The Midlands Essential Entertainment Guide

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GARETH GATES out! School’s GOES LEGALLY BLONDE... INTERVIEW INSIDE Goodness Gracious Me Me Gracious Goodness Kulvinder Ghir Kulvinder places to go, things to see... to things go, to places 2012 Birmingham Opera Company Opera Birmingham Mittwoch Aus Licht Aus Mittwoch £1.80 £1.80 AUGUST 320 ISSUE .co.uk

whatsonlive brings his High Flying Birds to the Midlands... the to Birds Flying High his brings www. THE MIDLANDS ESSENTIAL ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE ENTERTAINMENT ESSENTIAL MIDLANDS THE Midlands Cover - August_24-7 Cover 23/07/2012 16:24 Page 1 Page 16:24 23/07/2012 Cover - August_24-7 Cover Midlands MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON ISSUE 320 AUGUST 2012 PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS GRAND whatson Aug_Layout 1 23/07/2012 12:56 Page 1 Great Theatre at the Grand!

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August 2012

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Admin/Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Managing Director: Paul Oliver [email protected] Gareth Gates 01743 281711 interview p10 Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan [email protected] 01743 281710 P.A. to the CEO: Jo Mercer [email protected] 01743 281701 Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell Chris Atherton Accounts Administrator Noel Gallagher headlines V Festival at Weston Park, Staffordshire. Julia Perry Read the interview with Noel on page 6. [email protected] 01743 281717 Website Development: Jim Pallett News p4 Kulvinder Ghir Contributors: TO GET THE VERY interview Graham Bostock: Theatre p8 Alev Dervish: Music LATEST LISTING Music p13 James Cameron-Wilson: INFORMATION, Film Brave Jessica Matthews: VISIT: Comedy p21 read the review p37 Features whatsonlive.co.uk Head Office: Theatre p23 4/5 Dogpole, Shrewsbury, INCLUDING Shropshire. SY1 1EN BOOKING ONLINE Tel: 01743 281777 p37 Fax: 01743 281744 The Midlands’ most Film/DVD e-mail: [email protected] comprehensive entertainment website Visual Arts p45 Festivals p51 This publication is Follow What’s On on printed on paper from a sustainable source and is p55 produced without the use Events of elemental chlorine. twitter.com/whatsonlive August 2012 We endorse the recycling p77 of our magazine and Clubbing/Gay MTWTFSS would encourage you to Become a fan 1 2 3 4 5 pass it on to others to p78 read when you have Books/TV 678910 11 12 finished with it. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 facebook.com/whatsonlive Eating Out p79 ’ 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 WhatsOn 27 28 29 30 31

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News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

New festival for Wolverhampton Wolverhampton City Council has announced that the city is to host its first street festival next month. The Wolverhampton International Street Performers (WISP) Festival will see artists from around the world performing in the centre of Wolverhampton on 8 September. Acts confirmed so far include The Wardens - two loud, bold and colourful characters who’ll slap some ridiculous rules and regulations on passers-by - Snap Boogie - a street dancer from season six of America’s Got Talent - and Bruce Airhead - the meta- morphosis of a man and a six foot bal- Snap Boogie loon. Julius Caesar in Moscow The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced that Gregory Doran’s production of Martine geared up to show her Style... Julius Caesar is to tour Moscow in November. Actress Martine McCutcheon has been confirmed as host for this year’s Style Birmingham Forming part of the World Shakespeare Live A/W12 - the region’s biggest fashion and shopping event. The show has been given a Festival 2012, this contemporary version of new look for 2012, with visitors invited to enjoy the very latest autumn/winter styles and col- Shakespeare’s political thriller features an all- lections, as top international models take to the catwalk. As well as hosting the event, black cast, including Paterson Joseph as Martine, together with stylist Bradley Taylor, will be on hand to answer questions and provide Brutus, Cyril Nri as Cassius, Ray Fearon as helpful tips and advice. Of her forthcoming Birmingham appearance, Martine said: “I’m a girl Mark Antony, Adjoa Andoh as Portia and who absolutely loves all things fashion, beauty and shopping, so when I was offered the Jeffery Kissoon in the title role. The current cast will all travel to Russia to perform at the chance to host the show, I snapped it up. No matter what your age or size, it’s important to Moscow Arts Theatre from 14 to 17 November. feel comfortable in your own skin and be confident in your own style.” This year’s Style Birmingham Live A/W12 takes place at The Mailbox on Saturday 29 September.

fame will play his sidekick, while stage Charity music festival to actress Rebecca Lisewski takes the role of Cinderella. Of his return to the Regent, return for second year Jonathan said: “It’s great to be coming A charity event that raises much-needed home. I missed being here last year, it just funds for Oswestry’s Hope House Children’s didn’t seem right without my Stoke friends Hospice is to take place next month. Quarry and family. I’m gonna make sure that when Fest will bring together a host of local music you come and see this show, it’ll be the best Julius Caesar talent to perform in Shrewsbury’s Quarry pantomime you’ve ever seen. We’re coming Park. The event, which takes place on 1 back with a bang!” Cinderella runs at the From Stourbridge to Downing September, will feature performances from X Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, from 13 Factor’s Laura White, Beatles tribute Made In December to 4 January 2013. Street Liverpool, The Ronaldos, The Clocktower and All Fired Up. There’ll also be an acoustic Stourbridge’s Red House Glass Cone is to stage, bar and food stalls. For further infor- showcase a stunning collection of glassware mation, call Hope House fundraising office prior to it being presented to Number Ten on 01691 671 671. Downing Street in October. The Downing Street Collection has been produced by the Guild of Glass Engravers, Jonathan Wilkes gets ready and will be on display at the to show his Buttons... Cone as part of the International Festival of The Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent is this Glass from 13 August to 7 Christmas welcoming back its biggest pan- October. Commissioned by tomime star, with Jonathan Wilkes booked to The Glass Engraver’s Trust, perform as Buttons in Cinderella. The pro- the collection features dif- duction, which promises to be ‘bigger and ferent elements of Britain’s better than ever before’, will see Jonathan archeological heritage perform alongside fellow panto favourite engraved onto forty-two Christian Patterson. Christian will star as one tumblers, carafes and jugs. of the Ugly Sisters. Kai Evans of Torchwood Jonathan Wilkes

4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk News August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 11:51 Page 2

Another peach of a show for Birmingham Birmingham Stage Company is to bring one of Roald Dahl’s best-loved books to life this Christmas when it presents James And The Giant Peach at the city’s Old Rep theatre. The show, which runs for twelve weeks from 14 November, follows in the footsteps of the company’s other acclaimed family productions. In its twenty year history, BSC has produced stage versions of six other books by Dahl, as well as many other adaptations of children’s literature, including Horrible Histories, The Jungle Book and Tom’s Midnight Garden. Outdoor film festival for Brum This month sees Birmingham’s Brindleyplace host its first ever outdoor film festival. The two-week-long event takes place in Central Square from 13 to 28 August and is open to all. The festival is tak- Rep’s history brought to life... ing a Childhood Favourite theme, and show- Rare photographs, letters, newspaper articles and other items celebrating Birmingham casing a total of twenty films (all PG and Repertory Theatre’s centenary are to be made public on a new website - www.rep100.org - below). The event has been made possible which goes live in September. More than three thousand records of The Rep’s historic pro- by significant monetary donations from the ductions, many of which are currently held at Birmingham Central Library, will be available tenants of Brindleyplace. for all to see. The project has been made possible through a £175,300 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Trina Jones, the venue’s General Manager, said of the new venture: Return of the Newport "REP100 will illustrate unique aspects of The Rep's history. Our archives are of local, national and international importance, and so the new online digital archive will allow people across Nocturne the globe to learn about theatre history, Birmingham and British culture." Britain’s original floodlit bike race is to make a welcome return to the streets of Newport next month. The Newport Nocturne was first IN BRIEF New arts centre for Longbridge held in 1989 and has since become a firm The first youth centre to be built in Birmingham in six years has favourite on the cycling calendar, attracting Walk, talk and opened its doors to the public. The Factory Young People’s up to fifteen thousand spectators and many picnic - all for Centre in Longbridge is seen as a much-needed facility for the of cycling’s elite. The Nocturne takes place Marie Curie area’s youngsters, and will host Round Midnight’s Performing Arts on 1 September, just after the end of the School during the summer holiday. The theatre school brings Olympic Games, A Marie Curie charity together professional actors, directors, musicians and choreogra- and it’s expected walk with a difference phers to help seven-to-sixteen-year-olds (who are passionate that several Team is offering ‘a festival- about performing arts) produce an original, full-scale comedy GB members will style atmosphere’ this show in just five days. Artistic director for the company, Claire turn up to compete. month. The Walk Ten, Downes, is a young per- For more details, sponsored by son’s drama coach who’s call Nick Jeggo on HomeServe, is a ten previously worked on fea- 07967 452688, kilometre twilight walk tures such as the two St or visit www.biker- that takes place in the Trinians films and Nanny ace.co.uk. beautiful grounds of McPhee. For details on Worcester’s eighteenth how to get involved, call century Croome Park the Round Midnight team Misha B in Brum on Saturday 25 on 0121 440 8188 or August. Musicians will email X Factor finalist Misha B returns to be on hand to sere- summerschool@round- Birmingham this month to take part in one nade fundraisers as midnight.org.uk of the city’s numerous events celebrating they make their way the fiftieth anniversary of Jamaican past the eye-catching Independence. More than three thousand statues, follies and Professional Association of Alexander Teachers people are expected to attend Black temples. A spectacular Exposure Live at the city’s New Bingley Hall firework display is Recreational Course in the Alexander Technique on 4 August, where Misha will be joined by promised to bring the Starting Early September 2012 Alstallio, Lady Leshurr evening to a close at and a host of home- 10pm. This will act as If you have had lessons in the Alexander Technique for about a year or grown artists. The a tribute to Marie Curie attended an Introductory Evening Class, or a module in the Alexander one-day event, which nurses everywhere. For Technique at a university or equivalent then you areeligible to join has been put togeth- further information, and the PAAT Recreational Course. The Recreational Course will offer er by community to find out how to get guidance in deepening your understanding, knowledge and organisation CUSH, involved, visit application of the Technique – and you get to do it in company. also showcases con- www.mariecurie.org.uk The 12-week course is held in Birmingham. sumer goods, hair /walkten, or call 08700 and beauty products, 340 040. For an application form, please contact the PAAT Secretary handcrafted jewellery and traditional on 01743 241478 or email [email protected] Caribbean foods. www.paat.org.uk

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 5 Noel Gallagher feature_Layout 1 23/07/2012 16:21 Page 1

I’m even sick of myself now. I was in the mirror having a “ shave this morning and I looked up and thought, “Oh god, you again”, but at the same time I feel like I don’t ever want it to end.”

Noel Gallagher brings his High Flying Birds to the Midlands...

6 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Noel Gallagher feature_Layout 1 23/07/2012 16:21 Page 2

interview...

Since leaving Oasis in 2009, Noel Gallagher has gone on to become one of the UK’s biggest- selling solo artists. He released his self-titled debut album last year, and has toured almost constantly since. Noel releases his next single, Everybody’s On The Run, on 30 August - but before then, he brings his show to the Midlands to play V Festival. We spoke to him to find out more...

How have your recent solo shows been did to deserve that, but somewhere along What was your reaction to the Stone going? the line those songs have touched people, Roses getting back together? Great. I played my hundredth gig at and that’s amazing. Well, we who are ‘in the know’ knew about Benicassim in Spain, and it was the best a month before. I heard they were seriously one yet, an unbelievable night. There was Did you know the tour was going to last talking about it, but once I heard Ian was something in the air. Thinking about it, it this long? You played your first tour last seriously talking about it with John, I started was one of the best gigs I’ve done in the October, and you’re touring again this to think it might happen. I was made up for last twenty years, let alone in the last year. I September. them. A, they never got paid, and B, it gives was on just before the Stone Roses, who Going into it I didn’t know what to think. another generation a chance to see what were also great. A brilliant night all round. We all sat around and gave it six months, the fuss was about. Something might spark but it went to nine, to twelve and now in them to make another record. I’ve been When you announced your solo album fourteen months. We were talking last night with them the last few days, and as great as last year, you seemed quite reluctant to and management reckon there’s another it is to see them on stage together, what’s play live. It’s fair to say you’ve grown six months in there, but I think it’s time to nicer for me as a Mancunian, as a fan and into it... put this album to bed round about as a friend of theirs, is seeing them hang I always knew it was something I’d have to Christmas. out together afterwards and have a laugh. do. I knew I wasn’t going to be in a band The hug Ian and John shared on stage at T again - once you’ve been in a band the The shows at V Festival are the next big In The Park meant more to me size of Oasis, what’s the point? - so it was UK shows you’re playing. There’s an than the gig itself. I was in always on the cards, and it just went in historical thing there, with Stafford being their dressing room in stages. Recording the album was one the last place Oasis played. Spain, and we were all thing, where I asked myself, “am I Well V is the last place we didn’t play, too. having a drink and they comfortable singing ten tracks in a row?”. But I really like the festival; I think we were just laughing That was easy, really, because I love being played at the very first one. There’s a good together. I never in the studio and it’s where I do my best vibe there; it’s perhaps a bit more middle thought I’d live to see work. Putting a band together was difficult, class, and there are TV presenters and that day, but it’s a but once we got into rehearsals and I knew celebrities who you wouldn’t see at the wonderful thing to see. it was going to work, the only obstacle was other festivals because they’re dirty. V is that first gig - but that afternoon, Man City modern and clean, and I’m on with the The Rolling Stones beat Man Utd 6-1, so I didn’t care. I haven’t Stone Roses again, and it’s always good to celebrated their fiftieth looked back since. My only worry was hang out with them. It’s going to be good; I anniversary recently. Can whether people would accept me on my always enjoy it. you imagine reaching the own, but they have done, so I have to say same milestone? I’m really enjoying it. There are no nerves Is there a difference between V festival I have no idea. I never whatsoever, ever. It’s weird; there’s not the in the north and in the south? imagined being in Oasis slightest bit of anxiety before I go out on It depends which way round you play when I was forty, so I was stage. them, really. I’ve done north first, south five years late getting out of second and vice versa. The crowds are a that. I think as a solo artist There must be a lot of confidence that bit wilder up north, but it’s easier to get you can do whatever you comes from knowing you have the songs home from Chelmsford, so I’m torn. want, but in a band it’s to pull you through if ever things were tricky. You’re always trying going badly? Are you going to have some time off to sell some sort of myth; Yeah, it all comes from the songs. As the next year? this myth that you’re the song goes, I haven’t got moves like Jagger. Yes, definitely. The plan when I started this last gang in town, that I’ve more got moves like Wyman. But was to blitz it and get to a point where you just fell out of a van people at gigs either want to dance or sing, people are absolutely sick of the name together at the front of and I can make people do that. And they’re Noel Gallagher, then disappear for a bit. the venue. Evidently the not watching me anyway, because if you I’m even sick of myself now. I was in the Rolling Stones are not look, they’re staring at the heavens, singing mirror having a shave this morning and I a gang anymore. their hearts out, and that’s magical. Lucky looked up and thought, “Oh god, you It’s easier for a me, I say. Lucky me. again”, but at the same time I feel like I solo artist, so don’t ever want it to end. The album and I don’t see Even after all these years, are you ever tour have taken on lives of their own, but I a time taken aback when you hear thousands of have to go home and I have to write some when I’ll people singing songs you wrote? more songs. Plus I’ve got a wife and three retire. Every few years it does stop me in my little kids, and I missed all of last season’s There’s tracks. Oasis toured for so long I got used football. I watched Man City win the not enough to it, but every few years I look out from the Premier League for the first time sat in a music in the stage and think, “Wow, this lot are kids”. A wine bar in Santiago in Chile at 9am, and world, and I lot of the people I’m playing to at the I’ll never forgive myself for that. Next year never see a time when moment weren’t around watching Oasis, or is me at home, waiting for a call to do I’ll pack it in, even at my solo gigs earlier in the year, so something. After I left Oasis, I wasn’t especially if I’m still they’re experiencing it for the first time. And thinking of music or being in a band, and writing. Even if I’m that is truly amazing, a very rare thing in one night I went to bed thinking about what not, I’ll still do the music, that a fanbase keeps regenerating I was going to do the next day. Music odd gig because, itself. I’m yet to play to a person my own couldn’t have been further from my mind. you know, what else age, and it pisses me off! I’m sure the The following morning I woke up, and while am I going to do? oldies are at the back doing their knitting, I was eating my breakfast, I just thought it There’s only so but all I can see at the front is a load of was time to go into the studio. I don’t put much TV teenagers going berserk. I wonder what I time constraints on anything, and I won’t. you can watch.

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 7 Kulvinder Ghir feature_Layout 1 23/07/2012 12:46 Page 1

Kulvinder Ghir from Goodness Gracious... to Shakespeare...

With a CV that includes the films Rita, Sue And Bob Too and Bend It Like Beckham, not to mention hit comedy shows The Real McCoy and Goodness Gracious Me, Kulvinder Ghir splits his time between acting and stand-up. His latest venture sees him joining an all-Asian cast in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s imaginative new version of Much Ado About Nothing. What’s On caught up with him to find out more...

You’re appearing at The Courtyard in Is playing a villain something that comes span of middle classes that you now find Much Ado About Nothing. What’s unique naturally? there. For me, it’s about where to pitch the about this latest production? In my cunning kind of canny way, yes. character. I think it’s unique in the sense that the Royal Shakespeare Company has taken this Is it a fun role to perform, then? Was Shakespeare very accessible to you on board and got a whole Asian cast Yes, it is. I think what’s very interesting is when you were growing up? together. This idea of setting it in putting this into an Indian context and I first became aware of his works when I contemporary India, in Delhi, gives it a real seeing where you put these characters; was at drama school in Leeds, which is the uniqueness. giving them a history as much as a cultural school that I entered at the age of eleven. history, deciding where they’ve come from, There, I covered dance, drama, Is this one of Shakespeare’s works that and their thoughts on what they want and photography and music. It was great, you’ve performed before? how they want to better their lives. All that’s because I didn’t have to do physics, biology I’ve done about five other Shakespeare what makes it interesting. Whether it’s or chemistry. I auditioned for that school at pieces prior to this, and at drama school I cunning or canny, there’s a sense of an early age and fortunately was accepted. did do Much Ado. Then I played Don Pedro, survival about it - especially in They dealt with Shakespeare, and the first and now I’m playing Borachio. contemporary India, considering the piece I did there was King Lear. Then, country’s current economy and the great during my last year, I did Much Ado. I fell in

08 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Kulvinder Ghir feature_Layout 1 23/07/2012 12:46 Page 2

interview...

love with his works at that early age - then McCoy as a young script editor. When it are doing at the moment with Much Ado. later, when I made my way to London, I felt came to fruition, we had an idea of doing It’s great that they’ve taken this on board. I very well equipped in terms of an Asian sketch show. So Anil thought, know it’s part of a festival, but hopefully it’s Shakespeare. “yeah, we’ve got Meera and we’ve got something that can be built upon. We’ve Kulvinder here”. There was Nitin Ganatra been put in a position where we can show Is this the first time you’ve performed and Sanjeev Bhaskar, who were doing a lot that there are so many ways in which with Meera Syal since Goodness of comedy at Watermans, and there was Shakespeare can be interpreted. Isn’t it Gracious Me? Nina Wadia and Paul Sharma, who I think great that this person, who wrote this play, Before Goodness Gracious, Meera and I were doing a play at Stratford called You speaks to all of us? Hopefully, other Asian worked together at The Royal Court in a Eat With Your Fingers. At the same time, actors, as they move up, will take on better play called Blood. When I first met her, she two young writers came into The Real parts and be trusted with his works, and be was doing the Real McCoy, and I was McCoy called Sharat Sardana and Richard looked at more for their talent than the brought in to work with her on that. From Pinto, so collectively we put an ensemble identity of their culture. there came Goodness Gracious Me. We together. We got a little bit of money and did that for a good period of time, but went away for two weeks, fired ideas, Who did you aspire to be like when you there came a point when we thought we’d thought of sketches and improvised. Then started acting? like to do other things. I was performing in we put a show on at The Riverside. We I wanted to be an actor who was a bit like The Tempest at the same time as filming invited all our friends over, all kinds of Laurence Olivier with a bit of Jimmy Dean Goodness Gracious Me, and that helped plebs and the respect, like the BBC and and a touch of Tommy Cooper! I’ve been form my decision to spend more time Channel Four, and the BBC bit it. They inspired by so many people, and I guess I working in the theatre. I was offered a role really thought it could work. want to be like all of them. I suppose that’s with the Royal Shakespeare Company in part of the thing about being labelled as an Midnight’s Children, and I was given a film You’ve just been touring with your Asian - you hit back by saying, “I can be role as well, so I headed off in that stand-up show. Why now? anybody you want!”. The great thing about direction rather than go back into About a year and a half ago, I decided that character comedy is that I can bring all television. I wanted to give myself another challenge - these influences into my roles. write stand-up and do a one-man show Which do you prefer, stage or TV? and see what the audiences were like out So what’s been the most memorable I think what determines your preference is there. The initial idea was that we would do moment in your career? the part you play. With television, there’s more shows, but in the end we only did Oh, I don’t know if I’ve got there yet. I obviously a lot of exposure, but you have two, with a view to doing a bigger tour could say Goodness Gracious Me, to wait until your storyline turns up, and later on. The shows were really well because it was great to be part of that then you may have to wait another six received and packed the houses out, team and the fact that the programme months for another storyline. I enjoyed it, which in one respect made me feel that I changed people - not just Asian, but the but I was too nomadic to stay in one place. was still in touch with the public. But then whole British community. There was a real I’ve always wanted to keep my career the offer of a film called Jadoo came in, sense of unity with the whole thing. To feel varied, and that’s why I’ve moved between and I took it on. I very much wanted to do part of that was really special. Also, I stage and TV. You take on this challenge of the film, then straight after that came the guess, Rita, Sue And Bob Too. I auditioned a comedian wanting to be an actor, but I offer to do Much Ado. ten times for that part before I was finally never put myself in one place where I’d accepted. say “yes, I’m only going to be a Have you ever performed stand-up in comedian”. I guess, at the end of the day, India? Surely that’s a record number of I’m an actor. I always wanted to challenge No, I haven’t, but that’s something that auditions for one role. Shouldn’t it be in this aspect; you know, like with Lenny interests me. Stand-up is on the up over the Guinness Book of Records? (Henry) - he was a comedian, then started there. We’ve developed it here over many Yeah, Alan Clarke kept calling me back. doing Shakespeare. I decided at a very a year, and now it’s developing there. He’d say, “read it again and do it as Frank young age - on one side, I had all the There’s an audience for it, which is Spencer”. Then he’d call me back and say, comedy stuff, and on the other, I had the wonderful. My roots are there, and it would “right, I want you to do it again, but this acting, and both were generating be like going home with this British idea of time as Harold Wilson”. Eventually, we got employment. I got into a place where I’d what stand-up is. That would be a real to the stage where he said, “right, I think think “right, this piece of work really challenge - and to be bilingual with it we’re just going to have to do it in an challenges me”, and then, the next minute, would also be a challenge. In India, they Asian accent”. I said “do I sound ****ing the comedy really happened, with The Real have pre-conceptions of British Indians, Asian to you (puts on accent)?”. When he McCoy, Goodness Gracious Me and doing just as much as we have pre-conceptions eventually told me that I’d got the part, I stand-up. of them. So this could be a way of building missed about ten bus stops before I got bridges and breaking down stereotypes. home. Then I suddenly thought, “Oh God, You’ve got the theatre background, so I’ve got Rita, Sue And Bob Too - that was that the first time you moved over Do you ever bring any of the Goodness means I’ve got to leave Howard’s Way!”. into comedy? Gracious Me characters into your stand- I’d say I came from comedy. At school I up? So will you return to comedy when used to do impressions of the teachers, I do put a little section into the show, you’ve finished with Much Ado? and I started doing working men’s clubs in because I think people want to see that. First of all, there’s a play coming up in Yorkshire during the gap between It’s a bit of a compromise. I give about ten 2013 with Trevor Griffiths which really secondary school and college. The minutes over to that part of the show. I do interests me, as it’s all about the unions comedy continued when I got into drama ask the audience if there are any requests. and how they were created. He’s recently school in London. I used to do the warm- I give them an idea of where these talked to me about doing something with up shows for LWP. The idea was just to characters have come from, and then end Red Ladder in Yorkshire. I like the idea of keep myself involved and to keep myself up going into character. I also talk about that, but I do need to pick up with the working. Coming to the end of drama how to create a new character, and begin stand-up at some point. It’s something that school, I got a job doing a programme to format that in front of them. They can I need to revisit and improve, but I’m called No Problem, then Howard’s Way. then see a technique and how I work. I try looking at that as a longer-term From there, Rita, Sue And Bob Too to make it interesting as well as funny. development. What I have to do at the happened. moment is stay in employment! Moving back to the theatre, what do you Who was the brains behind Goodness think about the current state of Asian Gracious Me? theatre in the UK? Kulvinder Ghir stars in Much Ado About From The Real McCoy we had a producer That’s an interesting one. Obviously there Nothing at The Courtyard, Stratford-upon- called Anil Gupta (who later went on to do are existing companies like Tamasha and Avon until Sat 15 September The Office). Anil came into The Real Tara, but it’s fantastic to see what the RSC

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 09 Gareth Gates Feature_Layout 1 23/07/2012 17:05 Page 1

Speculation about my private life was “ hard at first, but after a few years you just accept that that’s how it is and learn to deal with it. It’s just about having the right people around you. ”

Gareth Gates talks about his love for musical theatre...

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interview...

He may have come second to Will Young in ITV talent show Pop Idol, but there’s certainly been nothing second rate about Gareth Gates’s career over the last few years. Not only has he enjoyed success as a singer, he’s also established himself in the world of musical theatre, starring in productions of both Joseph and Les Miserables. Now Gareth’s set to play the part of Warner in the hit musical Legally Blonde at Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre - a very good reason, we thought, to sit him down for a chat...

You’ve been in the limelight now for the lines and act with other actors, I was What’s been the biggest downside of best part of ten years. How much do you extremely fearful. Now, the more I do and the fame? think you’ve changed in that time? more I practise, the more confident I Obviously it’s hard work, particularly when Well, it’s been a great ten years. I was only become. you’re in groups and don’t have time for seventeen when I first came into this yourself or family life. That’s quite hard. business, but it’s what I always wanted to do Can you tell us a bit about the theatre Speculation about my private life was hard at - to be a successful recording artist. Now I’m schools you’ve set up with Jonathan first, but after a few years you just accept that really enjoying musical theatre and acting. Wilkes? that’s how it is and learn to deal with it. It’s It’s given me some great challenges, and the We now have four schools around the just about having the right people around chance to perform some great roles. country, and we’re about to open our fifth in you. Oxford. It’s called Gates and Wilkes Was musical theatre something that just Academy. Between the two of us we know a Looking back over the last ten years, if evolved for you, or was it something that fair bit about the industry and the music you could change one thing, what would it you always wanted to be involved with? business, so we thought it would be great to be? The first moment I realised I could sing was try and hand down that knowledge to I wouldn’t change anything. I know that it’s a in my first school, when they were putting on children, and maybe give them a chance. very cliched thing to say, but every a production of Joseph And The Amazing One of the schools is in my hometown of experience makes you stronger and makes Technicolor Dreamcoat. I was always quite Bradford, and there’s one in Johnny’s home you the person you are. shy - because I had this horrendous town of Stoke. Our wives, Suzanne and stammer as a child, so naturally I just shied Nicky, are best friends and they do a lot of So you’re an established singer, actor, away from things like that - but my mates teaching at the academy. It’s really rewarding musician and ‘part-time model’. Do you rolled along to the auditions, so I decided to to see our children so interested in theatre, have any other talents you’d like to share show up and see what happened. I sang a acting, dancing and singing. with our readers? few lines and they actually gave me the role I’m just focusing on the acting at the minute; of Joseph in the play. From then on, musical It’s great that you can give something lots and lots of it, which is great. But I love theatre was always something I wanted to back. Your charity work is obviously very sport, and I love a round of golf when I can do. I’m very lucky to have been given such important to you. How do you prioritise squeeze it in. I’m certainly not professional great opportunities. family, work and charity? standard, though! It’s very much about keeping things What do you consider to be your biggest balanced. I have to work hard, and lots of You’re going to be part of this year’s IMG success to date? roles are being thrown at me now, which is Challenge World Events in September. Having the opportunity to play Joseph in the great. However, it’s really important that I How’s the training going for that? West End was really incredible, and then to make time for family and stuff; my daughter’s Well, I should have been doing a lot more go on and play Marius in Les Miserables, three, and I don’t want to miss out on her training than I have, but I just haven’t really particularly as it was for the twenty-fifth growing up, so I just need to make time. Yes, had the time. Generally, I’m fairly fit; when I anniversary tour of the show. We created a it’s hard when I’m away on tour, but I try to can get to the gym, I do. It’s a case of just brand new show from scratch, and to be a get home as often as I can, and they come squeezing it in as and when. part of that was an amazing feeling. and visit me as often as they can. We just make it work... Going back to the stage, do you suffer Of the roles you’ve played so far, which from pre-show nerves? would you say has given you the biggest How has becoming a father changed you? I try to do breathing exercises before I go challenge ? It’s great, I love it! It’s the best thing that’s onstage. I get quite nervous when I’m doing I’ve just finished a brand new musical called ever happened to me and it’s changed my an acting role, but only for the first few Loserville, up in Leeds at the West Yorkshire priorities. Your whole life changes when you shows. After that, the confidence is there, so Playhouse, and created the role from find yourself looking out for someone else. I just build from that. I’m absolutely fine from scratch. There was a lot of speaking and It’s fantastic watching her grow up and learn, a few shows in. acting involved, and very little singing; for and to be part of that as well. me, with a stammer, that’s always a big, big Finally, ten years on, what are your challenge. But I’m finding that the more The press always describes you as a thoughts on the quality of modern-day acting roles I take on, the more confident I’m really nice bloke. What keeps you talent shows like X Factor and Britain’s becoming with them, which is fantastic. grounded? Got Talent? The way that I made it into the industry was a I’ve always been a firm believer in these Your next role is as Warner in Legally huge thing. Nobody knew me; then, all of a shows. They’re a great platform for Blonde, and is very much an acting role. sudden, everybody did. The way I stayed upcoming talent. Pop Idol was good, as it How do you prepare for a part like that? grounded throughout all of that was through was the first of its kind, so I think that really For my speech in general I always have to my family, and by keeping my friends around got the nation’s attention. You just need to do breathing exercises, which is part of a me - the same friends I’ve had all my life. If look at Leona Lewis - they’re creating some speech therapy programme called The they’d ever seen me change, they’d have huge artists. There’s no doubt that they’re a McGuire Programme. It teaches a new way pulled me right back down to earth. great platform for many potential artists of of breathing and speaking. It’s a new way of the future. tackling the mind-set, because as You have your fingers in lots of pies. What stammerers we avoid situations, we avoid do you do to wind down? speaking to new people. So part of the Music’s always been my life and my only therapy is to make ourselves overcome our form of expression. As a child, when I fear of things. So we head out onto the couldn’t speak and had to wind down, I’d Gareth Gates will star, together with Elle streets and speak to strangers and things play the piano or the guitar. I still use that as Woods, Jennifer Ellison and Iwan Lewis, in like that, which is a daunting thing for any a way of relaxing, so even wind-down time is Legally Blonde The Musical which shows at stammerer to do. Once you’ve done it a fair very much music-related. But I also like all the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham few times, you get more confident. So in the usual stuff, like chilling out in front of the from Tues 28 August - Sat 1 September theatre, when I first started to practise my TV.

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Ingested The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 6 August Previously known as Age Of Suffering, this Man- chester-based band have built a reputation as one of the most savage death metal acts to come out of the UK. Known for a vicious live show featuring epic riffs and guttural vocals, the five-piece are this summer playing a number of festivals - including Extreme Fest, featuring Cannibal Corpse, Suicide Silence, All Shall Perish and Carnifex. Release The Kraken, Hollow Dreams and Betrayal Within The Ranks support them on their nine-date UK tour.

The Christians The Jam House, Birmingham, Thurs 2 August; Blur Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Fri 17 August; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 14 October Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Sun 5 & Mon 6 August Named after the surname of the three brothers who Scoring the headline slot for the Olympics closing show, Britpop boys Blur play the his- founded the band, The Christians were described toric concert in Hyde Park alongside New Order and The Specials. To warm up, they play by one critic as “The Temptations in ripped jeans, just four special gigs, two of which are at the Civic. Coinciding with the release of their ca- producing gritty-centred songs in a sugary vocal reer-spanning boxset, 21 - a collection including seven albums, sixty-five unreleased shell”. Despite a break-up and the death of Roger tracks, a DVD and vinyl - they’re playing Wolverhampton for the first time in three years. Christian, the band regrouped and had a come- back in 2003 with a new album and tour. Jools Holland And His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire, Sat 18 August; Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 8 November; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 20 December Unfairly, Jools Holland is often regarded as simply an arch-fan, albeit one with his finger firmly on the musical pulse and who’s committed to bringing his more intriguing and exciting finds to his audience’s attention. His show has long been an eclectic mixture of styles and genres, encompassing music from across the world. However, his own talent on the piano is immense, and his attitude towards his famed rhythm and blues orchestra friendly and egalitarian. The result is a joyous celebration of music, and a sound you can’t help but tap your feet to.

The Bellfuries HMV Institute, Birmingham, Sat 11 August The Bellfuries bring their roots-rock Americana out of Austin, Texas and into the HMV Institute, Birm- ingham. The rotating members are led by singer- songwriter Joey Simeone. Influenced by a wealth of artists, from The Smiths and The Misfits to Dave Rich and Webb Piece, Simeone’s insightful and often humorous lyrics are set against the soul of the music. Reinventing themselves as a quartet, bringing in Bobby Trimble of Big Sandy And The Fly-Rite Boys, Shecky Seaver and Mike Molnar, the band play the HMV with support from The Bab- boons and The Straight Aces.

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Music PREVIEWS

Charlotte Church Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Sun 26 August Charlotte Church reinventing herself is hardly a new gig. From classical singer to pop star, chat show host and jobbing actress, not to mention her transformation from single girl to single mom via the route of celebrity marriage, the Cardiff-born performer has regu- larly redefined her image since hitting the big time back in 1997. And she’s at it again this year, launching a new and altogether musi- cally rockier version of herself. New songs include Mr The News, inspired by her experience with Rupert Murdoch's tabloid press.

