Birmingham Cover Online.Qxp Birmingham Cover 05/08/2015 10:11 Page 1

Birmingham Cover Online.qxp_Birmingham Cover 05/08/2015 10:11 Page 1

THE MIDLANDS ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE BIRMINGHAM ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sOnISSUE 356 AUGUST 2015 ROBERT POWELL INTERVIEW INSIDE...

SUMMER IN SOUTHSIDE bank holiday fun in the heart of the city feature inside... THE COLOR RUN colour-crazy day returns to the NEC

INSIDE: FILM COMEDY THEATRE LIVE MUSIC VISUAL ARTS EVENTS FOOD & DRINK & MUCH MORE!

ALEXANDRA

INBURKE THE BODYGUARD Style Birmingham (FP-August).qxp_Layout 1 24/07/2015 11:06 Page 1 Contents August Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 23/07/2015 14:06 Page 1

August 2015

Editor: Davina Evans INSIDE: [email protected] 01743 281708 Editorial Assistants: Robert Powell Brian O’Faolain [email protected] gets regal playing King 01743 281701 Charles III at The Rep Lauren Foster interview [email protected] p8 01743 281707 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Jamie Ryan [email protected] 01743 281720

Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703

Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704

Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] Summer In Southside 01743 281714 bank holiday fun in the Managing Director: Paul Oliver heart of the city p48 [email protected] 01743 281711 Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan [email protected] 01743 281710

Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell Alexandra Burke takes the lead as Rachel Maron in award-winning Chris Atherton musical The Bodyguard. Read more on page 21. Accounts Administrator Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 TO GET THE VERY News p4 Maureen Chadwick Contributors: LATEST LISTING talks about new musical James Cameron-Wilson: INFORMATION, Film; Graham Bostock, Music p13 interview p6 Chris Eldon Lee, Heather VISIT: Kincaid, Jessica Aston, Katherine Ewing, Helen whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy p19 Stallard, Steve Adams INCLUDING Head Office: BOOKING ONLINE 13-14 Abbey Foregate, Theatre p21 Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE The Midlands’ most Tel: 01743 281777 comprehensive e-mail: [email protected] p35 entertainment website Film/DVD

Follow us on... Festivals p41 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is Visual Arts p51 produced without the use August 2015 of elemental chlorine. Birmingham Events p55 We endorse the recycling @whatsonbrum MTWTFSS of our magazine and Warwickshire would encourage you to 12 @whatsonwarwicks p65 pass it on to others to Eating Out 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 read when you have Worcestershire finished with it. @whatsonworcs 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 ’ 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 WhatsOn 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 MAGAZINE GROUP All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any 31 means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. News August Region One.qxp_Layout 1 23/07/2015 14:18 Page 1

News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Run away to the circus... in fancy dress... in Kings Heath CircusMASH, an innovative project to drive circus arts within the West Midlands, has announced plans for its 2015 Challenge. Last year’s day of circus fun proved a real success and organisers are promising that this year’s event will be ‘bigger and better’. The initiative invites teams of up to four people to take part in four hours of challenges at Kings Heath Square on 9 August. Participants are requested to attend in fancy dress and will be provided with a task sheet before being invited to engage with the world of circus. Teams will be required to select and complete, in the time provided, ten circus challenges from a list of twenty. Each success must be documented with a photo. Prizes will be awarded for the best snaps while bonus points will be added for best costume. A £20 registration fee (per team) applies. Find out more, and how to enter, by logging on to circusmash.co.uk Exciting season of dance announced... A double bill of ‘emotive and spiritual works’ from Birmingham’s ACE Dance and Music is to launch DanceXchange’s new season of productions at the Patrick Centre on 1 October. Directed by Gail Parmel, Mana: The Power Within comprises A Thousand Shepherds - chore- ographed by Jose Agudo - and Vincent Mantsoe’s Mana - a piece rooted in the Sangoma tradition of ‘evoking the spirit and earthy ambience of African dance and Shamanic beliefs’. Other DanceXchange season highlights include Scottish Dance Theatre’s critically acclaimed YAMA (pictured above) and James Cousins Company’s Without Stars/There We Have Been. The line-up also includes the world premiere performance of Gary Clarke Company’s COAL - a show which takes a nostalgic look at the realities of life at the coal face. The performance ties in with the thirtieth anniversary of the miners’ strike. Arthur Pita’s acclaimed production of The Little Match Girl makes a welcome return too (on 14 Casting announced for stage November), following sell-out performances last year. premiere of Anita And Me For further information on upcoming productions, visit, whatsonlive.co.uk Mandeep Dhillon and Jalleh Alizadeh are to take the lead roles in the stage premiere of one hundred-and-thirty days leading up to Anita And Me, which shows at Birmingham On yer bike in Coventry the main event. A request has also been Repertory Theatre in October. Next month sees the return of Sky Ride launched for visitors to tweet photographs of Adapted for the stage by Tanika Gupta and Coventry. Taking place on a three-mile circuit themselves next to their favourite items, with direction from Birmingham Rep’s Artistic in the heart of the city centre, Sky Ride is the using hashtag #BMAG130. Director Roxana Silbert, Anita And Me is a biggest event of its kind in the West The programme of celebrations for the coming-of-age story based on Meera Syal’s Midlands, bringing together people of all museum’s birthday on 28 November so far semi-autobiographical novel. ages and abilities in a fun and safe environ- includes live music, a raffle, entertainment for Mandeep (Some Girls, Wolf Blood) stars as ment. The one-day event also offers a pro- all ages and the chance to sample a slice of rebellious British Punjabi teenager Meena, gramme of free family activities, including cir- birthday cake in the Edwardian Tearoom. while Jalleh (Benidorm, Doctors and Hustle) cus skills workshops, face painting and A time capsule for future museum-goers to plays her English neighbour and soul mate pedal-power smoothie machines. explore will also be assembled during the Anita. Further casting includes Ayesha This year visitors will also be able to witness course of the day. Dharker and Ameet Chana as Meena’s par- British and European trials bike Champion ents and Janice Connelly (aka Mrs Barbara Danny Butler lead the event’s Extreme Nice) as Mrs Worrall. Mountain Biking Show. Irish comedian Kielty goes Anita And Me shows at Birmingham Sky Ride Coventry takes place between Repertory Theatre from 9 to 24 October. 11am and 3pm on Sunday 27 September. back to his stand-up roots Irish funnyman Patrick Kielty has announced he’s going back to his stand-up comedy Celebrating the past and roots with a brand new tour in the autumn. Presenting material trialled at this year’s present and future at BMAG Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Patrick will take to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG) the road with Help - a show where he has announced a series of celebratory attempts to re-write the modern rule book for events for the venue’s one hundred-and-thir- love, life and happiness - with a little guid- tieth anniversary in November. ance from the audience. The BMAG team will share a different pre- Patrick’s Midlands fans can catch him at cious object on Facebook and Twitter for Birmingham’s Glee Club on 25 October.

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Space project to inspire youngsters at Thinktank... Mark Wright to Birmingham’s award-winning Thinktank host Style Science Museum has launched a new project offering youngsters the chance to learn Birmingham about human space flight and life on the Essex celebrity and TV presenter international space station. Mark Wright has announced he's to Led by the UK Association for Science and appear at this year's Style Discovery Centres in Bristol, Destination Birmingham Live. Space has been developed by teams at the The Only Way Is Essex star will host National Space Centre in Leicester, the all eight catwalk shows at Science Museum in London and Jodrell Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery's Bank Discovery Centre in Cheshire. Gas Hall on Saturday 26 and Leading astronaut Tim Peake is also work- Sunday 27 September. ing on the project. A platform on which to showcase the Destination Space launches at Thinktank in latest autumn/winter styles and col- October with a calendar of special events, lections from the city's high street including meet-the-experts sessions and an retailers and shopping centres, Style astronaut show based around Tim’s mis- Birmingham also offers tips and sion. fashion advice from experts. Commenting on his participation in the event, Mark said: “I’m a big fan of Birmingham, and the people have always been so welcoming. It’s changing so much and I can’t wait to be there to host Style Birmingham Live and see the latest looks from the city’s amazing line-up of shops.” Tickets to Style Birmingham are now on sale and include entry to the show, a drink on arrival plus an exclusive goody bag, and access to Choir seeks tenors for retailer offers and activities. bursary scheme Birmingham’s Bach Choir is seeking appli- Programme announced for cants for its Student Tenor Bursary Scheme WIN!!! 2015-16. Bursaries of £500 are open to Leamington Food Birmingham Weekender tenors under the age of thirty with student Festival hamper Organisers behind the biggest free outdoor event ever to grace status. Successful applicants, who will work the streets of Birmingham have announced its programme of alongside internationally renowned conduc- The team behind the entertainment. tor, tutor and composer Paul Spicer, will be ever-popular Birmingham Weekender (25 to 27 September) will see the city required to participate in the choir’s major Leamington Food & become a hub of creative activity, hosting pop-up performances, a concerts. They will also need to attend a Drink Festival has put musical picnic, participative events, workshops and much more. minimum of seventy-five percent of the reg- together a hamper of Highlights include: Compagnie Transe Express' Maudits Sonnants ular Wednesday evening rehearsals. delicious goodies as a - an orchestra of baroque bell-ringers playing from a musical Closing date for applications is midday 23 prize on the festival chandelier suspended above Centenary Square; physical theatre September. Interested singers will be invited website. To be in with a from Motionhouse; circus theatre from RoguePlay Theatre; and to attend rehearsals from 9 September to chance of winning, all interactive performances from Vamos' octogenarian campaigners, experience being part of the choir and to you need to do is visit the Crimplene Crusaders. learn the repertoire. For further information, leamingtonfoodfesti- New commissions will be presented by Birmingham Repertory visit birmingham.bachchoir.com val.co.uk/food-hamper and complete your Theatre in association with Mem Morrison Company, Birmingham details. Simple! Contemporary Music Group, Birmingham Opera Company, Corey Baker Dance, Sampad Arts with poet Amerah Saleh, and Barbara Overnight stay at Nice in association with Women & Theatre. Warwick Castle The weekend will also see What’s On Magazines the transformation of has teamed up with Centenary Square and Warwick Castle to offer Victoria Square. While readers the chance to Centenary Square hosts a experience a sleepover Mexican day-of-the-dead in one of the venue’s block party, Victoria Square ready-to-sleep will present a music ‘festi- New awards ceremony to Mediaeval Warwick val within a festival’. Tents, worth £200 per celebrate Birmingham night. A new awards ceremony celebrating Find out more and how Building for a Guinness World Record Birmingham culture, creativity and com- to enter at whatsonlive.co.uk/competitions The world’s largest LEGO brick caravan will be unveiled at this merce has been announced. year’s Motorhome & Caravan Show, which runs at Birmingham’s The Birmingham Awards aim to recognise NEC from 13 to 18 October. contributors to the city’s success story and Attempting to win the Guinness World Record for the largest ever will take place at Edgbaston Stadium on 27 touring caravan made entirely of LEGO bricks, a team of eight November. professional LEGO brick builders will use more than one hun- Awards categories include Restaurant of the dred-and-fifty thousand individual interlocking bricks to build the Year, Art & Culture, Businesswoman of the model. A yet-to-be-announced special guest will lay the final brick Year and Young Achiever. on the morning of 13 October. The model will be based on a For further information on categories and modern T@B 320 RS ‘teardrop’ caravan, including a fully working how to nominate candidates, visit birming- interior. Visit motorhomeandcaravanshow.co.uk for further infor- hamawards.co.uk mation and to purchase tickets.

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interview Maureen Chadwick Whether it’s Bad Girls, Footballers’ Wives or episodes of Coronation Street and Waterloo Road, there’s no doubting writer Maureen Chadwick’s ability to produce gritty and entertaining storylines. This month sees Maureen’s latest theatrical venture make its debut at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre. Featuring music and lyrics by her partner, Kath Gotts, Crush is a comic musical set in the early 1960s. What’s On recently met up with Maureen to find out what audiences can expect - oh, and to talk a little bit about Bad Girls...

I had myself locked into a cell at “ one point so that I could feel the true claustrophobia of it all.

