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P AUSTRALIAN COMEDIAN LANDS IN BIRMINGHAM 2013 ISSUE 327 MARCH 327 ISSUE £1.80 Breakeven in Brum... in Breakeven .co.uk whatsonlive

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Priscilla Priscilla tour... on musical End West inside preview Earl Carpenter Earl Phantom... talks inside interview

INSIDE Lock Sean road the on back inside interview THE MIDLANDS ESSENTIAL ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE ENTERTAINMENT ESSENTIAL MIDLANDS THE Midlands Cover - March_Mids Cover - August 25/02/2013 14:33 Page 1 Page 14:33 25/02/2013 - August Cover - March_Mids Cover Midlands MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON ISSUE 327 MARCH 2013 PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS grand_whatson FP march_Layout 1 25/02/2013 10:19 Page 1 Great Theatre at the Grand!

WED 6 - SAT 9 MARCH TUES 12 - SAT 16 MARCH TUES 19 - SAT 30 MARCH

WORLD PREMIERE

DANCING IS NOT A CRIME; TO MISS FOOTLOOSE WOULD BE An amateur production

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MON TUES COsì fan sIMón tuttE BOCCanEgRa WRITTEN BY JULIE COOMBE AND JOHN McISSAC MOZaRt VERDI Sung in English Sung in Italian

starring DON WARRINGTON and GWEN TAYLOR

MON 29 APRIL - SAT 4 MAY ALSO BOOKING TUES 7 - SAT 11 MAY SAT 6 APRIL JIM DAVIDSON DIRECT FROM THE SUN 7 APRIL WEST END! THE SOLID SILVER 60s SHOW MON 8 APRIL THE CHUCKLE BROTHERS SUN 14 APRIL SHAOLIN WARRIORS THURS 18 APRIL ##### ##### BEYOND THE BARRICADE WONDERFUL TERRIFIC EVENING SUNDAY FRI 19 APRIL STANDARD EXPRESS HOW SWEET IT IS MOTOWN’S GREATEST HITS SAT 20 APRIL REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY Best New Comedy TUES 23 - SAT 27 APRIL WhatsOnStage WBOS CRAZY FOR YOU awards

Box Office 01902 42 92 12 BOOK ONLINE AT www.grandtheatre.co.uk Contents March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 11:01 Page 1

March 2013

Editor: INSIDE: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Cats Editorial Assistants: Brian O’Faolain Lloyd Webber musical [email protected] 01743 281707 in the Midlands p10

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Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell Chris Atherton Sean Lock - back on the road. Interview page 8 Accounts Administrator Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 Website Development: TO GET THE VERY Jim Pallett LATEST LISTING News p4 Contributors: Graham Bostock: Theatre INFORMATION, Earl Carpenter James Cameron-Wilson: Music p13 Film; Anita Champaneri: VISIT: talks about Phantom... p6 Eating Out; whatsonlive.co.uk Alev Dervish: Music Comedy p28 Eva Easthope, Kate INCLUDING Evans, Jessica Matthews, BOOKING ONLINE Patsy Moss, Jack Rolfe, Theatre p31 Jan Watts, Reggie White The Midlands’ most Head Office: comprehensive 4/5 Dogpole, Shrewsbury, entertainment website Dance p44 Shropshire. SY1 1EN Tel: 01743 281777 Fax: 01743 281744 Film/DVD p47 e-mail: info@whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts p55 This publication is Follow What’s On... printed on paper from a sustainable source and is Events p59 produced without the use of elemental chlorine. twitter.com/whatsonlive March 2013 We endorse the recycling Clubbing/Gay p77 of our magazine and MTWTFSS would encourage you to Like us on... 1 2 3 pass it on to others to p78 read when you have Books/TV 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 finished with it. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 facebook.com/whatsonlive Eating Out p79 ’ 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 WhatsOn 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

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News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

The Window Collective: Window Dressing - Tracey Beaker star in Stoke various locations around Birmingham Hanley’s Regent Theatre has announced that Dani Harmer is to take the role of Janet in Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show when it stops off at the venue in May. Dani - who found fame in CBBC’s Tracey Beaker, and who more recently impressed the nation with her moves on Strictly Come Dancing - will be joined by stage and TV actor Sam Attwater in the fortieth anniversary production. Since its 1973 premiere at the Royal Court Theatre, The Rocky Horror Show has been performed in over thirty countries across every continent, and has been translated into more than twenty languages.

Midlands audiences to get Theatre Fever Some of the best theatre the West Midlands has to offer is this month being showcased in a special festival. Theatre Fever comprises more than thirty shows in Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull and Coventry, included amongst which are eight special commissions from some of the region’s most impressive talent. The Arts Council England-supported two-week event includes several new works, including Soul City Arts’ If Walls Could Speak - a story of how the Birmingham ward of Sparkbrook has been a gateway into the city for generations of migrants. Coventry-based Talking Birds also make a rare return to a theatre auditorium when they present We’re Only Here Best documentary nomination Today, while Theatre Absolute’s Always is a ten-minute piece made for just fifteen audience members at a time... For more information about what’s on where, including numerous shows being for Shropshire film presented in such unusual places as Black Country public houses and, er, the Co-op car park in A short film which uses archive footage and Stirchley(!), visit theatrefever.co.uk animation to reveal the truth behind a notorious photograph of a ghost at Wem Town Hall has been nominated for a coveted gong rooted love of theatre and the arts, has a at the forthcoming First Light Awards cere- Young at art... background in running successful local and mony. Ghost Girl, a collaboration production Birmingham Children’s Hospital is celebrat- international companies. between a group of twenty young people ing its one hundredth-and-fiftieth birthday in Commenting on the move, Adrian Jackson, from two Shropshire schools, is up for the 2013. To mark the occasion, the hospital Lichfield Garrick’s Chief Executive and Best Documentary Award at the 19 March tasked patients with painting what they Artistic Director, said: “Becoming a trust will event in Odeon Leicester Square. thought might make their hospital brilliant - allow the theatre to develop to even greater Known as the Little Oscars, the First Light and the results are little short of outstanding. levels and offer a wonderful facility to every- Awards will be judged by a host of high-pro- Eighteen-month-old Eleana, who’s only one. As a non-profit-making independent file actors, including Martin Freeman, Matt spent two weeks at home since her birth, organisation, we will continue in our dedica- Smith, Freddie Fox and Ralf Little. came up with the tion to offer a mix of live, entertaining and accompanying picture. thought-provoking performances.” This, together with Warwickshire venue numerous other pieces, will be auctioned off at Festival line-up announced... nominated for Industry award Birmingham Museum & Performance poet Benjamin Zephaniah is The stunning stately home of Ragley Hall Art Gallery on 16 amongst thirty top names confirmed to has been nominated for a Cool Venue award March. All proceeds will appear at Wenlock Poetry Festival next by Prestige Events Magazine. The popular go directly to month. Now in its fourth year, the ever- venue, which nestles in the heart of the Birmingham Children’s expanding literary event draws large crowds Warwickshire countryside, is up against Hospital. to the beautiful south Shropshire market some stiff opposition in the Country House town. Joining Benjamin at the three-day festi- category of the val (5 - 7 April) will be Ian McMillan, former awards, with Trust status allows theatre MP Martin Bell OBE Gleneagles, and prize-winning poet Waddesdon to develop and editor Fiona Manor, Brocket A recent decision to make Lichfield Garrick a Sampson. Hall and Downton Charitable Theatre Trust has been welcomed For full details of Abbey location by Lichfield District Council. Heading up the what’s happening Highclere Castle Lichfield Garrick Theatre Trust Board of where at the festival, also in the run- eleven members will be Chairman James visit, www.wenlockpo- Benjamin ning. Leavesley, who, as well as having a deep- etryfestival.org Zephaniah

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Happy anniversary, Ikon! Celebrations have been announced to mark Ikon Gallery’s fifteen years at Brindleyplace. The gallery - which opened its doors at the former Oozells Street School in 1998 - formed a major part of the redevelopment of Brindleyplace estate following the opening of the ICC in 1991. Recognised for showcasing innovative works from a vast array of international artists - as well as for its educational and community strands - Ikon is recognising the landmark anniversary with a special 21 March event entitled Brindleyplace: A Changing Landscape. Reflecting on the redevelopment of the area, historian Dr Chris Upton and Altitude Real Estate Executive Director Gary Taylor will talk about the changing landscape around Ikon’s current home. This event is followed by a walking tour of Brindleyplace, led by Dr Upton on 23 March. National Theatre production of Alan Bennett’s People Rep announces opening season... Birmingham Repertory Theatre has announced a new programme of shows for its reopening season. The Rep, which is celebrating its one hundredth anniversary in 2013, reopens to the public on 3 September, complete with a new three hundred-seat studio theatre, a restored original façade and much-improved public and backstage facilities. Opening the season in the main auditorium will be the National Theatre’s production of Alan Bennett’s latest play, People (3 - 21 September), directed by Nicholas Hytner.

Helen Stallard takes Other season highlights include Rep artistic director Roxana Silbert’s acclaimed production a break outside Ikon Gallery of David Grieg’s Dunsinane (24 - 28 September), a brand new production of Twelve Angry Men, starring the Birmingham-born Martin Shaw, and BAFTA Award-winning writer Kay Mellor’s A Passionate Woman, starring Lynda Bellingham and Christopher Timothy. Financial boost for Library A new staging of Bryony Lavery’s adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is the venue’s of Birmingham festive offering, with firm family favourite The Snowman making a welcome return in January One of the UK’s largest grant-making chari- 2014. For a full run-down of the Autumn/Winter season, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk ties is to award £500,000 to the Library of Birmingham. Funds from the Wolfson Foundation will be used to develop an IN BRIEF Aiming high in new tourism campaign archive research space in the new Visit Birmingham has declared its backing for a national app cam- £188.8million building. The library opens its New music venue paign which aims to inspire more people to holiday in England. doors to the public on 3 September, and will for Birmingham Created by Visit England, the 101 Things To Do Before You Go be the largest public library in Europe. JLS, ASWAD, The Abroad app features a bucket list of the very best English experi- Drifters, Bad Manners ences. Trade and consumers are being asked to nominate their and The Three favourites by uploading suggestions and pictures to the app, Degrees are amongst which is divided into categories entitled Food & Drink, Arts & an eclectic mix of Culture, Health & Fitness, History & Heritage, Wildlife & Nature entertainers set to and Because It’s Awesome. Once approved, suggestions will be appear at The Hub, pinned onto a map of England so that other visitors can view and Birmingham’s newest vote for their favourite. Those who nominate will gain automatic live music and special entry into a prize draw. events arena. Jane Midlands venues already submitted include Dudley Zoo, the Williams, spokes- Jewellery Quarter Museum, Cadbury World, the Black Country woman for The Hub Living Museum, Custard Factory, mac and the Sea Life Centre. team, said: “The aim is The app is live until 1 March, with a selection of nominations to provide a dynamic announced during English Tourism week (16 to 24 March), the full new music arena list then being revealed on St George’s Day. Birmingham Museum which offers a broad So what are you waiting for? Let’s do the Midlands proud and acquires Italian paintings cross-section of afford- share some of our great attractions with the rest of the country... The Art Fund - a national fundraising body able live music to which helps museums to buy and show art - appeal to a mix of age Black Country Living Museum has now completed the transfer of the late groups and music gen- Sir Denis Mahon’s private collection of res on a regular basis, Italian Baroque paintings into the collections using a great space for of museums and galleries across the UK. live entertainment.” Out of the fifty-seven works, five have been The venue, which is given a permanent home at the Birmingham located on Kent Street, officially opens on 5 Museum and Art Dudley Zoo Gallery. The paintings April with an exclusive DJ set from JLS, fol- - by Salvator Rosa, Sealife Centre, Birmingham Francesco Albani, lowed by an after-show Giovanni Battista party. Gaulli, Pier JLS Francesco Mola and Pieter van Laer - have all been on long-term loan to the museum since 1999. mac - Midlands Arts Centre

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 5 Phantom feature_Layout 1 25/02/2013 09:29 Page 1

I’m not an avid follower of musicals outside of work. “ You get younger guys in the company who are like sponges - they listen to anything and everything musical.”

Earl Carpenter talks about The Music Of The Night...

Twenty years in musical theatre has seen Earl Carpenter appear in some of the biggest and best musicals ever to grace the stage. Having played the role of Phantom in the West End, Earl is now back on the road with the anniversary tour of Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical, which stops off in Birmingham this month. What’s On recently caught up with him to find out what audiences can expect...

The Phantom Of The Opera is So is Phantom your dream role? How much has the staging changed for undoubtedly an epic musical. Why do Any role that I get offered is a dream role. the new production? you think, after so many years, it Any job offer is a dream! It’s certainly an It’s a completely new design. Though continues to be so popular? honour to be given the custodianship of although it’s different staging and has a I think most definitely the clue’s above the such an iconic role - absolutely! It’s a huge completely different look, the production title - Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew responsibility, because I’m playing the lead still remains true to the music. Cameron Lloyd Webber. Those two individuals role in one of the world’s most classic decided that, like his Les Miserables certainly know how to craft a musical. I musicals, and that’s quite a heavy burden. chapter - which we were all involved with - think they were in a place twenty-seven he wanted to give this a new lease of life for years ago where they were able to It’s a role which you’ve re-visited on its anniversary. collaborate with some of the finest ever numerous occasions, so does it still theatre practitioners, and I think that’s present you with any challenges? With such a heavy touring schedule, how probably the magic of it more than anything Nightly! It’s live theatre, and there are so do you manage to keep your else. In respect of the product itself, at its many other people involved in a show like performances fresh? heart it’s the Beauty And The Beast story, this - so much technical wizardry and things They just are, which is as they should be. which everyone is aware of in some form, like that. Things are bound to go wrong, You can’t do what you did the night before - and I think that’s what captivates the and that fact alone ensures there are new in fact, I can’t remember what I did the audience. little adventures each evening. night before half the time. It’s all about

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reacting; every night has a different mood questions, but I also know when people are after which I discovered that I really enjoyed and a different tempo, depending on the fobbing me off. singing. mood of the company, the mood of the audience, the conductor, time - everything You’ve got an impressive list of musical What voice coaching did you initially changes. theatre credits to your name... receive? Yeah, I’ve been really, really lucky. I I didn’t; I copied. I copied people like You mentioned the mood of the consider myself fortunate to have entered Michael Crawford and Michael Ball. They audience; is that sometimes difficult to the profession at just the right time. I think were my inspiration, but I never had any adjust to? that by doing my apprenticeship at the right training. No, that’s what makes it exciting. It breaks places, I quickly understood that there was the duplication. We’re set certain a process that needed to be followed. I’ve But you must have known from an early parameters which we have to replicate been in professional musical theatre for age that you had a certain quality to your eight times a week, however many weeks a twenty years now, and I think that’s quite an voice? year. Every city offers a different challenge, achievement. I realise it’s an industry where I don’t really remember the process, to be and every theatre poses a different you have to keep re-inventing yourself. You honest. I just remember enjoying it. After challenge because it’s a different space - it need to have an understanding that the doing it for a while, I realised that I wasn’t might be smaller, it might be a different industry is trend-driven, and that you have bad at it. I have an ear for music and I know shape. And then you have different to be versatile. when something’s okay and when audiences, perceiving the show in different something’s awful. I was aware that I was ways. Everything has a knock-on effect, In your two decades in the industry, what okay, and I guess I just moved forward from which is great, and that’s what makes it would you consider to be the biggest that. Then, over time - particularly with the particularly exciting. change? am-dram circuit - I became more confident. I think that’s just about to happen to me, Do you have to spend much time in actually. I’m now at an age where a lot of Your voice is your biggest asset. How do make-up before a performance? the roles have gone, and it’s also a fact that you look after it? No, not really. It’s probably a good hour or a lot of shows are cast so much younger I don’t think about it too much. You see so so, but not as long as it used to be. nowadays, which means there are only a many singers getting wrapped up in, ‘Oh, I few shows I can go for. shouldn’t be doing that’, ‘I shouldn’t be And do you stay in make-up between eating this’, or ‘I shouldn’t be drinking that’. matinee and evening performances? But there’s always your producing to fall I have a routine, obviously, and I have to be No, I always take it off, as it makes me feel back on... careful. When you sign to big contracts like quite claustrophobic. It doesn’t take too Yeah, I guess - but my love for producing this, your life is, to some extent, controlled long. Certainly a lot less time than putting it has dwindled, purely because it’s so costly, by the responsibility you have to look after on. so I’ve had to put that in a manageable yourself. Vocally, I know I should do more, place. We’re not producing anymore but it’s worked for me this way for a long Do you have a favourite number in the ourselves because the risk element is too time, so I don’t feel I need to change it. With show? significant, but what I do have to fall back twenty-plus years of experience, I know what Not a favourite number, as such. For me on is my time in the industry. I see the next I can and can’t do. personally, as an actor, the last twenty chapter in my career as being quite an minutes of the show are great. You get a exciting one. What can I do with what I You mentioned earlier the uncertainty of huge mish-mash of emotions; everything already have? It’s all about synergy, and what happens next. Would you ever that we’re exploring and everything that understanding how one affects the other; consider moving into TV? we’re doing during that time is very that sort of thing. That’s a process which is sometimes exciting. And we’re also taking the difficult; moving from a dominant musical audience on this incredible emotional Of all the roles you’ve played, which has theatre CV. I don’t know, there are options journey towards the end. That, for me, is proven to be the most challenging? around. It’s just knowing which is the right the most satisfying thing. Every role’s offered something very different direction to move in. and given me something quite You touched on Les Miserables. Have extraordinary, so I can’t say that there’s You’ve performed in Birmingham you seen the film? been one in particular. previously. What does it mean to be back No, I haven’t been able to yet! It might be in the city? one of those that I’ll end up watching on Do you have an all-time favourite musical We were there with Les Miserables three DVD. It’s always very difficult seeing, for the score? years ago and also with Three Phantoms, so first time, something which you love and in No, I don’t. I’m not an avid follower of I’m really looking forward to it. I like which you’ve been heavily involved. When I musicals outside of work. You get younger Birmingham, especially the canal system first saw this version of Phantom, I guys in the company who are like sponges - and the back of The Mailbox. The reaction struggled with it. I was still doing Phantom they listen to anything and everything from the audiences is always really, really in London when I was invited to go along to musical. They talk to you about certain good, and the Hippodrome is such a see the touring version on its opening songs, and I’m looking at them, thinking, ‘I fantastic venue with a really great buzz. night. I just sat there thinking ‘what have have absolutely no idea what you’re talking Stuart Griffiths, the Chief Executive, is very they done with it?’. about’. passionate about what he does, and has made some very good decisions. You’re a producer as well as a performer. Was performing in musical theatre your Of which work are you the most proud? first career choice? Birmingham is the last date in the A concert which we created about four No, I wanted to be a pilot in the RAF but I anniversary tour. So what happens years ago called Three Phantoms. It’s now failed my exams at school. I always loved afterwards - a holiday? been picked up by another producer, which drama and art - things that didn’t require me I wish! I’m desperate for a holiday, but in itself is quite an accolade because it was to concentrate too much. Then, when I left straight after Birmingham, I’ll be popping something we’d put together from scratch. school, I didn’t really know what to do, so I over to Scandinavia with Three Phantoms. Something else of which I’ve been proud is worked my way through a multitude of jobs, Then, when we get back, we go straight into the fact that Cameron had the confidence from selling solar heating and financial rehearsals for a six-week UK tour of Three in me to let me produce Les Miserables services to being an assistant manager at a Phantoms. So there’s plenty to keep me four or five times in a concert version. That Happy Eater. I was all over the place but busy... was incredibly satisfying, and offered a eventually found myself going back to what much-appreciated nod of approval. It’s all inspired me the most - the theatre. At the Earl Carpenter plays Phantom in the been good, but what producing’s really time it was straight theatre; musicals came anniversary touring version of The Phantom done for me is to educate me about the a little later. Initially I decided to join as Of The Opera at Birmingham Hippodrome environment of theatre as a whole - so now, many theatre groups as I could, and that from Wed 13 March to Sat 4 May as an actor, I know not to ask silly gradually moved into musical societies,

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 7 Sean Lock interview_Layout 1 25/02/2013 09:32 Page 1

...There’s also the danger of alcohol and “ tweeting. If I were ever to mix the two, my whole career could easily come to an abrupt end in just three tweets... ”

Sean Lock back on the road...

Sean Lock is undoubtedly one of the funniest men on the comedy circuit, his ability to turn his make-up wearing female fans into Alice Cooper lookalikes being second to none. After a two year hiatus, Sean is this month back on the road, criss-crossing the UK with his Purple Van Man tour. What’s On recently caught up with the much-acclaimed comedian and TV host to talk about his comedy, his venture into the travel industry, and why social media just isn’t for him...

Why Purple Van Man? Why the decision to open in Glasgow? for this show. Some comedians like to tour It’s not really a theme, it’s just a title for a That date is part of a comedy festival. It’s the every year, which I don’t understand. For stand-up show. People are always asking, “I first official date on the poster but I’ll have me, it’s important to take a year where I wonder what White Van Man thinks?”, so it’s done about thirty gigs by the time I arrive don’t do anything connected to stand-up just a play on that. there. The process is given the very grand and let my brain settle a bit; then I spend a title of ‘work in progress’, where I test the year writing new material. That’s just how I So is the show finished and ready to roll? material at smaller venues and arts centres. like to work. Yeah, I finished writing it a while back, but as a comedian you continually want to polish it. It’s been more than two years since you So what’s your starting point when You never stop working on it, even up to the last toured. Why has it taken so long to preparing a new show? last gig of a one hundred-and-twenty-date get back on the road? I have lots of notebooks - I write everything tour. You’re always trying to improve what I’ve done quite a bit with 8 Out Of 10 Cats, by hand. I don’t use computers, as I find you’ve got. It’s a constant work. and I’ve been spending time writing material them tiring and distracting. Instead I have

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banks of notes and ideas, and I just start Was there a defining moment when you you’re not relaxed, chances are you won’t work on that. I then book small venues realised you were funny? enjoy performing and your audience will pick where I charge people a fiver; I just go I don’t know, really. I can remember one up on that. equipped with my notebooks and keep Christmas dinner - I must have been eleven going for as long as my material lasts. I or twelve - when everyone was laughing at So are you always looking for that keep doing that until I find I have enough me, but I don’t know why. I never wanted to audience reaction? for a show. I’lI usually take a break, then be a comedian. Hardly anybody wanted to What, a laugh? Yeah, I’m always looking for write some more. Then, in time, I find a be a comedian in those days. To me, back a laugh - that’s my job! But you have to trust routine, and things begin to slot together. I then, comedians were people who wore your audience and trust yourself. There will get to a stage where I’ll think ‘that bit goes velvet suits and black ties and told structured always be people - even though they’ve with that, and I’ll add that to that’. It’s a mother-in-law jokes. It wasn’t until later, when bought tickets - whose faces will be sour and slow, building process which takes place I started going to comedy clubs, that it glum throughout the show. You talk to any over a period of time. crossed my mind that it was something I comic and they all say, “it was going could maybe do. great and they were laughing out loud, but Do you ever bring any previous material there was this one bloke/woman who just into new shows? You’ve been in the industry for quite some couldn’t crack a smile”. But you can’t No, never. It stops you being creative. What years now. How has your comedy change them; you can’t alter them. They may helps the creative process is this knowledge changed during that time? have been brought along by a friend, they that there’s a hole to fill - a show that you’ve I like to think that I’ve got better at it. may have had a really shit day, you may got to come up with. Also, people who Fundamentally it changes with the way you have said something in the beginning that come to see you have either bought or seen view the world, but I don’t think I have a annoyed or upset them, or they may just not a DVD, or they’ve been to see a show distinctive style. I have a type of joke that I find you in the least bit funny. But at the end previously, and expect you to do something may do, but I don’t exclusively focus on my of the day you have to do your job, trust your new. I would feel that I was letting them and life or the daily irritations of life. I don’t like to material and, most importantly, trust yourself. myself down if I didn’t ensure that I had a pin myself down. If something’s funny, it’s It happens to every comedian, and I think it show that was original and as good as the funny, regardless at what age you’re telling it. would be nuts if everyone found you funny. last one. So who’ve been your biggest influences Any plans for after Purple Van Man? So what’s the biggest downside of going over the years? No, I tend to work on just one thing at a time. out on tour? Lots of people really, but mainly those from The tour’s quite consuming. I pretty much It has to be trying to get to sleep in a hotel the original circuit. I used to really like Les like it to be the only thing I do, so I’ll just be after a show when you’re pumped up with Dawson, although I don’t know how much getting on with it. adrenalin. You may want to have a few that’s affected me. Then there was Tommy drinks to wind down, but you know in reality Cooper and Monty Python, although I can’t Finally, there’s not much happening on the that you’ve got to stay on top of things, ever remember watching too many Python social media side of things for Sean Lock. because you’ve got to get up the next shows. I think it was more the legend that Would you class yourself as a bit of a morning and travel maybe one hundred- was around them. Then there were the social media-phobe? and-fifty miles to your next gig. Ask any comedians that you probably won’t have I’m on Twitter now, but only because I was comedian and they’ll probably tell you the heard of - people like Norman Lovett. Loads told I had to be by my agent. Apparently same - it’s about turning the dials back of different people, really. there were lots of people impersonating me, down from eleven to one after a gig. and so I’ve now set up an official account. So was comedy quite accessible to you I’ve tweeted just once, and that’s it. For me, You recently appeared in C4’s The Real growing up in London? social media is just another thing to think Man’s Road Trip. What did the experience No. I started going to comedy clubs when I about. I use lots of mental energy thinking teach you about yourself? was about twenty-six or twenty-seven. I was about my job, so thinking about what to I learned that I quite liked hunting - I was living in Hackney, and at the time you could tweet all the time would just consume too very surprised by how much I liked it. I pay a few quid to go to a pub to watch an much of my attention. I don’t mind other haven’t taken it up since I got back, but it alternative cabaret show where there’d be an people doing it, it’s just not for me. There’s was something that I particularly enjoyed. open spot. I saw a few of those, which were also the danger of alcohol and tweeting. If I abysmal, and I then started doing it as a bit were ever to mix the two, my whole career Did the experience change you in any of a hobby, not ever thinking it was could easily come to an abrupt end in just way? something I could make a living out of. three tweets... No, and that’s what they want in television, isn’t it? That’s just the kind of bullshit they You’re described as having a hyperactive try to peddle - “Oh, this trip’s really mind. So what do you do to wind down? changed me”. But nothing changes - That’s quite hard. Generally it’s a twenty- people stay the same forever. The only four/seven job. It’s just like one of those jobs thing they do is reduce the frequency with where you might be exhausted, having only which they make the same mistakes. The been asleep for four hours when one of the reason I did it - I don’t normally do travel kids wakes you up, and as soon as you’re shows even though I’ve been offered loads awake you instantly start thinking about of them in the past - was because I thought work. I’m not asking for any sympathy, as finding out about the Black Cowboys, living it’s a very nice life and I get very well with them in Louisiana, learning about rewarded, but it’s one of those jobs that you Creole culture and about the swamp people never switch off from. would be an interesting experience. Originally there was no agenda. They kind You’re at the top of your game. Is there a of strapped that on later with the Real Man’s pressure to keep at that level? Road Trip title, which I was very annoyed I suppose it’s a pressure inasmuch as you’re about; but we managed to tone it down with thinking about it all the time. It’s quite Sean Lock performs at Artrix, Bromsgrove, a bit of negotiation. The whole thing was addictive, and I think most comedians have a Sun 10 March; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, made to sound like a bit of a challenge, but degree of psychosis - there’s usually a Mon 25 March; The Place, Oakengates, it was just a road trip. I enjoyed being with neurotic element to them, whether they like Telford, Thurs 11 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Jon (Richardson) and some of the best to admit to it or not. But the best way to do Coventry, Sun 28 April; Crewe Lyceum parts were having a laugh with him. So your job is to be relaxed and happy, and so Theatre, Thurs 2 May; Malvern Theatre, Fri 3 good things came out of it... it’s kind of a difficult balance. You have to May; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs deal with that neurosis, because to do the 9 May; Birmingham Hippodrome Fri 10 - Sat job well, you have to be relaxed - and if 11 May

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Cats feature_Layout 1 25/02/2013 14:19 Page 1

The introduction of Grizabella is a real turning-point for the audience, “ because most people know of someone like her, whether it’s a friend, a family member or a friend of a friend.”

A purrfect show... Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical’s back in the region

10 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Cats feature_Layout 1 25/02/2013 14:19 Page 2

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A spectacular and captivating adaptation of TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Cats has been performed in over three hundred cities in more than twenty countries around the world. It's widely considered to be the show that redefined the modern musical, paving the way for a seemingly endless stream of blockbuster hits. Ensuring the memory lives on, Cats is now back on tour, visiting eleven UK cities in 2013, including Wolverhampton... So with much-acclaimed theatre director story,” she says. “The thread that goes As second cover to both Rum Tum Tugger Trevor Nunn at the helm, and Cats’ original through it is very beautiful. It’s about one cat and Macavity, Richard has more than one choreographer Gillian Lynne also on board, being chosen to get a new life, with the first make-up design to learn: “If you take a look what can audiences expect from this latest half of the show being a bit like the Olivier at those characters you’ll notice they’re quite touring production of one of the most popular Awards - a series of events which leads up to artistic, with lots of stripes and flicks, so musicals of all time? who will be chosen. The introduction of there’s a lot to get your head around. We get Chrissie Cartwright is the woman charged Grizabella is a real turning-point for the masterclasses from the show’s make-up with re-envisioning the show for the new tour. audience, because most people know of artist, Maria, who’ll be on hand to help us out “The choreography and structure of Cats someone like her, whether it’s a friend, a for the first week of the tour. After that, we’re remains the same,” says Chrissie, whose family member or a friend of a friend. She’s on our own!” choreographic credits include Mack and someone who’s fallen on hard times and is So does Cats appeal to all age groups? “I Mabel, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole and needing to find something to hold onto in her can’t think of a single performance we’ve Sherlock Holmes The Musical, “but what this life. Even if audiences aren’t able to get done so far where the audience members particular production also has is a very young completely involved, the worst case scenario haven’t ranged in age from about six through cast, the majority of whom are new to the is that they’ll witness some really great to OAPs,” says Richard, who’s naturally very show. They’re very strong, fresh and exciting. dancing and singing. To be able to get on in excited at the prospect of performing on his We have a Rum Tum Tugger who’s just come musical theatre you need to be able to home turf in front of his family, friends and a out of Les Miserables. He’s young and dance, sing and act - and that’s something sure-to-be-appreciative Midlands audience. contemporary, and therefore we use his style that you get at a very high standard in Cats. Cats is, after all, a show Richard Astbury to enrich what’s already there. The essence It’s all about the entertainment factor!” that’s well worth of the show is that we get the animals right. So what’s the biggest challenge facing a appreciating. Cats are quite unpredictable, and it’s performer in Cats? Wolverhampton lad If you’ve never had the important to correctly capture both the Richard Astbury, who plays Coricopat, is in pleasure, grab yourself a savagery and the sensuality of the animal. no doubt whatsoever. “There’s the unusual ticket asap for this latest Both of these aspects have been built into the nature of the choreography - having to get incarnation. It may well choreography.” used to being ‘animalistic’,” says Richard, prove to be an evening at The underlying story of Cats is a spiritual who recently graduated from Arts Educational the theatre that leaves you message about tolerance, acceptance and School, “but the most challenging part has positively, er, purring... forgiveness. But is it an easy message to get got to be learning to apply my own make-up. across to an audience? Chrissie believes that Originally it took me about two-and-a-half Cats shows at Wolverhampton Grand it is: “I think the majority of people who come hours to do it, but now I’ve knocked it down Theatre from Tues 19 to Sat 30 March to see the show will be able to follow the to about an hour-and-a-half!” Did you know...

I Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats - on which the musical two-and-a-half years of the London opening, there were Cats is based - was written by TS Eliot during the 1930s and first productions in New York, Tokyo, Budapest and Vienna, and the first published in 1939 by Faber and Faber. Although Eliot generally US touring production had hit the road. intended his cat poems to be for children, they were also appealing I and amusing to adults. Cats has been translated into ten languages: Japanese, German, (three versions for Germany, Austria and Switzerland), Hungarian, I The original production opened at the New London Theatre in Norwegian, Finnish, Dutch, Swedish, French, Spanish (two versions the West End on 11 May 1981. Eight years later it celebrated its first for Mexico and Argentina) and Italian. The Swiss production important milestone: after 3,358 performances, it became the required a bilingual cast, who performed in German and English on longest-running musical in the history of British theatre. alternate nights. I Cats opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on 7 I Despite its international appeal, the title of the show has rarely October 1982, and continued to live up to its motto of playing "now been translated. The Mexican producers did a survey as to whether and forever' until 10 September 2000. On 19 June 1997, the show the Mexican audience would like their production to be called Gatos became the longest-running musical on Broadway. It was overtaken - the response in favour of keeping the English original was by The Phantom Of The Opera on 9 January 2006. unanimous. I The original London cast recording of Cats won the 1982 I The show requires eight forty-foot trucks to move it from theatre Grammy Award for Best Cast Album. The next year, the original to theatre, transporting the sets, musical instruments and sound Broadway cast recording won the same award. and lighting systems, together with hundreds of costumes and wigs I On 1 October 1991, Cats became the longest, continuously and over one hundred lamps for the lighting rig. A team of over touring show in American theatre history. seventy people work around the clock to ensure the show is ready I for the opening night. On 29 January 1996 the London production of Cats celebrated I its 6,141st performance and became the longest-running musical in The song Memory has been recorded by over 150 artists, the history of West End theatre. ranging from Barbra Streisand and Johnny Mathis to Liberace. Barry Manilow's rendition was a top-forty hit in the USA I Cats closed in London in 2002, the same year it celebrated its techno/dance version by European singer Natalie Grant topped the 21st birthday, having notched up a staggering 8,950 performances. European dance charts in 1999. I Since its opening, Cats has been presented in twenty-six I A specially filmed production of Cats was released by Really countries and over three hundred cities, including such diverse Useful Films in 1998 and is available on video and DVD. It features destinations as Buenos Aires, Seoul, Helsinki and Singapore. Within a ‘dream cast’ that includes Sir John Mills and Elaine Paige.

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Joselyn Feature_Layout 1 27/02/2013 11:34 Page 1

In my head I was the nicest, most decent, well-behaved child ever. Then my dad “ would tell me these stories about me goosing people down the street and making faces at them.”

Jocelyn Jee Esien Little Miss Jocelyn creator in the region...

Although she has numerous stage and film credits to her name, it’s probably her much-acclaimed TV series Little Miss Jocelyn and Three Non-Blondes for which Jocelyn Jee Esien is best known. Jocelyn is currently performing in Don Evans’ One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show, which stops off in Coventry this month. What’s On recently caught up with her to find out more...

One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show is played the part of my son when it was You’re probably best known for your TV described as The Cosby Show meets originally performed in America went on to creations Little Miss Jocelyn and Three restoration comedy. Can you expand? become the lead writer on The Cosby Show. Non-Blondes. Where did the inspiration It’s a sitcom, based in Philadelphia in the come from for those two shows? 1970s. It’s about a middle-class family who So do you get to lust? Just from things that I’d seen. I’m a real get a visit from their working-class, country- I do. It’s a bit saucy and I get to come out in people-watcher, have used lots of public bumpkin niece - a bit like Will Smith in The my nightie at one point. Stop the press! transport in my time and have seen lots of Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. It’s ultimately a 1970s bad bus drivers. As for the ‘woman with restoration play - I’m the Mrs Malaprop How’s the show been received so far? worms’ sketch, I remember my dog having character from The Rivals - which is fast, We’ve done four weeks in London, which worms when I was growing up, and that funny, has a great story and a bit of lust. went exceptionally well. Coventry’s our final image stuck with me. I thought ‘wouldn’t it What’s interesting is that the actor who resting place - before Broadway, that is! be funny if a human had worms and Joselyn Feature_Layout 1 27/02/2013 11:35 Page 2

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behaved like a dog?’. There’s no depth to me!’, I’d look really angelic. My dad would friend. She didn’t mind - well, she didn’t have the inspiration really, but Hackney, the place literally have these arguments with people, a choice! Then it was going to be about my where I grew up, is full of these kind of saying ‘my daughter would never do that, parents. Then it was going to be about me, characters. At the time of Little Miss Joselyn, she’s not like that!’. Then, a few years ago, I but I thought that it might be a bit boring. It’s people would come up to me and say, ‘Oh, remember putting my dad straight and him still in the very early stages; I do need to get that character’s my auntie’, or ‘I think I went being horrified. My whole family are a bit a move-on though - I’ve been developing it to school with that character’. They’re all funny, actually. There was always lots of since about 1945! Once I’ve finished this people who I’ve met in my life at some point. laughter, and I did like to entertain. My mum play, I’ll get working on it. and dad would always be asking me to ‘do Have you ever been approached by that impression of your auntie Margaret!’, Is it true that your first career choice was someone who’s recognised that a even when she was there, which used to put law? character’s based on them? me on the spot. It was always a lot funnier It was, but that was my dad’s career choice Actually, my mum just assumes that all the when she wasn’t about. for me. I did it for him, and then realised that nicer characters are her. She just assumes I wasn’t very good at it and it wasn’t really for that. I have to say, ‘No, mum, that’s not you. With Little Miss Jocelyn you became the me. I liked the idea of acting as a lawyer, That one’s you; the fat nurse, that’s you’! first black woman either side of the though - you know, the idea of dressing up Atlantic to get your own TV sketch show. in court and saying ‘objection, your honour!’. Little Miss Jocelyn enjoyed great critical Is it true that you weren’t aware of this fact I just wanted to play the part. acclaim. Was it sometimes difficult to keep until after you’d recorded the series? control when filming? Yes, and thank goodness! It wasn’t until we You’ve mastered many disciplines - We did the show in quite a strange way. I got into the PR aspect of it, and were trying theatre, TV and stand-up. What do you didn’t set out to write it, as we’d employed to find a comparison, that people realised. prefer? writers, but it just wasn’t working. They didn’t The only person they could come up with I prefer theatre. I love anything live; that’s really understand the characters, and I felt was Lenny Henry, who’s a bloke and about why I loved doing the hidden camera stunts. that I was constantly feeding them. I don’t ten feet tall. It was only then that the To me, it’s the closest you can get to ‘live’ on think I really started to enjoy the process researchers started Googling and discovered TV. It offers the same kind of adrenalin-rush, until we got to the editing stage. We did have I was the first. But yeah, thank goodness. I and there’s this nervousness of ‘I’ve got to crazy times, though. There was this time think it would have been a completely get this and it’s got to be right’. I feel very around Christmas when we were filming. I’d different show had I known. much at home doing theatre, although I’ve put on some reindeer antlers and suddenly not done it consistently. Over the past three became crazed - I think I was very excited In what way? years I’ve done quite a bit, but in the past about doing my own show - and ran around There would have been an extra pressure, there was a gap when I didn’t do anything a waiting cab with the director and producer and maybe I wouldn’t have done ‘the girl for about ten years. I feel very much at ease in hot pursuit, trying to catch me. I literally who had worms’. But I’m glad I didn’t know, on stage, more so than when I’m on TV, just went mad for about an hour. But we had because I did the show that I wanted to do. really. great fun when we did the live shows. We used to film half of it in front of a studio Was it a long journey, getting the show Any plans to return to the stand-up audience, and the whole cast had such a from concept to TV? circuit? ball. The audience would feed off us and we My journey was long because I’d written lots I definitely will. I miss it, and I’m very excited would then feed off them. Characters would of different pilots, and filmed one as well, but about the circuit at the moment. There are so change, everyone would get a lot bigger and I was literally trying to work out what I many great comics out there right now. the whole atmosphere would just build. wanted to do. There were a lot of people There’s a great energy and a lot of love. I around me who were saying, ‘That’s really practically live in the Comedy Store and All those pranks. Did you ever get into good’ and ‘yeah, we should do that’. The always get excited at the prospect of seeing trouble with the police? BBC at the time really liked it, but they new acts. I was once banned from Shaftesbury Avenue weren’t sure. Then, one day I remember when filming Three Non-Blondes. I was in thinking, ‘you know what? I just want to do a Do you have a favourite comedian? character as the traffic warden - the traditional sketch show!’. Once I’d decided I really like Jack Whitehall. I just think he’s authorities don’t like you dressing up in any that, it was easier. We’d put on a few live really, really good. I just loved him in Fresh sort of uniform - and was trying to speak to shows, where people would come in off the Meat. There’s also Josh Widdicombe. He’s people who were booking box office tickets. I street, and if they laughed then we knew it good. was accused of terrorising them and got had worked. The audience would also give banned. Another time I was playing a feedback on which characters they did and What about female comedians? character who was very impatient. She was a didn’t like. They were all a bit rough - the I’m loving the range. There was a time when there was only a specific kind of woman on power-dressed woman who would order a shows, not the audience! I remember this Choca Mocha Latte while she was walking one time, when I needed to play the minicab stage. Now it’s open to everyone and and then, when she got to the shop, she’d driver, saying ‘now I’m going to be a man!’ anyone, as long as they’ve got something expect it to be there, ready and waiting. I and putting an eyeliner pencil across my lip, funny to say or a story to tell. It’s nice that I took the character on to the next stage and thinking that was all I needed to do to can no longer count them on one hand. I went into a florists and ordered a wreath, convince them! may need two now. In fact, I may even need saying ‘I was just thinking ahead’. They yours as well! asked who and when it was for, to which I Of all your characters, was there a replied ‘she’s not dead yet but she’s personal favourite? So after One Monkey... you’ve got a obviously going to die at some point’. They Oh, I couldn’t choose. They’re like my sitcom and a stand-up tour to work on. just didn’t get it at all and called the police. children. Anything else? They didn’t know I was an actress, and I I think that’s enough to keep me busy for remember trying to explain this to the police, Okay, if there was a fire and you could now, don’t you? Sometimes I get a bit ahead then having to get the producer in to try and only save one... of myself, but I’m going to try hard not to run put things right. They finally got it and I’d throw myself into the fire, shouting all the away with myself too much in 2013 - agreed to let us use the filmed piece. catchphrases from all the characters. No, I although I guess I’m just a bit like Tigger... couldn’t choose. I love them all and they’re Were you a practical joker as a child? all bits of me. I can’t believe you asked me In my head I was the nicest, most decent, that! well-behaved child ever. Then my dad would tell me these stories about me goosing Is it true you’re writing a sitcom at the Jocelyn Jee Esien appears in One Monkey people down the street and making faces at moment? Don’t Stop No Show at the Belgrade Theatre, them. Then, when they’d turn around and I’m developing it at the moment but it keeps Coventry from Tues 12 to Sat 16 March say ‘stop your daughter making faces at changing. First it was going to be about a Music March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 15:28 Page 1 Music March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 15:28 Page 2 Music

The Joy Formidable Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Fri 1 March Hailing from the Welsh town of Mold, feisty lead singer Ritzy Bryan hasn’t been slow to acknowl- edge the impact which the Welsh landscape and hills have had on The Joy Formidable’s music. The band have so far found fame pretty much everywhere besides the UK, but are hoping an extensive 2013 tour will help them secure a slice of that so- far-elusive home-lovin’. They play the Midlands this month having recently released Wolf’s Law, an album about the healing process following periods of turbulence and sadness. Their second offering, it follows on from 2011 debut album The Big Roar.

