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ADAM KAY SCRUBS UP WELL AT Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands THE ALEXANDRA

BIRMINGHAM WHAT’S ON JUNE 2019 Birmingham ISSUE 402 JUNE 2019 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD Onbirminghamwhatson.co.uk

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June 2019

Contents

Take a walk into the deep dark wood... The Gruffalo comes to page 30

Marco Pierre White Foals Home Of Metal the list

chats menus, veganism and unconventional four-piece new exhibition explores the Your 16-page eating a cow’s windpipe... Digbeth Arena legacy of Black Sabbath week-by-week listings guide interview page 12 page 17 page 40 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 10. Food 17. Gigs 22. Comedy 24. Theatre 37. Film 42. Visual Arts 45. Events

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

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Entertainment news from around the region

Two-day ‘extravaganza’ in the city’s Jewellery Quarter Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter is this month once again hosting its annual two-day festival. Featuring free family entertainment and a commemoration of the bicentenary of James Watt’s death, the 2019 JQ Festival (Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 June) also includes an exhibi- tion space and art gallery, live music, street food vendors and a brewery tour. Commenting on the event, Luke Crane, Exec- utive Director of the JQBID, said: “This year, we’re bringing the Jewellery Quarter’s history and heritage to the forefront, as well as cele- brating the diversity of our vibrant commu- nity. “There’s so much to be proud of and shout about in the Quarter. The JQ Festival is our opportunity to do just that.”

Disney to celebrate 100 Midlands. only right that these experiences are brought The awards will be held at Birmingham’s to Birmingham first.” For more information, years of magic in Brum Symphony Hall on Friday 11 October. To visit thsh.co.uk apply to take part, visit midlandsfashion- awards.co.uk. The deadline for entries is Friday 14 June. Saturday sitar session One of the UK's finest sitar players, Roopa Panesar, will be paying a visit to Birmingham Peaky Blinders escape Symphony Hall Cafe Bar on the morning of rooms to launch in the city Saturday 22 June, to help youngsters explore ‘the music of India, new instruments, expres- sive ragas and fantastic rhythms’. A show celebrating a centenary of Mouse A melodic and inventive improvisor, Roopa House magic is visiting the Midlands this has performed across the UK, , Amer- autumn. ica and India, whilst also leading education Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years Of Magic projects for hundreds of children throughout will stop off at from 16 to the Midlands. 20 October and features characters from 14 classic and modern stories. The production stars an international team of Birmingham musicians award-winning figure skaters, and will also The world’s first official Peaky Blinders boast Disney On Ice’s usual impressive sets, escape rooms are set to be unveiled after the look across the Channel colourful costumes and high-energy choreog- BBC TV series’ production company agreed a Birmingham Contemporary Music Group is raphy. deal with a Midlands-based operator. this month teaming up with musicians from Escape Live will be bringing the first experi- the Paris-based Ensemble Court-circuit to ences to Birmingham later this year, and present a programme of work that crosses the Fashionable awards... have plans to expand across the UK on the Channel. The Friday 14 June concert takes back of the deal. Organisers of the prestigious Midlands Fash- place at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Commenting on the news, Escape Live’s Man- ion Awards (MFA) are calling on indepen- For more information, visit bcmg.org.uk aging Director, Jas Sodhi, said: “This is fan- dent, emerging and creative talent from tastic news for Peaky Blinders fans across Birmingham to enter the event’s nine everywhere, and we’re looking forward to categories. reimagining this international drama Now in its 12th year, the MFA is a catwalk, phenomenon into a number of escape experi- exhibition and networking event which ences. Peaky Blinders has been enjoyed by culminates in an awards ceremony and show- millions of viewers across the world, but it’s cases creative fashion talent from across the 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:24 Page 2

First Word

An evening with Sir Bradley at Symphony Hall Britain’s most decorated Olympian is visiting Birming- ham's Symphony Hall this au- tumn (Friday 20 September) with a brand new show. Bradley Wiggins: An Evening With sees the Olympic Gold medallist and Tour de France winner sharing exclusive sto- ries in a unique and intimate live setting. Commenting on the show, Sir Bradley said: “I’m really ex- cited to get back on the road again. Cycling has always been passion, so to share my experiences, my journey and my own collection of memorabilia is fantastic.” Programme announced for fifth Indian Film Festival Birmingham Indian Film Festival is this month Sawhney, the event’s executive & programming taking place for a fifth year. director, said: “Punching above our weight as Running at various venues from Friday 21 June always, this year is probably our strongest till Monday 1 July, the event showcases a rich programme ever, with exciting Midlands assortment of independent movies, including an premieres, rarely seen archival masterpieces, entry from India’s new wave of LGBTQ+ films. and some seriously cutting-edge dramas and Commenting on the festival, Cary Rajinder documentaries.”

Cube is alive Outgoing Roxana reveals her final- with the sound of season line-up of shows at The REP music Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s outgoing Artistic Director, Roxana Silbert, has announced her last programme of shows for the venue. A giant leap for Roxana’s autumn/winter line-up of productions at The REP mankind... includes Robert Lindsay (pictured) starring in Prism - Terry John- Birmingham Cathedral will son’s witty and poignant play about the extraordinary life of next month host a musical Oscar-winning cinematographer Jack Cardiff - a Bryony Lavery event to mark the anniversary adaptation of Alice Sebold’s novel, The Lovely Bones, and a of the first moon landing - 50 swashbuckling Christmas version of Peter Pan. years to the very day since it Musical theatre lovers should Commenting on the happened. get themselves along to programme, Roxana said: “The A half-century after Neil Level25 at The Cube in Birm- REP is blessed with an audi- Armstrong made his ‘giant ingham on Sunday 9 June, ence that is both open-hearted leap for mankind’, the cathe- when a cast of West End per- and open-minded, and I hope dral will host a Limelight formers will be presenting an that some of the spirit of the Orchestra concert of rock & evening of singalong hits from city and its people is reflected pop classics, during which the some of the world’s biggest in a programme that’s bursting 300-year-old building will be stage shows. with national and home-grown illuminated by spectacular An Evening At The Musicals talent, alongside inventive new lighting effects and state-of- will also include a three- work across its three stages the-art 3D holograms. For course meal. and beyond.” To check out more information about the 20 For information about ticket The REP’s full season of shows, July event, visit birmingham- availability, visit design- visit birmingham-rep.co/uk cathedral.com mynight.com whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Birmingham June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:24 Page 3

First Word

Get dynamic... Sir Lenny Henry kicks off new Parents can get active with tour at Birmingham theatre their toddlers and pre- schoolers this month and next Sir Lenny Henry will kickstart a brand new UK tour at special midweek get-togeth- at Birmingham Hippodrome later this year. ers in Birmingham. Following the autumn publication of his memoir, the Dynamic Kids takes place every Dudley-born actor and comedian will present An Wednesday afternoon from 5 Evening With Lenny Henry - Who Am I Again? at the June to 17 July at St Germains Hippodrome on Sunday 20 October. CofE Church in the city’s Commenting on the new tour, Sir Lenny said: “I can’t Edgbaston district. wait to share more stories and fun about growing up The event encourages children in the Midlands, my early days in the clubs, pubs and their adults to get active and discotheques, and of course working on Tiswas, through different types of Three Of A Kind and The Lenny Henry Show. My physical activity, including touring show promises to be an evening of memo- dance, sport, exercise and ries, laughter and fun - I can’t wait to get started.” obstacle courses... Check out For more information and to book tickets, visit the Dynamic Kids Facebook birminghamhippodrome.com page for more information. Make Believe summer fun at BOM In a Rush to enjoy Nothing to laugh Birmingham Open Media (BOM) - the city’s centre for art, technol- trampoline fun about at The Glee ogy & science - is providing summer visitors with the chance to get State-of-the-art Birmingham tram- One of the world’s foremost inside the playful minds of machines, courtesy of a brand new poline park Rush has extended its experts on serial killers and exhibition. play offering with the addition of sexual deviants visits Birming- A playful, interactive space for all ages to enjoy, Make Believe (7 an interactive gaming zone and ham with a new show next June - 31 August) features four international artists who use the themed party packages. For more month. latest technologies to create ‘colourful experiences that delight and information, visit rushuk.com Although Paul Harrison’s work entertain’. is no laughing matter, the Highlights of the show include the chance for visitors to make 3D criminal profiler turned crime paintings, create virtual sculpture with augmented reality, and writer will be presenting Inside delve into the imaginations of artificial intelligence. The Mind Of The Serial Killer at The exhibition is accompanied by a week-long summer camp for a city centre venue best known children aged seven to 13. For more information, visit bom.org.uk for its comedy gigs - The Glee Club. CBSO centenary celebrations Paul visits The Glee on Tuesday 2 July. For more information, The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) has visit glee.co.uk announced its 2019/20 Concert Season at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall. The orchestra will be 100 years old in 2020, and the new season launches the celebrations with a series of special events Ex-Wolves star in and premieres. Dragonboat Race Mirga Gražinyt -Tyla returns for her fourth season as the CBSO’s charity appeal Music Director ėand will lead over 40 concerts during the 2019/20 period... To check out the CBSO’s Concert Season programme, visit A vulgar circus... Former and Wolves cbso.co.uk Organisers of a risqué over-18s footballer Geoff Thomas is circus show are hoping to get asking businesses to get ‘on pulses racing in Birmingham this board’ with this year’s Brind- Community project to tell the story of month. Cirque du Vulgar takes leyplace Dragonboat Race (Sat- legendary Birmingham night spot place in a traditional Big Top tent urday 15 June) and help raise The story of Birmingham music venue The Que Club is to be told and visits Pelsall Common on for Cure Leukaemia. through a new community heritage project. Saturday 8 June. Promising an A blood cancer survivor In The Que will celebrate the legendary nightspot 30 years on from evening of raucous revelry, the himself and patron of the char- its opening. In its time, the venue played host to major acts includ- adults-only circus features a fire- ity, Geoff is encouraging busi- ing David Bowie, Blur, Massive Attack and Daft Punk, as well as breathing pyromaniac, alluring ness professionals to act fast if pioneering club nights and rave experiences. hula hoops, sexy strong men, a they want to battle it out at this The Birmingham Music Archive project is being funded by a ‘drunken whore’, nail-biting acro- year’s event. To register a team £42,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. batics and a high-flying Domina- for the race, contact To find out about participating in or contributing to In The Que, trix. For more information, visit [email protected] email [email protected] cirquevulgar.com 6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:25 Page 4 BE Festival.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 13:56 Page 1 BE FESTIVAL The splendidly quirky BE Festival is taking place in Birmingham for a 10th time. What’s On spoke to co-director Miguel Oyarzun about the ever-evolving performing arts event.

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by Lauren Cole

The 10th Birmingham European Festival takes challenging task: “When we started in 2010, members who return to mainland Europe, place at the city’s Repertory Theatre this we received 67 applications, which, at that talk positively about Birmingham, the UK and month. From its humble beginnings in 2010, time, we thought was enormous. Now, every BE Festival; they’re our best ambassadors. BE Festival has grown exponentially into an year, we receive between 600 and 1,000 We’ve also grown in terms of rooting event that places Birmingham firmly at the applications. Obviously it’s an enormous ourselves to Birmingham itself. We are now forefront of Europe’s performing arts scene. amount of work to go through all of those very much a continuing part of the annual applications and assess which pieces will end calendar of events for the city, so we’re part of “The first BE Festival resulted from a confer- up in the programme. We do it by watching a bigger network within the cultural sector ence with the Arts Council in Birmingham to them all and trying to create a balance within here. Then, every year, we have more discuss how to improve the arts scene in the the programme between countries and audiences, so have expanded into a touring Midlands,” explains one of the festival’s disciplines. We also have a theme each year - model. We started by just doing the festival founders, Miguel Oyazrun. “One of the things this year we’re celebrating our 10th festival. here in Birmingham. Now we take the format the cultural sector was discussing was the There are pieces that look back on history or of the festival - in which we present three or fact that there wasn’t a lot of international look into memory or into the concept of four short pieces each night - and the compa- presence in the city. At the time, Isla Aguilar archiving. We’ve also commissioned works nies who best represent us, out on tour. We and I weren’t living in Birmingham, so we that relate to the theme.” tour for four weeks in the UK and four weeks came as outsiders to the region. We were in Spain. The work presented by the artists in baffled by the fact that the region didn’t have The relationship between the festival, Birmingham now reaches many more people. an international theatre & arts festival, Birmingham and the rest of Europe is one of despite the fact that the arts scene in the BE’s defining qualities. “We’ve also grown in our work with visual Midlands was craving this international artists. Now we’re involved in a lot of bigger “Because BE Festival was born out of the presence. There were music and dance projects within the visual arts that run along- desires of Birmingham, the whole thing was festivals, but nothing for the wider scope of side the performing-arts side of the festival. made possible by the generosity of the locals. performing arts. We took that as our inspira- Plus, this year is the first time we will have This is a festival with limited resources, but tion. That evening, we went for dinner at a pieces on the main stage of The REP. with our ethos of collaborating, we have a curry house and we started mapping our Normally we have smaller-scale pieces in fantastic team of volunteers. Supporting ideas for a festival on the back of a napkin. So Centenary Square or in The Studio at The REP. emerging artists is also evident in the way we it really was through a response to the needs This year, for the first time, we have a large work with our staff and volunteers. Our staff of the cultural sector of Birmingham that BE show on The REP’s main stage. It’s a fantastic and volunteers are really young, and we’re was born.” show called Deadtown, which has been proud to know that people who work with us created by the sons of the Oscar-winning The festival is particularly focused on go on to lead other cultural organisations or director of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, supporting upcoming performance artists… produce more festivals. Apart from the Miloš Forman. The Forman brothers have volunteers who give their time, we also “Giving a platform to emerging artists and created a spectacular piece with dancers, collaborate with hosts, who open their homes performers from a range of countries across singers and acrobats that mixes circus with a to visiting artists. This is also a way in which Europe is so important in our current social homage to silent movies. It’s a show with no we try to connect people across Europe, so and political climate. The UK being an island words, so it’s accessible to anyone from any that the audiences can create a more in-depth already creates a bit of isolation from outside age. It’s really great for families, as well as for relationship with the visiting artists, and the influences. The way funding for the arts adults who want to look back at the history of artists themselves can really get to know the works in the UK is already very different to silent movies. city and its inhabitants. At most other the rest of Europe. It’s more difficult to get “We also have musicians from many different festivals we’ve been to, the performers come performances from outside the UK into genres performing in the evenings - so there to the city, perform, book into a hotel and here than it is on mainland Europe. really is something for everyone to enjoy.” then leave the next day. So BE Festival is all Nevertheless, the UK is really craving the about the artist being in touch with the city of Birmingham will surely have its say in where artistic work from mainland Europe, and Birmingham and vice versa. We hear lots of BE Festival goes over the next decade… people here really want to collaborate with beautiful stories about artists returning to those abroad. It’s all about building bridges “As always, we like to get feedback about the Birmingham to see their host family, or the across the cultural sectors of different festival from the audiences, stakeholders and hosts travelling to other places in Europe to countries, which is now more important than artists. The festival isn’t ours, it’s visit the person they opened their home to. ever. BE Festival is a platform for exchange Birmingham’s. So we will take it wherever One of the things we love is creating bonds and encounter between cultures, which can Birmingham sees fit, as we feel we have to beyond the boundaries of the festival itself. only better the performing arts scene for all. honour the way it was created and supported The festival is really a catalyst for continuing We focus on emerging artists in particular by the city itself. We have some ideas of exchange within arts and culture across because they are the ones who will lead the where we want to go after these first 10 Europe.” arts scene in the future. We do that with help festivals, but first of all we need to figure out from both the Arts Council here in the UK and So how much has BE Festival changed since whether that’s what everybody else wants also the European Union. It’s very important its first year? too.” to give these upcoming performers a space to “The festival has grown massively over 10 display their work, where they can thrive and events. We’ve grown in reputation across become the artists of the future.” BE Festival takes place at Birmingham Europe and are perhaps even better known Repertory Theatre from Thursday 27 June With the number of applications from artists abroad than we are in the UK. Birmingham is to Saturday 6 July. See the full programme wanting to perform at the BE Festival increas- now very much on the map of Europe. The online at befestival.org ing every year, choosing who to include is a artists who come from abroad, and audience

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Food June Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 11:06 Page 1

Food

cucumber with duck feet and need to experience its magic for mushroom in casserole, fish yourself. As with everything else and bean curd soup, and we’d devoured beforehand, the boneless chicken claws in Thai duck was far superior to any I’d style, to name but a few. eaten at a Chinese restaurant We started with a crab meat soup before. The meat melted in the and a seafood & dried scallop mouth - and as for the skin... soup, as well as a mixed dim divine! sum basket to share. We thought we’d also ordered the Wow! The soups, particularly the typhoon shelter-style fried blue crab meat, were out-of-this-world crab, but there was a bit of good. I’ve eaten plenty of (what I confusion and we were instead considered to be) incredible brought a huge bowl of noodles soups over the years, but these with tofu, egg, pork, beef and really were another level of prawn. Although not what we’d delicious. The crab soup, thicker asked for, the dish was in consistency than the seafood nonetheless stunning and & scallop, was without question fantastically flavoursome - the one of the tastiest dishes I've ultimate comfort food. The staff eaten in my life. It really couldn’t were incredibly apologetic, but have been further away from the the dish was so delicious that ‘crab & sweetcorn’ soup on offer they really had nothing to be at your local takeaway. sorry for; far from it, in fact! The dim sum basket comprised We added a side of stir-fried two king prawn, two vegetable & vegetables with minced salty prawn, two crystal scallop and fish, which helped bring a sense two pork & prawn dumplings. of freshness to our exemplary Beautifully presented, they were banquet. Regrettably, we certainly on a par with the best couldn’t quite finish it all, but we dumplings I’ve enjoyed any- certainly gave it a good go! The where. Large in size and all portion sizes at Wing Wah are REVIEW: Wing Wah featuring a substantial amount impressively large, which suited of mouthwatering filling, they us perfectly. Relocated Chinatown restaurant offers really should be a must-try Both my partner and I were authentic and adventurous cuisine option the next time you visit absolutely blown away by the Wing Wah. cuisine we tried on the evening Birmingham’s long-established prepare some beautifully crafted Three dishes in and we were we visited. The flavours at Wing Chinese restaurant, Wing Wah, small dishes. seriously, seriously (it deserves Wah are truly outstanding and, has made the move to the city’s Prior to our visit, I’d heard from a the repetition) impressed with certainly from our perspective, bustling Chinatown after 21 years reputable and trustworthy source the quality of the food. Choosing by far the nicest in Birmingham. trading at the iconic Wing Yip that Wing Wah serves the best what to have for our main And that’s no easy feat to Centre in Nechells. Chinese food in Birmingham. courses was quite the achieve considering the city’s Located in the heart of the city, Both my partner and I are huge deliberation. Some dishes that abundance of high-quality just a short walk from Birming- fans of the cuisine, so needless particularly caught our eye were Chinese and eateries. ham New Street Station and the to say we were beyond excited to Sichuan-style fresh lobster, lamb Lauren Foster main shopping area, Wing Wah sample the venue’s new menu. brisket with bean curd stick has dropped its buffet menu and As with many Chinese restau- casserole, and stir-fried pork ribs Food: nnnnn now offers dim sum and full a la rants, Wing Wah’s dishes are with pineapple in sweet & sour Service: nnnnn carte. more authentic and adventurous sauce. In the end, we chose the Ambience: nnnnn The venue’s smartly decorated than those usually offered in triple roast from the roast meat Overall value nnnnn ground-floor location - think local takeaways. We ordered section, which comprised roast OVERALL nnnnn dark walls and white tablecloths every dish, bar one, that hadn’t duck, roast pork and roast crispy with the addition of authentic been adapted for the Western belly pork. Wing Wah 8 Wrottesley Street red and gold notes throughout - palate, so to speak. Each meat option was cooked to Birmingham boasts more than 120 covers and Options included marinated jelly absolute perfection. The dish B5 4RT an open-plan dim sum kitchen, fish with spicy sesame oil, salt & was so nice, in fact, that words Tel: 0121 327 7879 allowing diners to watch the pepper duck tongue, braised sea can’t do it justice - you really do team of highly skilled chefs 10 whatsonlive.co.uk Food June Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 11:06 Page 2 MPW.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 11:07 Page 1

AcclaimedMARCO chef Marco Pierre PIERRE White chats to What’s On aboutWHITE his new menus, experimenting with veganism, impressing potential employers and eating a cow’s windpipe...