Where did the inspiration for Crush ” come from, Maureen? Both Kath and I grew up reading schoolgirl stories and absolutely loving them. It seemed a wonderful subject matter for musical comedy, and as far as we know it’s a genre that hasn’t really been milked by musical theatre. We felt we could have fun with the genre, salute it and, at the same time, put a new spin on it. The Spice Girls started off this whole girl power thing, which sort of made the feminist message contemporary. That’s resonant in the story, but the theme is really about girl friendships and that ‘all for one and one for all’ sort of spirit. 6 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Maureen Interview DPS Aug LW.qxp_Layout 1 23/07/2015 14:13 Page 2

If there’s a contemporary feel, why the think, if I were her, what would I be saying creators on all the Shed stuff, so we just decision to set it in 1963 and not the and feeling? You have to identify with every threw ourselves into it. Our intention was for it present day? point of view, but overall we know who we to be a social satire. We saw it as a wonderful In an early version, we thought the themes want to win and that’s the excitement of opportunity to look into that world of the were timeless. We didn’t specify a time frame doing it, really. We like all the characters but young, newly rich, over rich, and all the but then it became apparent that we should for different reasons. mistakes you can make when you’re in that be selective. We chose 1963 because it situation. represented the cusp of the transition into the Does it all come good in the end? ’60s. The Swinging ’60s hadn’t really got Overall yes, but there are some twists and Is it true you got a roasting from some going and you’ve still got a ’50s flavour very turns which may not be entirely predictable. people about the show? apparent - but Dame Dorothea Dosserdale We’ve always had a roasting. Yes, we were School for Girls is right at the forefront of Did you know you wanted to become a termed ‘trash TV’. We were the proud bearers change. The new, hateful headmistress who’s professional writer even when you were at of that title. Basically a lot of male critics recently arrived there is trying to overturn the school? hated us. They didn’t think we understood school liberationist values. She’s trying to I jointly loved art and English. I left school the joke, which is just to give you a flavour of turn back the tide on the sexual revolution and studied art and subsequently philosophy. the level of patronising comments that came and trying to bring back Victorian values. My original intention was to become a our way. But the public has always got the Dame Dorothea was set up by a painter, but then I started taking writing more shows and we’ve won lots of awards for all of campaigning Suffragette back in 1928 who seriously and just switched over. I had an them. To begin with it was a bit of an uphill would've seen education as the true gateway office job at the time where I was left alone for struggle but, unlike Bad Girls, I think to emancipation and would've welcomed girls most of the day, so I thought, well I can’t Footballers’ Wives appealed to the ABCs, so from all walks of life. In Crush, some of the paint here but I could certainly start writing it was possibly more of a middle-class pupils are fee-paying posh girls, one of them some plays, and that’s how I got into writing. pastime. is an American, one is from an orphanage I got an agent and got my first TV and another is the daughter of a fireman and commission, which was to write on Angels. You’ve ticked the boxes for TV and stage. clerk, so it embraces a real social mix. Tony Holland, who created EastEnders, also Would you ever consider turning your created Angels, which was all about nurses. I hand to a novel? How much of the musical reflects your then got my commission to write for I’ve written a film script, which I completed a own personal experience of schooling? Coronation Street. I’d never watched it few months ago, so that’s me dipping my toe Both of us went to all-girl schools, so we’ve before. I didn’t even know who Jack into another medium. both lived in that world. We’ve certainly tried Duckworth was, so I had to catch up really to channel our inner schoolgirl, as I suppose fast. In all, I think I wrote around forty-five Do you and Kath always work together? everyone else will. There’s also a stunning episodes, including the one when Hayley I write my plays on my own but we work boy in Crush who appears in various guises declared herself to be a transsexual. It was together on musicals. Kath and I know how to and does indeed become the love interest for also when Deidre Barlow was in prison, so it work together efficiently. Kath gives me lines one of our girls. We’re hoping it will entertain was great fun. of dialogue and I give her lines of lyrics. Most a mixed audience of all ages. of them get refused but we do find it very The disciplines required for writing for TV easy to cook things up together and chew How do you set about creating the and stage are very different. Which do you over ideas. characters, and do you have a favourite? prefer? The way we work is very collaboratively. It I thoroughly enjoyed writing for TV but I don’t Do you set yourselves ground rules to always has to start with a story because all think it’s quite the same as it was when we ensure you have a work/life balance when musicals, however marvellous the music is, were doing all our shows in Shed. I rather working on the same production? need a story to hold everything together and doubt that Bad Girls would be commissioned I learned a bit of a lesson when working at motor things along. We chose characters to as readily now as it was then. We were very Shed. It was so full-on at one point and my definitely represent the different types of girls fortunate at the time that ITV had a fairly work/life balance was non-existent. So I think and we got a great contrast between our hands-off approach to let you run with things. I would now know how not to get too bogged deputy head and the horrible headmistress. They also gave you quite a sizeable series to down. We do balance time off much better Miss Bleacher the headmistress is quite fierce start off with. We had ten episodes for our now, but that’s mainly because I can. and reactionary and dear Miss Austin, who first series of Bad Girls. That gave us enough was herself a pupil at the school, is the time to really garner an audience because it Is there a place where you’re most keeper of the flame. was the first prime-time TV drama series to creative? have a central lesbian love story. Sometimes it’s better to leave your office and In your TV creations - Bad Girls, go for a walk. Then things just sort of surprise Footballers’ Wives and Waterloo Road - Where did your research take you when you because they don’t always come from there’s always an element of shock and you were writing Bad Girls? conscious thought. I always keep a note pad often controversy. Will these be evident in We went into several prisons. I had myself at the side of the bed. It’s a bit bloody Crush too, or will it be pretty mild? locked into a cell at one point so that I could annoying when you get an idea in the middle The tone of it is obviously very different feel the true claustrophobia of it all. It was all of the night but it’s always better to write because it’s musical comedy, so there’s an entirely research based. Obviously in TV them down than forget them. overall light entertainment spin to it. drama more things happen at once, but Nevertheless it touches on many similar unlike documentaries you can actually show So far your work has taken you to schools, issues. There are always going to be some stuff that a documentary camera could never prisons, on to the football pitch and into people who’re going to be shocked about access, so it really was fantastic to be able to nightclubs. Is there a particular some things that the rest of us take for open the doors to that closed world. Prior to environment that you’d like to explore in granted. I would say it’s only now that you that, people just didn’t really know much the future? can have a musical comedy which does about women’s prisons. They thought Sometimes you just don’t know about the indeed celebrate two girls falling in love. It’s a women prisoners were either mad, bad or fat. milieu until you’ve found the story or the sign of the times that we can have such We wanted to try and help people feel that it character. We’ve got a few things cooking but subject matter in family entertainment. could be you, your mum, your sister or your I wouldn’t want to give away anything more daughter... than that... And do you have a character that you empathise with? In complete contrast, you wrote When you write the story you have to Footballers’ Wives... empathise with all of them. When Kath was Yes, and I hate football. I’d never been to a writing the music for one of Jim Fenner’s football match before, but Footballers’ Wives songs in Bad Girls, she had to get inside the was as much about football as Dallas was Crush shows at The Belgrade head of a sexual predator, which is not a nice about oil. We proposed it to ITV and they Theatre, Coventry from place to be. When writing this we had to get commissioned us to write a series. Ann Friday 4 to Saturday 19 September inside the head of Miss Bleacher. You have to McManus and I were the lead writers and

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interview

From King of the Jews to King of England Robert Powell Robert

8 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Robert Powell (LW).qxp_Layout 1 23/07/2015 16:12 Page 2

Best known for playing the King of the Jews, Robert Powell is now set to play the King of England. Powell shot to international stardom in the 1970s when he portrayed Christ in Franco Zeffirelli’s internationally acclaimed television series Jesus Of Nazareth. Next month he’ll be opening the Birmingham Rep’s autumn season, taking on the role of our very own Prince of Wales in the award-winning play, King Charles III. What’s On caught up with Robert to ask about this latest theatrical endeavour, the challenge of playing the Son of God - and what it’s like to make a cult TV comedy series with the one and only Jasper Carrott!

Does playing a famous person who's still Kate. I think the youngsters who come to see me, tell him to come to the theatre, or go to alive - as you’re doing here, Robert - bring it will be thrilled, and there are certain the cinema if he wants to find out whether I with it a particular set of challenges for an elements that will be so recognisable to them can act’. This is the arrogance that success actor? in terms of their relationships with their can bring you and I own up to that. It’s why I suppose it faintly does but I don’t think I’ve parents. one wants to be successful. Not for the played someone who’s still alive before. I’m money and not for the fame thing but purely not allowed to do an impersonation of Prince You always seem to be in work and it goes and simply because it does give you the right Charles - which is unfortunate, as I do a without saying you’re a talented actor. But to get better parts. rather good one. As an actor, I’ll be playing what’s been the secret of your long-term A message came through asking if I’d screen Charles entirely subjectively, leaving it for the and ongoing success? test for it. I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll do that. At least audience to make up their own minds. I work very hard. I really do. I put in a huge that gives me a chance to show him what I amount of effort when I’m working. I don’t can do’. So I pitched up to a screen test Have you ever met Prince Charles? know whether that makes a huge amount of where they put a blonde wig and beard on We’re not friends but we’ve certainly met difference, but all I can say is that I’ve been me. I remember phoning my agent from a each other many times. We’re members of doing this for fifty-plus years... phone box down the very same corridor at the same club. He doesn’t pitch up to that When we were doing Holby City, we started Elstree Studios where, years and years later, I very often, probably every couple of years, filming at eight in the morning and finished at used to walk when doing Holby. I rang my but we’re aware of each other and I like him seven, with an hour for lunch. We filmed in agent and said, ‘I think we can forget that, it enormously. I’m an ambassador of the Elstree and I used to be able to get home by was disastrous’. About two weeks later they Prince’s Trust, so I also have other about quarter to eight, at which time I’d pour phoned again and said that Franco wanted to connections. a large glass of wine and then spend the next come over from Rome to meet me and test hour going through the script for the me himself. Halfway through that test I knew Does knowing Charles, and the thought following day. Most of an actor’s life is he was going to ask me to do it. Then, when that you’re likely to come across each dealing in the currency of banality. The secret they did ask me, I decided not to say yes for other in social circles, make a difference of being successful is to become the about a week. There was no revenge to how you portray him on stage? alchemist and turn dross - which, to be involved. I just didn’t want to do it, but it was I joke that the next time I see him he might honest with you, most stuff is. Okay, one of those things where you know in your not be quite so affable, but I see the world occasionally you’ll get a Shaw, a heart of hearts that, having been asked, you through my eyes and I assume that other Shakespeare, a Stoppard or an Alan Bennett, have to say yes. people have a similar way of looking at and it’s thrilling, but most of the time you’re things. The play is quite brilliant and is in dealing with banality, particularly in television. Did you ruffle any religious feathers? blank verse. It has a Shakespearean element There are two ways of dealing with it. You can To be honest, we didn’t. While we were which brings a tremendous gravitas to it just say it, or you can bring something to it shooting it, which was a nine-month process, without being too colloquial. Without that arrests people. Something that’s we had a Rabbi on set all of the time. We also sounding pompous, the blank verse element different. In other words, you give it a life had a representative from the Catholic of it brings a degree of weight to the play. which is beyond the actual word itself. That’s Church in Rome and a representative from The audience are probably not that aware of what I spend my time doing - finding the General Motors, who were the sponsor. So it - just as you’re probably not aware if you’ve layers. I know it sounds awfully pompous in we were very, very careful not to ruffle never read Shakespeare that it’s written as principle, but you asked me why I’ve been feathers. verse. reasonably successful. I’m not saying that We actually threw away the first two weeks’ other actors don’t work hard too - they do - filming. Franco and I watched the rushes and Do you know if Charles has seen the play? but the ones who think they can get away I said it didn’t work. Our ambition was to I don’t think he has. If it were me, I wouldn’t with taking it easy get found out very quickly. show the humanity - the human side, if you be offended by it; I’d be flattered. I think it like - of the divine Christ. Unfortunately, shows him in a very good light - but, again, Most people will first and foremost though, all that happened was that he I’m talking subjectively because I’m about to associate you with the role of Christ, became too human and you lost the other play him. What people will judge him by are which you famously played in 1977 in part of him. So we decided between us that I the elements that they already know. It’s very Franco Zeffirelli's Jesus Of Nazareth. How wouldn’t do anything. I would leave it all up much about his relationship with his children, did your role in such a high-profile to the audience. I would offer up a blank and wanting to make his mark having waited international television series come canvas. I would offer up the look, the voice, all his life for this moment. He doesn’t want to about? the eyes, the presence, but I wouldn’t waste it and so picks something you’d never I knew they were casting but didn’t give it a perform it. That resulted in five hundred expect him to pick to make his mark. second thought, simply because I’d been to thousand people saying, ‘That’s my Christ’. The play’s about the battle against everybody see Franco for two films in the late ’60s/early I’d allowed them to see their Christ in me. I’d else as Charles tries to keep his integrity, ’70s. I didn’t get to read on either occasion. I love to turn around and say it was deliberate because he’s very conscious of his own just walked in and sat in front of his desk, but it wasn’t. I couldn’t find any other way of conscience. He’s a very conscience-driven talked for a couple of minutes and Franco doing it at the time, but the net result was man, and all the better for that. I’m said, ‘Thank you, thank you’ and that was it. little short of remarkable - well, from the completely biased because I think he’s So when I got the call from Franco’s letters I received anyway. utterly delightful. representatives saying he wanted to see me for Jesus Of Nazareth, I turned him down. I Moving forward in time, the 1990s saw you Do you foresee King Charles III appealing actually said no because at that time I was on team up with one the Midlands’ finest to a mixed-age audience? stage playing a lead role in Tom Stoppard’s comedians, Jasper Carrott. How did you Very much so. Even though Charles is the Travesties for the Royal Shakespeare find that experience? pivotal character, the sons are equally Company. I said to my agent, ‘I’m not going It was purely accidental. Jasper was a friend interesting and exciting characters, as is to go and humiliate myself. If he wants to see and he was doing Canned Carrott at the time.

