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THE GRADUATE Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands STOPS OFF IN MALVERN

WORCESTERSHIREWHAT’S ONJUNE 2017 Worcestershire ISSUE 378 JUNE 2017 ’

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celebrityBRIAN chef TURNER at Droitwich Spa Food & Drink Festival Contents June Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 11:57 Page 1 Contents June Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 17:41 Page 2

June 2017

Contents

Wonderland - take a tumble down the rabbit hole with brand new musical feature page 8

Rod Stewart Jodie Prenger Northern Ballet the list

music icon plays exclusive stars as Shirley Valentine on tour with Goldilocks & Your 16-page Shrewsbury concert in Willy Russell’s classic play The Three Bears week-by-week listings guide page 15 page 28 page 37 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 15. Music 22. Comedy 28. Theatre 39. Film 43. Visual Arts 47. Events

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

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Yvonne Kentfield [email protected] 01743 281706 Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 MEDIA GROUP Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Rhian Atherton [email protected] 01743 281726 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, David Vincent, Katherine Ewing, Lauren Cox Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word June Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 15:17 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

Stratford Poetry Festival returns for a 64th time The Stratford-upon-Avon Poetry Festival makes a welcome return this month (18 - 25 June). The UK’s longest-running event of its kind, the festival is this year taking the theme of ‘cross- ing borders’. Contributors including Simon Russell Beale, Oliver Ford Davies and Inua El- lams will reflect the contemporary issues of conflict, immigration and integration. Commenting on the event, Dr. Paul Edmond- son, Poetry Festival Director and Head of Re- search at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, said: “Poetry nourishes us through all the seasons of life, and this year we wanted the festival to reflect something of our own troubled times. Wherever people are, and however dis- placed they are, poetry and stories will be part of their daily bread.” For more information, visit shakespeare.org.uk

Ex-Emmerdale star Deena of Daytime Drama at the BBC Drama Village, A show within a show at said: “Fans will be treated to a guided tour by joins hit Madness musical the staff, where they will get first-hand Coventry Motofest event One-time Emmerdale favourite Deena Payne knowledge about the sets, locations and A new show is set to feature the largest col- will star in Madness musical Our House what our award-winning writers have in store lection of classic cars and bikes ever seen at when it visits Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre in for some of BBC One’s favourite characters.” Coventry’s popular Motofest event. the autumn. The initiative is a collaboration between the Deena, who played the part of Viv Hope in festival, which celebrates the city’s motoring the long-running soap, will take over from RSC to tour its acclaimed heritage, and the Coventry Business Im- Linda Nolan, who has withdrawn from the 2016 version of Hamlet provement District (BID), the body that repre- tour following a cancer diagnosis. The show The Royal Shake- sents the city’s retailers. visits the Belgrade from Wednesday 8 to Sat- speare Company Commenting on the development, James urday 11 November. Tickets can be booked on (RSC) will next Noble, Coventry Motofest’s Festival Director, 024 7655 3055 or by visiting belgrade.co.uk. year tour its ac- said: “We’re delighted to announce this part- claimed 2016 pro- nership with the Coventry BID, which will en- duction of Hamlet able us to deliver our biggest ever classic Open surgery at the BBC to venues in Sal- vehicle offering at Coventry Motofest. With ford, Plymouth, the Coventry BID Classic, we’re looking to Hull, Newcastle- create a show within a show, which will put upon-Tyne and classic cars and bikes at the forefront of the Northampton. festival and, in doing so, provide visitors The show will with an awe-inspiring celebration of our clas- then transfer to sic motoring heritage.” London’s Hackney Empire. Coventry Motofest takes place on Saturday 3 Directed by Simon Godwin, the production and Sunday 4 June. For more information, will see RSC Associate Artist Paapa Essiedu visit coventrymotofest.com reprising the title role. Commenting on the news, RSC Executive Di- Fans of Birmingham-produced daytime TV rector Catherine Mallyon said: “We’re glad show Doctors can this month take a behind- that many people across the country will the-scenes look at the popular series. have the opportunity to see our work at their The opportunity comes on 7 June, when the local theatre. As well as Hamlet, our ac- BBC Drama Village opens its doors to the claimed production of Matilda The Musical general public for the first ever time. will also embark on its first UK and Ireland Commenting on the news, Will Trotter, Head tour.”

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First Word

Bill Bailey to launch new tour at Coventry venue

Coventry’s Warwick Arts Centre will be the launch venue for comedian and musician Bill Bailey’s brand new tour when he hits the road in early 2018. Entitled Larks In Transit, the show is a compendium of travellers’ tales, with Bill tackling the subjects of politics, philosophy and the pursuit of happiness along the way. Commenting on the announce- ment, Warwick Arts Centre’s Pro- gramme Director, Julia Carruthers, said, “We’re delighted Bill is heading here to begin his nationwide 2018 tour. He’s undoubtedly one of our most popular comedians, and Kate Nash added to Godiva Festival’s main stage line-up we can’t wait to welcome him back Kate Nash has joined The Stranglers, Cast, The Darkness and Carl Barât & The Jackals in signing up into Warwick Arts Centre once to appear at next month’s Godiva Festival in Coventry. The Foundations star will perform on the again.” Larks In Transit shows at the event’s main stage on Sunday 9 July. With Coventry having now entered its City of Culture bid, this venue on Monday 29 January. Tick- year’s festival is expected to be bigger than ever, with markets, a funfair and family-friendly shows ets are now on general sale at war- and activities all included in the line-up. wickartscentre.co.uk. Godiva takes place in Coventry’s War Memorial Park from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 July.

Kenilworth Castle hosts exhibition Gay Pride event

Warwickshire’s Kenilworth Castle in Coventry is hosting a brand new exhibition Coventry Pride makes a telling the story of motoring pio- welcome return this neer John Davenport Siddeley, the month, taking place in Uni- first Baron Kenilworth. versity Square on Saturday Known for his lifelong association with the glamorous worlds of mo- 10 and Sunday 11 June. toring and aviation, the baron Entertainment during the bought the castle in 1937, placing weekend includes local it in the care of the Ministry of bands One Week Stand and Works the following year. The Prophets, along with The new exhibition, Speed And Feryl, a Lady Gaga tribute Power: John Siddeley, Pioneer Of act, SKA-Woody, Kristy Gal- The Motor Age, is located in the lacher and Rachel Weston. castle gatehouse. The popular event is this High five at The Hive! Worcester venue The gatehouse was famously year joining other Prides gets set to celebrate its fifth anniversary called into service as Siddeley’s across the UK in celebrat- company’s drawing office during Worcester venue The Hive is next month celebrating its fifth birthday ing the 50th anniversary of the Second World War, after his with a series of special events. the decriminalisation of Coventry-based Parkside Works The first joint university and public library in Europe, The Hive was homosexuality. were bombed during the Blitz. opened by HRH The Queen in July 2012. It has since won 18 awards, The festival’s sponsorship welcomed over 10,000 schoolchildren, received over four million vis- support is being provided itors and seen a 174% rise in book issues. by, among others, Coventry Birthday celebration events include cake-making competition The Business Improvement Dis- Great Hive Cake-Off (Saturday 8 July) and a dance performance by trict (BID). Watch Out Worcester Dance Fest (Saturday 22 July). There’s also an To find out more about- exhibition about the venue on show from the 2nd to the 9th of the what’s happening at Pride, month. For further details, follow The Hive on Facebook and Twitter visit coventrypride.org.uk. or visit its website, thehiveworcester.org. whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word June Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 15:17 Page 3

First Word

Showcasing Coventry as a Seriously saxy... City of Culture An award-winning Birming- ham-based female musician A celebration across 21 streets will form part of will next month demon- Coventry’s UK City of Culture programme of strate that the saxophone events, should it be awarded the coveted title in isn’t an instrument used 2021. only by men, or simply in The city-wide celebration would see residents order to play jazz music. given the means to explore what the City of Cul- Millicent Stephenson re- ture could look like to them, whether it be front turns for a fourth year with gardens landscaped by an artist, a documentary her Not Just Jazz show, an film about their road, a food festival, pavement event designed to showcase poetry or a new street choir. original compositions from The innovative programme would also include a her CDs alongside a selec- week-long Shop Front Festival, with city centre re- tion of iconic reggae, gospel tail outlets being used as venues in which to pres- and soul covers. ent dance, music and visual arts performances. Millicent presents her show For more information, log on to at the Crescent Theatre, coventry2021.co.uk Birmingham, on Friday 28 July. Tickets are available on 0121 643 5858 or via milli- Strictly stars centstephenson.com dance their way back to the Desi moves... 1950s A Birmingham-based youth programme celebrating Strictly Come Dancing’s Na- streetwise South Asian talie Lowe, Louis Smith and sounds and styles is making Jay McGuiness are set to a return to the city this sum- swing, bop, jitterbug and mer. Desi Moves features lindy hop their way back to no-cost, music-based cre- the 1950s this autumn, ative training programmes, when they bring a brand pop-up events, exhibitions, new show to the Midlands. and hands-on creative mak- Rip It Up will see the tal- ing opportunities, all de- ented trio performing dance signed to explore the way in routines to a host of era- which ‘South Asian culture defining pop and rock’n’roll Roy G Hemmings Drifts into Birmingham meets the street’. hits, including Why Do Desi Moves’ events pro- Fools Fall In Love, La Drifters star Roy G Hemmings brings his latest stage show to the Mid- gramme this month in- Bamba, Oh Carol, Heart- lands next month. The Sounds Of Philadelphia And Motown includes cludes free music break Hotel and Good Golly songs by The Temptations, Four Tops, The Supremes, The Ojays, Stevie workshops at the Light- Miss Molly. Commenting Wonder and (of course) The Drifters. house in Aston and Con- on the new show, Natalie Roy appears at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on 14 July. For more corde in Sparkbrook, with said: “To be able to work information, visit birmingham-rep.co.uk. young musicians then being with these two incredible given the chance to perform Strictly champions and at the Birmingham Mela in choreograph routines with Jewellery Quarter Festival looking Victoria Park on Saturday 1 them to the sounds of & Sunday 2 July music’s greatest decade is to sparkle again something that I’m very ex- Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter Festival is returning for a third year next cited to be working on. To- month. gether we’ll dance through Organised by the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District some of the most fantastic (JQBID) and supported by local businesses, the festival takes place from songs ever created.” 28 to 30 July. Among its attractions are a range of free family activities, The show visits Birming- entertainment including local comedian Barbara Nice, live music, free ham’s Symphony Hall on heritage tours and a selection of street food and drink. Tuesday 19 September. For further information, visit jewelleryquarter.net/JQ-Festival 6 whatsonlive.co.uk Pizza Warwicks/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 14:49 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid pizza perfection Melted mozzarella stretched over tangy tomato puree, topped with all your favourite flavours and stone-baked to perfection... Who doesn’t love a properly made pizza? TV takeaways can often fail to satisfy those cheesy cravings, so if you’re done with disappointing dinners, use our handy guide to seek out your own slice of heaven, with pizzas freshly prepared here in Warwickshire just the way you like them.

Dough & Brew Galleria Italiana The Queen’s Head Opened just last year, Dough & Brew has Head Chef Cosimo de Marco combines real Operated by the West Midlands-based fast gained a reputation as the best pizza Italian cured meats and cheeses with fresh Lovelypubs group, this recently renovated joint in Warwick. Situated just a short walk local produce to create modern twists on pub-restaurant boasts beautiful views from the castle and the marketplace, it traditional recipes in one of Worcester’s over a tranquil section of the serves up pizzas freshly made with local favourite Italian restaurants. Avoiding Worcestershire canal and boasts outdoor ingredients and paired with delicious craft gimmicks and self-conscious branding in seating and a garden tepee ideal for beers, wines and cocktails. Classic ‘Marge’, favour of great-tasting food and customer warmer weather. Wood-fired pizzas are a meaty ‘Clark’ and veggie ‘Lois’ will suit service, this friendly independent runs a speciality, all made with San Marzano simpler palates, while big eaters who like two-for-one deal on pizzas every tomatoes, Fior de Latte and Italian flour their pizzas loaded up will love ‘Sir Wednesday, with gluten-free options and loaded up with mouthwatering Winston’ (pulled British short rib beef with available on request. Choose from a range toppings. Creative combinations include: stilton and caramelised onions) or ‘Mork’ of classic and original topping combos, or salted anchovies, tuna and capers; and ‘Mindy’ (six-cheese mac’n’cheese- pick your own from any options on the butternut squash, broccoli and goat’s topped pizzas with and without bacon). menu. cheese; and chilli beef, beans, jalapeños There’s even pudding pizza if you’ve still 19-21 Friar Street, Worcester, WR1 2NA and sour cream. Gluten-free bases are got room for more, with Nutella, available on request. marscapone and raspberry coulis wrapped Sugarbrook Lane, Stoke Pound, up in a sourdough calzone. Bromsgrove, B60 3AU 45 Brook Street, Warwick, CV34 4BL

Basement Browns Pomodoro San Giovanni At Basement Brown’s, pizza isn’t just a meal, Pair your pizza with a colourful cocktail at Authentic Italian flavours fill a dazzlingly it’s an art to be mastered with passion. this stylish, contemporary restaurant and extensive menu in this exclusive, high-end Inspired by visits to pizzerias throughout bar, open evenings only from 5pm in central restaurant nestled deep in the Warwickshire Italy and the US, this town-centre hotspot Bewdley. Great for celebrations or a romantic countryside. With its idyllic lakeside setting, offers laid-back, local dining ideal for friends dinner for two, the Pomodoro menu features outdoor terrace, stylish interiors and formal and families. An antidote to formal traditional thin-based pizzas, with an extra- dress code, this is one for special occasions restaurants and massive national chains, it thin, skinny option available for light eaters, rather than casual evenings out, but each serves a range of hand-stretched, stone- or a stuffed crust ‘Casa Pomodoro’ for those meal promises to be mouthwatering. baked pizzas at amazingly affordable prices, who enjoy a more generous portion. Choose Alongside pasta, risotto, meat and seafood without compromising on quality. ‘La Mia’ pizza to mix and match your own. dishes, a pizza menu places lovingly 77-79 Warwick Street, Leamington Spa, High Street, Bewdley, DY12 2DJ reinvented Italian classics centre stage. CV32 4RR Mill Lane, Sheepy Parva, CV9 3RL

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FEATURE

SALOMÉThe RSC presents a contemporary take on Oscar Wilde’s poetic masterpiece

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by Heather Kincaid

Fifty years on from the decriminalisation of Salomé’s iconic dance - an erotic performance political - it feels like there’s a whole political homosexuality, Owen Horsley revisits Oscar requested by her father-in-law, King Herod, in world about to crumble. Herod seems so Wilde’s Salomé in a radical new RSC exchange for anything she asks of him. It’s a much like a modern politician, especially production. particularly unsettling scene which leads the when we live in a world with people like story to its violent climax, and one for which Trump. He has no filter, and that’s dangerous, On 25 May 1895, poet, playwright, novelist Wilde offers little written direction. and when you see him and hear him in the and internationally renowned wit Oscar play, you think, my God, this is a scary world Wilde was convicted of ‘gross indecency’ and “We’ve always seen the dance as a way of we’re in! He’s so emotionally volatile.” sentenced to two years’ hard labour. For Salomé sticking two fingers up at Herod - the years, Wilde had pursued same-sex love and way she leads him on and gives him what he This political angle is something being romance free from interference, but wants in order to get what she wants. But exploited much more openly in the National somewhat inevitably for someone so much in there’s also a moment in which the dance Theatre’s concurrent production of Salomé, the public eye, the draconian sexual morality becomes about Salomé revealing who she is - with Yaël Farber rewriting the play to tell the laws of his time eventually caught up with a moment of exposing herself and being story of a Middle Eastern uprising against him. vulnerable. From that moment on, she has all corrupt Roman leaders, with obvious the strength in the world.” overtones of this century’s Arab Spring. Along Though Wilde was never publicly ‘out’, as the with a Theatre Lab production at Hoxton Hall prosecution in his trial underlined, the tell- Of course, a dance requires music, and in February, Horsley’s take will be the third tale signs of his sexuality are inscribed Horsley found the ideal accompaniment for version of Salomé this year - surprising for a throughout his works in an array of his production in the songs of contemporary play so often overshadowed by Wilde’s more unspeakable desires, from the yearning of artist Mark Hadreas, better known as Perfume popular comedies. painter Basil Hallward for his beautiful model Genius. in The Picture Of Dorian Gray, to the dizzying “It’s crazy! It’s like buses - you wait for one for “I’ve been a fan for years and years, and it array of forbidden lusts alluded to in Salomé - hours and then two come along at once. I find was actually one of the first decisions I made. including incest, adultery, murder, it so interesting that plays just seem to have a There’s a kind of mythic view on gender and necrophilia, unrequited love for a social trend about them. But I love Yaël Farber’s sexuality in his lyrics that is to do with spirits, superior and desire for a celibate holy man, as work and her version is very different, so I’m essence and feeling, which I think is so clear well as subtle hints of homosexuality. looking forward to seeing how another in Wilde’s writing, too. director interprets the play.” It’s the latter that director Owen Horsley is “We’ve always tried to find a song that is an setting out to radically reimagine at the RSC’s Despite a longstanding personal connection extension of the person who’s been speaking Swan Theatre this season. Fifty years on from to its story, this year will mark the first time before, so it’s like the song adds to the feeling. the decriminalisation of Wilde’s ‘love that Horsley has ever seen the play performed on It’s also a wonderfully unsentimental play, so dare not speak its name’, the beautiful, stage. I think it works that we’ve just used little bits bloodthirsty princess at the centre of the story and that the songs are sometimes cut off by “I’ve never seen it, but it was in my house will be portrayed for the first time by a male the action.” when I was a kid and I remember reading it performer, Matthew Tennyson. when I was younger. I also remember going to For the dance itself, he’s chosen the “One of the things we wanted to do at the RSC the Met Museum in New York and seeing the “muscular, heavy” number, Grid, which was to honour this anniversary year, and that Regnault painting of Salomé. My mum loved “builds [and] goes on a journey”, reflecting led me to a way of viewing the play through a it and bought a print of it which still hangs in the importance of the moment for Salomé. gay lens,” Horsley explains. “In a sense, it’s the house, so Salomé is one of those figures also looking at where we are now, because I Redefining a classic role for the 21st century who has somehow always been present for think a lot of the arguments are now around required careful casting - a performer who me. Even though they’re done more, I feel like gender. We’re looking at it in terms of gender could not only fully inhabit the part, but who I know this play better than Wilde’s wittier fluidity and ambiguity, so while Matthew isn’t could also get to grips with Wilde’s language, comedies, and perhaps even know those playing it as a girl, we’re not changing things and successfully bridge the gap between plays better for doing this one.” like ‘she’ or ‘her’. We want to create a level of Ancient Rome, Victorian England and Britain While the ability to approach a text free from questioning in the audience.” today. the influence of earlier productions can be a This notion of gender as something slippery, “I’ve worked a lot in classical theatre, which gift for a director, attempting to stage the play constructed or even performed is highlighted is very heightened and rhythmic, but the text has given Horsley some insight into why it’s through a focus on heightened theatricality, in this play is very, very unique. It’s a play so infrequently put on. reflected in the style and design. that’s filled with poetry, love, desire and also “It’s a pretty tough play to do. It’s brilliant but a lot of rage and anger. It takes a certain level “I really wanted to embrace the idea of because it’s just one act, it lacks the form that of imagination, intelligence and wit to be able theatre, so the set is kind of an extension of other plays give you for free. You push the to deliver that, and Matthew Tennyson has the Swan. For example, we have a lovely ball off the hill and it just keeps rolling, so that in spades.” wooden door which feels like part of the stage you have to embrace that and enjoy the floor. I felt very strongly about creating a Salomé’s exploration of issues around gender process of doing something that seems to be space in which the language can live, because and power ties in neatly with the themes constantly spiralling out of control.” it’s so poetic and full of imagery that I think explored in Shakespeare plays like Antony & something that’s a bit starker helps the words Cleopatra, currently running at the Royal to come alive.” Shakespeare Theatre as part of an ongoing Rome season. Salomé shows at the RSC’s Swan Theatre Nowhere is the self-referential emphasis on from Friday 2 June until Wednesday artifice and acting more apparent than in “I also love Salomé because it’s so brilliantly 6 September whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Food June Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 16:32 Page 1

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Food

at the same time delivering on all visit alone. aspects of the contemporary din- Dessert can so often be the weak ing experience. link in an otherwise well-con- Opting for a starter of grilled ceived menu, but my choice of scallops served with a light pesto warm treacle tart and vanilla ice and pancetta, I was immediately cream (£6.50) provided, in every impressed by both the quality of way, the perfect ending to my ingredients and their prepara- dining experience. Served on a tion. Beautifully tender and rich and buttery pastry base, packed full of flavour, the smoki- with a hint of dried fruit and sur- ness of the scallops - cooked to prisingly light in texture, the perfection, I might add - was off- denseness of the treacle filling set perfectly by the fresh yet sub- contrasted beautifully with the tle fragrance of the pesto. The lightness of the vanilla-infused REVIEW: Townhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon crispy pancetta topping added a ice cream - a perfect palate Offering the authentic spirit of further richness of flavour to the cleanser after so rich a treat. dish. My partner’s dessert of apple & Shakespeare’s England... My partner’s choice of the vege- raspberry crumble was another tarian-friendly twice-baked fine example of fresh, seasonal Just a short walk from Shake- bespoke gin menu. Add to this cheddar soufflé with spinach & produce cooked from the heart. speare’s birthplace and the Royal some of the most beautiful sur- wholegrain mustard - which If luxurious surroundings, great Shakespeare Theatre, The Town- roundings in the UK as your out- came served in its own cast-iron service and quality dining aren’t house is ideally located for both look and you’d be hard-pressed pan - was equally delicious, if enough to tempt you along to passing lunchtime trade and pre- to find a more delightful spot somewhat lacking in the ‘vigour’ this historic gem, The Town- theatre dining. This stylishly re- from which to soak up the and intensity of flavour that a house also runs a regular pro- furbished Grade II listed hotel & majesty of Shakespeare’s Strat- stronger cheddar or more gener- gramme of weekly special restaurant boasts an extensive ford. ous helping of wholegrain mus- events. These include T-Bone breakfast, lunch and dinner Approaching the 400-year-old tard might have provided. Thursdays, a Bubbles & Boards menu - as well as a set pre-the- exterior from the historic high Choosing from one of The Town- night on Fridays - featuring spe- atre menu of up to three courses street, what impressed most was house’s signature main courses, cial offers on Prosecco, Cham- for £14.50 - bringing together a how tastefully the venue married my selection of slow-cooked ox pagne and deli boards - plus live rich variety of freshly prepared the traditional with the contem- cheek with parsnip puree, piano music and ‘Sunday ses- and locally sourced ingredients porary. Infused with the historic spinach & gremolata (£17) was a sions’ every weekend. All of this - from Warwickshire and the sur- spirit of a Tudor townhouse, the delight from beginning to end, combined with an extensive Sun- rounding Cotswolds. wood-panelled floors, opulent and gave new relevance to the day lunch menu, a delicious Dishes on offer include a choice window drapes, generously pro- much-overused phrase, ‘melt in choice of signature cocktails and of Toddenham Manor farm steak portioned oak tables and decora- the mouth’. Deliciously rich yet 12 individually designed rooms (£23 - £33) alongside a selection tive mock-Tudor dining chairs surprisingly light, firm yet tender overlooking the heart of historic of speciality main courses rang- offered a delightful nod to the and infused with the depth of Stratford - makes The Town- ing from Cotswold lamb rump to venue’s once-luxurious past. The flavour so characteristic of slow- house the perfect starting point the vegetarian-friendly addition of modern lighting fix- cooking, the earthiness of the ox for any ‘bard and breakfaster’, caramelised onion, chicory & tures, colourful abstract artworks cheek founds its perfect accom- theatre-goer or weekend visitor blue cheese tarte tatin. and a soothing colour palette of paniment in the sweetness of the in search of the authentic spirit For those looking for a more up- mint, sage and olive green cre- parsnip, while the zestiness of of Shakespeare’s England. market pub dining experience, ated a uniquely stylish yet effort- the gremolata provided an added Katherine Ewing the venue also offers its own lessly cosy atmosphere - one injection of freshness. which was only improved by the My partner’s choice of 8oz sirloin twist on a selection of gastro-pub Food: nnnnn warmth, discretion and atten- steak with triple-cooked chips, ‘classics’. These include: Braks- Service: nnnnn tiveness of the waiting staff. vine tomatoes, rocket and pear best battered cod with Ambience: nnnnn bernaise sauce (£22), if falling triple-cooked chips; rosemary & This same care and attention to Overall value nnnnn just a little short of spectacular garlic chicken supreme; and the historical detail was carried OVERALL nnnnn Townhouse burger, served with through in the venue’s choice of in terms of quality, was neverthe- Swiss cheese, tomato and lettuce finishings. From the quality of less beautifully prepared. Special The Townhouse on a brioche bun. the table linen right through to mention must go to the triple- 16 Church Street the painstakingly chosen glass- cooked chips, each resembling a This eclectic choice of dishes is Stratford-upon-Avon ware, this was a venue which roast potato in consistency - matched by an equally impres- CV37 6HB took real pride in the opulence of crispy on the outside, fluffy on sive drinks selection, including a Tel: 01789 262222 its former surroundings, whilst the inside and worth a return whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Food June Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 16:32 Page 3