The Script LG Arena, Birmingham, Sat 16 March Wet Nuns Lead singer Danny O’Donoghue’s spot on the judging panel of TV talent show The Voice, alongside Jessie J, Tom Jones and Will.I.AM, ensures The Script remain very The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 1 March; The Rainbow, Birmingham, Wed 6 March much in the public conciousness. Known almost as much for his outspoken views as for band hits such as The Man Who Can’t Be Moved and Breakeven, Danny has recently im- Releasing new EP Broken Teeth in February, Wet posed a sex ban on himself after fracturing his ribs in a boating accident. Nuns play music that sounds like lo-fi blues punk, Catch them on this arena tour before they head Stateside. and credit their success to a combination of ‘women, death, beards, skulls and whiskey’. The duo may be from Yorkshire, but they could just as easily hail from the wild deserts of the US, Stereophonics thanks to their ‘beer brawl dust rock’. Creating a Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Sat 16 March storm with their wild energy when performing live, Retaining their youthful good looks despite twenty years in the business, Welsh four- they boast a cult-like following and have been piece Stereophonics have always done things their own way, in the process touring the given the thumbs-up by Arctic Monkeys. Troops Of world, chalking up five number one albums and headlining Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. Mafeking, Moscow and Bong Idle support. They’re currently road-testing new album Graffiti On The Train - released on their own, newly formed Stylus Records label - at ten smaller venues before embarking on a larger arena tour later this year.

Bastille Institute, Birmingham, Sat 9 March Named after a French fortress, this London band started out as a solo project before Dan Smith decided to bring three more musicians into the fold. Signed to Virgin Records in December 2011, they played over thirty festivals last summer, as well as a memorable show at Reading in a jam-packed tent. Despite only releasing a few singles, they consistently sell out tours and shows - including this one - and have earned a legion of fans thanks to heavy Radio One airplay of Flaws. Expect to hear songs from new album Bad Blood at this live show.

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Music PREVIEWS

Gabrielle Aplin Institute, Birmingham, Thurs 14 March At the tender age of twenty, Gabrielle Aplin has already achieved huge success across the UK and Europe. Blasting into the nation’s living rooms, via a John Lewis advert, with her cover of the Frankie Goes To Hollywood classic The Power Of Love, she’s certainly no one-hit wonder, and has sold out no fewer than five headlining UK tours. Starting out four years ago covering songs from Paramore and You Me At Six, she’s become one of YouTube’s most recognised and celebrated talents.

Biffy Clyro LG Arena, Birmingham, Thurs 21 March Finally finding stardom in 2007 with the album Puzzle, Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro have since established themselves as a big name on the festival circuit. Puzzle was actually the group’s fourth album, so the boys were no overnight success story. Indeed, it was only their decision to perform ‘more mainstream’ songs that brought them to the attention of a wider audience. The Kilmarnock-formed band followed up with 2009’s Only Revolutions, which reached number three in the charts and went gold within days of its release. This arena tour The Sam Draisey Sessions comes in support of latest album Opposites, which was released in January. The Robin, Bilston, Tues 19 March Hosted at venues around the region by inde- Heather Peace pendent singer-songwriter Sam Draisey, the The Carrivick Sisters The Glee Club, Birmingham, Mon 18 March Sessions are fun, free and open to all. The Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham, Sun 17 March; Henry Tudor House, Shrews- Better known for her work as an actress in TV twenty-three-year-old Wolverhampton lad bury, Mon 23 September plays acoustic folk pop with a strong empha- series including Waterloo Road, Coronation sis on storytelling. Influenced by Frank Guitar, mandolin, dobro, fiddle and clawham- Street, The Bill and Holby City, Heather has Turner, Damien Rice, Jack Johnson, Cat mer banjo are pure putty in the hands of The openly admitted that she’d happily give up Stevens and other more traditional folk Carrivick Sisters, not only two hugely talented acting for music. If the sell-out success of her artists, Sam self-released his second EP an- musicians but also identical twins from South UK tour in 2011 is anything to go by - not to thology last year. With local singers from Devon. Despite still only being in their early- mention the warm response to her release of around the Midlands taking to the stage, as twenties, the siblings an acoustic album and a jazz album - we may well as a few surprises during the open mic have already re- not see her on our television screens for very slots, every night is different. leased a handful of much longer... CDs and performed Nantwich Jazz, Blues And at major festivals across Europe and Skunk Anansie Music Festival in north America. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Thurs 21 March Various locations in and around Nantwich, Not surprisingly, Raw rock riffs, deep funk, frenetic drumwork Cheshire, Thurs 28 March - Mon 1 April given their Devon and lush vocals are the stock-in-trade of An eclectic line-up of acts awaits visitors to roots, their music is Skunk Anansie, who’ve caused quite a stir this, the seventeenth Nantwich Jazz, Blues greatly inspired by since reforming in 2009 following eight years and Music festival. Headlining the five-day folklore and legends. apart. Originally coming together in 1994, the event are English rock’n’rollers The Block- multi-racial band released three platinum-sell- heads, while popular ’80s band Shakatak ing albums during the years which followed, bring jazzed-up funk to the occasion. Former Rolf Harris Live peddling a sound which lead singer Skin de- Alarm frontman Mike Peters, acclaimed blues Symphony Hall, Birmingham, scribed as ‘clit-rock', coining the phrase as a singer Connie Lush, Britain’s Got Talent final- Sat 23 March way of distinguishing their music from the ists The Jive Aces and the Black Country’s National institution Rolf is a far-from-regular testosterone-fuelled Brit-rock of the same era. very own The Wonder Stuff also feature. tourer, so if you’ve always enjoyed his an- "We've got some dirty rockabilly, some fat low For full details, visit www.nantwichjazz.com tipodean antics and fancy getting up-close- riffs, punky sounds and ballads,” says Skin of and-personal with the amiable Aussie, this is the now-reformed band. “We listen to new definitely an opportunity not to miss. Painter, music, but we still sound like ourselves. If we singer-songwriter and television personality lose that, we've lost the point." of many a year, Mr H certainly knows how to keep his audiences entertained, whether it’s sloshing paint on canvas to dazzling effect, playing one of the biggest didgeridoos in the world or performing songs from a repertoire that includes Stairway To Heaven, Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport and Two Little Boys. Oh, and he’s not short of a story or two to tell about his fascinating life either, including ex- plaining how it felt to receive a BAFTA Fellow- ship, and what it was like to paint a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The Blockheads

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BRIAN YEATES ASSOCIATES PROUDLY PRESENT MADE IN BRUM ### FEATURING ### 2013 TOUR DATES 11th April Town Hall, Dudley  01384 812812 12th & 13th April JASPER CARROTT SOLD OUT Arts Complex, Solihull  0121 704 6962

17th, 18th & 19thSOLD OUT April BEV BEVAN Garrick Theatre, Lichfield  01543 412121 21st April TREVOR BURTON Concordia Theatre, Hinckley  01455 615005 24th April GEOFF TURTON Palace Theatre, Mansfield  01623 633133 25th & 26th April Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham JOY STRACHAN-BRAIN  0844 871 3011 5th May Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury DANNY KING  01743 281281 15th & 16th May Palace Theatre, Redditch  01527 65203 ...truly a night to remember 18th May Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury  01684 295074 23rd May Opera House, Buxton  0845 1272 190 24th May Civic Hall, Bedworth  024 7637 6707 25th May Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton  01902 429212 30th May Town Hall, Sutton Coldfield  0121 464 8990

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Music PREVIEWS

World Service Project Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Wed 27 March No ordinary quintet, the World Service Proj- ect is the guiding light in a collaborative Euro- pean jazz project, touring with likeminded bands from different countries to put on a unique show. Championing a spirit of adventure, they’ve been at the very cutting-edge of the Brit-jazz and Euro-jazz scenes for a good few years now. Led by pianist Dave More- croft, and also featuring saxophonist Tim Ower, trombonist Raph Clarkson, drummer Neil Blandford and bassist Conor Chaplin, the ensemble is here joined by Birmingham Conservatoire alto-saxophonist Chris Young, who’ll be performing with his band The Chris Young Sextet.

The Darkness Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Wed 6 March The Darkness really hit the big time last year when they supported Lady Gaga on the Euro- pean and African leg of her Born This Way Ball. The band has experienced more ups and downs than a yoyo over the last few years, surviving not only a split but also the departure of a bassist, and the rehabilitation and subsequent departure of frontman Justin Hawkins. Back with a bang courtesy of third album Hot Cakes and this, the Let Them Eat Cakes world tour, this East Country four-piece look set to enjoy a real purple patch in their ongoing efforts to secure ‘legends of rock’ status.

Jon Boden And The Lianne La Havas Peacock Angell Remnant Kings The Institute, Birmingham, Fri 8 March mac, Birmingham, Tues 19 March Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, A nominee for the recent Barclaycard Mer- Ruth Angell’s soulful fiddle and airy singing Wed 6 March cury Prize award, twenty-two-year-old Lianne blend seamlessly with Sid Peacock’s dexter- Best known as the frontman of Bellowhead, La Havas’s big break came when she per- ous, syncopated guitar style. Add in a vocal former BBC Folk Singer of the Year Jon formed on Later With Jools Holland in 2011. that’s able to deliver a soft serenade and Boden occasionally has a break from per- Her debut album, Is Your Love Big Enough, you’ve got a winning combination. Together, forming with the group in order to take a solo followed in April 2012, receiving much ac- the duo present an eclectic mix of music project out on the road. This is one such oc- claim from both critics and fellow musicians. that’s influenced by Irish folk, jazz, country casion, with Ludlow being a stop-off on a ten- Steve Wonder, Prince, Erykah Badu, Bon Iver and blues - as well as more modern ethereal date tour. Bringing together traditional and and Bombay Bi- music - to tell stories about the struggles of contemporary music, the show is being her- cycle Club can all daily life and the beauty found in everything. alded as one of this Spring’s most high-profile be counted as Releasing debut album Love Forgiven as a folk gigs... Oh, and if you’ve got yourself a fans. Now the two-piece last year, the pair’s music has been ticket, you’re cordially invited to join the band Croyden-born described as ‘beautiful’ and ‘spellbinding’. afterwards for a rip-roaring singalong! soul singer is about to play her Shayne Ward biggest headline The Ratells shows to date, Kasbah, Coventry, Fri 22 March The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury, Sat 23 March and stops off in Proving there’s no end to his talents, 2005 X the Midlands as This four-piece indie alternative band from Factor winner Shayne has sold over three part of her ten- Sheffield gigs on trams, in train stations and million records worldwide and had number date tour. just about everywhere else. Band member one albums and singles in nine countries. Ashley Holland is a bit better known than his He’s also forged a career for himself on the colleagues, having last year appeared on stage, treading the West End Lene Lovich Britain’s Got Talent - sadly, he was defeated boards in 2011/12 to play The Roadhouse, Birmingham, Sun 24 March in the show by a man with a saucepan on his Stacee Jaxx in hit musi- head who was impersonating a Dalek! Tour- cal Rock Of Ages Once described as ‘Kate Bush on acid’, leg- ing to support the release of their recent dou- (alongside Justin Lee endary post-punk pop singer Lene Lovich ble A-side single Phobia/Take Aim, they’ve Collins). He then shot to fame in the late-1970s when she en- shared the stage with bands including Kaiser headed back to the stu- joyed a UK chart hit with Lucky Number. For a Chiefs, The Courteeners and Frankie & The dio, and also found time couple of years she was one of the pop Heartstrings. to propose to his girl- world’s most influential performers, but turned friend! The Dancing her back on a life in the limelight in 1982 after On Ice star plays a bust-up with her record company, since this Shropshire which time her output has constituted just two gig as part of albums’-worth of material. Last year saw her a national linking up with Subterraneans frontman Jude tour. Rawlins for a celebration of the music of Ger- man composer Kurt Weill. The collaboration sparked the idea of heading out on tour with some of her classic material; hence this stop- off in the Midlands.

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THeaTre viSUal arTS perFOrmance mUSic liTeraTUre Film TalkS & WOrkSHOpS

28 February - 10 March 2013 Festival of Queer of Festival Culture & Midlands West Arts the and Birmingham

For full festival listings visit... www.shoutfestival.co.uk

www.facebook.com/shoutfestival @shoutfestival

SHOUT is a project of

birmingham lgbt Music March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 15:28 Page 8

Slade Rooms, Wolver- hampton MusicGIG REVIEWS Music LISTINGS THE DOORS EXPERIENCE Hare & Hounds, Birm- ingham For further reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk For full listing information on gigs, MECHANICAL SMILE, OC- including times and dates, visit CEUR, ONLY THE GOOD & www.whatsonlive.co.uk GLASS BULLET The Roadhouse, Birming- Plan B ham LG Arena, Birmingham STOMP & HOLLER The- FRI 1 MAR SAT 2 MAR atre On The Steps, This was certainly a gig of two halves, Bridgnorth a real Jekyll and Hyde experience. JESSIE J LG Arena, HALFWAY TO PARADISE - THE PASADENA ROOF OR- The first part of the show was dedi- Birmingham THE BILLY FURY STORY CHESTRA The Roses, cated to Plan B’s triple-platinum 2010 THE AUSTRALIAN PINK Dudley Town Hall Tewksbury album The Defamation Of Strickling FLOYD SHOW National INSOMNIA The Slade THE RAT PACK VEGAS Banks. Drew emerged onto the LG Indoor Arena, Birming- Rooms, Birmingham SPECTACULAR Stratford Civic Hall Arena stage looking very dapper in ham REEL BIG FISH O2 Acad- emy, Birmingham BETHAN & THE MORGANS, his red-and-black-check suit, and ac- D.A.D The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton ACOUSTIC BLUES HOUSE RICARDO THOMPSON, companied by Motown house band THE JOY FORMIDABLE PARTY FEATURING KEITH AARON ARMSTRONG- The B-Team. Rushing through numerous soulful songs, his singing Wulfrun Hall, Wolver- DUNN, HOMESICK MAC & CRADDOCK O2 Acad- was slightly gravelly at times, and a little strained when reaching for hampton MICHAEL ROACH Artrix, emy, Birmingham SUNDAY SOCIAL: THE the high notes of classics such as She Said and Love Goes Down. THE ENEMY O2 Acad- Bromsgrove TUSSK, GOD DAMN, FOR COURTESY GROUP, THE The second part of the show featured tracks from current release Ill emy, Birmingham CAROLINE HERRING The EYES AND CREEP JOINT CHINESE BURN SOCIETY Manors. For this, Drew got back to his urban roots. Dressing down in Hive, Shrewsbury The Sugarmill, Stoke- & FRANK COUGAR The a pair of bleached jeans and a T-shirt, he swaggered onto the stage ARE YOU EXPERIENCED - on-Trent Yardbird Jazz Club, against a riot-themed backdrop, his crew wielding burning flares JIMI HENDRIX TRIBUTE D-RAN D-RAN The River Birmingham Malvern Theatres Rooms, Stourbridge THE PSYCHEDELIC WAR- while extras charged the stage in hoodies and masks. This certainly LORDS The River got the crowd in the mood, and they were soon moshing to Drug WET NUNS, TROOPS OF BLACK COUNTRY MET- MAFEKING, MOSCOW & ALFEST 2013 Featuring Rooms, Stourbridge Dealer, Deepest Shame and the album’s thunderous title-track itself, BONG IDLE The Sug- Obzidian, Awake By De- which was also performed in the encore. armill, Stoke-on-Trent sign, Vandaliers, Dake- Drew can certainly do it all. He's a singer, a writer, an actor and a KINGS OV LEON The sis, Neverworld, Kuru, MON 4 MAR filmmaker - a fact which begs the question, what will he do next? River Rooms, Stour- Ropewalk, Endings & Whatever he decides, it’s to be hoped there’ll be plenty more hit al- bridge Origins, Scar The Crow CHRIS BOWDEN QUARTET and Dead Star Coali- LEWIS WATSON, PLUS bums and high-energy live shows to enjoy in the future. tion, The Robin, Bilston KIMBERLY ANNE & SAINT IIIII Symphony Hall, Birm- Jon Cartwright ingham YELLOWCARD Kasbah, RAYMOND Institute Birm- AMY MACDONALD Sym- Coventry ingham phony Hall, Birmingham SAN CISCO PLUS SPECIAL Richard Thompson GUESTS Institute, Birm- ingham TUE 5 MAR Symphony Hall, Birmingham THE MR BLUE SKY TOUR: Richard Thompson, described by Rolling Stone magazine as “a THE ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCE perennial dark-horse contender for the title of greatest living rock SIGUR ROS Civic Hall, The Place, Oakengates Wolverhampton guitarist”, lived up to his reputation as one of the country’s finest Theatre, Telford THE MAGIC BAND The singer-songwriters and live performance artists, treating the Sym- TALL SHIPS & EMPEROR Robin, Bilston phony Hall audience to a crowd-pleasing mix of new material from YES Sunflower Lounge, THE VIRGINMARYS Hare latest album Electric and classics such as Tear Stained Letter and Birmingham & Hounds, Birmingham Wall Of Death. The Richard Thompson Electric Trio (Richard Thomp- ARMY OF SHANKS, BLACK DOWNSTROKE The Jam Amy Macdonald BOMBERS, THE REAL DET- House, Birmingham son with drummer Michael Jerome and bass player Taras Prodaniuk) ONATORS & TERROR PRETTY THINGS Hunting- stormed through a set of acoustic and electric numbers to the de- BIG UP THE 90'S The GROVE The Flapper, don Hall, Worcester light of the audience, en route prompting plenty of requests for Robin, Bilston Birmingham favourite numbers and repeated encores. Highlights included the ex- BAD FOR LAZARUS PLUS YELLOWCARD Kasbah, tended guitar solos on Can’t Win and a stirring performance of For GOD DAMN The Butter- Coventry WED 6 MAR CREAM TOURS 2013 FEAT. Shame Of Doing Wrong. Thompson wore his trademark black beret market, Shrewsbury TOM ODELL & RAE MOR- BOY GEORGE, TALL PALL, and rewarded his fans’ loyalty by engaging in plenty of banter with RIS Institute, Birming- GRAEME PARK, BRANDON THE DARKNESS Civic them throughout the show. The musicians clearly enjoyed their per- ham BLOCK... Institute, Birm- Hall, Wolverhampton formance, and their enthusiasm rubbed off on the foot-tapping audi- THE ECHOES, DRAG, SE- ingham MATT SCHOFIELD BAND ence. With his display of scintillating guitar playing and an CRET OKTOBER & BLACK THE ATLANTIC PLAYERS & The Robin, Bilston THE PEAKY BLINDERS impressively snappy set, Thompson left his fans not only delighted TOOTH GRIN The Flap- MAGPIE LANE The Red IIIII per, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- Lion Folk Club, Birming- but also craving plenty more. Rachel Smith ALTERNATIVE DUBSTEP ingham ham ORCHESTRA Hare & THE SPIN The Road- COASTS, BLACK MARKET Hounds, Birmingham house, Birmingham EMPIRE & THIEVES The Delphic HIGHER ON MAIDEN & EXIT STATE & FANTASIST Yardbird, Birmingham DISARM GOLIATH The The Asylum, Birming- FOALS Institute, Birming- O2 Academy, Birmingham Roadhouse, Birming- ham ham Taking to the stage with heads ham THE PINK FLOYD SHOW STEVE REICH'S RADIO bowed, Delphic are as laid-back THE PINK FLOYD SHOW Theatre On The Steps, REWRITE Birmingham Bridgnorth Town Hall as any other group of twen- Theatre On The Steps, Bridgnorth PAUL CARRACK - GOOD WARWICK FUSED War- tysomething Manchester boys. THE INTENTIONS The FEELIN’ TOUR Symphony wick Arts Centre, Kicking off proceedings with Jam House, Birming- Hall, Birmingham Coventry Baiya, in some parts inspired by ham THE INTENTIONS The FAIRPORT CONVENTION Muse and in others by Keane, CARRION, NIGHT MIS- Jam House, Birming- Theatre Severn, ham they swiftly followed up with Hal- TRESS, BONEMUD, Shrewsbury SMEGMA & DUNK MON- 93 - CHAPTER 3 Institute, cyon. Slowing it down with Freedom Found, mixing it up again with STER O2 Academy, Birmingham Swimming and generally keeping the pace with tracks from debut Birmingham Acolyte and new album Collections, Delphic kept us on our toes. DAKOTA BEATS Clear, crisp vocals from lead singer James Cook carried each song Newhampton Arts Cen- SUN 3 MAR seamlessly into the next. With extended plays of each track, the set tre, Wolverhampton CAROLINE HERRING The would’ve worked just as well on any festival main stage. Hive, Shrewsbury DEUXVOLT The Robin, Whether they play synth (the synthesiser and three macs on stage SALVATION, SOUR MASH Bilston would testify to this) or a clever mix of dance (Red Lights) and rock & EIGHT GREAT FEARS UFO & 4BITTEN Institute (Doubt), Delphic are surely deserving of a bigger following this side The Asylum, Birming- Birmingham of the pond. Catch a piece of Madchester at a venue near you. ham SIMON SPILLETT QUINTET CALIBRE Warwick Arts Centre, Alev Dervish IIIII The Rainbow, Birmingham Coventry THE DOGS D'AMOUR The Fairport Convention www.whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Music March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 15:29 Page 9

LICHFIELD GUILDHALL MARCH Sat 9th Mar, 8.00pm The Matt Schofield Band Tickets: £15/£14 concs /£13 members/ £9 students

Sun 10th Mar, 8.00pm Chris Newman & Máire Ní Chathasaigh Tickets: £12/£11 concs /£10 members/ £7 students Wed 13th Mar, 8.30pm WADE STREET CHURCH HALL Chase Mist Tickets: £8/£7 concs /£6 members/£5 students Fri 22nd Mar, 8.30pm Hazel O’Connor SUPPORT FROM LISA DE VILLE Tickets: £15/£14 concs /£13 members/£9 students

Sat 23rd Mar, 8.00pm Jamie Smith’s Mabon Tickets: £14/£13 concs /£12 members/£8 students

APRIL Thurs 11th April, 7.45pm LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL Feast Of Fiddles Tickets: £19/£18 concs /£17 members/£12 students

Fri 19th April, 8.00pm Fitz. / Kristy Gallacher Tickets: £10/£9 concs /£8 members/£6 students

Sun 21st April, 8.00pm King King SUPPORT: DEVLINBLUE Tickets: £14/£13 concs /£12 members/£8 students

Fri 26th April, 8.30pm Home Service

Tickets: £16/£15 concs /£14 members/£10 students

For a programme or further information contact: Donegal House, Bore Street, Lichfield. WS13 6LU BOX OFFICE 01543 262223 www.lichfieldarts.org.uk You can now book on-line www.lichfieldarts.org.uk

20 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Music March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 15:29 Page 10

Music LISTINGS

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

WET NUNS & GOD DAMN THE STRAITS The As- The Rainbow, Birming- sembly, Leamington ham Spa HOT 8 BRASS BAND Hare LIANNE LA HAVAS & RAE & Hounds, Birmingham MORRIS Institute Birm- DARK PATRICK, ELECTRIC ingham CAKE SALAD, TRANS- MY BLOODY VALENTINE MUTER & SICK BOYS O2 Academy, Birming- CLUB The Roadhouse, ham Birmingham DEFINATELY MIGHTBE & JON BODEN & THE REM- ADORED The River NANT KINGS Ludlow As- Rooms, Stourbridge sembly Rooms, South MICHAEL KING PRESENTS Shropshire THE BILLY FURY YEARS SAD CAFE The Jam Theatre Severn, House, Birmingham Shrewsbury THE LAST CARNIVAL, THE ROBIN NOLAN TRIO COLLIERS & THE PRES- The Walker Theatre, The Travelling Band SURE CELL O2 Academy, Theatre Severn, Birmingham Shrewsbury TOMMASO STARACE THE BUDAPEST CAFE OR- QUARTET The Hive SUN 10 MAR TUE 12 MAR THU 14 MAR CHESTRA Huntingdon Shrewsbury Hall, Worcester THUR 7 MAR TOMMY EMMANUEL & OLLY MURS LG Arena, MARTIN TURNER'S WISH- MIKE FLETCHER BIG BAND Birmingham BONE ASH The Robin, Symphony Hall, Birm- MARTIN TAYLOR The Robin, Bilston WEDNESDAY 13 The Bilston STATUS QUO Civic Hall, ingham Slade Rooms, Wolver- SPACE, CHRIS WALLBANK Wolverhampton MAINLY MADNESS The DIZRAELI & THE SMALL GODS O2 Academy, hampton & THE COWARDS & RHE- SAM LEE Hare & Robin, Bilston BULLET FOR MY VALEN- SUS O2 Academy, Birm- Hounds, Birmingham PLANES Hare & Hounds, Birmingham DHOAD GYPSIES OF RA- TINE & HALESTORM O2 ingham GUNNRUNNER The Birmingham Academy, Birmingham THE ALARM O2 Acad- Robin, Bilston TWISTED WHEEL, THE JASTAN Hare & Hounds, Birmingham GRETCHEN PETERS The emy, Birmingham BETH HART & TRISTAN TRICKS & STUBBLEMELT Assembly, Leamington GABRIELLE APLIN Insti- MACKAY Institute Birm- The Rainbow, Birming- CHRIS NEWMAN & MÁIRE NÍ CHATHASAIGH Spa tute, Birmingham ingham ham Tommaso Starace Lich- field Guildhall RODDY WOMBLE The SILLY SONGS OF SHAKE- YAMATO DRUMMERS Re- THE GET ALONGS The Glee Club, Birmingham SPEARE Artrix, Broms- gent Theatre, Stoke-on- Sugarmill, Stoke-on- CLANNAD Warwick Arts WILEY, PETE JORDAN, Centre, Coventry THE JIVE ACES Dudley grove Trent Trent Town Hall JOBY BURGESS: POWER- CHRIS MAPP QUARTET BREED 77 Institute Birm- ROSSCO & MARC SPENCE STEELEYE SPAN The Institute, Birmingham Swan Theatre, Worces- ART THEMEN The Spot- PLANT mac - Midlands Bramall Music Building, ingham ted Dog, Birmingham Arts Centre, Birming- Birmingham HELLS BELLS The Road- THE KINGCRAWLERS, ter KING CANUTE, KARMA CANCER BATS Institute KATHRYN TICKELL War- ham AN INTIMATE EVENING house, Birmingham wick Arts Centre, HANNAH JAMES AND SAM WITH RUTHIE HENSHALL DARK PATRICK The Iron- CORNER, KALEIDOPHONE Birmingham & THE RAINBREAKERS O2 BIRD, CANNON STREET & Coventry SWEENEY Huntingdon Warwick Arts Centre, works, Oswestry, North BARNARDO'S YOUNG SUP- Hall, Worcester Coventry Shropshire Academy, Birmingham JIMMY WESTON The PORT ISAAC'S FISHER- Yardbird, Birmingham PORTERS CONCERT SEARCHING ALASKA, TALON Huntingdon Hall, ROXY MAGIC The Roses, Symphony Hall HOPE & CHANCE PLUS Worcester Tewksbury MAN'S FRIENDS Birming- RICH MCMAHON: THE ham Town Hall IMAGINED GARDEN The CHARLIE LANDSBOROUGH FENRIR The Flapper, MEMORIES The Slade RITA HOSKING The Lion The Place, Oakengates Birmingham Rooms, Wolverhampton Hotel, Shrewsbury STAN SULZMAN & NEON Kitchen Garden Cafe, QUARTET mac - Mid- Kings Heath, Birming- Theatre THE ELO EXPERIENCE SAD CAFE Tamworth As- MR BEN The Jam House, ROSE’S PAWN SHOP Royal Spa Centre, sembly Rooms Birmingham lands Arts Centre, Birm- ham ingham Kitchen Garden Cafe, Leamington Spa HELLS ADDICTION, SKELE- THE DAN REED BAND O2 Kings Heath, Birming- NE-YO LG Arena, Birm- TON KID, SISTER SHOT- Academy, Birmingham THE LIGHT SURGEONS Warwick Arts Centre, ham ingham GUN, THE ASHUN & THE ATTENTION THIEVES Kas- MON 11 MAR STEELEYE SPAN The URBAN FOX SESSIONS BEDROOM HOUR The bah, Coventry Coventry SHERRY BABY'S: TRIBUTE Roses, Tewksbury Bramall Music Building, Roadhouse, Birming- EDWINA HAYES Royal Birmingham ham Spa Centre, Leaming- TO THE JERSEY BOYS, THE ANN DUGGAN BAND FRANKIE VALLI & THE 4 Crescent Theatre, Birm- THE ROB TERRY TRIO ton Spa WED 13 MAR Lichfield Garrick GODSTICKS, THE FIERCE SEASONS The Swan ingham Theatre, Worcester JOE DRISCOLL & SEKOU PROUD MARY Hare & & THE DEAD The Asylum, Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham THE KINX Huntingdon KOUYATE Warwick Arts CLAUDIA BRUCKEN O2 Hall, Worcester Centre, Coventry Academy, Birmingham THE CHARLSTON HUEY MORGAN AND THE KVELERTAK, TRUCKFIGHT- LAWSON, CHAPMAN CHASERS Palace The- NEW YORKERS The Slade ERS, EL DOOM & THE SQUARE TOUR, MIKE DIG- atre, Redditch SAT 9 MAR Rooms, Wolverhampton BORN ELECTRIC O2 NAM & ROOM 94 Institute BEN OWEN FEAT. ROBBIE Academy, Birmingham Birmingham THE MANFREDS The SHERRATT, CULT PARTY, THE STRANGLERS The THE BOOTLEG BEATLES FRI 15 MAR Place, Oakengates The- NICOLA JAYNE CHIRN- Assembly, Leamington Victoria Hall, Hanley, Hells Addiction atre SIDE, MADDY STORM & Spa Stoke-on-Trent SPECIAL GUESTS The THE DUBLINERS Malvern THE TRAVELLING BAND, WATCHFIRES FEAT. SUN- ELLEN & THE ESCAPADES WILKO JOHNSON The RISE OVER EUROPE & Sugarmill, Stoke-on- Theatres Trent MARCUS MALONE & HIS PLUS BELLA DIEM Hare & Robin, Bilston SPECIAL GUESTS The Hounds, Birmingham OFFICIAL RECEIVERS The Flapper, Birmingham BASTILLE Institute Birm- BAND Hare & Hounds, ingham Birmingham THE JOHNNY CASH STORY Jam House, Birming- EDWINA HAYES Royal New Alexandra Theatre, ham Spa Centre, Leaming- MR BEN The Jam House, STATUS QUO Civic Hall, Birmingham Wolverhampton Birmingham ENDINGS & ORIGINS, FOR- ton Spa KATALEPTIC AND HUSK GOTTEN FALLACY, THE CRAZY WORLD OF THE ONE TWOS, THE TWO CHASE MIST Lichfield N EIGHTS, THE BRITISH Arts, Church Hall, Lich- The Slade Rooms, TRIVAX, GLASSBULLET & ARTHUR BROWN The Wolverhampton ASHES TO FALL O2 Acad- Robin, Bilston KICKS, OPEN TO FIRE & field RADIO DANCERS O2 TELFORD & WREKIN MADE IN BELFAST WITH emy, Birmingham JESSIE WARE Institute THE OUTCASTS, THE DE- Birmingham Academy, Birmingham The Stranglers MUSIC SHOWCASE The EZIO Lichfield Garrick Place, Oakengates The- FECTS, PROTEX & HENRY FRI 8 MAR MOTHERSHIP CLUNEY O2 Academy, Malvern Theatres FRANKIE & THE HEART WRECKLESS ERIC & AMY atre, Telford STRINGS The Kasbah, RIGBY Kitchen Garden SAINT VITUS & MOD GEN- Birmingham ULTRA 90S The River SHOWADDYWADDY The THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN Rooms, Stourbridge Coventry Cafe, Kings Heath, ERATOR O2 Academy, VENOM & APATHY, HEAD- Birmingham Birmingham Assembly, Leamington Royal Spa Centre, MATT SCHOFIELD BAND Spa Leamington Spa Lichfield Guildhall WIRES, THE ARKHAMISTS PETE ABBOTT’S ‘OTHER & SLAVE TO THE BEAST ROADS’ Red Lion Folk IAN HUNTER Wulfrun THE ROLLIN' CLONES O2 THE SHEE Theatre Sev- Hall, Wolverhampton Academy, Birmingham ern, Shrewsbury The Asylum, B’ham Club, Birmingham

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Music LISTINGS

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

BOUNCING SOULS, CHEAP bridge GIRLS & LUTHER TALON Solihull Arts Institute Birmingham Complex CANNON, CAMPBELL, MICHAEL BUBLE TRIBUTE WATCHORN AND O'CON- FEAT. STEVE MAITLAND NOR (FORMERLY OF THE The Swan Theatre, DUBLINERS) Birmingham Worcester Town Hall MARTY WILDE & THE THE BOOTLEG BEATLES WILDCATS Huntingdon Malvern Theatres Hall, Worcester ULTIMATE MADNESS V METROPOLITAN BRASS SKA & 2 TONE REVUE The QUINTET Symphony River Rooms, Stour- Hall, Birmingham bridge STEREOPHONICS Civic SILLY SONGS OF SHAKE- Hall, Wolverhampton SPEARE Arena Theatre, HUEY MORGAN AND THE Wolverhampton NEW YORKERS The Sug- FRED ZEPPELIN The armill, Stoke-on-Trent Black Crowes - O2 Academy, Birmingham Robin, Bilston THE MAMMA MIA CON- CONSPIRE PLUS GOLD- CERT The Place, Oaken- DER & THE METHOD The GUESTS The Rainbow, John’s House, Coventry WAITE The Sugarmill, gates Theatre, Telford Yardbird Jazz Club, THU 21 MAR Birmingham SOULED OUT 2 FUNK The Stoke-on-Trent LEGENDS 2 LEGENDS Fea- Birmingham WILLY MOON Hare & Roadhouse, Birming- JEFF HOOPER AND THE turing Peter Hun- Hounds, Birmingham ham BIFFY CLYRO LG Arena, THE STARVING DOGS & CHAPEL CLUB Institute, MIDLAND YOUTH JAZZ ningale, Klearview, Don Birmingham ORCHESTRA (Big band Campbell, Michael Gor- MON 18 MAR SUPPORT The Road- Birmingham NAZARETH The Robin, house, Birmingham concert in partnership don, Peter Spence, Paul Bilston with The Rotary Club of Darkin, Paulette Tejah, LIGHT YOU UP & DECADE HEATHER PEACE The THEME PARK Institute, The Asylum, Birming- Walsall. All proceeds to Denis Bovell's Mutumbi, Birmingham Bryntysilio Education Mike Anthony, Winston Glee Club, Birmingham ham TOM BAXTER, SAM SEM- INSPIRAL CARPETS, GURDAS MAAN Civic Outdoor Centre) Reedy, Ossie Gad & DANNY MAHON & THE TEA Central Methodist Kof, The Drum, Birming- PLE & SAM WALKER Insti- Hall, Wolverhampton tute Birmingham STREET BAND O2 Acad- THE FUREYS & DAVEY Church, Walsall ham emy, Birmingham THE IDENTITY THIEVES COLDFIELD The Flapper, SIMON MCBRIDE The ARTHUR The Roses, Robin, Bilston SKUNK ANANSIE Civic Tewksbury PLUS SUPPORT The Flap- Birmingham Hall, Wolverhampton per, Birmingham REVOLT Taylor John’s DARK PATRICK The Kas- THE WEEKEND Institute, bah, Coventry JOE BROWN Victoria Hall, Birmingham ABSOLUT REGGAE Hare & House, Coventry Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent UNDER 18’S BAND NIGHT EMILIO PINCHI & SPECIAL Chapel Cub Hounds, Birmingham BEV PEGG & HIS GOOD KONKOMA Hare & STEVE GIBBONS The TIME JAZZ GANG Ludlow The Place, Oakengates GUESTS The Sugarmill, Theatre, Telford Hounds, Birmingham Stoke-on-Trent EVERLY BROTHERS & Roadhouse, Birming- Assembly Rooms, FOREVER MICHAEL... ham South Shropshire THE RAT PACK WITH SPE- FRIENDS TRIBUTE SHOW The Swan Theatre, CIAL GUEST KENNY LYNCH Tamworth Assembly THE ROVING CROWS Lud- IAIN MATTHEWS Royal Worcester low Assembly Rooms, Spa Centre, Leaming- TUES 19 MAR Lichfield Garrick Rooms FICTION & BOMBERS BLUE ORIGIN, STONE THE South Shropshire ton Spa The Rainbow, Birming- OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN CITYLIGHTZ, JIMMY ALCHEMIST & FROM THE SAM DRAISEY SES- ham SAT 23 MAR WITHIN The Sugarmill, National Indoor Arena, DAVIS, THE UNDERCLASS, MARIA MULDAUR The Birmingham QUARRY & BODHI TREE SIONS The Robin, Bil- Stoke-on-Trent ston Ironworks, Oswestry, JAGGERMEISTER MUSIC THE DOMINO SET, ARTOIS, O2 Academy, Birming- North Shropshire STORNOWAY The Assem- THE SCRIBERS, THE ham THE IRISH HOUSE PARTY bly, Leamington Spa TOUR FEAT. GHOST, GO- Theatre Severn, FINCH The Institute, JIRA & THE DEFILED O2 FOUNDATION & THE LIME- HEEMS (DAS RACIST) In- Birmingham THE FUREYS & DAVEY LIGHT O2 Academy, stitute, Birmingham Shrewsbury ARTHUR Stafford Gate- Academy, Birmingham CHRIS GUMBLEY QUINTET MATT RICHARDSON Hare THE ONES TO WATCH Birmingham FRANKIE COCOZZA The & Hounds, Birmingham house Theatre CONSPIRE, GOLDWAITE & Kasbah, Coventry The Jam House, Birm- ONE DIRECTION LG SHOWCASE O2 Acad- SPECIAL GUESTS The ingham Arena, Birmingham emy, Birmingham Sugarmill, Stoke-on- AL LEWIS Hare & FRI 22 MAR THE BEAT The Slade Trent SUN 17 MAR Hounds, Birmingham Rooms, Wolverhampton FORLOCO, REWARDS & PEACOCK ANGELL mac, THE BREAKFAST CLUB SUN 24 MAR REVENGE & ARCADE PA- Birmingham ONE DIRECTION LG 80'S EXPERIENCE The RADE The Rainbow, MARIA MULDAUR The Arena, Birmingham River Rooms, Stour- THE DAHLKVIST QUARTET Birmingham Robin, Bilston ALEX RAINSFORD, DAN bridge Birmingham Town Hall THE ROVING CROWS AN- RIVERSIDE The Assem- WED 20 MAR GREENAWAY, DAN BECK- 60'S BIG NIGHT OUT WITH RED JUMPSUIT APARATUS NUAL PADDY’S DAY EX- bly, Leamington Spa ETT & GEORGE GALLOW ANIMALS & FRIENDS The- The Slade Rooms, TRAVAGANZA Ludlow THE CARRIVICK SISTERS Institute, Birmingham atre Severn, Shrews- Wolverhampton Assembly Rooms, & CLAIRE DUNLOP OLLY MURS National In- THE REAL THING The bury GO-X PLUS SPECIAL South Shropshire Kitchen Garden Cafe, door Arena, Birming- Robin, Bilston CLARE TEAL Huntingdon GUESTS Institute, Birm- Kings Heath, Birming- ham POUT AT THE DEVIL & OUR Hall, Worcester ingham ham 2 CELLOS The Glee DYSTOPIA O2 Academy, JAMIE SMITH’S MABON ULRICH SCHNAUSS, FREE SAT 16 MAR SAM CARTER The Hive, Club, Birmingham Birmingham Lichfield Guildhall SCHOOL & ARC VEL Hare Shrewsbury WILD NOTHING Hare & POLICA Institute, Birm- SANYOGITA KUMARI Feat. & Hounds, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham ingham Dr Amrita Srivastav (vo- LENE LOVICH PLUS SUP- THE FUREYS & DAVEY Sam Carter THE HEAVY O2 Acad- THE SOUL SURVIVORS cals), Babar Hussain PORT The Roadhouse, ARTHUR Dudley Town emy, Birmingham The River Rooms, (harmonium & vocals) & Birmingham Hall JULIE FELIX The Red Stourbridge Harjinder Matharu MARTY WILDE & THE FM The Slade Rooms, Lion Folk Club, Birming- HAZEL O'CONNOR Lich- (tabla), Symphony Hall, WILDCATS The Roses, Wolverhampton ham field Guildhall Birmingham Tewksbury THE SELECTER The NAS & MEEK MILL Insti- BACK TO BROADWAY The- ROLF HARRIS LIVE Sym- FRANKIE COCOZZA & THE Robin, Bilston tute Birmingham atre Severn, Shrews- phony Hall, Birmingham CONCEPT O2 Academy, THE STRANGLERS O2 AN’AIM, PETE HARTLEY, bury THE RAMONAS The Birmingham Academy, Birmingham SYNERGY & JAMES HICK- JEZ FRANKS AND COM- Robin, Bilston AMANDA PALMER & THE THE SCRIPT LG Arena, MAN The Wrekin View, PASSIONATE DICTATOR- BLACKCAN & SPECIAL GRAND THEFT ORCHES- Birmingham Dawley, Telford, Shrop- SHIP Symphony Hall, GUESTS Sunflower TRA Institute, Birming- BOOGIE NIGHTS FEAT. THE shire Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham ham OSMONDS & GARETH THE MOURNING SUNS & THE RATELLS Kasbah, THE FORES, STEREOTYPI- GATES Belgrade The- FOLLOW YOU HOME, BLUE NATION The Yard- Coventry CAL BLUES TRAIN & JOE atre, Coventry CHASING SKYLINES, bird Jazz Club, Birming- BATTLE OF THE BANDS SYMES O2 Academy, MON 25 MAR JOHNNY MARR Institute CROSSFIRE & MERCIANS ham 2013 LAUNCH Birmingham O2 Academy, Birming- Tamworth Assembly Birmingham PUBLIC SERVICE BROAD- THE DUBLINERS Theatre BEE GEES FEVER ham Rooms The CASTING, BALTIC FEET & Severn, Shrewsbury River Rooms, Stour- ST MALO, LESS FOR MUR- MAN LIKE ME & SPECIAL PETER WYETH Taylor

