Worcestershire Cover April 2020.qxp_Worcestershire Cover 23/03/2020 16:13 Page 1

Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands JOEL DOMMETT IN REDDITCH

WORCESTERSHIREWHAT’S ONAPRIL 2020 Worcestershire ISSUE 412 APRIL 2020 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On worcestershirewhatson.co.uk

PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP inside: thelist Your 16-page week by week listings guide

BARMY BRITAIN Horrible Histories comes to the Palace Theatre TWITTER:@WHATSONWORCS

GIRL POWER! fun and frivolity as new musical visits Malvern FACEBOOK:@WHATSONWORCESTERSHIRE

EASTER QUEST holiday fun for intrepid WORCESTERSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK adventurers at Witley Court BRB Nutcracker Full April 2020.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 15:42 Page 1 COVID Message.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:17 Page 2

WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP COVID-19 STATEMENT

The last few days have seen unprecedented measures being taken by the government in a bid to curtail the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Theatres, music venues, arts centres, museums, libraries, restaurants etc have all closed their doors to the general public for the time being. Different venues are projecting different time scales for the closures, with further announcements being made daily. Som e have announced that they’re hoping to re-open at the end of April. At the time of its publication, all information contained within our April issue was correct to the best of our knowledge. For the foreseeable future, we will use our social media channels to update our readers on further announcements, rescheduled dates and news of any forthcoming shows or events. This is an extremely difficult time f or everyone, including those working in the arts and event management, many of whom are self-employed. We’re all in this together, and once this is over we hope we can once again come together to support the fantastic arts & entertainment offer that we have here in the UK. In the meantime, physical and mental wellbeing takes top priority - so stay safe, be kind and keep your distance. Best wishes from the What’s On team x Homebuilding & Renovating Full April 20.qxp_Layout 1 24/03/2020 11:08 Page 1 Contents April WarwicksWorcs.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:52 Page 2

April 2020

Contents

The Lost Happy Endings - BalletLorent brings innovative family show to Coventry - page 31

The Croft Riotous party music I, Elizabeth the list

Gwen Taylor stars in brand new Holy Moly & The Crackers play Dyad Productions’ one-woman Your 16-page thriller coming to the Belgrade The Tin Music & Arts... show visits Warwick week-by-week listings guide feature page 8 page 13 page 28 page 43 inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 13. Gigs 20. Comedy 24. Theatre 32. Film 34. Visual Arts 37. Events

fb.com/whatsonwarwickshire fb.com/whatsonworcestershire @whatsonwarwicks @whatsonworcs Warwickshire What’s On Worcestershire What’s On Warwickshire What’s On Worcestershire What’s On

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 What’sOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Lauren Cole [email protected] 01743 281733 MEDIA GROUP Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Nanci Davies, Patsy Moss, Sue Jones 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.

          
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Entertainment news from around the region

New date for popular home design show The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show, which, along with vast numbers of other events, has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, has been rescheduled for July. Commenting on the news, Nick Noble, commercial & events director for the show’s organisers, Future plc, said: “We plan to hold the event in four months’ time when we believe the situation in the UK will be much clearer and we can continue to maximise the opportunities and investment made by all our exhibitors. We would like to thank everyone for their support at this time and will continue to update the market over the next few weeks.”

Sir Matthew Bourne’s sharing and supporting’. For more The legendary dance music stars, best known information and to purchase tickets, visit for their 1970s disco- erahits We Are Family, Nutcracker! back in Brum myticket.co.uk Lost In Music and He’s The Greatest Dancer, will perform at the festival when it takes place at Bromyard in Herefordshire from 23 to From Beethoven to Bowie 26 July. For more information about the The Stratford-upon-Avon-based Orchestra of event’s 2020 line-up, visit nozstock.com the Swan will mark the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth with a dedicated concert that places the composer’s work alongside that of David Bowie. Rebel Rebel examines the cultural relevance and far-reaching legacies of the two artists. The evening includes a new work entitled Star choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne is Ashes To Ashes, which sets a number of bringing hit ballet Nutcracker! to Bowie songs for chamber orchestra. For more Birmingham Hippodrotme year. nex information and to purchase tickets, visit Making a welcome return nine years after it orchestraoftheswan.org last toured, the show stops off in the second city from Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 February. Influenced by the lavish Hollywood musicals of the 1930s, Nutcracker! follows Clara’s bittersweet journey to the candy kingdom of Sweetieland and features Tchaikovsky’s Creative learning at critically acclaimed score. To book tickets, Coventry arts centre visit birminghamhippodrome.com Coventry’s Warwick Arts Centre is hosting school summer term creative-arts workshops for the whole family to enjoy. Military Wives hit the road Taking place ayson Saturd (and two days Following the success of the recently released during May half term), Creative Learning movie about them, the much-loved Military Space provides youngsters with the chance to Wives Choirs have announced they will be get involved with dance, drama, words & performing together in an eight-date concert ideas, music and visual arts. The season series in the autumn, beginning at Sister Sledge join the opens on Saturday 25 April with a Family Birmingham Town Hall (1 October). Dance Workshop inspired by BalletLorent’s Now with over 2,000 members, the Military line-up at Nozstock 2020 production, The Lost Happy Endings, which Wives Choirs is a charity that aims to bring Sister Sledge have been added to the line-up is showing at the venue that weekend. women in the military community closer for this year’s Nozstock The Hidden Valley For more information about the workshops, together through the practicinging,e of ‘s music festival. visit warwrtscentre.co.ukicka whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwickshire April.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2020 16:10 Page 2

First Word

Strictly champion in hit musical Former Strictly Come Dancing champion Kevin Clifton is to star in Baz Luhrmann’s smash-hit production of Strictly Ballroom The Musical when it visits Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday 10 to Saturday 15 May 2021. After seven years on the hit BBC TV series, Kevin recently announced his departure from the show and is now looking forward to treading the boards in Strictly Ballroom. “When I was 10 years old, I first watched the movie that would become my favourite film of all time,” says Kevin. “This is my dream role. Plus I get to work with Craig Revel Horwood again!” For more information, visit birminghamhippodrome.com Sheridan Smith to star as Cilla Black as hit musical returns Comic Con sets Bafta-winning TV star Sheridan Smith is to play s inger’s Swinging ’60s hits, including Anyone new June date the late Cilla Black when Cilla The Musical visits Who Had A Heart, Alfie, Step Inside Love and Birmingham’s The Alexandra in the autumn. Something Tells Me. The Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps The show stops off in Birmingham from Monday favourite first played the much-loved singer in a 2 to Saturday 7 November. Tickets can be 2014 television miniseries. Cilla The Musical purchased at atgtickets.com debuted in 2017 and comes complete with the

Solihull Stink A theatre company specialising in outdoor performances will MCM Comic Con Birmingham present a version of has been rescheduled due to David Walliams’ Mr the coronavirus outbreak. Stink at two Solihull The show will now take place locations this summer. at the NEC across the Although perhaps best weekend of 27 & 28 June. known for their A spokesperson for the event Shakespeare said: “To all our fans, your adaptations, Heartbreak tickets will be valid for the Productions present a There’ll be Singin’ In The Rain in Brum new MCM Comic Con wide range of shows. Chichester Festival Theatre’s Olivier Award-nominated production of Birmingham dates and no The family comedy will Singin’ In The Rain will be, er, storming into Birmingham further action is needed on be performed in Brueton Hippodrome next year (Tuesday 6 - Saturday 10 April 2021). your part. More information Park on 21 & 22 July, and The hit show has so far played to more than 750,000 people and on our guest line-up in June then at Packwood features classic songs including Make ’em Laugh, Good Morning, will be communicated as soon House on 5 August. Moses Supposes and, of course, the iconic title track itself. r more Fo as we have it.” information and to book tickets, visit birminghamhippodrome.com whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwickshire April.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2020 16:10 Page 3

First Word

Gareth Gates Footloose in Malvern! Pop Idol star Gareth Gates will head the cast of Footloose The Musical when the hit show tours to Malvern Theatres, from Monday 13 to Saturday 18 July. Commenting on taking the role of Willard in the show, Gareth said: “I was born in 1984, the year Footloose the movie was first released. I used to watch the film lots as a kid, not knowing that some years later I’d be playing the ‘cowboy who can’t dance’ on stages up and down the country. I’m a terrible dancer, so it’s pretty much a case of life imitating art!”

West Midland Safari Park begins work on new luxury lodges West Midland Safari Park is upgrading its animal Accommodation & Venues Director, Chris Kelly, facilities and building on-site accommodation. said: “Conservation is a t the forefront of our minds Eight luxury Safari Lodges will be integrated into when designing and building the lodges, so as part newly updated habitats for the venue’s African of this project, our net biodiversity gain will elephants and cheetahs, providing guests with up- increase by 30%, creating more habitats such as close & personal overnight wildlife experiences. woodlands and wildflower meadows, encouraging Commenting on the project, the Safari Park’s native wildlife.”

BBC antiques Boost for British Motor Museum show at Coventry A unique and record-breaking Triumph TR2 prototype sports car Cathedral has been acquired by the British Motor Museum with £250,000 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund. One of just three prototypes of the extremely successful 1953 Triumph TR2 model produced by the Standard Motor Company, the car is the only one known to have survived. In May 1953, during speed trials at Jabbeke in Belgium, the Triumph Oktoberfest back TR2 reached a speed of almost 125 miles per hour, setting a record at the racecourse for a two-litre road car at that particular time. The world famous Oktoberfest Long-running BBC TV series returns to Worcester Antiques Roadshow will be Racecourse on 31 October. filmed at Coventry Cathedral The Bavarian-style festival will and the adjacent University take place in one of Europe’s Square on 8 September. largest bier tents and feature a The event is free to attend - so to large selection of traditional see Fiona Bruce and other German foods, a line-up of presenters from the show, just authentic oompah bands from turn up on the day between around the world, and (of 9.30am and 5pm... Antiques course!) a mouthwatering Roadshow last visited the region selection of delightful in 2019, when it was filmed at beverages. Compton Verney Art Gallery & For more information, visit Park. OktoberfestWorcester.co.uk

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Dark and dangerous... Brand new thriller comes to Coventry

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The Croft stars Midlands-born Gwen Taylor, best remembered from 1980s sitcom Duty Free and, more recently, as Peggy Armstrong in the long-running ITV series, Heartbeat. What’s On recently caught up with Gwen to talk about a chilling new stage show coming to The Belgrade this month...

Two women arrive at a former crofter’s hut in harridans - I like playing ‘nice’ women as well places we remember from the past, and share the deserted village of Coillie Ghille. The - but it’s nice to play women who you can something very special. He becomes almost remote Scottish Highlands seems the perfect understand and sympathise with in terms of part of the company and gets on with place to get away from it all - until, that is, the why they are what they are. Maybe they everyone. At first I used to be a bit ashamed, two friends find themselves enveloped by The haven’t been treated so well in the past and punishing myself a little for not being able to Croft’s dark and dangerous history. Past and that’s made them the person they are today. I tour alone, but so many tell me that I’m such present collide as the tales of women from admire Enid a lot, which is what I love most a lucky cow to have my man with me! If he across The Croft’s timeline are unearthed. about The Croft. But also, when I met the didn’t come with me, I’d sometimes be away cast, I realised they’re to-die-for! We’re having for months at a time without coming home to “The play is based on a true story that caught such a great time because we all get on so him, which I’d find very difficult. I don’t want the attention of writer Ali Milles when she well. It’s quite a small cast; there’s only five of to sound like I’ve given up, but I don’t think I was on holiday in the Scottish Highlands,” us, but it’s really lovely. Two of the cast even can run for a train with two suitcases says Gwen Taylor, who stars in the show. “It’s play more than one character - up to three - anymore, which is what I used to do when I difficult to talk about the plot because I don’t and brilliantly too! I stick to just Enid, mainly was touring. After I’ve finished this tour, I’d want to give too much away. The most because she has so many layers of clothes on love to do something either based in London - important thing is The Croft itself, where so from the cold up there at The Croft, and she on screen or a play - or something that’s shot many historical things have happened. My also gets very, very grubby. I’m very grateful on location, like when I was in Heartbeat. It’s character, for example, is alive in 1875, at the that I don’t have to do all those quick costume always lovely to be able to stay somewhere for time of TB and clearances. I’m very much a changes!” a longer period of time for work. Touring is believer in the fact that some buildings do getting to be quite the challenge, as we have feel like something awful has happened in Gwen has her own theory about why the to be quite intrepid old people! I do get over them, and that the buildings themselves ‘thriller’ genre is so popular: “I think the tiredness quite quickly and want to get absorb that feeling. If you’re a sensitive soul everyone likes to be a little scared. I onto the next project, but at the time it feels you can often feel that past. The Croft is about remember when I was young always dying to quite difficult. I’m quite a tough old bird, how the influence of my character, Enid - and go and see the scary films I wasn’t supposed really!” what happened to her - carries through the to see. I wouldn’t quite say The Croft scares decades and into the present day. you, but it’s certainly intriguing and Gwen’s long career hasn’t been without its worrying. It certainly is a thriller, though, rich rewards. “The important thing is that it’s a story about because of what happens. I think in some women. Enid is a bit of a trailblazer. A “I don’t think I can pick one particular career ways thrillers are a bit of catharsis: you get rid woman who’s getting on a bit, being highlight. Duty Free was probably the most of and express some of your own fears by independent and living on her own in her day successful and managed incredible ratings for going through that experience alongside the meant that she was seen as a witch by its time. That was probably the highlight of characters. Obviously I’m not a psychologist everyone else. She also takes in a young girl my comedy career. Then I did one of my so I could be talking total rubbish! I must say who’s become pregnant and been thrown out husband’s plays, called Love, which was I do prefer psychological thrillers to the ones by her parents. All these things mount up, so wonderful. I liked Heartbeat too, because of that jump out at you. Those ones that could that the rest of the village hate her. So a lot of the location and because I got to play happen to anybody, even in the house next Enid’s time in the play is spent trying to assert someone a little naughty, which was fun. I door, with ordinary people, are the stories herself as an actual person. The story that also met my darling friend Peter Benson on that really get to people. Ghosties and plays out in Enid’s time is then what Heartbeat. He’s since passed away, but my monsters just don’t have that same effect. The reverberates through the rest of history to husband and I still think about him quite a Croft is all about understanding the minds of other female characters. lot. He’d love The Croft! He used to these different women; how they’re affected recommend plays to me all the time, and I “I think female characters, thank god, are in by, and how they respond to, the things that know he’d love this one.” ascendence in the theatre. There are some happened there.” great characters about for strong women to As will Midlands theatre-goers, adds Gwen: Despite having recently celebrated her 81st play, and I’m so glad to be around to play “Come along and you’ll see that it’s a brilliant birthday, Gwen remains active on both stage Enid. She’s honestly wonderful. She doesn’t set, a great cast, and that you’ll be intrigued, and screen: “I couldn’t do it if I didn’t have take any prisoners, she’s her own woman and moved and taken aback. The Croft definitely the best husband in the world. He still loves doesn’t take kindly to people going against offers something a little different.” driving and looks after me on tour. Touring is her. And that’s putting it mildly! one of the most exhausting things you can do “The Croft is a wonderful story about what - whatever age you are. Of course, I would find a way anyway because I love continuing women might have to give up in order to be The Croft shows at the Belgrade Theatre, to work, but it’s made much easier for me by themselves. I’ve played a number of roles Coventry, from Wednesday 15 to Saturday my darling husband, Graham. It’s a pleasure within that theme over the years and it always 18 April. satisfies me. I don’t always want to play because we get to visit loads of new places, or

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Food

cheddar cheese, fresh leeks and including a delicious line in a hint of English mustard. The locally sourced cheeses, as well Devon crab and avocado toast as the ever-popular chocolate with gruyere crouton was, brownie served with vanilla ice likewise, not only exceptionally cream, Baileys crème brulee and fresh but surprisingly light, - in homage to homegrown, despite the generous portion seasonal, British produce - size. By far my favourite of the rhubarb & ginger trifle served three, however, was the air-dried with fresh cream and custard. British beef served with Add to this a popular Sunday watercress, parmesan shavings menu featuring a choice of meat and truffle oil - a masterclass in and vegetarian roasts, all-day quality. Fizz Friday promotions on For a taste of the East, my Prosecco, and a regular partner’s choice of the spicy Thai programme of special events to seafood broth special was enjoy with friends and family, REVIEW: The Hatton Arms somewhat lacking in punch but a and you have the perfect excuse Innovation and tradition combine at the great choice for the calorie- to escape to the country. conscious. And for those seeking Since closing its doors to the newly refurbished roadside revelation a classic starter executed to public in January to undergo an perfection, you can’t go wrong extensive refurbishment project, Part of the historic Hatton Estate, with character and packed out with the chicken liver pate with this popular 18th-century free this proudly independent with expectant diners - a brief plum chutney and toasted house turned 21st-century pub restaurant & pub is situated on glance at the menu revealed an sourdough. has been the hot topic on the lips the Birmingham Road and boasts equally detailed and loving Channelling my historic of Warwickshire foodies. Newly magnificent views of the approach to locally sourced surround ings, the prospect of a open for business, complete with surrounding Warwickshire ingredients, from the a ward- main course of grilled stylish exterior porch extension countryside and Grand Union winning Oxfordshire beef to the Wellesbourne venison haunch and outdoor terrace area, a full Canal. freshly made artisan bread was just too good to resist. refresh of its interior décor, Illuminated like a beacon delivered from nearby Stratford- Served ‘field to fork’ on a bed of updated menu and newly beckoning you off the nearby upon-Avon each morning. root vegetable dauphinoise with extended dining hours, the ‘new highway, a sense of history Seasonal specials included fresh tender-stem broccoli, and improved’ Hatton Arms is, in pervades as you step across the grilled south coast mackerel beetroot jam and game jus, the every way, worth the hype. served with beetroot & threshold, passing beneath the venison was cooked to absolute Marrying old and new, style and horseradish crème fraiche, pan- centuries-old crest into the warm perfection. Its rich, earthy substance, innovation and roasted sea trout fillet served embrace of the cosy bar. Eclectic flavour was complemented tradition, this roadside with spinach and samphire yet in every way in-keeping with beautifully by the sweetness of revelation has remained true to risotto, crispy ham and lobster the pub’s 180-year history, low- the beetroot jam and subtle fruit its hist oric roots whilst also butter sauce, and - my personal hanging oak beams, stunning flavours of the game-jus. The moving with the times to deliver favourite - duo of spring lamb inglenook fire places, intimate bro ccoli, too, was perfectly its own wholly unique take on served with buttered maris piper wood-panelled corner booths executed, and cooked just the seasonal produce, sourced potatoes, onion puree, crushed and original stonework marry right side of picante: a fantastic locally where possible and peas, red wine jus and salsa effortlessly with quirky example of great seasonal served up with an extra helping verde. For lovers of a ‘pub contemporary flourishes produce cooked with care and of traditional Warwickshire classic’, there was no shortage of including signature lampshades precision. hospitality. appetising options, from tried- of varying designs, nautical- My partner’s choice of pan-fried and-tested favourites such as Katherine Ewings themed statement walls sea bass fillets served with channelling The Hatton’s ‘bangers & mash’ and Bombay potatoes, cucumber Food: nnnnn canalside heritage, accent ‘handmade pie’ to chargrilled raita, Indian salad and curry oil Service: nnnnn cushions in burnished orange & ‘chuck steak’ burgers and 28-day was not only a refreshing Ambience: nnnnn turquoise and an intriguing line dry-aged Oxfordshire beef steaks. addition to the menu but a Overall value nnnnn in cultural curiosities, from up- Surveying our options, a taster fantastic example of The Hatton OVERALL nnnnn cycled boating oars to plate of starters arrived. Arms’ creative yet considered 18th-century coach wheels. A Deliciously moreish and much approach to great f lavour The Hatton Arms feast for the eyes in every sense! too good to share, highlights combinations. Birmingham Rd included the leeky Welsh rarebit Warwick Entering the newly refurbished A brief glance over the dessert served on sourdough bread, a CV35 7JJ restaurant area - a beautifully menu revealed plenty to tempt melt-in-the-mouth marriage of Tel: 01926 492427 light, bright space brimming us back for a second sitting,

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Gigs

John Adams Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 24 April With a tone to match Sam Smith and James Blunt, singer-songwriter and busker John Adams draws influences from the likes of James Morrison, Damien Rice and David Gray. Hailing from Aberdare in the South Wales valleys, John’s acoustic approach and atmospheric piano accompaniment complement a unique and impressive vocal ability. His hard work and impressive live performance s have seen him build a strong fanbase of 50,000 online followers. With a steady 500,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, he’s also racked up more than six million views on YouTube.