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Food

New menu celebrates British asparagus Warwickshire's only Michelin-starred restaurant is this month offering a special tasting menu dedicated to seasonal asparagus. On Wednesday 7 June, visitors to The Cross in Kenilworth will be offered a six-course menu designed to put asparagus centre stage. Commenting on the special event, the venue’s Head Chef, Adam Bennett, said: “With a season so short, I always want to make the most of British asparagus when it’s available. I’ve travelled throughout Europe and worked in several top European restaurants, but I’ve yet to find an asparagus that tastes as good as the ones we grow here, so I wanted to give this delicious vegetable the billing it deserves.” Jean-Christophe added to Coventry’s food festival line-up For more information, call The Cross on Celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli is hoping to cook up a storm in Coventry this month, as the 01926 853 840 or email enquiries@the- city’s food & drink festival returns for a second year. crosskenilworth.co.uk. The recipient of four Michelin stars, Jean-Christophe will be giving a number of demonstrations at the free-to-attend event, which runs in the city’s Broadgate from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 June. “I’m so pleased to be supporting this year’s Coventry Food & Drink Festival,” says the star of ITV’s Michelin-starred chef at Culinary Genius. “People can expect a lot of helpful cooking hints and tips, as well as fun during Ragley food festival my demonstrations across the two days. I look forward to seeing everyone there.” Michelin-starred chef Brad Carter - chef-patron of Birmingham restaurant Fishy goings-on... Seafood eatery to open Midlands branch Carters Of Moseley - will this month join Masterchef winner Jane Devon- A new seafood eatery which has recently been launched in Cardiff has announced plans to open a shire at Ragley Hall Father’s Day Food branch in Birmingham. Festival Weekend (Saturday 17 & Sun- Seafood Shack features a Victorian-style fish & chip bar and takeaway, a 150-capacity ‘shanty tav- day 18 June). ern’, a Champagne and oyster bar, a roof garden and a 200-seater restaurant. Its menu includes As well as cookery demonstrations by lobster, dressed crab, jumbo crab claws, prawn tails, langoustine, crayfish, scallops and deep-fried Brad, Jane and other celebrity chefs, calamari. The opening date for the Birmingham branch is yet to be announced. the event also features more than 40 food and drink stalls, free talks, tastings and plenty of activities to keep Ooh la la! French cuisine is coming to Kidderminster... younger visitors entertained. An independently owned French restaurant is opening in Kidderminster at the end of the month, bringing a Parisian- style dining experience to the town. Situated in the new Riverside Walk retail & leisure development, Bistrot Pierre offers great-value French food such as Confit de canard and the bestselling Boeuf bourguignon maison. Commenting on the new eatery, its co-owner, Rob Beacham, said: “We’re investing almost £1million in our new prem- ises, which will transform one of the premier locations at Riverside Walk into a beautifully styled French bistrot. We’re looking forward to bringing our delicious French bistrot cooking to Kidderminster. I’m confident we’ll grow a loyal customer base in the area thanks to our popular seasonal menus, which use the freshest ingredients and are carefully prepared by our talented chefs on a daily basis.”

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FEATURE Candice DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2017 08:54 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

Book Deals & Delicious Bakes Bake Off’s Candice Brown is launching a new cook book - and turning up at two of the Midlands’ most mouthwatering food festivals!

“No-nonsense”, “easy to make” bakes are Those hoping to drop in on one of her at the show. Breads, olives, cakes, local on the menu for Great British Bake Off 2016 demos should expect an emphasis on wines, little jars of things - I love markets winner Candice Brown as she prepares to simple, traditional dishes, nostalgic flavours and food shows and finding gorgeous things launch her brand new cook book, Comfort: and accessible family fare, in line with the to eat and taste and buy!” Delicious Bakes And Family Treats, on recipes featured in her forthcoming book - And with exciting programmes lined up for Thursday 13 July. including toffee apple crumble, cornflake both festivals, who could blame her? Expect tart, triple layer berry cake, Christmas cake, But if you can’t wait that long to get stuck Michelin-starred chefs and local perfect roast chicken, black pudding into her recipes, then late this month, the restauranteurs, extensive markets with an sausage rolls, tattie scones, pork and apple brilliant baker will be offering a tantalising amazing range of traders, wine, gin and pasties and homemade pork scratchings. taste of what to expect at the hotly craft beer tasting and even edible science anticipated Foodies Festival in “I love baking and cooking really homely, experiments for the kids. Those looking to Birmingham’s Cannon Hill Park, followed old-fashioned, comforting food and giving it pick up some top tips for their own cooking by an appearance at Shropshire’s Newport my own spin. I’m all about big flavours, will find them in abundance - but for Show in early July. slices and invoking memories and aspiring bakers like she once was, Brown nostalgia.” has this advice to offer; “I didn’t even think I would get on Bake Off, or then past week one, week two, and so Little wonder, then, that fellow chefs who “I don’t feel any more experienced than on,” she says of her bemusement at acing she admires include the late Keith Floyd and anyone else but my advice is to always just the challenges and wowing judges and Tom Kerridge, particularly the latter’s go for it, enjoy what you do, smile and, if it audiences alike on the hit BBC show. “Never “hearty, homely pub grub” and “infectious” goes wrong, don’t panic - just turn it into in a million years (did I think I would win)- I love for what he does. something else and say it was meant to look still don’t quite believe it!” like that or throw it away and don’t tell Brown’s own passion for cooking shines anyone. And hard work pays off! It’s so Since making the jump and giving up the through for all to see, and however busy she important to do something you love and feel day job to pursue her dream career, the becomes, she always tries to make time to good about it. Never feel you can’t do it or former teacher has had more than just a do a bit of baking just for her own benefit. allow anything to stand in your way. book to keep her busy. As well as honing her “I bake whenever I have a spare hour! I just cooking skills and earning money making “Baking shouldn’t be scary or difficult, and I love it and am always thinking about what I food, she’s also been contending with a think my book will show this. It’s been my could do or what ingredients I could use. I calendar chock-full of high-profile events. absolute pleasure testing and writing can’t go too long without creating a flour recipes that I encourage you to try, change “Every opportunity is a blessing - I loved tornado in the kitchen.” and make your own.” every second of the process and I’m loving On the other hand, if she was heading to an every second now! I’ve been to some event like Foodies Festival or Newport as a amazing events - Pride Of Britain, NTAs, visitor, she’d avoid the urge to whip up Sports Personality - and met some something in advance, preferring instead to incredible people - Fearne Cotton, Emma Candice Brown is at Birmingham’s Food- sample some mouthwatering morsels fresh and Geri from the Spice Girls, Sir Chris Hoy ies Festival in Cannon Hill Park on Sun- from the festival market. and Barbara Windsor.” day 25 June and at the Newport Show, Chetwynd Deer Park, on Saturday 8 July. “My basket would be empty so that I could fill it with all sorts of wonderful things I find GIGS June COMPLETE.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 14:51 Page 1 GIGS June COMPLETE.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 14:51 Page 2

Gigs

Elton John Genting Arena, Birmingham, Wed 7 June A much-cherished national treasure, Sir Elton is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve and doesn’t take himself too seriously. The top chum of superstar celebrities the world over, he’s earned his stripes as a much-respected musician by reason of spending over four decades in the upper echelons of a notoriously unforgiving business. He this month returns to Birmingham for the 36th time, performing songs from his most recent album, Wonderful Crazy Nights, and hits from his stellar career.

Robbie Williams needs no introduction. Whether with Take That or as a solo artist, Williams is a power- Ricoh Arena, Coventry, Tues 13 June house performer whose popularity has en- With 10 of his 11 studio albums reaching the dured despite the passing of time. Official Album Chart’s top spot and an entry This month sees the still-shining star bring in the Guinness Book Of World Records for his highly anticipated stadium tour, The selling over one-and-a-half million tour tick- Heavy Entertainment Show, to the Mid- Cara Dillon ets in a single day, Midlands-born Robbie lands. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 24 June With childhood musical influences includ- Leo Sayer The Wailers ing retro folk artists Fleetwood Mac and Joni Mitchell - as well as the pop music listened The Assembly, Leamington Spa, Fri 9 June The Copper Rooms, Coventry, Sat 3 June to by her older sisters - Cara Dillon decided With 16 albums and 26 hit singles under his Originally curated in Kingston, Jamaica, in that she was happiest singing the tradi- belt, Leo Sayer is returning to UK venues fol- 1969 by Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer and Peter tional Irish songs with which she’d grown lowing the sold-out success of his 2015 Rest- Tosh, The Wailers had one ambition and up. Having come to that conclusion, she less Years tour. Expect to hear such classics one ambition only - to reach an interna- then set off on a journey which has seen her as Thunder In My Heart, You Make Me Feel tional audience. In doing so, the band took become one of the UK’s finest female vocal- Like Dancing, I Can’t Stop Loving You and their inspiration from the Rastafari move- ists. Developing a style that blends her tra- When I Need You. ment and introduced the sound of reggae to ditional sound with contemporary the world. Together with Marley, The Wail- elements, she’s always looking to introduce ers have sold in excess of 250 million al- her music to new audiences. Ritchie Blackmore’s bums, playing at venues across the globe in Rainbow the process. Genting Arena, Birmingham, Wed 28 June They’re here performing the album Legend in its entirety. Following the triumphant and sold-out show at the Genting in June last year, Ritchie Blackmore takes to the stage once again to celebrate the era-defining music of Rainbow and Deep Purple. With a background in classical and R’n’B, Blackmore was a driving force behind Deep Purple’s early successes. He left the group in 1973 to form Rainbow, who went on to sell in excess of 28 million albums. whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Classical Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 14:47 Page 1

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Classical

Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra Warwick Hall, Warwick, Sat 17 June Now in its 77th year, the Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra here teams up with acclaimed pianist Peter Donohoe (pictured below) to present a celebration of great Russian music and composers. The programme comprises Rachmani- nov’s Paganini Variations, Rimsky-Kor- sakov’s Overture: Tsar’s Bride and Tchaikovsky’s fifth symphony.

CBSO: Elgar Birthday Concert With Tasmin Little Malvern Theatre, Worcestershire, Fri 2 June Bring together one of the country’s best-loved violinists (Tasmin Little) with an outstanding local orchestra (the CBSO) for a concert to celebrate the birthday of one of the region’s fore- Ex Cathedra: Summer most composers (the Worcestershire-born Edward Elgar), and you have all the necessary in- Music By Candlelight gredients for a truly memorable evening of musicmaking. The programme features Elgar’s Serenade For Strings and Violin Concerto, and Beethoven’s Birmingham Cathedral, Tues 20 June Symphony No7. Michael Seal conducts. Jeffrey Skidmore once again picks up the baton to conduct Birmingham’s highly rated early music ensemble. Bromsgrove Concerts: Birmingham Bach Choir Presented by candlelight as dusk falls, the concert brings together music and read- Toby Hughes Pershore Abbey, Worcestershire, Sat 17 June; Birmingham Cathedral, Sat 24 June ings inspired both by birdsong and the Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 30 June summer season itself. Toby Hughes was the 2016 winner of the The evening’s programme includes a new Bromsgrove International Competition for work by Alec Roth which has been com- Young Musicians, and here picks up his missioned by Ex Cathedra. double bass to perform a programme of music spanning the centuries. Pianist Ben Powell lends his considerable talent to proceedings.

One of the city's oldest and most distin- guished musical groups here gets its collective teeth into the world of all things French, from early 16th century music through to modern compositions. Paul Spicer conducts, with Martyn Rawles playing the organ, in a concert that features works by Phinot, Poulenc, Duruflé and Pierre Villette, as well as Faure’s peerless Requiem. whatsonlive.co.uk 17 (IBC) WARKS.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 14:32 Page 1 Festivals June (1).qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 16:25 Page 2

Festivals

The Acoustic Festival Of Britain Asparafest Uttoxeter Racecourse, Staffs, Fri 2 - Sun 4 June Ashdown Farm, Badsey, Evesham, Standing out from the crowd of ever-louder tions, seated food tents and kids' play areas, Fri 2 - Sun 4 June electronic festivals, The Acoustic Festival Of it's the perfect way to spend a lazy weekend Celebrating the Vale of Evesham’s long- Britain marks a welcome return to the basics with the family. standing reputation for asparagus crops, of good-quality music. Stripped back, un- Line-up includes: Fairport Convention this not-for-profit food and music festival plugged performances are the focus of this (pictured below), Wishbone Ash, Nell Bry- combines renowned guests with community relaxed, friendly event. Beyond that, it's den, Hoosiers, Nick Harper, Seize The Day, spirit. Local and national music acts per- open to music of all genres. With five-star- Boy on a Dolphin, TV Smith, Ed Tudor Pole form alongside demos from award-winning rated camping infrastructure, glamping op- and The Bar-Steward Sons Of Val Doonican. chefs, country crafts, vintage vehicles and family fun - including a specialist teen tent and appearances by children’s TV stars. Look out for opportunities to taste asparagus-themed food and drink, too. More competitively minded visitors can take part in the traditional asparagus-eating contest. Line-up includes: Dr Feelgood, 3 Daft Mon- keys, The Bar-Steward Sons Of Val Dooni- can, CBeebies’ Mr Bloom and Katy Ashworth (I Can Cook!), Felice Tocchini (Fusion Brasserie), Tom Court (Sticky Fig Catering) and Tom Sausage

Lichfield Blues & Jazz Supersonic Festival El Dorado Festival Lichfield Guildhall & other city centre venues, Custard Factory, Birmingham, Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire, Fri 2 - Sat 4 June Fri 16 - Sun 18 June Fri 30 June - Mon 3 July Having launched in 2015, this growing festi- The centuries-long search for the magical val is fast establishing itself as a firm fixture land of El Dorado ends here. in Lichfield’s cultural calendar. Taking place Nestled in the beautiful hills of Hereford- across multiple city centre venues, the long shire, this intimate, boutique festival is the weekend celebrates the best in local jazz brainchild of urban clubbing innovators and blues talent, as well as showcasing the Cirque du Soul, best known for creating best in quality musicianship from further weird and wacky wonderlands packed with afield. Concerts can be booked individually, musical variety. with an assortment of hands-on workshops From freak shows and fire breathers to a and lively street bands to enjoy alongside floating Treasure Island stage, expect the the main acts. unexpected in this exotic paradise, specially Line-up includes: Remi Harris Trio, Sticky After taking a year off in 2016, the UK’s pre- designed for playful, open-minded party- Wicket & his String Orchestra (pictured mier experimental arts and music festival is goers. below), Masai Blues, Emma Johnson Boogie back with a bang. Line-up includes: Artful Dodger (pictured Woogie Quartet, Callum Roxburgh Swing Or- Featuring a thrilling line-up of some of the below), Groove Armada, Jax Jones, Hot 8 chestra, Chris Gumbley & Anything Goes, most exciting, original and irreverent artists Brass Band, The Sugarhill Gang, Wolf & Chi, Baxter - Dunnett Big Band and Blast Off from Birmingham, Britain and beyond, the AJ Tracey, Dusky, Zak Abel, SG Lewis, Bon- multidisciplinary Supersonic is guaranteed dax, Shy FX, Solardo and Channel One to stimulate the senses and engage curiosity with a mix of music, film, discussions, hands-on workshops and exhibitions. Intelligent, unique and often unpredictable, it’s an absolute must for the adventurous festival-goer. Line-up includes: Anna Von Hausswolff, Arbouretum, Colin Stetson, Jenny Hval, Laura Cannell, Melt Banana, Oxbow, Princess Nokia, Raime, Zu and Ex-Easter Is- land Head Ensemble

whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Festivals June (1).qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 16:25 Page 3

INTERVIEW

SHAUN RYDER

20 whatsonlive.co.uk Festivals June (1).qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 16:25 Page 4

The Happy Mondays frontman talks about why his sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll days are now a thing of the past...

Happy Mondays are playing Nozstock this like Dean Martin, or if you were into mod peared, so we ended up having to spend the summer. What can fans expect from this music, you couldn’t like funk. One thing next week in Brazil. I think we went on with headline performance? about us was that we all appreciated different A-Ha, and they put us and Guns ’n’ Roses in a I think we’re doing something from all the al- types of music. We would listen to Velvet Un- hotel miles away from everyone else, so that bums. It’s a ‘greatest hits’ sort of thing. We’re derground then The Snakes. In terms of our was pretty freaky. not going out yet doing the entire Squirrel influence, we basically stole from everywhere And G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People and then tried to hide it. Do you have any regrets? album, but I’m sure sooner or later we will. I haven’t got many. I’ve got one or two. Obvi- Any particularly entertaining stories you’d ously spending 12 years in receivership was a The band’s groundbreaking album, Pill- like to share? bit of a bummer; I wouldn’t advise that to s’n’Thrills And Bellyaches, was released I can remember the 1960s better than I can anybody. That caused a lot of problems, as it back in 1990. Did you ever imagine that al- the 1990s, so that’ll tell you something. would when 100% of your income is getting most 30 years on, you’d still be headlining taken off you for 12 years. I should just have festivals? How does life on the road nowadays com- paid them the poxy 120 grand back in the You know, when I got into this business, I pare to, say, in the early 1990s? day, but I didn’t want to. That’s my biggest re- wanted to make a career out of it and do it for If someone had told me in the early ’90s how gret. When you write your own stuff and you a lifetime, so I didn’t imagine I’d be bailing easy it could be if you weren’t off your tits, I’d lose it all, you’ve got to stick it out - you can’t out and getting a normal, proper job - no one have told them to f*** off. It’s so easy now. I go bankrupt. It took a long time to get out of would’ve given me one anyway. I thought I’d mean, we’re all older, there’s no sex and that. Everything else, fine; I enjoyed getting be in it for life. drugs anymore, it’s just rock’n’roll. Even off my face when I was a kid - it’s what you though the workload is greater, it just fits in. I do innit. Paul Oakenfold produced Pills’n’Thrills go out and do what I want, when I want. It’s And Bellyaches. How did that come really easy. You were runner-up in the 10th series of about? I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!. Are Oakenfold at the time wasn’t a producer. He You’re very open now about being a fam- there any other reality TV shows that take was known for DJing in London and Ibiza. ily man. What’s the most important lesson your fancy? When I mentioned it to Tony and the man- you’ve passed on to your children? I did the other one where we went off in the ager at the time, Nathan, they started When I first had kids, I was pretty much a kid rainforest, although that was technically scratching their heads. The good thing was having kids. I was building a career, so I classed as a documentary. I get asked all the that we could’ve been making an album, an never saw them and had nothing to do with time to do that sort of stuff. In fact, another important album for the label, and if we’d them being brought up. Now I’m really lucky one has come in today, about me getting my asked for a not very well known DJ who’d because I get to do it again as an adult. My family involved in something. If the right one never produced before, they’d just have told girls love me; I’m just a great dad. I’m going comes around, I don’t mind - especially when us to f*** off. Factory Records thought about off in a minute to do the school run. I’ve got an album to promote. it and gave him a b-side. The DJs in the know flipped it over and started playing Oaken- How do you think your fanbase has grown Finally, what does the future hold for fold’s side. By the time we were ready to do over the years? Happy Mondays? the album, we’d convinced them that Oaken- The ages go from about 11 and 12 to about 70, Well, the thing about The Mondays is that fold was right for the job. and a lot of that is to do with mine and Bez’s there are six of us, and everyone has got a say dips into reality television. We both brought a in the band. It’s really difficult to organise. As Growing up in Manchester must’ve had a lot of new people in on it. You still get kids at Black Grape, it’s just me and Kermit, so when huge influence on your musical sound. uni discovering us, like I discovered Velvet we say, ‘Let’s go and make an album’, we can Can you tell us a bit about the Madchester Underground or whatever - although I didn’t just go and make one. When we’re with The scene? go to uni. Back in the day, there were a lot of Mondays, it’s really difficult. One lives in LA, Oh god! Do you know what, I don’t know kids at uni who were into us and who are one’s in Canada - they’re all doing their stuff whether it did have an influence on the now lawyers. We have a proper mixed bunch. and it’s more difficult. We’ll get a new album sound. The only sort of scene that’d been in together sooner or later, though. Manchester really, apart from Joy Division Were there any particularly memorable and The Smiths, was back in the ’60s with shows? The Hollies and stuff like that. The one thing Brazil was great! Years ago we did the Rock- Happy Mondays headline Nozstock that got us all together was that music was ing Rio thing - we took the rain with us; it ab- Festival, which takes place at Rowden really sort of gangy and clangy back in the solutely pissed it down. We should’ve been Paddocks, Bromyard, Herefordshire, late ’70s. If you liked punk rock, you couldn’t on with George Michael but our gear disap- from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 July

whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Comedy June 2017.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 12:47 Page 1

Jonny Awsum Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Wed 7 June If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, seems to have been the perspective taken by musical comic Jonny Awsum. Having served as a barman at London’s Chuckle Club for eight long years, Jonny decided it was high time he put down the pint glasses and picked up the micro- phone himself. Now a regular on the UK comedy circuit, he’s been the warm-up artist for ITV1 lunchtime series Loose Women and also featured in Cravendale's hugely popular ‘cats with thumbs’ advertising campaign, viewed more than a million times on YouTube. Jonny’s joined for this latest Henry Tudor House Comedy Club night by Josh Pugh and Mark Olver.