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BIRMINGHAM’S NEWEST CONCERT HALL 450 seat music auditorium

Visit the website for future events, book tickets or to hire the venue www.birmingham.ac.uk/bramall Alternatively call the box office 0121 345 0492

THE EASY WAY TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS ONLINE

whatsonlive.co.uk

The most comprehensive what’s on listings website for Birmingham and the West Midlands Music March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 15:29 Page 14

Music LISTINGS THU 28 MAR

80'S MANIA Belgrade For full listing information on gigs Theatre, Coventry including, times and dates, visit IAN MCNABB Hare & Hounds, Birmingham www.whatsonlive.co.uk THE TOY HEARTS PRES- ENT REBECCA PRONSKY Hare & Hounds, Birm- DAVE MCGRAW & MANDY SWAMP SNAKES The ingham FER Kitchen Garden Asylum, Birmingham MICHAEL KING PRESENTS Cafe, Kings Heath, THE BILLY FURY YEARS Birmingham Solihull Arts Complex THE BLACK CROWES O2 WED 27 MAR THE CADBURY SISTERS Academy, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birm- THE MARTIN HARLEY ingham BAND The Robin, Bilston FORK - ELECTROVOCAL TUE 26 MAR EMELI SANDE O2 Acad- CIRCUS Tamworth As- emy, Birmingham sembly Rooms SCAR SYMMETRY, BE- JANET DEVLIN O2 Acad- AND FINALLY PHIL HOLDER, BLOODSHOT emy, Birmingham COLLINS Belgrade The- DAWN & UNDER BLACK- BLACK REBEL MOTORCY- atre, Coventry ENED SKIES O2 Acad- CLE CLUB Institute Birm- THE MELROSE QUARTET emy, Birmingham ingham The Red Lion Folk Club, EMELI SANDE O2 Acad- Birmingham Voodoo Six emy, Birmingham WORLD SERVICE PROJECT Hare & Hounds, Birm- FRI 29 MAR THE BILLY FURY YEARS Belgrade Theatre, EELS O2 Academy, ingham Featuring Michael King, Coventry Birmingham STEVE HARRIS BRITISH Prince of Wales Centre, THE NOTEBENDERS Sym- COLIN ‘ELVIS’ PERRY STIFF LITTLE FINGERS LION & ZICO TRAIN O2 Cannock phony Hall, Birmingham Lichfield Garrick The Robin, Bilston Academy, Birmingham JAMESON RAID The TOTALLY TINA: TINA EVERCLEAR O2 Acad- FLASH - A TRIBUTE TO Slade Rooms, Wolver- TURNER TRIBUTE Palace emy, Birmingham QUEEN The Swan The- hampton Theatre, Redditch KASTELLA. REASIDE, THE SAT 30 MAR atre, Worcester DEAD SONS & SPECIAL DEF CON ONE The Asy- TRUTHFUL LIES, ONE GUNNING FOR TAMAR, GUESTS The Sugarmill, lum, Birmingham NIGHT STAND & FAIRS O2 STEVE LUKATHER & HIS WAX FUTURES & MOUNT Stoke-on-Trent Academy, Birmingham BAND The Robin, Bilston FUJI The Flapper, Birm- RUTS DC DJ SET WITH THE JAM'D (TRIBUTE TO KINGS OV LEON Stafford ingham CRACKED ACTORS (LIVE) SUN 31 MAR Emeli Sande THE JAM) The River Gatehouse Theatre MICKY GREANEY & & BLACK BOMBERS (LIVE) Rooms, Stourbridge P!NK MISS UNDERSTOOD FRIENDS Hare & Hare & Hounds, Birm- GILES PETERSON, THAT'LL BE THE DAY The- BOB LOG III & JOHN J The River Rooms, Hounds, Birmingham ingham TROUMACA & ROMARE atre Severn, Shrews- PRESLEY The Rainbow, Stourbridge UNDER 18S BAND NIGHT VOODOO SIX O2 Acad- Hare & Hounds, Birm- bury Birmingham LEFT FOR RED, LEFT UN- The Place, Oakengates emy, Birmingham ingham THE JOHN MORRIS TRIO PEAR JAMMER & THE SCARRED, ADUST, ENEMO Theatre, Telford NEW DISORDER MUSIC LIMEHOUSE LIZZY The The Yardbird, Birming- DALAGRAINS The Road- J & AKRYA O2 Academy, JACK MCNEILL & CHARLIE FESTIVAL The Road- River Rooms, Stour- ham house, Birmingham Birmingham HEYS Kitchen Garden house, Birmingham bridge FAKE THACKERAY The RASCALS O2 Academy, BOLLYWOOD HITS 2013 Cafe, Kings Heath, Roses, Tewksbury Birmingham Birmingham LORD OF THE MICS Insti- FUTUREPROOF, TAKING THE SYD LAWRENCE OR- tute, Birmingham HAYLEY, MIKE DINGHAM & CHESTRA The Royal Spa HONKEY, DESERT STORM, THE HEADSTART Institute, Centre, Leamington Spa BARON GREENBACK & Birmingham

Music Venues Box Office

Birmingham Black Country Staffordshire 02 ACADEMY CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON LICHFIELD GUILDHALL 0121 622 8250 0870 320 7000 01543 262223 ADRIAN BOULT HALL DUDLEY CONCERT HALL THE SUGARMILL, HANLEY 0121 331 5901 01384 815577 STOKE-ON-TRENT THE ASYLUM FOREST ARTS CENTRE 01159 454 593 0121 233 1109 0845 111 2898 TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY ROOMS THE BARBER INSTITUTE NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE 01827 709618 0121 414 7333 01902 572090 VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL THE PUBLIC, WEST BROMWICH 0870 060 6649 0121 780 3333 0121 533 7161 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE CBSO CENTRE ROBIN 2, BILSTON 01785 254653 0121 780 3333 01902 401211 FLAPPER 0121 236 2421 STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL Warwickshire HARE & HOUNDS 01384 812812 THE ASSEMBLY, LEAMINGTON 0121 444 2081 WULFRUN HALL, 01926 311311 HMV INSTITUTE WOLVERHAMPTON THE KASBAH, COVENTRY 0121 643 0428 0870 320 7000 024 7655 4473 THE JAM HOUSE NAILCOTE HALL, 0121 200 3030 Shropshire BERKSWELL LG ARENA THE BUTTERMARKET, 02476 46 6174 0844 338 8000 SHREWSBURY STRATFORD CIVIC HALL NIA 01743 355055 01789 207100 0844 338 8000 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, TAYLOR JOHN’S HOUSE, THE RAINBOW MUCH WENLOCK COVENTRY 0121 772 8174 01952 728911 024 7623 0699 RED LION FOLK CLUB THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY 0121472 4253 01743 234970 Worcestershire ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE THE ROADHOUSE THE IRONWORKS, OSWESTRY 01527 577330 0121 459 5660 01691 679123 SYMPHONY HALL LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS HUNTINGDON HALL / SWAN 0121 780 3333 01584 878141 THEATRE 01905 611427 THE GLEE CLUB THEATRE SEVERN, MARR’S BAR, WORCESTER 0871 472 0400 SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 01905 613336 THE YARDBIRD THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, THE RIVER ROOMS, 0121 212 2524 TELFORD 01952 382382 STOURBRIDGE 01384 397177 WEM TOWN HALL 01939 232299

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PREVIEWS Welsh National Opera: Lulu Classical Music Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 5 March With a reputation for attracting some of the world’s finest opera singers, Cardiff-based Welsh National Opera this month returns to Birmingham to present its Spring programme, including David Poutney’s new production of Alban Berg’s Lulu. Described as 'total theatre', Berg’s second and final opera - his first was the more fre- quently performed Wozzeck - is considered to be something of a masterpiece, and tells the story of a woman whose allure eventually proves to be her downfall. Swedish-born soprano Marie Arnet takes the lead as femme fatale Lulu, heading a large, mainly British cast. Other WNO productions showing at the Hippodrome this season are Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, Janacek’s The Cunning Little Vixen, Wagner’s Lohengrin and Jonathan Harvey’s Wagner Dream.

Alfie Boe National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Fri 22 March Alfie Boe this month embarks on his biggest UK tour to date, taking in some of the country’s largest arenas. Having spent his formative years as a student at the Royal College of Music and the National Opera Studio, Boe first found fame as the lead in Baz Luhrmann’s controversial Broadway production of La Boheme - a role he was strongly advised not to take. His decision to ignore said advice proved to be a sound one, as he subsequently won a coveted Tony Award for his performance! Regarded as one of the most talented crossover artists of modern times, Boe is highly acclaimed for his ability to make opera accessible. Speaking about his upcoming tour, he said: “I’m so excited to now be following up my Bring Him Home Tour, which was one of the highlights of my career so far. To be performing in arenas is a dream come true, and I can’t wait to get back on the road and see all my fans again in 2013.” Boe will be joined on stage by special guest Emilia Mitiku.

Birmingham Bach Choir English Chamber Orchestra St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 23 March Thurs 14 March The rarely performed Tenebrae Responsories The English Chamber Orchestra is said to - written in the 1570s by Tomás Luis de Victo- have performed in more countries than ria - provides the centrepiece of Birmingham any other orchestra, and is the most Bach Choir’s Easter concert, presented in the recorded chamber orchestra in the world. magnificence of St Chad's Cathedral. Tene- Here they join forces with the University of brae, which is Latin for 'shadows' or 'dark- Warwick’s Chamber Choir to present ness', is a Christian religious service per- Mozart’s Requiem - the unfinished master- formed during Holy Week. Whilst the liturgy is piece frantically penned by the composer sung, the church is lit by fifteen candles (rep- as his life ebbed away. As a prequel to the resenting the eleven apostles, the three great work, the orchestra and choir - under Marys, and Christ). As each psalm is chant- the directorship of Paul McGrath - perform ed, a candle is extinguished, so that after the works by two of Mozart’s greatest twenti- fourteenth psalm only the highest candle, eth century fans, Bartok and Britten. representing Christ, is still alight, leaving the church in near darkness. European Union Chamber Alongside the Tenebrae Responsories, the choir also perform Poulenc's Quatre motets Orchestra with Freddy Kempf pour un temps de penitence. Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 22 March Freddy Kempf is regarded as one of the modern era’s most successful pianists, regularly performing to sell-out audiences across the world. This month finds Freddy - who made his debut with the Royal Phil- harmonic Orchestra at the age of eight - joining the acclaimed European Union Chamber Orchestra to perform Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Piano Concerto No.9, Rondo for piano and orchestra, and Haydn’s Symphony No.49, La Passione.

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Fri 8 Mar, Symphony Thurs 14 Mar, Birming- CLIPPER ERICKSON PIANO Birmingham LISTINGS Hall, Birmingham ham Town Hall CONCERT Programme THE DAHLKVIST QUARTET Classical CARMEN The Chisinau ANNEKE SCOTT (HORN) & includes works by Cop- Programme includes National Philharmonic STEVEN DEVINE land, Laurie Altman, works by Schubert, For full listing information on classical Orchestra & Chorus (FORTEPIANO) Pro- Richard Brodhead, Sallinen & Grieg, Sun concerts, including times and dates, present Bizet's famous gramme includes works David Finko & Barber, 24 Mar, Birmingham visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk & seductive opera. by Danzi & Haydn, Fri Wed 20 Mar, Barber Town Hall Sung in French with 15 Mar, Barber Concert Concert Hall, Birming- EBERLE STRING QUARTET HALLE SOLOISTS Pro- BOSTRIDGE SINGS BRIT- English surtitles, Sat 9 Hall, Birmingham ham Sun 24 Mar, Hunting- gramme includes works TEN Featuring Michael Mar, Regent Theatre, MALVERN FESTIVAL CHO- CBSO - THE BIRMINGHAM don Hall, Worcester by Kodaly & Ravel, Fri 1 Seal (conductor), Ian Stoke-on-Trent RUS Featuring Julie BEETHOVEN CYCLE: SYM- LONDON CONCERT Mar, Barber Concert Bostridge (tenor). Pro- CATHEDRALS GROUP Kennard (soprano), Ian PHONIES 6 & 7 Featuring ORCHESTRA: CLASSICS Hall, Birmingham gramme includes works CHOIRS FESTIVAL Per- Caddy (bass). Pro- Andris Nelsons (con- FOR SPRING Programme SCHUBERT ENSEMBLE by Elgar & Britten, Wed formance hosted by gramme comprises ductor) & Laurence includes works by Programme includes 6 Mar, Symphony Hall, Newman University, Sat Brahms Requiem, Sat Jackson (violin), Wed Gershwin, Rossini, works by Mozart, Birmingham 9 Mar, Symphony Hall, 16 Mar, Malvern The- 20 - Thurs 21 Mar, Sym- Massenet, Handel, Beethoven & Schubert, ACADEMY OF ANCIENT Birmingham atres phony Hall, Birming- Tchaikovsky, Vaughan- Fri 1 Mar, Artrix, Broms- MUSIC Featuring WARWICKSHIRE SYMPHO- METROPOLITAN BRASS ham Williams, Bizet & Ravel, grove Richard Egarr (harpsi- NY ORCHESTRA: ICE & QUINTET Part of Musical THE MOUSAI ENSEMBLE - Sun 24 Mar, Symphony CITY OF BIRMINGHAM chord). Programme FIRE! Programme Picnic - recommended LAUDATE DOMINUM: Hall, Birmingham SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA comprises JS Bach’s includes works by for ages 0-7, Sat 16 MUSIC FOR THE CHURCH LUNCHTIME ORGAN CON- Featuring Andrés Oroz- Orchestral Suites Nos Sibelius & Rachmani- Mar, Symphony Hall, YEAR Featuring the Hill CERT WITH THOMAS co-Estrada (conductor) 1, 2, 3 & 4, Wed 6 Mar, nov, Sat 9 Mar, Bridge Birmingham Singers, Thurs 21 Mar, TROTTER Programme & Klara Ek (soprano). St Mary’s Church, House Theatre, War- THE HARPSICHORD COL- St Stephen’s Church, includes work by How- Programme includes Shrewsbury wick LECTION Programme Barbourne, Worcs ells, JS Bach, Boyce works by Mozart & STEVE REICH MATINEE THE MIKADO Presented comprises Charpen- ALFIE BOE Fri 22 March, and Barber, Mon 25 Mahler, Fri 1 Mar, Victo- CONCERT Wed 6 Mar, by the London Concert tier’s Acteon, Sat 16 National Indoor Arena, Mar, Symphony Hall, ria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham Town Hall Orchestra & Gilbert & Mar, Worcester Guild- Birmingham Birmingham THE MIKADO SOSage MADAM BUTTERFLY Puc- Sullivan Chorus, Sun hall EUCO Featuring Hans GUSTAV MAHLER JUGEN- Factory present Gilbert cini's breathtaking 10 Mar, Symphony Hall, KEITH ALLEN & BIRMING- Peter Hoffmann & DORCHESTER PERFORM and Sullivan's soap tragedy performed here Birmingham HAM SYMPHONIC WINDS: soloist Freddy Kempf. BEETHOVEN PIANO CON- opera. Fri 1 - Sat 2 Mar, by the acclaimed Welsh BCMG: CROSSING THE YOUNG AT HEART 11! An Programme includes CERTO NO 4 Featuring Solihull Arts Complex National Opera, Wed 6 ATLANTIC Featuring Oliv- hour-long concert for works by Mozart & Herbert Blomstedt IL TRITTICO Birmingham - Sat 9 Mar, Birming- er Knussen (conductor) children & adults, Sat Haydn, Fri 22 Mar, Vic- (conductor) & Leif Ove Conservatoire present ham Hippodrome & Leigh Melrose (bari- 16 Mar, CBSO Centre, toria Hall, Hanley, Andsnes (piano). Pro- three of Giacomo Puc- THE CUNNING LITTLE tone), Sun 10 Mar, Birmingham Stoke-on-Trent gramme includes works cini’s one-act operas, VIXEN Welsh National CBSO Centre, Birming- CBSO: THE FLYING EARLY MUSIC CONCERT A by Beethoven & Bruck- including Il Tabarro, Opera present ham DUTCHMAN Featuring concert of Renaissance ner, Tue 26 Mar, Sym- Suor Angelica, and Janácek’s wondrous UMS SYMPHONY Andris Nelsons (con- & Baroque music, Fri phony Hall, Birming- Gianni Schicchi. Fri 1 - work that explores the ORCHESTRA Featuring ductor), Jennifer Wil- 22 Mar, Barber Concert ham Sat 2 Mar, Crescent cycle of life and Daniele Rosina (con- son, Jane Henschel, Hall, Birmingham CBSO COSMIC DANCES Theatre, Birmingham nature’s renewal, Thurs ductor) & Pei Yan Chow Arnold Bezuyen, Nicky BIRMINGHAM BACH Featuring Diego CARMEN The Chisinau 7 Mar, Birmingham Hip- (yangqin). Programme Spence, James Ruther- CHOIR: THE GLORY OF Matheuz (conductor) & National Philharmonic podrome features work by Dvo- ford, Alistair Miles & the EASTER Sat 23 Mar, St Johannes Moser (elec- Orchestra & Chorus CARMINA BURANA Chari- rak, Sun 10 Mar, Bra- CBSO Chorus, Sat 16 Chad’s Cathedral, Birm- tric cello), Thurs 28 present Bizet's famous ty concert presented by mall Music Building, Mar, Symphony Hall, ingham Mar, Symphony Hall, & seductive opera. Warwick and King’s Birmingham Birmingham SINFONIA OF BIRMING- Birmingham Sung in French with High Schools’ choir LUNCHTIME ORGAN CON- UNIVERSITY CHOIR & HAM Programme CBSO PLAYERS Pro- English surtitles, Sat 2 and orchestra, Thurs 7 CERT WITH CATHERINE UMS PHILHARMONIC includes works by gramme includes works Mar, New Alexandra Mar, Bridge House The- ENNIS Programme ORCHESTRA Featuring Brahms & by Haydn & Theatre, Birmingham atre, Warwick includes works by Julian Wilkins & Daniele Mendelssohn, Sat 23 Mendelssohn, Thurs 28 ORGAN PROM Sat 2 Mar, CBSO TUNED IN: ELGAR’S Gigout, Pachelbel, J S Rosina (conductors). Mar, CBSO Centre, Mar, CBSO Centre, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on- ENIGMA Featuring Bach, Gardner, C Schu- Programme comprises Birmingham Birmingham Trent Michael Seal (conduc- mann & Smetana. Mon Orff's Carmina Burana BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL EX CATHEDRA: BACH ST MENDELSSOHN'S ELIJAH tor) & Paul Rissmann 11 Mar, Birmingham & Elgar's Variations on CHORAL SOCIETY: THE MATTHEW PASSION Fea- Featuring the English (presenter), Thurs 7 Town Hall an Original Theme for AULD ALLIANCE Pro- turing: Jeffrey Skidmore Concert Singers & Cho- Mar, Symphony Hall, EARLY MUSIC CONCERT Orchestra Enigma, Op. gramme includes works (conductor), Fri 29 Mar, rus & The English Con- Birmingham Featuring music from 36, Sun 17 Mar, Birm- by Durufle, MacMillan, Symphony Hall, Birm- cert Orchestra, Roy SENIOR CITIZENS the Middle Ages to ingham Town Hall Franck & Faure, Sat 23 ingham Wales (conductor), ORCHESTRA CONCERT eighteenth century, CHANDOS SYMPHONY Mar, St George’s Helena Dix (soprano), Thurs 7 Mar, Forest Arts Mon 11 Mar, Bramall ORCHESTRA Programme Church, Edgbaston, Janet Shell (alto), Peter Centre, Walsall Music Building, Birm- includes works by Auty (tenor) & Pauls DORIC STRING QUARTET ingham Sibelius & Dvorak, Sun Putnins (bass), Sun 3 Featuring Alex Reding- BARNARDO’S YOUNG 17 Mar, Malvern The- Classical Box Office Mar, Birmingham Town ton and Jonathan SUPPORTERS CONCERT atre Hall Stone (violins), Mark Tues 12 Mar, Sympho- ST JOHN PASSION BY JS ADRIAN BOULT HALL, CBSO CENTRE, LULU Welsh National Braithwaite (viola) and ny Hall, Birmingham BACH Featuring Emma BIRMINGHAM Opera present a new John Myersclough ORCHESTRA OF THE Walshe (Soprano), BIRMINGHAM production of Alban (cello). Programme SWAN: YOUTHFUL GENIUS David Allsopp (Counter 0121 331 5901 0121 780 3333 Berg's second and final includes works by Featuring Leon McCaw- Tenor) & Jonathan ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE COVENTRY CATHEDRAL opera. Sung in German Haydn, Berg & Brahms, ley (piano) & David Brown (Bass), Sun 17 01527 577330 02476 521200 with English surtitles, Thurs 7 Mar, Malvern Curtis (conductor). Pro- Mar, Worcester Cathe- BELGRADE THEATRE, THE GATEWAY, Tue 5 Mar, Birmingham Theatres gramme includes works dral COVENTRY SHREWSBURY Hippodrome TOSCA Ellen Kent Opera by Mozart, Britten & GREAT BRITISH CLASSICS 02476 553055 01743 355159 BRIGHT FUTURES: JASON present Puccini's tale of Dvorak, Tue 12 Mar, FOR CELLO & PIANO Fea- BARBER INSTITUTE, LEAMINGTON MUSIC GILLHAM A concert love and treachery. Stratford Civic Hall turing Richard Jenkin- BIRMINGHAM which forms part of The Sung in Italian with ORCHESTRA OF THE son (cello) & Benjamin 01926 742762/776438 Birmingham Beethoven English surtitles, Fri 8 SWAN: YOUTHFUL GENIUS Frith (piano). Pro- 0121 414 7333 MAIDMENT HALL, Cycle. Programme March, Regent Theatre, As above, Wed 13 Mar, gramme includes works BIRMINGHAM CATHEDRAL SHREWSBURY SCHOOL includes works by Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham Town Hall by Bridge, Ireland, 0121 262 1840 01743 280810 Bach, Beethoven, Wag- STEVE OSBORNE Pro- ENGLISH CHAMBER Delius & Britten, Sun 17 BIRMINGHAM ROYAL PUMP ROOMS, ner/Liszt Schumann, gramme includes works ORCHESTRA Thurs 14 Mar, Festival Drayton CONSERVATOIRE LEAMINGTON SPA Tue 5 Mar, Birmingham by Schubert & Mar, Warwick Arts Cen- Centre, Market Drayton, 0121 331 5901/2 01926 742700 Town Hall Beethoven, Fri 8 Mar, tre, Coventry Shropshire BIRMINGHAM & MIDLAND ST ALBAN THE MARTYR, STEVEN OSBORNE PIANO Malvern Theatres BENJAMIN GROSVENOR DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC INSTITUTE RECITAL: BEETHOVEN THE LEO QUARTET Pro- PIANO CONCERT Pro- RECITALS Featuring BIRMINGHAM PLUS Part of the Birm- grammes comprises gramme includes works Andrew Kirkham (violin) 0121 236 3591 0121 440 4605 ingham Beethoven Schubert’s Death and by Bach, Chopin, Scri- & Clipper Erickson BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL ST FRANCES CHURCH, Cycle. Programme the Maiden, Fri 8 Mar, abin & Strauss/Schulz- (piano), Mon 18 Mar, 0121 780 3333 BIRMINGHAM includes works by CBSO Centre, Birming- Evler, Thurs 14 Mar, Bramall Music Building, BRAMALL CONCERT HALL, 0121 472 7215 Schubert & Beethoven, ham Birmingham Town Hall Birmingham UNIVERSITY OF B’HAM STRATFORD CIVIC HALL Tue 5 Mar, Birmingham JOGLARESA: SONGS OF STEPHEN KOVACEVICH: ENGLISH STRING 0121 414 3344 01789 207100 Town Hall SINNE & SUBVERSION Fri BEETHOVEN PLUS Part of ORCHESTRA Featuring BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE, SYMPHONY HALL, BEYOND CLASSICAL: MIN- 8 Mar, SpArC Theatre, The Birmingham Michael Bochmann & WARWICK IMALISM SPECIAL Tue 5 Bishops Castle, Shrop- Beethoven Cycle. Pro- George Ewart (violins), BIRMINGHAM Mar, Symphony Hall, shire gramme includes works Tue 19 Mar, The Swan 01926 776438 0121 780 3333 Birmingham CBSO: THE MUSIC OF by JS Bach, Beethoven, Theatre, Worcester WARWICK ARTS CENTRE CBSO A BOY WAS BORN: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER Schubert & Brahms, 02476 524524

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Henning Wehn Comedy Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 23 March Henning Wehn is that Box Office rarest of things - a ALEXANDRA THEATRE, German stand-up BIRMINGHAM comedian making his 0844 871 3011 living in the UK! The ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE self-styled German 01527 577330 Comedy Ambassador BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL 02476 376707 has built his act around BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL British stereotypes of 0121 780 3333 Germans, majoring in THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM jokes such as "Why did 0121 333 2444 my grandfather cross DUDLEY CONCERT HALL 01384 815 577 the road? To invade GLEE CLUB, BIRMINGHAM France." 0871 4720400 HIGHLIGHT, BIRMINGHAM, 0844 844 0044 HUNTINGDON HALL, Hardeep Singh Kohli WORCESTER, 01905 611427 Solihull Arts Complex, Thurs 14 March FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, Hardeep came to prominence at the LEEK, STAFFS Edinburgh Fringe, and has built an impressive 01538 386112 television career for himself via a whole host of KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE, BIRMINGHAM TV shows. His climb up the celebrity ladder 0121 443 4725 hasn't always been LG ARENA, BIRMINGHAM sure-footed, though - in 0844 338 8000 2009 he was suspend- LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ed from his 'roving ROOMS 01584 878141 reporter' role on BBC's MAC, BIRMINGHAM The One Show follow- 0121 446 3232 ing allegations of inap- Pam Ann: Around The World Overview PALACE THEATRE, propriate behaviour REDDITCH New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Sun 10 March 01527 65203 from a female member Camp, kitsch and oh so rude, air hostess Pam Ann has been flying THE PUBLIC, WEST of staff. The incident her comedy flag - courtesy of Australian comedienne Caroline Reid - BROMWICH proved to be a relative- 0121 533 7161 for many a year now, storming to global success on a level that's ly minor setback for a DRUMMONDS BAR, seen her tour with Cher, crew private jets for Elton John, and win the man who's way too tal- WORCESTER approval of no less a legend than Madonna! “I love it up in the 01905 28190 ented to stay down on Midlands,” says Pam, looking ahead to her next stopover in the RICOH ARENA, COVENTRY his luck for long. region. “You guys certainly know how to drink and party! Summer 0844 873 6565 THE ROSE THEATRE, clothes in winter! I can’t wait!” KIDDERMINSTER 01562 743745 Rosie Wilby ROYAL SPA CENTRE, LEAMINGTON SPA Stafford Gatehouse, Sat 16 March Tom Stade 01926 334418 Gay funnygirl Rosie has been described in var- Civic Hall, W’hampton, STAFFORD GATEHOUSE ious ways, including as ‘a lesbian Eddie Sat 2 March, Warwick THEATRE Arts Centre, Coventry, 01785 254653 Izzard’. She’s also been referred to as ‘a Thurs 14 March SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX clever, tiny gay girl’ and ‘a bit posh’. Peddling 0121 704 6962 Clever, controversial a comedy style that’s warm and self-deprecat- THE SLADE ROOMS, ing, she’s been performing stand-up since and Canadian pretty WOLVERHAMPTON 2004, and reached the semi-final of So You much sums up Tom 0870 320 7000 Stade, a familiar face THE GEORGE HOTEL, Think You're Funny?, a competition she’d BURSLEM, STAFFS entered very much on a whim. Gags include: on BBC TV pro- 07763301081 “I came out to my parents on April Fools’ Day, grammes such as TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY so that I’d have a get-out clause if they didn’t Michael McIntyre's ROOMS 01827 709618 take the news well”. Comedy Roadshow and Mock The Week. THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY Tom has headlined gigs 01743 281281 in comedy hotspots like VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY, New York and London STOKE-ON-TRENT by way of locations 0844 871 7649 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE such as Amsterdam 02476 524524 and Johannesburg, WEST BROMWICH TOWN and has also earned HALL his corn in far-flung war 0121 596 4429 zones like Afghanistan WULFRUN HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON and Iraq, scoring some 0870 320 7000 major hits by entertain- Rosie Wilby and guest... ing the troops.

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Birmingham COMEDY FEAT. CHRIS Worcester Oakengates, Telford, SOL BERNSTEIN, IVAN STOKES Tues 12 Mar, DAVID WARD, JOHNNY Shropshire Comedy LISTINGS BRACKENBURY, DAVID Rose Villa Tavern, CANDON, JOE LYCETT, RICHARD HERRING Fri 22 MURPHY, ROB COLEMAN Birmingham PETE JOHANSSON Fri 15 - Mar, The Slade Rooms, For full listing information on comedy & SEAN HEYDON Thurs 7 SHAPPI KHORSANDI Wed Sat 16 Mar, Highlight Wolverhampton Mar, Foxlowe Arts 13 Mar, Warwick Arts Comedy Club, B’ham TOM WRIGGLESWORTH, gigs including times and dates visit Centre, Leek, Staffs Centre, Coventry TIM CLARK, ROBIN DAVE JOHNS, MARK NEL- www.whatsonlive.co.uk IVAN BRACKENBURY, SOL LAUGHING COWS COME- MORGAN, ROB DEERING & SON & MARLON DAVIS Fri BERNSTEIN, KEIRAN LAW- DY FEAT. SHAZIA MIRZA & PAUL PIRIE Fri 15 - Sat 22 - Sat 23 Mar, The PAUL TONKINSON Fri 1 Wolverhampton LESS & ALAN DONEGAN MAUREEN YOUNGER Wed 16 Mar, The Glee Club, Glee Club, Birmingham Mar, The Glee Club, RUSSELL KANE Sat 2 Thurs 7 Mar, The 13 Mar, Kitchen Garden Birmingham ALEX BOARDMAN, Birmingham Mar, Stafford George Hotel, Burslem, Cafe, King’s Heath, MILTON JONES: ON THE NATHAN CATON, ANTHONY RUSSELL KANE Fri 1 Mar, Gatehouse Theatre Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham ROAD Sat 16 Mar, New J BROWN, CAREY MARX New Alexandra Theatre, STAND UP COMEDY MIKE GUNN, ROB ROUSE, RICH HALL Thurs 13 Alexandra Theatre, Fri 22 - Sat 23 Mar, Birmingham WORKSHOP GIG Sat 2 KAI HUMPHERIES & Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham Highlight Comedy Club, RICH HALL Fri 1 Mar, Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove COMIC TBC Thurs 7 Mar, Birmingham MICKY FLANAGAN Sat 16 Birmingham Stafford Gatehouse RUSSELL KANE Sun 3 The Glee Club, HARDEEP SINGH KOHLI Mar, National Indoor JOSH WIDDICOMBE Sat Theatre Mar, Warwick Arts Birmingham Thurs 14 Mar, Solihull Arena, Birmingham 23 Mar, The Edge Arts ALUN COCHRANE Fri 1 Centre, Coventry CLARE SUMMERSKILL Fri Arts Complex AL MURRAY - THE PUB Centre, Much Wenlock, Mar, The Public, West MAUREEN YOUNGER, JEN 8 Mar, The Public, West TOM STADE Thurs 14 LANDLORD Sat 16 Mar, South Shropshire Bromwich BRISTER, ISMA ALMAS & Bromwich Mar, Warwick Arts Stafford Gatehouse HENNING WEHN Sat 23 RICHARD HERRING Fri 1 BETHANY BLACK Sun 3 LEE HURST Fri 8 Mar, Centre, Coventry Theatre Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove Mar, Theatre Severn, Mar, The Marquee @ The Place, Oakengates, JO BRAND Thurs 14 Mar, ROSIE WILBY Sat 16 Mar, JOSH WIDDICOMBE Sun Shrewsbury Eden Bar, Birmingham Telford, Shropshire Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stafford Gatehouse 24 Mar, The Slade ANDY ASKINS, RON ALUN COCHRANE Mon 4 ZOE LYONS Fri 8 Mar, Stoke-on-Trent Theatre Rooms, W’hampton VAUDRY, SEAN PERCIVAL Mar, Stourbridge Town The Glee Club, SILLY SONGS OF BARNSTORMERS COMEDY SHOULD I STAY OR Fri 1 - Sat 2 Mar, The Hall Birmingham SHAKESPEARE Thurs 14 NIGHT Sat 16 Mar, Artrix, SHOULD I GO? Comedy’s Glee Club, Birmingham JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH: SIMON BLIGH, BRENDEN Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove Bromsgrove answer to the X Factor, PATRICK MONAHAN Fri 1 OUT OF OUR SHEDS Mon RILEY, CHRIS MCCAUS- MILTON JONES: ON THE CHRIS ADDISON Sun 17 Sun 24 Mar, - Sat 2 Mar, Old Joint 4 Mar, New Vic Theatre, LAND, MARLON DAVIS ROAD Fri 15 Mar, Civic Mar, Theatre Severn, Drummonds Bar, Stock Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme Fri 8 - Sat 9 Mar, Hall, Wolverhampton Shrewsbury Worcester Birmingham ROSIE WILBY Wed 6 Mar, Highlight Comedy Club, BARRY & STUART Fri 15 BARNSTORMERS COMEDY SEAN LOCK Mon 25 Mar, BRUCE DEVLIN, JOSEPH mac - Midlands Arts Birmingham Mar, Bedworth Civic NIGHT Tues 19 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse WILSON, SIMON BLIGH, Centre, Birmingham KEN DODD Sat 9 Mar, Hall Royal Spa Centre, Theatre KEITH FARNAN Fri 1 - Sat MARK THOMAS Thurs 7 Dudley Town Hall 4 POOFS AND A PIANO Fri Leamington Spa 4 POOFS AND A PIANO 2 Mar, Highlight Mar, The Glee Club, SIMON EVANS Sat 9 Mar, 15 Mar, Festival Drayton JIMMY CARR Tues 19 Thurs 28 Mar, Comedy Club, Birmingham The Roses, Tewksbury Centre, Market Drayton, Mar, Victoria Hall, Jongleurs Comedy Birmingham RICH WILSON, HAL CRUT- PAM ANN: AROUND THE North Shropshire Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent Club, Birmingham ROY CHUBBY BROWN Fri TENDEN, GUY MANNERS WORLD OVERVIEW Sun KATHERINE RYAN Fri 15 JUSTIN MOORHOUSE JUSTIN MOORHOUSE 1 - Sat 2 Mar, Tamworth & JIM SMALLMAN Thurs 10 Mar, New Alexandra Mar, The Glee Club, Thurs 21 Mar, The Thurs 28 Mar, The Glee Assembly Rooms 7 Mar, George Hotel, Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham Slade Rooms, Club, Birmingham MILTON JONES: ON THE Lichfield SEAN LOCK Sun 10 Mar, SILLY SONGS OF Wolverhampton ERICH MCELROY, MICKEY ROAD Sat 2 Mar, LAUGHING BULLS FEAT. Artrix, Bromsgrove SHAKESPEARE Fri 15 BOOTHBY GRAFFOE Thurs SHARMA, GEORGE EGG, Warwick Arts Centre, BILLY RUBIN, JOHN PEN- SEVERN JESTERS Sun 10 Mar, Arena Theatre, 21 Mar, The Glee Club, CURTIS WALKER Fri 29 - Coventry DAL, MARK CRAM & Mar, Theatre Severn, Wolverhampton Birmingham Sat 30 Mar, Highlight TOM STADE Sat 2 Mar, CRAIG DEELY Thurs 7 Shrewsbury MARK STEEL Fri 15 Mar, JIM DAVIDSON Thurs 21 Comedy Club, Civic Hall, Mar, The Fountain Inn, JEWELLERY QUARTER Huntingdon Hall, Mar, The Place, Birmingham

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The Phantom Of The Opera Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 13 March to Sat 4 May For decades, Gaston Leroux's 1909 gothic creation was best known a staggering twenty-seven countries, earning worldwide receipts of from the 1925 silent movie starring 'man of a thousand faces' Lon over £3.5billion. Chaney. Andrew Lloyd Webber changed all that in the mid-1980s, Little wonder, then, that the show's return to Birmingham is eagerly though, when he decided to turn Leroux's spinetingling romance into anticipated. Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production a stage musical. The rest, as they say, is history... promises to give the Phantom a brand new lease of life - not that he Since debuting back in 1986, Lord Webber's Phantom Of The Opera particularly needs one, of course - and is surely just about as dead a has smashed box office records around the world, and by 2011 had cert to enjoy a sold-out run as any show in Hippodrome history. Earl been seen by no fewer than one hundred-and-thirty million people in Carpenter and Katie Hall star. Read our interview with Earl on page 31

Heather Gardner Old Rep, Birmingham, Thurs 14 - Thurs 28 March This new version of Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler has been nicely Brummie-fied by local writer Robin French, whose first play, the award-winning Bear Hug, was produced at the Royal Court in 2004. This latest offering revolves around the life of beautiful socialite Heather, who, returning from her honey- moon to her dream home in early-1960s Edgbaston, finds herself not only torn between the attentions of two men but also on a decidedly downward spiral of self-destruction... Elisabeth Hopper, James Brad- shaw and Christopher Ettridge star. Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Tues 26 March This show hasn’t proved to be universally popular by any means. That said, it doesn’t need to appeal to everybody - there are more than enough Michael Jackson fans and admirers of Cirque du Soleil to ensure that box office tills will be ringing wherever it lays its hat. As you might expect when bringing together two global brands, the result- ing show is something of a hybrid. It’s neither the multi-layered reflection of Jackson’s life that those with an abiding interest in the singer might have hoped for, nor a show which allows Cirque’s highly talented troupe to display their breathtaking skills to their best advantage. It is, however, an appealing enough fusion of visuals, dance, music and fantasy. And as long as you don’t mull too much on how good the show could have been, there’s every chance you’ll head home having had an enjoyable night out.

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Coming up this Spring at Arena Theatre

Friday 1st March, 8pm Saturday 2nd March, 7.30pm Wednesday 6th March, 7.30pm KINDLE THEATRE Sampad South Asian arts, Surdhwani THE FURIES A HOLIand Arena CELEBRATION Theatre present THE GOSPEL OF

LYRICS BY MUSIC BY TIM RICE ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER MATTHEW GEORGE DILLON presents an unforgettable A dramatic and fun theatrical gig based on Music, storytelling and dance in celebration solo staging of the the ancient Greek tragedy of Clytemnestra. of the vibrant Festival of Holi. first Gospel.

Tickets: £10 full price / £8 concs Tickets: £5 full price Tickets: £9 full price / £7 concs

Friday 8th March, 8pm Friday 15th March, 8pm Friday 22nd March, 8pm NEW OLD FRIENDS BoothBy Silly SongS Graffoe of ShakeSpeare NO MAD, An evening of comical and catchy songs based on Shakespeare’s most famous works. NO SANE EITHER

NoRthERN school of The multitalented coNtEmpoRaRy daNcE Boothby Graffoe brings his unique brand of VERVE 13 VERVE hilarious musical Innovative dance theatre from the Northern School of comedy to the Arena. Contemporary Dance.

Tickets: £9 full price / £7 concs Tickets: £9 full price / £7 concs Tickets: £9 full price / £7 concs

Tuesday 26th March, 7.30pm Tuesday 23rd April and Thursday 25th April, 7.30pm Wednesday 27th March, 1.30pm & 7.30pm Wednesday 24th April 7.30pm HOTBUCKLE PRODUCTIONS EUROPEAN ARTS COMPANY A new production FOUR FARCES of one of Four colourful and comic the most one-act farces powerful and FINDING celebrated works of European JOY literature. A funny and fearless piece of full mask theatre.

Tickets: £9 full price / £7 concs Tickets: £9 full price / £7 concs Tickets: £9 full price / £7 concs

BUY TICKETS FOR 2 OR MORE SHOWS AT THE SAME Follow us on @Arena_theatre TIME AND GET ALL YOUR TICKETS FOR £5 EACH (£8 EACH ON TICKETS PRICED ABOVE £9). PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Like us on Arena Theatre

Box Office 01902 321 321 Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1SE BOOK ONLINE AT www.arena.wlv.ac.uk Theatre March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 13:45 Page 4

Theatre PREVIEWS The Human Race Coming up this Spring at Arena Theatre And Mother’s Ransom Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 15 March; Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Thurs 21 March Relatively speaking, theatre evenings comprising one-act plays are rare, so it’s always a breath of fresh air when a company has the courage to run with the idea. Hats off on this occasion, then, to Owen Lewis' Portable Theatre Company, which here presents The Human Race and A Moth- er's Ransom. The former is a black comedy, taking a look ‘into the minds and souls of simple, ordinary folk’; the latter is a thriller, presenting an exploration of the relationship between parents and children. Both should be well worth a look. Priscilla Queen Of The Desert New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 18 - Sat 30 March; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 10 - Sat 15 June Based on the movie of the same name, Priscilla the stage show has wowed both West End and Broadway audiences, picking up a coveted Olivier Award and an equally prestigious Tony Award along the accolade-strewn way. At its heartland is an uplifting story of the friendship shared between three pals, who hop aboard a battered old bus and head off in search of love and romance. The show originally opened in Australia in 2006 - running there for two years before hitting the West End stage - and comes complete with a dazzling array of costumes and a glorious selection of dancefloor favourites, including It’s Raining Men, Say A Little Prayer, Go West, Hot Stuff and Always On My Mind... Oh, and for this particular Midlands run, it also has the added benefit of Jason Donovan reprising the role of Tick, the part he played when the show originally opened in the West End.