Levellers The Land, was a huge success, entering the charts at number 14 and eventually going The Empire, Coventry, Thurs 30 April platinum. Mark Chadwick and Jeremy Cunningham Best known for singles What A Beautiful met in The Eagle pub in Brighton in 1988. Day, One Way, Liberty Song and 15 Years, the Based on a mutual interest in left-wing band visit Coventry this month as part of Holy Moly & politics, they decided to form The Levellers. their current UK tour. The Crackers The folk punk group’s 1991 album, Levelling The Tin Music & Arts, Coventry, Sun 26 April Hailed for their making of ‘riotous party Leveret Lloyd Cole music for the masses’, Holy Moly & The Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Sun 19 April The Assembly, Leamington Spa, Tues 21 April Crackers are an ever-evolving folk-alt-rock band from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Leveret is a unique collaboration between One-time lead singer of Lloyd Cole And The Their new album, Take A Bite, combines three of England's finest folk musicians - Commotions, with whom he released three rock’n’soul with pop-song craft, sharp indie- Andy Cutting (button accordion), Sam albums in the 1980s, English singer- rock, vulnerable balladeering and Sweeney (fiddle) and Rob Harbron songwriter Lloyd has also enjoyed plenty of psychedelic trips towards the Middle East. (concertina). Producing music firmly rooted solo success. His self-titled debut album Notable festival performances include in the English tradition but still sounding reached number 11, with follow-up offering Glastonbury, Boomtown Fair, Bearded Theory fresh and new, the trio have built a strong Don’t Get Weird On Me Babe charting at and Beautiful Days. reputation as exceptional tunesmiths and number 21. captivating performers. The Rheingans Sisters Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Mon 27 April The Rheingans Sisters have been described as ‘a truly unique and unmissable act on the folk and world music stage’. And it’s easy to see why. With their adventurous use of fiddles, voices, banjo, bansitar, tambourin à cordes, spoken word, dancing feet and percussion, they have developed a rich artistic approach to the deconstruction and reimagining of traditional music. whatsonlive.co.uk Classical April Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 14:08 Page 1

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Classical

CBSO: Osmo Vänskä Malvern Theatres, Fri 24 April Highly regarded Finnish conductor Osmo Vanska (pictured) picks up the baton for this City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra away-day in Malvern. He and the CBSO are joined for the evening by the breathtakingly talented Ning Feng, who will be performing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. The concert programme also includes Beethoven’s Romance No2 and two works by Jea n Sibelius. The first sees the composer retelling the ancient Finnish legend of Pohjola’s Daughter. The second (and bringing the concert to a close) is his monumental seventh symphony - a powerful work which perfectly illustrates why Sibelius said of himself: “Other London Concertante: composers mix colourful cocktails. I serve The Four Seasons By Candlelight pure, cool water.” Coventry Cathedral, Sat 4 April Vivaldi’s classic work, presented by country, playing in excess of 100 concerts candlelight in Coventry’s magnificent per year. Their Coventry gig also sees them cathedral... can there be a more enjoyable performing compositions by Telemann and way to kickstart the Easter period? Bach, as well as another work by Vivaldi - London Concertante chamber orchestra is his Concerto for 2 Violins in A minor. the busiest ensemble of its kind in the

Stratford-upon-Avon Siberian Symphony Ex Cathedra: Symphony Orchestra Orchestra St John Passion Stratford Play House, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 22 April Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 10 April Sun 5 April One of the world’s most geographically Founded more than half a century ago, the remote orchestras here makes a rare stop- A favourite at Eastertide, Bach’s moving Stratford-upon-Avon Symphony Orchestra off in the west to present three exceptional retelling of Christ’s betrayal and death is present programmes of tuneful music from pieces of music. one of classical music’s most profound the 17th through to the 20th century. The programme begins with Rimsky- experiences. Sung in German with English Their programme for this Easter concert Korsakov’s colourful Russian Easter surtitles, St John Passion is here comprises Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture... The orchestra then joins Freddy performed by the Ex Cathedra Choir under Overture, Weber’s Bassoon Concerto and Kempf as he plays Rachmaninov’s Piano the direction of its founder and conductor, Beethoven’s sixth symphony. Concerto No3, a piece often described as Jeffrey Skidmore (pictured). The orchestra is also holding a ‘come & play ‘the Everest of piano concertos’. day’ early next month (3 May), for The concert finishes with a performance of musicians who fancy getting involved with Tchaikovsky’s autobiographical fourth a play-through of Mussorgsky’s Pictures At symphony, a no-holds-barred work of An Exhibition. music written in the aftermath of his disastrous marriage. Tchaikovsky’s notes on the symphony reflect the mood in which he found himself as he composed the piece. “All life is an unbroken alternation of hard reality with swiftly passing dreams and visions of happiness,” he wrote gloomily. “No haven exists... Drift upon that sea until it engulfs and submerges you in its depths.”

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Lauren Cole

Europeana, Peer Gynt and Blindness And photography and travelling around Europe to over director Barbara Frey - one of the best Seeing are the three productions central to meet all the artists and writers in their place of directors working in Europe today. She’s never Projekt Europa - a season of work at the RSC in residence. The portraits and interviews that done anything in the UK before, which was Stratford-upon-Avon which explores, come from that are all a bid to bring the also something very important to us when celebrates and interrogates our relationship individuals behind everything in Projekt putting together the Projekt Europa season. We with Europe both before and after Brexit. Europa closer to the audience, making the want to present work that’s going to be entirely season more personal than it otherwise would unique to Stratford, that you can only see here “We first started talking about Projekt Europa be.” this year, rather than it already having toured just after the UK’s referendum on EU the festivals of Europe or been to the Barbican membership,” explains RSC Associate Artist Maria has also co-adapted and directed or elsewhere. We very purposefully looked for and co-curator of Projekt Europa, Maria Åberg. Europeana, which opens the Projekt Europa people who might not necessarily be familiar “So, of course, we were wondering what our season. This stage adaptation of the satirical to a UK audience and whose work we thought response to this could be and what arena for novel collides Barbie dolls with dictators and would resonate. Barbara is also a trained debate we could create at the RSC. We decided fleeting human moments with epic events. musician, so her approach to Peer Gynt is also really early on that we wanted this season to “Europeana is a really slim novel - about 120 from a very musical perspective. be a celebration of the diverse multitude of pages - and it calls itself a complete history of talent and approaches to making theatre in “Blindness And Seeing is also a very the 20th century, which in itself is a Europe - and in a way that looked into the interesting proposal for the season because provocation because it’s kind of impossible to future, rather than dwelling on any single Tiago Rodrigues, who’s the artistic director of summarise everything that happened in those political issue from the referendum. The RSC is the National Theatre in Lisbon, comes from the hundred years. It’s a really interesting piece of positioned both geographically and culturally background of being both an actor and a writing in that it isn't chronological and has a to tackle these issues. We have a responsibility playwright. He works very closely with the very interesting tone. It deals with ideas of and a unique opportunity to really put current actors in developing the material and then, of memory - how we remember and what we issues out onto the floor for discussion. After course, directs it himself also. As a Portuguese choose to forget - and how that relates to who all, Europe is a home of mythological ideas, artist, he has the work of José Saramago in his we are as a continent. It’s a book that doesn’t folk tales, originating stories and literature DNA, so it’s a wonderful opportunity for him to have any characters or necessarily any scenes. that are the soil of most of Shakespeare’s plays. explore that material and also for us to present So as a challenge to a theatre-maker, The RSC seems a very logical place to present it to a UK audience.” Europeana is definitely extreme and that’s part this season.” of the reason I wanted to do it. It’s a proper Projekt Europa audiences are surely in for a Aside from the three main productions typical race through the century, and the game we are treat... of an RSC season, Projekt Europa has even trying to play is to reconstruct everything that “I hope that people will be inspired by Projekt more to offer… happened in the 20th century in less than two Europa and that it really will spark debate. I hours. It’s delicious! It’s the perfect bit of “Originally, Projekt Europa was only supposed say that not in a flippant way, but that it’s material to start the season with because it to be the three theatre productions being genuinely important that we keep engaging completely embodies so many of the things we staged in the Swan, which is the standard with the idea of Europe on a fundamental level want to explore, both thematically and in programming for a season at the RSC. I felt - with the themes, shared history and theatrical approach. A lot of European theatre that it was limiting us, in the sense that one of individuals that make up the whole continent. places a lot of weight on the dramaturg, which the things I was really desperate to include in Regardless of whether we’re in the EU or not, we don’t usually do here in the same way that the project was this kaleidoscopic multitude of we are, by definition, still Europeans. The somewhere in Germany would. It’s a whole perspectives, voices and nationalities on offer legacy of Europe is the legacy of the UK - not different way of working from the actors than across Europe. So we commissioned writers to exclusively, obviously, but it’s something we might be used to, too!” write monologues for Voices From The Edges shared that doesn’t go away or change because Of Europe. These are inspired by questions The other main Projekt Europa productions of the EU. Our intention isn’t to force any kind around Europe and its future. In addition to also resonate strongly today, Maria believes: of political idea on anyone who comes to the that, we’re doing a big project with the RSC’s Peer Gynt is a new 21st century staging of theatre; we just want to enlighten, entertain Next Generation ACT, which is a company of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s epic and provoke. I just hope people take away a young people auditioned from areas of cultural European myth; Blindness And Seeing is continued and renewed engagement with deprivation around the country. Over the based on the Nobel Prize-winning novels by Europe.” course of a year, they work together to create a José Saramago. performance. This year they’re working with “Peer Gynt feels a little more contemporary Swedish director Mattias Andersson, who’s than Europeana, dealing with our shared also the artistic director of Dramaten in European history. It deals with our present Projekt Europa at the Swan Theatre opens Sweden, to create a new piece of work inspired condition: individualism and the effect of with Europeana on Thursday 9 April, by Boccaccio’s Decamerone but based on their capitalism. That makes it all sound very continuing until Saturday 25 July. own stories. theoretical, but it’s also a very lyrical play Peer Gynt shows at the venue from Friday 1 “We’ve commissioned a fine arts photographer about a man and his quest for understanding May to Wednesday 23 September, and with a particular interest in European history who he is. What’s fantastic about Peer Gynt, Blindness And Seeing from Saturday 1 to work on the whole season, who is doing aside from the material itself that will be August to Saturday 26 September. both the standard production and rehearsal familiar to some people, is that we’ve brought whatsonlive.co.uk Readers' Awards 2020 Warwicks/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2020 16:08 Page 1

Readers’ What’sOn Awards WINNERS announced... With over 68,000 votes cast in the What’s OnReaders’ Awards 2020, we are delighted to announce your winners...

Best Midlands Large Theatre Best Amateur Production Best Orchestra/Choir WINNER The Sound Of Music - Get Your WINNER Birmingham Philharmonic Wigle On Orchestra RUNNER-UP Shrek The Musical - RUNNER-UP CBSO Coventry Musical Theatre Best Dance Production Best Kids Show WINNER Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker RUNNER-UP Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Beauty And The Beast Best Midlands Arts/ Cultural Festival

WINNER Birmingham Hippodrome RUNNER-UP Wolverhampton Grand Best Touring Musical WINNER Les Misérables RUNNER-UP The Rocky Horror Show WINNER Birmingham Stage Company’s Horrible Histories - touring Best Touring Play RUNNER-UP The Tiger Who Came To WINNER The Girl On The Train Tea - touring RUNNER-UP An Inspector Calls Best Classical Production Best Home-Produced Show inc Opera WINNER Birmingham Comedy Festival In The Midlands RUNNER-UP Shrewsbury International WINNER The Boy In The Dress - RSC Comedy Festival RUNNER-UP The Snow Queen - The Old Best Exhibition Rep, Birmingham WINNER Natural History Museum’s Best Pantomime Wildlife Photographer of the Year - In The Midlands 2019/20 Herbert Art Gallery & Museum and WINNER Snow White - Wolverhampton Museum & Art Gallery Birmingham Hippodrome RUNNER-UP Leonardo da Vinci: A Life RUNNER-UP Aladdin - Theatre Severn In Drawing - Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Best Pantomime Dame In The Midlands 2019/20 Best Midlands Live Music Venue WINNER Birmingham Philharmonic WINNER Symphony Hall, Birmingham WINNER Andrew Ryan in Snow White at Orchestra: Movie Music RUNNER-UP O2 Academy, Birmingham Birmingham Hippodrome RUNNER-UP Royal Philharmonic RUNNER-UP Brad Fitt in Aladdin at Orchestra: The Planets Theatre Severn

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Readers’ Awards

Best Midlands Music Festival Best Midlands Street Food Vendor Best Market in the Midlands WINNER Urban Cheesecake WINNER The Market Hall, Shrewsbury RUNNER-UP Dick’s Smokehouse RUNNER-UP Bullring Indoor Market, Birmingham Best Midlands Comedy Night WINNER Comedy Carousel at The Glee Club, Birmingham RUNNER-UP Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Best Midlands Food Festival WINNER Shrewsbury Food Festival WINNER Shrewsbury Folk Festival RUNNER-UP Ludlow Food Festival RUNNER-UP Birmingham Pride and the winners in your region... Warwickshire Best Festival Best Visitor Attraction WINNER Godiva Festival WINNER Severn Valley Railway Best Arts/Theatre Venue RUNNER-UP Leamington Food & Drink RUNNER-UP West Midland Safari Park Festival Best Event Best Food Festival/Event WINNER Coventry Food & Drink Festival RUNNER-UP Digbeth Dining Club at Coventry Cathedral Best Independent Restaurant

WINNER Belgrade Theatre, Coventry RUNNER-UP Royal Shakespeare Theatre, WINNER Worcester Festival Stratford-upon-Avon RUNNER-UP Worcester Food Festival Best Live Music Venue Best Music Festival WINNER Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry RUNNER-UP The Empire, Coventry WINNER Worcester Music Festival WINNER Café Vin Cinq, Rugby RUNNER-UP Bromsgrove Folk Festival Best Visitor Attraction RUNNER-UP My Dhabba, Coventry Best Independent Restaurant WINNER Warwick Castle RUNNER-UP Coventry Transport Museum WINNER The Olive Branch Mediterranean Worcestershire Bistro & Wine Bar, Worcester Best Event Best Arts/Theatre Venue RUNNER-UP The Old Rectifying House, WINNER The Dragon Slayer at Warwick Worcester Castle WINNER Artrix, Bromsgrove The Swan Theatre, Worcester RUNNER-UP HSBC Let’s Ride Coventry RUNNER-UP Best Gallery/Exhibition Venue Best Live Music Venue WINNER Huntingdon Hall, Worcester WINNER Herbert Art Gallery & Museum RUNNER-UP The Queen’s Head, RUNNER-UP Coventry Music Museum Bromsgrove You can find a full list of winners at whatsonlive.co.uk

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Comedy April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 12:13 Page 1

Comedy previews from around the region

Jack Barry Birmingham Rep, Sat 25 April Having previously provided tour support for James Acaster and Joe Lycett, Jack Barry here steps out on his own for a show that sees him addressing the fact that he doesn’t think you’ve been laughing enough. No surprise there, says Jack, what with the world having turned to s***. Jack’s show is called Alien - by which he means the immigrant kind - and being a pot- smo king old hippie at heart, he’d be happy to do away with borders altogether. His timely message about acceptance will no doubt resonate with many in The Rep’s audience, his line in humour with even more.

Joel Dommett Palace Theatre, Redditch, Wed 8 April; William Aston Hall, Wrexham, Sat 18 April; Tom Rosenthal Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 19 April; Evesham Arts Centre, Sat 2 May; Stafford Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Mon 6 April; Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Wed 8 April Gatehouse Theatre, Thurs 28 May An Edinburgh Fringe hit last summer, Tom many cultures, he acknowledges, but then “I absolutely love performing in small, Rosenthal’s Manhood (the show, that is, not so was witch-burning and slavery. intimate spaces,” says The Masked Singer his penis) provides opportunities enough to Sports fans in the audience may be presenter Joel Dommett, a man who was enjoy a chuckle - providing you’re okay interested to know that Tom is the son of once the face of MTV - until he was sacked with the subject of circumcision and eynjo television presenter Jim Rosenthal, one of at the age of 27 for being ‘too old’. “I’d far a good dick joke or several. the broadcasters on whom Steve Coogan’s rather do a small gig in front of 50 people, Plebs and Friday Night Dinner star Tom was Alan Partrid ge character was originally but be doing new stuff, than do old stuff in circumcised as an infant and clearly isn’t based. front of 5,000 people.” happy about it. Sure, it’s a tradition in Joel is extremely committed to the business of keeping his act fresh. “I’m working on material pretty much all the time,” explains the one-time Justin Bieber warm-up act. “In John Shuttleworth Andrew Maxwell fact, I try to put in something new every Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Sat 18 April; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 30 April; time I go on stage. If there’s something new Stratford Playhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon, The Old Rep, Fri 22 May in there , it brightens up the whole set and Fri 24 April; New Vic Theatre, Newcastle- under-Lyme, Sat 25 April Dublin-born funnyman and I’m A gives it more energy and excitement.” Celebrity star Andrew Maxwell has Midlands-based lovers of light comedy here garnered a reputation for writing quality get the chance to enjoy another laughter- material at breakneck speed, to ensure filled evening in the company of Sheffield’s he’s always across the most topical and raconteur par excellence. talked-about issues. The creation of actor Graham Fellows - a “I’ll re-use material as long as it’s still one-time chartbuster with 1970s’ hit, Jilted relevant,” says Andrew, “but you have to John - Shuttleworth has been making his keep challenging yourself.” presence felt on the UK comedy circuit for And Andrew certainly does that. Previous more than 30 years. gigs have included a maximum security This latest show finds John a pale shadow prison in Dublin, the UDA on Shankill of his former self. Years of strenuous DIY - Road, the IRA on the Falls Road, and an not to mention playing his organ while illegal gay rave in the Middle East. perched on a multi-pack of Diet Sprite with “If my first reaction to the prospect of no lumber support - has taken its to ll... doing a show is one of raw terror, I know Expect classic songs, new stories, and the I’m on the right path. I’m always open to a unmistakably pungent whiff of Deep Heat new experience, however scary!” ointment... whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 12:13 Page 2

Comedy

Seann Walsh Rose Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 3 April; Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 24 April Seann Walsh is such a popular comic he could even give Real Madrid a run for their money when it comes to the acquisition of silverware. An award-winning star of television shows such as Mock The Week, the somewhat dishevelled comedian has been likened to the legendary Billy Connolly in terms of his gift for storytelling (although others have labelled him the new Dylan Moran, so take your pick). His jokes aren’t bad either, with two examples being as follows: “I don't understand swimming. You don't see fish going for a walk,” and “Are city-centre beat officers police who rap?”