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His writers, who were very, very clever, had written these four-minute-long sketches to go into his show about these two idiotic policeman. They were wondering who they could get to play the other one and Jasper suggested me. They just laughed and said, ‘Don’t be so bloody stupid, he won’t do it!’. Jasper phoned me and asked if I’d be interested. If he’d asked me to play a straight man to his comic man then he would’ve got very short shrift - there was no way I was going to do that - but he sent me the script and I laughed out loud because both of the characters were very funny, in different ways. I asked him which one he wanted me to play and he said I could do either, so I opted for Briggs. During the course of the five television series we did, the programme evolved into a cult show that was so silly and which kids loved.

It must have been great fun to film... It was very difficult to film. Say the working day was a nine-hour shoot, they had to factor in an extra hour a day where there would be no filming done because everyone would be laughing. We once had to cover the camera operator with a sheet because we could see Robert Powell Robert his shoulders moving as he laughed. And we ruined so many takes from snorting.

Will you be meeting up with Jasper while you’re in the Midlands? Definitely. He’s got a birthday party the day before I start teching in Birmingham, so I’ll have to behave myself.

Your career spans TV, film and stage. Which do you favour? Television. I love it. It’s a fabulous medium. Twenty years ago I was banging on about young actors’ desire to do movies. Television is so much better. You get a bigger audience and a longer time to tell a story. I now read trade papers which say that television is the new movies and I’m really quite proud to have spotted it. I’ve been banging on about this for years.

So TV wins over stage, then? The only reason that stage loses is that it’s unbelievably hard work.

Was acting always on your radar? It was what I did as a kid and something I did as a teenager. Being on stage always made me happy. To me, it was more real than reality. I was a shy person as a boy, very shy, and I didn’t know who I was. When I went on stage I threw off all of that and became somebody else.

If this wonderful career hadn’t panned out, what do you think you’d be doing now? God only knows. If Hugh Hunt, who was the head of drama at Manchester University, hadn’t come to see me in a play I was doing for the university’s stage society, I would I’m not allowed to impersonate probably have been a lawyer of some kind. But he did come to see it. He came around to the little stage door and said, ‘Why are you Prince Charles - which is unfortunate bothering with law, why don’t you come and “ read drama with me?’ To me, this was the most wonderful thing I’d ever heard. I went as I do a rather good one home and told my parents. They were shocked but very supportive. I then resigned from the law faculty and applied to switch courses to drama. A month later I got a letter back from the board saying ” I hadn’t qualified - ironically because I didn’t 10 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Robert Powell (LW).qxp_Layout 1 23/07/2015 16:12 Page 4

have English Literature at either O Level or A one of the happiest times of my life. My son my address book, there’s only a relatively Level. I hadn’t taken it. I’d chosen Latin, had just been born and I was doing this film few contacts who’re actors. There are many Greek and Ancient History. They said they where I was just having so much fun. It didn’t great sportsmen because I got involved via would hold the place for a year. I immediately cost very much money and I wasn’t paid very various charities with cricket, football and found the English Lit set book, picked up a much but it was so enjoyable. I’ve had so golf. I’ve made great friends in the sporting copy of The History Of Mr Polly by HG Wells many people, including Dominic West, world. I’m still addicted to all kinds of sport, and had a look at it, once. I then walked into who’ve come up and said it’s one of their though not to play. the drama department at Manchester, favourite films. I was so thrilled because I The other reason I didn’t go to the States in collared a bloke who was a drama lecturer didn’t know Dominic. I do now because he’s the early ’80s was because, at that time, no and said, ‘Have you got any ideas of what I become my new best friend. Those things other British actors - apart from Michael can do for you?’ are so meaningful. Caine, Sean Connery and possibly Roger You talk about serendipity, you talk about Moore - were really making a career in going through life and you talk about luck. Have you ever turned down a role and Hollywood. The actors who were there were There is luck, but I think you make your own. then later regretted it? playing villains or gays. They were playing I had gone in and asked the right bloke. I famously turned down Whose Line Is It the parts that the American actors didn’t want Some people wouldn’t even have gone in. Anyway?, which went on to be a huge, huge to play. Obviously, thirty, forty years later, They would’ve sat on their arses for a year or hit in the West End. I did turn down things have changed radically. Now the got a job on the local council, but I didn’t something in America, although I’m unsure if British actors are doing frightfully well. This want to do that. So I talked to this lecturer it was ever made. In the late ’70s, /early ’80s, certainly wasn’t the case when I was a young and he said he had contacts at three they asked me if I’d do a television series in actor. Nowadays nearly all of them are either theatres, Leatherhead, Colchester and Stoke. California of The Man Who Fell To Earth. That Irish or Scottish, which is interesting. I wrote letters, went to see all of them, and seemed thrilling, so we talked terms and the Franco Zeffirelli reckoned if he had his choice got offered a job at Stoke-on-Trent’s theatre deal was that I’d have to sign for five years. I he would always use British actors. He loves in the round. It turned out that the man I had said to my agent that there was no way I their work ethic. spoken to was Stephen Joseph, who’d could sign for five years. I was in the prime of invented theatre in the round and formed the my life and I didn’t want to do that. I wanted Finally, what advice would you give to Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough with to be able to move around and do other somebody who’s starting out in the my great and very close friend, Alan things. I didn’t want to be tied to something. profession? Ayckbourn. I had just picked, out of nowhere, Always do more than people expect. Never the right man to ask and ended up in the Did you ever consider upping sticks and do enough, always do more and go the extra totally right theatre. They offered me a job for moving over to the States? mile. Always learn your lines. I do see it a lot six weeks - three weeks rehearsal and three Yes, just after Jesus Of Nazareth. The reason in television, where the younger actors think weeks playing a spear carrier in King Lear. that we shot The Thirty Nine Steps when we they can learn them just before we shoot, in The director there then offered me a place in did, in mid-winter in Scotland, was because I make-up or whatever. Always know your the acting company and as an Assistant had to get out of the country before April lines because it is utterly insulting to other Stage Manager as well. Theatre in the round because Babs and I were moving to LA. But actors when you forget them. Always do is the perfect place to be because it’s we didn’t. Something came up which meant more than people expect. There’s so much essential. It has one five-letter word, which is it was preferable to stay here. Babs and I young talent around and I think it’s utterly truth, and if you’re not true then it doesn’t went to LA a few years ago and we spent thrilling. I’m the vice president of arts work. If you try to cheat, you’re just so quite a lot of time driving around. I turned to educational school. I go to see their end-of- exposed. Babs and said, “Thank God we didn’t move term shows and they take my breath away. here’. She said, ‘I’m so glad you said that, I On Holby we had such a high turnover of Looking back on your extensive and thought it was just me’. talent. Spotting it was great fun because I varied career, what would you say is your I don’t mind visiting, but I find the place was never wrong. Russell Tovey is a perfect best highlight? utterly oppressive. I don’t know what it is - example. I spotted his talent when working That’s very, very difficult. I won the Best Actor maybe it’s the topography - but I don’t like with him on an early episode around award at Venice Film Festival thirty odd years Los Angeles. 2004/05. Look where he is now. He’s ago. It was one of the proudest moments of I’m terribly English and I love the country I become a very fine actor my life. The competition was tremendous. live in. I love all the things about it. I love . The Thirty Nine Steps will always be, for me, pubs and I’m very fond of cricket. If I look at The Thirty Nine Steps will always be, for me, one of the happiest times of my life.

Poirot (2014) Jesus Of Nazareth (1977) Holby City (2005 onwards)

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Bangla Beats Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Wed 26 August Offering lovers of Bangladeshi music the opportunity to check out some of the country’s most talented musical artists, this is the biggest indoor bangla concert ever to be held in the UK. High-profile performers include Habib Wahid, whose music fuses a traditional Bengali folk sound with contemporary techno and urban beats, and Nazmun Munir Nancy, a singer well known in her native country for her TV jingles and contributions to numerous film scores.

Habib Wahid

Funeral For A Friend The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Sat 1 August Funeral For A Friend are a five-piece post-hardcore Tom Jones Betley Court Farm, Cheshire, Fri 14 August band from Wales. They’ve released six studio al- Tom maybe doesn't get quite as many pairs of ladies' knickers tossed in his general direc- bums, including Casually Dressed & Deep In Con- tion nowadays, but one thing that definitely hasn't changed is the depth, quality and reso- versation (2003) and Tales Don’t Tell Themselves nance of his truly incredible vocal. Jones here gives another no doubt powerhouse (2007). Their latest offering, Chapter And Verse - performance that's certain to be awash with greatest hits, from Swinging ’60s numbers released earlier this year - has been described by such as It's Not Unusual and What's New Pussycat? through to post-reinvention crackers promoters as ‘a raw and energetic effort that pro- like Sex Bomb. pels the band to a whole new level, whilst simultaneously raising the bar for everyone else’. The Fratellis O2 Academy, Birmingham, Thurs 20 August Named after the criminal family in cult film The Goonies, The Fratellis have been on something of a journey. After the release of their first two albums - Costello Music in 2006 and Here We Stand in 2008 - the band went their separate ways for a three-year period, during which time Jon and Mince tried out various group and solo projects and Barry joined Brummie boys The Twang. In 2013 the rock trio re-formed and released third album We Need Medicine, which peaked at number twenty-six in the UK album charts - significantly lower than their previous two albums. The boys are now on the road again with a tour in support of new album Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied, released on the twenty-first of this month.

Chesney Hawkes Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Sun 9 - Mon 10 August Born into a musical family, Chesney Hawkes’ career began at nineteen, when he appeared as the title character in the film Buddy's Song, alongside Roger Daltrey. In March 1991, he released his biggest single, The One And Only. The song has since become part of the soundtrack of a generation, still regularly featuring on radio playlists and compilations.

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Fri 4 Sept ‘MOTOWN’ £32.50 LEGENDS PARTY also appearing on Sat 7 Nov with Soul Legend Fri 11 Sept ‘MAMMA MIA’ £37.50 PARTY with ‘Sensation’ an ABBA tribute A special tribute to Fri 18 Sept WHITNEY £32.50 HOUSTON with Nya King Sat 3 Oct £49.50 PINK BALL AT THE HALL with 80’s Experience Sat 10 Oct THAT’S LIFE £35.00 ‘Take That’ & ‘Westlife’ show

Sat 17 Oct DISCO DIVA PARTY £32.50 with Tameka Jackson as Diana Ross HALLOWEEN Sat 31 Oct DISCO £27.50 with DJ Ian Rogers Sat 14 Nov ‘SUPREME’ MOTOWN £32.50 & SOUL DIVA PARTY with The Motellas LENNON AND Sat 21 Nov McCARTNEY £32.50 with The Lennon and McCartney Experience Sat 28 Nov £35.00 70’S & 80’S PARTY NIGHT with Borderline

DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE FROM OUR WEBSITE TICKET PRICES INCLUDE 4 COURSE MEAL WE WILL CATER FOR ANY SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS BY PRIOR ARRANGMENT NAILCOTE LANE, BERKSWELL, WARWICKSHIRE, CV7 7DE

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Music PREVIEWS Atif Aslam Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 29 August Multi-talented Bollywood singer, dancer and actor Atif Aslam has been making some big changes in his life of late, taking a break from his career, getting married and becoming a father. Perhaps most interestingly, he’s also felt compelled to leave his native Pakistan. He now lives in Dubai. “We have a lot of problems in Pakistan,” he recently told the country’s News On Sunday magazine. “We’re preachy, all of us, including myself. We have religion issues, we have political issues - so we don’t know who we are. It was becoming very difficult because life isn’t easy here in Pakistan and I needed to remove myself from this cycle of negativity. I don’t want to add to the depression. I want to reduce it.” The Electric Swing Circus Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Sat 1 August The Electric Swing Circus are a talented six-piece fusing electro beats and 1920s swing. With an explosive sound that reverberates back through time, they hotfoot their way through everything from breakbeat and house to reggae and dubstep - and all in their own unique style. Their eponymous debut album was released in 2013 and was followed by a big year of festivals and international touring. A new album is in the pipeline for 2015. Catch them in Birming- ham as part of the regular Hot Club de Swing night. They perform alongside C@ in the H@, Screamin’ Miss Jackson & The Slap Ya’ Mama Big Band and Billy Chill Fingers.

The Stray Birds Levellers Stafford Gatehouse, Fri 21 August The Assembly, Leamington Spa, Wed 19 August Coco And The Butterfields Their website describes their sound as hav- Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 1 August ing been ‘drawn from the richness of Ameri- With numerous top-ten albums and singles CoCo And The Butterfields are a fip fok band can folk music traditions, spun with a stirring (not to mention plenty of sell-out concerts (a genre combining folk, pop and hip-hop) subtlety and grace’. No Depression maga- across Europe) to their name, the Levellers who formed in 2011. The Canterbury five- zine, meanwhile, reckons they’re ‘a band continue to hit all the right chords for a phe- piece, who’ve been described as ‘a colourful, destined for global success’, while Whisper- nomenal cross-section of people, from energetic and crowd-stomping group’, have ing Bob Harris expects them to be ‘elevated 'crusties' to students through anarcho punks earned plenty of critical acclaim for their per- into a kind of folk/bluegrass superstardom’. and hippies. This Warwickshire date finds the formances at Glastonbury, Isle Of Wight and The Stray Birds - well, two of them at least - Brighton-based folk-punk band airing songs Camp Bestival. came together in Pennsylvania in early 2010 from their most recent albums as well as rab- Expect a seriously entertaining evening. when a snowy winter offered plenty of oppor- ble-rousing favourites from the mists of time. tunity for Maya de Vitry and Oliver Craven to pool their creativity. Charles Muench came on board later and a full-length album followed, as did plenty of positive feedback.