Joel Dommett Stratford Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon, Fri 9 June “I absolutely love performing in small, intimate spaces,” says Joel Dommett, once the face of MTV - until he was sacked at the age of 27 for being ‘too old’. “I’d far rather do a small gig in front of 50 people, but be doing new stuff, than do old stuff in front of 5,000 people.” Joel’s extremely committed to the business of keeping his act fresh. “I’m working on Ricky Gervais: Humanity material pretty much all the time,” explains the one-time warm-up act for Justin Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Tues 27 & Wed 28 June Bieber whose television work includes There’s no doubting that Ricky Gervais has travelled a long way since his days playing Skins, Live In Chelsea and Impractical Jok- bearded chubster David Brent in hit mockumentary The Office. Hollywood movies, an ap- ers UK. “In fact, I try to put in something pearance on The Simpsons and a couple of gigs presenting the Golden Globes offer ir- new every time I go on stage. If there’s refutable evidence that he’s made the big time. But even with all that success behind him, something new in there, it brightens up he still enjoys the high-pressure challenge of a live standup tour. This latest one is his first the whole set and gives it more energy and in seven years and sees him “moaning about everything in the world from the most privi- excitement.” leged position imaginable”.

Asperger’s Are Us The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sunday 25 June This Boston comedy troupe comprises four fellas who’re on the autism spectrum but whose humour most definitely isn’t defined by the fact. Oddball characters and clever wordplay are the meat and drink of their act, the troupe performing skits and monologues that reflect their thoughts, perspectives and offbeat sensibilities. “We're the first comedy troupe composed of autistic people,” the boys reveal. “We don’t poke fun at Asperger’s and we didn’t form to prove that autistic people can be funny. We formed for the same reason anyone does comedy - to make you laugh! Please don’t expect us to be anything like The Big Bang Theory or anything else that relies on making fun of people. Expect silly, deadpan sketches that appeal to Aspies and sympathetic others alike.”

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy June 2017.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 12:47 Page 2

Comedy

Stewart Lee: Content Provider Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wed 21 June Shropshire-born Stewart Lee makes a welcome return to the Midlands with a brand new, critically acclaimed show. Stewart first shot to fame courtesy of his partnership with Richard Herring, and then later scored a massive international hit with the musical, Jerry Springer The Opera. His style of comedy won't make for the most comfortable ride, but he's thought-provoking, funny and memorable, so suffering the odd moment that makes you feel awkward is a small price to pay for a great night out. Stewart is married to fellow comedian Brid- get Christie, a woman whose career is very much in the ascendant... So is there an un- comfortable competitiveness in evidence between them, one wonders? “I was doing well before I even met Brid- get,” he insists, “when she was still dressing up as cheese rolls and bees and things. I don’t know where you’re getting these offen- sive questions from, to be honest...”

Deborah Frances-White Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tackling tough topics with intelligence and Thurs 8 June Sommore style, the New Jersey-born performer views Birmingham Town Hall, Sat 17 June her comedy as a form of self-expression. With descriptions of her ranging from ‘the “Comedy is an expressive art,” she explains, new Whoopi Goldberg with makeup on’ to “It's not what you say, it's how you say it ‘Joan Rivers with a deep tan’, queen of that counts.” urban US comedy Sommore has also been Sommore is joined on the night by Slim, hailed ‘a force to be reckoned with’ by no Kane Brown and Marlon Davis. Gina Yashere less a modern-day icon than Oprah Winfrey. comperes.

Katy Brand: I Was A Teenage Christian The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Thurs 8 June; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Fri 16 June; mac, Birmingham, Sat 17 June Deborah Frances-White reckons her regular A familiar telly face on programmes such as Have I Got News For You podcasts are a worthwhile listen for any- and her very own Big Ass Show, Katy here contemplates her body who’s ever felt like they should be bet- self-imposed conversion and total immersion in evan- ter at feminism. And it would seem there are gelical Christianity at the tender age of 13. “I was plenty of people who’ve felt exactly that an obnoxious, self-important dick,” says way, the various episodes having racked up Katy, “but at least I knew I was going to between them an impressive two million- heaven. Now I’m not so sure...” plus downloads. The show met with mixed reviews in Edin- This latest installment, recorded in front of burgh last summer, with many critics sur- a live audience, sees Deborah joined by a prised by the understated delivery of some guest host for a discussion on topics that fairly undramatic material. On a more positive “all 21st century feminists agree on”. note, the Guardian described it as ‘an entertain- Along the way, they’ll be opening up about ing tale of a teenager’s search for herself, and the insecurities and fears that underlie their of the impulses that drive some of us into reli- ‘lofty principles’. gion’s comforting embrace’. whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Addams Family DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 17:17 Page 1

FEATURE

24 whatsonlive.co.uk Addams Family DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 17:17 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid The Addams Family

America’s creepiest, kookiest clan arrive in the Midlands...

Their house may be a museum, but not matchmaker for this unconventional love them, but you never see them being mean or everyone is itching to go over there and see between Wednesday and Lucas, the normal horrible.” ’em: for the lovestruck Lucas Beineke and his and the ‘unnormal’, and he champions that “They think that they’re completely normal,” unwitting parents, the Addams Family’s way while in an unconventional love affair agrees Samantha Womack, who plays the of life is just mysterious, spooky and himself. I love that he gets the chance to bring ever-immaculate Morticia, “and that the altogether far too “ooky” for their tastes. Yet all the pieces together - one of my favourite outside world is just horrid and disintegrating romance is apt to overcome and blossom in parts is when he’s on the balcony watching into chaos, so they feel very proud of who the unlikeliest of circumstances, at least the Beinekes in Crazier Than You.” they are” within the realms of musical theatre… The innocence and wide-eyed wonder of the “And they’re not wrong, are they?” laughs Out on its first ever UK tour following a character is perfect for this role: Fester is Dennis. successful Broadway run, Andrew Lippa’s upbeat and optimistic enough to believe that Addams Family musical presents a brand new rules can be broken and stories changed; This is the crux of Lipper’s musical: though chapter in the story of America’s creepiest, generous and genuine enough to win the trust the Beinekes are initially unsure what to kookiest clan, with the sometime sadistic of anyone; and determined enough to make make of them, it’s through their encounter Wednesday now ‘all grown up’ and ready to sure everything goes to plan. with the Addams’ unconventional habits that take on the wider world. Pity the planet then, they’re eventually able to acknowledge and “With Fester, you can kind of see how he is but particularly the boy with the audacity to liberate their true ‘crazy’ selves from self- part of the family, but he resists the fall head over heels for her. inflicted repression. It’s a journey that we, as darkness,” Dennis adds. “I’ve tried to make viewers, are invited to go along on, too - With the hapless Lucas having already him quite silly and childlike.” there’s certainly something to be envied secretly proposed, a desperate attempt at a Silliness is an important feature of this show, about the Addams’ total openness and lack of civilised ‘meet the parents’ dinner party soon in everything from the madcap costumes and concern for what anyone else might think of descends into exactly the disaster you’d choreography of the undead extended family, them. expect. But all hope is not lost: with the help to the weird, witchy old Grandma who might of some long-dead ancestors shut out of the “They base their relationships on truth and not actually be anybody’s grandmother after family crypt, a fairy godmother of a sort is on honesty and nothing is taboo,” says Fletcher. all. But as Carrie Hope Fletcher, who’s hand to carry us out of the chaos - and he “The relationship that Morticia and Gomez enjoyed portraying Wednesday’s newfound comes in the rather unexpected form of Uncle have is so sexual and nothing’s held back womanhood, points out, as dysfunctional as Fester, played with undisguised delight by Les from the children.” the family might seem at first, beneath the Dennis. surface, they’re perhaps not as unusual as “I always like doing characters where I get to “When I spoke to the director while we were you’d think. try out a part of my personality that I might still at the beginning of rehearsals, he gave like to explore more if I was confident “The thing about the Addams Family is that me a key to the character by saying that Fester enough,” says Womack. “I love the fact that they never actually do anything malicious,” is almost like Puck [in A Midsummer Night’s Morticia doesn’t make small talk and is very she says. “They’ve always got that edge to Dream],” Dennis explains. “He’s the still and contained. I’m not like that. I have to

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continued...

fill the gaps - I’m a people pleaser, so there’s in the line where the bull says to the matador, and when I started doing auditions the something quite liberating about this.” ‘I hate you. Well done.’” character just came to me really easily. Sometimes you pick something that you “I wish I was as confident as Wednesday,” Having accrued a huge following of young really want to do and it just doesn’t come, but Fletcher admits. “They’re all so sure of who fans through her vlogging and writing as well I felt Morticia coming through like tendrils.” they are.” as her performances, Carrie Hope Fletcher will have the privilege of introducing whole For Fletcher, meanwhile, the whole thing has Ultimately, this serves to make them a much new audiences to the Addams Family. But as been a dream come true. stronger family unit - the love and loyalty they she can personally attest, there’s also plenty share is completely genuine. It’s also the “I sobbed before I went on stage the first in the show for existing Addams enthusiasts reason why the show has gone down such a night,” she laughs. “A few years ago, I got to enjoy. storm so far, for all it might seem an odd asked to do a concert with Andrew Lippa, choice for a Broadway musical. As much as it “I love The Addams Family. I was obsessed who gave me Pulled from The Addams Family taps into the eccentric humour of its sources, with the movies as a child, and I really enjoy to sing, and I just completely fell in love with there’s also an emotionally resonant side to all the dark, Burton-esque type stuff. Dark it. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t known there was this story that will strike a chord with any stories rarely get made into musicals, and I a musical before, so I bought the soundtrack family, however ordinary or crazy they might think that’s what makes this such a fun thing. and devoured everything I possibly could. be. There’s just so much to play with!” Then after the concert, I said to my agent, if there’s ever a whiff of it coming to the West “Parts of this story are so poignant, like in There’s a definite care and respect for the End, please, please make sure I’m first in line Happy Sad,” says Fletcher. “You’ve got this source material in all aspects of this show, to audition for Wednesday. And it happened, crazy family with all of these ridiculous from the array of musical styles tailored to unbelievably!” things going on, and then suddenly there’s each character, to the attention to detail in this amazing song about a father not knowing the design and performances, partly drawn how to watch his daughter grow up and pass from the original Charles Addams sketches. her on to another man. My dad watched the Having recently finished a long-running role The Addams Family shows at Birmingham show last night in an absolute state!” in EastEnders, Womack was initially reluctant Hippodrome from Tuesday 6 to Saturday “Andrew Lippa talked to us about devising to jump straight into a major touring show, 10 June, and then at the Wolverhampton the lyrics,” says Womack. “He explained how feeling that only something really special Grand Theatre from Tuesday 17 to it doesn’t all have to be happy and light. could tempt her. But after reading through the Saturday 21 October Sometimes you find the most beautiful script, she was immediately sold. answers in a place of pain and darkness, like “It’s so much more than I expected it to be,

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Dance previews from around the region Dance

BRB: Three Short Ballets Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 21 - Sat 24 June “Arcadia is a narrative piece,” explains Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Ruth Brill, who’s created the work for this BRB tril- ogy. “While not telling the full story of a single myth, it draws inspiration directly from Greek mythology. The characters are Pan, the nymphs and a chorus. I also wanted to evoke the landscape of Arcadia as a mountain- ous region of Greece, through the choreography for the chorus and through the designs.” Arcadia boasts a new score composed by renowned saxo- phonist John Harle, and is performed in a programme that also features two other one-act ballets: Le Baiser de la fée, a ‘beautiful interpretation’ of a classic Hans Christian An- dersen story; and Pineapple Poll, ‘a thoroughly English Gilbert & Sullivan tale’ set aboard the HMS Hot Cross Bun.

Northern Ballet: Goldilocks Breakin’ Convention & The Three Bears The REP, Birmingham, Fri 2 - Sat 3 June Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 31 May; Touring festival Breakin’ Convention is the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 14 June brainchild of pioneering dancer, director and Leeds-based Northern Ballet has developed a poet Jonzi D. Uniting top international acts with reputation for producing work that’s as much local talent in various locations, it aims to put about storytelling as it is about dancing - a fact hip-hop on an equal footing with more estab- which is very much in evidence in its latest chil- lished art forms, offering a mix of professional dren’s production. development, youth and education projects in Goldilocks & The Three Bears follows on from addition to its world-renowned events. the company’s hugely successful CBeebies TV This year's show is headlined by South Africa's adaptations of The Ugly Duckling and Tortoise Soweto Skeleton Movers, Korean bboys Just And The Hare. Dance Productions and Canadian-Swedish Forty minutes in length, the show has been de- dance duo Tentacle Tribe. signed as an enjoyable and absorbing introduc- Also contributing are local groups Jigsaw Col- tion for young children to live ballet, music and lective, Rhythm Junkiez, Street Dance Academy, theatre. Broken Silence, Marshons and Nuvo Origin.

Plan B For Utopia The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 7 June The notion of utopia and the role which imagination and creativity can play in effecting change, both within the individual and society, is explored in this playful work of dance theatre. Presented by the Dundee-based Joan Clevillé Dance company, the show has been widely praised for its clever blending of the silly and the serious, mixing dance, theatre, storytelling and humour to excellent effect. The production also features a number of classic songs, including Some- where Over The Rainbow, When You Wish Upon A Star and What A Won- derful World. whatsonlive.co.uk 27 Theatre June - New Layout 2.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 12:53 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Running Wild shoreline and ran away before the tidal wave hit, saving Amber's life in the process. It was this real-life story that provided the inspiration Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 6 - Sat 10 June for Michael Morpurgo’s delightful tale, here adapted for the stage by On Boxing Day 2004, well in excess of 200,000 people perished as The Children’s Touring Partnership. waves of up to 100ft engulfed the shores of South East Asia. Yet amaz- “What you want for children is for them to work things out for them- ingly, some survived the now-infamous tsunami. Among them was a selves,” says Michael. “In this particular case, I hope that they will go girl called Amber Owen, who’d been riding an elephant along the away asking questions about what's happening in the rainforest, beach whilst holidaying in Thailand with her family. Unnerved by the about planting palm trees and about what's happening to elephants. strange activity in the water, the elephant pulled away from the But it's not being thrust down their throat.”

The Tempest Blush Our Man In Havana Stafford Castle, Thurs 22 June - Sat 8 July mac, Birmingham, Tues 20 June Lichfield Garrick, Mon 26 - Wed 28 June Shakespeare’s last and most complete play, Wildly talented collective Snuff Box Theatre Hapless and Havana-based vacuum-cleaner The Tempest also represents the culmination certainly know how to score a theatrical hit; salesman Jim Wormold is leading a less than of his art, bringing together many of the their first four endeavours - Weald, Bitch ideal life; his wife has left him and his mate- themes that informed his greatest dramas. Boxer, The Altitude Brothers and The Obser- rialistic daughter, Milly, is seriously manipu- When a wild storm forces a royal ship onto vatory - were all suitably rewarded with glit- lative. So when MI6 offer him the chance to the rocks of an enchanted isle, the cast- tering gongs aplenty. Blush has proved increase his meagre income by indulging in a aways, separated from one another, find equally successful, claiming the Stage Edin- little espionage on the side, Jim takes their themselves slipping under the control of the burgh Award at last summer’s fringe festival. bait. But with no information to send to Lon- mysterious Prospero. Written by Snuff Box co-founder Charlotte don, he decides to fake his reports and invent Matters are further confused by the presence Josephine, it presents five candid stories a fictitious network of secret agents. Not sur- of supernatural spirit Ariel and the grotesque about revenge porn and its many victims. prisingly, it’s a decision that sees his life be- man-beast, Caliban... “Blush is written from a place of rage,” ex- coming ever more complicated... This outdoor production is set in the 1930s, a plains Charlotte. “Rage at the men who com- Creative Cow are the company bringing to life golden age both for luxury cruise liners and mit revenge porn, rage at the slow-moving Clive Francis’s lively stage adaptation of Gra- Hollywood glamour, but which also wel- legal system that should protect women and ham Greene’s hilarious, subversive and ever- comed in the dying days of vaudeville... rage at our archaic sex education in schools.” popular novel.

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FEATURE

The Crucible

Call The Midwife star Victoria Yeates discusses her role and the powerful political warnings in Arthur Miller’s seminal play

Collective outrage, corrupt officials, a the embittered teenage lover of her rather than coming to a reasoned, rational flagrant disregard for truth, scapegoating, adulterous husband. She told us more about judgement. At a time when the play seems silencing, extremism, seething resentments, the show ahead of its arrival at such a rich resource for contemporary social bitter division and a rising tide of tyrannical Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre this commentary, Rintoul has also lamented its populism: Arthur Miller once said that the month. recent removal from the secondary school popularity of his most famous play at a curriculum as part of Michael Gove’s new “I think it’s really interesting to look at how given time in any country was indicative of policy of focusing on British rather than hysteria catches,” says Yeates. “And just that nation’s own political state. American texts. look at all the things that Trump has said Originally written as a veiled attack on the that are completely untrue, yet people are “I suppose you could say that maybe it is McCarthyite ‘witch hunts’ of the 1940s and buying it - ‘alternative facts’, as they’re time for a change,” says Yeates, “but I do feel ’50s, The Crucible famously uses the sham calling it now. (The Crucible) is such an it’s a shame that it’s been taken off the trials of men and women accused of important text for people to read now, syllabus now, when it’s so relevant again. It’s witchcraft in late 17th century Salem as a because history is cyclical and we seem to an incredible and very layered play that can metaphor for the anti-Communist hysteria have reached that point again.” be applied to all kinds of situations, so it’s of Miller’s own time. But more than 60 years definitely one of those texts you can keep Describing The Crucible as “the ultimate after the play was first performed, it seems doing.” post-truth play” in an article for The to have a lot to say about the world we live Guardian, director Douglas Rintoul Rintoul’s big idea for his production hinges in now. highlights the way in which the story sees on a heightened, self-conscious theatricality, Fresh from her role as Sister Winifred in BBC unfounded claims and accusations given with Miller’s scripted directions projected One’s Call The Midwife, Victoria Yeates stars equal weight to real evidence by blinkered onto the set, and performers sitting around in a new touring production of the play as authorities determined to make the so- the stage to observe the action - perhaps Elizabeth Proctor, a woman denounced by called ‘facts’ fit a pre-existing worldview drawing attention to the idea of politics as a The Crucible DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2017 09:01 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

kind of performance, particularly relevant in “Progress is not an illusion; it happens, but the interesting things about doing this play. today’s personality-driven, mass media- it is slow and invariably disappointing.” But It definitely gives your acting muscles a filtered culture. for now, at least, this production of The workout!” Crucible can contribute towards important “It’s a kind of Brechtian approach which is Yeates might always have seen The Crucible conversations, and Yeates hopes that people supposed to remind you that you’re as “one of the best plays of the 20th will leave the theatre “having interesting watching a play. It’s all about prompting century”, but having now immersed herself discussions afterwards”. Meanwhile, for her political conversations. We’re also in the story from the point of view of the own part, it’s certainly been a fascinating presenting it in a very fast-paced way that pregnant wife he leaves behind, how does character and story to explore. doesn’t let up, so you’re sort of pulled into she feel about John Proctor’s ultimate the world of it, and you don’t really have “I’ve always wanted to play Elizabeth refusal to sign the false confession that time to think until the end. People who’ve Proctor. She’s a woman of many layers and might have saved his life? Is he right to come to see it have been on the edge of their contradictions, and I think it’s always insist on absolute honesty? Or is life, as seats the whole way through, and the interesting when the domestic arc of a play Reverend Hale insists, a gift worth more reason the director’s done that is because he is just as important as the wider political than any principle? really wanted people to feel the kind of aspect. Right from the beginning, her “Ooh, that’s hard, because it’s such a bemused astonishment that means you relationship with John (her husband) is very different time, isn’t it? I do think there’s an don’t act until it’s too late.” complex, and she goes on an incredible extent to which we’ve forgotten about the journey towards forgiveness, which makes it This inertia on behalf of those who see importance of integrity in our society, and a great part to develop as an actor.” through the lies and extremism is a his decision to surrender his life and keep perennial problem, perhaps more so today Fully inhabiting a world of mob rule, moral his integrity seems like an incredible choice. than ever before. In an increasingly panic, false testimony and mass-murder But then he is leaving his children behind! fragmented society, where the emphasis is sanctioned by the state makes for a real “I guess it raises an important question always on the individual rather than on emotional workout - not to mention the about where we draw the line, because I community and collective endeavour, it’s more personal side of the story that sees think we’re in a position now where that easy to see how a sense of powerlessness Elizabeth grappling with motherhood, line in the sand is becoming more and more and disillusionment has been able to set in. pregnancy and her husband’s infidelity. One blurred, and we allow things to spiral out of Nevertheless, Yeates remains confident that might imagine that Yeates’ work on the control because we just think that’s how change will eventually come. famously tear-jerking Call The Midwife things are. So it’s interesting to think about would have left her well-equipped for the “I feel optimistic. I think the more that it’s where our integrity is in terms of the play’s intensity, but the differences between discussed, the more people will start to act. decisions we make and being able to say no acting for stage and screen can be profound. And actually, loads of young people, the 16 to people and fight for what we deserve.” to 25-year-olds, are really switched on, “It requires a lot of stamina. When you’re Googling and fact-checking things, so I do filming, you might just cry for a few hours think there’s a progression already and then that’s it, but when you do a play, happening.” you have to get to that point every single The Crucible shows at Birmingham’s day, sometimes twice a day, which is very New Alexandra Theatre from To use the wise words of George Orwell, difficult and tiring. But I think that’s one of Monday 5 to Saturday 10 June. Wonderland DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2017 08:55 Page 1

FEATURE

WonderlandCuriouser and curiouser! Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn takes a tumble down the rabbit hole with his spectacular new musical Wonderland DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/05/2017 08:55 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

