Fri 29 Sat 30 Jan, The Quartet No 2 in G Op 30, Wed 27 Jan, The Slade Jan, O2 Institute, Roadhouse, B’ham Beethoven’s Quartet in C minor Op Rooms, Birmingham THE CLASSIC ROCK 18 No 4, Haydn’s Quartet in D minor Wolverhampton THE BIG WOLF BAND & SHOW - TOP 20 Op 42 & Haydn’s Quartet in D Op 64 AARON WATSON Wed 27 THE BLUEPRINTS Fri 29 GREATEST GUITAR RIFFS No 5 The Lark, Tues 26 Jan, Royal Jan, The Glee Club, Jan, Route 44, OF ALL TIME - LIVE! Sat Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa Birmingham Birmingham 30 Jan, Birmingham LONDON BAROQUE - VENEZIA, ROMA, Town Hall JEREMY LOOPS Wed 27 MINUS THE BEAR Fri 29 LONDRA Tues 26 Jan, Royal Spa Jan, O2 Institute, Jan, O2 Academy, BOOTLEG ABBA & BEE Centre, Leamington Spa Birmingham Birmingham GEES FEVER Sat 30 Jan, NICOLA BENEDETTI: SZYMANOWSKI The Robin, Bilston KENNY THOMAS Wed 27 MIKE SKINNER DJ SET Fri Lahav Shani conducts, Wed 27 Jan, Jan, The Jam House, 29 Jan, Hare & THE WEEKEND ANTHEMS Symphony Hall, Birmingham Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham Sat 30 Jan, The River CHINA INSTITUTE CHINESE NEW YEAR DETROIT SOUL Fri 29 Rooms, Stourbridge CONCERT Special concert featuring Di Jan, The Jam House, GUTS FOR GLORY, Xiao (piano), Jiaxin Lloyd Webber Birmingham SOUTHFALL, EVIL EMPIRE (cello) & Jiafeng Chen (violin), Thurs THE LENNON AND & ARAMANTUS Sat 30 28 Jan, Bramall Music Building, MCCARTNEY EXPERIENCE Jan, The Slade Rooms, Birmingham University Fri 29 Jan, Nailcote Wolverhampton CBSO SMOOTH CLASSICS Featuring Hall, Berkswell BLOBBIE WILLIAMS Sat Michael Seal (conductor), Oliver Comedy Gigs THE SMYTHS Fri 29 Jan, 30 Jan, Huntingdon James (clarinet) & Zoe Beyers (vio- The River Rooms, Hall, Worcester lin). Margherita Taylor presents. ISY SUTTIE Wed 27 Jan, Royal Spa Programme includes works by MATTHEW E. WHITE Wed Stourbridge GET STONED - THE Centre, Leamington Spa Barber, Vaughan Williams, Pachelbel, 27 Jan, Warwick Arts ROLLING STONES TRIB- JAMES ACASTER, ROB ROUSE & COMEDY WHITESNAKE UK, PURE Mozart, Albinoni, Elgar, Tchaikovsky Centre, Coventry UTE Sat 30 Jan, Route CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs PURPLE & THE & Dvorak, Fri 29 Jan, Symphony 44, Birmingham 28 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham GRIEVED Wed 27 Jan, BLACKMORE LEGACY Fri Hall, Birmingham The Rainbow Venues, 29 Jan, The Robin, CHICAGO BYTES BLUES THE NOISE NEXT DOOR Fri 29 Jan, LONDON HAYDN QUARTET Programme Birmingham Bilston BAND Sat 30 Jan, The Artrix, Bromsgrove Black Star, Stourport includes works by Hummel, EDWINA HAYES Wed 27 THE REMI HARRIS PROJ- RAW COMEDY Fri 29 Jan, Evesham On Severn, Beethoven & Haydn, Fri 29 Jan, Jan, The Red Lion Folk ECT Fri 29 Jan, Lichfield Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Arts Centre, Worcestershire Garrick, Staffs Worcestershire Club, Birmingham Spa CARL HUTCHINSON Fri 29 Jan, Stafford MISTER WOLF Sat 30 BILLY WALTON BAND STARK Fri 29 Jan, Katie MUSICAL PORTRAITS: LECTURE Gatehouse Theatre Fitzgerald’s, Jan, The Bell, Wed 27 Jan, The RECITALS WITH KEN HAMILTON SIMON BLIGH, JO ROMERO, HARRY Stourbridge Worcester Robin, Bilston Programme includes works by Liszt, STACHINI, MATT HOBS & JONNY EMMETT WHITNEY HOUSTON LIVE SHE’KOYOKH Wed 