Less Than Jake Kasbah, Coventry, Sat 1 August With a career spanning over twenty years, Less Than Jake have secured their status as one of the most popular and loveable ska punk bands around. Their 1995 debut album, The Tubes Pezcore, was followed by Losing Streak The Robin, Bilston, Thurs 13 August (1996) and Hello Rockview (1998), both of When The Tubes toured the UK way back in The Stranglers which significantly increased the band’s ex- the 1970s, the risque nature of their show The Copper Rooms, Warwick University, posure. The boys have since released a fur- saw many of the gigs being cancelled by Coventry, Sat 15 August ther five albums, with 2003’s Anthem being local councils. their most commercially successful to date. It was all grist to the mill for the San Fran- Formed forty years ago, The Stranglers were cisco-based rockers, though, and generated major players in the instigation of the UK a level of publicity they might otherwise never punk rock scene, although later-career en- have achieved. deavours have seen them explore a variety of The band released their self-titled debut musical styles, including new wave, art rock, album in 1975 and quickly established a rep- gothic rock and pop. utation as arch satirists. Vocalist Fee Way- Mainstream success came their way courtesy bill’s antics were the stand-out feature of their of 1982 single Golden Brown, with other no- live shows. A former roadie, Waybill adopted table hits including No More Heroes, a variety of personae from behind the micro- Peaches, Always The Sun and Skin Deep. phone, drug-addled British ‘glam rock’ star With twenty-plus UK top-forty singles and Quay Lewd being one of the most popular. seventeen top-forty albums to their name, Best remembered for 1983 single She’s A there’s plenty of great music to enjoy at any Beauty, they’re appearing in the Midlands as show they play. part of their fortieth anniversary tour.

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MICHAELA WYLDE Ha- MusicGIG REVIEWS Music LISTINGS vana Republic, Shrews- bury

For further reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk For full listing information on gigs, SUN 9 AUG including times and dates, CENTRAL ENGLAND CON- visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk CERT BAND Tamworth Rufus Wainwright Castle, Staffordshire Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Academy, Birmingham THE SANDY DENNY SONG- Stratford-upon-Avon SAT 1 AUG TIM ERIKSEN Ludlow As- BOOK Kitchen Garden sembly Rooms, South Cafe, Birmingham When it comes to the art of songwrit- QUILL The Robin, Bil- Shropshire CHESNEY HAWKES Henry ing, Rufus Wainwright is quite the ston TREMBLING BELLS Tudor House, Shrews- Renaissance man, taking on genres MATTHEW LONG The Pri- Kitchen Garden Cafe, bury ory Theatre, Kenilworth DERMOT HEGARTY as divergent as contemporary pop, Birmingham Irish PHOENIX CALLING O2 THE WEDDING CRASHERS Centre, Birmingham musical theatre, classical composition Academy, Birmingham The Jam House, Birm- and opera in a recording career span- FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND ingham MON 10 AUG ning nearly thirty years. The Slade Rooms, SCOUT KILLERS, FILTHY CHESNEY HAWKES Wolverhampton PALMS, BLAME FATE & Henry Armed with only piano, acoustic gui- Tudor House, Shrews- COCO AND THE BUTTER- BLITZKRIEG CITY The tar and the rich, mellifluous tones of a bury FIELDS Artrix, Broms- Rainbow Venues, Birm- seasoned tenor voice, the ever-the- THE AVENGERS The Insti- grove ingham atrical Canadian presented a set punctuated in equal parts by mo- EXTREME NOISE TERROR tute, Birmingham ments of near-transcendent beauty (the brooding and wistful ballads The Asylum, B’ham THU 6 AUG DON BROCO The Sug- This Love Affair and The Art Teacher being notable highlights) and REAL NIRVANA The armill, Stoke-on-Trent KATE VOEGELE AND unadulterated whimsy - cue a cameo from Rufus’ half-sister Lucy Roadhouse, B’ham FRED ZEPPELIN The TYLER HILTON O2 Acad- TUE 11 AUG Wainwright Roche as a bedraggled Liza Minnelli pursued by an irate emy, Birmingham Marr's Bar, Worcester BEUJERIA The Asylum, Judy Garland in drag! RATTLESNAKE JAKE THE CHRISTIANS The The Birmingham Beginning the gig by launching headlong into a solo rendition of 1998 River Rooms, Stour- Jam House, B’ham hit Beauty Mark, Rufus truly mesmerised his audience as, one by one, bridge SNUFF The Assembly, WED 12 AUG familiar classics from his back-catalogue took on a renewed majesty JOHN ALTMAN & FRIENDS Leamington Spa HAILU MERGIA WITH all their own. He moved fluidly across some of his most confessional Ruddock Performing THE MIDDLE ONES, T- Arts Centre, B’ham PAWEŁ SZPURA & MIKE SHIRT WEATHER & OKI- material, from Want - a homage to his own mum and dad (the great LESS THAN JAKE Kas- MAJKOWSKI The Tin NAWA PICTURE SHOW Ort Loudon Wainwright the Third) - to cheerily upbeat classics like Out Of bah, Coventry Music & Arts, Coventry Cafe, Birmingham The Game and April Fools. RATTLESNAKE JAKE Katie GOODNIGHT LENIN Hare GOSPEL CENTRAL The In a set by no means short of theatrical flourishes, notable highlights Fitzgerald's, Stour- & Hounds, Birmingham Jam House, B’ham included a richly sensuous rendition of the final aria from Rufus’ bridge DON BROCO The Insti- GROUPER The Jam FRI 7 AUG opera, Prima Donna, a mischievous outing of the chirpy Liza And Me tute, Birmingham House, Birmingham SKY CHILDREN MILLICENT STEPHENSON The Sun- - a tongue-in-cheek nod to his album, Rufus Does Judy At Carnegie HOTWIRED Irish Centre, flower Lounge, B’ham Hall - and a heartfelt rendition of the quietly self-reflective Montauk. Birmingham (SAXOPHONIST) WITH LEON The Rainbow Ven- LIVE BAND. NOT JUST The pinnacle of the evening, however, came in the form of a special JAZZ II Crescent The- THU 13 AUG guest appearance from RSC Head of Music Bruce O’Neil and his or- ues, Birmingham THE ELECTRIC SWING atre, Birmingham THE TUBES The Robin, chestra. They joined Rufus on stage to perform an exquisite arrange- CIRCUS Hare & Hounds, GALLUS COOPER & Bilston ment of Sonnet Number 29, part of Wainwright’s five-movement Birmingham SCOPYONS The Robin, A WILHELM SCREAM O2 sonnet suite set to music. MARCIA CARR & BRUCE Q Bilston Academy, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- GENERATIONS The Sug- TWIN HEART The Road- Special mention too must go to Lucy Wainwright Roche, whose quirk- armill, Stoke-on-Trent ily offbeat charm was matched in equal parts by her soft Celtic vocal. ingham house, Birmingham DAN PAGE HAPPY MONDAZE The DR FEELGOOD The Jam Her and Rufus’ rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah was worth the Havana Re- public, Shrewsbury Roadhouse, B’ham House, Birmingham price of the ticket alone. Keeping it in the family has never sounded DEFINITELY MIGHTBE AND BREAK EVEN, LAND- so good. This was truly a virtuoso night of music. SUN 2 AUG ADORED The River SCAPES & ENDLESS Rooms, Stourbridge Katherine Ewing nnnn HEIGHTS The Institute, FIVE STAR SWING: THE DETROIT SOUL The Jam Birmingham BIG BAND Artrix, Broms- House, Birmingham TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET grove THE BOOTLEG SIXTIES The Slade Rooms, LIQUID BRASS Tamworth Festival Drayton Centre, Wolverhampton Castle, Staffordshire Market Drayton, Shrop- JEDWARD Kasbah, Idina Menzel PAT JORDAN & FINIANS shire Coventry RAINBOW Irish Centre, FRAN THE MAN Irish Cen- Symphony Hall, Birmingham Birmingham tre, Birmingham FRI 14 AUG Elphaba, Maureen Johnson, Queen STEVE HARRIS - BRITISH TODDLA T Hare & Hounds, Birmingham DEFINITELY MIGHT BE Elsa, Shelby Corcoran... Idina Menzel LION The Rainbow Ven- ues, Birmingham SLUM VILLAGE Hare & The Sugarmill, Stoke- is many things to many people. And HARLEQUIN’S KISS, KO- Hounds, Birmingham on-Trent this could not be more apparent last MODO & ELLIE LEECH HEIDI BROWNE Havana TOM JONES Betley Court night, performing to a packed crowd The Roadhouse, Birm- Republic, Shrewsbury Farm, Cheshire of cheering, crying, singing musical- ingham SOUL JUNCTION The theatre-obsessed fans at the Sym- SAT 8 AUG Robin, Bilston MON 3 AUG ROMANS The Sunflower phony Hall in Birmingham. Opening DETROIT SOUL The Jam Lounge, Birmingham with a rendition of show-stopping “De- TREMBLING BELLS The House, Birmingham DEFINITELY MIGHTBE The fying Gravity”, Idina waltzed onto Tin Music And Arts, U2-2 The Robin, Bilston Sugarmill, Stoke-on- stage wearing a strapless, black boho dress and some high wedges Coventry KICK UP THE 80'S The Trent Roadhouse, B’ham which she soon kicked off as things warmed up. Talking about her in- SKABUCKS The Road- TUE 4 AUG THE WEEKEND ANTHEMS house, Birmingham credible career, the people who have made a difference to her work- The River Rooms, THE GUNS N' ROSES EX- DEATH ANGEL ing and personal life, she paid tribute to her own idols – Ethel The Slade Stourbridge PERIENCE The River Merman, Johnathan Larson, her music teacher at college, her little Rooms, Wolverhamp- PAT BRESLIN Irish Cen- Rooms, Stourbridge ton tre, Birmingham HANNAH BROWN & KATE boy, and we, her adoring fans. Although the rumours circulating THE TERRORSAURS, DEAD REVOLVER & THE PURPLE WILKINS Ort Cafe, Birm- about her voice being shot after years of belting out Wicked songs FLOWERS & THE UNDER- SHADES The Rainbow ingham TAKERS appeared to be true – she struggled with a few of those top, iconic The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham SOLID SOUL The Jam notes that she is so famous for hitting, it quite simply did not matter. Venues, Birmingham SULK, BLACK HONEY & House, Birmingham WILLIE WATSON Her humour, warmth and wit won over the crowd in an instant. “Take Hare & TABLE SCRAPS Hare & SEEKING DAYLIGHT O2 Hounds, Birmingham Me Or Leave Me” made it’s way into the crowd, with several ballsy Hounds, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham THE DESTROYERS members of the audience singing alongside her, and by the time we’d Hare & ILL PHIL, X5 DUBS & WED 5 AUG Hounds, Birmingham all sung “No Day But Today”, the finale “Let It Go” and the encore DONKIE PUNCH The But- UNDERGROUND OCEAN termarket, Shrewsbury track which she had written for her son, her voice had warmed into MORDRED The Asylum, O2 Academy, B’ham MILESTONE EXPRESS the effortless, staggering heights where it belongs. A truly stunning, Birmingham TRIP Katie Fitzgerald’s, Irish Centre, B’ham BAD RELIGION inspirational, and talented woman. The Insti- Stourbridge JAZZIE B Hare & tute, Birmingham Jessica Aston MY NU LENG The Rain- Hounds, Birmingham nnnn HOLLYWOOD ENDING O2 bow Venues, B’ham 16 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Music August .qxp_Layout 1 23/07/2015 14:15 Page 6