It was in 1886 that the wacky world of she's middle-aged, a mother going something off the page and thinking Alice's Adventures In Wonderland first through a messy separation with her through how I can best tell the story. In the made it onto the stage, in an adaptation partner, as well as a schoolteacher with case of Wonderland, we’ve got nothing that the novel's author, Lewis Carroll ambitions of becoming a children's writer. really to copy, and that’s lovely. I don’t (otherwise known as Cambridge Much like the books then, it aims to think that any actor should ever copy mathematician Charles Dodgson), had a present a child's-eye view of the what’s been before, though of course if the hand in. complexities and contradictions of the material’s out there you’re going to have a grown-up world. sneaky look at what’s been done Within the writer's lifetime then, the topsy- previously! But apart from a performance turvy story and its cast of colourful “It all starts with the idea of the child by the Broadway cast at the Tony Awards, characters were already delighting within us all,” Wildhorn continues. “The there’s little else online - and I love that audiences in performance, and a mere 17 opening lyrics of my song, Finding because I can think through the character years later, they were being interpreted Wonderland, are ‘We move too fast; we myself and hopefully bring something new through the exciting new medium of film. miss so much’. And it’s true - there is a to it. Wonderland in all our lives if we could One of the latest companies to join the only take a breath and notice it. In this “It's always fun to play baddies, but you long and noble tradition of reinventing particular adventure, Alice has to rescue must find something in them that makes Alice is led by Broadway composer Frank her own child, and in doing so, she people like them a little bit. I'd like to Wildhorn, whose work on shows like rediscovers the child within herself.” think there’s a bit of all my comedy heroes Jekyll & Hyde, Victor/Victoria and Bonnie in my Queen of Hearts: Molly Sugden, & Clyde has earned him international “Frank's taken the Lewis Carroll story and Peggy Mount and Patricia Routledge, who acclaim. First performed in 2009, done something really exciting with it,” played Hyacinth 'Bouquet' Bucket in Wonderland has already enjoyed success adds Director Lotte Wakeham. “In the Keeping Up Appearances. She's a monster, in the States; now a reworked version with original, Alice doesn't really do very much but part of you can't help loving her!” a British cast is touring the UK. - she's essentially a tourist in Wonderland. We've looked at how we can make the While more than a century's-worth of Following a sneak preview of some of the heroine of our show go on a great, adaptations might have made the fabulous songs from the show, both cast energising adventure with her daughter characters familiar in other forms, the and creative team were on hand to tell us and the audience.” versions of them in Wonderland are unlike more about what audiences can expect any you've previously encountered. when the show visits the Midlands next Having conceived the show while living in month. New York, it's perhaps no surprise that One of the most obvious breaks from Wildhorn chose the city as the setting for tradition is the Mad Hatter, who will be “In the late ’90s, I was fortunate enough to its original stage outing. Just like in his played by a young woman, Natalie have three shows on Broadway,” says story to his children, Alice ends up back in McQueen. There's a good reason for this Wildhorn, “Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Wonderland via the lift to her apartment. change. Instead of the mad old man we're Pimpernel and Civil War, and so I was used to, McQueen's Hatter is feisty, edgy living on the Upper West side in a big high- “For the UK tour, we’ve gone back to the and full of attitude. For her, getting to play rise building. I have two sons, and the original story,” says Wakeham, “and it will the part has been a dream come true. elevator up to our home was always be UK based, with a relevant look and broken. Eventually I was running out of sound. Since the source material is so “Alice In Wonderland is up there with The stories to tell my kids about why they quirky and quintessentially British, this Little Mermaid as one of my favourite couldn’t fix the elevator, and for some version of the show is exactly that, too.” films,” she gushes. “It's just completely reason I told them that if anyone did bonkers and I love it. “I've been inspired by the original manage to get on it, and take it all the way illustrations and other incarnations of the Frank Wildhorn hopes that audiences down through Macy’s department store, story,” explains Costume Designer Grace from eight to 80 will be just as entranced they'd eventually get to Wonderland.” Smart, “but I've also tried to give it a fresh by the magic of Wonderland as McQueen Wildhorn’s kids are by no means an angle. I’ve been looking at a lot of the UK’s has been, and wants everyone who comes unusual source of inspiration for him. A eccentric celebrities, so that we can keep along to fully immerse themselves in the previous family musical, Excalibur, came the British feel yet keep true to the original spirit of the show. about as an attempt to engage his children story.” “We're hoping the audience will come with the story of Camelot, which his For the cast, getting to put their own dressed up as the characters,” he laughs. parents had loved and taught to him, but stamp on roles completely new to UK “You should definitely encourage that!” which his own kids didn't seem to “get”. audiences, and with almost no precedent Departing somewhat from Carroll's vision, to turn to, has also been a thrill. the story of Wonderland taps into this parent-child dynamic and the idea of the “My job is to be creative,” says Wendi Wonderland shows at the Regent passing on of stories. Like the recent Tim Peters, who plays the Queen of Hearts. “I Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, from Mon 10 Burton films, it sees Alice return to don't like doing anything for too long, and to Sat 15 July and at the Wolverhampton Wonderland as an adult, only this time I just love the process of reading Grand Theatre from Mon 31 July to Sat 5 August. Theatre June - New Layout 2.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 12:53 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Shirley Valentine Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 6 - Sat 10 June; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 10 - Sat 15 July; Malvern Theatre, Worcestershire, Mon 24 - Sat 29 July Willy Russell's classic play is a one-woman show about a Liverpool housewife who's had enough of her humdrum existence and dreams of pastures new. With a wall of her kitchen passing as her best friend and closest confidant, Shirley deter- mines to take control of her life while there's still time to effect significant change... Jodie Prenger, whose previous roles include Calamity Jane, the Lady of the Lake in Spa- malot and Nancy in Oliver! - the latter after winning BBC talent contest I’d Do Anything - stars in this major revival of the show, which last year celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Ursula Martinez: has so far seen her immersing herself in the Murdered By Murder worlds of pigeon fancying, championship Free Admission dog handling, Northern Soul dancing, beauty Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 9 June The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 15 - Sat 17 June pageants and now funeral directors. Highly rated madcap duo LoveHard make a Ursula Martinez has been described as a per- Victoria’s new show, a lighthearted contem- welcome return to the Old Joint Stock. The formance provocateur - and anybody attend- plation on the subject of death, features her comedy comes thick and fast with these fel- ing this latest show will find it easy to see dad, daytime television antique dealer Mike las, so expect an impressively high laughter why. Baring all as she sets about gaining a Melody. After being diagnosed with a termi- count in this brand new, 1930s-set show. better understanding of the absurdity of nal illness, Mike allocated the job of planning When six old friends meet for a murder-mys- modern living, she shocks and surprises with his funeral to his daughter. But when he and tery party at the ominously named Drench- plenty of politically incorrect chat. She also Victoria then discovered that the doctors had blood Heights, it soon becomes apparent that builds a wall between herself and her audi- made a misdiagnosis, they decided to go what could’ve been the night of their lives ence using breezeblocks and cement, ex- ahead with the funeral anyway - on stage and might well turn out to be the night of their plains why she sometimes feels jealous of in front of a paying audience. deaths... Catherine Tate, rails against the need to do Eulogies, a congregation dressed in Black- admin and reveals she’s got a bit of a thing pool Football Club tangerine and a New Or- about anal hygiene. She’s not always a com- leans-style jazz procession all feature... Salomé fortable watch, but you’ll certainly leave the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- theatre knowing you’ve experienced some- A Black Country Fairytale Avon, Fri 2 June - Wed 6 September thing just that little bit different. The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Oscar Wilde’s lyrical drama, written in Fri 16 June: The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster, French and originally banned in England, re- Sat 17 June counts in a single act the biblical story of Award-winning Midlands theatre company Herod Antipas’s daughter, Salomé. Fizzog Productions make a welcome return to Sexually rejected by imprisoned prophet the stage with a show they describe as ‘an- Jokanaan (John the Baptist), her lust-driven other non-traditional tale of fantasy, per- desire for vengeance sees her demanding his fected in a single afternoon’s rehearsal!’ head on a silver platter, as reward for her per- Comprising Sue Hawkins, Jacky Fellows and forming the dance of the seven veils... Deb Nicholls - and occasionally featuring Wilde was incarcerated in Reading Gaol guest performers - when his play premiered in Paris in 1896; it the company is best would be 35 more years before it received its known for stage pro- first public performance in England. Ugly Chief ductions 50 Shades Presented by the RSC to mark the 50th an- Of Fizzog and niversary of the decriminalisation of homo- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 6 June Freezin’, and for its sexuality in England and Wales, this Victoria Melody’s theatre work is inspired by creation of internet contemporary take on Wilde’s poetic master- ethnography, the systematic study of people sensations The piece features nudity and scenes of a sexual and cultures. Her unusual creative process Dancing Grannies. nature.

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Theatre previews from around the region Theatre

The Graduate Malvern Theatre, Worcestershire, Tues 13 - Sat 17 June In a tale well embedded in the cultural con- sciousness, the hapless Benjamin Braddock embarks on an ill-advised affair with the wife of his father’s boss - and then proceeds to complicate matters further by falling for her daughter... Terry Johnson’s witty play is an adaptation of the celebrated 1967 movie starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft. Olivier Award-nominated Catherine McCor- mack, whose films include Braveheart and Spy Game, plays the luminously seductive Mrs Robinson.

The Murderer an admirable plan that will enable him to Around The World continue any affair he wishes, without the The Hive, Worcester, Tues 13 June; Arena unpleasant business of a husband’s suspi- In 80 Days Theatre, Wolverhampton, Tues 27 June cions or jealousy getting in his way. New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, If you fancy enjoying a thought-provoking Fri 23 June - Sat 8 July evening of theatre while at the same time Jules Verne’s famous story follows the adven- lending your support to some fast-emerging tures of Phileas Fogg and his French valet, local talent, this could well be the show to Passepartout, as they attempt to circumnavi- catch. It’s presented by Clown Funeral, a gate the globe in only 80 days in order to win West Midlands ensemble whose work - bring- a £20,000 wager... This particular stage adap- ing together storytelling, physical theatre and tation of the 1873 novel is presented by the clowning - is inspired by ‘unusual stimuli’, in New Vic in association with Manchester’s this particular case a darkly comic poem by Royal Exchange Theatre. Luke Kennard. A three-hander presented in Edinburgh last summer with a revolving cast of five, the show is set in a world in which the rehabilita- tion of criminals is achieved via care in the community. Focusing on the relationship be- The Ramayana tween a murderer and her supervisor, who The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 22 - Sat 24 June move into a flat together, the production fea- The spiritual and the secular are brought to- tures ‘surreal humour, subtle physical the- gether by the Young REP 18-25 Company in atre and noir-inspired scenes’. their new adaptation of an ancient Indian epic poem. Prince Rama, the earthly incarnation of Hindu god Vishnu, goes into a voluntary 14- year exile with his bride, Sita, and his brother, Prince Lakshman. But when Sita is abducted from their forest home by a 10- headed demon, the two princes set out on a As You Like It dangerous quest to save her - aided and abet- Maples Hayes Hall Gardens, Lichfield, ted in their efforts by an army of monkey Wed 21 - Sat 24 June people... Shakespeare’s highly likable comedy The Country Wife revolves around the character of Rosalind, banished by her usurping uncle to the Forest Ludlow Brewery, South Shropshire, Of Arden, where her exiled father is already Wed 14 - Thurs 22 June; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 24 June living. Revelling in the naturalness of their surroundings, Rosalind and her companions This fast-paced take on William Wycherley's - cousin Celia and Touchstone the fool - Restoration comedy is presented by Rooftop find a happiness they hadn’t known existed... Theatre. It focuses on the character of Harry This outdoor production is presented by Horner, a London playboy who’s developed Shakespeare In The Park. whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Theatre June - New Layout 2.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 12:53 Page 7 Theatre June - New Layout 2.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 12:53 Page 8

Theatre previews for younger audiences from around the region Theatre

Sarah & Duck’s Big Top Birthday Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Sat 3 June; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 10 June; mac, Birmingham, Sun 18 - Tues 20 June Young fans of BAFTA award-winning CBee- bies programme Sarah & Duck are sure to cry fowl (geddit?) if you fail to take them along to this new live version of the show. Puppetry, storytelling and music are imagi- natively combined as seven-year-old Sarah and her somewhat manic companion set out on yet another adventure. This one sees them planning a birthday party for Scarf Lady, ably assisted in their endeavours by fabulous friends The Ribbon Sisters, The Shallots, Flamingo & John and Umbrella. The show comes from the same stable as the Charlie And Lola series.

Ben & Holly’s tation of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, the tal- Reginald Rake, a scarecrow who’s deter- ented ensemble also perform Memories - A mined to stake his claim for Betty... Little Kingdom Musical Montage, a show which takes a look Scamp present this well-reviewed show on New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, back at some of their previous productions. the back of their critically acclaimed adapta- Wed 28 - Thurs 29 June; The Place, Oaken- tions of two other Donaldson and Scheffler gates Theatre, Shropshire, Sat 24 - Sun 25 June Don’t Dribble On books - Stick Man and Tiddler And Other Ter- rific Tales. The team behind Peppa Pig here present a The Dragon stage version of another of their splendid cre- ations. Originally a BAFTA award-winning The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire, Sun 4 June television animation, it focuses on the adventures of fairy princess Holly and her best pal The late Paul Daniels was the high-profile Ben, a wingless elf who flies on the back of prestidigitator behind the marvellous mo- Gaston the Ladybird. In this particular show, ments of magic contained in this production, the two chums help Gaston clean up his a brand new stage adaptation of the book by messy cave, go on a trip into The Big World Steven Lee. with tooth-fairy Nanny Plum and plan a sur- Taking as its theme the importance of family, prise birthday party for King Thistle. Expect the show is a musical adventure about a tod- plenty of games, songs and laughter... dler named Tom who, as well as having an older brother, has a secret dragon and a drib- bling problem. When the young chap’s endless drooling drives a slobbery wedge between him and his sibling, it’s up to the dragon to try and re- solve the problem - with a little help from Kid Carpet’s Super Mega that aforementioned magic, of course... Rockin’ Rock Show mac, Birmingham, Sat 24 June The Scarecrows’ Wedding “I began making music with old keyboards, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 30 June toys, computers, a sellotaped-up broken elec- This heartwarming Scamp Theatre adapta- tric guitar and a punk-rock DIY attitude,” re- tion of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s veals Ed Patrick in talking about the origin of bestselling book tells the tale of two top his alter ego, Kid Carpet. The Little Mermaid Jnr scarecrows, Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay. With a good few kids’ shows behind him, the When the loved-up couple decide it’s time to Bristol-based performer here reveals every- The Old Rep, Birmingham, thing youngsters need to know if they fancy Thurs 15 - Sat 17 June tie the knot, Harry heads off in search of numerous wedding-day essentials. But there’s ‘rocking out big-time’. The award-winning Birmingham Youth The- trouble brewing back in the field. The Stories, games, songs and opportunities for atre take to the stage to celebrate their 30th farmer’s now without Harry, so replaces him audience participation all add to the fun. anniversary. As well as their hour-long adap- with the devilishly smooth but dangerous whatsonlive.co.uk 35 BE Festival DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 16:46 Page 1

FEATURE

36 whatsonlive.co.uk BE Festival DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 16:46 Page 2

by Peter Joshua BE FESTIVAL The soul of Europe in the heart of Birmingham...

Created in 2010 as a direct response to Birmingham’s need for more international work, BE Festival annually brings together artists from across Europe to showcase a diverse range of contemporary theatre. The event is the brainchild of Miguel Oyarzun and Isla Aguilar. “We were invited to attend a conference organised by the Arts Council to look at how to improve diversity in the Midlands,” recalls Miguel. “A recurring theme throughout the conference was the lack of international work visiting the region, so we suggested filling the void with a festival.” Asked to summarise what the BE Festival has done for Birmingham, Isla and Miguel offer a modest response: “It’s about what the city has given to us, because it’s quite a feat for two Spanish people to run a theatre festival here in Birmingham. The city is very welcoming to strangers. We’ve always felt very supported, and that’s fantastic.”

BE Festival 2017 highlights:

Asingleline Portraits And Short Stories Anatomia Pública (Public Anatomy) Frankfurt-based theatre & dance collective Dutch company Panama Pictures makes Man Drake / Tomeo Vergés Mamaza look to ‘re-constitute the red line’ use of ropes, trampolines and acrobatics to Man Drake’s traditionally playful approach by literally drawing a straight line between explore the relationships that bind together to their work is once again in evidence Birmingham’s Ladywood area and The Rep, families and different generations. here, as the company recounts a story of tracing the connection between the city and The piece features six male performers aged strange and fractured relationships in the its spaces for public arts. A line will run between 20 and 60, unpicks father-and-son aftermath of war. The piece is performed in through spaces such as parks, squares and relationships and traces the lines bridging an intense style that bridges physical the- high streets, as well as houses, restaurants youthful bravado with quiet vulnerability. atre and dance. and bars. Solitudes Revolt Athens Aerobics! A Ballet In 3 Acts Spain-based Kulunka Theatre Company’s Odc Ensemble/Vyrsodepseio Featuring seven dancers presenting a care- production explores the sense of disconnec- Three politically-minded cast members fully choreographed performance struc- tion that can accompany the experience of offer insights into post-crisis Greece. The tured across three distinct acts, Haptic reaching old age. As with Kulunka’s previ- company behind the show, Odc Ensemble, Tide’s production places aerobics in a dif- ous work, the cast wear masks which show provide a unique city guide to Athens, pre- ferent context. The company has been ‘striking, characterful expressions’. There’s senting through performance, video footage highly praised for its exploration of the con- no dialogue, meaning that body language and music ‘a multi-faceted window into the nections between documentary theatre, and movement become the key means by living and breathing reality of a place’. oral history and dance. which the characters’ relationships are ex- Odc Ensemble are an international, politi- plained. cally-orientated group whose work often in- corporates non-actors in public spaces.

BE Festival shows at The REP, Birmingham, from Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 July. For more information, visit befestival.org

whatsonlive.co.uk 37 ICHF NEC July17 - What's On:Layout 1 21/04/2017 12:36 Page 1

A world of creativity to spark your imagination! ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Friday 30 June - Sunday 2 July NEC, Birmingham 10am - 5pm (4.30pm Sun) KIDS GO FREE*

Knitting & Stitching, ceremonial Kimono DreSSing, PaPercraftS & carDmaKing elena coStella Yarn StuDio, JewellerY maKing & BeaDing JaPaneSe emBroiDererS uK, PatchworK & Quilting, worKShoPS & DemonStrationS

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// adults £8 in advance, £10 on the door Seniors £7 in advance, £9 on the door *children under 16 go free when accompanied by an adult (otherwise £4) SaVe Buy tickets on-line save www.ichfevents.co.uk each£2 aDult anDoff Senior Ticket Hotline ticKet if orDereD BY 01425 277988 5Pm mon 26 June Film June.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 12:52 Page 2

Film

Wonder Woman CERT 12a CRITIC’S CHOICE Starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, Elena Anaya, Lucy Davis, Saïd Taghmaoui, Ewen Bremner, David Thewlis Directed by Patty Jenkins (USA) Princess Diana (Gal Gadot) is actually an Amazon living on the island nation of The- myscira. When a military pilot (Chris Pine) is washed up on the beach, she learns of the horrors of the First World War and so decides to go to London to do her bit. The fourth instalment in the so-called DC Ex- tended Universe (the last was Suicide Squad), Wonder Woman adds a bit of femi- nine muscle. Of course, she did appear in Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice, but the new film is set considerably earlier in her heroic evolution. Good, too, to see the Soli- hull-born Lucy Davis (from The Office) in such stalwart company. In 3D. Released Thurs 1 June

Film highlights released in June...

Berlin Syndrome CERT 15 (116 mins) Starring Teresa Palmer, Max Riemelt, Matthias Habich Directed by Cate Shortland (Australia) Australia’s Cate Shortland doesn’t make films very often but they’re invariably exceptional. This one is based on the novel by Melanie Joosten and stars Teresa Palmer as an Ozzie backpacker whose one-night stand with a charis- matic German man culminates in her enforced captivity. Released Fri 9 June

Baywatch CERT 15 (116 mins) My Cousin Rachel Starring Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, Alexan- dra Daddario, Kelly Rohrbach, Priyanka CERT 12a (106 mins) Chopra Directed by Seth Gordon (USA) Starring Rachel Weisz, Sam Claflin, Iain Glen, Holliday Grainger, Andrew Knott After the failure of CHiPS, Paramount has Directed by Roger Michell (UK/USA) rushed this latest TV-to-film adaptation into cinemas. The Rock is the new Hoff, a strap- Rachel Ashley is something else. Her cousin ping lifeguard who locks horns with a rival believes she murdered his guardian, but the six-packer on the Bay. This time it’s played more he gets to know her, the more he finds for laughs, although the bods will remain himself succumbing to her allure… Based on hot. the 1951 novel by Daphne du Maurier. Now showing Released Fri 9 June

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Film highlights released in June...

present-day version, Tom Cruise is our gun- The Mummy CERT 12a The Shack CERT 12a (132 mins) Starring Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella, toting adventurer who discovers the tomb Starring Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer, Annabelle Wallis, Jake Johnson, Courtney B of Ahmanet, an Egyptian princess who was Tim McGraw, Aviv Alush, Radha Mitchell, Vance, Russell Crowe buried alive two thousand years ago. Now Alice Braga Directed by Alex Kurtzman (USA) she’s ready to wreak her revenge. Directed by Stuart Hazeldine (USA) The Mummy has had many incarnations. Russell Crowe plays Dr Jekyll, another mon- To Mackenzie Phillips (Sam Worthington), Universal Studios first unleashed the em- strous creation ready for his own spin-off the shack is a place of pain and the memo- balmed revenant in the form of Boris franchise as part of the Universal Monsters ries of a father who submitted his mother Karloff way back in 1932. Since then every- Shared Universe [sic]. Seriously. In 3D. and himself to regular beatings. It is perhaps body from Lon Chaney Jr to Christopher Lee Released Fri 9 June ironic, then, that now he’s a grown-up mar- has played the Bandaged One. In the new ried man with three children of his own, his youngest daughter has nicknamed God CRITIC’S CHOICE ‘Papa’. Then the shack takes on a whole new identity, producing emotions of untold intensity… You don’t come across a film like this every day. Not only is it profoundly old-fashioned but simply quite audacious. Based on the novel by William Paul Young, it attempts to open the eyes of its audience to a whole new perspective of life – and of faith. Unfortunately, its soporific pace does it no favours and only the most devout and broad- minded are likely to embrace its message of saintly forgiveness. Released Fri 9 June

Wilson CERT 15 (94 mins) Gifted CERT 12a (101 mins) Starring Woody Harrelson, Laura Dern, Isabella Starring Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace, Lindsay Amara, Judy Greer, Cheryl Hines, Margo Mar- Duncan, Jenny Slate, Octavia Spencer, Glenn tindale Directed by Craig Johnson (USA) Plummert Directed by Marc Webb (USA) Adapted by Daniel Clowes from his own Films about child prodigies are usually de- graphic novel, Wilson is the story of a neu- cent value and this one features a seven-year- rotic and lonely divorcee who discovers that old with a rather good grasp of advanced he has a teenage daughter. All things being calculus. However, matters are complicated equal, this should be a gift of a part for when Mary’s grandmother (Lindsay Duncan) Woody Harrelson. hears of her abilities and decides to fight for Released Fri 9 June her custody. Released Fri 16 June

Churchill CERT PG (98 mins) Starring Brian Cox, Miranda Richardson, John Slattery, James Purefoy, Ella Purnell, Julian Wadham Directed by Jonathan Teplitzky (UK) With six months to go before Gary Oldman unleashes his portrayal of the British Bulldog in Joe Wright’s Darkest Hour, we have Brian Cox chewing on the title role. A character study of the prime minister plagued by doubt, depression and foreboding, the film examines his 24 hours in office prior to D- Day. Released Fri 16 June

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Film

Rock Dog CERT PG (90 mins) With the voices of Luke Wilson, Eddie Iz- zard, JK Simmons, Lewis Black, Kenan Thompson, Matt Dillon Directed by Ash Brannon (China/USA) Based on the Chinese graphic novel Ti- betan Rock Dog, this cartoon is a co-production between the People’s Republic of China and the US. Luke Wilson is the voice of Bodi, a Tibetan Mastiff who is expected to follow the family tradition and become a guard dog. But all Bodi really wants is to be a rock star… In 3D. Released Fri 16 June

Hampstead CERT 12a (103 mins) Starring Diane Keaton, Brendan Gleeson, James Norton, Lesley Manville, Jason Watkins, Simon Callow not above a bit of bad behaviour. Here, five Directed by Joel Hopkins (UK) Rough Night CERT tbc best friends from college reunite for a bache- The character Diane Keaton plays is made Starring Scarlett Johansson, Kate McKinnon, lorette weekend in Miami and accidentally up, but Brendan Gleeson’s is very much a Jillian Bell, Ilana Glazer, Zoë Kravitz, Demi Moore Directed by Lucia Aniello (USA) kill a male stripper. It’s played for laughs, of true-life phenomenon. He plays a varia- course. tion of Harry Hallowes, an eccentric indi- In the tradition of Bridesmaids, Sisters, Bad Released Fri 16 June vidual who lived for 20 years in a shed on Moms, et al, here comes another American Hampstead Heath. Then, when the devel- movie in which its female protagonists are opers moved in, he claimed his squatter’s rights. save the world from the clutches of an arro- Released Thurs 22 June The Book Of Henry CERT tbc Starring Naomi Watts, Jaeden Lieberher, Jacob gant former child star (Trey Parker). Then Gru Tremblay, Sarah Silverman, Lee Pace, Maddie discovers he has a twin brother, the utterly Transformers: Ziegler, Dean Norris charming Dru. Expect Minions. In 3D. Directed by Colin Trevorrow (USA) The Last KnightCERT tbc Released Fri 30 June Henry Carpenter is 11 years old and he’s writ- Starring Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Is- abela Moner, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gib- ten a plan-of-action in his book. His scheme is son, John Turturro, Laura Haddock, to rescue his neighbour Christine from the The House CERT 15 Anthony Hopkins Directed by Michael Bay clutches of her stepfather, the Police Commis- Starring Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Jason Mant- (USA) sioner (Dean Norris). Then Henry’s mother zoukas, Nick Kroll, Jeremy Renner Directed by Andrew J Cohen (USA) The fifth episode in the franchise based (Naomi Watts) finds the book… on the Hasbro toy, The Last Knight gives Having wiped out their daughter’s college Released Fri 23 June us more of the same. The most expensive fund, Scott and Kate decide to set up a casino instalment yet ($260million), the film sees in their basement to make the money back. Mark Wahlberg’s Cade Yeager team up It’s got to be better than gambling, right? with an Oxford professor (Anthony Hop- Released Fri 30 June kins) in order to find out why the Trans- formers keep on coming back to Earth. In 3D. Released Thurs 22 June

Despicable Me 3 CERT PG With the voices of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Trey Parker, Miranda Cosgrove, Jenny Slate, Steve Coogan Directed by Pierre Coffin, Kyle Balda and Eric Guillon (USA) The once-aspiring Greatest Villain of All Time, Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) is now fighting to whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Visual Arts June - New Layout (2).qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 12:55 Page 1

UNKNOWN LEGACY a selling exhibition of original paintings by Dr. Mohsen Keiany

1st – 31st July 2017 ‘Unknown Legacy’ is a collection of recent paintings by Dr. Mohsen Keiany based on his inspiration derived from the Persian poet, Hafiz Shirazi through a poetic journey.

