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D V DANCES INTO BRUM 2013 interview inside... interview ISSUE 325 JANUARY 325 ISSUE £1.80 .co.uk Grammy Award-winner in town town in Award-winner Grammy whatsonlive

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hits the big screen big the hits review... the read Les Misérables Les Rhydian Roberts Rhydian Horror... Rocky talks inside interview The Ladykillers are back... back... are Ladykillers The inside interview INSIDE Dotrice Michele THE MIDLANDS ESSENTIAL ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE ENTERTAINMENT ESSENTIAL MIDLANDS THE Midlands Cover - January_24-7 Cover 17/12/2012 12:26 Page 1 Page 12:26 17/12/2012 Cover - January_24-7 Cover Midlands MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON ISSUE 325 JANUARY 2013 PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS grand_whatson FP Jan_Layout 1 17/12/2012 09:43 Page 1 Great Theatre at the Grand!

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MON 4 - SAT 9 FEB TUES 12 - SAT 16 FEB SUN 17 - TUES 19 FEB ‘BRILLIANT! ITEXPLODESLIKEGLITTERINGFIREWORKS’ Russia’s acclaimed ballet company BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE PRESENTS returns to Wolverhampton following a sensational season in 2012 The Nutcracker Coppélia Swan Lake

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Box Office 01902 42 92 12 BOOK ONLINE AT www.grandtheatre.co.uk Contents January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 09:55 Page 1

January 2013

Editor: INSIDE: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Rocky Horror... Editorial Assistants: Brian O’Faolain Rhydian Roberts bares all... [email protected] interview inside p10 01743 281707

Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Sales & Marketing: Jon Cartwright [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704

Subscriptions: Adrian Parker Michele Dotrice [email protected] 01743 281714 on playing Mrs Wilberforce Managing Director: interview inside p8 Paul Oliver [email protected] 01743 281711 Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan [email protected] 01743 281710

Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell Chris Atherton Accounts Administrator Julia Perry [email protected] Trey Songz - on tour in the Midlands. Read the interview page 6 01743 281717 Website Development: Jim Pallett Contributors: Graham Bostock: Theatre TO GET THE VERY James Cameron-Wilson: News p4 Film; Anita Champaneri: LATEST LISTING Eating Out; INFORMATION, Strictly fun... Alev Dervish: Music Music p13 back in the region p27 Eva Easthope, Kate VISIT: Evans, Jessica Matthews, Patsy Moss, Jack Rolfe, whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy p22 Jan Watts, Reggie White INCLUDING Head Office: BOOKING ONLINE 4/5 Dogpole, Shrewsbury, Theatre p25 Shropshire. SY1 1EN The Midlands’ most Tel: 01743 281777 comprehensive Fax: 01743 281744 Film/DVD p39 e-mail: info@whatson- entertainment website live.co.uk Visual Arts p47 This publication is Follow What’s On... printed on paper from a sustainable source and is Events p53 produced without the use of elemental chlorine. twitter.com/whatsonlive January 2013 We endorse the recycling Clubbing/Gay p59 of our magazine and MTWTFSS would encourage you to Like us on... 1 2 3 4 5 6 pass it on to others to p61 read when you have Books/TV 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 finished with it. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 facebook.com/whatsonlive Eating Out p63 ’ 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 WhatsOn 28 29 30 31

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News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Blondie in the woodlands... An independent Forestry Commission initia- tive to bring music to new audiences without commercial branding or sponsorship has announced a major act for its 2013 pro- gramme. Eighties chart-toppers Blondie - fronted by pop icon Debbie Harry - are to perform seven outdoor concerts across the UK, including one in Staffordshire’s Cannock Chase Forest on 29 June. Tickets, which are now on sale, cost £36 (subject to booking fee). They are available from the Forestry Commission box office on 03000 680400, or can be purchased online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music

Diversity in the Midlands Britain’s winners have announced that they’re bringing a brand new show to Birmingham at the end of the year. Yet-to-be-announced special guests will appear alongside the acclaimed troupe when they perform at the National Indoor Arena on 8 December. Since achieving overnight stardom on the hit ITV1 talent show back in 2009, the London-based dance troupe have taken the world by storm, performing their diverse range of dance routines - accompanied by an eclectic soundtrack featuring everything from hip-hop to classical - to more than one million peo- ple worldwide. The boys are promising that their brand new production, Limitless, will offer ‘every- Gallery announces the return thing you love about Diversity but on a much bigger scale, with loads of surprises!’. of its storytelling initiative This month sees the return of a popular sto- A platform for the region’s experience. This latest gong is a welcome rytelling event at Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery. addition to other recent awards for The Working in collaboration with Writing West most recent graduates... Curve, including the ProCon People’s Choice Building of the Decade Award and Midlands, the Tell Me On A Sunday initiative A new initiative in which recent visual arts the Visit England Access For All Gold Award. sees five storytellers presenting live perform- graduates from across the region can show- ances of seven-minute stories based on a case their work gets its first outing next given theme. The evenings will be curated month. Led by Birmingham Museum & Art Lloyd Webber musical to by Cat Weatheril, one of Europe’s leading Gallery in partnership with the Barber performance storytellers, who’ll also be Institute of Fine Arts and artist-led gallery make a welcome return... telling her own story at the event. and studios Grand Union, New Art West Following its critically acclaimed debut tour The launch event, which coincides with Midlands 2013 will provide a platform from last year, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus National Storytelling Week, takes place at which up-and-coming artists can launch their Christ Superstar returns to the region this Ikon on 27 January, and will be followed by careers. Selected works from twenty artists Spring for one night only. The much-praised similar sessions on 17 February, 17 March will appear at one of three city venues - production sees award-winning comedian and 14 April. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (15 and writer Tim Minchin perform the role of February to 19 May), the Barber Institute (8 Judas Iscariot alongside Spice Girl Melanie March to 19 May) and Grand Union (15 C as Mary Magdalene, former Radio One DJ February to 16 March). Chris Moyles as King Herod and in the title role. shows at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena on 28 Midlands venue receives March. tourism award Leicester’s Curve Theatre has been named Large Visitor of the Year in the recent Leicester and Leicestershire Tourism Excellence Awards. The awards recognise and celebrate the excellent work that a wide range of attractions, accommodation- providers, restaurants, pubs and events in Leicester and Leicestershire undertake, to make sure visitors have the best possible

4 www.whatsonlive.co.uk News January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 10:31 Page 2

Hippodrome’s Stage Appeal hailed a great success Organisers behind Birmingham Hippodrome’s recent Stage Appeal have declared the initiative a resounding success after meeting their £1million target. Monies raised have enabled the theatre to com- pletely replace its thirty-year-old stage, upgrade over five hundred light fittings to LED, refurbish the orchestra pit, and remod- el the entrance foyer with a new box office, cloakroom, digital signage and heat-efficient front doors.

Iconic rapper announced as festival headliner Stand-up tour for funnygirl Miranda Reading & Leeds Festival organisers have Miranda Hart is heading out on tour in Spring 2014. The hugely popular comedian and announced that they’ve secured the most actress is best known from her very own BBC TV comedy series, but has also turned up in successful rapper in history to headline this hit shows like Not Going Out, Nighty Night, Smack The Pony, Ab Fab, The Vicar Of Dibley year’s event. , who’s renowned for and Jack Dee’s Lead Balloon. The 2014 tour will mark the first time Miranda’s performed as his phenomenal live shows, last appeared at a stand-up since her BAFTA-nominated TV series aired on the BBC. Audiences are being the event eleven years ago, and has con- warned to expect a show that includes ‘galloping, attempts at song and dance, and simply - firmed that these two dates will be his only such fun!’. Miranda will perform at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena on 8 April 2014. UK performances in 2013. Birmingham Royal Ballet IN BRIEF Bumper prize on offer at award-winning dance programme on track... Warwickshire Chinese restaurant Birmingham Royal Ballet is making a big musician in Battle Recently voted the best Chinese eatery in the Midlands, noise about the continued success of its Birmingham’s Chung Ying Cantonese Restaurant is now one of Dance Track programme, fifteen years after Of The Blues three finalists in the national Tsingtao Legacy of Taste contest, the initiative was first launched. The BRB A Shipston-on-Stour competing in the Best Chinese Restaurant category. Now in its programme seeks out and nurtures dance blues artist has made it fifth year, Tsingtao Legacy of Taste celebrates the best Chinese talent from primary schools across through to the North cuisine in Britain, with the aim of protecting the heritage of Birmingham, annually delivering no fewer West heat of the New authentic Chinese cooking. After than two thousand, five hundred workshops Brunswick Battle Of being selected by a public vote, to Year One pupils. The Blues. each of the finalists will be judged by Commenting on the initiative, Pearl Nineteen-year-old some of the country’s best Chinese Chesterman, BRB’s Director for Learning, Laurence Jones has chefs and former winners of the said: “Dance Track continues to make the been chosen as one of competition, including the owners of company accessible, ballet enjoyable and just six acts from the Michelin-starred Kai Mayfair and careers in dance achievable, regardless of across the region to Manchester’s historic Yang Sing background, social, economic or religious compete in the next restaurant. The awards ceremony beliefs. We are extremely proud of the suc- heat of a search for takes place in London on 31 cesses and achievements of Dance Track, Britain’s best unsigned January, ahead of celebrations for and thrilled the initiative has huge benefits and original Blues Chinese New Year on 10 February. to individuals, families and the wider com- artists. Chung Ying is offering What’s On munity involved.” Laurence - who began readers the chance to win a bumper playing classical guitar prize, including a meal for two at the at the age of eight - restaurant. For full details and to has high hopes of enter, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk making it through to the London final in March. If he emerges New motoring event for Stratford triumphant from the Shakespeare’s home town is this year playing host to a brand competition, he’ll be new motoring festival. The Stratford Festival of Motoring makes flown out on an all- its debut on 5 and 6 May, and is expected to feature more than expenses-paid trip to two hundred classic cars and special-interest vehicles. Brunswick, Canada, to The new event will also include two runs through the perform main-stage at Warwickshire and Gloucestershire countryside. The runs will be the province’s Harvest open to all entrants. If you have an historic or unusual vehicle Jazz & Blues Festival and would like to participate in the festival, contact Adrian Grubb in September. by email at [email protected] or enter online. The entry Good luck, Laurence! fee is £15 per day or £20 for both days. For further information, visit, www.shakespeare-country.co.uk/Stratford-Festival-Of- Motoring.aspx

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 5 Trey Songz feature_Layout 1 17/12/2012 10:03 Page 1

In order to receive, you have to give. “ I’ve been blessed with everything I’ve got, and it’s something that feels good to do.”

Trey Songz Multi-Grammy Award-winner in the Midlands...

6 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Trey Songz feature_Layout 1 17/12/2012 10:03 Page 2

interview...

For the vast majority of small-town boys growing up in America, becoming a musician of international standing is nothing more than a far-fetched dream. But with sheer determination, faith, hard work and inspiration, Trey Songz has managed to turn that dream into a reality and secure himself a place in the upper echelons of the music industry. The R&B singer/songwriter, producer and actor has acquired numerous awards along the way, including two prestigious Grammys, with a third pending. What’s On caught up with him to find out more...

Was becoming a musician always individual on the album. That’s the benefit of goofball! I’d always act and do different something to which you’d aspired? being in the game as long as I have; you impersonations, so I guess I’ve always had You know what’s interesting? When I was build relationships with people, you do the love for it. Right now, with it being so younger, it was so far-fetched a dream that I shows with them. People that are relevant in accessible, it’s something that I just want to didn’t realise how much I loved it. I’d sing music, you will always run into them at one take my time with and make sure I do it in every song that came on the radio, and point or another. I’ve chosen to keep my the proper way. I’ve developed a very strong watch every video I could watch. I come alliances strong; I don’t overuse favours. sense of appreciation for it, but music is still from a very small town, so singing was You won’t see a lot of features on my my first love. something that I liked to do, but it wasn’t albums, with Chapter V having the most I’ve something that I thought I could do. After ever had. Next year sees the release of Texas years and years of talent shows, I decided it Chainsaw 3D, in which you play Ryan, a was something that I wanted to do. Meeting So how did you celebrate when the album young guy on a road trip with his Troy Taylor, my mentor, producer and friend, reached Number One? girlfriend and friends. Have you been a gave me the connection I needed in the When the album came out, I was on a fan of the series? music world. It’s hard to meet someone promo tour. I was city to city, so it wasn’t I have been a fan, but before starting who’s an official in music, and I was blessed really a celebration I had. I was on listening filming, I hadn’t seen the original. I’d only to have him. parties, where people could listen to the seen the two remakes. The good thing album. The great thing was, I could about this particular Texas Chainsaw is that How did you get your first big break? celebrate every night by listening to it with the storyline is written to continue from My stepfather went to high school with Troy other people. They might have been a where it left off last time. I was just happy to Taylor’s partner at the time, Charles Farrar. group of radio programmers, DJs or be a part of it. He brought me to Charles, who was the journalists. For the actual album’s release, I business side of Troy’s operation. I sang for just had dinner with my close friends and You’ve just started filming Baggage Claim him, and he was impressed enough that he family. It was a great time. - a romantic comedy in which you play a took me to Troy. At this point, they’d producer who’s living large and loud. A produced records for Boyz II Men, Brian You’re back touring the UK. Were you bit of a contrast from Chainsaw... McKnight and some other great artists. I surprised by the speed of your success Yeah, the two roles are really different, and went to Troy’s basement, which was over here? the films are too. I think that’s the beauty of covered in plaques, and as a fourteen or I think there was a time when I was it. For a moment, while filming, you get to fifteen-year-old kid, that’s when I knew it was surprised. At this point, when I come back be someone else. If you embody that, you real. I sang for him, and he told my mother so frequently and make my presence can really have an impact on-screen. that he wanted me. That was the beginning known, I make sure that my fans know I’m of it all. back and that I care. Whether its coming In 2010, you founded the Angels With A back to do Jools Holland or whatever, I stay Heart Foundation. What was your thinking You connected with a lot of people from for a few days and go to the radio stations. behind this? the outset, which resulted in your album The hard work and dedication pays off. I In order to receive, you have to give. I’ve reaching the Top Twenty in the US. What think my fans know how hard I work. When I been blessed with everything I’ve got, and do you think it is about you and your first started coming to the UK - before I had it’s something that feels good to do. It’s music that makes it so immediate for any radio success, any mainstream records something that I wish someone had done people? - I was selling out venues. That was a big for me - when I was younger, with my I think music of any sort connects with surprise. I thank my fans for their continued mother. We needed the Salvation Army or people. Music is the international language, support. welfare. It feels good to be able to give to the point where I can go to a non-English- back. speaking country and they’ll sing the words So what surprises do you have in store back to me. I think music is a feeling. for your fans on this latest tour? Is it just your hometown of Petersburgh Nowadays, more than ever, it creates a Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you! I that will benefit from this, or do you aim relationship with your fan base. It’s about do plan to give an incredible show. If you to take the initiative nationwide? the records you make, and how much of came out to see me touring last year, then I believe that giving back starts at home. We yourself you give within the music. you’ll see the evolution within the still have mini-projects going on at home, performance. but we’re hoping to be worldwide at some From where do you draw inspiration for point. We have Angels With A Heart your music? Looking back, what’s been the highlight missions, and my ‘Angels’ around the world There are so many different places. It could of your career in music? - they give back in their town, document it be a situation of my own; it could be a I don’t think there’s just one highlight. When and send it in. It’s one of the most beautiful conversation I’m having with a friend. If it’s they show a football game, they don’t just things about my career - I have a fan base something that really hits me, then I’ll write it show one highlight, there are normally that’s willing to give back in the blink of an down. Sometimes I’ll hear things and think many. My game isn’t over yet. But one eye. that it’ll be a pretty dope song title, so would be Aretha Franklin being on my sometimes I’ll start with that. There’s album. Then there was touring with Jay Z, So what’s in the pipeline for the near inspiration all over the place. and touring with . Even future? meeting the President or taking care of Well, I’ll still have my world tour going on, Chapter V - your fifth album and first families through my foundation. There are and Baggage Claim is coming out too. I’ll Billboard number one - sees you so many things that I’m blessed and grateful still be in the studio, probably trying to make collaborate with some big names, for. a new album. I can never stay away from the including P Diddy, Lil Wayne, and studio for too long! producers Benny Blanco and Rico Love. You’re also an established actor. Again, How did you guys get together? was that something you’d always wanted Trey Songz performs at the LG Arena, For the Chapter V album, it was as simple to do? Birmingham, on Sun 27 January as making a couple of phone calls to each I love movies and I’ve always acted. I’m a

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 7 Michelle Dotrice feature_Layout 1 17/12/2012 15:46 Page 1

Michele Dotrice brings Mrs Wilberforce to Wolverhampton...

8 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Michelle Dotrice feature_Layout 1 17/12/2012 15:46 Page 2

interview...

Michele Dotrice’s career was changed forever forty years ago when she accepted the role of the accident-prone Frank Spencer’s wife Betty in the classic BBCTV sitcom Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em. Michele is now once again in the limelight, starring in the currently touring stage version of the famous Ealing Comedy, The Ladykillers. What’s On recently caught up with Michele to find out more...

What’s it like being back on tour? Is it a production which appeals to all because I was permanently wetting myself Touring’s certainly not for cissies, that’s for ages? performing alongside Michael! It was totally sure. The last tour I did was about nine Totally! We’ve had a lot of younger people impossible. We had to be separated all the years ago, and that was only for about coming to see it, and that’s been very time in rehearsals because I spent so much seven weeks. I think with Ladykillers we’ll rewarding. You automatically assume that it of my time collapsed on the floor in fits of have toured for a total of twenty-six weeks will appeal to a certain type of audience, but laughter. When I think about it, up until that by the time we finish, and that’s a long time. I think because of Graham’s reputation as a point I’d been working with the RSC and It’s very tough to be away from home, comedy writer with Father Ted etc.., there’s doing dramas on TV. Then, suddenly, I’m especially for those with children and loved been a younger-audience interest. All of my put into this little half-hour comedy show. I’d ones. Nevertheless, it’s a great production grandchildren have been to see it - the never done comedy on TV before, but and a joy to be part of. youngest is nine - and they’ve all thoroughly Some Mothers changed my life. I’d been enjoyed it. around for a long time, slogging away in So, are you an obvious choice to play the theatre, then suddenly I was a Mrs Wilberforce? You come from an acting background, so household name. It totally changed both I wouldn’t have thought I was obvious were you always destined to tread the mine and Michael’s lives. I look back on it casting, because she’s a lot older than me. boards? with great pride and enormous joy. It was a Mind you, by the end of this tour, I don’t I first walked on stage at the age of eleven bit of special television which is still think I’ll be needing the wig and the old-age at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, which cherished and still talked about today. make-up - I’ll be there! later became the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Then I rejoined them when I was Are you still in contact with Michael? What have been the biggest challenges in fifteen. In between, I did a lot of TV - so yes, Yeah, in the past few years he’s been playing Mrs Wilberforce? I guess it was inevitable, really. I guess it’s extremely supportive and kind. When he Just getting on the stage each night! No, always been there - although there was a heard I was doing this, he was so excited but seriously - I suppose it’s been a time, when I was about eight or nine, that I for me. Although he’s now living in New challenge to perform in an area that I thought I’d like to be an archaeologist. That Zealand, he regularly rings me to check haven’t performed in before. That, for me, was a bit of a sea-change, but I got over it... how it’s going and to see that I’m okay and was the initial appeal of the role, plus the I’m eating properly. He’s also wonderful fact that the production has been such a Are you glad you did? with my daughter Emily, who he calls great success in the West End. I didn’t Oh, I think so. I don’t think at the age of Scratch. The extraordinary thing is that, in manage to see it when it was there, but sixty-five I’d want to be outside, digging! the new year, Emily is going to be doing the maybe that’s an advantage, inasmuch as tour of The Woman In White, which Michael you’re not coming to it through someone What are your fondest memories of your did a few years back. I know that’s to do else’s eyes. formative years at the RSC? with my Edward (Woodward) up there - he’s There are so many. I was working with the definitely fixed that up. How true is the stage version to the best of the best actors and directors, and Ealing classic? not a bad writer in Mr Shakespeare! My Did a lot of offers come in after Some Well, the lovely thing is that it’s very much father Roy was, for many years, a stalwart at Mothers? based on the film, but Graham Lineham has the RSC, and he and I performed together A lot of the same kind of thing, which was a updated it, obviously, for a modern-day there when I was fifteen. That was lovely! I bit of a double-edged sword, really. It was audience. You couldn’t just reproduce it as also played the French princess opposite quite tricky for quite a while, as some an Ealing comedy. Audiences these days Ian Holm in Henry V, which was also terrific - people saw me as Betty and not as an wouldn’t tolerate that. So Graham’s updated the most incredible grounding for me. I think actress playing a part. For a long while, it and created some wonderful characters. I was very, very fortunate to get that, directors and producers were fearful that I’d You have this motley crew of ne’er-do-wells especially when I look at our daughter just be thought of as that particular who arrive at Mrs Wilberforce’s house in the Emily, who’s a wonderful actress, and see character, so it was a bit of a handicap guise of musicians. These characters are how difficult it is for young actors these initially. Then my life kind of shifted, very funny and very modern, even though days. They just don’t have the opportunities because Edward and I moved to America it’s set in the 1950s. It’s a very pacey I had with reps - learning your craft and the for quite a long time and I had Emily. So production and requires a lot of energy, chance of doing fantastic drama on TV. They other things happened - which were which, combined with touring, is very just don’t have that. bonuses - and my career went on the back- exhausting, but also very rewarding. To hear burner. the audience at the end of the evening is So you’ll be pleased with the promise of tremendous. increased investment in TV dramas? What’s been the highlight of your career? Oh, I do hope so. I think people are kind of I don’t know if I’ve had a highlight yet. I’ve And what about the comedy elements? sick of Reality Television. I know it’s still up just done a lot of jobs, and I hope I’ve done Comedy’s not as easy as it looks. No two there, but I think there’s a turning point now. those jobs well. I couldn’t look back at nights are the same - it’s astounding how I think people want the BBC to have the anything and think ‘wow, that’s a highlight!’ they vary. One night a sure-fire laugh reputation they used to have when I was I just do a job to the best of my ability. suddenly doesn’t happen, and you think, younger, when their reputation for drama ‘what did I do differently’ and ‘what and classics was beyond compare. I hope What’s next after The Ladykillers? happened there?’. It throws you off your things change for young actors, because I think I’m going to join a nunnery! I don’t tracks and you begin to churn it over in your there’s a huge amount of talent out there know what’s next, just getting my bones to mind. Sometimes it takes you a few which needs nurturing. These people need the theatre this evening is going to be a performances to get a laugh back again. the opportunities. challenge. But I’m sure I’ll be okay as long Sometimes you never get it back, and then as I keep taking the tablets! sometimes you find a new laugh. That’s the You enjoyed enormous success playing fascination of comedy for me - the fact that Betty in Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em. Was it’s never the same; and that you also get an it as much fun filming the series as it was The Ladykillers shows at Wolverhampton instant, audible response, which you don’t for the viewer watching? Grand Theatre from Mon 28 January to get with a serious drama. It was a complete joy, but also a nightmare, Sat 2 February

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Rhydian Roberts interview_Layout 1 17/12/2012 12:51 Page 1

You can get away with things in “Rocky Horror that you can’t in other shows; there are no boundaries.”

Rhydian Roberts back in the Midlands for some Rocky Horror...

10 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Rhydian Roberts interview_Layout 1 17/12/2012 12:52 Page 2

interview...

X Factor finalist and musical theatre star Rhydian Roberts is heading to the Midlands this month to play Rocky in the fortieth anniversary tour of The Rocky Horror Show. What’s On recently caught up with the ex-Birmingham Conservatoire student to find out about Rocky Horror..., stripping off on stage, and what he’s got planned for the future...

Since appearing on in 2007, Will we see a fifth studio album from you to get boffed by a bloke; that’s an experience. you’ve had a very successful and varied any time soon? There’s lots of bisexuality in it. I think the sexual career. Were you expecting to achieve what Yeah, there’ll definitely be one. There are lots of innuendo will be funny. ideas floating about and some songs coming you have? Is there a particular scene you’re looking in. I don’t want to rush it, though. The I guess I’d always hoped to. It’s been more forward to? marketing strategy for my next album needs to varied than I’d originally anticipated because Yeah. I get seduced by Janet, played by be right, and there needs to be a clear I’ve had the benefit of releasing albums and Roxanne Pallet - that’s an interesting one! doing solo tours. I was training to be a singer- definition of what I am. My voice is improving actor, so after my five years at the Conservatoire as I get older, like it does with a lot of classical The Rocky Horror Show has such a huge in Birmingham I went to the Royal Academy to voices. I’m twenty-nine now, and hopefully, my cult following. Does it worry you that you study with Mary Hammond. It was always my voice will be at its best when I’m thirty-eight or might have a certain expectation to live up goal to go into theatre. My career is probably forty. to in playing the role of Rocky? now at the level where I always wanted it to be. I could definitely think like that, but I choose You’ve got your second UK concert tour not to. All I think of is that the casting director So singing and acting was something you’d coming up in February. What can we has chosen me this year, and they think that always aspired to do? expect? I’m good enough to be there. They’ve been It’ll be a varied programme, different from my I’d done it in my school days with school doing it for years - they know what they’re last tour. There will be something from every productions. I’ve always taken part and enjoyed doing. I think if I was playing Frank N Furter, album, but there will be new stuff too. I’m it. Then I went to university, where I was part of then there’d be more expectation, definitely. I going to bring with me a special guest group the musical theatre society. I did some semi- don’t envy anybody who plays Frank, as there called The Tenors of Rock, which I co-founded. professional stuff, then professional stuff with will always be comparisons to Tim Curry. Also, They’re six strapping lads with some of the the help of X Factor. Being in a cast is what regarding the audience participation, Rocky is best rock voices in the country, and they’ll be makes me happy. Today, I’ll go into rehearsals pretty immune from that element of the show, singing with me on the tour. and come into my own. It’s where I feel save for a few wolf whistles. Frank can interact comfortable. Creating roles is something that I You’ve played a fair few musical theatre with the audience, as can the narrator. I’m love to do, and luckily, the older I get, the roles, in shows like War Of The Worlds, We taking a bit of a back seat, which is the way I greater the number of roles that become Will Rock You and . Which gave you like it. available. It’s fun; it’s the best job in the world. the greatest sense of achievement? What do you think it is about the show that’s That’s a great question! They all gave me a Since finding fame, you’ve released a secured it such a worldwide following? sense of achievement, but for different number of albums, hosted your own TV How risque it is. It was a movement back in the reasons. The War Of The Worlds was great, show and been on numerous tours. Is there 1970s that was bold, but there were many because Jeff Wayne hand-picked me himself. I a particular highlight that stands out? people that felt the same way as Richard didn’t have to audition for that one. We toured There’ve been lots of highlights. My album O’Brien did. It was rebellious and fresh. It still is around British and European arenas, and were going double platinum, that was great. The in a way. I think the music has a large part to given the star treatment with five-star hotels; it people I’ve met, people I’ve worked with. I’ve play in it too. Everybody knows The Time was great. Jeff toured with us, and I made worked with some of the best people in the Warp, and it’s also a chance to dress up in some great friends within the cast. As far as a industry. I get to work with the same people that fancy dress. When you’re at theatre school, it’s particular role goes, I’d say getting into Rocky Michael Buble has worked with, that Andrea the one musical that everybody wants to be a Horror was a real coup for me, because I really Bocelli has worked with. There’s only a handful part of, because it’s so much fun. You can get wanted to do it. With it being the fortieth of these people in the world, and I’ve been away with things in Rocky Horror that you can’t anniversary tour, I just had to get on board. fortunate enough to have worked with them. As in other shows; there are no boundaries. far as a one-off event goes, singing at the Ryder Is there a dream role you’d like to play? Cup was a highlight; singing in Wembley So, are you excited about coming back to There are so many. Jekyll and Hyde, Sweeney Stadium was equally great. Getting these roles the Midlands? Todd, the Phantom of the Opera; I could go on in theatre is something I don’t look down on, I love it in Birmingham. I lived in Selly Oak and and on. The Beast in Beauty And The Beast. either. I still have to audition like everyone else, Edgbaston for seven years. I know the city There are loads, and that’s the great but it’s nice that these producers and casting inside-out. It has a great tradition in the arts excitement of theatre; there are all these parts directors think I can turn it in and make it work. and performance. I love Symphony Hall as to discover - and hopefully I can play them all They could book a whole load of others, but well. I’m looking forward to performing in the at some stage or other. they don’t. They book me. That’s a nice New Alexandra Theatre, because I’ve never highlight, right there. As you mentioned, you’re heading to the been there before - although I’ve done the Midlands this month to take on the role of Hippodrome a couple of times. At one point in your career, you moved away Rocky in the fortieth anniversary UK tour of from opera and ventured into pop. You Finally, what have you got planned for the Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show. haven’t returned there since - is pop now future? Are you a fan of the production? I’ve got a couple of concerts in Israel in April, something you try to avoid? Yeah, it’s awesome! It’s so crazy and so I think I know where I am. I’m a classical providing there isn’t too much fighting going different from anything else that’s out there. crossover artist, and I’m one that can do on. It’s a busy Spring, so after that I’ll probably And it certainly was when it was written. musical theatre. That’s where I want to be, and head to to recuperate and see what I’ve discovered that in the past two years. I’ve Do you foresee any particular challenges comes in. I’m always working on the fifth discovered that’s what my audience like, and with regard to playing Rocky? album too; it’s an ongoing project. Oh, and that’s what I do best. That’s the music which will Walking in heels! Seriously, though, I don’t The Tenors of Rock who I mentioned earlier - stand the test of time, because the songs that I think there’s a really challenging aspect, I’ll be investing some time in developing them sing will never go out of fashion. So hopefully, if because it’s a small cast and I’m required to and their brand. I play my cards right, my act won’t go out of do some of the chorus parts - well, we all are. There’s nothing too taxing. It makes it fashion either. Pop, on the other hand, is a fickle Rhydian plays Rocky in the fortieth interesting, because when I was playing Teen industry. I’d be competing against people like anniversary production of The Rocky Horror Justin Bieber. And the audience base, the Angel in Grease, there was only one song to Show at New Alexandra Theatre, teenyboppers, they grow up. I’m happy doing do, and then I was in the dressing room. With Birmingham Mon 28 January to Sat 2 what I’m doing. I’m in the classical world and I’ll this, I just have to lose my inhibitions and strip February and Regent Theatre, Hanley, be dead happy staying there. off my clothes! It’s no big deal, though. I guess wrestlers and boxers do it every week. I have Stoke-on-Trent Mon 20 to Sat 25 May

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Ella Henderson The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury, Sat 5 January Hotly tipped by judges and bookmakers to win the 2012 version of the hit ITV1 talent series X Factor, Ella was eliminated from the show in a shock pub- lic vote, after her sing-off with fellow contestant reached deadlock. Not that there’s much chance of her X Factor failure bringing down the curtain on her bur- geoning career, with the hugely talented teenager having just been signed by Sony. Expect to hear plenty more about her in the forthcoming weeks, months and years.