The Flatliners O2 Academy, Birmingham, Tues 28 August The skate punk band from Ontario, Canada, are so dedicated to touring that they’ve been on the road for a mammoth thirty months. The youngest band ever to sign to their label, Fat Wreck Chords, the four-piece hadn’t even reached the legal drinking age when they first started touring. Their sound mixes the angst of ’90s skate punk with the intelligent songwrit- ing of classic post punk. Reel Big Fish The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 15 The Kinx Fourth Page August; Kasbah, Coventry, Thurs 16 August The Robin, Bilston, Fri 17 August mac, Birmingham, Thurs 9 August Californian Punk Ska heroes Reel Big Fish Nobody's claiming a tribute's as good as the A band who’ve performed in various combi- formed over twenty years ago, their high-en- real thing, of course, but if you never caught nations, Fourth Page came together infor- ergy sound providing inspiration for big the likes of Elvis, Abba or Jimmi Hendrix live, mally in 2010. Playing improvised music that names such as No Doubt and Blink 182. Best then tributes at least give you the chance to doesn’t sound like it’s been improvised, known for 1997 hit Sell Out, their cover of A- get a feel of what it must have been like to be they’ve released two albums of sponta- Ha’s Take On Me has gained cult status. The in the presence of greatness. The Kinx are, of neously composed songs that have drawn boys are renowned for their live shows, which course, a tribute version of The Beatles - nah, comparisons with the likes of David Sylvian, offer a fun combination of crazy dancing, in- just kiddin’! - and perform Swinging ’60s Robert Wyatt, John Martyn and even Schu- spired covers, catchy songs and plenty more Kinks hits aplenty, including classics such as bert. Receiving airplay on BBC Radio Three’s besides! They play the Kasbah as part of a You Really Got Me, Tired Of Waiting, Sunny Late Junction and BBC Six Music, the quartet thirteen-date tour. Afternoon and Waterloo Sunset. release their third album this summer. Since each gig is a one-off experience, don’t miss Public Image Ltd this mac appearance. Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Fri 3 August Described as the first post rock group, Public Image Ltd was formed in 1978 by John Lydon of Sex Pistols fame. After 1992’s That What Is Not, the band took a seventeen-year break before spectacularly reforming in 2009. Now, they’re playing five UK shows and have recorded their first new material in twenty years, with EP One Drop and album This Is PiL having been released earlier this year. Lou Reed The Assembly, Leamington Spa, Wed 8 - Thurs 9 August The uber cool Lou Reed continues to play sold-out gigs wherever he chooses to lay his Larkin Poe guitar. Best known as guitarist, vocalist and The Ironworks, Oswestry, North Shropshire, Tues 21 August principal songwriter of cult ’60s band The Vel- vet Underground, Reed scored a massive As The Lovell Sisters, Rebecca, Megan and solo hit in 1971 with Walk On The Wild Side. Jessica took America by storm with their His favoured genres of music are many and home-grown blend of folk rock. Big sister varied, including both experimental and art Jessica left to get married, but little sisters rock, protopunk, noise and drone music, psy- Rebecca and Megan carried on as Larkin chedelic rock, folk rock, glam rock and blue- Poe, a name taken from their great-great- eyed soul. This Midlands concert sees Reed great-grandfather. Still only nineteen and and his band performing material from twenty respectively, they released four EPs in throughout his career, including Velvet Under- one year back in 2010. The girls are spend- ground hits, numbers from his classic solo al- ing the summer in Europe, headlining shows bums and songs from his 2011 collaboration and appearing at folk festivals with their with Metallica. three-piece band.

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EIGNER Huntingdon Hall, Worcester MusicGIG REVIEWS Music LISTINGS ACOUSTIC YARD FEATUR- ING SAM SALLON Cox's Yard, Stratford-upon- For further reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk For full listing information on gigs, Avon including times and dates, visit THE JEEPS The Jam www.whatsonlive.co.uk House, Birmingham LOU REED AND BAND The Madonna Assembly, Leamington National Indoor Arena, TRIBUTE BAND Cox's Spa WED 1 AUG Yard, Stratford-upon- THE STRUTS The Rain- Birmingham Avon It was with great excite- FOLK AT THE FLAMINGO DEFINITELY MIGHT BE & ment that this die-hard TEA ROOM Lichfield ADORED - TRIBUTE TO Madonna fan skipped Guildhall OASIS & THE STONE ROSES The Robin, Bil- to the NIA, belting out HEARTBREAKER - PAUL RODGERS TRIBUTE The ston Holiday and waiting to Robin, Bilston METALHEADZ Hare & get into the groove. As THE BREAKING TIES The Hounds, Birmingham a teenager I was blown Ballroom, Birmingham THE OFFICIAL JAMAICAN away by the awesome- BARDO POND Hare & 50TH INDEPENDENCE Hounds, Birmingham SHOWCASE The Drum, Lou Reed ness of the Blonde Am- Birmingham bition. Tonight, all talk BLACK EXPOSURE LIVE bow, Birmingham was whether Madge THUR 2 AUG FEATURING MISHA B, AL- FOURTH PAGE mac, could still deliver twenty STALLIO & LADY LESHURR Birmingham years on. The show New Bingley Hall, Birm- ingham opens with gothic church imagery, to the belting dancefloor number SHE WILL ROCK YOU - A female tribute to Queen, OPERATION ERROR The FRI 10 AUG Girl Gone Wild. Madonna looked awesome, like a gun-toting Bond featuring members of Sugarmill, Stoke-on- villain in tight black leather trousers, with the crowd going wild for Fred Zeppelin, Trent her. What followed was Revolver and Gang Bang - which felt more Warwick Cavern D-RAN D-RAN Cox's Yard, Stratford-upon-Avon like Girl Gone Sad, with its lyrics of ‘shoot my lover in the head’ and THE CHRISTIANS The SUN 5 AUG ROOM 94 02 Academy, imagery of splattered blood on the wall whilst she violently assaulted Jam House, Birming- ham Birmingham her dancers. Tracks from the MDNA album were in abundance, while NEVER FOR EVER - TRIB- RADIO CLASH & THE SHA- QUILL The Robin, Bil- the first of the old skool favourites was a low key version of Papa MONES - PUNK DOUBLE UTE TO KATE BUSH The ston Robin, Bilston Don’t Preach. M was back on the guitar with I Don’t Give A, with the BILL The Robin, Bilston BLUR Civic Hall, Wolver- voice of Nikki Minaj rapping on the big screens, which I loved. Just THE ESTABLISHMENT hampton Warwick Cavern when I thought the imagery and theatre of the show wasn’t living up PAUL DRAKELEY & THE THE SUBTERRANEANS to past tours, Madge cranked it up a notch with Express Yourself, FRI 3 AUG ALLSTARS BAND Himley The Jam House, Birm- which featured a fleet of baton-waving cheerleaders looking all Amer- Hall & Park, Dudley ingham KING STREET SOUNDS ican Pie. Vogue was amazing, with beautiful female and male models PUBLIC IMAGE LTD Wul- R.E.M UK The Assembly, BIRMINGHAM ALL-DAYER Leamington Spa in dresses strutting around the sleek black set through a neon light frun Hall, Wolverhamp- Hare & Hounds, Birm- ton THE COMMANDMENTS show. ingham The River Rooms, A Madonna concert would not be complete without Like A Prayer - SILENT FILTER FT. ASK ALFIE, FOUADSYMPHON- Stourbridge the best song of the night, with a huge choir-inspired set piece. The ICS, UNIQUE AND RE- MON 6 AUG DAN SEALEY & ANDY BEN- Material Girl both looked and sounded great; and she can still pull off FLECT 02 Academy, NETT Rooftop Restau- some wicked dance moves too. In Masterpiece, she sings ‘nothing is Birmingham rant, Royal FLASH - A TRIBUTE TO BLUR Civic Hall, Wolver- Shakespeare Theatre, indestructible’, but I think she is! The Queen of Pop closed the show hampton Stratford-upon-Avon with the electro pop beats of Celebration, getting the crowd jumping QUEEN FEATURING SCOTT MALEY AS FREDDIE MER- INGESTED, RELEASE THE EXODUS CALLING PLUS and the stage and light show pumping high and low across a multi- CURY The Robin, Bilston KRAKEN, HOLLOW SUPPORT FROM AUSTIN, layered DJ set. This was Madonna, the Queen of Pop, on her very UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE DREAMS, BETRAYAL AND DIAMOND LIL, SCAR THE own Jubilee tour. Long may she reign. The original will always be the The Jam House, Birm- WITHIN THE RANKS The CROW & KIXXER The best. Anita ‘Ciccone’ Champaneri IIIII ingham Sugarmill, Stoke-on- Slade Rooms, Wolver- A FOREIGNERS JOURNEY Trent hampton Cox's Yard, Stratford- TROOPS OF MAKEKING upon-Avon TUE 7 AUG The Sugarmill, Stoke- Marina And The Diamonds THE LEGENDS OF SWING - on-Trent The Assembly, Leamington Spa TOMMY AND JOHNNY OF THE RAT PACK BOYS BY LANTERN LIGHT Cox's Performing in the suitably glamourous surrounds of The Assembly, Stratford Civic Hall Yard, Stratford-upon- SAT 11 AUG Marina Diamandis wowed fans old and new with her stunning vocals THE ESTABLISHMENT Avon Warwick Cavern NIGHT VERSUS The Sug- and sparkling personality. Appearing on stage in a pink leather dress, armill, Stoke-on-Trent THE SUBTERRANEANS white lace gloves and veil, it’s clear that she took the challenge of THE BOYS NEXT DOOR The River Rooms, The Jam House, Birm- evolving her sound for that difficult second album very seriously. Stourbridge WED 8 AUG ingham Creating a look that’s maybe best described as Bubblegum STROH TRIO Rooftop Madonna circa 1980, Marina kicked off the evening with an energetic Restaurant, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, SILENT FILTER FT. CALL performance of Homewrecker. Against a kitsch set that included a ATLANTIS 02 Academy, retro TV, a pink fluffy rug and a neon sign, she shifted effortlessly be- Stratford-upon-Avon SIX TOWNS Birmingham tween songs from debut album The Family Jewels and her more The Sug- armill, Stoke-on-Trent PETER DONEGAN & THE commercially successful number one album Electra Heart. Stopping LONNIE DONEGAN BAND to chat with the audience and in- The Robin, Bilston troduce Marilyn, her robotic dog, SAT 4 AUG OATCAKE DAY! SWORN TO OATH, FRIENDS OF KEN, she sipped from a martini glass HELLO BIG WORLD AND The Subterraneans and effortlessly inhabited the Elec- UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE ROUND IN CIRCLES The tra Heart archetype/alter-ego, from The Jam House, Birm- Sugarmill, Stoke-on- RED METHOD PLUS SUP- Teen Idle to bored housewife. Oh ingham Trent PORT The Ballroom, 80'S SENSATION The No, Primadonna and I Am Not A LOU REED AND BAND The Birmingham River Rooms, Stour- Assembly, Leamington COULD IT BE MAGIC - Robot were particularly well re- bridge Spa TAKE THAT VS WESTLIFE ceived, whilst fans screamed just THE LAST PURSUIT The The River Rooms, as loudly for new songs Bub- Ballroom, Birmingham THUR 9 AUG Stourbridge blegum Bitch and album teaser SYNOPSIS The Slade THE BELLFURIES, THE Rooms, Wolverhampton Radioactive. BABBOONS & THE DAVE DIXON AND THE THE ZZ TOPS Following her evolution from anti- Warwick STRAIGHT ACES HMV In- KING OF DIAMONDS BAND Cavern stitute Hollywood heroine to prom queen, Warwick Cavern THE JAY TAMKIN BAND DAN SEALEY & ANDY BEN- I can’t wait to see where she goes NYA KING - A TRIBUTE TO The Robin, Bilston NETT Warwick Cavern next. Alev Dervish IIIII WHITNEY HOUSTON Ar- TOTOL FOREIGNER TRIB- BON GIOVI The Robin, trix, Bromsgrove UTE TO TOTO AND FOR- Bilston BEACH BOYS SMILE -

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LICHFIELD GUILDHALL AUGUST Wed 1st Aug, 8pm FOLK AT THE FLAMINGO TEA ROOMS: FINEST KIND A remarkable folk trio whose exquisite harmony singing and brilliant vocal arrangements are bringing a fresh sense of excitement and discovery to the performance of old songs. Tickets £10 / £9 concs / £8 members / £5 students SEPTEMBER

Fri 14th & Sat 15th Sept Noon - 11pm each day

After the success of last year's event Lichfield Arts Oktoberfest returns to the Guildhall for a second slice of Bavarian culture, with a fine selection of German draught beers, wines, and food, with an array of English Real Ales. Live music each evening.

Friday all day: £2, Saturday afternoon: £2 (up to 5pm) Saturday evening: £4 (after 5pm) Saturday full day: £5

Wed 21st Sept, 8.30pm TIM EDEY & BRENDAN POWER

The duo's powerful blend of passion and virtuosity is infectious. What sets them apart from most folk/Celtic acts is their free-wheeling approach to live performance. Tickets: £15/£14 concs /£13 members/ £8 students

For a programme or further information contact: Donegal House, Bore Street, Lichfield. WS13 6LU BOX OFFICE 01543 262223 www.lichfieldarts.org.uk

You can now book on-line www.lichfieldarts.org.uk

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EMILY BROWNE Rooftop Larkin Poe - The Ironworks, Oswestry LISTINGS Restaurant, Royal Music Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon For full listing information on gigs SILENT FILTER FEAT. FUSTERCLUCK O2 Acad- including, times and dates, visit emy, Birmingham www.whatsonlive.co.uk THE GAME OF GHOSTS The Sugarmill, Stoke- on-Trent THE SECRET POLICE Cox's Yard, Stratford- SAT 18 AUG upon-Avon SAT 25 AUG COLD FIELDS Sunflower THE ROCKIN' BERRIES Lounge, Birmingham The Roses Theatre, ACHTUNG BABY - U2 TRIB- THE NERVOUS KIND Tewksbury Hare UTE The Robin, Bilston URBAN INTRO The Jam & Hounds, Birmingham B'SPOKE The Jam House, Birmingham House, Birmingham 1215 Warwick Cavern SOUNDS OF THE GLENN ONE STOP BOOGIE The TUE 14 AUG MILLER ERA Malvern River Rooms, Stour- Theatre bridge THE OFFICIAL RECEIVERS MICK THOMAS SLADE ALIVE FEATURING Kitchen BAND Cox's Yard, Strat- CRASH, GUNS 2 ROSES & Garden Cafe, King’s ford-upon-Avon HIGHER ON MAIDEN Heath, Birmingham The AND FINALLY PHIL Slade Rooms, Wolver- COLLINS The Roses hampton Theatre, Tewksbury WED 15 AUG THE SEX PISTOLS EXPERI- JUMPP Warwick Cavern ENCE The Robin, Bilston YO! MTV RAPS REMEM- ELKIE BROOKS The Swan GOSPEL CENTRAL The BRANCE II Hare & Theatre, Worcester Jam House, Birming- Hounds, Birmingham DARK SIDE OF THE WALL ham BLUE ORIGIN The Sug- JAMES TAYLOR (JAZZ PI- Cox's Yard, Stratford- armill, Stoke-on-Trent House, Birmingham Rooms, Stourbridge Shakespeare Theatre, ANIST) Abbey Church, upon-Avon OASIZ - OASIS TRIBUTE THE ESTABLISHMENT Stratford-upon-Avon Shrewsbury JOOLS HOLLAND & HIS Warwick Cavern Warwick Cavern DIVE BELLA DIVE O2 REEL BIG FISH The Sug- RHYTHM & BLUES OR- SUN 26 AUG THE OUTSIDE TRACK Hare MR BEN The Jam Academy, B’ham armill, Stoke-on-Trent CHESTRA Shugborough & Hounds, Birmingham House, Birmingham FOLLOW YOU HOME The Historic Working Estate, ALIVE & KICKING - Sim- Ballroom, Birmingham Staffordshire DON'T TOUCH THE WALLS ple Minds Tribute, The MICHAEL CASSIDY The BETRAYAL The Sug- PLUS SUPPORT The Ball- FRI 31 AUG Robin, Bilston Yardbird Jazz Club, armill, Stoke-on-Trent room. Birmingham TROUMACA, VICTORIES AT Birmingham CHARLOTTE CHURCH Ludlow Assembly SEA, GREATWAVES & ARC TUES 21 AUG THE 2TONICS - Tribute to VEL The Hare & Rooms, South Shrop- The Specials, Bodys- shire Hounds, Birmingham THUR 16 AUG natcher, The Beat, Bad MEMBERS OF THE OLD A WILHELM SCREAM O2 Manners, Madness and LARKIN POE The Iron- DANCE SCHOOL Rooftop Academy, Birmingham The Selector, The River URMA SELLINGER PLUS works, Shrewsbury JOHN J PRESLEY, GOD Restaurant, Royal Dive Bella Dive VIOLET & FLOODS The DAMN, SIDEWINDERS, Ballroom, Birmingham WED 22 AUG THE SIN KINGS, THE HOLE HELLS BELLS - AC/DC IN THE HEAD GANG & TRIBUTE Warwick Cav- SUGAR RAZORS The ern JACKSON LIVE IN CON- Wagon & Horses, Dig- BARRY STEELE ... RETURN OF THE KINGS CERT The Swan Theatre, beth, Birmingham Memorial concert fea- Worcester turing Jason Karl as MARK LANEGAN BAND & Elvis and Paul Hopkins CREATURE WITH THE MON 27 AUG as 'The Big O', Victoria ATOM BRAIN Wulfrun Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on- Hall, Wolverhampton TEMPERANCE SEVERN Roy Orbison Trent Huntingdon Hall, 1 EYE The Jam House, THUR 23 AUG Worcester Birmingham BOOKER T & HIS SENSA- REEL BIG FISH Kasbah, TIONAL AMERICAN BAND Coventry PAVLOVS DOGS The The Robin, Bilston CONNIE LUSH & BLUES Robin, Bilston & Friends WHOLE LOTTA LED The SHOUTER The Robin, SAM SALLON Cox's Yard, Swan Theatre, Worces- Bilston Stratford-upon-Avon “True Identikit Brilliance’ THE STAGE ter THE OFFICIAL RECEIVERS “Roy Orbison was in the Room’ THE SHROPSHIRE STAR BAND The Jam House, FRI 17 AUG Birmingham TUES 28 AUG OLD MAN LUEDECKE Hare THE KINX The Robin, & Hounds, Birmingham THE FLATLINERS 02 Bilston THE GUNS N' ROSES EX- Academy, Birmingham THE CHRISTIANS Hunt- PERIENCE Warwick Cav- KEL & KEL - ACOUSTIC ingdon Hall ern DUO THE ESTABLISHMENT Cox's Yard, Strat- ford-upon-Avon Warwick Cavern FRI 24 AUG URBAN INTRO The Jam House, Birmingham THE ESTABLISHMENT WED 29 AUG ABBA FOREVER The Warwick Cavern Roses Theatre, Tewks- CITYLIGHTZ The Slade bury KIMBRA The Glee Club, BLUEBELLL WOULD Rooms Birmingham B'SPOKE The Jam Rooftop Restaurant, SAVES THE DAY Kasbah, House, Birmingham Royal Shakespeare Coventry THE BIG BAND - FIVE STAR Theatre, Stratford- STEVE AJAO The Robin, SWING The Roses The- upon-Avon Bilston SILENT FILTER FEAT. THE atre, Tewksbury KICK UP THE 80'S The FRI 7 SEPT MILLS O2 Academy, River Rooms, Stour- THE ROSES THEATRE, Birmingham THUR 30 AUG SEA BEASED TURTLES bridge FEAST OF FIDDLES Strat- TEWKSBURY The Sugarmill, Stoke- ford Civic Hall SHE WILL ROCK YOU - Tel: 01684 295 074 on-Trent MUNGO JERRY WITH SPE- A female tribute to the CIAL GUESTS BALLROOM rock legends Queen. GLITZ The Robin, Bilston Featuring members of WOODEN HORSE Hunt- Fred Zeppelin, The ingdon Hall, Worcester Robin, Bilston WWW.BARRYSTEELE.COM DEL CAMINO The Jam

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PREVIEWS National Symphony Classical Music Orchestra: Spitfire Proms Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire, Sun 19 August One of the busiest freelance orchestral ensembles in the UK, the National Symphony Orchestra has received plenty of praise performing alongside well-known classical performers such as Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson, Hayley Westenra and Blake. During this two-hour picnic- style performance, the orchestra presents a selection of proms favourites, with works by Handel, Bizet, Vivaldi and Strauss all featuring. The concert commences with the Mark IX Grace Spitfire flying overhead and the orchestra striking up a selection of themed music, including Elgar’s acclaimed Nimrod. Tenor Mark Luther and soprano Abigail Iveson join the NSO for the concert - performing two solos in the first half as well as leading the flag-waving finale.

Nelsons Conducts Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 23 August Recognised as one of the most sought-after young conductors on the international scene today, Andris Nelsons has received much acclaim in his current role as Music Director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra - a position he’s held since 2008. A regular guest at Royal Opera House Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera New York, Nelsons here presents his first Birmingham performance of Beethoven’s Ninth, a landmark in his artistic partner- ship with the CBSO.

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whatsonlive.co.uk Summer Prom: National Youth Orchestra Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 1 August One hundred-and-sixty-five of the country’s most talented teenage stars are here brought together under the National Youth Orchestra The most comprehensive what’s on listings website banner. Described by The Times as ‘the most uplifting orchestra in the world’, the NYO perform this summer concert under the directorship for Birmingham and the West Midlands of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s Principal Conductor, Vasily Petrenko. Russian-born Petrenko oversees a programme with ‘a true Olympic feel’, featuring Varese’s Tuning Up, Nico Muhly’s Gait (BBC commission) and Messiaen’s Turangalila-Symphonie. Also joining the orchestra on this occasion is British pianist Joanna MacGregor (pictured) and ondes martenot musician Cynthia Millar.

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Karen Bayley Comedy The Public, West Bromwich, Wed 8 August Box Office No less a comedy icon than Alan Carr has admitted that Karen Bayley’s had him ‘in ALEXANDRA THEATRE, stitches’ - positive proof, were any needed, BIRMINGHAM that she’s very much a comedian who’s on top 0844 871 3011 of her game. Birmingham-born Karen has ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 picked up a fair number of awards and acco- BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL lades on her climb up the greasy comedy 02476 376707 pole, and after nearly BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL ten years as a profes- 0121 780 3333 sional rib-tickler has COX’S YARD become a familiar tele- 01789 404600 THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM vision face on shows 0121 333 2444 such as The Last Word, DUDLEY CONCERT HALL Take The Mike, Sex On 01384 815 577 The Job and The Fred GLEE CLUB, BIRMINGHAM Macauley Show. 0871 4720400 HIGHLIGHT, BIRMINGHAM, 0844 844 0044 HUNTINGDON HALL, Geoff Norcott WORCESTER, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, 01905 611427 Fri 31 August THE JAM HOUSE, BIRMINGHAM High-energy Geoff is one of the sharpest tools 0121 200 3030 in the comedy shed, presenting shows which KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE, blend observational humour with satire - and BIRMINGHAM 0121 443 4725 even the odd impression or several! A former LG ARENA, BIRMINGHAM teacher, plenty of Geoff’s gags relate to school Zoe Lyons 0844 338 8000 experiences and the The Glee Club, Birmingham, Thurs 23 - Sat 25 August LUDLOW ASSEMBLY education system, High on confidence and blessed with a razor-sharp wit - which, let’s ROOMS 01584 878141 while he’s also made face it, are pretty vital commodities for a successful comedian to MAC, BIRMINGHAM something of a name possess - Zoe has become a much-sought-after stand-up whose 0121 446 3232 for himself in the field stock-in-trade is to create funny routines based on astute observa- PALACE THEATRE, of sports-related tion of life’s absurdities. She came to prominence in 2004 when she REDDITCH humour, a niche that’s won the Nivea Funny Women Award, and also reached the finals of 01527 65203 yielded him plenty of THE PUBLIC, WEST Channel Four’s So You Think You're Funny? competition, since BROMWICH work both on television which time she’s been garnering plaudits like they’re going out of 0121 533 7161 and radio. fashion. REGENT THEATRE, STOKE- ON-TRENT 0844 871 7649 RICOH ARENA, COVENTRY AND ANDY ASKINS Fri 10 MCEVOY, JIMMY MCGHIE MURRAY, KEITH FARNAN 0844 873 6565 Comedy LISTINGS Aug, Highlight Comedy Fri 24 Aug, Highlight & WOUTER MEIJS Fri 31 THE ROSE THEATRE, Club, Birmingham Comedy Club, Aug, The Glee Club, KIDDERMINSTER ANOTHER NEWHART AND Birmingham Birmingham 01562 743745 For full listing information on comedy LEHRER Fri 10 Aug, The ANDY ROBINSON, KEVIN DAVID WARD, TONY ROYAL SPA CENTRE, Roses Theatre, MCCARTHY & ANGIE BURGESS, MARK MAIER & LEAMINGTON SPA gigs including times and dates visit Tewksbury MCEVOY Sat 25 Aug, ANDREW BIRD Fri 31 01926 334418 www.whatsonlive.co.uk RICH WILSON, DOUGIE Highlight Comedy Aug - Sat 1 Sep, STAFFORD GATEHOUSE DUNLOP, JOHNNY KATZ Club, Birmingham Highlight Comedy THEATRE 01785 254653 DUMBS UP! Featurign MATT REED, DALISO AND ANDY ASKINS Sat 11 DANIEL TOWNES, SUSAN Club, Birmingham Aug, Highlight Comedy MURRAY, KEITH FARNAN GEOFF NORCOTT, ANDY SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX international kids comic CHAPONDA & ADAM 0121 704 6962 Ian Billings, Wed 1 Aug, VINCENT Fri 3 Aug, The Club, Birmingham Thurs 30 Aug, The Glee WHITE & SILKY Fri 31 THE SLADE ROOMS, The Roses Theatre, Slade Rooms, JOHN FOTHERGILL & Club, Birmingham Aug, The Slade Rooms, GARY DELANEY Other DANIEL TOWNES, SUSAN Wolverhampton WOLVERHAMPTON Tewksbury Wolverhampton 0870 320 7000 ANDY ROBINSON, THE LAUGHING SOLE comics tbc, Thur 16 - Sat 18 Aug, The Glee SYMPHONY HALL, FREDRIK ANDERSSON, COMEDY CLUB FEAT. BIRMINGHAM DALISO CHAPONDA Thurs JOHN RYAN & MRS Club, Birmingham WINDSOR, WAYNE 0121 780 3333 2 - Sat 4 Aug, The Glee BARBARA NICE Wed 8 TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY Club, Birmingham Aug, The Public, West DEAKIN, ROBERT WHITE AND JEFF INNOCENT Fri ROOMS TOM WRIGGLEWORTH & Bromwich 01827 709618 RHODI RHYS Thurs 2 LAUGHING CALVES 17 - Sat 18 Aug, Highlight Comedy THEATRE SEVERN, Aug, The George Hotel, FEATURING ANNETTE SHREWSBURY Lichfield FAGON & MC MAUREEN Club, Birmingham 01743 281281 COMEDY AT THE MET KILL FOR A SEAT COMEDY YOUNGER Wed 8 Aug, VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY, CLUB Featuring Bruce Kitchen Garden Cafe, Line up tbc, Fri 17 Aug, STOKE-ON-TRENT Morton, Dan Bland & Kings Heath, Stafford Gatehouse 0844 871 7649 MC Tudur Owen, Fri 3 Birmingham Theatre WARWICK ARTS CENTRE Aug, mac, Birmingham TREVOR CROOK, ANDREW JEREMY O'DONNELL, 02476 524524 PAUL THORNE, ZOE LYONS MANDY KNIGHT, JOHNNY STANLEY & ANDY WHITE WEST BROMWICH TOWN CANDON, DAVID BAKER & Thurs 9 - Sat 11 Aug, Thur 23 - Sat 25 Aug, HALL MARK WALKER Fri 3 - The Glee Club, The Glee Club, 0121 596 4429 Sat 4 Aug, Highlight Birmingham Birmingham WULFRUN HALL, Comedy Club, NICK WILTY, RICH ANDY ROBINSON, KEVIN WOLVERHAMPTON MCCARTHY, ANGIE 0870 320 7000 Birmingham WILSON, GEOFF BOYZ Andy Robinson

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Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 4 July - Sat 25 August; Regent Theatre, Hanley, Dirty Dancing Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 12 - Sat 30 March Seen by millions across the globe, Eleanor Bergstein's worldwide you've not seen the show before, it's well worth checking out - its smash-hit musical tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two celebrity fans include Sir Ian McKellen, Judy Dench and Joanna Lum- fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds who come ley... Casting for this particular production sees American actress Jill together for what will prove to be the most challenging and tri- Winternitz star as Baby, with Nicky Griffiths (Mamma Mia!, Hairspray) umphant summer of their lives. Hit numbers include Hungry Eyes, as Penny and Paul Michael Jones (Mamma Mia!, Fame) as Johnny. Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and I’ve Had The Time Of My Life. If Read the review on page 34.

Mittwoch Aus Licht: Wednesday From Light Argyle Works, Great Barr Street, Birmingham, Wed 22 - Saturday 25 August A commission for the London 2012 Festival, this world premiere of Karlheinz Stockhausen’s opera, produced by Birmingham Opera Company, is more than a little out of the ordinary. For starters, it’s approximately six hours in length. It also features a string quartet performing in helicopters, electronic and acoustic music - and a dancing camel! The opera is being presented in a former chemical plant and boasts a cast of one hundred-and-fifty performers, with internationally acclaimed opera director Graham Vick helming the hugely ambitious project. The general feeling about Mittwoch aus Licht - which translates as Wednesday From Light - has been that it’s pretty much unstageable, a fact which makes this BOC undertaking all the more remarkable. The piece is one of a cycle of seven operas written by Stockhausen, one for every day of the week. This particular work is the only one which the composer Dandy Dick never saw staged during his lifetime. New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 21 - Sat 25 August The Very Reverend Augustin Jedd finds his position as a veritable pillar of Victorian respectability disturbingly compromised by a visit from his tearaway sister - so much so, in fact, that it isn't long before he finds himself risking all at the races, much against his better judgement... Written in 1887, Dandy Dick is the inaugural production of Theatre Royal Brighton Productions, and stars Patricia Hodge and Nicholas Le Prevost. Helicopter String Quartet

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Theatre PREVIEWS Troilus And Cressida The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Fri 3 - Sat 18 August It's certainly all going on in Shakespeare's rarely performed play, which finds the Greeks and Trojans still at war a full seven years after the Trojan prince Paris's abduction of Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, from her Greek husband Menelaus. With the Greeks quarrelling amongst themselves, and their champion Achilles in no mood to fight, it falls to rival warrior Ajax to meet the Trojan champion Hector in a one- to-one combat. Meanwhile, Troilus is much distracted by his love for Cressida, the daughter of Calchas, a Trojan who’s defect- ed to the Greek camp whilst leaving his daughter in Troy... This particular version of Troilus And Cressida is a co-production between the RSC and the New York-based Wooster Group. Much Ado About Nothing The Courtyard, Stratford-upon-Avon, Thurs 26 July - Sat 15 September Much Ado About Nothing is the story of two pairs of lovers. The first, Beatrice and Benedick, are older, though not necessarily wiser, and conduct their courtship through sarcasm and verbal sparring. The second, and much younger, couple are Claudio and Hero. The course of their love is cruelly interrupted by the villainous Don John, who falsely accuses Hero of infidelity and wantonness, timing his accusation to coincide with their wedding day. When Hero collapses and appears to be dead, the pressure is on to clear her name and reunite the young lovers. A comic subplot concerns a group of inept watchmen, led by Dogberry, who, inevitably, turn out to hold the key to the mystery. One of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, its profile was raised by the joyful Kenneth Branagh film version back in the 1990s. This particular production stars Meera Syal.

@ The Old Rep Station Street, Birmingham, B5 4DY 31 August to Forests 15 September Based on texts by William Shakespeare Tickets from £8 “Let the forest judge” - a new Shakespearean odyssey imagined by Calixto Bieito

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Part of the World Shakespeare Festival, which is produced by the Royal Shakespeare 0121 236 4455 Company for London 2012 Festival

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ensemble, this is one of Shakespeare’s most Theatre PREVIEWS dramatically satisfying histories. The hunch- backed, crooked, wicked, murderous and machiavellian Duke of Gloucester, better Relatively Speaking known as Richard III (once he’s ascended to Malvern Theatre, Wed 29 August - the throne, of course) is perhaps the most Sat 1 September powerful and evil of all theatre villains. Mention Alan Ayckbourn and a list of brilliant Shakespeare’s brutal play follows Glouces- observational comedies springs readily to ter’s blood-soaked trail as he uses all his mind, including classics such as A Chorus skills as a lover, a liar, a trickster and a tyrant Of Disapproval, Season’s Greetings, Confu- to seize power and become the King of Eng- sions, The Norman Conquests and Absurd land. Person Singular. So this particular play is of special interest because, in a sense, it was with Relatively Speaking that the playwright’s The Arabian Nights exceptional qualities first came to light. A The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs 23 August - Mon 3 September major West End hit in the early 1970s, the play's action actually unfolds in the late Private Lives When King Shahriar returns home to find his 1960s, and follows the high farce involve- Bantock House & Park, Wolverhampton, wife in an embrace with a servant, he orders ments of Ginny and Philip, her married lover, Thurs 5 July; Birmingham Botanical Gardens, his Vizir that his spouse be put to death. Fur- his wife, and Ginny’s new love, Greg. Not Wed 18 - Thurs 19 July; Twycross Zoo, War- thermore, he instructs that a new woman be wickshire, Sun 29 July; Charlecote Park, War- brought to him on a daily basis, so that she surprisingly, confusion abounds! This new wickshire, Sat 11 August production stars Felicity Kendall. may spend one day as his wife before she, Written in 1930 with all of his humourous too, is killed. When the Vizir's daughter, élan, Private Lives is one of Noel Coward’s Scheherazade, hears what's happening to sharpest comedies. It tells of a divorced cou- the women of Persia, she asks her father to ple - Amanda and Elyot - who meet each present her to the king, and begins to other again on their second honeymoons in enchant him with a series of spellbinding sto- Deauville, and begin to consider the possibil- ries... ity of dumping their new loves to try and rekindle their relationship. Typically replete with devastating one-liners, Private Lives is a 13: A New Musical cynical portrayal of married life, infidelity, self- Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 31 August - Sat 1 ishness and insecurity. September With a rock score from Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, 13 is a high- Richard III energy musical about discovering that cool mac, Birmingham, Wed 8 August is where you find it - and sometimes where Here presented in the open air by the Festi- you least expect it... val Players Theatre Company’s all-male

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Theatre PREVIEWS For full listing information on theatre productions including times and dates visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Forests Old Rep, Birmingham, Fri 31 August - Sat 15 September Performed in Catalan and English with surtitles, Forests sees the Birmingham Reperto- ry Theatre join forces with internationally renowned director Calixto Bieito, Barcelona Internacional Teatre and the Royal Shake- speare Company to present an original play inspired by Shakespeare's references to forests throughout his work. Presented by English and Catalan actors, the production illustrates the way in which plays such as Timon Of Athens, A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Lear, Macbeth and As You Like It have represented forests as places for a getaway, a punishment or a sentence, and sometimes for shelter and redemption too.

Legally Blonde The Musical New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 28 August - Sat 1 September Based on the hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon, this critically acclaimed musical follows the story of college sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods (Faye Brooks), a girl who just doesn't take no for an answer. So, when her boyfriend Warner, here played by Gareth Gates, announces that he's dumping her for someone more serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School. Jennifer Ellison and Iwan Lewis also star. Read our interview with Gareth Gates on page 10.

BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA, AUGUST LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE HIGHLIGHTS

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FORTHCOMING CINEMA: Prometheus (15) // Dark Shadows (12A) // The Amazing Spider-Man (12A) // Le Havre (PG) // The Angels Share (15) // The Lion King (U) // A The most comprehensive what’s on listings website Royal Affair (15) // Monsieur Lazhar (12A) // Ice Age 4 (U) // Faust (15) // La Grande Illu- for Birmingham and the West Midlands sion (U) // The Dark Knight Rises (12A) // Snow White & The Huntsman (15) The new Artrix brochure is available to download on www.artrix.co.uk For bookings & full details log onto www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ Free parking on-site

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF ENTERTAINMENT September 2012

Tue 18th - Sat 22 September, 7.30pm. Sat Mat 2.30pm DEAD RINGER Tickets from £14.50 - £18.50 C Sunday 7th October, 7.30pm ANN BREEN Wed 26th September, 7.30pm Listen to her sing a selection of her hits and BEYOND THE BARRICADE with Ann's special blend of magic she will have Tickets from £16.50 / £17.50 / £18.50 C you singing along to your hearts content. Fri 28th September, 7.30pm Friday 19th October, 7.30pm A VISION OF ELVIS Ballet Theatre UK presents Tickets from £17.00 A CHRISTMAS CAROL Join Ballet Theatre UK on a magical journey October 2012 to the dark and twisting streets of old Dickensian London. Mon 1st - Wed 3rd October, 7.30pm. Thursday 25th October, 7.30pm Wed Mat 2.30pm HALFWAY TO PARADISE DANGEROUS OBSESSION All lip curling, smouldering sexiness, Billy Fury Tickets from £15.00 / £16.50 / £18.00 C was the British Elvis and the most complete cool cat Rock 'n' Roller ever! Fri 5th October, 7.30pm STAN BOARDMAN’S Friday 26th October, 7.30pm BIG VARIETY SHOW THE SEARCHERS Tickets from £18.00 This concert includes all their famous hits, plus many of their original album recordings, B- Tue 9th - Sat 13th October, 7.30pm Sat Mat 2.30pm sides and a selection of other well known favourites. LA CAGE AUX FOLLES Tickets from £12.50 - £10.00 Saturday 27th October, 7.30pm Mon 15th October, 7.30pm JULIAN SMITH THE SEARCHERS Julian Smith's distinctive soprano saxophone Tickets from £18.50 sound has been heard all over the world - Don't miss out on this great evening of music. Wed 17th October, 7.30pm Russian State Ballet present Sunday 28th October, 11am & 2pm SWAN LAKE CHRIS & PUI Tickets from £22.00 C Meet CBeebies' favourite double-act and have a giggle with them too in their fabulous new Tue 23rd & Wed 24th October, 7.30pm packed with fantastic songs, games and a few THAT’LL BE THE DAY surprises along the way. Tickets from £16.50 / £20.00 / £21.00 C Wednesday 31st October, 7.30pm Thurs 25th - Sat 27th October DOMINIC KIRWAN Sat Mat 2.30pm Don’t miss this fabulous night of music with DUET FOR ONE Dominic, his live band, and all the hits, ‘Live Tickets from £16.50 / £17.50 / £18.50 and Personal’ on stage

Tues 30th Oct - Sat 3rd Nov, 7.30pm Thursday 1st November, 7.30pm Sat Mat 2.30pm STARS IN YOUR EYES YOU’RE ONLY Barbra Streisand, Michael Buble, YOUNG TWICE Tina Turner and Rod Stewart Tickets from £12.00 - £18.50 C A fantastic 2 hour show playing homage to some of the worlds biggest musical stars.

CREWE LYCEUM I HEATH STREET I CREWE I CW1 2DA 01270 686 777 www.lyceumtheatre.net

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identity, Sat 4 Aug, The Crescent Theatre, Birm- Theatre LISTINGS ingham TWELFTH NIGHT Festival For full listing information on theatre Players Theatre Com- productions, including times and pany present an out- dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk door production of Shakespeare’s tale of mistaken identity, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTH- From cross-dressing and ING The RSC present a unrequited love, Sun 5 WED 1 AUG vibrant new production Aug, mac, Birmingham that transposes Shake- THE GRIM TALES OF THE speare's tale of love ME AND MY GIRL BROTHERS GRIMM Ama- and deceit to an Indian teur production pre- Spaniel In The Works setting, until Sat 15 Theatre Company pres- sented by Worcester Sep, The Courtyard, Operatic and Dramatic ent a fun family show Stratford-upon-Avon that uncovers the sinis- Society Youth Section A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S (WODYS), until Sat 4 ter side of Cinderella DREAM Worcester- and exposes terrible Aug, The Swan The- based company The atre, Stratford-upon- tales of Tom Thumb, Little English Theatre Sun 5 - Sun 12 Aug, Avon present an open-air THE CEMETERY CLUB The Coach House The- production of Shake- atre, Malvern Starring well-loved speare’s much-loved British star Anita Harris, play, Wed 1 Aug, Moor iconic film and televi- Hall Hotel, Sutton Cold- Week Commencing sion actress Shirley- field MON 6 AUG Anne Field, and estab- THE TEMPEST MDCC lished television and Outdoor Theatre Com- stage actresses Karen pany present their ver- VOLCANO Jenny Sea- Ford and Debbie Nor- sion of the Bard’s final man, until Sat 4 Aug, grove takes the lead in masterpiece, Wed 1 - Bill Kenwright's produc- Malvern Theatres Thurs 2 Aug, Birming- DIRTY DANCING tion of 'Noel Coward's Eleanor ham Botanical Gardens Bergstein's smash-hit newly discovered gem', SLEEP WITH ME Ad Hoc Mon 6 - Sat 11 Aug, West End musical, until Theatre Company pres- Sat 25 Aug, Birming- Malvern Theatre ent Steve Lambert’s JITTERS Malvern Bard ham Hippodrome tale of insomnia, lost RICHARD III present their version of Roxana Sil- loves, a blind neigh- bert directs a contem- Nick Wilkes’ play that bour called Eric, centres around a porary version of Thomas Hardy & Shakespeare's expose groom with a past, a sheep!, Wed 1 - Fri 3 best man losing his of one of history's most Aug, The Coach House infamous monarchs, best mate, and a father Theatre, Malvern of the bride with just a until Sat 15 Sep, The RESIDENT ALIEN Ad Hoc Swan Theatre, Strat- little too much pride, Theatre Company pres- Tues 7 - Sat 11 Aug, ford-upon-Avon ent Tim Fountain’s KING JOHN Maria Aberg The Coach House The- drama that’s based on atre, Malvern directs the RSC in a the life and writings of new version of Shake- MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTH- Quentin Crisp, Wed 1 - ING Presented by speare's play about the Sat 4 Aug, The Coach medieval monarch's Folksy Theatre, Wed 8 House Theatre, Malvern Aug, Trentham Gar- political struggle with THE GRUFFALO Tall Sto- France, until Sat 15 dens, Staffordshire ries present their adap- THE MIKADO Opera Any- Sept, The Swan The- tation of Julia Donald- atre, Stratford-upon- where present their ver- son's magical tale for sion of Gilbert & Sulli- Avon children, Tue 1 - Sun 5 TWELFTH NIGHT van’s comic opera, David Aug, Birmingham Town Farr directs Shake- Wed 8 Aug, Birming- Hall ham Botanical Gardens speare's tale of mistak- A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S en identity, cross-dress- PETER PAN Outdoor pro- DREAM Worcester- duction based on JM ing and unrequited based company The love, until Sat 6 Oct, Barrie's original play, Little English Theatre Wed 8 - Sat 11 Aug, Royal Shakespeare present an open-air Theatre, Stratford-upon- Stafford Gatehouse production of Shake- Theatre Avon speare’s much-loved THE TEMPEST MILKSHAKE Favourite David Farr play, Fri 3 Aug, Tutbury directs a new version of characters from the Castle, Staffordshire Channel Five children’s the Bard's final master- TROILUS AND CRESSIDA piece, until Sun 7 Oct, show present a new Shakespeare's epic Tro- show that fuses song Royal Shakespeare jan play about love, war Theatre, Stratford-upon- and dance, Wed 8 Aug, and politics, Fri 3 - Sat The Roses Theatre, Avon 18 Aug, The Swan The- THE COMEDY OF ERRORS Tewksbury atre, Stratford-upon- Amir Nizar Zuabi RICHARD III Festival Avon Players Theatre Com- directs a new version of BARE: A POP OPERA Shakespeare's joyful pany present their ver- MUSICAL Harrison Pro- sion of Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken ductions present a rock identity, until Sat 6 Oct, thrilling tale of the last musical about a group King of England to be Royal Shakespeare of Catholic high school Theatre, Stratford-upon- killed in battle, Wed 8 seniors facing issues of Aug, mac, Birmingham Avon sexuality and personal

The Tempest - Birmingham Botanical Gardens

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 31 Theatre August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 16:49 Page 11

COMING SOON TO THEATRE SEVERN

FRIDAY 14 SEPTEMBER CREAM OF

Thurs 13th September CLAPTON CREAM OF CLAPTON is a remarkable RAYMOND FROGGATT and utterly authentic tribute to Eric Clapton, covering the songs IN CONCERT from his days in Cream and 7.30pm. Tickets £15 / £14 concs Derek and the Dominoes, as well as his spectacular solo career. Sat 15th September THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO FRIDAY 14 SEPTEMBER SWALLOWED A FLY 2.30pm. Tickets £7 RODDY WOOMBLE Thu 20th September Familiar to many thousands THE ULTIMATE of music fans as the front man in the Scottish rock band OASIS TRIBUTE Idlewild, RODDY WOOMBLE is 7.30pm. Tickets £10 also a celebrated Sat 22nd September solo songwriter TONY LAW: & performer. MAXIMUM NONSENSE 8pm. Tickets £12 / £10 concs TUESDAY 18 - WEDNESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER Thu 27th September JOHN CHALLIS: AN EVENING WITH BOYCIE 7.30pm. Tickets £15 / £13 concs

Fri 28th September The International smash hit SPIRIT OF THE DANCE is one of the most BEE GEES FEVER successful shows ever to come out of 7.30pm. Tickets £14 / £12 concs Ireland and has been seen by more than twenty five million people in fifteen countries around the world. Wed 3rd October THE UPBEAT BEATLES 7.30pm. Tickets £15 / £13 concs SATURDAY 22 SEPTEMBER Thu 4th October ALUN COCHRANE: VIENNA FESTIVAL BAL- MOMENTS OF ALUN LET PRESENTS COP- This autumn Alun Cochrane brings PELIA his sold out Edinburgh show 7pm. Tickets £19.50 / £17.50 concs 'Moments of Alun' to Theatre Severn 'Alun Cochrane’s ability to make the Fri 5th October little things in life a comedy goldmine is phenomenal' Chortle.co.uk THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW 7.30pm. Tickets £17.50 / £16 concs VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO VIEW MORE SHOWS!

Frankwell Quay, Box Office 01743 281 281 Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Book Online www.theatresevern.co.uk SY3 8FT

32 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 17:20 Page 12

Midlands, Sat 18 Aug, The Oakengates Theatre Sum- Crescent Theatre, B’ham mer Youth Project, Thurs Theatre LISTINGS GOOD BLACK MEN & GOOD 23 - Sat 25 Aug, The Place, BLACK WOMEN Big People’s Oakengates Theatre, For full listing information on theatre pro- Theatre present a show- Telford ductions, including times and dates, visit case of very short and BLOFELD & BAXTER: MEMO- powerful drama sketches, RIES OF TEST MATCH SPE- www.whatsonlive.co.uk Sun 19 Aug, The Crescent CIAL Two of the titans of UK Theatre, Birmingham cricket present a show ANOTHER NEWHART AND Coach House, Malvern I’LL BE BERT Dreamshed packed with memories of LEHRER Peter Gill and AS YOU LIKE IT The Rain Theatre Company present their times in Test Match BIRMINGHAM’S Andrew Meller return with And Shine Theatre Compa- Bill Cronshaw’s amusing Special commentary boxes more songs and sketches, ny present an outdoor per- story of hero worship, a all over the world, Sat 25 PREMIER PUB Fri 10 Aug, The Roses The- formance of Shakespeare’s broken neck, dreams, Aug, Huntingdon Hall, THEATRE atre, Tewksbury pastoral comedy, Wed 15 nightmares, forgiveness Worcester MAD SCIENCE OLYMPIC & Thurs 16 Aug, Birming- and redemption, Sun 19 - SHOW Super sporty show ham Botanical Gardens Sun 26 Aug, The Coach Week Commencing that’s full of crazy experi- LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS House Theatre, Malvern Sun 5 August, 2.30pm Malvern Theatres Young DREAM ON Dreamshed The- MON 27 AUG ments and audience partic- Old Joint Stock Musical ipation, Fri 10 Aug, Artrix, Company present their ver- atre Company present Bill Theatre Company Bromsgrove sion of the smash hit musi- Cronshaw’s adult comedy - A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S cal comedy, Wed 15 - Sun a cautionary tale of the SLEEPING BEAUTY Outdoor A MUSICAL DREAM (AS YOU LIKE IT) 19 Aug, Malvern Theatre dangers of naked ambition, production presented by Dmitry Krymov's interpreta- LITTLE BO PEEP Children’s fragile relationships, hand- Chapterhouse Theatre MATINEE tion of Shakespeare's mag- show that fuses puppetry held cameras and feel- Company, Sun 26 Aug, A collection of the best of musical ical, shape-shifting play. and song, Thurs 16 Aug, good shows, Sun 19 - Sun Gregynog Hall, Nr Welsh- numbers from the West End and Presented in Russian with The Roses Theatre, Tewks- 26 Aug, The Coach House pool, Powys Broadway performed by members of English surtitles, Fri 10 - bury Theatre, Malvern AS YOU LIKE IT Shake- our resident musical theatre group. speare's Globe Theatre Sat 18 Aug, Royal Shake- SPIRIT TOUR: THOMAS BUCK- £10 speare Theatre, Stratford- MASTER Evening of medi- Week Commencing present their version of upon-Avon umship, Thurs 16 Aug, Shakespeare's romantic PRIVATE LIVES Heartbreak Crescent Theatre, Birming- MON 20 AUG comedy, Sun 26 - Mon 27 From Tue 7 August, 6pm-10pm Productions present their ham Aug, Tutbury Castle, NTI SUMMER version of Noel Coward’s EMMA Chapterhouse The- Staffordshire celebrated drama, Sat 11 atre present an outdoor UNCLE ERIC'S HARD DAY'S HAIRY MACLARY & FRIENDS WORKSHOPS Aug, Charlecote Park, War- production of Jane NIGHT! Sixties musical that Characters from Lynley A weekly series of five actor-writer promises comedy, nostal- Dodd’s much-loved chil- wickshire Austen's classic tale of collaborative workshops aimed at the gia and non-stop hits of the dren’s books take to the VOICE OF THE HEART - KAREN matchmaking, marriage creation of new theatre here in '60s, Mon 20 Aug - Sat 1 stage to present a musical CARPENTER Sat 11 Aug, and merriment, Fri 17 Aug, Birmingham The Roses Theatre, Tewks- The Angel Inn, Pershore, Sep, New Vic Theatre, family show, Tues 28 - bury Worcestershire Newcastle-under-Lyme Thurs 30 Aug, mac, Birm- £50 for 5 workshops TERRIBLY TOPSY TURVY THE TERRIBLE TOPSY TURVY AN ACTOR DESPAIRS ingham TALES Trail-style perform- TALES OF MALVERN THE- Dreamshed Theatre Com- LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSI- Fri 10 August, 8pm ance where children under ATRES Trail-style perform- pany presents John Martin CAL Multi-award-winning Sat 11 August 2pm & 8pm ten, and their families, can ance where children under Stevens’ fast-paced come- musical starring Gareth rediscover mac’s public ten, and their families, dy, Tues 21 - Sat 25 Aug, Gates, Tue 28 Aug - Sat 1 THE BOY WHO spaces, Sat 11 - Sun 12 rediscover and reimagine The Coach House Theatre, Sep, New Alexandra The- Aug, mac, Birmingham Malvern Theatre and its Malvern atre, Birmingham INVENTED ROMEO & JULIET Chapter- natural surroundings, Fri DANDY DICK Patricia Hodge CASTING MalvernBard pres- EVERYTHING house Theatre present an 17 Aug, Malvern Theatre & Nicholas Le Prevost star ent Nick Wilkes’ theatrical Sam McNulty’s hilarious new time- outdoor production of FANTASTIC MR FOX - Hotel in Arthur Wing Pinero's comedy that pokes gently travelling comedy musical comes to Shakespeare's romantic Teatro present their version classic British comedy, Tue at theatre management, the Old Joint Stock Theatre tale, Sun 12 Aug, Catthor- of Roald Dahl’s much- 21 - Sat 25 Aug, New arts funding and the ludi- £10 (£8 concs) pe Manor, Leicestershire loved story, Fri 17 - Sat 18 Alexandra Theatre, Birm- cracies of casting, Tues 28 Aug, Artrix, Bromsgrove ingham Aug - Sat 1 Sep, The LADIES DOWN UNDER STAC Coach House Theatre, Week Commencing 13 - A NEW MUSICAL Tue 14 - Fri 17 August, Stafford Gatehouse Youth present an amateur pro- Birmingham 10am-5pm MON 13 AUG Theatre present a grown- duction of Amanda Whit- RELATIVELY SPEAKING Felici- up story about growing tington’s feel-good drama, ty Kendall and Jonathan IMPROV YOURSELF- up!, Sat 18 Aug, Stafford Tue 21 - Sat 25 Aug, The Coy star in Lindsay Pos- ANGELINA BALLERINA THE Gatehouse Theatre Swan Theatre, Worcester ner’s production of Alan IMPROV SUMMER MOUSICAL Tue 14 - Thurs PULSE & BEATS Ace Dance DISCO INFERNO New 70’s Ayckbourn’s acclaimed WORKSHOP musical written and con- drama, Wed 29 Aug - Sat 1 16 Aug, New Alexandra presents a fusion of con- Learn to be more creative and ceived by Jai Sepple, Tues Sep, Malvern Theatre Theatre, Birmingham temporary and traditional spontaneous, develop teamwork skills 21 - Sat 25 Aug, Malvern GEORGE AND THE DRAGON In IVORY TOWERS Dreamshed African Caribbean forms, and discover how to take more risks! Theatre Company present from dancers, drummers Theatre Garlic Theatre's award-win- a funny and moving tale of and international artists of DANCING WITH AUNTIE Pre- ning production that fuses £160 the effects of great litera- all ages, Sat 18 Aug, mac, sented by Dreamshed The- wit, humour and inventive- ture, cheap lager, love and Birmingham atre Company, Tues 21 - ness to celebrate one of Sat 25 August, 11am-6pm homeopathic medicine, EXPLODE THE CODE Present- Sat 25 Aug, The Coach the most famous medieval Tues 14 - Sat 18 Aug, The ed by Mad Science West House, Malvern legends of all time, Thurs AS YOU LIKE IT Shake- 30 Aug, The Roses The- CREATING AS A speare's Globe present an atre, Tewksbury SOLO PERFORMER Angelina Ballerina The Mousical - New Alexandra Theatre outdoor production of The SANDI TOKSVIG LIVE Major BY TEIFI EMERALD Bard's romantic comedy, solo tour from the A one day workshop which will guide Wed 22 - Thurs 23 Aug, acclaimed comedian, nov- Shugborough Historic elist, actor and broadcast- you through the practical steps towards Working Estate, Stafford- er, Fri 31 Aug, Malvern creating your own solo performance. shire Theatre £40 UGLY DUCKLING PUPPET FORESTS Birmingham SHOW Children’s show pre- Repertory Theatre and Thurs 30 August, 8pm sented by Sea Legs Pup- Barcelona Internacional pet Theatre, Thurs 23 Aug, Teatre present an original The Hive, Shrewsbury play that's inspired by OJST IMPRO NIGHT 1001 ARABIAN NIGHTS Pre- Shakespeare's references Another cornucopia of non-stop games, sented by Blue Orange to forests throughout his sketches and fun! Arts, Thurs 23 Aug - Mon 3 work. This production £7.50 Sep, The Blue Orange The- forms part of the World atre, Birmingham Shakespeare Festival 2012, RICHARD III The Festival Fri 31 Aug - Sat 15 Sep, Players Theatre Company Old Rep, Birmingham Tel: 0121 200 0946 present Shakespeare’s THE MISSING PIECE Lauren drama of the last king to be Devine’s adaptation of & 0845 680 1926 killed in battle, Thurs 23 Davey Anderson’s tale of email:[email protected]. Aug, The Swan Theatre, schizophrenia and the Worcester workings of the inner mind, www.oldjointstocktheatre.co.uk BACK TO THE 80S Feel-good Fri 31 Aug - Sat 1 Sep, or on-line at: www.oxboffice.com musical presented by The Artrix, Bromsgrove

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Theatre August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 16:49 Page 13

Theatre REVIEWS

Here are a few of the theatre productions we reviewed from last month. For further theatre reviews, visit, www.whatsonlive.co.uk Much Ado About Nothing Ludlow Castle, South Shropshire Director Charlie Walker-Wise delivers plenty of visual and verbal comedy in this lively open-air Shakespeare. Much Ado About Nothing is served up as a ’40s feast, victorious troops renewing affections with girls digging for victory in a climate of eavesdropping and misinformation. Rachel Donovan’s Beatrice has the style of a dazzling Noel Coward heroine, with razor wit masking untapped passions, while Matthew Douglas’ bois- terously endearing Benedict begins his stumbling charm offensive after a delightfully comic confine- Dirty Dancing ment in an air raid shelter. While the electric Home Birmingham Hippodrome Front setting easily sparks the sparring lovers' It doesn’t seem twenty-five years since Patrick Swayze uttered those immortal words, screwball romance, it embodies false hopes too, ‘nobody puts Baby in the corner’, and brought a generation of female admirers to their lending poignancy to the non-wedding scene knees. Now those iconic words are being muttered by Paul-Michael Jones as he steps where Sam Philips’ suddenly embittered soldier into Swayze’s hard-to-fill shoes, playing dancing lothario Johnny Castle in Eleanor Claudio mistakenly condemns his beloved Hero, Bergstein’s stage adaptation of the hit movie. For those not in the know, Dirty Dancing played with understated dignity by Ellie Beavan. is all-American middle-class romanticism - naive teenager (Baby) goes on summer Careless talk almost costs lives but ultimately vacation with her parents and ditsy sister, meets said dancer (Castle) and falls in love, ensures a festive finale that sees lovers reconciled much to the dismay of her parents... This fast-paced production, complete with and (after interrogation by Wayne Cater’s hilarious impressive graphics and a dizzying number of set changes, saw Baby, here played by tin-hatted Dogberry) villains found out. Jill Winternitz, move from clumsy to competent dancer in record time. However, when David Barron IIII I it came to showing real prowess on the dancefloor, it was Nicky Griffiths’ Penny John- son, Castle’s ‘knocked-up’ dancing partner, who came out tops. Her seemingly effort- less mambo and ability to produce upright splits was second to none. Patsy Moss III II Theatre Box Office 42nd Street Birmingham Staffordshire Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham ALEXANDRA THEATRE LICHFIELD GARRICK Leaving the New Alexandra Theatre after watching 42nd Street could easily have been 0844 871 3011 01543 412121 a rather embarrassing affair. If there was one area where this long-serving musical BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME NEW VIC 01782 717962 excelled, it was the tap dancing - so much so that it was difficult to repress the urge to 0844 338 5000 PRINCE OF WALES begin tapping away on Birmingham's soggy pavements afterwards! A show within a BIRMINGHAM REP CENTRE, CANNOCK 0121 236 4455 01543 578762 show, the plot revolves around the backstage dramas of producing a Broadway musi- THE BLUE ORANGE THEATRE REGENT THEATRE, STOKE cal in 1930s New York, and eventually sees talented small-town girl Peggy Sawyer rise 0121 212 2643 0870 060 6649 to stardom; testament, perhaps, to the idea that, even in the Great Depression, the STAFFORD GATEHOUSE CRESCENT THEATRE ‘American Dream’ remained alive and well. Ironically enough, 42nd Street began life 01785 254653 0121 643 5858 as a 1933 Warner Brothers film, and made its debut on the stage as recently as 1980. DOVEHOUSE THEATRE Warwickshire It’s perhaps for this reason that the plot felt disjointed in places, lacking the emotional 0121 706 7139 BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL punch of contemporaries like Wicked, while some of the songs also seemed to come THE DRUM 0121 333 2444 024 7637 6707 out of nowhere (the film originally featured just five numbers, with further songs intro- MAC 0121 446 3232 BELGRADE THEATRE, COVEN- duced to beef up the ’80s musical.) On the opening night in Birmingham, some of OLD JOINT STOCK THEATRE TRY 024 7655 3055 these minor songs were a little inaudible, and, on occasion, parts of the scenery were 0121 200 0946 BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE, WAR- overeager to share the limelight. However, the big numbers - We’re In The Money and OLD REP 0121 245 4455 WICK 01926 776438 Lullaby Of Broadway - did not disappoint. Dave Willetts was particularly excellent as SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX THE DREAM FACTORY world-weary director Julian Marsh, although the character’s flirtation with young starlet 0121 704 6962 01926 419555 Peggy was slightly unsavoury. At the end of the performance, it was a hard task to ROYAL SHAKESPEARE Black Country THEATRE, STRATFORD-UPON- spot any audience member without a big smile on their face. If sugar-coated escapism and fabulous choreography is your bag, then this musical will be right up your street. ARENA THEATRE AVON 0844 800 1110 WOLVERHAMPTON ROYAL SPA CENTRE Claire Lloyd IIII I 01902 321321 LEAMINGTON 01926 334418 BLOXWICH THEATRE WARWICK ARTS CENTRE 01922 653183 COVENTRY 02476 524524 Rhys Darby DUDLEY CONCERT HALL Symphony Hall, Birmingham 01384 812812 Worcestershire GRAND THEATRE, ARTRIX ARTS CENTRE, BROMS- On 21 December 2012 the world ended, as predicted long ago by the Mayan civiliza- 01902 429212 GROVE01527 577330 tion (and, more recently, by Hollywood!). It’s not all bad news, however, as the world’s OLDBURY REP, OLDBURY HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCES- superpowers have secretly had spaceships hidden away in preparation for the cosmic 0121 552 2761 TER 01905 611427 cataclysm... and Rhys Darby, for one, has escaped! Such is the basis for tonight’s THE PUBLIC, WEST BROMWICH MALVERN THEATRE show, with Rhys being awoken onboard one such spacecraft by ‘Al’, the ship’s 01684 892277 0121 533 7161 onboard computer (voiced by Flight Of The Conchords’ Jermaine Clement), with no NORBURY THEATRE, DROITWICH Shropshire 01905 770154 memory of how he got there. He must, he is told, try to remember… cue a show of hilarious and surreal observational comedy featuring dressage horses, hands-free toi- LUDLOW ASSEMBLY PALACE THEATRE ROOMS 01584 878141 REDDITCH 01527 65203 let units and wayward handshakes, with Rhys reviewing his life up to the point of his THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, ROSE THEATRE, getaway! TELFORD 01952 382382 01562 743745 Rhys is best known for his television role as hapless band manager Murray Hewitt in THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWS- SWAN THEATRE, HBO’s Flight Of The Conchords. On this occasion, however, he proved that he’s much BURY 01743 281281 WORCESTER 01905 611427 more than just a comic actor, presenting a show that was positively awash with zany storytelling and physical gags. Rhys was hilarious from start to finish, and a very good time was had by all! Alfie Price IIII I

34 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 16:49 Page 14

Theatre WEST END Cole Porter’s work rediscovered... The 2012 Lost Musicals season continues this month with Cole Porter’s Aladdin, the composer’s last ever work. It will be performed at the Lillian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells, from 19 August. Porter’s Aladdin was screened as a one-off live TV broadcast in 1958 but was never recorded and therefore never seen again. Until now, that is. This UK premiere features a twenty- strong company of actors drawn from the West End, RSC and RNT, including John Rawnsley, Emma Sewell and John Savident (pictured) New Soho musical Stephen Fry is set to make a welcome return to the West End this month, narrating a brand new musical by George Stiles and Anthony Drew. Celebrating London’s most colourful district, Soho Cinders concerns impoverished student Robbie and his romantic shenanigans with engaged Mayoral candi- Kissing Sid James confirms London run... date James Prince. This contemporary tale of politics, sex scandals Following on from a sell-out run in New can the couple - who, incidentally, don’t and true love sees York’s Brits Off Broadway season, a share a single interest - put aside their differ- Michael Xavier (Mamma reworked version of Robert Farquhar’s ences and find romance? Kissing Sid James Mia!) star as James acclaimed comedy Kissing Sid James is to will reunite actors Alan Drake (A Fantastic opposite Thomas Milner be staged in London. The fast-paced, ninety- Fear Of Everything) and Charlotte McKinney as Robbie. Soho Cinders minute production follows a sexy croupier (The Diary Of Tommy Crisp) when it runs at runs at Soho Theatre and a stationary salesman as they embark London’s Jermyn Street Theatre from 3 to 29 from 2 August to 9 Sep- on what they hope is going to be a romantic September. tember. weekend away at a British seaside town. But

WICKED Apollo Victoria MOUSETRAP St Martins Theatre Royal, booking WEST END LISTINGS: Theatre, booking until Theatre, booking until 15 COMEDY 1 Oct - 20 Oct 2012 27 Apr 2013 Dec 2012 ROGER REES - WHAT YOU 39 STEPS Criterion The- WILL Apollo Theatre,18 MAMMA MIA! Prince Of WIZARD OF OZ London PHILADELPHIA, HERE I atre, booking until 30 Sept 2012 - 6 Oct 2012 MUSICALS Wales Theatre, booking Palladium Theatre, COME! Donmar Ware- Mar 2013 until 1 Sept 2012 booking until 2 Sept house, booking until 22 TAMING OF THE SHREW AMERICAN IDIOT Ham- 2012 Sept 2012 ABIGAIL’S PARTY Wynd- Shakespeare Globe MATILDA THE MUSICAL mersmith Apollo The- ham’s Theatre, booking Theatre, booking until Cambridge Theatre, TEN BILLION Royal court until 1 Sept 2012 atre, 3 Dec - 16 Dec Theatre, booking until 13 Oct 2012 2012 booking until 17 Feb DRAMA DERREN BROWN: SVEN- 2013 11 Aug TWELFTH NIGHT Apollo BILLY ELLIOT – THE MUSI- GALI Novello Theatre, Theatre, 2 Nov 2012 - 3 PHANTOM OF THE OPERA TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA booking until 11 Aug CAL Victoria Palace BULLY BOY Lyric Theatre, booking Feb 2013 Theatre, booking until Her Majesty's Theatre, 2012 St James Theatre, 18 until 2 Sept 2012 WHAT THE BUTLER SAW 21 Dec 2013 booking until 27 Apr Sept 2012 - 27 Oct 2012 ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS Vaudeville Theatre, 2013 WAR HORSE New Lon- Haymarket Theatre BLOOD BROTHERS CHARIOTS OF FIRE booking until - 25 Aug ROCK OF AGES Shaftes- don Theatre, booking Royal, booking until 12 Phoenix Theatre book- Gielgud Theatre, book- 2012 ing until 24 Nov 2012 bury Theatre, booking until 26 Oct 2013 Jan 2013 until 17 Feb 2013 ing until 10 Nov 2012 WOMAN IN BLACK For- YES, PRIME MINISTER BODYGUARD Adelphi PAUL MERTON: OUT OF Trafalger Studios, book- SHREK THE MUSICAL CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE tune Theatre, booking Theatre 6 Nov 2012 - MY HEAD Vaudeville ing until- 12 Jan 2013 27 Apr 2013 Drury Lane, Theatre DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME until 15 Dec 2012 Royal, booking until 31 Cottesloe National The- CABARET Savoy Theatre Mar 2013 atre, booking until 27 The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre 3 Oct 2012 - 19 Jan Oct 2012 2013 SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN CHICAGO Garrick The- PalaceTheatre, booking DAMNED BY DESPAIR Olivi- atre booking until 1 until 23 Feb 2013 er National Theatre, 2 Sept 2012 STOMP Ambassadors Oct 2012 - 7 Nov 2012 DREAMBOATS & PETTI- Theatre, booking until DOCTORS DILEMMA Lyttel- COATS Playhouse The- 22 Dec 2013 ton National Theatre, atre, booking until 24 SWEENEY TODD - THE booking until 12 Sept Nov 2012 DEMON BARBER OF FLEET 2012 GHOST THE MUSICAL Pic- STREET HENRY V Shakespeare Adelphi Theatre,booking cadilly Theatre, booking Globe Theatre, booking until 22 Sept 2012 until 6 Oct 2012 until 26 Aug 2012 THRILLER LIVE Lyric The- JERSEY BOYS Prince HORRIBLE HISTORIES - Edward Theatre, book- atre, booking until 3 Mar BARMY BRITAIN Garrick ing until 17 Feb 2013 2013 Theatre, booking until 1 LES MISÉRABLES Queen's TOP HAT Aldwych The- Sept 2012 Theatre booking until 27 atre, booking until 27 Apr 2013 Apr 2013 JUMPY Duke Of York’s Theatre, 16 Aug 2012 - 3 LET IT BE Prince Of Wales VIVA FOREVER! Piccadilly Theatre 14 Sept 2012 - Theatre, 27 Nov 2012 - 1 Nov 2012 19 Jan 2013 June 2013 LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO LION KING Lyceum The- WE WILL ROCK YOU NIGHT Apollo Theatre, atre, booking until 14 Dominion Theatre, book- booking until 18 Aug Apr 2013 ing until 20 Oct 2012 2012

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Film August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 16:10 Page 1

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Film TO WATCH THE LATEST MOVIE TRAILERS, VISIT: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

From MON 13 AUG

Brave CERT PG (100 mins) TOP 5 Featuring the voice of Kelly Macdonald, Julie Walters, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Kevin McKidd, FILM BOX OFFICE Craig Ferguson, Robbie Coltrane Directed by Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman (USA) After the recent slew of fairytale adaptations it’s a shock to come across a brand new storyline - with a The Dark Knight witch. A Disney/Pixar collaboration, Brave follows the traditional template, both of Disney and popular folk- 1 Rises (12a) lore. Scottish Princess Merida is a characteristically feisty and rebellious Disney heroine (pluckily voiced by Kelly Macdonald) who’s far from happy with the tenets of an arranged marriage. An energetic and entertaining narrative follows, based on an original idea by co-director Brenda Chapman. The Scottish Ice Age: Continental Highlands have seldom looked so spectacular, the voice cast is of the highest order (in spite of the 2 Drift (12a) accents, one can hear every word) and there’s a terrific score from Patrick Doyle. If one has to lodge a complaint against such a jolly piece of escapism, it’s that the story itself is rather one-dimensional and underdeveloped. There’s no colourful villain, no romantic interest and, for a Pixar film, the animation is sur- The Amazing Spider-Man prisingly uninventive. A few good jokes wouldn’t have gone amiss, either. 3 (12a)

The Bourne Legacy 4 Magic Mike (15) CERT 12a (135 mins) Starring Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Joan Allen, Albert Finney, Seeking A Friend For The David Strathairn, Scott Glenn, Stacy Keach, End Of The World (12a) Oscar Isaac Directed by Tony Gilroy (USA) 5 Nobody believed for an instant that at the end of The Bourne Ultimatum this phenomenally successful franchise would die with Matt Damon. This one is based on the novel by Eric Van Lustbader and introduces Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker, Avengers Assemble) as Aaron Cross, an agent attached to the Operation Outcome outfit. From When the latter is shut down by the CIA (to MON save face over the events perpetrated by 13 AUG Jason Bourne), a price is put on Cross’s head - and on the woman who prepared him for action (Weisz). The Dark Knight Rises

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FilmNEW RELEASES

Released from Fri 3 August

Ted CERT 15 (106 mins) Starring Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane, Mila Kunis, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel McHale, Patrick Warburton Directed by Seth MacFarlane (USA) For fans of the animated sitcom Family Guy, Ted promises to be a dream come true. It’s the first theatrical feature from Seth MacFarlane, creator of the former, who not only makes his directorial debut here but voices the eponymous cuddly toy. Ted is the constant companion of John Bennett (Wahlberg), who finds his relationship with the beautiful Lori Collins (Kunis) under threat when she objects to Ted’s obnoxious and crude behaviour. The film received astonish- ingly good reviews in America and has been a box-office sensation. Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

Sound Of My Voice CERT 15 (85 mins) Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Starring Brit Marling, Christopher Denham, CERT U (94 mins) Nicole Vicius Starring Zachary Gordon, Steve Zahn, Directed by Zal Batmanglij (USA) Robert Capron, Devon Bostick A low-budget indie from first-time director Directed by David Bowers (USA/Canada) Batmanglij, Sound Of My Voice premiered at The last Wimpy Kid still made a return on last year’s Sundance Film Festival in Utah. its investment: so expect more of these The story of a cult and the two would-be film- infantile sitcoms based on the books of Jeff makers who investigate it, the film has accu- Kinney. In this one - based on the fourth mulated some favourable reviews. Top critics book in the series - the craven brat Greg in the US have rated it “mesmerising” and Heffley (played for the third time by Zachary “effectively unsettling”, while The Los Gordon) is faced with a summer of ruined Angeles Times praised its “appealing hybrid plans. So how is he going to cope with the Ted of genre smarts and questioning sensibility”. boredom? And how are we?