PUNK’D Katie Fitzger- atre, Worcester Don Broco - The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent & The Institute, Birmingham ald’s, Stourbridge TUE 18 AUG JOHNNY 2 BAD & LEGEND WARS, PROLONG THE The Robin, Bilston AGONY & RISE OF ATHENA NERVOSA The Asylum, AMINGTON BAND Tam- The Assembly, Leam- Birmingham worth Castle, Stafford- ington Spa shire HEIDI BROWNE Havana WED 19 AUG THE CONCESSIONS Birch- Republic, Shrewsbury meadow Centre, Brose- YOUNGBLOOD BRASS ley, Shropshire SAT 15 AUG BAND Hare & Hounds, TEN STRINGS AND A GOAT Birmingham SKIN Huntingdon Hall, SOLID SOUL The Jam LEVELLERS The Assem- Worcester House, Birmingham bly, Leamington Spa SILVERCHILD The Sug- BON GIOVI The Robin, THE SPOOKY MEN'S armill, Stoke-on-Trent Bilston CHORALE Ludlow As- LIZZIE AND THE BAN- QUILL Artrix, Broms- sembly Rooms, South SHEES The Roadhouse, grove Shropshire Birmingham TOTAL ACCESS LIVE Bet- STEVE AJAO BLUES GI- THE DECADES BAND The ley Court Farm, ANTS The Jam House, River Rooms, Stour- Cheshire Birmingham bridge Rainbow Venues, Birm- T.REXTASYThe Robin, SWORN TO OATH The SMART CASUAL, SHARKS ingham Bilston SUN 30 AUG Sugarmill, Stoke-on- VS BEARS, WAIT FOR THE THU 20 AUG COLD FIELDS The Rain- GEHTIKA O2 Academy, Trent FALL & NO TOMORROW THE DOORS ALIVE The bow Venues, B’ham Birmingham THE STRANGLERS The REMODE The Robin, Bil- O2 Academy, B’ham Robin, Bilston THE STEVE GIBBONS MARCIA GRIFFITHS & Copper Rooms, Coven- ston MR PRESIDENT Irish Cen- HUGH CORNWELL Artrix, BAND The Roadhouse, FRIENDS WITH BOB ANDY, try SLIM JIM PHANTOM OF tre, Birmingham Bromsgrove Birmingham JUDY MOWATT, TANYA MENTALLICA The Road- THE STRAY CATSO2 THE DRIVE, HIVE, FAITH, CHICK FLIX The River GIN ANNIE The River STEPHENS, RICHIE SPICE house, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham AMONST THE PEOPLE & Rooms, Stoubridge Rooms, Stourbridge & 809 BAND O2 Acdemy, U2 360 O2 Academy, THAT'LL BE THE DAY FRINGE The Rainbow LUKE DANIELS Kitchen TANG Ort Cafe, B’ham Birmingham Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand Venues, Birmingham Garden Cafe, B’ham B'SPOKE The Jam THE THREE BELLES Upton THE NICK ROSS ORCHES- Theatre THE TELFORDAIRES Mar- LIEFEST featuring; Lob- House, Birmingham House & Gardens, War- TRA: SOUNDS OF THE THE SPOOKY MEN'S ket Square, Wellington, ster, Broken Witt FLASH BACK FRIDAY WITH wickshire GLENN MILLER ERA The CHORALE mac, Birming- Shropshire Rebels, Dirty Old Folk- PAUL KELLYIrish Centre, VOICE OF THE HEART - Swan Theatre, Worces- ham STRAIGHT ACES Katie ers, Barnsey & Tom Birmingham KAREN CARPENTER Hunt- ter THE FRATELLIS O2 Acad- Fitzgerald’s, Stour- Forbes, The Actress & DJ MISMATCH Hare & ingdon Hall, Worcester ONE STOP BOOGIE - 70S V emy, Birmingham bridge Bishop, B’ham Hounds, Birmingham THE COMMANDMENTS 80S The River Rooms, JOYCE SIMS The Jam SYMPHONY STATEThe DJ HYPE Alfie Bird's, HEIDI & TOM Havana Re- The River Rooms, Stoubridge House, Birmingham Tin Music & Arts, Birmingham public, Shrewsbury Stourbridge BLACK JACK DAVEY Irish PEGA MONSTRO The Tin Coventry RICHY AHMED & PATRICK MELLOW PEACHES & Centre, Birmingham Music & Arts, Coventry BASSMAN BIRTHDAY TOPPING The Rainbow SAT 29 AUG CHRIS CLEVERLEY Ort PETE DORLING Hare & BASS The Institute, Venues, Birmingham Cafe, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham FRI 21 AUG Birmingham B'SPOKE The Jam JONNY CRAIG The Rain- ANDY ISHERWOOD Sym- House, Birmingham THE HURLING BOYS Irish bow Venues, B’ham THE STRAY BIRDS phony Hall, Birmingham CHRIS TYE The Brew- Centre, Birmingham ELROW - ROWSHOW SAM- Stafford Gatehouse SUN 23 AUG 3 IN A BAR JAZZ BAND house Arts Centre, Bur DAN PAGE Havana Re- BODROMO DO BRASIL Theatre Market Square, Welling- DEERHOOF The Rainbow ton upon Trent public, Shrewsbury The Rainbow Venues, WHO'S WHO ton, Shropshire The Robin, Venues, Birmingham Birmingham NOTORIOUS BROTHERS Bilston FALLEN & WIZARDS OF OZ Katie Fitzgerald’s, BAILEY MCCONNELL O2 The Robin, Bilston Stourbridge Academy, Birmingham INTRIGUE IN TANGIERS CLIVE HENRY, ALEX BUDAPEST CAFE ORCHES- Kitchen Garden Cafe, ARNOUT & EAST END TRA Huntingdon Hall, Birmingham Music Venues Box Office Across The Midlands DUBS The Rainbow Ven- Worcester JOHN MCNICHOLL Irish ABBA - SWEDE DREAMZ ues, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham Birmingham Black Country Staffordshire MARK RADFORD & NIGHT- The River Rooms, CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON SHIFT The Rainbow Stourbridge 02 ACADEMY FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, LEEK WED 26 AUG 0121 622 8250 0870 320 7000 01538 386112 Venues, Birmingham RANDOM HAND The THE ACTRESS & BISHOP FOREST ARTS CENTRE SAFONE The Institute, Marr's Bar, Worcester NO DEVOTION The Sug- LICHFIELD GUILDHALL 0121 236 7426 01922 654555 01543 262223 Birmingham ROCKET The Jam armill, Stoke-on-Trent House, Birmingham BANGLA BEATS Barclay- ALFIE BIRD’S NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE THE SUGARMILL, HANLEY RAY HURLEY & CHRIS 0121 270 6665 01902 572090 STOKE-ON-TRENT BASS Alfie Bird’s, Birm- ERIC MARTIN The Insti- card Arena, B’ham tute, Birmingham THE ASYLUM ROBIN 2, BILSTON 01159 454 593 ingham 01902 401211 MOTOWN AND SOUL THU 27 AUG 0121 233 1109 TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY ROOMS JOE SEAGAR Havana Re- BARCLAYCARD ARENA SLADE ROOMS 01827 709618 NIGHT WITH DJ PAUL WOLVERHAMPTON public, Shrewsbury 0121 780 4141 VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY KELLY Irish Centre, JOHN OTWAY BAND The 0870 320 7000 Birmingham Robin, Bilston BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0870 060 6649 SUN 16 AUG 0121 780 3333 STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL MATT WOOSEY The Tin DEL CAMINO The Jam 01384 812812 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE 01785 619080 Music & Arts, Coventry House, Birmingham FLAPPER CLOUD ATLAS The Robin, 0121 236 2421 WULFRUN HALL, Bilston MICHAELA WYLDE Ha- MARTYN JOSEPH Katie WOLVERHAMPTON Fitgerald’s, Stourbridge GENTING ARENA 0870 320 7000 Warwickshire LITTLE JIMMY Irish Cen- vana Republic, Shrews- 0121 780 4141 tre, Birmingham bury THE ASSEMBLY, LEAMINGTON THE GLEE CLUB Shropshire 0871 220 0260 FRI 28 AUG 0871 472 0400 MON 17 AUG SAT 22 AUG BIRCHMEADOW, BROSELEY THE KASBAH, COVENTRY DEFINITELY MIGHTBE AND HARE & HOUNDS 01952 882210 024 7655 4473 0121 444 2081 THE COOL BROTHERS ROCKET The Jam ADORED The Robin, Bil- THE BUTTERMARKET, NAILCOTE HALL, House, Birmingham ston THE INSTITUTE SHREWSBURY BERKSWELL Crescent Theatre, Birm- 0121 643 0428 ingham THE AND FINALLY BIG RYLEY WALKER The 01743 281712 02476 46 6174 BAND The Swan The- IRISH CENTRE THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, STRATFORD CIVIC HALL 0121 622 2314 MUCH WENLOCK 01789 207100 01952 728911 THE JAM HOUSE THE TIN MUSIC & ARTS, 0121 200 3030 HAVANA REPUBLIC COVENTRY THE KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE SHREWSBURY 024 7623 0699 0121 443 4725 01743 281744 THE OOBLECK HENRY TUDOR HOUSE Worcestershire SHREWSBURY 0121 270 6665 ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE 01743 361666 THE RAINBOW 01527 577330 0121 772 8174 THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY 01743 234970 HUNTINGDON HALL / SWAN RED LION FOLK CLUB THEATRE 01905 611427 0121472 4253 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS 01584 878141 MARR’S BAR, WORCESTER THE ROADHOUSE 01905 613336 0121 246 2273 THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY THE RIVER ROOMS, ROUTE 44 01743 281281 STOURBRIDGE 0121 708 0108 01384 397177 THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, THE SUNFLOWER LOUNGE TELFORD 0121 632 6756 01952 382382 SYMPHONY HALL WEM TOWN HALL For additional information 0121 780 3333 01939 232299 and to find out What’s On at these venues. Youngblood Brass Band - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham Visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

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PREVIEWS The National Youth Wind Classical Music Orchestra Of Great Britain Birmingham Conservatoire, Sat 8 August This summer concert sees the NYWO make its Adrian Boult debut, presenting a varied programme of works by international composers. Under the leadership of Dr Matthew J George, the UK-wide orchestra present Camille Saint-Saens’ Occident And Orient, David Maslanka’s Give Us This Day, Kit Turnbull’s Scene From Childhood, David Stanhope’s The Little Ripper March, Philip Sparke’s A Savannah Symphony and Michael Markowski’s As Midnight On A Moonless Night. With Sir Simon Rattle as its patron, the orchestra brings together young musicians from all walks of life to develop their musical skills in a safe and musically rich environment. Regular courses facilitated by professional tutors give access to internationally renowned conductors. Working with contemporary composers on new commissions has allowed NYWO to perform with a host of leading international soloists. Commenting on the orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle said: “The National Youth Wind Orchestra consists of some of the finest young wind players in the country. The Sir Mark Elder & The National Youth Orchestra Of Great Britain future of music lies in the hands of young Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 7 August players such as these. We should all do Chief Conductor with the Halle, Mark Elder this month leads the UK’s largest symphony orches- our best to ensure that everyone con- tra as part of the Birmingham International Concert Season 2014/15. cerned with this tremendous orchestra is The performance opens with Re-greening, a new commission by Tansy Davies which cele- given help and encouragement, financial brates the season of Spring. Written especially for the NYO, it’s performed without a conductor or otherwise, to continue with this reward- and completely from memory. Tansy is one of the UK’s most inventive contemporary coming and worthwhile work in music educa- posers, writing music which has been described as having ‘a visual quality that engulfs the tion.” senses’. The winner of the 1996 BBC Young Composers’ Competition, she’s since been com- Following its Birmingham date, the orches- missioned to produce work for Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Orchestra of the tra heads to London to perform an after- Swan, the Cheltenham Festival, the BBC, the Aldeburgh Festival, City of London Sinfonia and noon concert at St John’s Smith Square on CBSO Youth Orchestra, to name but a few. 9 August. The evening’s second offering is Mahler’s beautifully uplifting Symphony No.6.

SIR MARK ELDER AND THE David Maslanka, Kit LISTINGS NATIONAL YOUTH Turnbull, David Stan- Classical ORCHESTRA OF GREAT hope, Philip Sparke & BRITAIN Fri 7 Aug, Sym- Michael Markowski, Sat phony Hall, Birmingham 8 Aug, Adrian Boult For full listing information on classical HUW WIGGIN (SAXO- Hall, Birmingham Con- concerts, including times and dates, PHONE) & JAMES SHER- servatoire visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk LOCK (PIANO) Pro- ORGAN PROMS WITH GERT gramme includes works VAN HOEF Sat 15 Aug, HARTWIG BARTE-HANSSEN RETORICA Featuring Har- by Schumann, Piazzol- Victoria Hall, Stoke-on- ORGAN CONCERT Sat 1 riet Mackenzie & Philip- la, Rachmaninov & Trent Aug, St. Mary’s Church, pa Mo (violins). Pro- Bernstein, Fri 7 Aug, COLLABRO Sun 16 Aug, Warwick gramme includes works Church Stretton School, Betley Court Farm, Collabro NATIONAL SCOUT & GUIDE by Telemann, Wieniaws- South Shropshire Cheshire Betley Court Farm, Cheshire, ki, Mozart, Bach, THE NATIONAL YOUTH JONATHAN SCOTT ORGAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Sun 16 August 40TH ANNIVERSARY CON- Prokofiev & Handel, arr. WIND ORCHESTRA OF CONCERT Sun 16 Aug, CERT Sat 1 Aug, Adrian Halvorsen, Mon 3 Aug, GREAT BRITAIN Pro- The Buttermarket, Since winning last year’s Britain’s Got Tal- Boult Hall, Birmingham Church Stretton School, gramme includes works Shrewsbury ent, Collabro have earned themselves an Conservatoire South Shropshire by Camille Saint-Saens, PENNY WEEDON’S KEY- impressive following with their musical the- BOARD ORCHESTRA Pro- atre renditions. This outdoor concert fol- gramme includes works by Debussy, Elgar, lows hot on the heels of the group’s thirty- Holst, Wagner, Strauss, two-date tour and the release of their high- Addinsell & Grieg ly successful debut album, Stars. (Piano Concerto), Fri 28 Aug, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester HARRIET AMOS Pro- gramme features works by Debussy, Albeniz, Chopin, Mozart & Scar- latti, Fri 28 Aug, Hunt- ingdon Hall, Worcester ANTHONY HAMMOND ORGAN RECITAL Mon 31 Aug, All Saints’ Church, Leamington Spa

Retorica - Church Stretton School, South Shropshire

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Angie McEvoy Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham, Weds 12 August “After three years of studying Performing Arts,” says Angie McEvoy by way of explaining her route into comedy, “I abandoned my original ambition of being Watford’s answer to Maria Callas when I discovered stand-up comedy and realised how much fun being sarcastic to drunk people could be.” Since her epiphany, Angie’s wasted no time in hon- ing that sarcasm - and judging by her widespread popularity, the ‘drunk people’ have very much enjoyed her doing so.