The youngest ever recipient of three Michelin Owning a staggering 42 restaurants in the UK The starters menu features a classic eggs stars and a man considered by many to be the alone, three of which are in Birmingham, he’s benedict with Woodall’s ham and Mr White’s greatest UK chef of all time, Marco Pierre recently launched a new menu at his Steak- Scotch egg with Colonel mustard sauce, White has trained a number of high-profile house Bar & Grill venue, located at the top of which Marco himself singles out as a and hugely popular fellow ‘kitchen creatives’, the city’s iconic Cube. particular favourite. including , Mario Batali, Steak sits at the heart of the menu, with cuts His liking for diversity is in evidence through- Curtis Stone and Shannon Bennett. including fillet, rib-eye and chateaubriand. out the menu. Stand-out plates include

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by Lauren Foster

Wheeler’s haddock fish cake with poached crispy butterfly prawns fritto misto. As our thoroughly enjoyable chat draws to a hen’s egg and Connaught’s shrimp curry - close, the charismatic and ever-so-charming “This is the way that restaurants are going, both perfect for fish lovers - as well as a Marco offers some advice to any working- because this is how people are living honey-roasted bacon chop and a classic class Brummie who fancies becoming a nowadays. They like to eat out once, twice or chicken Kiev. Croustade of eggs Maintenon respected chef: “Well, firstly, the advice I even three times a week, even if it’s just going Maxim’s and creamy polenta with wild mush- would give is, if you go for a job, keep your to somewhere casual like a pizzeria. People rooms are ideal dishes for vegetarians. fingers crossed and hope that you get it. By want affordable glamour, and they want not asking ‘How many hours?’ or ‘How much “Everything’s seasonal, really,” says Marco, some fun. I like casual. I like affordable. And I am I getting paid?’, your chance of getting the in talking about his new menu. “It rotates, like glamour. We live such fast lives that it’s job will increase enormously. There’s nothing but there are certain things that we keep. important to have some escapism, so going to worse than conducting an interview with We’ll never take off the French onion soup or, your local pizzeria for something to eat or someone who’s 19 years old and they ask you of course, the steaks. But also, you have to even just a coffee can be an escape.” those questions. So actually, you’re not take into consideration vegans and vegetari- Despite his love of glamour, Marco admits coming in order to learn? How stupid! What I ans. that if he’s cooking a meal for himself, he learnt in my life is that knowledge is your “I was a vegan for nine months because I was likes to keep it simple: “Maybe I’ll have an passport to freedom; it really is. My father curious. I went pure vegan for nine months of omelette for dinner, a cheese omelette - gave me that advice as a young man. He also my life and stopped absolutely everything - delicious. That’s fine for me. Perhaps a ham told me to never call in sick. Turn up for work all carbs, alcohol, smoking. The first three sandwich with good English mustard. Maybe if you’re ill; the chef will see you’re not well. weeks, it didn’t impact on me at all; the next a Scotch egg if one of my boys has made them The advice I would give is to conduct your in- six weeks, I became very weak, introverted, and I steal one. I like real simplicity.” terviews correctly. That’s not just for chefs, quite faint, dizzy at times and suffered from that’s for everything. I think what’s really So is there anything that Marco won’t eat? headaches. Then I sort of went back to nor- important is to always be punctual. Maybe mal after that. I must confess, though, I slept “Chicken’s feet! I’m not looking for a soul- I’m old-fashioned, but that’s what I think you better. I had more energy. Through that nine- mate. I don’t get sucking feet; it really should do. I used to go to interviews and sit month period, I lost five stone in weight; it confuses me. I accept they’ve had a manicure there with my fingers crossed, praying I got just dropped off me. My sense of smell be- before they’ve come to me, but it doesn’t do it the job. I remember I went for an interview came incredibly acute - I could walk down the for me. I’m really into strange food, don’t get with Pierre Koffmann - we’re great friends, road and smell coffee 100 metres away. I me wrong - I like eating. Eating is one of my Pierre and I, and have a business together could smell bread being baked.” great passions in life. I went to this restaurant and are working on a second deal - and he in Singapore and she said, “Marco, I’ve got said to me, ‘I have no position in my kitchen’. Even with so many benefits to following a something special for you tonight”. They’re It was the first and only time I’ve been turned strict vegan diet, Marco decided it wasn’t for fascinated that I love tendons - they’re so down. I said - even though I couldn’t afford to him: “I found myself staring at roast chickens delicious; they’re one of the most delicious - that I would work for nothing. I worked for and roast beef. Cheese boards were staring at things I’ve ever eaten. I asked what the three weeks for zero money, and I was really me, almost to the point where I thought they special was and she told me it was a surprise. on the breadline. He called me and said, were moving. The brie was walking across the Cow throat! Not for me. Can you imagine “Marco, I want to put you on the payroll”. plate. I was never fulfilled. I was never full. I eating windpipe?! I like a pig’s trotter, I like Prove yourself. We live in such a disposable was always hungry. I was never comforted. pig’s ears, I love pig’s head, I love all of that, world now. People go in and out of jobs. For me, food has to be comforting. I thought, but when it comes to eating windpipe, no. I When I was a boy, people didn’t walk out of this is boring, and I missed all those delicious said, ‘Look, it’s not for me, please apologise jobs, people weren’t late. If you started work things so much, so I went back to them. to the chef’. It was horrific! The texture was at 8, you turned up at 8 or earlier. How much “That’s why I prefer something in a pot rather disgusting and it doesn’t taste of anything. do we pay a year for people to stand around than a pan. I like a great stew, I love Chicken’s feet, they take some doing. on their phone? It’s a different generation.” dumplings, risotto, a big pan of pasta; I love a Windpipe is another question.” So what does Marco think about big roast. I see these chefs talking about From Hell’s Kitchen to Masterchef Australia to Birmingham’s ever-growing and truly veganism and vegetarianism, but you can’t White’s Kitchen Wars, Marco has done a lot of impressive food scene? really talk about it unless you’ve tried it.” TV work over the years. So does he have “It’s a beautiful jigsaw - a melting pot of all Marco has also just launched a new menu at anything else in the windpipe - sorry, the cultures. Also, because it’s the second his Bardolino restaurant on Wharfside Street pipeline? city, it’s got all these businesses which bring at The Cube. “How boring! I can’t stand it, but, like your- money in, and then it allows people to pay for The menu is focused around his belief that self, I have to make a living. I’ve just finished that. Birmingham is one of Britain’s great good-quality food should be an experience filming a series now. I don’t like it. It’s the gastronomic cities.” that’s shared and enjoyed with friends and most boring thing. In all my contracts now, family, whatever the occasion. Featured they’re not allowed to tell me what to say. cuisine includes a number of classic Italian- Nothing scripted. I’ve worked on TV shows inspired dishes such as: rigatoni ragu of when they’re scripted. There’s no emotion. Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Bar & Scottish beef bolognese with aged Italian Can you imagine being told what to write and Grill Birmingham is located at The Cube, cheese; baked Tuscan sausages with how to write it? Boring. It’s systematic and 200 Wharfside Street, Birmingham, B1 1PR cannellini beans and pomodoro sauce; and they’ve sucked the emotion out of it.”

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Classical

The Damnation Of Faust Ex Cathedra: Summer Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 26 June Music By Candlelight Musical genius or madman was the Birmingham Cathedral, question posed by Hector Berlioz’s Tues 18 & Wed 19 June contemporaries as a result of his flamboy- Jeffrey Skidmore once again picks up the ant use of sound and the curious baton to conduct Birmingham’s highly instrumental effects he created. rated early music ensemble, on this Perhaps not surprisingly given his unique occasion in a concert that Ex Cathedra style, the French composer’s Damnation Of promise will see people heading for home Faust, based on the dramatic poem by singing of summertime. The programmes Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, pretty much for these annual get-togethers, presented defies definition. Indeed, its halfway by candlelight as dusk falls, move seam- status between opera and cantata was lessly from seasonal favourites to rare, re- probably one of the main reasons it discovered, contemporary and lighter bombed with audiences when first repertoire. performed. Its initial failure deeply affected Berlioz, who stated: “Nothing in my career as an artist wounded me more deeply than this unexpected indifference.” Nowadays, however, the work is viewed in a far more positive light. Hailed as one of romantic music’s most fabulously sinful treats, it’s here being performed by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Gloucestershire-born conduc- tor Edward Gardner (pictured).

International Piano B’ham Philharmonic Royal Philharmonic Festival Summer Prom Concert Orchestra: The Planets Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Mitton Manor, Nr Penkridge, Staffordshire, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 21 June Sat 15 - Tues 18 June Sat 29 June Gustav Holst’s seven-movement orchestral Offering the perfect platform for star suite, each movement of which is named pianists of the future to evidence their after a planet in the solar system, is one of exceptional potential, the International the most famous and familiar works of Piano Festival 2019 takes place across four classical music ever written, particularly days and features 17 hugely talented per- the Mars and Jupiter movements. Earth is formers. The event includes an opening excluded from the work, the concept of gala piano recital and numerous work- the suite being astrological rather than shops and masterclasses. A young artists astronomical. recital, featuring BBC Young Artist 2018 The composer was still alive when Pluto Lauren Zhang (pictured), closes the festi- was named as the ninth planet in 1930, val. Lauren is currently studying at the but he opted out of writing an additional Conservatoire’s Junior department. movement, believing that The Planets had already cast too significant a shadow over One of the region’s best known and most the rest of his work. admired non-professional orchestras, the Birmingham Phil was voted ‘best orchestra in the Midlands’ in both the 2018 and 2019 What's On Readers' Awards. Their latest concert sees them getting to grips with a programme of traditional and familiar summer proms music, including William Tell, Finlandia, Pachelbel’s Canon, Nimrod, Radetsky March, Barber Adagio, British Sea Songs, Pomp And Circumstance and Jerusalem. whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Il Divo online.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 15:27 Page 1 Il Divo online.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 15:27 Page 2

The classical quartet talk about their 15 years together ahead of their Birmingham show...

How’s the new tour going? When starting out, did you ever imagine It can sometimes be a distraction having that you’d be together for 15 years? lots of other things happening on stage… Urs Bühler: We’veIl started the first leg in Do Canada. It’s a really beautiful show. I think it Seb: Never. It’s hard enough to keep up a Urs: It’s not necessary, so why bother? The Il comes over great. We played castles marriage, so imagine how it feels keeping a Divo music is very beautiful. We have a few and stately homes in the UK last July with our whole band together - especially when it was things up our sleeves which I’m not going to Timeless tour, which was based on the new an arranged marriage! I still think give away, but it’s a fun show. album. sometimes, ‘It’s not real’. It’s striking the Narrowing down the Greatest Hits set list We played the whole repertoire, which was amount of counties and cities we’ve been to. I must be a challenge... actually quite risky, but the album is find it amazing. I know more where a lounge very beautiful, so it went down really well. is than where the forks and the cutlery are at Urs: It is, definitely. There are certain songs This is more back-to-basics - the four of us home. I lived in England for almost 10 years, which have to be in there. Obviously Unbreak singing. We still do a few songs from the so it’s always like coming back home. My Heart and My Way. We’ve done Greatest Timeless album but we do all our greatest Hits shows before, but the repertoire was Why did you decide to strip back the show hits as well. The audience seem to like it, so different. We do have a lot of songs and have this time? I’m very excited to bring it to the UK and done a lot of specials with other artists, like play the arenas again. Urs: When I go to concerts, I like to see shows the football World Cup. It’s all Greatest Hits. with something happening on stage. We get It’s difficult. We get help from outside - we David Miller: We started in Winnipeg, where talk to management - and always size it down excited and have lots of ideas - we could it was 20 degrees below zero. We were bun- to a show length. I’ve been listening back to do this, we could do that. Then you play your dled up that day for sure! the first albums, and we’ve got such show like this for a whole year all around beautiful, original songs like I Believe In You, Sebastien Izambard: We decided to tweak the the world. You ask people, ‘What did you Isabel - which we’re doing again - and others gig because it’s our 15-year anniversary. What think about the video and the stage set?’ And that we do in the show. I’d be very excited to we realised was that people really want to see they go, ‘We just came to see you guys sing’. do a show with only original Il Divo songs. just the four of us. We had dancers, but now So you know what, let’s strip all the fuss We’ve done a lot of covers, and people know we’re listening to what our audience wants, away and just make a beautiful concert. these songs, but I think we have a stunning with some of our best songs ever alongside We enjoy that the most, and the audience original repertoire that would totally be the Timeless album. In my opinion, it’s a enjoys that. worth building a show around. Maybe really good show. We’re having a really good something for the future - the original time. Greatest Hits. Il Divo online.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 15:27 Page 3

What’s it like on your tour bus? weather we had in the UK in July. I’m big very comfortable, homely, family feeling into medieval times and ancient properties. coming to the UK to play these shows. Urs: We’re not travelling on a tour bus! I’ve Playing in front of Edinburgh Castle and done two north American tours on a tour bus, David: I love the UK. It’s one of my these beautiful properties - house keeping but not with the other boys. They don’t like favourite places to spend time in. It’s a would give us a private tour - that was won- that. Sebastian and Carlos get quite easily compact area - we can drive from city to city derful. I enjoyed last year’s tour so much. It car-sick. David would be okay. It becomes or take the train. So much of what is chal- was almost like I was going sightseeing in the a financial thing. If you rent a whole tour lenging about our touring schedule is that we UK and we only had to perform a show in bus, it’s very expensive unless you fill it up - spend almost every day on a plane, as the evening on the side. The UK is where they normally have 10 or 12 bunks or up to 18. we’re in a different city every day, sometimes our career started - where we did the first If you don’t fill it up, it’s going to be cheaper a different country every day. There’s no time record and had the first record company. It’s to fly the whole party around. to enjoy a boots-on-the-ground experience where the audience embraced us from the of a country. By contrast, here in the UK, What are your favourite memories of per- beginning. It’s like coming home when we driving across the countryside means we can forming in the UK? come to the UK. We play the Royal Albert Hall take it all in. We now have such a great fan- in again, which I’m very much look- base here. People show up to our concerts Urs: Last year the tour was absolutely ing forward to. It’s a beautiful venue. It’s a spectacular. You might remember the and have a great time. They let their hair Il Divo online.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 15:27 Page 4

down, they let the music in, and there’s no these adventures together. Home is where my love the people too. I remember living in greater compliment to an artist than to feel heart is, and that’s right next to me. Notting Hill, going to the market there received. That’s what we really get from the Seb: I always travel with my own pillow and people going, ‘Hello love, how you are?’ UK. because I think with hotel pillows you never So friendly and very positive. I love the tea know what you’re going to get. I don’t like and scones. I love your traditions. I think You must recognise a lot of faces in the hard pillows. I have a soft pillow I like England has amazing traditions, just as crowd after 15 years... travelling with and my own pillow cases. It much as France does. David: Not only do we see a lot of the same reminds me of being in my own bed, and I Are there any British musicians you’re fans who’ve followed us around, we see a lot like that a lot. I have photos of my kids that I friends with? of our international fans in the UK as well, put on my bedside table. particularly from Japan and San Francisco. If Seb: I’ve met quite a few. I live not far from What do you like to have on your rider? ever we miss areas around Europe, they’ll Chris Martin in Malibu. If I see him, I say come over to the UK too. There is such a Urs: I don’t even go to catering these days or hello. I’m such a big fan of his. I love what he sense of familiarity, with people showing up have dinner before a show. I have still and does, his music and what he stands for. I who we’ve known for years. sparkling water in my dressing room, rolled think he’s an incredible artist. I know the guy oats, a couple of protein bars, fruit or berries. from Muse too. I would’ve loved to have been Seb: I love when we come to the UK. We are That’s what I live on for the shows. I have a friends with David Bowie, but he never spoiled. We have so many fans who actually cup of oatmeal with berries or fruit an hour returned my calls! Alfie Boe, I’m friends with somehow are always showing up for us. It before the show, and that gives me the energy him. I grew up listening to The Beatles as a feels like an extended family to me. I was I need to sing. If I’m hungry afterward, I have kid. That was my source of inspiration. I’ve always told when I moved to the UK that UK a protein bar. That’s it. always been a big fan of English bands like audiences were not very faithful to their The Verve. I think they’re the best bands. I don’t know why people used to say Don’t you feel hungry? songwriters in the world. That comes from that. I think they’re really faithful. We are i Urs: Our life rhythm is a bit strange. If I don’t the culture. I really believe that. I do a lot ncredibly lucky that our fans are very loyal to have to get up for travel or interviews, I very of songwriting myself because that’s us. We probably could name most of our fans. often sleep until 11 or later. Normally after the one of my passions. They’ve been there 15 years. shows, it takes quite a while for you to go to As a Beatles fan, Seb, you must get excited Will you put Simon Cowell on the guest sleep - to get the body and the mind to rest. when you play shows in Liverpool... list for the tour? Even without hanging out and partying in your hotel room, it can easily be 2am or 3am Seb: “I love it. I’m like a kid. What an Urs: If he’s interested in coming to see a before you get to sleep. If you’re in a nice city, amazing time. I would’ve loved to have been show, he’s invited. He’s been to a few you look for a place that does all-day break- born around that time and have a band then. over the years, but he’s a very busy man. Like fast and finishes breakfast at 2pm. It’s a The music industry has changed us, he’s travelling a lot, so you never know very different rhythm. dramatically. Even video. Now it’s streaming. where to pin him down. It’s wonderful to see Not to sound old-fashioned, but I don’t think his face down in the audience. I love having Which British traditions do you love? music is appreciated as much anymore. people in the audience who I recognise and David: Even though we can get it in other know. Simon is always a very welcome guest What’s next for Il Divo after the tour? places, there’s no substitute for the British if he can make it to a show. version of fish & chips with mushy peas - I Seb: We’re working on our next album, which Which home comforts do you travel with? love it. Full English breakfast every morning. is definitely a repertoire that I didn’t I gain a little bit of weight when I come to the imagine we were going to do. It was Urs: Nothing really. I’m so used to travelling UK. I really do relate to the sensibility of how suggested by our management, Red Light. and spending nights in hotels that I feel com- life is conducted. We lived here for two years We’re definitely going to work on something fortable in whatever bed I lay down in, unless at the beginning of our career, in a cluster of that isn’t what people would expect from us. it’s really bad quality and the pillows are apartments in south west London. We really That, to me, is really exciting because I don’t bad. That’s really annoying. I take clothes got to spend time and absorb the sensibility like to do the same thing. That’s why I did a with me - two suitcases for two months. I of the English nature - the reserved way that solo record last year. I’m excited. I know what wish I could take 10 because I like everyone speaks to each other; the we’re recording is going to be challenging my wardrobe. I’ve got my wife with me, politeness. Whether that politeness is on our voices, but I’m excited to bring it to if that counts for home comforts? She’s actually heartfelt or undertone-sarky, it’s our audience. I think that’s very important, travelling with me all year. We got married still there. otherwise our fans get bored and we get two-and-a-half years ago under the premise bored. that we’re going to spend our life together, Seb: I love the countryside in the UK a lot. not that we’re going to be married and I’m I’ve been glamping, when my kids were going to be gone 10 months out of the year. younger, in Hereford etc. I really like Somer- Il Divo play Arena Birmingham on She’s always with me, and we go through set. I think the UK has the best countryside. I Saturday 29 June. GIGS June Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:41 Page 1 GIGS June Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:42 Page 2

Gigs

Cage The Elephant O2 Institute, Birmingham, Tues 18 June American indie band Cage The Elephant visit Birmingham this month in support of Social Cues, their fifth album since their inception back in 2006. Hailing from Kentucky and influenced by bands including Pixies and Red Hot Chili Peppers, they won the 2017 Grammy Award for Best Rock Album with Tell Me I’m Pretty.

Foals their home city of Oxford. Embracing their love of the unconventional, Digbeth Arena, Birmingham, the four-piece are releasing not one but two Sat 15 & Sun 16 June albums in 2019: Everything Not Saved Will After more than a decade in the game, Foals Be Lost Part 1 was released in March, with have become major festival headliners, won Part 2 following in the autumn. NME and Q Awards, achieved 1.7 million “They’re two halves of the same locket,” sales of their four gold certified albums and frontman Yannis Philippakis explains. secured over half a billion streams on “They can be listened to and appreciated OSHUN Spotify since 2015. individually, but fundamentally they are It’s certainly all a far cry from their long-ago companion pieces.” The Castle & Falcon, Birmingham, days spent playing chaotic house parties in Thurs 18 June Using digital and acoustic sounds, heavy drums and bass, and ambient harmonic textures, OSHUN are an independent hip- Gladys Knight Hackney Colliery Band hop/soul duo from the US. Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Mon 24 June Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Fri 14 June “We are the new goddess on the block,” they The Empress of Soul, Gladys Knight has say, “and we have travelled here from the A favourite on the festival scene, Hackney recorded more than 40 albums and enjoyed centre of the Earth, the land of sweetness in Colliery Band provide an eclectic and number-one hits in the pop, gospel, R&B the 10th dimension, the Oshuniverse. We are unique mix of dancefloor-filling contempo- and contemporary charts. here to hydrate your souls and empower you rary rock, jazz, soul and electronica. The seven-time Grammy Award-winning on your trip upward. May your journey be full With a New Orleans-style line-up of icon is perhaps best known for her classic of sweetness and your experience one of trumpets, trombones, saxes, sousaphone 1973 hit, Midnight Train To Georgia, which healing!” Their debut album, bittersweet vol. and two drummers, expect a high-energy remains one of Motown Records’ most 1, is out now. show featuring music from their latest offer- famous and best-loved releases. ing, Collaborations: Volume One (due for release on 7 June), their critically acclaimed 2016 album, Sharpener, and highlights from Eagles previous releases. Arena Birmingham, Fri 28 June The best-selling American band of the 1970s and one of the top-selling acts of all time, Eagles have scored six number-one albums, topped the singles charts five times and sold a staggering 150 million-plus albums world- wide. Comprising Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B Schmit with Vince Gill and Deacon Frey, the band will here be perform- ing classic numbers from across the decades, including Life In The Fast Lane, Desperado, One Of These Nights and, of course, the legendary Hotel California.

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Festivals

Upton Jazz Festival Upton-upon-Severn, Thurs 27 - Sun 30 June Now in its 34th year, the Upton Jazz Festival boasts a star-studded international line-up - including bands from the US - and annually attracts thousands of jazz fans from across the country. The festival has moved back into the city centre and takes place at various venues, in- cluding Upton Memorial Hall, the King's Head, The Swan, The Star Hotel, The Parish Church, The Boathouse, Under The Bridge and more. The event has its own camping and caravan Download Festival Donington Park, Derby, Fri 14 - Sun 16 June site, with free river mooring also available. With top billing consistently taken by some use of technology to connect with audiences Line-up includes: Alan Barnes, Danzon, of the biggest names in rock and metal, it's and build a community around the event. Fret and Fiddle, Hot Club 42, Jazz Connec- not hard to see why Download is one of the Line-up i ncludes: Slipknot (pictured), Def tion, Livia King, Martin Wheatley, Rob most popular and well-attended festivals in Leppard, Tool, Slash featuring Myles Fowler, Something New And Exciting In the UK. Kennedy and The Conspirators, Die Antwo- September, Tad Newton’s Jazz Friends, Vital- Conceived as a follow-up to Donington Park's ord, Smashing Pumpkins, Whitesnake, Triv- ity 5, Savannah Jazz Band, Sliphorn Summit previous Monsters Of Rock Festival, Down- ium, Lamb Of God and Slayer. and Dan Cassidy Swing Quartet. load partly owes its name to its pioneering

Beardy Folk Festival Tenbury Music Festival Hopton Court, Nr. Cleobury Mortimer, The Burgage Recreation Ground, Shropshire, Fri 21 - Sun 23 June Tenbury Wells, Sat 15 June Returning for a second year, Beardy Folk Fes- Now in its fifth year, the one-day Tenbury tival is a beautifully crafted, midsummer Music Festival is a family-friendly event fea- weekend boasting a line-up of folk, roots and turing multiple stages, renowned food & acoustic music as well as a small trade vil- drink stalls, camping opportunities and (of lage, yoga classes, workshops in singing, course) plenty of live music. New for 2019 is morris dancing and spoken word, heaps of The Thomas Telford Stage and The James free children's entertainment and plenty Cranston Stage. Salty Dog, Pizza Heaven and more besides. Under-13s go free, and four Acoustic Festival of Wye Valley Catering are amongst the food camping zones are on offer with the pur- Great Britain traders serving up some tasty cuisine. chase of a day or weekend ticket. Line-up includes: Rainbreakers, The Phon- Uttoxeter Racecourse, Staffordshire, Line-up includes: Skerryvore, Martyn Fri 31 May - Sun 2 June ics (pictured), Arcadia Roots, Kings Of The Joseph, 3 Daft Monkeys, Merry Hell, Holy Quarter Mile, Tom C Walker, Joncan Standing out from the summertime crowd of Moly & The Crackers, Chris Helme, Mark Kavlakoglu, Sunset Service, Steve Ajao Band, ever-louder electronic get-togethers, the Radcliff, Russell & Lee, Gregg Russell & Cia- Jack Brett, The Paul Garner Band, Blue Moon Acoustic Festival of Great Britain marks a ran Algar, O’Hooley & Tidow, Blair Dunlop and Red Hot Riot. welcome return to the basics of good-quality and Urban Folk Quartet (pictured). music. Stripped back, unplugged performances are the focus of this relaxed, friendly event. Beyond that, it's open to music of all genres. With five-star-rated camping infrastructure, glamping options, seated food tents and kids' play areas, it's the perfect way to spend a lazy weekend with the family. Line-up includes: Big Country, Eagle-Eye Cherry, Ian Prowse and Amsterdam (pic- tured), Chris Difford, 3 Daft Monkeys, Izzy and The Hot Heads, Gaz Brookfield, The Wil- lows, Joshua Burnell Band, Fleetwood Bac, Candy Mountain and Gordon Haskell. whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Moseley.qxp_Layout 1 03/06/2019 14:56 Page 1

Moseley Magic

What’s On talks to Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival Manager John Fell ahead of the event celebrating its 10th anniversary in July...

Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul is a popular Lauren Foster caught up with Festival more popular, we decided to bring our other annual event which attracts visitors from Manager John Fell to discuss the 2019 musical interests into play and launch all over the world and plays host to a edition of Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul and its another festival. It started out as Mostly Jazz weekend of blistering live music, both sister event, Moseley Folk Festival. Festival, but everybody assumed it was just from contemporary breakthrough artists pure jazz, so we changed the name to Mostly How did it all start, John? and international legends. Jazz Funk & Soul about eight years ago. And speaking of legends, this year’s We began with Moseley Folk Festival, which People really bought into the new name festival is headlined by The Jacksons, The is now in its 14th year. It was initially a because it sounds so much more like a party. Brand New Heavies and the incomparable gathering of a few hundred people, and has It’s amazing how it’s grown. Burt Bacharach. just grown and grown. As the folk festival got

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by Lauren Foster

Why Moseley Park? Seasick Steve I’ve tried a few times. Any of pounds in the bank and you can afford to lose It’s just a beautiful location. I think even Crosby Stills & Nash would be mega. Our money for three years, because that’s what some people who live locally have never been directors have definitely put in a few offers for happens unless you’re very lucky. Neil Young to play solo, but understandably there - you need a key to get access. Anyone You like to champion local talent, so he’s not decided to come and play to a 3,000- can get the key, though; they can go over to which band/artist should be on our radar capped festival in Moseley. We’ll keep trying, the travel shop across the road and get the this year? key for the day. We’d never move from though... Someone who’s underrated is Sam Redmore - Moseley now - we’re so blessed to have that Of the three festivals that you produce - he’s a DJ from Birmingham. He does a lot of site. At times, when we have a big line-up, it’s Moseley Folk, Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul and club nights and has started to play across the frustratingly small because we can’t get more Lunar, which has the greatest appeal to country now. He does a lot on Craig Charles’ people in, but equally I think it’s a blessing. you personally? show, and his Soundcloud has 700,000 We’re very happy and proud to be able to put It’s really difficult because when I started, I followers; he’s really growing. I’ve never had our festivals on there. was an out-and-out folky/Americana kind of a bad time at any night I've been to where How did you get involved? person - I love Simon & Garfunkel etc. But as I he’s been playing. I hope he gets the credit he I used to run the office for a medical got involved with the jazz festival, it kind of deserves because he’s a hardworking guy, company, and whilst I was doing that, I was changed. I think the folk this year is one of too... Also, Young Pilgrims are really cool. A also playing music. I was in a band called our more well-rounded line-ups. Lunar, for brass band, all former Conservatoire kids, Goodnight Lenin, and we got booked to play example, we’ve had Television on, but I could they’re really good. Boat To Row are in the Moseley Festival - we headlined the second never put them on at the folk festival. middle of planning their album release, and stage one of the nights. Carl from the festival Because we had two festivals, we tried to keep they’re headlining at the folk festival on the got involved with the band and just asked me the line-ups quite separate - more folk and Sunday night. A new band I like is Saint Alto, whether I knew anyone who wanted to be a Americana for the folk, then more indie and who’re playing the Friday of the folk festival. psychedelic for Lunar, but now that that’s not festival assistant. I told him that I was bored Who are you most looking forward to see- happening this year, we’ve kind of pulled that of business life so I’d come and do it. Now I’m ing at this year’s festivals? Festival Manager, so it’s worked out really back into the folk. Last year, I feel that it lost a Definitely Burt Bacharach. The Jacksons are well. I’ve been here eight years. bit of its oomph and bands that punch it out a bit, so we’ve kind of combined them this year. going to be a lot of fun. At Moseley Folk, What’s been the highlight during your Obviously it’s Moseley Folk & Arts this year, you’ve got The Zutons. Hearing Valerie at time with the festivals? for the first time, so we’ll have loads of Moseley Park is going to be incredible. I guess I think the one that everybody talks about is comedians and stuff. It just feels like the Don McLean. We’ve tried to book him for a Chic. We all knew the Chic back-catalogue - line-up is much more rounded. few years and have actually managed to get all the tracks and artists that Nile Rodgers has him this year. Vincent, American Pie, Castles What do you dread most in the lead-up to been involved with - that’s why we booked In The Air are all massive songs to me, so I the festival? them. Between booking them and playing the think that’s a really nice way to end the festival, they released Get Lucky with Daft Bands turning up is an obvious one, and festival season - on a high. missing things, I suppose. Going back a Punk, and it was the most in-sync thing that How do you see the festivals progressing while, we were sent a tech spec from a band could’ve happened. A year after that, their fee in the next 10 years? was 10 times higher. We wouldn’t be able to who were coming over from Canada, and I This year we’ve brought an arts element into afford them now. Due to capacity, there’s only was double-checking everything and sending Moseley Folk, so that’s our first stepping so much that we can spend... everything out to the artists to make sure that stone. We’re going to have a stage for comedy, Public Enemy were brilliant. They stepped in everything was correct. But no one got back talks, and eventually podcasts and film. a month before because Sugarhill Gang to me until the night before the festival, and Obviously it’s a very small site, so we’ve got to pulled out. No disrespect to Sugarhill, but it there was a keyboard missing. There were see how that all flows. We’ll look to do a was definitely a case of burying bad news only three in the country, as it was a very similar thing with the jazz. The jazz is very with some really good news, and it proved to specific keyboard, and they were all hired music-focused, but there’s also loads of great be a really great atmosphere... out. We managed to contact another festival food to enjoy - Original Patty Men and all For the folk festival, I'd say Johnny Marr - I'm that had hired the keyboard for that band on these really cool independent food traders a massive Smiths fan. Generally speaking, I the Saturday, and we got my friend to drive will be there - so that’s a step up this year. I’d say hello and thank you for coming etc to the down to the festival and pick up the keyboard like to see comedians and cabaret and film artists, but I try not to pester them. I leave for the Friday evening. A lot of it is about brought into the jazz, to give it another them alone to do their thing, but I had to go troubleshooting; things do go wrong dimension. I think next year that’s definitely and chat to Johnny. He was one of the nicest constantly, and you get used to that. I sup- what we’ll be looking to do. I’m already look- men ever. Billy Duffy came from The Cult, and pose you’re nervous anyway because you’re ing forward to that! they played I Fought The Law, which was responsible for more than 3,000 people - and really cool. Johnny came out and we sat by not just in terms of safety; you’re trying to the lake and spoke for about half an hour. I make sure everyone’s having a good time, too. had to keep reminding myself that it was him! What piece of advice would you give to Is there an artist who you’ve continually someone who was thinking about hosting Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul takes place at tried to bring to the festival without so far a first-time festival? Moseley Park from Friday 12 to Sunday been successful? Start small and don’t do it for money. If you’re 14 July. doing it for money, it comes across. Have an Moseley Folk & Arts Festival takes place at Erykah Badu. I haven’t managed that one yet. Moseley Park from Friday 30 August to Earth Wind And Fire. For the folk festival, identity and grow it organically. That’s the only way to do it unless you’ve got billions of Sunday 1 September. whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Comedy June.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 15:49 Page 1

Comedy

Jimmy Carr Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 22 June; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Thurs 27 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sat 20 July; Dudley Town Hall, Sat 14 September Jimmy Carr’s comedy is all about quickfire, deadpan one-liners - and so many of them, in fact, that he’s not sure their content matters all that much: “People don’t really remember the individual jokes I tell because I tell such a lot of them; what they do remember is how those jokes make them feel.” Jimmy is a comedian for whom no subject is off limits: “I’ll talk about anything as long as I feel the joke justifies it. It may cause controversy, but my thing on that is that controversy’s an easy story on a slow-news day. And I never apologise for jokes. Reginald D Hunter After all, I’m not making a serious political Oakengates Theatre, at The Place, Telford, Thurs 6 June; , Wed 26 June statement, I’m just trying to make somebody laugh.” “Start calling things what they are,” says eliminate the euphemisms, I think you'll American funnyman Reginald D Hunter. find that a lot of the mental health issues “There's so much euphemistic language - people are suffering will begin to clear up a things like 'war on terrorism' or 'perception bit, I really do.” management' - that's just a fancy way of One of the most popular comedians saying lies. I think when we collectively in currently working the UK comedy circuit, Western culture don't call things what they Reginald’s no-nonsense style and hugely are, added to all the drugs - prescription amusing perspectives on the differences and otherwise - and all the propaganda between the US and the UK have struck a nonsense in the system, it's no wonder real chord with his audiences. people are going f***ing crazy! If you

The Muslims Are Coming Hilarity Charity Gala The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 9 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wed 5 June Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 10 June This returning Central Youth Theatre (CYT) fundraiser is once again compered by Daniel Kitson. Comedians plying their trade at the 2019 edition of the event include David O’Doherty, Rose Matafeo, John Robins, Darren Harriot, Tom Parry Sean McLoughlin and Bake Off star Tom Allen (pictured). The Glee Club, Birmingham, Fri 28 June This is the fifth edition of Hilarity Charity Referred to by Time Out as ‘the best to be organised by CYT, Wolverhampton’s comedian you haven’t heard of yet’, Sean leading youth theatre since 1983. McLoughlin is a man whose potential is well known on the comedy circuit. Witness the Shazia Mirza, who headlines this latest fact that he was recently handpicked to edition of The Muslims Are Coming, is not open for Bill Burr at the Royal Albert Hall averse to treading a delicate line when it and for the legendary Doug Stanhope. comes to her material. Examples of this And not only that, he’s also provided tour include: “My name is Shazia Mirza - at support for Ricky Gervais, and even bagged least, that's what it says on my pilot's himself a part in Gervais’s recent Netflix licence”, and “My parents really want me to comedy series, After Life. get married. But Muslim men don't want to This latest show sees Sean undertaking the marry me because... I speak.” task of attempting to plot a course into the Shazia is joined for the show by different future for not only himself but also comedians on each night. mankind... 22 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy June.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 15:49 Page 2

Al Murray Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 20 June Pub philosopher extraordinaire Al Murray certainly knows how to serve a pint or two of high-quality satire, and makes for a thoroughly nice drinking companion into the bargain. The much-loved Pub Landlord is using his new show to embark on a common-sense crusade to ‘re-Great’ Britain, along the way looking at issues including the NHS, Europe, the Middle East and the gathering storm of fortnightly bin collections...

Adam Kay Dudley Town Hall, Fri 21 June; Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 29 June After watching an Adam Kay performance, Going To Hurt: Secret Diaries Of A Junior Stephen Fry declared, “This made me very, Doctor. The show features one hour and one very happy.” Numerous sell-out years at the minute’s-worth of humorous material based Edinburgh Fringe and tens of millions of on his bestselling book of the same name. YouTube hits later, former obstetrician and Expect splendidly silly spoof songs and some gynaecologist Adam is this month visiting seriously shocking stories from the NHS the Midlands with his latest tour, This Is frontline...

Harriet Dyer Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Tues 18 June Fascinating facts about Harriet Dyer include the revelation that she once asked her flatmate to use a mallet to try to break her arm for her - on account of the fact that she didn’t fancy going into work that day... At the time, Harriet thought such behaviour was simply representative of an eccentric personality. It was only years later that she was diagnosed as bipolar, with anxiety and depression thrown in for good measure... Away from the issue of her mental health, Harriet names her favourite heckle as the sound generated by an electric wheelchair as its unhappy owner headed for the exit after deciding she’d had enough of the comedian’s show. Ashley Blaker & Imran Yusef: Prophet Sharing Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Thursday 20 June “As an overtly Jewish comedian,” says Ashley that was so good, so clever, that I couldn’t Blaker, “I know my audience has an breathe because I was laughing so much,” expectation that I’ll cover certain topics in Imran recalls. “It was such a good gag that I my show: Jeremy Corbyn, Labour, Israel, that studied it to try and understand what made it dog that does the Nazi salute et al. And I do so brilliant. Making people laugh is a great of course cover them all.” way to earn respect, but only if it’s done as a Ashley is here teaming up with Imran Yusef, natural consequence of who you are. You who markets his own style of comedy as can’t just run around telling people jokes like being for people who like to ‘think and some kind of weirdo!” laugh’. “I once heard a joke by Sean Lock whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Adam Kay online.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 16:03 Page 1 Adam Kay online.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 16:03 Page 2

This is going to hurt... Comedian and former obstetrician & gynaecologist Adam Kay is this month visiting the Midlands with his latest touring show, This Is Going To Hurt: Secret Diaries Of A Junior Doctor...

Adam, you’ve been interested in standup soaking through your scrubs. outside interests, I guess some of them will for a long time, performing whilst in med- pursue those interests after their degree. Aside from the anecdotes, is there much ical school - but when you quit being a about being a doctor that helps in being a Most of your material so far has been doctor, did you intend to work full-time in standup comedian? Dealing with the pres- based around your medical experiences. comedy and writing? sure? Late nights? Are you planning any shows in the future There’s a long tradition of medical students based on other experiences or ideas that I’m certainly very good at the late nights. I putting on generally pretty terrible end-of- you’ve had - possibly non-medical? can stay up 48 hours writing a script that I’ve year shows, making fun of the consultants failed to do in time. My body is now just I spent quite a few years writing on various and professors, and I got involved with that trained to get on with it. I don’t get stressed TV shows with no medical aspect to them at sort of show a lot when I was at med school. I or nervous these days either - my barometer all. I guess when people get bored of hearing guess encouraging medical students to enjoy for stress has been totally ruined by working my diaries, I’ll go back to that! a bit of gallows humour is the closest thing on the wards. Obviously, the big difference we have to teaching them some kind of cop- By the time this interview is published on- on stage is that the stakes are zero. ing mechanism for the bad days at work. line, Brexit may or may not have hap- When I had my own extremely bad day at You’re not the only ex-medical comedian, pened. Who knows? How equipped is the work and left medicine in 2010 - sorry, I’ve ru- with Harry Hill and Paul Sinha also former NHS to deal with, well, any number of po- ined the ending of the show - I realised that medical practitioners. Is there any partic- tential outcomes? writing jokes and getting up on stage was the ular reason why a number of you have Make no mistake, Brexit is a disaster for the closest thing I had to any kind of skill set be- made that journey, or is it the result of a NHS. The NHS simply couldn’t function with- yond working on the wards, so I thought I’d secret comedy cabal? give it a go. I fully expected it would end up out the staff who’ve come here from every being a failed six-month experiment, but to Rather than recruiting people who are psy- country of the world, each one going far be- my ongoing surprise it’s still how I pay the chologically fit for the job, which you might yond the call of duty on a daily basis. The gas bill. think would be a sensible approach, medical NHS is short of 100,000 members of staff schools choose people who have lots of across the UK, so making a single member of Your book and tour describes the ups and extra-curricular activities. For example, I had staff feel unwelcome would be an act of mad- downs of being a junior doctor. Was there a couple of grade VIIIs in music and worked ness. Making tens of thousands of them feel ever such a thing as a mundane day at on the school newspaper. If you look at the unwelcome is an act of utter self-destruction. work? Wikipedia entry for any famous doctor, it’s The fact that Brexit was sold on the basis of always been the case: ‘He proved himself an extra money for the NHS was utterly disin- I worked on the labour ward, and as anyone accomplished rugby player in youth leagues. genuous - and you’ll struggle to find a mem- who’s ever been on a labour ward in any ca- He excelled as a distance runner and in his ber of the NHS staff who thinks that Brexit is pacity knows, the days there are never mun- final year at school was vice-captain of the going to be anything other than a nightmare dane. You end up with twice the number of athletics team’. And that’s Harold Shipman, for them at work. patients you started with, which is unusual so it’s potentially not a totally rock-solid sys- for any medical specialty. I guess on a mun- tem. As well as medics leaving for the stage, dane day you manage to leave within two there are also huge numbers who’ve had in- hours of when you’re meant to, no one threat- Adam Kay - This is Going To Hurt: Secret credibly successful careers in sport, such as ens to kill you, and you only throw away one Diaries Of A Junior Doctor visits Dudley Roger Bannister. If you recruit people with pair of boxers following a tsumani of blood Town Hall on Friday 21 June. Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:27 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

The Bodyguard between the pair. Each expects to hold the whip-hand in the relation- ship; neither expects to fall in love... Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 25 June - Sat 6 July; Featuring classic numbers One Moment In Time, I Wanna Dance With Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 21 January - Sat 1 February 2020 Somebody and the legendary I Will Always Love You, the show This blockbusting West End musical is of course based on the simi- received mixed reviews from the critics when it opened in 2012, but larly blockbusting 1990s Hollywood movie starring Kevin Costner and has since proved to be a real hit with its audiences. Whitney Houston. The part of Rachel will be shared by Alexandra Burke and Jennlee When ex-secret service agent Frank Farmer is hired to protect super- Shallow at both venues. star Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker, sparks soon begin to fly Visit the theatres’ respective websites for more details about this.

The Strange Undoing Of Pamela’s Palace Boulder Prudencia Hart The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Sat 15 June Wed 19 & Thurs 20 June Fri 28 June - Sat 13 July Hairstylist Pamela Jones is the brash and The Greek myth of Sisyphus is here reimag- Prudencia Hart is an uptight academic strutting owner of a beauty salon that’s seen ined by the ever-resourceful Half A String attending a conference in the Scottish better days. But Pam is convinced that her theatre company. Harmoniously fusing live Borders. As she heads back through the fortunes are about to change. action and digital, Boulder follows the snow from a pub lock-in to her B&B, she Love-sick Tiffany and bashful Bronwyn ongoing struggles of an intricate puppet as suddenly finds herself not only in the work at the salon too, and soon find them- he strains to move a giant boulder up a hill, company of a stranger, but also, rather more selves embroiled in a plan which involves a only to find himself then watching it roll profoundly, standing on the threshold of Greek-themed catwalk event that comes back down to the bottom each and every reality... complete with pillars, ivy and grapes... day... David Greig’s widely admired play has An interactive evening awash with great Atmospheric voices, live cello, and fluid bagged numerous awards since debuting choreography, belly-laugh opportunities transformations of set and scale ensure an eight years ago, including the coveted aplenty and no little amount of hairspray, evening of theatre that keeps the senses well Herald Angel gong at the Edinburgh Fringe Pamela’s Palace scored a big hit at the and truly stimulated. Festival. Edinburgh Fringe last summer.

24 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:27 Page 2 Educating Rita.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 08:59 Page 1 Educating Rita.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 08:59 Page 2

by Stephen Taylor

Educating Rita What’s On chats to Stephen Tompkinson, who stars as washed-up university lecturer Frank when a new version of Willy Russell’s hit comedy, Educating Rita, visits Wolverhampton next month...