38 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Film August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 16:10 Page 4

Released from Fri 10 August

In The Dark Half CERT 15 (85 mins) Starring Tony Curran, Lyndsey Marshal, Jessica Barden, Georgia Henshaw Directed by Alastair Siddons (UK) A thriller set in the rural outskirts of Bristol, In The Dark Half lays on the atmosphere as thick as it can. The sound editing takes up most of the slack in this tale of grief and single parenthood, but the performances are not up to snuff. Having delivered two excellent turns in Tamara Drewe and Hanna, Jessica Barden has shown what a good actress she can be. But as a lonely fifteen- year-old haunted by the boy next door, she is unable to make us believe. In fact, everything about the film is unconvincing, right up to its inexplicable climax.

In The Dark Half

Offender CERT tbc Step Up 4: Miami Heat Starring Kimberley Nixon, Shaun Dooley, Joe Cole, Tyson Oba, Vas Blackwood, Ruth Gemmell Directed by Ron Scalpello (UK) The Dinosaur Project Step Up 4: Miami Heat Think offender and think of a young offend- CERT 12a (83 mins) CERT tbc ers’ institute. Starring Natasha Loring, Matt Kane, Richard Starring Kathryn McCormick, Ryan Guzman, Directed by And while you’re Dillane Sid Bennett (UK) Adam G. Sevani, Peter Gallagher at it, think of bru- When a team is lost in the Congo while Directed by Scott Speer (USA) tality, revenge investigating the sighting of an ogopogo (a This sequel to Step Up 3D has gone and the failure of sort of primitive aquatic whale), a search through many title changes but we’ll stick the British justice party is sent out after them... This may seem with this one. Again shot in 3D, the movie system. It almost familiar territory to readers of Conan Doyle follows a new girl in town (Miami) who falls sounds like an (The Lost World) and Michael Crichton in with a dance crew, whose patch is update of Alan (Jurassic Park/Congo), but the appetite for threatened by her very own father. Clarke’s hard-hit- CGI dinosaurs seems almost unbounded. To Incidentally, the trailer looks amazing. ting Scum keep the costs down, this is packaged as a (1979). Offender “found footage” mockumentary in the tradition of Blair Witch and Cloverfield. Released from Fri 17 August

360 CERT 15 (110 mins) Starring Anthony Hopkins, Jude Law, Rachel Take This Waltz CERT 15 (116 mins) Weisz, Ben Foster, Jamel Debbouze, Starring Michelle Williams, Seth Rogan, Luke Marianne Jean-Baptiste Kirby, Sarah Silverman Directed by Sarah Directed by Fernando Meirelles Polley (Canada/Spain/Japan) (UK/Austria/France/Brazil) When the twenty-seven-year-old Canadian Peter Morgan has written some of the most actress-singer Sarah Polley had the cheek to stimulating films in recent memory: The Last write and direct a movie, nobody expected King Of Scotland, The Queen, Frost/Nixon, her to come up with something quite so Clint Eastwood’s Hereafter and Tinker Tailor acute, funny and perceptive. The film was Soldier Spy. Here, he updates Arthur Away From Her (2006) and secured her an Schnitzler's La Ronde and explores the vari- The Dinosaur Project Oscar nomination for best screenplay - and a ous sexual encounters of a number of differ- nod for Julie Christie as Best Actress. Now ent couples. The director, Fernando thirty-three, Ms Polley directs her second film Meirelles, also has a remarkable pedigree. Jackpot CERT 15 (86 mins) from her own He previously brought us City Of God, The Starring Kyrre Hellum, Mads Ousdal, Henrik screenplay, this Take This Waltz Constant Gardener and Blindness. Mestad, Arthur Berning Directed by Magnus one starring Martens (Norway) Michelle Adapted from a story by the best-selling Williams as a Norwegian novelist Jo Nesbø, Jackpot is the happily married tale of a man who wakes up in a strip joint writer who finds beneath the corpse of a very fat woman. herself unac- From there, the film spirals into a corkscrew countably thriller with major nods towards the Coen attracted to a brothers’ Fargo and Quentin Tarantino. If it’s rickshaw driver half as exciting as the last Jo Nesbø adapta- who lives across tion - Headhunters - then we’re in for a treat. the street. The Be warned, though, the film promises to be American critics 360 exceedingly violent (natch). loved it.

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The Watch CERT tbc Starring Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade, Rosemarie DeWitt, Billy Crudup Directed by Akiva Schaffer (USA) Previously known as Neighborhood Watch, this is the story of four guys who concoct a scheme to escape their boring family lives by setting up a suburban vigilante group. Then they find themselves defending the world against an alien invasion… Incidentally, Ben Stiller was executive producer on Richard Ayoade’s impressive directorial debut, Submarine.

The Watch

A Few Best Men CERT 15 (96 mins) Starring Xavier Samuel, Laura Brent, Olivia Newton-John, Kris Marshall, Kevin Bishop, Tim Draxl Directed by Stephan Elliott The Expendables 2 (Australia/UK) Stephan Elliott directed The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert, and now The Expendables 2 CERT tbc Shadow Dancer CERT 15 (102 mins) turns his attention to the profitable arena of Starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Starring Clive Owen, Andrea Riseborough, the ‘stag comedy’. When David (Samuel) Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Gillian Anderson, Aiden Gillen falls for an Australian girl while on holiday, he Directed by James Marsh (UK) Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, returns to England to round up his three best Arnold Schwarzenegger Following her roles as the young Margaret friends for the sudden Aussie nuptials. Olivia Directed by Simon West (USA) Thatcher and Wallis Simpson, Andrea Newton John - now sixty-three - plays the The first Expendables film was mindless Riseborough has emerged as one of this bride’s disapproving mother. and offensive, and sequels seldom live up country’s most consummate actresses. Here to the standards of the original. Here, she plays an informant for MI5 who spills the Stallone returns as ageing mercenary beans in order to protect her son. The film is Barney Ross who, with the addition of new set in 1990s’ Belfast and Domhnall Gleeson, blood in the form of Liam Hemsworth (The son of Brendan, plays her brother. Hunger Games) and Yu Nan, sets out to do battle with the Muscles from Brussels (Van Damme, who turned down a role in the first film).

The Wedding Video CERT tbc A Few Best Men Starring Rufus Hound, Lucy Punch, Robert Webb, Harriet Walter, Miriam Margolyes CERT 12a (113 mins) Directed by Nigel Cole (UK) Total Recall Starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Another week, another mockumentary. This Shadow Dancer Jessica Biel, Bill Nighy, Bryan Cranston, one features the camcorder fun of a best Ethan Hawke Directed by Len Wiseman (USA) man who attempts to cover the wedding cer- Adapted from a short story by Philip K Dick - emony of Lucy Punch and Robert Webb. Released from Fri 31 August We Can Remember It For You Wholesale - From the director of Calendar Girls and Total Recall is the story of a company Made In Dagenham. (Rekall) that can turn one’s dreams into real The Possession CERT tbc memories. The first film adaptation (in 1990) Released from Fri 24 August Starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sharon Sedgwick, Natasha Calis, Madison Stone and was both thrilling and enormous Davenport, Grant Show fun. This edition promises to be considerably Directed by Ole Bornedal (USA) more serious with a strong political under- The Three Stooges CERT PG (92 mins) There have been many movies about tow. Starring Chris Diamantopoulos, Sean Hayes, demonic possession, but eBay has seldom Will Sasso, Jane Lynch, Larry David, Jennifer Hudson Directed by Bobby and Peter Farrelly played a major (USA) part. The true The Three Stooges were a trio of comics story is that a whose knockabout routines were enormous- young girl bought ly popular in vaudeville and later in two-reeler a haunted box off shorts from the 1930s through to the 1950s. the website; in the Here, the brothers Farrelly update their antics film she gets it to the modern day and pretty much repro- from a yard sale. duce three of the Stooges’ old shorts. Whatever. The girl Amazingly, this has been in development for unleashes an over ten years. ancient and malevolent spirit. The Possession Total Recall

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Film August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 16:10 Page 7

position in a failing pub- that follows a hotel clerk Centre, Coventry, Fri 10 - Bohemian shoe-shiner. lic school. Showing at as she searches for the Tues 14 Aug; OMH, Showing at Artrix, FilmA-Z LISTINGS mac, mac, Birmingham, fairy who made two of Shrewsbury, Fri 10 - Tues Bromsgrove, Tues 7 - Mon 20 - Thurs 23 Aug her three wishes come 14 Aug Wed 8 Aug All films are currently on general release true before disappear- unless otherwise stated. For full listing The Discreet Charm Of ing. Showing at Warwick Ice Age: Continental Leave It On The Floor The Bourgeoisie 15 Drift U tbc information, including times and dates, Arts Centre, Coventry, Luis Bunuel’s award- Mon 6 - Tues 7 Aug The fourth installment of Musical comedy set in visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk winning surrealist drama the Ice Age franchise the ballroom world orig- that follows a group of Fast Girls 12a sees the return of inally memorialised by 360 15 Malvern Theatre Cinema, upper-class friends who Lenora Crichlow and Lily Manny the woolly mam- the documentary Paris See Preview Page 39 Tues 7 Aug gather for a dinner party. James star in a sporting moth, Sid the ground Is Burning. On general Showing at mac, drama that follows two sloth and Diego the release A Few Best Men 15 The Angel’s Share 12a Birmingham, Fri 3 - Sun young athletes who sabre-toothed tiger. See Preview Page 41 Comedy drama that 5 Aug; Warwick Arts develop an intense rival- Showing at Light Artrix, The Leopard PG sees acclaimed British Centre, Coventry, Wed 8 ry, but then have to try Bromsgrove, Fri 17 Aug Cinematic classic that A Monster In Paris U director Ken Loach tack- - Thurs 9 Aug and work together to sees Burt Lancaster star A 3D animated movie set le Scotland’s under- join the British female In Your Hands 15 as an ageing Prince in Paris that centres on a class. Showing at Artrix, Distant Voices, Still sprint relay team and A fast-moving French watching his culture and monster and his love for Bromsgrove, Tues 9 - Lives 15 compete in the World psychological thriller fortune wane in the face a beautiful young singer. Sat 11 Aug; Warwick Arts Pete Postlethwaite, Championships. starring Kristin Scott of a new generation. Showing at Forest Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 31 Freda Dowie and Angela Showing at mac, Thomas, Jean-Philippe Showing at OMH, Centre, Walsall, Wed 8 Aug - Mon 3 Sept Walsh star in Terrence Birmingham, Fri 3 - Mon Ecoffey and Pio Marmai. Shrewsbury, Thurs 16 - Aug Davies’ drama which 6 Aug Showing at mac, Sat 18 Aug Brave PG provides an impression- Birmingham, Fri 17 - Sun A Royal Affair 15 See Preview Page 37 istic view of a working- The Giants 15 19 Aug; Warwick Arts The Life And Historical romantic class family in Liverpool Subtitled Belgium drama Centre, Coventry, Tues Adventures Of drama concerning the The Bourne Legacy tbc Nicholas Nickleby PG See Preview Page 37 in the 1940s & 50s. that follows teenage 21 - Thurs 23 Aug relationship between an Showing at Malvern brothers Zac and Seth 1947 version of Charles insane king, his young Cinema Theatre, Tues 28 after they’re abandoned J Edgar 15 Dickens’ acclaimed wife and her physician. Aug at their late grandfather’s Leonardo Di Caprio & novel. Stanley Holloway Showing at Artrix, house for the summer. Naomi Watts star in and Derek Bond star. Bromsgrove, Sun 12 - Dr Seuss’ The Lorax Showing at mac, Clint Eastwood’s explo- Showing at Warwick Arts Mon 13 Aug WATCH 3D U Birmingham, until Thurs ration of the public and Centre, Coventry, Sat 25 Computer-animated 2 Aug; Warwick Arts private life of one of the Aug - Sun 26 Aug A Simple Life PG version of the most powerful, contro- Heart-warming Centre, Coventry, Fri 17 - The Life And Death Of THE FILM writer’s 1972 book, Mon 20 Aug versial and enigmatic drama, set in Hong which was set in a figures of the twentieth Colonel Blimp U Kong, which centres TRAILERS AT parallel world and God Bless America 15 century. Showing at Classic British war film on family relation- had a strong envi- Bobcat Goldthwaite Forest Arts Centre, that continues to define ships and the need to whatsonlive.co.uk ronmental message. directs a dark and funny Walsall, Fri 10 Aug our notions of national care for an older gen- The Lorax himself is comedy that centres on identity, seventy years eration. Showing at an orange, grumpy the dumbing-down of Faust 15 on. Showing at Warwick Warwick Arts Centre, eco-warrior. Showing at society. Showing at A version of the Arts Centre, Coventry, Coventry, Wed 22 - Thurs OMH, Shrewsbury, Fri Warwick Arts Centre, German legend in Wed 15 - Thurs 16 Aug 23 Aug; mac, which a man sells his 10 - Thurs 23 Aug Coventry, until Thurs 2 The Lion King U Birmingham, Mon 27 - The Dark Knight Rises Aug soul to the devil in Thurs 30 Aug Showing at Artrix, 12a Even The Rain 15 exchange for knowl- Drama that follows a Headhunters 15 edge. Showing at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 10 - Alvin And The Christian Bale, Joseph Sun 12 Aug; Forest Arts Gordon-Levitt and Tom director as he shoots a Jo Nesbo’s acclaimed Bromsgrove, Sun 19 - Chipmunks: controversial film about high energy and high Mon 20 Aug Centre, Thurs 30 Aug Chipwrecked U Hardy star in the final film in Christopher Christopher Columbus intelligence thriller. The Lodger PG Sequel that sees the in Bolivia. Showing at Showing at Warwick Arts King Of Devil’s Island incorrigible squirrels go Nolan’s superhero 12a Alfred Hitchcock’s 1927 Batman trilogy. Showing OMH, Shrewsbury, Fri Centre, Coventry, Fri 3 - thriller. Showing at mac, on an Atlantic cruise 17 - Sat 18 Aug Sun 5 Aug Story of friendship, loy- with their female coun- at Malvern Theatre alty, and rebellion that’s Birmingham, Mon 13 - terparts The Chipettes. Cinema, until Thurs 2 El Bulli: Cooking In Hugo U set on a remote ice- Thurs 16 Aug Showing at Forest Arts Aug; Warwick Arts Progress 15 Martin Scorsese’s bound island reform Magic Mike 15 Centre, Walsall, Tues 7 Centre, Coventry, Fri 24 A documentary tracking acclaimed family drama school in Norway. Matthew McConaughey Aug - Thurs 30 Aug; Artrix, the world famous that features an all-star Showing at mac, and Channing Tatum Bromsgrove, Sat 25 - restaurant El Bulli and cast, including Ben Birmingham, Mon 6 - The Amazing Spider- Thurs 30 Aug star in a romantic come- its annual six month clo- Kingsley, Sacha Baron Thurs 9 Aug; Warwick dy which follows a male Man 12a sure to allow chef Cohen, Ray Winstone, Arts Centre, Coventry, Andrew Garfield, Emma Dark Shadows 12a stripper as he teaches a Johnny Depp, Michelle Ferran Adrià and his Jude Law, Christopher Tues 28 - Thurs 30 Aug younger performer how Stone and Rhys Ifans creative team time to Lee & Johnny Depp. star in a reboot of the Pfeiffer and Helena La Grand Illusion U to party, pick up women, Bonham Carter star in devise a new menu at Showing at Forest Arts and make easy money. Spider-Man franchise their cooking laboratory Centre, Walsall, Tues 28 Classic anti-war film set that takes us back to the Tim Burton’s acclaimed in a German prisoner of Showing at mac, comic fantasy. Showing in Barcelona, resulting Aug Birmingham, Fri 17 - roots of Peter Parker’s in some of the world’s war camp in an impene- existence as an arach- at Artrix, Bromsgrove, The Hunter 15 trable fortress. Showing Tues 21 Aug Wed 1 - Thurs 2 Aug most innovative and nid. Showing at Artrix, exciting food. Showing Willem Dafoe stars in at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Marina Abramovic: The Bromsgrove, Sun 5 - Detachment 15 at OMH, Shrewsbury, Fri Daniel Nettheim’s psy- Tues 21 - Wed 22 Aug Artist Is Present 15 Tues 7 Aug Academy Award winner 24 - sun 26 Aug chological drama that Documentary that fol- tells the story of Martin Le Havre PG An American In Paris U Adrian Brody plays French drama that follows the Serbian per- Henry Barthes, a substi- The Expendables 2 tbc (Dafoe), a mercenary formance artist as she Classic romantic come- See Preview Page 41 sent into the Tasmanian lows the story of a fateful dy starring Gene Kelly, tute teacher grappling meeting between a prepares for what may with a troubled past, wilderness on a hunt for be the most important Leslie Caron and Oscar The Fairy PG the last Tasmanian Tiger. young African refugee Levant. Showing at who finds himself French comic drama and a well-spoken moment of her life - a assigned to a testing Showing at Warwick Arts major new retrospective

TRE, WOLVERHAMPTON 0871 224 4007 Warwickshire Worcestershire CINEMA Box Office 01902 716055 OAKENGATES PICTURE ODEON, COVENTRY ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE ODEON MERRY HILL, HOUSE 0871 224 4007 01527 577330 DUDLEY 0871 22 44007 01952 615607 Birmingham LIBRARY THEATRE ODEON, NUNEATON MALVERN THEATRE 0121 303 2868 SHOWCASE, DUDLEY WEM TOWN HALL AMC Broadway Plaza, Five 0871 224 4007 0845 287 2146 0871 220 1000 01939 232299 Ways 0121 450 6800 MAC 0121 446 3232 SHOWCASE, WALSALL SHOWCASE, COVENTRY WAREHOUSE, ODEON 0871 224 4007 CINEWORLD Broad St, B’ham 0871 220 1000 Staffordshire 0871 220 1000 KIDDERMINSTER 0871 200 2000 REEL Quinton 0121 421 01562 747773 APOLLO, STAFFORD APOLLO 4, LEAMINGTON CINEWORLD Solihull 5316 Shropshire 0871 220 6000 SPA 01926 427 448 VUE, WORCESTER 0871 200 2000 SHOWCASE 0871 220 1000 OMH SHREWSBURY CINEWORLD, BURTON- ROYAL, LEAMINGTON SPA 0871 224 0240 ELECTRIC, B’ham VUE CINEMA Star City 08712 01743 281281 UPON-TRENT 0871 200 2000 01926 334418 Visit whatsonlive.co.uk 0121 643 7879 240 240 CINEWORLD, SHREWSBURY STOKE FILM THEATRE, WARWICK ARTS CENTRE for venue website EMPIRE 0871 471 4714 0871 200 2000 01782 411188 Black Country COVENTRY 02476 524524 details THE GIANT SCREEN AT MAJESTIC, BRIDGNORTH ODEON TAMWORTH MILLENNIUM POINT CINEWORLD WOLVERHAMP- 01746 761815 0871 224 4007 0121 202 2222 TON 0871 200 2000 ODEON TELFORD For full listing information, including times and dates, LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CEN- visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

42 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Film August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 16:10 Page 8

at the Museum of Rock Of Ages12a Silent Souls15 Spy Kids 4: All The Full Monty. Showing at that follows a conserva- Modern Art. Showing at Tom Cruise stars in a film Acclaimed Russian Time In The WorldPG mac, Birmingham, Tues tive husband and wife mac, Birmingham, Wed version of the hit drama nominated for the Jessica Alba and Joel 14 - Thurs 16 Aug whose lives are turned 1 - Thurs 2 Aug Broadway musical that Golden Lion at the sixty- McHale return with the upside-down when they Town Of RunnersPG sees a small town girl seventh Venice Film latest installment in the hire a new Spanish Monsieur Lazhar12a Feature documentary and a city boy meet on Festival. Showing at family spy movie fran- maid and are intro- Comedy drama that’s about young runners the Sunset Strip, while OMH, Shrewsbury, Wed chise. This time round duced to an alternative set in a Montreal public from the Ethiopian rural pursuing their Hollywood 8 - Thurs 9 Aug we’re introduced to an way of life. Showing at grade school. Showing town of Bekoji - follow- dreams. Russell Brand all-new generation of Warwick Arts Centre, at Artrix, Bromsgrove, ing three children as and Catherine Zeta- Sing Your Song12a spy kids. Showing at Coventry, Fri 24 - Mon Tues 14 - Wed 15 Aug; they move from school Jones also star. Showing Biopic of the American Forest Arts Centre, 27 Aug OMH, Shrewsbury, Mon track to national compe- at OMH, Shrewsbury, singer, songwriter and Coventry, Wed 22 Aug 20 - Tues 21 Aug tition. Showing at 15 until Thurs 2 Aug actor Harry Belafonte that Your Sister’s Sister unearths his significant Malvern Theatre Cinema, Emily Blunt, Rosemarie The MuppetsU Step Up 4: Miami Heat Searching For Sugar contribution to the leader- tbc Tues 14 Aug DeWitt and Mark Acclaimed family drama Man 12a ship of the Civil Rights See Preview Page 39 Duplass star in a comic that sees the Muppets The Turin Horse15 Documentary that fol- movement.Showing at drama that follows an reunited in a bid to Subtitled Hungarian lows two South Africans OMH, Shrewsbury, Wed Strawberry Fields15 escalating chain of save their theatre from drama that observes as they set out to discov- 15 - Thurs 16 Aug Frances Lea makes his events as they gather a being destroyed by an the day-to-day life of an er what happened to British debut directing a credible comic momen- oil prospector. Jason isolated rural family their unlikely music hero, Snow White And The drama that’s set in the tum that’s both fresh Segel, Amy Adams & with a bedraggled the mysterious 1970s Huntsman12a strawberry growing and funny. Showing at Chris Cooper star. horse. Showing at rock‘n’roller, Rodriguez. Charlize Theron and fields of Kent. Showing Warwick Arts Centre, Showing at Artrix, OMH, Shrewsbury, Fri 3 Showing at OMH, Kristen Stewart star in a at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 3 - Thurs 9 Bromsgrove, Wed 1 - Sat 4 Aug Shrewsbury, Wed 22 - new twist on the tradition- Coventry, Wed 1 & Thurs Aug; mac, Birmingham, Aug; Forest Arts Centre, al fable. This version sees 2 Aug Thurs 23 Aug West Side StoryPG Tues 7 - Thurs 9 Aug Walsall, Tues 21 Aug the Huntsman become Natalie Wood and Seeking A Friend For Snow White’s protector Take This Waltz15 You’ve Been Dumped Polisse15 George Chakiris star in The End Of The World and mentor in a quest to See Preview Page 39 12 Gritty French drama the classic 1961 musical 12a vanquish the Evil Queen. Michael Forbes and that follows a close-knit Ted15 that concerns two Romantic comedy star- Showing at Artrix, Donald Trump star in a team of men and See Preview Page 38 youngsters from rival ring Steve Carell, Keira Bromsgrove, Mon 27 - David and Goliath story women working in the NYC gangs who fall in Knightley and Adam Tues 28 Aug for the twenty-first cen- Child Protection Unit of Tooth Fairy 2PG love. Showing at Malvern Brody. Showing at mac, tury. Showing at the Parisian Police. Family comedy that Theatre Cinema, Tues 21 Birmingham, Fri 10 - Something From Warwick Arts Centre, Showing at OMH, sees Larry Guthrie star Aug Tues 14 Aug; Warwick Nothing: The Art Of Rap as a small-town dreamer Coventry, Sat 18 - Sun Shrewsbury, Mon 6 - 15 Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri who’s transformed into a Woman In A Dressing 19 Aug Tues 7 Aug Documentary on rap 17 - Tues 21 Aug tutu-clad fairy after Gown PG music and its rise to glob- ZookeeperU The Players - Les telling a bunch of school A 1950’s classic direct- The Secret World Of al prominence. Featuring Romantic family comedy Infideles15 kids that the tooth fairy ed by the acclaimed J. ArriettyU some of the biggest that concerns a group of A series of interlaced, doesn’t exist. Showing at Lee Thompson. Animated family adven- names in rap music, zoo animals who decide mostly comic short films Forest Arts Centre, Showing at mac, ture that’s based on including Dr. Dre, to break their code of set around the theme of Walsall, Thurs 23 Aug Birmingham, Tues 21 - Mary Norton’s The Eminem, Ice Cube, Nas silence in order to help infidelity. Showing at Thurs 23 Aug Borrowers. Showing at and Snoop Dogg. their lovable zoo keeper Warwick Arts Centre, Tortoise In LoveU Forest Arts Centre, Showing at mac, find love. Showing at Coventry, Fri 10 - Tues A feel-good romantic The Woman On The Walsall, Wed 29 Aug Birmingham, Fri 10 - Sun Forest Arts Centre, 14 Aug comedy in the tradition Sixth Floor12a 12 Aug of Calendar Girls and Subtitled French drama Walsall, Thurs 9 Aug

DVD NEW RELEASES

Delicacy 12 Gone 15 Audrey Tautou stars as a Psychological thriller woman learning to love that sees actress again after the death of Amanda Seyfried her husband. attempt to track down Released 6 August her sister’s kidnapper. Released 13 August

This Must Be The Place 15 Comedy drama starring Sean Penn as a bored, retired rock star who sets out to find his father’s executioner, an ex-Nazi war criminal Le Havre PG who’s a refugee in the Deadpan tale, set in the US. French city port, which Released 13 August follows an ageing shoe shiner who takes pity on an African boy who arrives in the city by cargo ship. Released 6 August

The Lucky One 12 The Darkest Hour 12 Damsels In Distress 12 Battleship 12 Zac Efron and Taylor Sci-fi disaster thriller set Whit Stillman helms this Liam Neeson stars in a Schilling star in a in a near future in which offbeat romantic-musi- sci-fi action blockbuster Lockout 15 romantic drama alien invaders have cal-comedy following a based loosely on the Sci-fi action thriller co- based on a novel by seized control of the group of social misfits as classic boardgame. written by Luc Besson Nicholas Sparks. world’s major cities. they negotiate the mine- Alexander Skarsgård, and starring Guy Rachael Taylor stars. field of college life. Taylor Kitsch and pop Pearce. Released 27 August Released 20 August Released 20 August singer Rihanna co-star. Black Gold 12 Released 20 August Released 27 August Outside Bet 12 Antonio Banderas and 18 Jenny Agutter and Bob Elles Mark Strong star as the Juliette Binoche stars as leaders of two warring Hoskins star in a 1980s- set British comedy that a French journalist Arab states in this researching an article drama from French follows the fortunes of a group of friends who about female student writer-director Jean- prostitution for French Jacques Annaud. invest in a racehorse. Released 20 August Elle. Released 13 August Released 20 August www.whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Visual Arts August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 11:53 Page 1

Exhibitions

Mark Power: Black Country Stories Until 15 September 2012 In Conversation Sunday 8 September, 2pm Join Mark Power, Emma Chetcuti and Deborah Robinson for an informal tour of the exhibition. Book your free place in advance on 01922 654400. Street Until 15 September 2012 Good Sport Until 1 September 2012 Portfolio Until 1 September 2012 Artists’ Studio Power and Beauty Until 11 August 2012

Garman Ryan Collection and Exhibitions Garman Ryan Collection on display all year round Isabel Rawsthorne: Moving Bodies Until 8 September 2012 Make Room2 Interventions into the Garman Ryan Collection Until 22 September 2012

Free Regular Family Workshops

Sail Away Wedneday 1st & Thursday 2nd august, 1-3pm Come Dancing Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th August, 1-3pm Would you like to print? Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th August, 1-3pm Superhero Wednesday 22nd & Thursday 23rd August, 1-3pm Garman Flowers Wednesday 29th & Thursday 30th August, 1-3pm

Events

Young People’s Days: Photofame Saturday 4th August, 11am-4pm Free, no need to book, just drop in! Behind Scenes Tours Saturday 4th August, 2pm Free, limited spaces, please call 01922 654400 to book a place. Walsall Pride Saturday 25th August, 11am-5pm

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Street The New Art Gallery, Walsall, until Sat 15 September Works by artists who explore the darker side of the urban environment, as well as by those who celebrate its potency as a glimpse of modern life, are here presented in a brand new exhibition. Artists whose work features include Mohamed Bourouissa, Nathan Coley, Barry McGee, Miao Xiaochun, Nicolas Provost, Dayanita Singh, Gavin Turk and Zhang Enli.

Drawn To Craft Bilston Craft Gallery, until Sat 22 September Craft objects in textiles, ceramics, glass and metal which incorporate both abstract and illustrative styles of drawing as an integral part of the work are brought together in this new exhibition. Works on show include lighthearted 3D wire sculptures of everyday scenes, porcelain pots decorated with fluid hand-painted sketches, and intricate 'pin and thread' drawings. Back To The Future Curious Visitors Broadfield House, Dudley, Fri 24 - Sun 27 January Aston Hall, Birmingham, until Sun 9 September Pumpkin-sized glass peppers, a bathing belle, a lamp made from suspended old keys Sculptures, paintings, photographs and installa- and a surfer dude in a Venus-inspired stained glass window are just some of the works tions all feature in this exhibition of key works to be showcased in this latest exhibition at Broadfield House. The innovative designs from the Arts Council’s Collections, bringing feature alongside pieces from the museum’s world-renowned collections, which provid- together the contemporary with pieces dating as ed inspiration for the twenty-three exhibitors. Artists include Keith Brocklehurst, far back as four hundred years. Works by Peter Jaqueline Cooley, Keith Cummings, Sheila Howle, Charlotte Hughes-Martin, George Doig, Laura Ford and Toby Zeigler all feature. A Jackson, Allister Malcolm, Jo Newman, Georgia Redpath, Nancy Sutcliffe, Darren Weed range of activities and workshops will run along- and Frans Wesselman. side the exhibition throughout the school summer holidays. Growing Up In The New Age Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Sat 8 September The alternative world of free school education and counter-culture is here explored by Marjolaine Ryley in her new autobiographical project. The exhibition combines photography and text with ‘new age’ objects and archival materials, as the highly regarded artist interweaves personal experience with an alternative reading of British social history. A series of black-and-white photographs by Dave Walking, which document the squatting house where Marjolaine grew up, also feature... www.whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Visual Arts August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 11:54 Page 3

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Sep, Worcester City Art OUR GAMES STORY VisualArts PREVIEWS VisualArts LISTINGS Gallery & Museum Exhibition that cele- ISABEL RAWSTHORNE: brates Staffordshire Olympians of the past, For full listing information on Visual Art MOVING BODIES Series of abstract portraits present and future, Ongoing exhibitions exhibitions, including times and dates, that explore dance and until Sun 9 Sept, Shire visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk movement, many of Hall Gallery, Stafford which were painted in CURIOUS VISITORS: THE The Playmaker: Kosuge1-16 BLOOD AND BONES Solo paper that explore the the rehearsal rooms at ARTS COUNCIL COLLEC- mac, Birmingham, until Sun 9 September exhibition by Patricia artist’s struggle with Covent Garden, until TION Featuring contem- Niemann that features dyslexia and her Sat 8 Sep, The New porary sculpture, The Playmaker is the result of a month-long work in precious met- obsession with being arts Gallery, Walsall paintings and photog- residency that’s seen Japanese artists als, glass, textiles and creative, until Sat 1 GROWING UP IN THE raphy, until Sun 9 Kosuge1-16 working with local children. The drawings, all of which Sept, Solihull Arts NEW AGE Sept, Aston Hall, resulting work consists of various interactive are inspired by the Complex Autobiographical proj- Birmingham components which, as the title suggests, human body, archaeol- STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD: ect by Marjolaine LIVING WALLS New evoke a playful environment for both children ogy and wild land- DARK AGE DISCOVERY Ryley that explores the exhibition commis- scapes, until Sun 5 alternative world of sioned for the World and adults to explore. Puppet versions of This exhibition, featur- Aug, Broadfield House, ing over one hundred free school education Shakespeare Festival, mac’s founders, John English and Mollie Dudley specially chosen arte- and counter-culture, until Sun 9 Sept, Royal Randle, feature within the exhibit, together POWER & BEAUTY facts from the until Sat 8 Sept, Shakespeare Theatre, with a replica of a bridge outside the centre Exploration of the Black Staffordshire Hoard, Wolverhampton Art Stratford-upon-Avon and flocks of flying birds and animals. Country through pho- provides a unique Gallery MARK POWER: BLACK tography and film, until opportunity to find out MAN OF NOTE COUNTRY STORIES Sat 11 Aug, The New about the world famous Exhibition that cele- Multistory exhibition Art Gallery, Walsall discovery, until Sun 1 brates Harry that questions percep- COMPOSING CHARAC- Sep, The Potteries Eccleston's legacy as tions of beauty and the TERS Edmond Xavier Museum & Art Gallery, an artist and printmak- importance of looking Kapp's caricature por- Stoke-on-Trent er, until Sat 8 Sept, good, until Sat 15 Sept, traits of twentieth cen- SUMMER SHOWCASE Wolverhampton Art The New Art Gallery, tury composers that Featuring vibrant jew- Gallery Walsall complement The ellery by Michael Petit BOYD & EVANS First TRANSIENT NATURE Barber's loan exhibition and bold ceramics by major survey exhibi- Exhibition inspired by Facing The Music, until Maria Wojdat, until Sat tion from artist-couple the British environment Sun 26 Aug, The 1 Sep, Bilston Craft Boyd & Evans, until & the natural world, Barber Institute, Gallery Sun 9 Sep, Ikon until Sat 15 Sept, Birmingham INTERNATIONAL GARDEN Gallery, Birmingham Willow Gallery, FACING THE MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE OUR SPORTING LIFE: Oswestry, Shropshire Exhibition comprising YEAR Showcase of pho- THE SCIENCE OF SPORT MARION RICHARDSON The Playmaker - mac almost thirty portraits tographs of gardens, EXHIBITION Exhibition EXHIBITION The former on loan from the plants, flowers and that focuses on the Dudley Girl’s School National Portrait botany from the win- relationship between art mistress showcases Gallery, until Tues 28 ning and finalist pho- science & sport, in some of the outstand- Gold, Silver And Bronze Aug, The Barber tographers from the particular how techno- ing work that she’s pro- Institute, Birmingham fourth IGPOTY competi- logical advancements duced with children Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, tion, until Sat 1 Sep, have shaped achieve- over the years, until Sat until Sun 9 September NEIL BUCHANAN’S BACK STREET GAMES Brand Jackfield Tile Museum, ments and perform- 22 Sep, Dudley Celebrating London 2012, this new multi-dis- new collection of limit- Ironbridge ance in the elite sport- Museum & Art Gallery cipline exhibition brings together an array of ed edition fine art, until FORMER GLORY The ing world, until Sun 9 DRAWN TO CRAFT works inspired by the colours of gold, silver Thurs 30 Aug, Jamie grandeur of buildings, Sept, Enginuity, Exhibition that show- and bronze. Featured pieces include sculp- Leigh Fine Art Gallery, the faded beauty of Ironbridge, Shropshire cases how the drawn ture by Peter Walker and Simon Manby, Rubery clothing and personal GODS, GREEKS AND line has inspired con- items is the source of bronze vessels by Philip Hearsey, glass by CRAFTSENSE Exhibition GORGONS Discover temporary craftspeople, inspiration for this some of the greatest until Sat 22 Sept, Nancy Sutcliffe and jewellery by Jo Lavelle that celebrates the links between eigh- group of artists, work- stories ever told in an Bilston Craft Gallery and Miranda Sharpe, to name but a few... ing in textiles, film and teenth century industry exhibition that MAUD AND THE DRAGON mixed media, until Sun and modern craft prac- explores how different Exhibition that explores 2 Sep, Himley Hall & tices, until Sat 1 Sep, societies interpret the local legend that Park, Dudley Bilston Craft Gallery Greek cultures, until tells of a girl befriended STYLE AFRICA Exhibition Sun 9 Sept, The by a dragon. This exhi- GOOD SPORT Paintings, Potteries Museum & photographs, memora- that explores the bition is supported by changing traditions of Art Gallery, Stoke-on- various family dragon bilia and installations Trent are here brought woven, embroidered, activities throughout the together in a display printed and dyed cloth- MONSTERS OF THE DEEP summer holidays, until that celebrates the pas- ing and textiles, from A unique CGI prehis- Sat 22 Sep, Worcester sion and sense of com- the early twentieth cen- toric aquarium that City Art Gallery tury through to 2011, munity often associat- shows the reptiles that A JUDITH KERR RETRO- until Sun 2 Sept, ed with sport, until Sat swam the Earth's seas SPECTIVE Exhibition of Birmingham Museum & 1 Sep, The New art millions of years ago original artwork from Art Gallery Gallery, Walsall as the dinosaurs The Tiger Who Came roamed the land, until EXHIBITION BY BRONIA CLOUD NYLON To Tea, until Sat 29 Gold, Silver And Bronze Retrospective exhibition Sun 9 September, Sept, Wolverhampton SAWYER Carefully craft- Herbert Art Gallery & ed works made from featuring works by Art Gallery Nora Fok, until Wed 5 Museum, Coventry

Way Of The Warrior: 01384 812745 STAFFORDSHIRE MUSEUM, Museums & Art Galleries DUDLEY MUSEUM SHUGBOROUGH The Samurai & ART GALLERY 01889 881388 Forge Mill Needle Museum, Redditch, until Birmingham NUMBER NINE THE GALLERY 01384 815575 Warwickshire Mon 3 September 0121 643 9099 LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CENTRE ARTIFEX Sutton Coldfield COMPTON VERNEY GALLERY WOLVERHAMPTON 0121 323 3776 RBSA GALLERY 0121236 01926 645500 Costumes and props from the blockbuster 4353 01902 716055 BARBER INSTITUTE HERBERT ART GALLERY movie The Last Samurai are currently on THREE WHITE WALLS THE NEW ART GALLERY 0121 414 7333 COVENTRY 02476 832386 show in Redditch as part of a unique exhibi- GALLERY WALSALL 01922 654400 BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & MEAD GALLERY WARWICK tion that brings to life the story of these 0121 643 0078 RED HOUSE GLASS CONE ART GALLERY 0121 303 02476 524524 revered Japanese warriors. Exploring the ori- 2834 01384 812750 ROYAL PUMP ROOMS Black Country WOLVERHAMPTON ART gins of the Samurai, The Way Of The Warrior THE BURROWS GALLERY, 01926 742700 offers visitors the chance to learn about how THE CUSTARD FACTORY BANTOCK HOUSE GALLERY 01902 552055 0121 224 7344 WOLVERHAMPTON Worcestershire life was organised in feudal Japan, and 01902 552195 Staffordshire CASTLE GALLERIES WORCESTER CITY ART reveals the truth behind the mysterious Ninja. 0121 633 0015 BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY THE POTTERIES MUSEUM & GALLERY 01905 25371 This is the first time that the Oscar-nominated IKON GALLERY 01902 552507 ART GALLERY 01782 232323 costumes and props have been displayed in 0121 248 0708 BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS SHIREHALL GALLERY Visit whatsonlive.co.uk the UK. MUSEUM, DUDLEY STAFFORD 01785 278345 for venue website details

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14 July - 9 September

GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE

This exhibition of 30 Artists features a range of work from artists who either work with the materials or are inspired by the colours of Gold, Silver & Bronze. Sculpture, Bronze Vessels, Glassware and a fantastic range of jewellery.