27 LET’S TWIST AGAIN Fri Ravel & Merrick/Stephenson, Fri 29 Fri 29 Jan, National Brewery Centre, EXPERIENCE FEATURING Jan, St Mary’s Church, 29 Jan, Solihull Arts Jan, The Barber Institute, B’ham Burton-upon-Trent NYA Sun 31 Jan, Artrix, Warwick Complex Bromsgrove ARMONICO CONSORT Comprising a ROB ROUSE, JAMES ACASTER, KARL THE SYD LAWRENCE DETROIT SOUL Sat 30 programme of music inspired by the SPAIN PLUS COMIC TBC Fri 29 - Sat 30 THE MIGHTY WRAITH, ORCHESTRA Wed 27 Jan, The Jam House, majestic coronation ceremonies of Jan, The Glee Club, B’ham DISARM GOLIATH, Jan, Solihull Arts Birmingham 16th century Venice, Sat 30 Jan, SWAMP DONKEY, MOLO- COLIN CLOUD Fri 29 Jan, Royal Spa Complex THE SENSATIONAL 60'S Collegiate Church of St Mary, TOV SOULS, KONCEPT Centre, Leamington Spa EXPERIENCE Sat 30 Jan, Warwick BARRON KNIGHTS Thurs AND MORE Sun 31 Jan, GEOFF BOYZ, ANGIE MCEVOY, STEVE Grand Theatre, NIGEL KENNEDY Presents an acoustic 28 Jan, Solihull Arts The Roadhouse, B’ham GRIBBIN Fri 29 Jan, Jongleurs Complex Wolverhampton version of the Verdi’s Four Seasons, ENNY RITTER Sun 31 Comedy Club, B’ham JASON DERULO Sat 30 Sun 31 Jan, Symphony Hall, B’ham FAIRPORT CONVENTION Jan, Kitchen Garden DAVID O'DOHERTY Sat 30 Jan, Stafford Jan, Barclaycard Thurs 28 Jan, The Cafe, Birmingham Gatehouse Theatre Roses Theatre, Arena, Birmingham JACK BLACKMAN Sun 31 SHOWSTOPPER! THE IMPROVISED Tewkesbury T.REXTASY Sat 30 Jan, Jan, Cap ‘n’ Gown, MUSICAL Sat 30 Jan, mac, B’ham Artrix, Bromsgrove SHE'KOYOKH Thurs 28 Worcester RINKOO BARPAGA Sat 30 Jan, mac, Jan, Royal Spa Centre, MASSIVE ATTACK Sat 30 THE ZODIAC CLUB Sun Birmingham Leamington Spa Jan, O2 Academy, 31 Jan, Steps Bar, Birmingham GEOFF BOYZ, ANGIE MCEVOY & JON DEL CAMINO Thurs 28 Evesham, PEARSON Sat 30 Jan, Jongleurs Jan, The Jam House, VIVA NEIL DIAMOND Sat Worcestershire Comedy Club, B’ham Birmingham 30 Jan, Solihull Arts TOM HINGLEY Thurs 28 Complex STEWART LEE Sun 31 Jan, Jan, The Roadhouse, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List 25-31 Jan - REGION 1 FINAL VERSION (BACKUP).qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:50 Page 3

thelist Monday 25 - Sunday 31 January LITTLE BO PEEP Razzle dazzle dance Theatre routines, magic and conjuring tricks Film Visual Arts for young audiences, Tues 26 - Sun 31 Jan, Swan Theatre, Worcester THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Starring NEW WORK NIGHTS: LIGHT Nightmarish INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: ECO-CRAFT EXHIBITION An exhibition Diana Vickers as Janet and Ben tale of love, betrayal and technologi- STAR MEN (PG) Documentary follow- showcasing designer makers with an Freeman as Brad, Mon 25 - Sat 30 cal power, inspired by Edward ing four exceptional astronomers as ethical approach to craft-making, Jan, New Alexandra Theatre, B’ham Snowden’s revelations and the ensu- they celebrate fifty years of work and Mon 18 Jan - Sat 7 May, RBSA ing debate on state surveillance, friendship on a road trip in the south- Gallery, Birmingham Thurs 28 Jan, Old Rep Theatre, western United States. Directed by ASSEMBLED DREAMS: A HISTORY OF Birmingham Alison E Rose. Mon 25 - Thurs 28 BUILDING TOYS Sat 23 Jan - Sat 5 MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS The world- Jan, mac, Birmingham Mar, Wolverhampton Art Gallery famous circus presents the Russian SUNRISE (U) Witness FW Murnau's DAVID TEDHAM ARBSA Series of folklore story of Cvetik-Semicvetik, silent masterpiece, a film which abstract paintings by artist David Thurs 28 Jan, Symphony Hall, earned its star, Janet Gaynor, the first Tedham, Mon 25 Jan - Sat 12 Mar, Birmingham ever Best Actress Oscar. Sat 30 Jan, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES Electric Cinema, Birmingham JANET MENDELSOHN - VARNA ROAD Starlight School of Dance presents This exhibition, in collaboration with its 30th anniversary production, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: the University of Birmingham, fea- Thurs 28 - Sat 30 Jan, Palace tures original prints from Theatre, Redditch Released Fri 29 Jan, showing at Mendelsohn’s archive of over 3,000 selected cinemas. SLEEPING BEAUTY Presented by photographs taken predominately in 13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF Nuneaton Pantomime Revue Society, the Balsall Heath area of BENGHAZI (tbc) Thurs 28 - Sat 30 Jan, Bedworth Birmingham, Wed 27 Jan - Sun 3 Civic Hall THE 33 (12a) Apr, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham ENTERTAINING ANGELS Richard ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE PIRATES CAPTURE THE FLAG (PG) Everett’s sharp-edged bittersweet Thurs 28 - Sun 31 Jan, Prince of DIRTY GRANDPA (12a) comedy, which moves between adul- Wales Theatre, Cannock tery, divorce and deception, Mon 25 - SPOTLIGHT (15) LET’S TWIST AGAIN Popular musical Sat 30 Jan, The Rose Theatre, YOUTH (15) Kidderminster set in an American diner and featuring the music of Elvis, Dusty, Buddy, BACKTRACK (15) REHEARSAL FOR MURDER Starring Petula and more, Fri 29 Jan, Solihull See Film section for previews on p38 Robert Daws, Amy Robbins, Susan Arts Complex Penhaligon, Robert Duncan, Ben Nealon, Steven Pinder & Lucy Dixon FREE FOR ALL Choice, control and the star, Mon 25 - Sat 30 Jan, Malvern death of post-war utopia are Theatres explored in Richard O’Brien’s darkly Events comic verse-play, Fri 29 Jan, mac, DINH Q LÊ Video installation, organ- PRIVATE LIVES Tom Chambers and Birmingham ised in collaboration with Artangel, DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG Chance to Charlotte Ritchie star in this major Wed 27 Jan - Sun 3 Apr, Ikon Gallery, LOCUS AMOENUS Acclaimed Catalan practise drifting in safe and legal revival of Noël Coward's hilarious Birmingham masterpiece, Mon 25 - Sat 30 Jan, theatre company ATRESBANDES conditions on some of the Pod's thir- Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent take audiences on a journey in ty acres of open tarmac, Wed 27 KELLY MARK: 108 LYTON AVE Opposite search of paradise, Sat 30 Jan, Jan, Santa Pod Raceway, Northants but asymmetrical roles performed by A BEAUTIFUL ENDING Haunting but Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry the artist for a split-screen projection, NATURE TOTS - TEDDYBEAR PICNIC funny account of how Mohamed El Wed 27 Jan - Sun 3 Apr, Ikon Gallery, SING-A-LONG-A DIRTY DANCING Aiming to encourage an early interest Khatib came to terms with the loss of Birmingham his mother, Tues 