Joe Pasquale The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Shropshire, Sat 8 August; Lichfield Garrick, Sun 9 August Blue Orange Comedy Nights The stand-up equivalent of the Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 10 & Mon 17 August Naked Gun movies - if you don’t Comedy nights are always entertaining. Either you get a good line-up like this joke, there’ll be another of cocky, confident performers who know how to handle their materi- one along in a second - squeaky- al, their audience and any number of hecklers, or you get comedians voiced laughter merchant Joe who end up dying a slow death right before your very eyes... Pasquale here makes a welcome There's not much chance of that happening with the little lot who take return to the Midlands with a show to the stage for these particular comedy gigs, though. that's sure to delight his legion of LouDeemY Soup (pictured) - featuring both new and established acts fans. Joe's been big business since - takes place on the second Monday of the month, and Box Of Frogs he won ITV1's I'm A Celebrity, Get - an evening of improvisational fun - on the third. And what’s more, Me Out Of Here! a few years back, with one evening pay what you can and the other free, you’ve got and has more than once showed good reason to smile even before anyone cracks a joke. his pulling power in the region by putting plenty of bums on seats during a couple of panto runs.

Club, Birmingham ZOE LYONS, ANDY WHITE, Comedy LISTINGS ANDY ROBINSON & ANDREW STANLEY Sat 22 PETER BRUSH, JONNY Featuring new and Aug, The Glee Club, AWSUM, MICKEY D & established acts, Mon Birmingham ERICH MCELROY Sat 1 10 Aug, The Blue Aug, Jongleurs Orange Theatre, Zoe Lyons Comedy Club, B’ham Birmingham TOM DEACON, ANDY ANGIE MCEVOY & ASKINS, STEVE BUGEJA & MAUREEN YOUNGER Wed SIMON BLIGH Sat 1 Aug, 12 Aug, Kitchen The Glee Club, Garden Cafe, Birmingham Birmingham DALISO CHAPONDA, TOM DEACON, MANDY GARETH RICHARDS, PETE KNIGHT, STEVE GRIBBIN & BECKLEY & DAVE CHRIS MCCAUSLAND Fri WILLIAMS Thurs 6 Aug, 14 - Sat 15 Aug, COMEDY IN THE MET The George Hotel, Jongleurs Comedy Line up tbc, Sat 22 Lichfield Club, Birmingham Aug, Stafford CRAIG MURRAY & ANDY LOL COMEDY CLUB Gatehouse Theatre ROBINSON WITH COMEDY Each show features JUNIOR SIMPSON, CAROUSEL & COMIC TBC three comics & MC ANDREW STANLEY & Thurs 6 Aug, The Glee Damion Larkin, Sat 15 ANDY ROBINSON WITH Club, Birmingham Aug, Regent Theatre, COMEDY CAROUSEL DAVID LONGLEY, TIM Stoke-on-Trent Thurs 27 Aug, The Glee CLARK, PAUL MYREHAUG TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Club, Birmingham & BARRY CASTAGNOLA Mon 17 Aug, The Blue STEFANO PAOLINI, Fri 7 - Sat 8 Aug Orange Theatre, TREVOR COOK, NICK PAGE Jongleurs Comedy Birmingham & BARRY DODDS Club, Birmingham ZOE LYONS, ANDY WHITE Fri 28 - Sat 29 Aug CRAIG MURRAY, BRYAN & ANDY ROBINSON WITH Jongleurs Comedy LACEY, SUSAN MURRAY & COMEDY CAROUSEL Club, Birmingham INDER MANOCHA Fri 7 - Thurs 20 Aug, The Glee JUNIOR SIMPSON, Sat 8 Aug, The Glee Club, Birmingham ANDREW STANLEY, DAN Club, Birmingham ZOE LYONS, ANDY WHITE, EVANS & PAUL JAMES Fri JOE PASQUALE Sat 8 ANDY ROBINSON & 28 - Sat 29 Aug, The Aug, The Place, MAGNUS BETNER Fri 21 Glee Club, B’ham Oakengates Theatre, Aug, The Glee Club, CLINT EDWARDS, MIKE Telford, Shropshire Birmingham BUBBINS, NICK DIXON & JOE PASQUALE Sun 9 GARETH BERLINER, STE SOL BERNSTEIN Sat 29 Aug, Lichfield Garrick PORTER & CRAIG MURRAY Aug, The Glee Club, LOUDEEMY SOUP Fri 21 - Sat 22 Aug Hanley, Stoke-onTrent COMEDY NIGHT Jongleurs Comedy

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a true theatrical spectacle that’s impressively superior to the film “ which inspired it. I urge you to go see for yourself. HHHHH What’s On Magazine, April 2015 ”

The Bodyguard Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 5 August - Sat 5 September Alexandra Burke stars as Rachel Maron in this award-winning musical ship; neither expects to fall in love... based on the blockbusting 1990s Hollywood movie starring Kevin Featuring classic numbers including One Moment In Time, I Wanna Costner and Whitney Houston. Dance With Somebody and the legendary I Will Always Love You, the When ex-Secret Service agent Frank Farmer is hired to protect super- show received mixed reviews from the critics when it opened in 2012 star Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker, sparks soon begin to fly but has proved to be a real hit with its audiences. between the pair. Each expects to hold the whip-hand in the relation- Read the review online at whatsonlive.co.uk

Othello Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Fri 28 August Shakespeare’s tragic tale of lost handkerchiefs, ruined repu- tations and mistreated wives has always been one of the theatre’s most powerful stories. When the malevolent Iago believes himself to have been overlooked for promotion by Othello, his Machiavellian mind turns to thoughts of vengeance. Othello’s willingness to be led by the nose is all grist to Iago’s mill, and fatal conse- quences ensue... Holby City's Hugh Quarshie returns to the RSC to play the title role, with Lucian Msamati as Iago and Joanna Vander- ham as Desdemona.

Valmiki Pratibha mac, Birmingham, Sun 30 August This new production of Rabindranath Tagore's famous opera arrives in the Mid- lands after earning positive reviews in London, Manchester and Liverpool. It was written in the late nineteenth century and tells the story of a blood-thirsty bandit named Ratnakar. Renouncing his life of violence, the bandit transforms into the pious sage Valmiki, the first millennium BC author of Ramayana, an epic poem hailed as one of the greatest ever works of Indian literature.

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Theatre PREVIEWS Dogfight Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 5 - Sun 16 August This amateur show is a musical adaptation of the 1991 film of the same name and finds six young Marines determined to enjoy themselves before heading off to join the Vietnam war. The Marines engage in a ‘dogfight’, a tradition which sees each of them trying to outmanoeuvre the others by taking along the ugliest girl they can find to a party. But the rules of the game are changed dramatically when Private Eddie Birdlace meets Rose...

Love Me Tender New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 24 - Sat 29 August Award-winning singer and platinum-selling artist Mica Paris takes top billing alongside Shaun Williamson in this brand new homage to the music of Elvis Presley. Penned by Tony Award- winning Joe DiPietro, the show is described as ‘a funny and moving tale of hope, second Sparrows In A Hat chances and the healing qualities of rock’n’roll’. The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Needless to say, the soundtrack offers plenty of opportunity to enjoy some ‘Elvis the Pelvis’- Thurs 20 - Sat 22 August style hip-swivelling fun in the aisles, with classic songs such as The Devil In Disguise, Hound Be warned: Steve Farr’s play about ‘two fifty- Dog, Blue Suede Shoes and Heartbreak Hotel all featuring. year-olds desperately seeking real love in a world that seems to have something against them’ features scenes of both a violent and Talking Heads starring Absent Friends sexual nature and includes language which Stephanie Cole Malvern Theatre, Wed 19 - Sat 22 August; some may find offensive. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 3 - Sat 5 Malvern Theatre, Mon 24 - Sat 29 August The show deals with some heavyweight sub- September ject matter too, including abuse, addiction Alan Bennett’s darkly comic monologues Alan Ayckbourn will always be best known and violent assault. brilliantly exemplify the playwright’s ability to for his tales of bedhopping couples, dysfunc- That said, it also features quite a lot of danc- dig deep beneath the surface of his charac- tional marriages and backfiring friendships, ing, Esperanto and a cheese obsession, so ters and unearth their various levels of emo- the most famous among which are 1970s award-winning playwright Farr is confident tional and psychological turmoil. offerings such as Absurd Person Singular, he’s providing something for everyone! This particular evening of Bennett magic Season’s Greetings, Bedroom Farce and The Performed in the round, the production is stars Stephanie Cole and comprises three Norman Conquests. Perhaps slightly less presented by highly rated theatre company hilarious yet heartbreaking pieces, present- well known but very much in the same Second Thoughts. ing portraits of people that are often quirky, mould is this 1974 comedy, which sees sometimes awkward but always quintessen- unfulfilled housewife Diana’s well-intentioned tially English. tea party taking several turns for the worse A Chip In The Sugar finds middle-aged Gra- before ultimately descending into complete ham’s life with his mother threatened by the chaos. appearance of an old flame. A Lady Of Let- ters, meanwhile, focuses on the curtain- twitching Irene, a woman always eager to speak (or rather, write) her mind, while A Cream Cracker Under The Settee beautifully illustrates how an obsession with housework leads to one woman’s downfall.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 8 August; Roses As You Like It Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun 2 August Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon, Sun 23 Accessible language, likeable characters, August; Swan Theatre, Worcester, Tues 25 romantic liaisons, magical creatures and a August series of comical caperings with an ass are 42nd Street This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of here combined to excellent effect in one of Gloucestershire-based touring theatre com- Shakespeare’s most popular works. New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 12 - Sat 15 August pany The Festival Players - and what better Lysander and Demetrius both fancy Hermia, way to celebrate than with one of Shake- Helena’s sitting on the shelf, Titania and Based on the 1933 movie of the same name speare’s most likeable comedies. Oberon are up to no good, and Puck’s got which, in turn, was based on the novel by For those not in the know, As You Like It his finger in more pies than Mr Kipling. Add Bradford Ropes, 42nd Street tells the inspir- revolves around the character of Rosalind, into the mix a group of rude mechanicals ing story of small-town Peggy Sawyer's rise banished by her usurping uncle to the Forest and the recipe for success is pretty much from chorine to Broadway star. Of Arden, where her exiled father is already complete... This particular staging is present- Songs include Lullaby Of Broadway, We're In living. Revelling in the naturalness of their ed by north Worcestershire-based touring The Money, Shuffle Off To Buffalo, Keep surroundings, Rosalind and her companions company Madcap Productions, who spe- Young And Beautiful, I Only Have Eyes For - cousin Celia and Touchstone the fool - find cialise in presenting classical and historically You and, of course, the spectacular title num- a happiness they hadn’t known existed. based theatre to contemporary audiences. ber itself.

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BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA, AUGUST LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE 2015

Saturday 1st August Friday 7th August Friday 7th August COCO AND THE MY PET MONSTER ZADIE SMITH BUTTERFIELDS & ME COLOURFUL, ENERGETIC & FAMILY FUN SHOW FROM TALK FROM THE RENOWNED CROWD-STOMPING BLUNDERBUS NOVELIST

Saturday 8th August Saturday 15th August Sunday 30th August A MIDSUMMER QUILL HUGH CORNWELL NIGHT’S DREAM MADCAP’S VERSION OF THE WITH SPECIAL GUEST SOLO ACOUSTIC TOUR SHAKESPEARE CLASSIC BEV BEVAN FROM THE STRANGLERS FRONTMAN

FORTHCOMING CINEMA: The Spongebob Movie (U) // Minions (U) // Mr Holmes (PG) Queen & Country (15) // Song Of The Seas (PG) // Spy (15)

FORTHCOMING SCREENINGS: Othello (RSC Live) // The Beaux’ Stratagem (NT Live) Aida (Opera Australia) // Romeo & Juliet (Royal Ballet Live) // Roger Waters’ The Wall - Encore Coriolanus (NT Live) // Le Nozze di Figaro (ROH Live) // Hamlet (NT Live) // Henry V (RSC Live) The Barber Of Seville (ENO Live) Download the Artrix brochure on www.artrix.co.uk www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ Free parking on-site

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Theatre PREVIEWS That’ll Be The Day Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Thurs 20 August That’ll Be The Day is a musical romp through rock’n’roll history - from its birth in the 1950s, through the vibrant era of the Swinging ’60s and on into the taste-free decade of the 1970s. In the process, the production takes a look at the attendant dance and fashion crazes - and just for good measure throws in some entertaining spoofs on the great fig- ures of the rock era. Pure unashamed fun, the show is here celebrating its thirtieth anniversary.