To celebrate the opening of the exhibitions and the Cultural Olympiad we are holding our

Summer Event Day in the Market Square, Staﬀord on Saturday 28 July. There will be lots of activities to enjoy including art & craft makes, storytelling and prizes!

Bubblebowl by Philip Hearsey

Market Square G Staﬀord G ST16 2LD Telephone: 01785 278345 Fax: 01785 278327 www.staﬀordshire.gov/uk/has

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CELEBRATION A display Flight And The Artistic Imagination: Paul Nash, Battle Of Britain VisualArts LISTINGS of costumes in the (1941) Oil on canvas © Imperial War Museums Servants' Quarters For full listing information on Visual Art Costume Gallery, until Sun 28 Oct, exhibitions, including times and dates, Shugborough Historic visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Working Estate, Stafford CORE - A DIGITAL ART PEDALS TO MEDALS A ANTONY DONALDSON INSTALLATION Kurt new exhibition that cel- Exhibition featuring Hentschlager’s instal- ebrates the history and early works from the lation provides an heroes of all kinds of '60s & '70s alongside insight into a weight- competitive cycling, more recent works, less world of virtual until Sun 14 Oct, until Sat 3 Nov, aquariums, until Sun Coventry Transport Wolverhampton Art 30 Sep, Enginuity, Museum Gallery Ironbridge, Shropshire PHARAOH: KING OF MUSCLES, BALLS & FLIGHT AND THE ARTIS- EGYPT National touring BOWLS Exhibition that TIC IMAGINATION Major exhibition from the explores the history of exhibition that British Museum that sport in Shakespeare’s explores man's instinc- features more than one time, until Sun 4 Nov, tive desire to fly. hundred-and-thirty Nash’s House & New Works from Leonardo objects not previously Place, Stratford-upon- de Vinci, Francisco displayed outside of Avon Goya, Paul Nash, London, until Sun 14 THE DIG! Exhibition Peter Lanyon & Hiraki Oct, Birmingham showcasing archaeo- Bram Stoker, until Mon 31 Aug, Artifex Gallery, contemporary and tra- Sawa all feature, until Museum & Art Gallery logical finds uncovered 31 Dec, Nash’s House Sutton Coldfield ditional glass engrav- Sun 30 Sep, Compton WOLVERHAMPTON RIOTS so far, until Mon 31 Dec, & New Place, Stratford- FEMININITY IN VOGUE- ing by members of the Verney Gallery, ONE YEAR ON Images Nash’s House & New upon-Avon DENISE RUSSELL Guild of Glass Warwickshire from CCTV, newspa- Place, Stratford-upon- DINOSAURS UNCOVERED Exhibition that show- Engravers. This exhibi- CITYSCAPES An exhibi- pers and social media Avon Unique exhibition fea- cases the vanity of the tion forms part of the tion of the world in provide the basis for THE STORIES OF SHAKE- turing life-size female form, Wed 1 Aug International Festival of miniature featuring Sally Payen's exhibition SPEARE Joint exhibition dinosaurs, real and - Sun 2 Sept, Artrix, Glass 201, Mon 13 Aug items from the most that charts the violence from the Royal replica fossils and holo- Bromsgrove - Sun 7 Oct, Red circulated art medium - and disorder that erupt- Shakespeare Theatre graphic video presenta- House Glass Cone, coins and medals, until ed on Wolverhampton's CRISIS SKYLIGHT BIRM- & the Shakespeare tions by wildlife expert Stourbridge Sun 6 Oct, The Barber streets during the sum- INGHAM EXHIBITION A Birthplace Trust, until Chris Packham, until STAFFORDSHIRE & Institute, Birmingham mer of 2011, until Fri 19 Mon 31 Dec, Royal showcase of pieces by Sun 6 Jan, Herbert Art homeless individuals BEYOND A new exhibi- JAMAICA 50 A partner- Oct, Wolverhampton Art Shakespeare Theatre, Gallery & Museum, who have attended the tion of original artwork ship between the Gallery Stratford-upon-Avon Coventry charity’s art classes, by Stafford couple Birmingham Kingsway GRAND DESIGNS A DEAR SHAKESPEARE ROY ABELL EXHIBITION Sat 4 - Fri 31 Aug, St Eleanor and John Project, the Drum Arts chance to view some of New display that show- Exhibition from Martins Church, Cathcart, Sat 18 Aug - Centre and the museum’s rarely cases a small but rare Birmingham-born artist Birmingham Fri 12 Oct, Museum of Birmingham Archives, seen masterpieces, collection of letters writ- and former Birmingham Cannock Chase, until Sun 7 Oct, until Sat 20 Oct, Dudley 21ST CENTURY ten by famous authors, College of Art student, Staffordshire Birmingham Museum & Museum & Art Gallery ENGRAVED GLASS A from Oscar Wilde to Roy Abell, Wed 1 - Fri Art Gallery national exhibition of

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BACK TO THE FUTURE 21st CENTURY FAMILY FUN DAYS 18 AUGUST - 27 JANUARY ENGRAVED GLASS SAT 25 & MON 27 AUGUST 10am - 4pm, FREE An exhibition celebrating 13 AUGUST - 7 OCTOBER 400 years of glass making: As part of the National Exhibition of contemporary Sat @ Broadfield: exciting and innovative and original glass engraving, by the Guild of Glass sand pit play, punch and judy, new work created by Engravers a once in a lifetime opportunity to see The donkey rides, storytelling, West Midlands glass artists Downing Street Collection featuring iconic British crafts and ice cream Buildings and architecture before its goes to no 10. inspired by pieces from the Mon @ Cone: museum’s world-renowned Through a Glass Darkly join us to celebrate our collection An exhibition of the engraved Victorian themed 10th birthday work of Peter David with costumed re-enactors, tours and period games. INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF The Czech Perspective- GLASS HISTORY DAY Three Generations of Czech Glass 24 AUGUST, 10am - 4pm FUN ALL SUMMER LONG! Lectures and displays from local history groups 20 AUGUST - JAN 2013 Craft activities, free trails, glass engraving, kiln fused Work from pioneers and glass sessions, tile and pendant making, clay days, BEST OF BRITISH FAMILY FUN DAY contemporary exponents of have-a-go days, eco-schools, dinosaur days, pirate 25 AUGUST, 10am - 4pm the Czech glass movement. days, magic shows and more. Summer is here - with fish & chips, sandy toes and ice cream too! GLASS HEAP CHALLENGE Visit the website for a full programme. 20 - 27 AUGUST WORLD’S LONGEST Watch as glass is recycled into art. GLASSBLOWING DEMO 26 & 27 AUGUST, 11am onwards WORLD’S LONGEST Two teams go head to head, who will run GLASSBLOWING DEMO - out of puff first? READY, STEADY, BLOW! 26 & 27 AUGUST, 11am onwards

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Scootfest Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Fri 17 - Sun 19 August Offering a ‘playground paradise for a new wave of freestyle scooterers’, this unique event hopes to attract thousands to Warwickshire’s Stoneleigh Park. The inaugural, family-friendly weekend sees riders from around the world compete in the first Scooter World Cup, while DJ sets from Chase & Status and Rudimental are sure to be a big pull for many. In addition to the various scooter-led activities, Scootfest also features a fairground, open-air cinema, kids’ park, retail village and on-site camping. There’s even a two-star hostel and four-star lodge available for those in need of a few more home comforts...

Ed Sheeran Moseley Folk Festival V Festival Weston Park, Stafford, Sat 18 - Sun 19 August Moseley Park & Pool, Birmingham, Fri 31 August - Sun 2 September As usual, August is the month that sees the V Festival make Weston Park rock. And This genre-hopping festival sees some of folk’s also as usual, Weston has a sister site at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, with performers best-loved musicians perform alongside lesser appearing at both venues during the course of the two-day event. The rotating line-up known contemporaries within the stunning setting between the two sites means that no one has to miss out. This year’s festival sees The of Moseley Park. Post-punk rockers Echo And The Stone Roses and The Killers headline an eclectic line-up which includes Noel Bunnymen headline the opening night, and are Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Snow Patrol, Ed Sheeran, Nicki Minaj, Tom Jones, Nero, joined by the Guillemots and Beth Jeans Hougton Madness, Emeli Sande, James Morrison, Friendly Fires, Noah & The Whale, Rita Ora & The Hooves Of Destiny. and Lawson. Read our exclusive interview with Noel Gallagher on page 6. Other noteable acts over the weekend include ‘trou- badour of the folk world’ Shrewsbury Folk Festival Roy Harper, Julian Cope, West Midland Showground, Shrewsbury, Goodnight Lenin, Cara Fri 24 - Mon 27 August Dillon and folk legends Recommended as a festival to add to Steeleye Span, who close your list by no less an authority than the festival on the Sunday The Guardian, the Shrewsbury Folk evening. Festival is now a well established event on the folk music circuit. With a reputation for hosting some of the finest acts Wilderness Festival from across the UK and around the Cornbury Park, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, world, its relaxed, friendly atmosphere Fri 10 - Sun 12 August and array of child-friendly activities - Set in one thousand, seven hundred acres of craft areas, circus skills workshops and ancient British woodland, the award-winning children’s theatre - make it an ideal fam- Wilderness Festival brings together music, theatre, ily festival. Richard Thompson makes a film, food, literary debate and outdoor pursuits, welcome return at this year’s event, tak- and promises 'a weekend of freedom and inspira- ing to the stage in the main arena on tion for all free-spirited festival lovers'. The 2012 the Sunday, while a no doubt rousing version of the festival hosts an added attraction - a performance from Scottish singer/song- celebration of culture from the 1920s through to writer KT Tunstall on the Monday is cer- the 1980s. This guest event, which takes place at tain to ensure the festival ends on a suit- two of the festival’s flagship nightclubs - The Torch ably high note. Other acts confirmed for Club and Soul Casino - allows visitors to learn 2012 include Faustus, Karine Polwart, dances, watch catwalk shows, take advantage of Kate Rusby, Dervish, Sweetback Sisters, the hair and beauty makeovers on offer and shop Jim Moray, Plainsong and Show Of to their heart’s content... Hands. KT Tunstall

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Festival PREVIEWS

Firefly Festival Elton Hall, Ludlow, Nr South Shropshire, Sat 4 August Created when a group of friends decided to transform their annual gatherings into ‘a punchy little music festival’, Firefly takes place in the beautiful South Shropshire countryside and brings together DJs and live bands - including young local talent - in a laid-back atmosphere. Acclaimed songstress Kyla La Grange headlines at this year’s event, and is certain to entertain the crowds with songs from her debut album Ashes. The 2012 line-up also features Bruno Charles, Gentle Mystics, Carousel, The Wild Mercury, The Colour Movement and The Night.

Kaiser Chiefs Triumph Live Mallory Park, Leicestershire, Fri 31 August - Sun 2 September Festival favourites the Kaiser Chiefs have been confirmed as the headline act for this unique festival that celebrates everything that’s great about British motorcycling. Promising something for all to enjoy, the three-day event fuses Triumph’s rich heritage with plenty of live music, and sees top comedian Rufus Hound host the main stage on both the Friday and Saturday evenings. Brit-rockers Reef - together with the up-and-coming Rainband and Band Battle winners Formal Warning, Boundary and Feedback Voice - are all booked to appear. Meanwhile, BBC Moto GP commentator Steve Parrish is set to oversee proceedings at the Paddock Stage during the Saturday, while Eurosport’s Tony Carter provides circuit commentary. Other attractions during the weekend include a showcase of the very latest Triumph models, stunt shows, races, and a retail village featuring the Triumph Clothing megastore.

Kasabian, The Black Keys & Florence and Festivals Listings the Machine, Fri 24 - Sun 26 Aug, Richfield Avenue, Reading For full listing information on festivals, SHREWSBURY including dates and line-up, visit INTERNATIONAL STREET www.whatsonlive.co.uk THEATRE Fri 31 August - Sun 2 Sep, Shrewsbury Sat 18 - Sun 19 Aug, Town Centre Weston Park, OFF THE TRACKS Staffordshire AUGUST SUMMER Line-up SHREWSBURY FOLK includes Peatbog Highlights include KT Faeries, The Selecter, BLUES FESTIVAL Line-up Tunstall, Richard Dhol Fountain & Martin includes Ricky Cool Thompson, & Show Of Carthy, Fri 31 Aug - Sun and the Hoola Boola Hands, Fri 24 - Mon 27 2 Sep, Donnington Park Boys, TBelly, Mojo Aug, West Midland Farmhouse, Hooker, Steiny's Blues Showground, Donnington Shrewsbury & Mumbo-Jumbo, Sat 4 MOSELEY FOLK Line-up Aug, The Jinney Ring CREAMFIELDS Line-up includes Steeleye Craft Centre, Redditch includes Avicii, David Span, Roy Harper, BLOODSTOCK Line-up Guetta & Example, Fri Echo & The Bunnymen includes Behemoth, 24 - Sun 26 Aug, & Julian Cope, Fri 31 Machine Head & Alice Daresbury, Cheshire Aug - Sun 2 Sep, Cooper, Thurs 9 - Sun BRIDGNORTH MUSIC & Moseley Park & Pool, 12 Aug, Catton Hall, ARTS Fri 24 Aug - Sun 2 Birmingham South Derbyshire Sep, Various Locations WILDERNESS Line-up in Bridgnorth, includes, Rodrigo y Shropshire SEPTEMBER Gabriela, Wilco, UPTON INTERNATIONAL Spiritualized, Cloud MUSIC Line-up includes Control & Lianne La The Stylistics, The BROMYARD FOLK Line-up Havas, Fri 10 - Sun 12 Drifters, The Selecter & includes Spiers & Aug, Cornbury Park, The Beat, Fri 24 - Sun Boden, The Mighty Oxfordshire 26 Aug, Upton Doonans & Vin Garbutt, FARMER PHILS Line-up Waterside, Upton-on- Fri 7 - Sun 9 Sep, includes Dreadzone, Severn, Worcestershire Bromyard, The Undercover Hippy LEEDS Line-up includes Herefordshire & Rodney Branigan, Fri The Foo Fighters, The SHREWSBURY FIELDS 10 - Sun 12 Aug, Cure, Kasabian, The FOREVER Line-up fea- Rattlinghope, Black Keys & Florence tures The Wombats, Ms Shrewsbury and the Machine, Fri 24 Dynamite & The Clock V FESTIVAL Highlights - Sun 26 Aug, Tower, Fri 14 - Sat 16 include The Stone Bramham Park, Leeds Sep, West Mid Roses, The Killers, Noel READING Line-up The Showground, Gallagher's High Flying Foo Fighters, The Cure, Shrewsbury Birds & Snow Patrol,

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International Festival Of Glass Stourbridge Glass Quarter, Fri 24 - Mon 27 August Celebrating four hundred years of Stourbridge glass and fifty years of Challenge, which, led by artist Matt Durran, sees teams of artists, studio glass worldwide, the fifth International Festival of Glass fea- architects, technologists and designers from Hungary, Barcelona, tures an abundance of themed events. Attractions include innovative Holland and Northern Ireland - as well as from the Glass House Cone exhibitions, children’s activities, family fun days, Glasshionistas! - a - put their creativity to the test to find ways of upcycling glass waste glass fashion show - have-a-go sessions, masterclasses, workshops into a product, artwork or installation. The teams will be based on and lectures, heritage walks, a three hundred-and-sixty-degree cine- site, and will compete via live satellite link-up with teams from ma and the world’s longest glassblowing demonstration. Bulgaria, British Virgin Islands, Tasmania and Czech Republic. Highlights for 2012 include the prestigious British Glass Biennale, the Visitors can see the challenge in progress from 20 to 24 August, with UK’s premier exhibition of contemporary glass, showcasing current a chance to vote for the winner on the 25th. trends and techniques in glassmaking. There’s also the Glass Heap

Beautiful Butterflies... Birmingham Botanical Gardens There’s now an extra reason to visit Birmingham’s beautiful Botanical Gardens. The newly opened Butterfly House is the only one of its kind in the city, and features many tropical species native to Central America, Africa and the Philippines. As visitors meander through the house, they’ll witness an abundance of colourful flutterings, with species such as Doris Longwing, Red Spotted Swallow Tail, Tiger Leaf Wing and Tropical all taking flight. Warwickshire And West Midlands Game & Country Fair Arbury Hall, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, Sun 26 - Mon 27 August This year sees this popular family event move to a new venue - the historic and beautifully landscaped Arbury Hall Estate. Celebrating all aspects of country life, the Warwickshire And West Midlands Game Fair offers a unique mix of arena entertainment, shows and displays. TV personality Chris Green - a regular contributor to country pursuits events - is on hand to demonstrate wildfowling, pigeon-shooting and the use of ferrets, whilst displays from the Royal Signals White Helmets promises to be a highlight of the two-day event. Have-a-go activities are always a crowd-pleaser, and the 2012 fair provides an opportunity for visitors to try their hand at flycasting, archery, muzzle-loading and clay-shooting. Other attractions at this Bank Holiday event include a craft fair, children’s quad bikes, an antique collectors’ fair, whippet racing and falconry displays. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 55 Events August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 15:55 Page 3 Events August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 15:55 Page 4

Events PREVIEWS Half Price Family Night Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Sat 18 August An evening of traditional family entertainment is promised courtesy of this one-off out-of- hours event at Dudley’s prestigious urban heritage park. Visitors can witness the museum come to life with music performances, street theatre, circus skill games, face-painting, balloon animal modelling and a Punch and Judy show. The site’s famous 1930s- style fish and chips and plenty of real ale will be readily available for those in need of some sustenance, while a good old sing-a- long in the Bottle And Glass is sure to evoke a feeling of nostalgia for people of a certain generation. This is a pre-booked event. Visit, www.bclm.com for further information. Shrewsbury Flower Show The Quarry Park, Shrewsbury, Fri 10 - Sat 11 August This year marks a milestone for one of the country’s most prestigious horticultural events, as Shrewsbury Flower Show celebrates its one hundred-and-twenty-fifth anniversary. Saturday Kitchen’s James Martin makes a welcome return to the event, cooking up a treat in the Marches Foodhall, while BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Chris Beardshaw is on hand to offer specialist tips on how to keep your garden in tip-top condition. Bringing a new dimen- sion to this year’s event is acclaimed folk rock group Oysterband, performing tracks from their award-winning album Ragged Kingdom. As well as perusing magnificent displays from more than fifty national and international exhibitors, visitors to this celebratory event can also enjoy a packed programme of activities, including motorcycle stunt shows by Jason Smyth, magic acts, bee-handling demonstrations, and displays by Bob Hogg and his Sheepdog, to name but a few...

Medieval Weekend also includes archery sessions, cooking dis- to Shropshire from their Baker Street resi- Hawkstone Park, Weston under Redcastle, plays and a real ale bar. dence to offer her support. Nr Shrewsbury, Sat 25 - Mon 27 August Visitors to Hawkstone Park’s historic follies are taken back in time this month, as Les Community Games Miles Des Marches return to host another Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Bank Holiday weekend of medieval fun. Sat 4 - Sun 5 August Providing a glimpse of what life would have Visitors can have a go at upwards of twenty- been like in the thirteenth century, the popu- five sporting activities during the course of lar historical society demonstrates a variety this two-day Cultural Olympiad event at of medieval skills, including how to use a Warwickshire’s Stoneleigh Park. Local sport- Perrier catapult. Arena displays see soldiers ing groups from around the region are on practising their combat techniques, with hand to help enthusiasts of all ages learn a each day’s activities culminating in a final variety of new skills, from archery, handball, battle - an assault on the camp of King rowing and horseriding through to boxing, John’s army of knights by the rebel forces of scootering, tram- Baron Fulk Fitzwarren, a one-time nobleman polining and judo. turned outlaw. There’s a craft cor- Painting With PopBangColour ner, too, for those Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Tues 7, wishing to show- Thurs 9, Tues 28 & Thurs 30 August case their ‘arty’ Artist-in-residence Ian Cook is set to bring a side, while all visi- touch of colour to Gaydon’s Motor Museum tors under the age this month, facilitating a series of workshops of sixteen get a during which he’ll demonstrate the art form free goody bag to of painting with remote controlled cars. Ian take home. recently appeared on the BBC’s One Show alongside Jessie J, for whose latest album cover he created the artwork. After watching Detectives Weekend Ian at work, visitors are invited to ‘have a go’ Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire, at this unique artform themselves, and to Sat 4 - Sun 5 August create portraits with car parts, landscapes If you fancy yourself as an amateur sleuth with motor-machines and doodles on car and budding private detective, then you panels. should get yourself along to Blists Hill Victorian town mid-month to see if you can Midlands History Festival be of assistance to two of the world’s most Overstone Park, Northampton, famous crimebusters - Sherlock Holmes and Sat 4 - Sun 5 August Dr Watson. Put your powers of deduction to A series of Living History camps form the the test by following the trail of clues around basis of this two-day festival. And, with more the open-air museum, and see if you can than forty re-enactment societies, museums solve the mystery of the missing treasure, and traders on site, visitors can expect a stolen from the Earl of Craven’s mansion. great day out as they witness combat and Holmes and Watson will be on hand to give falconry displays, ferret racing, dance per- advice, together with their trusted house- formances and armour-making. The event keeper Mrs Hudson, who’ll be travelling up

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Events PREVIEWS Upstairs Downstairs Tour Weston Park, Staffordshire, Sun 12 & Sun 26 August A perfect opportunity to take a peek at parts of the house not usually seen on the public route, the Upstairs Downstairs Tour shows visitors around Weston Park’s servants’ quarters and its twenty-eight beautiful bedrooms. Although the park hosts numerous events throughout the year, including one of the country’s largest music festivals, it essentially remains a living house. The tour, which includes the newly-decorated middle drawing room, the family staircase and the music room, is led by a knowledgable guide who will talk about the estate’s history, the third Earl’s lavish house parties and how the house has evolved through the centuries. Military M5 Spetchley Park, Worcester, Sat 18 - Sun 19 August The beautiful grounds of Worcester’s Spetchley Park provide a perfect backdrop for this popular Living History event, which offers two days of battle re-enactments, live displays, period camps and trade stalls. Hundreds of re-enactors are expected to attend the event, covering hundreds of years of history, from the Vikings through to World War Two. As well as battles in the main arena and drill displays and skill at arms in the small arena, Military M5 features numerous uniformed historians, on site to share their vast knowledge of their specialist period. Other attractions during the weekend include an RAF emergency operations room, recreating a Luftwaffe raid over the south coast.

entering an enormous aluminium whale structure via its mouth. The whale will be Paul Martin’s Handmade Ancient OIympians sited at Brindleyplace on 11 August. For a full Revolution The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke- programme of Summer Saturday events, visit www.sixsummersaturdays.com Jinney Ring Craft Centre, Bromsgrove, on-Trent, Sat 11 August Sat 18 August In conjunction with the museum’s current BBC television presenter Paul Martin is on a Gods, Greeks And Gorgons exhibition, this mission to find the country’s best amateur one-day themed event brings a touch of craftsmen and women, and stops off in the Ancient Greece to Stoke-on-Trent. As well as Midlands mid-month as part of his search. A storytelling, craft stations - where visitors can full day of filming will take place at the Jinney make their very own laurel wreath head- Ring Craft Centre on the 18th, providing dresses - and bellydancing, there’s the local craftspeople with the opportunity to promise of some rather unusual street the- showcase their skills. The event also offers a atre. Visitors will be able to watch and inter- chance for visitors to see craft demonstra- act as the performers - dressed in sumo- tions, join in with some crafty activities and style costumes - assume the roles of ancient share top tips with fellow makers. Olympians Leonides of Rhodes and Hermogenes of Xanthes as they warm up for the Olympic Games. Coventry Festival Of Motoring Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Sat 25 - Sun 26 August Making its debut at Stoneleigh Park, this much-loved annual family event attracts visitors from all over the region and offers a packed programme of activities. As well as having a new venue, the 2012 event sees the flagship Historic Vehicle Run being given a revamp. Recognised as the backbone of the Shrewsbury International festival, the run will now have an all-new route through the Coventry and Street Theatre Festival Warwickshire countryside. Other highlights Shrewsbury Town Centre, Six Summer Saturdays Fri 31 August - Sun 2 September Various locations in and around Birmingham for this year include a Future Of Transport City Centre, Sat 11 - Sun 26 August Expo, concours This annual three-day event attracts artists from all around the world to perform on the Birmingham Hippodrome’s annual outdoor competition, a streets of the historic Shropshire market initiative continues this month, with an eclec- wall of death, live town. The festival’s ever-increasing populari- tic array of performers taking to the streets to music, a H&H ty hit a new high in 2011, with a staggering showcase their talents. Amongst the wacky classic auction, thirty thousand people in attendance. Held and the unusual is a performance from and stunt shows on four stage or circle areas, each hosting Coventry-based company Talking Birds. The from the six shows a day, the event comprises a wide acclaimed troupe perform their one-man, Bolddog motor- range of innovative, quality and, more often three-minute theatre show to a small number bike display than not, wacky acts... of people at any one time, with the audience team.

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 59 Events August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 15:55 Page 7 Summer holiday Activities The West Midlands offers some of the best attractions and days out for families in the UK, including theme parks, living history museums, animal sanctuaries, heritage sites, and an array of museums and art galleries. And, with the summer holidays here, it’s time to think about how to keep the kids entertained throughout the six-week break. Whatever their preference, there’s certainly no reason for them to complain about being bored this summer, so why not check out our recommendations...

Artrix Black Country Living Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1AX Museum Trust 01527 577330 Tipton Road, Dudley, DY1 4SQ www.artrix.co.uk 0121 557 9643 www.bclm.co.uk Something for all the family with a Half For four Fridays in August Artrix is holding a Price Family Night on the 18th August, and festival of shows, workshops and activities Marvellous Mechanisims Summer Holiday especially for families and children. Look out Activities throughout August. for the free bouncy castle and special drop- Learn to play traditional street games - cup in foyer activities between 11am and 3pm & ball, whip & top, hoop & stick, hopscotch or less energetic parlour games.

Bilston Craft Gallery Broadfield House Glass Mount Pleasant, Bilston, WV14 7LU Museum 01902 552507 Compton Drive, Kingswinford DY6 9NS www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/bilston 01384 812745 Join in the gallery’s friendly sessions for children under seven and enjoy exploring We’ve got an abundance of craft workshops, free trails, events and other activities our wealth of materials for sensory and cre- to keep families busy during the school hol- ative play. Meet other families and discover idays, and some weekends... including our exciting exhibitions. Sticky Saturday - our free Saturday art club. So come along with your family and have-a-go at being creative...

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Coventry Transport Museum Herbert Art Gallery Millennium Place, Hales Street, Coventry Jordan Well, Coventry CV1 5QP CV1 1JD 024 7623 4270 02476 832386 www.transport-museum.com www.theherbert.org Home to the world’s fastest car, and a great Come and visit our unique Dinosaurs free day out for all the family. Uncovered exhibition featuring life-size Summer Holiday 2012 activities include dinosaurs, real and replica fossils and Pedals To Medals - exhibition of competitive holographic video presentations. cycling, family trails and cycling School holiday activities include make themed craft activities for kids. Vehicles and take workshops, competitions, dig- from Ridley Scott’s Prometheus will also be ging for dinosaurs, storytelling and face on display throughout the holidays. painting.

Heritage Motor Centre Ikon Gallery Banbury Road, Gaydon, Warwickshire 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, CV35 0BJ 01926 641188 Birmingham B1 2HS 0121 248 0708 www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk www.ikon-gallery.co.uk/ Olympic Family Fun Events for the summer include Slow 21st July - 2nd Sept Boat Summer 2012, Seven Summer Painting with PopBang Colour Sundays, family Saturdays and various 7th, 9th, 28th & 30th August family workshops. Just two of the many free family activities happening on site this summer...

Ironbridge Museum RAF Museum Cosford Ironbridge, Telford, Shropshire Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 8UP TF8 7AW 01952 435 900 01902 376 200 www.ironbridge.org.uk www.rafmuseum.org.uk

A collection of ten family-friendly Admission is free to our acclaimed museums that celebrate the history of museum which houses seventy aircraft Ironbridge Gorge, each providing a range and hosts a range of events - including of interesting, family-friendly family trails and themed workshops activities. where you can have-a-go at making aero- plane and butterfly gliders.

Red House Glass Cone Stratford Butterfly Farm High Street, Wordsley, Stourbridge Swan's Nest Lane,Stratford-upon-Avon, DY8 4AZ 01384 812750 Warwickshire, CV37 7LS 01789 299288 Listen to our free audio guide who will tell www.butterflyfarm.co.uk you about the history of the glassworks Enjoy the unique pleasure of and characters from the industry. You’ll also watching hundreds of the world's learn about the magical process of most spectacular and colourful glassmaking. butterflies as they flutter around you in a tropical environment.

Thinktank Trentham Monkey Forest Curzon Street, Birmingham B4 7XG Stone Road, Trentham, Staffordshire 0121 202 2222 ST4 8AY 01782 659845 www.thinktank.ac www.monkey-forest.com

Come and discover our new Science Unique to the UK - walk amongst one Garden where you can explore forty-two hundred and forty free roaming Barbary exhibits and fun zones all based around macaques in sixty acres of beautiful themes of engineering, mechanics and Staffordshire forest. transportation. The antics of the babies and other monkeys will mesmerise you as they unfold before your very eyes.

Walsall New Art Gallery Wolverhampton Gallery Square, Walsall WS2 8LG Art Gallery 01922 654400 Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton www.thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk WV1 1DU 01902 552055 Award-winning building that houses the www.wolverhampton.org.uk Garmen Ryan collection of sculptures and paintings by modern masters, With its family friendly displays, the art including a large selection of work by Jacob gallery welcomes visitors to explore three- Epstein, donated by his late wife. hundred years of art.