Boeing Boeing cutting-edge science, maids vomiting peb- Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, bles and priests defecating in ditches to unre- Awakenings Tues 19 - Sat 23 March quited lovers, friends who can’t be parted, Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 27 - Sat 30 March If Boeing Boeing sounds familiar, chances and a consideration of the foods, herbs, loca- are you've at some stage caught the mid- tions, activities and occupations that can Featuring some of the West Midlands’ best 1960s movie starring Tony Curtis. The stage bring on or cure melancholy in any one of its new writing, Awakenings presents a lively version has clocked up more than its fair many forms (boy, that was a long sentence!). and varied collection of short plays that cele- share of air miles over the years, and brate Spring, including dramas about worms enjoyed the benefits of a good freshen-up that turn, comedies of sexual initiation, tales when it landed in the West End in 2007. It of violent wake-up calls and sketches based tells the story of a successful architect living around the concept of arousal. in Paris, who copes with not one but three air-hostess fiancees by making the most of the flight timetables and enlisting the help of For The Love Of Mrs Brown his long-suffering housekeeper in his cun- LG Arena, Birmingham, ning games of deception! But when his long- Tues 26 - Sat 30 March lost cousin Robert arrives, things start to get A well-established element of the UK comedy turbulent... landscape thanks to the hit TV series Mrs Brown’s Boys, Brendan O’Carroll’s Agnes Brown makes a sure-to-be-welcome return to the Midlands with this latest show. Love Letters Straight With Valentine’s Day looming, Mrs Brown’s From Your Heart attempts to find herself a romantic date are Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, compromised by all manner of complica- Thurs 7 - Sat 9 March tions, including Granddad’s Viagra addiction, If you’re looking for an original work of the- her flamboyant hairdresser son’s less-than- atre, Uninvited Guests may have just the happy relationship, her daughter’s desire to show for you. Love Letters Straight From go under the knife to get a man’s attention, Your Heart is described as an event that’s and the altogether unexpected appearance somewhere between a wedding reception, a of superheroes in her own home... wake and a radio dedication show, and encourages the notion of raising a glass to ‘long-lost loves and current lovers, to mums, The Anatomy Of Melancholy to dads and to absent friends’. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, @Arena_theatre Tues 12 - Fri 15 March The ever-impressive Stan’s Cafe are the ensemble behind this imaginative new work of theatre, which uses as its inspiration librari- an and vicar Robert Burton’s four hundred- year-old book The Anatomy Of Melancholy. Burton’s tome certainly offers no shortage of that aforementioned inspiration, containing, as it does, all manner of subject matter, from

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

Wed 13th March Wed 20th March Sat 23rd March WASTED - THE MANFREDS HENNING WEHN PAINES PLOUGH PEFORMING TRACKS FROM HENNING KNOWS BESTEST A TRIP THROUGH THE THEIR HIGHLY ACCLAIMED RAVE CULTURE OF ALBUM THE FIVE FACES OF SOUTH LONDON MANFRED MANN

Mon 25th March Sat 30th March Sun 31st March FAY HIELD & THE CHANTEL THE FURNACE - HURRICANE PARTY MCGREGOR MORRIS OFFSPRING TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING & FAUSTUS OF ORFEO ROCK AND BLUES MUSICIANS

FORTHCOMING CINEMA: Quartet (12A) // The Impossible (12A) // Throne Of Blood (12A) Flight (15) // Wreck It Ralph (PG) // Lincon (12A)

The new Artrix brochure is available to download on www.artrix.co.uk For bookings & full details log onto www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ Free parking on-site

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS SPRING SEASON 2013 @ The Old Rep Theatre

Philip Pullman’s Heather Gardner A version of Ibsen’s I Was A Rat! Hedda Gabler by Robin French Adapted and directed by Directed by Mike Bradwell Teresa Ludovico English version by David Watson 14 - 28 March Until 2 March

birmingham-rep.co.uk

0121 23 6 4455 Registered in England 295910 Charity No.223660

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Theatre PREVIEWS Maurice’s Jubilee New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 5 - Sat 9 March Maurice will turn ninety the day before the Queen’s diamond jubilee, and he’s deter- mined to reach the landmark. Not only that, but having made a promise to him sixty years earlier, Her Majesty is coming to tea. Maurice’s wife’s not even sure her husband’s ever met the Queen, while his nurse reckons it’s high time that he did... This story of royal encounters and enduring love, all played out in a bungalow in Penge, is both funny and poignant, and here stars the Olivier Award- winning Julian Glover and Nichola McAuliffe. The play is touring following a sell-out run at the 2012 Edinburgh Festival.

Dirty Dancing Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 12 - Sat 30 March Seen by millions across the globe, Eleanor Bergstein's worldwide smash-hit musical tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds who come together for what will prove to be the most challenging and triumphant summer of One Monkey Don’t Stop their lives... Hit numbers include Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and I’ve Had The Time Of My Life. If you've not seen the show before, it's well worth checking out - its celebrity No Show fans include Sir Ian McKellen, Judy Dench, Rolf Harris, Emma Forbes, Naomi Campbell, Alan Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Shearer, Graham Norton, Joanna Lumley, Nigella Lawson and Peaches Geldof, to name but a Tues 12 - Sat 16 March few... A production that’s been described as ‘The Cosby Show meets Restoration Comedy’, One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show is set in Edge Of Darkness Cloud Man 1970s Philadelphia and focuses on the Har- Lichfield Garrick, Tues 19 - Sat 23 March The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, risons. The most respectable middle-class Mon 25 - Sat 30 March black family in the suburbs, they really seem Following hot on the heels of their well- received production of Alan Ayckbourn’s Puppetry and storytelling are here combined to have gotten things together - until, that is, in a forty-five-minute show designed to enter- their young niece turns their God-fearing Bedroom Farce, Lichfield Players’ new version of Edge Of Darkness provides a dramat- tain children aged between four and seven. Christian life on its head with her radical Head-in-the-clouds Cloudia has one long- ideas from the rural South... Read our inter- ic change of pace for the popular ensemble’s loyal audience. Written by Brian held dream. She dearly wishes to see a view with Joselyn Jee Esian, who stars in the Cloud Man - an extremely rare creature who show, at www.whatsonlive.co.uk Clemens, a man most notably associated with 1960s and ’70s TV actioners such as lives a quiet life high up in the sky. And if she The Avengers, The Persuaders! and The Pro- follows the clues to the very top of Cloud fessionals, it focuses on the character of the Mountain, where the views are always sur- memory-damaged Emma Cranwell, a woman prising, she just might get her heart’s who returns home after a long disappear- desire... ance but finds herself struggling to remember who she used to be... Rasputin’s Mother Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 22 - Sat 23 March Hailed by no less a luminary than Sir Alan Ayckbourn as ‘bristling with theatrical ideas’, Michael Davies’ Rasputin’s Mother bagged Our Fathers the 2012-13 National Playwriting Competition Award. Beaten, shot and hounded into a mac, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham; Sat 23 - Sun 24 March; Arena Theatre, freezing, watery grave, Rasputin is thought to Wolverhampton, Thurs 18 April be dead. But perhaps the body that was Passing On pulled from the water mac, Birmingham, Thurs 7 March Our Fathers is described as ‘a tribute to dads wasn’t his, and the everywhere who tried to do their best’. It A play inspired by real-life stories, Sante The- notorious Mad Monk takes its inspiration from such diverse atre’s Passing On reflects the experience of instead lives on as a sources as stand-up comedy, contemporary ordinary people whose loved ones are dying prisoner of the Com- dance, video installation and the TV series in a hospital ward. The production juxtapos- munists, watching the The Sopranos. The show is presented by es intense testimony and moving dramatic rise to power of Stalin local theatre company Babakas, whose pro- imagery with a life-sized puppet, exploring and the collapse of his ductions combine experimentation with the dilemmas that are faced both by relatives beloved Romanov entertainment and make use of various lan- and health professionals as the end of some- dynasty... guages. body’s life approaches.

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new solo piece by leading Trans performer Theatre LISTINGS Mandy Romero, Sat 2 Mar, The Public, West For full listing information on theatre Bromwich productions including times and BLOFELD & BAXTER Peter dates visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Baxter and Henry Blofeld relay never- before-heard anecdotes From world, until Sat 2 from their decades of March, Warwick Arts broadcasting, Sun 3 FRI 1 MAR Centre, Coventry March, The Assembly, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Leamington Spa I WAS A RAT A Birming- ON ICE The Russian Ice WOMEN AT THE EDGE ham Repertory Theatre Stars present their Reshape While Damp & production in associa- adaptation of the clas- Space2develop present tion with Nottingham sic story, until Sun 3 an evening of comedy Playhouse, Ipswich March, Theatre Severn, theatre, with Naomi New Wolsey and Teatro Shrewsbury Paul & Jenny Stokes, Kismet (Italy) until Sat 2 THE ORPHAN OF ZHAO Sun 3 Mar, The Edge, March, Old Rep, Birm- Gregory Doran directs Digbeth, Birmingham Cadfael: The Virgin In The Ice - ingham a new production of the PYGMALION Holdsworth Wolverhampton Grand Theatre THE MIKADO SOSage first Chinese play to be Law Drama present Factory present Gilbert translated in the West, their version of George take on timeless Department middle PASSING ON Sante The- and Sullivan's soap until Thurs 28 March, Bernard Shaw's classic themes and one man’s school set present their atre present a powerful opera, until Sat 2 The Swan Theatre play, Sun 3 March - enduring commitment version of Shake- play created from real- March, Solihull Arts Stratford Mon 4 March, Crescent to a dream, Tue 5 speare’s early comedy, life stories, Thurs 7 Complex BORIS GODUNOV Michael Theatre, Birmingham March - Sat 9 March, Wed 6 - Fri 8 Mar, March, mac - Midlands THE BLUES BROTHERS... Boyd directs Adrian New Alexandra Theatre, Bridge House Theatre, Arts Centre, Birming- APPROVED The boys are Mitchell's adaptation of Week Commencing Birmingham Warwick ham joined on their mission Alexander Pushkin's THE GONDOLIERS Ast- CADFAEL: THE VIRGIN IN LOVE LETTERS STRAIGHT to bring soul and blues political Russian drama, MON 4 MAR wood Bank Operatic THE ICE Middle Ground FROM YOUR HEART Unin- back into your heart by until Sat 30 March The Society present their Theatre Company pres- vited Guests stage an the fabulous Bluettes - Swan Theatre Stratford version of Gilbert & Sul- ent Michael Lunney's interactive event that three sassy ladies with THE LIFE OF GALILEO THE SOUND OF MUSIC livan’s savoy opera, version of Ellis Peter's stands somewhere attitude and voices to Bertolt Brecht's play Amateur production Tues 5 - Sat 9 Mar, classic medieval mur- between a wedding knock you off your explores the struggle presented by Knowle Palace Theatre, Red- der mystery, Wed 6 - reception, a wake and perch... until Sat 2 between scientific dis- Operatic Society, Mon 4 ditch Sat 9 Mar, Grand The- a radio dedication March, Regent Theatre, covery and religious March - Sat 9 March, A MURDER IS atre, Wolverhampton show, Thurs 7 March - Stoke-on-Trent fundamentalism, until Solihull Arts Complex ANNOUNCED The Nonen- JANE EYRE Willis Hall Sat 9 March, The Swan IL TRITTICO Birmingham Sat 30 March, The BIRDSONG An epic tale tities present their ver- brings Charlotte Theatre, Stratford-upon- Conservatoire present Swan Theatre Stratford of love and war set sion of this Agatha Bronte’s narrative to the Avon three of Giacomo Puc- THE FURIES A retelling of both before and during Christie classic, Tues 5 stage in a striking and SHADOWLANDS Amateur cini’s one-act operas: Il the ancient Greek the Great War, Mon 4 - Sat 9 Mar, Crewe original adaptation, production of William Tabarro, Suor Angelica, tragedy of Clytemnestra March - Sat 9 March, Lyceum Theatre Wed 6 March - Sat 9 Nicholson’s drama, and Gianni Schicchi, - a tale of a woman's Malvern Theatres HMS PINAFORE AND THE March, Netherton Arts which explores the rela- until Sat 2 March loss, betrayal and PLAYLIST The Belgrade ZOO The Birmingham Centre, Wolverhampton tionship between an Crescent Theatre, Birm- bloody revenge, Fri 1 Theatre’s youth talent Savoyards present RICHARD III Shake- Oxford academic and ingham March, Arena Theatre, strut their stuff in this Gilbert & Sullivan's best speare's famous tale of American poet, Thurs 7 DEATHTRAP A Broadway Wolverhampton new work of physical known comic opera the scheming Duke of - Sat 9 Mar, The Belfrey playwright puts murder THE MEDIUMS SHOW theatre which questions (HMS Pinafore) along- Gloucester and his Theatre, Wellington in his plan to take credit LIVE... With Lynn Round whether people are side the duo's rarely bloody rise to the HIGH SOCIETY KODS for a student's script in & Greg Smith, Fri 1 really defined by the performed short comic throne of England, Wed present an amateur this production, pre- Mar, The Custard Fac- music they listen to, opera (The Zoo), Tue 5 6 March - Sat 9 March, production of Cole sented by The Nonenti- tory, Birmingham Mon 4 March - Sat 9 March - Sat 9 March, Warwick Arts Centre, Porter’s classic musical, ties, until Sat 2 March, SWEET NOTHINGS This March, Belgrade The- Old Rep, Birmingham Coventry Thurs 7 - Sat 16 Mar, The Rose Theatre, Kid- Shout Festival event atre, Coventry MADAM BUTTERFLY GENERATIONS Fred The- Rose Theatre, Kidder- derminster sees Birmingham- LULU Welsh National Welsh National Opera atre Company present minster MOJO Jez Butterworth's based InteGreat The- Opera present a new present Puccini's a double-bill of one-act TOSCA Ellen Kent Opera violent black comedy, atre use sign language production of Alban breathtaking tragedy, plays which illustrate present Puccini's tale of until Sat 2 March, Hall & spoken word to Berg's second and final Wed 6 March - Sat 9 changing attitudes to love and treachery. Green Little Theatre, explore what it is to be opera. Sung in German March, Birmingham LGBT lifestyles, Wed 6 - Sung in Italian with Birmingham deaf and gay, Fri 1 Mar, with English surtitles, Hippodrome Sat 9 Mar, The Custard English surtitles, Fri 8 HIGH SOCIETY A new mac, Birmingham Tue 5 March, Birming- THE OLD QUEEN'S TIME Factory, Birmingham March, Regent Theatre, production of Cole AN EVENING OF DIRTY ham Hippodrome Comedy about love, CALENDAR GIRLS The Stoke-on-Trent Porter's timeless clas- DANCING A tribute show KINGDOM OF THE HEART friendship & revenge Norbury Players pres- CLARE SUMMERSKILL sic, until Sat 2 March, featuring music and An evening of imagina- from award-winning ent an amateur produc- Fast-moving, song- The Grand Theatre, dance from the much- tive storytelling and Birmingham playwright tion of Tim Firth’s singing, side-splitting, Wolverhampton loved film, Fri 1 March - music for adults featur- Rod Dungate, Tue 5 award-winning play, costume-changing THE FULL MONTY Stage Sat 2 March, The Swan ing Katy Cawkwell and March - Sat 16 March, Wed 6 - Sat 9 Mar, Nor- evening of comedy and version of the Theatre, Worcester classical cellist Sarah Old Joint Stock The- bury Theatre, Droitwich music, Fri 8 March, The acclaimed motion pic- CARMEN The Chisinau Llewellyn-Jones, Tue 5 atre, Birmingham THE CUNNING LITTLE Public, West Bromwich ture that centres National Philharmonic March, mac - Midlands CIRCUS OF HORRORS: VIXEN Welsh National SING-A-LONG-A GREASE A around six out-of-work Orchestra & Chorus Arts Centre, Birming- THE CURSE OF THE DEVIL Opera present brand new singalong Sheffield steelworkers, present Bizet's famous ham DOLL Prepare for phan- Janácek’s wondrous version of the classic until Sat 2 March, Birm- and seductive opera. AN EVENING WITH CHRIS tasmagoria twists and work, which explores film starring Olivia New- ingham Hippodrome Sung in French with PACKHAM An informative turns to send shivers the cycle of life and ton-John and John Tra- BIRDS OF A FEATHER English surtitles, Sat 2 look at some of down your spine as the nature’s renewal, Thurs volta, Fri 8 March, The Featuring Pauline March, New Alexandra nature’s most popular demonic dummy 7 March, Birmingham Swan Theatre, Worces- Quirke, Linda Robson Theatre, Birmingham and interesting species, seems to take on a life Hippodrome ter and Lesley Joseph, A HOLI CELEBRATION Tue 5 March, Royal Spa of its own, Wed 6 JACK THE RIPPER: A 21ST ALADDIN Studio 5 Stage until Sat 2 March, Bel- Music, storytelling and Centre, Leamington March, The Place, Oak- CENTURY INVESTIGATION School present an ama- grade Theatre, Coven- dance feature in this Spa engates Theatre, Former British murder teur production of the try celebration of the MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS: Telford squad detective Trevor timeless family tale, Fri JOSEPH AND THE AMAZ- vibrant Festival of Holi, BABUSHKIN SEKRET Tue THE GOSPEL OF Marriott discusses his 8 - Sat 9 Mar, Prince of ING TECHNICOLOR which marks the arrival 5 March - Wed 6 MATTHEW George Dil- cold case investigation Wales Centre, Cannock DREAMCOAT Tim Rice of Spring and wel- March, Regent Theatre, lon's solo staging of the into the Whitechapel THE TWIST New musical and Andrew Lloyd comes the colour and Stoke-on-Trent first Gospel, Wed 6 Murders of 1888, Thurs featuring songs from Webber’s hit musical, vitality of the new sea- BEAUTY & THE BEAST March, Arena Theatre, 7 Mar, The Place, Oak- the ’50s and ’60s, Sat 9 until Sat 2 March, son, Sat 2 March, Amateur production Wolverhampton engates, Telford March, Stafford Gate- Malvern Theatres Arena Theatre, Wolver- presented by North THE VAGINA MONO- THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF house Theatre ABOVE ME THE WIDE hampton Bromsgrove High LOGUES Eve Ensler's MUSIC HALL & VARIETY A PENGY Birmingham Rep BLUE SKY Fevered ALLIGATOR ANNIE AND School, Tue 5 March - hilarious Broadway and brand new variety show Theatre Company Sheep present a per- THE BIG BAD BAT Chil- Fri 8 March, Artrix, West End smash hit, for all ages featuring address the lack of the- formance which draws dren’s theatre, Sat 2 Bromsgrove Wed 6 Mar, Taylor Jimmy Cricket & Sheps atre exploring same-sex together stories of love, March, The Swan The- MAURICE'S JUBILEE John’s House, Coventry Banjo Boys, Thurs 7 relationships and sexu- loss and belonging atre Worcester Nichola McAuliffe’s LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST March, Theatre Severn, ality, Sat 9 Mar, mac, from an ever-changing IN EXCELSIS A brand funny and poignant Warwick School Drama Shrewsbury Birmingham

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ENTERTAINMENT CANNOCK CHASE at the Prince Of Wales, Centre BIRMINGHAM’S PREMIER PUB CALL FOR YOUR RICH HALL BROCHURE THEATRE GATEHOUSE THEATRE TODAY MARCH Fri 1 March Sat 2nd March, 7.30pm Fri 1st & Sat 2nd March, 8pm Rich Hall’s grouchy, dead- pan style has established PATRICK MONAHAN him as a master of irony A VISION OF ELVIS SHOOTING FROM THE LIP and king of rapid fire wit. Rob Kingsley brings you a full evening of all Fans can see the comic Brand new stand up show from the genius from Montana dis- the classic hits, from the Early Years through loveable Teesider, known for his cuss a variety of topics all to the sensational “Vegas” era. hugs, dancing and cake eating! delivered in his own hilarious unique way. 8.00pm, £15 £12 Thurs 14th March, 7.30pm BANFF FILM FESTIVAL GATEHOUSE THEATRE DANIEL 0’DONNELL Tues 5th - Sat16th March Fri 15 March TRIBUTE 3pm & 8pm The world’s most prestigious mountain film festi- UK’s only tribute to the man. Daniel O’Connell THE OLD val returns to the Gate- QUEEN'S TIME house with a brand new selection of extraordinary Fri 22nd & Sat 23rd March, 7.30pm Aging actor Ramsay likes his life to short films from the world’ be full of surprises; but the biggest s leading adventure film THE WONDERFUL WORLD surprise is when a young man turns makers. Exhilarating and up – and says he’s Ramsay’s thought provoking, this is a must see for anyone OF LLOYD-WEBBER grandson. with a spirit of adventure! Chase Harmony, Cannock’s very own 7.30pm, £12, £10.50 concs £10 / £8 4-part harmony singing group, return to GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS songs from one of the West End’s most OFFICIALLY AMAZING SCIENCE LIVE! successful composers over the years. GATEHOUSE THEATRE Sun 17th March, 2.30pm Thurs 21 March Fri 29th March, 7.30pm MOVIES & MUSICALS From the producers of THE BILLY FURY YEARS Brainiac Live! and Science Grab your popcorn and join our Museum Live on Tour, The Billy Fury Years is quite simply ‘The very own OJS Musical Theatre explore the best, the worst, Ultimate Billy Fury show to ever hit the stage’. the weirdest and the Company as they present a one off unbreakable records concert bringing well known songs attempted over the years Sat 30th March, 7.30pm from musicals such as Singing in and see if you can be a 7.00pm, £15/£13 concs the Rain. Ghost, Hairspray and Family £50.00 record breaker too! TOTALLY TINA many more to the OJS Theatre! TOTALLY TINA! Recreate the spectacle and THE CARPET CRAWLERS £10 GATEHOUSE THEATRE energy of her live shows with a six-piece live band, four stunning dancers and Justine’s Fri 22 March incredible impersonation of the Queen of Wed 20th March, 7.30pm Fresh off the back of Rock and Soul. their successful 10X10 European tour The Carpet Crawlers First seen at the University of bring their stunning APRIL Birmingham’s Cultural Festival show back to the UK 2013, 10x10 comprises of ten, with a true celebra- ten-minute plays by ten of the tion of the glorious Wed 3rd April, 7.30pm music of Genesis hottest new writers. 8.00pm, £15 LDN WRESTLING £5 Back by popular demand, LDN Wrestling THE FUREYS AND DAVEY ARTHUR returns with its brand new show. GATEHOUSE THEATRE Fri 22nd & Sat 23rd March Sat 23 March Fri 5th April, 7.30pm RASPUTIN'S MOTHER Legends of Irish music and song return with their hit On December 19th 1916, songs including I Will Love You, When You Were Sweet CARPENTER Rasputin's body was pulled from a 16, Red Rose Café and many more, having entertained audiences worldwide for 35 years. frozen river in St Petersburg with his TRIBUTE SHOW hands clenched in fury as if trying Starring Cannock’s very own Nicky Moran to break through the ice. But what as Karen, along with her amazing 6 piece if that wasn't Rasputin?. band, the Carpenters Tribute Show brings a £5 7.30pm, £18.50 / £17 concs fabulous and nostalgic evening with authentic costumes. ROMEO AND JULIET Thurs 28th March, 8pm GATEHOUSE THEATRE Sat 6th April, 2.00pm FOGHORN IMPROV- Thurs 28 March AN IMPROVISED PINNOCHIO MURDER Icarus Theatre Collective Riverbank Productions proudly present presents one of Shake- A night of stories, laughter, Carlo Collodi’s classic tale of the puppet speare’s greatest games… and death. A murder tragedies. In defiance of who wanted to become a real boy. their families and in secre- mystery improvised live £7.50 cy from their closest friends, hopeful young lives www.wlct.org/princeofwales burn amidst a celestial and 7.30pm, £15 / £12 concs cataclysmic backdrop. BOX OFFICE: 01543 578762 Tel: 0121 200 0946 & 0845 680 1926 BOOKONLINE BOOK NOW! email:[email protected]. Box Office 01785 254653 www.oldjointstocktheatre.co.uk www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk or on-line at: www.oxboffice.com

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sented by one of ingham Arts Centre, Coventry tre, Leamington Spa LISTINGS Britain's most popular SILLY SONGS OF SHAKE- SING-A-LONG-A GREASE SWEENEY TODD Crewe Theatre vocal groups, The Lon- SPEARE Fearg & The Sat 16 Mar, Palace The- Amateur Musicals Soci- don Quartet, Wed 13 Sonnettes entertain atre, Redditch ety present the tale of For full listing information on theatre March, Solihull Arts with their witty and THE MERCHANT OF the evil barber of Fleet productions, including times and Complex catchy tunes, Fri 15 VENICE Shakespeare's Street, Tues 19 - Sat 23 dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk WASTED Kate Tempest's March, Arena Theatre, tale of betrayal and Mar, Crewe Lyceum debut play about love, Wolverhampton prejudice, Sat 16 March CATS New production of life and losing your THE HUMAN RACE AND A - Sat 23 March, Cres- Andrew Lloyd Webber's MOVE OVER DARLING Malvern Theatres mind, Wed 13 March, MOTHER'S RANSOM cent Theatre, Birming- smash-hit musical, Tue AN AUDIENCE WITH SALLY Tom Marshman’s one- Artrix, Bromsgrove Owen Lewis' Portable ham 19 March - Sat 30 MORGAN PSYCHIC TO THE man show brings GILBERT & SULLIVAN Theatre Company pres- MOVIES & MUSICALS A March, The Grand The- STARS! together true stories, Mon 11 March, ABRIDGED A fast-paced ent two one-act plays, matinee concert of atre, Wolverhampton memories, coded lan- New Alexandra Theatre, romp through all four- Fri 15 March, Theatre songs from hit movies A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S guage and gesture to Birmingham teen of the musical Severn, Shrewsbury across the decades, DREAM Sell A Door The- GO AND PLAY FURTHER celebrate the lives of duo’s operettas in just BANDAGES Kirsty Hous- Sun 17 March, Old atre Company present UP YOUR OWN END gays and lesbians in Mal- ninety minutes, Wed 13 ley (Told By An Joint Stock Theatre, a new production of the West Midlands, Sat colm Stent's sequel to Mar, Birmingham Town Idiot/Paines Plough) Birmingham Shakespeare's much- 9 Mar, mac - Midlands his sell-out show, set in Hall presents her debut play IF WALLS COULD SPEAK loved comedy, Wed 20 Arts Centre, Birming- Birmingham in the early WORDSMITH'S & CO Live - a taut psychological An international story Mar, The Roses, Tewks- ham ’60s, Mon 11 March - poetry talk show featur- thriller about what hap- about place, home and bury I LOVE BROMSGROVE Tue 12 March, Solihull ing poets Inua Elams, pens when you love communities which CHRIS PACKHAM - WILD Comedy presented by Arts Complex Chris McCabe, Ruth someone so much that unfolds as world- NIGHT OUT! Informative WE'RE ONLY HERE TODAY Hard Graft Theatre, Sat Larbey & Jess Green, all you want to do is renowned graffiti artist look at some of 9 March, Artrix, Broms- Coventry-based Talking Wed 13 March, War- protect them, Fri 15 Aerosol Arabic nature’s most popular grove Birds present a brand wick Arts Centre, Mar, Royal Spa Centre, (Mohammed Ali) paints and interesting species, CARMEN The Chisinau new show based on Coventry Leamington Spa the story around his Wed 20 March, The National Philharmonic their King Lear-inspired CHESS Amateur produc- THE BOY AT THE EDGE OF audience, Sun 17 Place, Oakengates The- Orchestra & Chorus Pilot night show, per- tion presented by THE ROOM Forest Forge March - Mon 18 March, atre, Telford present Bizet's famous formed at the RSC’s Shrewsbury Amateur Theatre Company pres- mac - Midlands Arts CALENDAR GIRLS All and & seductive opera. Courtyard Theatre in Operatic Society, Wed ent a fairytale for adults Centre, Birmingham Sundry present their Sung in French with 2012, Tue 12 March - 13 March - Sat 16 inspired by Lucy Clif- version of Tim Firth’s English surtitles, Sat 9 Wed 13 March, mac - March, Theatre Severn, ford’s 1882 story Wood- much-acclaimed March, Regent Theatre, Midlands Arts Centre, Shrewsbury en Tony, Fri 15 March, Week Commencing drama, Wed 20 - Sat 23 Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham CALENDAR GIRLS The The Place, Oakengates Mar, Palace Theatre, THE ANATOMY OF MELAN- FOR ONCE Pentabus Norbury Players pres- Theatre MON 18 MAR Redditch Theatre present Tim CHOLY Presented by ent an amateur produc- UNMYTHABLE A whistle- THE HUMAN RACE & A Price’s touching drama, Birmingham-based tion of Tim Firth’s stop tour through the MOTHER'S RANSOM Sat 9 Mar, The Edge Stan’s Cafe, Tue 12 award-winning play, greatest myths ever THE MOBILE PHONE Owen Lewis' Portable Arts Centre, Much Wen- March - Fri 15 March, Wed 13 - Sat 16 Mar, told. Fri 15 Mar, Stour- SHOW Highly Sprung Theatre Company pres- lock Warwick Arts Centre, Norbury Theatre, bridge Town Hall Performance Company ent two one-act plays, INFERNO KID Dark com- Coventry Droitwich GO AND PLAY FURTHER present Jim Thurs 21 March, Arena TAMWORTH HASTILOW edy about a former pro- SING-A-LONG-A GREASE A UP YOUR OWN END Mal- Cartwright’s rapsody of Theatre, Wolverhamp- DRAMA FESTIVAL 2013 fessional wrestler, Sat 9 brand new singalong colm Stent's sequel to rap, text, tweet and ton Mar, AE Harris Building, Featuring three different version of the classic his sell-out show, set in gabble, Mon 18 - Tues CHRIS PACKHAM - WILD Birmingham plays each evening, film starring Olivia New- Birmingham in the early 19 Mar, Shop Front NIGHT OUT! Informative WINDOW DRESSING Mon 11 March - Sat 16 ton-John and John Tra- ’60s, Fri 15 Mar, Palace Theatre, Coventry look at some of Described as ‘exuber- March Tamworth volta, Thurs 14 March, Theatre, Redditch FAIDS, BRAIDS AND KEEP- nature’s most popular ant fun with some Assembly Rooms New Alexandra Theatre, BY THE SEAT OF YOUR ING IT REAL Deborah and interesting species, THE IMPORTANCE OF unpredictable twists’. Birmingham PANTS Scottish touring Tracey present LaToya, Thurs 21 Mar, Ludlow BEING EARNEST All safely behind glass, Oscar GO AND PLAY FURTHER theatre company Plutot a stylist at Touching Silk Assembly Rooms, Sat 9 - Sun 10 Mar, var- Wilde’s acclaimed UP YOUR OWN END Mal- La Vie present a comi- Beauty Salon with sto- South Shropshire ious locations, Birming- farce, which satirises colm Stent's sequel to cal family show ventur- ries to tell, Mon 18 - FOR THEIR OWN GOOD ham the vanities of the his sell-out show, set in ing into the world of Sun 24 Mar, various Using a menagerie of KINDERTRANSPORT The class-based society in Birmingham in the early three men and a chair!, hairdressers around crafted puppets and Crescent Theatre Com- which he lived, Tue 12 ’60s, Thurs 14 March, Fri 15 March - Sat 16 Birmingham automatia, Untied pany present Diane March - Wed 13 March, The Swan Theatre, March, Warwick Arts PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE Artists explore how Samuels' play, which Arena Theatre, Wolver- Worcester Centre, Coventry DESERT Feelgood inter- changing attitudes examines the life - dur- hampton BACKGAMMON FOR DICK BARTON & THE national musical direct about how we care for ONE MONKEY DON'T STOP ing and after WWII - of BEGINNERS So & So Cir- CURSE... Phil Willmott's from the West End and animals might impact NO SHOW a nine-year-old Jewish Eclipse The- cus fuse drama, acro- tongue-in-cheek musi- Broadway, Mon 18 on how we care for our- girl, Sat 9 March - Sat atre present their new batics, live music and cal, Fri 15 March - Sat March - Sat 30 March, selves, Thurs 21 March 16 Mar, Crescent The- show, described as puppetry to tell the true 23 March, Hall Green New Alexandra Theatre, - Fri 22 March, mac - atre, Birmingham ‘The Cosby Show story of an outstanding Little Theatre, Birming- Birmingham Midlands Arts Centre, BREATH OF SPRING Peter meets Restoration man and his life lived ham A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S Birmingham Coke's comedy in three Comedy’, Tue 12 March without a safety net, BOOGIE NIGHTS FEAT. THE DREAM Sell A Door The- HABEAS CORPUS Alan acts, Sat 9 March - Sat - Sat 16 March, Bel- Thurs 14 Mar, Ludlow OSMONDS & GARETH atre Company present Bennett’s acclaimed 16 March, Oldbury Rep grade Theatre, Coven- Assembly Rooms, GATES Remixed one- a new production of drama, which highlights - Barlow Theatre, Soli- try South Shropshire night concert featuring Shakespeare's much- the excesses of the WHISTLE DOWN THE hull SILLY SONGS OF SHAKE- Merrill, Jimmy & Jay loved comedy, Tue 19 middle classes in the WIND LADY CHATTERLEY’S Presented by SPEARE Join Fearg & Osmond, Gareth Gates, Mar, Arena Theatre, 1960s, Thurs 21 - Sat LOVER Blue Orange Arts Tudor Musical Comedy The Sonnettes at they Andy Abrahams, Laura Wolverhampton 30 Mar, Theatre On The present a stage version Society, Tues 12 - Sat entertain with their witty White and Chico, Sat COVER UP Space To Steps, Bridgnorth, of DH Lawrence’s con- 16 Mar, Sutton Coldfield and catchy tunes, 16 March, Belgrade Develop present a Shropshire troversial novel, Sat 9 - Town Hall Thurs 14 March, Artrix, Theatre, Coventry drama about knife NO MAD, NO SANE EITHER FOOTLOOSE Sat 16 Mar, Blue Presented Bromsgrove BETRAYAL Bold Produc- crime, set in West Lon- Boothby Graffoe pres- Orange Theatre, Birm- by Wolverhampton GONZO MOOSE: WHAT tions & Aberystwyth don, Tues 19 Mar, The ents a unique brand of ingham Musical Comedy Com- THE DICKENS Inventive Arts Centre present Edge, Birmingham musical comedy, Fri 22 pany, Tue 12 March - and gripping comedy their version of Harold ANNIE The Peterbrook March, Arena Theatre, Sat 16 March, The featuring just three Pinter’s critically Players present their Wolverhampton Week Commencing Grand Theatre, Wolver- actors playing over acclaimed play, Sat 16 version of this much- THE TWIST: GREAT SONGS hampton twenty roles in an Mar, Theatre On The loved family tale, Tue NEVER DIE Happy Days MON 11 MAR DIRTY DANCING Eleanor eighty-minute produc- Steps, Bridgnorth, 19 March - Sat 23 meets Buddy in a ’50s Bergstein's smash-hit tion, Thurs 14 Mar, Shropshire March, Solihull Arts & ’60s rock'n'roll epic. West End musical, Tue Arena Theatre, Wolver- LITTLE GRIMLEY'S TROU- Complex Starring and created by MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS: 12 March - Sat 30 hampton BLES TRIPLED Little BOEING BOEING Classic Strictly Come Dancing BABUSHKIN SEKRET Mon March, Regent Theatre, HAIRY BIKERS An Grimley's Amateur Dra- comedy by Marc lead vocalist Chris Main 11 March - Tue 12 Stoke-on-Trent evening with the popu- matic Society present a Camoletti, Tue 19 and West End sweet- HORMONAL HOUSEWIVES March Belgrade The- lar culinary experts, fast-paced production March - Sat 23 March heart Suzi Jary, Fri 22 atre, Coventry Lighthearted entertain- Thurs 14 March - Fri 15 which puts 'sex' into Belgrade Theatre, March, The Swan The- MAURICE'S JUBILEE ment that addresses March, Belgrade The- panto... Sat 16 March, Coventry atre, Worcester Nichola McAuliffe’s the challenges of being atre, Coventry Artrix, Bromsgrove THE PRODUCERS Leam- CHRIS PACKHAM - WILD funny and poignant a twenty-first century HEATHER GARDENER A WE LOST ELIJAH AND ington & Warwick Musi- NIGHT OUT! Informative take on timeless girl, Wed 13 March, new version of Henrik MOBILE PHONE SHOW A cal Society present an look at some of themes and one man’s New Alexandra Theatre, Ibsen's Hedda Gabler double-bill of works amateur performance nature’s most popular enduring commitment Birmingham by Robin French, Thurs presented by National of Mel Brook’s iconic and interesting species, CANTABILE to a dream, Mon 11 An evening 14 March - Thurs 28 Theatre Connections, musical, Tues 19 - Sat Fri 22 March, Hunting- March - Sat 16 March, of comic songs pre- March, Old Rep, Birm- Sat 16 Mar, Warwick 23 Mar, Royal Spa Cen- don Hall, Worcester

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COMING SOON TO THEATRE SEVERN

FRIDAY 8 MARCH Robin nolAn Thurs 21st March TRio JIM DAVIDSON 18+ The Robin nolan Trio are one 7.30pm. Tickets: £19.50 the world’s best known and most admired Gypsy Jazz acts Mon 8th & Tue 9th April of the last 20 years. WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT SATURDAY 9 MARCH 2pm Mon, 11am & 2pm Tues Tickets: £10, Family Ticket £36

Fri 12th April POP FACTOR 6.00pm. Tickets: £12 / £10 concs

Sat 13th April LIVE/WIRE THE SHEE SenSational all Female Band THE AC/DC SHOW 8.30pm. Tickets: £15

TUESDAY 19 MARCH Fri 19th April CELTIC DREAM 7.30pm. Tickets: £19.50, £17.50 concs

Sat 20th April SUGGS: MY LIFE STORY 7.30pm. Tickets: £24.50 Packed with top musicians and Irish dancing Fri 26th April FRIDAY 22 MARCH DAVE SPIKEY 8.00pm. Tickets: £16.50

Sat 27th April CREAM OF CLAPTON Back To 7.30pm. Tickets: £16.50 / £14 concs Broadway Prepare to be amazed as you are transported into Sat 4th May the magical world of Musical Theatre MICK FOLEY: TALES FROM WRESTLING PAST VISIT OUR 7.30pm. Tickets: £22.50 WEBSITE TO VIEW MORE SHOWS!