Blak Can Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Sat 19 January According to the band’s promo information, Blak Can is ‘cast in the Black Country with an industrial heritage’, and is ‘an insurgence of upbeat rhythms Trey Songz reminiscent of heavy machinery, pulsating key- LG Arena, Birmingham, Sun 27 January boards and cutting guitar riffs’. After eighteen months of creating dark but uplifting electronica, R&B star Trey Songz is riding high after the success of latest single Simply Amazing, his the band are now busy unleashing their music, first to make the UK top ten. Raised as an army brat, it wasn’t until others noticed his with debut album Flat Pack Nation having hit voice that he turned his attention to music, moving to New to record his debut iTunes last summer. Influenced by Joy Division and album in 2003. Now onto his fifth album, appropriately entitled Chapter V, Trey kicks off My Bloody Valentine, they supported The Twang at his four-date UK tour in Birmingham, having previously played European dates in France, their Bristol gig last year. Expect to hear new music Spain and . Read the interview with Trey on page 6 at this Wolverhampton show. The Blackout HMV Institute, Birmingham, Wed 23 January Singing from the same hymn sheet as fellow Welsh rockers Lost Prophets, with whom they’ve toured, this Merthyr Tydfil six-piece have also been out on the road with , Kids In Glass Houses, The Automatic and . The release of their demo The Blackout! The Blackout! The Blackout! in 2006 led to a Kerrang! nomination for Best British Newcomer, since which time they’ve released three albums, with a fourth one pending. They play Birmingham this month as part of a six-date tour.

Nell Bryden Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Sun 27 January A native New Yorker, Nell Bryden grew up in an artist loft in Brooklyn Heights. Her tireless work ethic has seen her travel three hundred thousand miles to play one thousand, four hundred shows over the past seven years. Having journeyed to New Orleans to write an album inspired by the jazz, roots and blues in- fluences of the city, she headed home with the job only half finished - it was only the sale of a Mil- ton Avery painting given to her by her father that provided the finances she needed to complete the project. She performs in Birmingham in support of her fourth album, Shake The Tree.

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LICHFIELD GUILDHALL JANUARY Sat 19th Jan, 8.00pm Derrin Nauendorf Tickets: £12/£11 concs /£10 members/ £7 students

Fri 25th Jan, 8.30pm ColvinQuarmby Tickets: £12/£11 concs /£10 members/ £7 students

Wed 30th Jan, 8.30pm WADE STREET CHURCH HALL The Churchfitters Tickets: £12/£11 concs /£10 members/£7 students FEBRUARY Fri 1st & Sat 2nd Feb, Noon Onwards Winter Beer & Wine Festival Live Music both Eves Fri - STRAY DOG Sat - KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY Tickets: £2 before 6pm / £3 After 6 on the door / £2 all day advanced tickets

Mon 11th Feb, 8.30pm WADE STREET CHURCH HALL Tommaso Starace Quintet Tickets: £12/£11 concs /£10 members/£7 students

Wed 13th Feb, 8.30pm WADE STREET CHURCH HALL Tannahill Weavers Tickets: £12/£11 concs /£10 members/£7 students

Sun 17th Feb, 8.00pm Dervish Tickets: £15/£14 concs /£13 members/£9 students

Fri 22nd Feb, 8.30pm King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys

Tickets: £15/£14 concs /£14 members/£9 students

Sun 24th Feb, 8.00pm The Old Dance School Tickets: £14/£13 concs /£12 members/£8 students

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

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Music PREVIEWS

Donny & Marie LG Arena, Birmingham, Thurs 24 January If your fortieth birthday is a thing of the past, this nostalgia-rich walk down memory lane may prove to be right up your alley. Donny needs no introduction. Teenage girls of the early 1970s routinely papered their bedroom walls with his posters - unless they were David Cassidy fans, of course - and were even known to swoon at the sight of his gleaming white teeth flashing in the semi- darkness as he and his brothers played yet another sell-out concert. He’s had a bit of a rollercoaster ride since those long-ago days, mind, losing much of his fame and most of his fortune before rising phoenix-like from the ashes to star in the hit stage musical Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Donny’s been performing alongside sister Marie since 2008, presenting a sell-out show Ronan Keating in Las Vegas, and this brand new tour offers LG Arena, Birmingham, Fri 25 January UK-based Osmond fans the chance to recon- nect with two of their favourites. Expect all the With eight studio albums behind him, some of which went straight to number one, it's fair to unforgettable hits, including One Bad Apple, say that Ronan Keating long ago stopped being thought of only in terms of Boyzone. After Paper Roses, Love Me For A Reason and getting back together with the chart-topping band, he's now once again out on his own, and Crazy Horses. looks set to carry on as a performer in his own right for just about as long as he likes. This year sees him celebrating two glorious decades in the music business, during which time he’s dueted with , sung for the Pope, recorded with Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), been appointed a UN Goodwill Ambassador, and guided Boyzone’s fellow Irish boyband Westlife to fame and fortune. He appears in the Midlands this month in support of his ninth studio album, Fires.

Records after having played only one gig - a fact which ably illustrates why this Brighton Caravan five-piece is being so hotly tipped for big The Robin, Bilston, Thurs 10 January things. Formed in Canterbury in 1968, Caravan was one of the most formidable acts to emerge from the Prog Rock movement of the 1970s. Creating a style that blends psychedelic rock and jazz, the band was popular both at home Migeul and in continental Europe, and in 1971 HMV Institute, Birmingham, Tues 15 January achieved Gold disc award status in the UK for This US sensation recently released his soph- In The Land Of Grey And Pink. Celebrating omore album, Kaleidoscope Dream (it de- the fortieth anniversary of seminal 1973 buted at number three on the Billboard 200), album For Girls Who Grow Plump In The and has been touring with fellow R&B Night, the band is playing a very special ten- crooner Trey Songz. Boasting an electric date tour, with Garron Frith supporting. sound, his rich and soulful vocals are com- bined with a fusion of electro-tinged R&B and Ron Pope a hip-hop edge. Kaleidoscope Dream is cer- The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 6 January tainly a high-energy album, so expect his live Lucy Ward show to follow suit. Support comes from The Hive, Shrewsbury, Sun 20 January A man with a big presence on the internet, British singer-songwriter Daley. Hailing from Derby, Lucy Ward is a singer, the bluesy-voiced Ron Pope’s music reflects guitarist and concertina player, performing his impressively traditional English folk songs as well as self- eclectic tastes, with penned material. A finalist in the 2009 Radio the New York-based Two Young Folk Awards, she was signed to singer-songwriter Navigator Records in 2010 and released declaring himself a debut album Adelphi Has To Fly a year later. fan of pretty much Positive reviews followed from Mike Harding everything from soul and Verity Sharpe, as well as publications to roots rock, hip- such as and Uncut. Lucy won hop to gospel, and the best newcomer gong at the Radio Two Van Halen to Folk Awards in 2012, and plays The Hive as Michael Jackson. part of the Shrewsbury Folk Festival. Ali Campbell O2 Academy, Birmingham, Sat 26 January Cave Painting Local lad Ali Campbell is, of course, a house- The Rainbow, Birmingham, Fri 25 January hold name in modern pop-reggae circles, Generously giving away free downloads of after decades spent as lead vocalist and gui- debut album Votive to fans, Cave Painting are tar player for Midlands-based reggae act releasing debut single Leaf this month, and UB40. As a solo artist, he’s released a hand- playing thirteen live dates across the UK dur- ful of albums. This O2 gig has been resched- ing the course of the next few weeks. Support uled from December, when it was postponed from bloggers and DJs Zane Lowe and due to the recording demands of Ali's new Fearne Cotton saw them signed to Hideout album. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Music January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 10:08 Page 5

BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE WARWICK

January 13, 3pm February 24, 11.30am FOR Heath String Quartet Onyx Brass AGES 7+ MOZART: Quartet in E flat K428 Family Concert TIPPETT: Quartet No.3 Family Concert to introduce BEETHOVEN Quartet in C Opus 59 No 3 the brass family! February 24, 3pm February 3, 11.30am Onyx Brass FOR Ensemble 360 AGES MONTEVERDI , HOLBORNE, BACH SHOSTAKOVICH, TIMOTHY JACKSON, & Polly Ives (narrator) 3+ Igor, The Bird Who COPLAND, GABRIELI, IVES, Coudn’t Sing CHERYL FRANCES-HOAD, and ARNOLD Family Concert of music inspired by birds March 17, 11.30am by Mozart, Saint-Saens, Messiaen and Ensemble 360 & Haydn, plus Luke Bedford’s Igor. FOR Paul Rissman (narrator) AGES Sir Scallywag And The 3+ February 3, 3pm Golden Underpants Ensemble 360 Paul Rissmann’s new work following BEETHOVEN Duo for Clarinet and the sold out Chimpanzees of Happytown Bassoon in C WoO.27 No.1 March 17, 3pm BRITTEN Three Divertimenti for String Quartet CHARLIE PIPER Jacaranda (Sextet) Ensemble 360 with MOZART Clarinet Quintet in A K581 Maggie Steed (actress) In a Paris Salon music by Poulenc, Debussy, Faure, Stravinsky, Grandval, Rossini and Ravel

Bridge House Theatre 01926 776438 Tickets online: www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk Part of Leamington Music Season

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DAMBA Symphony Hall, Birmingham MusicGIG REVIEWS Music LISTINGS ERADIKATOR, BULLIT- STORM & ELYSIUM O2 Academy, Birmingham For further reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk For full listing information on gigs, including times and dates, visit SUN 13 JAN www.whatsonlive.co.uk Rodrigo y Gabriela Newcastle-under-Lyme RAT PACK VEGAS SPEC- HMV Institute, Birmingham WED 2 JAN TACULAR Artrix, Broms- Say the words ‘Mexican acoustic TUES 8 JAN grove guitar’ to the average person and OLD TIRE SWINGERS LEE ROGERS & OZ MC- Kitchen Garden Cafe, what springs to mind? An inoffen- GOWAN The Jam House, Kings Heath, Birming- sive yet forgettable soundtrack to LUCAS D & THE GROOVE Birmingham GHETTO The Jam ham coffee over lunch, or, at best, mem- House, Birmingham ories of lazy summer evenings TUE 15 JAN spent sipping wine in some inner- THUR 3 JAN city bar or bistro. But follow those WED 9 JAN words with the names ‘Rodrigo y DUELLER 88 The Jam MIGUEL HMV Institute, House, Birmingham Birmingham Gabriela’ and they suddenly take GOSPEL CENTRAL The BEN MARKLAND QUINTET on an altogether different dimen- Jam House, Birming- The Jam House, Birm- sion, as anybody fortunate enough FRI 4 JAN ham ingham to experience the duo’s awe-inspir- WILL KAUFMAN The Red ing performance at the HMV Insti- Lion Folk Club, Birming- GROUPER The Jam ham WED 16 JAN tute would no doubt tell you! House, Birmingham Taking in influences as diverse as INTO VALHALLA & GOOD- Will Kaufman THE GIANT KILLERS The thrash metal, flamenco-jazz, funk, acoustic rock and salsa, Rodrigo y BYE TO YESTERDAY The Jam House, Birming- Flapper & Firkin, Birm- Gabriela are one of those rare live acts whose mindbending guitar ham ingham technique and masterful song-writing ability seem somehow to tran- ABSOLUTION SAXOPHONE KAI MCKENZIE AS QUARTET New Vic The- scend conventional barriers of age, nationality and taste. This was MICHAEL BUBLE The atre, Newcastle-under- virtuoso guitar playing at its very best; Rodrigo’s nimble fretwork River Rooms, Stour- Lyme synthesizing perfectly with the hypnotic base rhythms of Gabriela’s bridge STEVE KNIGHTLEY The THE PRESS The Road- guitar-based percussion. And whilst, at times, this barrage of tech- Red Lion Folk Club, house, Birmingham nique felt alienating - maybe even borderline indulgent - it certainly Birmingham NEARLY DAN The Robin, didn’t detract from the quality of the overall experience. Bilston As fiery as a double-shot of tequila slammer and just as intoxicating, THUR 17 JAN a ‘Rod and Gab’ concert is one hangover you definitely won’t regret. Avo THUR 10 JAN Kate Evans IIIII SAT 5 JAN CARAVAN The Robin, TAKING CARE OF ELVIS CINEPHOTOCOLOUR, Bilston Featuring Ben CLAUSROPHOBIQUE, PUR- ENDINGS AND ORIGINS 02 Portsmouth as Elvis, The XX PLE STEREO, OUR DAYS Academy, Birmingham Belgrade Theatre, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton WASTED & ECHOES OF MIKE WILLIAMS QUARTET Coventry ISIS 02 Academy, Birm- Any fan of The xx’s debut album, xx, or their latest offering, Coexist, Bramall Music Building, ARE YOU EXPERIENCED - ingham Birmingham JIMI HENDRIX TRIBUTE may be forgiven for wondering how their melodic riffs and haunting GROUPER The Jam ENDORPHINS, KAIZEN, The Robin, Bilston vocals would translate on the big stage, playing out to a packed gig House, Birmingham FROZEN IN FEAR, END- THE MOONSHAKERS The audience. But it was a rare treat to find that the 2010 Mercury Prize- ELVIS NIGHT Featuring INGS & ORIGINS O2 Jam House, Birming- Elvis' Bass Player Jerry winning band exceeded expectations, living up to the hype that's Academy, Birmingham ham Scheff, The River surrounded them over the past couple of years. THE PARIS 1940S The Rooms, Stourbridge Oliver Sim’s husky vocals were even better live, and during the latter Jam House, Birming- FAT FIGHTERS A heavy- FRI 18 JAN ham half of the performance DJ Jamie Smith (‘Jamie xx’) really came into weight tribute to the his own on the decks; he could have been playing out to an achingly Foo Fighters The Road- JOHN KIRKPATRICK - THE hip crowd over an Ibiza sunset, rather than sub-zero Wolverhamp- house, Birmingham FRI 11 JAN VICTORIAN FARMER'S ton. The YEAR Huntingdon Hall, Buttermarket, Shrews- The evening kicked off with ‘Angels’. Only once the trio had began SHAMTERA The Road- Worcester bury house, Birmingham THE RED LEMONS The playing did a curtain lift to reveal their outlines against the dark, SERVO The Kasbah, OLLIE HUGHES AS ROBBIE Jam House, Birming- moody, smoke-filled stage. The success of the night was not down Coventry WILLIAMS The River ham to the music alone though, but also the result of a dazzling lighting KING PLEASURE & THE Rooms, Stourbridge THE ADAMS JOVI EXPERI- BISCUIT BOYS Artrix, display; one might suspect they’ve been taking notes from Muse. WHO'S WHO The Robin, ENCE Tribute to Bryan Bromsgrove The high point was ‘Shelter’, where music and lighting combined to Bilston Adams and Bon Jovi, near-epic proportions. SOLID SOUL The Jam The Robin, Bilston House, Birmingham KENDRICK LAMAR HMV The only disappointment of the evening, if any, was ‘Infinity’; in an at- Institute, Birmingham tempt to bring the set to a climatic close (the backdrop to which was THINK FLOYD Artrix, Bromsgrove THE KILLERZ The River the slow unveiling of a huge sculptural ‘X’), the soft, moody guitar Rooms, Stourbridge and delicate but desperately passionate vocals so familiar on the SAT 12 JAN DAMIEN O’KANE Stafford album, were delivered too forcefully on stage. Gatehouse Theatre If you’re a fan of the British trio, you'll be far from disappointed with SARAH GILLESPIE FEAT. KIT DOWNES The Edge them live. Claire Lloyd IIIII MORNINGTON LOCKETT The Hive, Shrewsbury Arts Centre, Much Wen- A NIGHT FOR JOEY G IV lock, South Shropshire King Pleasure... The Sugarmill, Stoke- on-Trent SAT 19 JAN DEFINITELY MIGHT BE & SUN 6 JAN ADORED Tribute to Oasis & The Stone Roses The THE RED LEMONS The Robin, Bilston Jam House, Birming- THE SWORD The Slade PHIL BEER Huntingdon ham Rooms, Wolverhampton Hall, Worcester P!NK - MISS UNDER- RON POPE The Glee THE DECADES BAND The STOOD The River Club, Birmingham River Rooms, Stour- Rooms, Stourbridge bridge BLAK CAN The Slade MON 7 JAN DARK SIDE OF THE WALL Rooms, Wolverhampton Tribute to Pink Floyd, ALOHA FROM HAWAII The Roadhouse, Birm- Lichfield Garrick THE PASADENA ROOF OR- ingham MIRANDA SYKES AND REX CHESTRA New Vic The- LOUIS ROBINSON’S TRIO PRESTON The Hive atre, Shrewsbury

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Coventry ONE STOP BOOGIE The Music LISTINGS River Rooms, Stour- bridge THE SUBTERRANEANS For full listing information on gigs Rock Anthems from the including, times and dates, visit like of U2, Queen & www.whatsonlive.co.uk Kaiser Chiefs The Jam House, Birmingham KING PLEASURE & THE BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY Bel- BISCUIT BOYS The Road- grade Theatre, Coven- house, Birmingham try THUR 24 JAN MY FAVOURITE RUNNER YOUNG KATO 02 Acad- UP The Slade Rooms, emy, Birmingham MENACE 67 PLUS NEVER Wolverhampton THE JOHN RICHARDS THE JACKIE GENERATION THE LAST BREATH AND BAND Newhampton Arts Huntingdon Hall, SEPARATION ANXIETY The Centre, Wolverhampton Worcester Roadhouse, Birming- ROY ORBISON AND DERRIN NAUENDORF ham FRIENDS Lichfield Gar- Lichfield Guildhall DR TEETH BIG BAND The rick G2: DEFINITIVE GENESIS Jam House, Birming- TALON - THE BEST OF THE The Robin, Bilston ham EAGLES Birmingham MIKE FLETCHER BIG BAND DONNY & MARIE LG Town Hall EC WM PROJECT CBSO Arena, Birmingham THE RAT PACK IS BACK Centre, Birmingham THE BARRON KNIGHTS Belgrade Theatre, A LOVE FROM OUTER Royal Spa Centre, Coventry SPACE WITH ANDREW Leamington Spa STRAFF DANCE - FROM WEATHERALL & SEAN ALAN MERRILL & THE AR- BLUES TO BACH Artrix, JOHNSTON Hare & ROWS The Robin, Bil- Bromsgrove Hounds, Birmingham ston Ali Campbell COUNTERFEIT STONES Ar- BELLOW THE DEPTHS, REAL DIAMOND Featuring trix, Bromsgrove FALLEN INQUEST & SINCE John Hylton, Wolver- ALI CAMPBELL 02 Acad- LIZZIE HAYNES & JOE DAY ONE The Sugarmill, hampton Grand Theatre Stoke-on-Trent emy, Birmingham MON 28 JAN WED 30 JAN MAISEY, JOSEPH HICKLIN VIN GARBUTT Newhamp- SIGNIFY, MARTYR DE & KATY EMMA O2 Acad- ton Arts Centre, Wolver- FRI 25 JAN MONA, ACELDAMA, CAP- DANNY BOWES & BEN BLUE COUPE The Robin, emy, Birmingham hampton TAIN HORIZON AND IN MATTHEWS The Glee Bilston ALCHEMY 02 Academy, Club, Birmingham ANBERLIN 02 Academy, VOICE OF THE HEART - THUR 31 JAN Birmingham Birmingham KAREN CARPENTER Hunt- THE PONTIACS... NOT THE CHURCHFITTERS ingdon Hall, Worcester JUST ROCK'N'ROLL Hunt- Lichfield Guildhall COLIN BLUNSTONE & COLVIN QUARMBY Lich- TUE 29 JAN ingdon Hall, Worcester HEATWAVE The Jam BAND field Guildhall Artrix, Broms- THE TREORCHY MALE House, Birmingham RONAN KEATING LG grove VOICE CHOIR Royal Spa FOCUS Artrix, Broms- THE SYD LAWRENCE OR- STEVE CROPPER WITH Arena, Birmingham Centre, Leamington grove CHESTRA AND SINGERS THE SUBTERRANEANS THE ANIMALS & FRIENDS Spa PAUL CARRACK Theatre Solihull Arts Complex The Jam House, Birm- The Robin, Bilston THE SOLDIERS Wolver- Severn, Shrewsbury VIN GARBUTT The Red DEL CAMINO ingham The Jam hampton Grand Theatre ACOUSTIC SESSIONS The Lion Folk Club, Birming- CAVE PAINTING The Rain- House, Birmingham Jam House, B’ham ham CARLO NUNEZ, PHILIP Vin Garbutt bow, Birmingham The Soldiers SPIN DOCTORS The TROYKA & THE GOLDEN AN EVENING WITH TONY PICKETT & MUSICIANS OF Robin, Bilston AGE OF STEAM Hare & THE GLOBE CHRISTIE Lichfield Gar- Birmingham SUN 20 JAN WE THE KINGS O2 Acad- Hounds, Birmingham rick Town Hall emy, Birmingham TOM FORBES, ILLUSION, HOT FOOT The Road- LUCY WARD The Hive house, Birmingham Shrewsbury BLACK CELEBRATION - DE- JUMP THE SHOCK The PECHE MODE TRIBUTE Robin, Bilston The River Rooms, Music Venues Box Office SONGBIRD: THE EVA CAS- Stourbridge SIDY STORY Kitchen Gar- THE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW den Cafe, Kings Heath, Birmingham Town Hall Birmingham Black Country Staffordshire Birmingham JACKSON LIVE IN CON- JEAN GENIE - TRIBUTE TO 02 ACADEMY CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON LICHFIELD GUILDHALL CERT Wolverhampton DAVID BOWIE The Robin, 0121 622 8250 0870 320 7000 01543 262223 MON 21 JAN Grand Theatre Bilston ADRIAN BOULT HALL DUDLEY CONCERT HALL THE SUGARMILL, HANLEY SYLOSIS, DEVIL SOLD HIS THE NOTEBENDERS Sym- 0121 331 5901 01384 815577 STOKE-ON-TRENT SOUL & CYTOTA O2 phony Hall, Birmingham THE ASYLUM FOREST ARTS CENTRE 01159 454 593 CULT OF LUNA The Slade Academy, Birmingham THE DRIFTERS The But- 0121 233 1109 0845 111 2898 TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY ROOMS Rooms, Wolverhampton AMONG THE ECHOES, BE- termarket, Shrewsbury THE BALLROOM NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE 01827 709618 MARTIN CARTHY Kitchen FORE THE STORY ENDS, THEATRE OF SILENCE, THE 0121 448 0797 01902 572090 VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY 0870 060 6649 Garden Cafe, Kings SHINKICKER & THE HEIST EVENT HORIZON, STONE THE BARBER INSTITUTE THE PUBLIC, WEST BROMWICH Heath, Birmingham O2 Academy, Birming- THE ALCHEMIST & SPE- 0121 414 7333 0121 533 7161 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE 01785 254653 ham CIAL GUESTS The Sug- BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL ROBIN 2, BILSTON TUES 22 JAN THE JOHNNY CASH ROAD- armill, Stoke-on-Trent 0121 780 3333 01902 401211 SHOW Solihull Arts FLOYDIAN SLIP - PINK CBSO CENTRE STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL Warwickshire 01384 812812 Complex FLOYD TRIBUTE Tam- 0121 780 3333 THE ASSEMBLY, LEAMINGTON 01926 311311 ITCHYFEET The Jam worth Assembly Rooms FLAPPER 0121 236 2421 WULFRUN HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON House, Birmingham REBECCA NEWMAN Soli- HARE & HOUNDS THE KASBAH, COVENTRY 0870 320 7000 024 7655 4473 hull Arts Complex 0121 444 2081 HMV INSTITUTE NAILCOTE HALL, WED 23 JAN 0121 643 0428 Shropshire BERKSWELL 02476 46 6174 SUN 27 JAN THE JAM HOUSE THE BUTTERMARKET, 0121 200 3030 SHREWSBURY STRATFORD CIVIC HALL THE JOHNNY CASH ROAD- 01743 355055 01789 207100 SHOW Belgrade The- LG ARENA TREY SONGZ LG Arena, 0844 338 8000 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, TAYLOR JOHN’S HOUSE, atre, Coventry Birmingham MUCH WENLOCK COVENTRY TIM KLIPHUIS TRIO The NIA 01952 728911 024 7623 0699 The Johnny Cash COUNTERFEIT STONES Ar- 0844 338 8000 Hive, Shrewsbury Roadshow trix, Bromsgrove THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY HARTY ANTHONY The THE RAINBOW 01743 234970 Worcestershire BLACK DYKE BAND Sym- 0121 772 8174 Jam House, Birming- THE IRONWORKS, OSWESTRY HUNTINGDON HALL / SWAN JESSIE J TRIBUTE The phony Hall, Birmingham RED LION FOLK CLUB ham 01691 679123 THEATRE 01905 611427 Edge Arts Centre, Much THE GLENN MILLER AAF 0121472 4253 THE BLACKOUT HMV In- THEATRE SEVERN, MARR’S BAR, WORCESTER Wenlock, South Shrop- ORCHESTRA WITH THE ROADHOUSE stitute, Birmingham SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 01905 613336 shire STRINGS Wolverhamp- 0121 459 5660 RED SHOES Kitchen Gar- THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, THE RIVER ROOMS, ton Grand Theatre SYMPHONY HALL den Cafe, Kings Heath, TELFORD 01952 382382 STOURBRIDGE THE RAT PACK VEGAS 0121 780 3333 01384 397177 Birmingham WEM TOWN HALL SAT 26 JAN SPECTACULAR Tamworth THE GLEE CLUB THE JOHN RICHARDS 01939 232299 Assembly Rooms 0871 472 0400 BAND Red Lion Folk NELL BRYDEN Hare & THE YARDBIRD Club, Birmingham COWBOY JUNKIES War- 0121 212 2524 wick Arts Centre, Hounds, Birmingham

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Classical Music PREVIEWS Halle Orchestra: New Year in Vienna Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 4 January One of the UK’s top symphonic ensem- bles, the Manchester-based Halle Orches- tra is admired around the globe for its extensive orchestral repertoire. This Victoria Hall concert is the Halle’s first of 2013, and pays homage to Austria’s famous dynasty of composers, the Strauss family, as well as featuring works by Offen- bach and Lehar. Performed under the directorship of David Parry, and featuring tenor Toby Spence, the concert includes the Die Fledermaus Overture, Emperor Waltz, The Blue Danube, Pizzicato Polka, Radetzky March, Gold And Silver Waltz and Orpheus In The Underworld Overture.