As the Open University marks its half cen- When the proposal for a revival of the play So how does Stephen view his character’s tury, Wolverhampton offers a warm welcome was put to Willy Russell, he not only gave his relationship with Rita? to perhaps its most celebrated fictional blessing to the pairing of Tompkinson and “Frank’s desperate for her not to become just graduate. Willy Russell’s Educating Rita stars Johnson, he also agreed to help with the another student, but instead to try and see Jessica Johnson as the Rita of the title, a production. things his way. But then, by doing that, he’s working-class hairdresser who enrols as a “We’ve had Willy present every week of almost having too much of an influence on part-time English Literature student. Jessica rehearsals, so he’s led us through by the her, when he should be allowing her to think is joined in the play by Stephen Tompkinson hand very beautifully and very patiently, and for herself. He’s very aware that he’s doing a as Frank, the disillusioned university hasn’t been at all fussy about the script. sort of Frankenstein number on her and can professor who’s been assigned to tutor her on see the changes in her. He’s not particularly her journey towards graduation. “He knows that audiences have moved on, 40 best pleased with what he sees, and his years after he first wrote it, and that they Whilst many people will be familiar with outlet is through drink, sadly. don’t need as much information as they used Lewis Gilbert’s 1983 film version of the play, to be given, so he’s been quite happy getting “Rita tries to rescue him from himself and starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters, the scissors out to his much-loved play. He’s ends up finding herself, so she’s very grateful Stephen Tompkinson’s interest in Russell’s let it be our production, and he’s been to Frank. The decisions that she makes from text stretches further back: “I’d read the play delighted with the results, I’m happy to say. then on will definitely be hers, and Frank has and I’d seen it on stage before I saw the film, We knew that if we were making him happy, given her choice.” in the very early ’80s, and thought, ‘One day then hopefully that would transfer to the I’d love to do it’. Over the years, the broad appeal of Educat- audience.” ing Rita has ensured that the story is familiar “The lovely thing about the stage play over Since opening in Keswick in April, the play to many people, but what can the audience the film is that it’s one set, in his office, and has attracted a wide range of theatregoers: expect to take away from this particular it’s just the two characters. You follow this “It’s accessible to everyone. Although it’s set production? year of academia, this journey that they both in a university and the world of academia, go on together, and find out how these very “They get to see a great, unrequited love with someone who’s desperate to enter that disparate characters end up offering a story about second chances and choice, and world, it doesn’t exclude. It’s inclusive of lifeline to each other.” about the fact that it’s never too late for everybody, and I think that’s always been anyone. Friends who’ve been to see it are While Stephen had always harboured a wish one of Willy’s great strengths - being able to dazzled by Willy’s original script. They can’t to play Frank, it was his co-performer who speak to everyone. believe it’s 40 years since it was written, reignited his interest in the role: “I first met “The producers at Keswick said that the most because all the points are still very salient Jess nearly two years ago at Live Theatre in rewarding thing was that 20 percent of the now.” Newcastle, when she was performing a play ticket sales were brand new theatregoers, so called Goth Weekend. I was rehearsing a that was lovely. We met a guy whose only Patrick Marber play called The Red Lion. I other experience of the theatre was panto saw Jess’s performance, and she was ab- Educating Rita shows at Wolverhampton with the kids at Christmas, and he said he solutely brilliant. She’d done Educating Rita Grand Theatre from Monday 8 to Saturday was engaged within the first five minutes at the Gala Theatre in Durham, said she’d 13 July & Malvern Festival Theatre, from because he could associate with Rita, being love another opportunity for a longer run, Monday 5 to Saturday 10 August working-class himself. He was absolutely lost and that I would make a brilliant Frank.” in it and thought it was fantastic.” Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:27 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Deadtown The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 27 - Sat 29 June The Forman Brothers, widely considered to be one of the most innovative theatre companies in Europe, are the creatives behind this critically acclaimed Wild West tale. The production cleverly uses a mixture of film, live action and magic to shift from illusion to reality, in the process making full use of a cast of 20 acrobats, dancers, singers and musicians. “The performance takes place sometime around 1900, in an era of great discoveries such as phonographs, cameras and first films,” says one of the brothers, Petr, the son of the late, great Oscar-winning movie director Milos Forman. “They are discoveries which fascinate us even in modern times. And all these things, these little details, they are an honour to the great men who laid the basis of the world we are living in today.”

Hormonal Housewives Helena’s sitting on to demonstrate his allegiance by handing the shelf, Titania over his wife, Belvidera. One of the other Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Thurs and Oberon are up 6 June; Oakengates Theatre@The Place, conspirators threatens Belvidera, so she and Telford, Thurs 13 June; Lichfield Garrick, to no good, and Jaffeir go on the run. They then have to work Sat 15 June; Malvern Theatres, Sun 16 June; Puck’s got his out whether to reveal the conspiracy to the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 21 June finger in more pies senate, or to carry on with it, knowing how than Mr Kipling. bloody the outcome will be…” Add in a group of rude mechanicals and the recipe for success is guaran- Velvet teed... Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 12 & Thurs 13 June “Just as I was starting to write Velvet, the Venice Preserved #MeToo movement happened, and made my writing seem even more urgent.” Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Sat 7 September So says Tom Ratcliffe, whose critically This Julie Coombe play offers a humorous acclaimed play tells the story of a young gay contemplation on what it means to be a 21st actor experiencing sexual harassment. century girl at a challenging time of life. So if “Due to the fact that men are usually you can relate to subjects such as weight perpetrators, and because there’s this gain, weight loss, mood swings, wine, PMS, perception that gay men are inherently men, going to the gym, waxing, stretch linked to sex, it’s almost assumed that they marks, chocolate and upper-lip hair, this is want it. I hope Velvet goes some way the show for you! towards putting sexual harassment against a gay man in the same context as sexual harassment against a woman.” A Midsummer Night’s Dream “Thomas Otway’s Venice Preserved follows disaffected Venetian nobles,” the show’s Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 18 - Thurs 20 director, Prasanna Puwanarajah, explains. June; Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 5 & Sat 6 July; Oakengates Theatre@The Place, “Out of the two main male characters, one is Telford, Wed 17 July the son-in-law of a senator and the other is a Zany funsters Oddsocks celebrate their 30th war veteran. Both of them join a conspiracy anniversary with a high-energy production of against the senate of Venice, as they believe one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies. it to be oppressive and in need of change. In Lysander and Demetrius both fancy Hermia, order to join the plot, one of them, Jaffeir, has

26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:27 Page 4 Woke.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 08:57 Page 1

wakeRenowned beatboxer Testament comes to theup Midlands this month with his new show, Woke. What’s On spoke to the hip-hop star about the production and its relationship to feminism… Woke.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 08:57 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

World Record-holding beatboxer Testament show on the road. We might not necessarily the world. Whether it’s an allegory, a parable uses his new show, Woke, to explore what have laws in the UK that discriminate against or even a headline on a tabloid newspaper, happens when his hip-hop world collides women, but in everyday domestic, social and narratives help us to order our souls and to with his newer role as the father to a young career settings there’s definitely still sexism think about things. So I’ve always been very girl. Employing a mixture of comedy, spoken towards women in particular. For example, keen on storytelling. My raps were always full word, hip-hop and beatboxing, Testament hip-hop is my art form, and yet misogyny is of storytelling, and I really try to take care unpicks the conflict between feminism and almost written into it. So there’s a movement with my bars and rhymes because the lines hip-hop in an attempt to understand how we in Woke to try and unpick that and examine are always there to serve a narrative, rather can all become better feminists. what’s going on. This is something that’s real than just to sound cool. I mean, I hope they and affects people’s lives on both small and sound cool also, but the story is the most The word Woke is slang, defined as ‘to be bigger levels. I was angry at the state of the important thing. Theatres just seemed like the aware of and actively attentive to important world and also at myself. So Woke is natural space to put my music into.” facts and issues - especially those connected something I felt I really needed to get out to racial and social justice’. Five years ago, Testament founded a now, and luckily there were a few theatres workshop scheme called The Hip-Hop Clinic, “Woke was born out of a bit of frustration across the country that wanted to help me where he uses hip-hop as an educational tool. with myself,” Testament explains. “I sud- create the piece.” denly realised that there were things about “I was working freelance as a hip-hop Woke is not a show that seeks to preach. In my own life and attitudes that just weren’t educator, which I still do now. So I use hip- his self-reflection, Testament extends the sitting right with me. I was almost afraid to hop as a tool to educate in schools, prisons hand of community empowerment to the examine these. The more I dug into them, the and community centres. I use the word ‘clinic’ audience: “Mostly it’s a really funny show. It’s more I realised that even though my music in there because I really hope it’s something called Woke, which is kind of in inverted- and theatre really talks about the world and that helps and heals. Hip-hop doesn’t always commas, because when someone says they’re its current issues, there were still things do that, but the founding principles of the woke, that automatically implies that they within my own self that needed work. I clinic are to change that. I’m lucky enough to think someone else isn’t. That’s a bit of a realised that, as a man, I needed to be a better have got the blessing of DJ Kool Herc, one of pretentious thing to say. So I think there’s a feminist, and that it could take some work to the first progenitors of hip-hop back in the feeling of looking at myself and critiquing my understand what that would mean. That’s a day in the Bronx, and he’s all about using own hip-hop work. Part of that is laughing at journey I’m still on now, but that’s essentially music to heal, which is a legacy I want to it. Singing and beatboxing about these sexism what catalysed Woke. People were asking me carry on.” issues within the genre of hip-hop will what my next show was going to be about hopefully put a new perspective out there. So Testament is clearly a man with many strings after Blake Remixed, and I’d already decided I guess my biggest aim is for people to really to his bow. that I wanted it to be about equality and have their preconceptions challenged. The sexism.” show ends with a kind of figurative hug, so I “I’m currently the writer-in-residence at the Royal Exchange Manchester, so I’m working Testament’s ideas provoked many different really hope that people leave the theatre on a play now, which is very exciting. I’m also reactions within the communities that play an feeling empowered to look at and tackle these working on an album. Life sometimes goes by important role in his career and private life. issues.” different seasons, and I love being able to just “I received a slight backlash from certain men So why did Testament decide to take his be creative and go with it. I plan on taking in all parts of my life about this. In particular music into theatres across the country? whatever opportunities come my way and some from the hip-hop scene were telling me making sure I still pursue all my lines of “One of the big turning points for me was about how feminism is evil and a conspiracy work.” when I was working with SK Shlomo at his to undermine men. A lot of the people in my shows on the Southbank. I was one of the He’s also positive that Midlands theatre-goers Christian community were supportive, and beatboxers in his show. I saw how he turned will enjoy Woke: “The feedback I’ve had from agreed that feminism is part of loving your that into a theatre show, and I loved how his audiences so far has been really, really neighbour, but some others were also pretty vision was to unite the world through music. I positive. Some people just find it really scathing about it. Even some friends from thought about how combining theatre and hilarious, others enjoy seeing a live beat- school told me how feminism is undermining hip-hop was actually really fantastic, but not boxer. I’ve heard men say they’ve been really Western civilisation. So I got mixed reactions, done that often. It’s quite hard to convey a challenged by the content of Woke. I’ve had and a lot of people weren’t happy about me complex message at places like clubs and women come to me and say that, for them, it exploring feminism through hip-hop. But at festivals, where people are there to have a was really healing. I think that’s been great the same time, it was their reactions that good time rather than to listen to the story. for a random rapper guy to achieve with a affirmed to me how much of an issue it was, With theatre, it’s more of a community, where spoken-word, beatboxing show where I spit and how important it was for me to open up a you sit down and have a conversation be- some lyrics and jump around a bit. I’m glad conversation about this.” tween audience and performer.” that people leave having been entertained The global sociopolitical climate was also an and feeling uplifted.” Storytelling has been a passion of Testa- influence on the creation of Woke: “That guy ment’s for many years and links directly to Donald Trump got elected; someone with both his music career and his theatre shows. obvious problems with how to relate to and respect women. Seeing how some people I “Well, I’m called Testament, which I guess Testament brings his new show Woke to knew were really big fans of Donald Trump links to stories. In every tradition, culture and the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry on made me even more determined to get this religion in the world, stories are how we view Saturday 15 June Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:27 Page 5

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

The Mousetrap Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 27 - Sat 29 June; Malvern Theatre, Mon 15 - Sat 20 July Not only has everybody heard of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, they’ve seen the show as well - haven't they? Okay, maybe not, but as the production is fast approaching its 70th consecutive year in the West End, it's fair to say its capacity to put bums on seats is absolutely beyond question. Not surprisingly it’s the world's longest-run- ning show, and has been performed well in excess of a staggering 25,000 times. Its touring version here makes a welcome return to the Midlands.

Avenue Q things because they cost a lot of money. But I how can somebody disappear from a moving Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, will nonetheless attempt to create an all- train? Or is Iris suddenly losing her mind?... Tues 11 - Sat 15 June singing all-dancing spectacle using the The Lady Vanishes is best remembered in its This Tony Award-winning musical focuses on power of the audience’s imagination!” Alfred Hitchcock-directed movie version, but subjects including dating, racism, being gay packs a powerful punch on stage as well. and finding your purpose in life. At the centre This latest adaptation is presented by The of the story is Princeton, a bright-eyed college Roman Romp Classic Thriller Theatre Company. graduate with a tiny bank balance who, as he Swan Theatre, Worcester, Thurs 6 June; Prince sets out on a voyage of self-discovery, finds of Wales Centre, Cannock, Fri 7 June; Brierley Hill Civic Hall, Thurs 20 June; Crewe Lyceum, himself being easily distracted by a busty Wed 26 June blonde and a plethora of weird and Described by its producers as ‘an evening of wonderful friends. farcical confusion and outrageous innuendo which may also contain mild audience partic- ipation’, Roman Romp is presented by the company who annually perform an adult panto at the Prince of Wales Centre. And just as one might therefore expect - judg- WNO: Don Pasquale ing by the show’s title, description and the Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, past record of the ensemble performing it - Sat 8 June; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, it’s a wee bit on the rude side! Sun 16 June So brace yourself for an encounter with A small Welsh National Opera cast bring to reluctant virgin Frigella the Fulfiller as she life Daisy Evans’ new production of this searches for a ‘shagamus’ - aided and abetted Donizetti masterpiece. We’ve Got Each Other: in her sadly-far-from-foolproof plans by her A classic comic opera - here updated to mod- The Almost Entirely nice-but-dim pal, Bimbus... ern times and taking place in and around Imagined Bon Jovi Not surprisingly, the show has been deemed Pasquale’s doner kebab van - the show tells inappropriate for audience members younger the much-loved story of an old bachelor’s Musical than the age of 16. romantic delusions and the young lovers Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Sat 8 June who outwit him... The production follows on With Bon Jovi visiting the Midlands this very from Welsh National Opera’s 2018 success month, what better time to stage this modern The Lady Vanishes with Elena Langer’s Rhondda Rips It Up!. jukebox musical? “It’s the kind of show,” Lichfield Garrick, Mon 17 - Sat 22 June says its performer, Paul O'Donnel, “that Taking a nap while travelling on a transconti- traditionally comes with a multi-talented nental train to London, Iris awakes to find cast, a live band - or orchestra, if you’re lucky the elderly governess who’d been sitting next - opulent sets & decadent costumes, to her is nowhere to be seen. On questioning extravagant dance routines, dramatic key her fellow passengers and the train’s crew changes and the odd hydraulic lift or two. about the sweet old lady, she’s dismayed to We’ve Got Each Other has got none of these find that nobody recalls seeing her at all. But

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Theatre Theatre for younger audiences...

The Gruffalo Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 25 & Wed 26 June; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 11 - Tues 12 November Summer’s not summer in Birmingham with- out one of Julia Donaldson’s delightful tales being vividly brought to life. And on this occasion, it’s an adaptation of 1999 bestseller The Gruffalo which is taking to the stage. The production is presented by award- winning theatre company Tall Stories, who’ve garnered an excellent reputation in terms of performing Donaldson’s work. Their imagina- tive retelling of the much-loved book comes complete with talented cast, catchy songs and magical characters.

Ben & Holly’s Little the more for understanding the source of its Honk! inspiration. Kingdom The production revolves around the friend- Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 4 - Sat 8 June Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 25 & Wed ship between two grandads, Fred and Ted, 26 June; Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, who’ve been best pals for a very long time. Stiles & Drewe’s hit musical has been Wed 10 & Thurs 11 July When they find themselves faced with a performed in excess of 8,000 times at venues painting job, it soon becomes apparent that across the world. It's based on Hans Christian the two old chums have vastly different ways Andersen's The Ugly Duckling and tells the of going about things... story of an odd-looking baby duck and his attempts to find his mother. While doing so, he encounters a beautiful swan, tangled in a fishing line, and subsequently falls in love... Ministry Of Science This quacker of a well-hatched tale is here Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, Wed 19 presented by Dot By Dot Productions. June; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Thurs 20 June From the creative team behind Brainiac Live The team behind Peppa Pig here present a comes an anarchic show that takes a look at stage version of another of their splendid the inventors and engineers who’ve shaped creations. Originally a BAFTA award-winning and inspired the modern world. television animation, it focuses on the adven- Expect plenty of demonstrations - and a few tures of fairy princess Holly and her best pal, loud bangs along the way... Ben, a wingless elf who flies on the back of Gaston the Ladybird. The two chums live in the tiny land of the Little Kingdom. Dinosaur World Live In this particular show, they help Gaston clean up his messy cave, go on a trip into The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Thurs 13 - Sat 15 June Big World with tooth-fairy Nanny Plum, and plan a surprise birthday party for King Dinosaurs are once again Milkshake Live! roaming the earth this Thistle... Expect plenty of games, songs and Palace Theatre, Redditch, Sat 22 June laughter. summer, thanks to this critically acclaimed Milkshake Monkey’s desire to put on a new interactive show for all the musical has hit the skids due to a nasty bout family to enjoy. of rampant stage fright - so thank heaven that If All The World Youngsters get to meet a host of impressive Fireman Sam, Noddy, Shimmer & Shine and Were Paper prehistoric creatures - including, of course, all their friends are on hand to help out... If you’ve watched the TV series and/or been Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 2 June every child's favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. to a previous live production, you’ll already The fact that Big Window Theatre’s latest In short, the show promises to be an absolute know what to expect from this latest show is a ‘little homage’ to Laurel & Hardy monster of an experience, leaving a T-Rex- Milkshake! show. If not, get ready for an will, of course, be lost on its very young audi- size imprint on your child’s memory for many event that promises lots of laughter, bucket- ence. But maybe the accompanying parents a week to come. loads of family fun, bags of audience partici- and guardians will enjoy the experience all pation and plenty of singing and dancing.

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whatsonlive.co.uk 31 Merchant of Venice 1.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:24 Page 1

Shakespeare

atStafford Festival the Shakespeare returnscastle to Stafford Castle at the end of this month with a production of The Merchant Of Venice. What’s On recently caught up with this year’s director, Oliver O’Shea, to talk about the show and his decision to set the action in 1950s New …

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by Lauren Cole

Shakespeare’s The Merchant Of Venice all the elements of modern theatrical produc- Obviously he was an incredible writer, but I centres on a loan given to Bassanio and tion into the outdoor space. So rather than think if he could look back on his own plays Antonio to subsidise the former’s pursuit of being like a museum piece or a replica, this is from now, he would revise and modernise wealthy heiress Portia. It’s a tale of money, very much an original. We have a cast of 12 them too. I think actors and directors who anti-Semitism and deception. actors with gender parity and a really brilliant stage Shakespeare today have to bring their creative team. I think this production will be a own modern theatre-making principles to “Merchant is an incredible piece of writing,” really thrilling and exciting one that’s full of bear on the text. says Oliver O’Shea, who’s directing the playful moments. That’s part of my approach Stafford Festival Shakespeare (SFS) produc- “On a much simpler level, it’s just about as a director: I look for the most dramatic tion of the play at Stafford Castle. making the play really come alive. If there’s a version of the dramatic art, but I also like to “Shakespeare’s plays are so rich, and this really obscure cultural reference that really highlight the moments of levity and playful- particular one is complicated and challenging doesn’t exist at all today, then it should just ness.” as well as being at times moving and funny. be cut out. That’s the approach we’ve taken - But it feels particularly timely in our country Oliver is a passionate advocate for diversity in getting rid of the stuff where you really need to be doing The Merchant Of Venice because it British theatre: “I think Shakespeare is an in-depth knowledge of the social workings is, in part, about divisions within a definitely one of our greatest playwrights, but and history of Shakespeare’s period. Some community in terms of wealth and religion. because I’m also interested in new work and people might see that as disrespectful, but we It feels like a play that is really perfect to stage plays, I think it’s important that we have a need to make Shakespeare interesting, now, as well as being a classic that hasn’t yet diverse offering on the theatre scene. What I exciting and understandable: that’s the most been produced at Stafford Festival Shake- would say is that Shakespeare being staged important thing we can do to keep speare. In recent years SFS has done, for want regionally is quite rare, outside of such places Shakespeare alive in the modern theatre of a better phrase, the ‘blockbusters’. I think as the Royal Shakespeare Company. There are world.” the producers were looking for something outdoor stagings of Shakespeare, but on a Oliver loves the variation that comes with that took a different turn to those of recent much smaller scale than Stafford Festival directing theatre: “I’m directing A Christmas years.” Shakespeare. The problem with classical Carol at Derby Theatre, and it’s a brilliant plays in the staging of regional theatre is the Oliver has set his version of the play in 1950s version because it has an ensemble approach cast sizes, which makes them expensive to New York City. with eight actor-musicians. The version we’re put on. Obviously it’s brilliant and important doing intersperses carols throughout the “This is a fresh take on The Merchant Of that people are finding the resources to stage production, which makes it a really lovely Venice in lots of ways. We were looking for a Shakespeare. It’s so important that theatre is family show. The strange thing about being a 20th century parallel to how Shakespeare’s for everyone and in every part of the country. director is that your head is often in more contemporaries would have perceived Venice I’ve chosen to be based outside London, than two different stories at once, and you in their time. Shakespeare would have known which is relatively unusual for a theatre have to be able to put a play aside for one day about Venice as this major, global port, and it director, because I believe that everyone and then come back to it the next. It can be had a reputation for being somewhat liberal. should be able to access great theatre perfor- difficult, but I like it because it makes my life Venice was also relatively multicultural and mances in their local community. It’s also so varied.” had this almost legendary status, even though really important that we do present our Britons didn’t necessarily know much about it classics, but not just for the sake of it. We Returning to the subject of The Merchant Of in reality. In 1950s New York there were lots of need to think about why we want to stage that Venice, why does Oliver think Midlands different communities and a large number of classic play now: they need to still be relevant theatregoers should make the trip to Stafford Jewish people, as well as lots of different and to resonate with audiences.” Castle to see the show? ethnicities and immigrants. So it seemed like Oliver believes making plays accessible is “I think if you live in the area and you’ve an interesting parallel. We were interested in essential for directors of Shakespeare: never been to Stafford Festival Shakespeare at that idea of a place helping the audience to “Schools’ presentation of Shakespeare plays the castle before, you should definitely give it understand the Venice that Shakespeare was is part of the reason for some people seeing a try. It’s an extremely unique setting, and it’s imagining when he wrote Merchant. So that’s his work as inaccessible and not relatable. If quite surprising that a fully resourced, big- a distinctive element of our production. you’re still learning how to read contempo- scale Shakespeare production happens every “Another way this production is different is rary English, and perhaps you’re struggling single year on a hill in Stafford. To those because of my work as a dramaturge, which because people all learn at different speeds, who’ve been before, I’d say that the festival is means I help develop new plays with writers and then all of a sudden you encounter a text reinventing itself year upon year. So don’t and provide support to people creating that seems a bit different in language and miss our approach to Merchant, as it gives a adaptations of novels. As such, I’ve lightly poetic form, it can put you off for life - different flavour to the very well-received edited this production to shift the perspective especially when it’s taught in such a dry way. production of Macbeth last year.” on certain scenes. I think seeing Shakespeare I think that’s part of the reason we’ve edited it outdoors always changes the play, too. Seeing the way we have and changed its setting. it performed in natural daylight, like it would Also, with the way television and film work The Stafford Festival Shakespeare have been at The Globe originally, is a very now, people expect their entertainment to be production of The Merchant Of Venice different experience. Unlike many outdoor more streamlined and delivered quickly. runs at Stafford Castle from productions of Shakespeare, we’re bringing There’s also, perhaps, too much reverence Thursday 27 June to Saturday 13 July. surrounding Shakespeare as a figure. whatsonlive.co.uk 33 West Midlands Railway Full June 2019.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:35 Page 1 Dance June.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 15:56 Page 1

Dance

Birmingham Royal Ballet: (Un)leashed Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 12 - Sat 15 June Three ballets by three female choreographers are here pre- sented by BRB, including the world premiere of the third Ballet Now commission by Didy Veldman (complete with a score by Sergei Prokofiev’s grandson, Gabriel). The piece rounds off an evening of dance which also features the welcome return of Jessica Lang’s Lyric Pieces - created for BRB as part of International Dance Festival Birmingham 2012 - and the first main-stage performance of Ruth Brill’s contemporary version of Peter And The Wolf. “One of the main slants is that Peter is going to be played by a girl,” explains Ruth. “It feels very current to have a strong heroine at the heart of the story. This production has dance, narration and music all rolled into one, which makes it very accessible because the story is explained. People don’t expect spoken word as a major element when they go to a ballet. It breaks down the barriers, so no-one should feel apprehensive that they won’t understand the story or know what’s going on.”