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

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Victorian man living in Arena, Birmingham tive present a bold new Week Commencing the wall of his flat, Tue THE ARRIVAL Tamasha production of one of Theatre LISTINGS 26 March, Malvern The- And Circus Space fuse Shakespeare's most MON 25 MAR atres theatre, circus and tragic tales, Thurs 28 For full listing information on theatre THAT'LL BE THE DAY music to tell the tale of March, Stafford Gate- Rock'n'roll spectacular one man's journey into house Theatre productions, including times and MOTHER AFRICA Be combining music from the unknown, Tue 26 FOGHORN IMPROV dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk transported deep into the ’50s, ’60s & ’70s March - Thu 28 March, Monthly event which the mystery of Africa, with wacky comedy Belgrade Theatre, sees the Old Joint RASPUTIN'S MOTHER piece of performance Mon 25 March, Victoria routines, Tue 26 March, Coventry Stock's resident improv Theatre Severn, THE ELEPHANT BRIDES- Michael Davies' award- work based around the Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on- group tackle a new Shrewsbury MAID winning play, Fri 22 characters in and chal- Trent Magical musical theme..., Thurs 28 GILBERT & SULLIVAN March - Sat 23 March, lenges faced by a FINDING JOY A comic, about weddings, wom- March, Old Joint Stock ABRIDGED A fast-paced Old Joint Stock The- youth theatre company, anarchic, touching and bats and the loveliest Theatre, Birmingham romp through all four- BLOOD BROTHERS - PLAY atre, Birmingham Sat 23 Mar, Artrix, heroic full mask adven- elephant the world has THE CURSE OF SHERLOCK Bromsgrove ture from Worcester- teen of the musical ever known..., Wed 27 VERSION The Crescent duo’s operettas in just HOLMES Fri 22 March - SOMETHING OUT OF THE based theatre company Mar, The Roses, Tewks- Youth Theatre present a ninety minutes, Tue 26 Sat 23 March, Theatre ORDINARY Argy Bhaji & Vamos, Mon 25 Mar. bury non-musical version of March, Belgrade The- AWAKENING Severn, Shrewsbury Women & Theatre pres- Rose Theatre, Kidder- Big Script Willy Russell's hugely THE WONDERFUL WORLD ent a unique piece of minster atre, Coventry present a collection of successful musical, FINDING JOY OF LLOYD WEBBER theatre at a unique THE PITMAN PAINTERS A comic, short plays - including Thurs 28 March - Sat anarchic, touching and Chase Harmony pres- venue, Sat 23 Mar, Bill Kenwright presents some from West Mid- 30 March, Crescent heroic full mask adven- ent a chorus of musical Coop Carpark, Stirch- Lee Hall's critically lands writers - in cele- Theatre, Birmingham ture from Worcester- SPRING AWAKENING favourites, Fri 22 - Sat ley, Birmingham acclaimed new play bration of Spring, Wed based theatre company 23 Mar, Prince of Wales GRISLY TALES FROM that centres on art, 27 March - Sat 30 Icarus Theatre Collec- Vamos, Tue 26 March - Centre, Cannock TUMBLEWATER Dickens class and politics, Mon March, The Blue tive present an adapta- Wed 27 March, Arena THE REUNION Once meets Roald Dahl via 25 March - Sat 30 Orange Theatre, Birm- tion of the 1891 Ger- Theatre, Wolverhamp- Removed Theatre Com- Horrible Histories, with March, Malvern The- ingham man play of the same ton 80'S MANIA pany present Peter laughs, frights and atres Step back in name which explores ROMEO AND JULIET Geg Gordon’s comedy, Sat music, Sat 23 Mar, The CLOUD MAN A forty-five- time and join a cast of the often confusing Productions present 23 Mar, Rose Theatre, Public, West Bromwich minute show for chil- singers, dancers, and journey from adoles- Shakespeare’s tale of Kidderminster OUR FATHERS Babakas dren aged four to seven musicians as they cele- cence to adulthood, Fri EAST OF THE SUN, WEST present a drama which years, Mon 25 March - star-crossed lovers, brate the heroes of 29 March, Stafford Tues 26 - Wed 27 Mar, OF THE MOON A tale of explores what it means Sat 30 March, The 1980s pop, Thurs 28 Gatehouse Theatre Palace Theatre, Red- THE BEWDLEY PASSION adventure featuring a to be a dad in today's Swan Theatre, Strat- March, Belgrade The- ditch PLAY magical white bear, a society, Sat 23 March - ford-upon-Avon atre, Coventry Outdoor produc- GILBERT & SULLIVAN HIGH SCHOOL ROCKS girl and an anarchic Sun 24 March, mac - MICHAEL JACKSON: THE tion of the Passion of ABRIDGED A fast-paced troll, Sat 23 Mar, Midlands Arts Centre, IMMORTAL WORLD TOUR Interactive production Christ, adapted from a romp through all four- Newhampton Arts Cen- Birmingham Tue 26 March, National featuring the hits from play performed in War- teen of the musical tre, Wolverhampton THE ELEPHANT BRIDES- Indoor Arena, Birming- High School Musical 1, wick Town Centre in duo’s operettas in just THE FURIES A theatrical MAID Magical musical ham 2 , 3, Hannah Montana 2012, Fri 29 Mar, Per- ninety minutes, Wed 27 rock and metal gig pre- about weddings, wom- THE VICTORIAN IN THE and Camp Rocks, formed on the streets of March, Theatre Severn, sented by Kindle The- bats and the loveliest WALL A new play from Thurs 28 March, The Bewdley, Worcester- Shrewsbury atre, Sat 23 Mar, AE elephant the world has Perrier Award-winner Swan Theatre Worces- shire FOR THE LOVE OF MRS Harris, Birmingham ever known..., Sun 24 Will Adamsdale con- ter BROWN OUT OF THE BOX PER- March, Tamworth cerning a work-shy Tue 26 March - ROMEO AND JULIET Sat 30 March, LG FORMANCE An original Assembly Rooms writer who discovers a Icarus Theatre Collec-

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Theatre REVIEWS

Here are a few of our favourite theatre productions we reviewed from last month. For further theatre reviews, visit, www.whatsonlive.co.uk I Was A Rat Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham The unsavory title I Was A Rat is the only one that this play could have, but it doesn’t fill you with confidence - unless you already know Philip Pullman’s wonderful tale, of course. And if you do, you might think it a difficult story to put on stage, but Teresa Ludovico has managed to do just that, with the assistance of a terrific cast and design team. The interpretation is Brechtian in influence, leaning with ease towards Commedia Dell Arte. The director’s Italian roots are visible. Music seeps through the performance, which has physical theatre at its The Ladykillers core. However, the text is not neglected and shines Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton through. The stage is stark, with minimal props - Father Ted writer Graham Linehan has certainly done iconic Ealing comedy The except for a tall wooden chair, newspaper bundles Ladykillers proud with this wonderful, single-scene, slapstick-laden stage version. and imaginative confetti. The costumes are fantasti- For those not in the know, the easy-to-follow story concerns a dear old lady (Mrs cal; the actors use them to project the narrative Wilberforce) who, well known to the local constabulary for reporting unsubstantiated and to move our emotions. The cast are all extraor- crimes, unwittingly becomes an accessory to a brilliantly conceived heist when she dinary. Fox Jackson-Keen as Roger the Rat is a rents a room to a small-time crook posing as a musician named Professor Marcus. sensation. This is a night of theatre perfection. Marcus then proceeds to bring his gang of criminal misfits, disguised as a musical Congratulations to all involved. Jan Watts IIIII quartet, into Mrs Wilberforce’s home to finalise the details of their plan. What follows is nothing short of genius, with each of the characters’ idiosyncrasies played out to perfect effect by a very capable cast. Michele Dotrice is sublime as Mrs Wilberforce, giving a faultless performance throughout while bringing a real sense of humility to the role. Credible performances are given by all, with Paul Brown very convincing as the gang’s mastermind. Cliff Parisi (EastEnders’ Minty) is perfect as Romanian knife-wielding spiv Louis Harvey. William Troughton plays the pill-popping Harry Robinson, with West End performer Chris McCalphy giving it his all as the endearing One-Round. Last but not least there’s Clive Mantle (Holby City), whose portrayal of the bumbling, cross-dressing Major Courtney is very entertaining and at times reminiscent of John Cleese as Basil Fawlty. All the hype preceding this tour of The Ladykillers was certainly much deserved, as this is a truly splendid example of British comic theatre at its very best. Patsy Moss IIIII

Aladdin Birmingham Hippodrome Rocky Horror Show Perhaps Disney or the pantomime world are to blame, but connecting the words New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham ‘Aladdin’ and ‘ballet’ is likely to raise an eyebrow or two. Nonetheless, the UK pre- To celebrate its fortieth anniversary The Rocky Hor- miere of this ancient rags-to-riches tale, performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet, was ror Show has taken its camp and provocative self both elegantly delivered and visually stunning. out on tour. It tells the story of intergalactic trans- The production was originally devised by composer Carl Davis and director/choreog- vestite Frank-N-Furter and his debauched crew, his rapher David Bintley for the National Ballet of Japan. However, with our comparatively quest for the perfect man and his seemingly insa- smaller stages here in the UK, stage designer Dick Bird was tasked with redesigning tiable lust. Destiny brings straight-laced couple the entire set to fit. It was undoubtedly an effort well worth making, as the scenery Brad and Janet to the lair of the alien gang. This was the most impressive I’ve ever seen in a ballet production (and made all the better prudish pair, played by Ben Forster (winner of ITV’s by the stunning costumes that were on show throughout). Superstar) and Roxanne Pallet (Emmerdale), are The first act (the show’s longest) opened with Aladdin artfully dodging the palace ultimately corruptible and soon succumb to the guards. When he was finally captured, it was wicked court magician Mahgrib who overwhelming charms of the charismatic cross- came to his aid, in turn coaxing dresser - but then who wouldn’t fall for the sexy, Aladdin to retrieve a magical lamp sultry and almost-seven-feet-tall-in-high-heels Oliver from a secret cave. For a ballet with Thornton? Thornton fills the fishnet stockings of the such a strong narrative, this scene, psychotic and finally forsaken Frank-N-Furter with which centred around the abstract real style. Ably assisted by his accomplices, Frank notion of precious stones and riches achieves his dream - a perfect man-made man parading in front of Aladdin, was per- named Rocky, here played by a buff Rhydian haps a little too lengthy. I did find Roberts. True love’s course never runs smooth, myself at times willing him to discover however, and, plagued by jealousy, Frank-N-Furter the lamp so that the story could move descends further into madness. Usurped by his forward. Act Two, in which Aladdin met cohorts - the menacing Riff Raff (excellently charac- his bride-to-be, Princess Badr al- terised by Kristian Lavercombe), Columbia and Budur, was the highlight. The bath- Magenta (solid performances from Ceris Hine and house scene in particular, which fea- Abagail Jaye respectively), Frank leaves the Earth tured the pair’s tender meeting, was for good. Philip Frank, complete with plenty of quite haunting. quips and oodles of charm, knowingly narrates this This ambitious production was a feast cautionary tale of obsession and betrayal. for the senses, and most certainly one A strong, superb production with a splendid cast. for the entire family to enjoy. Ted Finlay IIII I Claire Lloyd IIII I

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Theatre WEST END

Return of Spymonkey... Internationally recognised artistic troupe Spy- monkey are to present a new extended version of their acclaimed production Cooped in the West End this month. The show, which made its debut at the Komedia Brighton in 2001, is described as ‘a deliciously dement- ed pulp gothic romance’, and continues to receive first-class reviews from critics wherever it shows. The production runs at Leices- ter Square Theatre from 18 to 23 March.

New show to headline London festival Creators of the critically-acclaimed Cantina have announced their return to London this summer, where they’ll present a brand new show. Described as an exotic mix of cabaret, circus and acrobats, Limbo will be following its premiere at Australia’s Adelaide Festival with a five-month stint headlining the London Wonderground Fes- tival. With music as its dominant element, and promising to bring mind- blowing theatrical illusions to the Musical rolls merrily into the West End stage via a cast of Maria Friedman’s production of Stephen decades, it explores the subject of disap- international per- Sondheim and George Furth’s acclaimed pointment, and features Mark Umbers, Dami- formers, the show musical Merrily We Roll Along is heading to an Humbley and Jenna Flynn in the lead runs at the South- the West End. The story - which starts at the roles. The production continues to show at bank Centre from end and finishes at the beginning - follows the Menier Chocolate Factory until 9 March, 7 May to 29 Sep- the relationship between three friends in the transferring to the Harold Pinter Theatre in tember. entertainment business. Set over three the West End on 1 May.

WEST END LISTINGS: PETER AND ALICE Noel 25 Jan 2014 COMEDY DRAMA Coward Theatre, 9 Mar THIS HOUSE Olivier - 1 June 2013 National Theatre, book- 39 STEPS Criterion The- 26 Oct 2013 AUDIENCE ing until 8 Apr 2013 MUSICALS PORT Lyttelton National atre, booking until 19 MATILDA THE MUSICAL Gielgud Theatre, book- Theatre, booking until TRELAWNY OF THE ing until 15 June 2013 Oct 2013 BILLY ELLIOT – THE Cambridge Theatre, 24 Mar 2013 WELLS Donmar Ware- booking until 22 Dec BEFORE THE PARTY LESLIE JORDAN - FRUIT MUSICAL Victoria QUATERMAINE’S TERMS house, booking until 2013 Almeida Theatre, 21 FLY Leicester Square Palace Theatre, book- Wyndham’s 13 Apr 2013 ONCE Phoenix Theatre, Theatre, 12 Mar - 16 ing until 21 Dec 2013 Mar - 11 May 2013 Theatre,booking until WINSLOW BOY Old Vic 16 Mar - 30 Nov 2013 Mar 2013 BODYGUARD Adelphi CAPTAIN OF KOPENICK 13 Apr 2013 Theatre, 8 Mar - 25 PHANTOM OF THE ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS Theatre, booking until Almeida Theatre, book- WAR HORSE New Lon- May 2013 OPERA Her Majesty's Haymarket Theatre 28 Sept 2013 ing until 4 Apr 2013 Theatre, booking until don Theatre, booking WOMAN IN BLACK For- BOOK OF MORMON Royal, booking until 31 26 Oct 2013 CURIOUS INCIDENT OF until 15 Feb 2014 tune Theatre, booking Prince Of Wales The- Aug 2013 ROCK OF AGES Garrick THE DOG IN THE NIGHT- RICHARD II Barbican until 14 Dec 2013 atre, booking until 27 Theatre, booking until TIME Theatre, booking until July 2013 2 Nov 2013 Apollo Theatre, book- CHORUS LINE London SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN ing until 31 Aug 2013 Palladium Theatre, PalaceTheatre, book- booking until 18 Jan GREAT EXPECTATIONS ing until 31 Aug 2013 2014 Vaudeville Theatre SPAMALOT Playhouse booking until 1 June BURN THE FLOOR Theatre, booking until Shaftesbury Theatre, 6 2 Nov 2013 2013 Mar - 1 Sept 2013 TAILOR-MADE MAN Arts IF YOU DON’T LET US DEAR WORLD Charing Theatre, booking until DREAM, WE WON’T LET Cross Theatre, until 30 6 Apr 2013 YOU SLEEP Royal Court March 2013 THRILLER LIVE Lyric Theatre (Downstairs), JERSEY BOYS Prince Theatre, booking until booking until 9 March Edward Theatre, 15 Sept 2013 2013 booking until 20 Oct TOP HAT Aldwych The- JUDAS KISS Duke Of 2013 atre, booking until 26 York Theatre, booking LES MISÉRABLES April 2014 until 6 Apr 2013 Queen's Theatre, VIVA FOREVER! Pic- booking until 26 Oct cadilly Theatre, book- MACBETH Trafalgar Stu- 2013 ing until 1 Jun 2013 dios 1 Theatre, book- LET IT BE Savoy The- WE WILL ROCK YOU ing until 27 Apr 2013 atre, booking until 5 Dominion Theatre, MOUSETRAP St Martins Oct 2013 booking until 26 Oct Theatre, booking until LION KING Lyceum 2013 21 Dec 2013 Theatre, booking until WICKED Apollo Victoria 29 Sept 2013 Theatre, booking until MYDIDAE Trafalgar Stu- MAMMA MIA! Novello 26 April 2014 dios 2 Theatre, 5 Mar - Theatre, booking until 30 Mar 2013 Book Of Mormon - Prince Of Wales Theatre

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Jasmin Vardimon Company: Freedom Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 21 March As one of Britain’s leading choreographers, Jasmin Vardimon’s ability to construct cutting-edge physical theatre - accentuated by acute obser- vation of human behaviour - is beyond compare. Since being founded in London in 1997, her company has toured extensively throughout the world, receiving international acclaim for its productions of 7734 and Yesterday. In 2000, Vardimon became a proud recipient of the prestigious Jerwood Choreography Award, and in 2006 was appointed Associate Artist at Sadlers Wells. This month sees her company return to the region to showcase its latest work, Freedom. A provocative and daring full-length piece (including scenes of nudity), it considers the question of what keeps our imagination free, and explores the restrictions and fears that bind people, whether they be codes of behaviour or conven- tions imposed by religion or civilisation.

Tom Dale Company: Vienna Festival Ballet: Sleeping Beauty Refugees Of The Septic Heart Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 9 March; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 26 April The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Thurs 7 - Fri 8 March Featuring an array of international performers from some of the Increasingly recognised for pushing the boundaries of contemporary world’s most renowned dance schools, the VFB here returns to the dance, the Nottingham-based Tom Dale Company has a fast-grow- Midlands to perform its version of one of the classical repertoire’s ing reputation for creating most famous and popular innovative routines which ballets. Boasting a magnifi- combine dance with digi- cent score by Tchaikovsky tal technology and original and presented in a pro- music. Heading out on logue and three acts, The tour, the company this Sleeping Beauty was first month stops off in performed in 1890, and Birmingham to debut the focuses on the conflict hotly tipped Refugees Of between the virtuous Lilac The Septic Heart. A gritty Fairy and the evil collaboration with dub- Carabosse, who - as any step/techno producer even casual student of Shakleton, the piece has fairytales will know - lays a been described by Dale curse on the beautiful as ‘reflecting the heartbeat Princess Aurora, proclaim- of a nation as it perches ing that she will one day on the brink of change’. prick her finger and die.

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Dance LISTINGS Dance Box Office For full listing information on dance, including times and dates, visit NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM www.whatsonlive.co.uk 0844 871 3011 ARTRIX ARTS CENTRE, OUT OF HIS SKIN All- presents the story of BROMSGROVE male dance troupe Coppelius the doll- 01527 577330 Rosie Kay Dance Company - mac, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham 2Faced return with a maker, whose greatest ARENA THEATRE new full-length work desire is to make a doll WOLVERHAMPTON choreographed by with a soul, Tues 5 Mar, Gatehouse Theatre orchestral score to Birmingham VERVE 13 01902 321321 Artistic Director Tamsin Theatre Severn, The Northern showcase the specta- CARMICHAEL SCHOOL OF School of cle of Cossack dance, DANCE Showcase fea- BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL Fitzgerald, until Fri 1 Shrewsbury 024 7637 6707 Mar, DanceXchange, REFUGEES OF THE SEPTIC Contemporary Dance Thurs 14 Mar, The turing performers aged The Patrick Centre, HEART Thurs 7 Mar, The fuse dance with martial Roses, Tewksbury three to nineteen, Sat BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME Birmingham Patrick Centre, arts and capoeira to CELTIC DREAM Fusion of 23 Mar, The Place, 0844 338 5000 THE LOCK IN Bringing Birmingham present a physically- music, song and Oakengates, Telford together folk and hip- Hippodrome charged work by dance, Fri 15 Mar, The SONIA SABRI: EKALYA CRESCENT THEATRE, hop, the award-winning TRANSITIONS DANCE James Wilton, Fri 8 Swan Theatre, Acclaimed BIRMINGHAM 0121 643 5858 Demon Barbers here COMPANY Twelve young Mar, Arena Theatre, Worcester Birmingham-based deliver a fast-paced dancers from across Wolverhampton EXCESS DANCE COMPA- artist Sonia Sabri pres- THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM SLEEPING BEAUTY and innovative show, the world perform a NY: FOREVER DANCE Sun ents a classical modern 0121 333 2444 Fri 1 Mar, Birmingham mixed bill of choreogra- Presented by Vienna 17 Mar, Artrix, celebration of Persian GRAND THEATRE Town Hall phy, Thurs 7 Mar, Festival Ballet, Sat 9 Bromsgrove and Indian artistry, Sat WOLVERHAMPTON, CREATED BY DANCEFEST Theatre Severn, Mar, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE IRISH HOUSE PARTY 23 Mar, Wem Town 01902 429212 DANCE SHOWCASE New dance work from Shrewsbury Described as 'Dublin's Hall, North Shropshire LICHFIELD GARRICK Herefordshire & THERE IS HOPE Rosie Celebration of the No.1 award-winning THE IRISH HOUSE PARTY 01543 412121 region’s young talent, music and dance Described as 'Dublin's Worcestershire’s bright Kay Dance Theatre MAC, BIRMINGHAM young choreographers present a brand new Sun 10 Mar, The Roses show', Tues 19 Mar, No.1 award-winning 0121 446 3232 and performers, Sun 3 hard-hitting contempo- Theatre, Tewksbury Theatre Severn, music and dance ELITE ACADEMY OF Shrewsbury show', Mon 25 Mar, SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX Mar, The Swan Theatre, rary dancework which 0121 704 6962 DANCE Sun 10 Mar, JASMIN VARDIMON COM- Belgrade Theatre, Worcester takes a look at modern STAFFORD GATEHOUSE BALLETBOYZ One of the morality, physicality Artrix, Bromsgrove PANY: FREEDOM Fri 21 Coventry ELEMENTS THEATRE most cheekily original and the presence of Students Mar, Theatre Severn, TAMWORTH DANCE COM- from The Hammond in Shrewsbury PANY Showcase of con- 01785 254 653 and innovative forces in spirituality in our lives, THE ROSES THEATRE, modern dance. Led by Thurs 7 - Fri 8 Mar, mac Chester present an FEEL ABOUT YOUR BODY temporary dance, Wed eclectic performance of (HOW DO YOU?) New Art 27 Mar, Tamworth TEWKSBURY former Royal Ballet - Midlands Arts Centre, 01684 295 074 lead dancers Michael Birmingham dance and musical the- Club present a show Assembly Rooms THEATRE SEVERN, Nunn and William MADAME BUTTERFLY The atre, Tues 12 Mar, described as a ‘satisfy- THE RITE OF SPRING Live Theatre Severn, ing mix of puerile, emo- HD broadcast from The SHREWSBURY Trevitt, Mon 4 - Tues 5 National Opera and 01743 281281 Mar, Warwick Arts Ballet Theatre of Shrewsbury tional and intellectual Bolshoi Theatre, RUSSIAN COSSACKS WARWICK ARTS CENTRE, Centre, Coventry Belarus present The chatter and moving Moscow, Sun 31 Mar, Russian State Dance about’, Thurs 21 - Fri Malvern Theatre COVENTRY COPPELIA Moscow Puccini's tragic love 02476 524524 Ballet La Classique story, Fri 8 Mar, Stafford Ensemble fuse original 22 Mar, DanceXchange, choreography with an The Patrick Centre,

THE EASY WAY TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS vienna festival ballet presents ONLINE Sleeping Beauty Saturday 9th March artrix, bromsgrove Saturday 16th March bacon theatre, cheltenham Friday 26th April theatre severn, shrewsbury Tuesday 30th April glyndwr university, wrexham Friday 17th May evesham arts centre, evesham (Henrys High School, Evesham) whatsonlive.co.uk Saturday 18th May festival drayton centre, market drayton www.viennafestivalballet.com

The most comprehensive what’s on listings website for Birmingham and the West Midlands

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

From FRI 22 MAR

The Croods 3D CERT U (99 mins) Featuring the voices of Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Catherine Keener, Clark Duke, TOP 5 Cloris Leachman Directed by Kirk DeMicco and Chris Sanders (USA) FILM BOX OFFICE Before man was sophisticated, he was crude. In this computer-animated 3D adventure from the company that brought us Shrek and the director who brought us How To Train Your Dragon, The Croods is a total original. Set in prehistoric times, it stars Nicolas Cage as Grug, an alpha male who knows which side his Wreck-It Ralph(PG) mammoth is buttered. Imagine his consternation, then, when he and his family come across a nomad 1 (Reynolds) who’s really into ‘the future’ and discovering stuff, like the implementation of fire. Great voice cast. 2 Les Miserables(12a) Trance CERT 15 (101 mins) I Give It A Year(15) Starring James McAvoy, 3 Rosario Dawson, Vincent Cassel Directed by Danny Warm Bodies(12a) Boyle (UK) 4 He directed Trainspotting, he directed Slumdog Django Unchained(18) Millionaire, and, perhaps most notably, he directed 5 the opening ceremony to the 2012 London Olympics (to enormous acclaim). So no wonder there’s a huge amount of expectation surrounding Danny Boyle’s latest movie, a crime thriller set in the worlds of fine art and hypnotherapy. James McAvoy plays an auctioneer From who gets involved with a FRI 27 criminal gang and has to MAR resort to hypnosis to recover Wreck-It Ralph a stolen painting.

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FilmNEW RELEASES

Released from Fri 1 Mar

Arbitrage CERT 15 (107 mins) Starring Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth, Brit Marling, Laetitia Casta Directed by Nicholas Jarecki (USA) There have been plenty of films about the recent economic crisis but this is the first to give it a truly human face. The real coup is the casting of Richard Gere as the villain, a man who wants everything just a little too much. With a billion-dollar empire, a loving family and a beautiful girlfriend, Robert Miller is ripe for our condemnation but Mr Gere draws on his own effortless charm and can- do charisma to make Miller a thoroughly sympathetic man. Even when a financial deal threatens to undermine his business – and when an incident with his mistress involves the police – one still hopes that Miller emerges as some sort of Mr Fix-it. Knocking The Guilt Trip CERT 12a (95 mins) Safe Haven CERT 12a (115mins) about terms like Starring Barbra Streisand, Seth Rogen, Brett Starring Josh Duhamel, Julianne Hough, hedge funds and Cullen, Adam Scott, Ari Graynor, Colin Hanks Cobie Smulders, David Lyons derivative structures, Directed by Anne Fletcher (USA) Directed by Lasse Hallström (USA) Arbitrage treats its It’s been seventeen years since Streisand This is the eighth movie to be adapted from audience with intelli- had the leading role in a film, so this is a Nicholas Sparks novel and stars Julianne gence and makes Wall something of a milestone. Here she plays Hough as Katie Feldman, a beautiful young Street and its corridors Joyce Brewster, the recently widowed mother woman with a secret past. When she moves effectively real. It’s of detergent inventor Andy Brewster (Rogen), to the small town of Southport in North also an efficiently the latter feeling obliged to invite her on a Carolina, she meets a handsome widower engaging thriller with a three thousand-mile road trip. It’s a comedy, (Duhamel) and wonders if she dare let down neat line in moral naturellement. her guard... ambiguity. Arbitrage

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Broken City CERT 15 (109 mins) Starring Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jeffrey Wright, Natalie Martinez, Barry Pepper Directed by Allen Hughes (USA) Following his phenomenal career boost last year (both Ted and Contraband were major attractions), Mark Wahlberg now plays a private investigator in New York City. Russell Crowe plays the Big Apple’s mayor, who hires Wahlberg to spy on his wife (Zeta- Jones). But Wahlberg uncovers more than Crowe might have wished..

Released from Fri 8 Mar

The Bay CERT 15 (84mins) Starring Will Rogers, Kristen Connolly, Kether Donohue Directed by Barry Levinson (USA) Although yet another ‘found footage’ horror film, this tale of a deadly plague in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay should not be dismissed too easily. It’s directed by the Oscar-winning Barry Levinson, whose credits include Good Morning Vietnam, Rain Man and Bugsy. The Bay

Fire With Fire CERT 15 (97mins) CERT 12a (89mins) Starring Josh Duhamel, Bruce Willis, Rosario Robot And Frank Oz The Great And Powerful 3D Dawson, Vincent D'Onofrio, 50 Cent, Vinnie Starring Frank Langella, James Marsden, Liv CERT PG (130 mins) Jones Directed by David Barrett (USA) Tyler, Susan Sarandon, and the voice of Peter Sarsgaard Directed by Jake Schreier (USA) Starring James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Josh Duhamel is a fireman who witnesses a Weisz, Michelle Williams, and the voice of brutal murder at a convenience store. But Frank Langella is Frank, a curmudgeonly old Zach Braff Directed by Sam Raimi (USA) even as he’s placed into the witness protec- jewel thief who’s given a domestic robot by Before Dorothy and Toto toddled down the tion programme, he finds his identity com- his son. At first ill-disposed towards the shiny Yellow Brick Road, The Wizard (Franco) promised... Produced by 50 Cent. little automaton, Frank soon realises that the had to find his own feet in the Land of Oz. thing could help re-boot his old career. Boasting a budget of $200million, this is Sounds like it could be silly but the American based on L Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Parker CERT 15 (118mins) critics loved it. Wonderful Wizard Of Oz. In 3D. Starring Jason Statham, Jennifer Lopez, Nick Nolte, Michael Chiklis, Bobby Cannavale, Emma Booth, Wendell Pierce, Patti LuPone Robot And Frank Directed by Taylor Hackford (USA) Released from Fri Mar 15 It’s hard to imagine Jason Statham starring in a film directed by an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, but Parker is proof of the pudding. The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Statham plays a professional thief double- CERT 15 (107 mins) crossed by his crew; Jennifer Lopez plays for Starring Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia laughs. Based on the 2000 novel Flashfire by Wilde, Alan Arkin, Jim Carrey, James Donald E Westlake (aka Richard Stark). Gandolfini Directed by Don Scardino (USA) A sort of sunshine Boys scenario, this is the story of the egotistical Vagas Magician Wonderstone (Carell) who’s forced to reunite Stoker CERT 18 (99 mins) with his loathed old partner (Buscemi). If the Starring Mia Wasikowska, Matthew Goode, illusionists don’t get their act together, their rep- Nicole Kidman, Dermot Mulroney, Jacki utations will be usurped by the up-and-coming Weaver, David Alford, Phyllis Somerville guerilla magician Steve Gray (Carrey). Directed by Park Chan-wook (USA/UK) An Anglo-American psychological Gothic horror film directed by the South Korean Park Chan- wook (Oldboy), Stoker has had the critics in paroxysms of praise. When Ms Kidman’s hus- Parker band dies, Uncle Charlie (Goode) comes to stay and has a very disturbing effect on the household… The film’s scenarist, Wentworth CERT 15 (91mins) Broken Miller, has said that both Bram Stoker and StarringTim Roth, Cillian Murphy, Rory Alfred Hitchcock were influences. Kinnear, Robert Emms, Denis Lawson, Eloise Laurence Directed by Rufus Norris (UK) Stoker Eleven-year-old Skunk (newcomer Laurence) doesn’t have a perfect life, but when she witnesses an inexplicable act of violence things start to go very wrong indeed. Winner of the gong for best movie at the British Independent Film Awards. Burt Wonderstone

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The Paperboy CERT 15 (107mins) Starring Matthew McConaughey, Zac Efron, John Cusack, Nicole Kidman, David Oyelowo, Macy Gray, Scott Glenn, Ned Bellamy Directed by Lee Daniels (USA) Another critically praised movie from the States and from the director who brought us the Oscar-endowed Precious (2009). It’s an inves- tigative thriller set in Florida and is based on the 1995 novel by Pete Dexter. Nicole Kidman was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role. Welcome to the Punch CERT 15 (100mins) Starring James McAvoy, Mark Strong, Andrea Riseborough, Johnny Harris, David Morrissey, Peter Mullan, Daniel Kaluuya, Robert Portal Directed by Eran Creevy (UK/USA) ‘The Punch’ is the name of a self-storage unit in the City of London. But that’s not important. Nor, apparently, is the plot, the characters or the plausibility of it all. This is one of those crime thrillers - produced by Ridley Scott, no less - in which shoot-outs, sweeping cityscapes and constant motion hope to be enough. James McAvoy plays an East End cop with a grudge and a girlfriend, two elements that come into play when an old crook (Mark Strong) pops out From of hiding. The rest is just filler, which is a shame FRI 22 as the director, Eran Creevy, made a most promising debut with the chilling, funny and MAR constantly surprising Shifty (2009). This is just as slick, handsome and exciting as a fridge advert. Released from Wed 27 Mar Jack The Giant Slayer CERT tbc Starring Nicholas Hoult, Eleanor Tomlinson, Stanley Tucci, Ian McShane, Bill Nighy, Ewan McGregor Directed by Bryan Singer (USA) The Host CERT 15 (115mins) Another fairy tale reinvention for the pres- Starring Saoirse Ronan, Jake Abel, Max Irons, Frances Fisher, Diane Kruger, William Hurt ent age. This one stars Nicholas Hoult Directed by Andrew Niccol (USA) (About A Boy, Skins, Warm Bodies) as the You may be tired of alien invasion movies but eponymous farm boy. Expect beanstalks. this one’s from the novel by Stephenie Meyer And giants. Available in 3D, Real D and (The Twilight Saga) and Imax. is adapted by Andrew Welcome To The Punch Niccol, one of the most intelligent sci-fi filmmak- Good Vibrations CERT 15 (103mins) ers working in CERT 15 (106 mins) Starring Richard Dormer, Jodie Whittaker, Side Effects Hollywood. It’s the future Liam Cunningham, Adrian Dunbar, Dylan Starring Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine and an extraterrestrial Moran Directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Zeta-Jones, Channing Tatum, Vinessa Shaw species has entered our Leyburn (UK/Ireland) Directed by Steven bodies and erased our Soderbergh (USA) Side Effects Brought up on Hank Williams and socialism, thoughts - well, not all Terri Hooley was apolitical and, in a breach Emily Taylor (Oscar The Host our thoughts... with convention - and expectation - set up a nominee Mara) has Belfast record shop, Good Vibrations, at the enough on her plate, height of The Troubles. However, not every- waiting for the release CERT 15 (115mins) GI Joe: Retaliation body shared Hooley’s love of The Animals, of her husband from Starring D.J. Cotrona, Byung-Hun Lee, The Kinks and Van Morrison, and it wasn’t jail. But the side- Jonathan Pryce, Channing Tatum, Bruce until he discovered a passion for punk - its effects from a drug Willis, Dwayne Johnson, Adrianne Palicki free spirit, independence and energy - that prescribed by her Directed by Jon M. Chu (USA) his shop became more than an empty muse- psychiatrist (Law) The last GI Joe took home a worldwide gross um. At first a sort of High Fidelity with an Irish lead to murder... of over $300million, which may explain the accent, Good Vibrations moves up a gear sequel’s $185million budget. Here, the GI Joe when Hooley’s inexhaustible ambition turns Team come up against the supreme leader of him into a mover and shaker in the music Released from Fri 22 Mar the terrorist organisation Cobra, who has the business. Unlike many true-life biographies, lot of them framed as traitors. So now Team this doesn’t even feel like a biopic and avoids Joe has to contend with government forces the episodic nature of the genre. Richard as well... In 3D. Dormer as Hooley captures the freewheeling Stolen CERT 12a (96mins) passion of Starring Nicolas Cage, Danny Huston, Malin the uncon- Åkerman, M.C. Gainey, Josh Lucas ventional Directed by Simon West (USA) entrepreneur, The star and director of Con Air (1997) are and the film reunited on this action-thriller in which Cage itself is plays a bank robber fresh out of jail. When he quirky, stylish attempts to visit his estranged daughter, he and spirited finds that she’s been kidnapped by his old with charm partner-in-crime (Lucas). The ransom: $10mil- and humour GI Joe Good Vibrations lion. to spare. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 51 Film March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 18:11 Page 7

as an airline pilot with a dark secret who heroically FilmA-Z LISTINGS lands a stricken jet during a storm. Showing at Artrix, All films are currently on general release Bromsgrove, Sun 24 - unless otherwise stated. For full listing Thurs 28 Mar information, including times and dates, Gangs Of Wasseypur visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Part 1 15 An epic Indian crime Alps 15 Breakfast At Tiffany’s PG drama spanning fifty years. A darkly comic and shock- Blake Edwards’ acclaimed Showing at mac, ing tale of the ‘Alps’ a small comic drama. Audrey Birmingham, Fri 15 - Sat 16 group who provide comfort Hepburn & George Mar for the recently bereaved. Peppard star. Showing at Gayby 15 Showing at The Library Malvern Theatre, Tues 5 Warm-hearted comedy Theatre, Birmingham, Tues Mar about a thirty-something 12 Mar Broken 15 singleton who decides to Amour 12a Read the preview on page ask her gay best friend to Drama concerning an elder- 49 have a baby with her. ly couple whose bond of Screened as part of the love is severely tested when Broken City 15 Shout Festival. Showing at one of them suffers a Read the preview on page Electric Cinema, stroke. Showing at mac, 51 Birmingham, Mon 4 Mar Birmingham Tues 5 Mar - 7 Cloud Atlas 15 GI Joe: Retaliation 15 Mar; Electric Cinema, Les Miserables The actions of individual Read the preview on page Birmingham, Sat 9 - Wed 13 lies and their impact on 53 Mar; Light House Media Malvern Theatre, Fri 1 - Showing at mac, 13 Mar; Lighthouse Media each other in the past, Thurs 7 Mar; Warwick Arts Birmingham, Fri 8 Mar - Centre, Wolverhampton, Fri Centre, Wolverhampton, Sat present and future. Good Vibrations 15 20 Mar Centre, Coventry, Fri 1 Mar Sun 10 Mar 15 Mar - Mon 18 Mar; Showing at Light House Read the preview on page & Sun 3 - Thurs 7 Mar; OMH, Shrewsbury, Fri 29 53 Anna Karenina 12a Media Centre, Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 8 - Killer Joe 18 Mar - Wed 3 Apr Wolverhampton, Fri 22 Mar Matthew McConaughey Keira Knightley and Jude The Guilt Trip 12a Sat 9 Mar; Lighthouse - Thurs 28 Mar and Emile Hirsch star in Lincoln 12a Law star in the much- Read the preview on page Media Centre, Wolverhampton, Fri 8 Mar - William Fridkin’s crime Steven Spielberg’s critical- acclaimed adaptation of U 50 The Croods Thurs 14 Mar thriller concerning a young ly-acclaimed biopic, which Tolstoy’s political romance. Read the preview on page Hitchcock 12a man who puts a hit out on focuses on Abraham Showing at The Edge Arts 49 Centre, Much Wenlock, Anthony Hopkins portrays The Incredible Burt his evil mother to claim the Lincoln’s attempts to abol- Wonderstone 15 insurance. Showing at The ish slavery. Showing at Shropshire, Mon 11 Mar 15 the master of suspense in Dark Horse Read the preview on page Edge Arts Centre, Much Royal, Leamington Spa, A funny, disturbing and Sacha Gervasi’s account of 51 Wenlock, South Shropshire, Sun 10 - Sun 17 Mar; Arbitrage 15 emotional story of a man the personal partnership Read the preview on page Mon 18 Mar OMH, Shrewsbury, Fri 22 - with mild learning disabili- between the director and 12a 50 The Impossible Thurs 28 Mar ties. Showing at The Library his wife - played by Helen Ewan McGregor and Les Miserables 12a Mirren. Showing at mac, Argo 15 Theatre, Birmingham, Tues Naomi Watts star as a cou- Tom Hooper’s much- The Man Who Would Birmingham Fri 1 Mar - BAFTA and Oscar Award- 12 Mar ple who, together with their acclaimed cinematic ver- Be King 12a A gloriously Thurs 7 Mar; Royal, winning political thriller set children and tens of thou- sion of Victor Hugo’s epic old fashioned, sprawling Leamington Spa, Fri 1 - around the rescue of six sands of strangers, are tale. Hugh Jackman, epic which tells the story of Thurs 7 Mar; Warwick Arts American diplomats dur- caught up in one of the Russell Crowe and Anne Daniel Dravot and Peachy Centre, Coventry, Fri 1 - ing the 1979 hostage cri- worst natural catastrophes Hathaway star. Carnahan, former soldiers Thurs 14 Mar; Stoke sis in Iran. Showing at WATCH of modern times. Showing Showing at Stoke Film from the Indian army. Sean Film Theatre, Fri 15 - Lighthouse Media at OMH, Shrewsbury, Fri 1 - Theatre, Fri 1 - Sat 2 Mar; Connery & Michael Caine Sat 16 Mar Centre, THE FILM Thurs 7 Mar; Ludlow Lighthouse Media Centre, star. Showing at Stoke Film Wolverhampton, Fri 8 & The Host 15 Assembly Rooms, South Wolverhampton, Fri 1 Mar - Theatre, Sat 2 Mar Sat 9 Mar, Wed 13 & Shropshire, Fri 8 - Sat 9 Thurs 7 Mar; Royal Read the preview on McCullin 15 Thurs 14 Mar TRAILERS AT page 53 Mar; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Leamington Spa, Sun 10 - Mon 18 - Tues 19 Mar Fri 15 Mar; Warwick Arts Documentary charting the The Bay 15 whatsonlive.co.uk Hotel Transylvania U Centre, Coventry, Fri 22 life and career of veteran Read the preview on page Animated comedy which I Wish PG Mar - Mon 1 Apr; Ludlow photographer Don 51 follows Dracula - voiced by Following their parents’ Assembly Rooms, South McCullin. Showing at Stoke divorce two young broth- Film Theatre, Tues 5 Mar; Beasts Of The Southern Adam Sandler - as he Shropshire, Fri 29 Mar - organises his daughter’s ers live separated in differ- Mon 8 Apr Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Wild 12a one hundred-and-eigh- ent cities and dream of South Shropshire, Tues 19 - Acclaimed fantasy drama being reunited. Showing at Life Of Pi PG Wed 20 Mar 18 teenth birthday party - invit- about Hushpuppy, a fear- Django Unchained mac, Birmingham, Sun 17 Ang Lee’s acclaimed film, Quentin Tarantino’s much- ing a raft of familiar brutes less six-year-old girl living Mar - Wed 20 Mar; based on Yann Martel’s Midnight’s Children 12a anticipated film about a to his castle in Romania. with her father in ‘the Lighthouse Media Centre, fantastical novel, which The long-awaited adapta- slave-turned-bounty hunter. Showing at Wem Town Bathtub’, a fictitious south- Wolverhampton, Mon 18 sees a young man hurtled tion of Salman Rushdie’s Jamie Foxx & Leonardo Hall, North Shropshire, Fri ern Bayou community. Mar - Thurs 21 Mar into an epic journey of 1981 novel, which looks at DiCaprio star. Showing at 29 Mar Showing at The Edge Arts adventure and discovery post-colonial India through Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 7 Centre, Much Wenlock, Hyde Park On Hudson Jack The Giant Slayer after surviving a disaster at the eyes of two genera- Mar Shropshire, Mon 4 Mar 12a Read the preview on page sea. Showing at Electric tions. Showing at Ludlow Bill Murray stars in Roger 53 Cinema, Birmingham, Sun Assembly Rooms, South Blazing Saddles 15 Fire With Fire 15 Michell’s drama concern- 3 - Thurs 7 Mar; Wem Town Shropshire, Mon 4 - Tues 5 Mel Brooks‘ comedy clas- Read the preview on page Jiro Dreams Of Sushi U ing King George VI and Hall, North Shropshire, Wed Mar sic. Showing at Royal, 51 Documentary following an Queen Elizabeth’s trip to eighty-five-year-old sushi 6 - Thurs 7 Mar; Ludlow No 15 Leamington Spa, Fri 15 Mar 15 Flight America to meet President master and his relationship Assembly Rooms, South An advertising executive Denzel Washington stars Roosevelt. Showing at with his son and heir. Shropshire, Mon 11 - Wed comes up with a design to

LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CEN- ODEON TELFORD 0871 224 4007 Worcestershire CINEMA Box Office TRE, WOLVERHAMPTON 0871 224 4007 ODEON, NUNEATON 01902 716055 ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE WEM TOWN HALL 0871 224 4007 01527 577330 ODEON MERRY HILL, LIBRARY THEATRE 01939 232299 SHOWCASE, COVENTRY Birmingham DUDLEY 0871 22 44007 MALVERN THEATRE 0121 303 2868 0871 220 1000 AMC Broadway Plaza, Five SHOWCASE, DUDLEY Staffordshire 0845 287 2146 Ways 0121 450 6800 MAC 0121 446 3232 APOLLO 4, LEAMINGTON 0871 220 1000 APOLLO, STAFFORD WAREHOUSE, ODEON 0871 224 4007 SPA 01926 427 448 CINEWORLD Broad St, B’ham SHOWCASE, WALSALL 0871 220 6000 KIDDERMINSTER 01562 747773 0871 200 2000 REEL Quinton 0121 421 0871 220 1000 CINEWORLD, BURTON-UPON- ROYAL, LEAMINGTON SPA CINEWORLD Solihull 5316 TRENT 0871 200 2000 01926 334418 VUE, WORCESTER 0871 200 2000 SHOWCASE 0871 220 1000 Shropshire STOKE FILM THEATRE, 01782 PICTURE HOUSE, 0871 224 0240 ELECTRIC, B’ham VUE CINEMA Star City 08712 OMH SHREWSBURY 411188 STRATFORD-UPON-AVON Visit whatsonlive.co.uk 01743 281281 0871 902 5741 0121 643 7879 240 240 ODEON TAMWORTH for venue website EMPIRE 0871 471 4714 CINEWORLD, SHREWSBURY 0871 224 4007 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE details Black Country 0871 200 2000 THE GIANT SCREEN AT COVENTRY 02476 524524 MILLENNIUM POINT CINEWORLD W’HAMPTON MAJESTIC, BRIDGNORTH Warwickshire 0121 202 2222 0871 200 2000 01746 761815 For full listing information, including times and dates, ODEON, COVENTRY visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