Sukh Ojla The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Sat 25 April; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Sat 9 May; The Glee Club, Birmingham, Thurs 25 June

Chris Ramsey Dudley Town Hall, Fri 3 April; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 4 April; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Sun 5 April; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Fri 17 April; Dudley Town Hall, Sat 17 October; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 22 November As well as being a highly rated stand-up, Winter, co-host Sh*gged. Married. Annoyed. Geordie boy Chris has developed an Chris’ gags include: “My venue for the impressive telly career, appearing on shows Edinburgh Festival is a por tacabin; it's including 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Strictly Come literally a portacabin! I'm a Geordie, in a Dancing (reaching the semi-finals in 2019). portacabin. I was going to call the show Auf He’s scored a big hit in the podcast world, Wiedersehen Pet Live.” too; he and his wife, singer & actress Rosie

“Life Sukhs is about moving back in with Rhod Gilbert your parents at a time when all your mates Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Sat 4 April; are buying houses and having babies," Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 6 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Sat 6 June; William Aston Hall, Wrexham, explains Sukh Olja, in talking about her Fri 19 June currently touring show. "It's about finding Welsh funnyman Rhod Gilbert has acquired a huge yourself crying into a cheese & onion pasty and still-growing following thanks to a high-energy at Rochester train station on a Tuesday brand of grumpiness that marks him out as one of the afternoon, living a double life, mental top comedians of his generation. health and identity. In short, it’s a searingly With several sell-out UK tours to his name, the multi- honest look at what happens when life award winner is this month returning to the Midlands doesn’t go to plan.” with brand new show The Book Of John - seven long An actor whose CV includes Judi Dench years after he last went on tour. movie Victoria And Abdul, dystopian TV Rhod’s best-loved gags include: “In the Bible, God series Black Mirror and BBC soap opera made it rain for 40 days and 40 nights. That’s a pretty EastEnders, Sukh is comparatively new to good summer for Wales,” and “A spa hotel? It’s like a stand-up, presenting her first full-length normal hotel, only in reception there’s a picture of a show at the Edinburgh Fringe last summer. pebble.” whatsonlive.co.uk Message In A Bottle.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:49 Page 1

a message of hope

whatsonlive.co.uk Message In A Bottle.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:49 Page 2

Lauren Cole

Message In A Bottle is a new dance-theatre storytelling spectacular about refugees, humanity and hope. The production takes to the stage in Birmingham this month...

Determined and daring, three siblings parted He has worked as a creative and choreographer feeling the audience’s energy back from you is by violence step out on their own on The X-Factor, The Voice and Strictly Come an incredible feeling. extraordinary adventures... Dancing, and with artists including Taylor “I’m the director of my own company - Swift and Celine Dion. Directed and choreographed by triple Olivier UnTitled Dance - and have self-produced three Award nominee and Birmingham Hippodrome “In Message In A Bottle, I play the eldest shows of my own, but to have worked in the Associate Kate Prince, Message In A Bottle has brother. You get to see his attempts to find his West End is such a dream. Hopefully, with the been astounding audiences in the West End. version of family love after his own family is knowledge I’ve gained and the experience of The piece is inspired by the iconic hits of 17- divided. Then, as associate choreographer, I working with people like Kate, Sadler’s Wells time Grammy Award-winning artist Sting. worked with Kate on creating the dance. It’s a and Universal Music UK, doors will be opened wonderful hybrid of breaking and hip-hop for me to produce my own work on a larger “The production follows a family in a village as styles, as well as contemporary. Kate has a scale. I’m a creative first and foremost - that’s they’re displaced due to war,” explains massive background in hip-hop styles, but not what I love doing.” associate choreographer and star of the show necessarily contemporary, so I came in to make Lukas McFarlane. “It specifically focuses on Message In A Bottle will tug on your a contribution with that. I’ve helped Kate three siblings in the family and their unique heartstrings, says Lukas: “The biggest thing create this story through that hybrid journeys and experiences of being refugees. It we’ve tried to get across in the show is that movement. documents their attempts to find family, love hope and love prevail over everything else. and hope again in a new home.” “Working with her has been a gift - and that’s While it’s a really emotional story, we hope the putting it mildly! I’ve been such a massive fan audience is left with a sense of hope - a feeling Included among the Sting hits featured in of hers for so long, so when she reached out to that a sense of belonging can be created Message In A Bottle are Roxanne, Every Breath me and said she was also a fan of mine, it was anywhere, and not necessarily just by blood You Take, Walking On The Moon, Fields Of so humbling. I couldn’t have asked for a better either. Acceptance of who you are, no matter Gold, Englishman In New York and Shape Of person to learn from in this realm, especially what your background is, can definitely be My Heart. as I come from a TV commercial background, found. “What Sting speaks about in his music - working with artists and in the music industry “I’m obviously a little biased, but I honestly subjects like politics and the world climate - is but with my training being in theatre. believe there’s nothing else that’s similar to still really relevant today, even when you listen “I’m so, so grateful to have had the what we’ve created. Message In A Bottle is so to his earlier works,” says Lukas. “So many of opportunity to work with someone who is not unique in that it is, essentially, a ballet, but his songs still ring true! Being a massive fan of only amazing at what she does, but who is also from a more commercial narrative, about his, Kate felt like his songs and lyrics would lay so kind and who cares so much about the dance being the language of youth. It also tells really beautifully on a story about refugees. stories she’s telling and the company of such an emotional story. I promise that you “Message In A Bottle is definitely more like a dancers telling it. Kate is a very compassionate will be left with lasting memories if you come ballet in terms of the fact that there’s no director and choreographer, and I feel very to see it, whether what sticks in your mind is dialogue - the story is told through dance, lucky to have worked with her. the incredible physicality of the dancers, the movement and music alone. Dance is a lighting, set & costume design, Sting’s “The biggest thing I’ve learnt from her is the universal language - the emotion and energy amazing music, or the actual story itself.” power of storytelling; how even the tiniest, behind it can be understood across all most minimalistic movement can contribute so languages and cultures - so that’s really much to an emotion or narrative. The beauty of interesting when you compare it to a story theatre is that you’re creating something which about people who are forced to leave their the audience can feel so palpably because it’s Message In A Bottle shows at Birmingham home and adjust to a new environment.” right in front of them. That’s very different to Hippodrome on Wednesday 8 & Thursday 9 Having won Sky One’s hit TV show, Got To what I’m used to doing, with an audience April. Dance, at just 19 years of age, Lukas is fast watching something captured via a lens. becoming a well-known and widely respected “Theatre is just so much more alive, and artist.

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Theatre Theatre from around the region

We Will Rock You Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 20 April - Sat 2 May; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent. Mon 25 - Sat 30 May

A pulsating homage to the music of Queen, We Will Rock You may be short on storyline, but it’s got bags of energy - and just about as brilliant a soundtrack as any musical’s ever likely to have. The show’s frontline performers give it their all to excellent effect, while the sets and choreography ensure a visual spectacle to remember. For those who care about the plot, the story is set in a future where originality has been quashed, musical instruments banned, and a hero is needed to bring back rock music... Yes, it’s all a bit contrived, but how else are you going to glue together all of Queen’s greatest hits in a single show? A fantastic evening's entertainment for fans of Freddie & Co, so catch it while you can...

Dial M For Murder Oliver Twist Priscilla Queen Of The Alexandra, Birmingham, Mon 20 - Sat 25 The REP, Birmingham, 29 April - 9 May The Desert April; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 9 - Sat 13 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, This brand new version of the classic Charles Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 14 - Sat 18 July Dickens story has been adapted for the stage Mon 13 - Sat 18 April by Bryony Lavery, the creative force behind previous Birmingham Rep favourites Treasure Island, The Lovely Bones and Frozen. Telling the terrific tale of a young boy whose escape from the workhouse kickstarts a dangerous adventure in the twisted streets of old London town, the production is presented by Ramps On The Moon - a consortium of seven major theatres Based on the movie of the same name, committed to putting D/deaf and disabled Priscilla the stage show has wowed both artists and audiences at the centre of its West End and Broadway audiences, picking work. up a coveted Olivier and an equally Samantha Womack and Tom Chambers star in prestigious Tony Award along the accolade- Frederick Knott’s erotic tale of betrayal, strewn way. At its heart is an uplifting story passion and murder - best known, of course, of the friendship shared by three pals, who from its 1954 Alfred Hitchcock-directed film hop aboard a battered old bus and head off version starring Ray Milland and Grace Kelly. across Australia in search of love and When Tony becomes convinced that wife romance. Margot is having an affair, he devises a means The hit show comes complete with a dazzling of having her murdered while at the same time array of costumes and a glorious selection of ensuring he has a watertight alibi. But not dancefloor favourites. Former Strictly winner everything goes according to plan... Joe McFadden takes the lead role of Tick.

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Theatre more theatre from around the region

Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 14 - Sat 18 April; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tues 19 - Sat 23 May Joe Pasquale makes a welcome return to the stage as the accident-prone Frank Spencer, the character created and made famous by Michael Crawford in the classic 1970s’ sitcom bearing the same title. “I don’t do it as Michael’s Frank Spencer, though,” says Joe. “That would be an insult to Michael. I’m putting my own personality into it. “Frank isn’t childish; he believes in what he’s doing. The relationship between him and his wife, Betty, is a love story. He might always mess up, but she loves him anyway. For it to work, she has to; otherwise he’d just be an idiot.” Joe is joined by Sarah Earnshaw as the long- suffering Betty and Susie Blake as Frank’s disapproving mother-in-law, Mrs Fisher.

Confessions Of A Jew...ish century London slum and twice sent to the workhouse before the age of nine... Cockney Temple Dancer The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, The critically acclaimed Arrows & Traps are Fri 3 & Sat 4 April The REP, Birmingham, Tues 21 - Sat 25 April the company behind this psychological Starting out as a TV pilot, Jew...ish is explora tion of the silent-movie eras’s biggest, described by its two stars as ‘a pitch-black brightest and perhaps most surprising star. romantic comedy’. While it’s questionable whether the show ever manages to get all that dark, let alone ‘pitch-black’, it definitely The Delightful Sausage: does hit the mark as a romcom. Focusing on Ginster’s Paradise the on-off intercultural relationship of TJ and Max, the story plays out against the colourful Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Thurs 23 April backdrop of Jewish family life and the trials & tribulations of the millennial generation. Surreal northern double-act Amy Gledhill and Christopher-Louise Cantrill are the top Taking a journey from the temple rituals of talent behind this production, a show which India to the bad-boy streets of London, the pair describe as ‘a comedy nightmare Shane Shambhu’s bilingual solo work is a that’ll tear your soul apart’... contemplation on both his own life and the No ordinary nigh t out at the theatre, then! experience of performing Indian dance in the The show finds the duo working as new UK. “I draw on my experience from differing ‘salmon coats’ at holiday camp Ginsters, a artistic roles and practices,” explains Shane. venue that offers hard-grafting Yorkshire folk “In doing so, I unearth new creative the opportunity to kick back, relax and forget pathways that challenge perceptions of about the stresses and strains of everyday performance and cultural identities.” life. But can Amy and Chris keep their campers entertained, obedient and Up Pompeii Chaplin: Birth Of A Tramp medicated?... Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 22 & Thurs 23 April Wed 15 April Following a vote by Ambient Nights’ Charlie Chaplin’s dedicated audie nce, Up Pompeii was selected stellar Hollywood as the show with which to celebrate the career was all the theatre company’s 10th anniversary. more remarkable given For those not in the know, the production is that his childhood had based on a late-1960s BBC sitcom in which been spent in abject comedian Frankie Howerd starred as a slave poverty. The son of an in pre-eruption Pompeii - a place, it turns alcoholic father and a out, where risqué gags and double entendres mother who would eventually succumb to were very much the order of the day... psychosis, he was brought up in a late-19th

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Theatre

Volpone Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 16 - Sat 18 April One of the greatest of all Jacobean plays, Volpone is a stylish example of playwright Ben Johnson at his very best. Although the titular character seems to be on his last legs, he is, in truth, setting a trap for those about him who covet his fortune, not least among whom is his ‘faithful’ manservant Mosca... African Caribbean ensemble Tangle present this centuries-old satire, a work of theatre which ably illustrates that some things, including man’s propensity for avaricious and lustful behaviour, will never change.

Friends! under Nazi occupation... By The Waters Billed as a ‘strikingly original, audacious The Musical Parody thriller’, Amsterdam explores issues around Of Liverpool Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 14 April; the topical subjec ts of collective identity, Malvern Theatres, Tues 14 & Wed 15 April Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tue 5 May; foreignness and alienation, reconstructing Prince Of Wales Theatre, Cannock, Thurs 24 Helen Forrester’s autobiographical play, from September; Swan Theatre, Worcester, Fri 16 horrific stories of the Holocaust in an her same-titled bestselling book, is set in the October admirably heartfelt attempt to make some 1930s and finds the teenage Helen fighting a If it’s not broken, don’t turn it into a stage sense of present-day political discourse. bitter battle with her parents for the right to musical, would surely have been the advice educate herself and go o ut to work. that millions of Friends fans would’ve given Life, however, has a habit of getting in the the creative team who set out to make this way of even the best-laid plans - and so it show. So it’s probably a good thing that those proves for Helen... millions of fans were never actually Following her family’s fall from grace, she canvassed for their opinion, because by all finds herself taken from school to work as an accounts Friends! The Musical Parody makes ‘unpaid slave’ looking after her siblings. But for a thoroughly enjoyable night out at the with Britain on the brink of war, the arrival in theatre. her life of a tall, strong seaman provides Lovingly lampooning the hit TV sitcom from Helen with the chink of light for which she’s the 1990s, the show is a good-hearted romp been despera tely searching... through the series’ most memorable Lemons Lemons Lemons moments, but with the addition of some high-energ y song & dance routines. What’s Lemons Lemons I, Elizabeth not to like?... Albany Theatre, Coventry, Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, Thurs 2 April; Wed 29 & Thurs 30 April Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Thurs 7 & Fri 8 May Amsterdam When the government passes a law allowing each individual to speak a maximum of only Dyad Productions, who are also touring The Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Mon 27 - Wed 140 words per day, Bernadette and Oliver find Unremarkable Death Of Marilyn Monroe to 29 April; The REP, Birmingham, Tues 12 - Sat Midlands venues this spring, are the company 16 May themselves battling hard to negotiate the choppy waters of their relationship... behind this revealing study of the Virgin Maya Arad Yasur’s play begins in the modern Sam Steiner’s dystopian drama has met with Queen. Written and performed by Rebecca day, when a nine-months -pregnant Jewish mixed reviews since debuting a couple of Vaughan, the show is violinist living in a plush Amsterdam years back, but there’s no denying it has directed by Guy apartment finds an unpaid gas bill for 1,700 plenty to say about the modern world and Masterson, whose euros pushed under her door. Not only is the homage to comedian bill not owed by her, it is also dated 1944 - the importance of language. A s Steiner himself observes: “Freedom of speech is all Eric Morecambe won the decades before the violinist was even born Olivier Award for Best and a year during which Amsterdam was still well and good, but it doesn’t matter if we’re not listening to each other.” Entertainment in 2010.

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more theatre from around the region

Blood Brothers Lichfield Garrick, Tues 7 - Sat 11 April If you’re one of the comparatively few theatre-goers who hasn’t yet caught up with Willy Russell’s hit show, Blood Brothers, then here’s a perfect opportunity to do so. The story of twins separated at birth who’re brought up in different social circumstances but remain inextricably linked, Blood Brothers isn’t so much a musical as a play with music. Former New Seeker Lyn Paul takes the lead role of Mrs Johnsto ne, with highlights including memorable songs A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged Tell Me It’s Not True.

Beach Body Ready Shakespeare’s forerunner to modern farce, plan to rekindle his interest, courte sy of her Comedy is a superbly crafted catalogue of younger alter-ego, the wild and sparkling Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Sat 25 April; mistaken identity, adult erous liaisons and Miss Livvy... Presented by the ever-impressive Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent, Thurs 11 June slapstick humour. Northern Broadsides. Two sets of identical twins are separated during infancy. When their paths cross again Girls Just Wanna later in life, all manner of Have Fun confusions ensue. Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 10 & Sat 11 Matters are then further April; Brierley Hill Civic Hall, Wed 22 April; complicated by the Lichfield Garrick, Sun 24 May; Malvern involvement of an irate Theatres, Thurs 28 May; The Albany, Coventry, Thurs 11 June; The Place, Telford, Fri 12 June courtesan, an insistent jeweller and a mad Linda Nolan and X-Factor finalist Niki Evans exorcist! are two of the four women enjoying an evening of fun and frivolity in this brand new musical comedy. Hull-based theatre company The Roaring Quality Street Described as a no-holds-barred romp through Girls have built their reputation around everything life throws at a modern-day creating work that is fierce, feminist and fun - New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Tues 28 April - Sat 9 May woman, the show is unlikely to pull up any and latest offering Beach Body Ready is no trees when it comes to originality. That said, exception. Created in the ensemble’s semi- having previously helmed Hormonal improvised style, the show ‘sticks two fingers Housewives, its producers absolutely know up’ at everything the media says about how the market the y’re playing to and are old women should look. hands at giving their audience a fantastic “Summer has rocked up and coerced us all night out. into thinking about how awful our bodies So if you fancy channelling your inner diva are,” say the Girls. “Expect an evening of for a couple of hours, you know what you impassioned rants, cheesy fitness routines, need to do... informal chats and a beach trip on film, accompanied by a banging soundtrack.”

JM Barrie is best known, of course, as the The Comedy Of Errors creator of Peter Pan, but years before he ventured to Neverland, he penned a farce so Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- Avon, Sat 25 April - Sat 3 October popular that it gave its name to one of the UK’s most famous brands of chocolate. Comedian Miles Jupp stars as Antipholus of When Captain Valentine returns from Syracuse in this brand new Royal fighting Napoleon, he’s disappointed to find Shakespeare Company production of one of Phoebe Throssel somewhat less glamorous the bard’s most popular offerings. than he remembers her. But Phoebe has a whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre April.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2020 15:40 Page 7

Theatre theatre for kids from around the region Horrible Histories: The Worst Of Barmy Britain Palace Theatre, Redditch, Sat 11 April; Stratford Playhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon, Sun 26 April; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wed 27 May If you love the Horrible Histories series - and why the heck wouldn’t you?! - then Barmy Britain is a show well worth catching. Alongside providing answers to such searching questions as ‘what would happen if a Viking moved in next door?’ and ‘will you see eye to eye with Admiral Nelson?’, the show also invites audiences to roar with laughter with Richard the Lionheart, light up their life with the great fire of London and find out if the Duke of We llington gets the boot. In short, and as its publicity says, it’s ‘a truly horrible history of Britain - with all the nasty bits left in!’

