Coventry & Warwickshire Cover June 2019.qxp_Coventry & Warwickshire Cover 21/05/2019 16:18 Page 1
TESTAMENT GETS WOKE AT Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands THE BELGRADE THEATRE COVENTRY&WARWICKSHIRE WHAT’S ONJUNE 2019
Coventry & Warwickshire ISSUE 402 JUNE 2019 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On warwickshirewhatson.co.uk
inside: PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide
SPICE UP YOUR LIFE... at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena WTE:@WHATSONWARWICKSTWITTER:
THE MUSLIMS ARE COMING laughs aplenty at The Belgrade FACEBOOK:@WHATSONWARWICKSHIRE
BBC GOOD FOOD... seasonal dining inspiration at the NEC WARWICKSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK Solihull Summer FestFull June 2019.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:06 Page 1 Contents June Warwicks/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:27 Page 2
June 2019
Contents
Hormonal Housewives - are you a 21st century girl at a challenging time of life?... page 26
Testament Dagadana BBC Good Food... the list
takes new show Woke to fuse Polish and Ukrainian four days of summertime dining Your 16-page Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre culture at Artrix inspiration at the NEC week-by-week listings guide feature page 8 page 17 page 45 page 51 inside:
4. First Word 11. Food 17. Gigs 22. Comedy 24. Theatre 37. Film 42. Visual Arts 45. Events
fb.com/whatsonwarwickshire fb.com/whatsonworcestershire @whatsonwarwicks @whatsonworcs Warwickshire What’s On Worcestershire What’s On Warwickshire What’s On Worcestershire What’s On
Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 What’sOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 MEDIA GROUP Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Steve Adams, Lauren Cole, Nanci Davies, Jack Rolfe, Daisy Sparkle, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee, Patsy Moss, Tom Silverton Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Warwicks_Worcs June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 11:42 Page 1
Entertainment news from around the region
Sir Lenny Henry to kick off UK tour in the Midlands Sir Lenny Henry will kickstart a brand new UK tour at Birmingham Hippodrome later this year. Following the autumn publication of his memoir, the Dudley-born actor and comedian will present An Evening With Lenny Henry - Who Am I, Again? at the Hippodrome on Sunday 20 October and Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, on Sunday 17 November. Commenting on the new tour, Sir Lenny said: “I can’t wait to share more stories and fun about growing up in the Midlands, my early days in the clubs, pubs and discotheques, and of course working on Tiswas, Three Of A Kind and The Lenny Henry Show. My touring show promises to be an evening of memories, laughter and fun - I can’t wait to get started.” For all dates and to book tickets, visit lennyhenryontour.net
Peaky Blinders escape Worcester Arts Workshop this month (Friday Coventry street project 14 June) to ask the question: What would you rooms to launch in Brum change if you could travel through time?... gets £2million boost The world’s first official Peaky Blinders Doctor Rosy Carrick’s award-winning show, A once-vibrant thoroughfare in Coventry is escape rooms are set to be unveiled after the Passionate Machine, scored a huge hit at last set to be regenerated thanks to a £2million BBC TV series’ production company agreed a year’s Brighton Fringe and Edinburgh grant from the Department for Digital, deal with a Midlands-based operator. Festival. Culture, Media & Sport. Escape Live will be bringing the first experi- The show is visiting Worcester as part of a One of the city’s oldest shopping streets, The ences to Birmingham later this year, and national tour. For more information, visit Burges will now benefit from the restoration have plans to expand across the UK on the worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk of existing building frontages and the back of the deal. reinstatement of historic shopfronts. Commenting on the news, Escape Live’s Commenting on the news, Ian Harrabin, Managing Director, Jas Sodhi, said: “This is Chairman of Historic Coventry Trust, said: fantastic news for Peaky Blinders fans every- “We have been working hard with Coventry where, and we’re looking forward to City Council over many years to raise the reimagining this international drama funding to bring about the regeneration of phenomenon into a number of escape this ancient street.” experiences. Peaky Blinders has been enjoyed by millions of viewers across the world, but it’s only right that these experi- British Science Festival ences are brought to Birmingham first.” announces star speakers This year’s British Science Festival will take place across Coventry and on the University Riding along in the Heart of Warwick campus this autumn (Tuesday 10 - Friday 13 September). of England countryside Highlights of the show include talks by Fancy a great day of cycling in the Warwick- Professor Alice Roberts (pictured) and shire countryside to help raise funds for journalist Angela Saini. charity? If so, then next month’s Heart of The event will also feature The Sky At Night: England Bike Ride is the event for you. Question Time - a special Taking place for the 14th time, on Sunday 14 edition of the world’s Time travel in Worcester July, and both starting and finishing at the longest-running science historic Packwood National Trust House, the programme which will be The world’s first female time-travelling event will be raising funds for a number of recorded at the festival. doctor - just about pipping to the post current good causes... For more information, visit Dr Who star Jodie Whittaker! - is heading for For more information, visit riderhq.com britishsciencefestival.org 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwicks_Worcs June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 11:42 Page 2
First Word
Taste of Thailand at Racecourse New season of If you’re a lover of Thai shows on sale at the cuisine, you should head for Belgrade Warwick Racecourse this Adaptations of Mary Shelley’s month. Frankenstein and Hanif Kureishi’s Providing a chance for you to My Beautiful Laundrette feature in ‘challenge your tastebuds and Coventry Belgrade Theatre’s feast your eyes on world-class line-up of shows for the food’, The Warwick Thai forthcoming autumn/winter season. Festival takes place across the Other recently announced weekend of Saturday 1 & highlights include NJ Crisp’s Sunday 2 June, with children Dangerous Obsession, a new under the age of 15 getting in English version of Madam Butterfly for free. For more information, - as told from a female, East Asian visit thejockeyclub.co.uk perspective and presented by Olivier Award winners OperaUp- Swimmingly Close - and The Goldhawks good fun! performing The Who’s hit album, Tommy. One of the few remaining Previously announced autumn/ open-air swimming pools in winter shows at the venue include the country has reopened for The Entertainer, The Gruffalo, Hor- the summer season. rible Histories and Buddy: The The 40-metre-long Droitwich Buddy Holly Story... Spa Lido is located in stun- To check out the theatre’s full ning parkland and features a line-up of shows and to book wet play area - complete with tickets, visit belgrade.co.uk. water cannons and fountains - to keep the kids happy and engaged. To find out more, visit riversfitness.co.uk On yer bike for the Seventy acts across five stages at Banbury Run... this year’s Coventry Godiva Festival Organisers of Coventry’s Godiva Festival are anticipating another blockbuster year, with the 2019 edition of the event featuring 70 acts across five stages, including headlining stars Levellers and Busted. Commenting on the festival, Councillor Abdul Salam Khan said: “We’re really proud of the fact that the Godiva Festival is Fancy a charity massively popular. Importantly, we also know how beneficial it is challenge? for the city, generating an estimated £2.3million in direct economic activity for the area, which can only be good news for This year’s Malvern Hills local businesses, traders and the wider local economy.” Challenge, which is raising This year’s festival takes place in War Memorial Park from 5 to 7 money for the Help For July. For more information, visit godivafestival.com Heroes charity, takes place on The Vintage Motorcycle Club is Saturday 14 September. once again organising the The event last year raised ever-popular Banbury Run. more than £16,000, with Taking place for the 71st time, organisers hoping to beat that the Run starts out from the total in 2019. British Motor Museum and Participants can take part as features 500 veteran & vintage individuals or as part of a motorbikes riding out en route team. There are two routes to Banbury. available to follow - one of The event is this year being 18km, the other of nine. held on Sunday 16 June. Entry For more information, visit forms are available at malvernhillschallenge.org banbury-run.co.uk whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Warwicks_Worcs June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 11:42 Page 3
First Word
Fiona Bruce at Disney celebrates Compton Verney 100 years of magic The BBC is filming an episode A show celebrating a centenary of of its long-running Antiques Mouse House magic is visiting the Roadshow programme at Midlands this autumn. Warwickshire’s Compton Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years Verney Art Gallery & Park on Of Magic will stop off at Arena Tuesday 2 July. Birmingham from 16 to 20 October Locals interested in attending and features characters from 14 the Fiona Bruce-hosted show classic and modern stories. are being encouraged to look The production stars an interna- in their cupboards, attics and tional team of award-winning sheds, dust off a maybe-mas- figure skaters, and will also boast terpiece and take it along to Disney On Ice’s usual impressive be assessed by the sets, colourful costumes and programme’s talented team of high-energy choreography. experts. Entry to the show is free, everyone is welcome, and no ticket or pre-registra- tion is required. You can share Programme announced for the fifth An evening with a story about items that are Birmingham Indian Film Festival Sir Bradley Wiggins special to you by emailing Birmingham Indian Film Festival is this month taking place for a shareyourstory@bbc.co.uk fifth year. Running at various venues from Friday 21 June till Monday 1 July, the event showcases a rich assortment of independent movies, including an entry from India’s new wave of LGBTQ+ films. Commenting on the festival, Cary Rajinder Sawhney, the event’s executive & programming director, said: “Punching above our weight as always, this year is probably our strongest programme ever, with exciting Midlands premieres, rarely seen archival masterpieces, and some seriously cutting-edge dramas and documentaries.” Mindgame at Malvern theatre Britain’s most decorated Olympian Critically acclaimed psycho- is visiting Birmingham's logical thriller Mindgame is Symphony Hall this autumn visiting Malvern Theatres this (Friday 20 September) with a brand month (Tuesday 4 - Saturday 8 new show. June) as part of a UK tour. Bradley Wiggins: An Evening With The mind-bending production sees the Olympic Gold medallist is written by Anthony and Tour de France winner sharing Horowitz, whose other exclusive stories in a unique and notable works include BBC TV intimate live setting. series New Blood, the bestselling series of books featuring ‘teen spy’ Alex Ride, Arts centre’s family open day inspired and the Ian Fleming Estate- by all things movement... £1million boost for commissioned James Bond Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry is this month hosting a special cathedral project novel Trigger Mortis. Family Day event (Sunday 16 June) inspired by ‘all things move- The National Lottery Heritage Fund ment’, with visitors being encour- has awarded a grant in excess of aged to take along their scooters, £1million to Worcester Cathedral. bikes and roller skates. The cash is to conserve and, for the Featured attractions include a first time, bring into public use the range of free art, craft, sports and 12th century Undercroft to College science-based activities, as well as Hall, creating a learning, arts and a selection of ‘tasty treats’ at the heritage space to benefit the whole on-site food market. For more community. information, visit warwick.ac.uk 6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwicks_Worcs June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 11:42 Page 4 Woke.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 08:49 Page 1
wakeRenowned beatboxer Testament comes to theup Midlands this month with his new show, Woke. What’s On spoke to the hip-hop star about the production and its relationship to feminism…
8 whatsonlive.co.uk Woke.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 08:49 Page 2
by Lauren Cole
World Record-holding beatboxer Testament show on the road. We might not necessarily the world. Whether it’s an allegory, a parable uses his new show, Woke, to explore what have laws in the UK that discriminate against or even a headline on a tabloid newspaper, happens when his hip-hop world collides women, but in everyday domestic, social and narratives help us to order our souls and to with his newer role as the father to a young career settings there’s definitely still sexism think about things. So I’ve always been very girl. Employing a mixture of comedy, spoken towards women in particular. For example, keen on storytelling. My raps were always full word, hip-hop and beatboxing, Testament hip-hop is my art form, and yet misogyny is of storytelling, and I really try to take care unpicks the conflict between feminism and almost written into it. So there’s a movement with my bars and rhymes because the lines hip-hop in an attempt to understand how we in Woke to try and unpick that and examine are always there to serve a narrative, rather can all become better feminists. what’s going on. This is something that’s real than just to sound cool. I mean, I hope they and affects people’s lives on both small and sound cool also, but the story is the most The word Woke is slang, defined as ‘to be bigger levels. I was angry at the state of the important thing. Theatres just seemed like the aware of and actively attentive to important world and also at myself. So Woke is natural space to put my music into.” facts and issues - especially those connected something I felt I really needed to get out to racial and social justice’. Five years ago, Testament founded a now, and luckily there were a few theatres workshop scheme called The Hip-Hop Clinic, “Woke was born out of a bit of frustration across the country that wanted to help me where he uses hip-hop as an educational tool. with myself,” Testament explains. “I sud- create the piece.” denly realised that there were things about “I was working freelance as a hip-hop Woke is not a show that seeks to preach. In my own life and attitudes that just weren’t educator, which I still do now. So I use hip- his self-reflection, Testament extends the sitting right with me. I was almost afraid to hop as a tool to educate in schools, prisons hand of community empowerment to the examine these. The more I dug into them, the and community centres. I use the word ‘clinic’ audience: “Mostly it’s a really funny show. It’s more I realised that even though my music in there because I really hope it’s something called Woke, which is kind of in inverted- and theatre really talks about the world and that helps and heals. Hip-hop doesn’t always commas, because when someone says they’re its current issues, there were still things do that, but the founding principles of the woke, that automatically implies that they within my own self that needed work. I clinic are to change that. I’m lucky enough to think someone else isn’t. That’s a bit of a realised that, as a man, I needed to be a better have got the blessing of DJ Kool Herc, one of pretentious thing to say. So I think there’s a feminist, and that it could take some work to the first progenitors of hip-hop back in the feeling of looking at myself and critiquing my understand what that would mean. That’s a day in the Bronx, and he’s all about using own hip-hop work. Part of that is laughing at journey I’m still on now, but that’s essentially music to heal, which is a legacy I want to it. Singing and beatboxing about these sexism what catalysed Woke. People were asking me carry on.” issues within the genre of hip-hop will what my next show was going to be about hopefully put a new perspective out there. So Testament is clearly a man with many strings after Blake Remixed, and I’d already decided I guess my biggest aim is for people to really to his bow. that I wanted it to be about equality and have their preconceptions challenged. The sexism.” show ends with a kind of figurative hug, so I “I’m currently the writer-in-residence at the Royal Exchange Manchester, so I’m working Testament’s ideas provoked many different really hope that people leave the theatre on a play now, which is very exciting. I’m also reactions within the communities that play an feeling empowered to look at and tackle these working on an album. Life sometimes goes by important role in his career and private life. issues.” different seasons, and I love being able to just “I received a slight backlash from certain men So why did Testament decide to take his be creative and go with it. I plan on taking in all parts of my life about this. In particular music into theatres across the country? whatever opportunities come my way and some from the hip-hop scene were telling me making sure I still pursue all my lines of “One of the big turning points for me was about how feminism is evil and a conspiracy work.” when I was working with SK Shlomo at his to undermine men. A lot of the people in my shows on the Southbank. I was one of the He’s also positive that Midlands theatre-goers Christian community were supportive, and beatboxers in his show. I saw how he turned will enjoy Woke: “The feedback I’ve had from agreed that feminism is part of loving your that into a theatre show, and I loved how his audiences so far has been really, really neighbour, but some others were also pretty vision was to unite the world through music. I positive. Some people just find it really scathing about it. Even some friends from thought about how combining theatre and hilarious, others enjoy seeing a live beat- school told me how feminism is undermining hip-hop was actually really fantastic, but not boxer. I’ve heard men say they’ve been really Western civilisation. So I got mixed reactions, done that often. It’s quite hard to convey a challenged by the content of Woke. I’ve had and a lot of people weren’t happy about me complex message at places like clubs and women come to me and say that, for them, it exploring feminism through hip-hop. But at festivals, where people are there to have a was really healing. I think that’s been great the same time, it was their reactions that good time rather than to listen to the story. for a random rapper guy to achieve with a affirmed to me how much of an issue it was, With theatre, it’s more of a community, where spoken-word, beatboxing show where I spit and how important it was for me to open up a you sit down and have a conversation be- some lyrics and jump around a bit. I’m glad conversation about this.” tween audience and performer.” that people leave having been entertained The global sociopolitical climate was also an and feeling uplifted.” Storytelling has been a passion of Testa- influence on the creation of Woke: “That guy ment’s for many years and links directly to Donald Trump got elected; someone with both his music career and his theatre shows. obvious problems with how to relate to and respect women. Seeing how some people I “Well, I’m called Testament, which I guess Testament brings his new show Woke to knew were really big fans of Donald Trump links to stories. In every tradition, culture and the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry on made me even more determined to get this religion in the world, stories are how we view Saturday 15 June
whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Food June Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:52 Page 1 Food June Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:52 Page 2
Food
Opting for a starter of red wine & rice. thyme braised chorizo with The braised lamb shoulder was tomato toast, I found myself tenderness to a tee, falling off the momentarily transported to the bone on the first touch of the tapas bars of Andalusia and knife and fork. The minted Seville. Beautifully cooked with a crushed new potatoes and spring rich paprika-smoked heat and greens delivered a refreshing complemented by the crisp taste, and one which was per- texture of the tomato-infused fectly complemented by the rich ciabatta toast, the dish made me fruitiness of the red wine eager to sample more of the accompaniment. taster menu and sharer board. Watching the springtime sun go Choosing for his starter the roast down over the Ettington country- chicken, wild mushroom and side, I felt compelled to sample spinach roulade served with one of Chequers’ signature piccallili and dressed leaves, my desserts. Tucking into the partner took no time at all in generously portioned lemon & REVIEW: The Chequers Inn praising both the freshness and lavender bundt cake, my sweet delicacy of the dish. Though the tooth was well and truly Refurbished 18th century pub scores combination of chicken and satisfied. Beautifully light in tex- high marks for cuisine and atmosphere spinach was a tad bland in itself, ture and served with a delicately the roulade was instantly flavoured crème anglais and When it comes to historic sur- light, bright and exquisitely uplifted by the zesty punch of candied lemon accompaniment, roundings, picturesque English decorated interior bar and casual the piccalilli and earthy tones of this unusual choice of German landscapes and affordable dining space. Floral feature the wild mushroom; a magnifi- dessert was impressively refresh- luxury, Warwickshire is by no walls, Parisian-inspired lamp- cent marriage of flavour which ing in taste. My partner’s selec- means short on choice. shades, eclectic artworks, added extra depth to an tion of dark chocolate & orange Little wonder, then, that a parlour-style tables and soft oak ordinarily light-touch starter. tart with pistachio ice cream was historic gem like The Chequers finishings combine to create a For a continental twist on a decadence on a plate and every Inn was so hungrily snapped up quirky marriage of style and tried-and-tested pub classic, be inch the chocaholic’s delight. sure to sample the pork & by first-time purchasers Paul and informality, making the most of Whether serving up Sunday chorizo Scotch egg with spicy Aman Bhandal when the both the abundant natural light lunch to a family of day-trippers, tomato sauce; a dish which has property was put up for resale and bold statement colours. pulling a pint for village locals or already proved a hit with last year. We made our way to the main delivering that special-occasion regulars and day-trippers alike. Having won the hearts and dining area, a space which dinner, The Chequers’ Inn hits stomachs of locals and visitors boasted an altogether more For my main course, I chose the the nail on the head where alike, this unassuming village tranquil marriage of soft creams, pan-fried seabass with wild rice, quality of produce, menu and pub came with a formidable hunter greens and earthy black olives & cherry tomato atmosphere are concerned. Mak- reputation; featuring on the wooden tones, complete with compote. My carnivorous com- ing the very best of its uniquely Tripadvisor Hall Of Fame list fully restored Inglenook fire- panion opted for the equally English surroundings, whilst at eight years running, it was also place, plush floor-length drapes tempting braised lamb shoulder the same time channelling the recommended in the Michelin and hand-printed wall-art. with spring greens, minted culinary spirit of the continent, Guide. A perfect location in which to crushed new potatoes & red wine it’s not hard to see why the jus. Oozing freshness and pan- Situated off Banbury Road in the enjoy a spring evening. venue is pulling in the punters fried to perfection, the sea bass picturesque village of Ettington, A sense of springtime was also time and time again…. was, in so many ways, the per- just a short drive from Stratford- evident in the venue’s carefully Katherine Ewing fect accompaniment to a spring upon-Avon and the Cotswolds, chosen menu of seasonal spe- evening. That said, whilst the Food: nnnnn this thriving 18th century public cials, taster plates, hand-cooked wild rice and black olives offered Service: nnnnn house only recently reopened its pizzas and pub-grub classics. an ideal complement by way of Ambience: nnnnn doors following a full-scale From continental favourites such flavour, I nevertheless couldn’t Overall value nnnnn refurbishment of its 38-cover as smoked salmon, artichoke & help but feel that the dish OVERALL nnnnn restaurant & bar. With the stakes feta salad to pan-Asian-inspired would’ve been improved by a and expectations raised, could dishes like the masala chickpea more generous helping of red The Chequers Inn this well-loved landmark really chaat starter with toasted pitta, wine jus. This would have 91 Banbury Road live up to its reputation?... The this was a menu that placed Ettington brought out the moisture in the answer was a resounding yes! freshness, quality and eclecti- Stratford-upon-Avon fillets and helped undercut the CV37 7SR An overflowing lobby leads to a cism at its heart. heavily grained texture of the Tel: 01789 740387
whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Food June Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:52 Page 3
12 whatsonlive.co.uk Food June Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:52 Page 4
Food
Jephson Gardens’ Glasshouse restaurant reopens to the public After years of being closed to the general public, Jephson Gardens’ Glasshouse restaurant in Leamington Spa has reopened for regular events. Over the next few weeks, the refurbished venue is hosting a series of dining experiences called Summer@The Glasshouse, taking place on selected Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays between 11.30am & 7pm. No advance bookings are taken and tables are available on a first come, first served basis.
Droitwich’s award-winning food festival makes a return The Droitwich Spa Food & Drink Festival makes a welcome return this month. FarGo Village to host Since debuting in 2013, the award-winning free-to-attend get-together has become one of the Midlands’ leading events of its kind, with more than 100 exhibitors taking part and an estimated summertime sausage 15,000 people visiting the festival across its two days. and cider festival Celebrating the very best in local food & drink, this year’s event features demonstrations, music Coventry’s FarGo Village is hosting a and entertainment, including a sure-to-be-hot’n’sizzling chilli-eating competition. sausage & cider festival on Saturday 15 The 2019 edition of the show is being merged with the Droitwich Spa Salt Festival and takes place June. in the town’s Lido Park on Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 June. “Our event is exactly what it says on the tin,” explains the festival’s organiser. “And what better way can there be to Stratford hotel unveils a refurbished restaurant space spend a summer’s afternoon than by Stratford-upon-Avon’s Arden Hotel has enjoying a delicious hot dog and recently unveiled its refurbished restaurant sipping cider in the sun?” space. No44 Brasserie was previously known as the Waterside Brasserie. Coventry gets a new New menus have also been introduced to autumn food festival complement the refurb. Featured dishes A new two-day food festival will take include numerous tapas-style sharing plates, place at Coventry’s War Memorial Park among which are the following: salt & pepper on 21 & 22 September. squid with chilli, ginger and spring onion; The free-to-attend War Memorial Food honey roasted lamb sweetbread, celeriac and Festival will feature over 100 traders, mild curry sauce; and crispy duck salad, Asian local singers & bands and a collection slaw and ketjap manis. of fairground rides for kids to enjoy. A range of homecooked favourites and in- Other attractions will include glitter season big plates are also available. painting and chocolate workshops. The Arden is part of the Eden Hotel Collection. whatsonlive.co.uk 13 MPW.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 11:08 Page 1
AcclaimedMARCO chef Marco Pierre PIERRE White chats to What’s On aboutWHITE his new menus, experimenting with veganism, impressing potential employers and eating a cow’s windpipe...