‘I am very much into multi-culturalism. I believe my art can contribute not just to the aesthetic pleasure that people will experience but also enhance their understanding of diverse art traditions and the human condition.

My work covers a range that encapsulates spiritual contemplation; humans and the natural world; and human mythical suffering.’

Mohsen is a world renowned artist living in Birmingham and has exhibited his paintings in more than 70 shows throughout the United Kingdom and Internationally.

Mitchell Centre, Weeford Road, Sutton Coldfield, B75 6NA Telephone: 0121 3233776. www.artifex.co.uk Follow us on :CM Visual Arts June - New Layout (2).qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 12:55 Page 2

Visual Arts previews from around the region Visual Arts

Sheela Gowda Ikon, Birmingham, Fri 16 June - Sun 3 September Banglahor-based artist Sheela Gowda’s Ikon exhibition features sheets of flattened metal drums recycled into metal bowls. Called Bandlis, the bowls are used extensively in the Indian construction industry as a means of carrying con- crete slurry, sand and other building materials. Although the exhibition is a considered response to the gallery’s architecture, Gowda is careful to avoid referring to it as a site-specific piece. “The work may initially be inspired by the space in which it’s exhibited,” she explains, “but its elements could take on other variants in other spaces.”

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

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Visual Arts previews from around the region Visual Arts

Artist Rooms: Jenny Holzer mac, Birmingham, until Sun 10 September Hailed as a pioneer of conceptual art, Jenny Holzer uses painting, projection and LED displays to produce highly political work that focuses on themes of violence, power, war, sex and money. The highlight of this new exhibition of her art is the towering Blue Purple Tilt, a work comprising seven double-sided vertical LED displays. The pieces included in the show have been drawn from the Artist Rooms collection of modern and contemporary art, which is shared with museums and galleries across the UK.

Remember Me: Charlotte Hodes Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 3 June - Sun 3 September A 12-metre-long frieze, consisting of 120 wall-mounted ceramic pieces, takes pride of place in Wolverhampton Art Gallery’s new Charlotte Hodes exhibition. The pieces have been arranged to create a single image that combines elegant historic patterns with contemporary and digital imagery. A collection of intricate papercuts and a table-top installation of over 350 plates also feature in the exhibition, which perfectly exemplifies the way in which Hodes’ work crosses the boundary between fine art and craft practice.

Only Light And Shadow ings that the artist was best able to articu- late his fears and observations about the The Barber Institute, Birmingham, world around him... Five of Goya’s most Fri 23 June - Sun 22 October enigmatic works take centre stage in this Francisco de Goya’s career coincided with new exhibition, which also features paint- a politically turbulent period in Spanish ings by numerous other Spanish artists, in- history - and it was through his masterful cluding Picasso and Miró. treatment of light and shadow in his paint-

Thresholds tour, Thresholds is the work of artist Mat Antarctica: Life In A Collishaw and photographic historian Pete The Waterhall Gallery, Birmingham, Hostile Land Sat 17 June - Sun 3 September James. It will be presented in the galley alongside a series of related events. Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, “Thresholds is a very different type of pho- Mon 5 June - Sun 17 September tography project,” explains Mike Best, A collection of prized historic exhibits and Board Director of Colmore BID, which is modern-day technology is brought together in supporting the enterprise. “It will provide this new interactive attraction. Designed to cel- a unique way to learn about the significant ebrate the wonders of the Antarctic continent, role Birmingham played at the very dawn the exhibition features a 360° virtual-reality ex- of photography.” perience of Halley VI, the UK’s second largest The virtual-reality art show celebrates the research facility in Antarctica. Other exhibition city’s contribution to the technology that highlights include original film footage, equip- revolutionised ‘the way we see, record, ment from Antarctic expeditions, an outfit represent and understand the visible and worn by a member of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s invisible world’. epic 1914/17 expedition and photos from cele- Showing in Birmingham prior to a short brated wildlife photographer Ben Osborne.

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Events previews from around the region Events

The Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycrafts Show NEC, Birmingham, Fri 30 June - Sun 2 July An absolute dream for craft enthusiasts, this hugely popular event features talks and demonstrations, new product launches and plenty of inspiration for the thousands of visitors who pass through its doors. Attractions at the 2017 edition of the show include jewellery-making and beading workshops, papercrafts and cardmarking, and the chance to learn how to sew. Among the event’s contributors are multi- media textile artist Elena Costello, who designs hand-knit garments for yarn companies, and Stephanie Redfern and Sue Bibby, both of whom base their work on the natural world. Other highlights of the show include a collection of ceremonial kimonos and accessories, and a new exhibition from Stitch In The Middle - the Midlands-located members of the Contemporary Quilt Group.

Step Back To The 1940s Dinosaurs In The Wild Severn Valley Railway, Bridgnorth, NEC, Birmingham, Sat 24 - Sun 25 June and Sat 1 - Sun 2 July Sat 24 June - Wed 23 August All aboard for a Severn Valley Railway train Dramatic storytelling and high-end digital journey back in time to the 1940s. graphics and animatronics lie at the heart The railway’s lighthearted homage to wartime of this brand new show. Britain features an impressive selection of The 70-minute experience combines attractions up and down the line. theatre, theme park fun and the very Visitors are encouraged to get dressed up and join latest scientific research to create an the event’s costumed re-enactors, with ‘Prime immersive adventure that’s ‘designed to Minister Winston Churchill’ and ‘King George VI’ make you feel as though you’re really both in attendance. there, in amongst the dinosaurs, in their Taking place across two weekends, the festival world, at their time’. includes firefighting reenactments, vintage bus The show has been created by the award- rides, musical entertainment, a wartime winning producers of the hit BBC TV newsreel, a vintage marketplace and a big band series, Walking With Dinosaurs. show featuring the Worcestershire Jazz Orchestra. “Your Dinosaurs In The Wild experience will be like stepping into the most unforgettable yet educational story ever,” they explain, “and we can promise a few The Cosford Air Show incredible surprises along the way. So get RAF Cosford, Sun 11 June yourself ready for the ultimate voyage of Regarded as one of the country’s top discovery!” aviation events, Cosford’s annual air show attracts thousands of visitors and features spectacular flying displays, military exhibitions and static aircraft displays. Highlights of this year’s event include celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The show also focuses on the UK’s involvement in space technology and includes numerous exhibits from several public displays. whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Events June.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 17:04 Page 3

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Events previews from around the region Events

Dragonboat Festival Brindleyplace, Birmingham, Sat 24 June This well-established annual fundraiser sees members of the READER city’s business community OFFER! competing for first place on Birmingham’s Fazeley Canal. 20% off for What’s On This year, the organisers have set readers - quote WB20 themselves the challenge of raising when booking online £100,000 for Birmingham-based The BBC Good Food Show blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia. NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 15 - Sun 18 June The one-day event features Brimming with inspiration, handy tips and very own Glynn Purnell - the four-day event numerous teams taking to the water sure-to-be-welcome advice on how to create also offers visitors an abundance of - in fancy dress - in traditional the perfect summer menu, the BBC Good Food demonstrations, tastings, book signings and Chinese longboats. Show returns to the NEC to provide a food shopping experiences to enjoy. The festival also boasts plenty of experience ‘like no other’. The BBC Good Food Kitchen and the entertainment away from the canal, In addition to the host of celebrities who’re on Supertheatre make a welcome return too. with Brindleyplace’s public squares hand to share their knowledge - including A ticket to the show also provides access to the being brought to life by traditional Michel Roux Jr (pictured), Mary Berry, James BBC Gardeners’ World Live event, taking place Chinese street entertainment and Martin, Nadiya Hussein and Birmingham’s at the NEC at the same time. numerous family-friendly activities.

Summer In Southside Birmingham Hippodrome, Sat 17 - Sun 18 June Birmingham’s Southside district once again plays host to a selection of free outdoor events this month, with dance, music and theatre performances all featuring in the festival’s two- day programme. The theme for 2017 is ‘the great outdoors’, so visitors shouldn’t be surprised to see Farmer Giles in attendance, complete with five-bar gate and pearls of wisdom on all manner of subjects. Birmingham’s original mega-folk favourites The Destroyers are on hand too, bringing their unique brand of madcap energy and musical virtuosity to the Southside stage. Other attractions include Roots - a production centred on the experiences of two refugees living in the branches of a towering tree - A Country Fayre Picnic - an interactive storytelling adventure inspired by traditional folk tales - and Step Hop House, a quirky, colourful and energetic collision of dance and music.

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Your week by week listings guide June 2017 thelist

Olly Murs at Worcestershire County Cricket Club - Sunday 25 June

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

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

Coventry Motofest in Footloose at the Belgrade Declan McKenna at Toby Hughes at Artrix, Coventry City Centre Theatre, Coventry The Assembly, Leamington Spa Bromsgrove Sat 3 - Sun 4 June Tues 13 - Sat 17 June Wed 21 June Fri 30 June

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List NEW Warwicks/Worcs 1 - 4 June.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 14:46 Page 1

thelist Thursday 1 - Sunday 4 June THROUGHOUT JUNE

turns allowing visitors to journey into Visual Arts a world of possibilities where the sea glistens, fires crackle and a world of wonder awaits ready to inspire young Artrix, Bromsgrove imaginations, Fri 2 June until Mon 28 NEW GRAHAM WILSON: SEASONS Gra- August ham Wilson is a local artist known as much for his cartoons as for his more Leamington Spa Art Gallery & serious work, Wed 21 June - Sun 9 Museum July THE OPEN 2017 A biennial exhibition of work by professional artists based in Birmingham Museum & the West Midlands, until Sun 25 June Art Gallery BIRMINGHAM PEOPLE AND CHANGE IN The Hive, Worcester THE INNER-CITY Birmingham People NEW IMAGES OF RESEARCH Original explores the ways in which ordinary photographic images by University of Birmingham people have been repre- Worcester students and staff en- sented in art during the 20th and 21st gaged with research, Fri 16 - Thurs centuries. Change in the Inner City 29 June focuses on the four inner-city wards Tom Zanetti - The Empire, Coventry of Ladywood, which include Nechells, Soho, Aston and Lady- Rugby Art Gallery & Museum Birmingham THE SMYTHS Sat 3 wood, until Thurs 31 Aug NEW UNITS OF POSSIBILITY: THE REKNIT Gigs JOHN SMYTHE Fri 2 June, O2 Academy, Birmingham I WANT! I WANT!: ART & TECHNOLOGY A REVOLUTION, AMY TWIGGER HOLROYD June, Irish Centre, curated selection from the Arts Coun- In her first major solo exhibition, CALE TYSON Thurs 1 Birmingham SHOW OF HANDS Sat 3 cil Collection - with key loans from Twigger Holroyd aims to share and June, Hare & Hounds, CALLAGHAN Fri 2 June, June, Stratford Arts other major collections - that pres- promote techniques for reknitting, Birmingham The Glee Club, B’ham House, Stratford- Sat 24 June - Sat 2 Sept upon-Avon ents the work of contemporary artists THE CHRISTIANS Thurs JAH WOBBLE'S INVADERS using new technologies, until Sun 1 1 June, The Jam OF THE HEART Fri 2 VOODOO ROOM - HEN- Oct Worcester City Museum & Art House, Birmingham June, Hare & Hounds, DRIX & CREAM Sat 3 Gallery June, Evesham Arts TAKE THAT Thurs 1 - Sat Birmingham Centre, Evesham Compton Verney Gallery, ENQUIRING MINDS Featuring drawings 3 June, Genting FREE AT LAST Fri 2 June, Warwick by naturalist John Gould, land and Arena, Birmingham Route 44, B’ham AND FINALLY... PHIL CREATING THE COUNTRYSIDE 1600-2017 cityscape watercolours by HH Lines COLLINS Sat 3 June, THE SESSIONS - A LIVE YOUNG PILGRIMS, FO- A major new exhibition that explores and local artefacts discovered by fa- The Core Theatre, RE-STAGING OF THE FOULAH & DISTRICTS Fri our relationship with the countryside, mous archaeologist Pitt Rivers, until Solihull BEATLES AT ABBEY ROAD 2 June, Hare & until Sun 18 June Sat 11 Nov STUDIOS Thurs 1 June, Hounds, Birmingham MAZ MITRENKO Sat 3 Barclaycard Arena, June, Hare & Hounds, BREAK STUFF Fri 2 June, Forge Mill Needle Museum, Other VISUAL ARTS Birmingham Birmingham The Asylum, B’ham Redditch ROOM An exhibition of installations, HARVEY SUTHERLAND EMMA BLACKERY Sat 3 ED GEATER, LADY SANITY NEW CLASS ART! Inspiring artwork sculptures and photographs by inter- Thurs 1 June, Hare & June, O2 Institute, AND ANDREW SOUTER Fri from local schoolchildren using a va- national women artists which vari- Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham ously explore ideas around 2 June, mac, B’ham riety of mediums, Wed 28 June - Sun BACK TO THE 60’S PARTY architecture and the domestic envi- IAN PARKER & HIS BAND 16 July THE OFFICIAL RECEIVERS WITH REVOLVER Sat 3 ronment, until Sat 24 June, Warwick Thurs 1 June, The Fri 2 June, The Marr's June, Nailcote Hall, Arts Centre Robin, Bilston Herbert Art Gallery & Bar, Worcester Berkswell, Warwick- RISCAS, KING PURPLE, Museum, Coventry DRAW NEW MISCHIEF Exhibition ex- BRINGING ON BACK THE shire ploring 250 years of Shakespeare THE REAL COOL & JUN- EARLY YEARS EXHIBITION: A VERY 60S Fri 2 June, Palace WILL AND THE PEOPLE and political cartoons, until Fri 15 IOR WEEB Thurs 1 VIKING VOYAGE The Herbert’s famous Theatre, Redditch Sat 3 June, The Sun- Sept, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, June, The Sunflower early years play space for families re- Lounge, Birmingham THE PHONICS Fri 2 June, flower Lounge, B’ham Stratford-Upon-Avon The River Rooms, VAN ROCKMAN, ROLLIN’ DERMOT HEGARTY Sun Stourbridge SIXES & THE 4 June, Irish Centre, CAROUSELS Thurs 1 THE WAILERS Sat 3 Birmingham June, The Flapper, June, The Copper NEON WALTZ Sun 4 Birmingham Rooms, Coventry June, Hare & Hounds, INTO THE ARK Fri 2 TOM ZANETTI AND Birmingham June, O2 Institute, KO.KANE Sat 3 June, THE MERSEY BEATLES Birmingham The Empire, Coventry Sun 4 June, Hare & FRED'S HOUSE Fri 2 THE JACKOBINS Sat 3 Hounds, Birmingham June, Artrix, Broms- June, O2 Academy, THE QUO EXPERIENCE grove Birmingham Sun 4 June, The A DIFFERENT THREAD Fri JOE BROUGHTON’S CON- Roses Theatre, 2 June, Blue Piano SERVATOIRE FOLK EN- Tewkesbury Restaurant And Bar, SEMBLE Sat 3 June, CARA DILLON Sun 4 Birmingham Huntingdon Hall, June, Stratford Arts Worcester WRAPPED IN PLASTIC, House, Stratford-upon- ST LUCIFER & VIEON Fri SLOWLIGHTS Sat 3 June, Avon Draw New Mischief - The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon 2 June, The Flapper, Kasbah, Coventry 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List NEW Warwicks/Worcs 1 - 4 June.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 14:46 Page 2

Thursday 1 - Sunday 4 June

Family-friendly theatre which brings Classical Music Theatre the CBeebies’ favourites to the stage Talks for the very first time, Sat 3 June, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa CBSO: BEETHOVEN’S SEVENTH Featuring HANDBAGGED Amateur staging of GERMAINE GREER: WOMEN FOR LIFE ON TALES OF BIRBAL Mashi Theatre fuse Michael Seal (conductor) & Tasmin Lit- Moira Buffini’s playful comedy, Mon EARTH Candid evening with the puppetry and music to tell ancient tle (violin). Programme includes works 29 May - Sat 3 June, The Priory The- agenda-setting author, Thurs 1 June, by Britten, Walton & Beethoven, Thurs stories of adventure and problem- atre, Kenilworth Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa 1 June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham solving, Sun 4 June, Warwick Arts DIRTY DANCING The classic story of Centre, Coventry BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE CHAMBER Baby and Johnny, two fiercely inde- CHOIR Conducted by Paul Spicer & pendent young spirits from different featuring Nicholas Morgan on organ, worlds, who come together to experi- Thurs 1 June, Birmingham Conserva- ence the most challenging and tri- toire umphant summer of their lives, until Events CBSO ELGAR BIRTHDAY CONCERT Featur- Sat 3 June, New Alexandra Theatre, Open air ing Tasmin Little (violin) & Michael Seal Birmingham FAMOUS FIVE GO TO AVONCROFT Pack a (conductor). Programme includes GREASE Tom Parker from boyband Theatre picnic and bring your most trusted works by Elgar & Beethoven, Fri 2 The Wanted makes his theatrical friends for a week of old-fashioned June, Malvern Theatre debut as Danny in this staging of the BILLIONAIRE BOY Heartbreak Produc- adventures, until Fri 2 June, Avoncroft AURORA ORCHESTRA Featuring Nicholas classic high-school musical. Over tions presents its staging of David Museum, Bromsgrove Collon (conductor) & Mary Bevan (so- The Rainbow winner Danielle Hope Walliams’ tale of love, loss and friend- KNIGHTS & PRINCESSES Budding prano). Programme includes works by stars as Sandy, Mon 29 May - Sat 3 ship, Wed 31 May - Thurs 1 Jun, courtiers can transform themselves Richard Ayres & Brahms, Sun 4 June, June, Birmingham Hippodrome Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spa into a courtly Lord or Lady, until Fri 2 Symphony Hall, Birmingham WAITING FOR GOD Michael Aitkens’ MURDER ON THE TERRACE Test your June, Kenilworth Castle comedy based on the BBC series of sleuthing skills and help Heartbreak JURASSIC KINGDOM All-new outdoor the same name. Nichola McAuliffe & Productions solve the murder of Lord animatronic dinosaur experience, Jeffrey Holland star, Tues 30 May - Cava’s nephew and heir, Sat 3 - Sun until Sun 4 June, Birmingham Botani- Comedy Sat 3 June, Malvern Theatres 4 Jun, The Parade, Leamington Spa cal Gardens WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT Adapta- MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Current PIRATE WEEK Grab your crew and tion of Michael Rosen and Helen Ox- RSC actors, RSC staff members and jump aboard for a swashbuckling ad- SCOTT CAPURRO, IAN MOORE & COMEDY enbury’s popular picture book, which students from the University of Birm- venture, until Sun 4 June, National CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON follows a family as they head out on ingham combine forces to tackle Sea Life Centre, Birmingham Thurs 1 June, The Glee Club, B’ham an intrepid quest to find a bear, Tues Shakespeare's captivating rom-com, WARS OF THE ROSES LIVE! Epic new KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY NIGHT Thurs 30 May - Sat 3 June, Belgrade The- Sun 4 Jun, The Dell, Stratford-upon- live-action show, until Sun 4 June, 1 June, Stourbridge Town Hall atre, Coventry Avon Warwick Castle MICKY FLANAGAN Thurs 1 - Sat 3 THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM KATE’S STORYTREE Starting with travel- June, Barclaycard Arena, B’ham SHAKESPEARE Groove to the Othello ling Storybike and a treasure chest of SCOTT CAPURRO, IAN MOORE, JAMALI Rap, indulge in Titus Andronicus - props, children and adults are invited MADDIX & ANDY ROBINSON Fri 2 June, The Cooking Show and try to keep on a Storytime adventure, Fri 2 June, The Glee Club, Birmingham up with Hamlet backwards, until Sun Dance The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon CRAIG HILL, JOHN HASTINGS, IVO GRA- 11 June, The Attic Theatre, Stratford- upon-Avon DAPPERS AND FLAPPERS! FAMILY JAZZ HAM & MANDY KNIGHT Fri 2 June, The ALICE IN WONDERLAND Ballet Theatre DANCING Dance teachers show fami- Comedy Loft, Birmingham MISCHIEF FESTIVAL A double bill of UK present a choreographed version lies how to do some real 1920s danc- JETHRO Fri 2 June, Evesham Arts new plays - The Earthworks & Myth - of Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s ing together, Sat 3 June, Upton Centre feature alongside a range of events tale, Thurs 1 June, The Core, Solihull House & Gardens, Warwickshire and works-in-progress, until Sat 17 SUSAN MURRAY & TWO COMICS TBC Fri June, The Other Place, Stratford- SMOTHER 201 Dance Company pres- A VERY VIKING VOYAGE FAMILY DAY Jam 2 June, Jongleurs Comedy Club, upon-Avon ent a performance of ground-break- -packed day full of exciting activities - Birmingham ing contemporary hip-hop, exploring storytelling, music, crafts - specially ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA Shake- SCOTT CAPURRO, IAN MOORE, JAMALI the relationship between two young designed for the under ‘5’s. This speare’s tragedy of love and power, men, Thurs 1 - Fri 2 June, Birming- event accompanies the museum’s MADDIX & ANDY ROBINSON Sat 3 June, until Thurs 7 Sept, Royal Shake- The Glee Club, Birmingham ham Hippodrome latest exhibition A Very Viking Voy- speare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon age, Sat 3 June, Herbert Art Gallery & NICO YEARWOOD, SMASH, KANE BROWN BREAKIN’ CONVENTION The world’s JULIUS CAESAR A bloody story of con- biggest convention of hip-hop dance Museum, Coventry & THANYIA MOORE Sat 3 June, The spiracy and murder, noble intentions Glee Club, Birmingham theatre, featuring dance troupes Just COVENTRY MOTOFEST Celebration of and ignoble actions, until Sat 9 Sept, Dance, the Soweto Skeleton Movers personal transport in the past, pres- CRAIG HILL, JOHN HASTINGS, IVO GRA- Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Strat- and Tentacle Tribe, Fri 2 - Sat 3 June, ent and future, Sat 3 - Sun 4 June, HAM & MANDY KNIGHT Sat 3 June, ford-upon-Avon The REP, Birmingham Coventry City Centre The Comedy Loft, Birmingham VICE VERSA ‘Side-splitting’ romp, lov- THE BUILDING DANCE SHOW An interac- THE NATIONAL METRO & MINI SHOW LEE NELSON Sat 3 June, Warwick Arts ingly ripped off from the Roman tive building and dancing theatrical Sun 4 June, British Motor Museum, Centre, Coventry comedies of Plautus, until Sat 9 Sept, adventure for all the family - a ‘magi- Warwick SUSAN MURRAY & TWO COMICS TBC The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- cal’, ever-changing playground, con- Avon ROCK AND ROLL PARTY IN THE PARK Sat 3 June, Jongleurs Comedy Club, structed and inhabited by its Featuring a DJ, live bands and dance Birmingham THE FIRST HIPPO ON THE MOON Les Pe- audience, Sat 3 June, Bridge House throughout the day, Sun 4 June, MR CEE, WILL-E, GERRY K & ARIELLE tits Theatre Company presents David Theatre, Warwick Stourport Riverside, Worcestershire Walliams’ space adventure for young SOUMA Sat 3 June, mac, birmingham ALICE IN WONDERLAND Ballet Theatre CLASSIC FORD SHOW Featuring drag audiences, Thurs 1 - Sun 4 June, UK present a choreographed version BEN VAN DER VELDE Sat 3 June, Artrix, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry strip action, huge club car displays Bromsgrove of Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s and more, Sun 4 June, Santa Pod SALOMÉ Owen Horsley directs Oscar tale, Sat 3 June, Palace Theatre, Red- Raceway, Northants IAIN LEE Sun 4 June, The Glee Club, Wilde's lyrical one-act drama, Fri 2 ditch Birmingham June - Wed 6 Sept, Royal Shake- speare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon SARAH AND DUCK’S BIG TOP BIRTHDAY

whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List NEW Warwicks 5 - 11 June.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 17:23 Page 1

thelist Monday 5 - Sunday 11 June MOTHER POPCORN Fri 9 The Comedy Loft, Birmingham June, Drummonds Classical Bar, Worcester GEORGE ZACH Fri 9 June, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE HIGH KINGS Fri 9 June, Irish Centre, Music STEVE ROYLE & COMIC TBC Fri 9 June, Birmingham Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge NASHVILLE Fri 9 June, LUNCHTIME ORGAN PROM WITH THOMAS STEVE GRIBBIN Fri 9 June, The Core Barclaycard Arena, TROTTER Featuring Crispian Steele- Theatre, Solihull Birmingham Perkins (trumpet). Programme in- BEN NORRIS, CHRIS KENT, ELEANOR cludes works by Handel, Haydn, FRAN THE MAN Fri 9 TIERNAN & JIM SMALLMAN Sat 10 Mozart, Burt Bacharach & George June, Irish Centre, June, The Glee Club, Birmingham Gershwin, Mon 5 June, Symphony Birmingham CARL DONNELLY, CAREY MARX, MARK Hall, Birmingham THE BON JOVI EXPERI- SIMMONS & ANDY ASKINS Sat 10 CBSO: SCHUBERT’S UNFINISHED Featur- ENCE June, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Fri 9 June, The ing Nicholas Collon (conductor), El- River Rooms, Stour- speth Dutch, Michael Kidd, Jeremy JIMMY CARR Sat 10 June, Symphony bridge Bushell & Mark Philips (horns). Pro- Hall, Birmingham FLEETWOOD BAC Fri 9 gramme includes works by Sibelius, JOHN RYAN, GARY MEIKLE, SMUG June, The Roadhouse, Schumann & Schubert, Thurs 8 June, ROBERTS Sat 10 June, Jongleurs Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Comedy Club, Birmingham THE DOORS ALIVE The CBSO CENTRE STAGE: CELLOS Doors tribute band, Fri Programme to include works by De- Babajack - Artrix, Bromsgrove 9 June, The Robin, Bil- bussy, Rossini, Sibelius & J Strauss II, ston Fri 9 June, CBSO Centre, Birmingham June, Palace Theatre, CELEBRATING THREE MASTERS BCMG Theatre Redditch THE MANFREDS Fri 9 Gigs June, The Roses The- closes its 16/17 season with a concert LOW ISLAND Wed 7 atre, Tewkesbury celebrating three established masters HICCUP PROJECT: MAY WE-GO-GO- PHIL DOLEMAN & IAN June, The Sunflower of the British contemporary scene - THE ORIGINAL BURNING ROUND Collision of fiercely energetic EMMERSON Mon 5 Lounge, Birmingham Oliver Knussen, Colin Matthews & dance and comedic theatre, Mon 5 FLAMES Sat 10 June, Harrison Birtwistle, Sat 10 June, June, Crescent The- MARTHA TILSTON Thurs June, mac, Birmingham O2 Academy, B’ham CBSO Centre, Birmingham atre, Birmingham 8 June, Hare & THE CRUCIBLE Charlie Condou (Coro- DIKEMBE Sat 10 June, THE ORCHESTRA OF CLASSICAL OPERA - THE GOON SAX & QUINN Hounds, Birmingham nation Street) and Victoria Yeates The Flapper, B’ham MOZART: APOLLO ET HYACINTHUS Fea- Mon 5 June, Hare & CUBA, RUSSEL DEAN & (Call The Midwife) star in a new stag- turing Ian Page (conductor), Sat 10 Hounds, Birmingham TEK NOTICE & REAL BURTON JOYCE Sat 10 ing of Arthur Miller's classic tale, June, Hare & Hounds, June, Birmingham Town Hall BILL RYDER JONES Mon ZEKS Thurs 8 June, Mon 5 - Sat 10 June, New Alexandra Birmingham THE LONDON WELSH MALE CHOIR Sat 10 5 June, Hare & The Flapper, B’ham Theatre, Birmingham June, Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury Hounds, Birmingham THE GLEDHILLS Thurs 8 THE MAJOR TOMS Sat ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS Amateur 10 June, Hare & EX URBE CHAMBER CONCERT Con- CARRIE ELKIN Tues 6 June, Katie Fitzger- staging of Richard Bean’s English Hounds, Birmingham ducted by Benjamin Hamilton. Pro- June, Kitchen Garden ald's, Stourbridge adaptation of Carlo Goldoni’s Com- BLUES CLUB WITH PAUL gramme includes works by Handel & media dell’arte-style comedy play, Cafe, Birmingham THE 3 SIXTIES Thurs 8 Haydn, Sat 10 June, Hampton-in- STEADMAN BAND Sat 10 Mon 5 - Sat 10 June, The Rose The- PIXX Tues 6 June, Hare June, The Jam House, Arden Parish Church, Warwickshire Birmingham June, Hare & Hounds, atre, Kidderminster & Hounds, B’ham EX URBE CHAMBER CONCERT Con- Birmingham EVERY BRILLIANT THING A Paines WHY? Tues 6 June, MIKE FLETCHER'S PI- ducted by Benjamin Hamilton. Pro- BABAJACK Sat 10 June, Plough and Pentabus Theatre pro- Hare & Hounds, Birm- CASSO Thurs 8 June, gramme includes works by Handel & Artrix, Worcester duction about depression and the ingham mac, Birmingham Haydn, Sun 11 June, Dorridge THE FATHER TEDS Sat Methodist Church, Solihull lengths we go to for those we love, THEA GILMORE Tues 6 BETH ROWLEY Thurs 8 10 June, Irish Centre, Tues 6 June, mac, Birmingham June, mac, B’ham June, The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham Birmingham UGLY CHIEF Victoria Melody looks at THE WYZE GUYZ Tues 6 T REXTASY Sat 10 the British funeral industry and how June, The Jam House, MUMBO-JUMBO Fri 9 June, The Core The- we deal with death in modern soci- Birmingham June, Blue Piano ety, Tues 6 June, Warwick Arts Cen- Restaurant And Bar, atre, Solihull Comedy ROD STEWART Wed 7 tre, Coventry Birmingham THE SENSATIONAL 'MO- June, Greenhous TOWN' PARTY WITH THE DAVE FULTON, CAREY MARX Thurs 8 RUNNING WILD The Children’s Tour- Meadow, Shrewsbury RELAPSE WITH BREN- BROTHERS OF SOUL Sat June, The Core Theatre, Solihull ing Partnership present a staging of DAN TOWEY Fri 9 June, Michael Morpurgo’s story about ELEPHANT SESSIONS 10 June, Nailcote Hall, BEN NORRIS, COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH Hare & Hounds, Birm- love, loss, loyalty and ‘living in the Wed 7 June, The Berkswell, Warwick- ANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC Thurs 8 ingham moment’, Tues 6 - Sat 10 June, Fleece Inn, Evesham shire June, The Glee Club, Birmingham PUNK NIGHT - VICE Wolverhampton Grand Theatre FROTH Wed 7 June, SQUAD, BORROWED EASTWOOD Sat 10 COUNT ARTHUR STRONG Thurs 8 Hare & Hounds, Birm- CIDER WITH ROSIE Worcester Reper- TIME AND REBEL STA- June, Katie Fitzger- June, Palace Theatre, Redditch ingham ald's, Stourbridge tory Theatre present a staging of TION Fri 9 June, The CAREY MARX, DAVE FULTON, THE RAY- Laurie Lee’s modern classic, Tues 6 GOSPEL CENTRAL Wed Iron Road, Evesham MUSED (MUSE TRIBUTE) MOND AND MR TIMPKIN REVUE & - Sat 10 June, Swan Theatre, 7 June, The Jam SLIPPERY WHEN WET Fri Sat 10 June, The SUSAN MURRAY Thurs 8 June, The Worcester House, Birmingham Marr's Bar, Worcester Core Theatre, Solihull 9 June, Huntingdon SINGIN' IN THE RAIN Amateur staging ELTON JOHN Wed 7 Hall, Worcester SENSATIONAL 70S V DEBORAH FRANCES-WHITE Thurs 8 presented by the Trinity Players, June, Genting Arena, THE UPBEAT BEATLES Fri INTO THE 80S Sat 10 June, Warwick Arts Centre, Coven- Tues 6 - Sat 10 June, Lichfield Garrick Birmingham June, The River try 9 June, The Core The- THE ADDAMS FAMILY Samantha Wom- KYSHONA ARMSTRONG Rooms, Stourbridge atre, Solihull BEN NORRIS, CHRIS KENT, ELEANOR ack, Les Dennis and Carrie Hope PLUS ROBERT LANE ROCKET Fri 9 - Sat 10 MULTI STORY Sun 11 TIERNAN & JIM SMALLMAN Fri 9 June, Fletcher star in a brand new show Wed 7 June, Kitchen June, The Jam House, June, The Roadhouse, The Glee Club, Birmingham based on the cult TV series, Tues 6 - Garden Cafe, B’ham Birmingham Birmingham CARL DONNELLY, CAREY MARX, MARK Sat 10 June, Birmingham Hippo- BOB GESSEY Wed 7 SIMMONS & ANDY ASKINS Fri 9 June, drome 54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List NEW Warwicks 5 - 11 June.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 17:23 Page 2

Monday 5 - Sunday 11 June

SHIRLEY VALENTINE Jodie Prenger SARAH AND DUCK’S BIG TOP BIRTHDAY takes the lead in Willy Russell’s heart- Family-friendly theatre which brings warming comedy, Tues 6 - Sat 10 the CBeebies’ favourites to the stage June, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry for the very first time, Sat 10 June, Ar- THE PAJAMA GAME Bournville Musical trix, Bromsgrove Theatre Company present an ama- SHEBADA CELEBRATES 10 YEARS Brand teur version of the timeless musical, new comedy show featuring ‘Ja- Tues 6 - Sat 10 June, The Crescent maica’s favourite roots-play actor’, Theatre, Birmingham Keith ‘Shebada’ Ramsey, Sun 11 GRAEME OF THRONES Original and June, New Alexandra Theatre, Birm- unauthorised parody of Games Of ingham Thrones, Wed 7 June, Palace The- atre, Redditch Open air ROCK OF AGES Amateur staging of the hit West End musical. Contains some Theatre sexual references and mild swearing, Wed 7 - Fri 9 June, Bedworth Civic THE TAMING OF THE SHREW Heartbreak Hall Productions fuse live music, humour I AM HERE Premiere of Laila Alj’s new and audience participation to tell work which explores her personal Shakespeare’s unconventional love journey and questions how much of story, Wed 7 - Thurs 8 June, Jephson our lives are determined by choice, Gardens, Leamington Spa Wed 7 June, Shop Front Theatre, Macbeth: A Tale Of Sound And Fury THE COMEDY OF ERRORS All male the- Coventry atre company, The Lord Chamber- Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, Thurs 8 June WAKE UP & DEIRDREALIZE Examination lain’s Men, presents its version of The trio of gnarly fortune-tellers who spur Macbeth into blood-let- of the constructs of fame, self-help Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken and image, Thurs 8 June, Old joint identity, Sat 10 June, Packwood ting action take centre stage in this decidedly madcap version of Stock Theatre, Birmingham House, Solihull Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. The production is presented by the MIDDAY VARIETY Fri 9 June, Belgrade THE SECRET GARDEN Heartbreak Pro- ever-imaginative 6FootStories, three actors who use storytelling, Theatre, Coventry ductions presents its version of the live music and physical theatre to provide a refreshingly light- IDIOT CHILD: WHAT IF THE PLANE FALLS classic children’s tale, Sat 10 & Sun hearted take on a grizzly tale of ambition, mayhem and murder. OUT OF THE SKY A tender, playful and 11 June, Jephson Gardens, Leaming- unusual story about feelings - a show ton Spa for anyone who’s ever felt absolutely A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM & dreadful, Fri 9 June, mac, B’ham TWELFTH NIGHT Merely Theatre pres- MISS SLOANE (15) Drama/Thriller. Star- LOVEHARD: MURDERED BY MURDER ent two of Shakespeare’s classic Talks ring Jessica Chastain, Mark Strong. Brand new show which centres on a comedies in a unique, stripped-back The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues murder-mystery party at the home of style, Sat 10 - Sun 11 June, The Dell, 6 - Wed 7 June EDDIE ‘THE EAGLE’ EDWARDS: TRY HARD Lord and Lady Titan, Fri 9 June, Old Stratford-upon-Avon VICEROY'S HOUSE (12a) Drama. Star- Eddie talks through his incredible life Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham BILLIONAIRE BOY Heartbreak Produc- ring Gillian Anderson, Michael Gam- journey - from self-learning ski-jump- THE ENCHANTED PIG University of Birm- tions present its staging of David Wal- bon. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 6 - Fri ing and being shunned by the sport- ingham students present a staging of liams’ tale of love, loss & friendship, 9 June ing establishment, to the extensive a brand new love story filled with Sun 11 June, Bewdley Museum QEII surgery to rebuild his face and body LOVING (12a) Biography/Drama. Star- mud, mischief and magic, Fri 9 - Sat Gardens, Bewdley following years of spectacular ring Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton. Ar- 10 June, The Barber Institute, B’ham crashes on the snow, Tues 6 June, trix, Bromsgrove, Fri 9 June DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? Performed Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa & WHITNEY: CAN I BE ME? (15) Documen- and devised by Birmingham School Thurs 8 June, Malvern Theatre tary. Starring Whitney Houston. Fol- of Acting, Fri 9 - Sun 11 June, mac, DAVID CRYSTAL: WORDS An evening lowed by a live satellite Q&A with Birmingham Dance with the foremost writer, lecturer and director Nick Broomfield. Electric Cin- STADIUM Theatre maker Mohamed El broadcaster on the English language, ema, Birmingham, Sun 11 June Khatib explores why football inspires PLAN B FOR UTOPIA Joan Clevillé Sun 11 June, Artrix, Bromsgrove MULHOLLAND DRIVE (15) Drama/Mys- passion like nothing else, Fri 9 - Sat Dance fuse theatre, dance and story- 30-40-60 KATHY GEE, NINA LEWIS & tery. Starring Naomi Watts, Laura Har- 17 June, The REP, Birmingham telling to explore how we choose to CLAIRE WALKER A combined reading ring. The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, live our lives, Wed 7 June, The on womanhood, Sun 11 June, The Sun 11 June Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippo- Hive, Worcester drome NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: EDGE Fourteen exceptional dancers perform unusual work by a collection Released from Fri 9 June, showing at of new and award-winning choreog- selected cinemas raphers, Thurs 8 June, The Roses, Film BERLIN SYNDROME (15) Tewkesbury FROM THE LAND OF THE MOON (15) INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: MY COUSIN RACHEL (tbc) THE MUMMY (tbc) THE SHACK (12a) ZACH & VIGGO THUNDERFLOP Series of LION (PG) Biography/Drama. Starring surreal and free-flowing vignettes Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman. Stour- WILSON (15) showcasing the depths of stupidity to bridge Town Hall, Mon 5 June which this award-winning duo are BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA (15) Ac- prepared to stoop, Sat 10 June, Old tion, Adventure. Starring Kurt Russell, Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Kim Cattrall. Albany Theatre, Coven- try, Tues 6 June whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List NEW Warwicks 5 - 11 June.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 17:23 Page 3

thelist Monday 5 - Sunday 11 June RAF COSFORD AIR SHOW The Midlands’ Events premier air event features displays from a variety of aircraft plus hun- dreds of exhibits, stalls, trade stands, BIRMINGHAM WILDLIFE FESTIVAL & PA- military demonstrations and chil- RADE From badgers to beetles and dren's entertainment, Sun 11 June, hedgehogs to hawks pop along and RAF Cosford see what amazing wildlife exists right outside your front door, Sat 10 June, PERFORMANCE VAUXHALL SHOW Live Victoria Square, Birmingham action from the country's fastest Vauxhalls, Sun 11 June, Santa Pod CLASSIC AND VINTAGE COMMERCIAL Raceway, Northants SHOW Featuring over 400 pre-1997 commercial vehicles, Sat 10 - Sun 11 June, British Motor Museum, Gay- don, Warwickshire Festivals

GATE TO SOUTHWELL FOLK FESTIVAL From its humble beginnings in 2007 as primarily an English folk music and dance festival, Southwell has evolved into one of the leading and most innovative folk events in the Inspired Family Day country. Line up includes Jon Boden, Birmingham City University, Sat 10 June Kate Rusby, Le Vent du Nord, Thurs 8 - Sun 11 June, Southwell, Notting- Taking place at Birmingham City University’s city centre campus, hamshire Inspired Family Day offers five hours of free and fun-filled activi- DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL British rock festi- ties to enjoy, including embroidery workshops, jewellery making val. Line up includes Aerosmith, Sys- and the chance to star in your own TV show. tem Of A Down and Biffy Clyro, Fri 9 - The event officially opens Birmingham City University’s Inspired Sun 11 June, Donington Park Racing Festival, which is now in its fourth year. Circuit, Derbyshire

56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List NEW Warwicks 5 - 11 June.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 17:23 Page 4

June 2017

Saturday 10th June Tuesday 13th – Saturday Saturday 17th June 17th June SARAH & DUCK ONE MAN, AYESHA HAZARIKA TWO GUVNORS CBEEBIES DUO & FRIENDS ALL & SUNDRY PRODUCTION POLITICS, POWER & HOW WE LOST THE PLOT

Sunday 18th June Saturday 24th June Thursday 29th June TOTALLY TINA! CARA DILLON THE BOB DYLAN STORY AWARD WINNING TRIBUTE EMOTIVE & CAPTIVATING TRIBUTE TO THE TO TINA TURNER PERFORMER SONGWRITING GENIUS

COMING SOON: Fred’s House, Quill, Ben van der Velde, George Zach, BabaJack, The Searchers, The Night Watch, Edd Hedges & Alice Marshall, The Big Chris Barber Band, Barry Cryer, Little Howard’s Big Show, Redditch Orchestra, Beyond The Water’s Edge, Robert White & Rachel Fairburn, Hackney Colliery Band, Diamond, Desperado, Abba Reunion, Morgan & West, Roxy Magic, The Demon Barbers...