Angela Hewitt Britten Sinfonia featuring Angela Hewitt Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 13 January Composer Benjamin Britten’s position at the forefront of twentieth century British classical music is impressively endorsed by his many awards, not least amongst which is the Grammy Hall of Fame Award for his War Requiem. This year marks the centenary of Britten’s birth, and there are numerous concerts celebrating the occasion in the 2013 Birmingham International Concert Season. Ex Cathedra gets things started with a performance of A Boy Was Born at Birmingham Town Hall on 12 January. This is followed the day after by a concert which sees internationally acclaimed pianist Angela Hewitt join forces with the Britten Sinfonia to perform popular pieces from the composer’s early years (Britten’s Simple Symphony and Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge) as well as works by Beethoven and Prokofiev. Toby Spence

Dante Quartet Belcea Quartet Lion Hotel, Birmingham Town Hall, Shrewsbury, Mon 28 - Tues 29 January Sat 12 January Since their formation at the Royal College The multi-award- of Music in 1994, the Belcea Quartet have winning Dante become a force to be reckoned with. Quartet is held in Regularly performing in some of the high regard for the world’s finest concert halls, the quartet this ‘imaginative pro- month stop off in the Midlands to perform gramming and the first of three gigs at Birmingham’s emotional intensity Town Hall. Their programme features of its performanc- Haydn’s String Quartet in D minor, Op 103; es’. Comprising Beethoven’s String Quartet in A, Op 18, Krysia Osostowicz No5; and String Quartet in C sharp minor, and Giles Francis Op 131. on violins, Rachel Roberts on viola and Richard Jenkin- son on cello, the Quartet here per- forms Haydn’s Quartet Op 77 No1 Carducci String Quartet (Dream), Debussy’s Quartet in G minor Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa, Fri 25 January and Kodaly’s Quar- Appearing as part of the Leamington Music International Quartet Sea- tet No1 in C minor. son, the Carducci String Quartet this month return to the region to perform Haydn’s Quartet in G minor Op 74 No 3 The Rider, Britten’s Quartet No1 and Debussy’s Quartet. Recognised as one of the most successful young string quartets on the classical music scene, Car- ducci annually perform in excess of ninety international concerts, and in the process have earned themselves an enthusiastic and cosmo- politan following. They even have their own festival, in Highnam, Gloucestershire, in May.

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Barrie (conductor). Pro- Flemming (violins), gramme includes works Eoin Schmidt-Martin Classical Box Office Classical LISTINGS by Saint Saens & (viola) & Emma Denton Tchaikovsky, Sat 19 (cello). Programme ABBEY CHURCH, CBSO CENTRE, For full listing information on classical Jan, Kingsley School, includes works by SHREWSBURY BIRMINGHAM concerts, including times and dates, Leamington Spa Haydn, Britten & 01743 232723 0121 780 3333 visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk CINDERELLA: OPERA Debussy, Fri 25 Jan, WARWICK Opera War- Royal Pump Rooms, ADRIAN BOULT HALL, B’HAM COVENTRY CATHEDRAL JOHANN STRAUSS GALA: Jan, Birmingham Town wick present their Leamington Spa 0121 331 5901 02476 521200 ONE NIGHT IN VIENNA Hall ground-breaking pro- ELEANOR PERCY & IRINA ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE LEAMINGTON MUSIC Featuring the Johann BRITTEN SINFONIA FEA- duction which brings LYAKHOVSKAYA This 01527 577330 01926 742762/776438 Strauss Orchestra, TURING ANGELA HEWITT Rossini’s masterpiece acclaimed duo have BARBER INSTITUTE, LICHFIELD GARRICK Rainer Hersch (conduc- Sun 13 Jan, Birming- La Cenerentola to the been performing BIRMINGHAM 01543 412121 tor), Charlotte Ellett ham Town Hall vibrant setting of twenty recitals together for 0121 414 7333 (guest soprano) & the HEATH STRING QUARTET first-century Essex, Mon twelve years. Their ST LAURENCE’S CHURCH, Johann Strauss Featuring Oliver Heath 21 - Wed 23 Jan, War- discography includes BIRMINGHAM CATHEDRAL LUDLOW Dancers, Tue 1 Jan, & Cerys Jones (violins), wick Arts Centre, sonatas by Brahms, 0121 262 1840 01584 872150 Symphony Hall, Birm- Gary Pomeroy (viola) & Coventry Prokofiev and the com- BIRMINGHAM STRATFORD CIVIC HALL ingham Christopher Murray FRETWORK WITH ELIZA- plete Mozart sonatas CONSERVATOIRE 01789 207100 CBSO VIENNESE NEW (cello). Programme BETH KENNY (LUTE) Fea- for the Melodiya Label, 0121 331 5901/2 SYMPHONY HALL, YEAR GALA Featuring includes works by turing Asako Morikawa, Sun 27 Jan, Hunting- BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME BIRMINGHAM conductor David Parry Mozart, Tippett & Reiko Ichise, Liam don Hall, Worcester 0844 338 5000 0121 780 3333 & Toby Spence (tenor), Beethoven, Sun 13 Jan, Byrne, Richard Tunni- THOMAS TROTTER WITH Fri 4 Jan, Malvern The- Bridge House Theatre, cliffe & Richard Booth- BIRMINGHAM CONSERVA- BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL VICTORIA HALL atre Warwick (Leamington by (viols), Tues 22 Jan, TOIRE CHAMBER CHOIR A 0121 780 3333 STOKE-ON-TRENT HALLE: VIENNESE GALA Music) St Mary’s Church, War- Britten-inspired pro- BRAMALL CONCERT HALL, 0844 871 7649 Featuring conductor LUNCHTIME ORGAN CON- wick (Leamington gramme directed by UNIVERSITY OF B’HAM WARWICK ARTS CENTRE David Parry & Toby CERT WITH THOMAS Music) Paul Spicer, Mon 28 0121 414 3344 02476 524524 Spence (tenor), TROTTER Programme MARK LOCKETT PIANO Jan, Birmingham Town Fri 4 Jan, Victoria Hall, includes works by CHH RECITAL Tues 22 Jan, Hall Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent Parry, JS Bach, Recital Hall, Birming- BELCEA QUARTET A con- CBSO VIENNESE NEW Mascagni, Dukas & works by Shostakovich gramme includes works ham Conservatoire cert which forms part of & Beethoven, Tues 29 by Schubert, Wed 30 YEAR Featuring Martin Bonnet, Mon 14 Jan, THE PRIMROSE PIANO the Britten Anniversary Yates (conductor) & Symphony Hall, Birm- Jan, Birmingham Town Jan, Barber Concert QUARTET Programme in Birmingham celebra- Hall Hall, Birmingham James Edwards (tenor). ingham comprises Brahms tions, Mon 28 Jan, Programme to include THE SCHUBERT ENSEM- THE LABEQUE SISTERS BEYOND CLASSICAL: Piano Quartet in A Birmingham Town Hall PLAY POULENC Concert TANTRUMS & TIARAS works by Johann BLE Programme com- major, Op.26, Tues 22 THE BANTOCK STRING Strauss II, Suppe, prises Enescu Piano featuring ‘some of the Featuring sopranos Jan, Adrian Boult Hall, QUARTET Programme most delightful music Sophie Pullen & Louise Lehar, Kreisler, Quintet Op.29, Tues 15 Birmingham comprises Bantock’s In Heuberger, Waldteufel, Jan, Adrian Boult Hall, ever written for two Martin with Jon French CBSO: NELSON CON- A Chinese Mirror & pianos & orchestras’. on piano, Thurs 31 Jan, Tauber, Romberg & Birmingham DUCTS TCHAIKOVSKY Beethoven’s String Sieczynski, Sat 5 Jan, PETER DONOHOE: OPUS Programme includes Symphony Hall Cafe Featuring Andris Nel- Quartet Op. 18 No.4, works by Poulenc & Bar, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birm- ONES Programme sons (conductor) & Tues 29 Jan, Adrian ingham includes works by Mozart, Wed 30 Jan, MANCHESTER CAMERATA: Simon TrpÄeski (piano). Boult Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birm- THE FOUR SEASONS H.M.S PINAFORE Semi- Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Programme includes BELCEA QUARTET The staged concert per- Bartok, Schumann, ingham Thurs 31 Jan, Stafford works by Strauss, second of three Birm- ALINA IBRAGIMOVA (VIO Gatehouse formance of Gilbert & Berg & Brahms, Wed Chopin & Tchaikovsky, ingham concerts from Sullivan’s nautical tale 16 Jan, Warwick Arts LIN) & CEDRIC Wed 23 & Thurs 24 the Belcea Quartet. TIBERGHLEN (PIANO) Pro- of romance and mistak- Centre, Coventry Jan, Symphony Hall, Programme features en identities, Sun 6 WINTER WORDS FROM Birmingham Jan, Symphony Hall, IAN BOSTRIDGE Celebrat- PAUL LEWIS SCHUBERT Birmingham ing the Britten Anniver- PIANO RECITAL This per- CBSO THE BIRMINGHAM sary in Birmingham. formance forms part of BEETHOVEN CYCLE Sym- Programme includes Malvern’s Concert Club phonies 4 & 5 featuring works by Schubert, Ives season, Thurs 24 Jan, Andris Nelsons (con- & Britten, Wed 16 Jan, Malvern Theatres ductor) & Carolyn Birmingham Town Hall CAMERATA Featuring Sampson (soprano), BIRMINGHAM CONSERVA- conductors Daniel Gal- Wed 9 - Thurs 10 Jan, TOIRE VIOLA ENSEMBLE breath & Ed Harrison. Symphony Hall, Birm- Programme includes Programme includes ingham works by JS Bach, works by Bruckner, HERMES ENSEMBLE The Garth Knox, Benjamin Brahms, Vaughan Belgium-based ensem- Dale, Grieg & Gordon Williams, Stanford, ble present a pro- Jacobs, Thurs 17 Jan, Durufle, Gibbons, gramme of works by Recital Hall, Birming- Greene & Holst, Thurs Kaija Saariaho, Michael ham Conservatoire 24 Jan, St Alban The Zev Gordon, Toshio TIPPETT QUARTET Martyr, Highgate, Birm- Hosokawa & Wim Hen- Featuring John Mills & ingham derockx, Fri 11 Jan, Jeremy Isaac (violin), EUROPEAN UNION CHAM- Barber Concert Hall, Julia O’Riordan (viola) BER ORCHESTRA Featur- Birmingham & Bodizar Vukotic ing Tasmin Little (violin) EX CATHEDRA: A BOY (cello), Fri 18 Jan, & Katrin Finch (harp). WAS BORN The opening Artrix, Bromsgrove Programme includes concert of the Britten CHETHAM’S SCHOOL OF works by Grieg, Mozart, Anniversary in Birming- MUSIC Programme Elgar, Gorecki & Haydn, ham, Sat 12 Jan, Birm- includes works by Fri 25 Jan, Warwick ingham Town Hall Elgar, Prokofiev & Aru- Arts Centre, Coventry DANTE QUARTET Pro- tunian, Fri 18 Jan, Bar- BIRMINGHAM CONSERVA- gramme includes works ber Concert Hall, Birm- TOIRE BAROQUE ORCHES- by Haydn, Debussy & ingham TRA Programme Kodaly, Sat 12 Jan, CBSO: A SPRING SYM- includes works by Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury PHONY Featuring Bach, Vivaldi, Purcell, ORIFLAMME ENSEMBLE Edward Gardener (con- Corelli & Rameau, Fri Featuring Anton Rosen- ductor), Susan Gritton 25 Jan, Recital Hall, feld (horn), Danielle (soprano), Allan Clay- Birmingham Conserva- Mason (saxophone) & ton (tenor), Kelly toire Antoine Mitchell (con- O'Connor (alto), CBSO TRIO PETRUS Featuring ductor). Programme Chorus, CBSO Youth Peter Fisher (violin), includes works by Chorus & CBSO Chil- Peter Adams (cello) & Verdi, Chabrier, dren's Choir. Pro- Peter Hewitt (piano). Debussy & Saint gramme includes works Programme includes Saens, Sat 12 Jan, St by Bridge, Elgar & Brit- works by Haydn & Mary’s Church, War- ten, Sat 19 Jan, Sym- Mendelssohn, Fri 25 wick (Leamington phony Hall, Birming- Jan, Barber Concert Music) ham Hall, Birmingham RISING STARS: DANIELA LEAMINGTON SINFONIA CARDUCCI STRING QUAR- KOCH (FLUTE) & OLIVER Featuring Simon Bal- TET Featuring Matthew TRIENDL (PIANO) Sun 13 lard (piano) & Jenny Denton & Michelle

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Comedy January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 11:12 Page 1 Comedy

Rudi Lickwood Comedy Highlight Comedy Club, Birmingham, Fri 18 - Sat 19 January Box Office Nobody’s safe from becoming a target of Rudi Lickwood’s fast-paced humour, least of all his ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM wife, who, he claims, has emasculated him, 0844 871 3011 and whose snoring and menstruating he ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE hates. His kids don’t escape unscathed either - 01527 577330 but then if they were better at art and playing BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL the recorder, they wouldn’t give dad quite so 02476 376707 BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL much material to work with. Lickwood started 0121 780 3333 out as an Eddie Murphy impersonater back in COX’S YARD the late-1980s before turning his considerable 01789 404600 comic talent to the business of stand-up. He’s THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM since forged a reputation for himself as a slick 0121 333 2444 DUDLEY CONCERT HALL live performer who’ll get his audience roaring 01384 815 577 with laughter rather than quietly chuckling GLEE CLUB, BIRMINGHAM away to themselves. Critics claim he fast- 0871 4720400 tracks to big laughs, way too often utilising HIGHLIGHT, BIRMINGHAM, tried, tested and predictable subject matter 0844 844 0044 rather than more cutting-edge material. That HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER, said, if you’re going to judge a comedian by 01905 611427 the level of audience laughter during a gig, FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, Lickwood’s definitely got this stand-up busi- LEEK, STAFFS ness well and truly, er, licked. 01538 386112 KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE, BIRMINGHAM 0121 443 4725 LG ARENA, BIRMINGHAM 0844 338 8000 Pete Firman LUDLOW ASSEMBLY The Place, Oakengates, Telford, Sat 26 January; Solihull Arts ROOMS 01584 878141 Complex, Fri 1 February; Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Fri 15 February; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 5 April MAC, BIRMINGHAM 0121 446 3232 Pete Firman's been described as 'funnier than most comedians and PALACE THEATRE, more magical than Dumbledore on a good day' - which, as reviews REDDITCH go, isn't a bad one. Combining comedy and magic to excellent 01527 65203 THE PUBLIC, WEST effect, this Middlesborough-born funnyman looks to have a bright BROMWICH future ahead of him. TV appearances include Saturday Live Again!, 0121 533 7161 For One Night Only, Dirty Tricks, Deren Brown’s 3D Magic DRUMMONDS BAR, Spectacular and The Secret World Of Magic. WORCESTER 01905 28190 RICOH ARENA, COVENTRY 0844 873 6565 Russell Kane THE ROSE THEATRE, Milton Jones KIDDERMINSTER Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 31 Artrix, Bromsgrove, 01562 743745 Wed 30 January January; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 2 ROYAL SPA CENTRE, - Sun 3 March; New Alexandra Theatre, This man's LEAMINGTON SPA Birmingham, Sat 16 March official public- 01926 334418 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE With a style of humour that’s mainly based ity blurb says it THEATRE around puns and one-liners, Milton Jones has all: "Love. Race. 01785 254653 established himself as one of Britain’s most in- Politics. Class. Strap in for SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX demand funnymen. Not only a comedian but some super-speed sunderings 0121 704 6962 also a writer and actor, his stand-up bears tes- and inconvenient sociology in an THE SLADE ROOMS, WOLVERHAMPTON timony to his cutting-edge wit, not to mention hour of self-soiling merriment that 0870 320 7000 his taste for the surreal and the nonsensical. will leave you with rickets." THE GEORGE HOTEL, In short, Russell Kane is a very BURSLEM, STAFFS funny man - and it’s not just his 07763301081 TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY publicist who thinks so. Kane’s ROOMS been drawing a crowd since 01827 709618 bursting onto the scene back THEATRE SEVERN, in 2004, serving up liberal SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 doses of humour in an act VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY, which features some consider- STOKE-ON-TRENT ably weighty and thought-provok- 0844 871 7649 ing material. Jokes include, WARWICK ARTS CENTRE “What’s the most evil snack imag- 02476 524524 WEST BROMWICH TOWN inable for a vegetarian? HALL Philosophically speaking, it’s a 0121 596 4429 Scotch egg, because it’s got WULFRUN HALL, death on the outside and poten- WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000 tial for life within.” 22 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 11:12 Page 2

DANNY BUCKLER, BARRY Birmingham DAVID HADINGHAM which sees fifteen CASTAGNOLA, KANE COMEDY AT THE MET Fri 25 & Sat 26 Jan, comedians battle it Comedy LISTINGS BROWN & COMIC TBC Sat 19 Jan, Stafford Jongleurs, Birmingham out... Sun 27 Jan, Sat 5 Jan, Jongleurs, Gatehouse Theatre BENNETT ARRON, ROGER Drummonds Bar, For full listing information on comedy Birmingham ANDY ROBINSON, CAREY MONKHOUSE, ANGIE Worcester MAUREEN YOUNGER, MARX & COMICS TBC MCEVOY & JASON PAT- RUSSELL KANE gigs including times and dates visit ANNETTE FAGON & Thurs 24 Jan, The Glee TERSON Wed 30 Jan, Artrix, www.whatsonlive.co.uk COMICS TBC Club, Birmingham Fri 25 - Sat 26 Jan, Bromsgrove Weds 9 Jan, The BARNSTORMERS COMEDY Highlight Comedy Club, JOE LYCETT, MICHAEL Kitchen Garden, NIGHT Line-up tbc, Fri Birmingham FABBRI, TOM DEACON & Birmingham 25 Jan, Belgrade JAMES ACASTER: AVA VIDAL TIM CLARK, ADAM Theatre, Coventry PROMPT Sat 26 Jan, Wed 30 Jan, Ludlow BLOOM, GORDON SOUTH- JO CAUFIELD Fri 25 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Assembly Rooms, ERN & JOHN FOTHERGILL Ludlow Assembly Coventry South Shropshire Fri 11 - Sat 12 Jan, Rooms, South PETE FIRMAN: HOOD- MILTON JONES: ON THE Hightlight Comedy Shropshire WINKER Sat 26 Jan, The ROAD Thurs 31 Jan, Club, Birmingham ANDY ROBINSON, CAREY Place, Oakengates, Victoria Hall, Hanley, MANDY KNIGHT, COLE MARX, TIFFANY STEVEN- Telford, Shropshire Stoke-on-Trent PARKER, PAUL PIRIE & SON & COMIC TBC SHOULD I STAY OR ADAM BLOOM, MICHAEL CURTIS WALKER Fri 25 - Sat 26 Jan, The SHOULD I GO? FABRI & ANDREW RYAN Fri 11 & Sat 12 Jan, Glee Club, Birmingham Comedy's answer to Thurs 31 Jan, The Glee Jongleurs, Birmingham RICH WILSON, PRINCE the X-Factor and Club, Birmingham PAUL TONKINSON, MATT ABDI, SUSAN MURRAY & Britian's Got Talent PRICE, TOBIAS PERSSON & SOL BERNSTEIN Fri 11 & Sat 12 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham KEN DODD Sat 12 Jan, Prince of Wales Centre, Cannock RUDI LICKWOOD, STEVE CRIBBIN, PAUL SINHA & CARL HUTCHINSON Jo Caulfield Fri 18 & Sat 19 Jan, Highlight Comedy Club, Birmingham BETTER THE Paul Tonkinson KEVIN DEWSBURY, BREN- DAN DEMPSEY, GARY LIT- DEVIL YOU KNOW MARTIN MOR, ROGER Fri 4 - Sat 5 Jan, TLE & COMIC TBC MONKHOUSE, HARRIET Highlight Comedy Club, Fri 18 & Sat 19 Jan, DYER & CRAIG MURRAY Birmingham Jongleurs, Birmingham Friday 25 January, 7.30pm Thurs 3 Jan, The BRENDON BURNS, JASON JUNIOR SIMPSON, GARY £14 Full Price / £12 Concs George Hotel, Lichfield COOK MICKEY SHARMA & DELANEY, CLINT DAVE JOHNS, WINDSOR, PAUL F TAYLOR EDWARDS & DANIEL Box Office 01584 878141 ANDREW BIRD & DANA Sat 5 Jan, The Glee SLOSS Fri 18 & Sat 19 ALEXANDER Club, Birmingham Jan, The Glee Club, www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk

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The Rocky Horror Show Rhydian Roberts who’ll be playing Rocky New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 28 January - Sat 2 February; Regent Theatre, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 20 - Sat 25 May Hook up your fishnets, tighten your corsets and prepare to Do The straight-laced Brad and the deliciously corruptible Janet, who arrive Time Warp Again - The Rocky Horror Show’s returning to the Mid- at the castle of the alien transvestite Frank N Furter and witness the lands! Richard O Brien’s cult production is back on the road, cele- birth of the monster, Rocky. In the meantime they take the audience brating its fortieth anniversary and starring Ben Forster, Roxanne Pal- through a selection of love-them-or-loathe-them musical numbers, let and Oliver Thornton alongside X Factor favourite Rhydian Roberts. such as Sweet Transvestite, Damn It Janet and The Time Warp. Originally opening in 1973 at the Royal Court, it tells the tale of the Read the interview with Rhydian on page 10

National Theatre Live: The Magistrate Artrix, Bromsgrove; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry; Malvern Theatre; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire; Thurs 17 January This is the latest in the National Theatre Live series, which sees popular London stage productions being screened cinema-style at arts venues across the Midlands. American movie actor John Lithgow takes the title role in a show that’s been described as ‘fast, furious and brilliantly plotted’. Set in London during the Victorian era, it tells the story of young Cis Far- rington, a smoker, gambler, drinker and womaniser who’s five years older than he imagines and who’s mother has married an amiable police magistrate named Posket. But when high-spirited carousing WIN leads to a police raid and a night of outrageous TICKETS mishap, Cis’s life of excess and debauchery looks whatsonlive.co.uk set to take an unexpected turn for the worse... to enter The Ladykillers The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Mon 28 January - Sat 2 February This classic black comedy may be best known as a 1950s Ealing film, but its stage adaptation has nonetheless garnered plenty of praise too, enjoying a sell-out season in the London West End. For those unfamiliar with the legendary Alec Guinness film, it tells the story of a sweet old lady, alone in her house, who finds herself pitted against a gang of criminal misfits intent on pulling off a brilliantly conceived heist. The Play What I Wrote director Sean Foley is the man at the helm, while Clive Mantle, Chris McCalphy, William Troughton, Cliff Parisi, Paul Brown and Michelle Dotrice star.

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Theatre PREVIEWS In A Pickle Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 15 - Sat 19 January By transforming everyday environments into colourful, tactile ‘wonderlands’, Oily Cart take their audiences on a journey into the world of the imagination. Hydrotherapy pools and trampolines, aromatherapy, video projection and puppetry all feature in their work, with this particular project seeing them inviting their young audiences on a voyage of dis- covery through the landscapes of Shake- speare’s imagination. WIN TICKETS whatsonlive.co.uk Madagascar Live! to enter LG Arena, Birmingham, Fri 18 - Sun 20 January The smell of the greasepaint and roar of the crowd has tempted the furry cast of Madagascar the movie to forsake New York's Central Park Zoo in favour of treading the boards on a brand new UK tour. The blockbuster DreamWorks film comes to life in Birmingham when Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo hit the road and start the new year off in style with a great big jungle roar. Imaginative sets and costumes are both present and correct - as are a number of brand new songs - in a show that the producers are confi- Strictly Come Dancing Live! dent will send your kids positively wild (which is a good thing... we think!). National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Fri 18 - Sun 20 January Alice’s Adventures in Elsie And Norm’s Macbeth England cricketers Phil Tufnell and Michael Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Vaughan are this month playing their part in www.land Thurs 24 - Sat 26 January ensuring audiences are ‘bowled over’ by the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 9 - Sat 12 January John Christopher Wood’s engaging and latest live version of hit BBC1 celebrity talent funny play offers audiences the chance to series Strictly Come Dancing. Vaughan and The White Rabbit hops from tweet to tweet, enjoy a helping or two of Shakespeare with a ‘Tuffers’ are joined on the road and the the Cheshire Cat does a live stream, the very big twist indeed. Set in the living room dancefloor by West End favourite Denise Van Caterpillar’s got a blog, and there’s even a of the Trivial Pursuit-playing Elsie and Norm, Outen, Tracey Beaker star Dani Harmer, pop- Tea Party chatroom in this bright and original it centres around the couple’s attempts to ular telly presenter Fern Britton, actress Lisa new version of Alice In Wonderland. Devised bring a bit of culture into their lives via the Riley and GB Olympian Louis Smith. A now- and created by Stage2 members using the staging of their very own version of Macbeth. annual show, this sure-to-be-glitzy live ver- structure of the original book, the show They’re assisted in their efforts by a large toy sion offers fans of the TV series a chance to recounts the story of fifteen-year-old Alice panda in a kilt, who’s given the job of playing get more ‘up close and personal’ with their from Birmingham, as she uses social net- Banquo, and by Norm’s willingness to heroes, including the always-value-for-money working and internet searches to immerse rewrite a line or two of Shakespeare’s script, judges Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman herself in the adventures of Lewis Carroll’s just to make it that little bit punchier! and Bruno Tonioli. One-time X Factor presen- legendary heroine. ter presides over proceedings. Twelfth Night Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs 31 January - Sat 9 February As with many Shakespearean comedies, Twelfth Night is based on a case of mistaken identity, with Viola disguising herself as a boy and causing all manner of awkward romantic shenanigans. However, the play’s continuing popularity can mainly be attributed to its hilarious (well, by Shakespeare’s standards anyway) comic sub-plot, in which the merci- less Sir Toby Belch and his foolish compan- ion Sir Andrew Aguecheek seek to humiliate She Stoops To Conquer the pompous Malvolio, and achieve their aim Animal Farm Swan Theatre, Worcester, Wed 30 January Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, with more than a little style... Sat 19 January A bale of hay, a range of sound effects and Irish playwright Oliver Goldsmith’s comedy his own exceptional physical and vocal dex- was first performed in 1773, and focuses on terity are all that the talented Guy Masterson the character of wealthy countryman Mr deploys to present this one-man version of Hardcastle and his attempts to ensure that George Orwell’s legendary yarn. Masterson his daughter Kate marries man-of-substance first performed his solo homage to the twen- Charles Marlow. But Marlow is uneasy with tieth century classic way back in 1995, and is upper-class women, so Kate decides that she here bringing the show out on what he must ‘stoop to conquer’, and instead present claims will be its final UK tour. At turns herself as the kind of lower-class woman poignant and humorous, the production is around whom her intended feels far more now the most frequently performed solo comfortable. It goes without saying that not show in the world, and is suitable for audi- everything runs entirely according to plan... ence members of all ages. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 27 TheatreJanuary_Layout117/12/201210:54Page5

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Theatre PREVIEWS The Wind In The Willows Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Sat 5 January Kenneth Grahame’s famous children’s book tells a classic story of how one life can com- mand the full attention of three others. Mole, Badger and Ratty simply don’t have time for any of their own interests - they’re way too busy having to look after their reckless and irrepressible friend, Toad... Gloucester-based professional theatre company Rain Or Shine is the ensemble behind this new version of one of the twentieth century’s most leg- endary and delightful yarns, presenting an adaptation which they describe as being ‘suitable for everyone aged six to one hun- dred-and-six’. Circus Of Horrors: Curse Of The Devil Doll Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs 24 January; Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Fri 25 January; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wed 30 January An off-kilter affair that bears more resem- blance to a freak show than any modern def- inition of a circus, the Circus of Horrors is a side-step into a world beyond political cor- The Orphan Of Zhao rectness and taste. It brings together all the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Thurs 28 March more extreme acts associated with circus and takes them to the edge of reason. Often referred to as the Chinese Hamlet, The Orphan Of Zhao was adapted by Voltaire and There’s no denying the skill of those partici- was the first Chinese play to be translated in the West, its origins tracing back to the fourth pating, or indeed the ensemble’s sheer century BC. It centres on a young orphan's voyage of discovery as, in the aftermath of a vio- ‘wow’ factor. lent coup, he discovers the shattering truth behind his childhood. RSC Chief Associate Direc- tor Gregory Doran here directs a new adaptation by James Fenton.