Shark In The Park! The Tiger Who that this latest production is well Worcester Swan Theatre, Sun 5 April; Artrix, Came To Tea worth catching. Bromsgrove, Mon 6 April; Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 14 April; Rose Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 9 - Sun Peppa Pig is Tewkesbury, Wed 15 April 1 2 April; Lichfield Garrick, Tues 21 & Wed 22 heading out on a April Nick Sharratt has road trip with Following on from a hugely successful West illustrated over 250 George, Mummy Pig End season, the tea-guzzling tiger once again books, around one- and Daddy Pig, and drops in on Sophie and her mum just as fifth of which have there are plenty of they’re settling down for an afternoon been by Tracy adventures waiting to be had - including ones cuppa... Beaker author that involve dragons, dinosaurs, ice-creams Adapted by David Wood from the late Judith Jacqueline Wilson. and muddy puddles... Kerr’s 1968 book, this 55-minute show comes One of Nick’s own is without an interval, features singalong songs the hugely and boasts plenty of magic - not to mention a Billionaire Boy successful Shark In The Park!, a children’s big stripy tiger, of course! Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 22 - Sat 25 story about a young lad named Timothy who April; Theatre Severn, Shrewsburym Thurs 14 - goes to his local park to try out his new Sun 17 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, telescope. While there, he thinks he spots a Wed 23 - Sun 27 September shark - and not just on one occasion either, Birmingham Stage Company has impressive but several times in several places! form when it comes to adaptations of David The popularity of the book prompted Sharratt Walliams’ work, so anybody wondering to wri te and illustrate two follow-ups - Shark whether or not to check out this show should In The Dark! and Shark In The Park On A definitely grasp the nettle. Windy Day!. All three stories are featured in For those unfamiliar with the book, it tells this highly rated stage show. the tale of how Mr Spud made and lost his billions, and how his son, Joe, became the richest boy in the world. Oi Frog & Friends! Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 10 - Mon 13 April; Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever Lichfield Garrick, Sat 13 - Sun 14 June Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 7 - Thurs 9 Fifty-five minutes of frog-focused fun is the April; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sat 18 & name of the game when this lively stage Sun 19 April; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Wed adaptation of Kes Gray and Jim Field’s 24 & Thurs 25 June; The Place, Telford, Wed 16 & Thurs 17 September bestselling series of picture books stops off in Birmingham. Expect ‘songs, puppets, laughs If you’ve taken your little ones to any of the and more rhymes than you can shake a previous Peppa Pig stage shows - and chime at’, as a new day at Sittingbottom enjoyed the experience of watching them school dawns... having a fantastic time - you’ll already know

whatsonlive.co.uk Dance April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 12:18 Page 2

Dance previews from around the region Dance

Balletboyz: Deluxe Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 9 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 13 May Fresh and inventive, the all-male Balletboyz company combine muscle with grace to present a distinctive style which fuses energetic dance with music and film. This year celebrating their 20th anniversary, the company has performed their work more than 400 times around the UK and in 13 countries across the world, with more than 350,000 people having seen at least one of their productions. The ensemble this month return to the Midlands with a brand new show that features work by some of the world’s most innovative choreographers. “Deluxe is going to be a night of entertaining and thought-provoking theatre that’s been 20 years in the making,” say Balletboyz Artistic Directors Michael Nunn and William Trevitt. “The beauty of our job has always been about finding and pursuing extraordinary talent and sharing that with as many people as we can. It really is that simple.”

BalletLorent: The Lost Happy Endings Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 24 & Sat 25 April Joanna Lumley narrates this family- The Newcastle-upon-Tyne company was friendly show, performed by set up 27 years ago by choreographer Liv award-winning dance-theatre ensemble Lorent. BalletLorent. “I liked the magic, the mystery and the A story by the former Poet Laureate, Dame fairytale aspects of classical ballet very Carol Ann Duffy, The Lost Happy Endings much,” says Liv, “but what I wasn’t so tells the tale of a forest-dwelling girl who, keen on was the amount of men in tights Lewys Holt: Phrases charged with guarding the happy endings and crowns, or the strange mime gestures & Footnotes to stories and fairytales, finds herself that were us ed to communicate narrative. Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Thurs 23 April having to rewrite them after they’re stolen “What I wanted more than anything was to by a wicked witch... perform work that would mean audiences “While focusing on and loving dance,” says The Lost Happy Endings is the latest in came out of the theatre feeling differently Lewys Holt, “my practice also tends to include BalletLorent’s line of innovative family to when they’d gone in. Like when you go things that look more like stand-up comedy, shows featuring diverse casts. to see a great movie.” storytelling or acting. The two shows I’m performing in Wolverhampton, Phrases and Footnotes, are solo contemporary dance works that fuse text, humour and improvisation. They Bollywood Divas Birmingham Hippodrome, Sat 4 April are a subtle exploration of our innate need for connection and fear of loneliness.” The leading ladies of Indian cinema - or glitzy productions boasting stunning Bollywood, as it’s otherwise known - are visuals and breathtaking choreography. the subject of this special tribute show by “The stage has always felt like home,” says trend-setting choreographer, designer and Shiamak, who is known as ‘the guru of singer Shiamak Davar - a man whose CV contemporary dance’ in India. “Getting an includes choreographing the dance instant response from a live audience is a sequences for the 2011 Tom Cruise movie, real rush - a completely different feeling Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. from cinema. There’s something magical Shiamak has scored hits with previous about creating movements using the entire shows Spirit Of India and Spirit Of stage, using sets and props. As such, the Bollywood, so is well-versed in mounting stage will always be my first love.”

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Film

The New Mutants CERT 12a Starring Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Alice Braga, Blu Hunt Directed by Josh Boone (USA) After the Endgame… the new mutants. These young super- beings are locked up in a secret facility and, having discovered their nascent powers, they want out… Based on the Marvel comic. Released Wed 8 April

EDITOR’S CHOICE

The Assistant CERT 15 (87 mins) Starring Julia Garner, Matthew Macfadyen, Kristine Froseth, Makenzie Leigh, Noah Robbins, Dagmara Domi czyk Directed by Kitty Green (USA)ń Probably the first of many new dramas investigating abuse in the workplace, this one focuses on a junior assistant working for a film production mogul. Coincidentally, the film’s exteriors were shot outside the Tribeca building in Manhattan wh ere one Harvey Weinstein used to work… Released Fri 3 April Four Kids And It come across a grumpy sand fairy (voiced CERT 15 (94 mins) by Michael Caine) that can bestow them Carmilla CERT PG (110 mins) with one wish a day. Lovers of children's Starring Jessica Raine, Hannah Rae, Devrim Starring Paula Patton, Russell Brand, Lingnau, Tobias Menzies, Greg Wise literature will know that Ms Wilson, in Matthew Goode, Cheryl, and the voice of Directed by Emily Harris (UK) Michael Caine turn, based her novel on E Nesbit's Five Directed by Andy De Emmony (UK) Children And It. Cheryl, formerly of Girls Based on the novel by Jacqueline Wilson, Aloud, apparently has a cameo. this family fantasy centres on a quartet of Released Fri 10 April children on holiday in Cornwall who

The Secret Garden CERT PG Starring Colin Firth, Julie Walters, Dixie Egerickx, Edan Hayhurst Directed by Marc Munden (UK) Sent to live with her strict uncle, young Mary Based on the 1871 Gothic novella by Sheridan Lennox (Egerickx) discovers a magical garden Le Fanu, Carmilla tells the story of a sexually on his Yorkshire estate. Based on the 1911 curious teenage girl (Hannah Rae) whose life novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the story is turned upside down with the arrival of a has been filmed three times before and on young woman recovering from a roadside several occasions for the small screen. accident. Released Fri 10 April Released Fri 3 April whatsonlive.co.uk Film April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:50 Page 2

Film highlights released in April...

Antlers CERT 15 (99 mins) Starring Keri Russell, Jesse Plemons, Jeremy T Thomas, Graham Greene, Scott Haze, Rory Cochrane, Amy Madigan Directed by Scott Cooper (USA/Mexico/Canada)

The premise of a young boy harbouring a supernatural creature in a small Oregon town doesn’t sound promising. However, the director has an impressive track record, including the Oscar-winning Crazy Heart, Out Of The Furnace and the criminally underrated Hostiles. Released Fri 17 April KIDS PICK

quite subversive and entertaining. Now Trolls World Tour CERT PG Dream Horse CERT PG (113 mins) comes the sequel in which Poppy and Starring Toni Collette, Damian Lewis, Owen With the voices of Anna Kendrick, Justin Branch discover there are other Troll Timberlake, James Corden, Ozzy Osbourne, Teale, Joanna Page tribes, all with their own specific taste in Directed by Euros Lyn (UK/USA) Rachel Bloom, Kelly Clarkson, Sam Rockwell Directed by Walt Dohrn (USA) music. Could their love of bubble-gum pop DreamWorks’ animated musical be threatened? resurrection of the gonk troll fad was not Released Wed 13 April as bad as people feared. In fact, it was

Finding The Way Back Our Ladies CERT 15 (105 mins) CERT 15 (108 mins) Starring Eve Austin, Tallulah Greive, Abigail Lawrie, Sally Messham, Rona Morison, Marli A Welsh bartender (Collette) decides to breed Starring Ben Affleck, Al Madrigal, Michaela Siu a race horse, with financial aid from her Watkins, Janina Gavankar Directed by Michael Caton-Jones (UK) Directed by Gavin O’Connor (USA) fellow villagers. Based on a true story. When a gaggle of Catholic school girls is Released Fri 17 April invited to Edinburgh to enrol in a choir competition, they see it as a chance to paint Promising Young Woman the town red… CERT PG (113 mins) Released Fri 24 April Starring Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Clancy Brown Directed by Emerald Fennell (USA) Cassie used to be promising, and then something happened. Time, then, for her to exact her revenge… Released Fri 17 April

A former baske tball player plagued by alcoholism is asked to coach his alma mater - and something extraordinary happens… Released Fri 24 April whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 12:24 Page 1

Visual Arts previews from around the region

Yhonnie Scarce Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, Thurs 9 April - Sun 3 May “Some people don’t like my work; they find it too confronting,” says Australian Aboriginal glassblowing artist Yhonnie Scarce. “But if you don’t want to engage in this conversation, then the solution is simple - don’t look at my art. But that doesn’t mean it will go away.” Yhonnie, whose work explores the political nature and aesthetic qualities of glass, is undertaking a five-week residency at Ikon before presenting a new work in the venue’s Tower Room. “To define the strength of our culture, it may seem strange to use glass,” she says, “but it’s not as fragile as most people would think. Glass can be very strong, and in that way it reflects the resilience of our people. It is a creation that has been witness to our journey, and one that still continues today.”

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Visual Arts

Cornwall As Crucible Barber Institute, University of Birmingham, until Sun 17 May This hugely popular exhibition takes as its inspiration the Barber’s recently acquired Constructivist sculpture - Russian artist Naum Gabo’s Linear Construction In Space No1. Cornwall As Crucible considers the relationships and networks that existed between artists who lived and worked in the county (and most particularly in St Ives) during the mid-20th century. Featuring works by, among others, Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Peter Lanyon and Sandra Blow, the installation examines the artists’ development of a visual language that explored the boundary between representation and abstraction. The show also investigates the impact which the distinctive Cornish landscape had on the work of the artists residing in the region.

Victoria & Albert: Our Lives In Watercolour Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Sunday 31 May Capturing the pomp and spectacle of the the art of watercolour painting. They built British court, the exploration and shaping up a collection of thousands of artworks of a modern nation, and a sense of the and often spent happy evenings together close-knit family at the centre of it all, organising their acquisitions into Victoria & Albert: Our Lives In Watercolour albums... is a touring exhibition from the Royal The exhibition is touring to mark the Collection. Throughout their marriage, bicentenary of the births of both Victoria Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were and Albert. enthusiastic patrons and practitioners of

Cranach: Artist And Innovator Compton Verney Art Gallery, Worcestershire, until Sun 4 June Lucas Cranach the Elder may be best known in modern times for his seductive paintings of the female nude, but back in Made At MAC: Painting his day - some 500 years ago - it was his paintings of German nobility and the Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat 25 April - Mon 31 August leaders of the Protestant Reformation for which he was most admired. Professional artist-tutor Helen Tarr’s autumn This exhibition of work by one of the most 2019 project, The Scottish Colourists; Creating successful German artists of all time Impact With Colour, provided the inspiration features paintings and illustrations on for the paintings on display in this exhibition. loan from the National Gallery, the Royal Helen teaches Practical Visual Enquiry & Art In Collection, the British Museum and Context at Midlands Arts Centre, using her Waddesdon Manor. lessons to demystify the technical skills of The show also reflects on the enduring painting and drawing. appeal of Cranach, whose work has been Her Scottish Colourists project has seen her admired by a range of modern and students immersing themselves in an artistic contemporary artists, including Pablo exploration of colour, line and form across the Picasso. genres of landscape, portrait and still-life. whatsonlive.co.uk Events April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:45 Page 1

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Events previews from around the region Events

Alice in Easter Wonderland Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust, Sat 4 - Sun 19 April The caverns of Dudley Canal Trust are set to become a magically decorated Easter wonderland this month. The Easter Bunny has teamed up with Alice, The Queen of Hearts and even The Mad Hatter to hide some giant eggs. Climb on board a boat and travel underground to find them, along the way enjoying Alice In Wonderland-themed scenes and sound & light shows. There’s the chance to win a ton of chocolate, too! Once you’ve finished your trip to Wonderland, enjoy a Tea Party with The Mad Hatter himself.

Zog & The Quest For a 3D activity trail being launched at Warwick Castle this month. The Golden Star Visitors can explore the trail around the castle Warwick Castle, Sat 4 - Sun 19 April and its grounds, meet Sir Gadabout, learn all Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much- the skills needed to become a fully fledged loved book about an accident-prone young dra gon, and enjoy a special meet-and-greet dragon named Zog provides the inspiration for with Zog himself.

Destination Space The Great Easter Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham, Mon 6 - Fri 17 April Dragon Egg Hunt Thinktank is celebrating all things ‘out of this Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, world’ this Easter. Sat 4 - Mon 13 April Fun activities include weekday family theatre A pesky dragon has hidden its shows and the chance to learn all about eggs in the grounds of Ludlow satellites - how to spot them, what their uses Castle, and the venue is asking are, and how they’re likely to be deployed in budding knights and princesses to the future. try and find them before they hatch and ca use havoc! There’s a trail map available to help with searching the castle’s nooks and crannies, and a special prize to enjoy at the end of it all. Animal Easter Trail RAF Museum, Cosford, Sat 4 - Sun 19 April Back for a second year, RAF Museum Cosford’s Animal Trail encourages families to make their way around the venue’s hangars in search of animal friends. Once the fun task has been completed, participants can hand over their trail sheets in exchange for a much-deserved chocolate prize.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Easter Adventure Quest Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire; Stokesay Castle, Shropshire and Witley Court, Worcestershire, Sat 4 - Sun 19 April

Easter Holiday Activities including bird watching and orienteering - the venue will also be welcoming Peter Rabbit on English Heritage is inviting Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Wednesday the 15th for some special storytelling Mon 13 - Fri 17 April children to take part in a sessions . Bibbledy Bob, the garden’s resident ‘legendary quest’ at its Midlands Birmingham Botanical Gardens is hosting daily entertainer, will be in attendance a couple of activities for families to enjoy this Easter. properties this month. days beforehand, on Easter Monday, providing Intrepid adventurers and their As well as providing youngsters with the plenty of fun and laughter down on the main opportunity to sample a wide range of pursuits - families will need to crack a host lawn. of clues to track down dragon eggs hidden across the sitres - afte which they’ll be rewarded with a certificate and some yummy treats from Hotel Chocolat.

Easter Holidays at Compton Verney Compton Verney Art Gallery & Park, Warwickshire, Tues 7 - Sun 19 April There are family-friendly activities aplenty to enjoy at Compton Verney this month. Visitors to the popular venue can take on the Egg Drop Challenge, track down all the escaped animals from the Folk Art Collection in the Easter trail, get creative with a range of crafty activities, enjoy storytelling, play musical instruments and sample games inspired by nature in the Forest School.

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt Midlands. Explore muddy woodlands, colourful gardens various National Trust properties throughout and interesting nature trails at numerous NT the West Midlands sites, with a chocolatey Cadbury treat as a special The mischief-making Easter bunny has been at it reward to enjoy at the end of your adventure. again, hiding clues for a special Easter Egg hunt at National Trust locations throughout the whatsonlive.co.uk Events April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:45 Page 5

whatsonlive.co.uk Events April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:45 Page 6

Events previews from around the region Events

Medieval St George’s Day Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, Sat 18 - Sun 19 April Avoncroft is set to delve into the legend of St George this month, as the War of the Roses Federation re-enactors take over the site for a whole weekend and bring history to life. As well as action-packed reenactments, the two-day event features storytelling, archery competitions, the chance to dress up as a knight or a 15th century soldier, a St George Mumming play, living-history camps and medieval drills & combat experiences.

Easter Holiday Activities Families can explore the venue with the Fix It family trail or join Mini factory characters British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Victor or Patsy for a daily tour. Sat 4 - Sun 26 April Other attractions include the chance to design British Motor Museum is set to go ‘Mini mad’ and make Minis in air drying clay workshops, this Easter, courtesy of a host of Mini-themed and a trad itional Easter egg hunt over the activities. Easter weekend - complete with a ‘Mini twist’!