The youngest ever recipient of three Michelin Owning a staggering 42 restaurants in the UK The starters menu features a classic eggs stars and a man considered by many to be the alone, three of which are in Birmingham, he’s benedict with Woodall’s ham and Mr White’s greatest UK chef of all time, Marco Pierre recently launched a new menu at his Steak- Scotch egg with Colonel mustard sauce, White has trained a number of high-profile house Bar & Grill venue, located at the top of which Marco himself singles out as a and hugely popular fellow ‘kitchen creatives’, the city’s iconic Cube. particular favourite. including Gordon Ramsay, Mario Batali, Steak sits at the heart of the menu, with cuts His liking for diversity is in evidence through- Curtis Stone and Shannon Bennett. including fillet, rib-eye and chateaubriand. out the menu. Stand-out plates include MPW.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 11:09 Page 2
by Lauren Foster
Wheeler’s haddock fish cake with poached crispy butterfly prawns fritto misto. As our thoroughly enjoyable chat draws to a hen’s egg and Connaught’s shrimp curry - close, the charismatic and ever-so-charming “This is the way that restaurants are going, both perfect for fish lovers - as well as a Marco offers some advice to any working- because this is how people are living honey-roasted bacon chop and a classic class Brummie who fancies becoming a nowadays. They like to eat out once, twice or chicken Kiev. Croustade of eggs Maintenon respected chef: “Well, firstly, the advice I even three times a week, even if it’s just going Maxim’s and creamy polenta with wild mush- would give is, if you go for a job, keep your to somewhere casual like a pizzeria. People rooms are ideal dishes for vegetarians. fingers crossed and hope that you get it. By want affordable glamour, and they want not asking ‘How many hours?’ or ‘How much “Everything’s seasonal, really,” says Marco, some fun. I like casual. I like affordable. And I am I getting paid?’, your chance of getting the in talking about his new menu. “It rotates, like glamour. We live such fast lives that it’s job will increase enormously. There’s nothing but there are certain things that we keep. important to have some escapism, so going to worse than conducting an interview with We’ll never take off the French onion soup or, your local pizzeria for something to eat or someone who’s 19 years old and they ask you of course, the steaks. But also, you have to even just a coffee can be an escape.” those questions. So actually, you’re not take into consideration vegans and vegetari- Despite his love of glamour, Marco admits coming in order to learn? How stupid! What I ans. that if he’s cooking a meal for himself, he learnt in my life is that knowledge is your “I was a vegan for nine months because I was likes to keep it simple: “Maybe I’ll have an passport to freedom; it really is. My father curious. I went pure vegan for nine months of omelette for dinner, a cheese omelette - gave me that advice as a young man. He also my life and stopped absolutely everything - delicious. That’s fine for me. Perhaps a ham told me to never call in sick. Turn up for work all carbs, alcohol, smoking. The first three sandwich with good English mustard. Maybe if you’re ill; the chef will see you’re not well. weeks, it didn’t impact on me at all; the next a Scotch egg if one of my boys has made them The advice I would give is to conduct your in- six weeks, I became very weak, introverted, and I steal one. I like real simplicity.” terviews correctly. That’s not just for chefs, quite faint, dizzy at times and suffered from that’s for everything. I think what’s really So is there anything that Marco won’t eat? headaches. Then I sort of went back to nor- important is to always be punctual. Maybe mal after that. I must confess, though, I slept “Chicken’s feet! I’m not looking for a soul- I’m old-fashioned, but that’s what I think you better. I had more energy. Through that nine- mate. I don’t get sucking feet; it really should do. I used to go to interviews and sit month period, I lost five stone in weight; it confuses me. I accept they’ve had a manicure there with my fingers crossed, praying I got just dropped off me. My sense of smell be- before they’ve come to me, but it doesn’t do it the job. I remember I went for an interview came incredibly acute - I could walk down the for me. I’m really into strange food, don’t get with Pierre Koffmann - we’re great friends, road and smell coffee 100 metres away. I me wrong - I like eating. Eating is one of my Pierre and I, and have a business together could smell bread being baked.” great passions in life. I went to this restaurant and are working on a second deal - and he in Singapore and she said, “Marco, I’ve got said to me, ‘I have no position in my kitchen’. Even with so many benefits to following a something special for you tonight”. They’re It was the first and only time I’ve been turned strict vegan diet, Marco decided it wasn’t for fascinated that I love tendons - they’re so down. I said - even though I couldn’t afford to him: “I found myself staring at roast chickens delicious; they’re one of the most delicious - that I would work for nothing. I worked for and roast beef. Cheese boards were staring at things I’ve ever eaten. I asked what the three weeks for zero money, and I was really me, almost to the point where I thought they special was and she told me it was a surprise. on the breadline. He called me and said, were moving. The brie was walking across the Cow throat! Not for me. Can you imagine “Marco, I want to put you on the payroll”. plate. I was never fulfilled. I was never full. I eating windpipe?! I like a pig’s trotter, I like Prove yourself. We live in such a disposable was always hungry. I was never comforted. pig’s ears, I love pig’s head, I love all of that, world now. People go in and out of jobs. For me, food has to be comforting. I thought, but when it comes to eating windpipe, no. I When I was a boy, people didn’t walk out of this is boring, and I missed all those delicious said, ‘Look, it’s not for me, please apologise jobs, people weren’t late. If you started work things so much, so I went back to them. to the chef’. It was horrific! The texture was at 8, you turned up at 8 or earlier. How much “That’s why I prefer something in a pot rather disgusting and it doesn’t taste of anything. do we pay a year for people to stand around than a pan. I like a great stew, I love Chicken’s feet, they take some doing. on their phone? It’s a different generation.” dumplings, risotto, a big pan of pasta; I love a Windpipe is another question.” So what does Marco think about big roast. I see these chefs talking about From Hell’s Kitchen to Masterchef Australia to Birmingham’s ever-growing and truly veganism and vegetarianism, but you can’t White’s Kitchen Wars, Marco has done a lot of impressive food scene? really talk about it unless you’ve tried it.” TV work over the years. So does he have “It’s a beautiful jigsaw - a melting pot of all Marco has also just launched a new menu at anything else in the windpipe - sorry, the cultures. Also, because it’s the second his Bardolino restaurant on Wharfside Street pipeline? city, it’s got all these businesses which bring at The Cube. “How boring! I can’t stand it, but, like your- money in, and then it allows people to pay for The menu is focused around his belief that self, I have to make a living. I’ve just finished that. Birmingham is one of Britain’s great good-quality food should be an experience filming a series now. I don’t like it. It’s the gastronomic cities.” that’s shared and enjoyed with friends and most boring thing. In all my contracts now, family, whatever the occasion. Featured they’re not allowed to tell me what to say. cuisine includes a number of classic Italian- Nothing scripted. I’ve worked on TV shows inspired dishes such as: rigatoni ragu of when they’re scripted. There’s no emotion. Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Bar & Scottish beef bolognese with aged Italian Can you imagine being told what to write and Grill Birmingham is located at The Cube, cheese; baked Tuscan sausages with how to write it? Boring. It’s systematic and 200 Wharfside Street, Birmingham, B1 1PR cannellini beans and pomodoro sauce; and they’ve sucked the emotion out of it.” Classical May Warwicks- Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:53 Page 1
June 2019 NEW SEASON ON SALE
Saturdays in June at 11am - Saturday 1 June Friday 7 June
Monday 3 June £22.50 Tuesday 4 June £18 SATURDAY HATS OFF TO THE BOB DYLAN FAMILY FILMS LED ZEPPELIN STORY ROBERT MIZZELL & THE MALCOLM STENT’S SONGS OF WHEELY, SPY CAT CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE STUNNING AND COUNTRY KINGS PRAISE - SUMMER CONCERT A DOG'S JOURNEY RECORDED ZEPPELIN DEFINITIVE LIVE CELEBRATION American Country music from Ireland! Hymns and songs with a comedy sparkle! THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 OF ROCK'S GREATEST ICON
Friday 14 June £8 - Age 16+ Friday 21 June £22 Sunday 8 June Fri 21 and Sat 22 June Thursday 27 June BOX OF FROGS MAD ABOUT THE MUSICALS THE SUMMER OF BAZ LUHRMANN DAGADANA COMEDY IMPOV SHOW A must for fans of West End and Comedy Improvisation show in the Studio Broadway Musicals LOVE MINI SEASON POLISH AND UKRANIAN THE SOUNDTRACK OF A ROMEO + JULIET CULTURE THROUGH JAZZ, GENERATION THE GREAT GATSBY ELECTRONIC AND WORLD MOULIN ROUGE MUSIC
Wednesday 17 July £12/£11/£7 - Age 8+ Tue 23 & Wed 24 July £14/£12.50 ROMEO & JULIET ELMER THE PATCHWORK Modern take on Shakespeare’s classic ELEPHANT COMING SOON: The Songs of Leonard Cohen, Lipstick On Your Collar, Giselle: Vienna Festival Ballet, Performed live outdoors at Brueton Park The classic book bought to life on stage! Joe Longthorne, Steve Knightly: Roadworks, Moishe’s Bagel, Cold Meat: All & Sundry Productions, Redditch Orchestra: Last Night of the Proms, King of Pop: The Legend Continues.., The Blues Band, Roy Orbison & the Traveling Wilburys Experience 30th Anniversary Tour, Michael Messer's Mitra, Bootleg Abba, Susie Dent: The Secret Lives of Words, Abba Reunion, Desperado – Eagles Greatest Hits Tour 2019, Worcestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra and WYJO2 with special guest Alan Barnes, Surf's Up - Summer Days '65...
Free parking on-site Join our Mailing List and receive our weekly e-flyer withup-to-date information about upcoming showsor download our latest brochure @artrixarts www.artrix.co.uk @artrix arts centre Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1GN Box Office: 01527 577330
14 whatsonlive.co.uk Classical May Warwicks- Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:53 Page 2
Classical
Armonico Consort Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 27 June Founded by organist and conductor Christopher Monks in 2001, Armonico are one of the largest organisations of their kind in the UK. Using authentic period instruments, the baroque consort regularly perform with some of the best solo musicians in the world. This Coventry concert sees Armonico retelling the legendary story of Beowulf, a fantasy saga and the oldest surviving poem in Old English. The work has been written for soprano, choir, harp, keyboards and children’s choir by Armonico’s composer-in- residence and former BBC Proms Young Composer of the Year, Toby Young.
Orchestra Of The Swan: Shakespeare’s Songs Stratford Play House, Stratford-upon-Avon, Wed 25 June As well as being much admired for their performances of works by legendary composers, the Stratford-based Orchestra of the Swan are also held in high regard for their champi- oning of new music, having presented more than 70 world premieres. As might therefore be expected, this latest concert will see them combining the new with the familiar - and no doubt doing so to excellent effect. Lucia Caruso and husband Pedro H Da Silva (pictured) were the orchestra’s composers-in-residence between 2016 and last year, and their Shakespeare’s Songs is here presented alongside the pair’s Echoes Of Nature, Richard Rodney Bennett’s 7 Country Dances and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia On Royal Philharmonic Greensleeves. Orchestra: The Planets Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 21 June Il Divo Warwickshire Gustav Holst’s seven-movement orches- tral suite, each movement of which is Arena Birmingham, Sat 29 June Symphony Orchestra named after a planet in the solar system, Since their formation by Simon Cowell in All Saints Church, Leamington Spa, is one of the most famous and familiar 2004, classical crossover quartet Il Divo Sat 8 June works of classical music ever written, have scored some major successes - a particularly the Mars and Jupiter move- coveted Artist Of The Decade gong at the ments. Earth is excluded from the work, Classic Brit Awards, a multi-platinum self- the concept of the suite being astrological titled debut album and millions of concert rather than astronomical. ticket sales worldwide. The composer was still alive when Pluto Comprising Swiss tenor Urs Buhler, Spanish was named as the ninth planet in 1930, baritone Carlos Marin, French pop artist but he opted out of writing an additional Sebastien Izambard and American tenor movement, believing that The Planets had David Miller, the talented quartet this already cast too significant a shadow over month return to the Midlands to present Widely acknowledged as one of the best the rest of his work. their greatest-hits tour, Timeless. non-professional orchestras in the country, the Warwickshire Symph has established a well-deserved reputation for its imaginative programmes and full symphonic sound. This latest concert sees the orchestra playing a selection of masterpieces from French composers Debussy, Poulenc, Chausson and Canteloube. Roger Coull conducts. The soprano is Donna Lennard (pictured). whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Il Divo online.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 15:27 Page 1 Il Divo online.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 15:27 Page 2
The classical quartet talk about their 15 years together ahead of their Birmingham show...
How’s the new tour going? When starting out, did you ever imagine It can sometimes be a distraction having that you’d be together for 15 years? lots of other things happening on stage… Urs Bühler: We’veIl started the first leg in Do Canada. It’s a really beautiful show. I think it Seb: Never. It’s hard enough to keep up a Urs: It’s not necessary, so why bother? The Il comes over great. We played castles marriage, so imagine how it feels keeping a Divo music is very beautiful. We have a few and stately homes in the UK last July with our whole band together - especially when it was things up our sleeves which I’m not going to Timeless tour, which was based on the new an arranged marriage! I still think give away, but it’s a fun show. album. sometimes, ‘It’s not real’. It’s striking the Narrowing down the Greatest Hits set list We played the whole repertoire, which was amount of counties and cities we’ve been to. I must be a challenge... actually quite risky, but the album is find it amazing. I know more where a lounge very beautiful, so it went down really well. is than where the forks and the cutlery are at Urs: It is, definitely. There are certain songs This is more back-to-basics - the four of us home. I lived in England for almost 10 years, which have to be in there. Obviously Unbreak singing. We still do a few songs from the so it’s always like coming back home. My Heart and My Way. We’ve done Greatest Timeless album but we do all our greatest Hits shows before, but the repertoire was Why did you decide to strip back the show hits as well. The audience seem to like it, so different. We do have a lot of songs and have this time? I’m very excited to bring it to the UK and done a lot of specials with other artists, like play the arenas again. Urs: When I go to concerts, I like to see shows the football World Cup. It’s all Greatest Hits. with something happening on stage. We get It’s difficult. We get help from outside - we David Miller: We started in Winnipeg, where talk to management - and always size it down excited and have lots of ideas - we could it was 20 degrees below zero. We were bun- to a show length. I’ve been listening back to do this, we could do that. Then you play your dled up that day for sure! the first albums, and we’ve got such show like this for a whole year all around beautiful, original songs like I Believe In You, Sebastien Izambard: We decided to tweak the the world. You ask people, ‘What did you Isabel - which we’re doing again - and others gig because it’s our 15-year anniversary. What think about the video and the stage set?’ And that we do in the show. I’d be very excited to we realised was that people really want to see they go, ‘We just came to see you guys sing’. do a show with only original Il Divo songs. just the four of us. We had dancers, but now So you know what, let’s strip all the fuss We’ve done a lot of covers, and people know we’re listening to what our audience wants, away and just make a beautiful concert. these songs, but I think we have a stunning with some of our best songs ever alongside We enjoy that the most, and the audience original repertoire that would totally be the Timeless album. In my opinion, it’s a enjoys that. worth building a show around. Maybe really good show. We’re having a really good something for the future - the original time. Greatest Hits. Il Divo online.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 15:27 Page 3
What’s it like on your tour bus? weather we had in the UK in July. I’m big very comfortable, homely, family feeling into medieval times and ancient properties. coming to the UK to play these shows. Urs: We’re not travelling on a tour bus! I’ve Playing in front of Edinburgh Castle and done two north American tours on a tour bus, David: I love the UK. It’s one of my these beautiful properties - house keeping but not with the other boys. They don’t like favourite places to spend time in. It’s a would give us a private tour - that was won- that. Sebastian and Carlos get quite easily compact area - we can drive from city to city derful. I enjoyed last year’s tour so much. It car-sick. David would be okay. It becomes or take the train. So much of what is chal- was almost like I was going sightseeing in the a financial thing. If you rent a whole tour lenging about our touring schedule is that we UK and we only had to perform a show in bus, it’s very expensive unless you fill it up - spend almost every day on a plane, as the evening on the side. The UK is where they normally have 10 or 12 bunks or up to 18. we’re in a different city every day, sometimes our career started - where we did the first If you don’t fill it up, it’s going to be cheaper a different country every day. There’s no time record and had the first record company. It’s to fly the whole party around. to enjoy a boots-on-the-ground experience where the audience embraced us from the of a country. By contrast, here in the UK, What are your favourite memories of per- beginning. It’s like coming home when we driving across the countryside means we can forming in the UK? come to the UK. We play the Royal Albert Hall take it all in. We now have such a great fan- in London again, which I’m very much look- base here. People show up to our concerts Urs: Last year the tour was absolutely ing forward to. It’s a beautiful venue. It’s a spectacular. You might remember the and have a great time. They let their hair Il Divo online.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 15:27 Page 4
down, they let the music in, and there’s no these adventures together. Home is where my love the people too. I remember living in greater compliment to an artist than to feel heart is, and that’s right next to me. Notting Hill, going to the market there received. That’s what we really get from the Seb: I always travel with my own pillow and people going, ‘Hello love, how you are?’ UK. because I think with hotel pillows you never So friendly and very positive. I love the tea know what you’re going to get. I don’t like and scones. I love your traditions. I think You must recognise a lot of faces in the hard pillows. I have a soft pillow I like England has amazing traditions, just as crowd after 15 years... travelling with and my own pillow cases. It much as France does. David: Not only do we see a lot of the same reminds me of being in my own bed, and I Are there any British musicians you’re fans who’ve followed us around, we see a lot like that a lot. I have photos of my kids that I friends with? of our international fans in the UK as well, put on my bedside table. particularly from Japan and San Francisco. If Seb: I’ve met quite a few. I live not far from What do you like to have on your rider? ever we miss areas around Europe, they’ll Chris Martin in Malibu. If I see him, I say come over to the UK too. There is such a Urs: I don’t even go to catering these days or hello. I’m such a big fan of his. I love what he sense of familiarity, with people showing up have dinner before a show. I have still and does, his music and what he stands for. I who we’ve known for years. sparkling water in my dressing room, rolled think he’s an incredible artist. I know the guy oats, a couple of protein bars, fruit or berries. from Muse too. I would’ve loved to have been Seb: I love when we come to the UK. We are That’s what I live on for the shows. I have a friends with David Bowie, but he never spoiled. We have so many fans who actually cup of oatmeal with berries or fruit an hour returned my calls! Alfie Boe, I’m friends with somehow are always showing up for us. It before the show, and that gives me the energy him. I grew up listening to The Beatles as a feels like an extended family to me. I was I need to sing. If I’m hungry afterward, I have kid. That was my source of inspiration. I’ve always told when I moved to the UK that UK a protein bar. That’s it. always been a big fan of English bands like audiences were not very faithful to their The Verve. I think they’re the best bands. I don’t know why people used to say Don’t you feel hungry? songwriters in the world. That comes from that. I think they’re really faithful. We are i Urs: Our life rhythm is a bit strange. If I don’t the culture. I really believe that. I do a lot ncredibly lucky that our fans are very loyal to have to get up for travel or interviews, I very of songwriting myself because that’s us. We probably could name most of our fans. often sleep until 11 or later. Normally after the one of my passions. They’ve been there 15 years. shows, it takes quite a while for you to go to As a Beatles fan, Seb, you must get excited Will you put Simon Cowell on the guest sleep - to get the body and the mind to rest. when you play shows in Liverpool... list for the tour? Even without hanging out and partying in your hotel room, it can easily be 2am or 3am Seb: “I love it. I’m like a kid. What an Urs: If he’s interested in coming to see a before you get to sleep. If you’re in a nice city, amazing time. I would’ve loved to have been show, he’s invited. He’s been to a few you look for a place that does all-day break- born around that time and have a band then. over the years, but he’s a very busy man. Like fast and finishes breakfast at 2pm. It’s a The music industry has changed us, he’s travelling a lot, so you never know very different rhythm. dramatically. Even video. Now it’s streaming. where to pin him down. It’s wonderful to see Not to sound old-fashioned, but I don’t think his face down in the audience. I love having Which British traditions do you love? music is appreciated as much anymore. people in the audience who I recognise and David: Even though we can get it in other know. Simon is always a very welcome guest What’s next for Il Divo after the tour? places, there’s no substitute for the British if he can make it to a show. version of fish & chips with mushy peas - I Seb: We’re working on our next album, which Which home comforts do you travel with? love it. Full English breakfast every morning. is definitely a repertoire that I didn’t I gain a little bit of weight when I come to the imagine we were going to do. It was Urs: Nothing really. I’m so used to travelling UK. I really do relate to the sensibility of how suggested by our management, Red Light. and spending nights in hotels that I feel com- life is conducted. We lived here for two years We’re definitely going to work on something fortable in whatever bed I lay down in, unless at the beginning of our career, in a cluster of that isn’t what people would expect from us. it’s really bad quality and the pillows are apartments in south west London. We really That, to me, is really exciting because I don’t bad. That’s really annoying. I take clothes got to spend time and absorb the sensibility like to do the same thing. That’s why I did a with me - two suitcases for two months. I of the English nature - the reserved way that solo record last year. I’m excited. I know what wish I could take 10 because I like everyone speaks to each other; the we’re recording is going to be challenging my wardrobe. I’ve got my wife with me, politeness. Whether that politeness is on our voices, but I’m excited to bring it to if that counts for home comforts? She’s actually heartfelt or undertone-sarky, it’s our audience. I think that’s very important, travelling with me all year. We got married still there. otherwise our fans get bored and we get two-and-a-half years ago under the premise bored. that we’re going to spend our life together, Seb: I love the countryside in the UK a lot. not that we’re going to be married and I’m I’ve been glamping, when my kids were going to be gone 10 months out of the year. younger, in Hereford etc. I really like Somer- Il Divo play Arena Birmingham on She’s always with me, and we go through set. I think the UK has the best countryside. I Saturday 29 June. GIGS June Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:54 Page 1 GIGS June Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:54 Page 2
Gigs
Chantel McGregor The Iron Road, Pershore, Fri 21 June Blues rock musician Chantel McGregor was once told by a major label that she had “a great voice, but girls don't play guitar like that!" Ignoring their view, she enrolled at the Leeds College of Music and became the first student in the college’s history to achieve a 100% pass mark at BTEC, with 18 distinctions. She’s since released two albums, Like No Other and Lose Control, and is currently writing her third.
Dagadana unique sound to the masses in some particularly interesting locations, including Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 27 June the Moroccan deserts and China’s Forbidden Since 2008, Dagadana have triumphantly City, in the process collecting excellent been merging elements of Polish and reviews both from critics and audience Ukrainian culture through jazz, electronic members alike. and world music. They’ve also brought their Bon Jovi Ricoh Arena, Coventry, Sun 23 June Spice Girls Eddi Reader One of the biggest rock bands ever to grace Ricoh Arena, Coventry, Mon 3 & Tues 4 June Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 26 June the planet, Bon Jovi perform in the UK for the After travelling around Europe with the first time in six years as part of their This circus back in the early 1980s, Eddi Reader House Is Not For Sale tour, which has moved to London and quickly became a previously visited Canada, Brazil, Argentina, sought-after session vocalist. A tour with Chile, Japan and Australia. Expect to hear all Annie Lennox and The Eurythmics brought the classics, including You Give Love A Bad her into the limelight, since which time Name, It’s My Life and Livin’ On A Prayer. she’s released multiple successful albums, “We’ve become a new, rejuvenated Bon Jovi,” including chart topper First Of A Million says Jon. “A refreshed line-up that kills every Kisses and Candyfloss & Medicine. night. We sound better than ever and we’re Bringing joyous life to all forms of song, enjoying every minute. We are out there as a from the traditional to the contemporary, band, feeding off each other and the fans, she visits Coventry in support of her brand having the time of our lives all over again.” new album, Cavalier. The boys are joined for their Coventry gig by The best selling and arguably most famous special guests Manic Street Preachers. female group of all time reunite on stage - minus Victoria Beckham - for the first time Dr Feelgood since the London 2012 Olympics. The Marr’s Bar, Worcester, Thurs 13 June Emma, Mel B, Melanie C and Geri will be Hailing from Essex in the early 1970s, Dr performing all their much-loved classics, Feelgood have enjoyed global success with including Wannabe, Spice Up Your Life, hits including Roxette, Back In The Night, Stop, 2 Become 1, Say You’ll Be There and Milk And Alcohol, Down At The Doctors and Viva Forever. She Does It Right. The band’s raw and Jess Glynn, who came to prominence in 2014 uncompromising style of performance following her guest spot on Clean Bandit’s ensures they remain one of the most Rather Be, supports on both evenings. exciting live rhythm & blues acts around. whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Inner City Live.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:36 Page 1 Festivals June .qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 15:48 Page 2
Festivals
Upton Jazz Festival Upton-upon-Severn, Thurs 27 - Sun 30 June Now in its 34th year, the Upton Jazz Festival boasts a star-studded international line-up - including bands from the US - and annually attracts thousands of jazz fans from across the country. The festival has moved back into the city centre and takes place at various venues, in- cluding Upton Memorial Hall, the King's Head, The Swan, The Star Hotel, The Parish Church, The Boathouse, Under The Bridge and more. The event has its own camping and caravan Download Festival Donington Park, Derby, Fri 14 - Sun 16 June site, with free river mooring also available. With top billing consistently taken by some use of technology to connect with audiences Line-up includes: Alan Barnes, Danzon, of the biggest names in rock and metal, it's and build a community around the event. Fret and Fiddle, Hot Club 42, Jazz Connec- not hard to see why Download is one of the Line-up i ncludes: Slipknot (pictured), Def tion, Livia King, Martin Wheatley, Rob most popular and well-attended festivals in Leppard, Tool, Slash featuring Myles Fowler, Something New And Exciting In the UK. Kennedy and The Conspirators, Die Antwo- September, Tad Newton’s Jazz Friends, Vital- Conceived as a follow-up to Donington Park's ord, Smashing Pumpkins, Whitesnake, Triv- ity 5, Savannah Jazz Band, Sliphorn Summit previous Monsters Of Rock Festival, Down- ium, Lamb Of God and Slayer. and Dan Cassidy Swing Quartet. load partly owes its name to its pioneering
Beardy Folk Festival Tenbury Music Festival Hopton Court, Nr. Cleobury Mortimer, The Burgage Recreation Ground, Shropshire, Fri 21 - Sun 23 June Tenbury Wells, Sat 15 June Returning for a second year, Beardy Folk Fes- Now in its fifth year, the one-day Tenbury tival is a beautifully crafted, midsummer Music Festival is a family-friendly event fea- weekend boasting a line-up of folk, roots and turing multiple stages, renowned food & acoustic music as well as a small trade vil- drink stalls, camping opportunities and (of lage, yoga classes, workshops in singing, course) plenty of live music. New for 2019 is morris dancing and spoken word, heaps of The Thomas Telford Stage and The James free children's entertainment and plenty Cranston Stage. Salty Dog, Pizza Heaven and more besides. Under-13s go free, and four Acoustic Festival of Wye Valley Catering are amongst the food camping zones are on offer with the pur- Great Britain traders serving up some tasty cuisine. chase of a day or weekend ticket. Line-up includes: Rainbreakers, The Phon- Uttoxeter Racecourse, Staffordshire, Line-up includes: Skerryvore, Martyn Fri 31 May - Sun 2 June ics (pictured), Arcadia Roots, Kings Of The Joseph, 3 Daft Monkeys, Merry Hell, Holy Quarter Mile, Tom C Walker, Joncan Standing out from the summertime crowd of Moly & The Crackers, Chris Helme, Mark Kavlakoglu, Sunset Service, Steve Ajao Band, ever-louder electronic get-togethers, the Radcliff, Russell & Lee, Gregg Russell & Cia- Jack Brett, The Paul Garner Band, Blue Moon Acoustic Festival of Great Britain marks a ran Algar, O’Hooley & Tidow, Blair Dunlop and Red Hot Riot. welcome return to the basics of good-quality and Urban Folk Quartet (pictured). music. Stripped back, unplugged performances are the focus of this relaxed, friendly event. Beyond that, it's open to music of all genres. With five-star-rated camping infrastructure, glamping options, seated food tents and kids' play areas, it's the perfect way to spend a lazy weekend with the family. Line-up includes: Big Country, Eagle-Eye Cherry, Ian Prowse and Amsterdam (pic- tured), Chris Difford, 3 Daft Monkeys, Izzy and The Hot Heads, Gaz Brookfield, The Wil- lows, Joshua Burnell Band, Fleetwood Bac, Candy Mountain and Gordon Haskell. whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Moseley.qxp_Layout 1 03/06/2019 14:56 Page 1
Moseley Magic
What’s On talks to Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival Manager John Fell ahead of the event celebrating its 10th anniversary in July...
Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul is a popular Lauren Foster caught up with Festival more popular, we decided to bring our other annual event which attracts visitors from Manager John Fell to discuss the 2019 musical interests into play and launch all over the world and plays host to a edition of Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul and its another festival. It started out as Mostly Jazz weekend of blistering live music, both sister event, Moseley Folk Festival. Festival, but everybody assumed it was just from contemporary breakthrough artists pure jazz, so we changed the name to Mostly How did it all start, John? and international legends. Jazz Funk & Soul about eight years ago. And speaking of legends, this year’s We began with Moseley Folk Festival, which People really bought into the new name festival is headlined by The Jacksons, The is now in its 14th year. It was initially a because it sounds so much more like a party. Brand New Heavies and the incomparable gathering of a few hundred people, and has It’s amazing how it’s grown. Burt Bacharach. just grown and grown. As the folk festival got
20 whatsonlive.co.uk Moseley.qxp_Layout 1 03/06/2019 14:56 Page 2
by Lauren Foster
Why Moseley Park? Seasick Steve I’ve tried a few times. Any of pounds in the bank and you can afford to lose It’s just a beautiful location. I think even Crosby Stills & Nash would be mega. Our money for three years, because that’s what some people who live locally have never been directors have definitely put in a few offers for happens unless you’re very lucky. Neil Young to play solo, but understandably there - you need a key to get access. Anyone You like to champion local talent, so he’s not decided to come and play to a 3,000- can get the key, though; they can go over to which band/artist should be on our radar capped festival in Moseley. We’ll keep trying, the travel shop across the road and get the this year? key for the day. We’d never move from though... Someone who’s underrated is Sam Redmore - Moseley now - we’re so blessed to have that Of the three festivals that you produce - he’s a DJ from Birmingham. He does a lot of site. At times, when we have a big line-up, it’s Moseley Folk, Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul and club nights and has started to play across the frustratingly small because we can’t get more Lunar, which has the greatest appeal to country now. He does a lot on Craig Charles’ people in, but equally I think it’s a blessing. you personally? show, and his Soundcloud has 700,000 We’re very happy and proud to be able to put It’s really difficult because when I started, I followers; he’s really growing. I’ve never had our festivals on there. was an out-and-out folky/Americana kind of a bad time at any night I've been to where How did you get involved? person - I love Simon & Garfunkel etc. But as I he’s been playing. I hope he gets the credit he I used to run the office for a medical got involved with the jazz festival, it kind of deserves because he’s a hardworking guy, company, and whilst I was doing that, I was changed. I think the folk this year is one of too... Also, Young Pilgrims are really cool. A also playing music. I was in a band called our more well-rounded line-ups. Lunar, for brass band, all former Conservatoire kids, Goodnight Lenin, and we got booked to play example, we’ve had Television on, but I could they’re really good. Boat To Row are in the Moseley Festival - we headlined the second never put them on at the folk festival. middle of planning their album release, and stage one of the nights. Carl from the festival Because we had two festivals, we tried to keep they’re headlining at the folk festival on the got involved with the band and just asked me the line-ups quite separate - more folk and Sunday night. A new band I like is Saint Alto, whether I knew anyone who wanted to be a Americana for the folk, then more indie and who’re playing the Friday of the folk festival. psychedelic for Lunar, but now that that’s not festival assistant. I told him that I was bored Who are you most looking forward to see- happening this year, we’ve kind of pulled that of business life so I’d come and do it. Now I’m ing at this year’s festivals? Festival Manager, so it’s worked out really back into the folk. Last year, I feel that it lost a Definitely Burt Bacharach. The Jacksons are well. I’ve been here eight years. bit of its oomph and bands that punch it out a bit, so we’ve kind of combined them this year. going to be a lot of fun. At Moseley Folk, What’s been the highlight during your Obviously it’s Moseley Folk & Arts this year, you’ve got The Zutons. Hearing Valerie at time with the festivals? for the first time, so we’ll have loads of Moseley Park is going to be incredible. I guess I think the one that everybody talks about is comedians and stuff. It just feels like the Don McLean. We’ve tried to book him for a Chic. We all knew the Chic back-catalogue - line-up is much more rounded. few years and have actually managed to get all the tracks and artists that Nile Rodgers has him this year. Vincent, American Pie, Castles What do you dread most in the lead-up to been involved with - that’s why we booked In The Air are all massive songs to me, so I the festival? them. Between booking them and playing the think that’s a really nice way to end the festival, they released Get Lucky with Daft Bands turning up is an obvious one, and festival season - on a high. missing things, I suppose. Going back a Punk, and it was the most in-sync thing that How do you see the festivals progressing while, we were sent a tech spec from a band could’ve happened. A year after that, their fee in the next 10 years? was 10 times higher. We wouldn’t be able to who were coming over from Canada, and I This year we’ve brought an arts element into afford them now. Due to capacity, there’s only was double-checking everything and sending Moseley Folk, so that’s our first stepping so much that we can spend... everything out to the artists to make sure that stone. We’re going to have a stage for comedy, Public Enemy were brilliant. They stepped in everything was correct. But no one got back talks, and eventually podcasts and film. a month before because Sugarhill Gang to me until the night before the festival, and Obviously it’s a very small site, so we’ve got to pulled out. No disrespect to Sugarhill, but it there was a keyboard missing. There were see how that all flows. We’ll look to do a was definitely a case of burying bad news only three in the country, as it was a very similar thing with the jazz. The jazz is very with some really good news, and it proved to specific keyboard, and they were all hired music-focused, but there’s also loads of great be a really great atmosphere... out. We managed to contact another festival food to enjoy - Original Patty Men and all For the folk festival, I'd say Johnny Marr - I'm that had hired the keyboard for that band on these really cool independent food traders a massive Smiths fan. Generally speaking, I the Saturday, and we got my friend to drive will be there - so that’s a step up this year. I’d say hello and thank you for coming etc to the down to the festival and pick up the keyboard like to see comedians and cabaret and film artists, but I try not to pester them. I leave for the Friday evening. A lot of it is about brought into the jazz, to give it another them alone to do their thing, but I had to go troubleshooting; things do go wrong dimension. I think next year that’s definitely and chat to Johnny. He was one of the nicest constantly, and you get used to that. I sup- what we’ll be looking to do. I’m already look- men ever. Billy Duffy came from The Cult, and pose you’re nervous anyway because you’re ing forward to that! they played I Fought The Law, which was responsible for more than 3,000 people - and really cool. Johnny came out and we sat by not just in terms of safety; you’re trying to the lake and spoke for about half an hour. I make sure everyone’s having a good time, too. had to keep reminding myself that it was him! What piece of advice would you give to Is there an artist who you’ve continually someone who was thinking about hosting Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul takes place at tried to bring to the festival without so far a first-time festival? Moseley Park from Friday 12 to Sunday been successful? Start small and don’t do it for money. If you’re 14 July. doing it for money, it comes across. Have an Moseley Folk & Arts Festival takes place at Erykah Badu. I haven’t managed that one yet. Moseley Park from Friday 30 August to Earth Wind And Fire. For the folk festival, identity and grow it organically. That’s the only way to do it unless you’ve got billions of Sunday 1 September. whatsonlive.co.uk 21 BE Festival.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 08:56 Page 1 BE FESTIVAL The splendidly quirky BE Festival is taking place in Birmingham for a 10th time. What’s On spoke to co-director Miguel Oyarzun about the ever-evolving performing arts event. BE Festival.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 08:56 Page 2
by Lauren Cole
The 10th Birmingham European Festival takes challenging task: “When we started in 2010, members who return to mainland Europe, place at the city’s Repertory Theatre this we received 67 applications, which, at that talk positively about Birmingham, the UK and month. From its humble beginnings in 2010, time, we thought was enormous. Now, every BE Festival; they’re our best ambassadors. BE Festival has grown exponentially into an year, we receive between 600 and 1,000 We’ve also grown in terms of rooting event that places Birmingham firmly at the applications. Obviously it’s an enormous ourselves to Birmingham itself. We are now forefront of Europe’s performing arts scene. amount of work to go through all of those very much a continuing part of the annual applications and assess which pieces will end calendar of events for the city, so we’re part of “The first BE Festival resulted from a confer- up in the programme. We do it by watching a bigger network within the cultural sector ence with the Arts Council in Birmingham to them all and trying to create a balance within here. Then, every year, we have more discuss how to improve the arts scene in the the programme between countries and audiences, so have expanded into a touring Midlands,” explains one of the festival’s disciplines. We also have a theme each year - model. We started by just doing the festival founders, Miguel Oyazrun. “One of the things this year we’re celebrating our 10th festival. here in Birmingham. Now we take the format the cultural sector was discussing was the There are pieces that look back on history or of the festival - in which we present three or fact that there wasn’t a lot of international look into memory or into the concept of four short pieces each night - and the compa- presence in the city. At the time, Isla Aguilar archiving. We’ve also commissioned works nies who best represent us, out on tour. We and I weren’t living in Birmingham, so we that relate to the theme.” tour for four weeks in the UK and four weeks came as outsiders to the region. We were in Spain. The work presented by the artists in baffled by the fact that the region didn’t have The relationship between the festival, Birmingham now reaches many more people. an international theatre & arts festival, Birmingham and the rest of Europe is one of despite the fact that the arts scene in the BE’s defining qualities. “We’ve also grown in our work with visual Midlands was craving this international artists. Now we’re involved in a lot of bigger “Because BE Festival was born out of the presence. There were music and dance projects within the visual arts that run along- desires of Birmingham, the whole thing was festivals, but nothing for the wider scope of side the performing-arts side of the festival. made possible by the generosity of the locals. performing arts. We took that as our inspira- Plus, this year is the first time we will have This is a festival with limited resources, but tion. That evening, we went for dinner at a pieces on the main stage of The REP. with our ethos of collaborating, we have a curry house and we started mapping our Normally we have smaller-scale pieces in fantastic team of volunteers. Supporting ideas for a festival on the back of a napkin. So Centenary Square or in The Studio at The REP. emerging artists is also evident in the way we it really was through a response to the needs This year, for the first time, we have a large work with our staff and volunteers. Our staff of the cultural sector of Birmingham that BE show on The REP’s main stage. It’s a fantastic and volunteers are really young, and we’re was born.” show called Deadtown, which has been proud to know that people who work with us created by the sons of the Oscar-winning The festival is particularly focused on go on to lead other cultural organisations or director of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, supporting upcoming performance artists… produce more festivals. Apart from the Miloš Forman. The Forman brothers have volunteers who give their time, we also “Giving a platform to emerging artists and created a spectacular piece with dancers, collaborate with hosts, who open their homes performers from a range of countries across singers and acrobats that mixes circus with a to visiting artists. This is also a way in which Europe is so important in our current social homage to silent movies. It’s a show with no we try to connect people across Europe, so and political climate. The UK being an island words, so it’s accessible to anyone from any that the audiences can create a more in-depth already creates a bit of isolation from outside age. It’s really great for families, as well as for relationship with the visiting artists, and the influences. The way funding for the arts adults who want to look back at the history of artists themselves can really get to know the works in the UK is already very different to silent movies. city and its inhabitants. At most other the rest of Europe. It’s more difficult to get “We also have musicians from many different festivals we’ve been to, the performers come performances from outside the UK into genres performing in the evenings - so there to the city, perform, book into a hotel and theatres here than it is on mainland Europe. really is something for everyone to enjoy.” then leave the next day. So BE Festival is all Nevertheless, the UK is really craving the about the artist being in touch with the city of Birmingham will surely have its say in where artistic work from mainland Europe, and Birmingham and vice versa. We hear lots of BE Festival goes over the next decade… people here really want to collaborate with beautiful stories about artists returning to those abroad. It’s all about building bridges “As always, we like to get feedback about the Birmingham to see their host family, or the across the cultural sectors of different festival from the audiences, stakeholders and hosts travelling to other places in Europe to countries, which is now more important than artists. The festival isn’t ours, it’s visit the person they opened their home to. ever. BE Festival is a platform for exchange Birmingham’s. So we will take it wherever One of the things we love is creating bonds and encounter between cultures, which can Birmingham sees fit, as we feel we have to beyond the boundaries of the festival itself. only better the performing arts scene for all. honour the way it was created and supported The festival is really a catalyst for continuing We focus on emerging artists in particular by the city itself. We have some ideas of exchange within arts and culture across because they are the ones who will lead the where we want to go after these first 10 Europe.” arts scene in the future. We do that with help festivals, but first of all we need to figure out from both the Arts Council here in the UK and So how much has BE Festival changed since whether that’s what everybody else wants also the European Union. It’s very important its first year? too.” to give these upcoming performers a space to “The festival has grown massively over 10 display their work, where they can thrive and events. We’ve grown in reputation across become the artists of the future.” BE Festival takes place at Birmingham Europe and are perhaps even better known Repertory Theatre from Thursday 27 June With the number of applications from artists abroad than we are in the UK. Birmingham is to Saturday 6 July. See the full programme wanting to perform at the BE Festival increas- now very much on the map of Europe. The online at befestival.org ing every year, choosing who to include is a artists who come from abroad, and audience Comedy June.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 15:49 Page 1
Comedy
Jimmy Carr Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 22 June; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Thurs 27 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sat 20 July; Dudley Town Hall, Sat 14 September Jimmy Carr’s comedy is all about quickfire, deadpan one-liners - and so many of them, in fact, that he’s not sure their content matters all that much: “People don’t really remember the individual jokes I tell because I tell such a lot of them; what they do remember is how those jokes make them feel.” Jimmy is a comedian for whom no subject is off limits: “I’ll talk about anything as long as I feel the joke justifies it. It may cause controversy, but my thing on that is that controversy’s an easy story on a slow-news day. And I never apologise for jokes. Reginald D Hunter After all, I’m not making a serious political Oakengates Theatre, at The Place, Telford, Thurs 6 June; Birmingham Town Hall, Wed 26 June statement, I’m just trying to make somebody laugh.” “Start calling things what they are,” says eliminate the euphemisms, I think you'll American funnyman Reginald D Hunter. find that a lot of the mental health issues “There's so much euphemistic language - people are suffering will begin to clear up a things like 'war on terrorism' or 'perception bit, I really do.” management' - that's just a fancy way of One of the most popular comedians saying lies. I think when we collectively in currently working the UK comedy circuit, Western culture don't call things what they Reginald’s no-nonsense style and hugely are, added to all the drugs - prescription amusing perspectives on the differences and otherwise - and all the propaganda between the US and the UK have struck a nonsense in the system, it's no wonder real chord with his audiences. people are going f***ing crazy! If you
The Muslims Are Coming Hilarity Charity Gala The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 9 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wed 5 June Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 10 June This returning Central Youth Theatre (CYT) fundraiser is once again compered by Daniel Kitson. Comedians plying their trade at the 2019 edition of the event include David O’Doherty, Rose Matafeo, John Robins, Darren Harriot, Tom Parry Sean McLoughlin and Bake Off star Tom Allen (pictured). The Glee Club, Birmingham, Fri 28 June This is the fifth edition of Hilarity Charity Referred to by Time Out as ‘the best to be organised by CYT, Wolverhampton’s comedian you haven’t heard of yet’, Sean leading youth theatre since 1983. McLoughlin is a man whose potential is well known on the comedy circuit. Witness the Shazia Mirza, who headlines this latest fact that he was recently handpicked to edition of The Muslims Are Coming, is not open for Bill Burr at the Royal Albert Hall averse to treading a delicate line when it and for the legendary Doug Stanhope. comes to her material. Examples of this And not only that, he’s also provided tour include: “My name is Shazia Mirza - at support for Ricky Gervais, and even bagged least, that's what it says on my pilot's himself a part in Gervais’s recent Netflix licence”, and “My parents really want me to comedy series, After Life. get married. But Muslim men don't want to This latest show sees Sean undertaking the marry me because... I speak.” task of attempting to plot a course into the Shazia is joined for the show by different future for not only himself but also comedians on each night. mankind... 22 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy June.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 15:49 Page 2
Al Murray Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 20 June Pub philosopher extraordinaire Al Murray certainly knows how to serve a pint or two of high-quality satire, and makes for a thoroughly nice drinking companion into the bargain. The much-loved Pub Landlord is using his new show to embark on a common-sense crusade to ‘re-Great’ Britain, along the way looking at issues including the NHS, Europe, the Middle East and the gathering storm of fortnightly bin collections...
Adam Kay Dudley Town Hall, Fri 21 June; Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 29 June After watching an Adam Kay performance, Going To Hurt: Secret Diaries Of A Junior Stephen Fry declared, “This made me very, Doctor. The show features one hour and one very happy.” Numerous sell-out years at the minute’s-worth of humorous material based Edinburgh Fringe and tens of millions of on his bestselling book of the same name. YouTube hits later, former obstetrician and Expect splendidly silly spoof songs and some gynaecologist Adam is this month visiting seriously shocking stories from the NHS the Midlands with his latest tour, This Is frontline...
Harriet Dyer Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Tues 18 June Fascinating facts about Harriet Dyer include the revelation that she once asked her flatmate to use a mallet to try to break her arm for her - on account of the fact that she didn’t fancy going into work that day... At the time, Harriet thought such behaviour was simply representative of an eccentric personality. It was only years later that she was diagnosed as bipolar, with anxiety and depression thrown in for good measure... Away from the issue of her mental health, Harriet names her favourite heckle as the sound generated by an electric wheelchair as its unhappy owner headed for the exit after deciding she’d had enough of the comedian’s show. Ashley Blaker & Imran Yusef: Prophet Sharing Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Thursday 20 June “As an overtly Jewish comedian,” says Ashley that was so good, so clever, that I couldn’t Blaker, “I know my audience has an breathe because I was laughing so much,” expectation that I’ll cover certain topics in Imran recalls. “It was such a good gag that I my show: Jeremy Corbyn, Labour, Israel, that studied it to try and understand what made it dog that does the Nazi salute et al. And I do so brilliant. Making people laugh is a great of course cover them all.” way to earn respect, but only if it’s done as a Ashley is here teaming up with Imran Yusef, natural consequence of who you are. You who markets his own style of comedy as can’t just run around telling people jokes like being for people who like to ‘think and some kind of weirdo!” laugh’. “I once heard a joke by Sean Lock whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Adam Kay online.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 16:03 Page 1 Adam Kay online.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 16:03 Page 2
This is going to hurt... Comedian and former obstetrician & gynaecologist Adam Kay is this month visiting the Midlands with his latest touring show, This Is Going To Hurt: Secret Diaries Of A Junior Doctor...
Adam, you’ve been interested in standup soaking through your scrubs. outside interests, I guess some of them will for a long time, performing whilst in med- pursue those interests after their degree. Aside from the anecdotes, is there much ical school - but when you quit being a about being a doctor that helps in being a Most of your material so far has been doctor, did you intend to work full-time in standup comedian? Dealing with the pres- based around your medical experiences. comedy and writing? sure? Late nights? Are you planning any shows in the future There’s a long tradition of medical students based on other experiences or ideas that I’m certainly very good at the late nights. I putting on generally pretty terrible end-of- you’ve had - possibly non-medical? can stay up 48 hours writing a script that I’ve year shows, making fun of the consultants failed to do in time. My body is now just I spent quite a few years writing on various and professors, and I got involved with that trained to get on with it. I don’t get stressed TV shows with no medical aspect to them at sort of show a lot when I was at med school. I or nervous these days either - my barometer all. I guess when people get bored of hearing guess encouraging medical students to enjoy for stress has been totally ruined by working my diaries, I’ll go back to that! a bit of gallows humour is the closest thing on the wards. Obviously, the big difference we have to teaching them some kind of cop- By the time this interview is published on- on stage is that the stakes are zero. ing mechanism for the bad days at work. line, Brexit may or may not have hap- When I had my own extremely bad day at You’re not the only ex-medical comedian, pened. Who knows? How equipped is the work and left medicine in 2010 - sorry, I’ve ru- with Harry Hill and Paul Sinha also former NHS to deal with, well, any number of po- ined the ending of the show - I realised that medical practitioners. Is there any partic- tential outcomes? writing jokes and getting up on stage was the ular reason why a number of you have Make no mistake, Brexit is a disaster for the closest thing I had to any kind of skill set be- made that journey, or is it the result of a NHS. The NHS simply couldn’t function with- yond working on the wards, so I thought I’d secret comedy cabal? give it a go. I fully expected it would end up out the staff who’ve come here from every being a failed six-month experiment, but to Rather than recruiting people who are psy- country of the world, each one going far be- my ongoing surprise it’s still how I pay the chologically fit for the job, which you might yond the call of duty on a daily basis. The gas bill. think would be a sensible approach, medical NHS is short of 100,000 members of staff schools choose people who have lots of across the UK, so making a single member of Your book and tour describes the ups and extra-curricular activities. For example, I had staff feel unwelcome would be an act of mad- downs of being a junior doctor. Was there a couple of grade VIIIs in music and worked ness. Making tens of thousands of them feel ever such a thing as a mundane day at on the school newspaper. If you look at the unwelcome is an act of utter self-destruction. work? Wikipedia entry for any famous doctor, it’s The fact that Brexit was sold on the basis of always been the case: ‘He proved himself an extra money for the NHS was utterly disin- I worked on the labour ward, and as anyone accomplished rugby player in youth leagues. genuous - and you’ll struggle to find a mem- who’s ever been on a labour ward in any ca- He excelled as a distance runner and in his ber of the NHS staff who thinks that Brexit is pacity knows, the days there are never mun- final year at school was vice-captain of the going to be anything other than a nightmare dane. You end up with twice the number of athletics team’. And that’s Harold Shipman, for them at work. patients you started with, which is unusual so it’s potentially not a totally rock-solid sys- for any medical specialty. I guess on a mun- tem. As well as medics leaving for the stage, dane day you manage to leave within two there are also huge numbers who’ve had in- hours of when you’re meant to, no one threat- Adam Kay - This is Going To Hurt: Secret credibly successful careers in sport, such as ens to kill you, and you only throw away one Diaries Of A Junior Doctor visits Dudley Roger Bannister. If you recruit people with pair of boxers following a tsumani of blood Town Hall on Friday 21 June. Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:27 Page 1
Theatre Theatre previews from around the region
The Bodyguard between the pair. Each expects to hold the whip-hand in the relation- ship; neither expects to fall in love... Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 25 June - Sat 6 July; Featuring classic numbers One Moment In Time, I Wanna Dance With Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 21 January - Sat 1 February 2020 Somebody and the legendary I Will Always Love You, the show This blockbusting West End musical is of course based on the simi- received mixed reviews from the critics when it opened in 2012, but larly blockbusting 1990s Hollywood movie starring Kevin Costner and has since proved to be a real hit with its audiences. Whitney Houston. The part of Rachel will be shared by Alexandra Burke and Jennlee When ex-secret service agent Frank Farmer is hired to protect super- Shallow at both venues. star Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker, sparks soon begin to fly Visit the theatres’ respective websites for more details about this.
The Strange Undoing Of Pamela’s Palace Boulder Prudencia Hart The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Sat 15 June Wed 19 & Thurs 20 June Fri 28 June - Sat 13 July Hairstylist Pamela Jones is the brash and The Greek myth of Sisyphus is here reimag- Prudencia Hart is an uptight academic strutting owner of a beauty salon that’s seen ined by the ever-resourceful Half A String attending a conference in the Scottish better days. But Pam is convinced that her theatre company. Harmoniously fusing live Borders. As she heads back through the fortunes are about to change. action and digital, Boulder follows the snow from a pub lock-in to her B&B, she Love-sick Tiffany and bashful Bronwyn ongoing struggles of an intricate puppet as suddenly finds herself not only in the work at the salon too, and soon find them- he strains to move a giant boulder up a hill, company of a stranger, but also, rather more selves embroiled in a plan which involves a only to find himself then watching it roll profoundly, standing on the threshold of Greek-themed catwalk event that comes back down to the bottom each and every reality... complete with pillars, ivy and grapes... day... David Greig’s widely admired play has An interactive evening awash with great Atmospheric voices, live cello, and fluid bagged numerous awards since debuting choreography, belly-laugh opportunities transformations of set and scale ensure an eight years ago, including the coveted aplenty and no little amount of hairspray, evening of theatre that keeps the senses well Herald Angel gong at the Edinburgh Fringe Pamela’s Palace scored a big hit at the and truly stimulated. Festival. Edinburgh Fringe last summer.
24 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:27 Page 2 Educating Rita.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 08:59 Page 1 Educating Rita.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 08:59 Page 2
by Stephen Taylor
Educating Rita What’s On chats to Stephen Tompkinson, who stars as washed-up university lecturer Frank when a new version of Willy Russell’s hit comedy, Educating Rita, visits Wolverhampton next month...