CANDY Jazz Dance Company Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 21 June Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Contemporary dance company Chrysalis Wed 12 June London takes audiences on an energetic Dancers from prestigious professional training journey through a diverse wealth of genres, school London Studio Centre here showcase a along the waypresenting a soundtrack that wide range of dance styles, from hip-hop, segues from dubstep to classical. commercial and contemporary to music The company draws its inspiration from the theatre, tap, technical and lyrical jazz. city, using urban culture to stimulate the Described as serious, satirical and sassy, the production of raw, explosive and refreshingly ensemble’s latest show is an exploration of edgy choreography. current & historical movements, moments and This latest production includes a highly figures, celebrating idols from Elvis to Michael anticipated collaboration with world- Jackson, Dali to Da Vinci and Ginger Rogers to renowned choreographer Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy Gene Kelly. MBE, and also features a specially created curtain-raiser from Birmingham’s Timmins Academy of Dance.

Rhythm Of The Dance Lichfield Garrick, Sat 8 & Sun 9 June; Swan Theatre, Worcester, Sat 13 July; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 3 August This well-established production has been dancing its way across the globe for 20-plus years, stopping off in more than 50 countries and entertaining in excess of seven million people. A flamboyant festival of flailing feet and fiddles, the show presents dance, music, songs and culture from across the ages, from pre-Celtic times through to modern-day sounds. It also features a cast of world and Irish champion dancers and a host of strikingly talented traditional musicians.

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Film

Toy Story 4 CERT tbc (89 mins) With the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Joan Cusack, Wallace Shawn, Michael Keaton, Timothy Dalton, Tony Hale, Keanu Reeves, Christina Hendricks, Madeleine McGraw Directed by Josh Cooley (USA) Children everywhere will learn what a ‘spork’ is when this film hits cinemas, the word describing a cross between a spoon and a fork. The sequel’s new character is Forky, a spork that has been fashioned into a toy with the addition of pipe cleaner arms - but he really doesn’t like being a plaything. Even so, he ends up on a road trip with Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the toys’ new owner, Bonnie Anderson (Madeleine McGraw), who made Forky herself in an arts & crafts class. Then Forky escapes in the middle of nowhere and Woody heads off to rescue him. Keanu Reeves makes his debut as a voice actor, playing a character called Duke Caboom, a stunt rider unable to live up to his maker’s publicity. Available in IMAX and 3D. Released Fri 21 June

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in June...

Dark Phoenix CERT 12a Gloria Bell CERT 15 (102 mins) Liam: As It Was CERT 15 (85 mins) Starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Starring Julianne Moore, John Turturro, Directed by Gavin Fitzgerald and Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Sophie Michael Cera, Caren Pistorius, Brad Gar- Charlie Lightening (UK) Turner, Tye Sheridan, Jessica Chastain rett, Jeanne Tripplehorn Directed by Simon Kinberg (USA) Directed by Sebastián Lelio (USA/Chile) That’s Liam as in Liam Gallagher and this The 12th instalment in the X-Men series sees British documentary follows the singer as he our mutant heroes facing up to the all-power- attempts to forge a solo career post-Oasis. ful Dark Phoenix, an X-girl gone rogue. It’s a Expect some very naughty words. tricky one, but they have to decide between Released Thurs 6 June the fate of the human race and one of their own, even if she is a bad egg. We will see… Released Wed 5 June

She may be in her 50s, but divorcee Gloria Bell (Julianne Moore) finds new life on the dance floors of Los Angeles. Sebastián Lelio, the Chilean director of A Fantastic Woman and Disobedience, here re-imagines his own 2013 drama Gloria, which he shot in Santiago. Released Thurs 6 June

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Film

Eating Animals CERT PG (94 mins) attention on the Argentine footballer Men In Black: International Maradona. Directed by Christopher Dillon Quinn CERT tbc (UK/India/Germany/China/USA) Released Fri 14 June Starring Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, The food on your plate may be cheaper than Liam Neeson, Rebecca Ferguson, Kumail it’s ever been, but what, pray, are the global Nanjiani, Rafe Spall, Emma Thompson The Hummingbird Project Directed by F. Gary Gray (USA) consequences? This eye-opening documen- tary on industrialised farming and animal CERT 15 (111 mins) welfare is based on the bestselling book by Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Alexander Skarsgård, Salma Hayek, Michael Mando Jonathan Safran Foer and is narrated by Na- Directed by Kim Nguyen (Canada/Belgium) talie Portman and Foer himself. In this very modern thriller, two high-fre- Released Fri 7 June quency salesmen operate in the world of ultra-low latency direct market access. Um, no doubt all will be explained in what looks likely to be a goofy, ultra high-tech ride. Released Fri 14 June For geeks, call it MIB: International, a spin- off of the MIB franchise that starred Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. This edition kicks off in London and then follows Agent H (Hemsworth) and Agent M (Tessa Thompson) as they track alien imposters around the globe. Filmed in London, New York, Italy and Africa. Diego Maradona Released Fri 14 June CERT tbc (130 mins) Directed by Asif Kapadia (UK) A Season In France CERT tbc Following his award-winning documentaries Starring Eriq Ebouaney, Sandrine Bonnaire, on Ayrton Senna and Amy Winehouse, the Aalayna Lys, Ibrahim Burama Darboe London-born Asif Kapadia now focuses his Directed by Mahamat Saleh Haroun (France) Sandrine Bonnaire plays a woman who finds herself involved with a high school teacher who has fled his war-torn home in Africa. The writer-director Haroun is himself from Chad. Released Fri 14 June

Sometimes Always Never CERT 12 (91 mins) Starring Bill Nighy, Sam Riley, Jenny Agutter, Tim McInnerny, Alice Lowe because it is accused of being male-centric. Directed by Carl Hunter (UK) Late Night CERT 15 (102 mins) For Alan (Bill Nighy), it all went wrong when Starring Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling, So she hires Molly Patel, played by Mindy Hugh Dancy, Reid Scott, John Lithgow, Kaling, to add some feminine zest. he lost his son over a game of Scrabble. Now, Amy Ryan Directed by Nisha Ganatra (USA) Kaling also wrote the screenplay to this as he strives to complete a game online, he In spite of a luminous career, late-night comedy-drama. suspects the player may well be his prodigal offspring. There are no words for it. talk-show host Katherine Newbury (Emma Released Fri 7 June Thompson) is in danger of losing her slot Released Fri 14 June

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Film highlights released in June...

Yesterday CERT 12a (112 mins) Starring Himesh Patel, Lily James, Kate McKinnon, Ed Sheeran, Ana de Armas, Lamorne Morris, James Corden, Sanjeev Bhaskar Directed by Danny Boyle (UK) What if The Beatles had never existed? Well, after a global blackout, struggling singer- songwriter Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) discovers that nobody has ever come across John, Paul, and Ringo, and his covers of their songs launches him into the commer- cial stratosphere. However, his new-found fame could endan- ger the trust invested in him by his life-long sweetheart, Ellie (Lily James). As potty as this premise sounds, it’s no odder than the themes explored by its director in Millions, and 127 Hours. And with our very own Danny Boyle working from a script by Richard Curtis, this comedy has every prospect of being a mammoth hit. Ed Sheeran plays Ed Sheeran, who really does exist. Released Fri 28 June

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Brightburn CERT 15 (90 mins) Annabelle Comes Home Starring Elizabeth Banks, David Denman, Jack- CERT tbc son A. Dunn, Matt Jones, Meredith Hagner Directed by David Yarovesky (USA) Starring Mckenna Grace, Madison Iseman, Katie Sarife, Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga A couple adopts a Directed by Gary Dauberman (USA) child from outer That wretched doll - last seen in Annabelle: space which they Creation (2017) - is now back in the safekeep- try to raise to serve ing of the demonologists Ed and Lorraine humanity. But the Warren and is locked behind sacred glass. kid has other But we all know that Annabelle is no plans… dummy… For those who really care, this is Released the seventh instalment in the Conjuring Uni- Fri 21 June verse franchise. Released Fri 28 June CERT 15 (120 mins) Child’s Play CERT 15 (120 mins) Starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Hayley Starring Aubrey Plaza, Gabriel Bateman, Brian Squires, Leo Bill, Gwendoline Christie, Julian Tyree Henry, Tim Matheson and the voice of Barratt, Steve Oram Mark Hamill Directed by Peter Strickland (UK) Directed by Lars Klevberg (USA) The cinema has dished up many a cursed Believe it or not, Chucky is back. This remake thing, but never before a dress. Here, as a of the cult 1988 slasher pic introduces the dress passes from one buyer to the next dur- very evil doll to a whole new generation. ing a winter sale at a department store, may- The first film produced six sequels and a TV hem ensues. From the critically acclaimed series, long before Annabelle (cf.) wreaked director of Berberian Sound Studio and The her own reign of destruction. Duke Of Burgundy. Released Fri 21 June Released Fri 28 June

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Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery this month welcomes a major exhibition exploring the legacy of Black Sabbath and their global fanbase...

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Pictured (left to right): Black Sabbath fan Chris Hopkin; Morag Myerscough and Luke Morgan, the exhibition designers for Black Sabbath-50 Years at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery; and superfan Stephen Knowles.

From humble beginnings in 1960s Aston, Black Sabbath fans across the world, in the Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne process brilliantly illustrating the diversity of and Bill Ward formed a band that would their fanbase. The photo collection includes change the course of music history. Black portraits of people in Botswana, Brazil, Sabbath created a new sound, a new aesthetic It’s an honour to Indonesia, Japan, Egypt, Lebanon, and a new musical culture - Heavy Metal. Netherlands, Spain, US and from across the be a part of the UK. During a career spanning 50 years, the band enjoyed phenomenal global success, selling “Home of Metal. The exhibition also includes a recreation of more than 75 million albums worldwide. superfan Stephen Knowles’ living room, a I’m just a guy from space that he’s turned into his own mini Their final tour, appropriately titled The End, Sabbath museum. saw them play 81 concerts in 25 different Birmingham who’s countries. They also recently received a Also featured are a number of key costumes Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys. been blessed to have loaned by the band, including an outfit worn by Geezer Butler at their Birmingham Town This month sees the opening of the Black Hall concert and featured in the gatefold of Sabbath - 50 Years exhibition at Birmingham had such dedicated the 1972 Vol 4 album. Other on-display items Museum & Art Gallery. Presented by Home of fans throughout my include Ozzy’s glasses, Tony Iommi’s home Metal, a project devoted to the Heavy Metal studio and a part of Bill Ward’s drum kit, used music that was born in and around Birming- career. Like I’ve always in the 1974 Cal Jam, where Black Sabbath ham, the exhibition seeks to dissect the key performed in front of 250,000 people. ingredients that came together to create Black said, I am nothing Sabbath. Along the way, it explores the music that turned up the volume, down-tuned the without them... Home of Metal’s Black Sabbath - 50 Years guitars and introduced a whole new meaning exhibition shows at Birmingham Museum to the word ‘heavy’. Ozzy Osbourne & Art Gallery from Wednesday 26 June to Focusing on more than just the band and Sunday 29 September. their Birmingham roots, Home of Metal has Visitors must pre-book their tickets at also captured more than 3,000 portraits of ” homeofmetal.com

Black Sabbath’s fanbase is global. Pictured are fans Yurika and Akihiro from Japan and Ben and Liz from Birmingham. Photo credits: Home of Metal Fans Portrait Collection 2017/18 © Home of Metal whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Visual Arts June-2.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 15:57 Page 1

Visual Arts previews from around the region

The Paper Museum Barber Institute, Birmingham, Fri 14 June - Sun 1 September Cassiano dal Pozzo’s 17th century paper museum was a magnificent attempt to document and record all human knowledge. Consisting of 10,000-plus watercolours, drawings and prints, the ‘museum’ features subjects as diverse as antiquities, architecture, zoology, botany & geology, social customs & ceremonies, costumes, portraits, topography and military maps. Most of the dal Pozzo collection was acquired by George III and remains in the Royal Collection. The Barber exhibition forms part of an ongoing collaboration between the venue and Royal Collection Trust. “It’s very exciting to stage the first exhibition in over 20 years to focus exclusively on Cassiano’s remarkable contribution to art and science,” says Robert Wenley, Barber Deputy Director & Head of Collection. “The Paper Museum considers his wide-ranging academic and personal interests in the subjects of natural and antiquarian history. It also investigates his fascination with creating visual ‘documents’, which will resonate with today’s media-savvy and connected generation that enjoys documenting almost every fascinate of everyday life.”

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Visual Arts

Monster Chetwynd: Hell Mouth 3 Eastside Projects, Birmingham, until Sat 27 July As with All This Mayhem (see left), Hell Mouth 3 is being presented as part of Birmingham’s summertime Home Of Metal project. The woman behind the show is Monster Chetwynd, a Glasgow-based artist previously known as Spartacus Chetwynd and Marvin Gaye Chetwynd, whose reputation is mainly based around her reworkings, via elaborate and evocative performances, of iconic moments from cultural history. Explaining her exhibition, she says: “Hell Mouth 3 channels the decline of western civilisation and legacies of heavy metal through the mouth to hell of a 16th century engraving of a human-devouring monster.” Ben Venom: All This Mayhem The show takes inspiration from Penelope Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat 22 June - Sun 8 September Spheeris’ film series, The Decline Of Western Presented as part of Home Of Metal - a May to September celebration of Birmingham's Civilisation, a trilogy of movies which depicts history of metal music - All This Mayhem is an exploration of the San Francisco-based life in Los Angeles at various points in time, artist Ben Venom’s interest in the DIY aspect of punk culture combined with the tradition along the way featuring some of the music of quilting. Ben’s art sees him using reclaimed fabrics to create expansive patchwork industry’s most influential and innovative designs which frequently incorporate skulls, tigers and heavy metal lyrics. Large-scale performers. textile pieces, customised jean jackets and clothing all feature in the exhibition of new and recent work. Ben will be in residence at the gallery during the first week of the show. Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Wonder Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, until Sun 2 June & Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Sun 29 June - Sun 1 September Coventry, Wed 25 June - Sun 15 September Wolverhampton Art Gallery this month welcomes back the prestigious Wildlife A light pavilion, urban landscapes, Photographer Of The Year show for a fourth reimagined cartoon characters and time. creatures brought to life by augmented Now in its 54th year, the competition annually reality all feature in a show designed receives tens of thousands of submissions from to take the visitor ‘beyond gallery amateur and professional photographers in walls’ to experience some ‘unexpected around 100 countries. and unimaginable wonders’. Featuring awe-inspiring images capturing The exhibition brings together work by fascinating animal behaviour and breathtaking seven artists, all of whom are here landscapes, the exhibition is visiting the focusing on producing pieces in which Midlands after premiering in London. reality and the imaginary collide.

Comics: Explore And Create Comic Art Enginuity, Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, Shropshire, until Sun 1 September This free exhibition showcasing an eclectic mix of original and iconic comic book art, as well as work by current children’s comic creators, has been originated by Seven Stories - the National Centre for Children’s Books. Featuring interactive activities, playful props and original material, the show’s highlights include images of Captain America, Wonder Woman, Superman and the Hulk as drawn by British artist Ian Churchill, who works for both Marvel and DC Comics.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Under-5’s Day Picnic Party Dudley Zoo, 15% Wed 26 & Thurs 27 June OFF TICKETS WITH CODE WH15

BBC Good Food Show and presented by a host of celebrity chefs including A day (or two) of fun and games is Mary Berry, Tom Kerridge, Michel Roux Jr, in prospect for young visitors to Gardeners’ World Live Nadiya Hussain and Raymond Blanc... Dudley Zoo late this month. NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 13 - Sun 16 June For green-fingered visitors, BBC Gardeners’ Not only can they enjoy the zoo Boasting seasonal produce, ideas for al-fresco World Live is running alongside the Good Food itself, there’s also a selection of dining, and hundreds of producers and brands, event. The show features a selection of activities and entertainment taking the BBC Good Food Show returns this month to stunning gardens, floral marquees, a plant place in the grounds of Dudley provide four days of summertime dining village, hundreds of gardening exhibitors, and Castle, including puppet shows, inspiration. not-to-be-missed demonstrations by TV face painting and a sure-to-be- Visitors can soak up expert masterclasses and presenters Monty Don, Carol Klein, Adam Frost, colourful fancy dress parade. enjoy live demos on the seasonal stages, Joe Swift and Alan Titchmarsh. Step Back To The 1940s Under-5’s Day Inspired Family Day Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster, Sat 29 & Sun 30 Himley Hall & Park, Dudley, Fri 28 June Birmingham City University, Sat 8 June June One of the region’s largest pre-school events, Himley Hall’s Under-5’s Day features a wide variety of activities and entertainment. This year’s line-up includes an appearance by Peppa Pig and her brother, George, as well as a funfair, baby ballet, donkey rides and the return of the popular Himley Beach, complete with giant sandpit, buckets & spades and Punch & Judy shows.

The clock is turned back to wartime Britain this month as the Severn Valley Railway celebrates the 1940s. This year’s Inspired Family Day celebrates World Costumed reenactors will ensure Oceans Day, providing an action-packed few that Winston Churchill, Field Mar- hours of ‘free and fun-filled’ events and activities shal Bernard ‘Monty’ Montgomery for visitors of all ages to enjoy. and King George VI are all in atten- From under-the-sea virtual reality and eco- dance at the event, with highlights friendly jewellery-making, to sustainable fashion of the weekend including big band and junk modelling, there’ll be plenty for fami- shows, vintage vehicle displays lies to do, experience and learn. and vintage stalls. whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Events June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:30 Page 3

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Events previews from around the region Events

International Model Air Show Weston Park, Shropshire, Fri 14 - Sun 16 June

Model aircraft enthusiasts from all over the UK and Europe take to the skies to demonstrate their flying skills at this always-popular event. ‘The Town That Never Was’ The invaders-from-Mars storyline will be played Show highlights include a model out by MoS enthusiasts, with visitors at liberty boat regatta, slot car racing, a fun- Steampunk Festival to dip in and out as much or as little as they fair for children, a Battle of Britain Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, like. pyrotechnic display and the Swift Sat 22 & Sun 23 June Other attractions across the weekend include Glider display team performing The Ministry of Steampunk (MoS) is this month Cthulhu’s Witnesses, Women’s Suffrage, the mid-air acrobatics. transforming Blists Hill into ‘a magical, mysteri- Steam Wizards, traders throughout the town ous world of Martian invasion’, complete with and a main stage in the ironworks hosting talks accompanying Steampunk sights and sounds. and entertainment. Dating Show Live NEC, Birmingham, Sat 29 & Sun 30 June Calling all singletons... If you’re Monster Jam looking for love, it’s time to check Ricoh Arena, Coventry, Sat 8 June out the UK’s first ever dating expo! Hailed as one of the world’s biggest live Making its debut at the NEC, The motorsport events, Monster Jam roars its way into Dating Show Live features a whole Coventry this month. host of activities across five Expert drivers will compete both in champi- exploration zones. onship racing and gravity-defying freestyle Visitors can take part in speed- competitions during the course of the evening. dating, try out a new look with a Standing at 12 feet-tall and weighing up to makeover from the experts, learn four-and-a-half tonnes, the participating trucks some moves in a dance class, or possess super-charged engines that generate enjoy a drink or two at the more than 1,500 horsepower. The mammoth prosecco bar. vehicles perform wheelies, donuts and big air TV stars Joey Essex, Melinda stunts, with some having been known to reach an Messenger and Calum Best will all impressive height of 35 feet. be in attendance. Fantabulosa! Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Sat 1 June Open to anyone of whatever age who wants to experience the joys and freedom of self-expres- sion, Fantabulosa! sees some of the UK’s leading drag artists bringing to the museum ‘a fantasti- cal pop-up world of imagination and interactive storytelling, lipsync, performance, dress-up, games, songs and a lot of glitter’...

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Events previews from around the region Events

Festival of Creativity & Wellbeing Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, Sat 15 June As part of Creativity & Wellbeing Week, the Herbert is hosting a day of free workshops, performances and activities to encourage visitors to experience and connect with their inner creativity. Local artists, creatives and cultural organisations will also be in attendance, to demonstrate how creativity can be used to support wellbeing.