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end Pinochet’s dictatorship Artrix, Bromsgrove, until Shadow Dancer12a which centres on 1945 - a Showing at The Library Droitwich, Wed 20 Mar in 1980s Chile.Showing at Tues 12 Mar Thriller set in 1990s Belfast pivotal year in British histo- Theatre, Birmingham, Wed What Richard Did15 mac, Birmingham, Fri 8 concerning an active mem- ry in which the unity that 6 Mar Robot And Frank12a Jack Raynor plays Richard, Mar - Sun 10 Mar; ber of the IRA who carried Britain through the Read the preview on page Throne Of Blood12a the scion of affluent par- Lighthouse Media Centre, becomes an informant for Second World War led to 51 The Japanese Macbeth, in ents, who finds himself at Wolverhampton, Fri 15 Mar MI5 in order to protect her the formation of the Welfare which a hardened general the centre of a tragedy - Mon 18 Mar son’s welfare.Showing at State. Showing at Warwick Rust And Bone15 works through murder to shortly after graduating The Edge Arts Centre, Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun Old Boytbc Marion Cotillard and fulfil a prophesy.Showing from high school.Showing Much Wenlock, 17 Mar Screening of the middle Matthias Schoenaerts star at Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat at Light House Media Shropshire, Mon 25 Mar chapter of Park Chan- in a powerful romantic Starbuck15 23 Mar Centre, Wolverhampton, Fri drama adapted from a wook’s hugely popular Side Effects15 A quirky French-Canadian 1 Mar - Thurs 7 Mar short story by Craig To The Wonder12a revenge trilogy, starring Read the preview on page comedy which explores Davidson.Showing at Ben Affleck and Olga Wreck-it RalphPG Min-sik Choi as a man out 53 the meaning of fatherhood for blood-soaked revenge. Wem Town Hall, North in the age of artificial Kurylenko feature as a cou- The fifty-second animated Showing at Electric Shropshire, Wed 13 Mar Silver Linings insemination.Showing at ple who have a passionate feature from Walt Disney - Playbook15 affair in Paris, but whose the story of an arcade Cinema, Birmingham, Fri 1 SabotagePG Alfred Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Bradley Cooper and relationship starts to falter game villain who wants Mar Hitchock’s film, which South Shropshire, Tues 5 & Jennifer Lawrence star in back in the US when nothing more than to be a adapts and relocates Mon 18 Mar The Paperboy15 David O Russell’s Affleck's stolid engineer is hero.Showing at OMH, Joseph Conrad's novel Read the preview on page acclaimed comedy. Steamboat Bill Jnr & reintroduced to a child- Shrewsbury, Fri 29 Mar - The Secret Agent.Showing 53 Showing at Electric The RinkU hood friend, played by Sun 14 Apr; Ludlow at Stoke Film Theatre, Mon Cinema, Birmingham, Fri 1 Double-bill of classics star- Rachel McAdams. Assembly Rooms, South Parker15 4 Mar - Tues 5 Mar ring Buster Keaton and Showing at The Electric Shropshire, Sat 30 Mar - Read the preview on page Safe Haven12a Charlie Chaplin. Screened Cinema, Birmingham, Fri 1 Wed 3 Apr 51 Sister15 Read the preview on page as part of the Slapstick Thurs 7 Mar; mac, Twelve-year-old Simon You Will Be My Son12a Ping PongPG 50 Festival.Showing at Electric Birmingham Fri 15 - Sun 17 works and steals at a ski Subtitled French drama Documentary film about Cinema, Birmingham, Fri Mar resort to support his older, concerning a coldhearted growing old and staying fit The SapphiresPG 22 March listless sister.Showing at Tess12a winemaker trying to find and active...Showing at Feelgood movie set in The Library Theatre, Stoker18 Roman Polanski’s adapta- someone to take over his Wem Town Hall, North Australia in 1968 which tells Birmingham, Weds 6 Mar Read the preview on page tion of Thomas Hardy’s chateau and vineyard. Shropshire, Thurs 14 Mar the story of four aboriginal sisters who become the 51 Tess Of The d’Urbervilles Showing at Ludlow Song For MarionPG Psycho15 southern hemisphere’s Showing at mac, Assembly Rooms, South Dramatic comedy starring Stolen12a Alfred Hitchcock's macabre answer to The Supremes. Birmingham, Fri 1 Mar - Shropshire, Thurs 7 Mar Vanessa Redgrave as a Read the preview on page masterpiece, starring Janet Showing at Wem Town Mon 4 Mar woman dying of cancer. 53 Zero Dark Thirty15 Leigh and Anthony Hall, North Shropshire, Wed Gemma Arterton, Terence Trance15 Kathryn Bigelow’s cinemat- Perkins.Showing at Stoke 27 Mar Submarino18 Stamp, Christopher Read the preview on page ic version of the hunt for Film Theatre, Mon 11 Mar The story of a dysfunction- Eccleston and Anne Reid 49 Osama bin Laden. Jessica The Sessions15 al family with an alcoholic co-star.Showing at OMH, Chastain and Jason Clarke Quartet12a Ben Lewin’s life-affirming mother.Showing at Library The WayU Shrewsbury, Fri 8 - Thurs star.Showing at Stoke Film Dustin Hoffman directs comedy starring John Theatre, Birmingham, Tues Martin Sheen stars as a 21 Mar; Lighthouse Media Theatre, Thurs 14 Mar; Maggie Smith, Michael Hawkes, Helen Hunt and 19 Mar father who on coming to Centre, Wolverhampton, Fri Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Gambon, Billy Connolly William H Macey.Showing Europe to claim the body and Tom Courtenay in a at mac, Birmingham, Mon 29 Mar - Thurs 4 Apr The Substance: Albert South Shropshire, Sat 23 - of his son decides to walk Wed 27 Mar gentle comedy-drama set 11 Mar - Thurs 14 Mar; The Spirit Of ’45 Hofmann’s LSD15 the pilgrimage on which in a retirement home for Stoke Film Theatre, Tues 12 The story of the drug LSD, A documentary written and his son died.Showing at opera singers.Showing at Mar first discovered in 1943. directed by Ken Loach The Norbury Theatre,

DVD NEW RELEASES Argo 15 Love Bite 15 BAFTA-winning political This is a romantic were- thriller set around the wolf film. Being British, rescue of six American it’s set in a desolate sea- diplomats during the side town (called 1979 hostage crisis in Rainmouth), where our Iran, the film is produced hero (Ed Speleers) by George Clooney and hooks up with an exotic stars Ben Affleck. American tourist (Jessica Released 04 March Szohr). But Szohr is not all she seems… Released 04 March Amour 12a Winner of last year’s Palme d’Or, Love is the story of Georges and Anne, a couple in their eighties whose life is thrown into turmoil Argo when Anne suffers a stroke. Gambit 12a Released 18 March With the screenplay by Joel and Ethan Coen, this comedy crime caper stars Colin Firth Rise Of The Roth. Here he plays an The Sessions 15 relationship between a and Cameron Diaz. An Guardians PG ageing hitman who Helen Hunt stars as the detective and the mur- updated version of the involves a nineteen- sex therapist to Mark der suspect that he The gist is that when year-old, played by develops feelings for. 1966 romp which the Nightmare King O’Brien (played by John starred Shirley Jack O’Connell, in the Hawkes), who, after con- Stars Charlotte (voiced by Jude Law) joys of revenge, murder Rampling and Gabriel MacLaine and Michael plans to bring dark- tracting polio, is confined Caine. and sex trafficking. to a cumbersome iron Byrne. ness to the world, Released 18 March Released 04 March Amour Santa Claus, the lung. This film is unblink- Released 25 March Easter Bunny, the ing yet humorous and End Of Watch 15 Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost compassionate in its Cop movies are hardly and the Sandman join treatment of a tricky but original Hollywood fodder forces to stop him. extremely real problem: but it’s the edgy perform- Released 25 March that even the disabled ances that distinguish this need a tumble. policier starring Jake Released 18 March Gyllenhall and Michael The Liability 15 I, Anna 15 Pena as the good guys. Few English actors do This psychological Released 18 March better at nasty than Tim thriller focuses on the Gambit The Liability I, Anna

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Down Our Street RBSA Gallery, Birmingham, until Fri 26 April Offering an insight into the day-to-day observa- tions of contemporary designer-makers, Down Our Street explores the methods they use to capture interaction between people and their sur- roundings. Featured work includes Lucy Harding’s framed textile illustrations (inspired by her milk round), Lucianna Gallucci’s ceramic vessels (based on household objects) and Sarah Brown’s contemporary glassware, which seeks to explore everyday life.

Wasted Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry, Sat 30 March - Sun 9 June Gina Czarnecki’s thought-provoking exhibition presents a selection of sculptural artworks that New Art West Midlands 2013 explore the life-giving potential of 'discarded' body Grand Union, Birmingham, until Sat 16 March; Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, until parts. Incorporating milk teeth donated by chil- Sun 19 May; The Barber Institute, Birmingham, Fri 8 March - Sun 19 May dren, and bones and fat from living, consenting New Art West Midlands showcases the work of more than twenty recent visual arts grad- donors, the display investigates the relationship of uates from the region’s five university ‘art schools’. body parts to myths, history, cutting-edge stem Commenting on the multi-sited exhibition, Professor Ann Sumner, Director of cell research and notions of what constitutes Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “It’s exciting to see the wealth of artistic talent from informed consent. graduates in the region and to provide a platform for these artists at such a pivotal moment in their careers. Taking place at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, The Barber Institute and Grand Union, the exhibition will enable audiences to see the breadth of artistic activity happening from some of the region’s best emerging artists.” Bellini, Botticelli, Titian... 500 Years Of Italian Art Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Sat 23 March - Sun 23 June Chronicling a five hundred-year-long period of development in Italian art (from 1400 to 1900) and demonstrating the gradual shift from religious to secular subject matter during this time, this high-profile exhibition comprises forty of the city of Glasgow’s greatest Mad Dogs And Englishmen Italian paintings. Featuring landscapes, portraits and devotional works from the Renaissance by artists such as Giovanni Bellini, Sandro Botticelli, Titian, Salvator Rosa Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, Sat 16 March - Sun 12 May and Francesco Guardi, the exhibition is accompanied by a re-display of works from Compton Verney’s own Neapolitan Collection. A humorous exhibition exploring the relationship between man and his four-legged friend, Mad Dogs And Englishmen presents the work of Staffordshire-based artist Lauren Van Helmond. The multi-disciplinary display of work showcases Lauren’s distinctive style in the form of 3D illustrations, sculptures, prints and ceramics. Offering a surreal insight into everyday life, each piece is intricately formed and evokes ideas of a bygone era.

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until Sun 17 Mar, The representations of class PREVIEWS LISTINGS Potteries Museum & Art and masculinity in VisualArts VisualArts Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent British situation comedy, until Sat 20 April, New For full listing information on Visual Art ROB HAND ARBSA A solo show containing hand- Art Gallery, Walsall Ongoing exhibitions exhibitions, including times and dates, built, pit-fired and raku- TIMUR NOVIKOV visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk fired pots, as well as Comprehensive exhibi- jewellery, until Sat 23 tion which provides an Jacob Epstein And Damien MIKE NELSON: M6 local artist Ernest Fox, Mar, RBSA Gallery, important introduction Sculptural installation until Sat 9 Mar, Dudley Birmingham to Timur Novikovm, an Hurst: Birth, Death And described as ‘a love let- Museum & Art Gallery ARROW IN THE BLUE: THE extremely influential artist in Russia during ter to car industries, TALKING TEXTILES KOESTLER EXHIBITION Religion highways departments, FOR THE WEST MIDLANDS the 1980s and ’90s, until Exhibition by eight con- Sun 21 Apr, Ikon New Art Gallery, Walsall, concrete islands and Exhibition of artwork temporary textile artists Gallery, Birmingham until Sun 27 October shifting economies’, who explore how sto- and writing from pris- Although Jacob Epstein died six years before until Sat 9 Mar, Eastside ries are represented ons, secure hospitals, LET GO OF CERTAINTY Projects, Birmingham secure children’s Exhibition of contempo- Damien Hurst was born, the work produced through their work, until SCOOTERMANIA Sun 10 Mar, Shire Hall homes and people on rary works from stu- by the two artists has a great deal in com- Showcase of British Gallery, Stafford probation in the West dents from Walsall mon, dealing, as it does, with the universal Midlands, until Sun 24 College, until Sun 28 scooters from the ‘50s TELLING TALES themes of life, birth, death and religion. & ‘60s, until Sun 3 Mar, Birmingham Apr, New Art Gallery, Storytelling, folk tales Museum & Art Gallery Walsall This new exhibition allows visitors the oppor- March, Coventry and memories of child- tunity to view both Epstein and Hurst’s art- Transport Museum hood form the basis for AVIATION ART - PERSON- JOHN BRIDGEMAN (1916- D’ARRELLE HARRISON this latest craft exhibi- AL AIRCRAFT DECORATION 2004) RETROSPECTIVE work, and to appreciate the ways in which Temporary exhibition Sculpture, drawings, the two great innovators shocked and scan- Exhibition of new work, tion, until Sun 10 Mar, until Fri 8 Mar, Moseley Shire Hall Gallery, which showcases the maquettes and paint- dalised both the art world and the general Exchange, Alcester Rd, Stafford detailed and often ings all feature in this unique artwork that air- exhibition of work by public with their artistic output. The selected Birmingham NEW YEAR SHOWCASE works by Epstein which feature in this exhibi- crew created to person- Birmingham School of RACHEL LOWE: REVOLV- Discover a range of alise their aircraft, until Art’s longtime Head of tion are drawn from Walsall’s collections. ING WOMEN Video instal- makers producing the Sun 31 Mar, RAF Sculpture, until Sun 21 lation that uses footage best in hand-crafted Cosford, Nr April, Leamington Spa of a mannequin the carrying companions, Wolverhampton Art Gallery & Museum, artist shot on analogue until Sat 16 Mar, Bilston Leamington Spa Metropolis: Reflections On videotape in a shopping Craft Gallery NORTHERN IRELAND mall in Brazil, until Sat 9 Return of the gallery's JOHN FLAXMAN EXHIBI- The Modern City KEVIN LINE ARBSA A solo collection of contempo- TION Drawings and clay Mar, Eastside Projects, show of grisaille por- Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Digbeth, Birmingham rary art relating to the models from the Strang Sat 23 March - Sun 23 June traits reflecting the troubles in Northern Print Room at University BAGS: THE CRAFT OF THE artist’s attempts to Ireland, until Sat 6 April, College London feature Containing over sixty works by some of the CARRYING COMPANION make and convey emo- Wolverhampton Art in this showcase of world’s most highly acclaimed artists, Exhibition showcasing tional connections, until Gallery works from a leading the diversity of Sat 16 March, RBSA Metropolis: Reflections On The Modern City JOCHEM HENDRICKS exponent of British presents visions of urban life from around the approaches contempo- Gallery, Birmingham Neoclassicism, until Sun rary craftspeople have Exhibition which affords globe, and features photographs, paintings, SOLIHULL COLLEGE STU- visitors an opportunity 21 Apr, Ikon Gallery, taken to bags and DENT EXHIBITION until Birmingham videos and sculptures. All of the included accessory cases - to view Hendrick’s artis- Sat 16 Mar, Solihull Arts tic development from EDWIN BUTLER BAYLISS works were produced within the last decade, objects where design, Complex skilled manufacture and the late-1980s until the Exhibition which illus- with several pieces being a response to dif- HIS DARK MATERIALS: present day, until Sun 7 trates Butler Bayliss’ ferent areas of Birmingham. aesthetics meet, until Sat 9 Mar, Bilston Craft NEW ART BY ADIE BLUN- April, The New Art importance as one of Commenting on the new exhibition, Simon Gallery DELL Large-scale Gallery, Walsall the few nineteenth cen- Cane, Interim Director of the Birmingham detailed drawings of BRIERLEY HILL SOCIETY tury painters of the THE WORKPLACE ravens, albatrosses and industrial landscape, Museums Trust, said: “Birmingham Museum Featuring works by Adel OF ARTISTS EXHIBITION other bird-like creatures Selling exhibition featur- until Sat 27 April, & Art Gallery is proving itself as a leading Abidin, Emily Jacir, feature in this exhibition, Wolverhampton Art player in contemporary art in the UK. Joao Onofre, Superflex, ing local and country which explores our pre- scenes, portraits, still Gallery Metropolis is a great boost to the region’s art Pilvi Takala, John Wood carious position in the & Paul Harrison, until life and life drawing, SIKH FORTRESS TURBAN scene, bringing some of the best internation- world, until Sun 17 Mar, until Sun 7 April, Red Exhibition featuring con- Sat 9 Mar, Warwick Arts Herbert Art Gallery & al art to our doorsteps. We’ve been collecting Centre, Coventry House Glass Cone, tributions from members Museum, Coventry Stourbridge of Birmingham’s Sikh these works for the past five years, and it’s SNAPSHOTS OF MUMBAI fantastic to finally see the finished collection THE HASBURGS - HOW TO SONIA AUDHALI: LITTLE community, offering an Exhibition which PAINT Video and sound insight into why the tur- open to the public.” explores historical YEMEN A West Midlands artwork which, pro- community in transition ban remains so impor- Anglo/Indian relation- duced by artists Craig tant, until Sun 28 April, ships through the pho- is the subject of British Barber and Andrew Yemeni artist Sonia Birmingham Museum & tography of Paul Ward Spackman, presents a Art Gallery and the words of Ed Audhali’s latest photo- playful critique of paint- graphic exhibition, until INDUSTRIAL ARTWORK BY King, until Sat 9 Mar, ing, until Sun 17 Mar, Bilston Craft Gallery Sun 14 Apr, mac, WELSH ARTIST FALCON mac, Birmingham Birmingham HILDRED Major exhibition THE FOX SKETCHBOOK THE SPIRIT OF RADIO DEAN KELLAND: LIVING of selected originals by Exhibition celebrating Exhibition which takes the highly accomplished the latest addition to the ROOM Performance, visitors through the photography, film and artist who's dedicated gallery’s collection - a groundbreaking stages his working life to number of works by period materials are of radio development, here used to explore recording the buildings

SHIRE HALL GALLERY Museums & Art Galleries STAFFORD 01785 278345 STAFFORDSHIRE MUSEUM, David Hancock: Cosplay SHUGBOROUGH Birmingham PURPLE GALLERY DUDLEY MUSEUM & ART Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Sat 1 June GALLERY 01889 881388 ARTIFEX Sutton Coldfield 0121 459 0941 01384 815575 Warwickshire Comprising a number of photorealist-style 0121 323 3776 RBSA GALLERY BARBER INSTITUTE 0121 2364353 LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CENTRE COMPTON VERNEY GALLERY paintings, David Hancock’s latest exhibition WOLVERHAMPTON 01926 645500 is an exploration of the world of youth sub- 0121 414 7333 THREE WHITE WALLS GALLERY 01902 716055 HERBERT ART GALLERY cultures. Manchester-based artist David uses BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY 0121 303 2834 0121 643 0078 THE NEW ART GALLERY COVENTRY 02476 832386 WALSALL 01922 654400 the paintings to explore the psychological THE BURROWS GALLERY, MEAD GALLERY WARWICK gap between the real and imagined worlds THE CUSTARD FACTORY Black Country RED HOUSE GLASS CONE 02476 524524 01384 812750 as experienced by young people who 0121 224 7344 BANTOCK HOUSE ROYAL PUMP ROOMS engage in cosplay - a type of performance CASTLE GALLERIES WOLVERHAMPTON WOLVERHAMPTON ART 01926 742700 0121 633 0015 01902 552195 GALLERY 01902 552055 art in which participants wear costumes and Worcestershire accessories to represent a specific character IKON GALLERY BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY 0121 248 0708 01902 552507 Staffordshire WORCESTER CITY ART or idea. The paintings feature characters THE POTTERIES MUSEUM & GALLERY 01905 25371 NUMBER NINE THE GALLERY BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS ART GALLERY 01782 232323 from Japanese Manga and Animé, and local 0121 643 9099 MUSEUM, DUDLEY Visit whatsonlive.co.uk for cosplayers at various sites around the city. 01384 812745 venue website details

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BLACK COUNTRY LEGENDS youth and beauty, until MEMENTO MORI A new research into the LISTINGS Exhibition which cele- Sat 8 June, display which examines Stanley Kubrick archive, VisualArts brates the charm, quirki- Wolverhampton Art changing approaches Sat 16 Mar - Thurs 2 ness and characters of Gallery & Light House towards death, burial May, Herbert Museum & For full listing information on Visual Art the Black Country, until Media Centre, and commemoration, Art Gallery, Coventry exhibitions, including times and dates, Mon 6 May, The Public, Wolverhampton from pre-history to the 35 YEARS OF WATCHING visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk West Bromwich TREASURE ME: WORCES- early-20th century, until PAINT DRY An explo- POP HIGHLIGHTS Chance TER’S ART COLLECTION Sun 1 Sep, The ration of the fascinating to see key works from Celebration of Potteries Museum & Art world of artist and writer and landscapes of nine- May, The Barber Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent teenth and twentieth Institute, Birmingham the gallery's pop art col- Worcester’s magnificent Geoff Tristram, Sat 16 lection, including pieces art collection, until Sat 8 ARTIST ROOM A year- Mar - Sat 4 May, Dudley century industry, until THE MYSTERY OF AJW BY Tues 30 April, by Peter Blake, Richard June, Worcester City Art long exhibition featuring Museum & Art Gallery BARNEY SNOW Exhibition Hamilton, Jann Gallery sculptures, paintings Coalbrookdale Gallery, featuring artworks from FAUX GEORGIAN Ironbridge, Shropshire Haworth, Allen Jones CAUGHT IN THE CROSS- and prints. The display Featuring new work by the Black Country’s very and Andy Warhol, until is accompanied by a OPEN ALL HOURS An his- own Banksey - a ghost- FIRE Exploration of how automata maker John Wed 15 May, artists grapple with both series of inspired satel- Grayson, Sat 16 Mar - toric look at the shops writer known as AJM Wolverhampton Art lite exhibitions, events and eating places of who’s been baffling the brutality of war and Sun 12 May, Shire Hall Gallery the desire for peace, and activities through Gallery, Stafford Wolverhampton, until locals by leaving sketch- the course of the year, Sun 5 May, Bantock es of 1940s star Mario WILLIAM MORRIS AND until Sun 7 July, Herbert DRINK AND BE MERRY THE KELMSCOTT PRESS Art Gallery & Museum, until Sat 27 Oct, The House Museum, Lanza across the region New Art Gallery, Walsall A wide array of drinking Wolverhampton for the past fifty years, Fine examples of books Coventry vessels from the seven- until Mon 6 May, The from the Kelmscott MR WATT: GRUMPY MAN OPEN ALL MEDIA EXHIBI- teenth to twenty-first MONET’S VIEW Michelle Press, founded by TION Featuring works in White is the artist Public, West Bromwich OF METAL An exhibition century, all of which William Morris in 1891, by blacksmith artist Jon all media, with the have been carefully behind this intriguing A MOST PECULIAR PLACE are here showcased in exception of photogra- presentation, which BY BRENDAN JACKSON Mills featuring fun and selected from the muse- an exhibition from the whimsical sculptures phy, Wed 6 Mar - Sat 6 um’s collection, Sat 16 uses as its inspiration A huge map revealing Cadbury Research Apr, RBSA Gallery, the windswept trees in the things that are odd, showing the many Mar - Sun 30 June, The Library, until Fri 17 May, adventures of Mr Watts, Birmingham Potteries Museum & Art the foreground of curious, unique, particu- Bramhall Building, Monet’s painting The lar or just plain peculiar until Sat 31 Aug, TREVOR LAY: TREMBLING Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent University of Enginuity, Ironbridge, EDGE Wed 6 Mar - Sun 7 Church At Varengeville, about the Black Birmingham SPRING SHOWCASE until Sun 5 May, The Country, until Mon 6 Shropshire Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove Featuring a selection of Barber Institute, May, The Public, West ABOUT THE ART COLLEC- STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD: BETTER DAYS BY PAUL specially commissioned Birmingham Bromwich TION Discover the histo- DARK AGE DISCOVERY JONES Exhibition of homewares, jewellery ry behind the gallery’s THE MOST PERFECT ZULU DAWN Featuring more than two recent oil paintings by and textiles, Tues 19 collection and see the hundred pieces from Wolverhampton-based Mar - Tues 18 Jun, EXAMPLE OF HIS WORK A Photographic exhibition earliest and most display which explores which celebrates the the Anglo-Saxon Hoard, artist Paul Andrew Bilston Craft Gallery recently collected paint- until Sun 1 Sep, The Jones, Sat 16 Mar - Sat Robert Atkinson and the birth of UK hip-hop, fea- ings, until Sat 18 May, OUTSIDE IN: CENTRAL building of The Barber turing famous names in Potteries Museum & Art 13 Apr, Wolverhampton Regional arm of a Worcester City Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent Art Gallery Institute, until Sun 5 early West Midlands Gallery national art programme May, The Barber deejaying, break danc- CRAFTSENSE Exhibition ABSTRACT ART BY ELLE focusing on margin- Institute, Birmingham ing, rapping and graffiti ZED NELSON: LOVE ME featuring over one hun- CHAMBERS Sat 16 Mar - alised and outsider art, Photographic exhibition CLOSE TO THE HEART art, including Goldie, dred of the world- Sat 13 Apr, Bilston Craft Sat 23 March - Sun 15 until Mon 6 May, The which reflects on the renowned Bilston enam- Gallery Dec, Compton Verney, Seventeenth to nine- cultural and commercial teenth century British Public, West Bromwich els, until Sun 1 Sep, UNFOLDING THE ARYAN Warwickshire forces that drive the Bilston Craft Gallery miniatures from UK col- global obsession with PAPERS Film installation lections, until Sun 5 created following

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National Wedding Show NEC, Birmingham, Fri 1 - Sun 3 March Promising a one-stop shop for a bride and groom’s wedding needs, the 2013 show include the Vintage Area, where visitors can view the The National Wedding Show provides a platform for the industry’s latest period collections from specialist wedding suppliers, and the best to showcase both the trendy and the traditional, and features an Designer Area, in which brides-to-be can discuss their ideal dress unrivalled selection of wedding dresses. with the latest designers via a one-to-one consultation. Wedding expert Kate Smallwood will once again on hand to host the And when you’re done with all the perusing, why not indulge in some show’s Inspiration Sessions. Kate is joined by Wedding Magazine’s well-deserved relaxation with a glass of fizz and a bite to eat in the Joseph Koniak and Sophia Price, who’ll be offering advice on the Champagne Bar, or a more traditional beverage in the Afternoon Tea hottest bridal hairstyles and make-up trends. Other featured zones at Room. Yonex Badminton Edible Garden Show National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Tues 5 - Sun 10 March Fri 15 - Sun 17 March This month sees a host of world-class bad- Well established on the horticul- minton players descend on Birmingham to tural events calendar, the Edible compete for the Yonex title. And one man Garden Show is dedicated to who’s definitely got his sights firmly set on the increasing number of people winning the All England event - the oldest and who’re looking to grow their most prestigious open badminton tournament own produce. Now in its third in the world - is Olympic silver medalist and year, the show brings together a world-ranked number one player Lee Chong wide range of experts and Wei. Chong Wei’s recent victory at the exhibitors to offer visitors an Malaysian Open Championships saw him hon- insight into how to get the very oured as the greatest ever men’s singles play- best out of their garden or win- er. He’s now hoping to snatch the All England dow box. This year's event sees title from arch rival Lin Dan. BBC TV’s award-winning gar- dening presenter James Wong encourage grow-your-own enthusiasts to become more adventurous by introducing his ‘Incredible Edibles’ in the Experts Theatre. TV presenter, author and avid gardener Alys Fowler, meanwhile, will be making her debut at the show, shar- ing money-saving ideas for thrifty growers and talking about her passion for self-sufficiency.

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3 SHOWS FOR THE PRICE OF 1

STITCHCRAFT BEADING PAPERCRAFTS FASHION Thurs 21 - Sun 24 March 2013 Open 9.30am - 5.30pm (Sun 5pm) NEC, Birmingham OVER 300 EXHIBITORS! SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE: SAVE

N Catwalk Fashion Shows N FREE Workshops & .00 N The Sewing Hub Demonstrations £2 EACH ADULT ANDOFF SENIOR N Crafting with Stephanie Weightman N Papercrafts & Cardmaking TICKET ORDERED BY 5PM MON 18TH MARCH 2013 N Stunning Jane Austen costumes N Jewellery, Fabrics & Beading N The Knitting Lounge N Knitting & Stitching

Tickets: Adults £10 in advance, £12 on the door Seniors £9 in advance, £11 on the door Buy tickets on-line www.ichf.co.uk or phone Ticket Hotline 01425 277988 Events March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 18:23 Page 4

Events PREVIEWS World War I Weekend Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Fri 9 - Sat 10 March Two military re-enactment groups - The Warwicks and The Great War Society - descend on Dudley’s prestigious Black Country Living Museum this month to offer a taste of what life would have been like for soldiers during World War One. The Warwicks - who’re on hand both days - will portray the Royal Warwickshire Regiment soldier from 1914 to 1918 through dynamic displays and living history. Meanwhile, the Great War Society (Saturday only) recreate the practical, if somewhat naive, approach that was taken to dealing with the horrors of war.

Photo credit: Stephen Davis at Shooterz Photography

Flatpack Festival Various venues throughout Birmingham, Thurs 21 - Sun 31 March Birmingham Cathedral, Thinktank, the Great Western Arcade and the University of Birmingham’s Bramall Music building are amongst the venues selected to host screenings and special events at this year’s Flatpack Festival, the seventh such event to take place in Birmingham. The festival runs across two weekends for the very first time, and features a variety of live music, silent classics, re-scored and rare restorations, as well as solar-powered cinema and a celebration of the celluloid. Amongst the first films to be announced in the Tractor World 2013 programme are Safety Last - a 1923 romantic comedy starring Harold Lloyd - The Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Adventures of Prince Achmed (the oldest surviving animated feature film), and a restored ver- Sat 2 - Sun 3 March sion of Carl Theodor Dreyer’s 1928 silent movie, The Passion Of Joan Of Arc. There’s also a series of screenings and activities for younger makers and doers taking place at mac. Celebrating the veteran, vintage, classic and For further information and full listings, visit www.flatpackfestival.org new ages of mechanised farming, Tractor World features around three hundred tractors, vintage farm implements and machin- known authors ery, horticultural and antique garden machin- Michael Morpurgo - Harlem Globetrotters ery, and a large selection of collectors mod- who wrote War LG Arena, Birmingham, Mon 25 March els. This year sees the usual indoor traders’ Horse - and Kate The Harlem Globetrotters have been playing area - selling specialist vintage spares and Atkinson, and exhibition basketball games, combining ath- parts, books, tools, toys and accessories, numerous children's leticism and comedy, for the best part of a clothing and gifts - being joined by a similar events, competitions, century, and have played a total of over outdoor area, while competing teams and poetry readings, twenty thousand exhibition matches in over tractor clubs work against each other and drama events and one hundred countries. The boys are regular the clock to rebuild and dismantle a vintage singing. Kate Atkinson visitors to the UK and the Midlands, and are tractor. And speaking of vintage tractors, well worth a look. This year’s touring show there are plenty taking part in a charity road sees fans being given the opportunity to run into the Malvern hills on the Sunday. Handmade And Vintage decide the rules of the game, so why not get yourself along to the LG Arena and enjoy Wedding Fair some slam-dunkin' magic, courtesy of the Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 16 March world's most famous basketball team! Featuring handmade and vintage products for couples who dream of a bespoke wedding, this special event in the unique setting British Alpaca Futurity of Wolverhampton Art Gallery offers some- And Fibre Festival thing just that little bit different for brides-to- NEC, Birmingham, Fri 15 - Sat 16 March be. The fair comprises around thirty stalls - set up within the gallery spaces - and show- The chance to buy fleeces, tops and a range cases handmade jewellery, wedding photog- of beautiful textiles features amongst the raphers and personalised gifts. The event attractions at this year’s British Alpaca also features a fashion show of gowns, hair- Futurity & Fibre Festival. Visitors can also dressing demonstrations and the chance to have a go at working with alpaca fibre, feel enjoy afternoon tea in the Gallery café. the best of the fleeces in the International Oswestry Festival Fleece Show, watch the alpacas take part in halter classes in the show ring and meet Of The Word numerous British Various locations within Oswestry, North alpaca breeders. Shropshire, Sat 9 - Tues 19 March Other attractions Featuring events for both the young and the include a group of young-at-heart, this eleven-day festival is tak- dedicated crafters ing place at various venues around the town, from Walsall creating including Booka Bookshop, Oswestry a luxurious blanket Library, The Walls, Oswestry School, Attfield from alpaca fleece in Theatre and The Ironworks. Highlights aid of Birmingham include talks and book signings by well- Children’s Hospital. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 61 Events March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 18:23 Page 5

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Events PREVIEWS Transport Show Weston Park, Staffordshire, Sun 31 March - Mon 1 April There’ll be in excess of one thousand two hundred exhibits on display at this popular show, the first major outdoor classic motoring event of the season. Many of the exhibits hail from the Midlands region and include vehicles of all descriptions dating back to the 1920s. Over sixty car clubs are represented - including Jaguar, Club Lotus, Porsche, MGs and the Italian Replica Club - while commer- cials, military, buses, fire engines, four-by- fours and a vast assortment of motorbikes, stationary engines, agricultural vehicles and lovingly restored period caravans also feature. Main arena attractions include falconry displays, the Piston Rings Youth Motorcycle Display Team demonstrating their precision and skills, and displays of tractors and military vehicles. There’s also a massive auto- jumble included, selling all kinds of automo- bilia, spares, models and badges. Hobbycrafts NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 21 - Sun 24 March Britain’s biggest and best event of its kind brings together three distinct shows - Sewing For Pleasure, Hobbycrafts, and Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch - with more than one hundred-and- fifty exhibitors on hand to showcase the latest trends and offer visitors their expert advice. This year’s Embroidery & Stitch show features a selection of stunning costumes from film and television adaptations of Jane Austen’s famous novels. The star-studded collection includes pieces from the BBC TV version of Pride And Prejudice, including the shirt worn by Colin Firth in his role as Mr Darcey. Numerous items from Calais’ famous Museum of Lacemaking & Fashion also feature, taking their place in a contemporary collection representing the past, present and future of lace. There’s also the opportunity for visitors to take part in short creative workshops.

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Easter Events Victorian Household Living History Days Tamworth Castle, Sat 31 March - Mon 1 April Step into a bygone age with this special Easter weekend event, based around the strict regime of a Victorian household. Visitors are invited to enjoy the spectacle of the housekeeper setting her servants a wide range of tasks, while at the same time keeping the footmen and housemaids in order. There’s even the chance to help the servants with their daily chores both below and above stairs. Oh, and as one might expect in such a household, there’ll be no shortage of servant’s gossip in which to share!

Festival Of Power GB Santapod Raceway, Northampton, Sat 30 March - Mon 1 April A high-energy long-weekend of power-packed fun is in prospect at Santa Pod racetrack this Easter, courtesy of the venue’s brand new season-opener. Attractions include Round One of the European Nitro Funny Car Series, the venue’s first ever Jet Car Shootout, and a Top Fuel Dragster race featuring eight thousand-horsepower cars blasting five hundred miles per hour in under five seconds. The National Drag Racing Championships and off-track spectacles such as monster trucks, bike stunts and freestyle street bikes promise to further crank up the fun factor. Live bands and music in the licenced bars, plus a fully choreographed fireworks display, ensures that the first day of this three-day event is brought to a close with plenty of noise and a big bang or several. Traditional Easter ed under the watchful eye of a qualified Easter Workshop Celebrations instructor, of course! - take place across Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, challenging terrain that includes rocky Coventry Transport Museum, Shropshire, Fri 29 March - Mon 1 April inclines, steep descents and impressive Sat 23 March - Sun 14 April The Ironbridge Gorge Museums are offering water sections. Working in conjunction with the recently a packed programme of events to entertain Other themed activities on offer during the opened 999: Emergency Vehicles Exhibition visitors over the Easter school holidays. For holidays include a Spot Shaun quiz and - a showcase of historical vehicles from all those in need of some craft therapy, numerous craft days, during which visitors three of Britain’s emergency services - the Jackfield’s tile-decorating workshops and can decorate their own sheep and landrover. Coventry Transport Museum has devised an Coalport China Museum’s ceramic work- array of events to keep visitors entertained shops fit the bill nicely. Those in search of throughout the Easter holiday period. As well some nostalgic fun and games, meanwhile, as a 999 activity trail for families, the muse- should make their way to Blists Hill, where, um is also hosting numerous themed work- in addition to the usual attractions, a host of shops, during which visitors can try their festive entertainment is on offer, including a hand at making a firefighter or police hat and ‘hunt the chick’ competition, an Easter bon- badge, crime scene notebooks and 999 net parade and numerous themed work- bookmarks. shops - not to mention regular demonstrations of the unusual pastime of egg dancing! Love The Spring... Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratford-upon- Avon, Sat 23 March - Sun 14 April There’s certainly no shortage of attractions and activities to keep visitors to the Bard’s home town of Stratford entertained over the Easter Funday Easter period. Event organisers behind the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, five Shakespeare houses have devised an Sun 31 March eclectic programme comprising activities An action-packed day of holiday fun is on which are both fun and educational. Local the cards for anybody visiting Birmingham’s drama group Shakespeare Aloud performs beautiful Botanical Gardens this Easter childhood-inspired theatre at Shakespeare’s Sunday. The site’s fifteen acres of oasis pro- Birthplace Trust, where there’ll also be vides a perfect backdrop for the day’s itiner- demonstrations of Tudor Spring-cleaning ritu- ary, which includes a children’s trail, an egg als. Over at Mary Arden’s Farm, the end of hunt, crafts and painting. There’s also a spe- Lent is celebrated with Tudor dancing, Baa...tastic motoring fun cial Easter petting music, storytelling, games and traditional Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, farm - boasting a arts and crafts, while Easter trails at Anne Warwickshire, Sat 23 March - Sun 7 April menagerie of rab- Hathaway’s Cottage lead Aardman Animation creation Shaun the bits, guinea pigs, to plenty of chocolate Sheep once again provides the inspiration chicks and duck- goodies. for Heritage Motor Centre’s Easter celebra- lings - as well as A Herb Festival at Hall’s tions. A Land Rover customised for Aardman the chance to have Croft, meanwhile, pro- will be onsite throughout the period, provid- your photo taken vides a fascinating insight ing visitors with the chance to sample the with your favourite into the use of herbs and thrills and spills of offroad driving. The spe- animals (for a small flowers in seventeenth cial twenty-minute taster sessions - conduct fee!). century medicine.