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see if you've got what it takes to be a Roman Time Travellers Go... Knights & Princess - Goodrich Castle Events LISTINGS Soldier, Tue 1 Aug, Wroxeter Roman City, For full listing information on Events Nr Shrewsbury including times and dates visit, TILE DECORATION WORKSHOP Use the www.whatsonlive.co.uk tried and tested tube lining technique to pro- SUMMER HOLIDAY FUN duce a 6x6 inch tile of Daily family activities Week Commencing your own design, Tue 1 throughout the school - Fri 3 Aug, Jackfield WED 1 AUG holidays, until Sun 2 Tile Museum, Sep, Shugborough Ironbridge, Shropshire SUMMER ART CAMP: DEN Historic Working Estate, SAXON SOLDIERS Make BUILDING Daily art camp Stafford your very own Saxon with activities including SPACE RACE Design and peg doll to take home, den building and soft build a vehicle to navi- until Fri 3 Aug, The play, until Fri 3 Aug, gate a rugged 'martian' Potteries Museum & Art The Public, West landscape and enjoy Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent interactive shows about Bromwich TIME TRAVELLERS GO... CHURCH STRETTON ARTS space, until Sun 2 Sep, KNIGHTS & PRINCESSES FESTIVAL A two-week Enginuity, Ironbridge, Transform yourself into celebration of the arts, Telford a noble lord in squire featuring classical con- BRITAIN'S ULTIMATE training, and even try certs, celebrity lectures, SUMMER Take a journey on armour in the acad- drama, jazz and a back in time to discover emy for budding showcase of local jousting, heroes and knights and princess- youth talent, until Sat 4 horror! until Sun 2 Sep, es..., until Wed 1 Aug, Aug, Church Stretton, Warwick Castle Goodrich Castle, South Shropshire MARVELLOUS Herefordshire CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL MECHANISMS! SUMMER FAIRYTALE BANQUET until Sun 5 Aug, HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES Workshop where visi- Tamworth Assembly Follow the family dis- tors aged five to twelve Rooms covery trail around the are challenged to cre- ON YOUR MARKS museum and explore ate a 3D collage ban- Olympic fun for the chil- some of history’s great- quet, Wed 1 Aug, dren’s school holidays, est mechanisms, until Worcester City Art until Wed 22 Aug, Sun 2 Sep, Black Gallery & Museum Country Living Walsall Leather SUMMER WEDNESDAY’S Museum Museum, Dudley Full day of activities for HISTORY HUNTERS DIG FOR SHAKESPEARE all the family - including Various activities Watch archaeologists guided tours, have-a-go throughout the summer unearth exciting relics archery, living history school holidays that and try your hand at tent, birds of prey and enable visitors to helping sieve the spoils flying demonstrations, uncover and learn in the special mar- Wed 1 Aug, Ludlow about a variety of quees, until Sun 4 Nov, Castle, South things associated with Nash's House & New Shropshire insects that live at up close and personal Square, Birmingham Place, Stratford-upon- The Herbert's current SUMMER LIVING HISTORY Avoncroft, Wed 1 - with some fairly friendly ON YOUR MARKS! Dinosaurs Uncovered Avon EVENT Wed 1 Aug, Thurs 2 Aug, Avoncroft birds of prey, Thurs 2 SUMMER AT SOHO HOUSE exhibition, until Fri 24 TITANIC TRAIL Follow the Tamworth Castle Museum, Bromsgrove Aug, Coombe Country Fri 3 Aug, Soho House, Aug, Herbert Art Gallery Titanic trail around the NATIONAL PLAY DAY Wed SCHOOLS OUT! Keep the Park, Coventry Birmingham & Museum, Coventry museum and discover 1 Aug, Thinktank, kids entertained with a MEDAL MADNESS Make LIGHTS, CAMERA, SIX SUMMER SATURDAYS the city's links with the Birmingham series of family activi- your very own ‘gold’ ACTION! Film making doomed ocean liner, Showcasing works ROBIN HOOD ADVENTURE ties - from kite flying to medal with designer workshop, Fri 3 Aug, from an eclectic mix of until Mon 31 Dec, The SESSION Wed 1 Aug, bug hunting - through- maker Louise Mary. Artrix, Bromsgrove artists who'll be roam- Potteries Museum & Art Shropshire Wildlife out the summer holi- Booking essential! SQUISHY BUGS Family ing around Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent Trust Visitor Centre, days, Wed 1 - Thurs 23 Thurs 2 Aug, Museum craft activity, Fri 3 Aug, Birmingham's THE WITCHES OF Abbey Foregate, Aug, Wightwick Manor Of The Jewellery Weoley Castle, Southside and city cen- WARWICK Morbid spells Shrewsbury & Gardens, Quarter, Birmingham Birmingham and the darkest witch- tre areas, Every CONSERVATION TOUR OF Wolverhampton SUMMER THURSDAY'S ANCIENT EGYPT STUDY craft games create an Saturday until Sat 25 THE STAFFORDSHIRE MAKE AND TAKE CRE- Full day of activities for DAY An informal study Aug, Various locations atmosphere to chill HOARD Wed 1 Aug, ATIVE WORKSHOPS Wed all the family - including day aimed at people throughout Birmingham even the most sea- Birmingham Museum & 1 - Thurs 23 Aug, guided tours, have-a-go with a keen interest in CERAMIC DROP-IN soned scaremongers, Art Gallery Herbert Art Gallery & archery, living history Ancient Egypt but no WORKSHOPS until Mon 31 Dec, Take inspi- WAX PRINT BRACELETS Museum, Coventry tent, birds of prey and specialist knowledge, ration from your garden Warwick Castle WORKSHOP Opportunity DRAWING WITH CLAY flying demonstrations, Fri 3 Aug, Birmingham and paint a scene on a WEB OF LIFE A rare to make a colourful Design and make a Thurs 2 Aug, Ludlow Museum & Art Gallery mug or model a plant opportunity to see pre- bracelet using African decorative wall plaque Castle, South SYMPHONY HALL TOUR marker out of clay, until viously hidden treas- wax print fabric and and learn techniques Shropshire Take a tour of the stun- Fri 31 Aug, Coalport ures from the museum handmade beads from on how to 'draw' into TIME TRAVELLERS GO... ning auditorium and China Museum, collection, until Mon 31 Ghana, Wed 1 Aug, the clay by carving with KNIGHTS & PRINCESSES glimpse inside the inner Ironbridge, Shropshire Dec, Nash's House & Birmingham Museum & wooden tools and Transform yourself into workings of the world SUMMER HOLIDAY FUN New Place, Stratford- Art Gallery using clay coils, Thurs a noble lord in squire famous concert hall, Fri Family drop-in work- upon-Avon POETRY CAFE Theme for 2 Aug, Bilston Craft training, and even try 3 Aug, Symphony Hall, shops and trails, until ARTISTS BOOKS Create August is ‘the way we Gallery on armour in the acad- Birmingham Fri 31 Aug, Museum of your own 'artist book' were’, Wed 1 Aug, LIFE DRAWING emy for budding INDIAN TEXTILE DAY Cannock Chase using a range of print- Ludlow Assembly WORKSHOPS One-day knights and princesses, Chance to create your SCHOOL HOLIDAY making and binding Rooms, South event where visitors Thurs 2 Aug, Stokesay own Indian-style textiles ACTIVITIES Featuring techniques, Mon 1 Aug, Shropshire can learn how to use Castle, South using sweet papers, Fri Royal Birmingham various workshops COOMBE BOAT RACE line and tone, under- Shropshire 3 Aug, Greyfriars’ where visitors can Society Of Artists Chance to make your stand basic anatomy, GUIDED TOUR OF House & Garden, make their very own TIME TRAVELLERS GO... very own recycled boat, and find out how to BORDESLEY ABBEY Worcestershire peg dolls, camouflage ROGUES & VILLAINS Take Wed 1 Aug, Coombe express movement... Chance to learn about WOMEN’S QUARTER masks, gliders and part in a thrilling mus- Country Park, Coventry Thurs 2 Aug, Royal the history and destruc- FINAL Fri 3 Aug, Ricoh parachutes, Wed 1 - Fri ket drill, listen to the FEMTINOS Join in with Birmingham Society Of tion of Bordesley Arena, Coventry 31 Aug, RAF Cosford, myths and legends sur- weekly team chal- Artists Abbey, Thurs 2 Aug, FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL Wolverhampton rounding terrifying lenges creating prod- CHILDREN’S SUMMER Forge Mill Needle Featuring shows, work- SHEEP STEEPLECHASE rogues and plan your ucts for the Femtino HOLIDAY CRAFT DROP-IN Museum, Redditch shops & activities, Fri 3 until Sun 2 Sep, Hoo own ambush, Mon 1 - Aliens to take back to Get in the spirit of the JAMAICA IN THE SQUARE Aug, Artrix, Bromsgrove Farm Animal Kingdom, Fri 3 Aug, Kenilworth the Femtino world, Mon 2012 Games with this Food, dance, music, ULTIMATE STREET CAR Telford, Shropshire Castle 1 Aug, The Public, hands-on craft work- fashion, tourism and Annual event that’s SUMMER HOLIDAY TIME TRAVELLERS GO... West Bromwich shop making Olympic sport celebrating the described as the GAMES & ROMAN Prepare for SUMMER BUG HUNT Join torches and wreaths... fiftieth anniversary of ‘fastest, hottest, largest ENTERTAINMENT until action by taking part in an expert bug hunter Thurs 2 Aug, Walsall Jamaican and loudest modified Sun 2 Sep, Cadbury Roman themed activi- and discover the wide Museum Independence, Thurs 2 car festival in Europe’, World, Birmingham ties, including a drill to range of animals and IRIS MAY FALCONS Get - Mon 5 Aug, Victoria Fri 3 - Sun 5 Aug,

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Events LISTINGS

For full listing information on Events including times and dates visit, www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Santa Pod Raceway, NORMAN STORM Witness Northampton a spectacular array of PORTRAIT SUMMER medieval military might SCHOOL Fri 3 - Sun 5 in an on-going series of Aug, Ludlow Assembly dramatic scenes, Sat 4 Rooms, South - Sun 5 Aug, Beeston Shropshire Castle, Cheshire EXPLORING TEXTILE CHARITY GHOST HUNT SURFACES: PATTERN FOR SHAKESPEARE HOS- IMAGE & STITCH Explore PICE Sat 4 - Sun 5 Aug, a variety of methods to Falstaff Experience decorate cloth in order Tudor World, Stratford- to create a patterned upon-Avon and embellished work MILL ‘IN STEAM’ CLASSIC of textile art, Fri 3 - AND VINTAGE VEHICLE Mon 6 Aug, Royal RALLY See Jesse Birmingham Society Of Shirley's Etruscan Bone Artists and Flint Mill in action, PHOTOFRAME WORKSHOP powered by the mighty Archaeology activities at Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry Budding photographers 'Princess', Sat 4 - Sun 5 can be found in and a go under the supervi- WORKSHOP Tue 7 - Fri Wed 8 - Thu 9 Aug, The are given the opportu- Aug, Etruria Industrial around the area, Sun 5 sion of Midland 10 Aug, The Potteries New Art Gallery, Walsall nity to get some amaz- Museum, Stoke-on- Aug, Berryhill Fields, Adventure, Tues 7 Aug, Museum & Art Gallery, SUMMER THURSDAYS ing shots around the Trent Stoke-on-Trent Forge Mill Needle Stoke-on-Trent Full day of activities for gallery that will then be COMMUNITY GAMES Museum, Redditch DIGGING FOR DINOSAURS all the family - including shared on the facebook Cultural Olympiad Week Commencing DISCOVER GLASS SUM- Become an archaeolo- castle tours, short story page, Sat 4 Aug, The event featuring twenty- MER SCHOOL Sessions gist for the day and dis- telling, medieval games New Art Gallery, Walsall six sports for visitors to MON 6 AUG for children aged eight cover the mysteries and castle crafts, Thurs ZUMBATONIC - ZUMBA try, arts and crafts, to twelve, featuring beneath the sand! Tues 9 Aug, Ludlow Castle, FOR KIDS Dance fitness food, drink, and an glass painting, glass 7 - Tues 28 Aug, South Shropshire programme designed open-air cinema on the EGYPTIAN MAKEOVER engraving and glass Herbert Art Gallery & BIRDS OF A FEATHER exclusively for kids and Saturday evening, Sat 4 Historical and special fusing, Tues 7 Aug, Red Museum, Coventry Join artist Adrienne pre-teens, Sat 4 Aug, - Sun 5 Aug, Stoneleigh effects make-up artist House Glass Cone, SUMMER WEDNESDAYS A Craddock to create a The Public, West Park, Warwickshire Julia Hyland will be on Stourbridge day full of activities for bird badge using print- Bromwich MILLIONAIRE’S HOUSE hand during various STILL LIFE IN PASTELS all the family - including ing and card etching TAMWORTH ROYAL PARTY Experience the time slots to give willing Look at and compare guided tours, have-a-go techniques. Booking PAGEANT Sat 4 Aug, luxury and entertain- visitors a makeover, different methods of archery, living history essential! Thurs 9 Aug, Tamworth Assembly ment of a 1930s house Egyptian-style, Mon 6 producing textured tent & birds of prey dis- Museum Of The Rooms party, Sat 4 - Sun 5 Aug, Birmingham grounds in order to cre- plays, Wed 8 Aug, Jewellery Quarter, EVENING SCENIC SPECIAL Aug, Upton House & Museum & Art Gallery ate your own still life Ludlow Castle, South Birmingham An evening ride with Gardens, JAMAICAN INDEPEND- pastel painting, Tue 7 - Shropshire TIME TRAVELLERS the added option of tra- Worcestershire ENCE FIESTA Featuring Wed 8 Aug, Royal BOYD & EVANS IN CON- GO...GRUESOME Take a ditional fish and chips, MEERKAT WEEK steel drum music, craft Birmingham Society Of VERSATION & BOOKSIGN- journey into the horrors Sat 4 Aug, Severn Featuring a range of activities and lots Artists ING Join artists of ghastly punishments Valley Railway, activities - including more... Mon 6 Aug, WILDLIFE RANGERS Fionnuala Boyd and and hear terrifying tales Bewdley, Nr animal handling and Wolverhampton Art EVENT Get hands-on Les Evans as they dis- from days gone by, Kidderminster feeding, pony rides and Gallery and learn what it takes cuss the inspirations Thurs 9 Aug, Stokesay BREATHE THE BEAT much much more... Sat FAMILY ACTIVITY DAYS to be a wildlife ranger, behind their career, Castle, South ROADSHOWS Renowned 4 - Fri 10 Aug, Hoo Mon 6 - Thurs 9 Aug, Tue 7 Aug, Witley paintings and photog- Shropshire international hip-hop Farm Animal Kingdom, Hanbury Hall, Droitwich Court, Worcestershire raphy with Ikon Director DINOSAUR FAMILY DAY artist Salah demon- Telford, Shropshire Spa, Worcestershire TIME TRAVELLERS GO... Jonathan Watkins, Wed Popular fun day for all strates how to take ORIGAMI STORIES TIME TRAVELLERS GO... ROMAN Prepare for 8 Aug, Ikon Gallery, the family featuring inspiration from every- Discover a Japanese GRUESOME Take a jour- action by taking part in Brindleyplace, dinosaur crafts, stories day surroundings and story through the art of ney into the horrors of Roman themed activi- Birmingham and trails, Thurs 9 Aug, create your very own origami, Sun 5 Aug, ghastly punishments ties, including a drill to GARDEN PARTY Dudley Museum & Art routine, Sat 4 Aug, The Forge Mill Needle and hear terrifying tales see if you've got what it WORKSHOP Make your Gallery Square, Shrewsbury Museum, Redditch from days gone takes to be a Roman mark on a chalk mural KILN FUSED GLASS PEN- Town Centre CLASSIC CAR SHOW by...Mon 6 - Fri 10 Aug, Soldier., Tue 7 - Wed 8 and create colourful DANT WORKSHOP GUIDED TOUR A guided Featuring over eight- Kenilworth Castle, Aug, Wroxeter Roman giant flowers to deco- Chance to make a tour of the ruins, Sat 4 hundred vehicles dat- Warwickshire City, Nr Shrewsbury rate your own garden, fused glass key-ring or Aug, Weoley Castle, ing back to the 1920's, SUMMER ART CAMP : SUMMER LIVING HISTORY Wed 8 Aug, Bilston pendant using small Birmingham Sun 5 Aug, MOVEMENT & MOTION EVENT Tue 7 - Wed 8 Craft Gallery bits of Bullseye glass, OPEN DAY Sat 4 Aug, Shugborough Historic Daily art camp with Aug, Tamworth Castle WIND IN THE WILLOWS Thurs 9 Aug, Dudley Shrewsbury Wildlife Working Estate, activities including TIME TRAVELLERS GO... Children’s craft work- ENCHANTING COSTUMES Trust Visitor Centre, Staffordshire drawbot drawing GRUESOME Take a jour- shop, Wed 8 Aug, Workshop where visi- Abbey Foregate, BIG BRUM OPEN TOP BUS robots, light drawing ney into the horrors of Shropshire Wildlife tors aged five to twelve Shrewsbury TOUR Starts at Victoria and craft making, Mon ghastly punishments Trust Visitor Centre, can create their very OSWESTRY SHOW Square and stops at 6 - Fri 10 Aug, The and hear terrifying tales Abbey Foregate, own fairytale costume, Leading one-day agri- Aston Hall, Soho Public, West Bromwich from days gone by, Tue Shrewsbury Thurs 9 Aug, Worcester cultural show, Sat 4 House & The Pen STREET OLYMPICS 7 - Wed 8 Aug, FEMTINOS Join in with City Art Gallery & Aug, Park Hall Room, Sun 5 Aug, Bringing sport, comedy Goodrich Castle, weekly team challenges Museum Showground, Nr Blakesley Hall, and entertainment to Herefordshire creating products for GOTHIC REVIVALS Join Oswestry Birmingham the cobbled yard at TILE DECORATION the Femtino Aliens to artist Jolene Smith to TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC Sat MEET THE MILLER See Gladstone Museum, WORKSHOP Use the take back to the create gothic-inspired 4 Aug, Sunnycroft, wheat turn to flour with Tue 7 Aug, Gladstone tried and tested tube Femtino world, Wed 8 jewellery using recycled Telford, Shropshire Mick the Miller, Sun 5 Pottery Museum, lining technique to pro- Aug, The Public, West materials. Booking DETECTIVES WEEKEND Aug, Sarehole Mill, Stoke-on-Trent duce a 6x6 inch tile of Bromwich essential! Thurs 9 Aug, Chance for budding Birmingham THE BALANCING your own design, Tue 7 ECO CRAFTS SUMMER Museum Of The amateur sleuths to put SHROPSHIRE FESTIVAL GYMNAST Workshop - Fri 10 Aug, Jackfield SCHOOL Creative fun Jewellery Quarter, their skills to the test OF TRANSPORT where young visitors Tile Museum, day where children Birmingham and help the town's Featuring aerobatic and can cut out and colour Ironbridge, Shropshire aged eight to twelve BULLDOG BASH Annual detectives solve a mys- helicopter displays, a toy gymnast. Part of TIME TRAVEL CRAFTS get together to produce motorcycle rally with terious crime, Sat 4 - craft stalls and trade the museum’s ongoing Chance to explore a variety of recycled art, plenty of live music, a Sun 5 Aug, Blists Hill, stands, Sun 5 Aug, sports-related activities, ancient and modern Wed 8 Aug, Dudley drag strip, custom Ironbridge, Shropshire West Mid Showground, Tue 7 Aug, Gladstone civilisations through Museum & Art Gallery show and dance tent, WILDERNESS SURVIVAL Shrewsbury Pottery Museum, various craft activities, COME DANCING Thurs 9 - Sun 12 Aug, SKILLS WORKSHOP Sat 4 WILDFLOWER SAFARI Stoke-on-Trent Tues 7 - Fri 10 Aug, WORKSHOP Make your Shakespeare County - Sun 5 Aug, Trentham Fun family activity to HAVE-A-GO ARCHERY Worcestershire County own spinning dancer Raceway, Stratford- Gardens, Stoke-on- introduce visitors to Learn the basics of this Museum inspired by Renoir’s upon-Avon Trent some of the wildlife that ancient sport by having GRUESOME GORGONS acclaimed etchings, GOING FOR GOLD!

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Sat 18 August 2012 6.30pm - 10.00pm

A Black Country Pantomime - Kipping Beauty Street Entertainment G The Puppet Theatre

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Events LISTINGS

For full listing information on Events including times and dates visit, www.whatsonlive.co.uk

SUMMER AT SOHO Fri 10 cal entertainment for all Aug, Soho House, the family. Watch, listen Birmingham and join in with fun per- FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL formances and activi- Featuring shows, work- ties, Sat 11 Aug, shops & activities, Fri Symphony Hall, 10 Aug, Artrix, Birmingham Bromsgrove ZUMBATONIC - ZUMBA FAMILY WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS Dance fitness WITH DANCEXCHANGE programme designed Pre-booking essential! exclusively for kids and Fri 10 Aug, Ikon pre-teens, Sat 11 Aug, Gallery, Brindleyplace, The Public, West Birmingham Bromwich MAD SCIENCE OLYMPIC RUN WHAT YA BRUNG SHOW Full of crazy PUBLIC TRACK DAY Sat experiments and audi- 11 Aug, Santa Pod ence participation, Fri Raceway, Northampton Time Travellers: Medieval - Kenilworth Castle 10 Aug, Artrix, JUBILEE EMBROIDERY Bromsgrove WORKSHOP Beginners enjoy sights, smells Eastnor Pottery to SUMMER LIVING HISTORY Museum & Art Gallery, KILN FUSED GLASS TILE workshop with embroi- and sounds of 17th make some fantastic Tue 14 Aug, Tamworth Stoke-on-Trent WORKSHOP Design and dery expert Jane Dew, century life, Sat 11 - fun creations, Sun 12 - Castle SUMMER WEDNESDAYS decorate your very own Sat 11 Aug, Sunnycroft, Sun 12 Aug, Moseley Thurs 16 Aug, Eastnor WILDLIFE RANGERS Full day of activities for fused glass tile with Telford, Shropshire Old Hall, Castle, Herefordshire EVENT Get hands-on all the family - including bright glass stringers ANCIENT OLYMPIANS Wolverhampton and learn what it takes guided tours, have-a-go and frit, Fri 10 Aug, Meet Leonides of MINI IN THE PARK Week Commencing to be a wildlife ranger, archery, living history Broadfield House, Rhodes and Bringing together thou- Tue 14 Aug, Witley tent & birds of prey Dudley Hermogenes of sands of classic mini MON 13 AUG Court, Worcestershire demonstrations, Wed RAG-RUGGING Crafts for Xanthus, the ancient and new mini owners to ANGLO-SAXON ARMOUR 15 Aug, Ludlow Castle, grown-ups, Fri 10 Aug, Olympians, as they pre- celebrate Britain’s most Make your very own South Shropshire Red House Glass pare for the games in iconic car, Sun 12 Aug, EGYPTIAN MAKEOVER decorated armour SCARECROW DAY Turn a Cone, Stourbridge 328 BC, Sat 11 Aug, Santa Pod Raceway, Historical and special inspired by the wooden spoon into a PAINTED CLOTHS WORK- The Potteries Museum Northampton effects make-up artist Staffordshire Hoard, scary scarecrow, Wed SHOP Have a go at the & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- HOBBY HORSE ACTIVITY Julia Hyland will be on Tue 14 Aug, Gladstone 15 Aug, Sarehole Mill, medieval art of painted Trent DAY Make your own hand during various Pottery Museum, Birmingham hangings, Fri 10 Aug, TRY SAILING! Short free hobby horse then take time slots to give willing Stoke-on-Trent ECO FASHION WORKSHOP Greyfriars’ House & taster sessions on the part in the hobby horse visitors a makeover, SUMMER ANIMATION Spend the day with a Garden, Worcestershire Great Pool with a quali- trials, Sun 12 Aug, Egyptian-style, Mon 13 WORKSHOP Explore digi- fashion designer to cre- SHREWSBURY FLOWER fied R.Y.A. instructor, Upton House & Aug, Birmingham tal and stop-frame tech- ate stunning pieces of SHOW Featuring celebri- Sat 11 Aug, Himley Hall Gardens, Museum & Art Gallery niques to create an ani- textile art with recycled ty chef James Martin, & Park, Dudley Worcestershire BEGINNERS ANIMATION mation in a day, Tues materials, Wed 15 Aug, folk rock group EVENING SCENIC THE P6 ROVER OWNERS Learn animation tech- 14 Aug, The Hive, The Hive, Shrewsbury Oysterband celebrity SPECIALS A scenic CLUB The rally open to niques and the Shrewsbury PIRATE FAMILY DAY horticulturalist and gar- evening ride with the all Rovers and classics processes involved, LOMOGRAPHY WORK- Family day with themed den designer Chris added option of tradi- celebrates its thirtieth Mon 13 Aug, SHOP Tues 14 Aug, Ikon crafts and treasure Beardshaw, Fri 10 - Sat tional fish and chips, anniversary, Sun 12 Kidderminster Town Gallery, Brindleyplace, hunt, Wed 15 Aug, Red 11 Aug, The Quarry Sat 11 Aug, Severn Aug, Heritage Motor Hall Birmingham House Glass Cone, Park, Shrewsbury Valley Railway, Centre, Gaydon, VICTORIAN SCRAPBOOK TIME TRAVELLERS Stourbridge BOWMAN ANTIQUES FAIR Bewdley, Nr Warwickshire WORKSHOPS Create a GO...ROMAN Prepare for SUMMER LIVING HISTORY Quality three-day Kidderminster TOWN CRIER handmade concertina action by taking part in Wed 15 Aug, Tamworth antiques fair featuring THE FLYOVER SHOW COMPETITION Sun 12 book inspired by the Roman-themed activi- Castle thousands of antiques Celebration of the Aug, Blists Hill, gallery’s Georgian ties, including a drill to DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG and collectables for diversity, richness and Ironbridge, Shropshire Room, Mon 13 Aug, see if you've got what it PUBLIC DRIFT DAY Wed decoration, investment power of the individual UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS Wolverhampton Art takes to be a Roman 15 Aug, Santa Pod or as a unique gift, Fri & collective stories that TOUR A behind-the- Gallery Soldier, Tue 14 - Wed Raceway, Northampton 10 - Sun 12 Aug, take place in neglected scenes tour that gives FAMILY ACTIVITY DAYS 15 Aug, Wroxeter SPOTLIGHT Take along Stafford Bingley Hall urban areas. A series of visitors an opportunity Mon 13 - Thurs 16 Aug, Roman City, Nr your own special STILL LIFE SUMMER workshops precede this to take a look at the Hanbury Hall, Droitwich Shrewsbury objects and let the SCHOOL Fri 10 - Sun 12 show, Sat 11 Aug, fascinating and busy Spa, Worcestershire TIME TRAVELLERS GO... museum experts tell Aug, Ludlow Assembly Hockley Circus, parts of the house that TIME TRAVELLERS GO... MYTHS & LEGENDS you about its history, Rooms, South Birmingham are not on the public MEDIEVAL Find out what Discover a whole range Wed 15 Aug, Shropshire THE 1100 CLUB NATIONAL route, Sun 12 Aug, life was like in medieval of myths and legends, Birmingham Museum & TR REGISTER AND STAG RALLY Sat 11 - Sun 12 Weston Park, times via various from St George to King Art Gallery OWNERS CLUB IWE 2012 Aug, Heritage Motor Staffordshire hands-on activities and Arthur, Tue 14 - Wed 15 FEMTINOS Join in with Weekend of family Centre, Gaydon, CLASSIC CAR RALLY Two games, Mon 13 - Fri 17 Aug, Goodrich Castle, weekly team challenges entertainment featuring Warwickshire hundred cars travel Aug, Kenilworth Castle Herefordshire creating products for large trade show and THE NATIONAL WELSH from Shrewsbury to SUMMER ART CAMP: TILE DECORATION the Femtino Aliens to autojumble, arena PONY SHOW Welsh pony Telford, via the beautiful PHOTOGRAPHY & ANIMA- WORKSHOP Use the take back to the show, demonstrations and Cob Society cham- Shropshire countryside. TION Daily camp with tried and tested tube Femtino world, Wed 15 and seminars, Fri 10 - pionship show, Sat 11 - Sun 12 Aug, rally activities including stop lining technique to pro- Aug, The Public, West Sun 12 Aug, Three Sun 12 Aug, Three leaves Attingham Park, frame photography, duce a 6x6 inch tile of Bromwich Counties Showground, Counties Showground, Nr Shrewsbury at light drawing and craft your own design and LET’S GET MESSY WITH Malvern Malvern 10.30am making, Mon 13 - Fri 17 choice of colours, Tue NATURE Children’s BABA EVENT Featuring WHEELWRIGHT DISPLAY BLING YOUR BIKE SES- Aug, The Public, West 14 - Fri 17 Aug, workshop, Wed 15 artistic blacksmithing Presented by the Guild SIONS Go home with Bromwich Jackfield Tile Museum, Aug, Shropshire demonstrations by of Model Wheelwrights, the coolest bike on the BRINDLEYPLACE FILM Ironbridge, Shropshire Wildlife Trust Visitor members of the British Sat 11 - Sun 12 Aug, block! Sun 12 Aug, FESTIVAL Debut event TIME TRAVEL CRAFTS Centre, Abbey Artist Blacksmiths Forge Mill Needle Coventry Transport organised in partner- Chance to explore Foregate, Shrewsbury Association, Fri 10 - Museum, Redditch Museum ship with Cineworld, ancient and modern DEN BUILDING FOR Sun 12 Aug, Blists Hill, OCTAVIA HILL WEEKEND VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE Mon 13 - Tues 28 Aug, civilisations through BEGINNERS See if you Ironbridge, Shropshire Weekend of events to CLUB PARADE Watch var- Brindleyplace, various craft activities, can build a den strong CRAZY SCIENCE AT SOHO mark the centenary of ious unique motorbikes Birmingham Tues 14 - Fri 17 Aug, enough to survive the Follow in the footsteps National Trust founder, as they leave the park TEXTILE PICTURE Worcestershire County elements, Wed 15 Aug, of Matthew Boulton and Octavia Hill, Sat 11 - for a jaunt around the WORKSHOP Create your Museum Croombe Park, his Lunar friends, Sat Sun 12 Aug, Biddulph countryside, Sun 12 own colourful picture SPITFIRE WORKSHOP Coventry 11 Aug, Soho House, Grange Garden, Aug, Coombe Country using different textiles, Make your very own PIRATE ACADEMY Learn Birmingham Biddulph, Staffordshire Park, Coventry stitches and embellish- paper spitfire aero- to fire a cannon, fight MUSICAL PICNIC Tuck 17TH CENTURY WEEKEND FLYING POTTER Join Jon ments, Tue 14 Aug, plane, Tue 14 - Fri 17 with a cutlass and cre- into a morning of musi- Travel back in time to the Flying Potter from Bilston Craft Gallery Aug, The Potteries ate your own parrot

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SAT 4 AUG Blues Festival Feat. John Denton, Mumbo-Jumbo, Steiny’s Blues, Mojo Hooker, TBelly & Ricky Cool and the Hoola Boola Boys. Food & Drink available.

THROUGHOUT AUG Children’s Craft Activities Pottery and Mosaic. Check webite for details

SAT 18 AUG BBC’s Paul Martin The filming of Handmade Revolution, looking for Britain’s finest amateur craftsmen and women, takes place between 10am - 5pm

WED 19 SEPT Psychic Supper With demonstrations from Clairvoyants Glenda Backhouse and Pauline Hemming. 2 course Farmhouse evening meal included. £24.50 per person

TUE 25 AUG - TUE 23 SEPT Sculture Trail An exhibition of garden art around the ponds. FREE

TUE 23 SEPT Animals R Magic Animal Awareness day – lots of information about ‘critters’ as well as animal fun! In aid of the Cinnamon Trust.

Hanbury Road, Hanbury, Bromsgrove, B60 4BU Tel: 01527 821272 www.jinneyring.co.uk

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Events LISTINGS For full listing information on Events including times and dates visit, www.whatsonlive.co.uk

companion, Wed 15 - Local Nature Reserve, Thu 16 Aug, Avoncroft Walsall Museum, Bromsgrove YOU DESERVE A MEDAL WOULD YOU LIKE TO Gain inspiration from PRINT? Print an image Jim Morris and create inspired by Gaugin's your own medal, Thurs wood cut, Wed 15 - 16 Aug, Walsall Leather Thu 16 Aug, The New Museum Art Gallery, Walsall WILD WOODS IN PRINT FIGURES IN INTERIORS Take woodland as a WORKSHOP Explore the source of inspiration to exciting challenge of create your own printed drawing and painting artwork using a variety figures in the context of of printing techniques, a range of interiors, Thurs 16 - Fri 17 Aug, Wed 15 - Sat 18 Aug, Royal Birmingham Royal Birmingham Society Of Artists Society Of Artists THE FESTIVAL OF QUILTS SUMMER THURSDAYS A The largest patchwork BMW Festival - Heritage Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire full day of activities for and quilting event in all the family to enjoy - Europe, Thurs 16 - Sun EVENING SCENIC SPECIAL team, Sat 18 Aug, BMW FESTIVAL With up Aug, Birmingham including castle tours, 19 Aug, NEC, A scenic evening ride Royal Shakespeare to three thousand Museum & Art Gallery short story telling, Birmingham with the added option Theatre, Stratford- BMWs expected on TOWN HALL TOUR Take a medieval games and BUG HAT & MASKS of traditional fish and upon-Avon site, this event promis- walk through the histo- castle crafts, Thurs 16 Family craft activity chips, Sat 18 Aug, THE STORY GARDEN es to be the world’s ry and renovation of the Aug, Ludlow Castle, where you can make a Severn Valley Railway, Introduce your family to largest gathering of its Town Hall and hear South Shropshire hat or mask inspired by Bewdley, Nr the stories of kind, Sun 19 Aug, about performers past TIME TRAVELLERS GO... the mini-beasts and Kidderminster Shakespeare in a fun Heritage Motor Centre, and present, Mon 20 MYTHS & LEGENDS bugs found at Weoley MADE IN SHROPSHIRE and lively way, where Gaydon, Warwickshire Aug, Birmingham Town Featuring magical sto- Castle Ruins, Fri 17 MARKET Featuring everyone gets involved, BLING YOUR BIKE SES- Hall ries, games and hands- Aug, Weoley Castle, Shropshire Arts, Crafts Sat 18 Aug, Royal SIONS Go home with TIME TRAVELLERS on activities, Thurs 16 Birmingham and Food producers, Shakespeare Theatre. the coolest bike on the GO...KNIGHTS & Aug, Stokesay Castle, KNIGHT SCHOOL Learn Sat 18 Aug, The Stratford-upon-Avon block! Sun 19 Aug, PRINCESSES Transform South Shropshire how to joust, sword Square, Shrewsbury TOWN TOUR WITH Coventry Transport yourself into a noble CRAFT, CAKE & PLANT fight and do battle, Fri BAT WALK Sat 18 Aug, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Museum lord in squire training, FAIR In aid of Macmillan 17 Aug, Greyfriars, Charlecote Park, Sat 18 Aug, Falstaff BONSAI DEMONSTRATION and even try on armour cancer care and Ward Worcester Warwickshire Experience - Tudor Offering help and in the academy for 19 Heartlands Hospital, MAGIC RUSS - MAGIC BATTLE PROMS PICNIC World, Stratford-upon- advice from the budding knights and Thurs 16 Aug, The SHOW Fri 17 Aug, Artrix, CONCERT Featuring the Avon experts, Sun 19 Aug, princesses... Mon 20 - University of Bromsgrove Napoleonic cavalry, GOD OF THE POD The Birmingham Botanical Fri 24 Aug, Kenilworth Birmingham FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL Spitfire display, two- ultimate track day event Gardens Castle, Warwickshire FOXTAILS MILLY JACK- Featuring shows, work- hundred live cannons for all makes and mod- PRINTING FROM FOUND SUMMER ART CAMP: DAW STORYTELLING shops & activities, Fri and sing-a-long proms els of cars, including MATERIALS WORKSHOP CRAFT & DESIGN Daily Tales of the countryside 17 Aug, Artrix, finale, Sat 18 Aug, large sprint track, Sat Use recycled objects to art camp with activities for ages three-plus, Bromsgrove Ragley Hall, 18 Aug, Santa Pod make a printing block including mug design, Thurs 16 Aug, The PEAK PERFORMANCE Warwickshire Raceway, Northampton for an artwork inspired craft making and light Hive, Shrewsbury TEST & TUNE DAY RWYB IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE KALEIDOSCOPE THEATRE by the summer holi- drawing, Mon 20 - Fri A LITTLE BOOK OF with fully prepped track WOODS... Family activity Classic melodramatic days, Sun 19 Aug, 24 Aug, The Public, MYTHICAL CREATURES for serious enthusiasts, afternoon, Sat 18 Aug, mime scenes and Royal Birmingham West Bromwich Join children's illustra- Fri 17 Aug, Santa Pod Moseley Old Hall, cameo performances, Society Of Artists GREEK MYTH AND tor Sarah Millin to cre- Raceway, Northampton Wolverhampton Sat 18 - Sun 19 Aug, SMALL GARDENS OF LEGENDS Interactive ate your very own spe- SUMMER AT SOHO Two- SUMMER MAGIC Drop-in Blists Hill, Ironbridge, LUDLOW Some of the Greek theatre, Mon 20 cial book of mythical hours of object han- sessions with magician Shropshire smaller gardens in the Aug, The Potteries creatures. Suitable for dling and costume Ron Popple, Sat 18 1930S GARDEN PARTY old town will open their Museum & Art Gallery, children aged seven to activity, Fri 17 Aug, Aug, Dudley Museum & Garden and architec- gates to reveal an Stoke-on-Trent twelve. Booking essen- Soho House, Art Gallery ture tours, drinks on the abundance of horticul- PRINT YOUR OWN CUR- tial!, Thurs 16 Aug, Birmingham BBC FILMING ‘PAUL MAR- terrace and games on tural delights, Sun 19 RENCY WORKSHOP Worcester City Art EMBROIDERY WORKSHOP TIN’S HANDMADE REVO- the lawn, Sat 18 - Sun Aug, Ludlow Assembly Inspired by the Man Of Gallery & Museum Learn how to stitch a LUTION’ An opportunity 19 Aug, Upton House & Rooms, South Note exhibition, Mon 20 CHILDREN’S SUMMER delightful sampler to for visitors to see craft Gardens, Shropshire Aug, Wolverhampton HOLIDAY CRAFT DROP-IN take home, using a demonstrations, join in Worcestershire TURNER SPORTS CAR Art Gallery Make your own special variety of stitches, with some crafty activi- WILDERNESS SURVIVAL RALLY Featuring stun- COMEDY AND TRAGEDY ceiling kite to take threads and sequins! ties and share tips from SKILLS Get active with a ning examples of WORKSHOP Make your home and show off.... Fri 17 Aug, Artrix, fellow makers, Sat 18 range of survival skills, Turner sports cars very own comedy or Thurs 16 Aug, Walsall Bromsgrove Aug, Jinney Ring Sat 18 - Sun 19 Aug, made locally in tragedy mask to take Museum LIFE DRAWING SUMMER Craftcentre, Trentham Gardens, Wolverhampton, Sun home, Mon 20 - Fri 24 SHAPING UP! Make your SCHOOL Fri 17 - Sun 19 Bromsgrove Stoke-on-Trent 19 Aug, Bantock Aug, The Potteries own decorative dish or Aug, Ludlow Assembly TOLKIEN GUIDED WALK REPTILE WEEK Featuring House, Wolverhampton Museum & Art Gallery, bowl by cutting, pierc- Rooms, South Discover the childhood a range of activities, STOCKHAUSEN - A FESTI- Stoke-on-Trent ing and hammering Shropshire playground of Tolkien including animal han- VAL OF LIGHT Mini-festi- PLAY IN A WEEK Work copper, with help from WESTERN MOTORHOME and learn about the dling and feeding, pony val of performances, with expert theatre designer maker Shona SHOW Annual event that places and people who rides and much more... talks and discussions practitioners and create Marsh, Thurs 16 Aug, boasts a huge Country influenced his later writ- Sat 18 - Fri 24 Aug, on Stockhausen’s a piece of street theatre Museum Of The & Western theme, Fri ing, Sat 18 Aug, Hoo Farm Animal music, Sun 19 - Tue 21 to be performed at T- Jewellery Quarter, 17 - Sat 18 Aug, Three Sarehole Mill, Kingdom, Telford, Aug, various locations Fest, Mon 20 - Fri 24 Birmingham Counties Showground, Birmingham Shropshire across Birmingham Aug, The Roses FOXTAILS Musical and Malvern FLASHFEST Celebration THEATRE IN THE Theatre, Tewksbury storytelling perform- SCOOTFEST The world’s of Flash radio with a GARDENS A series of Week Commencing TIME TRAVELLERS GO... ance by Milly Jackdaw, first-ever scooter festi- huge range of activities unique Shakespeare- HEROES AND VILLAINS Thurs 16 Aug, The val, Fri 17 - Sun 19 for kids and families, inspired theatre experi- MON 20 AUG Take part in a thrilling Hive, Shrewsbury Aug, Stoneleigh Park, Sat 18 Aug, The ences set in the atmos- musket drill, listen to FAMILY ORIENTEERING Warwickshire College Arms, pheric gardens of Hall’s myths and legends sur- Learn how to use a JANE AUSTEN DAY Stratford-upon-Avon Croft, Sat 18 Aug - Sat EGYPTIAN MAKEOVER rounding rogues and map and compass to Celebrate all things UNWRAPPED An onstage 1 Sep, Hall's Croft, Historical and special plan your own ambush, explore the beautiful Austen at Soho with discussion and practi- Stratford-upon-Avon effects make-up artist Tue 21 - Wed 22 Aug, woodland nature embroidery and make- cal demonstration that MONSTER TRUCK Julia Hyland will be on Goodrich Castle, reserve and find the up workshops, Sat 18 takes a peek into the NATIONALS Racing and hand during various Herefordshire hidden clues... Thurs Aug, Soho House, rehearsal room, with freestyle action!, Sun time slots to give willing SUMMER LIVING HISTORY 16 Aug, Rough Wood Birmingham members of the acting 19 Aug, Santa Pod visitors a makeover, Tue 21 Aug, Tamworth company and creative Raceway, Northampton Egyptian-style, Mon 20 Castle www.whatsonlive.co.uk 69 Events August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 15:55 Page 17