Royal Three Counties Show Three Counties Showground, Shropshire Pub In The Park by local brewers, a lager bar, cocktails, an Malvern, Worcestershire, extensive gin den, a wine bar, a Pimm’s tent and Fri 14 - Sun 16 June QEII Arena, Telford Town Park, Fri 7 & Sat 8 June ‘some of the best street food the region has to This brand new event from the team behind the offer’. And not only will visitors be well fed and popular Shrewsbury Food Festival and watered, they’ll be well entertained too, with live Shropshire Oktoberfest brings all the best bits of bands and comedians (including Tom Glover and going to the pub into the great outdoors. Junior Simpson) also contributing to proceedings. Event highlights include 150 real ales served up

Kenilworth Show Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Sat 8 June Coventry & Warwickshire’s biggest one-day agricultural show is celebrating its 76th year this month. A hearty celebration of regional The 2019 edition of the event sees the return of food and farming, allied to the traditional country show livestock and plenty of family entertainment, is homecraft competitions, as well as the country- the tried-and-trusted recipe for side area, featuring challenges including archery success at this year’s Royal Three and gundog scurry. The equine area also returns, Counties Show. with other attractions including displays of With a firm focus on 2019’s host agricultural machinery, a vast array of trade county of Herefordshire, the stands and a programme of main-ring entertain- event provides visitors with ment. RAF Cosford Air Show plenty to keep them occupied, from sampling strawberries and RAF Cosford, Sun 9 June sipping cider to discovering the The Royal Air Force's only official air show is one region’s rich cultural heritage. of the largest events in the West Midlands. Some of the country’s finest The annual show includes a packed flying livestock will also be in atten- schedule along with numerous static exhibits, dance, competing for the title of stalls, trade stands, military demonstrations and Best In Show, while family a host of children's entertainments. entertainment includes dog The RAF Red Arrows will also be performing at agility, duck herding and a the event, in what will be one of only a handful of spectacular display from the opportunities to see them this summer. ever-brilliant Red Devils.

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YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide JuneJune 20192019 thelist

Sirens at Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham - Wed 19 June

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

What’s On Sat 1 to Sun 9 June Mon 10 to Sun 16 June Mon 17 to Sun 23 June Mon 24 to Sun 30 June

La Voix at Pirates & Mermaids at Kiri Pritchard-McLean at CBSO Concerts In The Park at The , Birmingham National Sea Life Centre The Glee Club Boldmere Recreation Ground Sat 1 June Sat 15 June - Sun 8 Sept Thurs 20 June Sat 29 June

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List Birmingham 1-9 June.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:34 Page 1

thelist SNAIL MAIL Mon 3 2019 Fri 7 June, Dig- THROUGHOUT JUNE Gigs June, Hare & Hounds, beth Arena, B’ham Birmingham THE MIGHTY WAH! Fri 7 includes stoneware, raku-fired pots, LEO SAYER Sat 1 June, SPICE GIRLS Mon 3 - June, O2 Academy, Visual Arts sui pots and glass pieces, until Sat 8 Birmingham Town Hall Tues 4 June, Ricoh Birmingham June JUNIOR WALKER’S ALL Arena, Coventry MARTHA REEVES & THE Birmingham Museum & RBSA PRIZE 2019 Artists from across STAR BAND Sat 1 June, MALCOLM STENT'S VANDELLAS Fri 7 June, Art Gallery the region and beyond compete for The Night Owl, B’ham SONGS OF PRAISE Tues O2 Institute, B’ham inclusion, producing a strong and vi- 4 June, The Core The- WITHIN AND WITHOUT: BODY IMAGE AND THE REAL PEOPLE PLUS PHIL MADELEY + brant show, until Sat 22 June THE TRAIN SET & SOL- atre, Solihull THE SELF Exhibition examining how GEORGE PANNELL Sat 8 NEW URBAN JUNGLE Display featuring DIER social, historical and cultural factors Sat 1 June, The WY + SPECIAL GUESTS June, The Sunflower botanically inspired craft alongside Flapper, Birmingham affect body image, and how this is ex- Tues 4 June, The Sun- Lounge, Birmingham graphic architectural jewellery, ce- pressed through objects and art- KING OF THE SLUMS Sat flower Lounge, B’ham SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR ramics and textiles, Mon 3 June - Sat works, until Sun 1 Sept 1 June, O2 Academy, JULIA HOLTER Tues 4 Sat 8 June, Symphony 14 Sept COLLECTING BIRMINGHAM: WHO IS Birmingham June, The Glee Club, Hall, Birmingham NEW OLIVIA PEAKE NAWM WINNER Blur- BIRMINGHAM? Discover new collec- MAJOR TOMS Sat 1 Birmingham THREE TIMES SCARLET ring the boundaries between paint- tions that reflect the experiences of June, Hare & Hounds, WEDDING CRASHERS Sat 8 June, The World ing, sculpture and architecture, Olivia diverse Birmingham people - from Birmingham Tues 4 June, The Jam Bar, Resorts World, presents a paused moment in her working lives to community activists House, Birmingham Birmingham practice that unveils transitions be- CELESTIAL Sat 1 June, and protest movements, until Sun 27 tween colour, paint and support, Mon Hare & Hounds, Birm- PIP BLOM Tues 4 June, GIN ANNIE PLUS THE Oct 10 June - Sat 10 Aug ingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- HOWLING TIDES & THE NEW HOME OF METAL PRESENTS BLACK ingham NEW RBSA FRIENDS 2019 Annual dis- THE AMPS Sat 1 June, SABBATH - 50 YEARS Exhibition cele- play of artwork, Wed 26 June - Sat 20 The World Bar, Resorts HIGH VISIONS + WISH- brating the impact and cultural July World, Birmingham ING WOLF Wed 5 June, legacy of Black Sabbath, Wed 26 HATS OFF TO LED ZEP- The Sunflower June - Sun 29 Sept PELIN Sat 1 June, Ar- Lounge, Birmingham The Barber Institute trix, Bromsgrove BILLIE MARTEN Wed 5 Grand Union A TALE OF TWO EMPIRES: ROME AND KELVIN JONES Sat 1 June, Hare & Hounds, JOANNE MASDING: BRUNTWOOD COR- PERSIA Exhibition exploring how the June, The Cuban Em- Birmingham NERBLOCK COMMISSION Permanent in- ancient superpowers of Rome and bassy, Birmingham 1DELANEY Thurs 6 stallation made by artist and Grand Persia spun humiliating defeats and June, Hare & Hounds, HOT ONE TWO Sat 8 Union studio holder Joanne Masding, promoted their bloody victories on BRASS AGAINST Sat 1 Birmingham June, Route 44, B’ham until Fri 5 July the small pieces of art circulating in June, O2 Institute, the pockets of the masses, until Sun Birmingham DRAB MAJESTY, THIS A WEIRD & WONDERFUL Ikon Gallery 15 Mar 2020 MEGAN MCKENNA Sat 1 BURNING AGE, OUT- DAY OUT Sat 8 June, June, O2 Institute, LANDER, FEMMEPOP The Mill Digbeth, Birm- NEW THE AERODROME – AN EXHIBITION Birmingham Thurs 6 June, The ingham DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF Other VISUAL ARTS Flapper, Birmingham MICHAEL STANLEY Exhibition pre- FAIRPORT CONVENTION THE SOLID GOLD ROCK MYSTERIES OF THE DEEP - 50 YEARS OF AN AUDIENCE WITH ASH sented in memory of Michael Stanley, Sun 2 June, The Glee 'N' ROLL SHOW Sat 8 SCIENTIFIC OCEAN DRILLING Thou- SHEEHAN Thurs 6 June, curator at Ikon, who tragically died in Club, Birmingham June, Wolverhampton sands of scientists, technical staff, The Actress and 2012, Wed 12 June - Sun 8 Sept Grand Theatre drillers and crew have gathered criti- NICK LOWE & LOS Bishop, Birmingham THE SUMMER OF LOVE cal data and samples to tell the story STRAITJACKETS Sun 2 METHYL ETHEL Thurs 6 Sat 8 June, Artrix, of ‘our blue planet’, until Mon 17 June, Birmingham MAC, Birmingham Town Hall June, Hare & Hounds, Bromsgrove June, Birmingham City University Birmingham HANDSWORTH SELF-PORTRAIT Exhibi- A WEIRD AND WONDER- SUMMER EXHIBITION BY COVENTRY WA- QUALITY REGGAE ROOTS tion featuring images from a 1979 THE KILKENNYS Fri 7 FUL DAY OUT Sat 8 TERCOLOUR SOCIETY Summer exhibi- Sun 2 June, The Ac- ‘selfie’ photographic project, until June, The Core The- June, Digbeth Arena, tion showcasing the work of tress and Bishop, Sun 2 June atre, Solihull Birmingham members of the society, until Mon 3 Birmingham MAC ARTIST TUTORS Exhibition of work June, The Core Theatre, Solihull RAHSAAN PATTERSON THE BOB DYLAN STORY STEVE NICHOL Sat 8 by professional artist tutors, until Sun Fri 7 June, Artrix, June, Pizza Express NEW VAGUE BUT EXCITING Exhibition of Sun 2 June, Hare & 9 June Bromsgrove Live, Birmingham 10 artists and collectives responding Hounds, Birmingham MADE @ MAC: ARTIST PASS New exhi- to the 30th anniversary of the World MOTHER POPCORN Fri 7 HERITAGE: DOC SCOTT, bition showcasing work produced by Wide Web, Fri 7 - Sat 22 June, Vivid June, The World Bar, ALLISTER WHITEHEAD, Artist Pass holders who use the ce- Projects, Birmingham Resorts World, B’ham JON PLEASED, ramic studio, until Sun 7 July FREESTYLERS & DJSS NEW MAKE BELIEVE Interactive exhibi- CHANTAE CANN Fri 7 SHOW YOUR METAL Exhibition that Sat 8 June, Hare & tion of works by international artists June, Pizza Express connects metal the material and Hounds, Birmingham which plays with belief, childhood, Live, Birmingham Metal the music, until Mon 26 Aug technology and magic, Fri 7 June - COME TOGETHER WITH FEMI KUTI Sat 8 June, NEW HOME OF METAL: HAND OF DOOM Sat 31 Aug, BOM (Birmingham Open THE CURV3 Fri 7 June, O2 Institute, B’ham Collection of portraits of Black Sab- Media) The Night Owl, B’ham bath fans wearing the ubiquitous bat- NEW PRZEMEK BRANAS - I IS SOMEBODY LES FEMME D'ATTITUDE: tle jacket, Sat 8 June - Sun 1 Sept SANGRE DE MUERDAGO ELSE Polish artist Branas is inspired Sun 2 June, O2 VICE SQUAD/LOLA MON- not only by impersonation strongly Academy, Birmingham TEZ/FLOWERPOT Fri 7 RBSA Gallery present in heavy metal culture, but June, Route 44, Birm- ROBERT MIZZELL & THE CARNIVAL Inspired by the extravagant also by the alternative culture that de- ingham COUNTRY KINGS Mon 3 carnivals of New Orleans and Brazil, veloped under the Communist June, The Core The- ALVIN GIBBS & THE DIS- this exhibition includes bright jew- regime in the State-controlled music atre, Solihull OBEDIENT SERVANTS Fri ellery, vivid ceramics and luxurious scene, Sat 22 June - Sun 11 Aug, 7 June, The Castle & SAARA AALTO Mon 3 textiles, until Sat 1 June Centrala Gallery & Cafe, Birmingham Falcon, Birmingham June, The Glee Club, VILLAGERS Sun 9 June, ART FROM MARS Exhibition of ceram- Birmingham CARNIVAL MAGNIFICO O2 Institute, B’ham ics and glass by Mel Mars RBSA that 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 1-9 June.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:34 Page 2

Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 June

June, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham The REP, Birmingham Lord Chamberlain's Men perform this Classical Music THE HILARITY CHARITY GALA Wed 5 THE WORST LITTLE WAREHOUSE IN LON- Shakespearean classic, Sat 8 June, June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre DON A ‘mind-boggingly funny story of Packwood House, Solihull THE SALVATION ARMY: SYMPHONY companionship. shared accommoda- WNO: DON PASQUALE Welsh National SOUNDS Sat 1 June, Symphony Hall, MAISIE ADAM & GEINS FAMILY GIFTSHOP tion, and how to grin your teeth and Opera present Daisy Evans’ ‘riotous’ Birmingham Wed 5 June, Midlands Art Centre, Birmingham bare it’, Fri 31 May - Sat 1 June, Old new version of Donizetti’s classic CBSO: TRAVELS THROUGH TIME Featur- Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham comic opera, Sat 8 June, Midlands ing Michael Seal (conductor), Cather- ROBERT WHITE, ZOE LYONS, ADAM RILEY RUBY WAX: HOW TO BE HUMAN Ruby is Arts Centre, Birmingham ine Arlidge (presenter) & the City of & HOWARD REED Thurs 6 June, The joined by monk Gelong Thubten & WORK IN PROGRESS Light-hearted solo Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. George Hotel, Lichfield neuroscientist Ash Ranpura in a show about being scouse, dancing to Programme includes works by DALISO CHAPONDA, ROGER MONKHOUSE show that’s said to ‘help you upgrade Britney Spears and sharing stories of Grainer, Rimsky-Korsakov, Rameu, PLUS COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY your mind as much as you’ve up- hope, Sat 8 June, Midlands Arts Cen- Anderson, Mozart, Shostakovich, ROBINSON Thurs 6 June, The Glee graded your iPhone’, Sat 1 June, tre, Birmingham Williams & Stravinsky, Sun 2 June, Club, Birmingham Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Symphony Hall, Birmingham A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM The JOSH PUGH, TOM HAM & DANNY CLIVES ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES Illyria Company present a LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT Featuring Thurs 6 June, Cherry Reds Cafe-Bar, present an outdoor performance of modern-dress production of one of Thomas Trotter & Sally Stocks, Mon 3 Birmingham the much-loved story, Sat 1 June, Shakespeare’s most enduring come- June, Birmingham Town Hall DALISO CHAPONDA, ROGER Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, Birm- dies, Sat 8 - Sat 15 June, The Cres- LUNCHTIME MUSIC Featuring Mark Lee MONKHOUSE, MAISE ADAM & GEORGE ingham cent Theatre, Birmingham (violin) & Jonathan French (piano) RIGDEN Fri 7 - Sat 8 Jun, The Glee THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT A STILL FREEZIN’ Join the Fizzogs as performing Delius’ Violin Sonata Club, Birmingham story about choices and conse- they present a Black Country version No.3. Also Alex Lin Tianshun (piano) JOSH HOWIE, HAYLEY ELLIS, STEVE HAR- quences and a journey through time of Disney blockbuster Frozen, Sun 9 performing Medtner’s Sonata in F RIS & MATT REES Sat 8 June, The and place, Sat 1 June, Midlands Arts June, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham minor, Op.5, Mon 3 June, The Lab, Comedy Loft, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham Royal Birmingham Conservatoire ALL KILLA NO FILLA Sun 9 June, The THE WEST END BHANGRA MUSICAL In- AURORA ORCHESTRA - MUSIC OF THE Glee Club, Birmingham dian musical fusing live music, stage SPHERES Also featuring Nicholas Col- production and dancing, Sat 1 June, lon (conductor), Pekka Kuusisto (vio- TEZ ILYAS, SHAZIA MIRZA, PRINCE ABDI Dance The Alexandra, Birmingham lin) & Samuel West (audio narration), & ESHAAN AKBAR Sun 9 June, The GISELLE Vienna Festival Ballet present Tues 4 June, Birmingham Town Hall Glee Club, Birmingham SPAMALOT The Crescent Theatre a tale of innocence, love, betrayal Company presents its version of the CBSO: A SPRING SYMPHONY Featuring and madness, Sun 2 June, Artrix, Monty Python musical, Sat 1 - Sat 8 the City of Birmingham Symphony Bromsgrove June, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham Orchestra, Kazuki Yamada (conduc- PUSS IN BOOTS Northern Ballet pre- tor) & Cédric Tiberghien (piano). Pro- Theatre 56 EAST AVENUE Brand new comedy sent a choreographed version of the gramme includes works by Mozart, featuring Oliver Samuels, Volier much-loved fairytale, Fri 7 June, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL Based on Mo- ‘Maffy’ Johnson, Audrey Reid, Dennis Liszt & Schumann, Thurs 6 June, town founder Berry Gordy’s best- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Symphony Hall, Birmingham Titus & Lakeisha Ellison, Sun 2 June, selling book and presenting a potted The Alexandra, Birmingham RHYTHM OF THE DANCE Live show CBSO: SONGS FROM THE 60S Featuring history of the famous record label, celebrating Irish culture through Richard Balcombe (conductor), Gra- until Sat 1 June, Regent Theatre, MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Musical par- music & dance and featuring world ham Bickley, Oliver Tompsett, Katie Stoke-on-Trent ody featuring a host of one-liners champion dancers, a traditional Irish about hot flushes, memory loss and Birtill & Abbie Osmon (vocalists), Fri AS YOU LIKE IT Riotous version of band and singers, Sat 8 - Sun 9 7 June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham pop classics. Cheryl Fergison, Mau- June, Lichfield Garrick Shakespeare's romantic comedy, reen Nolan, Rebecca Wheatley & DVORAK’S PIANO QUINTET Featuring until Sat 31 Aug, Royal Shakespeare Katherine Lynch star, Mon 3 - Tues 4 Robert Markham (piano), Philip Brett Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre & Kate Oswin (violins), Catherine THE TAMING OF THE SHREW Shake- THRILLER LIVE Michael Jackson trib- Bower (viola) & Kate Setterfield speare's comedy of gender and ma- (cello). Programme includes works ute show, Mon 3 - Sat 8 June, The Cabaret terialism is turned on its head to offer Alexandra, Birmingham by Pärt & Dvorak, Fri 7 June, CBSO a fresh perspective on its portrayal of LA VOIX: LIVE, LOUD AND FABULOUS Centre, Birmingham hierarchy and power, until Sat 31 THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Richard Evening of frills, frocks & fun as the CBSO SONG FESTIVAL Featuring Mirga Aug, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, O’Brien’s timeless masterpiece re- Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist im- Gražinytè-Tyla & Simon Halsey (con- Stratford-upon-Avon turns, Mon 3 - Sat 8 June, Regent personates female icons Cher, Tina Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Turner, Shirley Bassey and Liza Min- ductors), the CBSO Chorus & Tom THE PROVOKED WIFE Outspoken Redmond (presenter). Programme in- MALCOLM STENT’S SONGS OF PRAISE nelli included, Sat 1 June, The Old Restoration romp, until Sat 7 Sept, Rep, Birmingham cludes works by Kutavi ius, Peep The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- Featuring songs, monologues and Sarapik / Juhan Liiv, Jurjäns,č Parry & Avon comedy, Tues 4 June, The Core The- Handel, Sun 9 June, University of atre, Solihull Birmingham VENICE PRESERVED Fast-paced version of Thomas Otway's restoration DANGEROUS CORNER Royal Birming- COMMUNITY SPIRIT Evening of choral tragedy, until Sat 7 Sept, The Swan ham Conservatoire presents its ver- music from some of the best choirs & Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon sion of JB Priestley’s tale of intrigue, homegrown talent in the West Mid- Wed 5 - Sat 8 June, The Old Rep, lands, Sun 9 June, Symphony Hall, ROCK OF AGES Smash-hit musical fea- Birmingham Birmingham turing over 25 classic rock anthems. Casting includes Zoe Birkett, Kevin RIOT ACT Hard-hitting and heartwarm- Kennedy and Antony Costa, Tues 28 ing exploration of the history of the May - Sat 1 June, Wolverhampton LGBTQ rights movement, Thurs 6 - Grand Theatre Sat 8 June, The Old Joint Stock The- Comedy atre, Birmingham CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICALS Tim CARL DONNELLY, DANNY MCLOUGHLIN Firth & Gary Barlow’s award-winning REP FOUNDRY NIGHT Featuring ex- FEATURING THE RAYMOND & MR TIMP- production, Tues 28 May - Sat 8 cerpts from Rep Foundry artists KINS REVUE & THOMAS GREEN Sat 1 June, Birmingham Hippodrome Omar Khan, Sam Cole, Ashlee Eliza- beth Lolo & Sophia Griffin, Fri 7 June, June, The Glee Club, Birmingham CERI DUPREE IN THE LADIES I LOVE Wed CAPTAIN CORELLI'S MANDOLIN Based The REP, Birmingham ANDREW LAWRENCE, PETER BRUSH, on the bestselling novel by Louis de 5 - Thurs 6 June, The Patrick Studio, NOEL JAMES & PETE OTWAY Sat 1 Berniéres, Wed 29 May - Sat 15 June, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM The Birmingham Hippodrome whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List Birmingham 1-9 June.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:34 Page 3 The List Birmingham 1-9 June.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:34 Page 4