Tuesday 22nd Jan, 7.30pm Friday 25 Jan, 8pm Tues 29th Jan, 7.30pm THE WedJANE EYRE 30th Jan, 1.30pm & 7.30pm HALF

A 50 year old actor, down on his luck, attempts to reverse his fortunes by doing a one man show. Nothing new there, except that he's chosen to perform Shakespeare's Hamlet, uncut, Box which lasts four and a half hours! He's sold his car and his father's gold watch to pay for it all and of his wife has left him. It's his opening night - will he make it to the stage or will he self-destruct? Frogs Box of Frogs, Birmingham’s pre- miere Improv company, create hi- octane comedy nonsense from Hull Truck Theatre brings to life audience suggestions. Unre- the classic story of love, loss and hearsed, and improvised entirely redemption in a new adaptation live. Expect to laugh, expect to be of one of the great gothic novels. amazed – but most of all expect the unexpected. From a harsh childhood controlled by unfeeling adults, Jane Eyre has to rely on her own courage and con- victions to make her way in the world. Employed as a governess, she travels across the bleak York- shire moors to the mysterious Thorn- Wulfruna Street, field Hall – a house of locked doors with a Wolverhampton dangerous secret. WV1 1SE Tickets: £10 full price and £8 concs. Tickets: £9 full price and £7 concs. Tickets: £5 Box Office Matinee £5 01902 321 321 For full details of our Spring Season please visit our website: www.arena.wlv.ac.uk

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ENTERTAINMENT CANNOCK CHASE BIRMINGHAM’S at the Prince Of Wales, Centre PREMIER PUB CALL FOR YOUR THEATRE DAMIEN O’KANE BROCHURE JANUARY GATEHOUSE THEATRE TODAY Sat 12th January 7.30pm Fri 18 Jan Every Tuesday starting the 8th Jan KEN DODD An evening of music with for 3 weeks, 6pm to 10pm a truly exciting and cre- NTI WINTER CYCLE The professor of Giggleology and the ative musician and singer. master of applied Tickleology at Knotty Damien’s banjo playing In these Workshops we will explore the Ash University promises non-stop laughter has led him to being effect of Alienation in Brecht and how regarded as one of the until the weesmall hours. finest Irish players on the using Meisner helps Actors fire the lines scene today and he is of a play. From out of all this we will Wed 23rd to Sat 26th January, 7.30pm winning accolades as a singer, focusing on songs create a play for and about Birmingham. from his native Northern Wed 23rd 6.30pm. Sat Mat 2.30pm 8.00pm, £12.00 . £12 each course, £50 All SLEEPING BEAUTY ELSIE AND NORM’S MACBETH This traditional pantomime has all the GATEHOUSE THEATRE Saturday 12th Jan. 3pm & 8pm necessary ingredients for an outstanding Thurs 24 to THE WIT & SONGS OF andspectacular production of this enduring fairy story. Sat 26 Jan NOEL COWARD A comedy about culture! Pianist and entertainer, Peter Gill presents Elsie and Norm’s home is not FEBRUARY just a three-bedroom semi a tribute to the wit and song-writing skill detached, it is a seat of culture. of that most English of Englishmen, Noel The neighbours have been Sun 24th February 7.30pm invited round to share in Elsie Coward, who said of himself "I am an and Norm’s newly enormously talented man and there is no DEREK ACORAH discovered acting talents. 7.30pm, £10 / £8 concs point in denying it." A new tour for 2013 starring one of the most respected Spiritualist Mediums of CIRCUS OF HORRORS GATEHOUSE THEATRE £12 / £10 a generation. Thurs 30 Jan Circus of Horrors, who Sat 19th Jan, 2.30pm & 7.30pm MARCH stormed into the finals of SHE STOOPS TO Britain’s Got Talent, return Sat 2nd March, 7.30pm with a new show packed CONQUER with new shocks that will A VISION OF ELVIS take you on a whirlwind AlterEgo Theatre Company present their journey like a bat out of Rob Kingsley brings you a full evening of all fantastically funny and ferociously physi- hell! The show will send a 8.00pm, £20.50, £17.50 concs shiver down your spine cal comedy of manners, misunderstand- the classic hits, from the Early Years through to the sensational “Vegas” era. and have you sitting on the edge of the seat when not ings and mistaken identity. "***** A stun- falling off them with laughter ning production all round" - broadwayba- Thurs 14th March, 7.30pm THE FOUR SEASONS by.com MANCHESTER CAMERATA £10 / £8 DANIEL 0’DONNELL Thurs 31 Jan TRIBUTE Camerata’s exuberant leader Giovanni Guzzo Wed 30th Jan, 8.00pm UK’s only tribute to the man. Daniel O’Connell takes centre stage as DEATH OF A BEAUTY soloist and director in this Fri 22nd & Sat 23rd March, 7.30pm stunning concert of Vival- SALESWOMAN di’s Four Seasons. Fol- The fantastic one-woman comedy by lowed by Piazzolla’s The THE WONDERFUL WORLD Four Seasons of Buenos 7.30pm, £15, £13 concs Debbie Tracey returns! Beauty knows no Aires. pain- she’s a pain who knows no beauty. OF LLOYD-WEBBER Welcome to the extreme, ridiculous and Chase Harmony, Cannock’s very own FLOSSIE GATEHOUSE THEATRE downright hilarious world of Jacqueline 4-part harmony singing group, return to Jones, Tropic Beauty International sales- songs from one of the West End’s most Fri 15 Feb woman extraordinaire... successful composers over the years. Acknowledged by Radio 2 £10 / £8 as an upcoming talent, Fri 29th March, 7.30pm Flossie Malavialle show- cases songs from her col- lection of nine albums, Thurs 31st Jan, 8.00pm THE BILLY FURY YEARS from well established folk FOGHORN IMPROV - The Billy Fury Years is quite simply ‘The songs to jazz standards, Ultimate Billy Fury show to ever hit the stage’. blues numbers to Edith RIGHT UP YOUR STREET Piaf and Jacques Brel’s classics. 7.30pm, £12, £11 concs What does it take to create a successful Sat 30th March, 7.30pm soap? Dozens of writers? Months of THE ELEPHANT BRIDESMAID planning? Millions of pounds? Not if TOTALLY TINA GATEHOUSE THEATRE youre Foghorn Improv! In this show we TOTALLY TINA! Recreate the spectacle and Thurs 21 Feb will create a gripping improvised soap energy of her live shows with a six-piece live A magical musical about opera from start to finish, using nothing band, four stunning dancers and Justine’s weddings and wombats but audience suggestions and our own incredible impersonation of the Queen of and the loveliest elephant in the world! Join Nessie imaginations. Rock and Soul. the Elephant and her £7.50 friends as they search for an outfit fancy enough 2.30pm, £8, Family £30 www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/princeofwales (and large enough) to make her the Australian jungle’s most beautiful Elephant Bridesmaid Tel: 0121 200 0946 Box Office: & 0845 680 1926 email:[email protected]. 01543 578762 BOOKONLINE www.oldjointstocktheatre.co.uk BOOK NOW! Box Office 01785 254653 or on-line at: www.oxboffice.com www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk

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Theatre PREVIEWS Bedroom Farce Lichfield Garrick, Wed 30 January - Sat 2 February Alan Ayckbourn’s ingenious comedy features four couples, three bedrooms, two celebra- tions, one blazing row and an illicit kiss (or two)! Trevor and Susannah’s dramatically dysfunctional relationship is a comical whirl- wind, not only sweeping up everybody in its path but also sparking a host of other rela- tionship debacles during the course of one hugely fraught and incident-packed evening. This latest Lichfield Players production fol- lows on from the com- pany’s 2011 success with Ayckbourn’s equally well-regarded Season’s Greetings. Jane Eyre Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Tues 29 - Wed 30 January Hull Truck Theatre are the ensemble behind this latest stage version of Charlotte Bronte's classic novel. For those not up to speed with Birdsong the story, it follows the orphaned Jane as she's sent by her cruel Aunt Reed to the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 29 January - Sat 2 February bleak Lowood School. On securing a posi- Sebastian Faulks’ bestselling novel is set both before and during the Great War, and follows tion as governess at Thornfield Hall, Jane the fortunes of the young Stephen Wraysford as he embarks on a passionate and dangerous finds herself falling for the charms of enig- affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire. The stage version garnered plenty of praise when it matic master Edward Rochester, unaware premiered in the West End in 2010, not least after a screening on BBC1 brought it to wider that the new object of her affection harbours public attention. This new production features Hollyoaks actress Sarah Jayne Dunn as a dark and terrible secret... Isabelle and Jonathan Smith as Stephen.

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS @ The Old Rep SPRING SEASON 2013 Station Street, Birmingham B5 4DY

Philip Pullman’s Heather Gardner I Was A Rat! A version of Ibsen’s Hedda 12 February - 2 March Gabler by Robin French 14 - 28 March

birmingham-rep.co.uk

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

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

Fri 11th January Sat 12th January Sun 13th January THINK FLOYD PURPLE ZEPPELIN RAT PACK VEGAS THE DEFINITIVE PINK WHEN GIANTS FINALLY SPECTACULAR FLOYD EXPERIENCE COME TOGETHER THE PURVEYORS OF COOL SWING INTO BROMSGROVE

Thurs 17th January Tues 29th January Thurs 31st January THE MAGISTRATE FOCUS COLIN BLUNSTONE - NT LIVE CLASSIC ROCK DUTCH-STYLE ICONIC SINGER FROM LIVE RELAY FROM THE WITH THIJS VAN LEER THE ZOMBIES NATIONAL THEATRE LONDON

FORTHCOMING CINEMA: Nativity 2 (U) // Great Expectations (12A) Rust & Bone (15) //Beast Of The Southern Wild (12A) // Sightseers (15) Private Peaceful (12A) // The Hobbit (12A) // Amour (12A)

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

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Stratford-upon-Avon BORIS GODUNOV Michael Theatre LISTINGS Boyd directs Adrian Mitchell's adaptation of For full listing information on theatre Alexander Pushkin's productions including times and political Russian drama, dates visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk until Sat 30 Mar, The Swan Theatre, Strat- ford-upon-Avon from Jan, Royal Shake- BEAUTY AND THE BEAST speare Theatre, Strat- Limelight present their TUES 1 JAN ford-upon-Avon version of the classic HELLO, DOLLY! children's tale, Wed 2 - PUSS IN BOOTS OTFM Described as one of the Sat 5 Jan, The Rose Productions return to brassiest Broadway Theatre, Kidderminster the Bridge House The- musicals of all time, SNOW WHITE & THE atre to present a festive Hello Dolly follows the SEVEN DWARFS Family tale which sees Puss spirited Dolly Levi, a pantomime presented endeavour to stop the professional matchmak- by DE Caverswall The- evil Ogre, aided by er intent on bringing atre Company, Wed 2 - Baron Von Schtinken- love to the great and Sun 6 Jan, Stoke hoffen, as he sets good of , Repertory Theatre, about trying to destroy until Sat 19 Jan, The Stoke-on-Trent Panto Land forever... Curve, Leicester SLEEPING BEAUTY Magi- until Thurs 1 Jan, JACK AND THE cal pantomime adven- Bridge House Theatre, BEANSTALK Family pan- ture for all the family, Warwick tomime presented by Thurs 3 - Sun 6 Jan, SLEEPING BEAUTY The Evolution Productions, Tamworth Assembly traditional fairytale is until Sun 13 Jan, The- Rooms Hull Truck Theatre Company’s production of Jane Eyre - Arena here brought to life with atre Severn, Shrews- THE WIND IN THE WIL- Theatre, Wolverhampton & The Roses, Tewksbury stunning sets, spectac- bury LOWS Sat 5 Jan, Birm- ular costumes and DICK WHITTINGTON Writ- ingham Botanical Gar- production presented Theatre, Stratford-upon- 18 - Sun 20 Jan, LG sparkling performanc- ten and directed by dens by The Norbury Play- Avon Arena, Birmingham es, until Sat 5 Jan, Bel- Malcolm Stent, who THE LION, THE WITCH, ers, Fri 11 - Sun 13 Jan, JACK AND THE THE NIGHT QUEEN Chil- grade Theatre, Coven- also stars as Idle Jack, AND THE WARDROBE The Norbury Theatre, BEANSTALK Family pan- dren’s play inspired by try until Sun 13 Jan, Soli- Arts Centre, Telford, Droitwich tomime presented by Mozart’s The Magic ALADDIN Be transported hull Arts Complex present their version of ALADDIN Dorren Solihull Society of Arts, Flute which blends to a land faraway in this THE GRUFFALO'S CHILD CS Lewis’ classic tale Bastable's version of Tues 15 - Sat 19 Jan, music, mystery and traditional family pan- Tall Stories return with a for children, Sat 5 - Sun the timeless family pan- The Edge, Alderbrook adventure, Fri 18 - Sat tomime, until Sat 5 Jan, musical stage adapta- 6 Jan, The Place, Oak- tomime, Fri 11 - Sat 19 School, Solihull 26 Jan, Belgrade The- The Roses Theatre, tion of Julia Donald- lands, Telford, Shrop- Jan, Oldbury Rep’ s A NIGHT OF DIRTY DANC- atre, Coventry Tewksbury son's award-winning shire Barlow Theatre ING Concert show fea- SHE STOOPS TO CON- CINDERELLA Featuring story. All adults must be ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THE WIT & SONGS OF turing all the songs QUER AlterEgo Theatre Jonathan Wilkes, until accompanied by a THIEVES Traditional pan- NOEL COWARD Present- from the much-loved Company present their Sat 5 Jan, Regent The- responsible child!, until tomime fusing the very ed by pianist & enter- iconic movie, Wed 16 fantastically funny and atre, Hanley, Stoke-on- Wed 16 Jan, Birming- best in family entertain- tainer Peter Gill, Sat 12 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, ferociously physical Trent ham Town Hall ment, Sat 5 - Sat 26 Jan, Old Joint Stock Coventry comedy of manners, 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL A CHRISTMAS CAROL Jan, Theatre On The Theatre, Birmingham THE MAGISTRATE Nation- misunderstandings and Acclaimed musical Dickens' Christmas Steps, Bridgnorth, THE AMAZING ADVEN- al Theatre Live screen- mistaken identity, Sat comedy based on the classic is here adapted Shropshire TURES OF PINOCCHIO ing of Arthur Wing 19 Jan, Old Joint Stock multi-award-winning and directed by New HMS PINAFORE This nau- The award-winning Pinero’s uproarious Vic- Theatre, Birmingham movie starring Dolly Vic Artistic Director tical tale of romance Strange Face Theatre torian farce, Thurs 17 JANE EYRE Hull Truck Parton. Bonnie Lang- Theresa Heskins, until and mistaken identities Company present their Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove Theatre Company pres- ford, Natalie Casey, Sat 19 Jan, New Vic - here presented in a version of Carlo Collo- & Warwick Arts Centre, ent a new version of Jackie Clune, Amy Theatre, Newcastle- semi-staged concert di’s classic children’s Coventry Charlotte Bronte’s clas- Lennox and Ben under-Lyme performance - features tale, Sun 13 Jan, Wem JACK AND THE sic story of love, loss Richards star, until Sat THE WIND IN THE WIL- some of Gilbert & Sulli- Town Hall, North Shrop- BEANSTALK An amateur and redemption... Tues 5 Jan, New Alexandra LOWS Alan Bennett's van’s wittiest charac- shire production presented 19 Feb, The Roses, Theatre, Birmingham stage adaptation of ters, Sun 6 Jan, Sym- by The Norbury Play- Tewksbury SNOW WHITE & THE Kenneth Grahame's phony Hall, Birming- Week Commencing ers, Thurs 17 - Sun 20 SEVEN DWARFS Festive classic tale, until Sat 19 ham Jan, Norbury Theatre, Week Commencing family pantomime, until Jan, Crescent Theatre, MON 14 JAN Droitwich Birmingham Read the SHOWSTOPPER! THE MON 21 JAN Sun 6 Jan, The Swan Week Commencing Theatre, Worcester review page 36 IMPROVISED MUSICAL A CINDERELLA Featuring JACK AND THE MON 7 JAN DOUBLE TALKS Dr John brand new musical Ruth Madoc, Jamie BEANSTALK Featuring Harcup discusses comedy is created from CINDERELLA Opera War- Rickers and Emma Loose Women presen- unique and unusual scratch at each per- wick present their Nowell, until Sun 6 Jan, ter Sherrie Hewson as ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN Malvern and The Jokes formance of this award- groundbreaking pro- Malvern Theatres Lady Temple Savage, WWW.LAND Stage2 of Edward Elgar, Tues winning production. duction, which brings ALICE IN WONDERLAND alongside Keith Harris, transpose Lewis Car- 15 Jan, Malvern The- Audience suggestions Rossini’s masterpiece THE CHRISTMAS CIRCUS Orville and Cuddles, roll's fantasy tale to a atre spontaneously become La Cenerentola to the MUSICAL Adaptation of until Sun 20 Jan, The modern-day Birming- ABIGAIL'S PARTY Lindsay an all-singing, all-danc- vibrant setting of twen- Lewis Carroll's timeless Grand Theatre, Wolver- ham where social Posner’s acclaimed ing show on the spot, ty-first century Essex, story to enthrall the hampton media sites provide a revival of one of the with unpredictable and Mon 21 - Wed 23 Jan, family, until Sun 6 Jan, ROBINSON CRUSOE AND meeting place for Alice, most popular plays often hilarious results, Warwick Arts Centre, Lichfield Garrick THE CARIBBEAN PIRATES the White Rabbit, Dodo ever written, Tue 15 - Fri 18 Jan, Warwick Coventry THE MERRY WIVES OF Birmingham Hippo- and Caterpillar, Wed 9 - Sat 19 Jan, Malvern Arts Centre, Coventry LA BOHEME Opera WINDSOR Anita Dobson drome regular Brian Sat 12 Jan, Crescent Theatres AN EVENING OF BUR- UpClose present their makes her RSC debut Conley appears along- Theatre, Birmingham IN A PICKLE An Oily Cart LESQUE Tantalising yet Olivier Award-winning in Phillip Breen's ver- side Birds Of A Feather THE WIND IN THE WIL- /Royal Shakespeare tasteful, camp and production of Puccini's sion of Shakespeare's actress Lesley Joseph, LOWS The enchanting Company co-produc- colourful, this fascinat- masterpiece. Sung in comedy, until Sat 12 until Sun 27 Jan, Birm- tale of river folk, pre- tion which takes young ing art form is brought English, Tue 22 Jan, Jan, Royal Shake- ingham Hippodrome sented by Malvern The- audiences through the to life following an Belgrade Theatre, speare Theatre, Strat- JAMES AND THE GIANT atre Players, Wed 9 - landscapes of Shake- acclaimed run in Lon- Coventry ford-upon-Avon PEACH Birmingham Sun 13 Jan, Malvern speare's imagination don’s West End, Fri 18 THE HALF The story of a BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: Stage Company pres- Theatres and the music of his Jan, Belgrade Theatre, fifty-year-old actor who, THE ROCK 'N' ROLL PANTO ent Roald Dahl's classic CINDERELLA Jars Of language, Tues 15 - Sat Coventry down on his luck, The classic fairytale is adventure for children, Clay Theatre Company 19 Jan, Warwick Arts HOLMES AND THE RIPPER decides to perform a given a rock 'n' roll until Sat 2 Feb, Old present their version of Centre, Coventry Brian Clemens’ grip- one-man version of twist, until Sat 12 Jan, Rep, Birmingham the timeless tale of MAYAKOVSKY: THE ping Victorian adven- Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Stafford Gatehouse THE ORPHAN OF ZHAO oppression and SLANTING RAIN Salida ture. based on the Tues 22 Jan, Arena Theatre Gregory Doran directs redemption, love and Productions present book Jack The Ripper: Theatre, Wolverhamp- THE MOUSE AND HIS James Fenton’s forgiveness, Wed 9 Jan Andrew Rattigan’s grip- The Final Solution, by ton CHILD The RSC present acclaimed adaptation of - Sat 12 Jan, The Blue ping play based on the Stephen Knight, Fri 18 - THE TEMPEST: SHAKE- Tamsin Oglesby's adap- the first Chinese play to Orange Theatre, Birm- Russian poet, artist and Sat 19 Jan, Stoke SPEARE 4 KIDZ Shake- tation of Russell be translated in the ingham playwright Vladimir Repertory Theatre, speare’s romantic com- Hoban's acclaimed chil- West, until Thurs 28 JACK AND THE Mayakovsky, Tues 15 - Stoke-on-Trent edy of revenge, a dren's tale, until Sat 12 Mar, Swan Theatre, BEANSTALK An amateur Sat 19 Jan, The Swan MADAGASCAR LIVE! Fri father’s love for his

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COMING SOON TO THEATRE SEVERN

THURSDAY 31 JANUARY

Officially Amazing, totally bonkers, Sat 26th January record breaking, sci- ence mad, PETE FIRMAN: live show from HOODWINKER the producers of 8.00pm. Tickets: £15 / £13 concs Brainiac Live! and Science Thurs 7th February Museum Live. ODDSOCKS PRESENTS THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD TUESDAY 5 - WEDNESDAY 6 FEBRUARY 7.30pm. Tickets: £13 / £12 concs

Fri 8th February PAUL TONKINSON: FANCY MAN 8.00pm. Tickets: £12 / £10 concs

Wed 6th March PRESENT THEIR NEW SHOW CIRCUS OF HORRORS THE CURSE OF THE DEVIL DOLL 7.30pm. Tickets: £22, £18, £13 / £19, £16 concs TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY Fri 8th March LEE HURST: TOO SCARED An Empty Stage - TO LEAVE THE HOUSE A Frightened Theatre - 8.00pm. Tickets: £15 A Show Must Go On!

Wed 20th March CHRIS PACKHAM: WILD NIGHTS OUT 7.30pm. Tickets: £15

Mon 8th & Tues 9th April WE’RE GOING ON WED 27 FEBRUARY - SUN 3 MARCH A BEAR HUNT 8th 2pm, 9th 11am & 2pm. Tickets: £10 Family Ticket: £36 (2 adults, 2 children)

Sat 20th April SUGGS: MY LIFE STORY 7.30pm. Tickets: £24.50

Fri 26th April Romance, tragedy, drama and magic as DAVE SPIKEY Beauty Belle falls in love with the Beast 8.00pm. Tickets: £16.50 VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO VIEW MORE SHOWS!

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

34 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 15:54 Page 12

BEANSTALK An amateur Phoenix Theatre fuses Mon 28 Jan - Sat 2 BEDROOM FARCE The LISTINGS production presented the scripts of four pop- Feb, New Alexandra Lichfield Players pres- Theatre by The Norbury Play- ular pantomimes to Theatre, Birmingham ent Alan Ayckbourn’s ers, Thurs 24 - Sat 26 present an all-singing, GO BACK FOR MURDER acclaimed comedy, For full listing information on theatre Jan, Norbury Theatre, all-dancing show for all Presented by the Wed 30 Jan - Sat 2 productions, including times and Droitwich the family, Fri 25 - Sat Agatha Christie Theatre Feb, Lichfield Garrick dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk PETER PAN Starlight 26 Jan, The Public, Company, Mon 28 Jan - UBU ROI Cheek By Jowl School of Dance pres- West Bromwich Sat 2 Feb, Malvern The- present Alfred Jarry’s ent JM Barrie’s timeless ALAN BENNET'S TALKING atres menacing, petulant and daughter and the mis- sented by Cannock tale of the boy who just HEADS Fri 25 Jan - Sat JANE EYRE Hull Truck wonderfully anarchic use of power, Tues 22 Chase Drama Society, wouldn’t grow up, 16 Feb, New Vic The- Theatre Company pres- play, Wed 30 Jan - Sat Jan, Wolverhampton Wed 23 - Sat 26 Jan, Thurs 24 - Sat 26 Jan, atre, Newcastle-under- ent a new version of 2 Feb, Warwick Arts Grand Theatre Prince of Wales Centre, Palace Theatre, Red- Lyme Charlotte Bronte’s clas- Centre, Coventry COUNTRYBOY’S STRUG- Cannock ditch sic story of love, loss GUINNESS WORLD GLE Maxwell Golden’s FOREVER MICHAEL... SNOW WHITE AND THE Week Commencing and redemption... Tues RECORDS OFFICIALLY debut solo show, which Described as 'the SEVEN DWARFS Tradi- 29 - Wed 30 Jan, Arena AMAZING SCIENCE LIVE! follows the MC’s jour- world's greatest tional family pantomime MON 28 JAN Theatre, Wolverhamp- Theatre Severn, ney from the cliffs of Michael Jackson trib- presented by BroADS - ton Shrewsbury, Thurs 31 Cornwall to the streets ute', Thurs 24 Jan, Bel- complete with live band BIRDSONG Critically January of London, Tues 22 grade Theatre, Coven- and local panto stars, A MURDER IS acclaimed version of THE LION, THE WITCH & Jan, Wem Town Hall, try Thurs 24 Jan - Sat 2 ANNOUNCED Agatha Sebastian Faulks’ tale THE WARDROBE The North Shropshire SLEEPING BEAUTY Thurs Feb, Birchmeadow Christie thriller packed of love and war, set Palace Youth Theatre HOLMES AND THE RIPPER 24 - Sun 27 Jan, Strat- Centre, Broseley, with ‘weird characters, both before and during present CS Lewis’ fan- Brian Clemens’ grip- ford Civic Hall Shropshire dramatic situations and the Great War, Tues 29 tasy adventure, Thurs ping Victorian adven- CIRCUS OF HORRORS: CIRCUS OF HORRORS: enough red-herrings to Jan - Sat 2 Feb, Bel- 31 Jan - Sun 2 Feb, ture, based on the CURSE OF THE DEVIL CURSE OF THE DEVIL sink a trawler’, Mon 28 grade Theatre Palace Theatre, Red- book Jack The Ripper: DOLL Prepare for phan- DOLL Fri 25 Jan, Civic Jan - Sat 2 Feb, The ANIMAL FARM Guy Mas- ditch The Final Solution, by tasmagoria twists and Hall, Wolverhampton Rose Theatre, Kidder- terson's solo perform- TWELFTH NIGHT Blue Stephen Knight, Tues turns to send shivers SING-A-LONG-A GREASE A minster ance of George Orwell's Orange Arts present 22 - Sat 26 Jan, Stoke down your spine as the brand new singalong classic satire, brought Shakespeare's comedy Repertory Theatre, demonic dummy takes version of the classic Presented by Stafford- to the stage using only of mistaken identity, Stoke-on-Trent on a life of its own, film starring Olivia New- shire’s Stage Produc- a wooden box, sound transformation and GUINNESS WORLD Thurs 24 Jan, Victoria ton-John and John Tra- tions, Mon 28 Jan - Sat effects and physical deception, Thurs 31 RECORDS OFFICIALLY Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on- volta, Fri 25 Jan, Bel- 2 Feb, Regent Theatre, and vocal dexterity, Jan - Sat 9 Feb, The AMAZING SCIENCE LIVE! Trent grade Theatre, Coven- Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent Wed 30 Jan, The Swan Blue Orange Theatre, Brand new show, Wed ELSIE & NORM’S MAC- try THE LADYKILLERS Gra- Theatre, Worcester Birmingham 23 Jan, Malvern The- BETH Fed up with play- BOX OF FROGS Birming- ham Linehan's new CIRCUS OF HORRORS: A LIFE OF GALILEO atre ing Trivial Pursuit and ham’s premiere improv adaptation of the cele- CURSE OF THE DEVIL Bertolt Brecht's play CALENDAR GIRLS Ama- watching television re- company present a brated Ealing comedy, DOLL Wed 30 Jan, explores the struggle teur production of Tim runs, Elsie and Norm unique show, devised Mon 28 Jan - Sat 2 Stafford Gatehouse between scientific dis- Firth’s much-acclaimed decide to go for a bit of and improvised purely Feb, The Grand The- Theatre covery and religious drama, presented by culture and stage some from audience sugges- atre, Wolverhampton DEATH OF A BEAUTY fundamentalism, Thurs Coleshill Operatic Soci- Shakespeare in their liv- tions, Fri 25 Jan, Arena THE ROCKY HORROR SALESWOMAN One- 31 Jan - Sat 30 Mar, ety, Wed 23 - Thurs 24 ing room. Presented by Theatre, Wolverhamp- SHOW Fortieth anniver- woman comedy from The Swan Theatre Jan, Solihull Arts Com- Opus Theatre, Thurs 24 ton sary production of Debbie Tracey, Wed 30 Stratford-upon-Avon plex - Sat 26 Jan, Stafford ALI BABA & HIS WONDER- Richard O'Brien's cult Jan, Old Joint Stock SLEEPING BEAUTY Ama- Gatehouse Theatre FUL BEANSTALK OF OZ musical extravaganza, Theatre, Birmingham teur production pre- JACK AND THE