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www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 Free parking on-site Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1GN

whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Warwickshire 12 - 18 June.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 15:09 Page 1

thelist Monday 12 - Sunday 18 June tute, Birmingham Classical Music LAURENCE CLARK Wed 14 June, mac, Birmingham SEONG-JIN CHO IN RECITAL Programme ROGER MONKHOUSE, CRAIG MURRAY & includes works by Mozart, Debussy & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- Chopin, Tues 13 June, Birmingham Town Hall SON Thurs 15 June, The Glee Club, Birmingham PERFORMANCE PLATFORM FEAT. CHUN- CHIEH YEN (CELLO) Tues 13 June, CHRISTIAN REILLY, ALEX HYLTON, CHRIS Recital Hall, Birmingham Conserva- BETTS & CHRIS PURCHASE Fri 16 June, toire Lichfield Garrick STEVEN OSBORNE: TIPPETT Featuring ROGER MONKHOUSE, JOHN LYNN, SALLY- the City of Birmingham Symphony Or- ANNE HAYWARD & COMIC TBC Fri 16 chestra & Mirga Gražinyté-Tyla (con- June, The Glee Club, Birmingham ductor). Programme includes works PAUL SINHA, ELLIE TAYLOR, MATT REED by Stravinsky, Tippett & Beethoven, & STEVE SHANYASKI Fri 16 June, The Wed 14 June, Symphony Hall, B’ham Comedy Loft, Birmingham The Blockheads - The Assembly, Leamington Spa LOVE & LOSS - ORPHEUS & EURYDICE KATY BRAND Fri 16 June, Royal Spa BLANK PARODY, UNDER- UTE TO KATE BUSH Sat Wed 14 June, Evesham Arts Centre Centre, Leamington Spa Gigs GROUND STORM & FALL 17 June, Huntingdon ANNA VON HAUSSWOLFF Presents a per- ROGER MONKHOUSE, JOHN LYNN, SALLY- OF US Thurs 15 June, Hall, Worcester formance on the Town Hall’s 1834 ANNE HAYWARD & CRAIG MURRAY Sat organ in this opening performance of The Flapper, B’ham HUNTER AND THE BEAR 17 June, The Glee Club, Birmingham KYLA LA GRANGE Mon Supersonic Festival, Fri 16 June, Birm- JESUS JONES Thurs 15 Sat 17 June, O2 Insti- 12 June, The Rainbow ingham Town Hall PAUL SINHA, ELLIE TAYLOR, MATT REED June, The Jam House, tute, Birmingham & STEVE SHANYASKI Sat 17 June, The Venues, Digbeth, B’ham FESTIVAL VOICES Featuring Benedict Birmingham BANTER Sat 17 June, Comedy Loft, Birmingham EMMA STEVENS Mon 12 Goodall (conductor). Programme in- DEP LEPPARD Thurs 15 The Fleece Inn, B’ham June, The Robin, Bil- cludes works by Elgar, Gershwin arr. TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, ANDY ASKINS & June, The Robin, Bil- ston BLUES CLUB WITH MID- Roderick Williams, Kosma arr. Andrew DAVID WARD Sat 17 June, Jongleurs ston NIGHT CITY SOUL BAND Carter, Fri 16 June, The Barber Insti- Comedy Club, Birmingham ROBBIE WILLIAMS Tues SOME GUYS HAVE ALL Sat 17 June, Hare & tute, University of Birmingham 13 June, Ricoh Arena, SOMMORE, SLIM, KANE BROWN AND THE LUCK - THE ROD Hounds, Birmingham Coventry 2017 BRANT INTERNATIONAL PIANO COM- MARLON DAVIS & GINA YASHERE Sat 17 STEWART STORY Fri 16 DEGO (2000 BLACK) Sat PETITION Sat 17 June, The Barber Insti- June, Birmingham Town Hall KEITH SLATER'S SINATRA June, Lichfield Garrick 17 June, Hare & tute of Fine Arts, Birmingham CELEBRATION Tues 13 KATY BRAND Sat 17 June, mac, REVAR THE THIRD SUM- Hounds, Birmingham June, The Core The- BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR: A FRENCH B’ham MER OF LOVE Fri 16 PROGRAMME Programme includes atre, Solihull SHY FX Sat 17 June, ALFIE MOORE Sat 17 June, Royal Spa June, Hare & Hounds, works by Mouton, Phinot, Poulenc, Kasbah, Coventry Centre, Leamington Spa JONATHON BYRD Tues 13 Birmingham Duruflé, Pierre Villette & Fauré, Sat 17 June, Kitchen Garden SWIM WITH SHARKS Sat THE STIFF JOINTS Fri 16 June, Pershore Abbey, Worcestershire Cafe, Birmingham 17 June, Irish Centre, June, The Iron Road, Birmingham WARWICKSHIRE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: KRAFTWERK Tues 13 Evesham A RUSSIAN EVENING Programme in- June, Symphony Hall, THE BLOCKHEADS Sat 17 cludes works by Rimsky-Korsakov, THE RED LEMONS Fri 16 - Birmingham June, The Assembly, Rachmaninov & Tchaikovsky, Sat 17 Sat 17 June, The Jam Leamington Spa June, Warwick Hall KITE BASE + HOOPLA House, Birmingham BLUE Tues 13 June, The THE TOWN HALL GOSPEL BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIETY THE FESTIVALS EXPERI- Sunflower Lounge, CHOIR Sat 17 June, Featuring Loretta Hopkins (soprano), ENCE Fri 16 June, Birmingham Evesham Arts Centre, Edward Harrison (tenor) & Wesley Drummonds Bar, Evesham Biggs (bass), Sat 17 June, Elgar Con- CANCER BATS AS BAT Worcester cert Hall, The Bramall, Birmingham SABBATH Wed 14 June, UNDER A BANNER Sat 17 DUB FX Fri 16 June, O2 O2 Academy, B’ham June, The Marr's Bar, LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: THE BEST AYESHA HAZARIKA Sat 17 June, Artrix, Institute, Birmingham Worcester OF BOND Featuring Peter Harrison Bromsgrove CARL SINCLAIR BAND (conductor) & Louise Dearman & THE TEMPERANCE SEVEN MAETLOAF & THE NEVER Wed 14 June, The Jam Oliver Topmsett (guest singers), Sat 17 Fri 16 June, Hunting- NEVERLAND EXPRESS House, Birmingham June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham don Hall, Worcester Sat 17 June, The River MERCURY Wed 14 June, BARRY STEELE AS ROY Rooms, Stourbridge BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA New Alexandra The- ORBISON Fri 16 June, Featuring Michael Lloyd (conductor). atre, Birmingham ROXY MAGIC Sat 17 Programme includes works by Wag- Theatre New Alexandra The- June, The Roadhouse, CHRIS BOWDEN Wed 14 ner & Bruckner, Sun 18 June, Elgar atre, Birmingham B’ham STAGS AND HENS (THE REMIX) June, Blue Piano Concert Hall, The Bramall, B’ham Amateur BRYAN ADAMS EXPERI- staging of Willy Russell’s story, Mon Restaurant And Bar, THUNDERPUSSY Sat 17 STRATFORD-UPON-AVON SYMPHONY OR- ENCE Fri 16 June, The 12 - Sat 17 June, Talisman Theatre, Birmingham June, The Iron Road, CHESTRA Programme includes works Marr's Bar, Worcester Evesham Kenilworth THUNDERPUSSY Wed 14 by Mozart, Haydn & Beethoven, Sun JEAN GENIE - TRIBUTE TO THE MURDERER June, The Robin, Bil- ROY ORBISON & THE 18 June, Stratford Arts House, Strat- Clown Funeral pres- DAVID BOWIE Fri 16 ston TRAVELLING WILBURYS ford-upon-Avon ent a ‘moving, thoughtful and funny June, The River Sat 17 June, The Roses piece of theatre’ based on the poem THE ILLEGAL EAGLES Rooms, Stourbridge Theatre, Tewkesbury of the same name by Luke Kennard, Thurs 15 June, New HELLS BELLS Fri 16 Tues 13 June, The Hive, Worcester Alexandra Theatre, PAT JORDAN & FINIAN'S June, The Roadhouse, SAND IN THE SANDWICHES Birmingham RAINBOW Sun 18 Jun, Edward Fox Birmingham Irish Centre, B’ham stars as Sir John Betjeman, one of HEATWAVE, ODYSSEY & Comedy FROM THE JAM Fri 16 the best-loved poets of the 20th cen- VOICE OF ROSE ROYCE, TOTALLY TINA Sun 18 June, The Empire, FOGHORN tury, Tues 13 - Thurs 15 June, GWEN DICKEY Thurs 15 June, Artrix, Worcester Wed 14 June, The Patrick Coventry Malvern Theatre June, Wolverhampton Kavanagh, Birmingham FOOTLOOSE Grand Theatre CLOUDBUSTING - A TRIB- TOM GREEN Wed 14 June, O2 Insti- Gareth Gates and Mau-

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Monday 12- Sunday 18 June

reen Nolan star in the much-loved June, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham rock’n’roll musical based on the RE:PRODUCTION Intimate work of the- 1980s film of the same name, Tues 13 atre exploring the science behind - Sat 17 June, Belgrade Theatre, women’s choices, Fri 16 - Sat 17 Coventry June, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, OLIVER! Amateur staging presented Birmingham by Queensbridge Musical Theatre DINNER Amateur staging of Moira Society, Tues 13 - Sat 17 June, The Buffini’s comedy chiller, Fri 16 - Sat Core Theatre, Solihull 24 June, The Bear Pitt Theatre, Strat- ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS All & Sundry ford-upon-Avon presents its version of Richard Bean’s BETWEEN THE TWO Rochi Rampal & English adaptation of Carlo Goldoni’s Daniel Tyler's story asks, where do Commedia dell’arte-style comedy we belong when the maps are re- play, Tues 13 - Sat 17 June, Artrix, drawn? Sat 17 June, Lichfield Garrick Bromsgrove JACQUES BREL: A LIFE A THOUSAND THE GRADUATE Catherine McCormack TIMES Seminal biopic of the great Bel- and Jack Monaghan star this new gian singer, Sat 17 June, Palace The- West Yorkshire Playhouse and Curve atre, Redditch Footloose - Belgrade Theatre, Coventry production, based on the novel by Charles Webb, Tues 13 - Sat 17 June, AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE Reviving Dell, Stratford-upon-Avon the classic variety artform for the 21st Malvern Theatre TWELFTH NIGHT Sun & Moon Theatre century, Sat 17 June, New Alexandra promise a ‘vibrant ensemble produc- PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT Three Theatre, Birmingham Talks Spires & Guildhall presents its ver- tion enriched with wit, passion and A BLACK COUNTRY FAIRYTALE... AY IT! live music’, Sun 18 Jun, The Dell, sion of the award-winning musical, LICENSED TO RHYME A monthly event The Fizzogs present a non-traditional Stratford-upon-Avon Tues 13 - Sun 18 June, Warwick Arts mixing poetry, prose and, occasion- Centre, Coventry tale of fantasy set in 1910, Sat 17 June, The Rose Theatre, Kiddermin- ally, music, Mon 12 June, Artrix, A GRAND MUSIC HALL Featuring Gill ster Bromsgrove Jordan, Don Maclean and Ian BRIGHT SMOKE: SPEAKING THE TRUTH Adams, Wed 14 June, Grand Theatre, Poetry night with a difference, an ir- Wolverhampton Dance reverent look at what matters the PETER PAN THE MUSICAL Wed 14 - Fri most... Fri 16 June, Susie’s Cafe Bar, 16 June, Palace Theatre, Redditch COPPELIA Birmingham Royal Ballet The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon present the timeless classic, which ROCK OF AGES A Coventry City Col- tells of the eccentric toymaker Dr lege co-production, Wed 14 - Sat 17 Coppelius’ attempts to bring his June, Albany Theatre, Coventry greatest creation, the doll Coppelia, MOBILE An intimate 40-minute theatre to life, Tues 13 - Sat 17 June, Birm- show set in a caravan and based on ingham Hippodrome Film interviews conducted in communities BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET FIRST across the UK, Thurs 15 June, The SARAH AND DUCK’S BIG TOP BIRTHDAY STEPS A feast of dance, music and Roses, Tewkesbury Family-friendly theatre which brings INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: the CBeebies’ favourites to the stage costumes - a perfect introduction to THE SILENCE OF SNOW: THE LIFE OF for the very first time, Sun 18 - Tues ballet, Fri 16 June, Birmingham Hip- PATRICK HAMILTON Kinetic solo show 20 June, mac, Birmingham podrome RULES DON’T APPLY (15) portraying the life of one of the great Comedy/Drama. Starring Lily Collins, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Award- English writers of the inter-war years. Haley Bennett. The Roses Theatre, winning Ballet Cymru present a ‘stun- Written & performed by Mark Farrelly, Tewkesbury, Mon 12 - Wed 14 June ning, funny and heartwarming’ Thurs 15 June, Old Joint Stock The- version of Shakespeare’s most magi- ALIEN: COVENANT (15) Horror/Sci-Fi. atre, Birmingham Open air cal play, Fri 16 June, The Roses, Starring Michael Fassbender, Kather- URSULA MARTINEZ: FREE ADMISSION Tewkesbury ine Waterston. The Roses Theatre, The Olivier Award-winning perform- Tewkesbury, Wed 14 - Thurs 15 June 11 MILLION REASONS TO DANCE Special ance provocateur returns to her dirty Theatre commission which forms part of Peo- TANNA (12a) Drama/Romance. Star- soapbox, Thurs 15 - Sat 17 June, The ring Mungau Dain, Marie Wawa. The NORTHANGER ABBEY Heartbreak Pro- ple Dancing’s national programme to REP, Birmingham Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Thurs 15 ductions presents Jane Austen’s so- positively promote deaf and disabled THE BEGGAR’S OPERA Birmingham - Tues 20 June cial commentary of faux friendships people who dance, Sat 17 June, Bel- Conservatoire presents a sophisti- and real romance, Wed 14 Jun, Jeph- grade Theatre, Coventry LOVING (12a) Biography/Drama. Star- cated take on John Gay’s ever-popu- son Gardens, Leamington Spa KEVIN AND KAREN DANCE The Strictly ring Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton. Ar- lar folk opera, Thurs 15 - Sat 17 June, duo embark on a sultry, hip-swinging trix, Bromsgrove, Fri 16 June The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham NORTHANGER ABBEY Heartbreak Pro- ductions presents Jane Austen’s so- journey through the waltz, cha cha, JULES ET JIM (PG) Drama/Romance. THE LITTLE MERMAID JR The award- cial commentary of faux friendships foxtrot, tango and salsa, Sun 18 Starring Jeanne Moreau, Oskar winning Birmingham Youth Theatre and real romance, Thurs 15 Jun, The June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Werner. Foreign language, subtitled. celebrates its 30th anniversary with a Parade, Leamington Spa The Coach House, Malvern, Sat 17 musical double-bill, Thurs 15 - Sat 17 June June, The Old Rep, Birmingham MURDER ON THE TERRACE Test your sleuthing skills and help Heartbreak STOLEN KISSES (15) Comedy/Drama. SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK: THE Productions solve the murder of Lord Starring Jean-Pierre Léaud, Claude ROD STEWART STORY Theatrical pro- Cava’s nephew and heir, Fri 16 Jun, Jade. Foreign language, subtitled. duction celebrating the career of one Ragley Hall, Warwickshire The Coach House, Malvern, Sat 17 of rock’s greatest icons, Fri 16 June, June Lichfield Garrick ROMEO & JULIET Three Inch Fools use all manner of musical instruments in THE 400 BLOWS (PG) Crime/Drama. A BLACK COUNTRY FAIRYTALE... AY IT! this inventive take on Shakespeare’s Starring Jean-Pierre Léaud, Albert The Fizzogs present a non-traditional infamous story of whirlwind romance Rémy. Foreign language, subtitled. tale of fantasy set in 1910, Fri 16 and bitter tragedy, Sat 17 Jun, The The Coach House, Malvern, Sat 17

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June DAY FOR NIGHT (12) Comedy/Drama. Events Starring Jacqueline Bisset, Jean- Pierre Léaud. Foreign language, sub- BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW Featuring top titled. The Coach House, Malvern, chefs and food experts, the latest Sun 18 June culinary trends and topics, and a fan- CONFIDENTIALLY YOURS (PG) Com- tastic selection of independent and edy/Crime. Starring Fanny Ardant, artisan producers selling their wares Jean-Louis Trintignant. Foreign lan- alongside big-name brands, Thurs 15 guage, subtitled. The Coach House, - Sun 18 June, NEC, Birmingham Malvern, Sun 18 June BBC GARDENERS' WORLD LIVE Join the SMALL CHANGE (PG) Comedy/Drama. nation’s favourite gardening experts, Starring Georges Desmouceaux, including Monty Don and Alan Titch- Philippe Goldmann. Foreign lan- marsh, explore the inspiring show guage, subtitled. The Coach House, gardens and visit the impressive floral Malvern, Sun 18 June marquee. Plus, every ticket includes CABARET (15) Drama/Musical. Starring free entry to the BBC Good Food Liza Minnelli, Michael York. Electric Show, so you can enjoy the tastes Cinema, Birmingham, Sun 18 June and flavours of summer too, Thurs 15 - Sun 18 June, NEC, Birmingham THE TERMINATOR (15) Action/Sci-Fi. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, 999 FAMILY DAY Bringing together an Linda Hamilton. Abbey Theatre, exciting array of emergency vehicles, Droitwich Spa Food & Drink Festival Nuneaton, Sun 18 June this popular event enables visitors to learn about what it takes to become a Lido Park, Droitwich, Sat 17 June TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY (15) qualified emergency services opera- The remarkable success of this relatively new event means that it’s Action/Sci-Fi. Starring Arnold tive, Sat 17 June, Coventry Transport Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton. Museum this year moving to the town’s Lido Park, where celebrity chef Brian Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton, Sun 18 Turner will be in attendance. As well as featuring around 100 food & June drink exhibitors, the event also includes a bake-off competition, a TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINE food demonstration kitchen and performances by local singers. (15) Action/Sci-Fi. Starring Arnold There’s a kids’ zone too, in which youngsters can learn circus skills Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl. Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton, Sun 18 June and create giant bubbles. TOM SIMPSON: SOMETHING TO AIM AT (E) Documentary. Starring Tom Simp- son. Followed by a Q&A session with STRATFORD-UPON-AVON POETRY FESTI- LEAMINGTON PEACE FESTIVAL 2017 The the film's director, Ray Pascoe. The VAL 2017 The UK’s longest-running Leamington Peace Festival exists to Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun 18 poetry festival takes the theme Cross- promote an understanding of interna- June GRAND MEDIEVAL JOUST Feel the heat ing Borders and features readings, tional peace in all its aspects, includ- of the contest, as magnificent knights performances and workshops. ing environmental harmony & living in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: SALAZAR’S Guests include actor Simon Russell co-operation with others, Sat 17 - REVENGE (12A) Action/Adventure. Star- on horseback clash at the greatest event of medieval England, Sat 17 - Beale (pictured below), Sun 18 - Sun Sun 18 June, Royal Pump Rooms, ring Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush. 25 June, Stratford Town Centre Leamington Spa The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun Sun 18 June, Kenilworth Castle 18 - Thurs 22 June FESTIVAL OF BLACK COUNTRY VEHICLES KINETON MUSIC FESTIVAL 2017 Set in Wheeling into its 15th year, this an- the beautiful countryside of south WHISKY GALORE (PG) Comedy. Star- Warwickshire, and in sight of the his- ring Naomi Battrick, James Cosmo. nual gathering of cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles, all built in toric Edgehill, Kineton Music Festival The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun celebrates music, crafts, food & 18 - Mon 26 June the Black Country, features more Festivals than 100 models, Sun 18 June, Black friendship. Line up includes Abba Country Living Museum, Dudley Chique, Copperhead Road, D-Day UKULELE FESTIVAL OF GREAT BRITAIN- Dolls & Barney Newman, Sat 17 FALCONRY DAY Sun 18 June, Now in its 8th year, this is one of the June, Kineton Sports & Social Club, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Blakesley Hall, Birmingham ‘biggest and best ukulele festivals’ in Little Kineton, Warwickshire the world. Line-up includes Abe La- RETRO SHOW Take part in the racing TENBURY MUSIC FESTIVAL Featuring grimas Jr, Ooks of Hazard, The Released from Fri 16 June, showing and show & shine whatever type of Mike Sanchez & His Band, Arcadia Ukulele Uff Trio & The Poor Boys Of at selected cinemas retro machinery you have, Sun 18 Roots & Sticky Wicket, Sat 17 June, Worcester, Fri 16 - Sun 18 June, June, Santa Pod Raceway, Northants Tenbury Wells BY THE TIME IT GETS DARK (12a) Cheltenham Town Hall BANBURY RUN Look on as around 500 FOXTON LOCKS FESTIVAL Featuring 100 CHURCHILL (PG) NOCTURNE LIVE Line up includes: Max veteran and vintage motorcycles ride craft stalls, a large food village, real DESTINATION UNKNOWN (12a) Richter, Jamie Cullum, Gregory out from the museum on various cir- ale bar, fun fair and various arena at- Porter & Corinne Bailey Rae, Fri 16 - GIFTED (12a) cular routes, Sun 18 June, British tractions alongside live music on two Sun 18 June, Blenheim Palace, Ox- Motor Museum, Gaydon stages. Line-up includes Edd Keane, NAILS (18) fordshire The Ultraviolet & Johnny Oates Band, ROCK DOG (U) SONIC ROCK SOLSTICE 15th anniver- Sat 17 - Sun 18 June, Foxton Locks, ROUGH NIGHT (tbc) sary line-up includes Doctor and the Foxton, Market Harborough Medics, Heavy Metal Kids and Night WHITNEY: CAN I BE ME (15) WOLVESFEST 2017 Situated in the se- of the Hawks, Fri 16 - Sun 18 June, cluded grounds of Wolverhampton HAMSTEAD (12a) Stoke Prior Country Club, Broms- Rugby Club in a 1,000 capacity mar- TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT grove quee, Wolvesfest showcases the best (TBC) DROITWICH SPA FOOD AND DRINK FESTI- in Birmingham & Black Country tal- VAL One of the main events in the ent, Sat 17 June, Wolverhampton town, now in its third year, Sat 17 Rugby Club June, Droitwich Spa