Easter Extravaganza Cadbury World, Bournville, Sat 4 - Sun 19 April Easter Holidays What better way to celebrate Easter than by at Severn Valley visiting Cadbury World? Railway Popular Cadbury characters Freddo and Caramel Severn Valley Railway, Bunny present their new live stage show every Sat 4 - Sun 19 April day during the holiday - while over the Easter Severn Valley Railway brings the weekend itself, children can check out the Easter golden age of steam to life this egg trail or try their hand at making an Easter Easter holiday - including the bonnet. Or both! reintroduction of trains from Kidderminster. Easter at Shakespeare On Saturday the 4th, to celebrate the grand reopening of the Loop Birthplace Trust Line from Kidderminster to Shakespeare’s Family Homes, Stratford-upon- Bewdley, visitors are invited to Avon, Sat 4 - Sun 19 April head back to the Victorian era There’s plenty for youngsters to enjoy at courtesy of a host of activities Shakespeare’s Family Homes this Easter. along the line. Attractions include a family marquee at Anne Other attractions include a brand Hathaway’s Cottage - complete with a selection of new exhibition at The Engine crafts based on some of Shakespeare’s most House - telling the story of the popular plays - and an outdoor Sprites’ Camp at railway between the 1870s and the Shakespeare’s Birthplace site (hosted by Puck 1950s - and the chance to from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Ariel from participate in a special Easter egg The Tempest!). trail. whatsonlive.co.uk Rook&Bone.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 13:03 Page 1 The List Cover April Warwicks/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:56 Page 1

YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week listingslistings gguideuide AprilApril 20202020 thelist

An Inspector Calls at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry - Tues 28 April - Sat 2 May

Music I Comedy I Theatre I Dance I Film I Events I Visual Arts I and more! What’s On Wed 1 - Sun 12 April Mon 13 to Sun 19 April Mon 20 to Sun 26 April Mon 27 to Thurs 30 April

Phoenix Dance: Black Waters Arabella Weir at Make and Play Engineers at Nathaniel Rateliff at at Malvern Theatres Huntingdon Hall, Worcester Coventry Transport Museum Symphony Hall, Birmingham Thurs 2 April Wed 8 April Wed 22 April Tues 28 April

whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 1 - 5 April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 16:02 Page 1 thelist THROUGHOUT APRIL

Artrix, Bromsgrove Apr - Sun 31 May NEW: STUDIO 4 - EXPLORATION Artists explore the visual world as if Rugby Art Gallery & Museum unknown, creating pieces that are FALSE MEMORY Exhibition challenging ‘full of wonder and excitement’, Tues our perception of being able to 7 Apr - Sun 3 May accurately remember moments from the past, until Sat 30 May IT’S A SMALL WORLD Social history exhibition featuring a collection of miscellaneous small-scale items, until Sat 5 Sep

The Core Theatre, Solihull NEW: ART AT THE HEART COMMUNITY EXHIBITION Celebrating the creativity and uniqueness of community artists Birmingham Museum & from ArtClubs, YouthArts, ArtLab and Peggy Sue - The Tin Music & Arts, Coventry Art Gallery Adults classes, Wed 1 - Mon 20 Apr Apr, Katie Fitzgeralds, Birmingham WHITWORTH WALLIS ARTIST IN NEW: ARTISTS FROM THE CORE Stourbridge LIONEL Sat 4 Apr, RESIDENCE: LEANNE O'CONNOR COURTYARD GALLERY AND CENTRE OF Gigs LIVE WIRE THE AC/DC Bedworth Civic Hall Leanne's work responds to the ENGLAND ARTS Showcasing the DIGDAT Wed 1 Apr, O2 SHOW Fri 3 Apr, The stained-glass and metalwork different themes and mediums taught Institute, Birmingham THE PROPHEC Sat 4 Apr, collection held within the Industrial Assembly, Leamington O2 Institute, B’ham in Vicki Gorman’s art classes, Wed 22 IRISH SESSION Wed 1 gallery, the Museum Collections THE EVERLY BROTHERS Apr - Mon 11 May Apr, Katie Fitzgeralds, Centre and Community History & DREAM Fri 3 Apr, Artrix, Stourbridge Archives Service in Smethwick, until Bromsgrove D DOUBLE E Mon 1 June The Herbert Art Gallery & Wed 1 Apr, TEKNO DISCO X VOYAGE: Museum Mama Roux’s, DRESSED TO THE NINES Exhibition HARE & HOUNDS Birmingham about dressing up and going out, COVENTRY OPEN 2020 Exhibition TAKEOVER Fri 3 Apr, from around 1850 to the present day, showcasing a wide range of talent THE STARLIGHT MAGIC Hare & Hounds, until Fri 4 Sept from the West Midlands and HOUR + SPECIAL Birmingham Warwickshire, until Sun 19 Apr GUESTS Wed 1 Apr, BIRMINGHAM REVOLUTIONS - POWER TO THIS IS THEN LAUNCH The Sunflower, THE PEOPLE Display exploring EXPLORING ELIOT'S COVENTRY W/ ATTRITION + DJ Birmingham JOE BROWN IN CONCERT Birmingham’s vibrant and varied Exhibition marking the 200th MARK COOK Fri 3 Apr, - 60TH ANNIVERSARY history of protest and activism, until anniversary of the birth of author KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY The Tin Music and TOUR Sat 4 Apr, Fri 4 Sept George Eliot and celebrating her Wed 1 Apr, The Jam Arts, Coventry connections with Coventry, until Sun House, Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall SOUNDS OF THE SIRENS 26 Apr SEED ENSEMBLE Wed 1 + SAMANTICS Fri 3 Apr, G2 DEFINITIVE GENISIS Compton Verney Gallery, Sat 4 Apr, Huntingdon Warwick QUINN - A JOURNEY An installation by Apr, Hare & Hounds, Dead Wax, B’ham photographer, artist and writer Lottie Birmingham Hall, Worcester EMO DISCO - THE BLACK CRANACH: ARTIST AND INNOVATOR Davies, until Sun 31 May UK PINK FLOYD PARADE Fri 3 Apr, Hare SIMON GOODALL AND Featuring some of the artist’s most EXPERIENCE Wed 1 Apr, & Hounds, B’ham THE BOURNE AGAIN beguiling paintings and illustrations, Belgrade Theatre, SHADOWS Sat 4 Apr, until Sun 14 June Worcester City Museum & Art THE LOTTERY WINNERS Coventry Artrix, Bromsgrove Gallery Fri 3 Apr, The Castle & FABRIC: TOUCH & IDENTITY Featuring BARS AN D MELODY Falcon, Birmingham THE BON JOVI works by Vivienne Westwood, Raisa MAYFLOWER400 Exhibition featuring Thurs 2 Apr, O2 EXPERIENCE Sat 4 Apr, Kabir and Cathy de Monchaux, and a indigenous American and Canadian FRED ZEPPELIN Fri 3 Academy, Birmingham The Palace Theatre, new installation by Reiko Sudo, until objects from the World Cultures Apr, The Marr’s Bar, Redditch Sun 14 June Collection, presented in celebration THE FOUNDATIONS Worcester of the 400th anniversary of the Thurs 2 Apr, The BOUDICA PRESENTS: ARIEL SCHLESINGER: WAYS TO SAY MACKA B & THE ROOTS Mayflower’s historic transatlantic Palace Theatre, PEGGY SUE Sat 4 Apr, GOODBYE Newly commissioned RAGGA BAND Fri 3 Apr, voyage, until Sat 21 Nov Redditch The Tin Music and sculpture in the park by Ariel The Mill, Digbeth, Arts, Coventry Schlesinger that seeks to highlight NEW: SKYSCAPE Exhibition viewing ASH SHEEHAN LIVE Birmingham Thurs 2 Apr, The THE MANFREDS Sat 4 the relationship between people and landscape art from a new perspective THE REAL THING ‘THE Actress & Bishop, Apr, The Roses nature, until Wed 30 Sept and including work by Rembrandt, GREATEST HITS TOUR’ Birmingham Theatre, Tewkesbury Durer and Ruskin, Sat 4 Apr - Sat 27 Fri 3 Apr, Malvern June GENDER ROLES Thurs 2 Theatres THE VIBRATORS Sat 4 Forge Mill Needle Museum, Apr, The Asylum, Apr, The Marr’s Bar, ELTON JOHN - 50 YEARS Redditch Birmingham Worcester Other VISUAL ARTS OF YOUR SONG Fri 3 RESISTANCE STITCH Primarily using ORCHARDS Thurs 2 Apr, Apr, Symphony Hall, GILBERT O’SULLIVAN machine embroidery and reverse FASHIONING PEACE: LIFE AND LIBERTY “JUST GILBERT” Sun 5 AFTER THE GREAT WAR EXHIBITION Hare & Hounds, Birmingham applique techniques, James Fox Birmingham Apr, Birmingham Town challenges expectations regarding Exhibition exploring how the changes SUBMOTION ORCHESTRA Hall gender roles, work, culture and other brought about through the Great War THE ILLEGAL EAGLES Fri 3 Apr, O2 Institute, THE TWANG Sun 5 Apr, aspects of people’s social and were reflected in clothing and fashion Thurs 2 Apr, Belgrade Birmingham Theatre, Coventry The Glee Club, B’ham personal lives, until Sun 19 Apr from 1918 through to the Roaring BECKY HILL Fri 3 Apr, 20s, until Sat 31 Oct, Hartlebury FEAST OF FIDDLES Sun NEW: FABRIC OF LIFE Exhibition BIG HEATH Fri 3 Apr, O2 O2 Institute, B’ham Castle, Kidderminster 5 Apr, Huntingdon featuring work that reflects the life Institute, Birmingham ROACHFORD Sat 4 Apr, Hall, Worcester journeys of five textile artists, Fri 24 DIRTY VERTEBRAE Fri 3 O2 Academy, whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 1 - 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Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 April

RAW COMEDY Fri 3 Apr, Evesham Arts Classical & Centre DANA ALEXANDER, GARY LITTLE, JOHN Easy Listening LYNN & TOM LUCY Fri 3 - Sat 4 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham KATHY CHOW IN RECITAL Programme includes works by Beethoven, ADAM BLOOM, DIANE SPENCER, GARY Schumann, Debussy, Chopin & DELANEY & JONNY AWSUM Sat 4 Apr, Prokofiev, Wed 1 Apr, Birmingham The Assembly, Leamington Spa Town Hall JONNY AWSUM, MATT GREEN, DARIUS CBSO: STRAVINSKY’S PULCINELLA DAVIES & JAMES ALDERSON Sat 4 Apr, Featuring Kazuki Yamada The Comedy Loft, Birmingham (conductor), Alban Gerhardt (cello), CHRIS RAMSEY Sun 5 Apr, Royal Spa Marta Fontanals-Simmons (mezzo Centre, Leamington Spa soprano), James Way (tenor) & PHIL WANG Sun 5 Apr, Royal Antoin Herrera-Lopez Kessel (bass). Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- Programme includes works by Fauré, upon-Avon Julian Anderson & Stravinsky, Thurs 2 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham CBSO STRING QUINTET Programme includes works by Monti, Bach, Theatre Strauss & Sousa, Thurs 2 Apr, CBSO TARTUFFE Brummie comedy about Centre, Birmingham faith, family & #fakingit, until Sat 4 BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR EASTER Apr, The REP, Birmingham CONCERT Featuring Paul Spicer THE HIGH TABLE Temi Wilkey’s debut (conductor). Programme includes play - ‘a heartbreaking family drama works by Vaughan Williams, played out between the heavens and The Winter’s Tale Leighton, Walton & Britten, Sat 4 Apr, earth’, until Thurs 9 Apr, The REP, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Fri 3 Oct St Philips Cathedral, Birmingham Birmingham One of Shakespeare’s later and lesser-known works, The Winter's LONDON CONCERTANTE: VIVALDI THE MACBETH Tread The Boards Theatre Tale recounts the story of Perdita, who, after being lost at sea as a FOUR SEASONS BY CANDLELIGHT Company presents its version of Programme also includes works by Shakespeare’s bloodiest tale, until baby, is rescued and brought up by an old shepherd. Telemann & Bach, Sat 4 Apr, Sun 26 Apr, The Attic Theatre, When she meets the king’s son, Florizel, love blossoms amid the Coventry Cathedral Stratford-upon-Avon rustic revelry... BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC TWELFTH NIGHT Tread The Boards The production is being presented across the Royal Shakespeare ORCHESTRA CHAMBER ENSEMBLE Theatre Company presents its Company’s summer season, alongside new versions of The Featuring Keith Slade (conductor). version of Shakespeare’s comedy of Programme includes works by Comedy Of Errors and Pericles. mistaken identity, cross dressing & “The sea divides families in all of our plays this summer,” says RSC Mozart, Stravinsky, Schoenberg & unrequited love, until Sun 26 Apr, The Copland, Sun 5 Apr, University of Attic Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Artistic Director Gregory Doran. “Themes of separation & loss and Birmingham THE WINTER'S TALE New production the restorative power of time connect all three of them. Each play is RUSSELL WATSON Sun 5 Apr, which imagines ‘a world where the wonderfully different, yet at the same time they share a fascination Wolverhampton Grand Theatre ghosts of fascist Europe collide with with identity, the challenges of leaving your native land and the STRATFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA the horrors of The Handmaid’s Tale, deep bonds of family.” Programme includes works by before washing up on a joyful Brahms, Weber & Beethoven, Sun 5 seashore’, until Fri 2 Oct, Royal Apr, Stratford Playhouse, Stratford- Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- THE MERCHANT OF VENICE version of Bertolt Brecht’s anarchic upon-Avon upon-Avon Collaboration between Nottingham story, Thurs 2 - Fri 3 Apr, The BARNUM Presented by the Peterbrook Playhouse & Nottingham Lakeside Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Players, Mon 30 Mar - Sat 4 Apr, The Arts, Wed 1 Apr, Midlands Arts AIDA New production by Russian Comedy Core Theatre, Solihull Centre, Birmingham State Opera. Sung in Italian with HEROES The Nonentities present BOSIE One-man show about Oscar English surtitles, Fri 3 Apr, Belgrade BRING YOUR OWN BABY COMEDY Wed 1 Gerald Sibleyras’ French comedy, Wilde's lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, Theatre, Coventry Apr, Birmingham Town Hall Mon 30 Mar - Sat 4 Apr, The Rose Wed 1 - Sat 4 Apr, The Old Rep ANGRY BIRDS Young Rep Seniors ROMESH RANGANATHAN Thurs 2 Apr, Theatre, Kidderminster Theatre, Birmingham present a new punk musical, Fri 3 - Birmingham Hippodrome LADYKILLER Blood-soaked morality ANNE BOLEYN Howard Brenton’s Sat 4 Apr, The REP, Birmingham PETE FIRMAN & THE AMAZING TBC tale about victimhood... Tues 31 Mar - award-winning portrait of an English JEW...ISH Twisted millennial romcom Thurs 2 Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove Thurs 2 Apr, The Old Joint Stock heroine... Wed 1 - Sat 11 Apr, Loft which poses the question that should Theatre, Birmingham Theatre Company, Leamington Spa DANA ALEXANDER, GARY LITTLE & never be answered: is it ever okay to COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY CURTAINS Jason Manford stars in a I, ELIZABETH One-woman show get back with your ex? Fri 3 - Sat 4 ROBINSON Thurs 2, The Glee Club, whodunnit featuring ‘catchy songs, exploring Queen Elizabeth I’s Apr, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham unforgettable characters and plot struggles in reconciling the desires of Birmingham twists’, Tues 31 Mar - Sat 4 Apr, womanhood with the duties of JIM DAVIDSON Fri 3 Apr, Bedworth CARMEN Russian State Opera present Wolverhampton Grand Theatre sovereignty, Tues 2 Apr, Bridge Civic Hall Bizet's tale of passion, jealousy & THE WOMAN IN BLACK Stage House Theatre, Warwick violence. Sung in French with English SEANN WALSH Fri 3 Apr, The Roses adaptation of one of the world's most I’M SORRY I’LL READ THAT AGAIN... surtitles, Sat 4 Apr, Belgrade Theatre, Theatre, Tewkesbury chilling tales, Tues 31 Mar - Sat 4 Apr, AGAIN! Celebration of the radio show Coventry FRANKIE ALLEN Fri 3 Apr, Rialto The Alexandra, Birmingham that gave birth to Monty Python’s MRS KAPOOR’S DAUGHTER’S WEDDING Reborn, Coventry MURDER, MARGARET AND ME ‘Humour, Flying Circus, Thurs 2 Apr, Bollywood-style show, complete with TAT VISION II Fri 3 Apr, The Glee Club, thrills, sleuthing and pathos’ Huntingdon Hall, Worcester dancing, singing and comedy, Sun 5 Birmingham combine, Tues 31 Mar - Sat 4 Apr, M R PUNTILA AND HIS MAN MATTI Apr, The Alexandra, Birmingham The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham Newman University presents its whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 1 - 5 April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 16:02 Page 3

whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 1 - 5 April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 16:02 Page 4

thelist Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 April Kids Shows Film RAPUNZEL: A TANGLED MUSICAL TALE INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Immersion Theatre present a brand DARK WATERS (12a) Biography/Drama. new musical version of the classic Starring Mark Ruffalo, Anne family tale, Sat 4 Apr, Evesham Arts Hathaway. The Roses Theatre, Centre Tewkesbury, Fri 27 & Mon 30 Mar, SARAH & DUCK’S BIG TOP BIRTHDAY Wed 1 - Thurs 2 Apr; Artrix, Puppetry, storytelling & music Bromsgrove, Mon 30 Mar combine in a production based on MILITARY WIVES (12a) Comedy/Drama. the BAFTA-winning CBeebies show, Starring Kristin Scott Thomas, Sharon Sat 4 - Mon 6 Apr, Midlands Arts Horgan. The Roses Theatre, Centre, Birmingham Tewkesbury, Fri 3, Mon 6 - Tues 7 & THE BEAR Puppetry, music and Fri 10 Apr storytelling combine in a show based THE CALL OF THE WILD (PG) on Raymond Briggs’ book, Sun 5 Adventure/Drama. Starring Harrison Apr, Albany Theatre, Coventry Ford, Omar Sy. Artrix, Bromsgrove, SHARK IN THE PARK Family musical Sat 28 Mar; Number 8, Pershore, based on Nick Sharratt’s popular Mon 30 Mar - Thurs 2 Apr books, Sun 5 Apr, Swan Theatre, PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE (15) Dr John Cooper Clarke - Stratford Playhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon Worcester Drama/Romance. Starring Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel. Foreign Midlands Solihull language, subtitled. The Roses THE BODENHAM EASTER TRAIL Hunt for SPRING SPECTACULAR Meet the new Theatre, Tewkesbury, Wed 1 - Thurs 2 the Easter Bunny's carrots before super-cute animal babies, Sat 4 - Sun Cabaret Apr collecting a treat from the Visitor 19 Apr, Hatton Adventure World, Centre, Wed 1 - Sun 19 Apr, Warwick AN EVENING OF PSYCHIC CONNECTIONS: RICHARD JEWELL (15) Bodenham Arboretum, Kidderminster PART 3 With medium Karen Archer, Biography/Crime. Starring Paul ZOG & THE QUEST FOR THE GOLDEN Sat 4 Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell. Rugby MINI MAKERS Sessions for babies and STAR Brand new trail for Easter 2020, Birmingham Theatre, Fri 3 - Sat 4 Apr toddlers, Thurs 2 Apr, Herbert Art teaching budding dragons the skills ONWARD (PG) Animation/Adventure. Gallery & Museum, Coventry they need to become fully-fledged With the voices of Tom Holland, Chris PLANETARIUM LATES: EQUINOX 360 PINK dragons, Sat 4 - Sun 19 Apr, Warwick Pratt. The Roses Theatre, FLOY D TRIBUTE Performed live by one Castle Dance Tewkesbury, Fri 3 - Sat 4, Mon 6 - man and one instrument, Thurs 2 - Fri EASTER ADVENTURE QUEST Crack the Tues 7 & Thurs 9 Apr 3 Apr, Thinktank Science Museum, clues as you and your family follow PHOENIX DANCE: BLACK WATERS Birmingham the trail, Sat 4 - Sun 19 Apr, Original work fusing western SPYCIES (U) Animation/Action. With Kenilworth Castle contemporary dance movement and the voices of Karen Strassman, ENGINUITY EXPLORERS Explore the classical kathak Indian dance, Thurs Monsieur Poulpe. Artrix, Bromsgrove, contents of Mr Darby's Magical Box EASTER ADVENTURE QUEST Crack the 2 Apr, Malvern Theatres Sat 4 Apr of Science Secrets, Fri 3 Apr, clues as you and your family follow Enginuity Museum, Ironbridge, the trail, Sat 4 - Sun 19 Apr, Witley Shropshire Court, Great Witley NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: EASTER CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL Stock up Released from Fri 3 Apr, showing at on chocolate treats ahead of Easter selected cinemas weekend, Sat 4 Apr, FarGo Village, THE ASSISTANT (15) Coventry CARMILLA (15) FAMILY SATURDAYS: THIS MAKES THAT THE UNCERTAIN KINGDOM (15) WITH THESE | IRON PEOPLE Deconstruct objects and reassemble THE SECRET GARDEN (PG) different parts using the technique of THE NEW MUTANTS (12a) soldering, Sat 4 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum JEWELLERY QUARTER HERITAGE WALK Events Guided walk looking at the people, EASTER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES Enjoy places and themes that have helped ‘mini madness’ this Easter, Sat 4 - COVENTRY FESTIVAL OF RUNNING Part to shape the district, Sat 4 Apr, Sun 26 Apr, British Motor Museum, of a week-long festival of running, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Gaydon, Warwickshire until Sun 5 Apr, Coventry City Centre Birmingham BOLLYWOOD DIVAS Show paying TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Explore over tribute to the leading ladies of TROLL-TASTIC ADVENTURE Get ready TOKFEST Including meet & greets, live 500 stalls packed with all kinds of Bollywood - the world’s largest film for Trolls World Tour! until Sun 10 Q&As, games, chats and a hashtag collectable toys, trains and models industry, India, Sat 4 Apr, Birmingham May, Legoland Discovery Centre, challenge zone and more, Sat 4 - for sale, Sun 5 Apr, NEC, Birmingham Birmingham Sun 5 Apr, NEC, Birmingham Hippodrome GRIMM FAIRY-TALES AT SOHO JAWSOME SHARKS The National Sea TUDOR WORLD EASTER 2020 Be a Immersive storytelling to ur, Sun 5 Life Centre is looking for brave detective and find out who stole the Apr, Soho House, Birmingham adventurers for a brand new quest Easter eggs, Sat 4 - Sat 18 Apr, Tudor FAIRY-TALE CRAFT: JACK AND THE with the venue’s Professor Finn... World, Stratford-upon-Avon Talks BEANSTALK Craft your own beanstalk until Sun 10 May, National Sea Life THE LUCKIEST GUY ALIVE: DR JOHN EASTER HOLIDAYS AT SHAKESPEARE'S pot and grow it to the castle in the Centre, Birmingham COOPER CLARKE Join the ‘people’s BIRTHPLACE TRUST Sat 4 - Sun 19 Apr, sky, Sun 5 Apr, Soho House, B’ham MINI MUSEUM ENGINEERS | MARBLE Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford- poet’ as he shares works from his EDITION DOG LIVE Featuring RUNS Become a marble run specialist upon-Avon critically acclaimed new poetry performances, stands, displays and in a session using both giant and collection, Sat 4 Apr, Stratford EASTER AT BECKETTS FARM Welcome rare breeds, Sun 5 Apr, Stoneleigh small marble runs, Wed 1 Apr, Playhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon new chicks into the world, Sat 4 - Sun Park, Kenilworth Coventry Transport Museum, West 19 Apr, Beckett's Farm, Wythall, Nr whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 6 - 12 April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 16:13 Page 1

whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 6 - 12 April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 16:13 Page 2

thelist Monday 6 - Sunday 12 April Classical & Theatre A GIRL IN SCHOOL UNIFORM (WALKS Easy Listening INTO A BAR) Bold new play about ‘crisis, darkness, cities and hope’, LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT: MUSIC Tues 7 Apr, The Blue Orange FOR EASTER Featuring Thomas Trotter (organ). Programme includes Theatre, Birmingham works by J.S Bach, Handel, Brahms, CALAMITY JANE Amateur staging of a J.Dattas, R. Downes & Dupré, Mon 6 musical theatre classic, Tues 7 - Sat Apr, Birmingham Town Hall 11 Apr, Norbury Theatre, Droitwich AGNES OBEL IN CONCERT Mon 6 Apr, THE GLEE CLUB ‘Raucous’ comedy Symphony Hall, Birmingham concerning five hard-working hard- EX CATHEDRA: GOOD FRIDAY ST JOHN drinking miners and a church PASSION Featuring Jeffrey Skidmore organist rehearsing for a local gala, (conductor), Fri 10 Apr, Symphony Tues 7 - Sat 11 Apr, Malvern Hall, Birmingham Theatres PENDRYS MALE CHOIR Fri 10 Apr, BLEAK HOUSE The Pantaloons Pussycat Dolls - Arena Birmingham Artrix, Bromsgrove present Charles Dickens’ tale of love, skulduggery and spontaneous THE MOVIES Thurs 9 Actress & Bishop, combustion, Wed 8 Apr, Swan Apr, Swan Theatre, Birmingham Gigs Theatre, Worcester Worcester GUNS OR ROSES Sat 11 THE WIZARD OF OZ Join Dorothy, SKENGDO X AM Mon 6 MARK HARRISON BAND Apr, The Marr’s Bar, Comedy Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Apr, O2 Institute, Thurs 9 Apr, Worcester ARABELLA WEIR Wed 8 Apr, cowardly Lion as they journey Birmingham Huntingdon Hall, CUT GLASS KINGS Sat Huntingdon Hall, Worcester through Oz to meet the legendary Worcester TRIPPIE REDD - LOVE ME 11 A pr, Dead Wax, Wizard, Wed 8 Apr, The Roses MORE TOUR Tues 7 Apr, GLADYS KNIGHT: Birmingham Theatre, Tewkesbury O2 Academy, B’ham MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO THE BLOW MONKEYS HOW TO SAVE A LIFE ‘Hilarious and GEORGIA Thurs 9 Apr, EVERYONE YOU KNOW / Sat 11 Apr, Pizza heart-wrenching story’ of one The Palace Theatre, MASTER PEACE Tues 7 Express Live, woman, one party and a cancer Redditch Apr, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham diagnosis, Wed 8 - Sat 11 Apr, The Birmingham IQ Fri 10 Apr, O2 THE GREATEST HITS OF Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham RUMOURS OF MOTOWN - HOW SWEET HOWERD’S END New play about FLEETWOOD MAC Tues THE CATENARY WIRES, IT IS Sat 11 Apr, The comedian Frankie Howerd, Wed 8 - 7 Apr, Malvern PETE ASTOR, THE Alexandra, B’ham Sun 12 Apr, The Old Joint Stock Theatres PRISTINES + THE KITCHEN CLUB INDIE Theatre, Birmingham SUNBATHERS Fri 10 Apr, BANTER Tues 7 Apr, DISCO NO. 35 Sat 11 WOODLAND TALES WITH GRANDDAD The Tin Music and The Roses Theatre, Apr, The Tin Music and Intimate show for younger Arts, Coventry Tewkesbury Arts, Coventry audiences, Thurs 9 Apr, The Core EASTER SPECIAL FT. RED RUM CLUB Fri 10 ANDY BENNETT + Theatre, Solihull Apr, O2 Institute, SASASAS Wed 8 Apr, SPECIAL GUESTS Sat 11 EUROPEANA New production which Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham Apr, Artrix, compresses 100 years of European PUSSYCAT DOLLS Wed DREADZONE Fri 10 Apr, Bromsgrove history into a fast-paced narrative, 8 Apr, Arena B’ham Hare & Hounds, CARPENTERS GOLD Sat Thurs 9 Apr - Sat 25 July, Royal Birmingham 11 Apr, Evesham Arts Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- THE JIGANT ICS PLUS JOEL DOMMETT Wed 8 Apr, Palace CARIBBEAN ROCKS Fri Centre upon-Avon OLIVIA ROSE DEAN Wed Theatre, Redditch 8 Apr, The Red Lion 10 Apr, O2 Institute, DUTTY MOONSHINE BIG GOODNIGHT MR TOM Amateur staging TOM ROSENTHAL Wed 8 Apr, Midlands Folk Club, B’ham Birmingham BAND Sat 11 Apr, O2 of Michelle Magorian’s much Arts Centre, Birmingham NEW HOPE CLUB Thurs THE BUSINESS Fri 10 Institute, Birmingham acclaimed wartime tale, Fri 10 - Sat THE MIGHTY KIDS BEATBOX COMEDY 18 Apr, Rugby Theatre 9 Apr, O2 Institute, Apr, Hare & Hounds, SEVEN DRUNKEN SHOW Wed 8 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham NIGHTS - THE STORY OF MADAMA BUTTERFLY Russian State Birmingham GEORGE MICHAEL - THE SENSATIONAL 60S THE DUBLINERS Sat 11 Ballet presents its version of one of RANDALL BUTLER Thurs EXPERIENCE Fri 10 Apr, Apr, Belgrade Theatre, DOM JOLY Thurs 9 Apr, The Old Rep the world’s most exotic operas, Sat 9 Apr, The River The Alexandra, Coventry Theatre, Birmingham 11 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Rooms, Stourbridge Birmingham WORLD CLASH: THE END RACHEL FAIRBURN, MIKE WILMOT & LOST GODS OF ENGLAND SOUND OF THE SIRENS Sun 12 Apr, O2 COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY THE UNDOING OF POLLY BUTTON: A Thurs 9 Apr, Hare & Fri 10 Apr, The Marr’s Academy, Birmingham ROBINSON Thurs 9 Apr, The Glee FOLK OPERA BY KATHERINE FEAR Musical retelling of the tragic life of Hounds, Birmingham Bar, Worcester SEVEN DRUNKEN Club, Birmingham Nuneaton resident Mary Green, Sat NIGHTS - THE STORY OF TOM STADE Fri 10 Apr, Huntingdon RICK ASTLEY Thurs 9 11 Apr, Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton Apr, Arena B’ham THE DUBLINERS Sun 12 Hall, Worcester Apr, The Alexandra, RACHEL FAIRBURN, MIKE WILMOT, THAT PEDAL SHOW Birmingham BAND Thurs 9 Apr, The MICKY P KERR & ANDY ROBINSON Fri Asylum, B’ham THE TIN TIN’S RE-UNION 10 - Sat 11 Apr, The Glee Club, Kids Theatre PARTY 2020 Sun 12 Birmingham THE COVASETTES + Apr, Hare & Hounds, SHARK IN THE PARK Family musical OUTLINE + LOWER STEVE HARRIS, NICK DOODY, THOMAS Birmingham GREEN & DAVE LONGLEY Sat 11 Apr, based on Nick Sharratt’s popular LOVEDAY Thurs 9 Apr, books, Mon 6 Apr, Artrix, GEKO: THE 22 TOUR Sun The Comedy Loft, Birmingham The Sunflower, Bromsgrove Birmingham 12 Apr, O2 Institute, GUZ KHAN, DALISO CHAPONDA, JOHN RAPUNZEL: A TANGLED MUSICAL TALE LOVE BREAKERS / HELL’S Birmingham SIMMIT, SHABBA & JAY DROCH Sun 12 CHICAGOES BLU Immersion Theatre present a brand BROTHERS - A NIGHT AT DITCH Sat 11 Apr, The Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 6 - 12 April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 16:13 Page 3

April 2020 BROMSGROVE

Weekender Friday 10 - Sunday 12 April Thurs 23 April 7.30pm Wed 29 April 7.30pm KING PLEASURE GEORGE EGG EasterMusic, Weekender Film, Food & Fun & THE BISCUIT BOYS MOVABLE FEAST Popular Swing band Cooking & comedy show in the Studio

Family Theatre From 6 April

Incl:Easter Shark in the Family Park and Puss Theatre in Boots

Music Thursday 16 April Mon 4 & Tues 5 May 2.30pm &7.30pm Thurs 7 May 7.30pm ALL OUR YESTERDAYS ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW The Ultimate Classic Timeless Theatre Company present a & THE LOW RIDERS Rock Show colourful rollercoaster ride of nostalgia Superb musician and performer Music Sunday 19 April Kate Bush-Ka

Workshops From 20 April Sun 17 May 7.30pm Tues 19 May 7.30pm New Workshops FAIRPORT CONVENTION AN AUDIENCE WITH including Lino Printing LESLEY GARRETT Fantastic Folk Rock Britain's most popular Soprano Theatre Thursday 30 April Andrew Maxwell: Reality box office: 01527 57733 I www.artrix.co.uk. I @artrixarts

Join our Mailing List and receive information about up coming shows Artrix, Slideslow Drive or down load our latest brochure Bromsgrove, B60 1GN

whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 6 - 12 April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 16:13 Page 4

thelist Monday 6 - Sunday 12 April

new musical version of the classic ‘exhilarating dance styles, dazzling family tale, Tues 7 Apr, The Old Rep footwork and breathtaking Theatre, Birmingham athleticism’ - all set to the music of ROALD DAHL & THE IMAGINATION Sting, Wed 8 - Thurs 9 Apr, SEEKERS Interactive theatre show Birmingham Hippodrome fusing performance, games & play. REMEMBERING THE OSCARS Aljaz and Suitable for children aged six-plus, Janette return with a brand new Tues 7 Apr, Number 8, Pershore show, Thurs 9 Apr, Symphony Hall, PEPPA PIG'S BEST DAY EVER Brand new Birmingham show for younger audiences, packed full of songs, games & laughter, Tues 7 - Thurs 9 Apr, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Film THE CURIOUS GARDEN Makeshift INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Ensemble fuse puppetry, original PARASITE (15) Drama. Starring Kang- music and storytelling in an ho Song, Yeo-jeong Jo. Foreign Roald Dahl & The Imagination Seekers - Number 8, Pershore enchanting tale with an language, subtitled. Artrix, Millennium Point & Eastside Park, Repertory Theatre’s adult art group to environmental theme, Thurs 9 Apr, Bromsgrove, Mon 6 & Wed 8 Apr; Birmingham create banners for their Made In Swan Theatre, Worcester Number 8, Pershore, Thurs 9 Apr THIS MAKES THAT WITH THESE | Birmingham performance over the THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA Family DOLITTLE (PG) Adventure/Comedy. WRAPPED IN PLASTICS Explore the Easter Holidays, Thurs 9 Apr, show packed with ‘oodles of magic, Starring Robert Downey Jr., Antonio benefits and dangers of plastic, Tues Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery singalong songs and clumsy chaos’, Banderas. Number 8, Pershore, Mon 7 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum HAPPY EASTER TRAIL Follow the Thurs 9 - Sun 12 Apr, Warwick Arts 6 & Wed 8 Apr EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Featuring wildlife trail around the Gardens, Centre, Coventry EOS: EASTER IN ART (12a) Easter egg hunts, crafts, activities solve the puzzle and collect a yummy OI FROG & FRIENDS! Theatre for Documentary. Directed by Phil and trails, Tues 7 - Thurs 9 Apr, Easter treat, Thurs 9 - Mon 13 Apr, younger audiences combining Grabsky. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 7 Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove Spetchley Park Gardens, nr songs, puppetry, laughter ‘and more Apr Worcester EASTER EGG TRAIL Find all the clues in rhymes than you can shake a chime LITTLE WOMEN (U) Drama. Starring the garden to complete the trail and TALL TALES: JACK AND THE BEANSTALK at’, Fri 10 - Mon 13 Apr, Birmingham Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson. Artrix, win a prize, Tues 7 - Sun 19 Apr, FAMILY STORYTELLING TOUR Interactive Town Hall Bromsgrove, Wed 8 - Thurs 9 Apr Blakesley Hall, Birmingham telling of a brand new tall tale of the SAM’S SAUSAGE SPECTACULAR ONWARD (PG) Animation/Adventure. story of Jack and the Beanstalk, SMETHWICK ENGINE STEAMING DAY The Children’s theatre for kids aged With the voices of Tom Holland, Chris Aston Hall, Birmingham Smethwick Engine has recently between two and nine, Sat 11 Apr, Pratt. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 10 Apr; undergone an extensive restoration FESTIVAL OF POWER Action-packed Swan Theatre, Worcester Number 8, Pershore, Fri 10, Tues 14 project, Wed 8 Apr, Thinktank Easter weekend for the whole family, RAPUNZEL: A TANGLED MUSICAL TALE & Thurs 16 Apr Science Museum, Birmingham featuring jet car shootout, monster Immersion Theatre present a brand THE MAN WHO KILLED DON QUIXOTE trucks, stunts, sideshows, traders EXPLORE THE FACTORY FLOOR: EASTER new musical version of the classic (15) Comedy/Adventure. Starring and more, Fri 10 - Sun 12 Apr, Santa EDITION Explore the Smith & Pepper family tale, Sat 11 Apr, Albany Adam Driver, Jonathan Pryce, Pod Raceway, Wellingborough Company at your own pace, with Theatre, Coventry Number 8, Pershore, Fri 10 - Sat 11 guides along the way, Wed 8 Apr, CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT Fill your HORRIBLE HISTORIES: THE WORST OF Apr Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Easter with family fun, delicious BARMY BRITAIN History for younger PETER RABBIT 2: THE RUNAWAY (12a) Birmingham Cadbury treats, and eggciting egg audiences - with the nasty bits left in, Adventure/Comedy. Starring Margot hunts, Fri 10 - Mon 13 Apr, Croft CRAFTY WEDNESDAY - DRAGON MASKS Sat 11 Apr, Palace Theatre, Redditch Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki. The Roses Castle, Nr Leominster; Greyfriars Scare your friends and family with Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 10 - Sat 11, House & Garden, Worcester; Croome your very own dragon mask, Wed 8 Mon 13 - Sun 19 Apr Park, Worcester; Hanbury Hall, Apr, Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, B’ham Droitwich; Coughton Court, Alcester; PADDINGTON (PG) Adventure/Comedy. GUIDED TOUR: HERITAGE AND HISTORY Baddesley Clinton, Solihull; Talks Starring Hugh Bonneville, Sally OF THE BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL Charlecote Park, Warwick; Packwood SOUNDS OF THE 70S WITH JOHNNIE Hawkins. Followed by Teddy Bear's GARDENS Learn more about how the House, Solihull; Birmingham Back to WALKER Johnnie Walker takes his Picnic Party & a meet and greet with Gardens have evolved over time, Backs Paddington. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat long-running BBC Radio Two show Wed 8 Apr, Birmingham Botanical out on the road, Wed 8 Apr, 11 Apr EASTER EXTRAVAGANZA Featuring Gardens bonnet competitions, an Easter egg Wolverhampton Grand Theatre CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY MAKE AND PLAY ENGINEERS | PLAYFUL trail and the brand new Freddo & AN INTERESTING EVENING WITH STEVE (PG) Adventure/Comedy. Starring PROTEST FOR THE PLANET Use plastic Caramel Bunny live stage show, Fri DAVIS A rare insight into how one of Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore. bottles and bags, wooden off-cuts, 10 - Mon 13 Apr, Cadbury World, the country’s sporting superstars has Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 12 Apr old electrical equipment and big Birmingham stood the test of time... Thurs 9 Apr, MILITARY WIVES (12a) Comedy/Drama. open-ended play resources to add to OLYMPEGG EASTER TREASURE HUNT The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury Starring Kristin Scott Thomas, Sharon our collaborative ‘Reuse? Reduce? Enjoy an Easter treasure hunt around Horgan. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 12, Recycle? Protest’ sculpture, Wed 8 the castle and its grounds, Fri 10 - Tues 14 - Wed 15 Apr Apr, Coventry Transport Museum Mon 13 Apr, Eastnor Castle, Ledbury Coventry, West Midlands Dance 'IN SWEET MUSIC IS SUCH ART...' After- DRAGON EGG HUNT Can you find the hours talk about the music used in RIVERDANCE: 25TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW Events giant eggs hidden around the Elizabethan and Jacobean theatres Reinvention of the much-loved family grounds? Wed 8 - Sun 12 Apr, and performance, Sat 11 Apr, favourite, Mon 6 - Thurs 9 Apr, The DESTINATION SPACE - EASTER HOLIDAYS Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford- Alexandra, Birmingham Blast off into space this Easter with Birmingham upon-Avon the latest Destination Space activities, BURN THE FLOOR: ANYTHING YOU CAN PAINT POTS AND SPARKLES Explore THE JOE & DIANNE SHOW Featuring Mon 6 - Fri 17 Apr, Thinktank Science DO New dance show from Kevin & colours and textures using paint, clay Strictly’s Joe Sugg and Dianne Museum, Birmingham Joanne Clifton, Wed 8 Apr, and collage materials, Thurs 9 Apr, Buswell, Sun 12 Apr, Arena B’ham Symphony Hall, Birmingham GAIA Installation allowing visitors to Worcester City Museum & Art Gallery FAMILY FUN DAYS Sun 12 - Mon 13 see the Earth as it appears from MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE Kate Prince’s MADE IN BIRMINGHAM: BANNER MAKING Apr, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove new dance-theatre show fuses space, Mon 6 Apr - Mon 1 Jun, WORKSHOP Join Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 13 - 19 April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 16:44 Page 1 thelist