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CRAFT FAIR Opportunity LISTINGS to browse unique gifts, Crufts - NEC, Birmingham Events handmade by local producers, Sun 3 Mar, For full listing information on Events, Gladstone Pottery including times and dates, visit Museum, Stoke-on- Trent www.whatsonlive.co.uk WEDDING FAYRE Sun 3 Mar, Avoncroft, Herefordshire & Bromsgrove from beyond, Fri 1 - Sun 17 CONSERVATION CENTRE Mar, various venues. To FRI 1 MAR OPEN WEEK Gain exclu- find out what’s happen- sive behind-the-scenes ing where, visit access to aircraft con- STITCH AND CREATIVE www.borderlinesfilmfes- servation work and CRAFT An event which tival.co.uk enjoy a rare opportuni- covers all aspects of FAMILY SATURDAY ty to view current proj- stitchcraft, until Sat 2 Creative activities to ects, including the Mar, Three Counties engage, challenge and Wellington Bomber, Showground, Malvern inspire all ages, Sat 2 Range safety launch SCOOTERMANIA Mar, Ikon Gallery, and Hampden Bomber, Showcase of British Birmingham Mon 4 - Sat 9 Mar, RAF scooters from the '50s 12 FREEZE Cosford, Nr & '60s, until Sun 3 Breakdancers from Wolverhampton March, Coventry across the UK and CLIMATE WEEK Join Transport Museum beyond descend on Birmingham’s Botanical Birmingham Museum & ities for the whole fami- SPRING CRAFT FAIR BEHIND THE SCENES Coventry to battle it out Gardens as they take Art Gallery ly, Thurs 7 - Sun 10 1950s-style event fea- GUIDED TOURS with their crazy moves, part in the biggest cli- WHAT IS IT? Free expert March, NEC, turing a selection of Opportunity to gain an Sat 2 Mar, Herbert mate change cam- advice on the identifica- Birmingham high quality, local craft insight into the stories Museum & Art Gallery, paign, inspiring a new tion and care of SPOTLIGHT TOUR Fifteen- stalls, music and spe- which have been uncov- Coventry wave of action to create objects, including minute tour looking at a cial afternoon teas and ered in the Rep archive, CLUB EXPO Gathering of a sustainable future, ceramics, art, local and key work in one of the lunches in the cafe, Sat and take a trip back- car club enthusiasts, Mon 4 - Sun 10 Mar, natural history, Wed 6 museum's exhibitions, 9 March, The Willow stage to see where Sat 2 Mar, Heritage Birmingham Botanical Mar, The Potteries Fri 8 March, Ikon Gallery, Oswestry, many famous actors Motor Centre, Gaydon, Gardens Museum & Art Gallery, Gallery, Birmingham North Shropshire have prepared for their Warwickshire PUBLIC TALK: A NIGHT OF Stoke-on-Trent BEHIND THE SCENES THE CONSERVATION OF performances, until Sat WALK AND TALK In-depth TERROR Senior Archivist RESTORING THE TOUR Opportunity to THE STAFFORDSHIRE 30 Mar, Old Rep, talk on the history of at Walsall Local History TOWNHOUSE Gain exclu- explore parts of the HOARD An overview of Birmingham Weoley Caste and its Centre, Paul Ford, tells sive insight into the Court seldom open to treatments and discov- REP 100 - HIDDEN HISTO- families, Sat 2 Mar, the story of the First Wroxeter Roman Town visitors, Fri 8 March, eries, Sat 9 Mar, The RIES Featuring lots of Weoley Castle, World War Zeppelin House project with a Witley Court, Potteries Museum & Art activities bringing the Birmingham raid on Walsall, Tue 5 special tour led by its Worcestershire Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent Rep’s history to life, until WHISKEY BIRMINGHAM March, Walsall Museum designer and archaeol- BOWMAN ANTIQUE FAIR PATCHWORK QUILT Sat 30 Mar, Old Rep, Chance to sample over LUNCHTIME TALK: STAGE- ogist, Professor Dai Fri 8 - Sun 10 Mar, WORKSHOP Sat 9 Mar, Birmingham one hundred whiskies COACH INNS TO INDIAN Morgan Evans, Thurs 7 Bingley Hall, Stafford Birmingham Back to CHILDREN’S FABULOUS from some of the CUISINE A talk by March, Wroxeter LET'S TALK BIKE! An Backs FOOD TRAIL Brand new, whisky world’s most Samantha Badger on Roman City, Shropshire evening with TT cham- WORLD WAR I WEEKEND educational - and fun!, celebrated distillers, the history of eating out SPOKEN WORD AND pions Ian Hutchinson & A weekend of demon- until Sun 31 Mar, brand owners and bot- and takeaways in MUSIC NIGHT Performers Nick Jefferies, Sat 9 strations and activities Birmingham Botanical tlers, Sat 2 Mar, The Wolverhampton 1800- include Dori Kirchmar, March, Tamworth from two WWI military Gardens Bond, Digbeth, 1970, Tues 5 Mar, Faye Bagley and Amity. Assembly Rooms re-enactment groups: MEET THE HEAD GARDEN- Birmingham Bantock House An eclectic mix of spo- DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG The Warwicks & The ER: WINTER WALK Fri 1 EXPERIMENTAL LEATHER Museum, ken word and music to An event which affords Great War Society (Sat Mar, Witley Court, Join bags exhibitor Wolverhampton lead into International visitors the chance to only), Sat 9 March - Worcs John Todd to explore PANDA'S SONG Hannah Woman's Day, Thurs 7 learn or practise drifting Sun 10 March, Black MURDER MYSTERY different ways of work- Yaawusuah Adjepong's March, The Fox Bar, in safe and legal condi- Country Living EVENING The promise of ing with leather, Sat 2 book launch, Tue 5 Birmingham tions on some of the Museum, Dudley a fun-filled evening of Mar, Bilston Craft March, The Place, BSL EXHIBITION TOUR Pod’s thirty acres of WEDDING FAIR & RIDGE- humorous drama - with Gallery Oakengates Theatre, Join a member of the open tarmac, Sat 9 WAY MARQUEES OPEN at least one murder! - DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY Telford, Shropshire Learning Team for an March, Santa Pod WEEKEND Sat 9 - Sun buffet/refreshments, Fri FOR BEGINNERS Fun- THE EVENING ACADEMY A informal exhibition tour Raceway, Northampton 10 Mar, Forge Mill 1 Mar, Walsall Leather packed introduction to rare opportunity for with British Sign MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT Needle Museum, Museum the world of digital pho- adults to explore an Language (BSL) inter- Evening of murder and Redditch SPOTLIGHT TOUR Fifteen- tography, Sat 2 Mar, academy-style pretation. Suitable for intrigue, set in the MOTHERING WEEKEND minute tour looking at a Gladstone Pottery approach to drawing. deaf visitors and their 1960s. Enjoy a three- WITH LADY GEORGINA key work in one of the Museum, Stoke-on- This course is inspired friends and family. A fit- course meal while you Meet Sir Harry, Lady museum's exhibitions, Trent by the drawings of ted induction loop is solve clues to discover Georgina and their fam- Fri 1 Mar, Ikon Gallery, BOOK BINDING WORK- John Flaxman and by available, Thurs 7 who did it. Dressing up ily as they celebrate Birmingham SHOP With artist Adie John Ruskin’s focus on March, Ikon Gallery, in your grooviest ’60s mothering weekend, FAMILY SLEEPOVERS As Blundell, Sat 2 Mar, line, Tue 5 March, Ikon Birmingham clothes is encouraged. Sat 9 - Sun 10 Mar, part of Museums At Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham CRUFTS 2013 The Pre-booking essential! Hanbury Hall, Night, enjoy an exclu- Gallery, Coventry THE YONEX ALL ENGLAND world's largest dog Sat 9 Mar, Avoncroft, Worcestershire sive overnight stay at ARTY PARTY Fortnightly OPEN BADMINTON show returns with activ- Bromsgrove one of English art club for eight-to- CHAMPIONSHIPS One of Heritage's historic prop- fourteen year olds, Sat the oldest and most erties, especially for 2 Mar, The Potteries prestigious open bad- families, Fri 1 Mar, Museum & Art Gallery, minton tournaments in Kenilworth Castle, Stoke-on-Trent the world, Tue 5 March Warwickshire TRACTOR WORLD - Sun 10 March, THE NATIONAL WEDDING Auction of classic parts, National Indoor Arena, SHOW Hints, tips and together with numerous Birmingham ideas galore for the Big trade stands and dis- CREATIVE IDEAS FOR Day, Fri 1 - Sun 3 Mar, plays of vintage WRITERS Join published NEC, Birmingham machinery, Sat 2 - Sun poet, short story writer STOKE YOUR FIRES FILM 3 Mar, Three Counties and novelist Sue FESTIVAL Celebration of Showground, Malvern Johnson, Wed 6 March, the best of British cine- KING EDWARDS' SCHOOL The Roses Theatre, ma, Fri 1 - Tues 5 Mar, LIVING HISTORY DAY Sun Tewksbury The Potteries Museum 3 Mar, Whittington GUIDED TOUR Sat 6 Mar, & Art Gallery & Mitchell Castle, North Aston Hall, Birmingham Arts Centre, Stoke-on- Shropshire CONSERVATION TOUR OF Trent JENSEN OWNERS CLUB - THE STAFFORDSHIRE BORDERLINES FILM FES- OPEN DAY Annual event HOARD An opportunity TIVAL Showcase of featuring fifty examples for interested enthusi- worldwide and locally- of the classic British asts to learn more made cinema, marque, Sun 3 Mar, about the Hoard. screened in venues, Coventry Transport Advance booking small and large, all over Museum Shropshire, essential! Wed 6 Mar,

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until 28 April 2013

68 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Events March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 18:23 Page 12

unique products and Spring lambiing - Walford, North Shropshire experts offering top tips Events LISTINGS for anyone looking to grow or rear their own, For full listing information on Events, Fri 15 March - Sun 17 including times and dates, visit March, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire www.whatsonlive.co.uk BIG TIME AMERICAN WRESTLING All Star MOTHER'S DAY This course is inspired Superslam wrestling CELEBRATIONS Treat by the drawings of offers an explosive your mother to a spe- John Flaxman and by evening of action for all cial day out and join in John Ruskin’s focus on the family to enjoy, Sat some of the museum's line, Tue 12 March, Ikon 16 March, Victoria Hall, craft activities, where Gallery, Birmingham Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent you can make your JOHN FLAXMAN: CLASSIC COMMERCIAL mum a unique home- SCULPTOR AND ENTHUSIAST SHOW A made gift, Sun 10 ACCIDENTAL show for people who March, Black Country REVOLUTIONARY Special love classic and com- Living Museum, Dudley guest speaker and neo- mercial vehicles, Sat 16 QUEER'S THE WORD classical expert David Mar, Three Counties Author and poet Sophia Bindman, Emeritus Showground, Malvern Blackwell returns to Professor of the History MAD DOGS & SHOUT to present a of Art, University ENGLISHMEN WITH creative writing and College London, gives LAUREN VAN HELMOND poetry workshop for an illustrated lecture on Workshop where you new and emerging the work of John can create your own queer writers in Flaxman and discusses mad dog or Birmingham and the the current exhibition, Englishman sculpture, West Midlands, Sun 10 Line to Contour, Wed Sat 16 March, Shire March, Birmingham 13 March, Ikon Gallery, Hall Gallery, Stafford LGBT Centre Birmingham RUN WHAT YA BRUNG A DAWN CHORUS IN THE IT'S GOOD TO TALK: chance to take your car WETLANDS Join the CONVERSATION CLUB A or motorcycle out on Discovery Team for an place to chat... Wed 13 the famous quarter-mile Museum & Art Gallery, NEC, Birmingham the 1910 office, Sat 16 - early walk to hear the March, Walsall Leather dragstrip and test its Stoke-on-Trent YOUNG TUDORS: LIVING Sun 17 Mar, Gladstone spectacular dawn cho- Museum performance limits in a IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE HISTORY WEEKEND Pottery Museum, Stoke- rus, Sun 10 March, WENLOCK OLYMPIAN LIVE safe and legal environ- WOODS Fun woodland Featuring authentic on-Trent Twycross Zoo, ARTS Featuring compet- ment, Sat 16 March, activities designed for demonstrations of WEDDING FAYRE Warwickshire itive classes in dance, Santa Pod Raceway, the whole family to cookery, archery and Everything you need to MOTHER'S DAY Guided music and creative writ- Northampton enjoy, Sat 16 - Sun 17 candlemaking, Sat 16 - plan your big day, Sun walk with either lunch ing for children and HANDMADE & VINTAGE Mar, Moseley Old Hall, Sun 17 Mar, Avoncroft, 17 Mar, Hartelbury or afternoon tea. Three young people aged WEDDING FAYRE Wolverhampton Bromsgrove Castle, Worcestershire sittings available, Sun eighteen and under, Featuring handmade THE MEMORABILIA SHOW MEET MISS BYRNE Find THE MALVERN CLASSIC & 10 March, Wed 13 - Sun 17 Mar, and vintage products A must for collectors out what it was like to OFF ROAD MOTORCYCLE Shugborough Historic The Edge Arts Centre, for couples who dream and fans of TV, film, work at Gladstone SHOW Sun 17 March, Working Estate, Much Wenlock, of a bespoke wedding comics and games, Sat China, as Miss Byrne The Three Counties Staffordshire Shropshire and value the hand- 16 - Sun 17 March, shows visitors around Showground, Malvern LGBT AUTHORS Join PRACTICAL WORKSHOP made touch, Sat 16 Sophia Blackwell for an FOR ADULTS Gallery- Mar, Wolverhampton evening of discussion based session aimed Art Gallery on queer themes in specifically at adults. CSI RELOADED: THE contemporary literature, These afternoons pro- STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD Sun 10 March, vide an informal and Discover the science Birmingham LGBT fun way to explore the behind the Staffordshire Centre current exhibitions, Hoard with students CRUFTS: BEST IN SHOW Thurs 14 March, Ikon from Staffordshire and Sun 10 March, LG Gallery, Birmingham Keele University Arena, Birmingham ARTIST TALK WITH Forensic Departments, ANTIQUE & COLLECTORS JONATHAN BAMBROOK Sat 16 Mar, The FAIR Sun 10 Mar, Three One of the UKs most Potteries Museum & Art Counties Showground, active graphic design- Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent Malvern ers, Thurs 14 Mar, IN CONVERSATION: Herbert Museum & Art JOCHEM HENDRICKS Join Gallery, Coventry artist Jochem Week Commencing SPOTLIGHT TOUR Fifteen- Hendricks for a free minute tour looking at a MON 11 MAR informal tour of his key work in one of the exhibition, Sat 16 museum's exhibitions, March, The New Art FILM & TV QUIZ Put your Fri 15 March, Ikon Gallery, Walsall film knowledge to the Gallery, Birmingham MADE WORTHY BY test with the ART SPEAKING: SENSING WEAPONS Author Lighthouse's monthly SCULPTURE Free audio- Steven Pollington talks quiz. Plenty of prizes to described tour with about warfare at the be won! Mon 11 March, Adrian Clamp of the time of the Hoard, Sat Light House Media newly refurbished 16 Mar, The Potteries Centre, Wolverhampton Sensing Sculpture Museum & Art Gallery, BEHIND THE DOOR gallery, for people with Stoke-on-Trent MARKED ‘PRIVATE’ visual impairment, Fri MURDER MYSTERY Chance to see areas of 15 Mar, Wolverhampton DINNER An evening of the house not normally Art Gallery tongue-in-cheek sus- open to visitors, includ- ST PATRICK’S DAY CELE- pense and drama ing the servant stairs, BRATION Ticket price which sees the murder- dressed servant's bed- includes a full Irish mystery unfold with room and the attics, breakfast and tradition- each course, Sat 16 Mon 11 - Thurs 14 Mar, al Irish entertainment, March, Shugborough Hanbury Hall, Fri 15 Mar, Mayoral Historic Working Estate, Worcestershire Suite, Civic Centre, Staffordshire KNIT-NIGHT AT Wolverhampton SILVER RING WORKSHOP LOCKWORKS Evening of ROBERT RONSSON & Design and make your knitting, crochet and FIONA JOSEPH: own silver ring, Sat 16 chat, Tue 12 March, BROMSGROVE WORDS Mar, Museum of the Light House Media Evening of new local Jewellery Quarter, Centre, Wolverhampton writing, Fri 15 March, Birmingham THE EVENING ACADEMY A Artrix, Bromsgrove ARTY PARTY Fortnightly rare opportunity for THE EDIBLE GARDEN art club for eight-to- adults to explore an SHOW Bursting with fourteen-year-olds, Sat academy-style innovative exhibitors, approach to drawing. 16 Mar, The Potteries www.whatsonlive.co.uk 69 Events March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 18:23 Page 13

Wenlock Poetry Festival 5th-7th April 2013

G Carol Ann Duffy G Frieda Hughes G Ian and Andrew McMillan G Owen Sheers G Benjamin Zephaniah and many more contemporary poets poetry readings and performances, poetry in art, poetry in film, poetry books to buy, workshops for adults and children, poetry happenings around town..... www.wenlockpoetryfestival.org

MUCH WENLOCK TOWN COUNCIL MILLICHOPE FOUNDATION

THE EASY WAY TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS ONLINE

VISIT whatsonlive.co.uk

The most comprehensive what’s on listings website for Birmingham and the West Midlands

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Museum & Art Gallery, DAWN CHORUS IN THE LISTINGS Stoke-on Trent WETLANDS Join the Events MAD DOGS & ENGLISHMEN Discovery Team for an WITH LAUREN VAN HELMOND early walk to hear to spec- For full listing information on Events, Create an individual illus- tacular dawn chorus, Sun including times and dates, visit trative picture using trans- 24 March, Twycross Zoo, fer print, found objects Warwickshire www.whatsonlive.co.uk and wire, Sat 23 March, WEDDING FAYRE Sun 24 Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford Mar, Drayton Manor Park, THE FAST SHOW The first STORYTELLING CAFE WITH VINTAGE TEA PARTY Sat 23 Tamworth performance and modified DOMINIC KELLY Wed 20 Mar, Bantock House, INTERNATIONAL JAGUAR car event on the Santapod March, Kitchen Garden Wolverhampton SPARES DAY Featuring over calendar, Sun 17 March, Cafe, Kings Heath, THE STORY GARDEN Fun, two hundred stalls, all Santa Pod Raceway, Birmingham active sessions for chil- under one roof, Sun 24 Northampton BIG BANG THREE COUNTIES dren, Sat 23 Mar, Royal Mar, Stoneleigh Park, ANTIQUE FAIR: COLLECTA- Action-packed, hands-on Shakespeare Theatre, Warwickshire BLES & VINTAGE Featuring learning day, Wed 20 Mar, Stratford-upon-Avon ORCHID SHOW Featuring over one hundred stalls’- Three Counties TRADITIONAL BARN DANCE exotic blooms from around worth of quality items, Sun Showground, Malvern WITH LIVE BAND Sat 23 Mar, the world, Sun 24 Mar, 17 Mar, Centennial Centre, RESTORING THE TOWNHOUSE Avoncroft, Bromsgrove Birmingham Botanical Edgbaston, Birmingham Gain exclusive insight into BLACK ADDER’S CEILIDH Gardens TELL ME ON A SUNDAY the Wroxeter Roman Town DANCE Dance to the band WEDDING FAYRE Sun 24 Storytelling event, Sun 17 House project with a spe- Hekety with caller Martyn Mar, Drayton Manor Park, Mar, Ikon Gallery, cial tour led by its designer Harvey. Real ale bar also Staffs Birmingham and archaeologist, available, Sat 23 Mar, SPRING LAMBING DAY Other Professor Dai Morgan C.E.M Hall, Northfield, attractions include a boun- Evans, Thurs 21 March, Week Commencing Birmingham cy castle, a tombola and a Wroxeter Roman City, MINIATURA - THE MON 25 MAR Wacky Scarecrow treasure Shropshire INTERNATIONAL DOLLS hunt, Sun 17 Mar, Walford HOBBYCRAFTS Thurs 21 HOUSE MODELLING SHOW College, North Shropshire March - Sun 24 March, Sat 23 March - Sun 24 HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS NEC, Birmingham March, NEC, Birmingham Mon 25 March, LG Arena, THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS HERB FESTIVAL Hear talks Birmingham OF ERIN: THE IRISH IN Week Commencing on the medicinal use of POETRY BITES WITH DAVID BIRMINGHAM A talk to cele- herbs and discover their CALCUTT AND NADIA MON 18 MAR brate St Patrick’s Day, use in seventeenth century KINGSLEY Tue 26 March, Thurs 21 Mar, Birmingham medicine, Sat 23 Mar - Kitchen Garden Cafe, Museum & Art Gallery Sun 14 Apr, Hall’s Croft, King’s Heath, Birmingham HERBERT ILLUMINATION: IKON: FIFTEEN YEARS IN Stratford-upon-Avon TEXTILE GROUP An opportu- BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE BRINDLEYPLACE MINE IT, MAKE IT, MOVE IT nity to meet likeminded HERBERT’S NEW COSTUME Celebratory event featuring Find out about the tech- people in a creative envi- EXHIBITION Tues 19 Mar, guest speakers, Thurs 21 nology of the Industrial ronment and swap knowl- Herbert Museum & Art Mar, Ikon Gallery, Revolution via fun activities edge and skills, Wed 27 Gallery, Coventry Birmingham and demonstrations, Sat Mar, Bilston Craft Gallery INTRODUCTION TO MEDIEVAL SPOTLIGHT TOUR Fifteen- 23 Mar, Blists Hill Museum, BLOCK PRINTING WORKSHOP BIRMINGHAM: GALLERY minute tour looking at a Ironbridge Learn how to print on TOUR A gallery tour with Dr key work in one of the OUR WORLD A variety of paper and card with David Symons, Curator of museum's exhibitions, Fri Easter holiday activities Drusilla Cole, Wed 27 Mar, Antiquities & Numismatics, 22 March, Ikon Gallery, which explore how we The Cadet Hall, Bishop’s Tues 19 Mar, Birmingham Birmingham interact with the natural Castle, South Shropshire Museum & Art Gallery SPRING STEAM GALA Annual world, Sat 23 Mar - Sun 24 VALUATION DAY Take along FIRST DAY OF SPRING Join event for railway enthusi- Apr, Twycross Zoo, your treasures to be val- one of Twycross' experts asts, Fri 22 - Sun 24 Mar, Warwickshire ued by Fieldings on a flower tour down at Severn Valley Railway, RUN WHAT YA BRUNG This Auctioneers. A donation of the site's Wetlands and Kidderminster event affords visitors an £1 per item will go to the pick up tips on which soils CUT PAPER ILLUSTRATION opportunity to take their event organisers, the are best for growing wild Workshop for adults An car or motorcycle out on Friends of Bantock House flowers, as well as advice opportunity to learn the the famous quarter-mile Museum, Thurs 28 Mar, to help you in your own intricate art of cut paper dragstrip and test its per- Bantock House Museum, garden, Wed 20 March, illustration, which has formance limits in a safe Wolverhampton Twycross Zoo, been made popular by and legal environment, GREAT MALVERN SPRING Warwickshire artists such as Rob Ryan... Sun 24 March, Santa Pod INTERNATIONAL MILITARY WINTER GUIDED TOUR Pre- Booking essential! Sat 23 Raceway, Northampton CONVENTION Fri 29 Mar, booking recommended! March, Walsall Leather TEA GOWNS & TEA TIME Join Three Counties Wed 20 Mar, Aston Hall, Museum Lucy Adlington of the Showground, Malvern Birmingham KILN FUSED JEWELLERY History Wardrobe as she NATURE’S ENGINEERS THE LUDLOW PUDDING EXPE- WORKSHOP Sat 23 March, celebrates the 1930s with Discover more about how RIENCE Monthly pudding Red House Glass Cone, snippets of gossip about technology has been extravaganza, Wed 20 Mar, Stourbridge kings, costumes and cake inspired by nature, and by Ludlow Assembly Rooms, THE STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD: recipes, Sun 24 Mar, The the amazing engineers South Shropshire ART, ARTEFACTS & ORIGINS Potteries Museum & Art found within it, Fri 29 Mar Sat 23 Mar, The Potteries Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent - Sun 14 Apr, Enginuity, SPRING FLOWER WALK Ironbridge Explore the dingle with YARDLEY ARTS WEEKEND A Dudmaston’s ranger to weekend of creative fun, see the array of Spring Sat 30 Mar, Blakesley Hall, flowers that adorn its Birmingham shady habitat, Sun 24 Mar, THE QUIET PIONEER A spe- Dudmaston Estate, Nr cial screening - in associa- Bridgnorth, Shropshire tion with the Flatpack TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Sun Festival - which provides an 24 Mar, Three Counties insight into Birmingham Showground, Malvern Rep founder Barry Jackson, WILLOW WEAVING - FAMILY and his life and work in LEARNING ACTIVITY Drop-in Birmingham, Stratford and session where visitors can Malvern, Sat 30 Mar, Old make their very own willow Rep, B’ham creation to take home, THE NEW REP ON BROAD Sun 24 Mar, Forge Mill STREET: Graham Needle Museum, Redditch Winteringham talks about SPRING WALK Celebrate the being commissioned to arrival of Spring with Head design a new and demo- Gardener Martin Gee as cratic repertory theatre, Sat he leads a guided walk 30 Mar, Old Rep, around Capability Brown's Birmingham historic parkland, Sun 24 March, Weston Park, Harlem Globetrotters Staffordshire

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EastEr Fun includes... • Flight area • Caterpillar room • Insect City • arachnoland and much, much more!

Swans Nest Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 7LS 01789 299288 www.butterflyfarm.co.uk

Easter Egg Hunt Friday 29 March - Monday 1 April

FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY

Search the Follies for clues and win an Easter Egg! Find the Easter Bunny hopping about the caves and getting into mischief with his pals

Weston under Redcastle, Nr Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 5UY 01948 841 700 www.principal-hayley.com/hawkstonepark

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

EASTER FAMILY FUN Living Museum, Dudley tricks of their own, Fri TRAIL Search for the SPOTLIGHT TOURS 29 Mar - Mon 1 Apr, clues around the Fifteen-minute tour Kenilworth Castle, grounds, to win a spe- looking at a key works Warwickshire cial Easter prize, Sat 23 in one of the museum's EASTER WEEKEND ACTIVI- March - Sat 30 March, exhibitions, Fri 29 TIES Easter-themed Kenilworth Castle, March, Ikon Gallery, trails, hands-on activi- Warwickshire Birmingham ties and free face-paint- EASTER FUN ACTIVITIES THE EVENING ACADEMY A ing sponsored by Sat 23 Mar - Sun 7 Apr, rare opportunity for Cadbury's, Fri 29 Mar - Heritage Motor Centre, adults to explore an Mon 1 Apr, Hanbury Gaydon, Warwickshire academy-style Hall & Gardens, LOVE THE SPRING approach to drawing. Worcester Chance to watch some This course is inspired TRADITIONAL EASTER childhood-themed the- by the drawings of CELEBRATIONS Activities Easter crafts at Coventry Transport Museum atre from Shakespeare John Flaxman and by include an Easter bon- Aloud, explore ancient John Ruskin’s focus on net parade, egg-danc- Cadbury World, Lots of prizes up for at Millennium Place, spring rituals and see line. All materials are ing, a hunt-the-chick Birmingham grabs! Sun 31 Mar, Le Sun 31 Mar, Coventry Tudor Spring-cleaning provided, Fri 29 March, competition, and can- EASTER HOLIDAY ACTIVI- Truc, The Arcadian Transport Museum brought to life, Sat 23 Ikon Gallery, dle-dipping and peg TIES A variety of events Centre, Birmingham KHALSA PANTH AKHARRA Mar - Sun 14 Apr, Birmingham doll-making workshops, themed around the EASTER FUN Featuring EXPRESSION An intro- Shakespeare’s EASTER EGG HUNT Fri 29 Mar - Mon 1 Apr, museum’s 999 - living history displays, duction to the Sikh spir- Birthplace, Stratford- Themed family fun Blists Hill Museum, Emergency Vehicles traditional children’s itual and physical mar- upon-Avon where visitors can wit- Ironbridge exhibition, Fri 29 Mar - games and family activ- tial art of Gatka, Fri 31 EASTER TRAILS Find the ness a mischievous EASTER FAMILY FUN Sun 14 Apr, Coventry ities such as archery Mar, Birmingham Easter bunnies to win a Easter bunny hopping TRAIL Search for the Transport Museum and pony rides, Sun 31 Museum & Art Gallery chocolate prize, Sat 23 about the Hawkstone clues around the HIVE EASTER BAZAAR Mar, Avoncroft ANIMALTASTIC Get along Mar - Sun 14 Apr, Anne caves, Fri 29 Mar - Mon grounds to be reward- Featuring a selection of Museum, Bromsgrove and meet a variety of Hathaway’s Cottage & 1 Apr, Hawkstone Park, ed with a special Easter vintage-inspired stalls EASTER SUNDAY LUNCH & scaley, feathered and Gardens, Stratford- North Shropshire prize, Fri 29 Mar - Mon showcasing jewellery, EGG TRAIL Sun 31 Mar, furry friends & observe upon-Avon FOR KIDS! EASTER 1 Apr, Witley Court, artwork, gifts and cloth- Brockencote Hall, displays of falconry, SPRING TO LIFE Have a BONNET MAKING AND Worcestershire ing, Sat 30 Mar, The Worcestershire Mon 1 Apr, go at traditional egg- PARADE Join the Easter EASTER EGG TRAIL Find Hive, Shrewsbury EASTER EGG HUNT Sun Worcestershire County dying, archery & chil- bunny and make a bon- the Easter bunnies and HAUNTED PUB WALK OF 31 Mar, Whittington Museum, Hartelbury dren’s trails in celebra- net for you to wear in eggs around the hous- STRATFORD A trail Castle, Shropshire Castle, Worcestershire tion of the end of Lent, the Easter Bonnet es to win yourself a through some of TRANSPORT SHOW In CREATE A COMIC: MY Sat 23 Mar - Sun 14 Parade, Fri 29 Mar - yummy Easter egg to Stratford’s most haunt- addition to the hun- BLACK COUNTRY LEGEND Apr, Mary Arden’s Mon 1 Apr, Twycross take home, Fri 29 Mar - ed inns and taverns, dreds of classic cars Workshop to design, Farm, Stratford-upon- Zoo, Warwickshire Mon 1 Apr, Birmingham Sat 30 Mar, Falstaff and vehicles on display, illustrate or capture Avon EASTER AT THE GREYFRI- Back to Backs Experience, Stratford- this annual event offers your favourite Black EASTER FUN Try your ARS Children’s trail & EASTER EGG HUNTS Fri upon-Avon a wide variety of arena Country stories & char- hand at Tudor games in Easter egg hunt, Fri 29 29 Mar - Mon 1 Apr, WILD GOOSE TRAIL entertainment, chil- acters, Mon 1 Apr, The the garden, including Mar - Mon 1 Apr, Trentham Gardens, Follow the clues around dren's activities, a fun- Public, West Bromwich bowls, skittles and dice Greyfriars, Worcester Stoke-on-Trent the site to locate the fair and trade stands, EASTER HOLIDAY CERAM- throwing, Sat 23 Mar - WILDERNESS SURVIVAL FAMILY FUN EASTER wild goose eggs. Find Sun 31 Mar - Mon 1 IC DROP-IN WORKSHOPS Sun 14 April, Nash’s Get active and learn a Follow the Easter trail them all and claim your Apr, Weston Park, Paint your own design House & New Place, new skill daily, Fri 29 and win yourself a prize, Sat 30 - Sun 31 Staffordshire onto a ceramic mug, or Stratford-upon-Avon Mar - Mon 1 Apr, chocolate egg & take Mar, Avoncroft EASTER BUNNY HUNT make a clay insect REALLY WILD EVENTS Trentham Gardens, part in some of the craft Museum, Bromsgrove Find the hidden bun- house for the bugs in Easter holiday sessions Stoke-on-Trent activities on offer, Fri 29 STOKE SCOOBERFEST nies and be in with a your garden, Mon 1 - for kids, including den- CADBURY’S EASTER EGGS Mar - Mon 1 Apr, Indoor ultimate frisbee chance to win an Fri 5 Apr, Coalport making, arts and crafts TRAILS Family fun with a Baddesley Clinton, tournament, Sat 30 - Easter treat, Sun 31 China Museum, and a minibeast safari, special trail, Fri 29 Mar - Warwickshire Sun 31 Mar, Fenton Mar - Mon 1 Apr, Hoo Ironbridge, Shropshire Mon 25 Mar - Fri 12 Mon 1 Apr, Attingham RSPB WEEKEND Fri 29 Manor Sports Complex, Farm Animal Kingdom, EASTER ECO-FASHION Apr, Brandon Marsh Park, Shrewsbury Mar - Mon 1 Apr, Stoke-on-Trent Telford, Shropshire WORKSHOP Chance to Nature Centre, FOOL SCHOOL Meet Trentham Gardens, CRAFT FAIR Featuring VICTORIAN HOUSEHOLD have fun and develop Coventry Kenilworth's side-split- Stoke-on-Trent local craftspeople sell- LIVING HISTORY DAYS new skills, Tues 2 Apr, EASTER HOLIDAY FUN! ting jester, who’ll enter- FOR KIDS! THE GREAT ing a variety of unique Step back in time to The Hive, Shrewsbury Including Easter-based tain you with his tall EASTER EGG HUNT Fri 29 wares, including one-off see the Victorian MEET A LEGEND: POR- crafts, egg-painting and tales and tomfoolery. Mar - Mon 1 Apr, jewellery pieces and housekeeper set her TRAIT STUDIO Use egg-rolling competition, Visitors can also take Twycross Zoo toys, paintings and servants to task and quirky digital photogra- Thurs 28 Mar - Sun 14 part in the circus EASTER FAMILY FUN photographs, artisan keep order with the phy & editing to have Apr, Black Country school and learn a few TRAIL Fri 29 Mar - Mon food products and footmen and house- your photo taken with 1 Apr, Wroxeter Roman cards, Sat 30 Mar - maids, Sun 31 Mar - your very own Black City, Shropshire Mon 1 Apr, Coventry Mon 1 Apr, Tamworth Country hero, Tues 2 EGGCELLENT EASTER FUN Transport Museum Castle Apr, The Public, West Spot the Easter bun- EGGCITING EASTER EASTER EVENT DAYS Bromwich nies hiding around the TRAILS Hunt through Featuring classic bus EASTER TILE DECORATING grounds and be the grounds at Moseley rides, miniature steam WORKSHOPS Let your rewarded with your to solve the Easter trail railway and stands sell- creativity run wild dur- own Cadbury’s choco- and bag yourself an ing memorabilia, mod- ing a flower-themed late egg, Fri 29 Mar - Easter egg!, Sat 30 Mar els and photographs, drop-in workshop, Tues Mon 1 Apr, Wightwick - Mon 1 Apr, Moseley Sun 31 Mar, The 2 - Fri 5 Apr, Jackfield Manor, Nr Old Hall, Transport Museum, Tile Museum, Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Wythall, Worcestershire Ironbridge, Shropshire FAMILY FUN DAYS Easter EASTER FUN DAY EASTER ACTIVITY DAYS EASTER HOLIDAY TRAILS activities in the park- Featuring a special Work your way round Themed family trail to land, from welly-wang- Easter petting farm full the site’s Easter trail to lead visitors around the ing to flying kites! Fri 29 of amazing animals, win yourself a choco- grounds, Tues 2 - Sun Mar - Mon 1 Apr, including rabbits, late prize. Other activi- 14 Apr, Attingham Park, Packwood House, guinea pigs, chicks, ties include face-paint- Shrewsbury Lapworth, Nr ducklings and more, ing and hands-on FAMILY ACTIVITY DAYS Birmingham Sun 31 Mar, Easter craft activities, ‘FABLES AND TALES’ CHOCOLATE FAMILY FUN Birmingham Botanical Sun 31 Mar - Mon 1 Follow the themed trail A fortnight of seasonal Gardens Apr, Dudmaston Estate, around the garden and activities including an CREATE OR DESTROY: Nr Bridgnorth, collect your prize. Easter egg trail and a EASTER CELEBRATION Shropshire Plenty of make’n’take chance to win choco- Featuring egg decorat- WELCOME BACK TO THE activities too! Thurs 4 late prizes in an Easter ing in the restaurant’s ALFA ROMEO CLUB UK Apr, Hanbury Hall, bonnet competition, Fri bar area and egg- Featuring up to sixty Worcestershire Easter fun in Stratford-upon-Avon 29 Mar - Mon 1 Apr, throwing on the terrace. classic Alfa’s on display

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 73 Events March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 18:23 Page 17

Variety is the Life Of Spice...

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

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

“It’s an opportunity to get to do lots of things you wouldn’t otherwise do Events March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 18:23 Page 18

Variety is the What our members are up to in March 2013 Friday 1st March I Iceland Experience Break Friday 22nd March I Learn to Drift! I Friday Fish and Chips Race Night I Oscott College Seminary Visit I Belfast, the Causway Coast and Titanic Break I Woodbridge and Suffolk Coast Walking I SWAT Training Mission I Serenity Weekend Weekend I Ten Things Everyone Should Know About DIY Saturday 23rd March Saturday 2nd March Monday 11th March I Earlswood Lakes to Coughton Moderate I Drawing Workshop and Afternoon Tea I Badminton For Fun - Worcester Cycle I Hippodrome Back Stage Tour I Badminton at Barr Beacon I Extreme Sports Fun Day I Makeover or Boudoir Photography I Ghostly and Grisly Birmingham Walk I Jewellery Making with Beads (Was Bead Loft) Session I Shakespeare's Hidden Treasures I Meeting your True Soul Mate Life Of Spice... I I Polesworth Easy Ramble Powerturn Buggy Racing at Garlands I Tennis Weekend With Coaching - Tuesday 12th March I Prodrive V.I.P. Visit Northants I Sheep Dog Experience I Victorian Birmingham Evening I Flare Path by Terence Rattigan I Strictly James and Ola Dance Workshop I Western Style Rifle Shooting Afternoon I Hedgehog Appreciation Evening I Stunt Driving Experience Day I Solihull Pub Night I Symonds Yat Adventure Mission Sunday 3rd March I Toboggan and Fondue Night Wednesday 13th March I Adventure Trekking Day Sunday 24th March I Aston Hall Private Tour I Badminton For Fun - Wolverhampton I Back to Backs I Badminton at NIA I Balloon Flight I Badminton for Beginners I Sutton Pub Night I Camel Riding Experience in Warwickshire I Concorde Tour I Table Tennis Night at Barr Beacon I Face Reading Workshop I Flyboarding I Glass Art Workshop I Fun Run Preview Walk Thursday 14th March I Go Ape in Cannock I Helicopter Lesson I Henley in Arden Figure of 8 Ramble I Jetovator I Circus Skills Workshop I Tennis for Absolute Beginners (Indoor) I Meditation Retreat Day at Champneys I Knowle Sound and Vision Quiz and Curry I Pottery Workshop I Plough and Harrow Dinner Shuffle Monday 25th March I Russell Kane - Posturing Delivery I Sugarloaf Ramble Friday 15th March I Badminton For Fun - Worcester I Badminton at Barr Beacon Monday 4th March I Discover your New Healthy Lifestyle W'end Come out to play with a huge network of new friends. I Durham Dales and Northumbria Walking Tuesday 26th March I Badminton at Barr Beacon W'end I Spice Book Club I Lady Chatterleys Lover I Birmingham 50 Years On A warm welcome awaits you! I Westfield Cars Visit I Preview Evening (Sutton) Saturday 16th March I Quiz Tuesday 5th March I Aston Villa VIP and Match Experience Day Wednesday 27th March I Preview Evening (MAC) I Birmingham History Galleries with the Curator I Table Tennis Night I Colour U Confident Workshop I Badminton at NIA I Ten Pin Bowling (Broadway Plaza) I Early Morning at Dudley Zoo I Table Tennis Night at Barr Beacon I Hanbury Hall Ramble and Lunch I The Phantom Of The Opera Wednesday 6th March I Laser Clay Shooting at Garlands I Lichfield Afternoon Walk Thursday 28th March I Badminton For Fun - Coventry I Spanish Evening with Salsa Dancing I Badminton For Fun - Wolverhampton and Guitar I Borrowdale Easter Break EXTRA NIGHT I Basketball and Netball Introduction I Stock Car Racing (28th) I Chinese Meal and Quiz - Sutton Coldfield I Upton on Severn Ramble I Cocktail Mixing and Games Night I Sad Cafe at the Jam House I Gower Peninsula EXTRA NIGHT (Thurs) I Table Tennis Night at Barr Beacon Sunday 17th March I Sailing: Easter - 4 Day Cruise I Tamworth and Lichfield Pub Night I Aromatherapy For Beginners Workshop Friday 29th March Thursday 7th March I Caving for the Terrified I Chatsworth Behind the Scenes I Borrowdale Easter Walking Break I Cooking Show - Easy Entertaining I Craven Arms + Stokeshay Castle Ramble I Easter in the Eastern Lakes Walking Break I Discovering The Scottish Isles I Flyboarding I Gower Peninsula Easter Walking Break I Halesowen and Quinton Pub Night I Jetovator I Ilkley Moor and Dales Easter Walking Break I Unihoc (Mixed Indoor Hockey) I Milford Common Easy Ramble I New Members Welsh Cottage Easter Break I Mountain Biking for Beginners I Spice Hits Town at the Jam House Friday 8th March I St Patricks Parade Breakfast I Sutton Park Hot Cross Bun Ramble I Yorkshire Dales Easter Walking + Social W/E I Nell Gwynne and Supper at Tutbury Castle Monday 18th March Saturday 30th March Saturday 9th March I American Pool Night and Buffet I Badminton For Fun - Worcester I Bakewell Mountain Bike Ride I Abseiling for the Terrified I Badminton at Barr Beacon I Ballroom Dance Masterclass - Quickstep I Acting for Beginners Workshop I Bromsgrove Pub Night I Cameraphone Studio Model Photoshoot I Attract, Create and Maintain your Perfect I Incredible Auto Circus Relationship Tuesday 19th March I Makeover or Boudoir Photography Session I BBC Birmingham Behind the Scenes I Canadian Canoe Adventure I Indoor Climbing at Redpoint Sunday 31st March I Ghost Hunting Night and Dinner I Kings Heath Pub Night I Lamborghini Thrill I Come and Try Mountain Biking I Off Road Driving Day at Wrexham Wednesday 20th March I Jewellery Quarter Walk I Rally Driving Lesson I Moreton in the Marsh Ramble I Tissington Trail Moderate Ramble I Badminton at NIA I Solihull Easter Egg Treasure Hunt I Yoga and Pilates for a New You I Beer and Skittles Night in Tamworth I Priscilla Queen Of The Desert Sunday 10th March I Table Tennis Night at Barr Beacon I For future listings visit: Bollywood Dance Masterclass Thursday 21st March www.spicebham.com I Braunston Moderate Ramble I Charity Spice Easter Cake Club I Blacksmithing Evening I Clay Pigeon Shooting I Kababish Moseley Dining Experience I Exploring the Countryside (Outdoor Skills I Unihoc (Mixed Indoor Hockey) Day) I Warwick / Leamington Pub Night (Note Venue) QUOTE ‘WHATS ON’ AND GETFREE A 3TRIAL MONTH

...and meet lots of people you wouldn’t otherwise meet”. Jamie, Spice member Classifieds - March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 16:05 Page 1 classifieds

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76 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Clubbing Gay - March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 20:33 Page 1 Clubbing

BIRMINGHAM AIR Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, B9 4AL. Tel: 0121 766 6646 BAMBU Kottwall House, Wrottesley Street, B5 4BN Tel: 0121 6224124 BUSHWACKERS 103 Edmund St, B3 2HZ Tel: 0121 236 4994 FLARES NIGHTCLUB 55 Broad St, B15 1AY Tel: 0121 252 3100 GATECRASHER 183 Broad St, B15 1DA Tel: 0121 525 1300 02 ACADEMY 16-18 Horsefair, Bristol St, B1 1DB Tel: 0121 622 8250 REFLEX 36-37 Broad St, B1 2DY Tel: 0121 643 0444 SNOBS NIGHTCLUB 29 Paradise Circus, Queensway, B1 2BJ Tel: 0121 643 5551 BLACK COUNTRY OCEANA WOLVERHAMPTON Bilston Rd, Wolverhampton Tel: 0845 402 5290 SHROPSHIRE C:21 NIGHTCLUB 21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE Tel: 01743 271821 BUTTERMARKET Howard Street, Shrewsbury Tel: 01743 281712 VELVET 13 Castle Foregate, Shrewsbury SY1 2DJ Tel: 01743 281712 Two Midlands dates for electronic duo FEVER 19 - 21 Hills Lane, Shrewsbury SY1 1QU Tel: 01743 247508 Gatecrasher, Birmingham, Fri 1 March; Gatecrasher, Nottingham, Fri 8 March THE OFFICE 27a Market Street, Chase And Status, one of the biggest names in dubstep, head to the Midlands this month, perform- Oakengates TF2 6EN Tel:01952 616536 ing DJ sets at two Gatecrasher venues as part of indie-alternative club night Supersonic Vague. The PUSSYCATS NIGHT CLUB 17 Tan Bank, electronic duo - who count Jay Z, Rihanna and Snoop Dog as fans - are regarded as dubstep royal- Wellington, TF2 6EJ Tel: 01952 224260 ty, and featured among the UK’s most successful artists in 2011, selling over one million singles. SPIRIT NIGHTCLUB 18 Abbey Foregate, Their album No More Idols was in the top forty for thirty-five weeks and later achieved double plat- Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE Tel: 01743 355055 inum status. The pair recently returned to the studio to record their much-anticipated third album, and play in the region before heading to Europe for the festival season, returning to the UK to play STAFFORDSHIRE The Arches in Glasgow in April and T In The Park in July. COURTURE & NOIRE ET BLANC 139 Newport Rd, Stafford, ST16 2EZ Tel: 01785 244755 GAY NIGHTCLUBS LIQUID Brunswick St, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 Gay SCENE 1DR Tel: 01782 284333 BIRMINGHAM REFLEX 3-5 Brockley Square, Stoke-on- CLUB CHIC 28 Horsefair, B1 1DD. Trent ST1 5LY Tel: 01782 206170 Birmingham Pride Ball Tel: 0121 666 6808 TRINITY NIGHTCLUB Spinning School THE CORE Sherlock Street, B5 6NB Tel: 0121 622 2797 Lane, Tamworth,ST1 1DR Tel: 01827 58772 International Convention Centre, Birmingham, Fri 15 March This month sees the return of one of the biggest and most THE NIGHTINGALE Kent St, B5 6RD prestigious events on the Midlands LGBT calendar. As well Tel: 0121 622 1718 WARWICKSHIRE THE VILLAGE INN & UNDERGROUND CAREYS NIGHTCLUB Hereford Place, as providing an evening of non-stop entertainment and fine 152 Hurst St, B5 6RY Tel: 0121 622 4742 dining, the annual Birmingham Pride Ball raises funds for Coventry CV1 3JZ Tel: 02476 227 397 BLACK COUNTRY EVOLVE NIGHTCLUB 2 Spencer Street, numerous local LGBT, HIV and AIDS charities. 2012 Britains Got Talent contestents The Mend appear alongside this THE LION Birchills St, Walsall, WS2 8NG Leamington Spa, Coventry CV31 3NF Tel: Tel: 01922 610977 01926 881449 year’s star-studded line-up. For more information and to GORGEOUS Salop St Wolverhampton, JJ’S Skydome Leisure Park, Croft Rd, book tickets, visit www.prideball.co.uk . Tables of 10 are still WV3 0SR Tel: 0844 357 8570 Coventry CV1 3AZ. Tel: 02476 555913 available plus individual tickets. LIQUID & ENVY Leicester Road, SHROPSHIRE Nuneaton CV11 4B. Tel: 02476 344216 C21 18-21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. SY2 6AE Tel: 01743 271821 (MON ONLY) REFLEX Church St, Nuneaton, CV11 4BW SPIRIT 22 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Tel: 02476 344216 SY2 6AE Tel: 01743 355055 (MON ONLY) WORCESTERSHIRE STAFFORDSHIRE BUSHWACKERS Trinity St, Worcester THE FACTORY Bryan St, Hanley, Stoke- On-Trent, ST1 2AA Tel: 01782 478799 WR1 2PW Tel: 01905 26878 TRAMPS Angel Place, Worcester WR1 WARWICKSHIRE 3QN Tel: 019905 26936 RAINBOWS Short St, Coventry CV1. VELVET LOUNGE Angel Place, Worcester Tel: 02476 551738 WR1 3QN. Tel: 01905 619966 WORCESTERSHIRE VELVET CLUB Angel Row, Worcester, The Mend WR1 3QN Tel: 01905 20218

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 77 Books-TV March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 10:37 Page 2 Books TV

All Together Now By David Rowley The culmination of journalist David Rowley’s twenty-year quest to find out ‘what made The Beatles tick’, All Together Now unearths a wealth of new information about some of the most iconic songs in the history of pop music, including Yesterday, Strawberry Fields Forever and Eleanor Rigby. Listed in alphabeti- cal order, each song is explained from the perspective of how its lyrics were shaped - from events surrounding the band and studio arguments through to influences such as the weather. Rowley has written extensively on The Beatles The stars are out for Comic Relief over the last few decades, but it’s Graham Norton this month hosts the world’s biggest ever chat in All Together Now that he reveals a wealth of fascinating facts about the show when he takes over BBC Three for the whole evening of 7 band and their music, presenting nuggets of information such as which March and the early hours of the following morning. In aid of track had more studio time spent on it than the first two Beatles albums Comic Relief, Graham will attempt to set a new Guinness World combined, which song had the longest chord progression, and which two Record for the most questions asked on a chat show. Sir Terry Beatles never recorded a note on their birthdays... Wogan, Frank Skinner and BBC Radio One Breakfast Show presenter Nick Grimshaw co-host proceedings, and will be joined Rihanna by some of Britain’s best-known celebrities. Guests already confirmed to appear include Ronnie Corbett, Sarah Millican, Martin By Danny White Freeman, Jimmy Carr, Lee Mack, Keith Lemon, Elle Having sold more than twenty-five million MacPherson, James Nesbitt, Paloma Faith, Heston Blumenthall albums worldwide, and with numerous awards - and Kirstie Allsopp. including five Grammys and two BRITS - under her belt, Rihanna is regarded as one of the most successful recording artists in the history Jack Davenport in new hospital drama of music. The public’s fascination with the ITV has announced the commissioning of a new six-part drama Barbados-born superstar is insatiable, and in a which follows the lives of a group of doctors and nurses work- relatively short space of time she’s become a ing in a London hospital. Entitled Breathless, the new series is household name around the globe. In a candid set in 1961 and stars Pirates Of The Caribbean actor Jack account of the pop singer’s life to date, Danny Davenport, who made his name in the cult 1990s TV series This White reveals the truth behind the gossip col- Life. Davenport plays the role of Otto Powell, a charismatic sur- umn headlines about the girl who moved to geon who believes he can make a real difference to women’s America at just sixteen to be launched as a solo lives - even if it means risking imprisonment under the newly star. Her quick accession to fame, her constant re-inventions and, of established abortion laws... Breathless goes into production in course, her dramatic and often controversial personal life all come under London next month. the spotlight in a book that’s a real must-read for all Rihanna fans. New drama inspired by real events... The devastating impact of a fatal car crash is examined in a new The Voyages Of The two-part drama to be aired on BBC Three on 5 and 12 March. Princess Matilda Set in a small English town, The Crash follows the fallout of an TOP 5 accident involving a close knit circle of friends who’re reunited By Shane Spall BOOKS for the Christmas holidays. Inspired by extensive interviews and Shane Spall, wife of actor Timothy, here research of real life events, Terry Cafolla’s drama stars Sasha shares stories surrounding the couple’s Parkinson (Coronation Street), Georgina Henshaw (Waterloo voyage out to sea on their Dutch barge The Fault In Our Stars Rd), Lewis Rainer (Dani’s House), Lily Loveless (Skins), James The Princess Matilda. Minus a radio, com- 1 John Green Burrows (Skins) and Daniela Nardini (This Life). pass, life raft or flares - and having previously only manoeuvred their vessel along The Soldier’s Wife the Thames - Shane 2 Joanna Trollope and Tim headed out into unfamiliar territory No Child Of Mine armed only with an 3 Susan Lewis abundance of igno- rance. This is the tale of Did You Miss Me? their journey - a person- 4 Karen Rose al and moving account of an everyday couple’s Watching The Dark adventure around their 5 Peter Robinson much-loved homeland.