26 - Wed 27 Jan, Singalong screening of the classic in wildlife, Thurs 28 Jan, Brandon The REP, Birmingham film, Sat 30 Jan, Royal Spa Centre, Marsh Nature Centre, Coventry JAN VANRIET: THE MUSIC BOY A hugely Leamington Spa influential painter and poet from FARGO THURSDAY FLEA & CAR BOOT Belgium, Jan has exhibited widely THE SINGULAR EXPLOITS OF SHERLOCK Stalls of bric-a-brac, vintage mer- across the world, yet this is his first HOLMES Don’t Go Into The Cellar chandise, antiques, refurbished bikes exhibition in the UK, Fri 29 Jan - Sun presents a one-man homage to the and up cycled goods, Thurs 28 Jan, 8 May, The New Art Gallery, Walsall world’s greatest detective, Sat 30 Fargo Village, Coventry Jan, Lichfield Garrick JIND ICH ŠTREIT Photography exhibi- VITALITY NETBALL SUPERLEAGUE tion řdocumenting rural Czech life, Fri THE SISTERHOOD Acclaimed play- Netball heroes get ready to start the 29 Jan - Wed 30 Mar, Centrala wright and translator Ranjit Bolt’s season with a bang, Sat 30 Jan, Gallery & Cafe, Birmingham adaptation of Molière’s classic satire, Genting Arena, Birmingham Les Femmes Savantes, Sat 30 Jan - RICHARD WOODS: DUCK WEAVE A CANDLEMAS Music food and candle- Sat 20 Feb, Belgrade Theatre, development of a thousand year old light in the medieval Great Hall, Sat Coventry building technology recently redis- 30 Jan, Hartlebury Castle, covered by the Internationally Kidderminster renowned artist. Woods is widely EXCALIBUR COMPUTER FAIR Computer known for his large-scale transforma- goods at trade prices, Sat 30 Jan, tive graphic artworks on architecture National Motorcycle Museum, and his inventive and playful sculp- Solihull ture, painting, and woodblock print- DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG Chance to ed furniture, Sat 30 Jan - Sat 9 Apr, practise drifting in safe and legal Eastside Projects, Birmingham conditions on some of the Pod's thir- THROUGH THE SHOP WINDOW Discover MACBETH Following their acclaimed ty acres of open tarmac, Sun 31 Jan, what shopping was like in Royal collaboration on Medea at the Santa Pod Raceway, Northants Leamington Spa from the 1880s to National Theatre, Carrie Cracknell RUN WHAT YA BRUNG Take your car or the 1980s, Sat 30 Jan - Sun 17 Apr, and Lucy Guerin present motorcycle out on the famous quar- Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Shakespeare’s supernatural tragedy, ter-mile dragstrip and test its per- Museum Tues 26 - Sat 30 Jan, The REP, formance limits in a safe and legal Birmingham A WORLD TO WIN: POSTERS OF environment, Sun 31 Jan, Santa Pod PROTEST AND REVOLUTION From the DIAL M FOR MURDER Frederick Knott’s Raceway, Northants V&A’s collection, showcasing the classic thriller, starring Oliver Mellor, CHINESE NEW YEAR Featuring an array TNA WRESTLING The Maximum Impact work of diverse artists, graphic Terri Dwyer & Marcus Hutton, Tues of Chinese acrobatics and kung fu, Tour 8, Sun 31 Jan, Barclaycard designers and print collectives, Sat 26 - Sat 30 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Sun 31 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Arena, Birmingham 30 Jan - Sun 10 April, Coventry Theatre Wolverhampton Art Gallery

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