musical that lovingly lampoons the Gigs Classical & popular TV sitcom, Tues 14 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre THE MAGIC OF THE Easy Listening BY THE WATERS OF LIVERPOOL New BEATLES Mon 13 Apr, staging of Helen Forrester’s The Alexandra, B’ham CBSO: ELGAR’S THE DREAM OF wartime play, Tues 14 - Wed 15 Apr, JAZZLINES TALENT GERONTIUS Featuring Edward Malvern Theatres DEVELOPMENT Gardner (conductor), Anna FROZEN Psychological thriller about SHOWCASE Mon 13 Apr, Stéphany (mezzo soprano), Robert retribution, remorse and Symphony Hall, Murray (tenor) & James Platt redemption, Tues 14 - Sat 18 Apr, Birmingham (bass), Thurs 16 - Sat 18 Apr, The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham Symphony Hall, Birmingham KING KING Tues 14 Apr, CHAPLIN: BIRTH OF A TRAMP Arrows Birmingham Town Hall SIBERIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & Traps explore how one of the Featuring Dmitry Vasiliev MR BEN & THE BENS world’s most remarkable (conductor), Freddy Kempf (piano). Tues 14 Apr, Hare & performers spun personal tragedy Programme includes works by Olga Hounds, Birmingham into universal comedy, Wed 15 Apr, Leveret - Huntingdon Hall, Worcester Viktorova, Rachmaninoff & The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham SET IT OFF Wed 15 Apr, Tchaikovsky, Fri 17 Apr, Symphony O2 Institute, B’ham TAKE THE FIFTH Fri 17 Centre, Pershore Hall, Birmingham THE CROFT The Original Theatre Apr, The Night Owl, Company present a true story HARRY STYLES Wed 15 ISLANDS IN THE STREAM Birmingham RUISI QUARTET Programme includes which interweaves the past and the Apr, Arena B’ham Sat 18 Apr, Bedworth works by Purcell & Beethoven, Fri THE ACACIA STRAIN Fri Civic Hall present. Gwen Taylor stars..., Wed BOOMTOWN RATS Wed 17 Apr, Elmslie House, Malvern 17 Apr, The Asylum, 15 - Sat 18 Apr, Belgrade Theatre, 15 Apr, Birmingham THE COUNTERFEIT Birmingham Coventry Town Hall STONES Sat 18 Apr, PRINCE PARTY Fri 17 Artrix, Bromsgrove CALAMITY JANE Amateur staging of SARAH MCQUAID Wed 15 Apr, Hare & Hounds, a musical theatre classic, Wed 15 - Apr, Huntingdon Hall, THE LANCASHIRE Comedy Birmingham Sat 18 Apr, Playbox Theatre, The Worcester HOTPOTS BEERHEMIAN JOE LYCETT Mon 13 Apr, The Glee Dream Factory, Warwick ANOTHER SKY Fri 17 Apr, RHAPSODY TOUR Sat 18 SEA GIRLS Thurs 16 Apr, Club, Birmingham Dead Wax, Birmingham Apr, O2 Academy, A MONSTER CALLS Olivier Award- O2 Institute, B’ham PREACHER LAWSON Wed 15 Apr, The winning show based on Patrick JESS SILK ALBUM Birmingham SNOOP DOG Thurs 16 Glee Club, Birmingham Ness's novel, Wed 15 - Sat 18 Apr, LAUNCH Fri 17 Apr, THE PHIL BEER BAND Sat Apr, Arena B’ham Malvern Theatres Katie Fitzgeralds, 18 Apr, The Roses DAN NIGHTINGALE, CATHERINE HAPPYNESS Thurs 16 Stourbridge Theatre, Tewkesbury BOHART & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ME AND MY DOLL Romantic comedy Apr, Hare & Hounds, ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 16 - Sat 18 exploring the challenges, joys and CITYLIGHTZ Fri 17 Apr, THOMAS TRUAX - NEW Birmingham Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham pitfalls of allowing yourself to be O2 Institute, B’ham MUSIC MACHINES TOUR vulnerable... Thurs 16 Apr, The Old STRESS RELEASE Thurs CHRIS RAMSEY Fri 17 Apr, The THE OTHER SIDE OF BILLY Sat 18 Apr, The Tin Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham 16 Apr, Dead Wax, Alexandra, Birmingham Fri 17 Apr, Huntingdon Music and Arts, Birmingham Coventry STUDIO COMEDY CLUB Fri 17 Apr, THE WIZARD OF OZ Spring Hall, Worcester Pantomime adaptation of L Frank SARI SCHORR Thurs 16 Albany Theatre, Coventry RAK-SU Sat 18 Apr, O2 CREEPER Sat 18 Apr, O2 Baum’s classic story, Thurs 16 - Fri Apr, Huntingdon Hall, Academy, Birmingham Institute, B’ham DAN NIGHTINGALE, CATHERINE 17 Apr, The Old Rep Theatre, Worcester BOHART, KANE BROWN & NOEL JAMES FLASHHEARTS, THE THE WHITE BUFFALO Sun Birmingham THE ULTIMATE CLASSIC Fri 17 Apr, The Glee Club, SECRETS THAT KILL US & 19 Apr, O2 Institute, VOLPONE Classic satire from African ROCK SHOW Thurs 16 Birmingham HIJACK HOTEL Sat 18 Birmingham Caribbean theatre company Tangle, Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove Apr, Route 44, B’ham LEVERET Sun 19 Apr, STEPHEN BAILEY, ELLIOT STEEL, STEVE Thurs 16 - Sat 18 Apr, Belgrade THE ELO EXPERIENCE SHANYASKI & PETE OTWAY Sat 18 STRAIGHTEN OUT Huntingdon Hall, Theatre, Coventry Thurs 16 Apr, The Apr, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham (STANGLERS TRIBUTE) Worcester ROMEO & JULIET Shakespeare's Palace Theatre, Sat 18 Apr, The Marr’s NAP EYES Sun 19 Apr, DAN NIGHTINGALE, CATHERINE iconic story of romantic woe is Redditch Bar, Worcester Hare & Hounds, B’ham BOHART, NOEL JAMES & COMIC TBC transported from Verona to THE NIGHT CAFE Fri 17 Sat 18 Apr, The Glee Club, B’ham ULTRA 80S Sat 18 Apr, KATE BUSH-KA Sun 19 Birmingham, Thurs 16 - Sat 25 Apr, Apr, O2 Academy, The River Rooms, Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove TOMMY SANDHU, HYDE PANASER, The REP, Birmingham Birmingham SLIM & EMILY LLOYD-SAINI Sun 19 Stourbridge CRAIG DAVID Sun 19 THE NOISE NEXT DOOR IN CHARGE THE KING ELVIS PRESLEY Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham BIFF BYFORD - SCHOOL Apr, Arena Birmingham ‘Side-splitting, jaw-dropping, time- LIVES ON Fri 17 Apr, The OF HARD KNOCKS Sat 18 travelling adventure that's fun for Core Theatre, Solihull CALLAGHAN Sun 19 Apr, literally everyone’, Fri 17 Apr, Apr, Birmingham Town Hare & Hounds, B’ham HERMAN’S HERMITS Fri Hall Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham 17 Apr, The Palace AS EVERYTHING Theatre KARL LOXLEY: YOU RAISE DOWNSIDE ABBEY Presented by Theatre, Redditch UNFOLDS & I CRIED PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT Stourbridge Writers & Actors ME UP Sat 18 Apr,The WOLF Sun 19 Apr, O2 THE STIFF JOINTS, Strictly winner Joe McFadden stars Group, Fri 17 Apr, Swan Theatre, Core Theatre, Solihull Academy, Birmingham PUFFIN + MORE Fri 17 in a new production of the smash- Worcester JOHNNY COPPIN Sat 18 Apr, The Marr’s Bar, LIFE Sun 19 Apr, O2 hit musical, Mon 13 - Sat 18 Apr, Apr, Number 8 JON CULSHAW: THE GREAT BRITISH Worcester Institute, Birmingham Birmingham Hippodrome Community Arts TAKE OFF Evening of unscripted, SMOOVE &TURRELL: THE MILL ON THE FLOSS Amateur spontaneous comedy and STRATOS BLEU TOUR Fri staging of George Elliot’s conversation, with politicians, 17 Apr, Hare & Hounds, autobiographical novel, Mon 13 - sports personalities and celebrities Birmingham Sat 18 Apr, Talisman Theatre, all up for a roasting, Fri 17 Apr, Coventry Artrix, Bromsgrove IMPERIAL AGE Fri 17 Apr, The Asylum, B’ham LA BOHÉME Brand new production RICHARD JONES: ESCAPE Evening of of Puccini's romantic opera. Sung magic with the only magician ever KREWZ CNTRL Fri 17 Apr, in Italian with English surtitles, Tues Hare & Hounds, to have won Britain’s Got Talent, Fri 14 Apr, The Alexandra, Birmingham Birmingham 17 Apr, The Roses Theatre, The Phil Beer Band - The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury FRIENDS! THE MUSICAL PARODY Hit Tewkesbury

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Monday 13 - Sunday 19 April

FLOWER CUTTERS Coming-of-age Requiem For A Rose, Fri 17 Apr, thriller about friendship and betrayal, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Fri 17 - Sat 18 Apr, Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome ILLUSION/DELUSION Three new plays by playwright David Pollard, Sat 18 Talks Apr, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham TEACUPS AND TIARAS Bestselling BLAKE: MOVIE & MUSICALS Sat 18 Apr, author William Hanson presents the The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham history of customs, tastes and THE WIZARD OF OZ Join Dorothy, man ners, Fri 17 Apr, Stratford Scarecrow, Tin Man and the cowardly Playhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon Lion as they journey through Oz to meet the legendary Wizard, Sat 18 Apr, Palace Theatre, Redditch MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL 2: CRUISING Film THROUGH MENOPAUSE! Sequel to the INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: smash-hit show, Menopause The THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 (U) Musical, Sun 19 Apr, The Alexandra, Animation/Adventure. With the voices Birmingham of Patton Oswalt, Kevin Hart. Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton, Tues 14 Apr LITTLE WOMEN (U) Drama. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson. Kids Shows Number 8, Pershore, Tues 14 Apr SHARK IN THE PARK Family musical TOY STORY 4 (U) Animation/Adventure. based on Nick Sharratt’s popular With the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim books, Tues 14 Apr, The Old Rep Allen. Abbey Theatre, Nuneatodn, We Theatre, Birmingham 15 Apr Lyngo Theatre’s Puss In Boots - Artrix, Bromsgrove PUSS IN BOOTS Lyngo Theatre staging EATEN BY LIONS (12a) Comedy. THIS MAKES THAT WITH THESE : ROBOTS ART MASTERCLASS: SCULPTING WITH of the popular children’s tale. Starring Antonio Aakeel, Emily FOR A GREENER PLANET Explore MODROCK Get messy with Modrock CBeebies presenter Patrick Lynch Spowage. Norbury Theatre, Droitwich environmental issues and the rise of and create a sculpture to take home, stars, Tues 14 Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove Spa, Wed 15 Apr eco-robots, Tues 14 Apr, Coventry Thu rs 16 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & SHARK IN THE PARK Family musical GREED (15) Comedy/Drama. Starring Transport Museum Museum, Coventry based on Nick Sharratt’s popular Steve Coogan, Isla Fisher. Number 8, EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Featuring SPRING STEAM GALA From the distant books, Wed 15 Apr, The Roses Pershore, Fri 17 Apr Easter egg hunts, crafts, activities clank of a goods train, to autotrains Theatre, Tewkesbury MR. JONES (15) Biography/Drama. and trails, Tues 14 - Thurs 16 Apr, puffing back and forth, prepare to THE SOOTY SHOW Featuring Sooty's Starring James Norton, Vanessa Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove venture back in time, Thurs 16 - Sun flying car, Soo’s singing unicorn and Kirby. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 17 & MAKE AND PLAY ENGINEERS | PLAYFUL 19 Apr, Severn Valley Railway, Sweep’s levitating sausage! Wed 15 Wed 22 Apr PROTEST FOR THE PLANET Use plastic Bewdley Apr, The Core Theatre, Solihull JOKER (15) Crime/Drama. Starring bottles and bags, wooden off-cuts, CAGE WARRIORS 114 Europe’s leading THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA Family Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro. old electrical equipment and big MMA promotion returns for a third show packed with ‘oodles of magic, Number 8, Pershore, Sat 18 Apr open-ended play resources to add to high-octane event. Sat 18 Apr, Arena sing-along-songs and clumsy chaos’, the venue’s collaborative Reuse? Birmingham FOUR KIDS AND IT (tbc) Family/Fantasy. Wed 15 Apr, Swan Theatre, Reduce? Recycle? Protest sculpture, Starring Paula Patton, Matthew MEDIEVAL ST GEORGE'S DAY Worcester Wed 15 Apr, Coventry Transport Goode. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 18 CELEBRATION Delve into the legend of Museum HOW MUCH IS THAT DRAGON IN THE Apr St George as re-enactors bring WINDOW? The Norbury Players SCULPTURE GALLERY FAMILY TOUR Join history to life, Sat 18 - Sun 19 Apr, L’HOMME DU TRAIN (15) Crime/Drama. present an amateur production Will the Learning Team for a 30-minute Avoncroft Museum, Stoke Heath, Starring Jean Rochefort, Johnny Davies’ popular story for children, Sat talk and tour to find out more about Bromsgrove Hallyday. Foreign language, subtitled. 18 Apr, Norbury Theatre, Droitwich the sculptures on display at the Malvern Theatres, Sun 19 Apr THE VEGAN FESTIVAL Celebrate and PEPPA PIG'S BEST DAY EVER Brand new Herbert, Wed 15 - Wed 22 Apr, explore all things vegan, Sat 18 - Sun RADIOACTIVE (12a) Biography/Drama. show for younger audiences, Sat 18 - Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, 19 Apr, FarGo Village, Coventry Sun 19 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Rosamund Coventry Theatre Pike. The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun 19, Tues 21 - Thurs 23 Apr Cabaret DITA VON TEESE: GLAMONATRIX 'Uber- glamorous' burlesque show, Sat 18 Events Apr, The Alexandra, Birmingham DRAGON DAY Dragon-themed activities, including crafts and dragon school, Mon 13 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, Birmingham Dance EASTER ACTIVITIES Fun activities with SWAN LAKE Vienna Festival Ballet resident children’s entertainer presents its version of one of ballet’s Bibbledy Bob, Mon 13 - Fri 17 Apr, best-loved stories, Mon 13 Apr, Birmingham Botanical Gardens Evesham Arts Centre POTTING SHED CRAFT ACTIVITY Create BALLET CENTRAL Featuring excerpts your own plant pot using a range of from Wayne McGregor’s Symbiont(s) craft materials, Tues 14 Apr, Blakesley Spring Steam Gala - Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Kidderminster & Annabelle Lopez’s Ochoa’s Hall, Birmingham