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Theatre REVIEWS

Here are a few of the theatre productions we reviewed from last month. For further theatre reviews, visit, www.whatsonlive.co.uk Jack And The Beanstalk The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton A cute green fluffy duck singing I Wish I Could Fly and a risque orang-u-tan telling us “I hate that duck” were signs that panto season had well and truly arrived at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre. Keith Harris and his two creations took centre- stage in this year’s production of Jack And The Beanstalk, and proved to be a real hit - a fact veri- fied by the volume of laughter and the enthusiasm of the audience’s participation every time they took to the stage. Loose Women regular and Benidorm actress Sher- rie Hewson attempted to inject evil (but very little humour) into her role of the evil Giant’s sidekick The Wind In The Willows Lady Temple-Savage. The highlight of her perform- Crescent Theatre, Birmingham ance came when, disguised as a milkmaid and Twenty-two years after making its debut at the National Theatre, Alan Bennett’s stage equipped with a dubious Dutch accent, she tricked adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic story continues to delight audiences both Jack into exchanging his beloved Daisy for a bag young and old - as ably evidenced by this Birmingham Rep festive offering. of beans. Fans of Sherrie may delight at her The intimacy of the Crescent Theatre is perfect for transporting the audience to the involvement, but for this particular reviewer there riverbank, where we’re introduced to a menagerie of beautifully-costumed riverside was an overkill on her Benidorm character - with folk. A bushy-tailed squirrel, a prickly hedgehog with a sense of humour, and a family the ping-ponging of her tannoy whenever she of fluffy-eared rabbits gently ease us into our new surroundings, where we then entered the stage causing great annoyance. encounter Ratty and Mole for the first time, as they embark on a fairly civilised (and That said, there’s plenty (besides Keith, Orville and very English) picnic. It seems that wherever Ratty and Mole are, trouble is never far Cuddles) to recommend Jack And The Beanstalk, behind, and we soon get our first glimpse of a trio of wonderfully wicked weasels, including the wonderfully costumed Dame Trott, whose slippery antics provide much of the evening’s entertainment and provoke a aka Nigel Ellacott, who provides plenty of entertain- desire to boo and hiss whenever they’re on stage. ment with his/her quick-witted repertoire. Credible The reassuring constant of simple, lighthearted humour brings a real pantomime feel turns are also given by former Coronation Street to the performance, while Mathew Douglas presents all the characteristics of a Grand shopkeeper Ken Morley as The King and Ben Dame in his portrayal of the eccentric and troublesome Toad. James Ellis as Jack. And there’s a shining perform- Engaging and utterly delightful, Wind In The Willows features a wealth of wonderful ance from Tamworth’s Niki Evans too, who, playing characters, not least among whom is a down-on-his luck Brummie horse named Fairy, brings plenty of vocal talent to the evening’s Albert (performed by Rep regular Chris Nayak). There are also some wonderfully fes- proceedings. Patsy Moss III II tive elements - including carol-singing mice and snowy effects. A perfect way to get yourself in the Christmas spirit... Reggie White IIII I

King Lear: Young People’s Theatre Box Office Shakespeare The Courtyard, Stratford-upon-Avon Birmingham OLDBURY REP, OLDBURY Warwickshire 0121 552 2761 This Young People’s production of King Lear has ALEXANDRA THEATRE BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL 0844 871 3011 THE PUBLIC, WEST BROMWICH 024 7637 6707 toured schools both here and in the . 0121 533 7161 Tim Crouch, who both directed the play and edited BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME BELGRADE THEATRE, COVENTRY it down from seventeen characters to nine and from 0844 338 5000 Shropshire 024 7655 3055 BIRMINGHAM REP BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE, WARWICK three hours-plus to just seventy five-minutes, chose THE BELFREY, WELLINGTON 0121 236 4455 01926 776438 to set it between Christmas Day and New Year’s 01952 222277 THE BLUE ORANGE THEATRE THE DREAM FACTORY THE EDGE, MUCH WENLOCK Eve - a time of family conflict and other festive-sea- 0121 212 2643 01926 419555 01952 728911 son negativity. Although this very effectively offered CRESCENT THEATRE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY a theme on which to hang the play, it was difficult to 0121 643 5858 THEATRE, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON 01743 234970 believe that so much could happen in so short a DOVEHOUSE THEATRE 0844 800 1110 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY 0121 706 7139 ROYAL SPA CENTRE space of time. ROOMS 01584 878141 THE DRUM 0121 333 2444 LEAMINGTON 01926 334418 As you’d expect, the performances were terrific, THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, TELFORD WARWICK ARTS CENTRE, COVENTRY with Paul Copley presenting a believable Lear and MAC 0121 446 3232 01952 382382 02476 524524 Tyronne Huggins a misguided Earl of Gloucester. OLD JOINT STOCK THEATRE THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY 0121 200 0946 01743 281281 The character of Edmund, meanwhile, whose jour- Worcestershire ney took him from barman in a reindeer suit OLD REP 0121 245 4455 WEM TOWN HALL ARTRIX ARTS CENTRE, through betrayal to his tragic end, was played with SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX 01939 232299 0121 704 6962 BROMSGROVE 01527 577330 memorable conviction by Ben Deery. Staffordshire THE HIVE The question is, though: Is King Lear the right play 01905 822866 Black Country LICHFIELD GARRICK to produce as a Young People’s Shakespeare pro- HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER ARENA THEATRE 01543 412121 01905 611427 duction? Personally, I don’t think so. The RSC’s WOLVERHAMPTON NEW VIC 01782 717962 MALVERN THEATRE young people’s productions are aimed at the 01902 321321 PRINCE OF WALES 01684 892277 novice, and for many in the audience, this will have BLOXWICH THEATRE CENTRE, CANNOCK been their first experience of a Shakespeare play. 01922 653183 01543 578762 NORBURY THEATRE, DROITWICH 01905 770154 The themes and language are not only difficult to DUDLEY CONCERT HALL REGENT THEATRE, STOKE 0870 060 6649 PALACE THEATRE understand in the original version, but also in this 01384 812812 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE REDDITCH 01527 65203 edited version. FOREST ARTS CENTRE, WALSALL 01922 654555 01785 254653 ROSE THEATRE, Sadly, this production’s interpretation of a Shake- 01562 743745 GRAND THEATRE, STOKE REPERTORY THEATRE speare classic fails to lead to the same level of 01902 429212 01782 209784 SWAN THEATRE, WORCESTER 01905 611427 understanding offered by the company’s YPS ver- NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE sion of Hamlet. Jan Watts II III 01902 572090

36 www.whatsonlive.co.uk TheatreJanuary_Layout117/12/201210:55Page14

Theatre WEST END Savoy Theatre prepares for Beatlemania Following a successful eighteen-week run at London’s Prince of Wales Theatre, the critical- ly acclaimed Beatles musical Let It Be is next month transferring to the Savoy Theatre. Cel- ebrating the music of the world’s greatest ever band, the production charts The Beatles’ journey from their humble Cavern Club beginnings in Liverpool through to the heady heights of worldwide Beatlemania and beyond. A show packed to its rafters with the Fab Four’s greatest hits, Let It Be runs at the Savoy The- atre from 1 February to 5 October. Sex And The City actress to tread the boards at the Old Vic Sex And The City star Kim Cattrall has con- firmed that she’s to appear in a stage pro- duction of Tennessee Williams’ Sweet Bird Of James McAvoy with Jamie Lloyd Youth at London’s Old Vic Theatre this sum- mer. Cattrall will play Alexandra Del Lago, a fading Hollywood leg- James McAvoy to make his mark on Whitehall end who seeks refuge Last King Of Scotland actor James McAvoy speare’s darkest tale, which sees proceed- from her troubles in is to take top billing in the first of four politi- ings being played out in a ‘dystopian sepa- drink, drugs, and the cally-charged power plays to be staged at ratist Scotland’ brutalised by war. arms of an idealistic the newly configured Trafalgar Studios in Macbeth runs from 9 February to 27 April, young dreamer. Sweet Whitehall. and will be followed in the new theatre space Bird Of Youth shows at Returning to the stage after an absence of by a further three plays produced by Lloyd, the Old Vic from 1 June three years, McAvoy will star as Macbeth in who’s being aided throughout the project by to 31 August. Jamie Lloyd’s radical version of Shake- designer Soutra Gilmour.

Jun 2013 EFFECT Cottesloe (Upstairs), 11 Jan 2013 MAGISTRATE Olivier WEST END LISTINGS: WE WILL ROCK YOU National Theatre, book- - 24 Mar 2013 National Theatre, book- Dominion Theatre, ing until 23 Feb 2013 PORT Lyttelton National ing until 10 Feb 2013 booking until 23 Mar FEAST Young Vic The- Theatre, 22 Jan 2013 - ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS MUSICALS MIDNIGHT TANGO 2013 atre, 25 Jan 2013 - 23 9 Feb 2013 Haymarket Theatre Phoenix Theatre, 30 WICKED Apollo Victoria Feb 2013 QUARTERMAINE’S TERMS Royal, booking until 31 Jan 2013 - 2 Mar 2013 BILLY ELLIOT – THE MUSI- Theatre, booking until 2 GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM Wyndham’s Theatre, Aug 2013 CAL Victoria Palace PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Nov 2013 Phoenix Theatre book- 23 Jan 2013 - 13 Apr PRIVATES ON PARADE Theatre, booking until Her Majesty's Theatre, ing until 26 Jan 2013 2013 Noel Coward Theatre, booking until 26 Oct 21 Dec 2013 HANSEL AND GRETAL WAR HORSE New Lon- booking until 2 Mar 2013 DRAMA BODYGUARD Adelphi Cottesloe National The- don Theatre, booking 2013 Theatre booking until ROCK OF AGES Shaftes- atre booking until 26 until 26 Oct 2013 TWELFTH NIGHT Apollo 27 Apr 2013 bury Theatre, booking CAPTAIN OF KOPENICK Jan 2013 Theatre, booking until - until 17 Feb 2013 Almeida Theatre, 29 CABARET Savoy Theatre JUDAS KISS Duke Of 9 Feb 2013 Jan 2013 - 4 Apr 2013 COMEDY booking until 19 Jan ROOM ON THE BROOM York Theatre, 9 Jan YES, PRIME MINISTER 2013 Lyric Theatre, booking CHARIOTS OF FIRE 2013 - 6 Apr 2013 Trafalgar Studios, book- until 13 Jan 2013 Gielgud Theatre, book- 39 STEPS Criterion The- CHORUS LINE London NO QUARTER Royal atre, booking until 30 ing until- 12 Jan 2013 SCROOGE THE MUSICAL ing until 2 Feb 2013 Palladium Theatre 5 Court Theatre Mar 2013 Feb 2013 - 13 Jul 2013 London Palladium The- atre, booking until 12 DREAMBOATS AND Jan 2013 PETTICOATS Wyndham’s Theatre booking until SHREK THE MUSICAL 19 Jan 2013 Drury Lane, Theatre Royal, booking until 24 JERSEY BOYS Prince Feb 2013 Edward Theatre, book- ing until 20 Oct 2013 SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN PalaceTheatre, booking KISS ME KATE Old Vic until 31 Aug 2013 Theatre, booking until 2 Mar 2013 SPAMALOT Playhouse Theatre, booking until LES MISÉRABLES 13 Apr 2013 Queen's Theatre book- ing until 26 Oct 2013 TAYLOR-MADE MAN , 13 Feb 2013 - LET IT BE Prince Of 6 Apr 2013 Wales Theatre, booking until 19 Jan 2013 THRILLER LIVE Lyric The- atre, booking until 15 LION KING Lyceum The- Sept 2013 atre, booking until 30 Jun 2013 TOP HAT Aldwych The- atre, booking until 28 MAMMA MIA! Novello Sept 2013 Theatre, booking until 26 Oct 2013 VIVA FOREVER! Piccadilly Theatre, booking until 1 The Bodyguard - Adelphi Theatre

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Film January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 17:31 Page 1 Film January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 17:31 Page 2

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

From FRI 11 JAN

Les Misérables CERT12a (158 mins) Starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron TOP 5 Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Directed by Tom Hooper (UK) Victor Hugo’s epic novel of love, hate, guilt and redemption has been adapted in many forms. The operat- FILM BOX OFFICE ic stage musical, launched in London in 1985, has given it a new lease of life - and now comes the film of the show. And it’s magnificent. Fresh from his success as the director of The King’s Speech, Tom Hooper The Hobbit: An now confirms that he’s a filmmaker of the first rank. He’s taken an extremely complex production and ele- 1 Unexpected Journey (12a) vated it to the level of a rich, emotional and overpowering banquet. There are simply astonishing turns from Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean and Anne Hathaway as Fantine (watch that Oscar), while the sets, Jack Reacher (15) orchestrations, harmonies, costumes, cinematography and production design are all superlative. If there is 2 one caveat, it’s that the comedy supplied by Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter is a little tiresome but otherwise this extraordinary film is what cinema is all about. 3 Life Of Pi 3D (PG) Zero Dark Thirty CERT 15 (157 mins) Skyfall (12a) Starring Jessica Chastain, Jason 4 Clarke, Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Ehle, Mark Strong, James Gandolfini Directed by Kathryn Bigelow (USA) Twilight Saga: The story of the hunt for Osama bin 5 Breaking Dawn 2 (12a) Laden has been electrifying US critics. The film has already won a mantel- piece of awards and is tipped to sweep the Oscars next month (24 February). But how much of a story is it? The director, Kathryn Bigelow, gen- erated far more suspense in her last film, The Hurt Locker, and the chain of interviews, dead-ends and wrong turns here are hardly the stuff of great drama. The film is also very long (one hundred-and-fifty-seven minutes) and Oscar contender Jessica Chastain, From good as she is, is not often required FRI 25 to flex her thespian muscles. Dread to JAN say it, but ordinary audiences may The Hobbit find it all rather dull.

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Film January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 17:31 Page 3

FilmNEW RELEASES

Released from Tues 1 Jan

Quartet CERT 12a (98 mins) Starring Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, Pauline Collins, Michael Gambon, Sheridan Smith Directed by Dustin Hoffman (UK) In a retirement home for opera singers and musicians, the occupants are facing more than one kind of music… The prospect of seeing Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, Pauline Collins and Michael Gambon interact is unquestionably enticing. Indeed, Dame Maggie snatches her laughs with comic aplomb, just as the other actors recycle wrinkly versions of their various per- sonae. Being an adaptation of a Ronald Harwood play and being directed by Dustin Hoffman, the accent is on the thespian. But only Tom Courtenay really rises above the crowd, presenting a credible, fragile being who would be just as much at home on the bus as on stage. It’s a slight, porcelain piece, Playing For Keeps CERT 12a (106 mins) The Impossible CERT 12a (114 mins) but delicately inlaid and impeccably turned. Starring Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Catherine Starring Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom A bittersweet delight. Zeta-Jones, Uma Thurman, Dennis Quaid, Holland, Samuel Joslin, Geraldine Chaplin Judy Greer Directed by Juan Antonio Bayona (Spain) Directed by Gabriele Muccino (USA) On the morning of 26 December 2004, a Originally titled Playing The Field, this rom- momentous tsunami engulfed the coast of com looks eminently suited to the gruff Thailand, taking with it the lives of 227,898 charms of Scotland’s Gerard Butler. He plays people. This is the personal story of a real a coach for his son’s soccer team, but is couple and their three children who are constantly distracted by the mothers of the torn apart by nature’s wrath. Naomi Watts other young players. And what a list of in particular has been receiving rave lovelies they are, too. reviews for her performance as the anguished mother.

40 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Film January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 17:31 Page 4

Released from Fri 4 Jan

Hors Satan CERT 15 (110 mins) Starring David Dewaele, Alexandre Lematre Directed by Bruno Dumont (France) The writer-director Bruno Dumont doesn’t believe in exposition. He places his charac- ters in barren landscapes, frames them in long shot and will then catch an inscrutable look in close-up. A single line of dialogue or an action out of the ordinary will catch our attention and help form our own interpreta- tion of events. In Hors Satan, his fifth film, there’s not a lot of action, and what action there is is largely conveyed in the faces of Dumont’s protagonists. As the vaguely Gothic tomboy Elle, Alexandre Lematre pres- ents a pixie-ish figure with room for wonder. The countryside, not far from the coast of Dunkirk, speckled with woods, dunes and gorse, is a character in itself, with its dark secrets, mood swings and unvarnished beauty. Indeed, Dumont builds his stories from the landscapes he encounters. But the man at the centre of the story (Dewaele) is more problematic, an outsider prone to irra- tional outbursts of violence - and yet not without a spiritual connection. Enigmatic is the word we’re looking for here. But even though these people remain elusive, we are permitted an intimacy with them denied us by most cinematic diversions.

Released from Fri 11 Jan Gangster Squad CERT 15 (113 mins) Starring Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Nick Nolte, Emma Stone, Sean Penn, Anthony CERT 15 (88 mins) Mackie, Michael Peña What Richard Did Directed by Ruben Fleischer (USA) Starring Jack Reynor, Roisin Murphy, Sam Gangster movies have a habit of coming Keeley Directed by Lenny Abrahamson (Ireland) and going, but after Public Enemies - with Johnny Depp - and Lawless - with Tom An understated morality tale set in the ethically Hardy - they are back in fashion. This one, ambiguous world of Dublin’s more privileged based on a series of articles in The LA teenagers, What Richard Did has been gather- Times, focuses on the efforts of the LAPD ing favourable reviews. Jack Raynor plays in the 1940s and ’50s to rid the city of East Richard, the scion of affluent parents, who finds Coast hoodlums. Expect some pretty himself at the centre of a tragedy shortly after strong violence. graduating from high school. Loosely adapted Hors Satan from Kevin Power's 2010 novel Bad Day In Blackrock. Released from Fri 18 Jan Texas Chainsaw 3D CERT 18 (92 mins) Starring Alexandra Daddario, Dan Yeager, Tremaine Neverson Directed by John Luessenhop (USA) V/H/S CERT 18 (116 mins) You just can’t keep old Leatherface away. Directed by Adam Wingard, David Bruckner, Since Tobe Hopper’s nerve-shredding classic Ti West, Glenn McQuaid, Joe Swanberg and ‘Radio Silence’ (USA) of 1974, there have been a further five films celebrating the gore-fest of the little backwa- The “found footage” gimmick continues apace. ter of Newt, Texas. This is the seventh This time we have a series of short films all pur- episode, and follows the road trip of Heather porting to be discovered on VHS (video cas- as she travels to Newt to collect the inheri- sette). The connecting theme is that, like the tance left her by her deranged family.… mother of all found footage movies, The Blair Expect plenty more gore. Witch Project, they’re all meant to be very, very scary.

What Richard Did

American Mary CERT 18 (100 mins) Starring Katharine Isabelle, Antonio Cupo, Tristan Risk Directed by Jen Soska and Sylvia Soska (Canada) Mary Mason may be American but the film is Canadian and is directed by Jen and Sylvia Soska, twin sisters who specialise in visceral horror movies (their production company is called Twisted Twins). Mary herself is a med- ical student who finds a lucrative business in some back-room cosmetic surgery. Expect plenty of gore. Texas Chainsaw V/H/S

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42 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Film January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 17:31 Page 6

The Sessions CERT 15 (95 mins) Starring John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, William H. Macy, Moon Bloodgood, Annika Marks, Adam Arkin Directed by Ben Lewin (USA) A film as much about intimacy as it is about disability, The Sessions is the true story of a poet. Unlike most poets, however, Mark O’Brien (Hawkes) can only touch his com- panions with his words. Confined to a cum- bersome iron lung since contracting polio as a child, O’Brien believes he is somewhat responsible for his condition. Then, when his local priest (Macy) gives him a “free pass” to fornication outside marriage, the thirty-eight- year-old virgin takes on a sex therapist. Sex and disability is a somewhat bittersweet cock- tail for mainstream cinema, and The Sessions could have gone in two directions: the gross or the mawkish. As it is, the film is powered by a terrific, naked performance from Helen Hunt as the therapist and is unblinking yet humorous and compassionate in its treat- ment of its subject. It’s a thought-provoking and touching treatment of a tricky but extremely real problem: that even the dis- abled need a tumble.

From FRI 18 JAN

Movie 43 CERT tbc Django Unchained CERT tbc Starring Elizabeth Banks, Halle Berry, Gerard Starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Butler, Richard Gere, Hugh Jackman, Emma Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Stone, Uma Thurman, Naomi Watts, Kate Samuel L. Jackson, Don Johnson, Dennis Winslet Directed by Patrik Forsberg, Peter Christopher, RZA Farrelly, Elizabeth Banks, Steven Brill, Steve Directed by Quentin Tarantino (USA) Carr, Rusty Cundieff, James Duffy, Griffin The Sessions A new Tarantino movie is always an event Dunne, James Gunn, Bob Odenkirk, Brett and this one is getting amazing buzz. Ratner (USA) Tackling the Western genre for the first Released from Fri 25 Jan In the tradition of the sublime Paris, Je T’aime time, he casts Foxx as a slave who teams (2006), Movie 43 is an ensemble/portmanteau up with a German bounty hunter (Waltz) piece in which a number of narrative strands are to track down some particularly unsavoury loosely affiliated. This time the connective tissue killers. As usual, Tarantino litters his film Lincoln CERT 12a (112mins) is not the French capital but humour. with movie stars from a bygone era Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David (Johnson, Christopher, Bruce Dern, Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Franco Nero, etc) and borrows liberally Spader, Tommy Lee Jones from the tunes of Ennio Morricone. Directed by Steven Spielberg (USA) Incidentally, Morricone, now 84, has writ- Long in development, Spielberg’s Lincoln was ten a new track especially for the movie. originally to have starred Liam Neeson, but now that the Irish actor is approaching sixty (next June), he was considered too old. So Daniel The Liability CERT tbc Day-Lewis has donned the chin curtain beard Starring Tim Roth, Jack O'Connell, Peter and, at the time of going to press, has already Mullan, Talulah Riley, Kierston Wareing won the best actor gong from the New York Directed by Craig Viveiros (UK) Critics’ Circle. The film focuses on the sixteenth Few English actors do better at nasty than US president’s last four months in office and his Tim Roth. Here he plays an ageing hitman fight to establish the Thirteenth Amendment. who involves a nineteen-year-old (O’Connell) Expect stovetop hatfuls of glittering prizes. in the joys of revenge, murder and sex traf- Movie 43 ficking.

The Last Stand CERT 15 (107mins) Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Johnny Knoxville, Forest Whitaker, Eduardo Noriega, Rodrigo Santoro, Peter Stormare Directed by Kim Jee-woon (USA) He’s back. Again. This time the former Governor of California plays a former nar- cotics cop who’s taken up the post of sheriff in a sleepy border community. But just as he’s about to forget the meaning of “to termi- nate,” a notorious drug tsar (Noriega) heads into town… The film marks the American debut of the South Korean director Kim Jee- woon (A Tale Of Two Sisters). Lincoln The Liability

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who are marked for death Centre, Coventry, Fri 4 - after confiscating a small Thurs 10 Jan; Light House FilmA-Z LISTINGS cache of money and Media Centre, firearms from the mem- Wolverhampton, Fri 4 - All films are currently on general release bers of a notorious cartel Thurs 10 Jan; Artrix, unless otherwise stated. For full listing during a routine traffic Bromsgrove, Sun 20 - information, including times and dates, stop. Showing at Light Thurs 24 Jan House Media Centre, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Wolverhampton, Wed 2 & The Hunt 15 Thurs 3 Jan; Stoke Film Thomas Vinterberg’s A Royal Affair 15 The Best Exotic Marigold Theatre, Fri 11 - Sat 12 Jan tense drama concerning a Historical romantic drama Hotel12a primary teacher who’s concerning the relation- Judi Dench, Maggie False Trail15 ostracised from the small ship between an insane Smith, Penelope Wilton & Subtitled Swedish film community in which he king, his young wife and Celia Imrie star as retired which centres around a lives when one of his her physician. Showing at Brits who descend on a complex murder case. pupils accuses him of The Edge Arts Centre, hotel in Udapair, only to Showing at mac, abuse. Showing at mac, Much Wenlock, South find that it’s not as they Birmingham, Wed 16 - Birmingham, Fri 4 - Tues 8 Shropshire, Mon 21 Jan were led to believe. Thurs 17 Jan Jan; Light House Media Showing at The Edge Arts Centre, Wolverhampton, Fri Gambit 12a Amour 12a Centre, Much Wenlock, 4 - Thurs 10 Jan; Stoke Alan Rickman and Drama concerning an eld- South Shropshire, Mon 7 Film Theatre, Tues 15 & Cameron Diaz star in Joel erly couple whose bond Jan Thurs 17 Jan; Warwick Arts of love is severely tested and Ethan Coen’s come- Centre, Coventry, Fri 18 & when one of them suffers Celeste And Jesse dy, updated from the 1966 Sun 20 - Mon 21 Jan; a stroke. Showing at The Forever 15 romp of the same name Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Royal, Leamington Spa, On general release starring Shirley MacLaine South Shropshire, Wed 30 Sun 13 - Wed 16 Jan; and Michael Caine. - Thurs 31 Jan Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 18 Chasing Ice12a Showing at Warwick Arts & Sat 19 Jan; Ludlow Documentary which fol- Centre, Coventry, Wed 2 & I, Anna 15 Assembly Rooms, South lows acclaimed environ- Thurs 3 Jan; Light House A noir thriller told from the Shropshire, Mon 21 & mental photographer Media Centre, point of view of a femme Tues 22 Jan; Artrix, James Balog as he trav- Wolverhampton, Wed 2 & fatale who falls for the Bromsgrove, Mon 28 Jan els to the Arctic, tasked Thurs 3 Jan; OMH, detective in charge of a - Tues 5 Feb with capturing images to Shrewsbury, Fri 11 - Thurs murder case. Charlotte Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher help tell the story of 17 Jan Rampling & Gabriel Byrne Argo 15 Earth’s changing climate. star. Showing at Light Les Miserables 12a The Man With The Iron Ben Affleck directs a politi- Showing at mac, Gangster Squad 15 House Media Centre, Read the review on page Fists 18 cal thriller set around the Birmingham, Wed 9 - Read the preview on Wolverhampton 39 On general release rescue of six American Thurs 10 Jan page 41 diplomats during the 1979 The Impossible 12a Life Of Pi PG The Master PG Grabbers 15 hostage crisis in Iran. Read the preview on Ang Lee’s acclaimed film Joaquin Phoenix plays a On general release Showing at Ludlow page 40 based on Yann Martel’s World War Two veteran in Assembly Rooms, South Great Expectations 12a It Always Rains On fantastical novel which sees Paul Thomas Anderson’s Shropshire, Wed 23, a young man hurtled into acclaimed drama. Unable Ralph Fiennes and Sunday PG Thurs 24, sat 26 & an epic journey of adven- to cope with his drunken- WATCH Helena Bonham Carter 1948 crime drama star- Thurs 31 Jan; Stoke ture and discovery after sur- ness and post-traumatic star in Mike Newell’s ring Googie Withers and Film Theatre, Thurs viving a disaster at sea. stress disorder, he looks ravishing adaptation of Jack Warner. Showing at 24 Jan THE FILM Showing at mac, for salvation in a philo- Dickens’ classic. Warwick Arts Centre, Showing at OMH, Birmingham, Fri 11 - Thurs sophical movement The Artist PG Coventry, Wed 9 - Thurs Shrewsbury, until Thurs 17 Jan; Warwick Arts known as The Cause. Multi-award-winning TRAILERS AT 10 Jan 3 Jan; Malvern Theatre, Centre, Coventry, Fri 11 - Philip Seymour Hoffman film fashioned in the whatsonlive.co.uk until Thurs 3 Jan; Artrix, Jack Reacher 12a Thurs 17 & Sat 19 Jan; Light and Amy Adams also star. style of the silent era of Bromsgrove, Fri 4 - Mon 7 On general release House Media Centre, Showing at Artrix, Hollywood (complete with Jan; Ludlow Assembly Wolverhampton, Fri 18 - Bromsgrove, until Thurs 3 intertitles). Showing at Rooms, South Shropshire, James And The Giant Thurs 24 Jan; The Royal, Jan; mac, Birmingham, Fri Stoke Film Theatre, Mon Mon 28 - Wed 30 Jan Peach U Leamington Spa, Fri 19 - 4 - Thurs 10 Jan; The 21 Jan Crime D’Amour: Love Animated musical adven- Thurs 24 Jan Royal, Leamington Spa, Crime 15 Headhunters 15 ture based on Roald Wed 9 - Sat 12 Jan; Stoke Babette’s Feast U On general release Norwegian thriller concern- Dahl’s classic story. Lincoln 12a Film Theatre, Fri 25 & Sat On general release Read the preview on page The Dark Knight Rises ing an accomplished Showing at mac, 26 Jan headhunter who risks Birmingham, Sat 5 Jan 43 Beasts Of The Southern 12a Midnight’s Children 12a Wild12a everything to obtain a valu- Christian Bale, Joseph The King’s Speech 15 Madagascar 3 PG The long-awaited adapta- Acclaimed fantasy drama able painting owned by a Gordon-Levitt and Tom Multi-award-winning Much-acclaimed sequel of tion of Salman Rushdie’s about Hushpuppy, a fear- former mercenary. Hardy star in the final film drama based on the true a sequel which sees Alex, 1981 novel which looks less six-year-old girl living Showing at The Hive, in Christopher Nolan’s story of Queen Elizabeth Marty, Gloria & Melman at post-colonial India with her father in ‘the Shrewsbury, Fri 11 Jan Batman trilogy. Showing II’s father and his remark- arrive in Europe and find through the eyes of two Bathtub’, a fictitious at Forest Arts Centre, The Hobbit: An able friendship with maver- the perfect cover in a travel- generations. Showing at southern Bayou commu- Walsall, Fri 11 Jan Unexpected Journey 12a ick speech therapist Lionel ling circus. Showing at Warwick Arts Centre, nity. Showing at Warwick Martin Freeman plays Logue. Showing at Light Artrix, Bromsgrove, until Coventry, Fri 18 & Sun 20 Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri Django Unchained tbc young Bilbo Baggins in House Media Centre, Thurs 3 Jan - Thurs 24 Jan; mac, 4 & Sun 6 - Wed 9 Jan; Read the preview on the first of Peter Jackson’s Wolverhampton, Sat 26 Birmingham, Fri 18 - Artrix, Bromsgrove, Mon page 43 The Man Who Laughs X epic trilogy, a prequel to Jan Thurs 24 Jan 14 - Tues 15 Jan; The A classic silent horror film End Of Watch 15 The Lord Of The Rings. Royal, Leamington Spa, The Last Stand 15 directed by Paul Leni, Movie 43 tbc Jake Gyllenhaal and Showing at OMH, Sat 26 - Thurs 31 Jan Read the preview on adapted from Victor Hugo's Read the preview on Michael Pena star as two Shrewsbury, Fri 4 - Thurs page 43 novel. Showing at Stoke page 43 decent young LAPD cops 10 Jan; Warwick Arts Film Theatre, Mon 7 Jan