As the Open University marks its half cen- When the proposal for a revival of the play So how does Stephen view his character’s tury, Wolverhampton offers a warm welcome was put to Willy Russell, he not only gave his relationship with Rita? to perhaps its most celebrated fictional blessing to the pairing of Tompkinson and “Frank’s desperate for her not to become just graduate. Willy Russell’s Educating Rita stars Johnson, he also agreed to help with the another student, but instead to try and see Jessica Johnson as the Rita of the title, a production. things his way. But then, by doing that, he’s working-class hairdresser who enrols as a “We’ve had Willy present every week of almost having too much of an influence on part-time English Literature student. Jessica rehearsals, so he’s led us through by the her, when he should be allowing her to think is joined in the play by Stephen Tompkinson hand very beautifully and very patiently, and for herself. He’s very aware that he’s doing a as Frank, the disillusioned university hasn’t been at all fussy about the script. sort of Frankenstein number on her and can professor who’s been assigned to tutor her on see the changes in her. He’s not particularly her journey towards graduation. “He knows that audiences have moved on, 40 best pleased with what he sees, and his years after he first wrote it, and that they Whilst many people will be familiar with outlet is through drink, sadly. don’t need as much information as they used Lewis Gilbert’s 1983 film version of the play, to be given, so he’s been quite happy getting “Rita tries to rescue him from himself and starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters, the scissors out to his much-loved play. He’s ends up finding herself, so she’s very grateful Stephen Tompkinson’s interest in Russell’s let it be our production, and he’s been to Frank. The decisions that she makes from text stretches further back: “I’d read the play delighted with the results, I’m happy to say. then on will definitely be hers, and Frank has and I’d seen it on stage before I saw the film, We knew that if we were making him happy, given her choice.” in the very early ’80s, and thought, ‘One day then hopefully that would transfer to the I’d love to do it’. Over the years, the broad appeal of Educat- audience.” ing Rita has ensured that the story is familiar “The lovely thing about the stage play over Since opening in Keswick in April, the play to many people, but what can the audience the film is that it’s one set, in his office, and has attracted a wide range of theatregoers: expect to take away from this particular it’s just the two characters. You follow this “It’s accessible to everyone. Although it’s set production? year of academia, this journey that they both in a university and the world of academia, go on together, and find out how these very “They get to see a great, unrequited love with someone who’s desperate to enter that disparate characters end up offering a story about second chances and choice, and world, it doesn’t exclude. It’s inclusive of lifeline to each other.” about the fact that it’s never too late for everybody, and I think that’s always been anyone. Friends who’ve been to see it are While Stephen had always harboured a wish one of Willy’s great strengths - being able to dazzled by Willy’s original script. They can’t to play Frank, it was his co-performer who speak to everyone. believe it’s 40 years since it was written, reignited his interest in the role: “I first met “The producers at Keswick said that the most because all the points are still very salient Jess nearly two years ago at Live Theatre in rewarding thing was that 20 percent of the now.” Newcastle, when she was performing a play ticket sales were brand new theatregoers, so called Goth Weekend. I was rehearsing a that was lovely. We met a guy whose only Patrick Marber play called The Red Lion. I other experience of the theatre was panto saw Jess’s performance, and she was ab- Educating Rita shows at Wolverhampton with the kids at Christmas, and he said he solutely brilliant. She’d done Educating Rita Grand Theatre from Monday 8 to Saturday was engaged within the first five minutes at the Gala Theatre in Durham, said she’d 13 July & Malvern Festival Theatre, from because he could associate with Rita, being love another opportunity for a longer run, Monday 5 to Saturday 10 August working-class himself. He was absolutely lost and that I would make a brilliant Frank.” in it and thought it was fantastic.” Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:27 Page 3
Theatre Theatre previews from around the region
Deadtown The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 27 - Sat 29 June The Forman Brothers, widely considered to be one of the most innovative theatre companies in Europe, are the creatives behind this critically acclaimed Wild West tale. The production cleverly uses a mixture of film, live action and magic to shift from illusion to reality, in the process making full use of a cast of 20 acrobats, dancers, singers and musicians. “The performance takes place sometime around 1900, in an era of great discoveries such as phonographs, cameras and first films,” says one of the brothers, Petr, the son of the late, great Oscar-winning movie director Milos Forman. “They are discoveries which fascinate us even in modern times. And all these things, these little details, they are an honour to the great men who laid the basis of the world we are living in today.”
Hormonal Housewives Helena’s sitting on to demonstrate his allegiance by handing the shelf, Titania over his wife, Belvidera. One of the other Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Thurs and Oberon are up 6 June; Oakengates Theatre@The Place, conspirators threatens Belvidera, so she and Telford, Thurs 13 June; Lichfield Garrick, to no good, and Jaffeir go on the run. They then have to work Sat 15 June; Malvern Theatres, Sun 16 June; Puck’s got his out whether to reveal the conspiracy to the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 21 June finger in more pies senate, or to carry on with it, knowing how than Mr Kipling. bloody the outcome will be…” Add in a group of rude mechanicals and the recipe for success is guaran- Velvet teed... Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 12 & Thurs 13 June “Just as I was starting to write Velvet, the Venice Preserved #MeToo movement happened, and made my writing seem even more urgent.” Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Sat 7 September So says Tom Ratcliffe, whose critically This Julie Coombe play offers a humorous acclaimed play tells the story of a young gay contemplation on what it means to be a 21st actor experiencing sexual harassment. century girl at a challenging time of life. So if “Due to the fact that men are usually you can relate to subjects such as weight perpetrators, and because there’s this gain, weight loss, mood swings, wine, PMS, perception that gay men are inherently men, going to the gym, waxing, stretch linked to sex, it’s almost assumed that they marks, chocolate and upper-lip hair, this is want it. I hope Velvet goes some way the show for you! towards putting sexual harassment against a gay man in the same context as sexual harassment against a woman.” A Midsummer Night’s Dream “Thomas Otway’s Venice Preserved follows disaffected Venetian nobles,” the show’s Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 18 - Thurs 20 director, Prasanna Puwanarajah, explains. June; Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 5 & Sat 6 July; Oakengates Theatre@The Place, “Out of the two main male characters, one is Telford, Wed 17 July the son-in-law of a senator and the other is a Zany funsters Oddsocks celebrate their 30th war veteran. Both of them join a conspiracy anniversary with a high-energy production of against the senate of Venice, as they believe one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies. it to be oppressive and in need of change. In Lysander and Demetrius both fancy Hermia, order to join the plot, one of them, Jaffeir, has
26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:27 Page 4 Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:27 Page 5
Theatre Theatre previews from around the region
The Mousetrap Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 27 - Sat 29 June; Malvern Theatre, Mon 15 - Sat 20 July Not only has everybody heard of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, they’ve seen the show as well - haven't they? Okay, maybe not, but as the production is fast approaching its 70th consecutive year in the West End, it's fair to say its capacity to put bums on seats is absolutely beyond question. Not surprisingly it’s the world's longest-run- ning show, and has been performed well in excess of a staggering 25,000 times. Its touring version here makes a welcome return to the Midlands.
Avenue Q things because they cost a lot of money. But I how can somebody disappear from a moving Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, will nonetheless attempt to create an all- train? Or is Iris suddenly losing her mind?... Tues 11 - Sat 15 June singing all-dancing spectacle using the The Lady Vanishes is best remembered in its This Tony Award-winning musical focuses on power of the audience’s imagination!” Alfred Hitchcock-directed movie version, but subjects including dating, racism, being gay packs a powerful punch on stage as well. and finding your purpose in life. At the centre This latest adaptation is presented by The of the story is Princeton, a bright-eyed college Roman Romp Classic Thriller Theatre Company. graduate with a tiny bank balance who, as he Swan Theatre, Worcester, Thurs 6 June; Prince sets out on a voyage of self-discovery, finds of Wales Centre, Cannock, Fri 7 June; Brierley Hill Civic Hall, Thurs 20 June; Crewe Lyceum, himself being easily distracted by a busty Wed 26 June blonde and a plethora of weird and Described by its producers as ‘an evening of wonderful friends. farcical confusion and outrageous innuendo which may also contain mild audience partic- ipation’, Roman Romp is presented by the company who annually perform an adult panto at the Prince of Wales Centre. And just as one might therefore expect - judg- WNO: Don Pasquale ing by the show’s title, description and the Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, past record of the ensemble performing it - Sat 8 June; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, it’s a wee bit on the rude side! Sun 16 June So brace yourself for an encounter with A small Welsh National Opera cast bring to reluctant virgin Frigella the Fulfiller as she life Daisy Evans’ new production of this searches for a ‘shagamus’ - aided and abetted Donizetti masterpiece. We’ve Got Each Other: in her sadly-far-from-foolproof plans by her A classic comic opera - here updated to mod- The Almost Entirely nice-but-dim pal, Bimbus... ern times and taking place in and around Imagined Bon Jovi Not surprisingly, the show has been deemed Pasquale’s doner kebab van - the show tells inappropriate for audience members younger the much-loved story of an old bachelor’s Musical than the age of 16. romantic delusions and the young lovers Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Sat 8 June who outwit him... The production follows on With Bon Jovi visiting the Midlands this very from Welsh National Opera’s 2018 success month, what better time to stage this modern The Lady Vanishes with Elena Langer’s Rhondda Rips It Up!. jukebox musical? “It’s the kind of show,” Lichfield Garrick, Mon 17 - Sat 22 June says its performer, Paul O'Donnel, “that Taking a nap while travelling on a transconti- traditionally comes with a multi-talented nental train to London, Iris awakes to find cast, a live band - or orchestra, if you’re lucky the elderly governess who’d been sitting next - opulent sets & decadent costumes, to her is nowhere to be seen. On questioning extravagant dance routines, dramatic key her fellow passengers and the train’s crew changes and the odd hydraulic lift or two. about the sweet old lady, she’s dismayed to We’ve Got Each Other has got none of these find that nobody recalls seeing her at all. But
28 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:27 Page 6 Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:27 Page 7
Theatre Theatre for younger audiences...
The Gruffalo Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 25 & Wed 26 June; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 11 - Tues 12 November Summer’s not summer in Birmingham with- out one of Julia Donaldson’s delightful tales being vividly brought to life. And on this occasion, it’s an adaptation of 1999 bestseller The Gruffalo which is taking to the stage. The production is presented by award- winning theatre company Tall Stories, who’ve garnered an excellent reputation in terms of performing Donaldson’s work. Their imagina- tive retelling of the much-loved book comes complete with talented cast, catchy songs and magical characters.
Ben & Holly’s Little the more for understanding the source of its Honk! inspiration. Kingdom The production revolves around the friend- Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 4 - Sat 8 June Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 25 & Wed ship between two grandads, Fred and Ted, 26 June; Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, who’ve been best pals for a very long time. Stiles & Drewe’s hit musical has been Wed 10 & Thurs 11 July When they find themselves faced with a performed in excess of 8,000 times at venues painting job, it soon becomes apparent that across the world. It's based on Hans Christian the two old chums have vastly different ways Andersen's The Ugly Duckling and tells the of going about things... story of an odd-looking baby duck and his attempts to find his mother. While doing so, he encounters a beautiful swan, tangled in a fishing line, and subsequently falls in love... Ministry Of Science This quacker of a well-hatched tale is here Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, Wed 19 presented by Dot By Dot Productions. June; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Thurs 20 June From the creative team behind Brainiac Live The team behind Peppa Pig here present a comes an anarchic show that takes a look at stage version of another of their splendid the inventors and engineers who’ve shaped creations. Originally a BAFTA award-winning and inspired the modern world. television animation, it focuses on the adven- Expect plenty of demonstrations - and a few tures of fairy princess Holly and her best pal, loud bangs along the way... Ben, a wingless elf who flies on the back of Gaston the Ladybird. The two chums live in the tiny land of the Little Kingdom. Dinosaur World Live In this particular show, they help Gaston clean up his messy cave, go on a trip into The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Thurs 13 - Sat 15 June Big World with tooth-fairy Nanny Plum, and plan a surprise birthday party for King Dinosaurs are once again Milkshake Live! roaming the earth this Thistle... Expect plenty of games, songs and Palace Theatre, Redditch, Sat 22 June laughter. summer, thanks to this critically acclaimed Milkshake Monkey’s desire to put on a new interactive show for all the musical has hit the skids due to a nasty bout family to enjoy. of rampant stage fright - so thank heaven that If All The World Youngsters get to meet a host of impressive Fireman Sam, Noddy, Shimmer & Shine and Were Paper prehistoric creatures - including, of course, all their friends are on hand to help out... If you’ve watched the TV series and/or been Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 2 June every child's favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. to a previous live production, you’ll already The fact that Big Window Theatre’s latest In short, the show promises to be an absolute know what to expect from this latest show is a ‘little homage’ to Laurel & Hardy monster of an experience, leaving a T-Rex- Milkshake! show. If not, get ready for an will, of course, be lost on its very young audi- size imprint on your child’s memory for many event that promises lots of laughter, bucket- ence. But maybe the accompanying parents a week to come. loads of family fun, bags of audience partici- and guardians will enjoy the experience all pation and plenty of singing and dancing.
30 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:27 Page 8
whatsonlive.co.uk 31 Merchant of Venice 1.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:24 Page 1
Shakespeare
atStafford Festival the Shakespeare returnscastle to Stafford Castle at the end of this month with a production of The Merchant Of Venice. What’s On recently caught up with this year’s director, Oliver O’Shea, to talk about the show and his decision to set the action in 1950s New York…
32 whatsonlive.co.uk Merchant of Venice 1.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:24 Page 2
by Lauren Cole
Shakespeare’s The Merchant Of Venice all the elements of modern theatrical produc- Obviously he was an incredible writer, but I centres on a loan given to Bassanio and tion into the outdoor space. So rather than think if he could look back on his own plays Antonio to subsidise the former’s pursuit of being like a museum piece or a replica, this is from now, he would revise and modernise wealthy heiress Portia. It’s a tale of money, very much an original. We have a cast of 12 them too. I think actors and directors who anti-Semitism and deception. actors with gender parity and a really brilliant stage Shakespeare today have to bring their creative team. I think this production will be a own modern theatre-making principles to “Merchant is an incredible piece of writing,” really thrilling and exciting one that’s full of bear on the text. says Oliver O’Shea, who’s directing the playful moments. That’s part of my approach Stafford Festival Shakespeare (SFS) produc- “On a much simpler level, it’s just about as a director: I look for the most dramatic tion of the play at Stafford Castle. making the play really come alive. If there’s a version of the dramatic art, but I also like to “Shakespeare’s plays are so rich, and this really obscure cultural reference that really highlight the moments of levity and playful- particular one is complicated and challenging doesn’t exist at all today, then it should just ness.” as well as being at times moving and funny. be cut out. That’s the approach we’ve taken - But it feels particularly timely in our country Oliver is a passionate advocate for diversity in getting rid of the stuff where you really need to be doing The Merchant Of Venice because it British theatre: “I think Shakespeare is an in-depth knowledge of the social workings is, in part, about divisions within a definitely one of our greatest playwrights, but and history of Shakespeare’s period. Some community in terms of wealth and religion. because I’m also interested in new work and people might see that as disrespectful, but we It feels like a play that is really perfect to stage plays, I think it’s important that we have a need to make Shakespeare interesting, now, as well as being a classic that hasn’t yet diverse offering on the theatre scene. What I exciting and understandable: that’s the most been produced at Stafford Festival Shake- would say is that Shakespeare being staged important thing we can do to keep speare. In recent years SFS has done, for want regionally is quite rare, outside of such places Shakespeare alive in the modern theatre of a better phrase, the ‘blockbusters’. I think as the Royal Shakespeare Company. There are world.” the producers were looking for something outdoor stagings of Shakespeare, but on a Oliver loves the variation that comes with that took a different turn to those of recent much smaller scale than Stafford Festival directing theatre: “I’m directing A Christmas years.” Shakespeare. The problem with classical Carol at Derby Theatre, and it’s a brilliant plays in the staging of regional theatre is the Oliver has set his version of the play in 1950s version because it has an ensemble approach cast sizes, which makes them expensive to New York City. with eight actor-musicians. The version we’re put on. Obviously it’s brilliant and important doing intersperses carols throughout the “This is a fresh take on The Merchant Of that people are finding the resources to stage production, which makes it a really lovely Venice in lots of ways. We were looking for a Shakespeare. It’s so important that theatre is family show. The strange thing about being a 20th century parallel to how Shakespeare’s for everyone and in every part of the country. director is that your head is often in more contemporaries would have perceived Venice I’ve chosen to be based outside London, than two different stories at once, and you in their time. Shakespeare would have known which is relatively unusual for a theatre have to be able to put a play aside for one day about Venice as this major, global port, and it director, because I believe that everyone and then come back to it the next. It can be had a reputation for being somewhat liberal. should be able to access great theatre perfor- difficult, but I like it because it makes my life Venice was also relatively multicultural and mances in their local community. It’s also so varied.” had this almost legendary status, even though really important that we do present our Britons didn’t necessarily know much about it classics, but not just for the sake of it. We Returning to the subject of The Merchant Of in reality. In 1950s New York there were lots of need to think about why we want to stage that Venice, why does Oliver think Midlands different communities and a large number of classic play now: they need to still be relevant theatregoers should make the trip to Stafford Jewish people, as well as lots of different and to resonate with audiences.” Castle to see the show? ethnicities and immigrants. So it seemed like Oliver believes making plays accessible is “I think if you live in the area and you’ve an interesting parallel. We were interested in essential for directors of Shakespeare: never been to Stafford Festival Shakespeare at that idea of a place helping the audience to “Schools’ presentation of Shakespeare plays the castle before, you should definitely give it understand the Venice that Shakespeare was is part of the reason for some people seeing a try. It’s an extremely unique setting, and it’s imagining when he wrote Merchant. So that’s his work as inaccessible and not relatable. If quite surprising that a fully resourced, big- a distinctive element of our production. you’re still learning how to read contempo- scale Shakespeare production happens every “Another way this production is different is rary English, and perhaps you’re struggling single year on a hill in Stafford. To those because of my work as a dramaturge, which because people all learn at different speeds, who’ve been before, I’d say that the festival is means I help develop new plays with writers and then all of a sudden you encounter a text reinventing itself year upon year. So don’t and provide support to people creating that seems a bit different in language and miss our approach to Merchant, as it gives a adaptations of novels. As such, I’ve lightly poetic form, it can put you off for life - different flavour to the very well-received edited this production to shift the perspective especially when it’s taught in such a dry way. production of Macbeth last year.” on certain scenes. I think seeing Shakespeare I think that’s part of the reason we’ve edited it outdoors always changes the play, too. Seeing the way we have and changed its setting. it performed in natural daylight, like it would Also, with the way television and film work The Stafford Festival Shakespeare have been at The Globe originally, is a very now, people expect their entertainment to be production of The Merchant Of Venice different experience. Unlike many outdoor more streamlined and delivered quickly. runs at Stafford Castle from productions of Shakespeare, we’re bringing There’s also, perhaps, too much reverence Thursday 27 June to Saturday 13 July. surrounding Shakespeare as a figure. whatsonlive.co.uk 33 West Midlands Railway Full June 2019.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 12:35 Page 1 Dance June.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 15:56 Page 1
Dance
Birmingham Royal Ballet: (Un)leashed Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 12 - Sat 15 June Three ballets by three female choreographers are here pre- sented by BRB, including the world premiere of the third Ballet Now commission by Didy Veldman (complete with a score by Sergei Prokofiev’s grandson, Gabriel). The piece rounds off an evening of dance which also features the welcome return of Jessica Lang’s Lyric Pieces - created for BRB as part of International Dance Festival Birmingham 2012 - and the first main-stage performance of Ruth Brill’s contemporary version of Peter And The Wolf. “One of the main slants is that Peter is going to be played by a girl,” explains Ruth. “It feels very current to have a strong heroine at the heart of the story. This production has dance, narration and music all rolled into one, which makes it very accessible because the story is explained. People don’t expect spoken word as a major element when they go to a ballet. It breaks down the barriers, so no-one should feel apprehensive that they won’t understand the story or know what’s going on.”
CANDY Jazz Dance Company Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 21 June Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Contemporary dance company Chrysalis Wed 12 June London takes audiences on an energetic Dancers from prestigious professional training journey through a diverse wealth of genres, school London Studio Centre here showcase a along the waypresenting a soundtrack that wide range of dance styles, from hip-hop, segues from dubstep to classical. commercial and contemporary to music The company draws its inspiration from the theatre, tap, technical and lyrical jazz. city, using urban culture to stimulate the Described as serious, satirical and sassy, the production of raw, explosive and refreshingly ensemble’s latest show is an exploration of edgy choreography. current & historical movements, moments and This latest production includes a highly figures, celebrating idols from Elvis to Michael anticipated collaboration with world- Jackson, Dali to Da Vinci and Ginger Rogers to renowned choreographer Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy Gene Kelly. MBE, and also features a specially created curtain-raiser from Birmingham’s Timmins Academy of Dance.
Rhythm Of The Dance Lichfield Garrick, Sat 8 & Sun 9 June; Swan Theatre, Worcester, Sat 13 July; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 3 August This well-established production has been dancing its way across the globe for 20-plus years, stopping off in more than 50 countries and entertaining in excess of seven million people. A flamboyant festival of flailing feet and fiddles, the show presents dance, music, songs and culture from across the ages, from pre-Celtic times through to modern-day sounds. It also features a cast of world and Irish champion dancers and a host of strikingly talented traditional musicians.
whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Film June (3 pages).qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:28 Page 1
36 whatsonlive.co.uk Film June (3 pages).qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:28 Page 2
Film
Toy Story 4 CERT tbc (89 mins) With the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Joan Cusack, Wallace Shawn, Michael Keaton, Timothy Dalton, Tony Hale, Keanu Reeves, Christina Hendricks, Madeleine McGraw Directed by Josh Cooley (USA) Children everywhere will learn what a ‘spork’ is when this film hits cinemas, the word describing a cross between a spoon and a fork. The sequel’s new character is Forky, a spork that has been fashioned into a toy with the addition of pipe cleaner arms - but he really doesn’t like being a plaything. Even so, he ends up on a road trip with Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the toys’ new owner, Bonnie Anderson (Madeleine McGraw), who made Forky herself in an arts & crafts class. Then Forky escapes in the middle of nowhere and Woody heads off to rescue him. Keanu Reeves makes his debut as a voice actor, playing a character called Duke Caboom, a stunt rider unable to live up to his maker’s publicity. Available in IMAX and 3D. Released Fri 21 June
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Film highlights released in June...
Dark Phoenix CERT 12a Gloria Bell CERT 15 (102 mins) Liam: As It Was CERT 15 (85 mins) Starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Starring Julianne Moore, John Turturro, Directed by Gavin Fitzgerald and Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Sophie Michael Cera, Caren Pistorius, Brad Gar- Charlie Lightening (UK) Turner, Tye Sheridan, Jessica Chastain rett, Jeanne Tripplehorn Directed by Simon Kinberg (USA) Directed by Sebastián Lelio (USA/Chile) That’s Liam as in Liam Gallagher and this The 12th instalment in the X-Men series sees British documentary follows the singer as he our mutant heroes facing up to the all-power- attempts to forge a solo career post-Oasis. ful Dark Phoenix, an X-girl gone rogue. It’s a Expect some very naughty words. tricky one, but they have to decide between Released Thurs 6 June the fate of the human race and one of their own, even if she is a bad egg. We will see… Released Wed 5 June
She may be in her 50s, but divorcee Gloria Bell (Julianne Moore) finds new life on the dance floors of Los Angeles. Sebastián Lelio, the Chilean director of A Fantastic Woman and Disobedience, here re-imagines his own 2013 drama Gloria, which he shot in Santiago. Released Thurs 6 June
whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Film June (3 pages).qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:28 Page 3
Film
Eating Animals CERT PG (94 mins) attention on the Argentine footballer Men In Black: International Maradona. Directed by Christopher Dillon Quinn CERT tbc (UK/India/Germany/China/USA) Released Fri 14 June Starring Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, The food on your plate may be cheaper than Liam Neeson, Rebecca Ferguson, Kumail it’s ever been, but what, pray, are the global Nanjiani, Rafe Spall, Emma Thompson The Hummingbird Project Directed by F. Gary Gray (USA) consequences? This eye-opening documen- tary on industrialised farming and animal CERT 15 (111 mins) welfare is based on the bestselling book by Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Alexander Skarsgård, Salma Hayek, Michael Mando Jonathan Safran Foer and is narrated by Na- Directed by Kim Nguyen (Canada/Belgium) talie Portman and Foer himself. In this very modern thriller, two high-fre- Released Fri 7 June quency salesmen operate in the world of ultra-low latency direct market access. Um, no doubt all will be explained in what looks likely to be a goofy, ultra high-tech ride. Released Fri 14 June For geeks, call it MIB: International, a spin- off of the MIB franchise that starred Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. This edition kicks off in London and then follows Agent H (Hemsworth) and Agent M (Tessa Thompson) as they track alien imposters around the globe. Filmed in London, New York, Italy and Africa. Diego Maradona Released Fri 14 June CERT tbc (130 mins) Directed by Asif Kapadia (UK) A Season In France CERT tbc Following his award-winning documentaries Starring Eriq Ebouaney, Sandrine Bonnaire, on Ayrton Senna and Amy Winehouse, the Aalayna Lys, Ibrahim Burama Darboe London-born Asif Kapadia now focuses his Directed by Mahamat Saleh Haroun (France) Sandrine Bonnaire plays a woman who finds herself involved with a high school teacher who has fled his war-torn home in Africa. The writer-director Haroun is himself from Chad. Released Fri 14 June
Sometimes Always Never CERT 12 (91 mins) Starring Bill Nighy, Sam Riley, Jenny Agutter, Tim McInnerny, Alice Lowe because it is accused of being male-centric. Directed by Carl Hunter (UK) Late Night CERT 15 (102 mins) For Alan (Bill Nighy), it all went wrong when Starring Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling, So she hires Molly Patel, played by Mindy Hugh Dancy, Reid Scott, John Lithgow, Kaling, to add some feminine zest. he lost his son over a game of Scrabble. Now, Amy Ryan Directed by Nisha Ganatra (USA) Kaling also wrote the screenplay to this as he strives to complete a game online, he In spite of a luminous career, late-night comedy-drama. suspects the player may well be his prodigal offspring. There are no words for it. talk-show host Katherine Newbury (Emma Released Fri 7 June Thompson) is in danger of losing her slot Released Fri 14 June
38 whatsonlive.co.uk Film June (3 pages).qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:28 Page 4
Film highlights released in June...