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ANDREW RYAN, FIN TAYLOR & COMEDY Gigs Classical & CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 23 Apr, The Glee Club, B’ham ASHLEY HENRY Mon 20 Easy Listening SEANN WALSH Fri 24 Apr, The Old Apr, Hare & Hounds, Rep Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH ROBIN MORGAN Fri 24 Apr, The Glee NICK PARKER + THOMAS TROTTER Programme Club, Birmingham SAOIRSE CASEY Mon 20 includes works by Mendelssohn, STEVE HENN'S HENN NIGHT Fri 24 Apr, Apr, The Marr’s Bar, Reger & W. Alcock, Mon 20 Apr, Palace Theatre, Redditch Worcester Symphony Hall, Birmingham ANDREW RYAN, FIN TAYLOR, PAUL BRENDAN SCHAUB: 50 TAIWAN PHILHARMONIC: TCHAIKOVSKY THORNE, ADAM STAUNTON & CELYA AB SHADES OF BROWN NO. 6 Featuring Shao-Chia Lü Fri 24 Apr, The Glee Club, B’ham Tues 21 Apr, O2 (conductor) & Kit Armstrong (piano). Academy, Birmingham Programme includes works by Yuan- JACK BARRY Sat 25 Apr, The REP, Chen-Li, Saint-Saëns & Tchaikovsky, Birmingham MICROWAVE Tues 21 Mon 20 Apr, Symphony Hall, B’ham Apr, The Asylum, ANDREW RYAN, FIN TAYLOR, PAUL Birmingham SIBERIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA THORNE & LINDSEY SANTORO Sat 25 Featuring Dmitr y Vasiliev (conductor) Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham LLOYD COLE Tues 21 & Freddy Kempf (piano). Apr, The Assembly, Ruts DC - The Marr’s Bar - Worcester Programme includes works by Leamington Hall, Worcester 25 Apr, Malvern Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninov & WILL AND THE PEOPLE Tchaikovsky, Wed 22 Apr, Warwick THOMAS BENJAMIN ESQ Theatres Theatre Wed 22 Apr, O2 Arts Centre, Coventry Academy, Birmingham + THE OUSE VALLEY MYSTERY JETS Sat 25 THE WIZARD OF OZ: EASTER PANTO SINGLES CLUB (SOLO) Apr, The Mill, Digbeth CBSO & OSMO VÄNSKÄ Also featuring Bobby Davro stars, Mon 20 Apr, BLACK PEAKS Wed 22 Fri 24 Apr, Hare & Ning Feng (violin). Programme Albany Theatre, Coventry Apr, O2 Institute, Hounds, Birmingham includes works by Sibelius & Birmingham Beethoven, Wed 22 Apr, Symphony DIAL M FOR MURDER Tom Chambers SIMPLE MINDS Fri 24 and Samantha Womack star, Mon 20 HERMAN’S HERMITS Hall, Birmingham Apr, Resorts World - Sat 25 Apr, The Alexandra, B’ham Wed 22 Apr, The Core Arena, Birmingham ASSASSIN’S CREED SYMPHONY A Theatre, Solihull multimedia symphony performance WE WILL ROCK YOU Smash-hit MARK LOCKHEART enabling audiences to experience musical by Queen & Ben Elton, Mon CATRIN O’NEILL & CHRIS GROUP Fri 24 Apr, The the rich musical history of the 20 Apr - Sat 2 May, Birmingham KNOWLES / KAREN Tin Music and Arts, franchise live in concert, Thurs 23 Hippodrome PFEIFFER & PAUL Coventry WALKER Wed 22 Apr, BEXEY Sun 26 Apr, O2 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham THE KITE RUNNER Based on Khaled LAMB OF GOD Fri 24 The Red Lion Folk Academy, Birmingham ANDRÉ RIEU Thurs 23 April, Resorts Hosseini’s international bestselling Apr, O2 Academy, Club, Birmingham World Arena, Birmingham novel, Tues 21 - Sat 25 Apr, Birmingham HOLY MOLY & THE Wolverhampton Grand Theatre GOOD KARMA CLUB CRACKERS Sun 26 Apr, CBSO WITH OSMO VÄNSKÄ Also JOHN ADAMS Fri 24 Apr, TOUR OSCAR LANG The Tin Music and featuring Ning Feng (violin). KIPPS Worcester Operatic Dramatic Artrix, Bromsgrove BIRMINGHAM Thurs 23 Arts, Canal Basin, Programme includes works by Society present an amateur staging Apr, O2 Academy, THE BEST OF FRANKIE Coventry Sibelius & Beethoven, Fri 24 Apr, of the iconic British mu sical, Tues 21 Birmingham VALLI & THE FOUR - Sat 25 Apr, Swan Theatre, ONE NIGHT IN DUBLIN Malvern Theatres SEASONS Fri 24 Apr, Worcester RYAN YOUNG Thurs 23 Sun 26 Apr, Swan SAKARI ORAMO & ROYAL STOCKHOLM Artrix, Bromsgrove Apr, Huntingdon Hall, Theatre, Worcester PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Also CONFESSIONS OF A COCKNEY TEMPLE Worcester THE PUPPINI SISTERS featuring Nicola Benedetti (violin). DANCER Join Shane Shambhu as he SIGNING OFF (LIVE UB40 rips up ideas of race, language and KING PLEASURE AND Fri 24 Apr, Birmingham Programme includes works by TRIBUTE) Sun 26 Apr, culture via a mix of theatre, dance THE BISCUITS Thurs 23 Town Hall Victoria Borisova-Ollas, Prokofiev & The Night Owl, B’ham and film, Tues 21 - Sat 25 Apr, The Apr, The Core Theatre, MAET LIVE Fri 24 Apr, Sibelius, Sat 25 Apr, Symphony Hall, RUTS DC Sun 26 Apr, REP, Birmingham Solihull Bedworth Civic Hall Birmingham The Marr’s Bar, AGNES OF GOD Swan Theatre JOESEF Thurs 23 Apr, DEFINITELY OASIS Fri 24 ENGLISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Worcester Amateur Company present its O2 Institute, B’ham A pr, Kasbah, Coventry MAYLOWER ON THE SEA Featuring WALK RIGHT BACK - THE Worcestershire Schools Chorus, version of John Pielmeier’s drama, LAST GREAT DREAMERS PAUL HEATON & JACQUI EVERLY BROTHERS Kenneth Woods & Neil Ferris Tues 21 - Sat 25 Apr, Swan Theatre, Thurs 23 Apr, The ABBOTT Fri 24 Apr, STORY Sun 26 Apr, The (conductors), April Fredrick Worcester Asylum, Birmingham Arena Birmingham Roses Theatre, (soprano) & David Stout (baritone). THE WEDDING SINGER Amateur Tewkesbury BAXTER DURY Thurs 23 THE HARA Sat 25 Apr, Programme includes works by staging presented by Bournville Apr, O2 Institute, O2 Academy, B’ham GENUINE PANAMA Sun Copland, Tallis, Vaughan Williams, Musical Theatre Company, Tues 21 - Birmingham GODS OF RAP II Sat 25 2 6 Apr, Dead Wax, Higgins & Sawyers, Sat 25 Apr, Sat 25 Apr, The Crescent Theatre, HEATHER PEACE Thurs Apr, Arena Birmingham Worcester Cathedral Birmingham 23 Apr, Hare & Birmingham GORDON GILTRAP Sun GUYS AND DOLLS Amateur production Hounds, Birmingham DIZZY LIZZY / SOUL 26 Apr, The Fleece presented by Studley Operatic TOSKA + SPECIAL STRIPPER Sat 25 Apr, Inn, Nr Evesham Society, Tues 21 - Sat 25 Apr, Palace GUESTS Thurs 23 Apr, The Marr’s Bar, HOLY FUCK Sun 26 Apr, Comedy Theatre, Redditch The Castle & Falcon, Worcester Hare & Hounds, PETE FIRMAN & THE AMAZING TBC Tues PLEASANT ISLAND Flemish Birmingham ROY HEMMINGS: HITS Birmingham 21 Ap r, The Old Rep Theatre, B’ham documentary theatre-makers Silke NOBLE JACKS Thurs 23 OF MOTOWN Sat 25 JOE LYCETT Tues 21 Apr, The Glee Huysmans and Hannes Dereere Apr, Hare & Hounds, Apr, Artrix, Club, Birmingham travel to Nauru to investigate the Birmingham Bromsgrove consequences of a world intent on SCOTT BENNETT, FREDDIE FARRELL, PAT endless growth, Wed 22 - Thurs 23 BRAINSTORM Fri 24 Apr, THE ULTIMATE MONAHAN & BARRY DODDS Wed 22 Apr, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry O2 Academy, COMMITMENTS & BLUES Apr, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester Birmingham BROTHERS Sat 25 Apr, SCREAM PHONE Scream meets MARK STEEL Thurs 23 Apr, The Old Evesham Arts Centre Clueless in a spoof horror musical, THE UPBEAT BEATLES Fri Rep Theatre, Birmingham Wed 22 - Sat 25 Apr, The Old Joint 24 Apr, Huntingdon HOW SWEET IT IS Sat whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 20 - 26 April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 17:02 Page 2

Monday 20 - Sunday 26 April

Stock Theatre, Birmingham musicals of all time’, Sat 25 Apr, THE SOUND OF MUSIC Presented by Albany Theatre, Coventry Nuneaton Amateur Operatic Dramatic THE FATHER The story of an elderly Society, Wed 22 - Sat 25 Apr, Abbey man with dementia, and his daughter, Theatre, Nuneaton who is struggling to maintain a life of THE DELIGHTFUL SAUSAGE: GINSTER’S her own as she cares for him, Sat 25 PARADISE ‘Surreal sketch comedy Apr - Sat 2 May, The Crescent nightmare that will tear your soul Theatre, Birmingham apart’, Thurs 23 Apr, Midlands Arts MR BENNET’S BRIDE Amateur staging Centre, Birmingham of Emma Wood’s prequel to Jane SILENT UPROAR: THANK YOU FOR DOING Austen’s novel, Pride And Prejudice, NOTHING Production about the Sat 25 Apr - Sat 2 May, Priory climate emergency and the men who Theatre, Kenilworth profit from it, Thurs 23 Apr, Midlands THE COMEDY OF ERRORS Actor & Arts Centre, Birmingham comedian Miles Jupp makes his RSC COSI FAN TUTTE English Touring debut, Sat 25 Apr - Sat 3 Oct, Royal Opera present Mozart’s story of Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- young love and fidelity, Thurs 23 - Fri upon-Avon 24 Apr, Malvern Theatres The Kite Runner - Wolverhampton Grand Theatre THE 39 STEPS A cast of four deliver 150 zany characters in John EMMA (U) Comedy/Drama. Starring 21 Apr, Coventry Transport Museum Buchan’s fast-paced whodunnit, Kids Shows Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn. Thurs 23 Apr - Sat 2 May, The Blue IN THE NIGHT GARDEN LIVE: MAKE AND PLAY ENGINEERS: EARTH DAY Rugby Theatre, Fri 24 - Sat 25 Apr Orange Theatre, Birmingham IGGLEPIGGLE’S BUSY DAY Popular Take part in an earthy craft, and take theatre show for younger audiences, THE GENTLEMEN (18) Comedy/Crime. a mini wormery home with you to THE WHY? EVENT Show using Wed 22 - Thurs 23 Apr, Royal Spa Starring Matthew McConaughey, learn more about your local dramatisations, spoken word and Centre, Leamington Spa Charlie Hunnam. Number 8, environment, Wed 22 Apr, Coventry dance to explore why people stay in Pershore, Sat 25 Apr Transport Museum domestic-abuse relationships, Fri 24 BILLIONAIRE BOY Birmingham Stage Apr, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Company present a new version of MULAN (tbc) Action/Adventure. KENDALL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL Thrilling David Walliams’ bestselling story, Starring Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen. Artrix, night of adventure with short films CLIVE ANDERSON: ME, MACBETH & I Wed 22 - Sat 25 Apr, The Belgrade Bromsgrove, Sat 25 & Wed 29 Apr and talk from TV presenter, One-man show promising to be Theatre, Coventry adventurer, explorer and naturalist, ‘funnier than Shakespeare’s greatest Dwayne Fields FRGS, Thurs 23 Apr, tragedy’, Fri 24 Apr, Evesham Arts HORRIBLE HISTORIES: THE WORST OF NEW FILMS ON GENERAL Albany Theatre, Coventry Centre BARMY BRITAIN History for younger RELEASE: audiences - with the nasty bits left in, PAINT POTS AND SPARKLES Chance to CHOICE GRENFELL Tribute to the Released from Fri 24 Apr, showing at Sun 26 Apr, Stratford Playhouse, explore colours and textures, using comedienne & monologist Joyce selected cinemas Stratford-upon-Avon paint, clay and collage materials, Grenfell, Fri 24 Apr, Number 8, FINDING THE WAY BACK (15) Thurs 23 Apr, Worcester City Pershore OUR LADIES (15) Museum & Art Gallery WESELE / WEDDING Immersive one- ANTLERS (15) ST GEORGE ’S DAY CELEBRATIONS woman comedy show, Fri 24 & Sat Dance Medieval living history in the castle 25 Apr, Warwick Arts Centre, and reenactments in the castle Coventry THE LOST HAPPY ENDINGS BalletLorent recreate Carol Ann Duffy’s grounds, Sat 25 Apr, Tamworth Castle enchanting tale, Fri 24 - Sat 25 Apr, Events SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHDAY Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry OUR INTERNATIONAL COLLECTION CELEBRATIONS Special programme to Informal talk about some of the ways mark Shakespeare’s 456th birthday, Shakespeare has been celebrated Sat 25 - Sun 26 Apr, Shakespeare's around the world, Mon 20 Apr, The Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon Film Shakespeare Centre, Stratford-upon- CHEESE & CHUTNEY Featuring cheesy INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Avon street food and loads of the best CUNNINGHAM (U) THIS MAKES THAT WITH THESE: cheeses, chutneys, preserves, Documentary/Biography. Directed by WRAPPED IN PLASTICS Explore the charcuterie and more, Sat 25 - Sun Alla Kovgan. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon benefits and dangers of plastic, Tues 26 Apr, FarGo Village, Coventry 20 Apr HUMBLE BOY Amateur staging of MILITARY WIVES (12a) Comedy/Drama. Charlotte Jones’ touching comedy, Starring Kristin Scott Thomas, Sharon Fri 24 Apr - Sat 2 May, The Bear Pit Horgan. Number 8, Pershore, Mon 20 Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon - Tues 21 Apr GIULIO CESARE English Touring Opera MISBEHAVIOUR (12a) Drama/History. present a revival of Handel’s epic Starring Keira Knightley, Gugu opera of passion & revenge, Sat 25 Mbatha-Raw. Roses Theatre, Apr, Malvern Theatres Tewkesbury, Mon 20 - Fri 24 Apr; MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL 2: CRUISING Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 21 - Thurs THROUGH MENOPAUSE! Sequel to the 23 Apr smash-hit show, Menopause the A QUIET PLACE II (tbc) Horror/Thriller. Musical, Sat 25 Apr, Bedworth Civic Starring Emily Blunt, Millicent Hall Simmonds. Roses Theatre, COME WHAT MAY THE ‘ULTIMATE Tewkesbury, Thurs 23 - Sat 25 Apr TRIBUTE’ TO MOULIN ROUGE ‘All- TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM (12a) singing, all-dancing extravaganza’, Documentary. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri taking audiences on a journey 24 Apr St George’s Day Celebrations - Tamworth Castle through one of the ‘greatest movie- whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 27 - 30 April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 17:06 Page 1

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stories down the pub, Tues 28 - Wed Classical & 29 Apr, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Easy Listening SOMEONE WHO’LL WATCH OVER ME Frank McGuinness’ play about an PETER DONOHOE PIANO RECITAL Irishman, Englishman and an Programme includes works by American, kidnapped and held Haydn, Beethoven & Schumann, hostage by unseen Arabs in Mon 27 Apr, The Bradshaw Hall, Lebanon, Tues 28 Apr - Fri 1 May, Royal Birmingham Concervatoire Huntingdon Hall, Worcester ENGLISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: LAVA Story about friendship and ENGLISH MASTERPIECES Featuring human connection in the face of the Zoë Beyers (violin) & Kenneth inexplicable, Tues 28 Apr - Sat 2 Woods (conductor). Programme May, The REP, Birmingham includes works by Adrian Williams, FLASHDANCE New staging of the Vaughan Williams, Emily Doolittle & iconic film of the same name, Tues Elgar (arr. David Matthews), Wed 29 28 Apr - Sat 2 May, Wolverhampton Apr, Great Malvern Priory, Malvern Grand Theatre CBSO: BEETHOVEN’S EROICA Featuring ALL SHOOK UP Solihull On Stage Julian Rachlin (conductor/violin) & present a heartwarming tale about Sarah McElravy (viola). Programme following dreams, Tues 28 Apr - Sat includes works by Rossini, Mozart & 2 May, The Core Theatre, Solihull Beethoven, Wed 29 - Thurs 30 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham AN INSPECTOR CALLS Stephen Daldry’s award-winning production ISATA KANNEH-MASON PIANO RECITAL of JB Priestley’s classic thriller, Tues Programme includes works by 28 Apr - Sat 2 May, Belgrade Beethoven, John Field, Schumann, Theatre, Coventry Chopin, Barber, Poulenc, Gershwin & Schumann, Thurs 30 Apr, The ONLY FOOLS AND BOYCIE Intimate Bradshall Hall, Royal Birmingham evening with Only Fools And Horses Conservatoire actor John Challis, Wed 29 Apr, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham LUNCHTIME CONCERT WITH TALA TARANG Thurs 30 Apr, Warwick Arts IAN WAITE & VINCENT SIMONE: ACT Centre, Coventry TWO Join the Strictly Come Dancing duo for an evening of old-fashioned NEW LONDON CHAMBER ENSEMBE variety, Wed 29 Apr, Royal Spa Featuring Robert Manasse (flute), Centre, Leamington Spa Melanie Ragge (oboe), Neyire Ashworth (clarinet), Stephen Stirling LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS (horn) & Michael Dussek (piano). LEMONS Rethink Theatre present an Programme includes works by amateur staging of Sam Steiner’s Nathaniel Rateliff - Symphony Hall, Birmingham Beethoven, Nielsen, Poulenc & play, set in a world where we’re Mozart, Thurs 30 Apr, Malvern forced to say less, Wed 29 - Thurs Hare & Hounds, O2 Institute, B’ham Theatres 30 Apr, Albany Theatre, Coventry Gigs Birmingham EMILY BURNS Thurs 30 MRS. CHURCHILL - MY LIFE WITH BUZZARD BUZZARD Apr, Hare & Hounds, WINSTON Informative portrayal of JIMOTHY LACOSTE Mon BUZZARD Tues 28 Apr, Birmingham Winston Churchill’s wife, 27 Apr, O2 Academy, Clementine, Wed 29 Apr - Sat 2 May, Hare & Hounds, JARROD DICKENSON & Comedy Birmingham Birmingham Malvern Theatres DAVID FORD Thurs 30 SIOBHAN PHILLIPS Tues 28 Apr, The BON IVER Mon 27 Apr, OUR HOLLOW, OUR Apr, Hare & Hounds, Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham OLIVER TWIST Bryony Lavery Arena Birmingham HOME Wed 29 Apr, O2 Birmingham adaptation of Dickens’ iconic tale, KERRY GODLIMAN Wed 29 Apr, The Academy, Birmingham Wed 29 Apr - Sat 9 May, The REP, THE RHEINGANS PETE AND BAS Thurs 30 Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham SISTERS Mon 27 Apr, THE FRATELLIS Wed 29 Apr, The Mill, Digbeth BRUM CRAIC Warwick Arts Centre, Wed 29 Apr, Symphony Apr, O2 Institute, ANDY RICHARDS BAND Coventry Hall, Birmingham Birmingham Thurs 30 Apr, Katie IAIN STIRLING Thurs 30 Apr, The Old WALK RIGHT BACK - THE CHON Wed 29 Apr, The Fitzgeralds, Rep Theatre, Birmingham EVERLY BROTHERS Asylum, Birmingham Stourbridge TRIBUTE Mon 27 Apr, ANDREW MAXWELL Thurs 30 Apr, BONFIRE RADICALS Wed THE BEACH BOYS The Alexandra, B’ham Artrix, Bromsgrove 29 Apr, The Red Lion TRIBUTE SHOW Thurs PURPLE THREAD + BAD Folk Club, B’ham 30 Apr, The Palace SCOTT AGNEW, JENNY COLLIER & BUG Mon 27 Apr, The COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY BELINDA O’HOOLEY - Theatre, Redditch Sunflower Lounge, ROBINSON Thurs 30 Apr, The Glee INVERSIONS Wed 29 GWEN DICKEY - THE Birmingham Club, Birmingham Apr, Midlands Arts VOICE OF ROSE ROYCE SONG SUFFRAGETTES Centre, Birmingham Thurs 30 Apr, Tues 28 Apr, The Glee JORDAN MACKAMPA Birmingham Town Hall Club, Birmingham Wed 29 Apr, Hare & THOSE SNAKES & Theatre NATHANIEL RATELIFF Hounds, Birmingham BATTALIONS PLUS THAT’LL BE THE DAY Nostalgic Tues 28 Apr, AMSTERDAM UK premiere of a extravaganza featuring impressions, GUVNA B Thurs 30 Apr, SUPPORT Thurs 30 Apr, Symphony Hall, ‘strikingly original and audacious comic sketches and music from the O2 Academy, Scruffy Murphys, Birmingham Birmingham play’, Mon 27 - Wed 29 Apr, Warwick ’50s, through to the ’80s, Wed 29 - Birmingham Thurs 30 Apr, The Roses Theatre, NIGHTINGALES / PETER Arts Centre, Coventry PROTOJE, LILA IKE & SHAMBOLICS Thurs 30 Tewkesbury ASTOR / KAMURA NIKIPEDIA Shared histories presented SEVANA Thurs 30 Apr, Apr, Dead Wax, OBSCURA Tues 28 Apr, Birmingham as a fusion of stand-up, theatre and THE NAVY LARK A cast of three bring whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 27 - 30 April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 17:06 Page 2

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to life the classic days of radio comedy, Thurs 30 Apr, Swan Theatre, Worcester Film INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: BORED OFF MY TITS Provocative account of one woman’s journey RADIOACTIVE (12a) Biography/Drama. back to herself via music, thrills and Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Rosamund chat lines, Thurs 30 Apr - Fri 1 May, Pike. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon 27 - The Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham Tues 28 Apr MISBEHAVIOUR (12a) Drama/History. Starring Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Number 8, Pershore, Shows For Kids Mon 27 - Tues 28 Apr THE TWISTED TALE OF HANSEL & GRETEL AND THEN WE DANCED (15) Drama. Live music and comic theatre Starring Levan Gelbakhiani, Bachi combine in an imaginative staging of Valishvili. Foreign language, subtitled. the Brothers Grimm fairytale, Wed 29 The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon Apr, Swan Theatre, Worcester 27 - Tues 28 Apr THE TRUTH (PG) Drama. Starring Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche. Foreign language, subtitled. Number 8, Pershore, Thurs 30 Apr An Inspector Calls Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 28 April - Sat 2 May Anybody who’s been fortunate enough to catch a production of JB Events Priestley’s classic work will have no trouble understanding why MINI MUSEUM ENGINEERS | DENS Build it's been such a worldwide hit. dens of all shapes and sizes, Wed 29 When Inspector Goole calls unexpectedly on the prosperous Apr, Coventry Transport Museum Birling family, his startling revelations not only shatter the 2020 UNIBET PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS foundations of their lives but also challenge them t o examine their Featuring some of the world’s best consciences... darts, Thurs 30 Apr, Arena B’ham

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