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

44 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Film January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 17:31 Page 8

Nativity 2: Danger In TheRuby Sparks15 inadvertently becomes Coventry, Wed 2 & Thurs The Source12a The Twilight Saga: MangerU Paul Dano (Little Miss entangled in the Los 3 Jan; Ludlow Assembly A battle of the sexes com- Breaking Dawn Part 2 Sequel which sees David Sunshine) stars as a nov- Angeles criminal under- Rooms, South edy/drama where women 12a Tennant play identical twin elist struggling with world after his oddball Shropshire, Wed 9 - threaten to withhold sexual The fifth and final movie brothers teaching at rival writer’s block whose friends kidnap a gang- Thurs 10 Jan; Stoke Film favours if their men refuse in the popular film series schools who both enter eponymous protagonist ster’s beloved Shih Tzu. Theatre, Thurs 31 Jan to fetch water from a based on the phenome- their respective classes miraculously materialis- Showing at mac, remote well.Showing at nally popular novels by Singin’ In The RainU into a ‘Sing a Song for es. Showing at The Edge Birmingham, Fri 11 - Tues The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri Stephenie Meyer. Classic feelgood musical Christmas’ competition. Arts Centre, Much 15 Jan; Warwick Arts 25 Jan Showing at Ludlow starring Gene Kelly. Showing at Artrix, Wenlock, South Centre, Coventry, Fri 25 - Assembly Rooms, South Showing at Warwick Arts Bromsgrove, Fri 4 - Mon 7 Shropshire, Mon 28 Jan Tues 29 Jan; Light House Stand By Me15 Shropshire, Sat 12 & Mon Centre, Coventry, Sat 12 Jan Media Centre, Classic American coming- 14 - Tues 15 Jan Rust And Bone15 Wolverhampton, Fri 25 - Jan of-age drama, based on Parental GuidanceU Marion Cotillard and the novella The Body, by Untouchable15 Thurs 31 Jan Sister15 On general release Matthias Schoenaerts star Stephen King.Showing at French biographical Ursula Meier’s social real- in a powerful romantic The Shining15 Light House Media drama concerning a ist drama, told from the Pitch Perfect12a drama adapted from a Screening of Stanley Centre, Wolverhampton paraplegic aristocrat who viewpoint of a neglected On general release short story by Craig Kubrick’s much- takes on a young black twelve-year-old orphan. Davidson.Showing at acclaimed 1980 horror Starbuck15 man from ‘the project’ as Playing For Keeps12a Showing at Stoke Film Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 4 - starring Jack Nicholson. French/Canadian comedy his careworker. Showing Read the preview on Theatre, Tues 22 Jan Sat 5 Jan; Artrix, Showing at Warwick Arts concerning a fortysome- at Ludlow Assembly page 41 thing slacker on the Bromsgrove, Tues 8 - Wed Centre, Coventry, Wed 30 Skyfall12a Rooms, South receiving end of a class Private Peaceful12a 9 Jan; Ludlow Assembly - Thurs 31 Jan Daniel Craig returns as Shropshire, Mon 7 - Tues action law suit filed by one Maxine Peake stars in Rooms, South Shropshire, Ian Fleming’s James 8 Jan; Warwick Arts Sightseers15 hundred-and-forty-two Michael Morpurgo’s clas- Fri 11 & Mon 14 Jan; Bond 007 in the longest- Centre, Coventry, Fri 11 - Steve Oram and Alice people whom he’s sic rites-of-passage story Warwick Arts Centre, running film franchise of Sun 13 & Wed 16 Jan Lowe star in Ben fathered via artificial insem- concerning two brothers Coventry, Tues 22 - Thurs all time.Showing at mac, Wheatley’s black comedy. ination.Showing at Stoke War Horse12a who fall for the same girl. 24 Jan Birmingham, until Thurs 3 Showing at Light House Film Theatre, Tues 29 Jan Steve Spielberg’s Showing at Artrix, Jan; Ludlow Assembly The SapphiresPG Media Centre, acclaimed film, based on Bromsgrove, Sat 19 Jan Rooms, South Shropshire, Feelgood movie set in Wolverhampton, Fri 11 - Texas Chainsaw 183D Michael Morpurgo’s Wed 2 - Sat 5 Jan; Royal Australia in 1968 which Thurs 17 Jan; Artrix, Read the preview on wartime drama. Showing Quartet12a Spa Centre, Leamington Read the preview on tells the story of four abo- Bromsgrove, Wed 16 - page 41 at The Edge Arts Centre, Sun 20 Jan; Ludlow Spa, Sat 5 - Tues 8 Jan page 40 riginal sisters who Tinkerbell And The Much Wenlock, South become the southern Assembly Rooms, South Small Creatures Secret Of The WingsU Shropshire Ray Harryhausen: hemisphere’s answer to Shropshire, Fri 18 - Sat 19 Liverpool-based Martin On general release A Special Effects Titantbc The Supremes.Showing Jan Wallace's debut feature - Wings Definitive documentary A 1927 melodrama about at Stoke Film Theatre, Silver Linings Playbook a low-budget drama of The TrampPG about the American visual Tues 8 - Thurs 10 Jan; fighter pilots in the First 15 tearaway early teens, A selection of early effects and stop-motion Ludlow Assembly Rooms, World War who fall in love Bradley Cooper and Showing at mac, Charlie Chaplin shorts animator who created a South Shropshire, Tues 15 with the same girl. Jennifer Lawrence star in Birmingham, Thurs 31 screened in conjunction unique genre of fantasy - Fri 18 Jan Showing at Stoke Film David O Russell’s Jan with Arch and films that took the world Staffordshire Film Theatre, Mon 14 Jan 15 acclaimed comedy, by storm.Showing at Seven Psychopaths Smashed15 Archives' Homeless week Colin Farrell & Woody which is rooted in serious Zero Dark Thirty15 Light House Media On general release presentations.Showing at Harrelson star in Martin issues and serious peo- Read the review on page Centre, Wolverhampton, Stoke Film Theatre, Mon McDonagh’s crime come- ple. Showing at mac, So Undercover12a 39 Tues 15 - Wed 16 Jan 28 Jan dy, which follows a strug- Birmingham, until Thurs 3 On general release gling screenwriter who Jan; Warwick Arts Centre,

DVD NEW RELEASES Shadow Dancer 15 Hysteria 15 In a troubled Belfast of This romantic comedy the 1990s, a mother, stars Maggie Gyllenhall played by Andrea as the daughter of an Risebourough, becomes eminent doctor who falls an informant for MI5 in for the young Dr order to protect her son. Granville, played by Domhnall Gleeson plays Hugh Dancy, who, while her brother. researching treatments Released 14 January for women diagnosed with hysteria, inadver- tently invents the vibra- tor. Released 14 January Lawless 18 A gritty and violent drama set in the Great American Depression of the 1930s. It’s got rack- Shadow Dancer eteering, moonshine Dredd 18 and amoral law A dystopian thriller enforcers, along with based on John Wagner some sterling perform- and Carlos Ezquerra’s ances from both Tom 2000AD title. Dredd, the Hardy and Guy Pearce. 15 15 feared dispenser of jus- Released 14 January Paranorman PG Looper That’s My Boy House At The End Of Joseph Gorden-Levitt This time out, Adam 15 tice in a future riddled Norman Babcok is a The Street and Bruce Willis star as Sandler plays a former Jennifer Lawrence and by crime and dodgy young boy who can Joe, the time-jumping single dad whose par- Elisabeth Shue play a new drugs, is played by not only speak with hitman whose mission enting skills have not daughter and mother Karl Urban, who starred the dead but has the is to find and kill the improved with time. who, after moving into as Bones in the new task of protecting his child who will grow up Released 28 January a new house, discover Star Trek franchise. town from a witch’s to be ‘the Rainmaker’. that the abode next Released 14 January curse. Released 28 Jan Released 28 January Holy Motors 18 door holds a dark and Leos Carax’s metaphysi- grisly secret. Lawless cal journey between life, Released 28 January The Sweeney 15 love and death, featuring The Campaign 15 Ray Winstone plays the extraordinary French This political farce stars hardened detective actor Denis Lavant in a Will Ferrell and Zach Jack Regan in this variety of roles. Kylie Galifianakis, who play incarnation of the 1970s Minogue also stars. rival candidates fighting television classic of the Released 28 January for a seat in Congress. same name. Looper Dredd Released 21 January Released 21 January House At The End...

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Telling Tales Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, Sat 12 January - Sun 10 March Storytelling, folk tales and memories of childhood form the basis for this latest craft exhibition at Stafford’s Shire Hall Gallery. Anna Howarth’s paper cuts, Phiona Richards’ sculptures and jew- ellery made from the pages of old books, Laura Grain’s wooden pendants and brooches, and Becky Adams’ embroidered books are all fea- tured, presented alongside a range of new pieces especially created for this show.

Jochem Hendricks New Art Gallery, Walsall, Fri 18 January - Sun 7 April Conceptual artist Jochem Hendricks’ intention is to encourage viewers of his work to challenge the ways in which they see the world. Utilising a wide variety of media, including sculpture, film, installa- tion and painting, the artist has developed a repu- tation for producing art which is both playful and provocative, engag- Edwin Butler Bayliss ing on an aesthetic level Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 19 January - Sat 27 April yet simultaneously test- As one of only a handful of nineteenth century painters of the industrial landscape, ing the boundaries of Edwin Butler Bayliss’ importance in the history of British art is very much assured. ethics and morality. The Originally self-taught, Butler Bayliss utilised charcoal, pastel and watercolour during his exhibition offers visitors career, but was primarily a prolific oil painter (he’s known to have been a sculptor too, the chance to view his although no examples of his sculpture are known). This latest homage to his work and artistic development influence also features pieces by some of his contemporaries, as well as by numerous from the late-1980s present-day artists. An accompanying study day entitled Art And The Black Country through to the present takes place on Saturday 23 March. day. Caught In The Mike Nelson: M6 Eastside Projects, Digbeth, Birmingham, Crossfire Sat 12 January - Sat 2 March Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry, Continuing with a theme in his work which has Fri 25 January - Sun 7 July seen him wielding political histories through raw Historical works by John Piper, materials, the highly acclaimed Mike Nelson is Eric Kennington and Muirhead here presenting his first ever major exhibition in Bone here feature alongside his home region. A sculptural installation, the work contemporary pieces by directly uses materials from the nearby M6 motor- Banksy, Peter Howson and way, and has been described as ‘a love letter to Cornelia Parker. The overarch- car industries, highways departments, concrete ing theme of the exhibition is islands and shifting economies’. The exhibition the way in which artists grapple not only celebrates with both the brutality of war man's transformative and the desire for peace. Along abilities but also con- the way, numerous subjects verts damaged and dis- come under consideration, carded utilitarian including the role of the protest objects into a monu- art, the aesthetics of violence, ment to Birmingham’s the machinery of war and the historical position at the emergence of hope in the centre of the British aftermath of violent conflict. transport system.

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VisualArts PREVIEWS VisualArts LISTINGS For full listing information on Visual Art Ongoing exhibitions exhibitions, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Landscape To Sculpture: THE BIG DRAW: DOT TO DINOSAURS UNCOVERED DOT Project which push- Unique exhibition fea- John Bridgeman (1916 - 2004) es the boundaries on a turing life-size Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, classic childhood activi- dinosaurs, real and Thurs 24 January - Sun 21 April ty, until Sun 13 Jan, replica fossils and holo- mac, Birmingham graphic video presenta- Sculptures, drawings, maquettes and paint- EMPOWERED: THE ART tions by wildlife expert ings all feature in this exhibition of work by AND HISTORY OF CERE- Chris Packham, until Birmingham School of Art’s longtime Head of BRAL PALSY MIDLANDS Sun 6 Jan, Herbert Art Sculpture (Bridgeman held the post from the Paintings and sculpture Gallery & Museum, mid-1950s to the early-1980s). Having origi- created by artists from Coventry nally trained as a landscape painter, the Birmingham-based PAINTERS AND PLAYERS charity Cerebral Palsy Exhibition of paintings Leamington-based Bridgeman’s interest in Midlands, until Tues 1 and generic scenes sculpture eventually led to him being invited Jan, Birmingham from the renowned by Henry Moore to become his studio assis- Museum & Art Gallery Stafford-born artist John Portrait Of A Lady: The Life And Passions Of Lady Barber The Barber Institute, Birmingham tant, but the young artist turned down the DIANE GALLIVAN: Prescott Knight (1803 - opportunity in favour of pursuing an inde- WILDLIFE PAINTINGS 1881), until Sun 6 Jan, Museum & Art Gallery Shropshire Series of nature paint- Shire Hall Gallery, pendent career. One of his best-known works Stafford A DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS LUKE FOWLER: THE POOR is Torture Wall - an installation made up of ings - perfect for lovers Exhibition which marks STOCKINGER, THE LUD- of wildlife, until Fri 4 Jan, EMMANUEL OBUOBI the anniversary year of DITE CROPPER... And The approximately twenty cast bronze figures - a Birmingham Botanical Emmanuel works in a construction of which is included in this exhi- Charles Dickens’ two Deluded Followers Of Gardens unique medium of yarn hundredth birthday, until Joanna Southcott. Luke bition. A facsimile reproduction of an unpub- WEST MIDLANDS OPEN collage, a technique Sat 13 Jan, Bantock Fowler's film focuses on lished series of illustrated verses by A biennial collaboration that gives him real free- House Museum, the life and work of the Bridgeman and his wife, the writer and poet between Birmingham dom of expression, until Wolverhampton socialist historian EP Museum’s Trust and Sun 7 Jan, Artrix, Thompson and his Irene Dancyger, is also featured. Bromsgrove MISTER VOLDER GOES TO Wolverhampton Art THE CITY Taking an involvement with the Gallery, until Sat 5 Jan, CRAFTED FOR YOU ambiguous short story Workers Education W’hampton Art Gallery Selling exhibition show- as their starting point, Association, until Fri 18 LIZ MELLOR EXHIBITION casing works from artists Rebecca Hurst Jan, Wolverhampton Art Mixed media, painting some of the best craft- and Ben Pacey use sim- Gallery and photography all makers in the Midlands, ple materials and low-fi RBSA PRINTMAKERS feature in this selection until Sat 12 Jan, digital techniques to EXHIBITION Featuring of works from local Worcester City Art create compelling, works by Hilary Paynter artist Liz Mellor, until Sat Gallery & Museum atmospheric images, Hon. RBSA and Sarah 5 Jan, The Willow MICK’S MEDIA Multi- until Sun 13 Jan, mac, Van Niekerk Hon. Gallery, Oswestry, North media exhibition by a Birmingham RBSA, until Sat 19 Jan, Shropshire group of artists based in THROUGH OUR HANDS RBSA, Birmingham EXHIBITION OF BULGARI- Shropshire and the Exhibition featuring HORSES Man’s relation- AN FINE ART Featuring wider Midlands, and works from ten textile ship with domestic works by Georgi their teacher Mick artists, national and horses is here explored Kovachev, Grishata Gilmore, until Sat 12 international, who through a series of Penka & Jani Yanush, Jan, The Place, approach quilting as a prints and drawings until Sat 5 Jan, Willow Oakengates Theatre, contemporary art form, from the Barber’s col- Art Gallery, Oswestry, Shropshire until Sun 13 Jan, The lection, until Sun 20 Workplace North Shropshire LOVE AND DEATH: VICTO- Royal Pump Rooms, Jan, The Barber Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, KATHRYN PETTITT RBSA RIAN PAINTINGS FROM Leamington Spa Institute, Birmingham Wed 9 January - Sat 9 March Inspired by her local THE TATE Exclusive exhi- WALSALL SOCIETY OF CITY OF HOME BY ALINA The workplace as a universal experience is surroundings, Kathryn’s bition featuring iconic ARTISTS: 63RD ANNUAL KISINA Photographic textiles explore spiritual paintings from the Tate EXHIBITION A range of exhibition by the the theme of this major new exhibition, which alongside related works presents film works by leading artists from sustenance and nature paintings, drawings, Ukraine-born artist through the lines, from Birmingham's own watercolours and 3D which captures her across the globe. Political and geographical shapes and surface collection, until Sun 13 works, until Sun 13 Jan, home town of Kiev in a boundaries, as well as distinctions between qualities of trees, until Jan, Birmingham The New Art Gallery, half-abstract, half-repre- types of industry (including the production of Sat 5 Jan, RBSA, Museum & Art Gallery Walsall sentational format, until art), all come under the microscope. Pieces Birmingham HORROR IN HOLLYWOOD: WINTERS TALE EXHIBI- Fri 25 Jan, Light House featured include a film of a frightened vulture CHRISTMAS CRAFT THE JAMES WHALE STORY TION Featuring works Media Centre, Annual showcase fea- Featuring previously from artists exploring Wolverhampton trapped in the alien environment of an artist’s unseen cartoons, paint- studio, and a movie showing a lone worker turing contemporary myth, illustration, folk- PHENOMENA BY SIAN jewellery, textiles, ings and illustrations by lore & the theme of win- MACFARLANE until Fri 25 killing time by cycling around his office, hid- ceramics & glass, until Dudley-born film direc- ter, until Mon 14 Jan, Jan, Light House Media ing behind furniture and crafting paper air- Sun 6 Jan, Shire Hall tor James Whale, until The Willow Gallery, Centre, Wolverhampton planes... The Gallery will be hosting a num- Gallery, Stafford Sun 13 Jan, Dudley Oswestry, North ber of special events connected to the exhi- bition, including a site-specific comic per- SHIREHALL GALLERY formance which immerses audiences in the Museums & Art Galleries STAFFORD 01785 278345 tense atmosphere of a waiting room prior to STAFFORDSHIRE MUSEUM, a job interview. Birmingham PURPLE GALLERY DUDLEY MUSEUM & ART SHUGBOROUGH GALLERY 01889 881388 ARTIFEX Sutton Coldfield 0121 459 0941 01384 815575 0121 323 3776 RBSA GALLERY Warwickshire BARBER INSTITUTE 0121 2364353 LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CENTRE COMPTON VERNEY GALLERY 0121 414 7333 THREE WHITE WALLS WOLVERHAMPTON 01926 645500 01902 716055 BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY HERBERT ART GALLERY GALLERY 0121 303 2834 0121 643 0078 THE NEW ART GALLERY COVENTRY 02476 832386 WALSALL 01922 654400 THE BURROWS GALLERY, MEAD GALLERY WARWICK THE CUSTARD FACTORY Black Country RED HOUSE GLASS CONE 02476 524524 01384 812750 0121 224 7344 BANTOCK HOUSE ROYAL PUMP ROOMS CASTLE GALLERIES WOLVERHAMPTON WOLVERHAMPTON ART 01926 742700 0121 633 0015 01902 552195 GALLERY 01902 552055 Worcestershire IKON GALLERY BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY 0121 248 0708 01902 552507 Staffordshire WORCESTER CITY ART THE POTTERIES MUSEUM & GALLERY 01905 25371 NUMBER NINE THE GALLERY BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS ART GALLERY 01782 232323 0121 643 9099 MUSEUM, DUDLEY Visit whatsonlive.co.uk for 01384 812745 venue website details

48 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 10:16 Page 4

Constance Hattie BAGS: THE CRAFT OF THE Andy Warhol, until Wed ROBERT LENKIEVICZ RET- LISTINGS Barber and her hus- CARRYING COMPANION 15 May, Wolverhampton ROSPECTIVE Wed 9 Jan - VisualArts band Sir Henry, until Exhibition showcasing Art Gallery Sun 3 Feb, Artrix, Sun 24 Feb, The Barber the diversity of For full listing information on Visual Art MR WATT, GRUMPY MAN Bromsgrove Institute, Birmingham approaches contempo- OF METAL Exhibition of D’ARRELLE HARRISON exhibitions, including times and dates, LAURA KNIGHT IN THE rary craftspeople have whimsical metal sculp- Exhibition of new work, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk OPEN AIR Special exhibi- taken to bags and tures, until Sat 31 Aug, Wed 9 Jan - Fri 8 Mar, tion of works produced accessory cases - Enginuity, Ironbridge, Moseley Exchange, objects where design, GILLIAN LOCKWOOD RBSA LIGHT UP DIGITAL during Dame Laura Shropshire Alcester Rd, Knight's long and distin- skilled manufacture and Birmingham A continuing interest in Through the creation of aesthetics meet, until STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD: plants and seeds an optical illusion, artist guished career, until DARK AGE DISCOVERY RACHEL LOWE: REVOLV- Sun 10 Feb, Worcester Sat 9 Mar, Bilston Craft inspires Gillian’s sculp- Joanie Lemercier chal- Gallery Featuring more than ING WOMEN Video instal- tural forms, until Sat 26 lenges not only the City Art Gallery & two hundred pieces lation that uses footage Jan, RBSA Gallery, viewer’s senses but Museum HIS DARK MATERIALS: from the Anglo-Saxon of a mannequin the Birmingham also their perception of REVEALED: GOVERNMENT NEW ART BY ADIE BLUN- Hoard, until Sun 1 Sep, artist shot on analogue space, depth and dis- ART COLLECTION Touring DELL Large-scale The Potteries Museum video tape in a shop- BACK TO THE FUTURE detailed drawings of Exhibition exploring the tance, until Sun 3 Feb, exhibition featuring five & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- ping mall in Brazil, Sat The Public, West groups of works being ravens, albatrosses and Trent 12 Jan - Sat 9 Mar, world-renowned glass other bird-like creatures collections and Bromwich showcased together for ARTIST ROOM A year- Eastside Projects, the first time, until Sun feature in this exhibition, Digbeth, Birmingham archives in the Dudley DUDLEY SOCIETY OF which explores our pre- long exhibition featuring Borough, demonstrat- ARTISTS ANNUAL EXHIBI- 24 Feb, Birmingham sculptures, paintings TALKING TEXTILES Museum & Art Gallery carious position in the ing their importance to TION 81st annual exhibi- world, until Sun 17 Mar, and prints. This display Exhibition featuring the region's contempo- tion showing work in a MOON Exhibition explor- Herbert Art Gallery & will be accompanied by works from eight con- rary glassmakers and variety of media, until ing the influence of the Museum, Coventry a series of inspired temporary textile artists designers, until Sun 27 Sat 23 Feb, Dudley Moon on our culture, satellite exhibitions, who explore how sto- Jan, Broadfield House Museum & Art Gallery until Sun 24 Feb, The INDUSTRIAL ARTWORK BY events and activities ries are represented WELSH ARTIST FALCON Glass Museum, INSPIRED BY LACE Lady Potteries Museum & Art through the course of through their work, Sat Kingswinford Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent HILDRED Major exhibi- the year, until Sat 27 12 Jan - Sun 10 Mar, Barber's personal lace tion of selected origi- IN FRONT OF NATURE collection provides the THE MOSQUES OF GAMBIA Oct, The New Art Shire Hall Gallery, nals by the highly Gallery, Walsall Stafford The first ever UK exhibi- starting point for mixed- Acclaimed Birmingham accomplished artist tion devoted entirely to media textile artist photographer Vanley who's dedicated his STRATA Showcase of CONSTRUCTIONS & the paintings and Jacqueline Lawrence's Burke showcases a working life to recording new works by recent DECONSTRUCTIONS EXHI- career of one of series of sensitively body of work which the buildings and land- UK fine art graduates, BITION Featuring works Scandinavia’s most observed works, until depicts the environ- scapes of nineteenth Sat 5 Jan - Sat 2 Feb, by Malcolm Tillis & important painters, Sun 24 Feb, The Barber ments where Islamic and twentieth century Wolverhampton Art Jeremy Schrecker, Mon Thomas Fearnley, until Institute, Birmingham worship takes place in industry, until Tues 30 Gallery 14 Jan - Sat 23 Feb, Sun 27 Jan, The Barber PORTRAIT OF A LADY: THE The Gambia, until Thurs April, Coalbrookdale TIME PASSING Gunhild The Willow Gallery, Institute, Birmingham LIFE AND PASSIONS OF 28 Feb, The Drum, Gallery, Ironbridge, Thomson documents Oswestry, North BEAT STRUELI: NEW LADY BARBER Portraits of Birmingham Shropshire changes taking place at Shropshire STREET A portraiture of Lady Barber by her SCOOTERMANIA POP HIGHLIGHTS Chance particular locations in THE FOX SKETCHBOOK urban life presented via favoured artist Nestor Showcase of British to see key works from Birmingham over the Exhibition celebrating a a series of photo- Cambler provide the scooters from the ‘50s the gallery's Pop period of one year, with new addition to the art graphs, video and digi- main focus of this exhi- & ‘60s, until Sun 3 Collection, including a photo taken each gallery’s collection, Sat tal projections, until Sun bition, which explores March, Coventry pieces by Peter Blake, month, Sat 5 Jan - Sat 19 Jan - Sat 9 Mar, 3 Feb, Ikon, the life and times of Transport Museum Richard Hamilton, Jann 2 Feb, Bilston Craft Dudley Museum & Art Birmingham Dame Martha Haworth, Allen Jones & Gallery Gallery

THE SHIRE HALL GALLERY

FREE ADMISSION TALKING TEXTILES 14 January 4 10 March

This exhibition features work by 8 contemporary textile artists who explore how stories are represented through their work. Using a wide r a n g e of materials, techniquesand processes each artist creates unique pieces which on further inspection reveal their fascinating stories. VIV HEW TELLING TALES 12 January 4 10 March

A beautiful craft exhibition to begin the year, based on the theme of storytelling, folk tales and memories of childhood. If you are after a special gift or a little treat for yourself then this is

an exhibition you can’t miss. ANNA HOWARTH

Market Square G Stafford G ST16 2LD Telephone: 01785 278345 www.staffordshire.gov/arts

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 49 Events January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 09:58 Page 1 Events January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 09:58 Page 2 Events

WIN TICKETS whatsonlive.co.uk to enter

Autosport International NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 10 - Sun 13 January Motorsport fans and petrol-heads feeling sluggish after a festive sea- Paul Di Resta, and newly-crowned FIA World Touring Car son’s-worth of overindulgence are sure to be in need of a high-speed Championship winners Rob Huff and Gordon Shedden. fix - and this hugely popular annual show once again promises to The show also features cars from the 2012 Formula One World provide just that! Celebrities contributing to the event include three- Championship and a five thousand-seat Live Action Arena, hosting time Formula One World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart, British F1 ace high-octane stunts and wheel-to-wheel races.