Yesterday CERT 12a (112 mins) Starring Himesh Patel, Lily James, Kate McKinnon, Ed Sheeran, Ana de Armas, Lamorne Morris, James Corden, Sanjeev Bhaskar Directed by Danny Boyle (UK) What if The Beatles had never existed? Well, after a global blackout, struggling singer- songwriter Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) discovers that nobody has ever come across John, Paul, George and Ringo, and his covers of their songs launches him into the commer- cial stratosphere. However, his new-found fame could endan- ger the trust invested in him by his life-long sweetheart, Ellie (Lily James). As potty as this premise sounds, it’s no odder than the themes explored by its director in Millions, Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours. And with our very own Danny Boyle working from a script by Richard Curtis, this comedy has every prospect of being a mammoth hit. Ed Sheeran plays Ed Sheeran, who really does exist. Released Fri 28 June
CRITIC’S CHOICE
Brightburn CERT 15 (90 mins) Annabelle Comes Home Starring Elizabeth Banks, David Denman, Jack- CERT tbc son A. Dunn, Matt Jones, Meredith Hagner Directed by David Yarovesky (USA) Starring Mckenna Grace, Madison Iseman, Katie Sarife, Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga A couple adopts a Directed by Gary Dauberman (USA) child from outer That wretched doll - last seen in Annabelle: space which they Creation (2017) - is now back in the safekeep- try to raise to serve ing of the demonologists Ed and Lorraine humanity. But the Warren and is locked behind sacred glass. kid has other But we all know that Annabelle is no plans… dummy… For those who really care, this is Released the seventh instalment in the Conjuring Uni- Fri 21 June verse franchise. Released Fri 28 June In Fabric CERT 15 (120 mins) Child’s Play CERT 15 (120 mins) Starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Hayley Starring Aubrey Plaza, Gabriel Bateman, Brian Squires, Leo Bill, Gwendoline Christie, Julian Tyree Henry, Tim Matheson and the voice of Barratt, Steve Oram Mark Hamill Directed by Peter Strickland (UK) Directed by Lars Klevberg (USA) The cinema has dished up many a cursed Believe it or not, Chucky is back. This remake thing, but never before a dress. Here, as a of the cult 1988 slasher pic introduces the dress passes from one buyer to the next dur- very evil doll to a whole new generation. ing a winter sale at a department store, may- The first film produced six sequels and a TV hem ensues. From the critically acclaimed series, long before Annabelle (cf.) wreaked director of Berberian Sound Studio and The her own reign of destruction. Duke Of Burgundy. Released Fri 21 June Released Fri 28 June
whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Home of Metal.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 15:54 Page 1
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery this month welcomes a major exhibition exploring the legacy of Black Sabbath and their global fanbase...
40 whatsonlive.co.uk Home of Metal.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 15:54 Page 2 Photo credits: Courtesy Home of Metal and photographer Home Courtesy credits: Photo
Pictured (left to right): Black Sabbath fan Chris Hopkin; Morag Myerscough and Luke Morgan, the exhibition designers for Black Sabbath-50 Years at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery; and superfan Stephen Knowles.
From humble beginnings in 1960s Aston, Black Sabbath fans across the world, in the Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne process brilliantly illustrating the diversity of and Bill Ward formed a band that would their fanbase. The photo collection includes change the course of music history. Black portraits of people in Botswana, Brazil, Sabbath created a new sound, a new aesthetic It’s an honour to Indonesia, Japan, Egypt, Lebanon, and a new musical culture - Heavy Metal. Netherlands, Spain, US and from across the be a part of the UK. During a career spanning 50 years, the band enjoyed phenomenal global success, selling “Home of Metal. The exhibition also includes a recreation of more than 75 million albums worldwide. superfan Stephen Knowles’ living room, a I’m just a guy from space that he’s turned into his own mini Their final tour, appropriately titled The End, Sabbath museum. saw them play 81 concerts in 25 different Birmingham who’s countries. They also recently received a Also featured are a number of key costumes Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys. been blessed to have loaned by the band, including an outfit worn by Geezer Butler at their Birmingham Town This month sees the opening of the Black Hall concert and featured in the gatefold of Sabbath - 50 Years exhibition at Birmingham had such dedicated the 1972 Vol 4 album. Other on-display items Museum & Art Gallery. Presented by Home of fans throughout my include Ozzy’s glasses, Tony Iommi’s home Metal, a project devoted to the Heavy Metal studio and a part of Bill Ward’s drum kit, used music that was born in and around Birming- career. Like I’ve always in the 1974 Cal Jam, where Black Sabbath ham, the exhibition seeks to dissect the key performed in front of 250,000 people. ingredients that came together to create Black said, I am nothing Sabbath. Along the way, it explores the music that turned up the volume, down-tuned the without them... Home of Metal’s Black Sabbath - 50 Years guitars and introduced a whole new meaning exhibition shows at Birmingham Museum to the word ‘heavy’. Ozzy Osbourne & Art Gallery from Wednesday 26 June to Focusing on more than just the band and Sunday 29 September. their Birmingham roots, Home of Metal has Visitors must pre-book their tickets at also captured more than 3,000 portraits of ” homeofmetal.com
Black Sabbath’s fanbase is global. Pictured are fans Yurika and Akihiro from Japan and Ben and Liz from Birmingham. Photo credits: Home of Metal Fans Portrait Collection 2017/18 © Home of Metal whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Visual Arts June-2.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 15:57 Page 1
Visual Arts previews from around the region
The Paper Museum Barber Institute, Birmingham, Fri 14 June - Sun 1 September Cassiano dal Pozzo’s 17th century paper museum was a magnificent attempt to document and record all human knowledge. Consisting of 10,000-plus watercolours, drawings and prints, the ‘museum’ features subjects as diverse as antiquities, architecture, zoology, botany & geology, social customs & ceremonies, costumes, portraits, topography and military maps. Most of the dal Pozzo collection was acquired by George III and remains in the Royal Collection. The Barber exhibition forms part of an ongoing collaboration between the venue and Royal Collection Trust. “It’s very exciting to stage the first exhibition in over 20 years to focus exclusively on Cassiano’s remarkable contribution to art and science,” says Robert Wenley, Barber Deputy Director & Head of Collection. “The Paper Museum considers his wide-ranging academic and personal interests in the subjects of natural and antiquarian history. It also investigates his fascination with creating visual ‘documents’, which will resonate with today’s media-savvy and connected generation that enjoys documenting almost every fascinate of everyday life.”
42 whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts June-2.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 15:57 Page 2
Visual Arts
Monster Chetwynd: Hell Mouth 3 Eastside Projects, Birmingham, until Sat 27 July As with All This Mayhem (see left), Hell Mouth 3 is being presented as part of Birmingham’s summertime Home Of Metal project. The woman behind the show is Monster Chetwynd, a Glasgow-based artist previously known as Spartacus Chetwynd and Marvin Gaye Chetwynd, whose reputation is mainly based around her reworkings, via elaborate and evocative performances, of iconic moments from cultural history. Explaining her exhibition, she says: “Hell Mouth 3 channels the decline of western civilisation and legacies of heavy metal through the mouth to hell of a 16th century engraving of a human-devouring monster.” Ben Venom: All This Mayhem The show takes inspiration from Penelope Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat 22 June - Sun 8 September Spheeris’ film series, The Decline Of Western Presented as part of Home Of Metal - a May to September celebration of Birmingham's Civilisation, a trilogy of movies which depicts history of metal music - All This Mayhem is an exploration of the San Francisco-based life in Los Angeles at various points in time, artist Ben Venom’s interest in the DIY aspect of punk culture combined with the tradition along the way featuring some of the music of quilting. Ben’s art sees him using reclaimed fabrics to create expansive patchwork industry’s most influential and innovative designs which frequently incorporate skulls, tigers and heavy metal lyrics. Large-scale performers. textile pieces, customised jean jackets and clothing all feature in the exhibition of new and recent work. Ben will be in residence at the gallery during the first week of the show. Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Wonder Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, until Sun 2 June & Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Sun 29 June - Sun 1 September Coventry, Wed 25 June - Sun 15 September Wolverhampton Art Gallery this month welcomes back the prestigious Wildlife A light pavilion, urban landscapes, Photographer Of The Year show for a fourth reimagined cartoon characters and time. creatures brought to life by augmented Now in its 54th year, the competition annually reality all feature in a show designed receives tens of thousands of submissions from to take the visitor ‘beyond gallery amateur and professional photographers in walls’ to experience some ‘unexpected around 100 countries. and unimaginable wonders’. Featuring awe-inspiring images capturing The exhibition brings together work by fascinating animal behaviour and breathtaking seven artists, all of whom are here landscapes, the exhibition is visiting the focusing on producing pieces in which Midlands after premiering in London. reality and the imaginary collide.
Comics: Explore And Create Comic Art Enginuity, Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, Shropshire, until Sun 1 September This free exhibition showcasing an eclectic mix of original and iconic comic book art, as well as work by current children’s comic creators, has been originated by Seven Stories - the National Centre for Children’s Books. Featuring interactive activities, playful props and original material, the show’s highlights include images of Captain America, Wonder Woman, Superman and the Hulk as drawn by British artist Ian Churchill, who works for both Marvel and DC Comics.
whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Events June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:30 Page 1 Events June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:30 Page 2
Events previews from around the region Events
Under-5’s Day Picnic Party Dudley Zoo, 15% Wed 26 & Thurs 27 June OFF TICKETS WITH CODE WH15
BBC Good Food Show and presented by a host of celebrity chefs including A day (or two) of fun and games is Mary Berry, Tom Kerridge, Michel Roux Jr, in prospect for young visitors to Gardeners’ World Live Nadiya Hussain and Raymond Blanc... Dudley Zoo late this month. NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 13 - Sun 16 June For green-fingered visitors, BBC Gardeners’ Not only can they enjoy the zoo Boasting seasonal produce, ideas for al-fresco World Live is running alongside the Good Food itself, there’s also a selection of dining, and hundreds of producers and brands, event. The show features a selection of activities and entertainment taking the BBC Good Food Show returns this month to stunning gardens, floral marquees, a plant place in the grounds of Dudley provide four days of summertime dining village, hundreds of gardening exhibitors, and Castle, including puppet shows, inspiration. not-to-be-missed demonstrations by TV face painting and a sure-to-be- Visitors can soak up expert masterclasses and presenters Monty Don, Carol Klein, Adam Frost, colourful fancy dress parade. enjoy live demos on the seasonal stages, Joe Swift and Alan Titchmarsh. Step Back To The 1940s Under-5’s Day Inspired Family Day Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster, Sat 29 & Sun 30 Himley Hall & Park, Dudley, Fri 28 June Birmingham City University, Sat 8 June June One of the region’s largest pre-school events, Himley Hall’s Under-5’s Day features a wide variety of activities and entertainment. This year’s line-up includes an appearance by Peppa Pig and her brother, George, as well as a funfair, baby ballet, donkey rides and the return of the popular Himley Beach, complete with giant sandpit, buckets & spades and Punch & Judy shows.
The clock is turned back to wartime Britain this month as the Severn Valley Railway celebrates the 1940s. This year’s Inspired Family Day celebrates World Costumed reenactors will ensure Oceans Day, providing an action-packed few that Winston Churchill, Field Mar- hours of ‘free and fun-filled’ events and activities shal Bernard ‘Monty’ Montgomery for visitors of all ages to enjoy. and King George VI are all in atten- From under-the-sea virtual reality and eco- dance at the event, with highlights friendly jewellery-making, to sustainable fashion of the weekend including big band and junk modelling, there’ll be plenty for fami- shows, vintage vehicle displays lies to do, experience and learn. and vintage stalls. whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Events June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:30 Page 3
46 whatsonlive.co.uk Events June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:30 Page 4
Events previews from around the region Events
International Model Air Show Weston Park, Shropshire, Fri 14 - Sun 16 June
Model aircraft enthusiasts from all over the UK and Europe take to the skies to demonstrate their flying skills at this always-popular event. ‘The Town That Never Was’ The invaders-from-Mars storyline will be played Show highlights include a model out by MoS enthusiasts, with visitors at liberty boat regatta, slot car racing, a fun- Steampunk Festival to dip in and out as much or as little as they fair for children, a Battle of Britain Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, like. pyrotechnic display and the Swift Sat 22 & Sun 23 June Other attractions across the weekend include Glider display team performing The Ministry of Steampunk (MoS) is this month Cthulhu’s Witnesses, Women’s Suffrage, the mid-air acrobatics. transforming Blists Hill into ‘a magical, mysteri- Steam Wizards, traders throughout the town ous world of Martian invasion’, complete with and a main stage in the ironworks hosting talks accompanying Steampunk sights and sounds. and entertainment. Dating Show Live NEC, Birmingham, Sat 29 & Sun 30 June Calling all singletons... If you’re Monster Jam looking for love, it’s time to check Ricoh Arena, Coventry, Sat 8 June out the UK’s first ever dating expo! Hailed as one of the world’s biggest live Making its debut at the NEC, The motorsport events, Monster Jam roars its way into Dating Show Live features a whole Coventry this month. host of activities across five Expert drivers will compete both in champi- exploration zones. onship racing and gravity-defying freestyle Visitors can take part in speed- competitions during the course of the evening. dating, try out a new look with a Standing at 12 feet-tall and weighing up to makeover from the experts, learn four-and-a-half tonnes, the participating trucks some moves in a dance class, or possess super-charged engines that generate enjoy a drink or two at the more than 1,500 horsepower. The mammoth prosecco bar. vehicles perform wheelies, donuts and big air TV stars Joey Essex, Melinda stunts, with some having been known to reach an Messenger and Calum Best will all impressive height of 35 feet. be in attendance. Fantabulosa! Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Sat 1 June Open to anyone of whatever age who wants to experience the joys and freedom of self-expres- sion, Fantabulosa! sees some of the UK’s leading drag artists bringing to the museum ‘a fantasti- cal pop-up world of imagination and interactive storytelling, lipsync, performance, dress-up, games, songs and a lot of glitter’...
whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Events June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:30 Page 5
48 whatsonlive.co.uk Events June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:30 Page 6
Events previews from around the region Events
Festival of Creativity & Wellbeing Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, Sat 15 June As part of Creativity & Wellbeing Week, the Herbert is hosting a day of free workshops, performances and activities to encourage visitors to experience and connect with their inner creativity. Local artists, creatives and cultural organisations will also be in attendance, to demonstrate how creativity can be used to support wellbeing.
Royal Three Counties Show Three Counties Showground, Shropshire Pub In The Park by local brewers, a lager bar, cocktails, an Malvern, Worcestershire, extensive gin den, a wine bar, a Pimm’s tent and Fri 14 - Sun 16 June QEII Arena, Telford Town Park, Fri 7 & Sat 8 June ‘some of the best street food the region has to This brand new event from the team behind the offer’. And not only will visitors be well fed and popular Shrewsbury Food Festival and watered, they’ll be well entertained too, with live Shropshire Oktoberfest brings all the best bits of bands and comedians (including Tom Glover and going to the pub into the great outdoors. Junior Simpson) also contributing to proceedings. Event highlights include 150 real ales served up
Kenilworth Show Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Sat 8 June Coventry & Warwickshire’s biggest one-day agricultural show is celebrating its 76th year this month. A hearty celebration of regional The 2019 edition of the event sees the return of food and farming, allied to the traditional country show livestock and plenty of family entertainment, is homecraft competitions, as well as the country- the tried-and-trusted recipe for side area, featuring challenges including archery success at this year’s Royal Three and gundog scurry. The equine area also returns, Counties Show. with other attractions including displays of With a firm focus on 2019’s host agricultural machinery, a vast array of trade county of Herefordshire, the stands and a programme of main-ring entertain- event provides visitors with ment. RAF Cosford Air Show plenty to keep them occupied, from sampling strawberries and RAF Cosford, Sun 9 June sipping cider to discovering the The Royal Air Force's only official air show is one region’s rich cultural heritage. of the largest events in the West Midlands. Some of the country’s finest The annual show includes a packed flying livestock will also be in atten- schedule along with numerous static exhibits, dance, competing for the title of stalls, trade stands, military demonstrations and Best In Show, while family a host of children's entertainments. entertainment includes dog The RAF Red Arrows will also be performing at agility, duck herding and a the event, in what will be one of only a handful of spectacular display from the opportunities to see them this summer. ever-brilliant Red Devils.
whatsonlive.co.uk 49 The List Cover June Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:04 Page 1 The List Cover June Warwicks/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2019 16:50 Page 2
YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide JuneJune 20192019 thelist
As You Like It at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon until Sat 31 August
Music I Comedy I Theatre I Dance I Film I Events I Visual Arts I and more!
What’s On Sat 1 to Sun 9 June Mon 10 to Sun 16 June Mon 17 to Sun 23 June Mon 24 to Sun 30 June
The Little Prince at Classic Cars For Father’s Day at Joan As Police Woman at The Dan Cassidy at Upton Jazz Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Witley Court, Worcestershire Assembly, Leamington Spa Festival, Upton-upon-Severn Sat 1 June Sun 16 June Sun 23 June Thurs 27 - Sun 30 June
whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List Warwickshire 1 - 9 June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 14:52 Page 1
thelist JULIA HOLTER Tues 4 Sat 8 June, Symphony THROUGHOUT JUNE Gigs June, The Glee Club, Hall, Birmingham Birmingham GRAEME CLARK (WET The Herbert Art Gallery & Mu- LEO SAYER Sat 1 June, PIP BLOM Tues 4 June, WET WET) Sat 8 June, Visual Arts seum Birmingham Town Hall Hare & Hounds, Birm- The Albany Theatre, Coventry WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR SHOWADDWADDY Sat 1 ingham MORTELLICA Artrix, Bromsgrove Exhibition from the Natural History June, Bedworth Civic SOME GUYS HAVE ALL Sat 8 Museum featuring breathtaking ani- Hall THE LUCK - THE ROD June, The Marr’s Bar, NEW LYN SHARP: OUT OF AFRICA Lyn mal portraits, dramatic landscapes, KING OF THE SLUMS Sat STEWART STORY Wed 5 Worcester started her animal portraits with pas- bizarre species and endangered 1 June, O2 Academy, June, Belgrade The- THREE TIMES SCARLET tels and now also uses watercolour, habitats, until Sun 2 June Birmingham atre, Coventry Sat 8 June, The World acrylic, mixed media, textile and fibre Bar, Resorts World, MAJOR TOMS Sat 1 PAUL YOUNG Wed 5 art, Tues 4 June - Mon 15 July Birmingham Worcester City Museum & Art June, Hare & Hounds, June, The Assembly, Gallery Leamington Spa Birmingham Museum & Birmingham A WEIRD & WONDERFUL DAY OUT Sat 8 June, Art Gallery SPRING CRAFT CASES Spring show of CELESTIAL Sat 1 June, JANE MCDONALD Thurs The Mill Digbeth, Birm- lino-cut prints from two Malvern mak- Hare & Hounds, Birm- 6 June, Wolverhamp- WITHIN AND WITHOUT: BODY IMAGE AND ers whose work is inspired by the ton Grand Theatre ingham THE SELF Exhibition examining how ingham beauty of nature, until Wed 26 June TINA - SIMPLY THE BEST social, historical and cultural factors THE AMPS Sat 1 June, 1DELANEY Thurs 6 Sat 8 June, Palace affect body image, and how this is ex- THE YOUNG TURNER: AMBITIONS IN AR- The World Bar, Resorts June, Hare & Hounds, Theatre, Redditch pressed through objects and art- CHITECTURE AND THE ART OF PERSPEC- World, Birmingham Birmingham TIVE Exhibition featuring JMW THE SOLID GOLD ROCK works, until Sun 1 Sept HATS OFF TO LED ZEP- THE PINHEADS & HIGH Turner’s drawings, paintings and en- 'N' ROLL SHOW Sat 8 COLLECTING BIRMINGHAM: WHO IS PELIN Sat 1 June, Ar- KNUCKS Thurs 6 June, gravings from the 1780s to the 1810s, June, Wolverhampton BIRMINGHAM? Discover new collec- trix, Bromsgrove The Tin Music and illustrating his interest in architecture, Arts, Canal Basin, Grand Theatre tions that reflect the experiences of until Sat 6 July THE ULTIMATE COMMIT- Coventry THE RUTLES - GET UP & diverse Birmingham people - from MENTS AND BLUES FIFTY OBJECTS; FIFTY STORIES EXHIBI- GO AGAIN Sat 8 June, working lives to community activists BROTHERS EXPERIENCE MATT OWENS (EX NOAH TION Curator Garston Phillips shares The Assembly, Leam- and protest movements, until Sun 27 Sat 1 June, Palace AND THE WHALE) Thurs the tales, anecdotes and memories ington Spa Oct Theatre, Redditch 6 June, The Marr’s Bar, that have helped shape the museum Worcester HELLO AGAIN - THE for five decades, until Sat 9 Nov BRASS AGAINST Sat 1 STORY OF NEIL DIA- Compton Verney Gallery, June, O2 Institute, THE KILKENNYS Fri 7 MOND Warwick Birmingham June, The Core The- Sat 8 June, Bel- Other VISUAL ARTS atre, Solihull grade Theatre, PAINTING CHILDHOOD: FROM HOLBEIN DIGITAL DIORAMA Imagine a day in the MEGAN MCKENNA Sat 1 Coventry TO FREUD A celebration of children, June, O2 Institute, THE BOB DYLAN STORY life of a young William Shakespeare. THE SUMMER OF LOVE childhood and innocence, bringing Birmingham Fri 7 June, Artrix, Explore his experience through aug- Sat 8 June, Artrix, together some of the most iconic Bromsgrove mented realities and see Shake- A CERTAIN RATIO Sun 2 Bromsgrove paintings, sketches and sculptures of speare’s world through a new lens, June, The Assembly, MOTHER POPCORN Fri 7 SIMON & GARFUNKEL children from the past 