Twelfth Night Shrewsbury Castle, Tues 11 August; Ludlow OId Rep, Birmingham, Wed 19 - Thurs 20 August Millennium Green, South Shropshire, Wed 2 Pongo’s Party September Real-life husband-and-wife team Martin Parsons (Playdays Live, Sooty’s Magic Castle) and As with many Shakespearean comedies, Kate Ashmead (Tweenies, Thomas & Friends Live) are the creators and presenters of this Twelfth Night is based on a case of mistaken interactive family show aimed at children between the ages of two and seven. identity, with Viola disguising herself as a boy Bringing together songs, games and the voice of Justin Fletcher (aka CBeebies’ Mr Tumble) and causing all sorts of awkward romantic as Pongo the Pig, the production is set in what Martin describes as ‘a vibrant, colourful and shenanigans. The play is made by the sub- imaginative farmyard that’s home to a whole host of loveable puppet characters’. plot, in which the merciless Sir Toby Belch “We’ve always been committed to producing top quality, live entertainment that can reach as and his foolish companion Sir Andrew wide an audience as possible,” says Martin. “and this show has everything that children could Aguecheek seek to humiliate the pompous ever want at a party.” Malvolio - an aim they achieve with more than a little style... This particular staging is presented by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Founded in 2004, The Tempest Pride And Prejudice they’re named after Shakespeare’s original Severn Valley Country Park, Nr Bridgnorth, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury, Fri 14 August; troupe of travelling players. Shropshire, Fri 14 August; Witley Court, Berrington Hall, Leominster, Wed 19 August Worcestershire, Sat 15 August; Stokesay Castle, Nr Craven Arms, South Shropshire, Elegant Georgian settings and wonderful Thurs 27 August; Wenlock Priory, Much Wen- comic characters abound in this stage adap- lock, South Shropshire, Sat 29 August tation of Jane Austen's famous romantic Rain Or Shine Theatre Company are the novel. The foolish and marriage-obsessed troupe behind this outdoor staging of Shake- Mrs Bennet is relentless in her pursuit of suit- speare’s final play. able men for her five daughters to marry, her The Tempest is a tale of love and politics, increasingly desperate quest generating all revolving around the magical figure of Pros- manner of muddle and mayhem in the pero and the characters that inhabit his process... This much-loved and oft-per- enchanted island. They include the supernat- formed story is here presented by young the- ural Ariel - a flighty spirit and faithful servant atre company The Pantalloons who fuse a to Prospero - and Caliban, grotesque slave variety of popular theatre traditions including and native of the mystical island. commedia dell’arte and stand-up comedy to When a royal band of seafarers are ship- bring a sense of play to classical works. Accidental Death wrecked on the island, it isn’t long before Of An Anarchist strange things begin to happen... Tere Mere Nakhry The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Tues 18 - Wed 19 August The Drum, Birmingham, Sun 2 August The Arts Centre Telford (TACT), producers of The topical issues of domestic violence, this latest version of Nobel Prize-winning female harassment, child abuse and discrimi- Dario Fo’s much-loved farce, are advising nation come under the microscope in this audiences that they’ll head for home at the thoughtful and thought-provoking work of end of the evening both ‘enlightened and theatre. Blending humour and drama to amused’ - which won’t be a bad return on a excellent effect, the play looks in on the night at the theatre... world of Mrs Shamim, a widow who’s remar- The play is based on the real-life events sur- ried and lives a traditional Asian life. Mean- rounding the death of Italian railwayman and while, her elder son, Ahsan, has embraced anarchist Giuseppe Pinelli, who, in 1969, the British way of living, rejecting the possi- either fell or was thrown from the fourth floor bility of an arranged marriage in favour of window of a Milan police station. marrying for love...

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TRES TRES CABARET THE MET STUDIO Fri 31 July Très Très Cabaret promises to AUTUMN HIGHLIGHTS bring you the most extravagant variety show to the secluded inti- 2 September, 12.30pm macy of The MET Studio. Featur- ing the hottest performers from Literature at Lunchtime with the international cabaret scene to 18+ Dr Jane – Earnest Hemmingway’s surprise and delight you. Dress to 8pm, £15 The Old Man and the Sea impress and join us for an evening of glitz, glamour and so much more. Get your tickets now for the Tickets: £6 show that is yet again set to be the talk of the town.

WIZARD OF OZ 3 September, 8pm GATEHOUSE THEATRE Sam Sweeney’s Fiddle Made in the Great War Wed 5 - Sat 8 Tickets: £15adv, £17otd August Put a smile on everyone's face and join Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Summer School for 25 September, 8pm the magical musical The Wiz- O’Hooley & Tidow ard of Oz. Summat’s Brewin’ Featuring the iconic the songs Micro Tour Over The Rainbow, Munchkin- land (Ding Dong! The Witch Is Tickets: £10 Dead, We're Off To See The 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Wizard (Follow The Yellow Brick £10/£9 concs Road) and many more that the whole family will be singing along to. 2 October, 8pm Chris Ramsey - TREE FU TOM AllSOLD Growed OUTUp GATEHOUSE THEATRE Tickets: £17.50 Fri 21 & Sat 22 August 7 October, 12.30pm The world of Treetopolis comes to Stafford as we invite Literature at Lunchtime with you to do Tree Fu and help Dr Jane – Thomas Hardy’s Tom save the day! This brand Tess of the D’Urbervilles new show, packed with adven- Tickets: £6 ture, fun, music and participation, sees Tom take the stage in his first nationwide tour - be Fri 21 1pm & 3.30pm, Sat 22 part of the magic. 11am. £12.50/£10.50/£42 fam 8 October, 8.00pm Mark Thomas - MET COMEDY Tresspass THE MET STUDIO Tickets: £15, £10 conc Sat 22 August Bringing you the very best in live comedy from around the country, 15 October, 8.00pm The MET Studio has line ups to rival the biggest comedy clubs in Sean Kelly Live! the UK. Offering a combination of 8pm, £10 16+ big names such as Greg Davies, Jon Richardson and up and coming stars such as Patrick Mona- Tickets: £15, £13 conc. han and Paul Chowdhry.

PIVA: MEASURE FOR MEASURE - 21 October, 8pm MUSIC FROM SHAKESPEARE'S TIME King King THE MET STUDIO Fri 11 Sept Tickets: £16 adv, £18 otd Piva has developed a special show where they will be playing late 16th century popular dance and ballad music which would 7.30pm, £10/£8 30 October, 8.00pm have been used in the theatres of the day. As with any Piva show, they bring the period alive with Robert Newman: stories and tales about life in Shakespeare's theatre. The Brain Show Tickets: £15, £10 conc. LUKE JERMAY – SIXTH SENSE THE MET STUDIO Sat 12 Sept

16+ 8pm, £16/£14 concs

Luke Jermay is the most incredible man you’ve probably never heard of. He can read your mind. No really; he can read your mind. He doesn’t use mind games or psychological tricks; there are no smoke and mirrors. 'Jermay’s - Sixth Sense' has gained critical acclaim with 5 Star reviews from Edinburgh to London’s West End. Brewhouse Arts Centre, Union Street, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire DE14 1AA Box ofﬁce: 01283 508100. BOOKONLINE www.brewhouse.co.uk Box Office 01785 619080 www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk

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WONDERIA A cast of LISTINGS young people use a Wind In The Willows - Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury Theatre variety of circus skills to take audiences on a For full listing information on theatre journey through the productions, including times and dates, ages, Wed 5 - Sun 9 visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Aug, The Dream Facto- ry, Warwick DOGFIGHT MYK Produc- the sexes, Sat 1 Aug, From tions present a staging Mary Arden's Farm, of Pasek and Paul’s SAT 1 AUG Stratford-upon-Avon musical adaptation of A PLOUGHMAN’S TALE A the 1991 film of the BARNUM Brian Conley recital of songs, all by same name which fol- stars as the Greatest composers or with lows six young Marines Showman On Earth in words by poets con- on one final wild night Cameron Mackintosh's temporary to the Great of debauchery before blockbuster musical, War, which tells the tale their deployment to until Sat 1 Aug, Birm- of a ploughboy born in Vietnam, Wed 5 - Sun ingham Hippodrome the late 1800s, Sat 1 16 Aug, Old Joint Stock DIRTY ROTTEN Aug, Blue Orange The- Theatre, Birmingham SCOUNDRELS Michael atre, Birmingham MY PET MONSTER AND A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S Praed, Noel Sullivan, ME Blunderbus fuse DREAM Carley Stenson and Chapterhouse music, puppetry & Mark Benton star in this Theatre present an out- high-energy storytelling Wed 12 - Sat 15 Aug, part of Artrix’s Family Redditch national touring show door staging of Shake- in this monster of a New Alexandra Theatre, Fun Festival, Fri 14 THE TEMPEST Rain Or based on Frank Oz’s speare’s comical and show for young chil- Birmingham Aug, Artrix, Bromsgrove Shine Theatre present 1988 film, until Sat 1 heart-warming play, Sat dren, Fri 7 Aug, Artrix, THE THREE MUSKETEERS THE TEMPEST Rain Or an outdoor staging of Aug, Regent Theatre, 1 Aug, Erddig Hall, Bromsgrove Performed by award- Shine Theatre present The Bard’s final master- Stoke-on-Trent Wrexham ZADIE SMITH: WORDS An winning touring theatre an outdoor staging of piece, Sat 15 Aug, Wit- SHORTS 3 MRS WARREN'S PROFES- The Blue evening with the inter- company Illyria, Fri 14 The Bard’s final master- ley Court, Worcester- SION George Bernard Orange Writers’ presen- nationally acclaimed Aug, Rose Bank Gar- piece, Fri 14 Aug, Sev- shire Shaw’s period drama, tation is back with the author of White Teeth, dens, Worcestershire ern Valley Country presented by Everyman usual eclectic mix of KAPOW! 2Faced Dance Park, Nr Bridgnorth, The Autograph Man, Week Commencing Theatre Cheltenham, ten-minute plays based On Beauty and NW, Fri invite audiences to join Shropshire until Sat 1 Aug, Malvern on any theme, Sun 2 7 Aug, Artrix, Broms- them as three of planet PRIDE AND PREJUDICE MON 17 AUG Theatre Aug, The Blue Orange grove Earth’s greatest super- The Pantaloons present THE THREE LITTLE PIGS Theatre, Birmingham A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S heroes get ready to an Jane Austen’s PIERS PLOWMAN AS TERE MERE NAKHRY He can huff and he can DREAM Madcap Produc- battle it out for the title romantic comedy, Fri NEVER HEARD BEFORE puff until the cows Humour and drama is tions fuse music, of Most Supreme 14 Aug, Attingham Readings by Peter Sut- come home, but will used to elaborate the dance, stage combat & Superhero, Fri 14 Aug, Park, Shrewsbury ton from his new trans- the Big Bad Wolf get issues of domestic vio- physicality in a fast- Artrix, Bromsgrove BEAUTY AND THE BEAST lation of one of the the better of the three lence, female harass- paced staging of CHARLIE AND MATILDA’S The Harlequins present greatest medieval Eng- little superstar piglets in ment, child abuse, dis- Shakespeare’s popular MARVELLOUS MEDICINE an amateur staging of lish poems, Tues 18 this brand new retelling crimination and the play, Sat 8 Aug, Artrix, Out Of The Box fuse a Disney’s award-winning Aug, Vesta Tilley Stu- of the classic story? conflict of identity, Sun Bromsgrove couple of Roald Dahl’s animated feature, Sat dio, Swan Theatre, until Sun 2 Aug, Birm- 2 Aug, The Drum, Birm- GLYNDEBOURNE LIVE: much-loved plays as 15 Aug, Palace Theatre, Worcester ingham Town Hall ingham BRITTEN’S THE RAPE OF A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S OTHELLO Holby City's LUCRETIA Britten’s DREAM Hugh Quarshie returns Madcap Produc- extraordinarily tense to the RSC to play tions fuse music, and chilling treatment Shakespeare's Othello, dance, stage combat & of this historic tale is while Lucian Msamati physicality in a fast- explored in a brilliant features as Iago and paced staging of production by actress Joanna Vanderham as Shakespeare’s popular Fiona Shaw, best Desdemona, until Fri 28 play, Sun 2 Aug, Victo- known for her roles in Aug, Royal Shake- ria Pleasure Gardens, the Harry Potter films speare Theatre, Strat- Tewkesbury (tickets and the True Blood TV ford-upon-Avon available from Roses series, Sun 9 Aug, mac, THE MERCHANT OF Theatre) Birmingham VENICE Polly Findlay directs Shakespeare's Week Commencing uncompromising play, MON 3 AUG Week Commencing until Wed 2 Sep, Royal MON 10 AUG Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon ANNIE Worcester Oper- THE JEW OF MALTA atic & Dramatic Society TWELFTH NIGHT London Justin Audibert makes Youth Section presents Contemporary Theatre his RSC debut to direct an amateur production present an outdoor pro- Christopher Marlowe's of the much-loved rags- duction of Shake- subversive play, until to-riches musical, Tues speare’s comedy of Tue 8 Sep, The Swan 4 - Sat 8 Aug, Swan mistaken identity, Tues Theatre, Stratford-upon- Theatre, Worcester 11 Aug, Victoria Pleas- Avon LIGHTS, CAMERA... ure Gardens, Tewkes- VOLPONE Former RSC MUSIC! The AC Group bury (tickets available Artistic Director Trevor presents a celebration from Roses Theatre) Nunn returns to direct of some of the most TWELFTH NIGHT Lord Henry Goodman in the iconic music from Chamberlain’s Men title role of Ben Jon- Academy Award-win- present an outdoor son’s comic, satiric, ning films, Wed 5 - Sat staging of Shake- angry and timeless 8 Aug, The Crescent speare’s comedy of play, until Sat 12 Sep, Theatre, Birmingham mistaken identity, Tues The Swan Theatre, THE BODYGUARD Award- 11 Aug, Shrewsbury Stratford-upon-Avon winning musical based Castle AN EVENING OF DIRTY on the blockbuster film. THE WIND IN THE WIL- DANCING: THE TRIBUTE X Factor winner Alexan- LOWS London Contem- SHOW Celebration of dra Burke takes the porary Theatre Compa- the iconic music from lead as Rachel Moran, ny present an outdoor the award-winning Wed 5 Aug - Sat 5 Sep, staging of Kenneth Gra- soundtrack to Dirty Birmingham Hippo- hame’s popular tale, Dancing, Sat 1 Aug, drome Tues 11 Aug, Victoria New Alexandra Theatre, THE WIZARD OF OZ A Pleasure Gardens, Birmingham Stafford Gatehouse Tewkesbury (tickets MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTH- Theatre Summer available from Roses ING Oddsocks present School production, Theatre) a high-octane musical Wed 5 - Sat 8 Aug, 42ND STREET Featuring version of Shake- Stafford Gatehouse spectacular dance speare's witty battle of Theatre scenes and classic hits,