International Netball: England vs Australia National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, Sat 26 January It doesn’t matter what the sport, a visit to these shores by an Australian team always constitutes a great occasion. The Aussies may be a pale shadow of their former selves when it comes to the gentlemanly game of cricket, but there’s no questioning the high quality of their international netball team, who are cur- rently the world champions. The Diamonds, as they’re known, last visited the UK in 2010, when England recorded an historic first victory over their old rivals. Fingers crossed that our 2013 squad can Tattoo Freeze achieve a similarly Telford International Centre, Telford, Shropshire, Sun 13 January happy outcome. Following on from the success of previous shows, this specialist one-day event returns to This NIA fixture is the Midlands for a fourth year to entertain crowds with its array of demonstrations, work- the third in a series shops and family-based activities. Tattoo Freeze sees graffiti artists from around the globe of three, meaning come together to offer advice and run workshops for children, while UK and European BMX that there’s every and skateboard champions facilitate numerous demonstrations throughout the day. This possibility it could year also sees the return of live and interactive ice sculpture demonstrations and work- prove to be a nail- shops, an unplugged music stage, a traditional Henna tattoo and body-painting zone, and biting decider of a the much-celebrated National Tattoo Photography Competition. Stalls aplenty and various match! activities for kids completes the line-up of attractions. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 51 Events January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 09:58 Page 3 Events January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 09:58 Page 4

Events PREVIEWS Gerry Cottle’s Circus StarCity Entertainment Centre, Birmingham, until Sun 6 January Described as ‘a circus like no other’, Gerry Cottle’s latest offering promises high-energy entertainment for all the family, with no fewer than fifty acts performing in a one hundred- minute show. This fast-paced production showcases some of the best circus acts from around the globe, including Cottle’s Crazy Comics, big-top beauties Six On Silks and international illusionists The Magical Melvilles. The show also features a new gen- eration of remarkably talented circus kids, who’ve been learning the ropes at Gerry Cottle's training school in Wookey Hole, Somerset. Historic Rally Car Register Heritage Motor Centre, Sat 12 January Taking centre-stage at the Historic Rally Car Register is a works-prepared example of the Hillman Imp - a revolutionary light car built by the Rootes Group as a rival to BMC's Mini Photo credit: Lisa Carpenter - which is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary in 2013. This year’s event is also being used to Designer Vintage Bridal Show launch the British Historic Rally Birmingham Town Hall, Sun 20 January Championship and the Clubman Series, and features a number of on-display cars. The fourth such event since debuting back in February 2011, the Designer Vintage Bridal A club shop, as well as the attendance of Show is the brainchild of shoe designer Rachel Simpson and boutique owner Clare Guest, numerous specialist suppliers and represen- and brings together an impressive selection of brands from within the bridal industry. The tatives from organising clubs, ensures one-day event offers visitors the chance to meet and talk with inspirational designers, gain there’s plenty to keep enthusiasts well and valuable advice from industry professionals, and enjoy regular catwalk shows and demon- truly engaged throughout their visit. strations. This is the first time that Birmingham’s Town Hall will play host to this bridal empori- um of hand-picked exhibitors.

U n t i l 3 M a r c h 2 0 1 3

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 53 Events January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 09:58 Page 5

Admission £5 adults £3 concessions, children under 16 free of charge

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Hillman Imp, Sat 12 Jan, Heritage Motor Events LISTINGS Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire For full listing information on Events TATTOO FREEZE Firmly including times and dates visit, established as the UK’s favourite family tattoo www.whatsonlive.co.uk event, the Tattoo Freeze returns to the Midlands tions, Sat 5 Jan, for a fourth year, Sun Wolverhampton Art Week Commencing 13 Jan, Telford Gallery International Centre, TUES 1 JAN NEW YEAR’S WALK Join Shropshire Head Gardener Martin BBL CUP FINAL A show- WINTER TRAIL Gee for a guided walk Simple, piece event in the bas- around Capability fun search around the ketball calendar, Sun Brown’s landscaped venue which encour- 13 Jan, National Indoor parkland, Sun 6 Jan, ages children to look Arena, Birmingham for objects, until Sat 5 Weston Park, Jan, Dudley Museum & Staffordshire Art Gallery & Red Week Commencing House Glass Cone, Week Commencing MON 14 JAN Stourbridge MAGICAL WINTER MON 7 JAN WONDERLAND until Sun MEMORIES IN THE MAK- 6 Jan, Twinlakes Park, ING A friendly way for Leicester TOUR OF BANTOCK older people - and CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY HOUSE WITH A DICKEN- those with dementia - TRAIL Pick up the fes- SIAN TWIST Anne-Marie to share memories and tive trail to guide you Vukelics uses Bantock make new ones around the grounds, House as a backdrop through arts and inter- until Sun 6 Jan, for tales of Dickens’ life esting activities, Tues Attingham Park, at Gad’s Hill Place, 15 Jan, Bantock House Shrewsbury Tues 8 Jan, Bantock Museum, FESTIVE SEASON SERVICE House, Wolverhampton Wolverhampton CRAFTPLAY EXPLORERS With the Christmas fes- BELIEF & SUPERSTITION tivities over, why not Join one of the muse- TOUR Discover the role blow away the cob- um’s friendly weekly of superstition and folk- webs with a leisurely sessions, where you lore in the history of steam train journey, and your child can Blakesley Hall, Tues 15 until Sun 6 Jan, Severn enjoy a wealth of mate- Jan, Blakesley Hall, Valley Railway, rials for sensory and Birmingham creative play, Tues 8 Bewdley, Nr HERBERT ILLUMINATIONS: Jan, Bilston Craft Kidderminster UNDERSTANDING GERRY COTTLE'S Gallery MEDIEVAL MISERICORDS Eating With Dinosaurs event - The Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry CHRISTMAS CIRCUS until MEMORIES IN THE MAK- Join Dominic Russell as Sun 6 Jan, StarCity, ING A friendly way for ghostly apparitions and Birmingham’s most DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG he explores the sym- Birmingham older people and those scary happenings, Fri prestigious entertain- A chance to practise bolism and meanings CHRISTMAS RETAIL with dementia to share 18 Jan, Kenilworth ment venues, Mon 21 drifting in a safe and of carvings on Medieval SHOWCASE Featuring an memories and make Castle, Warwickshire Jan, Symphony Hall, legal environment, with Misericords, with a par- array of locally pro- new ones through arts DROP-IN LIFE DRAWING Birmingham beginners, intermediate ticular focus on those duced wares, until Sat and interesting activi- DAY Be inspired by ARTISTS’ OPEN DAY Wed and advanced tracks from Coventry, Tues 15 12 Jan, Bilston Craft ties, Thurs 10 Jan, Lady Barber and have 23 Jan, Anne available, Sat 26 Jan, Jan, The Herbert Gallery Bilston Craft Gallery a go at drawing a life- Hathaway’s Cottage, Santapod Raceway, Museum & Art Gallery, CONSERVATION TOUR OF THE PERFORMANCE CAR model in costume in Stratford-upon-Avon Northampton Coventry THE STAFFORDSHIRE SHOW Featuring a stun- the gallery, Sat 19 Jan, TINY TOTS EXPLORERS: VINTAGE TEA PARTY Sat INTRODUCTION TO VICTO- HOARD Wed 2 Jan, ning array of exotic The Barber Institute, ART PLAY Sensory play 26 Jan, Bantock House RIAN BIRMINGHAM With Birmingham Museum & supercars, rare and his- Birmingham sessions for children Museum, History Curator Art Gallery toric models, and dis- LEATHER BELT-MAKING aged one to three, Tues Wolverhampton Henrietta Lockhart, TILE DECORATING WORK- plays from top-end WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS 22 - Thurs 24 Jan, LEATHER BAG WORKSHOP Tues 15 Jan, SHOPS Let your creativi- manufacturers, Thurs Learn how to set a Herbert Museum & Art Made To Make exhibitor Birmingham Museum & ty run wild while deco- 10 - Sun 13 Jan, NEC, buckle, make profes- Gallery, Coventry Katherine Richmond Art Gallery rating your very own Birmingham sional punched holes, THE HISTORY OF THE shows different metal- DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG A tile to take home, Wed AUTOSPORT finish edges and dye GOVERNMENT ART COL- working techniques chance to practise drift- 2 - Fri 4 Jan, Jackfield INTERNATIONAL The your own belt, with LECTION: A TALK BY which can be used to ing in a safe and legal Tile Museum, largest dedicated glob- tutor David Turner, Sat JULIA TOFFOLO Thurs 24 design and produce environment, with Ironbridge, Shropshire al motorsport exhibition 19 Jan, Walsall Leather Jan, Birmingham your own piece of jew- beginners, intermediate WINTER NATURE WALK in Europe, Thurs 10 - Museum Museum & Art Gallery ellery, Sat 26 Jan, and advanced tracks Thurs 3 Jan, Sun 13 Jan, NEC, SHAKESPEARE LIONS BONNETS UP DAYS An Bilston Craft Gallery available, Wed 16 Jan, Dudmaston Estate, Birmingham CHARITY DANCE opportunity for techni- RUN WHAT YA BRUNG Santapod Raceway, Bridgnorth BEHIND THE SCENES Featuring the Joe Loss cally minded types to Public track day, Sun Northampton MAKE & TAKE CRAFTS TOURS Fri 11 Jan, Orchestra & in aid of get under the bonnets 27 Jan, Santa Pod NATIONAL FINE ART & Seasonal themed craft Witley Court & Breakthrough Breast of three of the Heritage Raceway, Northampton ANTIQUES FAIR The most workshop suitable for Gardens, Cancer & Jennifer Trust Motor Centre's cars, Fri prestigious event of its all the family, Thurs 3 - Worcestershire for Muscular Atrophy, 25 Jan, Heritage Motor kind outside London, Week Commencing Fri 4 Jan, Birmingham FAMILY WASSAILING Sat 19 Jan, Stratford Centre, Gaydon, Wed 16 - Sun 20 Jan, Museum & Art Gallery Family event where visi- Civic Hall Warwickshire MON 28 JAN NEC, Birmingham EATING WITH DINOSAURS tors are required to RUN WHAT YA BRUNG PRO WRESTLING LIVE MEET THE HEAD GARDEN- A chance to have a pic- make plenty of noise to Public track day, Sun Featuring body slam- ER: WINTER WALK Fri 18 nic in the shadow of a awaken the fruit trees 20 Jan, Santa Pod ming, drop kicking, TINY TOT EXPLORERS: Jan, Witley Court & dinosaur!, Fri 4 Jan, and scare away evil Raceway, Northampton power driving, profes- ART PLAY Taking ele- Gardens, Worcester spirits in preparation for DESIGNER VINTAGE sional wrestling, Fri 25 ments of the Herbert's Herbert Art Gallery & STRICTLY COME DANCING Museum, Coventry next autumn’s harvest, BRIDAL SHOW One-day Jan, The Robin, Bilston popular sensory play LIVE! Join a host of APOLLO - A MOON Sat 12 Jan, Brandon boutique-style show- ALIENS LOVE UNDER- sessions, this innova- favourite celebrities as ODYSSEY A lecture Marsh Nature Centre, case featuring excep- PANTS Feast Of Words tive workshop for chil- they dance their way telling the story of the Coventry tional brands within the Festival event for the dren aged one to three into Birmingham. The Apollo moon project, THE UK WEDDING SHOW bridal industry, Sun 20 under-fives and their encourages creative 2013 line-up includes illustrated with images, A two-day wedding Jan, Birmingham Town families, Fri 25 Jan, learning and provides Lisa Riley, Dani Harmer sound and video, Fri 4 exhibition with over Hall Ludlow Assembly an environment where and former England Jan, The Potteries eighty exhibitors, cat- Rooms, South youngsters can get cricket captain Michael Museum & Art Gallery, walk shows and a var- Shropshire messy making some- Vaughan, Fri 18 - Sun Week Commencing Stoke-on-Trent ied display of wedding INTERNATIONAL NETBALL: thing to take home, 20 Jan, National Indoor GUIDED TOUR An infor- cars, Sat 12 - Sun 13 MON 21 JAN ENGLAND VS AUSTRALIA Tue 29 - Thurs 31 Jan, Arena, Birmingham Jan, Ricoh Arena, Get ready for the hotly Herbert Art Gallery & mal tour of the gallery MID-WINTER GHOST to find out about the Coventry anticipated final match Museum, Coventry TOUR An eerie evening history of the building HISTORIC RALLY CAR SYMPHONY HALL TOUR of the series, Sat 26 tour around the castle and Wolverhampton’s REGISTER Celebrating Take a peep behind the Jan, National Indoor and gatehouse. Hear world-renowned collec- fifty years of the scenes of one of Arena, Birmingham tales of dark deeds,

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 55 Events January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 09:58 Page 7

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Variety is the What our members are up to in January 2013 Tuesday 1st January I Burlesque/Fan Dance Afternoon! Thursday 24th January I Mind Management Workshop I Chester and Cheshire New Year Break I BBC Birmingham Behind the Scenes I Nordic Walking Taster (Cannon Hill Park) EXTRA NIGHT I Furry Fables -Stories of our British I Tennis for Absolute Beginners (Indoor) I Latimer New Year Break - EXTRA NIGHT Mammals I Three Parishes Ramble I Luxury New Year in Peaks I Quiz - Sound + Vision Quiz in Lichfield I Wildfowl Prowl at Middleton Lakes EXTRA NIGHT I Unihoc (Mixed Indoor Hockey) I New Years Day Centre of England Monday 14th January Friday 25th January Ramble I Meditation for Beginners Life Of Spice... I I Winter Wildlife Tour of Middleton Lakes Australia by Ian on Australia Day Tuesday 15th January I Indoor Shooting Wednesday 2nd January I Kings Heath Pub Night I Keswick Country House Walking W'end I Tamworth and Lichfield Pub Night I Private Dining with a Celebrity Chef Wednesday 16th January Thursday 3rd January Saturday 26th January I Badminton For Fun - Coventry I Halesowen and Quinton Pub Night I Badminton For Fun - Wolverhampton I Ballroom Dance Masterclass - Friday 4th January I Badminton For Fun - Worcester Cha Cha Cha I Badminton at NIA I Caving at the Symonds Yat Caves I Quiz of 2012 and Supper I Grants of Sheep Street Dinner Shuffle I Colour U Confident Workshop Saturday 5th January I Pre Ski Meet (Zermatt) I Face Reading Workshop I Medieval Banquet at Coombe Abbey I Balsall Common Easy Ramble Thursday 17th January I Pole Dancing with Pure Joy and Lunch I Indian Fine Dining at Delhi 6 I Saxophone for Beginners I Sikh Gurdwara Visit I Knowle Beer,Skittles and Supper I Vulcan Bomber Restoration Experience Sunday 6th January I Warwick / Leamington Pub Night I Zermatt Ski Trip - SKI CARRIAGE Come out to play with a huge network of new friends. I Napton on the Hill Easy/Moderate Friday 18th January I Zermatt Spice West Midlands Ski Trip 2013 Ramble I Spice Hits Town at the Jam House A warm welcome awaits you! Sunday 27th January Monday 7th January Saturday 19th January I Acrylic Painting Intro. Day I Spice Book Club I Change your thinking and get an I Cadburys 'Bean to Bar' Talk + Amazing Life! Tuesday 8th January Cadbury World I Kingsbury Water Park Easy Ramble I I Chipping Campden Scenic Cotswolds Solihull Pub Night I Military Vehicle Driving Experience I Ten Pin Bowling (Broadway Plaza) I Peak Classic Caves Day Ramble I Get that Job! I Solihull Cinema Night Wednesday 9th January I I Toboggan and Fondue Night Glass Art Workshop I Badminton For Fun - Coventry I Wenlock Edge Ramble I Hidden Kings Norton Walk I Badminton For Fun - Wolverhampton I How to Make Friends and Influence I Badminton For Fun - Worcester Sunday 20th January People I Badminton at NIA I Camel Riding Experience in I Make an Impact with your Voice I Curry and Quiz - Harborne Warwickshire I Wellesbourne and Charlecote Park I Lichfield Cathedral by Candlelight I Cannock Chase Moderate Ramble Ramble I I Sutton Pub Night Criminal Birmingham Walk Tuesday 29th January I Dance to the 'Best of the 80's' Thursday 10th January I Make 2013 A Great Year I Drumming Experience for Beginners I Bowling and Adventure Golf Evening I New Members Mix and Mingle I Indoor Bouldering Taster Session I I Pizza Making and Meal at The Radisson Tardebigge Locks + Stoke Prior Easy Wednesday 30th January I Preview Evening (MAC) Ramble I Unihoc (Mixed Indoor Hockey) I Ten Things Everyone Should Know I Badminton For Fun - Coventry About DIY I Badminton For Fun - Wolverhampton Friday 11th January I Heatwave at the Jam House Monday 21st January I Ghost Hunting and Supper I Quiz I Bromsgrove Pub Night Saturday 12th January Thursday 31st January Tuesday 22nd January I Abseiling for the Terrified I Nine Steps to Happiness I Hippodrome Back Stage Tour I Indoor Climbing at Redpoint I Pride and Prejudice Dance Experience I Planetarium Show - I Preview Evening (Sutton) I The Rocky Horror Show Dark Side Of The Moon Wednesday 23rd January I Stanton Moor Moderate Ramble I I Ukulele for Fun Badminton For Fun - Coventry I Badminton For Fun - Wolverhampton I Western Style Rifle Shooting Afternoon I Badminton For Fun - Worcester For future listings visit: www.spicebham.com Sunday 13th January I Badminton at NIA I I Abbots Bromley Moderate Ramble Body Language The Fun Way I Ice Skating Fun Night

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60 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Books-TV January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 11:23 Page 2 Books TV

Gordon Ramsey’s Healthy Appetite By Gordon Ramsey With Christmas a not-so-distant memory, plenty of people are turning their thoughts to the busi- ness of trying to eat healthily and get fit. Gordon Ramsay - superfit chef, marathon runner and high- energy television presenter - is a great advertisement for eating well and staying in peak condi- tion. In this book, he’s brought together over one hundred recipes for healthy breakfasts, lunches, barbecues, suppers, desserts, kids and entertaining. He also reveals how to cook in a health-concious way while guaranteeing optimum flavour, and offers the Stay in for A Great Night Out... lowdown on his favourite healthy ingredients. Featured recipes include Brand new six-part series A Great Night Out makes its debut griddled squid with roasted peppers and cannellini beans, and wild mush- this month. The post-watershed hour-long comedy follows four room risotto with baked courgettes and roasted peaches with vanilla and thirtysomething Stockport mates as they meet up once a week spices. and help each other through their respective romantic, work and family crises. In each hour-long episode we witness the constant bickering which masks the bromance which exists Wonders Of Life between the four. Written and created by Mark Bussell and By Brian Cox, Andrew Cohen Justin Sbresni, A Great Night Out stars Lee Boardman, Will Ash, Craig Parkinson and Stephen Walters, and gets its first airing at Professor Brian Cox takes readers on 9pm on ITV1 on 11 January. an incredible journey in this definitive new book that seeks to explain what life is, where it comes from, and why it Last Tango In Halifax commissioned for ends. The story of life’s diversity and adaptability is here told through the fun- second series damental laws that govern it. Brian The BBC has announced that it’s commissioned a second explains how the astonishing inventive- series of Danny Cohen’s captivating northern drama Last Tango ness of nature came about, along the In Halifax. Boasting an all-star cast - Derek Jacobi, Anne Reid, way uncovering numerous milestones Sarah Lancashire and Nicola Walker - the six-part drama follows in the journey from the origin of life to the relationship of would-be childhood sweethearts Alan and our own modern-day existence. The Celia, who find themselves reunited after sixty years. book makes use of the latest advances Last Tango In Halifax is the fifth BBC One drama series of 2012 in science - as well as the cutting-edge to be recommissioned, the others being The Syndicate, graphics used in The Sunday Times’ Prisoners’ Wives, The Paradise and Call The Midwife. bestsellers Wonders Of The Solar System and Wonders Of The Universe - to uncover the secrets of life in the most unexpected locations and the most stunning detail.

Phantom: A Harry Hole Thriller TOP 5 By Jo Nesbo, Don Bartlett BOOKS For those not in the know, Jo Nesbo is a much-acclaimed Norwegian crime novelist whose works have been translated into Jamie’s 15-Minute Meals more than forty languages, and whose 1 Jamie Oliver creation, the detective Harry Hole, is here appearing in his eighth novel. Is It Just Me? Phantom sees Harry striking out on his own, discovering a trail of violence and 2 Miranda Hart ITV announces new Miss Marple film mysterious disappearances apparently An all-star cast will feature alongside veteran actress Julia Bradley Wiggins: My Time unnoticed by the police. McKenzie when she reprises the role of Agatha Christie’s Miss At every turn, the detec- 3 Bradley Wiggins Marple this year. Greenshaw’s Folly is the second of three tive is faced with a wall Marple films to be commissioned by ITV and is currently being of silence. But Harry isn’t A Street Cat Named Bob filmed in Hertfordshire. It also stars Kimberley Nixon (Fresh the only person interest- 4 James Bowen Meat, Hebburn), Fiona Shaw (Harry Potter), Jim Moir (Shooting ed in the case. Someone Stars, The Smell Of Reeves And Mortimer), Robert Glenister is watching his every Diary Of A Wimpy Kid (Hustle), Gordon Sinclair (Gregory’s Girl), Julia Sawalha (Ab move. And someone 5 Jeff Kinney Fab, Larkrise To Candleford) and Rufus Jones (Holy Flying wants him silenced... Circus).

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 61 Eating Out January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 13:32 Page 1 GET YOUR FREE COPY DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR EVERY MONTH

...you just pay for the postage and packing! Yes, we know you’re wondering what the catch is. Well, there isn’t one! We’ve ripped up our subscription rates so that more of you can get the No.1 listings magazine in the Midlands delivered direct to your front door every month. And at just £2 an issue to cover the postage and packing, there’s never been a better time to get it delivered! It’s easy - just call our Subscription Hotline on 01743 281714 Simply pay the postage and packing cost of £2 per issue by debit or credit card!

All you need to do now is choose the regional edition you would like... Midlands What’s On Magazine or Birmingham What’s On; Worcestershire What’s On; Warwickshire What’s On; Shropshire What’s On; Staffordshire What’s On; Black Country What’s On Eating Out January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 13:32 Page 2 Eating Out National title for Worcestershire chef... Brockencote Hall’s two-AA Rosette Head Chef Adam Brown was recently awarded the title of Visionary Chef of the Year 2012 following a cook- off headed up by Mark Sargeant of ITV’s Saturday Cookbook. Brown walked away with the title after fighting off stiff competition from chefs familiar with the pressures of live TV and main- taining their Michelin stars. The winning dish - a tangerine snowball in buttermilk and carrot - was described by the judges as ‘stunning on several levels’. The victory firmly establishes Brown as ‘one to watch’ in the world of culinary creations.

Balsall Heath restaurant Adam Brown gets the thumbs up... New pop-up restaurant for Brum REVIEW samosas layered in sour moreish, and the sauces Michelin-starred chef Adam Stokes has cream and red onions. It complemented each other tasted delicious, with the exceptionally well. announced he’s to open a new twenty-eight-seat Desi Imlees is a new Indian sour cream offsetting the To accompany the meals pop-up restaurant in Birmingham. The aptly restaurant situated on the spiciness of the packed we had garlic naan (£2.50), named Adams opens in Bennetts Hill in March, Moseley Road in samosa. So simple yet so which had an excellent and will run for an initial eighteen months. This Birmingham’s Balsall tasty. and not-too-overpowering will be the first solo venture for Stokes, who won Heath. It’s declared itself a I also sampled my part- flavour, and pilau rice his Michelin star in 2011 while working at traditional Indian restaurant ner’s lasan chicken (£3.95) (£2.60) Scotland’s Glennap Castle. serving the finest Indian - succulent chicken mari- The manager explained to cuisine, and has plenty of nated in garlic, ginger and us that he’s created a competition from other Shropshire chef launches private spices before barbecuing. menu featuring dishes Indian restaurants on that It was by far the best which his mom would dining experience stretch of road. chicken I’d ever tasted in a make at home, to ensure Acclaimed chef Will Holland has seen his dream So what sets it apart from restaurant, and was that customers can enjoy of opening a private dining and tasting room at the rest? Well, for a start, cooked to perfection. I the experience of sampling his La Becasse restaurant in Ludlow finally come the restaurant is decorated would highly recommend truly traditional cuisine. to fruition. His recently opened No1 Vault seats to a high contemporary this dish. All I can say is that, if the up to fourteen people and offers guests the standard, and manages to For our main, my partner menu is reflective of the chance to enjoy views of the kitchen before sam- create the feeling of a fine went for the harra ghost manager’s mother’s culi- pling some of Will’s much-talked-about creations. dining experience while at (£8.95), a traditional spicy nary expertise, I really wish For further details, contact La Becasse on 01584 the same time maintaining lamb dish. Although slight- she’d invite me round for 872325, or visit www.labecasse.co.uk a casual and relaxed ambi- ly on the hot side, the lamb dinner! Eva Easthope ence. melted in the mouth. Having been shown to our Again trying something a Food: IIIII table, we had an appetiser little bit different, I chose Service: IIIII of traditional poppadoms - the shah-jahni (£8.95), a Ambience: IIIII crisp, fresh and served chicken breast stuffed with Overall value IIIII with a lovely minty sauce mince and served with a IIIII and onion salad. OVERALL korma sauce and a creamy To start, I opted for the masala sauce. As a rule, I samosa chat (£2.95) - Desi Imlees don’t normally like sweet purely out of curiosity, as 562 - 564 Moseley Rd sauces, but this should be I’d never seen it on an Balsall Heath Imlees’ dish. Indian menu before. I cer- Birmingham Again, the chicken was tainly wasn’t disappointed. B12 9AD cooked to perfection, the The dish consisted of two Tel: 0121 449 4495 Will Holland at No1 Vault minced meat inside very

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 63 Eating Out January_Layout 1 17/12/2012 13:32 Page 3