thelist Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 June Electric Cinema, Birmingham, from Talks Fri 7 June HIT THE ODE Performance poetry night DUNKIRK (12a) War/Drama. Starring featuring Dani Piper, Remi Graves & Fionn Whitehead, Barry Keoghan. Kofi Stone, Fri 7 June, The Patrick Highbury Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 8 Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome June SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (15) War/Drama. Starring Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, from Film Sun 9 June INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: DR. STRANGELOVE (PG) Comedy. Star- ring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott. HIGH LIFE (18) Drama/Horror. Starring Electric Cinema, Birmingham, from Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche. Sun 2 June Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 31 May - Wed 5 June WOMAN AT WAR (12a) Drama/Thriller. Starring Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir. For- JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 - PARABELLUM eign language, subtitled. Midlands (15) Action/Thriller. Starring Keanu Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 7, Mon Lego Sea Explorers - National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham Reeves, Asia Kate Dillon. Mocking- 10 & Wed 12 June bird Cinema, Birmingham, Fri 31 May THERE AND BACK AGAIN: JRR TOLKIEN in both championship racing and - Thurs 6 June AND SAREHOLE GUIDED WALK Guided gravity-defying freestyle competi- GRETA (15) Thriller. Starring Isabelle introduction to Tolkien, the area of tions, Sat 8 June, Ricoh Arena, Huppert, Chloë Grace Moretz. Mid- Sarehole and its influence on The Coventry lands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 31 Events Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings, RAINBOW SWING A 1940s night of Sun 2 June, , B’ham May - Thurs 6 June LEGO SEA EXPLORERS Help the team dancing, with live music from the AMAZING GRACE (tbc) unlock underwater secrets and draw, WATT 2019: JAMES WATT TOURS Tours Rhythm Remedies and performances Documentary/Music. Starring Aretha colour and create your new discover- dedicated to the lives and works of from the Suzy Qs, Sat 8 June, Birm- Franklin. Mockingbird Cinema, Birm- ies, until Sun 2 June, National Sea James Watt and his longstanding ingham Museum And Art Gallery ingham, Fri 31 May - Thurs 6 June; Life Centre, Birmingham friend and business partner, Matthew CLASSIC & VINTAGE COMMERCIAL SHOW Boulton, Sun 2 - Thurs 27 June, Soho Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, FREDDO'S TREASURE TROVE Ahoy, me Two-day show featuring more than House, Birmingham Sat 8, Tues 11 & Thurs 13 June hearties! Cadbury’s Freddo has 400 pre-1999 commercial vehicles, THE LAST WITNESS (15) History/Thriller. donned his captain’s hat to show little MINI MUSEUM ENGINEERS – BUILDING IT Sat 8 - Sun 9 June, British Motor Mu- Starring Alex Pettyfer, Michael Gam- ones what it takes to become a pirate UP Playful sessions introducing seum, Gaydon bon. The screening will be followed on the seven seas, until Sun 2 June, STEM concepts (Science, Technol- TRAMPOLINE, TUMBLING AND DOUBLE- by a live onstage Q&A by director Cadbury World, Bournville ogy, Engineering and Maths), Wed 5 MINI TRAMPOLINE REGIONAL TEAM FI- June, British Motor Museum, Gaydon Piotr Szkopiak, producer Carol Hard- MAY HALF TERM - DESIGNER WEEK Dis- NALS AND NDP SEMI-FINALS High-flying ing and cinematographer Edward cover the fascinating stories behind THE OLD GOLD CLUB LIVE Mikey Bur- somersaults aplenty as some of the Ames. Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham, the museum's most famous cars - rows and former Wolves star Chris country’s top gymnasts vie for glory, Sat 1 June then pop into the studio to design Iwelumo induct three new Wolves Sat 8 - Sun 9 June, Arena B’ham BLUE NOTE RECORDS: BEYOND THE your own, until Sun 2 June, British legends into the Old Gold Club, Fri 7 NOTES (15) Documentary/Jazz. Di- Motor Museum, Gaydon June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre rected by Sophie Huber. Midlands CASTLE QUEST A must-attend event for PEAKY BLINDERS NIGHT Step back in Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat 1 June anybody who loves solving riddles time to the roaring 20s and discover For Foodies STYX (12a) the murky underground world of the Drama. Starring Susanne and having a go at challenges, until THE SECRET GIN FESTIVAL 2019 Return- Wolff. Foreign language, subtitled. Sun 2 June, Tamworth Castle Peaky Blinders, Fri 7 - Sat 8 June, Black Country Living Museum, Dud- ing for their biggest festival to date, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, ESL ONE BIRMINGHAM Three days of ley Sat 1 June, The Grain Store, Wolver- Mon 3 & Wed 5 June intense Dota 2 action, as participants hampton HANNAH (12a) THE GENEALOGY SHOW Great opportu- Drama. Starring Char- battle it out for a share of the BIRMINGHAM COFFEE FESTIVAL 3 days lotte Rampling, Jessica Fanhan. For- $300,000 prize pool, until Sun 2 nity to network, learn and have fun, Fri 7 - Sat 8 June, NEC, Birmingham of celebrations honouring the UK’s vi- eign language, subtitled. Midlands June, Arena Birmingham brant coffee culture, Fri 7- Sun 9 Arts Centre, Birmingham, Tues 4 - UK GAMES EXPO Three-day gaming ex- MONSTER JAM Expert drivers compete June, The Custard Factory, Digbeth Thurs 6 June travaganza, open to anyone of any SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (15) War/Drama. age wanting to play, learn to play, Starring Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore. buy, experience or know more about Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, table-top games, until Sun 2 June, Thurs 6 June NEC, Birmingham WOMAN AT WAR (12a) Drama/Thriller. LEGO CITY Enjoy character appear- Starring Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir. For- ances and new building activities, eign language, subtitled. Midlands until Sun 1 Sep, Legoland Discovery Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 7, Mon Centre, Birmingham 10 & Wed 12 June WHODUNNIT? A FAMILY-FRIENDLY MUR- LIAM GALLAGHER: AS IT WAS (15) Doc- DER-MYSTERY TRAIL Time-travelling umentary/Music. Starring Liam Gal- murder-mystery trail, Sat 1 June, lagher. Mockingbird Cinema, , Birmingham Birmingham, Fri 7 - Thurs 13 June FANTABULOSA! Pop-up world of imagi- GLORIA BELL (15) Drama/Comedy. nation and storytelling, Sat 1 June, Starring Julianne Moore, John Tur- Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery turro. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, COLLECTORMANIA 26 Featuring well- from Fri 7 June known faces from the worlds of televi- LATE NIGHT (15) Drama/Comedy. Star- sion, film and sport, Sat 1 - Sun 2 ring Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling. June, NEC, Birmingham

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thelist Monday 10 - Sunday 16 June Tyler (conductor), Lucy Crowe (so- Classical prano), Karen Cargill (mezzo so- prano) & the CBSO Chorus, Thurs 13 - Sun 16 June, Symphony Hall, Music Birmingham LUNCHTIME MUSIC Featuring Risa BAX: IN MEMORIAM Featuring Kather- Sekine (violin) & Jonathan French ine Thomas (harp), Rachael (piano). Programme includes Ravel’s Pankhurst (oboe), Kirsty Lovie & Eliz- Sonata for Violin & Piano No.2 in G, abeth Golding (violins), Michael M.77 & Roman Kosyakov (piano). Jenkinson (viola) & Helen Edgar Programme comprises Rachmani- (cello). Programme includes works nov’s 10 Preludes Op.23, Mon 10 by Pasculli, Ibert & Bax, Fri 14 June. June, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham CBSO Centre, Birmingham Conservatoire DVORÁK PIANO QUINTET Featuring ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE György Boglárka & Tomohiko SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE Featuring Kimura (violins), Nicholas Fidler Andy Tweed & Anna Brooks. Pro- (viola), Flora McNicoll (cello) & Eliza- gramme includes works by Stravin- beth Haughan (piano). Programme sky arr. Olaf Mühlenhardt, Bartók arr. comprises Dvorak’s Piano Quintet in Stereolab - O2 Institute, Birmingham Wood & Richard Ingham, Mon 10 A, Op.81, Fri 14 June, Recital Hall, June, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Royal Birmingham Conservatoire TOUR Thurs 13 June, 15 June, The Bramall, Conservatoire CHINEKE! ORCHESTRA Featuring Gigs O2 Institute, B’ham Birmingham ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE Wayne Marshall & Stewart Goodyear BULSARA AND HIS QUEE- BROKEN MINDS PRE- CHAMBER CHOIR: IN PRAISE OF MARY (piano). Programme includes works TINA - SIMPLY THE BEST NIES Thurs 13 June, SENTS: LTJ BUKEM Sat Featuring Paul Spicer (director) & by Grieg, Stewart Goodyear & Dvo- Mon 10 June, Wolver- O2 Institute, B’ham 15 June, Hare & Callum Alger (organ). Programme in- rak, Sat 15 June, Symphony Hall, hampton Grand The- Hounds, Birmingham cludes works by Britten, Howells, Birmingham atre ST. PINEAPPLE ONE TRICK PONY UK TOUR TOO MANY MEN Sat 15 Bingham, Bruckner & Roderick THE PEOPLE’S ORCHESTRA Sat 15 WALLOWS Mon 10 Thurs 13 June,The June, Hare & Hounds, Williams... Mon 10 June, St Alban June, Halesowen Church, Hale- June, O2 Institute, Flapper, Birmingham Birmingham The Martyr, Highgate, Birmingham sowen B63 Birmingham TEDE + SPECIAL WAITING FOR SUSAN AIDA Opera North present a new BIRMINGHAM GAY SYMPHONY ORCHES- MAISHA Tues 11 June, GUESTS Fri 14 June, Sat 15 June, The concert staging of Verdi’s four act TRA SUMMER FIESTA Featuring Jack Hare & Hounds, Birm- The Castle & Falcon, World Bar, Resorts opera. Sir Richard Armstrong con- Lovell (conductor), Sat 15 June, ingham Birmingham World, Birmingham ducts, Tues 11 June, Symphony Royal Birmingham Conservatoire THE LAST INTERNA- Hall, Birmingham BONNY LOU BAND Fri 14 FOALS Sat 15 - Sun 16 TIONALE Tues 11 June, June, The World Bar, June, Digbeth Arena, DAVE MARIC & MILLENNIAL PERCUS- O2 Academy, B’ham Resorts World, B’ham Birmingham SION Featuring Adrian Spillett (pro- JOE LONGTHORNE Wed ducer) & Dave Maric (director), Tues BERNADETTE PETERS Fri LET IT BEATLES Sat 15 12 June, Artrix, Broms- 11 June, Recital Hall, Royal Birming- 14 June, Birmingham June, The Night Owl, grove ham Conservatoire Town Hall Birmingham HANNAH BROWN + BAD LUNCHTIME MUSIC Featuring Lixin Liu ROCKET Fri 14 - Sat 15 WOMAN TO WOMAN: BUG + THE NORTHERN (soprano) & Jonathan French June, The Jam House, JUDIE TZUKE, BEVERLEY RIOTS + WATERMARK (piano). Programme includes works Birmingham CRAVEN & JULIA FORD- Wed 12 June, The by Handel, Mozart, Chausson, HAM Sat 15 June, Sunflower Lounge, HACKNEY COLLIERY Fauré, Schumann, Strauss, Ravel, Birmingham Town Hall Birmingham BAND Fri 14 June, Hare Britten & Hu Yanjiang, Tues 11 June, RBC INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL & Hounds, B’ham FROM THE JAM Sun 16 The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birming- Sat 15 - Tues 18 June, Royal Birm- CANDLEBOX Wed 12 June, The Mill Dig- ham Conservatoire June, O2 Institute, SKA SPECIAL FT. KIOKO ingham Conservatoire beth, Birmingham Birmingham DJS Fri 14 June, Hare RBS CHAMBER MUSIC SHOWCASE CON- BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHES- & Hounds, B’ham CERT An hour of music showcasing TRA: MAHLER’S FIFTH QUADROPHENIA - THE Featuring some of the best chamber music en- ALBUM LIVE Wed 12 FELIX SHEPHERD + TORI Michael Lloyd (conductor) & Ida sembles from across the Conserva- June, Birmingham CROSS + RHIANNA Ränzlöw (mezzo-soprano). Pro- toire: woodwind, brass, recorders, Town Hall KEANE Sat 15 June, gramme comprises Mahler’s Fifth The Sunflower harps, strings, guitars and piano, Symphony & Rückert-Lieder, Sun 16 NINE DART FINISH, Lounge, Birmingham Wed 12 June, Recital Hall, Royal June, Elgar Concert Hall, The Bra- SPEAKEASY & THE COM- Birmingham Conservatoire mall, MON Wed 12 June, CITYLIGHTZ Sat 15 CHAMBER ENSEMBLES Free lunchtime Hare & Hounds, Birm- June, O2 Academy, STEREOLAB Sun 16 concert, Thurs 13 June, The Bramall, ingham Birmingham June, O2 Institute, University of Birmingham THE GOOD LIFE - THE ROADTRIP Sat 15 June, Birmingham COMMUTER CONCERT: STRINGS CHAM- Comedy GREAT SONGS OF TONY The Asylum, B’ham CANAAN COX Sun 16 BER ENSEMBLE Featuring Alicja Hu- BENNETT Wed 12 June, MILTON JONES Mon 10 June, The BACKSTREET BOYS Sat June, Hare & Hounds, meniuk & Hun-sik Lee (violins) & The Core Theatre, 15 June, Arena Birm- Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham Mabon Rhyd (viola) - programme Solihull ingham GYPSYFINGERS Sun 16 Dvorák’s Terzetto Op.74. Also, Caro- TOM STADE Wed 12 June, The Glee MIGHTY MIGHTY Wed ROCKET Sat 15 June, June, Hare & Hounds, line Pether & Alicja Humeniuk (vio- Club, Birmingham 12 June, Hare & The Jam House, Birm- Birmingham lins), Anna Bielecke & Toby Holden SCOTT GIBSON, JIMMY MCGHIE FEA- Hounds, Birmingham ingham (violas) & Yuechen Zhao (cello) - TURING COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY SCOTT LEVANE + THE RUST FOR GLORY Sat 15 programme Mozart’s String Quintet ROBINSON Thurs 13 June, The Glee NU Thurs 13 June, The June, Route 44, Birm- in G minor, K516, Thurs 13 June, Club, Birmingham Sunflower Lounge, ingham Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- AHIR SHAH & SOOZ KEMPNER Thurs 13 Birmingham servatoire FREEDOM!19 - GEORGE June, Midland Arts Centre, B’ham TAKING BACK SUNDAY - MICHAEL TRIBUTE Sat CBSO: MIRGA CONDUCTS MAHLER’S BOBBY MAIR, HUGE DAVIES, DANNY 20TH ANNIVERSARY SECOND Featuring Mirga Gražinyte- whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Birmingham 10 - 16 June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 13:57 Page 3 The List Birmingham 10 - 16 June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 13:57 Page 4

thelist Monday 10 - Sunday 16 June CLIVES & CHELSEA BIRKBY Fri 14 June, WUTHERING HEIGHTS Heartbreak Pro- Cherry Reds Cafe-Bar, Birmingham ductions present an outdoor staging SCOTT GIBSON, JIMMY MCGHIE, SEAN of Emily Bronte’s classic tale of love MCLOUGHLIN & MAUREEN YOUNGER Fri & revenge, Sat 15 June, Packwood 14 - Sat 15 June, The Glee Club, House, Solihull Birmingham OLD HERBACEOUS An ‘acute and SCOTT BENNETT, HAYLEY ELLIS, EM- sometimes hilarious’ observation of MANUEL SONUBI & CHRIS BETTS Sat 15 relationships between the classes... June, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Sat 15 June, Lichfield Garrick PAMELA’S PALACE Original music & dance routines combine as Pamela and her girls take audiences through a whirlwind of female insecurities & Theatre shameless gossip... Sat 15 June, The AVENUE Q Tony Award-winning musi- Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham cal that centres on a group of love- THE CHEF SHOW Part comedy play, able yet hopeless characters on a part cookery demonstration, the downtown New York street, Tues 11 - show takes its audience behind the Sat 15 June, Wolverhampton Grand scenes on a busy Saturday night in Theatre the local curry house, where two ac- BBC Gardeners’ World Live - NEC, Birmingham tors play a cast of thousands... Sat 15 SWEET CHARITY Queensbridge Musi- Backs, Fri 14 June, Birmingham Back June, Thimblemill Library, Smethwick cal Theatre Society present an ama- to Backs teur staging of the Broadway classic, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Quantum Film INTERNATIONAL MODEL AIR SHOW Tues 11 - Sat 15 June, The Core The- Theatre present an outdoor staging INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Model aircraft enthusiasts take to the atre, Solihull of Kenneth Grahame’s riverside tale, YULI - THE CARLOS ACOSTA STORY (15) skies to demonstrate their flying Sun 16 June, Dotshill Park, Tamworth HALF A SIXPENCE BMOS Musical The- Biography/Drama. Starring Carlos skills, Fri 14 - Sun 16 June, Weston atre Company present an amateur THE CHEF SHOW Part comedy play, Acosta, Santiago Alfonso. Midlands Park, Staffordshire staging of the classic family musical, part cookery demonstration, the Arts Centre, Birmingham, Thurs 13 BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR Guided tour Tues 11 - Sat 15 June, The Alexan- show takes its audience behind the June of Aston Hall, Sat 15 June, Aston dra, Birmingham scenes on a busy Saturday night in DUMBO (U) Family/Fantasy. Starring Hall, Birmingham VELVET Tom Ratcliffe’s drama ex- the local curry house, where two ac- Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton. Mid- LIVE YOUR LEGACY INTERNATIONAL plores the complex realities of ha- tors play a cast of thousands... Sun lands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 14 CHAMPIONSHIPS The cheer & dance rassment within the acting industry, 16 June, Midlands Arts Centre, Birm- June and how far a person is prepared to ingham championships are back, Sat 15 AMAZING GRACE (tbc) go to achieve their dreams, Wed 12 - June, Resorts World Arena, B’ham Documentary/Music. Starring Aretha Thurs 13 June, The Old Joint Stock PIRATES AND MERMAIDS Check out Franklin. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 14 & Theatre, Birmingham ‘the ultimate underwater adventure’, Sun 16 June CANVAS Royal Birmingham Conserva- Sat 15 June - Sun 8 Sep, National BIRDS OF PASSAGE (15) Drama. Star- toire presents its version of Michael Sea Life Centre, Birmingham ring José Acosta, Carmiña Martínez. Wynne’s ‘razor-sharp’ comedy, Wed Foreign language, subtitled. Mid- 12 - Sat 15 June, The Old Rep, Birm- lands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri ingham 14, Sun 16 - Mon 17 & Thurs 20 June THE SECRET LIVES OF HENRY & ALICE A DOG'S JOURNEY (PG) Gill Jordan - best known as Black Adventure/Comedy. Starring Dennis Country legend Doreen - stars oppo- Quaid, Abby Ryder Fortson. Artrix, site Emmerdale & Doctors actor Tom Kids Shows Bromsgrove, Sat 15 June Roberts in David Tristram’s award- winning comedy, which centres on a DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE Interactive DR. STRANGELOVE (PG) Comedy. Star- married couple with apparently only a show for all the family, Thurs 13 - Sat ring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott. pet goldfish in common, Thurs 13 15 June, Wolverhampton Grand The- Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, June, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham atre Sat 15 & Wed 19 June DAVID BLAINE The master of modern GANGSTA GRANNY Heartbreak Produc- SHARKWATER EXTINCTION Documen- magic presents tions present an outdoor staging of tary. Directed by Rob Stewart. Mid- an interactive David Walliams’ bestselling tale, Fri lands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sun one-man show 14 June, Walsall Arboretum 16 June that promises to GANGSTA GRANNY Heartbreak Produc- ‘shock and tions present an outdoor staging of amaze’, Fri 14 David Walliams’ bestselling tale, Sat 'MORRIS GANG' DANCING The Blists Hill June, Arena 15 June, Bewdley Museum QE11 Events Morris Gang entertain the crowds Birmingham Gardens, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster with traditional dances, Sun 16 June, BBC GARDENERS' WORLD LIVE Featur- Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, REP FOUNDRY NIGHT Featuring ex- ing stunning show gardens and Shropshire cerpts from Rep Foundry artists beautiful borders packed with ideas Grace Barrington, Siana Bangura, to recreate in your own garden, Thurs FESTIVAL OF BLACK COUNTRY VEHICLES Rachael Mainwaring & Shane Dance 13 - Sun 16 June, NEC, Birmingham Commemorating the region’s histori- Shambhu, Fri 14 June, The REP, cal reputation as a major centre for BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET: UN- BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW SUMMER Fea- Birmingham vehicle manufacturing, Sun 16 June, LEASHED Triple bill of ballets by fe- turing seasonal produce, ideas for al- Black Country Living Museum HORMONAL HOUSEWIVES ’Allo ’Allo ac- male choreographers, including the fresco dining and hundreds of tress Vicki Michelle stars in a no- world premiere of the third Ballet Now producers and brands, Thurs 13 - RETRO SHOW Open to all retro vehi- holds-barred romp about the joys of commission by Didy Veldman, Wed Sun 16 June, NEC, Birmingham cles from the 1950s through to 1995, being a ‘fabulous 21st century Sun 16 June, Santa Pod Raceway, 12 - Sat 15 June, Birmingham Hippo- THE MURDER OF PETER HANNIGAN woman, Sat 15 June, Lichfield Gar- drome Wellingborough rick Enjoy an evening of intrigue and mystery at the atmospheric Back to whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Birmingham 17 - 23 June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 14:00 Page 1