78 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Eating Out March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 15:08 Page 2 Eating Out Opus opens at Ikon A new cafe offering ‘unfussy British classics’ has opened at Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery in Brindleyplace. Café Opus at Ikon promises a relaxing ambience in which to enjoy a variety of dishes, from boiled egg and soldiers or creamy forest mushrooms and tarragon on toast to more substantial meals, including slow-cooked ox cheeks with creamy polenta or salad of black bel- uga lentils with rosary goats cheese, pinenuts and lemon oil. Commenting on the new venture, Opus director Ann Tonks said: “The concept will offer relaxed all-day dining, which means it’s as suited to young mums bringing their kids for lunch as it is to office workers looking to share a bottle of wine and unwind after a hard day’s work.”

Classic Italian experience British-diner favourites, like Manzo, a cooked beef REVIEW Cannelloni Ricotta. stew which, at £12.95, was There were lighter options towards the upper end of Located just beyond the for under six hundred calo- the price spectrum. The hustle and bustle of New Refurbed restaurant prepares ries (ideal when trying to accompanying basil mash Street’s busiest shopping shift a few post-Christmas was a nice touch. to open its doors area, Bella Italia has pounds), a handsomely The dessert menu featured A refurbished restaurant is set to open its doors offered shoppers, city sized gluten-free menu, both twists on old classics in Shropshire. The Ludlow Kitchen is a workers and evening din- and lunchtime offers to and some distinctly non- cafe/restaurant featuring three different seating ers the Italian experience boot, although the evening traditional options, one of areas and catering for up to one hundred-and- for many a year. On arrival menu would have benefit- which was the Chocolate forty covers. Boasting an extensive menu, it’s I could certainly imagine ted from a few more excit- Dough Lava Cake. After being described by manager Ben Crouch as ‘the sitting outside people- ing options for the vegetar- the two previous courses, place to eat in Shropshire’. The new eatery is watching in the warmer ians among us. it proved to be a little too located just outside the historic town of Ludlow, months. Inside, the ambi- Ever a fan of melted indulgent even for my in the Ludlow Food Centre - a venue well known ence was cosy, with the cheese, particularly when sweet tooth. The pannacot- for its range of local, seasonal and handmade rustic décor featuring served in breadcrumbs, I ta served with raspberry food. It will open daily, with evening dining avail- poster art, gilded picture opted for Mozzarella ice cream, sorbet and able from Wednesday through to Saturday. frames and the occasional Carrozza for my starter. My cherries chosen by my din- painted map of Italy on the dining partner was equally ing partner was a deli- walls, all softly illuminated impressed with the ciously light option. The by lamps and candlelight. Polpette (£5.50) - spiced desserts were generally It was all tastefully done, pork and beef meatballs, priced around the £5 mark. hinting at a Rome trattoria served with ciabatta to I’m certainly looking for- without feeling contrived, mop up the tomato sauce. ward to treating myself to and making for a welcome This option was big one of the restaurant’s change to the sleek, con- enough to suffice as a light mini-desserts (£1.95) dur- temporary interiors of lunch. It surely wouldn’t ing my next city centre some of its competitors. have been right to come to shopping trip. Claire Lloyd However, perhaps more an Italian without at least authentic was our Italian sampling the pizza, so I Food: IIIII waiter, who was a delight ordered the Quattro Service: IIII I throughout the evening - Stagioni Legumi (£8.25) for Ambience: III II both attentive and enter- Farm to table experience... the main event. It could IIII I taining - often a rarity in a Overall value A new dining experience will be available in have done with a touch IIII I chain restaurant. OVERALL Birmingham from this month onwards, courtesy longer in the oven, but The two-page menu of the Fleet Street Kitchen. Promising an unpre- came with a very generous offered a good selection Bella Italia tentious ‘down-to-earth menu’ featuring the best helping of vegetables on without being overwhelm- 102 New Street British meat and produce, the venue is being top. My dining partner, ing, and, true to traditional Birmingham described as a ‘country-luxe experience’, with its who asked our waiter for Italian cuisine, featured a B2 4HS vintage tiles, open-shuttered walls and painted recommendations, was wealth of meat dishes, in Tel: 0121 643 1548 recycled timbers. The Fleet Street Kitchen opens treated to Spezzatino di in Summer Row on 1 March. addition to some old www.whatsonlive.co.uk 79 Eating Out March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 15:08 Page 3

Restaurant REVIEWS Restaurant LISTINGS For full listing information on Quirky decor and zingy creations at restaurants, including opening times and type of cui- Lichfield cafe bar... sine, visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk CHEZ JULES 5a Ethel St, LA BASTILLE 220 Lichfield is perhaps best known creamy mashed potato; a deli- Birmingham B2 4BG 0121 633 Corporation St, B4 for its beautiful cathedral and its cious winter warmer. 4664 6QB 0121 236 1171 AALTO RESTAURANT independent cafes. With the The sharpness of my rhubarb Hotel La Tour, Albert CHI 61 Newhall St, LAS IGUANAS Arcadian cathedral still on my must-see trio for dessert not only meant Street, Birmingham B5 B3 3RB 0121 233 Centre, Hurst St, B5 3150 4TD 0121 622 4466 list, I had the pleasure of visiting my palate was freshened up 5JT 0121 718 8000 AL FRASH 186 Ladypool CHUNG YING LA PLANCHA 113 one of the cafes - the Spark Cafe nicely but also proved that sour 16-18 Wrottersley Alcester Road, Bar - on a bitter-cold Saturday and sweet is a great combination Road, Sparkbrook, B12 8JS 0121 753 3120 Street, B5 4RT 0121 Moseley, Birmingham evening. Popular in the daytime for dessert. 622 5669 B13 8DD 0121 449 THE ASQUITH 11 5430 as a place to brunch or enjoy a The Spark Cafe Bar’s quirky Newhall Street, CHUNG YING GARDEN 17 coffee, this quirky and delightful decor makes it stand out from Birmingham, Thorpe St, B5 4AT LASAN 3-4 Dakota B3 3NY 0121 200 0121 666 6622 Buildings, James St, St little venue has recently intro- the rest of the city’s cafes. Diners Paul’s Square, B3 1SD 1588 CIELO 6 Oozells Square, duced a well-balanced Friday can feel comfortable and at ease 0121 212 3664 ASHA’S Brindleyplace, B1 2JB 12-22 Newhall THE LOFT LOUNGE and Saturday restaurant menu, whilst enjoying dishes presented Street, B3 3LX 0121 0121 632 6882 143 Bromsgrove St, presenting a blend of hearty in the style of a fine dining 200 2767 CITY CAFE GRILL Hylton Garden Inn, 1 B5 6RG 0121 622 dishes and zingy creations. restaurant. The city may have an AZZARI TOO 2444 abundance of cafes, but The 204 Lightwoods Rd, Brunswick Square, Choosing the ravioli to start Brindleyplace, B1 2HW THE LOST & FOUND proved to be a good decision - Spark is striving to offer some- B67 5AZ 0121 429 8 Bennetts Hill, B2 5RS 6621 0121 643 1003 the tomato and mozzarella filling thing beyond espressos and COFFEE ROOM BAR & 0121 643 9293 BANK 4 Brindleyplace, LOVES The Glasshouse, complemented the basil and paninis, indulging the people of B1 2JB 0121 633 4466 BISTRO Hurst St, B5 4TD 0121 605 4343 Browning St, B16 8FL white wine cream sauce very Lichfield with fancy food that BAR EPERNAY 171-172 0121 454 5151 well. My dining partner, mean- tastes good but without a side of Wharfside Street, COTE The Mailbox, B1 1RX 0121 631 1587 MANIC ORGANIC while, enjoyed a thick, rich carrot fussiness. Parv Gandham The Mailbox, B1 1RL 46 Poplar Road, CUCINA RUSTICA 24 0121 632 1430 B14 7AG 0121 441 soup, and was happy with the Ludgate Hill, B3 1DX IIII I BAR ESTILO 10-114 3802 plentiful slices of bread which Food: 0121 233 2277 Wharfside St, The MAHARAJA 23/25 Hurst Service: IIII I DEL VILLAGGIO allowed her to wipe clean her Mailbox, B1 1RF 0121 St, B5 4AS 0121 622 bowl. Ambience: IIII I 643 3443 Unit 528, Middle Mall, 2641 IIII I BARNT GREEN INN The Bullring. B5 4BE For the main course I chose the Overall value 0121 643 1400 MECHU 47 - 59 Summer baked cod, served with lemon OVERALL IIII I Kendal End Rd, Rednal Row, B3 1JJ 0121 212 B45 8PZ 0121 445 DEOLALI BAR RESTAU- 1661 and coriander cous cous. 4949 RANT 23A St Mary's Row, METRO BAR & GRILL 73 Beautifully presented, the cod The Spark Cafe Bar BARAJEE 265 Broad St, Cornwall St B3 2DF was a little dry, but the lemon B1 2DS 0121 643 Moseley B13 8HW 19 Tamworth Street 0121 442 2222 0121 200 1911 flavouring of the cous-cous cre- 6700 MILLER & CARTER Lichfield DESI IMLEES 178- BELLA ITALIA 102 New 180 Wharfside St, The ated an instant taste sensation in WS13 6JP 562-564 Moseley Road St, B2 4HQ 0121 Mailbox, B1 1RN the mouth. My partner selected Balsall Heath Tel: 01543 898252 6431548 0121 643 7738 Birmingham B12 9AD the chicken and leek pot with BERLIOZ Burlington 0121 4494495 MINT Yew Tree Retail Arcade, New St, B2 Park, Stoney Lane DUET CUISINE 4JQ Unit 1, Yardley, B25 8YP 0121 633 1737 Fort Dunlop. B24 9FD 0121 789 8908 0121 748 1234 BLUE MANGO Regency MIRAGE FUSION Wharf, Broad St, B1 EDMUNDS 6 Brindley Broadway Casino, 2DS place, B1 2JB 0121 Broadway Plaza 0121 633 4422 633 4944 Ladywood Middleway, BLUE GINGER 32 Poplar FLEET STREET KITCHEN B16 8LP 0121 456 Road, Kings Heath, Fleet Street, 5557 B14 7AD 0121 444 Summerrow, B3 IJH MOUNT FUJI The 0999 0121 236 010 Bullring, B5 4BH 0121 BLUU Fleet St, Summer FUMO 1 Waterloo Street 633 9853 Row, B3 1JH 0121 236 B2 5PG 0121 643 9979 NUVO 11 Brindleyplace, 9013 HARJEES SPICES 512 B1 2LP 0121 631 1600 BRANDED BULL STEAK- Stratford Road, OLD JOINTSTOCK PUB 4 HOUSE 175 Broad Sparkhill B11 4AH Temple Row, B2 5NY Street, B15 1DT 0121 0121 773 6130 0121 200 1892 643 5968 THE HORSESHOE BAR & NATHANIEL’S RESTAU- BUONISSIMO 1 Albany RESTAURANT 1214 RANT 13 St Mary’s Row, Rd, Harborne, B17 9JX Stratford Road, B28 Moseley, Birmingham, 0121 426 2444 9BH 0121 777 2340 B13 8HW, 0121 449 BYZANTIUM 11 York ITIHAAS 18 Fleet St, B3 9618 Road, Kings Heath, 1JL 0121 212 3383 OLD SPECKLED HEN B14 7SA 0121 444 ITIHAAS BRASSERIE Mere Green Road, 5444 Selfridges Food Hall, Sutton Coldfield. B75 CAFE IKON 1 Oozells Bullring, Birmingham 5BL 0121 308 9410 Square, Brindleyplace, B5 4BP 0121 212 3383 OPUS 54 Cornwall St, B1 2HS 0121 248 JAMIES ITALIAN Middle B3 2DE 0121 200 3226 Mall, Bullring Shopping 2323 CAFE ROUGE Centre, B5 4BE THE ORIENTAL The Brindleyplace, Broad 0121 270 3610 Mailbox, 128-130 Street, B1 2HJ 0121 JIMMY SPICES Regency Wharfside St, B1 1RQ 643 6556 Wharf, Broad St, B1 0121 633 9988 CAFE SOYA Unit 2, 2DS 0121 643 2111 PASTA DE PIAZZA 11 Upper Dean Street B5 JUJU’S Canal Square, Brook Street, St Paul’s 4SG 0121 622 3888 B16 8EH 0121 456 Square, B3 1SA 0121 236 5858 CARLUCCIO’S The 3384 Water’s Edge, THE JUNCTION 212 High PEACHY KEENS 1741 Brindleyplace Street, Harborne, B17 Coventry Road, Yardley B1 2HP 0121 633 9PT 0121 428 2635 B26 1DS 0121 764 9262 KINNAREE THAI 22 5519 CELEBRITY INDIAN Waterfront Walk, B1 PENNY BLACKS 44 Broad St, B1 2HP 1SN. 0121 665 6568 The Mailbox, 132-134 Wharfside St, B1 1XL 0121 643 8969 LA BANCA 1986 0121 632 1460 THE CHAMELEON 1 Pershore Road, PEPPERS 5b Broad Victoria Square, B1 Cotteridge, Kings Street, B15 1EJ 0121 1BD 0121 643 2233 Norton B30 3AS 0121 459 2204 633 4411

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PICCOLINO 3130 9 Brindleyplace, B1 2HS La Becasse Restaurant - Ludlow, WONGS 5-11 Fleet St, B3 South Shropshire 0121 634 3055 1JP 0121 212 1888 PITCHER & PIANO ZIZZI 183 High St, Brindleyplace, B1 2HP Harborne B17 9QE 0121 643 0214 0121 428 4228 also at PONTE DI LEGNO 44-44a The Mailbox B1 1RL Woodbridge Rd, 0121 632 1333. Moseley, B13 8EJ 10 Poplar Rd, Solihull, 0121 449 8064 B91 3AB 0121 704 POPPY RED Arcadian 5030 Centre, Birmingham B5 ZORBAS 359-361 Olton 4TD 0121 687 1200 Boulevard, Solihull B27 PUNJABI HAVELI 1558 7DP 0121 706 4709 Stratford Rd, Hall Green, B28 9HA 0121 745 3636 Black Country PURNELL’S 55 Cornwall ARBOUR LIGHTS St, B3 2DH 0121 212 127-128 Lichfield Street, Walsall 9799 WS1 1SY 01922 613361 PUSHKAR 245 Broad St, BANKS BISTRO Chapel B1 2HQ 0121 643 7978 Ash, Wolverhampton THE RECTORY 50-54 St WV1 4EP 01902 238433 Paul’s Sq, B3 1QS BELLA 82 Chapel Ash, 0121 605 1001 Wolverhampton. 01902 RED PEPPERS 117 427555 Wharfside St, B1 1RF BENGAL FUSION 174 High 0121 643 4202 St, Lye, Stourbridge DY9 ROSE MURREE 94 -96 8LN. 01384 891111 Hagley Rd, Edgbaston, BILASH 2 Cheapside, B16 8LU 0121 456 4500 Wolverhampton, WV1 Kidderminster. DY11 THE COTTAGE Tern Hill, Lane, Shrewsbury SY1 Shrewsbury SY1 1UT SABAI SABAI 1TU 01902 427762 6UU 01562 744976 Market Drayton TF9 3PX 1QU 01743 249126 01743 242321 25 Woodbridge Rd, THE BLUE BRICK MADE IN THAI Darlington 01630 638984 LA LANTERNA The Old THE SILVERTON the Old Moseley, B13 8EH Broad Gauge Way, St, Wolverhampton WV1 CROMWELLS 11 Dogpole, Vestry, St Julian's Dairy, 9-10 Frankwell, 0121 4494498 Wolverhampton WV1 4HW 01902 312512 Shrewsbury SY1 1EN Church, Shrewsbury Shrewsbury SY3 8JY SAN CARLO 4 Temple St, 1AA 01902 875301 PARADISE BALTI 7 Lower 01743 361440 SY1 1UH 01743 233552 01743 248000 B2 5BN 0121 633 0251 BRAVACCIOUS 4 Upper Mill Street, Kidderminster DA VINCI’S 26 High St, LION & PHEASANT 50 TIN TINS Wellington DY11 6UU 01562 60479 SHAH’S Unit 16, 1160 Green, Wolverhampton Ironbridge, TF8 7AD Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury Road, Telford TF2 8AJ Warwick Road, Acocks WV6 8QQ 01902 THE PIE FACTORY 50 Hurst 01952 432250 SY1 1XJ 01743 770345 01952 608688 Green B27 6BP 0121 Lane, Tipton DY4 9AB 756052 DORRINGTON OLD HALL THE LION QUAYS Moreton, TRAITORS GATE Castle St, 707 8297 0121 557 1402 CAFE CHAMPAGNE 253- PERSIAN CUISINE Main Oswestry SY11 3EN Water Lane, Shrewsbury RED FORT Fold St, 01691 684300 SHIMLA PINKS 215 Broad 255 Bilston Road, Road, Dorrington, SY1 2BX 01743 249152 St, B15 1AY 0121 633 Wolverhampton WV2 Wolverhampton, WV1 Shropshire SY5 7JD LOCH FYNE Talbot House, THE WALLS Welsh Walls, 0366 2JN 01902 458024 4LP 01902 424440 01743 719100 Market Street, Oswestry SY11 1AW SHOGUN TEPPANYAKI CASA CASITA RISTORANTE ROMAGNA 4 Shrewsbury SY1 1LG Upper DRAPERS 10 St Mary’s St 01691 670970 The Mailbox, 27 - 29 Gornal, Dudley. DY3 Upper Green, Tettenhall, Shrewsbury, SY1 1DZ 01743 277140 ZIZZI RISORANTE Wharfside St, B1 1RD 1UP 01902 676754 Wolverhampton WV6 01743 344679 MAD JACKS 15 St Mary’s 39-40 8QQ 01902 756052 High Street, Shrewsbury 0121 632 1253 CATELLANI’S 6 School St, THE FEATHERS Brockton, St, Shrewsbury, SY1 SAFFRON Wolverhampton SY1 1SF 01743 353232 SIMPSONS, 20 Highfield Wolverhampton, WV1 Much Wenlock TF13 1EQ 01743 358870 Rd, Edgbaston B13 3DU 4LR 01902 428928 Road, Oldbury B69 4RR 0121 552 1752 6JR 01746 785202 THE MALTHOUSE The 0121 454 3434 CINNAMON COURT Bentley FENNELS 8 Market Place, Wharfage, Ironbridge Staffordshire THE SLUG AND LETTUCE, Mill Way, Walsall WS2 SIMON’S 520 Chester Rd, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 Shifnall TF11 9AZ TF8 7NH 01902 433712 Brindley Place, 0BP 0121 568 6664 NO 5 0PU 0121 580 9293 01952 463020 MORGANS 1 Bellstone, Gaol Mews, Birmingham B1 2HL THE COWSHED Clive Stafford ST16 3AN SPICES Hollywell Rd, THE FOX INN 46 High St, Shrewsbury SY1 1HU 0121 633 3049 Farm Clive Rd, Much Wenlock TF13 01743 239114 01785 22 9900 Pattingham, WV6 7EN Wednesbury. WS10 7PA SPICE EXCHANGE, 6AD 01952 727292 MR UNDERHILLS Dinham 95 HIGH GREEN Cannock. 01902 701888 0121 502 0720 1845 Pershore Rd FRANK CAFE BAR 128 Weir, Ludlow Shropshire WS11 1BH 01543 Kings Norton, B30 3DJ THE CROOKED HOUSE THE SPRINGHILL 573905 Warstones Rd, Penn, Frankwell, Shrewsbury SY8 1EH 01584 874431 0121 451 1007 Coppice Hill, Himley DY3 1709 THE BASSERIE Wolverhampton WV4 SY3 8JX 01743 354422 THE MYTTON & MERMAID 3-5 STRADA 4DA 01384 238583 Lombard St, Lichfield. 109-111 4LB 01902 342530 THE GOLDEN CROSS 14 Atcham, Shrewsbury, Wharfside St, The THE DITCH 1 Town Hill, WS13 6DP 01543 THE SUMMERHOUSE 92 Princess St, Shrewsbury, SY5 6QG 01743 761220 Mailbox B1 1XL Walsall, WS1 2EU 257986 Gospel End Rd, Dudley SY1 1LP 01743 362507 0121 643 7279 01922 643215 THE OLD ORLETON INN BELLA ITALIA 20 DY3 4AN 01902 676 GRANARY BAR & GRILL Holyhead Rd, SYRIANA 1 Constitution DON SALVO 25 Darlington Greengate St, Stafford, 102 Weston Park, Weston- Hill, B19 3LG 0121 Street, Wolverhampton Wellington, TF1 2HA ST16 2HS THORNESCROFT under-Lizard, Nr Shifnal, 2369444 WV1 4HW 01902 712819 01952 255011 01785 211968 Bridgnorth Rd, TF11 8LE 01952 DUNSLEY HALL THE OLD RECTORY HOTEL CHANDLERS Corn TGI FRIDAYS 180 Hagley Dunsley Wolverhampton, WV6 852107 Road, Edgbaston, Rd, Kinver, DY7 6LU & RESTAURANT Lowe Hill Exchange, Conduit St, 7EQ 01902 700 253 HADLEY PARK HOUSE Birmingham B16 9NY 01384 877077 Road, Wem, Shropshire Lichfield, WS13 6JU THE WOODMAN Claverley, Hadley Park, Telford TF1 0121 454 1930 THE FAIRLAWNS AT SY4 5UA 01939 233233 01543 416688 Wolverhampton WV5 6QJ 01952 677269 THAI EDGE 7 Oozells Sq, ALDRIDGE 178 Little 7DG 01746 710 553 THE PEACH TREE 21 THE CORNER HOUSE B1 2HL 0121 643 3993 Aston Road, Aldridge, THE HAYWARDS at The Abbey Foregate, Second Avenue, Burton- Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop, TIN TIN CANTONESE, Walsall WS9 0NU 01922 Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE On-Trent DE14 2WF 455122 Shropshire Shrewsbury SY1 1UY 01743 355055 01283 542321 The Waters Edge, 01743 353107 Brindleyplace, B1 2HL FARADAYS The THE PLUME OF FEATHERS CURRY KUTEER 31 Waterfront, Brierley Hill, AFTAB 25 High St, HENRY TUDOR HOUSE Harley, Shrewsbury SY5 Greengate Street, 0121 633 0888 Ironbridge TF8 7AD Dudley, DY5 1UR Barracks Passage 6LP 01743 727360 Stafford ST16 2HY ULYSSES 42a Bristol 01952 432055 Shrewsbury SY1 1XA 01384 482 882 THE POUND AT LEEBOT- 01785 253279 Street, B5 7AA 0121 ALBRIGHT HUSSEY 01743 361666 622 3159 FIVE RIVERS Vicarage WOOD Leebotwood, Nr ESSENCE OF THE ORIENT Place, Walsall WS1 3NA Ellesmere Rd, HILL VALLEY HOTEL 27 Broad Eye, Stafford THE VAULTS Newhall Church Stretton SY6 01922 646164 Shrewsbury, SY4 3AF Tarporley Road, ST16 2QB 01785 Place, Newhall Hill, 01939 290 523 6ND 01694 751477 FOUR STONES Adam’s Whitchurch SY13 4HA 229988 B1 3JH 0121 212 9837 BISTRO JACQUES 77/77a 0844 879 9049 RENAISSANCE, 29a Hill,Clint, Stourbridge, Princess St, Shrewsbury, FOUR SEASONS Swinfen VMF - ASTON VILLA FOOT- Mardol, Shrewsbury SY1 THE INN AT GRINSHILL DY9 9PS 01562 883260 SY11LW 01743 354289 Hall Lichfield, WS14 BALL CLUB Villa Park, 1PZ 01743 272586 The High Street, 9RE 01543 481494 Trinity Rd, B6 6HE 0121 FRANZLS 151 Milcote Rd, ROMOLO Victoria Avenue, Smethwick, B67 5BN BUTLERS Park St, Shifnal, Grinshill, Shrewsbury, THE GREEN ROOM Castle 326 1570 shrewsbury SY1 1HH 0121 429 7920 TF11 9BA 01952 SY4 3BL 01939 220410 Dyke, Lichfield WS13 WAGAMAMA Brindley 460662 KING & THAI Avenue Rd, 01743 233244 6HR 01543 412121 Place, birmingham B1 FRENCH CONNECTION 3 Coventry St, CASA NARANJO Barracks Broseley, Telford TF12 SARACENS Shrewsbury INDIAN VILLAGE 2HL 0121 643 7656 Stourbridge DY8 1EP Passage, Wyle Cop, 5DL 01952 882004 Rd, SY4 4AG 01939 8 Lombard St, Lichfield. THE WAREHOUSE CAFE 01384 390940 Shrewsbury SY1 01743 THE KNIGHTON HOTEL 210877 WS13 6DR 01543 54-57 Allison Street, FRENCH HEN Bromsgrove 588165 Broad Street, Knighton, SEBASTIANS 45 Willow St, 253415 Digbeth, B5 5TH Rd, Clent, Stourbridge CASA RUIZ 45 High Powys LD7 1BL 01547 Oswestry SY11 1AQ INDICA Virage Park, 0121 633 0261 DY9 9PY 01562 883040 Street, Bridgnorth, WV16 520530 01691 655444 Cannock. WS11 0HN WING WAH 278 GOLDEN MOMENTS 2-3 4DX 01746 218 084 LA BÉCASSE 17 Corve St, SHALIMAR 23 Abbey 08712 070417 Thimblemill Lane, B7 Ablewell St, Walsall WS1 CHEZ MAW Best Western Ludlow, SY8 1DA 01584 Foregate, Shrewsbury JASMINE PEKING 21 High 5HD 0121 327 7879 2EQ 01922 640363 Valley Hotel, Buildwas 872 325 SY2 6AE 01743 366658 St, Eccleshall, Stafford WOKTASTIC Paradise LE BRASSERIE 5 Lower Rd, Ironbridge, TF8 7DW LA DOLCE VITA 35 Hills SHERAZ 79 Wyle Cop, ST21 6BW 01785 Place, B3 3HJ 0121 236 Mill Street, 01952 432247 851200 www.whatsonlive.co.uk 81 Eating Out March_Layout 1 25/02/2013 15:09 Page 5

upon Avon. CV37 7LT LISTINGS 01789 264804 Restaurant MATRICARDIS 97 High St, Henley in Arden. B95 5AT LA DOLCE VITA 19 Stafford THE ALMANACK Abbey 01564 792735 St, Stone ST15 8QW End North, Kenilworth MERCHANTS Swan Street, 01785 817 985 CV8 1QJ 01926 353637 Warwick CV34 4BJ THE LODGE 24 THE BLUEBELL 93 High 01926 403833 Birmingham Road, Street, Henley-in-Arden, NAYA 148 High St, Henley Shenstone. WS14 0LQ Warwickshire, B95 5AT in Arden. B95 5BS 01564 01543 483334 01564 793049 793089 MALABAR 1-2 Water BLUE BISTRO 21 Spon St, NAILCOTE HALL Nailcote Street, Stafford, ST16 Coventry, CV1 3BA 024 Lane, Berkswell, 2AG 01785 227 500/600 7622 9274 Coventry, CV7 7DE 02476 MARLOES 13 London BROWNS Earl St, Coventry 466174 Road, Newcastle under CV1 5RU 0247 622 1100 NICOLINIS 14 The Parade, Lyme, ST4 1LQ 01782 Leamington Spa, CV32 661983 CARLUCCIOS 13 Waterside, Stratford-Upon-Avon 4DW 01926 421620 THE MILL 1 Mill St, Stone, CV37 6BA ONE ELM 1 Guild St, ST15 8BA 01785 01789 267424 Stratford-Upon-Avon, 818456 CASTLES 6 Castle St, CV37 6QZ 01789 404919 THE NAVIGATION INN Warwick. CV34 4BP OSCARS 39 Chandos St, Newport Road, Gnosall, 01926 492525 Leamington Spa, CV32 Stafford ST20 0BN CATALAN 4RL 01926452807 01785 822327 6 Jury St , Warwick CV34 4EW PEEL’S Hampton Manor, OLD VICARAGE 2 Main St, 01926 498 930 Hampton-in-Arden, Branston, Burton, DE14 THE CHURCH STREET Solihull, B92 0EN 01675 3EX 01283 533222 TOWNHOUSE 16 Church 446080 PASTICHE BISTRO 1 - 2 Mill Street, Stratford-upon- PREZZO 1-3 High St, Street, Stafford, ST16 Avon CV37 6HB 01789 Warwick CV34 4AP 2AJ 01782 263 737 262222 01926 475867 THE PEARL 18 Market St, EGO 29 The Square, QUEANS RESTAURANT 15 Kidsgrove, ST7 4AB Kenilworth, CV8 1EF Dormer Place, 01782 788887 01926 864463 Leamington Spa CV32 THE PEAR TREE Swinfen, THE ENCORE 5AA 01926 315522 Nr. Lichfield, WS14 9QR The Wood Norton, Worcestershire RESTAURANT 23 01543 481807 Bridge Street Stratford upon Avon CV37 6AB 34 Hamilton Terrace, WARWICK SPICE 24 Smith Street, Gt Malvern, WR14 OLD RECTIFYING HOUSE PORTOFINO 38-40 Marsh 01789 269462 Holly Walk Leamington St Stoke-On-Trent, ST1 St, Warwick CV34 4HS 2AE 01684 569909 North Parade, Worcester FINEST CATCH B’ham Rd, Spa, CV32 4LY 01926 1JD 01782 209444 01926 491736 FOUR SEASONS 61 WR1 3NN 01905 Henley in Arden. B95 422422 THE VINE INN Lowesmoor, Worcester 619622 THE RED ROOM 7 5QR 01564 793783 ROBBIES 74 Smith St, 86 - 88 West Newcastle Road, St, Warwick CV34 6AW WR1 2RS 01905 27026 ON THE ROCKS, FIVE RIVERS 20-22 Victoria Warwick CV34 4HU Congleton CW12 4HN 07873 219005 FUSION BRASSERIE Worcester Rd, Terrace, 01926 400470 01260 297871 Hawbridge, Stoulton, Bromsgrove. B61 7AE Leamington Spa, CV31 ROOFTOP RESTAURANT ZIZZI 85-87 Regent Worcester WR7 4RJ 01527 882412 THE SWAN HOTEL 46 3AB 01926 431999 @ The RST, Waterside, Square House, Parade, Greengate Street, Leamington Spa CV 32 01905 840647 PORTOFINO, 6 Worcester THE FLAT CHICKEN Stratford-upon-Avon, Stafford ST16 2JA 44 4NL 01926 432532 Rd, Droitwich. WR9 8AD Guild Street, Stratford- CV37 6BB 01789 403449 THE GARDENERS ARMS 01785 258142 ZORBA’S Vines Lane, Droitwich. 01905 794799 upon-Avon, CV37 6QY SAFFRON GOLD Market St, Olton Boulevard, THORNBURY HALL, RASOI WR9 8LU 01905 PORTWAY ITALIAN, 01789 415543 Westgate House, Solihull. B27 7DP 0121 Lockwood Rd, Kingsley 706 4709 772936 Alcester Rd, Redditch. GEORGETOWN Warwick CV34 4DE Holt, Stafford ST10 2DH 23 Sheep B48 7HT 01564 824794 St, Stratford-Upon-Avon, 01926 402061 THE GATE 36 Dodford Rd, 01538 750831 Bournheath, PUCCINI'S, 12 Friar St, CV37 6EF 01789 204445 THE SAXON MILL 01926 852980 WOLSELEY ARMS Worcestershire Bromsgrove Worcester WR12LZ HELP OUT MILL Heather Coventry Rd, Guys Cliffe, Wolseley Bridge, Stafford ANAKARI 47 The Tythings, B61 9JR 01527 878169 01905 27770 ST17 0XS Rd, Shakerstone, Warwick CV34 5YN Nuneaton. CV13 0BT 01926 492 255 Worcester. WR1 1JT THE INN AT STONEHALL RAJDOOT Cutnall Green, 01889 883179 01905 21412 Stonehall Common, Droitwich. WR9 0PW 01530 260666 SIGNATURES @ The Worcester, WR5 3QG 01299 851000 HIGH PAVEMENT 3 High Belgrade Theatre, ANGEL CHEF 1 Angel St, 01905820462 RILY’S The Quadrant, Street, Warwick, CV34 Coventry, CV1 1GS Worcester WR1 3QT Warwickshire Redditch B98 8AE 4AP 01926 494725 02476 846762 01905 731131 KING CHARLES II King Charles House, New St, 01527 60544 7 SQUARE 7 Old Square, HOGARTH’S HOTEL 4 Ashes TAILORS 22 Market Place, ANUPAM 85 Church Worcester WR1 2D ROSADOS’S 2 Finstall Rd, Warwick CV34 4RA Rd, Solihull, B93 8QE Warwick CV34 4SL Street, Malvern. WR14 01905 22449 Aston Fields, 01926 411 755 01564 779988 01926 410590 2AE 01684 573814 L’AMUSE BOUCHE 51 Bromsgrove. B60 2DZ NO. 9 CHURCH STREET HORTONS 165 High Street, THAI ELEPHANT BACCHUS 44 Worcester Graham Rd, Malvern. 01527 889948 Stratford upon Avon, Solihull B91 3ST 0121 20 Regent St, Road, Bromsgrove B61 WR14 2HU 01684 SAFFRON BISTRO 15 New Warwickshire CV37 6HB 709 3177 Leamington Spa, 0TA 01527 877557 01789 415522 BENEDICTOS 34 Sidbury, 572427 St, Worcester WR1 2DP INDIA RED 1-2 Abbey St, Warwick CV32 5HQ 01905 610505 ART KITCHEN 7 Swan St, Nuneaton. CV11 5BP 01926 886882 Worcester WR1 2HZ LANGTREYS 89a High St, Warwick CV34 4BJ 02476 342090 01905 21444 Bromsgrove. B61 8AQ SINGAPORE 29 Friar St, THE TREVELYAN Warwick Worcester WR1 2NA 01926 494303 BINDLES 55 Sidbury, 01527 878242 JIMMY SPICES 64-66 Rd, Stratford-upon-Avon, 01905 613005 AUBERGINE 32 Smith St, Station Rd, Solihull, B91 CV37 ONR Worcester. WR1 2HU LITTLE VENICE 1 - 3 St THAI GALLERY 26-32 Friar Warwick CV34 4HS 3RX 0121 709 2111 01789 295252 01905 611120 Nicholas St, Worcester St, Worcester WR1 2LZ 01926 400 086 BRAMBLINGS Hither Green WR1 1UW 01905 LE BISTRO PIERRE Swans 01905 25451 Nest, Bridgford, Stratford Lane, Redditch, B98 9BE 726126 01527 406600 LOTUS HOUSE 33 THAI LOTUS 147 Worcester Rd, THE BRIDGE INN Plough Ombersley St, Droitwich. WR9 8QX 01905 Bromsgrove. B61 7HN Rd, Tibberton, Droitwich. 01527 882606 WR9 7NQ 01905 345874 770079 thE dINNEr cLub (ESt 86) THAI RAMA Walwyn Rd, THE BROOK INN Elcocks MAEKONG THAI 12 a rEcIpE for fINE food aNd Good compaNy Worcester Rd, Gt Malvern. WR13 6QX Bank, Redditch. B97 5UD 01684 541563 01527 543209 Bromsgrove. B61 7AE 01527 578888 THE WILDMOOR OAK BROWNS 24 Quay St, MASSALLA LOUNGE 35 Top Road, Wildmoor, SINGLE? Worcester WR1 2JJ Bromsgrove B61 0RB 01905 26263 Broad St, Worcester WR1 3NH 01905 0121 453 2696 THE CHASE INN Chase Rd, For the more discerning 729955 THE WOOD NORTON Upper Colwall, Malvern. unattached person, age 30-45 or 45+ Worcester Road unattached person, age 30-45 or 45+ WR13 6DQ 01684 MUG HOUSE Claines Evesham Worcestershire 540276 Lane, Worcester WR3 Events weekly include dining out, dinner dances, black tie balls, 7RN 01905 456649 WR11 4YB 01386 CHESTERS 51 New St, 765611 theatre, parties, weekends away and holidays abroad. Worcester, WR1 2DL 01905 611638 Not a datING aGENcy CROWN & SANDYS Main Rd, Ombersley, To get your restaurant listed here WR9 0EW 01905 620252 01244 677030(day)/01244 548816(Eve/W-end) e: [email protected] EWE & LAMB Hanbury Rd, Bromsgrove. B60 4DN or call Jon Cartwright www.thedinnerclubuk.com 01527 871929 on 01743 281703 THE FIG TREE 99 Church

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