Restaurant REVIEWS Restaurant LISTINGS

and ultra smooth. For full listing information on Encore for Encore... I had the gambas to start - juicy restaurants, including opening times and type of cui- and tasting of the sea - followed Set opposite the canal basin in sine, visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk by a superb rare ribeye steak. Stratford-upon-Avon, Encore is a I’m fussy about steak, but this CHEZ JULES 5a Ethel St, LA PLANCHA 113 comfortable and modern space Birmingham B2 4BG 0121 633 Alcester Road, one was just right. The creamy with some theatrical influences 4664 Moseley, Birmingham bearnaise sauce and crisp frites AALTO RESTAURANT B13 8DD 0121 449 evident in its decor. Being only a Hotel La Tour, Albert CHI 61 Newhall St, completed a very good main B3 3RB 0121 233 5430 stone’s throw from the Royal Street, Birmingham B5 course. We were impressed by 5JT 0121 718 8000 3150 LASAN 3-4 Dakota Shakespeare Theatre, this is per- Buildings, James St, St the quality of the meat. Ed, the AL FRASH 186 Ladypool CHUNG YING fectly understandable - but 16-18 Wrottersley Paul’s Square, B3 1SD deputy manager, explained that Road, Sparkbrook, B12 Encore certainly isn’t a themed Street, B5 4RT 0121 0121 212 3664 it was mostly sourced through 8JS 0121 753 3120 THE LOFT LOUNGE restaurant. 622 5669 Fairfax Meadow, and that, being THE ASQUITH 11 143 Bromsgrove St, Three of us went for an early Newhall Street, CHUNG YING GARDEN 17 part of Premier Country Dining - Thorpe St, B5 4AT B5 6RG 0121 622 supper. As it was between shifts, Birmingham, 2444 part of Mitchell and Butler - it B3 3NY 0121 200 0121 666 6622 we had a number of staff serving LOVES The Glasshouse, was difficult to use local produce 1588 CIELO 6 Oozells Square, us. All were efficient and friendly Brindleyplace, B1 2JB Browning St, B16 8FL regularly. ASHA’S 12-22 Newhall 0121 454 5151 without wanting to be our new 0121 632 6882 Though full, we all indulged in Street, B3 3LX 0121 MANIC ORGANIC best friend. The background jazz 200 2767 CITY CAFE GRILL Hylton dessert - vanilla ice cream and Garden Inn, 1 46 Poplar Road, was a little loud and slightly AZZARI TOO B14 7AG 0121 441 tangy sorbet, a divine Belgian Brunswick Square, intrusive. 204 Lightwoods Rd, 3802 chocolate brûlée, and ripe B67 5AZ 0121 429 Brindleyplace, B1 2HW The youngest member of our 0121 643 1003 MAHARAJA 23/25 Hurst cheese and biscuits. We were 6621 St, B5 4AS 0121 622 party went for the scallops with COFFEE ROOM BAR & impressed by the children’s and BANK 4 Brindleyplace, 2641 salty chorizo, followed by the B1 2JB 0121 633 4466 BISTRO Hurst St, B5 vegetarian menus, and by a wine 4TD 0121 605 4343 MECHU 47 - 59 Summer lamb rump with soubise sauce, BAR EPERNAY 171-172 Row, B3 1JJ 0121 212 list that offered a lively choice of COTE The Mailbox, asparagus, peas and chorizo Wharfside Street, 1661 both old and new world wines. The Mailbox, B1 1RL B1 1RX 0121 631 1587 dauphinoise. The main ingredi- METRO BAR & GRILL 73 We’ve promised ourselves the 0121 632 1430 CUCINA RUSTICA 24 Cornwall St, B3 2DF ents in both dishes were deli- Ludgate Hill, B3 1DX sticky sharing-platter on our next BAR ESTILO 10-114 0121 200 1911 cious, although we felt the 0121 233 2277 visit, having watched the people Wharfside St, The MILLER & CARTER 178- dauphinoise didn’t really need Mailbox, B1 1RF 0121 DEL VILLAGGIO 180 Wharfside St, The on the next table enjoying it. Unit 528, Middle Mall, the chorizo. Both courses had a 643 3443 Mailbox, B1 1RN We really enjoyed our meal at BARNT GREEN INN The Bullring. B5 4BE 0121 643 7738 fashionable smearing of cauli- 0121 643 1400 Encore and would highly recom- Kendal End Rd, Rednal MINT Yew Tree Retail flower puree that wasn’t robust DEOLALI BAR RESTAU- mend the restaurant, particularly B45 8PZ 0121 445 Park, Stoney Lane enough to stand up to the other 4949 RANT for a special occasion. Yardley, B25 8YP strong flavours. Our oldest diner BARAJEE 265 Broad St, 23A St Mary's Row, 0121 789 8908 Jan Watts B1 2DS 0121 643 Moseley B13 8HW MIRAGE FUSION very much enjoyed the lamb kof- 0121 442 2222 tas, but was puzzled by the 6700 Broadway Casino, Food: IIIII DUET CUISINE Unit 1, Broadway Plaza sweet gypsy salad. This was a BELLA ITALIA 102 New Service: IIIII St, B2 4HQ 0121 Fort Dunlop. B24 9FD Ladywood Middleway, new dish to us, and not one we 0121 748 1234 Ambience: IIII I 6431548 B16 8LP 0121 456 felt confident in appraising. BERLIOZ Burlington EDMUNDS 6 Brindley 5557 Overall value IIII I The chicken, leek and apple- Arcade, New St, B2 place, B1 2JB 0121 MOUNT FUJI The IIII I 633 4944 wood pie that followed boasted OVERALL 4JQ Bullring, B5 4BH 0121 0121 633 1737 FUMO 1 Waterloo 633 9853 plenty of pleasingly hearty Street, Birmingham B2 The Encore BLUE MANGO Regency NUVO 11 Brindleyplace, chunks of filling, and also con- Wharf, Broad St, B1 5PG 0121 643 9979 B1 2LP 0121 631 1600 tained mushroom - which per- Bridge Street 2DS HARJEES SPICES 512 OLD JOINTSTOCK PUB 4 haps should be included on the Stratford-upon-Avon 0121 633 4422 Stratford Road, Temple Row, B2 5NY CV37 6AB BLUE GINGER 32 Poplar Sparkhill, Birmingham, 0121 200 1892 menu. The lemon and thyme B11 4AH mash accompaniment was tasty Tel: 01789 269462 Road, Kings Heath, NATHANIEL’S RESTAU- B14 7AD 0121 444 0121 773 6130 RANT 13 St Mary’s Row, 0999 THE HORSESHOE BAR & Moseley, Birmingham, BLUU Fleet St, Summer RESTAURANT 1214 B13 8HW, 0121 449 Row, B3 1JH 0121 236 Stratford Road, B28 9618 9013 9BH 0121 777 2340 OLD SPECKLED HEN BRANDED BULL STEAK- ITIHAAS 18 Fleet St, B3 Mere Green Road, HOUSE 175 Broad 1JL 0121 212 3383 Sutton Coldfield. B75 Street, B15 1DT 0121 ITIHAAS BRASSERIE 5BL 0121 308 9410 643 5968 Selfridges Food Hall, OPUS 54 Cornwall St, BUONISSIMO 1 Albany Bullring, Birmingham B3 2DE 0121 200 Rd, Harborne, B17 9JX B5 4BP 0121 212 3383 2323 0121 426 2444 JAMIES ITALIAN Middle THE ORIENTAL The BYZANTIUM 11 York Mall, Bullring Shopping Mailbox, 128-130 Road, Kings Heath, Centre, B5 4BE Wharfside St, B1 1RQ B14 7SA 0121 444 0121 270 3610 0121 633 9988 5444 JIMMY SPICES Regency PASTA DE PIAZZA 11 Brook Street, St Paul’s CAFE IKON 1 Oozells Wharf, Broad St, B1 Square, B3 1SA Square, Brindleyplace, 2DS 0121 643 2111 0121 236 5858 B1 2HS 0121 248 JUJU’S Canal Square, 3226 B16 8EH 0121 456 PEACHY KEENS 1741 Coventry Road, Yardley CAFE ROUGE 3384 THE JUNCTION 212 High B26 1DS 0121 764 Brindleyplace, Broad 5519 Street, B1 2HJ 0121 Street, Harborne, B17 643 6556 9PT 0121 428 2635 PENNY BLACKS The Mailbox, 132-134 CAFE SOYA Unit 2, KINNAREE THAI 22 Waterfront Walk, B1 Wharfside St, B1 1XL Upper Dean Street B5 0121 632 1460 4SG 0121 622 3888 1SN. 0121 665 6568 PEPPERS LA BANCA 1986 5b Broad CARLUCCIO’S The Street, Birmingham Pershore Road, Water’s Edge, B15 1EJ 0121 633 Cotteridge, Kings Brindleyplace 4411 B1 2HP 0121 633 Norton, Birmingham PICCOLINO 9262 B30 3AS 0121 459 2204 9 Brindleyplace, B1 CELEBRITY INDIAN 2HS 0121 634 3055 LA BASTILLE 220 44 Broad St, B1 2HP PITCHER & PIANO 0121 643 8969 Corporation St, B4 6QB 0121 236 1171 Brindleyplace, B1 2HP THE CHAMELEON 1 0121 643 0214 LAS IGUANAS Arcadian Victoria Square, B1 PONTE DI LEGNO 44-44a 1BD 0121 643 2233 Centre, Hurst St, B5 The Encore 4TD 0121 622 4466 Woodbridge Rd,

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Moseley, B13 8EJ 10 Poplar Rd, Solihull, 0121 449 8064 B91 3AB 0121 704 POPPY RED Arcadian 5030 Centre, Birmingham B5 ZORBAS 359-361 Olton 4TD 0121 687 1200 Boulevard, Solihull B27 PUNJABI HAVELI 1558 7DP 0121 706 4709 Stratford Rd, Hall Green, B28 9HA 0121 745 3636 Black Country PURNELL’S 55 Cornwall ARBOUR LIGHTS 127-128 St, B3 2DH 0121 212 Lichfield Street, Walsall 9799 WS1 1SY 01922 613361 PUSHKAR 245 Broad St, BANKS BISTRO Chapel B1 2HQ 0121 643 7978 Ash, Wolverhampton THE RECTORY 50-54 St WV1 4EP 01902 238433 Paul’s Sq, B3 1QS BELLA 82 Chapel Ash, 0121 605 1001 Wolverhampton. 01902 RED PEPPERS 117 427555 Wharfside St, B1 1RF BENGAL FUSION 174 High 0121 643 4202 St, Lye, Stourbridge DY9 ROSE MURREE 94 -96 8LN. 01384 891111 Hagley Rd, Edgbaston, BILASH 2 Cheapside, B16 8LU 0121 456 4500 Wolverhampton, WV1 SABAI SABAI 1TU 01902 427762 25 Woodbridge Rd, THE BLUE BRICK Moseley, B13 8EH Broad Gauge Way, 0121 4494498 Wolverhampton WV1 SAN CARLO 4 Temple St, 1AA 01902 875301 B2 5BN 0121 633 0251 BRAVACCIOUS 4 Upper SHAH’S Unit 16, 1160 Green, Wolverhampton Nuvo, Birmingham Warwick Road, Acocks WV6 8QQ 01902 Green B27 6BP 0121 756052 THE MANGO TREE Chester CROMWELLS 11 Dogpole, LION & PHEASANT 50 01743 248000 707 8297 CAFE CHAMPAGNE 253- Road, Stonnall, Walsall Shrewsbury SY1 1EN Wyle Cop Shrewsbury TIN TINS Wellington SHIMLA PINKS 215 Broad 255 Bilston Road, WS9 9HJ 01922 457344 01743 361440 SY1 1XJ 01743 770345 Road, Telford TF2 8AJ St, B15 1AY 0121 633 Wolverhampton WV2 THE PIE FACTORY 50 Hurst DA VINCI’S 26 High St, THE LION QUAYS Moreton, 01952 608688 2JN 01902 458024 0366 Lane, Tipton DY4 9AB Ironbridge, TF8 7AD Oswestry SY11 3EN TRAITORS GATE Castle St, 0121 557 1402 SHOGUN TEPPANYAKI CASA CASITA Upper 01952 432250 01691 684300 Water Lane, Shrewsbury The Mailbox, 27 - 29 Gornal, Dudley. DY3 RED FORT Fold St, DORRINGTON OLD HALL LOCH FYNE Talbot House, SY1 2BX 01743 249152 Wharfside St, B1 1RD 1UP 01902 676754 Wolverhampton, WV1 PERSIAN CUISINE Main Market Street, THE WALLS Welsh Walls, 0121 632 1253 CATELLANI’S 4LP 01902 424440 6 School St, road, Dorrington, Shrewsbury SY1 1LG Oswestry SY11 1AW Wolverhampton, WV1 RISTORANTE ROMAGNA 4 SIMPSONS, 20 Highfield Shropshire SY5 7JD 01743 277140 01691 670970 Rd, Edgbaston B13 3DU 4LR 01902 428928 Upper Green, Tettenhall, 01743 719100 MAD JACKS 15 St Mary’s ZIZZI RISORANTE 0121 454 3434 CINNAMON COURT Bentley Wolverhampton WV6 39-40 DRAPERS 10 St Mary’s St St, Shrewsbury, SY1 High Street, Shrewsbury THE SLUG AND LETTUCE, Mill Way, Walsall WS2 8QQ 01902 756052 Shrewsbury, SY1 1DZ 1EQ 01743 358870 SY1 1SF 01743 353232 Brindley Place, 0BP 0121 568 6664 SAFFRON Wolverhampton 01743 344679 Road, Oldbury B69 4RR THE MALTHOUSE The Birmingham B1 2HL THE COWSHED Clive THE FEATHERS Brockton, 0121 552 1752 Wharfage, Ironbridge 0121 633 3049 Farm Clive Rd, Much Wenlock TF13 TF8 7NH 01902 433712 Staffordshire Pattingham, WV6 7EN SIMON’S 520 Chester Rd, SPICE EXCHANGE, 6JR 01746 785202 MORGANS 1 Bellstone, 1845 Pershore Rd 01902 701888 Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 NO 5 Gaol Mews, 0PU 0121 580 9293 FENNELS 8 Market Place, Shrewsbury SY1 1HU Kings Norton, B30 3DJ THE CROOKED HOUSE Shifnall TF11 9AZ Stafford ST16 3AN SPICES Hollywell Rd, 01743 239114 0121 451 1007 Coppice Hill, Himley DY3 01952 463020 01785 22 9900 Wednesbury. WS10 7PA MR UNDERHILLS Dinham STRADA 109-111 4DA 01384 238583 95 HIGH GREEN Cannock. 0121 502 0720 THE FOX INN 46 High St, Weir, Ludlow Shropshire Wharfside St, The THE DITCH 1 Town Hill, WS11 1BH 01543 THE SPRINGHILL Much Wenlock TF13 SY8 1EH 01584 874431 Mailbox B1 1XL Walsall, WS1 2EU 6AD 01952 727292 573905 01922 643215 Warstones Rd, Penn, THE MYTTON & MERMAID 0121 643 7279 FRANK CAFE BAR 128 1709 THE BASSERIE 3-5 DON SALVO 25 Darlington Wolverhampton WV4 Atcham, Shrewsbury, Lombard St, Lichfield. SYRIANA 1 Constitution 4LB 01902 342530 Frankwell, Shrewsbury Hill, B19 3LG 0121 Street, Wolverhampton SY5 6QG 01743 761220 WS13 6DP 01543 THE SUMMERHOUSE SY3 8JX 01743 354422 2369444 WV1 4HW 01902 712819 92 THE OLD ORLETON INN 257986 Gospel End Rd, Dudley THE GOLDEN CROSS 14 DUNSLEY HALL Dunsley Holyhead Rd, BELLA ITALIA 20 TGI FRIDAYS 180 Hagley DY3 4AN 01902 676 Princess St, Shrewsbury, Rd, Kinver, DY7 6LU Wellington, TF1 2HA Greengate St, Stafford, Road, Edgbaston, 102 SY1 1LP 01743 362507 01384 877077 01952 255011 ST16 2HS Birmingham B16 9NY THORNESCROFT THE FAIRLAWNS AT GRANARY BAR & GRILL THE OLD RECTORY HOTEL 01785 211968 0121 454 1930 Bridgnorth Rd, ALDRIDGE Weston Park, Weston- & RESTAURANT Lowe Hill CHANDLERS THAI EDGE 7 Oozells Sq, 178 Little Wolverhampton, WV6 Corn Aston Road, Aldridge, under-Lizard, Nr Shifnal, Road, Wem, Shropshire Exchange, Conduit St, B1 2HL 0121 643 3993 7EQ 01902 700 253 TF11 8LE 01952 TIN TIN CANTONESE, Walsall WS9 0NU 01922 SY4 5UA 01939 233233 Lichfield, WS13 6JU 455122 THE WOODMAN Claverley, 852107 01543 416688 The Waters Edge, Wolverhampton WV5 THE PEACH TREE 21 FARADAYS The HADLEY PARK HOUSE Abbey Foregate, THE CORNER HOUSE Brindleyplace, B1 2HL 7DG 01746 710 553 Hadley Park, Telford TF1 0121 633 0888 Waterfront, Brierley Hill, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE Second , Burton- Dudley, DY5 1UR 6QJ 01952 677269 01743 355055 On-Trent DE14 2WF ULYSSES 42a Bristol THE HAYWARDS 01384 482 882 Shropshire at The THE PLUME OF FEATHERS 01283 542321 Street, B5 7AA 0121 Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop, FIVE RIVERS Vicarage Harley, Shrewsbury SY5 CURRY KUTEER 31 622 3159 Shrewsbury SY1 1UY Place, Walsall WS1 3NA AFTAB 25 High St, 6LP 01743 727360 Greengate Street, THE VAULTS Newhall 01922 646164 Ironbridge TF8 7AD 01743 353107 Stafford ST16 2HY Place, Newhall Hill, THE POUND AT LEEBOT- FOUR STONES Adam’s 01952 432055 HILL VALLEY HOTEL 01785 253279 B1 3JH 0121 212 9837 ALBRIGHT HUSSEY Tarporley Road, WOOD Leebotwood, Nr Hill,Clint, Stourbridge, Church Stretton SY6 ESSENCE OF THE ORIENT VMF - ASTON VILLA FOOT- DY9 9PS 01562 883260 Ellesmere Rd, Whitchurch SY13 4HA 27 Broad Eye, Stafford BALL CLUB Villa Park, 6ND 01694 751477 FRANZLS 151 Milcote Rd, Shrewsbury, SY4 3AF 0844 879 9049 ST16 2QB 01785 Trinity Rd, B6 6HE 0121 RENAISSANCE, 29a Smethwick, B67 5BN 01939 290 523 THE INN AT GRINSHILL 229988 326 1570 Princess St,Shrewsbury, 0121 429 7920 BISTRO JACQUES 77/77a The High Street, FOUR SEASONS Swinfen WAGAMAMA Brindley SY11LW 01743 354289 FRENCH CONNECTION Mardol, Shrewsbury SY1 Grinshill, Shrewsbury, Hall Lichfield, WS14 Place, birmingham B1 3 Coventry St, 1PZ 01743 272586 SY4 3BL 01939 220410 ROMOLO Victoria Avenue, 9RE 01543 481494 2HL 0121 643 7656 Stourbridge DY8 1EP BUTLERS Park St, Shifnal, KING & THAI Avenue Rd, shrewsbury SY1 1HH THE GREEN ROOM Castle THE WAREHOUSE CAFE 01384 390940 TF11 9BA 01952 Broseley, Telford TF12 01743 233244 Dyke, Lichfield WS13 54-57 Allison Street, FRENCH HEN Bromsgrove 460662 5DL 01952 882004 SARACENS Shrewsbury 6HR 01543 412121 Digbeth, B5 5TH Rd, Clent, Stourbridge CASA NARANJO Barracks Rd, SY4 4AG 01939 INDIAN VILLAGE 0121 633 0261 THE KNIGHTON HOTEL DY9 9PY 01562 883040 Passage, Wyle Cop, Broad Street, Knighton, 210877 8 Lombard St, Lichfield. WING WAH 278 GOLDEN MOMENTS 2-3 Shrewsbury SY1 01743 Powys LD7 1BL 01547 SEBASTIANS 45 Willow St, WS13 6DR 01543 Thimblemill Lane, B7 Ablewell St, Walsall WS1 588165 520530 Oswestry SY11 1AQ 253415 5HD 0121 327 7879 2EQ 01922 640363 CASA RUIZ 45 High LA BÉCASSE 17 Corve St, 01691 655444 INDICA Virage Park, WOKTASTIC Paradise LE BRASSERIE 5 Lower Street, Bridgnorth, WV16 Ludlow, SY8 1DA 01584 SHALIMAR 23 Abbey Cannock. WS11 0HN Place, B3 3HJ 0121 236 Mill Street, 4DX 01746 218 084 872 325 Foregate, Shrewsbury 08712 070417 3130 Kidderminster. DY11 CHEZ MAW Best Western LA DOLCE VITA 35 Hills SY2 6AE 01743 366658 JASMINE PEKING 21 High WONGS 5-11 Fleet St, B3 6UU 01562 744976 Valley Hotel, Buildwas Lane, Shrewsbury SY1 SHERAZ 79 Wyle Cop, St, Eccleshall, Stafford 1JP 0121 212 1888 MADE IN THAI Darlington Rd, Ironbridge, TF8 7DW 1QU 01743 249126 Shrewsbury SY1 1UT ST21 6BW 01785 St, Wolverhampton WV1 851200 ZIZZI 183 High St, 01952 432247 LA LANTERNA The Old 01743 242321 Harborne B17 9QE 4HW 01902 312512 THE COTTAGE Tern Hill, Vestry, St Julian's THE SILVERTON the Old LA DOLCE VITA 19 Stafford 0121 428 4228 also at PARADISE BALTI 7 Lower Market Drayton TF9 3PX St, Stone ST15 8QW Mill Street, Kidderminster Church, Shrewsbury Dairy, 9-10 Frankwell, The Mailbox B1 1RL 01630 638984 SY1 1UH 01743 233552 01785 817 985 0121 632 1333. DY11 6UU 01562 60479 Shrewsbury SY3 8JY

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01564 793089 LISTINGS NAILCOTE HALL Nailcote Restaurant Lane, Berkswell, Coventry, CV7 7DE THE LODGE 24 THE BLUEBELL 93 High 02476 466174 Birmingham Road, Street, Henley-in-Arden, NICOLINIS 14 The Parade, Shenstone. WS14 0LQ Warwickshire, B95 5AT Leamington Spa, CV32 01543 483334 01564 793049 4DW 01926 421620 MALABAR 1-2 Water BLUE BISTRO 21 Spon St, ONE ELM 1 Guild St, Street, Stafford, ST16 Coventry, CV1 3BA 024 Stratford-Upon-Avon, 2AG 01785 227 500/600 7622 9274 CV37 6QZ 01789 MARLOES 13 London BROWNS Earl St, 404919 Road, Newcastle under Coventry CV1 5RU 0247 OSCARS 39 Chandos St, Lyme, ST4 1LQ 01782 622 1100 Leamington Spa, CV32 661983 CARLUCCIOS 13 4RL 01926452807 THE MILL 1 Mill St, Waterside, Stratford- PEEL’S Hampton Manor, Stone, ST15 8BA 01785 Upon-Avon CV37 6BA Hampton-in-Arden, 818456 01789 267424 Solihull, B92 0EN 01675 THE NAVIGATION INN CASTLES 6 Castle St, 446080 Newport Road, Gnosall, Warwick. CV34 4BP PREZZO 1-3 High St, Stafford ST20 0BN 01926 492525 Warwick CV34 4AP 01785 822327 CATALAN 6 Jury St , 01926 475867 OLD VICARAGE 2 Main St, Warwick CV34 4EW QUEANS RESTAURANT 15 Branston, Burton, DE14 01926 498 930 Dormer Place, 3EX 01283 533222 THE CHURCH STREET Leamington Spa CV32 PASTICHE BISTRO 1 - 2 TOWNHOUSE 16 Church 5AA 01926 315522 Mill Street, Stafford, Street, Stratford-upon- RESTAURANT 23 ST16 2AJ 01782 263 Avon CV37 6HB 01789 34 Hamilton Terrace, 737 262222 Holly Walk Leamington THE PEARL18 Market St, EGO 29 The Square, Spa, CV32 4LY 01926 Kidsgrove, ST7 4AB Kenilworth, CV8 1EF 422422 01782 788887 01926 864463 ROBBIES 74 Smith St, THE PEAR TREE Swinfen, FINEST CATCH B’ham Rd, Warwick CV34 4HU Nr. Lichfield, WS14 9QR Henley in Arden. B95 01926 400470 01543 481807 5QR 01564 793783 ROOFTOP RESTAURANT PORTOFINO 38-40 Marsh FIVE RIVERS 20-22 Victoria @ The RST, Waterside, St Stoke-On-Trent, ST1 Terrace, Stratford-upon-Avon, 1JD 01782 209444 Leamington Spa, CV31 CV37 6BB 01789 THE RED ROOM 7 3AB 01926 431999 403449 Newcastle Road, GEORGETOWN 23 Sheep SAFFRON GOLD Market St, Congleton CW12 4HN St, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Westgate House, High Pavement, Warwick 01260 297871 CV37 6EF 01789 204445 Warwick CV34 4DE THE SWAN HOTEL 46 HELP OUT MILL Heather 01926 402061 ZORBA’S Olton Boulevard, Lowesmoor, Worcester OLD RECTIFYING HOUSE Greengate Street, Rd, Shakerstone, THE SAXON MILL Solihull. B27 7DP 0121 WR1 2RS 01905 27026 North Parade, Worcester Stafford ST16 2JA Nuneaton. CV13 0BT Coventry Rd, Guys Cliffe, 706 4709 WR1 3NN 01905 01785 258142 FUSION BRASSERIE 01530 260666 Warwick CV34 5YN Hawbridge, Stoulton, 619622 THORNBURY HALL, RASOI HIGH PAVEMENT 3 High 01926 492 255 Worcester WR7 4RJ ON THE ROCKS, Lockwood Rd, Kingsley 01926Worcestershire 852980 Street, Warwick, CV34 SIGNATURES @ The 01905 840647 Worcester Rd, Holt, Stafford ST10 2DH 4AP 01926 494725 Bromsgrove. B61 7AE 01538 750831 Belgrade Theatre, ANAKARI 47 The Tythings, THE GARDENERS ARMS HOGARTH’S HOTEL 4 Coventry, CV1 1GS Worcester. WR1 1JT Vines Lane, Droitwich. 01527 882412 WOLSELEY ARMS Ashes Rd, Solihull, B93 02476 846762 01905 21412 WR9 8LU 01905 772936 PORTOFINO, 6 Worcester Wolseley Bridge, 8QE 01564 779988 Rd, Droitwich. WR9 8AD Stafford ST17 0XS TAILORS 22 Market Place, ANGEL CHEF 1 Angel St, THE GATE 36 Dodford Rd, HORTONS 165 High Street, 01905 794799 01889 883179 Warwick CV34 4SL Worcester WR1 3QT Bournheath, Solihull B91 3ST 0121 01926 410590 01905 731131 Bromsgrove PORTWAY ITALIAN, 709 3177 THAI ELEPHANT ANUPAM 85 Church B61 9JR 01527 878169 Alcester Rd, Redditch. Warwickshire INDIA RED 1-2 Abbey St, 20 Regent St, Street, Malvern. WR14 THE INN AT STONEHALL B48 7HT 01564 824794 Nuneaton. CV11 5BP Leamington Spa, 2AE 01684 573814 Stonehall Common, PUCCINI'S, 12 Friar St, 02476 342090 7 SQUARE 7 Old Square, Warwick CV32 5HQ BACCHUS 44 Worcester Worcester, WR5 3QG Worcester WR12LZ Warwick CV34 4RA JIMMY SPICES 64-66 01926 886882 Road, Bromsgrove B61 01905820462 01905 27770 01926 411 755 Station Rd, Solihull, B91 THE TREVELYAN Warwick 0TA 01527 877557 KING CHARLES II King RAJDOOT Cutnall Green, 3RX 0121 709 2111 NO. 9 CHURCH STREET Rd, Stratford-upon-Avon, BENEDICTOS 34 Sidbury, Charles House, New St, Droitwich. WR9 0PW Stratford upon Avon, LE BISTRO PIERRE Swans CV37 ONR Worcester WR1 2HZ Worcester WR1 2D 01299 851000 Warwickshire CV37 6HB Nest, Bridgford, Stratford 01789 295252 01905 21444 01905 22449 RILY’S The Quadrant, 01789 415522 upon Avon. CV37 7LT WARWICK SPICE 24 Smith BINDLES 55 Sidbury, L’AMUSE BOUCHE 51 Redditch B98 8AE 01789 264804 ART KITCHEN 7 Swan St, St, Warwick CV34 4HS Worcester. WR1 2HU Graham Rd, Malvern. 01527 60544 Warwick CV34 4BJ MATRICARDIS 97 High St, 01926 491736 01905 611120 WR14 2HU 01684 ROSADOS’S 2 Finstall Rd, 01926 494303 Henley in Arden. B95 Aston Fields, THE VINE INN 86 - 88 West BRAMBLINGS Hither 572427 5AT 01564 792735 Bromsgrove. B60 2DZ AUBERGINE 32 Smith St, St, Warwick CV34 6AW Green Lane, Redditch, LANGTREYS 89a High St, 01527 889948 Warwick CV34 4HS MERCHANTS Swan Street, 07873 219005 B98 9BE 01527 406600 Bromsgrove. B61 8AQ Warwick CV34 4BJ SAFFRON BISTRO 15 New 01926 400 086 ZIZZI 85-87 Regent THE BRIDGE INN Plough 01527 878242 01926 403833 St, Worcester WR1 2DP THE ALMANACK Abbey Square House, Parade, Rd, Tibberton, Droitwich. LITTLE VENICE 1 - 3 St NAYA 01905 610505 End North, Kenilworth 148 High St, Henley Leamington Spa CV 32 WR9 7NQ 01905 Nicholas St, Worcester in Arden. B95 5BS CV8 1QJ 01926 353637 4NL 345874 WR1 1UW 01905 SINGAPORE 29 Friar St, 726126 Worcester WR1 2NA THE BROOK INN Elcocks 01905 613005 Bank, Redditch. B97 LOTUS HOUSE 33 5UD 01527 543209 Ombersley St, Droitwich. THAI GALLERY 26-32 Friar (ESt 86) WR9 8QX 01905 St, Worcester WR1 2LZ thE dINNEr cLub BROWNS 24 Quay St, 01905 25451 Worcester WR1 2JJ 770079 a rEcIpE for fINE food aNd Good compaNy THAI LOTUS 01905 26263 MAEKONG THAI 12 147 Worcester Rd, THE CHASE INN Chase Rd, Worcester Rd, Bromsgrove. B61 7AE Bromsgrove. B61 7HN Upper Colwall, Malvern. 01527 882606 SINGLE? WR13 6DQ 01684 01527 578888 THAI RAMA Walwyn Rd, 540276 MASSALLA LOUNGE 35 Broad St, Worcester Gt Malvern. WR13 6QX For the more discerning CHESTERS 51 New St, 01684 541563 Worcester, WR1 2DL WR1 3NH 01905 unattached person, age 30-45 or 45+ 729955 THE WILDMOOR OAK 01905 611638 Top Road, Wildmoor, CROWN & SANDYS MUG HOUSE Claines Events weekly include dining out, dinner dances, black tie balls, Lane, Worcester WR3 Bromsgrove B61 0RB Main Rd, Ombersley, 0121 453 2696 theatre, parties, weekends away and holidays abroad. WR9 0EW 01905 7RN 01905 456649 620252 Not a datING aGENcy EWE & LAMB Hanbury Rd, Bromsgrove. B60 4DN To get your restaurant listed here 01244 677030(day)/01244 548816(Eve/W-end) 01527 871929 e: [email protected] THE FIG TREE 99 Church Street, Gt Malvern, WR14 or call Jon Cartwright www.thedinnerclubuk.com 2AE 01684 569909 on 01743 281703 FOUR SEASONS 61

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