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Children’s workshop to Treasure Island Weekend - Blists Hill, Ironbridge make and dress a doll Events LISTINGS in 1940s style and then join the fashion parade, For full listing information on Events Thurs 23 Aug, Bantock including times and dates visit, House & Museum, Wolverhampton www.whatsonlive.co.uk GOTHIC REVIVALS Join artist Jolene Smith to TIME TRAVELLERS GO... Artists create gothic-inspired ROMAN Prepare for SUMMER CRAFTS WORK- jewellery using recycled action by taking part in SHOP Make beautiful materials. Suitable for Roman-themed activi- creations with natural children over five. ties, including a drill to and recycled materials, Booking essential! see if you've got what it Wed 22 Aug, The Hive, Thurs 23 Aug, Museum takes to be a Roman Shrewsbury Of The Jewellery Soldier, Tue 21 - Wed DRAWING WITH FELT Join Quarter, Birmingham artist Kirsty Smith to 22 Aug, Wroxeter FREE AND EXPRESSIVE create a brightly Roman City, Nr FLOWERS IN coloured drawing, Wed Shrewsbury WATERCOLOUR WILDLIFE RANGERS 22 Aug, Bilston Craft Experiment with a vari- EVENT Get hands-on Gallery ety of water-based and learn what it takes WONDERLAND IN media to free up your to be a wildlife ranger, MINIATURE Workshop painting technique and Tue 21 Aug, Witley where children aged create a dynamic and Court, Worcestershire five to twelve, can cre- expressive artwork, DEN BUILDING FOR ate characters and Thurs 23 - Fri 24 Aug, BEGINNERS See if you creatures from their Royal Birmingham can build a den strong favourite legends, Wed Society Of Artists enough to survive the 22 Aug, Worcester City SUMMER AT SOHO Get to explore and record CRAFT FAIR Chance to residence once more elements, Wed 21 Aug, Art Gallery & Museum crafty with various as much wildlife as purchase innovative and learn the fascinat- Croombe Park, FEMTINOS Join in with funky activities inspired possible, Sat 25 Aug, works from some of the ing truth about how Coventry weekly team challenges by the museum’s Walsall Arboretum region’s most creative Romans lived by meet- MUSIC MAKING & SONG- creating products for newest displays, Fri 24 PARALYMPIC FLAME CEL- people, Sat 25 - Sun 26 ing them in person, WRITING WORKSHOP the Femtino Aliens to Aug, Soho House, EBRATION Sat 25 Aug, Aug, Coventry Sun 26 - Mon 27 Aug, Spend the day working take back to the Birmingham Trentham Lake, Stoke- Transport Museum Wroxeter Roman City with professional musi- Femtino world, Wed 22 MAKE DO AND MEND A on-Trent KING JOHN I OF ENGLAND SWORDFIGHTING AT cians.Write your own Aug, The Public, West day of crafts using EVENING SCENIC AT WAR Living history songs inspired by your Bromwich STOKESAY Watch heroic materials from around SPECIALS A scenic event from the favourite music styles NATURE DETECTIVES displays, take part in the house, Fri 24 Aug, evening ride with the Shropshire-based his- and artists, Tues 21 Wed 22 Aug, sword school and learn Greyfriars’ House & added option of tradi- torical re-enactment Aug, The Hive, Shropshire Wildlife the skills to become a Garden, Worcestershire tional fish and chips, group Les Miles des Trust Visitor Centre, fully fledged master of Shrewsbury FAMILY WORKSHOPS Sat 25 Aug, Severn Marches, Sat 25 - Mon TAIKO DRUMMING WORK- Abbey Foregate, the sword!, Sun 26 - WITH DANCEXCHANGE Valley Railway, 27 Aug, Hawkstone SHOP Tues 21 Aug, The Shrewsbury Mon 27 Aug, Stokesay Pre-booking essential! Bewdley, Kidderminster Park, Weston-under- Hive, Shrewsbury SUPERSTAR PUPPETS Castle, South Fri 24 Aug, Ikon FACE MASKS WORKSHOP Redcastle, Shrewsbury TILE DECORATION WITH RUTH RADCLIFFE Shropshire Gallery, Brindleyplace, Receive an introduction TREASURE ISLAND WORKSHOP Use the Wed 22 Aug, Walsall SHREWSBURY STEAM Birmingham to sculpting from life WEEKEND Dress as a tried and tested tube Leather Museum ENGINE AND VINTAGE GLASS ENGRAVING Have and learn how to work pirate and join in lining technique to pro- SUMMER CRAFT WORK- RALLY This annual Rally a go at engraving differ- from a model to pro- scenes from Robert duce a 6x6 inch tile of SHOP Wed 22 Aug, The provides a splendid ent glass items, Pre- duce a portrait mask in Louis Stevenson's your own design, Tue Hive, Shrewsbury opportunity to view a booking essential! Fri air drying clay, Sat 25 much-loved Treasure 21 - Fri 24 Aug, KNIGHTS ACADEMY Learn variety of steam 24 Aug, Red House Aug, Royal Birmingham Island, Sat 25 - Mon 27 Jackfield Tile Museum, to become a medieval engines and preserved Glass Cone, Society Of Artists Aug, Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire knight and prepare for vehicles, Sun 26 - Mon Stourbridge ROBIN HOOD & THE GIANT Ironbridge, Shropshire TIME TRAVEL CRAFTS the Wars of the Roses!, DRAGONFLIES & DAM- New street theatre pro- MEDIEVAL FIGHTING 27 Aug, Onslow Park, Chance to explore Wed 22 - Thurs 23 Aug, SELFLIES Children’s duction presented by KNIGHTS Watch knights Shrewsbury ancient and modern Avoncroft Museum, Craft Workshop, Fri 24 Bayard’s Colts, Sat 25 do battle in a series of WARWICKSHIRE & WEST civilisations through Bromsgrove Aug, Shropshire Aug, Walsall Town thrilling live shows, Sat MIDLANDS GAME & various craft activities, SCARECROW MAKING Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre 25 - Mon 27 Aug, COUNTRY FAIR Tues 21 - Fri 24 Aug, Drop-in activity where Centre, Abbey PARALYMPIC FLAME Goodrich Castle, Acclaimed annual event Worcestershire County visitors can make their Foregate, Shrewsbury CELEBRATION A show- Herefordshire featuring continuous very own scarecrow Museum BRIDGNORTH MUSIC & case of live dance per- PARROT WEEK Featuring arena events, falconry SUMMER WEDNESDAYS A and enter into a com- ARTS FESTIVAL Various formances from local a range of activities, displays, whippet rac- full day of activities for petition to be judged by arts-based events schools in celebration including animal han- ing, beagle show and all the family - including the Mayor of Redditch throughout the town of disability sport, art dling and feeding, pony much more... Sun 26 - guided tours, have-a-go on 26 Aug, Wed 22 - centre, Fri 24 Aug - Sun and culture, Sat 25 rides and much more... Mon 27 Aug, Arbury archery, living history Thurs 23 Aug, Forge 2 Sept, Bridgnorth, Aug, Broadgate, Sat 25 - Fri 31 Aug, Hall, Nuneaton, tent & birds of prey dis- Mill Needle Museum, Shropshire Coventry Hoo Farm Animal Warwickshire Redditch plays, Wed 22 Aug, THE OCTONAUTS BEST OF BRITISH FAMILY Kingdom, Telford, SCARECROW DAY Meet a Ludlow Castle, South SUMMER THURSDAY'S A Performances and FUN DAY A day of sum- Shropshire whole host of scare- Shropshire full day of activities for appearances by mer fun including THE KNIGHT’S crow characters and SUMMER LIVING HISTORY all the family - include Captain Barnacles and Punch and Judy, craft TOURNAMENT Action- become involved in a Wed 22 Aug, Tamworth castle tours, short sto- Kwazii, Sat 25 Aug, activities, special glass- packed event featuring range of activities, from Castle rytelling, medieval Cannon Park Shopping making demonstrations competitions, poleaxe face painting to pony WILLENHALL FUNDAY games & castle crafts, Centre, Coventry and home-made ice rides!, Sun 26 Aug, Thurs 23 Aug, Ludlow combat, Jester enter- Promising a fun day out WALSALL PRIDE cream, Sat 25 Aug, Forge Mill Needle for all the family, Wed Castle, South tainment, period and Walsall’s first ever Broadfield House Glass Museum, Redditch 22 Aug, Willenhall Shropshire authentic living history LGBT Pride event, Sat Museum, Dudley TOUR & TILE Create a Memorial Park CHILDREN’S SUMMER encampment, Sun 26 - 25 Aug, The New Art PARALYMPIC FLAME CEL- fused glass tile and TEDDY BEARS' PICNIC HOLIDAY CRAFT DROP-IN Mon 27 Aug, Kenilworth Gallery, Walsall EBRATION Have-a-go’ participate in a guided Give your bear a day Create a fancy fish or Castle KNIGHT SKOOL Learn the afternoon for families tour around the muse- out as you enjoy an sparkly starfish in this UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS art of combat, sword- and individuals, with um, Sun 26 Aug, afternoon of fun and fishy-themed craft TOUR A behind-the- play and the code of demonstrations and the Broadfield House Glass entertainment, Wed 22 workshop.... Thurs 23 scenes tour that allows chivalry in a family day opportunity to try out Museum, Dudley & Red Aug, Birmingham August, Walsall visitors to take a look at out that culminates in various sports, includ- House Glass Cone, Botanical Gardens Museum fascinating and busy the Battle of Agincort!, ing Blind Football at the Stourbridge LIFE DRAWING TIME TRAVELLERS parts of the house not Sat 25 Aug, Blakesley home of the Great WORLD’S LONGEST WORKSHOP A second GO...HEROES AND usually on the public Hall, Birmingham Britain team, Sat 25 GLASSMAKING DEMON- VILLAINS Take part in a route, Sun 26 Aug, opportunity to learn BHANGRA BOUNCE Aug, Royal National STRATION Create a how to use line and thrilling musket drill, lis- Weston Park, Bhangra workshop for College For The Blind, fused glass tile and tone, understand basic ten to myths and leg- Staffordshire kids, Sat 25 Aug, The Hereford participate in a guided anatomy and find out ends surrounding DOG SHOW IN AID OF CRY Public, West Bromwich FESTIVAL OF MOTORING tour around the muse- how to express move- rogues and plan your Sun 26 Aug, Walsall WALSALL’S EVENING Featuring displays, live um, Sun 26 Aug, ment to help develop own ambush, Thurs 23 Arboretum BIOBLITZ! Family event entertainment and fami- Broadfield House Glass and improve your draw- Aug, Stokesay Castle, MEET THE ROMANS Visit that brings together sci- ly fun activities, Sat 25 - Museum, Dudley & Red ing, Wed 22 Aug, Royal South Shropshire the Roman Townhouse entists, experts and Sun 26 Aug, Coventry House Glass Museum, Birmingham Society Of 1940S FASHION PARADE as its owners take up members of the public Transport Museum Stourbridge

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72 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Events August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 15:56 Page 20

niques, Tue 28 Aug, all the family - including visitors can have a go activity, Fri 31 Aug, LISTINGS Bilston Craft Gallery guided tours, have-a-go at crafting their own Soho House, Events TAIKO DRUMMING WORK- archery, living history sculpture from salt Birmingham SHOP Suitable for eight tent and birds of prey dough, Thurs 30 Aug, RAG RUG WORKSHOP For full listing information on Events to thirteen-year-olds, demonstrations, Wed Bilston Craft Gallery Make a rag rug with including times and dates visit, Tues 28 Aug, The Hive, 29 Aug, Ludlow Castle, SUMMER THURSDAYS A craft specialist Jessie Shrewsbury South Shropshire full day of activities for Lindon, Fri 31 Aug, The www.whatsonlive.co.uk TIME TRAVEL CRAFTS SUMMER FAMILY ACTIVI- all the family - including Back to Backs, Chance to explore TIES Fun family craft castle tours, short story Birmingham WARS OF THE ROSES tions including crafts, ancient and modern activity suitable for all telling, medieval games VW ACTION A day of all Travel back to 1455 and activities, trail and glass civilisations through ages, Wed 29 Aug, and castle crafts, Thurs things VW with racing, meet the knights, ladies blowing demonstra- various craft activities, Aston Hall, Birmingham 30 Aug, Ludlow Castle, RWYB, show’n’shine and soldiers of the 15th tions, Mon 27 Aug, Red Tues 28 - Thurs 30 Aug, CHILDREN’S CRAFT SES- South Shropshire and much more... Fri Century, Sun 26 - Mon House Glass Cone, Worcestershire County SIONS Make a bug or AN EVENING WITH PETER 31 Aug - Sun 2 Sep, 27 Aug, Avoncroft Stourbridge Museum bee pencil topper and STARR The motorcycle Santa Pod Raceway, Museum, Bromsgrove ANIMAL OLYMPICS TILE DECORATION learn about the mill’s film director gives an Northampton CELEBRATE - IT’S 1908 A Different events will be WORKSHOP Use the bees and how they pol- insight into his life and T-FEST Y Occupy, Voice celebration of the birth running throughout the tried and tested tube linate the crops, Wed career, Thurs 30 Aug, It and The Roses pres- of Lady Labouchere, day with all proceeds lining technique to pro- 29 Aug, Sarehole Mill, Coventry Transport ent a three day festival Sun 26 - Mon 27 Aug, going to The Brook duce a 6x6 inch tile of Birmingham Museum that’s packed with local Dudmaston Estate, donkey charity, Mon 27 your own design, Tue FEMTINOS Join in with BIRD FEEDER MAKING music, an independent Bridgnorth, Shropshire Aug, Hoo Farm Animal 28 - Fri 31 Aug, weekly team challenges WORKSHOP Wildlife- youth film festival and Kingdom, Telford, Jackfield Tile Museum, creating products for friendly activity for over numerous workshops, Shropshire Week Commencing Ironbridge, Shropshire the Femtino Aliens to fives. Combined with a Fri 31 Aug - Sun 2 Sep, BANK HOLIDAY FUN PLAY IN 2 DAYS Join an take back to the family focussed tour of The Roses Theatre, MON 27 AUG Brass band and tradi- experienced creative Femtino world, Wed 29 the ruins, Fri 31 Aug, Tewksbury tional bank holiday team to make your very Aug, The Public, West Weoley Castle, SHREWSBURY entertainment, Mon 27 own piece of original Bromwich Birmingham INTERNATIONAL STREET FAMILY FUN DAY Mon 27 Aug, Shugborough drama, Tue 28 - Wed 29 DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG RSPB NEST BOXES FESTIVAL Held on four Aug, Red House Glass Historic Working Estate, Aug, The Roses Public drift day, Wed 29 WORKSHOP Make a nest stage or circle areas in Cone, Stourbridge Staffordshire Theatre, Tewksbury Aug, Santa Pod box for your feathered and around the town SUMMER FAMILY FUN FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVITY MEDUSA MASKS Raceway, Northampton friends, Fri 31 Aug - centre, each hosting six DAY Promising a fun Drop-in family sessions, WORKSHOPS Tue 28 - Fri ALIEN ENCOUNTERS Sun 2 Sep, Trentham shows per day, per- day out for all the fami- Mon 27 Aug, Wightwick 31 Aug, The Potteries Featuring a variety of Monkey Forest, Stoke- formers are carefully ly, Mon 27 Aug, Walsall Manor, Wolverhampton Museum & Art Gallery, themed crafts and on-Trent selected from a world- Leather Museum SUMMER ART CAMP: DEN Stoke-on-Trent activities, Wed 29 Aug, BONNETS UP DAYS An wide roster by artistic EGYPTIAN MAKEOVER BUILDING Daily art camp LIFE AS A VICTORIAN Dudley Museum & Art opportunity for techni- director Bill Ferguson, Historical and special with activities including CHILD Have a go at tra- Gallery cally minded types to Fri 31 Aug - Sun 2 Sep, effects make-up artist den building and soft ditional Victorian child- GARMAN FLOWERS get under the bonnets Various Locations Julia Hyland will be on play, Mon 27 - Fri 31 hood games, take part WORKSHOP Make your of three of the Heritage around shrewsbury hand during various Aug, The Public, West in wash day and experi- own giant bloom of Motor Centre's cars, Fri CITY OF BIRMINGHAM time slots to give willing Bromwich ence a traditional poppies and delphini- 31 Aug, Heritage Motor CHAMPIONSHIP DOG visitors a makeover, PRINTED BOOKS Victorian school lesson, ums, Wed 29 - Thu 30 Centre, Gaydon, SHOW Fri 31 Aug - Sun Egyptian-style, Mon 27 WORKSHOP Create a Wed 29 - Thurs 30 Aug, Aug, The New Art Warwickshire 2 Sep, Stoneleigh Park, Aug, Birmingham handmade concertina Avoncroft Museum, Gallery, Walsall SUMMER AT SOHO Two Warwickshire Museum & Art Gallery book, then illustrate it Bromsgrove SALT DOUGH SCULPTURES hours of object-han- BIRTHDAY BASH A day of using mono-printing SUMMER WEDNESDAYS A Drop-in sessions where dling and costume family fun and celebra- and block printing tech- full day of activities for

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 73 Events August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 15:56 Page 21

Variety is the Life Of Spice..

Come out to play with a huge network of new friends. A warm welcome awaits you!

Wouldn’t you love to be invited to places you’ve always wanted to go. Get your FREE comprehensive join a thriving club of 3000 friends Events take place at locations information pack today call: in the West Midlands (and 15,000 across the West Midlands. Lots of our members are single and come 0121 353 6161 (24 hours) nationally!) who really know how along on there own, but we also email [email protected] to enjoy themselves? welcome couples and groups of or visit www.spicebham.com friends. There’s no hidden agenda Well here’s your chance. We’re a – we’re just one happy family of friendly, local action, adventure and friends. Members are all ages social group offering a wide variety (18–80!) and from all walks of life. of opportunities for our members to have fun together. The one unifying factor of anyone joining Spice is that they want to live There’s literally something for life to the full. everyone; be it the latest adrenaline pumping outdoor activities… Membership is equivalent to the weekends & holidays… sports nights… workshops on fascinating cost of just a pint of beer a week. subjects… or social nights including In fact, our money back promise So what will theatre, parties and ‘behind the means that satisfaction is you be doing scenes’ visits to all sorts of unusual guaranteed. tomorrow?

“It’s an opportunity to get to do lots of things you wouldn’t otherwise do Events August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 15:56 Page 22

What our members are up to in August 2012 Wednesday 1st August I National Dragon Boat Camping (Sat Night) I Badminton For Fun - Wolverhampton I National Dragon Boat Party I Badminton at NIA I Badminton For Fun - Coventry I Posh Picnic and Polo I Middleton Evening Ramble I Badminton For Fun - Wolverhampton I Studley Easy Ramble I Tamworth and Lichfield Pub Night Thursday 23rd August Sunday 12th August Thursday 2nd August I Curry and Quiz - Solihull I Get Inspired about your Life I Halesowen and Quinton Pub Night I Liverpool Social Weekend EXTRA NIGHT Friday 24th August I Speedway Evening I National Dragon Boat Racing .. I I I The Christians at the Jam House Trentham and Hanchurch Moderate Ramble Adrenaline Cocktail Weekend I Wine Tasting - Wines for Summer Drinking I Borrowdale August Bank Holiday Monday 13th August Walking Break Friday 3rd August I Dance Weekend - 2 nights I Badminton For Fun - Worcester I Dance Weekend - 3 nights I Cycle Camping in the Peak District I Preview Evening (Arden Hotel) I Edinburgh Festival Weekend TWO I Exmoor and North Devon Walking Weekend I Great Glen August Bank Holiday Sailing I Snowdonia Walking Weekend Tuesday 14th August I Llandudno Walking and Social W'end I North Cotswolds Luxury Walking Weekend Saturday 4th August I Colonial Pavilion Dining Experience I Pembrokeshire Coastal Walking Break I Solihull Pub Night I Sailing: Cross Channel/Channel Islands I Bourton on the Water + Slaughters Ramble Cruise from Guernsey I Cable Waterskiing and BBQ Wednesday 15th August I Spice Hits Town at the Jam House I Dogs Home Visit (Birmingham) I Spice National Murder Mystery + Disco W/e I Hockley Heath + Lapworth Easy Ramble I Badminton For Fun - Coventry I The Arabian Nights I Quad and Honda Pilot Racing I Badminton For Fun - Wolverhampton I Welsh Camping Long Weekend I Rally Driving Lesson I Gliding Evening at Needwood I Walk with Wolves - Bedford I Gliding Evening at Stratford Saturday 25th August

Sunday 5th August Thursday 16th August I Astwood Bank Easy Ramble I Night of Terror at Woodchester Mansion I Llama, Camel + Mule Trekking with Lunch I Curry and Quiz - Wolverhampton I Paddle the Peak Forest Canal I Milford Common Easy Ramble I Sailing Weekend in the Channel Islands I Pilates for Beginners on the Rooftop! I Severn Way Ramble I Unihoc (Mixed Indoor Hockey) I StageSide Dinner Shuffle I Steam Train to Stratford I Warwick / Leamington Pub Night I White Water Rafting I Stratford as you've never seen it before I Tank Battle Experience Friday 17th August Sunday 26th August

Monday 6th August I Penthouse Party at the Radisson I Balloon Flight I Serenity Weekend I Beginners Horse Trek I Badminton For Fun - Worcester I Subterranean Dudley Tour and Supper I Crown Green Bowling Afternoon I Olympics 2012 Break I Paddle Bridgnorth to Arley I Olympics Coach Transfer Saturday 18th August I Warwickshire Views Moderate Ramble

Tuesday 7th August I Barston + Hampton Easy Ramble + Lunch Monday 27th August I Battle Of The Proms at Ragley Hall I Ten Pin Bowling (Broadway Plaza) I Kayak River Adventure Day I Badminton For Fun - Worcester I Malverns South and Eastnor Ramble I Berkswell Easy Ramble Wednesday 8th August I RSC Behind The Scenes I Trick Horse Riding I Salisbury Discovery Day by Coach I Victorian Birmingham Walk and I Badminton For Fun - Coventry I Wing Walking Experience Afternoon Tea I Badminton For Fun - Wolverhampton I Warwick VIP Race Day with Meal and Tour I Badminton at NIA Sunday 19th August I Forhill Evening Ramble Wednesday 29th August I Sutton Pub Night I Kinver Edge Moderate Ramble I Leamington Spa Town Walk I Badminton For Fun - Coventry Thursday 9th August I Ludlow and Richards Castle Ramble I Badminton For Fun - Wolverhampton I Patterdale Lake District Walking Week I Quiz I Boathouse at Bracebridge I Sheep Dog Experience I Stand Up Paddle Boarding I Pub Olympics I Sunday Lunch on Severn Valley Railway I Sailing: Cross Channel / Channel Islands I The Big Abseil - 200 Feet Straight Down Thursday 30th August Cruise from Gosport I Wildflower Wander I World's Wackiest Racers I Mystery Dim Sum Cantonese Dinner Shuffle Friday 10th August Monday 20th August Friday 31st August I Edinburgh Festival Weekend One I Liverpool Social Weekend I Badminton For Fun - Worcester I Krazy Kamping Weekend I National Dragon Boat Camping (Fri Night) I Bromsgrove Pub Night I Medieval Weekend with Robin Hood Theme I Surfing Weekend - Croyde Bay, Devon I Outdoor Digital Photography Weekend I Timberlodge Weekend in Yorkshire Tuesday 21st August I Rome Long Weekend I Sailing Weekend around the Solent Saturday 11th August I Cafe Ceramica Experience I Kings Heath Pub Night I Bird of Prey Photography Experience I Charity Easy Cycling Tour of Sutton Park Wednesday 22nd August I Gorge Walking Adventure For future listings visit: I Hovercraft Racing I Badminton For Fun - Coventry www.spicebham.com

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76 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Clubbing Gay - August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 17:23 Page 1 Clubbing

BIRMINGHAM AIR Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, B9 4AL. Tel: 0121 766 6646 BAMBU Kottwall House, Wrottesley Street, B5 4BN Tel: 0121 6224124 BUSHWACKERS 103 Edmund St, B3 2HZ Tel: 0121 236 4994 FLARES NIGHTCLUB 55 Broad St, B15 1AY Tel: 0121 252 3100 GATECRASHER 183 Broad St, B15 1DA Tel: 0121 525 1300 02 ACADEMY 16-18 Horsefair, Bristol St, B1 1DB Tel: 0121 622 8250 REFLEX 36-37 Broad St, B1 2DY Tel: 0121 643 0444 SNOBS NIGHTCLUB 29 Paradise Circus, Queensway, B1 2BJ Tel: 0121 643 5551 BLACK COUNTRY OCEANA WOLVERHAMPTON Bilston Rd, Wolverhampton Tel: 0845 402 5290 SHROPSHIRE C:21 NIGHTCLUB 21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE Tel: 01743 271821 BUTTERMARKET Howard Street, Shrewsbury Tel: 01743 281712 VELVET 13 Castle Foregate, Shrewsbury SY1 2DJ Tel: 01743 281712 FEVER 19 - 21 Hills Lane, Shrewsbury SY1 1QU Tel: 01743 247508 THE OFFICE 27a Market Street, Oakengates TF2 6EN Tel:01952 616536 Ibiza carnival heading for Birmingham Gatecrasher, Birmingham, Sat 25 August PUSSYCATS NIGHT CLUB 17 Tan Bank, Wellington, TF2 6EJ Tel: 01952 224260 An exciting line-up of entertainment has been announced for The Nightingale in Birmingham. British SPIRIT NIGHTCLUB 18 Abbey Foregate, pop/rock foursome Lawson are certain to set hearts aflutter when they appear at the venue on the Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE Tel: 01743 355055 4th, as will Fame Academy finalist and soul singer Lemar on the 11th. A DJ set from Duncan and Simon from Blue should be an interesting affair on the 18th, while a noteable act worth a look is STAFFORDSHIRE Amanda Wilson from Freemasons, who’ll appear at the venue on the 25th. COURTURE & NOIRE ET BLANC 139 Newport Rd, Stafford, ST16 2EZ Tel: 01785 244755 LIQUID Brunswick St, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 Lawson to perform at The Gale GAY NIGHTCLUBS 1DR Tel: 01782 284333 The Nightingale Club, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM REFLEX 3-5 Brockley Square, Stoke-on- CLUB CHIC 28 Horsefair, B1 1DD. Trent ST1 5LY Tel: 01782 206170 An exciting line-up of entertainment has been announced for Tel: 0121 666 6808 The Nightingale in Birmingham. British pop/rock foursome TRINITY NIGHTCLUB Spinning School THE CORE Sherlock Street, B5 6NB Lane, Tamworth,ST1 1DR Tel: 01827 58772 Lawson are certain to set hearts aflutter when they appear at Tel: 0121 622 2797 the venue on the 4th, as will Fame Academy finalist and soul THE NIGHTINGALE Kent St, B5 6RD WARWICKSHIRE singer Lemar on the 11th. A DJ set from Duncan and Simon Tel: 0121 622 1718 from Blue should be an interesting affair on the 18th, while a THE VILLAGE INN & UNDERGROUND CAREYS NIGHTCLUB Hereford Place, 152 Hurst St, B5 6RY Tel: 0121 622 4742 Coventry CV1 3JZ Tel: 02476 227 397 noteable act worth a look is Amanda Wilson from Freemasons, who’ll appear at the venue on the 25th. EVOLVE NIGHTCLUB 2 Spencer Street, BLACK COUNTRY Leamington Spa, Coventry CV31 3NF Tel: THE LION Birchills St, Walsall, WS2 8NG 01926 881449 Tel: 01922 610977 GORGEOUS Salop St Wolverhampton, JJ’S Skydome Leisure Park, Croft Rd, WV3 0SR Tel: 0844 357 8570 Coventry CV1 3AZ. Tel: 02476 555913 LIQUID & ENVY Leicester Road, SHROPSHIRE Nuneaton CV11 4B. Tel: 02476 344216 C21 18-21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. SY2 6AE Tel: 01743 271821 (MON ONLY) REFLEX Church St, Nuneaton, CV11 4BW Tel: 02476 344216 SPIRIT 22 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE Tel: 01743 355055 (MON ONLY) WORCESTERSHIRE STAFFORDSHIRE BUSHWACKERS Trinity St, Worcester THE FACTORY Bryan St, Hanley, Stoke- WR1 2PW Tel: 01905 26878 On-Trent, ST1 2AA Tel: 01782 478799 TRAMPS Angel Place, Worcester WR1 WARWICKSHIRE 3QN Tel: 019905 26936 RAINBOWS Short St, Coventry CV1. VELVET LOUNGE Angel Place, Worcester Tel: 02476 551738 WR1 3QN. Tel: 01905 619966 WORCESTERSHIRE VELVET CLUB Angel Row, Worcester, WR1 3QN Tel: 01905 20218

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 77 Books-TV August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 11:26 Page 1 Books TV

Amy, My Daughter By Mitch Winehouse Marking the first anniversary of the death of Amy Winehouse, one of the most talented female musicians to come out of the UK, Mitch Winehouse’s official biography promises to reveal the truth behind the headlines. Never-before-seen pictures of the Back To Black singer, together with personal notes and drawings, support this candid account of Amy’s short life. Chronicling her twenty-seven years - from her days as a mischief-making child through to her rise to stardom and her subsequent struggle with addiction - Amy, My Daughter is a The Killing director to make his UK debut definitive book on an iconic figure A new crime drama filmed on the streets of Nottingham is to be who’s left a musical legacy that will screened on BBC2 this month. Murder is co-created by Robert entertain audiences for many years to come. All proceeds from sales of Jones and Kath Mattock - the team behind the award-winning the biography will be donated to the Amy Winehouse Foundation. Channel Four series Buried - and will see acclaimed Danish director Birger Larsen (The Killing) make his UK debut. Telling the fictional story of Erin, a young woman brutally killed inside The Rolling Stones 50 the flat that she shares will her sister, Murder revisits the missing By Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, moments in an attempt to uncover the truth. Speaking about his Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood UK directorial debut, Birger said: “I can say without exaggera- tion that it was the best script I have seen since The Killing. I On Thursday 12 July 1962, The was attracted to the fact that it’s written in such a way that the Rolling Stones made their rock’n’roll actors talk direct to camera. It feels original and intimate. You’re debut at the Marquee Club in drawn into their world - you see it through their eyes.” London’s Oxford Street. The gig was the first of thousands that the Stones would play around the globe as they New satirical series for BBC Three became and then remained one of the The producers of the award-winning Have I Got News For You world’s greatest rock bands. Half a are to bring a new-format satirical series to TV screens this century later, the ‘boys’ are celebrat- month. The Revolution Will Be Televised features comedian ing their successes with this unique Heydon Prowse and collaborator Jolyon Rubinstein, and has book. Curated, introduced and narrat- already grabbed the headlines with some of its stunts. ed by the band themselves, The Described as ‘Trigger Happy TV meets Newsnight’, the six- Rolling Stones 50 is the only officially authorised book to celebrate the episode thirty-minute series uses a combination of covert and half-century milestone. Featuring more than one thousand illustrations, overt filming and promises to bring corruption, greed and reportage photography, contact sheets, negative strips and much more, it hypocrisy to the fore. Producer Richard Wilson said of the chronicles every period in the band’s history. much-anticipated new show: “If the number of people who have threatened to punch them is translated into viewers, we’ll have a hit on our hands.” Love Is The Cure: On Life, Loss And The End Of Aids TOP 5 Return of the Black Mirror By Sir Elton John BOOKS Channel Four has announced that it’s commissioned another The internationally acclaimed and multi- three sixty-minute programmes of the award-winning Black award-winning artist has dedicated much Mirror. Penned by Charlie Brooker, the first series received wide- of the past twenty years to the raising of Fifty Shades Of Grey spread critical acclaim when it aired in the UK in December funds to fight AIDS worldwide, and this 1 EL James 2011. Commenting on the new series, C4’s Head of Comedy book offers a candid account of his life said: “Black Mirror is a rare modern look at where society and individuals could be headed given the all-pervasive deluge of during that time. By recounting the per- Fifty Shades Darker sonal stories of those closest to him social media and tech- who’ve been taken 2 EL James nology. Charlie Brooker by the disease - exudes that same pio- Freddy Mercury and Fifty Shades Freed neering spirit of Dennis Ryan White amongst 3 EL James Potter and Chris Morris them - Sir Elton con- with their daring, com- veys a sense of the Fallen plex, compelling origi- personal toll which 4 Karin Slaughter nality." Filming on Black HIV has taken on his Mirror begins this life, and his unwaver- Flash And Bones month, with the new ing determination to 5 Kathy Reichs series being screened help stop its spread. in 2013.