500 years, until until Sun 8 Sept, Royal Shakespeare Leamington Spa June, The World Bar, THROUGH THE YEARS Sun 16 June Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Resorts World, Birm- Sat 8 June, Warwick CHILDHOOD NOW ingham Exhibition bringing DAWN HOMER - DOGS AND DONUTS With Hall, Warwick together the works of three contem- her cakes and donuts, Dawn aims to CARNIVAL MAGNIFICO ABBA FOREVER Sat 8 porary figurative painters - Chantal make you think you can reach into 2019 Fri 7 June, Dig- June, Evesham Arts Joffe, Mark Fairnington and Matthew the painting, grab them and eat beth Arena, B’ham Centre Krishanu, until Sun 16 June them. When painting animals, she JOE BROUGHTON’S CON- ART IN THE PARK - GREEN DWELLING In- likes to capture a side of her subject SERVATOIRE FOLK EN- MAETLIVE & THE NEVER stallation by Dutch artist Krijn de Kon- that won’t have been seen before, NICK LOWE & LOS SEMBLE Fri 7 June, NEVERLAND EXPRESS ing consisting of a collection of until Sun 30 June, Evesham Arts STRAITJACKETS Sun 2 Huntingdon Hall, Sat 8 June, The Robin, differently sized green blocks ranged Centre June, Birmingham Worcester Bilston Town Hall across the Old Town Meadow, until THE PLAY'S THE THING Display of cos- THE MIGHTY WAH! Fri 7 FEMI KUTI Sat 8 June, Sun 15 Dec tumes and props from the archives, MADE IN MOTOWN Sun June, O2 Academy, O2 Institute, B’ham until Tues 31 Dec, Swan Theatre, 2 June, Swan Theatre, Birmingham HANDS OFF GRETEL, Worcester Forge Mill Needle Museum, Stratford-upon-Avon MARTHA REEVES & THE FACE UP, KILLER BOB & Redditch FASHIONING PEACE: LIFE AND LIBERTY RAHSAAN PATTERSON VANDELLAS Fri 7 June, THIRD ANGLE PROJEC- MAKING A POINT WITH LACE Exhibition AFTER THE GREAT WAR EXHIBITION Ex- Sun 2 June, Hare & O2 Institute, B’ham TION Sun 9 June, Hare Hounds, Birmingham & Hounds, B’ham from the Lace Guild Museum looking hibition exploring how the changes UK PINK FLOYD EXPERI- at the important role needle lace brought about through the Great War SANGRE DE MUERDAGO ENCE Fri 7 June, Bel- VILLAGERS Sun 9 June, played in the development of lace were reflected in clothing and fashion Sun 2 June, O2 grade Theatre, Hare & Hounds, Bham and fashion, until Sun 16 June from 1918 through to the Roaring Academy, Birmingham Coventry 20s, until Mon 12 Oct 2020, Hartle- SPICE GIRLS Mon 3 - Rugby Art Gallery & Museum bury Castle, Kidderminster BIFFY MCCLYRO Fri 7 Tues 4 June, Ricoh June, The Marr’s Bar, EDUCATING RUGBY Explore the history NEW AN ENTERTAINMENT Exhibition Arena, Coventry Worcester showcasing the many entertainments of schools and colleges in Rugby ROBERT MIZZELL & THE on offer in Leamington over the past FAITH: THE GEORGE with objects from the museum’s so- COUNTRY KINGS Mon 3 two centuries, Fri 14 June - Sun 1 MICHAEL LEGACY Sat 8 cial history collection, until Sat 22 June, The Core The- Sept, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & June, The Roses The- June atre, Solihull Museum, Leamington Spa atre, Tewkesbury WHEN THE GOLDEN SUN IS SINKING SAARA AALTO Mon 3 TERRY DASH MUSIC - Indre Serpytyte is concerned with the NEW WARWICKSHIRE OPEN STUDIOS June, The Glee Club, TWISTING THE NIGHT impact of conflict and war on history Venues range from artists’ homes, Birmingham AWAY Sat 8 June, and perception. She works with pho- studios and gardens to pop-up exhi- Huntingdon Hall, tography, sculpture and installation, bitions in churches, cafés, pubs, SNAIL MAIL Mon 3 Worcester until Sat 22 June shops and galleries, Sat 15 - Sun 30 June, Hare & Hounds, June, Various venues in Warwickshire Birmingham SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 1 - 9 June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 14:52 Page 2
Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 June
CBSO: SONGS FROM THE 60S Featuring Classical Music Richard Balcombe (conductor), Gra- ham Bickley, Oliver Tompsett, Katie ENGLISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: FESTI- Birtill & Abbie Osmon (vocalists), Fri VAL GALA CONCERT Featuring Kenneth 7 June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Woods (conductor) & Raphael Wall- DVORAK’S PIANO QUINTET Featuring fisch (cello). Programme includes Robert Markham (piano), Philip Brett works by Elgar, Sat 1 June, Worcester & Kate Oswin (violins), Catherine Cathedral Bower (viola) & Kate Setterfield FONTANELLA: THE WOODS SO WILD Sat (cello). Programme includes works 1 June, Old St Martin Church, The by Pärt & Dvorak, Fri 7 June, CBSO Cornmarket, Worcester Centre, Birmingham THE ELGAR CHORALE Featuring Piers THE LONDON CONCERTANTE: VIVALDI Maxim (conductor). Programme in- FOUR SEASONS BY CANDLELIGHT Fri 7 cludes selections from Vaughan June, Coventry Cathedral Williams’ Shakespeare Songs, John WARWICKSHIRE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Rutter’s Birthday Madrigals and Featuring Roger Coull (conductor) & Elgar’s Part Songs, Sat 1 June, The featuring Donna Lennard (soprano) Firs, Elgar’s Birthplace, Worcester and Gaynor Keeble (mezzo soprano). DOWLAND WORKS WITH EMMA KIRKBY Programme includes Debussy’s Sat 1 June, Worcester Guildhall Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune; As You Like It - Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon PROTEUS ENSEMBLE Featuring Poulenc’s ‘Les Biches Suite’ and Stephen Shellard (conductor). A con- Chausson’s ‘Symphony in B flat Club, Birmingham June, The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford- major’, Sat 8 June, All Saints' Parish cert of sacred & secular music by Ed- JOSH HOWIE, HAYLEY ELLIS, STEVE HAR- upon-Avon Church, Leamington Spa ward Elgar, Sat 1 June. Chapter RIS & MATT REES Sat 8 June, The THE WORST LITTLE WAREHOUSE IN LON- House, Worcester Cathedral CBSO SONG FESTIVAL Featuring Mirga Comedy Loft, Birmingham DON A ‘mind-boggingly funny story of Gražinytè-Tyla & Simon Halsey (con- COVENTRY & DRESDEN IN CONCERT Fea- ALL KILLA NO FILLA Sun 9 June, The companionship. shared accommoda- ductors), the CBSO Chorus & Tom turing Spires Philharmonic Orchestra Glee Club, Birmingham tion, and how to grin your teeth and & Chorus alongside the Dresden Redmond (presenter). Programme in- bare it’, Fri 31 May - Sat 1 June, Old Neuer Choir. Programme includes cludes works by Kutavi ius, Peep TEZ ILYAS, SHAZIA MIRZA, PRINCE ABDI Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Sarapik / Juhan Liiv, Jurjäns, Parry & & ESHAAN AKBAR Sun 9 June, The choral music by Bach, Beethoven, č THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT A Handel, Sun 9 June, University of Glee Club, Birmingham Brahms, Copland, Elgar, Fauré, Han- story about choices and conse- Birmingham del, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Parry, quences and a journey through time Rachmaninov, Schubert & Spofforth, COMMUNITY SPIRIT Evening of choral and place, Sat 1 June, Midlands Arts Sat 1 June, Coventry Cathedral music from some of the best choirs & Centre, Birmingham homegrown talent in the West Mid- THE SALVATION ARMY: SYMPHONY Theatre THE WEST END BHANGRA MUSICAL In- lands, Sun 9 June, Symphony Hall, SOUNDS Sat 1 June, Symphony Hall, AS YOU LIKE IT Riotous version of dian musical fusing live music, stage Birmingham Birmingham Shakespeare's romantic comedy, production and dancing, Sat 1 June, CBSO: TRAVELS THROUGH TIME Featur- until Sat 31 Aug, Royal Shakespeare The Alexandra, Birmingham ing Michael Seal (conductor), Cather- Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon PRIVATE LIVES Heartbreak Produc- ine Arlidge (presenter) & the City of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW Shake- tions present an outdoor staging of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Comedy speare's comedy of gender and ma- Noel Coward’s celebrated comedy, Programme includes works by CARL DONNELLY, DANNY MCLOUGHLIN, terialism is turned on its head to offer Sat 1 - Sun 2 June, Jephson Gar- Grainer, Rimsky-Korsakov, Rameu, THE RAYMOND & MR TIMPKINS REVUE & a fresh perspective on its portrayal of dens, The Parade, Leamington Spa Anderson, Mozart, Shostakovich, THOMAS GREEN Sat 1 June, The Glee hierarchy and power, until Sat 31 Williams & Stravinsky, Sun 2 June, 56 EAST AVENUE Brand new comedy Club, Birmingham Aug, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, featuring Oliver Samuels, Volier Symphony Hall, Birmingham Stratford-upon-Avon MARK STEEL Sat 1 June, Huntingdon ‘Maffy’ Johnson, Audrey Reid, Dennis EMILY ASKEW BAND Exploration of folk Hall, Worcester THE PROVOKED WIFE Outspoken Titus & Lakeisha Ellison, Sun 2 June, & early music, Sun 2 June, Old St Restoration romp, until Sat 7 Sept, The Alexandra, Birmingham ANDREW LAWRENCE, PETER BRUSH, Martin Church, The Cornmarket, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- NOEL JAMES & PETE OTWAY Sat 1 MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Musical par- Worcester Avon June, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham ody featuring a host of one-liners ELGAR’S VIOLIN SONATA WITH ZOË BEY- VENICE PRESERVED Fast-paced version about hot flushes, memory loss and THE HILARITY CHARITY GALA FEAT. ERS AND PHILIP MOORE Programme in- of Thomas Otway's restoration pop classics. Cheryl Fergison, Mau- DAVID O’DOHERTY, ROSE MATAFEO, JOHN cludes works by Debussy, David tragedy, until Sat 7 Sept, The Swan reen Nolan, Rebecca Wheatley & ROBINS, DARREN HARRIOT, TOM PARRY, Matthews & Elgar, Sun 2 June, Hunt- Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Katherine Lynch star, Mon 3 - Tues 4 TOM ALLEN & COMPERE DANIEL KITSON ingdon Hall, Worcester June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Wed 5 June, Wolverhampton Grand ROCK OF AGES Smash-hit musical fea- AURORA ORCHESTRA - MUSIC OF THE Theatre turing over 25 classic rock anthems. THRILLER LIVE Michael Jackson trib- SPHERES Also featuring Nicholas Col- Casting includes Zoe Birkett, Kevin ute show, Mon 3 - Sat 8 June, The AFTERMIRTH Wed 5 June, The Roses lon (conductor), Pekka Kuusisto (vio- Kennedy and Antony Costa, Tues 28 Alexandra, Birmingham lin) & Samuel West (audio narration), Theatre, Tewkesbury May - Sat 1 June, Wolverhampton STRANGERS ON A TRAIN Amateur stag- Tues 4 June, Birmingham Town Hall MAISIE ADAM & GEINS FAMILY GIFTSHOP Grand Theatre ing of Patricia Highsmith’s thriller, Wed 5 June, Midlands Art Centre, CBSO: A SPRING SYMPHONY Featuring CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICALS Tim Mon 3 - Sat 8 June, Talisman The- Birmingham the City of Birmingham Symphony Or- Firth & Gary Barlow’s award-winning atre, Coventry chestra, Kazuki Yamada (conductor) DALISO CHAPONDA, ROGER MONKHOUSE production, Tues 28 May - Sat 8 MALCOLM STENT’S SONGS OF PRAISE & Cédric Tiberghien (piano). Pro- FEATURING COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH June, Birmingham Hippodrome Featuring songs, monologues and gramme includes works by Mozart, ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 6 June, The CAPTAIN CORELLI'S MANDOLIN Based comedy, Tues 4 June, The Core The- Liszt & Schumann, Thurs 6 June, Glee Club, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham on the bestselling novel by Louis de atre, Solihull RAW COMEDY Fri 7 June, Evesham Berniéres, Wed 29 May - Sat 15 June, MIDDAY VARIETY - VINCE HILL & EX CATHEDRA: SUMMER MUSIC BY CAN- Arts Centre The REP, Birmingham DLELIGHT Featuring Sarah Latto (con- FRIENDS The Coventry-born star cele- DALISO CHAPONDA, ROGER ductor), Thurs 6 June, Hereford A PHOENIX NIGHT Evening of sketches, brates his 85th birthday with a MONKHOUSE, MAISE ADAM & GEORGE Cathedral songs & laughs, Thurs 30 May - Sat 1 farewell charity performance, Tues 4 RIGDEN Fri 7 - Sat 8 June, The Glee whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List Warwickshire 1 - 9 June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 14:52 Page 3
thelist June, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry amateur staging of the feelgood mu- new show, which ‘invites audiences Coventry MINDGAME Psychological thriller from sical, Fri 7 - Sat 8 June, Bedworth to reimagine the world through their STUART MACONIE: JARROW ROAD TO the pen of Anthony Horowitz, Tues 4 - Civic Hall hearts and reconnect with the child THE DEEP SOUTH From choral even- Sat 8 June, Malvern Theatres A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM The within‘, Sat 1 June, Warwick Arts song to curry house, austerity to af- Centre, Coventry LEGALLY BLONDE Masqueraders The- Lord Chamberlain's Men perform this fluence, Wearside to Westminster, atrical Society present an amateur Shakespearean classic, Sat 8 June, writer & broadcaster Stuart takes an staging of the smash-hit musical, Packwood House, Solihull enlightening journey through Britain Tues 4 - Sat 8 May, Abbey Theatre, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING The Festi- then and now, Thurs 6 June, Warwick Nuneaton val Players present their version of Arts Centre, Coventry MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING The Festi- Shakespeare’s beguiling comedy, val Players present their version of Sat 8 June, The Railway Inn, Ripple, Shakespeare’s beguiling comedy, Tewkesbury Wed 5 June, Himbledon Parish Hall, WNO: DON PASQUALE Welsh National Film Himbledon, Worcestershire Opera present Daisy Evans’ ‘riotous’ INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: ROMEO & JULIET Heartbreak Produc- new version of Donizetti’s classic SWAN LAKE Ballet Theatre UK present WONDER PARK (PG) Animation/Adven- tions present a ‘super glam’ outdoor comic opera, Sat 8 June, Midlands a new production of the timeless ture. With the voices of Sofia Mali, staging of Shakespeare’s most pas- Arts Centre, Birmingham classic, Sat 2 June, Swan Theatre, Jennifer Garner. Roses Theatre, sionate tale, Wed 5 - Thurs 6 June, THE SECRET LIVES OF HENRY & ALICE Worcester Tewkesbury, Fri 31 May - Sat 1 June Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spa Gill Jordan - best known as Black GISELLE Vienna Festival Ballet present WHEELY (PG) Animation/Adventure. THE ADDAMS FAMILY THE MUSICAL Am- Country legend Doreen - stars oppo- a tale of innocence, love, betrayal With the voices of Barbara Goodson, ateur performance staged by The site Emmerdale & Doctors actor Tom and madness, Sun 2 June, Artrix, Chris Jai Alex. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Harlequins Drama Group, Wed 5 - Fri Roberts in David Tristram’s award- Bromsgrove Sat 1 June 7 June, Palace Theatre, Redditch winning comedy, which centres on a married couple with apparently only a PUSS IN BOOTS Northern Ballet pre- TOLKIEN (12a) Biography/Drama. Star- DANGEROUS CORNER Royal Birming- pet goldfish in common, Sat 8 June, sent a choreographed version of the ring Nicholas Hoult, Lily Collins. ham Conservatoire presents its ver- Swan Theatre, Worcester much-loved fairytale, Fri 7 June, Number 8, Pershore, Fri 31 May - Sat sion of JB Priestley’s tale of intrigue, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre 1& Mon 3 June; Roses Theatre, Wed 5 - Sat 8 June, The Old Rep, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Cult musical Tewkesbury, Sun 2 - Thurs 6 June; Birmingham comedy, Sat 8 - Sat 15 June, Rugby Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 7 & Mon 10 Theatre HORMONAL HOUSEWIVES ’Allo ’Allo ac- June tress Vicki Michelle stars in a no- STILL FREEZIN’ Join the Fizzogs as THE SISTERS BROTHERS (15) Adven- they present a Black Country version Cabaret holds-barred romp about the joys of LA VOIX: LIVE, LOUD AND FABULOUS ture/Comedy. Starring John C. Reilly, being a ‘fabulous 21st century of Disney blockbuster Frozen, Sun 9 Joaquin Phoenix. Artrix, Bromsgrove, June, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Evening of frills, frocks & fun as the woman, Thurs 6 June, Royal Spa Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist im- Mon 3 June Centre, Leamington Spa ROMEO & JULIET Heartbreak Produc- personates female icons Cher, Tina VAN GOGH & JAPAN Documentary. Ar- ROMAN ROMP Adult comedy brimming tions present a ‘super glam’ outdoor Turner, Shirley Bassey and Liza Min- trix, Bromsgrove, Mon 3 June staging of Shakespeare’s most pas- with farcical confusion and outra- nelli included, Sat 1 June, The Old HAPPY AS LAZZARO (12A) Drama. Star- geous innuendo, Thurs 6 June, Swan sionate tale, Sun 9 June, Wood Nor- Rep, Birmingham ton Garden & Terrace, Evesham ring Adriano Tardiolo, Agnese Theatre, Worcester CERI DUPREE IN THE LADIES I LOVE Join Graziani. Foreign language, subtitled. MOTHER’S RUIN: A CABARET ABOUT GIN the much-loved ‘female imperson- Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Wed 5 - Lose yourself in the company of ater’ for a non-stop quick-change Fri 7 June sailors, barmaids and bootleggers in homage to his favourite singers, Wed ARCTIC (12a) Drama. Starring Mads this darkly comic cabaret starring Kids Shows 5 - Thurs 6 June, The Patrick Studio, Mikkelsen, Maria Thelma Smáradóttir. Maeve Marsden & Libby Wood, Thurs IF ALL THE WORLD WERE PAPER Big Birmingham Hippodrome Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Thurs 6 - 6 June, Stratford Playhouse, Strat- Window Theatre present a poignant THE LADYBOYS OF BANGKOK A cabaret Sun 9 June ford-upon-Avon play about falling out, making up and like no other featuring 16 of the ROCKETMAN (12a) Biography/Drama. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM National the joy of true friendship, Sun 2 June, world’s most beautiful showgirls - Starring Taron Egerton, Bryce Dallas Production Company presents its ver- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry who just happen to be men, Thurs 6 Howard. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, sion of Shakespeare's romantic com- HONK! Reimagining of Hans Christian June, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Fri 7 - Thurs 18 June edy, Thurs 6 - Sat 8 June, Albany Andersen's The Ugly Duckling... Tues Theatre, Coventry SPY CAT (12a) Animation/Adventure. 4 - Sat 8 June, Belgrade Theatre, With the voices of Erik Borner, COLD MEAT All & Sundry present an Coventry Alexandra Neldel. Artrix, Bromsgrove, amateur production of Roger God- ZOG Julia Donaldson & Axel Schef- Sat 8 June dard’s new black comedy, Thurs 6 - fler’s much-loved character comes to Talks A DOG'S JOURNEY (PG) Sat 8 June, Norbury Theatre, life in a new staging accompanied by LUCY WORSLEY - QUEEN VICTORIA: Droitwich Adventure/Comedy. Starring Dennis a ‘sumptuous’ folk score, Wed 5 - DAUGHTER, WIFE, MOTHER AND WIDOW Quaid, Abby Ryder Fortson. Roses RIOT ACT Hard-hitting and heartwarm- Thurs 6 June, Malvern Theatres Join Lucy for an illustrated talk about Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 8 - Sun 9 ing exploration of the history of the JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH Amateur the life, the palaces and the rich June LGBTQ rights movement, Thurs 6 - colourful age of Queen Victoria, Mon staging of Roald Dahl’s classic novel, THE SISTERS BROTHERS (15) Adven- Sat 8 June, The Old Joint Stock The- Thurs 6 - Sat 8 June, The Dream Fac- 3 June, Warwick Arts Centre, Coven- atre, Birmingham try ture/Comedy. Starring John C. Reilly, tory, Warwick Joaquin Phoenix. Artrix, Bromsgrove, ROMEO & JULIET Heartbreak Produc- GANGSTA GRANNY Heartbreak Produc- BEN MACINTYRE LIVE: THE SPY AND THE Mon 3 June tions present a ‘super glam’ outdoor tions present an outdoor staging of TRAITOR Historian Ben tells the tale staging of Shakespeare’s most pas- David Walliams’ bestselling tale, Fri 7 that changed the course of the Cold sionate tale, Fri 7 June, Coombe - Sat 8 June, Jephson Gardens, War forever, Tues 4 June, Warwick NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Abbey, Warwickshire Leamington Spa Arts Centre, Coventry Released from Wed 5 June, showing REP FOUNDRY NIGHT Featuring ex- AN AUDIENCE WITH ALAN JOHNSON One at selected cinemas cerpts from Rep Foundry artists of the most popular politicians of re- X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX (tbc) Omar Khan, Sam Cole, Ashlee Eliza- cent times, Alan here tells his per- GLORIA BELL (15) beth Lolo & Sophia Griffin, Fri 7 June, Dance sonal story with the help of some of The REP, Birmingham the music that has soundtracked his LATE NIGHT (15) THE LITTLE PRINCE Protein fuse dance, life, Wed 5 June, Albany Theatre, GREASE Sirens Theatre present an music and fun in Luca Silvestrini’s 54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 1 - 9 June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 14:52 Page 4
Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 June
WHODUNNIT? A FAMILY-FRIENDLY MUR- Events DER-MYSTERY TRAIL Time-travelling murder-mystery trail, Sat 1 June, LEGO SEA EXPLORERS Help the team Aston Hall, Birmingham unlock underwater secrets and draw, colour and create your new discover- FANTABULOSA! Pop-up world of imagi- ies, until Sun 2 June, National Sea nation and storytelling, Sat 1 June, Life Centre, Birmingham Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery NIMROD TOURS Step on board the COMICS SALOPIA Free-entry festival Nimrod XV249 and learn about its in- celebrating the medium of comic art telligence-gathering role in the Royal in all of its forms, with some of the Air Force, until Sun 2 June, RAF Cos- biggest names in the industry in at- ford, Nr Wolverhampton tendance, Sat 1 - Sun 2 June, Various locations around Shrewsbury WOOLLY WEEK See traditional shear- ing demonstrations, learn how sheep COLLECTORMANIA 26 Featuring well- fleece is spun into wool and make a known faces from the worlds of televi- Tudor braid to take home, until Sun 2 sion, film and sport, Sat 1 - Sun 2 June, Mary Arden's Farm, Stratford- June, NEC, Birmingham upon-Avon PAPER CRAFT WORKSHOP Make some- FREDDO'S TREASURE TROVE Ahoy, me thing wonderful with paper, inspired hearties! Cadbury’s Freddo has by the If The World Were Made Of donned his captain’s hat to show little Paper family theatre show, Sun 2 ones what it takes to become a pirate June, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Mini Museum Engineers: Building It Up - Coventry Transport Museum on the seven seas, until Sun 2 June, WATT 2019: WHAT’S WATT TALK AND June, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre KENILWORTH SHOW The 76th annual Cadbury World, Bournville TOUR WITH CHRIS RICE Exploration of show offers ‘a fun-filled, action- the life of James Watt Jnr, who lived PEAKY BLINDERS NIGHT Step back in MAY HALF TERM - DESIGNER WEEK Dis- packed, exciting and educational at Aston Hall from 1819 until his time to the Roaring 20s and discover cover the fascinating stories behind day’, Sat 8 June, Stoneleigh Park, Ke- death in 1848, Sun 2 June, Aston the murky underground world of the the museum's most famous cars - nilworth then pop into the studio to design Hall, Birmingham Peaky Blinders, Fri 7 - Sat 8 June, Black Country Living Museum, Dud- CLASSIC & VINTAGE COMMERCIAL SHOW your own, until Sun 2 June, British THERE AND BACK AGAIN: JRR TOLKIEN ley Two-day show featuring more than Motor Museum, Gaydon AND SAREHOLE GUIDED WALK Guided 400 pre-1999 commercial vehicles, introduction to Tolkien, the area of THE GENEALOGY SHOW Great opportu- CASTLE QUEST A must-attend event for Sat 8 - Sun 9 June, British Motor Mu- Sarehole and its influence on The nity to network, learn and have fun, anybody who loves solving riddles seum, Gaydon and having a go at challenges, until Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings, Fri 7 - Sat 8 June, NEC, Birmingham Sun 2 June, Tamworth Castle Sun 2 June, Sarehole Mill, Hall BRITISH INTERNATIONAL OPEN 2019 TRAMPOLINE, TUMBLING AND DOUBLE- Green, Birmingham This weightlifting competition is an MINI TRAMPOLINE REGIONAL TEAM FI- GET HANDS-ON WITH HISTORY Join the NALS AND NDP SEMI-FINALS High-flying DAS AUTO SHOW The German car IWF Bronze event and will act as a academy for hands-on medieval fun somersaults aplenty as some of the show comes to Santa Pod for Audi, qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and transform yourself into a courtly country’s top gymnasts vye for glory, BMW, Mercedes, VW, Porsche and Games, Fri 7 - Sun 9 June, Ricoh lord or lady, until Sun 2 June, Kenil- Sat 8 - Sun 9 June, Resorts World more, Sun 2 June, Santa Pod Race- Arena, Coventry worth Castle Arena, Birmingham way, Wellingborough THE WORLD OF PARK & LEISURE HOMES ESL ONE BIRMINGHAM Three days of CHILDREN’S ART WEEK 2019 Sketch a WATT 2019: JAMES WATT TOURS Tours Whether you’re searching for the lat- intense Dota 2 action, as participants selfie to add to the Herbert’s growing dedicated to the lives and works of est design ideas or wanting to up- battle it out for a share of the display of children’s artwork, Sat 8 - James Watt and his longstanding grade or refurbish, this is the show $300,000 prize pool, until Sun 2 Sun 16 June, Herbert Art Gallery & friend and business partner, Matthew for you... Fri 7 - Sun 9 June, June, Arena Birmingham Museum, Coventry Boulton, Sun 2 - Thurs 27 June, Soho Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth UK GAMES EXPO Three-day gaming ex- House, Birmingham RAF DEFFORD AIRFIELD GUIDED WALK RAF COSFORD AIR SHOW 2019 Featur- travaganza, open to anyone of any ing a packed flying schedule, static MINI MUSEUM ENGINEERS – BUILDING IT Tour of the top-secret airbase which age wanting to play, learn to play, exhibits, stalls, trade stands military UP Playful sessions introducing was home to Airborne Radar testing buy, experience or know more about demonstrations and children's enter- STEM concepts (Science, Technol- and development during the Second table-top games, until Sun 2 June, tainment, Sun 9 June, RAF Cosford, ogy, Engineering and Maths), Wed 5 World War and the early years of the NEC, Birmingham Shifnal, Nr Wolverhampton June, Coventry Transport Museum Cold War, Sat 8 June, Croome Park, LEGO CITY Enjoy character appear- Worcester JAPSHOW 2019 All Japanese cars and DISCOVER YOUR IRISH FAMILY HISTORY ances and new building activities, bikes are welcome at the show, Sun Presented by expert Maggie COVENTRY TRANSPORT MUSEUM BREAK- until Sun 1 Sep, Legoland Discovery 9 June, Santa Pod Raceway, Welling- Loughran, Thurs 6 June, Birmingham FAST CLUB Check out a range of vehi- Centre, Birmingham borough Back to Backs cles on display and chat with the PLANTS AND PLANETS WORKSHOP Se- people who own them, Sat 8 June, THE OLD GOLD CLUB LIVE Mikey Bur- ries of free workshops, including how Coventry Transport Museum to make a constellation of stars to rows and former Wolves star Chris take home, Sat 1 June, Warwick Arts Iwelumo induct three new Wolves MONSTER JAM Expert drivers compete Centre, Coventry legends into the Old Gold Club, Fri 7 in both championship racing and For Foodies gravity-defying freestyle competi- FOOD & DRINK FAYRE Celebration of tions, Sat 8 June, Ricoh Arena, the Severn Valley’s finest produce, Coventry Sat 1 - Sun 2 June, Severn Valley POETRY WITH PUNCH Poetry workshop Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster hosted by Matt Windle, Birmingham’s ITALIAN STREET FOOD FESTIVAL Featur- Poet Laureate 2016-2018, Sat 8 June, ing authentic regional Italian food, The Shakespeare Centre, Stratford- drinks, arts, culture & entertainment, upon-Avon Sun 2 June. Soho House, B’ham RAINBOW SWING A 1940s night of BIRMINGHAM COFFEE FESTIVAL 3 days dancing, with live music from the of celebrations honouring the UK’s vi- Rhythm Remedies and performances brant coffee culture, Fri 7- Sun 9 from the Suzy Qs, Sat 8 June, Birm- June, The Custard Factory, Digbeth Lego Sea Explorers - National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham ingham Museum And Art Gallery
whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List Warwickshire 10 - 16 June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 14:09 Page 1
56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 10 - 16 June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 14:09 Page 2
thelist Monday 10 - Sunday 16 June Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Classical RBC INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL Sat 15 - Tues 18 June, Royal Birm- Music ingham Conservatoire BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHES- LUNCHTIME MUSIC Featuring Risa TRA: MAHLER’S FIFTH Featuring Sekine (violin) & Jonathan French Michael Lloyd (conductor) & Ida (piano). Programme includes Ravel’s Ränzlöw (mezzo-soprano). Pro- Sonata for Violin & Piano No.2 in G, gramme comprises Mahler’s Fifth M.77 & Roman Kosyakov (piano). Symphony & Rückert-Lieder, Sun 16 Programme comprises Rachmani- June, Elgar Concert Hall, The Bra- nov’s 10 Preludes Op.23, Mon 10 mall, University of Birmingham June, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE Featuring Andy Tweed & Anna Brooks. Pro- Comedy gramme includes works by Stravin- MILTON JONES Mon 10 June, The sky arr. Olaf Mühlenhardt, Bartók arr. Glee Club, Birmingham Wood & Richard Ingham, Mon 10 TOM STADE Wed 12 June, The Glee Daniel Kemish - The Marr’s Bar, Worcester June, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Club, Birmingham Conservatoire BULSARA AND HIS QUEE- JIVE TALKIN' Sat 15 SCOTT GIBSON, JIMMY MCGHIE PLUS AIDA Opera North present a new NIES Thurs 13 June, June, The Roses The- COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- Gigs concert staging of Verdi’s four act O2 Institute, B’ham atre, Tewkesbury SON Thurs 13 June, The Glee Club, TINA - SIMPLY THE BEST opera. Sir Richard Armstrong con- Birmingham WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO BROKEN MINDS PRE- Mon 10 June, Wolver- ducts, Tues 11 June, Symphony WITH IT – A TRIBUTE TO SENTS: LTJ BUKEM Sat AHIR SHAH & SOOZ KEMPNER Thurs 13 hampton Grand The- Hall, Birmingham TINA TURNER Thurs 13 15 June, Hare & June, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham atre COULL QUARTET: FROM SUFFOLK TO June, Malvern The- Hounds, Birmingham SCOTT GIBSON, JIMMY MCGHIE, SEAN WALLOWS Mon 10 SCHUBERT Featuring Michal atres TOO MANY MEN Sat 15 MCLOUGHLIN & MAUREEN YOUNGER Fri June, O2 Institute, Kaznowski (cello). Programme in- THE SEX PISTOLS EXPE- June, Hare & Hounds, 14 - Sat 15 June, The Glee Club, Birmingham cludes works by Haydn, Imogen RIENCE Fri 14 June, Birmingham Holst & Schubert, Thurs 13 June, Birmingham MAISHA Tues 11 June, The Assembly, Leam- WAITING FOR SUSAN Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry SCOTT BENNETT, HAYLEY ELLIS, EM- Hare & Hounds, Birm- ington Spa Sat 15 June, The MANUEL SONUBI & CHRIS BETTS Sat 15 ingham CBSO: MIRGA CONDUCTS MAHLER’S JAGGED LITTLE PILL Fri World Bar, Resorts SECOND Featuring Mirga Gražinyte- June, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham THE LAST INTERNA- 14 June, The Assem- World, Birmingham Tyler (conductor), Lucy Crowe (so- TIONALE Tues 11 June, bly, Leamington Spa NEIL DIAMOND THE EX- prano), Karen Cargill (mezzo O2 Academy, B’ham BONNY LOU BAND Fri 14 PERIENCE Sat 15 June, soprano) & the CBSO Chorus, Thurs JOE LONGTHORNE Wed June, The World Bar, Palace Theatre, Red- 13 - Sun 16 June, Symphony Hall, Theatre 12 June, Artrix, Broms- Resorts World, B’ham ditch Birmingham grove MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Musical BERNADETTE PETERS Fri MAET LIVE Sat 15 June, BAX: IN MEMORIAM Featuring Kather- parody featuring a host of one-liners CANDLEBOX Wed 12 14 June, Birmingham The Assembly, Leam- ine Thomas (harp), Rachael about hot flushes, memory loss and June, O2 Institute, Town Hall ington Spa Pankhurst (oboe), Kirsty Lovie & Eliz- pop classics. Cheryl Fergison, Mau- Birmingham abeth Golding (violins), Michael FCS: STIFF JOINTS Fri FOALS Sat 15 - Sun 16 reen Nolan, Rebecca Wheatley & Jenkinson (viola) & Helen Edgar QUADROPHENIA - THE 14 June, The Marr’s June, Digbeth Arena, Katherine Lynch star, Mon 10 - Wed (cello). Programme includes works ALBUM LIVE Wed 12 Bar, Worcester Birmingham 12 June, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry June, Birmingham by Pasculli, Ibert & Bax, Fri 14 June, HACKNEY COLLIERY AN EVENING WITH RICK ADMISSIONS Alex Kingston (ER & Town Hall CBSO Centre, Birmingham BAND Fri 14 June, Hare KEMP Sat 15 June, Doctor Who) and Sarah Hadland DVORÁK PIANO QUINTET Featuring NINE DART FINISH, & Hounds, B’ham Huntingdon Hall, (Miranda) star in an award-winning SPEAKEASY & THE COM- György Boglárka & Tomohiko new comedy from Joshua Harmon, SKA SPECIAL FT. KIOKO Worcester MON Wed 12 June, Kimura (violins), Nicholas Fidler Mon 10 - Sat 15 June, Malvern The- DJS Fri 14 June, Hare WOMAN TO WOMAN: Hare & Hounds, Birm- (viola), Flora McNicoll (cello) & Eliza- atres & Hounds, B’ham JUDIE TZUKE, BEVERLEY beth Haughan (piano). Programme ingham WHILE WE’RE HERE Swan Theatre Am- THE YORK WAITS Fri 14 CRAVEN & JULIA FORD- comprises Dvorak’s Piano Quintet in THE GOOD LIFE - THE ateur Company present Barney Nor- June, Huntingdon HAM Sat 15 June, A, Op.81, Fri 14 June, Recital Hall, GREAT SONGS OF TONY ris’s ‘small play with a big heart’, Hall, Worcester Birmingham Town Hall Royal Birmingham Conservatoire BENNETT Wed 12 June, Tues 11 - Sat 15 June, Swan The- DANIEL KEMISH Sun 16 The Core Theatre, LEATHER & LACE - ROCK CHINEKE! ORCHESTRA Featuring atre, Worcester ANTHEMS & POWER June, The Marr’s Bar, Wayne Marshall & Stewart Goodyear Solihull SWEET CHARITY Queensbridge Musi- BALLADS SHOW Fri 14 Worcester (piano). Programme includes works MIGHTY MIGHTY Wed cal Theatre Society present an ama- June, Swan Theatre, STEREOLAB Sun 16 by Grieg, Stewart Goodyear & Dvo- 12 June, Hare & teur staging of the Broadway classic, Worcester June, O2 Institute, rak, Sat 15 June, Symphony Hall, Hounds, Birmingham Tues 11 - Sat 15 June, The Core CITYLIGHTZ Sat 15 Birmingham Birmingham DR FEELGOOD Thurs 13 Theatre, Solihull June, O2 Academy, CANAAN COX Sun 16 COVENTRY CATHEDRAL CHORUS Pro- June, The Marr’s Bar, HALF A SIXPENCE BMOS Musical The- Birmingham June, Hare & Hounds, gramme comprises Mendelssohn’s Worcester atre Company present an amateur ROADTRIP Sat 15 June, Birmingham Elijah, Sat 15 June, Coventry Cathe- TAKING BACK SUNDAY - staging of the classic family musical, The Asylum, B’ham FROM THE JAM Sun 16 dral 20TH ANNIVERSARY Tues 11 - Sat 15 June, The Alexan- June, The Mill Dig- WORCESTER MALE VOICE CHOIR AN- TOUR Thurs 13 June, BACKSTREET BOYS Sat dra, Birmingham beth, Birmingham NUAL CONCERT Sat 15 June, Worces- O2 Institute, B’ham 15 June, Arena Birm- VELVET Tom Ratcliffe’s drama ex- ingham GYPSYFINGERS Sun 16 ter Cathedral LET'S ROCK THE 70S plores the complex realities of ha- June, Hare & Hounds, BIRMINGHAM GAY SYMPHONY ORCHES- Thurs 13 June, Albany MUSED Sat 15 June, rassment within the acting industry, Birmingham TRA SUMMER FIESTA Featuring Jack Theatre, Coventry The Marr’s Bar, and how far a person is prepared to Worcester Lovell (conductor), Sat 15 June, go to achieve their dreams, Wed 12 -
whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Warwickshire 10 - 16 June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 14:09 Page 3 The List Warwickshire 10 - 16 June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 14:09 Page 4
thelist Monday 10 - Sunday 16 June Thurs 13 June, The Old Joint Stock Theatre Company presents its ver- family entertainment, Fri 14 - Sun 16 Theatre, Birmingham sion of Jane Austen’s classic tale, Talks June, Three Counties Showground, CANVAS Royal Birmingham Conserva- Sun 16 June, The Roses Theatre, Malvern AN AUDIENCE WITH ALAN JOHNSON One toire presents its version of Michael Tewkesbury INTERNATIONAL MODEL AIR SHOW of the most popular politicians of re- Wynne’s ‘razor-sharp’ comedy, Wed THE CHEF SHOW Part comedy play, Model aircraft enthusiasts take to the cent times, Alan here tells his per- 12 - Sat 15 June, The Old Rep, Birm- part cookery demonstration, the skies to demonstrate their flying sonal story with the help of some of ingham show takes its audience behind the skills, Fri 14 - Sun 16 June, Weston the music that has soundtracked his scenes on a busy Saturday night in Park, Staffordshire THE WIZARD OF OZ Amateur staging life, Tues 11 June, The Roses The- the local curry house, where two ac- presented by Three Spires Guildhall, atre, Tewkesbury MEDIEVAL BANQUET Immersive Wed 12 - Sun 16 June, Warwick Arts tors play a cast of thousands... Sun evening of medieval entertainment, Centre, Coventry 16 June, Midlands Arts Centre, Birm- Sat 15 June, Warwick Castle ingham THE SECRET LIVES OF HENRY & ALICE FAMILY SATURDAYS – PARACHUTE BIKES Gill Jordan - best known as Black HORMONAL HOUSEWIVES ’Allo ’Allo ac- Explore a variety of playful STEM tress Vicki Michelle stars in a no- Film Country legend Doreen - stars oppo- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: (Science, Technology, Engineering site Emmerdale & Doctors actor Tom holds-barred romp about the joys of and Maths) challenges, Sat 15 June, being a ‘fabulous’ 21st century Roberts in David Tristram’s award- WOMAN AT WAR (12a) Drama/Thriller. Coventry Transport Museum woman, Sun 16 June, Malvern The- winning comedy, which centres on a Starring Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir. For- atres FESTIVAL OF CREATIVITY & WELLBEING married couple with apparently only a eign language, subtitled. Roses The- Chance to experience and connect pet goldfish in common, Thurs 13 atre, Tewkesbury, Wed 12 - Wed 19 with creativity in a wide range of June, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham June ways, Sat 15 June, Herbert Art WUTHERING HEIGHTS Heartbreak Pro- AMAZING GRACE (tbc) Gallery & Museum, Coventry ductions present an outdoor staging Kids Shows Documentary/Music. Starring Aretha SWINGTIME IN THE GARDENS Family- of Emily Bronte’s classic tale of love Franklin. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 14 & friendly vintage festival, Sat 15 June, & revenge, Thurs 13 - Fri 14 June, HONK! Warwick Prep School Year 6 Sun 16 June Ragley Hall, Alcester Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spa present a reimagining of Hans Chris- ALADDIN (PG) Adventure/Comedy. tian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling... LIVE YOUR LEGACY INTERNATIONAL WOKE Beatboxing, spoken word, sto- Starring Naomi Scott, Will Smith. Thurs 13 - Fri 14 June, Bridge House CHAMPIONSHIPS The cheer & dance rytelling & hip-hop classics combine Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 14 - Theatre, Warwick championships are back, Sat 15 in a one-man show about feminism, Thurs 20 June June, Resorts World Arena, B’ham Thurs 13 - Sat 15 June, Belgrade DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE Interactive A DOG'S JOURNEY (PG) Theatre, Coventry show for all the family, Thurs 13 - Sat POETRY FEST 2019 Featuring new writ- Adventure/Comedy. Starring Dennis 15 June, Wolverhampton Grand The- ing and music, Sat 15 - Sun 23 June, DAVID BLAINE The master of modern Quaid, Abby Ryder Fortson. Artrix, atre Stratford Town Centre magic presents an interactive one- Bromsgrove, Sat 15 June man show that promises to ‘shock GANGSTA GRANNY Heartbreak Produc- PIRATES AND MERMAIDS Check out THE SOUND OF MUSIC (U) and amaze’, Fri 14 June, Arena Birm- tions present an outdoor staging of ‘the ultimate underwater adventure’, Biography/Drama. Starring Julie An- ingham David Walliams’ bestselling tale, Sat Sat 15 June - Sun 8 Sep, National drews, Christopher Plummer. Abbey 15 June, Bewdley Museum QE11 Sea Life Centre, Birmingham REP FOUNDRY NIGHT Featuring ex- Theatre, Nuneaton, Sun 16 June cerpts from Rep Foundry artists Gardens, Bewdley, Worcestershire VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE CLUB BANBURY Grace Barrington, Siana Bangura, IGGLEPIGGLE’S BUSY DAY Join Ig- RUN Featuring hundreds of veteran Rachael Mainwaring & Shane glepiggle and Upsy Daisy at In the and vintage motorcycles, Sun 16 Shambhu, Fri 14 June, The REP, Night Garden Live! Sat 15 - Sun 16 June, British Motor Museum, Gaydon Birmingham June, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Events CLASSIC CAR RALLY & WEAPONS AND THE BARRICADE BOYS Sat 15 June, Spa MINI MUSEUM ENGINEERS – CODING IN- WEAPONRY THROUGH THE AGES Bring- Malvern Theatres VENTIONS Investigate different ways of ing together classic cars and a coding - without computers, Wed 12 weaponry-based reenactment, Sun WUTHERING HEIGHTS Heartbreak Pro- June, Coventry Transport Museum 16 June, Harvington Hall, Kiddermin- ductions present an outdoor staging ster of Emily Bronte’s classic tale of love BBC GARDENERS' WORLD LIVE Featur- & revenge, Sat 15 June, Packwood ing stunning show gardens and CLASSIC CARS FOR FATHER'S DAY Dads House, Solihull beautiful borders packed with ideas and car enthusiasts alike can admire to recreate in your own garden, Thurs various makes and models - and dis- PAMELA’S PALACE Original music & 13 - Sun 16 June, NEC, Birmingham cover the castle’s remarkable con- dance routines combine as Pamela nection to motor pioneer John BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW SUMMER Fea- and her girls take audiences through Siddeley, Sun 16 June, Kenilworth turing seasonal produce, ideas for al- a whirlwind of female insecurities & Castle shameless gossip... Sat 15 June, The fresco dining and hundreds of Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham producers and brands, Thurs 13 - RETRO SHOW Open to all retro vehi- Sun 16 June, NEC, Birmingham cles from the 1950s through to 1995, THE CHEF SHOW Part comedy play, Sun 16 June, Santa Pod Raceway, THE MURDER OF PETER HANNIGAN part cookery demonstration, the Wellingborough show takes its audience behind the Enjoy an evening of intrigue and scenes on a busy Saturday night in Dance mystery at the atmospheric Back to CLASSIC CARS FOR FATHER'S DAY Dads the local curry house, where two ac- Backs, Fri 14 June, Birmingham Back and car enthusiasts alike can admire BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET: UN- tors play a cast of thousands... Sat 15 to Backs various makes and models, Sun 16 LEASHED Triple bill of ballets by fe- June, Witley Court, Worcestershire June, Thimblemill Library, Smethwick THE GT BICYCLES MALVERNS CLASSIC male choreographers, including the MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL Packed UP ON THE ROOF Wymsical Theatre, world premiere of the third Ballet Now weekend of events, including flat-out The Fenice Singers & Malvern Hills commission by Didy Veldman, Wed racing, Fri 14 - Sun 16 June, Eastnor Music present an evening of musical 12 - Sat 15 June, Birmingham Hippo- Castle, Ledbury entertainment, Sat 15 June, Norbury drome Theatre, Droitwich KITFEST Show for owners and enthu- FREEMAN DANCE SUMMER SHOW siasts of all makes and models of kit A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS Phoenix Showcase of everything from street car, Fri 14 - Sun 16 June, Santa Pod Theatre Productions present an to ballet, tap to arco, Irish to musical Raceway, Wellingborough evening of song & dance, Sat 15 theatre, Fri 14 & Sat 15 June, Bel- June, The Albany Theatre, Coventry grade Theatre, Coventry ROYAL THREE COUNTIES SHOW Celebra- PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Chapterhouse tion of regional food, farming and
whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Warwickshire 17 - 23 June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 15:31 Page 1 The List Warwickshire 17 - 23 June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 15:31 Page 2
thelist Monday 17 - Sunday 23 June June, Huntingdon GIANTS OF ROCK USA Church, Bournville, Birmingham Gigs Hall, Worcester 2019 TOUR Sat 22 Classical UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK SYMPHONY CRAIG OGDEN IN CON- June,The Slade ORCHESTRA & CHORUS: CAPRICCIO LUTHER: A CELEBRATION CERT Fri 21 June, War- Rooms, Wolverhamp- Music Sun 23 June, Warwick Arts Centre, OF LUTHER VANDROSS wick Hall, Warwick ton Coventry Mon 17 June, Malvern LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT BOWIE BY MOONLIGHT MOISHE’S BAGEL Sat 22 Pro- Theatres Fri 21 June, The River June, Artrix, Broms- gramme includes works by W. Rus- CAGE THE ELEPHANT Rooms, Stourbridge grove sell, C. Pepusch, Handel, Franck & Tues 18 June, O2 Insti- Coates, Mon 17 June, Symphony THE MAVERICKS Fri 21 HEAVY SOL Sat 22 Comedy tute, Birmingham June, The Night Owl, Hall, Birmingham June, O2 Academy, AL MURRAY Wed 19 June, The THE LAFONTAINES Tues Birmingham Birmingham EX CATHEDRA: SUMMER MUSIC BY CAN- DLELIGHT Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham 18 June, O2 Institute, A BRIEF HISTORY OF Featuring Jeffrey Skidmore WESTLIFE Fri 21 - Sun (conductor), Tues 18 & Wed 19 Birmingham MUSIC Sat 22 June, 23 June, Arena Birm- June, Birmingham Cathedral TOM JONES & THE ingham Huntingdon Hall, SHADES OF THE 60S Worcester ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: A CELEBRA- WANNABE - THE SPICE Tues 18 June, Swan TION OF NEW TALENT Featuring An- GIRLS SHOW Sat 22 THE SPIRIT OF ELVIS Sat Theatre, Worcester 22 June, Royal Spa drew Griffiths (conductor) & Luke June, The Alexandra Jones (piano). Programme includes CONFIDENCE MAN Wed Centre, Leamington Theatre, Birmingham works by Beethoven & Thea Mus- 19 June, Hare & Spa WHOLE LOTTA LED Sat grave, Wed 19 June, The Bradshaw Hounds, Birmingham 22 June, The Roses JOAN AS POLICE Hall, Royal Birmingham Conserva- ISLANDS IN THE STREAM Theatre, Tewkesbury WOMAN Sun 23 June, toire Thurs 20 June, The Assembly, Leam- ASHLEY BLAKER & IMRAN YUSUF Thurs WHAT’S LEFT Sat 22 CBSO: STEPHEN HOUGH PLAYS Malvern Theatres ington Spa 20 June, Midlands Arts Centre, Birm- June, The Tin Music BEETHOVEN Featuring Edward Gard- ingham WILL POUND'S THROUGH and Arts, Canal Basin, JEFFREY LEWIS & LOS ner (conductor) & Stephen Hough KIRI PRICHARD-MCLEAN PLUS COMEDY THE SEASONS Thurs 20 Coventry BOLTS Sun 23 June, (piano). Programme includes works CAROUSEL WITH ANDY RICHARDSON & June, Huntingdon Hare & Hounds, Birm- by Tippett, Beethoven & Schubert, TAKE THAT - SHINE Sat COMIC TBC Thurs 20 June, The Glee Hall, Worcester ingham Wed 19 - Thurs 20 June, Symphony 22 June, The River Club, Birmingham HALFWAY TO PARADISE: Rooms, Stourbridge STRAY CATS Sun 23 Hall, Birmingham THE BILLY FURY STORY June, O2 Academy, TOM LUCY Fri 21 June, The Glee TROPICAL SOUNDCLASH ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: Thurs 20 June, The Birmingham Club, Birmingham Sat 22 June, Hare & THE PLANETS An HD Odyssey with Alexandra Theatre, GAVIN WEBSTER, NIGEL NG, GLENN Hounds, Birmingham BON JOVI PLUS SPECIAL NASA footage, Fri 21 June, Sym- Birmingham GUESTS MANIC STREET phony Hall, Birmingham MOORE & COMIC TBC Fri 21 - Sat 22 BLACK KNIGHT SATEL- RAYMOND FROGGATT PREACHERS Sun 23 June, The Glee Club, Birmingham LITE Sat 22 June, The ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE ACOUSTIC Fri 21 June, June, Ricoh Arena, TIFF STEVENSON & JOHN KEARNS Fri Flapper, Birmingham SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring Palace Theatre, Red- Coventry Jamie Phillips (conductor), Jacob 21 June, Midlands Arts Centre, Birm- ditch Perry (clarinet), Tzu-Jo Huang ingham THE MECHANICAL (marimba) & Jacob Smith (trumpet). ROB ROUSE, JOSH PUGH, STEVE HEARTS Fri 21June, Programme includes works by WILLIAMS & FREDDY QUINNE Sat 22 Katie Fitzgerald’s, George West, Weber, Pius Cheung, June, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Stourbridge Arutiunian & Gershwin, Fri 21 June, The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birming- STEVE KNIGHTLEY Fri 21 ham Conservatoire June, Artrix, Broms- grove UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK CHAMBER Theatre CHOIR: CHORAL CONCORD Fri 21 June, RAVE ON - A TRIBUTE TO Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry OPEN DOOR - BRICK LANE ’78 Murad BUDDY HOLLY Fri 21 Khan’s exploration of the defining 2019 BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL June, Palace Theatre, moment when the British- PIANO COMPETITION: FIRST ROUND Sat Redditch Bangladeshi community stood up 22 June, The Barber Institute, Uni- MAD ABOUT THE MUSI- against far-right parties’ propaganda versity of Birmingham CALS Fri 21 June, The and activities, Tues 18 June, The Core Theatre, Solihull MALVERN FESTIVAL CHORUS: DURU- REP, Birmingham FLE’S REQUIEM Featuring Claire MUSIC THROUGH THE A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Odd- Williams (mezzo soprano) & musi- DECADES Fri 21 June, socks celebrates its 30th year with a cians from Regency Sinfonia. Pro- Evesham Arts Centre high-energy adaptation of Shake- gramme includes works by Durufle, speare’s terrific tale of magic & may- MARIO BAKUNA TRIO Fri Faure, Brahms & Barber, Sat 22 hem, Tues 18 - Thurs 20 June, The 21 June, The Tin June, Malvern Theatres Music and Arts, Canal Belgrade Theatre, Coventry BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR: STEAL AWAY Basin, Coventry HELLO, DOLLY! Amateur staging pre- Featuring Paul Spicer (conductor) & sented by Walsall Operatic Society, THE SMALL FAKERS & Martyn Rawles (pianist). Programme Tues 18 - Sat 22 June, Wolverhamp- READY STEADY WHO Fri includes works by Moses Hogan, ton Grand Theatre 21 June, The Empire, Rutter, Tippett, Will Todd & Paul Coventry Spicer, Sat 22 June, Pershore Abbey SIRENS Zoo Co’s award-winning show sticks two fingers up at gender THE ORIGINAL WAILERS LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: SPACE expectations and asks, when your FEATURING AL ANDER- SPECTACULAR Featuring Pete Harri- voice is SON Fri 21 June, The son (conductor), Sat 22 June, Sym- silenced, how Assembly, Leamington phony Hall, Birmingham Spa do you stand BIRMINGHAM CHORAL UNION Featuring up and shout ONE NIGHT IN DUBLIN Colin Baines (conductor), Darren out?, Wed 19 Fri 21 June, Malvern Hogg & Phil Ypres Smith (pianists). June, Midlands Theatres Joan As Police Woman Programme comprises Brahms’ Re- Arts Centre, THE PHONICS Fri 21 The Assembly, Leamington Spa quiem, Sat 22 June, St. Francis Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Warwickshire 17 - 23 June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 15:31 Page 3