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thelist Monday 17 - Sunday 23 June sity of Birmingham Classical Music LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: SPACE SPECTACULAR Featuring Pete Harrison LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT Pro- (conductor), Sat 22 June, Symphony gramme includes works by W. Rus- Hall, Birmingham sell, C. Pepusch, Handel, Franck & Coates, Mon 17 June, Symphony BIRMINGHAM CHORAL UNION Featuring Hall, Birmingham Colin Baines (conductor), Darren Hogg & Phil Ypres Smith (pianists). EX CATHEDRA: SUMMER MUSIC BY CAN- Programme comprises Brahms’ Re- DLELIGHT Featuring Jeffrey Skidmore quiem, Sat 22 June, St. Francis (conductor), Tues 18 & Wed 19 June, Church, Bournville, Birmingham Birmingham Cathedral SC CHOIRS SHOWCASE Sun 23 June, PASCAL PASCALEFF PIANO CONCERT Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall, Uni- Programme includes works by Schu- versity of Birmingham mann & Chopin, Tues 18 June, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- servatoire Confidence Man - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham LUNCHTIME MUSIC WITH XIZI ZHANG ingham WANNABE - THE SPICE (PIANO) Tues 18 June, Recital Hall, Comedy Gigs THE REVOLVERS Thurs GIRLS SHOW Sat 22 Royal Birmingham Conservatoire TOADALLY FREE COMEDY Mon 17 June, 20 June, The Jam June, The Alexandra WIND BAND & SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The Blue Orange Theatre, Birming- Theatre, Birmingham VISTA KICKS + THE House, Birmingham Featuring Benedict Goodall & Sab- ham MUSTOES Mon 17 ENTER THE DRAGON Fri L'ORCHESTRE AFRISA IN- rina Ko (wind band conductors) & HARRIETT DYER AND LOU CONRAN Tues June, The Sunflower 21 June, Hare & TERNATIONAL Sat 22 Daniele Rosina (Symphony Orches- 18 June, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Lounge, Birmingham June, Midlands Arts Hounds, Birmingham tra conductor). Programme includes AL MURRAY Wed 19 June, The Alexan- ODD SOUL Mon 17 Centre, Birmingham works by Tchaikovsky, Sparke, Holst, SKAM, BUILDING GI- dra Theatre, Birmingham June, Hare & Hounds, TROPICAL SOUNDCLASH Coates & Hess, Wed 19 June, The ANTS, MOUTH IN THE ASHLEY BLAKER & IMRAN YUSUF Thurs Birmingham Sat 22 June, Hare & Bramall, University of Birmingham SOUTH Fri 21 June, 20 June, Midlands Arts Centre, Birm- Hounds, Birmingham ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: A CELEBRA- CAGE THE ELEPHANT Route 44, Birmingham ingham Tues 18 June, O2 Insti- TION OF NEW TALENT Featuring An- STEVE KNIGHTLEY Fri 21 BLACK KNIGHT SATEL- tute, Birmingham drew Griffiths (conductor) & Luke KIRI PRICHARD-MCLEAN (PICTURED) June, Artrix, Broms- LITE Sat 22 June, The Jones (piano). Programme includes WITH ANDY RICHARDSON & COMIC TBC THE LAFONTAINES Tues grove Flapper, Birmingham works by Beethoven & Thea Mus- Thurs 20 June, The Glee Club, Birm- 18 June, O2 Institute, MOISHE’S BAGEL Sat 22 SENSATERIA WITH THE grave, Wed 19 June, The Bradshaw ingham Birmingham June, Artrix, Broms- JACK CADES & THE Hall, Royal Birmingham Conserva- grove OSHUN + SPECIAL LEAKING MACHINE Fri toire GUESTS Tues 18 June, 21 June, The Night HEAVY SOL Sat 22 CBSO: STEPHEN HOUGH PLAYS The Castle & Falcon, Owl, Birmingham June, The Night Owl, BEETHOVEN Featuring Edward Gard- Birmingham Birmingham NANNA RADLEYS Fri 21 - ner (conductor) & Stephen Hough CONFIDENCE MAN Wed Sat 22 June, The Jam LILLEBURN + EVERY- (piano). Programme includes works 19 June, Hare & House, Birmingham THING ASIDE Sat 22 by Tippett, Beethoven & Schubert, Hounds, Birmingham WILD FRONT Fri 21 June, The Castle & Wed 19 - Thurs 20 June, Symphony LUCAS D & THE GROOVE June, The Actress & Falcon, Birmingham Hall, Birmingham GHETTO Wed 19 June, Bishop, Birmingham JEFFREY LEWIS & LOS ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: THE The Jam House, Birm- FEEDBACC + ROUND IN BOLTS Sun 23 June, PLANETS An HD with NASA ingham CIRCLES + MARMA + Hare & Hounds, Birm- footage, Fri 21 June, Symphony Hall, HALFWAY TO PARADISE: SPECIAL GUESTS Fri 21 ingham Birmingham THE BILLY FURY STORY June, The Sugarmill, STRAY CATS Sun 23 ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE Thurs 20 June, The Stoke-on-Trent June, O2 Academy, SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring TOM LUCY Fri 21 June, The Glee Club, Alexandra Theatre, THE MAVERICKS Fri 21 Birmingham Jamie Phillips (conductor), Jacob Birmingham Birmingham June, O2 Academy, BON JOVI PLUS SPECIAL Perry (clarinet), Tzu-Jo GAVIN WEBSTER, NIGEL NG, GLENN BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH & Birmingham GUESTS MANIC STREET (marimba) & Jacob Smith (trumpet). MOORE & COMIC TBC Fri 21 - Sat 22 THE REVOLUTIONARY Programme includes works by Fri 21 - Sun PREACHERS Sun 23 June, The Glee Club, Birmingham MINDS Thurs 20 June, June, Ricoh Arena, George West, Weber, Pius Cheung, 23 June, Arena B’ham TIFF STEVENSON & JOHN KEARNS Fri 21 The Mill Digbeth, Birm- Coventry Arutiunian & Gershwin, Fri 21 June, The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birming- June, Midlands Arts Centre, Birming- ham Conservatoire ham CBSO CENTRE STAGE Featuring Kate ROB ROUSE, JOSH PUGH, STEVE Suthers & Charlotte Skinner (violins), WILLIAMS & FREDDY QUINNE Sat 22 Jessica Tickle (viola), Helen Edgar June, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham (cello) & Oliver Janes (clarinet). Pro- gramme comprises Françaix’s Clar- inet Quintet & Ravel’s String Quartet, Fri 21 June. CBSO Centre, B’ham SUMMER FESTIVAL VOICES Songs & Theatre Sonnets from Shakespeare & part- THE LADY VANISHES Juliet Mills & songs by Elgar, Holst & Vaughan Maxwell Caulfield star in a stage Williams, Fri 21 June, The Barber In- adaptation of the Hitchcock classic, stitute, University of Birmingham Mon 17 - Sat 22 June, Lichfield Gar- 2019 BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL rick PIANO COMPETITION: FIRST ROUND Sat OPEN DOOR - BRICK LANE ’78 Murad The Mavericks - O2 Academy, Birmingham 22 June, The Barber Institute, Univer- Khan’s exploration of the defining

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thelist Monday 17 - Sunday 23 June moment when the British- claimed comedy, which is based on ROMEO + JULIET (12a) Drama/Ro- STEAMPUNK FESTIVAL This year’s Bangladeshi community stood up Harold Brighouse's play of the same mance. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, theme is ‘an apocalyptical Martian in- against far-right parties’ propaganda name, Wed 19 - Sat 22 June, Birming- Claire Danes. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri vasion of Earth and the fight back to and activities, Tues 18 June, The REP, ham Hippodrome 21 June ultimate victory’, Sat 22 - Sun 23 Birmingham HALSTON Documentary. Directed by June, Blists Hill Victorian Town, Iron- HELLO, DOLLY! Amateur staging pre- Frédéric Tcheng. Midlands Arts Cen- bridge, Shropshire sented by Walsall Operatic Society, tre, Birmingham, Fri 21 - Sat 22, Tues LEGENDARY JOUST Four legendary Tues 18 - Sat 22 June, Wolverhamp- 25 - Wed 26 June knights compete for honour and ton Grand Theatre GLORIA BELL (15) Drama/Comedy. glory in the ‘grand medieval joust’, SIRENS Zoo Co’s award-winning show Starring Julianne Moore, John Tur- Sat 22 - Sun 23 June, Kenilworth sticks two fingers up at gender ex- turro. Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham, Castle pectations and asks, when your voice Fri 21 - Mon 24, Wed 26 - Thurs 27 OPEN COCKPITS WEEKEND Chance to is silenced, how do you stand up and June learn about the museum’s aircraft, shout out?, Wed 19 June, Midlands THE FLIGHT (12a) Drama. Starring Sat 22 - Sun 23 June, RAF Cosford, Arts Centre, Birmingham Chandan Roy Sanyal, Parno Mittra. Nr Wolverhampton MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Outdoor Foreign language, subtitled. Mid- THE SUMMER NATIONALS 2019 National staging of Shakespeare’s comedy, lands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat Drag Racing Championships featur- Wed 19 - Sat 22 June, Maple Hayes 22 Jun ing the MSA British Championship for School, Lichfield THE GREAT GATSBY (12) Drama/Ro- Pro Mod, Sat 22 - Sun 23 June, Santa MANSFIELD PARK The Royal Birming- mance. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Pod Raceway, Wellingborough ham Conservatoire presents its ver- Carey Mulligan. Artrix, Bromsgrove, MEET THE VICTORIANS: QUEEN VICTO- sion of Johnathan Dove’s 19th Sat 22 June RIA’S VISIT Queen Victoria graces century romantic opera, Thurs 20 - MOULIN ROUGE! (12a) Drama/Musical. Aston Hall with her presence, Sun 23 Sat 22 June, The Crescent Theatre, CANDY Chrysalis London present a Starring Nicole Kidman, Ewan Mc- June, Aston Hall, Birmingham Birmingham mixed bill of choreographed perfor- Gregor. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 22 GUYS AND DOLLS Birmingham Youth mances, Fri 21 June, Midlands Arts June Centre, Birmingham Theatre present an amateur staging VIVEK (15) Documentary. Directed by of Frank Loesser’s celebrated musi- Anand Patwardhan. Foreign lan- cal comedy, Thurs 20 - Sat 22 June, guage, subtitled. Midlands Arts Cen- For Foodies The Old Rep, Birmingham tre, Birmingham, Sun 23 June CROOKED DANCES New play by Robin Cabaret FOODIES FESTIVAL Featuring master- French which examines music, time TINA T’URNER TEA LADY’S STEAMY BINGO classes with some of the country’s and attention in the modern digital Join musical comedy domestic diva top chefs, workshops, tastings & live age, Thurs 20 June - Sat 13 July, Stu- Tina for an evening celebrating bingo, music from Boyzlife & the Neville Sta- dio Theatre @ The Other Place, Strat- music, tea and laughter, Thurs 20 Events ple Band, Fri 21 - Sun 23 June, Can- ford-upon-Avon June, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, DISCOVERY DAY Featuring free activi- non Hill Park, Birmingham HORMONAL HOUSEWIVES ’Allo ’Allo ac- Birmingham ties, workshops, tours and exclusive THE GIN TRAIN Sip gin while travelling tress Vicki Michelle stars in a no- competitions, Sat 22 June, The REP, through the spectacular Severn Val- holds-barred romp about the joys of Birmingham ley in a 1936-built luxurious first-class being a ‘fabulous 21st century THE GREAT GET TOGETHER AT SAREHOLE carriage once hauled by the Flying woman’, Fri 21 June, The Alexandra, Talks MILL ‘Big-hearted community get-to- Scotsman, Sat 22 - Sun 23 June, Birmingham gether’, Sat 22 June, Sarehole Mill, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr TAN FRANCE Join the Queer Eye star Birmingham Kidderminster MAD ABOUT THE MUSICALS Featuring as he discusses his memoir, Naturally some of musical theatre’s most Tan, Thurs 20 June, Birmingham iconic numbers, Fri 21 June, The Town Hall Core Theatre, Solihull IAN MCKELLEN ON STAGE Join the leg- MRS BROWN’S BOYS D’MUSICAL The endary actor & activist as he cele- promise of an ‘exhilarating, side-split- brates his 80th year with a new solo ting and musical adventure’, Fri 21 - show about his life in theatre, Fri 21 - Sun 23 June, Resorts World Arena, Sat 22 June, The REP, Birmingham B’ham AN EVENING WITH HELEN SHARMAN Special event in which Britain’s first astronaut speaks publicly about space and the wonders of science, Kids Shows Sat 22 June, Birmingham Town Hall THE FLYING BATH Little Angel Theatre bring Julia Donaldson & David Roberts’ playful and adventurous story to life using catchy songs, quirky bath Film toys & everyday heroes, Sun 23 June, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: DEAD GOOD Documentary. Directed by Rehana Rose. Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Wed 19 June Dance SCUM (18) Crime/Drama. Starring Ray BEATS ON POINTE An ‘electric fusion’ of Winstone, Mick Ford. Midlands Arts street dance & ballet featuring a cast of Centre, Birmingham, Thurs 20 June 16 dance athletes, Mon 17 June, The LORDS OF CHAOS (18) Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Biography/Drama. Starring Rory HOBSON'S CHOICE Birmingham Royal Culkin, Jack Kilmer. Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 21 June Ballet present David Bintley's much-ac- Sirens - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Birmingham 24 - 30 May.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:22 Page 1

thelist Classical Theatre Amateur staging Music presented by Lichfield Operatic Soci- ety, Tues 25 - Sat 29 June, Lichfield AMATIS TRIO Featuring Lea Haus- Garrick mann (violin), Samuel Shepherd (cello) & Mengjie Han (piano). Pro- THE BODYGUARD Alexandra Burke & gramme includes works by Haydn, Jennlee Shallow share the role of Shostakovich, Andrea Tarrodi & Rachel Marron in this much-ac- Brahms, Tues 25 June, Birmingham claimed romantic thriller based on Town Hall the film of the same name, Tues 25 June - Sat 6 July, Wolverhampton CBSO: THE DAMNATION OF FAUST Fea- Grand Theatre turing Edward Gardner (conductor), Anna Stéphany (Margeurite), Saimir YEAR 12 MUSICAL THEATRE: DECADES Pirgu (Faust), Joshua Bloom BOA Year 12 students take audi- (Méphistophélés) & Božidar Smiljani ences on a musical journey from the (Brander). Programme comprises turn of the 20th century onwards, Berlioz’s The Damnation of Faust, Wed 26 - Thurs 27 June, The Old 125’, Wed 26 June, Symphony Hall, Rep, Birmingham Birmingham Carrie Underwood - Resorts World Arena, Birmingham THE MOUSETRAP Agatha Christie’s GATECRASHER CLASSICAL Sat 29 iconic thriller. Gwyneth Strong grove 28 June, Resorts June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham stars... Thurs 27 - Sat 29 June, Re- World Arena, B’ham gent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Gigs THE MIGHTY MIGHTY CBSO CONCERTS IN THE PARK Featur- BOSSTONES Fri 28 GEORGIA BURGESS + ing Micheal Seal (conductor) & a HARPER REGAN Royal Birmingham TINA - SIMPLY THE BEST June, O2 Institute, PSALMS + CONOR varied festival programme of popular Conservatoire present a tale of fam- Tues 25 June, The Birmingham COLEY Sat 29 June, classics, music from the movies and ily, love & delusion, Thurs 27 - Sat 29 Core Theatre, Solihull BLAKK SABBATH Fri 28 The Castle & Falcon, 'Last Night of the Proms' favourites, June, Royal Birmingham Conserva- CULT LEADERS & BIRDS June, The Asylum, Birmingham Sat 29 June, Boldmere Recreation toire IN ROW Tues 25 June, Birmingham UNDER THE COVERS Sat Field, Sutton Coldfield DEADTOWN Film, live Hare & Hounds, Birm- EAGLES Fri 28 June, 29 June, The World 2019 BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL action and magic ingham Arena Birmingham Bar, Resorts World, PIANO COMPETITION: THE FINAL Sat 29 combine to present LUNASA Tues 25 June, Birmingham the Wild West in a SOLID SOUL Fri 28 - Sat June, Birmingham Town Hall Artrix, Bromsgrove completely new way, 29 June, The Jam KING OF POP: THE LEG- IL DIVO Sat 29 June, Arena B’ham Thurs 27 - Sat 29 ANGIE BROWN Wed 26 House, Birmingham END CONTINUES Sat 29 REDDITCH ORCHESTRA: LAST NIGHT OF June, The REP, Birmingham June, The Jam House, June, Artrix, Broms- FRANKLY SINATRA Fri 28 THE PROMS Sun 30 June, Artrix, Birmingham grove THE MERCHANT OF VENICE Shake- June, The Alexandra Bromsgrove speare's controversial masterpiece is FEELS Thurs 27 June, Theatre, Birmingham GOJIRA Sat 29 June, Hare & Hounds, Birm- O2 Academy, B’ham transported to 1950s’ New York, a ELLIE JONES & THE GI- city where communities are divided ingham LYNRYD SKYNYRD Sun ANTS Fri 28 June, The by wealth and religion, Thurs 27 30 June, Resorts DEL CAMINO Thurs 27 World Bar, Resorts Comedy June - Sat 13 July, Stafford Castle June, The Jam House, World, Birmingham World Arena, B’ham REGINALD D HUNTER Wed 26 June, STILL FREEZIN’ Join the Fizzogs as Birmingham COMBICHRIST Sun 30 PHILIP H. ANSELMO & Birmingham Town Hall they present a Black Country version June, The Mill Dig- BARRY STEELE & THE ILLEGALS + KING of Disney blockbuster Frozen, Fri 28 beth, Birmingham MANDY KNIGHT & KEITH FARNAN PLUS FRIENDS Thurs 27 PARROTS Fri 28 June, COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- June, Brierley Hill Civic Hall, Dudley June, The Alexandra The Mill Digbeth, Birm- GAYGIRL + SKETCH + SON Thurs 27 June The Glee Club, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM The Theatre, Birmingham ingham MODERN COMFORTS Birmingham Lord Chamberlain's Men perform Sun 30 June, The Sun- DAGADANA Thurs 27 CARRIE UNDERWOOD Fri this Shakespearean classic, Fri 28 flower Lounge, B’ham CATHERINE BOHART & NICK DOODY June, Artrix, Broms- Thurs 27 June, Midlands Arts Cen- June, Winterbourne House & Gar- tre, Birmingham dens, Birmingham RHOD GILBERT Fri 28 June, Sym- MEASURE FOR MEASURE Gregory phony Hall, Birmingham Doran directs a new version of Shakespeare’s ‘problem play’, Fri 28 SEAN MCLOUGHLIN Fri 28 June, The June - Thurs 29 Aug, Royal Shake- Glee Club, Birmingham speare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon MANDY KNIGHT, KEITH FARNAN, BOBBY PLAYHOUSE PROJECT A series of spe- MAIR & JAKE LAMBERT Fri 28 - Sat 29 cially commissioned plays by lead- June, The Glee Club, Birmingham ing playwrights directed by local ADAM KAY Sat 29 June, The Alexan- primary school teachers and youth dra Theatre, Birmingham theatre directors, Fri 28 - Sat 29 PETE OTWAY, NICK DIXON, JULIAN June, The REP, Birmingham DEANE & DARIUS DAVIES Sat 29 June, ROBIN & THE SHERWOOD HOODIES The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Theatretrain Solihull present an all- CURTIS WALKER, singing all-dancing romp through WHITE YARDIE, the medieval mayhem of Merry Eng- WILL E DO & land, Sat 29 June, The Core Theatre, ANNETTE FAGON Solihull (PICTURED) Sun A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM The 30 June, The Crescent Theatre Company present Glee Club, a modern-dress production of one of Birmingham Combichrist - The Mill, Digbeth Shakespeare’s best loved and most

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enduring comedies, Sat 29 - Sun 30 LC PRESENTS COLLABORATION Show June, Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, containing a variety of dance styles Solihull and music, Sat 29 - Sun 30 June, THE M.M.O.R.P.G. SHOW - SCRUFFY Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham LOOKING NERD-HERDER Three brave HERE COME THE GIRLS Dianne Buswell, volunteers play characters in a story Chloe Hewitt & Amy Dowden show- made entirely from audience partici- case a mix of ballroom and Latin rou- pation, with this year’s show focusing tines choreographed by Patrick on cults and group mentality, Sat 29 - Helm, Sun 30 June, Lichfield Garrick Sun 30 June, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham JOHN BARROWMAN: FABULOUS Sun 30 June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Cabaret TINA T’URNER TEA LADY & FREAKS! Fan- tasy, obsession & loss come to the fore in this celebration of showbiz Kids Shows and the surreal, Thurs 27 - Fri 28 Tina T’urner Tea Lady & Freaks! - The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham THE GRUFFALO Tall Stories’ musical June, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Town Hall, Mon 24 June Birmingham adaptation of the classic picture book ROCKETMAN (12a) Biography/Drama. by Julia Donaldson and Axel Schef- Film INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Starring Taron Egerton, Bryce Dallas fler, Tues 25 - Wed 26 June, Birming- Howard. Number 8, Artrix, Broms- ham Hippodrome SIR (12a) Drama. Starring Sanjay grove, Fri 28 June Talks Mishra, Rasika Dugal. Foreign lan- #GADHVI (12a) Drama. Starring guage, subtitled. Midlands Arts Cen- Tillotama Shome, Vivek Gomber. For- GYLES BRANDRETH: BREAK A LEG! Join tre, Birmingham, Mon 24 June the actor, author and ex-MP for an eign language, subtitled. Midlands Dance hour of 'wit, wisdom, high drama, low WOMAN AT WAR (tbc) Drama/Thriller. Arts Centre, Birmingham, Tues 25 THE BALLROOM BOYS Strictly Come comedy, and hilarious name-drop- Starring Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir. Ar- June Dancing favourites Ian Waite and Vin- ping.' Sat 29 June, The Old Rep The- trix, Bromsgrove, Mon 24 June BULBUL CAN SING (12a) Drama. Star- cent Simone join forces in this brand atre, Birmingham CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? (15) Biog- ring Arnali Das, Manoranjan Das. For- new production, Thurs 27 June, Dud- raphy/Comedy. Starring Melissa Mc- eign language, subtitled. Midlands ley Town Hall Carthy, Richard E. Grant. Stourbridge Arts Centre, Birmingham, Thurs 27

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theJune list war Grand Prix heritage, Sat 29 June, SOMETIMES ALWAYS NEVER (12) Com- Donington Park Racing Circuit, Derby edy/Drama. Starring Bill Nighy, Alice THE DATING SHOW The world’s first Lowe. Midlands Arts Centre, Birming- consumer dating event, Sat 29 - Sun ham, Fri 28 - Sun 30 June 30 June, NEC, Birmingham THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 (U) Anima- ARMED FORCES WEEKEND Celebrate tion/Adventure. With the voices of Armed Forces Day with a weekend of Patton Oswalt, Eric Stonestreet. Ar- nostalgic activities for the whole fam- trix, Bromsgrove, Sat 29 June ily to enjoy, Sat 29 - Sun 30 June, KATTUMURAM (tbc) Drama. Foreign RAF Cosford, Nr Wolverhampton language, subtitled. Midlands Arts DOG’S TRUST FUN DAY Featuring Centre, Birmingham, Sat 29 June doggy demonstrations, a grand raffle A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (18) Drama/Sci- and an opportunity to meet some of CBSO Concerts In The Park Fi. Starring Malcolm McDowell, the dogs from the Trust, Sun 30 June, Patrick Magee. Midlands Arts Centre, Ragley Hall, Alcester Boldmere Recreation Ground, Sutton Coldfield, Sat 29 June Birmingham, Sat 29 June “We’re thrilled that we will be taking part in this concert again this year,” says City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chief Executive Stephen Maddock in talking about the CBSO’s Concert Events For Foodies In The Park appearance. “The orchestra really enjoys the SHREWSBURY FOOD FESTIVAL Featur- opportunity to perform outside of a concert hall. We are looking THE BIG EVENT The UK's largest dis- ing 200 exhibitors, demos, chef forward to sharing more wonderful music in the beautiful play of vehicles for disabled people, school, kids activities and a bigger, surroundings of Sutton Park.” Fri 28 - Sat 29 June, NEC, B’ham better BBQ area, Sat 29 - Sun 30 As on previous occasions, the orchestra will be performing a THE CREATIVE CRAFT SHOW SUMMER A June, The Quarry Park, Shrewsbury varied festival programme of popular classics, music from the ‘haven for knitting, cross stitch, paper crafting, jewellery & dressmaking and BIRMINGHAM RUM FESTIVAL Chat to movies and Last Night of the Proms favourites. Also contributing stitching enthusiasts’, Fri 28 - Sun 30 experts and discover new rums, sip to the concert are UK jive act The Jive Aces. June, NEC, Birmingham cocktails, enjoy live music and feast A 10-piece mini-orchestra from the CBSO will then take part in the on delicious street food, Sat 29 - Sun VINTAGE MOTORSPORT FESTIVAL Cele- 30 June, The Cuban Embassy, B’ham Family Day event on the Sunday, which is taking the theme of bration of Donington Park’s rich pre- Alice In Wonderland.

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