78 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Eating Out August_Layout 1 23/07/2012 17:29 Page 1 Eating Out Five Rivers win Hello Curry! Five Rivers A La Carte was recently declared overall winner of Birmingham Airport’s Hello Curry competition, which took place in the city’s Brindleyplace on 13 July. The winning dish, a creamy Saag Punjabi, ticked all the right boxes with all the four judges. Described as ‘a simple dish that was beautifully presented with a perfect balance of heat and spice’, it was also said to have ‘all the right ingredients to represent Birmingham around the world’. Praising the standard of all the finalists, Jo Lloyd, Marketing Director at Birmingham Airport, said: “The standard throughout the entire process has been extremely high, bringing the very best out of Birmingham.”

Bellisimo Fumo REVIEW lounge serves small dishes asparagus, mint and butter of Venetian tapas known was a big hit, as was the as Cicchetti (pronounced seabass ravioli, which was The Five Rivers Team with Jo Lloyd from Birmingham Airport On a warm summer chi-KET-tee). Venetian light and full of flavour. I evening, we dined at Fumo tapas?! Now that’s some- didn’t want to come to an - a new concept cocktail Selfridges welcomes a taste of thing which is definitely Italian restaurant and have bar and restaurant owned new to Birmingham! the pizza and pasta, so I India to The Bullring... by the San Carlo Group. We had a window seat in had just one mouthful of One of Birmingham’s highly acclaimed fine din- To be honest, I didn’t think the far corner, with a good calzone, to ensure I had ing restaurants has opened a new eatery in the Birmingham needed a new view of another luxurious enough room for the city’s Bullring. Itihaas Brasserie in Selfridges food Italian restaurant; there European brand, Louis carne. And I’m so glad I hall offers cuisine inspired by rich and aromatic seems to be a plethora of Vuitton. I can just imagine did, as this was another North-western Indian flavours, and gives cus- average Italians every- Italian footie player Mario firm favourite - a tender tomers the chance to taste award-winning Indian where, and I didn’t expect Balotelli spending his days joint of lamb osso bucco, food. Favourites on the menu include chicken Fumo to be much different. in there, and spending his served in a roasting bag samosa and gol guppa, both of which are known How wrong I was! nights in Fumo! I gladly that captured all the flavour for their bold flavours and light texture. Nestled on the corner of accepted the suggested and made it ever so ten- Waterloo Street and appertivo, Bellini der. Temple Street, it oozes Veneziana, offered by the In a short space of time, Revamp for Birmingham eatery Italian class without trying good-looking Italian bar Fumo has quickly become One of Birmingham’s longest established restau- too hard, in a very Dolce & man - although I had to one of the best restaurants rants re-opens its doors to the public this month Gabbana kind of way. resist the urge to say Ciao in Birmingham. It’s chic following a major refurbishment. Jimmy Spices in Greeted by a charming and Bella. and it’s classy, and in the Regency Wharf has doubled in size to become doorman, we went upstairs After sharing a variety of week that Madonna came the city’s largest restaurant. The new five hun- to the bar area. tasty bruschetta, the real to town, Fumo very much dred-seater eatery boasts a menu that features a Curvaceous and with taste test began. All the confirmed that ‘Italians do fusion of flavours and includes cuisine from Italy, ample seating, the bar was dishes we ordered arrived it better’. Anita Champaneri Mexico, Japan, China, Thailand and India. buzzing with life, a sense quickly and were, on the of excitement hanging in whole, fantastico. We start- Food: IIII I Palwinder Uppal, Sash Duggal and Baba the air. If this is what bar Niroshan Lye ed with some fritti - fried Service: IIII I life is like in Italy, then I zuccini (courgette) stem, Ambience: IIIII need to be saying which was perfectly IIII I Arrivederci Birmingham Overall value cooked - and then some IIII I and Ciao Venezia very OVERALL calamari, which was thin soon! and lightly fried, delicately I did wonder why Fumo Fumo seasoned and on the right was situated directly next 1 Waterloo Street side of chewy. We couldn’t to San Carlo; surely they Birmingham get enough of it. were offering the same B2 5PG On to the pesce; the thing? No. Fumo’s late Tel: 0121 643 8979 lemon sole fillet with

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Restaurant REVIEWS Restaurant LISTINGS For full listing information on A fusion of flavours with restaurants, including opening times and type of cuisine, visit: colonial styling... www.whatsonlive.co.uk Raffles in Kenilworth, Britain’s first colonial restaurant, offers the slightly more adventur- THE CHAMELEON Birmingham 1 Victoria Square, B1 ous foodie the chance to sample three dif- 1BD ferent cuisines: Malaysian Malays, Mandarin 0121 643 2233 Chinese and Tamil Indians. And with its ball- AALTO RESTAURANT Hotel La Tour, Albert CHEZ JULES 5a Ethel room-like setting, complete with chandeliers Street, Birmingham B5 St, B2 4BG 0121 633 and white tablecloths, the ambience is of 5JT 0121 718 8000 4664 understated elegance. AL FRASH 186 CHI 61 Newhall St, B3 After a refreshing Singapore Sling, my din- Ladypool Road, 3RB 0121 233 3150 ing partner and I were talked through the Sparkbrook, B12 8JS CHUNG YING 16-18 0121 753 3120 slightly bewildering menu by our knowl- Wrottersley Street, B5 edgeable and amiable waiter, who explained THE ASQUITH 11 4RT 0121 622 5669 Newhall Street, CHUNG YING that it was absolutely fine to mix and match Birmingham, B3 3NY GARDEN 17 Thorpe St, courses from the three different cuisines on let served with cream. Without drinks, dinner 0121 200 1588 B5 4AT 0121 666 6622 offer. will set you back £17.50 per person for two ASHA’S 12-22 Newhall CITY CAFE GRILL I started with a Curry Puff, a chicken and courses, £23.50 for three, and £27.50 for Street, B3 3LX 0121 200 four. Or, if you fancy something really spe- Hylton Garden Inn, potato pastry, which was perhaps a little dry, 2767 1 Brunswick Square, whilst my friend enjoyed Poh Pia, a tasty cial, go for the full Raffles experience at AZZARI TOO 204 Brindleyplace, B1 2HW variation on a spring roll served with a £39.50. Vegetarian options are available for Lightwoods Rd, B67 5AZ 0121 643 1003 0121 429 6621 piquant sauce. My second course, Kupang some dishes, but I sense that Raffles is best CIELO 6 Oozells BANK 4 Brindleyplace, Kelapa - mussels with lemon grass, thai appreciated if you like your meat or fish. Square, Brindleyplace, B1 2JB 0121 633 4466 B1 2JB 0121 632 6882 basil, chillis and coconut juice - was much If you’re looking for good food, and a slight- BAR EPERNAY 171- more to my taste. Simply delicious! Laksa ly different dining experience, then Raffles is COFFEE ROOM BAR a place to head for. Jack Rolfe 172 Wharfside Street, & BISTRO Hurst St, B5 Lemak, a fiery yet well-balanced dish of The Mailbox, B1 1RL 4TD 0121 605 4343 Shanghai noodles with chicken, prawns and 0121 632 1430 Food: IIII I COTE The Mailbox, B1 various other goodies served in a spicy BAR ESTILO 10-114 1RX 0121 631 1587 Service: IIII I Wharfside St, The coconut curry soup, proved a hit with my RABBEAN 17 Thorp Ambience: IIII I Mailbox, B11RF friend. 0121 643 3443 Street, B5 4AT For mains, I chose Hainanese Nasi Ayam - Overall value IIII I 0121 622 5573 IIII I BARNT GREEN INN roast chicken with rice, served with three dif- OVERALL Kendal End Rd, Rednal CUCINA RUSTICA 24 ferent sauces (chilli, soya and fresh ginger), B45 8PZ 0121 445 4949 Ludgate Hill, B3 1DX which created a beautiful mix of flavours. Raffles Restaurant BARAJEE 265 Broad 0121 233 2277 Approving murmurs came from across the Grand Hotel St, B1 2DS DEOLALI BAR table for the Rendang Daging, a tender beef 95 - 97 Warwick Rd 0121 643 6700 RESTAURANT BELLA ITALIA 102 New 23A St Mary's Row, dish in a rich aromatic sauce. Kenilworth Moseley B13 8HW At this stage, my partner couldn’t face a Warwickshire St, B2 4HQ 0121 6431548 0121 442 2222 CV8 1HP pudding, but I’m always up for something DEL VILLAGGIO Tel : 01926 863100 THE BERLOIZ sweet, so sampled a tangy blackcurrant tart- Burlington Arcade, Unit 528, Middle Mall New St, B2 4JQ The Bullring B5 4BE 0121 633 1737 0121 643 1400 offer! More popular ones, catering for the BLUE MANGO DUET CUISINE Unit 1, Fort Dunlop Family-friendly restaurant untrained English tastebuds, sat alongside Regency Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS B24 9FD. 0121 748 various herb-flavoured offerings and numer- 0121 633 4422 1234 well worth a visit... ous hot’n’firey dishes. Every single one was BLUE GINGER 32 EDMUNDS 6 Brindley A quintessentially English grade 2 listed flavoursome, interesting, subtle and thor- Poplar Road, Kings place, B1 2 JB 0121 building seems a somewhat curious place in oughly enjoyable. Heath, B14 7AD 633 4944 0121 444 0999 which to find a traditional Persian restaurant, Dr Haider, a practising surgeon for twenty- HARJEES SPICES and yet just such an intriguing combination one years and head chef no less, was on BLUU Fleet St, Summer 512 Stratford Road, Row, B3 1JH Sparkhill, Birmingham, can be found in the country village of hand with his lovely wife and team to talk about the food, say hello to each and every 0121 236 9013 B11 4AH Dorrington, ten minutes outside Shrewsbury. 0121 773 6130 one of his customers, and generally educate BUONISSIMO 1 Albany There’s been a real buzz about this restau- Rd, Harborne, B17 9JX us all about the unusual Persian flavours. THE HORSESHOE rant for some time around Shropshire, so we 0121 426 2444 BAR & RESTAURANT Overall, if you’re a vegetarian who’s sick to thought we’d see what all the fuss was BRANDED BULL 1214 Stratford Road, about... the back teeth of eating risotto every time STEAKHOUSE B28 9BH 0121 777 2340 With the smell outside the venue transport- you go out for a meal, or if you’re a lover of 175 Broad Street, B15 ITIHAAS 18 Fleet St, 1DT. 0121 643 5968 ing you to a spice market deep in the back- Middle Eastern food, or if you’re simply curi- B3 1JL 0121 212 3383 streets of a Middle Eastern village, we knew ous and eager to find a new haunt, as we BYZANTIUM 11 York JAMIES ITALIAN Road, Kings Heath, B14 we were onto a winner even before we’d were, Dorrington Old Hall is well worth a Middle Mall 7SA 0121 444 5444 Bullring Shopping entered the place! When we did so, we dis- visit. It’s a family-friendly restaurant, and you won’t find cuisine quite like it anywhere else CAFE IKON 1 Oozells Centre, B5 4BE covered that the restaurant was absolutely Square, Brindleyplace, 0121 270 3610 in Shropshire. Jess Matthews packed, with groups of diners passing plates B1 2HS 0121 248 3226 THE JUNCTION and pickles to each other over their giant Food: IIII I CAFE ROUGE 212 High Street, stone-baked flat breads. Brindleyplace, Broad Harborne, B17 9PT Service: IIIII Before we began our meal, we were brought Street, B1 2HJ 0121 643 0121 428 2635 IIII I 6556 a small mezze of olives, hummous and an Ambience: JUJU’S IIII I aubergine & cumin seed dip. Following that, Overall value CAFE SOYA Unit 2, Canal Square, B16 8EH OVERALL IIII I Upper Dean Street B5 0121 456 3384 diners can choose either from the a la carte 4SG 0121 622 3888 menu or opt for the ‘banquet’, which allows JIMMY SPICES Dorrington Old Hall Persian Cuisine CARLUCCIO’S Regency Wharf, Broad you to sample the most popular dishes on Main Rd The Water’s Edge St, B1 2DS 0121643 the a la carte. The menu boasts an array of Brindleyplace B1 2HP Dorrington 2111 meat, poultry, fish and vegetarian dishes, 0121 633 9262 Shropshire JIMMY SPICES 64-66 with side orders of clove-infused basmati or CELEBRITY INDIAN SY5 7JD Station Rd, Solihull, cous cous to compliment the meal. I’m 44 Broad St, B1 2HP B91 3RX 0121 709 01743 719100 0121 643 8969 pleased to say we tried every single dish on 2111

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KINNAREE THAI PUSHKAR 245 Broad 22 Waterfront Walk, B1 St, B1 2HQ. 0121 643 1SN. 0121 665 6568 7978 LA BASTILLE 220 THE RECTORY 50-54 Corporation St, B4 6QB St Paul’s Sq, B3 1QS 0121 236 1171 0121 605 1001 LASAN 3-4 Dakota RED PEPPERS 117 Buildings James St, St Wharfside St, B1 1RF Paul’s Square, B3 1SD 0121 643 4202 0121 212 3664 ROSE MURREE 94 -96 LAS IGUANAS Hagley Rd, Edgbaston, Arcadian Centre, Hurst B16 8LU 0121 456 4500 St, B5 4TD 0121 622 SABAI SABAI 25 4466 Woodbridge Rd, LA TASCA Regency Moseley, B13 8EH Wharf, B1 2DS 0121 0121 4494498 643 9888 SAFFRON 909 THE LOFT LOUNGE Wolverhampton Road, 143 Bromsgrove St, Oldbury B69 4RR B5 6RG 0121 622 2444 0121 552 1752 LOVES The SAN CARLO 4 Temple Glasshouse, Browning St, B2 5BN 0121 633 St, B16 8FL 0121 454 0251 5151 SHAH’S Unit 16, 1160 MANIC ORGANIC Warwick Road, Acocks 46 Poplar Road, B14 Green B27 6BP. 0121 7AG 0121 441 3802 707 8297 MAHARAJA 23/25 SHIMLA PINKS Hurst St, B5 4AS 215 Broad St, B15 1AY Aalto, Birmingham 0121 622 2641 0121 633 0366 MECHU 47 - 59 SHOGUN 01562 883040 BUTLERS Park St, THE INN AT Summer Row, B3 1JJ TEPPANYAKI The Black Country Shifnal, TF11 9BA GRINSHILL The High 0121 212 1661 Mailbox, 27 - 29 GOLDEN MOMENTS 2-3 Ablewell St, Walsall 01952 460662 Street, Grinshill, Wharfside St, B1 1RD BELLA 82 Chapel Ash, METRO BAR 7 GRILL WS1 2EQ 01922 CASA NARANJO Shrewsbury, SY4 3BL 0121 632 1253 Wolverhampton, 01902 73 Cornwall St, B3 2 DF 640363 Barracks Passage, 01939 220410 0121 200 1911 SIMPSONS, 20 427555 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury THE HAYWARDS at Highfield Rd, KAMRAN BALTI’S 34 MILLER & CARTER BILASH 2 Cheapside, SY1 01743 588165 The Lion Hotel, Wyle Edgbaston B13 3DU High Street, Lye, Stour- 178-180 Wharfside St, Wolverhampton, WV1 Cop, Shrewsbury SY1 The Mailbox, B1 1RN 0121 454 3434 1TU 01902 427762 bridge DY9 8LF CASA RUIZ 45 High Street, Bridgnorth, 1UY 0121 643 7738 SPICE EXCHANGE, 01384 893030 THE BLUE BRICK WV16 4DX 01746 218 01743 353107 1845 Pershore Rd Broad Gauge Way, MADE IN THAI MINT Yew Tree Retail 084 KING & THAI Avenue Kings Norton, B30 3DJ Wolverhampton WV1 Darlington St, Park, Stoney Lane Rd, Broseley, Telford Yardley, B25 8YP 0121 451 1007 1AA 01902 875301 Wolverhampton WV1 CHEZ MAW Best Western Valley Hotel, TF12 5DL 01952 Tel: 0121 789 8908 STRADA 109-111 BRAVACCIOUS 4HW 01902 312512 Buildwas Rd, 882004 MIRAGE FUSION Wharfside St, The 4 Upper Green, MALABAR 7 Anchor Ironbridge, TF8 7DW LA BÉCASSE 17 Corve Broadway Casino, Mailbox B1 1XL Wolverhampton WV6 Rd, Walsall WS9 8PT 01952 432247 St, Ludlow, SY8 1DA Broadway Plaza 0121 643 7279 8QQ 01902 756052 01922 944 482 CROMWELLS 11 01584 872 325 Ladywood Middleway, SYRIANA CAFE CHAMPAGNE THE PIE FACTORY 50 Dogpole, Shrewsbury B16 8LP. 0121 456 5557 1 Constitution Hill, B19 253-255 Bilston Road, Hurst Lane, Tipton DY4 LA DOLCE VITA 35 SY1 1EN MOUNT FUJI The 3LG 0121 2369444 Wolverhampton WV2 9AB 0121 557 1402 Hills Lane, Shrewsbury 2JN 01902 458024 01743 361440 SY1 1QU 01743 249126 Bullring, B5 4BH THAI EDGE 7 Oozells RED FORT Fold St, 0121 633 9853 Sq, B1 2HL 0121 643 CATELLANI’S 6 School THE COTTAGE Tern LA LANTERNA Wolverhampton, WV1 Hill, Market Drayton OLD SPECKLED HEN 3993 St, Wolverhampton, WV1 The Old Vestry, St 4LP 01902 424440 TF9 3PX 01630 638984 Mere Green Road, TIN TIN CANTONESE, 4LR 01902 428928 Julian's Church, RISTORANTE Sutton Coldfield. B75 The Waters Edge, THE COWSHED DA VINCI’S 26 High St, Shrewsbury SY1 1UH ROMAGNA 4 Upper 5BL 0121 308 9410 Brindleyplace, B1 2HL Clive Farm Clive Rd, Ironbridge, TF8 7AD 01743 233552 Green, Tettenhall, LION & PHEASANT OLD JOINTSTOCK 0121 633 0888 Pattingham, WV6 7EN 01952 432250 01902 701888 Wolverhampton WV6 50 Wyle Cop PUB 4 Temple Row, B2 THE VAULTS Newhall 8QQ 01902 756052 DRAPERS 10 St Mary’s 5NY 0121 200 1892 Place, Newhall Hill, B1 CINNAMON COURT St Shrewsbury, SY1 Shrewsbury SY1 1XJ THE SPRINGHILL 01743 770345 OPUS 54 Cornwall St, 3JH 0121 212 9837 Bentley Mill Way, Walsall 1DZ 01743 344679 WS2 0BP Warstones Rd, Penn, B3 2DE 0121 200 2323 VMF - ASTON VILLA FENNELS 8 Market MAD JACKS 15 St 0121 568 6664 Wolverhampton WV4 FOOTBALL CLUB Villa Place, Shifnall TF11 Mary’s St, Shrewsbury, THE ORIENTAL The 4LB 01902 342530 SY1 1EQ 01743 358870 Mailbox, 128-130 Park, Trinity Rd, B6 THE DITCH 1 Town Hill, 9AZ 01952 463020 Walsall, WS1 2EU 01922 SIMON’S 520 Chester Wharfside St, B1 1RQ 6HE 0121 326 1570 THE MALTHOUSE 643215 Rd, Aldridge, Walsall, THE FEATHERS 0121 633 9988 ULYSSES 42a Bristol Brockton, Much The Wharfage, FARADAYS The WS9 0PU 0121 580 Ironbridge TF8 7NH. PASTA DE PIAZZA 11 Street, B5 7AA 0121 Wenlock TF13 6JR Waterfront, Brierley Hill, 9293 01902 433712 Brook Street, St Paul’s 622 3159 01746 785202 Dudley, DY5 1UR Square, B3 1SA THE WAREHOUSE THE SUMMERHOUSE THE MEADOW INN 01384 482 882 92 Gospel End Rd, THE FOX INN 46 High 0121 236 5858 CAFE 54-57 Allison St, Much Wenlock TF13 Buildwas Road, THE FAIRLAWNS AT Dudley DY3 4AN 01902 PEACHY KEENS 1741 Street, Digbeth, B5 6AD 01952 727292 Ironbridge TF8 7BJ 5TH ALDRIDGE 178 Little 676 102 01952 433193 Coventry Road, Yardley FRANK CAFE BAR 0121 633 0261 Aston Road, Aldridge, THORNESCROFT B26 1DS. 0121 764 165-167 Frankwell, MINH’S CHINESE Walsall WS9 0NU 01922 Bridgnorth Rd, 5519 WING WAH 278 Shrewsbury SY3 8LG 20 Bradford St, Shifnal 455122 Wolverhampton, WV6 PENNY BLACKS The Thimblemill Lane, B7 01743 354422 TF11 8AU 01952 5HD 0121 327 7879 FIVE RIVERS Vicarage 7EQ 01902 700 253 463323 Mailbox,132-134 Place, Walsall WS1 3NA THE GOLDEN CROSS Wharfside St, B1 1XL WOKTASTIC Paradise THE WOODMAN 01922 646164 14 Princess St, MR UNDERHILLS 0121 632 1460 Place, B3 3HJ 0121 Claverley, Staffordshire, Shrewsbury, SY1 1LP Dinham Weir, Ludlow 236 3130 FOUR STONES Wolverhampton WV5 PICCOLINO 9 Adam’s Hill,Clint, 01743 362507 Shropshire SY8 1EH Brindleyplace, B1 2HS WONGS 5-11 Fleet St, 7DG 01746 710 553 01584 874431 Stourbridge, DY9 9PS THE GOLDEN 0121 634 3055 B3 1JP 0121 212 1888 01562 883260 MOMENTS 50 Broad MORGANS PONTE DI LEGNO 44- YO! SUSHI Bullring, FRANZLS 151 Milcote St, Ludlow SY8 1NH 1 Bellstone,Shrewsbury 44a Woodbridge Rd, Birmingham B5 4BP. Rd, Smethwick, B67 5BN Shropshire Tel:01584 878488 SY1 1HU 01743 239114 Moseley, B13 8EJ 0121 600 6712 0121 429 7920 THE MYTTON & 0121 449 8064 GRANARY BAR & ZIZZI 183 High St, FRENCH AFTAB 25 High St, GRILL Weston Park, MERMAID PUNJABI HAVELI 1558 Harborne B17 9QE CONNECTION Ironbridge TF8 7AD Weston-under-Lizard, Atcham, Shrewsbury, Stratford Rd, Hall 0121 428 4228 also at 3 Coventry St, 01952 432055 Nr Shifnal, TF11 8LE SY5 6QG 01743 Green, B28 9HA The Mailbox B1 1RL Stourbridge DY8 1EP ALBRIGHT HUSSEY 01952 852107 761220 0121 745 3636 0121 632 1333. 01384 390940 10 Poplar Rd, Solihull, Ellesmere Rd, HADLEY PARK THE OLD ORLETON PURNELL’S 55 FRENCH HEN Shrewsbury, SY4 3AF HOUSE Hadley Park, INN Holyhead Rd, Cornwall St, B3 2DH. B91 3AB 0121 704 Bromsgrove Rd, Clent, 01939 290 523 Telford TF1 6QJ Wellington, TF1 2HA 0121 212 9799 5030 Stourbridge DY9 9PY 01952 677269 01952 255011

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CARLUCCIOS 13 Waterside, Stratford- Restaurant LISTINGS Upon-Avon CV37 6BA 01789 267424 LA DOLCE VITA 19 CASTLE BALTI 11-13 Stafford St, Stone ST15 THE OLD RECTORY St. Johns, Warwick 8QW 01785 817 985 HOTEL & CV34 4NE 01926 RESTAURANT Lowe LODGE BALTI 71 493007 Hill Road, Wem, Birmingham Road, Shropshire SY4 5UA Lichfield WS14 0LQ CATALAN 6 Jury St , 01939 233233 01543 483334 Warwick CV34 4EW 01926 498 930 PARKWAY Unit 6 Corve MALABAR 1-2 Water St, Ludlow SY8 2PG Street, Stafford, ST16 THE CHURCH 01584 873 130 2AG 01785 227 500/600 STREET TOWN- HOUSE THE PEACH TREE 21 MARLOES 13 London 16 Church Street, Abbey Foregate, Road, Newcastle under Stratford-upon-Avon Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE Lyme, ST4 1LQ 01782 CV37 6HB 01789 01743 355055 661983 262222 THE POUND AT LEE- THE MILL 1 Mill St, BOTWOOD Stone, ST15 8BA 01785 EGO 29 The Square, Leebotwood, Nr Church 818456 Kenilworth, CV8 1EF Stretton SY6 6ND THE NAVIGATION INN 01926 864463 01694 751477 Newport Road, Gnosall, FIVE RIVERS 20-22 Stafford ST20 0BN Victoria Terrace, RENAISSANCE, 29a Leamington Spa, Princess 01785 822327 CV31 3AB 01926 St,Shrewsbury, SY11LW OLD VICARAGE 2 Main 431999 01743 354289 St, Branston, Burton, ROMOLO Victoria DE14 3EX GEORGETOWN Avenue, shrewsbury 01283 533222 23 Sheep St, Stratford- Upon-Avon, CV37 6EF SY1 1HH 01743 233244 PASTICHE BISTRO La Dolce Vita, Shrewsbury 01789 204445 ROYAL BENGAL 1 - 2 Mill Street, Stafford, TANDOORI 32-34 The ST16 2AJ 01782 263 THE GRANVILLE ROOFTOP THE BEAR AND MUG HOUSE Claines Broadway, Shifnal TF11 737 52, Wellesbourne Rd, RESTAURANT RAGGED STAFF Station Lane, Worcester WR3 8AZ 01952 460522 THE PEARL18 Market Barford, CV35 8DS Royal Shakespeare Rd, Worcester WR6 5JH 7RN 01905 456649 01886 833399 St, Kidsgrove, ST7 4AB 01926 624236 Theatre, Waterside, OLD RECTIFYING SARACENS Stratford-upon-Avon, Shrewsbury Rd, SY4 01782 788887 THE LORD LEYCES- BINDLES 55 Sidbury, HOUSE North Parade, CV37 6BB Worcester WR1 2HU 4AG 01939 210877 THE PEAR TREE TER 17-19 Jury St, Worcester WR1 3NN 01789 403449 01905 611120 01905 619622 SEBASTIANS 45 Swinfen, Nr. Lichfield, Warwick, CV34 4EJ SAFFRON GOLD BRAMBLINGS Hither Willow St, Oswestry WS14 9QR 01543 01926 491481 THE OLD RECTORY 481807 Market St, Westgate Green Lane, Redditch, Ipsley, Redditch, B98 SY11 1AQ 01691 MERCHANTS Swan House, Warwick CV34 B98 9BE 01527 406600 PORTOFINO 38-40 0AP 01527 517003 655444 Street, Warwick CV34 4DE 01926 402061 Marsh St Stoke-On-Trent, BROWNS 24 Quay St, TIN TINS Wellington 4BJ 01926 403833 PUCCINI'S, 12 Friar St, ST1 1JD THE SAXON MILL Worcester WR1 2JJ Road, Telford TF2 8AJ Worcester WR12LZ Tel: 01782 209444 NAILCOTE HALL Coventry Rd, Guys 01905 26263 01952 608688 Nailcote Lane, 01905 27770 THE RED ROOM Cliffe, Warwick CV34 CHESTERS 51 New St, TRAITORS GATE Berkswell, Coventry, RILEY’S The 7 Newcastle Road, 5YN 01926 492 255 Worcester, WR1 2DL Castle St, Water Lane, CV7 7DE 02476 Quadrant, Redditch Congleton CW12 4HN SIGNATURES AT THE 01905 611638 ShrewsburySY1 2BX 466174 B98 8AE 01527 60544 01260 297871 BELGRADE CROWN & SANDYS 01743 249152 NICOLINIS 14 The ROSADOS’S 2 Finstall THE SWAN HOTEL Belgrade Theatre, Main Rd, Ombersley, Rd, Aston Fields, THE WALLS Welsh 46 Greengate Street, Parade, Leamington Belgrade Square, WR9 0EW 01905 Bromsgrove. B60 2DZ Walls, Oswestry SY11 Stafford ST16 2JA Spa, CV32 4DW 01926 Coventry, CV1 1GS 620252 1AW 01691 670970 01527 889948 01785 258142 421620 02476 846762 FARTHINGS Bransford, THORNBURY HALL, QUEANS RESTAU- TAILORS 22 Market Gt Malvern WR6 5JD ROSEANNAS St. RASOI Lockwood Rd, RANT 15 Dormer Place, Warwick CV34 01886 833551 Andrews Drive, Droitwich, WR9 8AL Staffordshire Kingsley Holt, Stafford Place, Leamington Spa 4SL 01926 410590 THE FIG TREE 99 01905 779677 ST10 2DH 01538 750831 CV32 5AA THAI ELEPHANT Church Street, Gt NO 5 Gaol Mews, 01926 315522 20 Regent St, Malvern WR14 2AE SAFFRONS 15 New Stafford ST16 3AN WOLSELEY ARMS Leamington Spa, 01684 569909 St, Worcester WR1 01785 22 9900 Wolseley Bridge, Stafford THE ONE ELM 1 Guild ST17 0XS St, Stratford-Upon- Warwick CV32 5HQ FOUR SEASONS 61 2DP 01905 610505 BELLA ITALIA 20 01889 883179 Avon, CV37 6QZ 01926 886882 Lowesmoor, Worcester SINGAPORE 29 Friar Greengate St, 01789 404919 WR1 2RS 01905 2702 St, Worcester WR1 Stafford,ST16 2HS THE TREVELYAN FUSION BRASSERIE 2NA 01905 613005 01785 211968 OSCARS 39 Chandos Warwick Rd, Stratford- Warwickshire St, Leamington Spa, upon-Avon, CV37 ONR Hawbridge, Stoulton, SPICE CUISINE 39-41 CURRY KUTEER CV324RL 01926 01789 295252 Worcester WR7 4RJ Bromyard Terrace, 31 Greengate Street, 01905 840647 BLUE BISTRO 452807 WARWICK SPICE 24 Worcester WR2 5BW Stafford ST16 2HY 21 Spon St, Coventry, THE INN AT STONE- 01905 429786 PEEL’S Hampton Smith St, Warwick 01785 253279 CV1 3BA 024 7622 HALL Stonehall Manor, Hampton-in- CV34 4HS 01926 SPICE FUSION 17 St CHANDLERS 9274 Common, Worcester, Arden, Solihull, B92 491736 Andrews St, Droitwich, Corn Exchange, 7 SQUARE 7 Old WR5 3QG 01905 0EN 01675 446080 THE VINE INN 86 - 88 WR9 8DY 01905 Conduit St, Lichfield, Square, Warwick CV34 820462 West St, Warwick CV34 794188 WS13 6JU 01543 4RA 01926 411 755 PREZZO 1-3 High St, KING CHARLES II 6AW THAI GALLERY 26-32 416688 Warwick CV34 4AP King Charles House, NO. 9 CHURCH 07873 219005 Friar St, Worcester THE CORNER HOUSE 01926 475867 New St, Worcester WR1 STREET WR1 2LZ 01905 25451 Second Avenue, Stratford upon Avon, RAFFLES 57 Warwick ZIZZI 29 The Square, 2D 01905 22449 Kenilworth, CV8 1EF Burton-On-Trent DE14 Warwickshire CV37 Rd, Kenilworth, CV8 LITTLE VENICE 1 - 3 VALENTINO’S 43 01926 852980 2WF 6HB 01789 415522 1HN 01926 864 300 St Nicholas St, Foregate St, Worcester 01283 542321 Worcester WR1 1UW WR1 1EE 01905 ART KITCHEN 7 Swan THE RED LION Station 01905 726126 617773 ESSENCE OF THE St, Warwick CV34 4BJ Rd, Warwick CV35 Worcestershire ORIENT 27 Broad Eye, 01926 494303 8PE MASSALLA LOUNGE THE WILDMOOR OAK Top Road, Wildmoor, Stafford ST16 2QB AUBERGINE 32 Smith 01926 842291 35 Broad St, Worcester 01785 229988 ANAKARI 47 The WR1 3NH 01905 Bromsgrove B61 0RB St, Warwick CV34 4HS RESTAURANT 23 FOUR SEASONS Tythings, Worcester. WR1 729955 0121 453 2696 01926 400 086 34 Hamilton Terrace, Swinfen Hall Lichfield, 1JT 01905 21412 MONSOON 35 WYCH WAY INN THE ALMANACK Holly Walk Leamington WS14 9RE 01543 Foregate St, Worcester, Worcester Rd, Abbey End North, Spa, CV32 4LY 01926 ANGEL CHEF 1 Angel 481494 WR1 1EE 01905 Wychbold, WR9 7PA Kenilworth CV8 1QJ 422422 St, Worcester WR1 3QT THE GREEN ROOM 01926 353637 01905 731131 726333 01527 860130 ROBBIES 74 Smith St, Castle Dyke, Lichfield THE BLUEBELL 93 ASHLEYS 11 The WS13 6HR 01543 Warwick CV34 4HU High Street, Henley-in- 01926 400470 Tything, Worcester WR1 412121 Arden, Warwickshire, 1HD 01905 611747 To get your restaurant listed here ROSE & CROWN 30 JASMINE PEKING B95 5AT 01564 793049 BENEDICTOS 34 e: [email protected] Market Place, Warwick 21 High St, Eccleshall, BROWNS Earl St, Sidbury, Worcester WR1 CV34 4SH 01926 or call Jon Cartwright Stafford ST21 6BW Coventry CV1 5RU 2HZ 01905 21444 01785 851200 0247 622 1100 411117 on 01743 281703

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Cucina Rustica THE DINNER CLUB (Est 86) SINGLE? Tel: 0121 233 2277 For the more discerning unattached person, age 30-45 or 45+ Events weekly include dining out, dinner dances, black tie balls, theatre, parties, weekends away and holidays abroad. NOT A DATING AGENCY 01244 677030 (Day) / 01244 548816 (Eve/W-end) www.thedinnerclubuk.com

I APERITIVO... the Italian happy hour now in LOOKING FOR A RESTAURANT Birmingham (T&C apply) ON YOUR DOORSTEP? I Sign up on our website for spring rewards to our loyal customers I 2 COURSE LUNCH MENU available Monday to Friday, 12noon - 5pm only £12.00 p.p VISIT I Deciding where to go to add that special touch to whatsonlive.co.uk family events, business meetings or social parties will no longer be a difficult decision. The most comprehensive Midlands listings website Saint Paul's Square, 24 Ludgate Hill, Birmingham, B3 1DX for Birmingham and the West Midlands Email: [email protected] web: www.cucinarustica.co.uk RSC (OBC) AUG_Layout 1 23/07/2012 10:40 Page 1