62 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 17 - 23 June.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 15:31 Page 4
thelist Monday 17 - Sunday 23 June BOULDER Half A String present a space and the wonders of science, garden, Sat 22 June, Arley Arbore- reimagining of a Greek myth in which Kids Shows Sat 22 June, Birmingham Town Hall tum, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster a beautiful mechanical puppet strug- DISCOVERY DAY Featuring free activi- MINISTRY OF SCIENCE LIVE An educa- gles to move a colossal, burdensome ties, workshops, tours and exclusive tional, fun & anarchic approach to stone, Wed 19 - Thurs 20 June, War- competitions, Sat 22 June, The REP, science communication and the in- wick Arts Centre, Coventry Film Birmingham ventors & engineers who’ve shaped DEATH AND THE MAIDEN Acclaimed INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: the modern world... Thurs 20 June, STEAMPUNK FESTIVAL This year’s drama exploring the after-effects of Palace Theatre, Redditch THE WHITE CROW (12a) theme is ‘an apocalyptical Martian in- repression on hearts and souls... vasion of Earth and the fight back to MILKSHAKE! LIVE Show for younger Biography/Drama. Starring Oleg Thurs 20 June, Albany Theatre, ultimate victory’, Sat 22 - Sun 23 audiences with plenty of laughter & Ivenko, Ralph Fiennes. Number 8, Coventry June, Blists Hill Victorian Town, Iron- audience participation, Sat 22 June, Pershore, Mon 17 June THE SECRET LIVES OF HENRY & ALICE bridge Palace Theatre, Redditch WHERE HANDS TOUCH (12a) Gill Jordan - best known as Black BRITISH GT & BRITISH F3 CHAMPI- THE FLYING BATH Little Angel Theatre Drama/War. Starring Amandla Sten- Country legend Doreen - stars oppo- ONSHIPS Sat 22 - Sun 23 June, Don- bring Julia Donaldson & David berg, Abbie Cornish. Roses Theatre, site Emmerdale & Doctors actor Tom ington Park Racing Circuit, Derby Roberts in David Tristram’s award- Roberts’ playful and adventurous story Tewkesbury, Mon 17 - Sun 19 June winning comedy, which centres on a to life using catchy songs, quirky bath STYX (12a) Drama. Starring Susanne LEGENDARY JOUST Four legendary married couple with apparently only a toys & everyday heroes, Sun 23 June, Wolff. Foreign language, subtitled. knights compete for honour and pet goldfish in common, Thurs 20 Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Thurs 20 glory in the ‘grand medieval joust’, June, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall - Tues 25 June Sat 22 - Sun 23 June, Kenilworth Castle ROMEO & JULIET Heartbreak Produc- ROCKETMAN (12a) Biography/Drama. tions present a ‘super glam’ outdoor Starring Taron Egerton, Bryce Dallas staging of Shakespeare’s most pas- Dance Howard. Number 8, Pershore, Fri 21 sionate tale, Thurs 20 June, Bosworth June HOBSON'S CHOICE Birmingham Royal Hall Hotel Walled Garden, Market Ballet present David Bintley's much- ROMEO + JULIET (12a) Drama/Ro- Bosworth, Nuneaton acclaimed comedy, which is based mance. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, MANSFIELD PARK The Royal Birming- on Harold Brighouse's play of the Claire Danes. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri ham Conservatoire presents its ver- same name, Wed 19 - Sat 22 June, 21 June sion of Johnathan Dove’s 19th Birmingham Hippodrome THE HUSTLE (12a) Comedy. Starring century romantic opera, Thurs 20 - CANDY Chrysalis London present a Anne Hathaway, Rebel Wilson. Roses Sat 22 June, The Crescent Theatre, mixed bill of choreographed perfor- Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 21 - Thurs Birmingham mances, Fri 21 June, Midlands Arts 27 June MY FAIR LADY An amateur staging of Centre, Birmingham THE GREAT GATSBY (12) Drama/Ro- Lerner & Loewe’s iconic musical, HERE COME THE GIRLS Dianne Buswell, mance. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Thurs 20 - Sat 22 June, Norbury The- Chloe Hewitt & Amy Dowden show- Carey Mulligan. Artrix, Bromsgrove, atre, Droitwich case a mix of ballroom and Latin rou- Sat 22 June OPEN COCKPITS WEEKEND Chance to SHERLOCK HOLMES: A STUDY IN SCAR- tines choreographed by Patrick MOULIN ROUGE! (12a) Drama/Musical. learn about the museum’s aircraft, LET Cloud8 Theatre Company pre- Helm, Sun 23 June, Royal Spa Cen- Starring Nicole Kidman, Ewan Mc- Sat 22 - Sun 23 June, RAF Cosford, sents its version of Sir Arthur Conan tre, Leamington Spa Gregor. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 22 Nr Wolverhampton Doyle’s famous story, Thurs 20 - Sat June 22 June, Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton THE SUMMER NATIONALS 2019 National GUYS AND DOLLS Birmingham Youth Drag Racing Championships featur- Theatre present an amateur staging ing the MSA British Championship for Cabaret Pro Mod, Sat 22 - Sun 23 June, Santa of Frank Loesser’s celebrated musi- Events cal comedy, Thurs 20 - Sat 22 June, TINA T’URNER TEA LADY’S STEAMY BINGO Pod Raceway, Wellingborough The Old Rep, Birmingham Join musical comedy domestic diva RAF DEFFORD AIRFIELD GUIDED WALK MIDSUMMER MADNESS Celebrate ‘the Guided talk about the top-secret air- BUGSY MALONE Kings High School Tina for an evening celebrating bingo, most magical time of the year’ with base which was home to Airborne present an amateur staging of the music, tea and laughter, Thurs 20 the resident Tudors, Sun 23 June, Radar testing and development dur- classic comedy musical, Thurs 20 - June, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Mary Arden's Farm, Stratford-upon- ing the Second World War and the Sat 22 June, Bridge House Theatre, Birmingham Avon early years of the Cold War, Tues 18 Warwick FORD NATIONALS Featuring a selection June, Croome Park, Worcester CROOKED DANCES New play by Robin of modern and modern-classic Ford TEDDY BEARS PICNIC Take along your French which examines music, time vehicles, Sun 23 June, British Motor favourite teddy bear, grab a blanket and attention in the modern digital Talks Museum, Gaydon and settle down with friends for some age, Thurs 20 June - Sat 13 July, Stu- TAN FRANCE Join the Queer Eye star quality time together, Tues 18 June, dio Theatre @ The Other Place, Strat- as he discusses his memoir, Naturally Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, ford-upon-Avon Tan, Thurs 20 June, Birmingham Coventry HORMONAL HOUSEWIVES ’Allo ’Allo ac- Town Hall For Foodies MINI MUSEUM ENGINEERS – LIGHT tress Vicki Michelle stars in a no- JEREMY VINE: WHAT THE HELL IS GOING HOUSES Build things that can direct or FOODIES FESTIVAL Featuring master- holds-barred romp about the joys of ON?! Jeremy tries to make sense of a hold light, Wed 19 June, Coventry classes with some of the country’s being a ‘fabulous’ 21st century world that increasingly makes no Transport Museum top chefs, workshops, tastings & live woman, Fri 21 June, The Alexandra, sense at all, Fri 21 June, Warwick Arts music from Boyzlife & the Neville Sta- PANORAMA TOWER OPEN DAY Birmingham Centre, Coventry ple Band, Fri 21 - Sun 23 June, Can- Panoramic views of Worcester from MAD ABOUT THE MUSICALS Featuring non Hill Park, Birmingham IAN MCKELLEN ON STAGE Join the leg- the top of the tower, Thurs 20 June, some of musical theatre’s most endary actor & activist as he cele- Croome Park, Worcester THE GIN TRAIN Sip gin while travelling iconic numbers, Fri 21 June, The brates his 80th year with a new solo through the spectacular Severn Val- THE MIDSUMMER MOTORHOME SHOW A Core Theatre, Solihull show about his life in theatre, Fri 21 - ley in a 1936-built luxurious first-class long weekend of jive, dance and MRS BROWN’S BOYS D’MUSICAL The Sat 22 June, The REP, Birmingham carriage once hauled by the Flying rockabilly, Fri 21 - Sun 23 June, promise of an ‘exhilarating, side-split- AN EVENING WITH HELEN SHARMAN Scotsman, Sat 22 - Sun 23 June, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr ting and musical adventure’, Fri 21 - Special event in which Britain’s first PLANT HUNTERS’ FAIR Featuring tradi- Kidderminster Sun 23 June, Resorts World Arena, astronaut speaks publicly about Birmingham tionally grown plants for every type of whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Warwickshire 24 - 30 May.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 15:30 Page 1
thelist June, O2 Institute, CARRIE UNDERWOOD Fri Gigs Birmingham 28 June, Resorts Classical Theatre BLAKK SABBATH Fri 28 World Arena, B’ham TINA - SIMPLY THE BEST June, The Asylum, FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS THE PILLOWMAN A Bear Pit Theatre Tues 25 June, The Birmingham Fri 28 June, The Music Company production of Steve Farr’s Core Theatre, Solihull Roses Theatre, AMATIS TRIO Featuring Lea Haus- disturbing tale about a writer in a to- EAGLES Fri 28 June, talitarian state who’s interrogated LUNASA Tewkesbury mann (violin), Samuel Shepherd Tues 25 June, Arena Birmingham about the gruesome content of his Artrix, Bromsgrove THE BOOTLEG BEATLES (cello) & Mengjie Han (piano). Pro- HITS OF MOTOWN Fri 28 gramme includes works by Haydn, short stories, Mon 24 - Sat 29 June, CULT LEADER & BIRDS IN Sat 29 June, Kasbah, June, Palace Theatre, Shostakovich, Andrea Tarrodi & The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon- ROW Tues 25 June, Coventry Redditch Brahms, Tues 25 June, Birmingham Avon Hare & Hounds, Birm- THE UNRAVELLING BOWIE BY MOONLIGHT Town Hall THRILLER LIVE Michael Jackson trib- ingham Sat 29 June, Palace WILBURYS Fri 28 June, ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: SHAKE- ute show, Mon 24 - Sat 29 June, EDDI READER Wed 26 Theatre, Redditch Huntingdon Hall, SPEARE’S SONGS Featuring Bruce Malvern Theatres June, Warwick Arts UNDER THE COVERS Worcester Sat O’Neil (conductor) & Pedro H da Centre, Coventry 29 June, The World FRANKLY SINATRA Fri 28 Silva (guitar), Tues 25 June, Stratford Bar, Resorts World, HELLO AGAIN NEIL DIA- June, The Alexandra Play House, Stratford-upon-Avon MOND Thurs 27 June, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham COVENTRY MUSIC HUB SUMMER SHOW- Malvern Theatres KING OF POP: THE LEG- YE VAGABONDS AND CASE Tues 25 - Wed 26 June, War- END CONTINUES Sat 29 FEELS Thurs 27 June, BRÌGHDE CHAIMBEUL Fri wick Arts Centre, Coventry Hare & Hounds, Birm- June, Artrix, Broms- 28 June,The Fleece CBSO: THE DAMNATION OF FAUST Fea- ingham grove Inn, Bretforton, Nr Eve- turing Edward Gardner (conductor), NELL BRYDEN Sat 29 BARRY STEELE & sham Anna Stéphany (Margeurite), Saimir June, Huntingdon FRIENDS Thurs 27 ROCK FOR HEROES Fri Pirgu (Faust), Joshua Bloom Hall, Worcester June, The Alexandra 28 June, Swan The- (Méphistophélés) & Božidar Smiljani Theatre, Birmingham atre, Worcester GOJIRA Sat 29 June, (Brander). Programme comprises FOLK IN THE FOYER: ELLIE JONES & THE GI- O2 Academy, B’ham Berlioz’s The Damnation of Faust, THE BODYGUARD Alexandra Burke & COLIN PITTS Thurs 27 ANTS Fri 28 June, The JACKSON LIVE IN CON- 125’, Wed 26 June, Symphony Hall, Jennlee Shallow share the role of June, Evesham Arts World Bar, Resorts CERT Sat 29 June, Eve- Birmingham Rachel Marron in this much-ac- Centre World, Birmingham sham Arts Centre ARMONICO CONSORT & AC ACADEMY: claimed romantic thriller based on 999 Thurs 27 June, THE 1990S Fri 28 June, LYNRYD SKYNYRD Sun BEOWULF Thurs 27 June, Warwick the film of the same name, Tues 25 The Marr's Bar, The Marr's Bar, 30 June, Resorts Arts Centre, Coventry June - Sat 6 July, Wolverhampton Worcester Worcester World Arena, B’ham RACHEL PODGER & BRECON BAROQUE: Grand Theatre DAGADANA Thurs 27 UK GUNS N ROSES Fri COMBICHRIST Sun 30 VIVALDI’S THE FOUR SEASONS & YEAR 12 MUSICAL THEATRE: DECADES June, Artrix, Broms- 28 June, The River June, The Mill Dig- MORE... Fri 28 June, Malvern The- BOA Year 12 students take audi- grove Rooms, Stourbridge beth, Birmingham atres ences on a musical journey from the turn of the 20th century onwards, DAVE SHARP Thurs 27 GAYGIRL + SKETCH + BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONIC WINDS Nar- PHILIP H. ANSELMO & Wed 26 - Thurs 27 June, The Old June, Katie Fitzger- MODERN COMFORTS rated by Midlands Today news pre- THE ILLEGALS + KING Rep, Birmingham ald’s, Stourbridge PARROTS Fri 28 June, Sun 30 June, The Sun- senter Michael Collie & featuring works by John Williams, Ennio Mor- THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Alan Ben- THE MIGHTY MIGHTY The Mill Digbeth, Birm- flower Lounge, B’ham ricone, William Walton, George nett's version of Kenneth Grahame's BOSSTONES Fri 28 ingham Gershwin & Elmer Bernstein, Sat 29 much-loved riverside tale, Thurs 27 June, Warwick Hall June, Bridge House Theatre, War- IL DIVO Sat 29 June, Arena B’ham wick REDDITCH ORCHESTRA: LAST NIGHT OF THE SECRET LIVES OF HENRY & ALICE THE PROMS Sun 30 June, Artrix, Gill Jordan - best known as Black Bromsgrove Country legend Doreen - stars oppo- site Emmerdale & Doctors actor Tom Roberts in David Tristram’s award- winning comedy, which centres on a married couple with apparently only Comedy a pet goldfish in common, Thurs 27 RHOD GILBERT Fri 28 June, Sym- June, Palace Theatre, Redditch phony Hall, Birmingham DREAMS DIE HARD One-woman show SEAN MCLOUGHLIN Fri 28 June, The which ‘travels through numerous Glee Club, Birmingham landscapes and summons ghosts MANDY KNIGHT, KEITH FARNAN, BOBBY from the past on a journey towards MAIR & JAKE LAMBERT Fri 28 - Sat 29 truth and tolerance’, Thurs 27 - Fri 28 June, The Glee Club, Birmingham June, Albany Theatre, Coventry ADAM KAY Sat 29 June, The Alexan- HARPER REGAN Royal Birmingham dra Theatre, Birmingham Conservatoire present a tale of fam- ily, love & delusion, Thurs 27 - Sat 29 PETE OTWAY, NICK DIXON, JULIAN June, Royal Birmingham Conserva- DEANE & DARIUS DAVIES Sat 29 June, toire The Comedy Loft, Birmingham DEADTOWN Film, live action and CURTIS WALKER, magic combine to present the Wild WHITE YARDIE, West in a completely new way, Thurs WILL E DO & AN- 27 - Sat 29 June, The REP, B’ham NETTE FAGON (PICTURED) Sun MY FAIR LADY Amateur staging of 30 June, The Lerner & Loewe’s iconic musical, Glee Club, Birm- Thurs 27 - Sat 29 June, Norbury Eddi Reader- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry ingham Theatre, Droitwich 64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 24 - 30 May.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 15:30 Page 2
Monday 24 - Sunday 30 June
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE Shake- 28 - Sat 29 June, Swan Theatre, speare's controversial masterpiece is Worcester Measure For Measure transported to 1950s’ New York, a THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Alan Ben- Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, city where communities are divided nett's version of Kenneth Grahame's Fri 28 June - Thurs 29 August by wealth and religion, Thurs 27 June much-loved riverside tale, Sat 29 - Sat 13 July, Stafford Castle June, Bridge House Theatre, Warwick The darkest of Shakespeare’s comedies, Measure For Measure is FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS A ‘big hearted ROBIN & THE SHERWOOD HOODIES The- usually considered a problem play, which basically means that it show’ fusing singing and dancing atretrain Solihull present an all- asks more questions than it answers. The structure is simple with the music of Patsy Cline and a singing all-dancing romp through the host of other much-loved country enough. Poor old Angelo is left in charge of an anarchic Vienna, medieval mayhem of Merry England, whilst the Duke pretends that he has work overseas. Instead, he music artists, Fri 28 June, The Roses, Sat 29 June, The Core Theatre, Soli- Tewkesbury hull uses the opportunity to spy on his diligent though misguided deputy, waits for a mistake, then reappears to make Angelo a con- A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM The A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM The Lord Chamberlain's Men perform this Crescent Theatre Company present a venient scapegoat for Vienna’s woes. A stitch-up or just judicial Shakespearean classic, Fri 28 June, modern-dress production of one of authority? No wonder politicians of all parties quote Shakespeare Winterbourne House & Gardens, Shakespeare’s best loved and most to justify their dark deeds... Birmingham enduring comedies, Sat 29 - Sun 30 MEASURE FOR MEASURE Gregory June, Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, Doran directs a new version of Solihull WUTHERING HEIGHTS Heartbreak Pro- ries... Mon 24 June, Royal Spa Cen- ductions present an outdoor staging tre, Leamington Spa Shakespeare’s ‘problem play’, Fri 28 THE M.M.O.R.P.G. SHOW - SCRUFFY of Emily Bronte’s classic tale of love June - Thurs 29 Aug, Royal Shake- LOOKING NERD-HERDER Three brave & revenge, Sun 30 June, Eastnor speare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon volunteers play characters in a story Castle, Ledbury, Herefordshire PLAYHOUSE PROJECT A series of spe- made entirely from audience partici- cially commissioned plays by leading pation, with this year’s show focusing playwrights directed by local primary on cults and group mentality, Sat 29 - school teachers and youth theatre di- Sun 30 June, The Old Joint Stock rectors, Fri 28 - Sat 29 June, The REP, Theatre, Birmingham THE GRUFFALO Tall Stories’ musical Birmingham PIRATES OF THE CURRY BEAN Stage It! Kids Shows adaptation of the classic picture book DEATH AND THE MAIDEN Acclaimed Academy present a ‘thrilling adven- THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR Chil- by Julia Donaldson and Axel Schef- drama exploring the after-effects of ture’ set on the high seas, Sun 30 dren’s show which faithfully recreates fler, Tues 25 - Wed 26 June, Birming- repression on hearts and souls... Fri June, Tamworth Arts Centre four of Eric Carle’s much-loved sto- ham Hippodrome
whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Warwickshire 24 - 30 May.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 15:30 Page 3
thelist Monday 24 - Sunday 30 June trix, Bromsgrove, Mon 24 June Dance ROCKETMAN (12a) Biography/Drama. Starring Taron Egerton, Bryce Dallas ROMEO A JULIET Ballet Cymru present Howard. Number 8, Pershore, Mon an adaptation of Shakespeare’s mas- 24 - Tues 25 June; Artrix, Broms- terpiece, Sat 29 June, The Roses grove, Fri 28 June Theatre, Tewkesbury RAFIKI (12a) Drama/Romance. Star- LC PRESENTS COLLABORATION Show ring Samantha Mugatsia, Neville containing a variety of dance styles Misati. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, and music, Sat 29 - Sun 30 June, Tues 25 - Sun 30 June Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 (U) Anima- tion/Adventure. With the voices of Patton Oswalt, Eric Stonestreet. Ar- Cabaret trix, Bromsgrove, Sat 29 June THE DREAMBOYS The ‘UK’s most fa- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: mous girls’ night out’, Tues 25 June, Released from Fri 28 June, showing Palace Theatre, Redditch at selected cinemas THE DREAMBOYS The ‘UK’s most fa- ANNABELLE COMES HOME (tbc) mous girls’ night out’, Wed 26 June, Swan Theatre, Worcester IN FABRIC (tbc) TINA T’URNER TEA LADY & FREAKS! Fan- YESTERDAY (tbc) tasy, obsession & loss come to the fore in this celebration of showbiz and the surreal, Thurs 27 - Fri 28 Dan Cassidy - Upton Jazz Festival, Upton-upon-Severn June, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Events BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONIC WINDS Fun DOG’S TRUST FUN DAY Featuring Birmingham concert for kids. The programme in- doggy demonstrations, a grand raffle UCAS BIRMINGHAM HIGHER EDUCATION JOHN BARROWMAN: FABULOUS Sun 30 cludes Paddington Bear’s First Con- and an opportunity to meet some of EXHIBITION Join hundreds of univer- June, Symphony Hall, Birmingham cert, narrated by Michael Collie. Take the dogs from the Trust, Sun 30 June, sity representatives, employers and along your favourite teddy to show Ragley Hall, Alcester gap-year specialists, Mon 24 - Tues and tell, Sat 29 June, Warwick Hall 25 June, NEC, Birmingham THE FAST SHOW RELOADED Enjoy MURDER MYSTERY A murder has taken RWYB, stunts, club displays, jet car, MINI MUSEUM ENGINEERS – TURNING IT place at Shakespeare's New Place - FWD drag series, live entertainment Talks AROUND Play with gears and cogs to and they need your help to find the and lots more, Sun 30 June, Santa explore cause-and-effect, Wed 26 GYLES BRANDRETH: BREAK A LEG! Join killer, Sat 29 June, Shakespeare's Pod Raceway, Wellingborough June, Coventry Transport Museum the actor, author and ex-MP for an New Place, Stratford-upon-Avon hour of 'wit, wisdom, high drama, low THE BIG EVENT The UK's largest dis- JAGUAR SUPER SATURDAY Featuring comedy, and hilarious name-drop- play of vehicles for disabled people, approximately 100 iconic and historic ping’, Mon 24 June, Warwick Arts Fri 28 - Sat 29 June, NEC, B’ham Centre, Coventry cars from the Swallow, SS, Jaguar THE 4X4 AND PICK UP SHOW 2019 Fea- and Daimler brands, Sat 29 June, GYLES BRANDRETH: BREAK A LEG! Join turing exhibitors who specialise in Coventry Transport Museum the actor, author and ex-MP for an tyres, lighting, off-road equipment, THE LUDGATE FINANCE QUEEN VICTORIA hour of 'wit, wisdom, high drama, low accessories and more, Fri 28 - Sat 29 CYCLOCROSS Some of the UK’s top comedy, and hilarious name-drop- June, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth ping.' Sat 29 June, The Old Rep The- cyclo-cross riders ride modern bikes THE CREATIVE CRAFT SHOW SUMMER A atre, Birmingham through Blists Hill as part of a special ‘haven for knitting, cross stitch, paper cycling event, Sat 29 June, Blists Hill crafting, jewellery & dressmaking and Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Shrop- stitching enthusiasts’, Fri 28 - Sun 30 shire June, NEC, Birmingham VINTAGE MOTORSPORT FESTIVAL Cele- For Foodies Film HOME AND GARDEN SHOW Featuring a bration of Donington Park’s rich pre- SHREWSBURY FOOD FESTIVAL Featur- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: hand-picked selection of stallholders war Grand Prix heritage, Sat 29 June, ing 200 exhibitors, demos, chef from across the region, Sat 29 June, WOMAN AT WAR (tbc) Drama/Thriller. Donington Park Racing Circuit, Derby school, kids activities and a bigger, Compton Verney Gallery, Warwick Starring Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir. Ar- THE DATING SHOW The world’s first better BBQ area, Sat 29 - Sun 30 consumer dating event, Sat 29 - Sun June, The Quarry Park, Shrewsbury 30 June, NEC, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM RUM FESTIVAL Chat to TUDOR DANCING AND NATIONAL GAR- experts and discover new rums, sip DENS SCHEME OPEN DAYS Meet the cocktails, enjoy live music and feast green-fingered people behind Harv- on delicious street food, Sat 29 - Sun ington’s flora and fauna, Sat 29 - Sun 30 June, The Cuban Embassy, B’ham 30 June, Harvington Hall, Kiddermin- ster ARMED FORCES WEEKEND Celebrate Armed Forces Day with a weekend of Festivals nostalgic activities for the whole fam- UPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL ily to enjoy, Sat 29 - Sun 30 June, Line-up includes RAF Cosford, Nr Wolverhampton Alan Barnes, Hot Club 42, Something New And Exciting In September, Sa- STEP BACK TO THE 1940s Featuring a vannah Jazz Band, Sliphorn Summit selection of daytime attractions up and Dan Cassidy Swing Quartet, and down the line, Sat 29 - Sun 30 Thurs 27 - Sun 30 June, various June, Severn Valley Railway, Bewd- venues, Upton-upon-Severn, Worces- Home & Garden Show - Compton Verney, Warwickshire ley, Nr Kidderminster tershire 66 whatsonlive.co.uk IBC Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 17:03 Page 1 BRB Hobsons Choice Full June 2019 .qxp_Layout 1 21/05/2019 08:53 Page 1