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thelist Monday 19 - Sunday 25 June Fitzgerald's, Stour- POLLEN & FRANTIC AC- DANE BAPTISTE, STUART MITCHELL, THE Gigs bridge TION Sat 24 June, The Classical Music RAYMOND & MR TIMPKINS REVUE & CHRIS HOLMES MEAN Flapper, Birmingham COMIC TBC Sat 24 June, The Glee MAN Thurs 22 June, BLUES CLUB WITH BON- Club, Birmingham COUSINS & LUCKY PUNKS The Marr's Bar, Worces- NYLOUISA KEENAHAN Sat LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH ROB ROUSE, ALISTAIR WILLIAMS, GEOFF Mon 19 June, Kasbah, ter 24 June, Hare & THOMAS TROTTER Programme tbc, Mon BOYZ & MARTIN MOR Sat 24 June, The Coventry 19 June, Birmingham Town Hall THE MANFREDS Thurs 22 Hounds, Birmingham Comedy Loft, Birmingham IDINA MENZEL Mon 19 June, The Core The- THE DANIEL WAKEFORD CHRISTOPHER PARK PIANO RECITAL Pro- IAN SMITH, ERICH MCELROY & COMIC June, Symphony Hall, atre, Solihull EXPERIENCE Sat 24 gramme includes works by Brahms, TBC Sat 24 June, Jongleurs Comedy Birmingham Chopin, Olga Neuwirth & Stravinsky, AN EVENING WITH THE June, Hare & Hounds, Club, Birmingham MARK LANEGAN Mon 19 Mon 19 June, Birmingham Town Hall DREAMERS Fri 23 June, Birmingham PETE FIRMAN Sat 24 June, Warwick June, O2 Institute, ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN Featuring The Swan Theatre THE CHIVENOR MILITARY Arts Centre, Coventry Birmingham Adrian Turner (viola), Stacey Watton Worcester WIVES Sat 24 June, EDD HEDGES & ALICE MARSHALL Sat LEE JONES QUINTET Tues (double bass) & David Curtis (conduc- THE LEGENDS OF MO- Huntingdon Hall, 24 June, Artrix, Bromsgrove 20 June, The Jam tor). Programme includes works by TOWN Fri 23 June, The Worcester Mozart, Dittersdorf, Julian Philips & House, Birmingham ASPERGER’S ARE US LIVE! Sun 25 Core Theatre, Solihull TEXAS MEDICINE Sat 24 Haydn, Tues 20 June, Stratford Arts June, The Glee Club, Birmingham JAMES HICKMAN AND OVERDRAWN & SHORT- June, Katie Fitzgerald's, House, Stratford-upon-Avon DAN CASSIDY Tues 20 THE LAUGHING SOLE COMEDY FOR KIDS WAVE Fri 23 June, Kas- Stourbridge EX CATHEDRA: SUMMER MUSIC BY CAN- June, Kitchen Garden Sun 25 June, mac, birmingham bah, Coventry UK BEACH BOYS Sat 24 DLELIGHT Featuring Jeffrey Skidmore Cafe, Birmingham KING PLEASURE AND THE June, The Iron Road, (conductor), Tues 20 June, Birming- THE JOHNNY CASH ROAD- ham Cathedral BISCUIT BOYS Fri 23 Evesham SHOW Tues 20 June, June, Evesham Arts RICK WAKEMAN Sat 24 EBLANA STRING TRIO Programme in- Belgrade Theatre, Centre, Evesham June, Birmingham cludes works by Schubert & Britten, Coventry Tues 20 June, Birmingham Conserva- Theatre THE UNDERDOGS Fri 23 Town Hall KIEFER SUTHERLAND toire June, Drummonds Bar, BRIEFCASE BLUES SOUL THE DREAMBOYS The UK's top male Wed 21 June, O2 Acad- BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE SYM- Worcester BROTHERS ‘THE ‘SOUL glamour show, Mon 19 June, Wolver- emy, Birmingham PHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring Michael THE SPACEHOPPERS Fri MEN’ Sat 24 June, Nail- hampton Grand Theatre DECLAN MCKENNA Wed Seal (conductor) & I-Hsuan Peng 23 June, Katie Fitzger- cote Hall, Warwickshire 21 June, The Assem- (piano). Programme includes works THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG Fawlty ald's, Stourbridge CARA DILLON Sat 24 bly, Leamington Spa by Chloe Knibbs, Mozart & Mahler, Fri Towers meets Noises Off in this YOLANDA BROWN Fri 23 June, Artrix, Broms- 23 June, Birmingham Town Hall award-winning West End comedy, CHRIS BOWDEN Wed 21 June, mac, B’ham grove Mon 19 - Sat 24 June, The REP, Birm- June, Blue Piano LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: SPACE WEST MIDLAND LIGHT ingham Restaurant And Bar, TOYAH WILLCOX Fri 23 SPECTACULAR - STAR WARS & BEYOND ORCHESTRA Sat 24 Birmingham June, Palace Theatre, Featuring Anthony Inglis (conductor), RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET Redditch June, Evesham Arts Fri 23 - Sun 25 June, Symphony Hall, Amateur production presented by WHITNEY Wed 21 June, Centre Birmingham South Staffordshire College, Tues 20 The Rainbow Venues, THE SMITHS LTD Fri 23 GINGER WILDHEART Sat CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- June, Lichfield Garrick Digbeth June, The River Rooms, Stourbridge 24 June, The Marr's CHESTRA: MOZART IDOMENEO Featuring BLUSH Award-winning new play by KING OF POP – THE LEG- Bar, Worcester Mirga Gra inyte-Tyla (conductor) & Charlotte Josephine about revenge END CONTINUES… STAR- IN2MINDS Fri 23 June, THE STONES Sat 24 Ben Johnsonź (Idomeneo), Sat 24 porn and its many victims, Tues 20 RING NAVI Michael The Roadhouse, B’ham June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham June, The Roadhouse, June, mac, Birmingham Jackson tribute, Thurs WHITE TYGER Fri 23 Birmingham BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR Featuring THE DEVIL IS IN MALVERN Robert 22 June, The Swan June, The Robin, Bil- Martin Rawles (organist) & Paul Spicer SEMANTICS, FOX Payne & Andrew Huntley perform ex- Theatre Worcester ston (conductor). Programme includes CHAPEL, TELL ME I’M tracts from The Screwtape Letters by MATRIX CLUB MATRIX works by Mouton, Domenique, Phinot, TRIPLE BILL OF BLUES PRETTY, BALABAN AND CS Lewis, Tues 20 June, Malvern Thurs 22 June, The Poulenc, Duruflé, Pierre Villette & Sat 24 June, Blue THE BALD ILLEAGLES Sat Theatre Jam House, B’ham Piano Restaurant And Fauré, Sat 24 June, St Philips Cathe- 24 June, The Sunflower THE LITTLE CREEPERS One-woman Bar, Birmingham dral, Birmingham SUE FEAR AND HER BAND Lounge, Birmingham show exploring the trials and tribula- UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK SYMPHONY Thurs 22 June, Katie COUNTING COINS, tions of a teenage schizophrenic in FAITH - THE GEORGE ORCHESTRA Programme includes MICHAEL LEGACY Sat 24 works by Mozart, Shostakovich & the 21st century, Tues 20 - Wed 21 - Sun 25 June, The Bernstein, Sun 25 June, Warwick Arts June, mac, Birmingham River Rooms, Stour- Centre, Coventry ROMEO & JULIET Oddsocks give a mu- bridge sical mods & rockers twist to the MONAGHAN BROTHERS greatest love story ever told, Tues 20 Sun 25 June, Irish Cen- - Thurs 22 June, Belgrade Theatre, tre, Birmingham Coventry OLLY MURS Sun 25 Comedy MY FAIR LADY Amateur staging by June, Worcestershire BMOS Musical Theatre Company, County Cricket Club TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 19 Tues 20 - Sat 24 June, New Alexan- dra Theatre, Birmingham SIMPLY DYLAN Sun 25 June, The Blue Orange Theatre, June, Kitchen Garden B’ham DUET FOR ONE Amateur production of Cafe, Birmingham RICH HALL Thurs 22 June, Palace Tom Kempinski’s deeply moving play, Tues 20 - Sat 24 June, Swan DARLINGSIDE Sun 25 Theatre, Redditch Theatre, Worcester June, Hare & Hounds, DANE BAPTISTE, STUART MITCHELL, THE Birmingham RAYMOND & MR TIMPKINS REVUE & STRICTLY MURDER Brian Capron (Coronation Street), Corrine Wicks SHOW ME THE BODY Sun COMIC TBC Fri 23 June, The Glee and Gary Turner (Emmerdale) star in 25 June, The Sunflower Club, Birmingham a disturbing tale of bluff and double Lounge, Birmingham ROB ROUSE, ALISTAIR WILLIAMS, GEOFF bluff, set in 1939 Province, Tues 20 - BOYZ & MARTIN MOR Fri 23 June, The Sat 24 June, Malvern Theatre Comedy Loft, Birmingham Olly Murs - Worcestershire County Cricket Club JASPER CARROTT STAND-UP AND ROCK

62 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 19 - 25 June.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 15:08 Page 2

Monday 19 - Sunday 25 June

Wed 21 - Fri 23 June, Malvern The- UNCLE BEN Comedy play about a sin- atre gle father with a dysfunctional family, AS YOU LIKE IT Shakespeare’s tale of doing all he can to keep them to- lovesick shepherds, gender-swap- gether, Fri 23 - Sat 24 June, The Old ping disguises, exiled dukes and Rep, Birmingham wrestling, presented in the great out- MR B THE GENTLEMAN RHYMER Mr B doors by Shakespeare In The Park, continues his ongoing quest to re- Wed 21 - Sat 24 June, Maple Hayes connect hip-hop with manners, Sat Hall Gardens, Lichfield 24 June, The Old Joint Stock The- ALL OR NOTHING: THE MOD MUSICAL atre, Birmingham The story of mod favourites The STUFF Cirque du Soleil’s lead clown, Small Faces, Thurs 22 - Sat 24 June, Sean Kempton, mixes comedy, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre mime, clowning and dance in an ab- THE RAMAYANA The Young Rep 18-25 surdist show about love, Sat 24 June, Company present an Indian tale of Lichfield Garrick gods, lovers, battles - and monkeys, KID CARPET’S SUPER MEGA ROCKIN’ Thurs 22 - Sat 24 June, The REP, ROCK SHOW Theatre show for children Birmingham featuring stories, games, songs and PHEDRA Birmingham School of Acting plenty of audience participation, Sat present Racine’s retelling of the clas- 24 June, mac, Birmingham sical French drama, Thurs 22 - Sat 24 OUR DAY OUT Amateur staging of Willy June, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham Russell’s poignant play, Sat 24 - Sun Jive Aces - Upton Upon Severn Jazz Festival, Worcestershire APPILY EVER AFTER Frantic Fox The- 25 June, The Rose Theatre, Kidder- atre present a debut show which minster SOOTY'S BIRTHDAY BAKE OFF Sooty, fuses original song and spoken word COMMUNICATING DOORS Alan Ayck- Dance Sweep and Soo bake a chocolate to explore themes of app-addiction, bourn’s fusion of farce, psycho- cake with a sprinkle of Cadbury disillusionment and sexual assault drama and sex comedies, Sat 24 magic, Sat 24 - Sun 25 June, Cad- BRB: THREE SHORT BALLETS Compris- within the gay community, Fri 23 June - Sat 1 July, Criterion Theatre, bury World, Bournville, Birmingham ing Le Baiser de la fee, Pineapple June, Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham Coventry Poll & Arcadia, Wed 21 - Sat 24 June, DINOSAURS IN THE WILD Travel back in MORGAN & WEST: PARLOUR TRICKS NEW YORK! NEW YORK! School of The- Birmingham Hippodrome time and experience what life was like ‘Jaw dropping, brain-bursting, gasp- 67 million years ago, surrounded by atre Excellence presents numbers FREEMAN DANCE SUMMER SHOW Fri 23 eliciting feats of magic’, Fri 23 June, living dinosaurs in the wild, Sat 24 from Broadway shows, Sun 25 June, - Sat 24 June, Belgrade Theatre, The Roses, Tewkesbury June - Thurs 24 Aug, NEC, B’ham The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Coventry A MIDSUMMER’S ROMAN FEAST Enjoy MAGIC Eloquent Dance Academy culinary delights and family entertain- present a 15th anniversary produc- ment inspired by the RSC’s Roman tion showcasing all genres of dance, season, Sun 25 June, Avonbank Gar- from ballet to musical theatre, Sun 25 dens, Stratford-upon-Avon Open air - Mon 26 June, Belgrade Theatre, Theatre Coventry

THE SECRET GARDEN Heartbreak Pro- ductions presents its version of the classic children’s tale, Wed 21 June, Events I'M SORRY I'LL READ THAT AGAIN... Stoneythorpe Estate, Southam, War- wickshire AGAIN! Performed on stage in classic FAMILY FUN WITH THE COURTYARD THE- AS YOU LIKE IT - SHAKESPEARE IN THE radio comedy style, with music and ATRE Games, theatre and family-fun PARK Outdoor staging of Shake- sound effects, Fri 23 June, Hunting- activities, Sat 24 June, Croft Castle, speare’s tale of lovesick shepherds, don Hall, Worcester nr Leominster THE REALLY BIG SHOW A century of gender-swapping disguises, exiled dukes and wrestling! Wed 21 - Sat 24 BACKSTAGE TOUR: FAMILY Discover the comedy, song and dance, with trib- rarely seen backstage areas of the utes to Morecambe & Wise, The Two June, Maple Hayes Hall Gardens, Lichfield theatre, as The REP invites you to be Ronnies and Victoria Wood, plus an audience member, set builder, THE SECRET GARDEN Heartbreak Pro- songs from the greatest West End prosthetics maker or even an assis- ductions presents its version of the shows, Fri 23 - Sat 24 June, Bed- tant stage manager, Sat 24 June, The classic children’s tale, Thurs 22 June, Festivals worth Civic Hall REP, Birmingham Park Street, Market Bosworth, War- TITUS ANDRONICUS Bloody and brutal ARMED FORCES DAY Featuring live mu- wickshire UPTON UPON SEVERN JAZZ FESTIVAL play in which the decay of Rome sical entertainment, action displays, THE TEMPEST Stafford Festival Shake- Fusing a range of jazz styles with a reaches violent depths, Fri 23 June - children's adventure activities and a speare present an outdoor staging of dash of mainstream/modern and Sat 2 Sept, Royal Shakespeare The- flypast, Sat 24 June, National Memo- The Bard’s final play. Stephen Beck- swing, traditional jazz and Dixieland atre, Stratford-upon-Avon rial Arboretum, Burton-on-Trent ett (Coronation Street), Richard Gib- foundations. Line up includes: Alan son (‘Allo ‘Allo), Zephryn Taitte & SPARK YOUNG WRITERS GROUP Barnes, Hotsy Totsy, Jive Aces & Dart Grace Carter, Thurs 22 June - Sat 8 Monthly group for young people in- Valley Stompers, Thurs 22 - Sun 25 July, Stafford Castle terested in poems, plays, editing and June, Upton-on-Severn, Worcester- writing dialogue, Sat 24 June, The THE COMEDY OF ERRORS Pinch-Punch shire Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon Theatre present Shakespeare’s com- FOODIES FESTIVAL The UK’s biggest edy of mistaken identlty, Sat 24 June, VINTAGE IN THE VILLAGE Featuring vin- food festival returns to Birmingham The Dell, Stratford-upon-Avon tage clothing, homeware, acces- with Great British Bake Off winner sories, and all sorts of bric-a-brac Candice Brown, Fri 23 - Sun 25 Jun, and collectables, Sat 24 - Sun 25 Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham June, Fargo Village, Coventry whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Warwickshire 26 - 30 June.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 15:15 Page 1

thelist Monday 26 - Friday 30 June LA CAGE AUX FOLLES John Partridge, Classical Music Adrian Zmed and Marti Webb star in a new touring production of the smash-hit musical, Tues 27 June - CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- Sat 1 July, Grand Theatre, Wolver- CHESTRA Featuring Peter Donohoe hampton (piano). Programme comprises Schu- mann’s Piano Concerto, 31’, Wed 28 EMMA Tim Luscombe’s stage adapta- June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham tion of Jane Austen’s witty tale of romance and mistaken intentions, Tues TOBY HUGHES IN CONCERT Programme 27 June - Sat 1 July, Malvern Theatre includes works by Hindemith, Derek Bourgeois, Dvorak, Schubert, THE ODD COUPLE Presented by Melt- Bottesini, Frank Proto & Schumann, ing Pot Theatre Company, Tues 27 Fri 30 June, Artrix, Bromsgrove June - Sat 1 July, Coach House The- atre, Malvern 0RCHESTRA OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTEN- MENT Featuring William Christie (con- THAT'S LIFE - THE SINATRA STORY Wed ductor). Programme includes works 28 June, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry by Campra, Fischer, Bach & Rameau, OCTOPUS Post-Brexit satire exploring Fri 30 June, Symphony Hall, B’ham how it feels to be treated like a for- eigner in your own land... and the power of punk, Wed 28 June, mac, Birmingham DIE FLEDERMAU S Welsh National Jack Lukeman - Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham Comedy Opera present a staging of Johan DEL CAMINO Thurs 29 Cheshire Strauss' popular opera, Wed 28 RICKY GERVAIS Tues 27 - Wed 28 June, The Jam House, June, Birmingham Hippodrome Gigs SOULED OUT 2 FUNK Fri June, Barclaycard Arena, B’ham Birmingham 30 June, Drummonds FROM RAGS TO RICHES Birmingham ROB ROUSE, PAUL THORNE & COMEDY THREE BLIND MICE Thurs Bar, Worcester Ormiston Academy presents an CHRISTINA MARTIN Mon CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON 29 June, Katie Fitzger- evening of singing, dancing and act- 26 June, Kitchen Gar- THAT'LL BE THE DAY Fri Thurs 29 June, The Glee Club, Birm- ald's, Stourbridge ing excerpts from stage and screen den Cafe, Birmingham 30 June, New Alexan- ingham musicals, Wed 28 - Thurs 29 June, JIMMY ALDRIDGE & SID dra Theatre, B’ham ANNIE KEATING TRIO AND ROB ROUSE, PAUL THORNE, RO CAMP- The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham GOLDSMITH Thurs 29 DANIELLE CAWDELL Tues CABBAGE Fri 30 June, BELL & GEORGE ZACH Fri 30 June, The June, Evesham Arts BEN & HOLLY’S LITTLE KINGDOM BAFTA 27 June, Kitchen Gar- O2 Institute, B’ham Glee Club, Birmingham Centre, Evesham Award-winning television animation, den Cafe, Birmingham PANIC ROOM Fri 30 MICKEY BARTLETT, ALLYSON JUNE live on stage, Wed 28 - Thurs 29 JACK LUKEMAN Thurs 29 THE ACOUSTIC SESSIONS June, The Marr's Bar, SMITH, JOHN LYNN & SIMON BLIGH Fri June, New Alexandra Theatre, B’ham June, Kitchen Garden Tues 27 June, The Jam Worcester 30 June, The Comedy Loft, B’ham Cafe, Birmingham DI AND VI AND ROSE Amelia Bullmore’s House, Birmingham THE COUNTERFEIT SEV- PIERRE HOLLINS, SEAN PERCIVAL & JOE play explores friendship’s impact on POPCAAN Fri 30 June, DR. DOG Tues 27 June, ENTIES Fri 30 June, ROWNTREE Fri 30 June, Jongleurs life and life’s impact on friendship, O2 Institute, B’ham The Rainbow Venues, Palace Theatre, Red- Comedy Club, Birmingham Wed 28 - Fri 30 June, The Old Joint Digbeth, Birmingham B'SPOKE Fri 30 June, ditch RAW COMEDY Fri 30 June, Evesham Stock Theatre, Birmingham The Jam House, B’ham CHRIS HOLMES MEAN DEFINITELY BRITPOP Fri Arts Centre THE WINTER’S TALE Second Thoughts MAN Tues 27 June, The THE KILKENNYS Fri 30 30 June, The Road- Drama Group reinvent Shake- Robin, Bilston June, The Core The- house, Birmingham speare’s late comedy, Wed 28 June - atre, Solihull Sat 1 July, The Bear Pitt Theatre, FLOGGING MOLLY Wed LIMEHOUSE LIZZY Fri 30 Stratford-upon-Avon 28 June, O2 Institute, DIAMOND – THE ULTI- June, The Robin, Bil- Birmingham MATE TRIBUTE Fri 30 ston Theatre FANNY - A NEW MUSICHALL A new play June, Huntingdon Hall, by Carolyn Scott Jeffs which tells the RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S KAST OFF KINKS Fri 30 Worcester funny and tragic story of her friend, RAINBOW Wed 28 June, June, The Roses The- OUR MAN IN HAVANA Based on Gra- Elsie, Thurs 29 - Fri 30 June, Lichfield Genting Arena, B’ham ELBOW Fri 30 June, De- atre, Tewkesbury ham Greene’s hilarious, subversive lamere Forest, and ever-popular novel, Mon 26 - Garrick CHRIS BOWDEN Wed 28 Wed 28 June, Lichfield Garrick COVENTRY PERFORMING ARTS - SUM- June, Blue Piano MER SHOWCASE 2017 Featuring city- Restaurant And Bar, ICONIC THE SHOW Steve Steinman’s wide ensembles run by Coventry Birmingham all-new show, celebrating the most iconic movie soundtracks of all time, Performing Arts and other organisa- SON OF TOWN HALL Wed Tues 27 June, Belgrade Theatre, tions, Thurs 29 June - Sat 1 July, Bel- 28 June, Kitchen Gar- Coventry grade Theatre, Coventry den Cafe, Birmingham MIRROR MIRROR Oily Cart present an ANIMAL FARM Warwick Lower School CHANTEL MCGREGOR interactive show for children on the Boys present George Orwell’s power- Wed 28 June, The autistic spectrum and their carers, ful allegory, Thurs 29 June - Sat 1 Robin, Bilston Tues 27 - Wed 28 June, Warwick Arts July, Bridge House Theatre, Warwick THE BOB DYLAN STORY Centre, Coventry THAT’LL BE THE DAY Classic hits from Thurs 29 June, Artrix, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY Preview per- the 1950s through to the ’80s, Fri 30 Worcester formance of the Crescent’s stage ver- June, New Alexandra Theatre, Birm- 70'S PUNK SPECIAL - THE sion of Jane Austen’s romantic novel, ingham LURKERS & THE VIBRA- Tues 27 - Thurs 29 June, Crescent THE SCARECROWS’ WEDDING Scamp TORS Thurs 29 June, Theatre, Birmingham Theatre present a heartwarming The Iron Road, B’ham MADAM BUTTERFLY Welsh National adaptation of Julia Donaldson & Axel TALON - THE BEST OF EA- Opera present a classic, traditional Scheffler’s bestselling book, Fri 30 GLES Thurs 29 June, staging of Puccini's powerful tale of June, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry The Core Theatre, Sol- betrayal, Tues 27 - Fri 30 June, Birm- hull Flogging Molly - O2 Institute, Birmingham ingham Hippodrome 64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 26 - 30 June.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 15:15 Page 2

Monday 26 - Friday 30 June

as they delve into the murky world of Dance two of history’s most infamous homi- cidal physicians, Fri 30 June, mac, Birmingham RHYTHM OF THE DANCE Featuring both traditional and current dance styles, Fri 30 June, Lichfield Garrick Film

INDEPENDENT LISTINGS:

JACKIE (15) Biography/Drama. Star- ring Natalie Portman, Peter Sars- gaard. Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 26 June 20TH CENTURY WOMEN (15) Comedy/Drama. Starring Annette Bening, Elle Fanning. Artrix, Broms- Iconic The Show grove, Mon 26 & Wed 28 June Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 27 June BRITAIN ON FILM: RURAL LIFE (U) Docu- Talks mentary. The Roses Theatre, Tewkes- Steve Steinman, the man behind the hugely successful Vampires bury, Mon 26 - Wed 28 June Rock stage shows, is the driving force behind this brand new pro- NERUDA (15) Biography/Crime. Star- GERMAINE GREER: WOMEN FOR LIFE ON duction. Set in the future, at a time when movie theatres have all ring Gael García Bernal, Luis EARTH Candid evening with the but disappeared, it focuses on the character of Benson, an usher Gnecco. Foreign language, subtitled. agenda-setting author, Thurs 29 who works in a last remaining cinema. As he does his level best The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues June, mac, Birmingham to entice viewers to attend the final screening of the evening, a 27 - Thurs 29 June DIAL MEDICINE FOR MURDER Join doc- AWAY (15) Drama. Starring Timothy cast of singers, dancers and musicians perform a ‘midnight med- tors Harry Brünjes and Andrew Johns ley’ of iconic pop and movie soundtracks. Spall, Juno Temple. The Roses The-

Welsh National Opera: Die Fledermaus Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 28 June Hippodrome favourite Welsh National Opera (WNO) is committed to producing shows which are highly accessible for its audience members, whether they be seasoned opera-goers or people at- tending a performance for the very first time. The life-affirming nonsense of the wonderfully frothy Die Fleder- maus offers the company the perfect opportunity to show the uninitiated just how entertaining a night at the opera can be. John Copley’s production - ‘as opulent as a Viennese chocolate cake’, according to WNO’s promotional material - comes complete with posh frocks, marvellous masks and plenty of warm comedy.

whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Warwickshire 26 - 30 June.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 15:15 Page 3

thelist Monday 26 - Friday 30 June atre, Tewkesbury, Wed 28 June IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD (12a) Events Animation/Drama. With the voices of Non, Megumi Han. Foreign language, DUNSTALL CASTLE OPEN DAY Climb the subtitled. Electric Cinema, Birming- steep staircase to the top of the tower ham, Wed 28 June to get views across the estate to the THE HANDMAIDEN (18) Drama/Mystery. Rotunda and surrounding country- Starring Min-hee Kim, Jung-woo Ha. side, Wed 28 June, Croome Park, Foreign language, subtitled. The Worcester Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Thurs 29 THE STITCHING, SEWING & HOBBYCRAFT June SHOW Fri 30 June - Sun 2 July, NEC, BABY DRIVER (15) Crime/Thriller. Star- Birmingham ring Ansel Elgort, Lily James. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Fri 30 June SING (U) Animation/Comedy. With the voices of Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon. Artrix, Broms- Festivals grove, Fri 30 June BARN ON THE FARM FESTIVAL Line up includes Tom Odell, James Vincent, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE Lucy Rose & Amber Run, Thurs 29 June - Sun 2 July, Over Farm, Released from Fri 30 June, showing Gloucestershire at selected cinemas NIBLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up in- A MAN CALLED OVE (tbc) cludes Discount Columbo, The Last- ALL EYEZ ON ME (tbc) ing days, Silent Disco King, Fri 30 Tom Odell - Barn On The Farm Festival, Gloucestershire June - Sat 1 July, North Nibley ALONE IN BERLIN (12a) speakers, alongside exceptional Apple Circus & Lubiana, Fri 30 June - ALSO FESTIVAL Also gives you the DESPICABLE ME 3 (tbc) food, comedy and music. Line up in- Sat 1 July, Park Farm, Compton Ver- chance to get up close and personal cludes Gabby Young, Eckoes, Mad ney, Warwickshire with the biggest ideas and brightest

66 whatsonlive.co.uk Birmingham Museums F/P.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 11:41 Page 1 Truckfest F/P June 2017.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2017 11:42 Page 1