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full screening of the 25 Aug, Lichfield Gar- piece, Tues 29 Aug, LISTINGS Disney sensation, com- Week Commencing rick Wenlock Priory, Much Theatre plete with on-screen MON 24 AUG BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: Wenlock, South Shrop- lyrics to help you sing THE SUMMER PAN- shire For full listing information on theatre along with Anna and TALKING HEADS TOMIME Wed 26 - Sat THE CASEBOOK OF SHER- productions, including times and Elsa during the film, Fri Stephanie Cole pres- 29 Aug, Stafford Gate- LOCK HOLMES Chapter- 21 Aug, New Alexandra ents all three of Alan house Theatre house Theatre bring dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre, Birmingham Bennett’s brilliant OTHELLO RSC Live Arthur Conan Doyle’s TREE FU TOM New show observational mono- screening featuring detecting duo to life in DEATH OF AN ACCIDENTAL don Classic Theatre starring the world's logues, including A Holby City's Hugh the search for the most ANARCHIST TACT - The present Alan Ayck- smallest superhero, Cream Cracker Under Quarshie in the lead elusive piece of treas- Arts Centre Telford - bourn's critically direct from the smash- The Settee, A Chip In role. Lucian Msamati ure known to mankind, present Dario Fo’s inter- acclaimed observation hit CBeebies series, Fri The Sugar and A Lady plays Iago, Wed 26 Sat 29 Aug, Erddig nationally recognised of friendship, marriage 21 - Sat 22 Aug, Of Letters, Mon 24 - Sat Aug, Warwick Arts Cen- Hall, Wrexham play, widely regarded and what it means to Stafford Gatehouse 29 Aug, Malvern The- tre THE GINGERBREAD MAN as a classic of twentieth be ultimately happy, Theatre atres, Worcestershire BOUNCERS Swan The- Magic, music and plen- century theatre, Tues Wed 19 - Sat 22 Aug, SING-A-LONG-A FROZEN A LOVE ME TENDER Feel- atre Amateur Company ty of audience partici- 18 - Wed 19 Aug, The Malvern Theatre full screening of the good musical featuring present a staging of pation come together in Place, Oakengates The- THAT'LL BE THE DAY Disney sensation, com- Elvis Presley’s greatest John Godber’s award- David Wood’s famous atre, Telford Rock'n'Roll spectacular plete with on-screen hits. Starring the Shaun winning comedy, Tues play, Sat 29 Aug, Swan OLIVER! Malvern The- combining music from lyrics to help you sing Williamson and award- 25 - Sat 29 Aug, Vesta Theatre, Worcester atres Young Company the 50s, 60s & 70s with along with Anna and winning and platinum Tilley Studio, Swan FAME THE MUSICAL Ama- present a staging of wacky comedy rou- Elsa during the film, Sat album-selling singer Theatre, Worcester teur production pre- Lionel Bart’s musical, tines, Thurs 20 Aug, 22 Aug, The Hive, Mica Paris, Mon 24 - A FETE WORSE THAN sented and performed based on Dickens’ well- Wolverhampton Grand Shrewsbury Sat 29 Aug, New DEATH Murder-mystery by TACT - The Arts known novel, Tues 18 - Theatre DRACULA SPECTACULAR Alexandra Theatre, complete with fish & Centre Telford, Sat 29 - Sat 22 Aug, Malvern SPARROWS IN A HAT Ambient Night Produc- Birmingham chips supper, Thurs 27 Sun 30 Aug, The Place, Theatre Second Thoughts tions & The Prince of AS YOU LIKE IT The Fes- Aug, The Commandery, Oakengates Theatre, PONGO’S PARTY Featur- Drama Group present a Wales Theatre present tival Players present an Worcester Telford ing CBeebies’ Justin play which is described a riotous Transylvanian all-male production of JAY RAYNER: MY DINING EMMA Heartbreak Pro- Fletcher and Nicole as ‘more than just a tale, a culmination of The Bard’s pastoral HALL Evening with the ductions present a Davis as the voices of story of two fifty-year- summer workshops at comedy, Tues 25 Aug, award-winning journal- staging of Jane Pongo the Pig and olds desperately seek- the theatre, Sat 22 Aug, Swan Theatre, Worces- ist, writer, broadcaster - Austen’s comedy of Molly-Moo the Cow, ing real love in a world Prince of Wales Centre, ter and restaurant critic, manners, Sun 30 Aug, Wed 19 - Thurs 20 Aug, that seems to have Cannock THE SELFISH GIANT Thurs 27 Aug, Hunting- Hoar Cross Hall Hotel & The Old Rep, B’ham something against PEEK-A-BOO Join the Sealegs Puppet The- don Hall, Worcester Spa, Warwickshire VESTA One-woman them...’ Thurs 20 - Sat Gardener on her mis- atre Company present THE TEMPEST Rain Or VALMIKI PRATIBHA A show about the life and 22 Aug, Bear Pit The- sion to bring the gar- an adaptation of Oscar Shine Theatre present remarkable story of music of Vesta Tillery, atre, Stratford-upon- den buzzing back to Wilde's fairytale, Tues an outdoor staging of how a blood-thirsty regarded as one of the Avon life. An interactive per- 25 Aug, Watson Hall, The Bard’s final master- bandit renounces vio- most remarkable WEST SIDE STORY Ama- formance that explores Tewkesbury (tickets piece, Sun 27 Aug, lence and greed, trans- female entertainers ever teur production pre- children’s responses to available from Roses Stokesay Castle, South forms into the pious to have lived, Thurs 20 sented by Wing It The- their first experience of Theatre) Shropshire sage Valmiki and writes Aug, Vesta Tilley Stu- atre, Thurs 20 - Sat 22 theatre, Sat 22- Mon 31 ANIMAL ALPHABET THE TEMPEST Rain Or the Indian epic dio, Swan Theatre, Aug, Albany Theatre, Aug, Blue Orange The- Richard Digance’s fully Shine Theatre present Ramayana, a dance Worcester Coventry atre, Birmingham interactive show for an outdoor staging of drama in English, Sun ABSENT FRIENDS Lon- SING-A-LONG-A FROZEN A young audiences, Tues The Bard’s final master- 30 Aug, mac, B’ham

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Fri 11th & Sat 12th Sept 7.30pm Fri 18 Sept, 7.30pm Tues 22 Sept, 7.30pm Sherrif and Nick Walker Seeta Patel presents OUR MAIN STORY TONIGHT

SOMETHING THEN, SOMETHING NOW

Tickets: £10, £8 concs Tickets: £10, £8 concs Tickets: £10, £8 concs Theatre August Davina.qxp_Layout 1 23/07/2015 14:20 Page 12

Theatre REVIEWS

Below are reviews of theatre productions we checked out last month. For further theatre reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Unearthed New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme “Hello, I’m Theresa Heskins and I’m the Director of the New Vic.” Those opening words to Unearthed elicited a spon- taneous and very deserved round of applause for the woman who has taken this theatre to new heights. But it wasn’t actually Theresa who was saying them. It was Bryonie Pritchard, playing her. And every character that followed her on to the stage was another genuine individual portrayed by an actor. I’m all for verbatim theatre. Taking the testimonies of real people, word for word, and compiling them into a play is an excellent way of getting to the The Merchant Of Venice Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon heart of the matter. So Unearthed is the nearest Led by the fabulous Patsy Ferran as an irresistibly witty and commanding Portia, Polly thing to a living, breathing television documentary, Findlay's female-centric Merchant is a refreshing reinvention of a familiar tale. telling - with the aid of some stunning pictures - the Fresh from her run as Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island, Ferran is the very picture of story of the finding of the Staffordshire Hoard. And Balthasar's description (“so young a body with so old a head”), well-matched by Nadia once Theresa steps away, we, the audience, fill her Albina's chirpy Nerissa. Their energy and optimism is off-set by a Jessica like none shoes... hearing what she heard as she researched you've seen before: in spirit, Scarlett Brookes' melancholy take on the character is a the story. better match for Jamie Ballard's incessantly weeping Antonio than James Corrigan's In a field we meet a bevy of metal detector enthusi- laddish Lorenzo. asts led by David Nellist. He plays Terry Herbert, Unusually, the production downplays racism, skimming over Portia's prejudiced por- the Staffordshire man who had the piece of luck in trayal of her suitors. While some lines on injustice and hypocrisy stand out, Shylock's the first place; drawn to the site, we learn, by typically moving speeches play second fiddle to those delivered by the women. In ‘visions’. Nellist provides a literally down-to-earth contrast to his forced conversion, the young brides undergo gradual processes of portrayal of a gentle farmer, bemused by the enor- growth and self-discovery, experiencing genuine second thoughts about their hasty mity of it all. Short and squat, with detector in hand, marriages. he sort of stumbles after the experts as might you In defiance of Shylock's and Antonio's mutual misery, comedy takes precedence in this or I. But he’s never overawed. And the million quid pacy crowd-pleaser. With lightning-fast timing and bucket-loads of audience interac- will come in handy. tion, Tim Samuels is side-splitting as the clownish servant Gobbo, rivalled only in Elizabeth Elvin’s portrayal of the Stoke Museum’s laugh count by Ken Nwosu's endearing Gratiano and Brian Protheroe's swaggering Cathy Shingler is a treasure in itself. Full of life and Aragon. twice as bubbly, she’s a woman utterly enthused, In this money-mad age, there's something wonderfully cathartic about witnessing piles conjecturing like I’ve never seen an academic con- of cash carelessly swept aside after the climactic trial scene. In light of recent events, jecture before. is it too much to read a little of our new breed of female political leaders into Rina My one niggle regarding Unearthed is the inclusion Mahoney's pragmatic Duke and Portia's crushing defeat of the hot-headed men around of hesitations and broken and overlaid speech in her? Heather Kincaid n n n n the verbatim script. I guess it’s to remind us of the The Merchant Of Venice continues to show at the RST until Wed 2 September authenticity of the dialogue, but it can hinder com- prehension of complex affairs. At the end, ‘Theresa’ is still recording ‘Terry’. “How are you going to end your play?” he asks. “I think it Volpone Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon will be a bit of a cliff hanger”, she replies. And it On paper, Trevor Nunn directing Henry Good- certainly is. Chris Eldon Lee n n n n man in Ben Jonson's classic satire sounds a mouthwatering prospect. The themes of greed and lust are suitably timeless, while the notion of scammers defrauding people and business- es has never been out of fashion. Indeed, it’s probably more relevant in 2015 than it was in the time of Shakespeare’s greatest contemporary. For instance, I had three phone calls from people offering to mend my non-existent ‘Win- dows computer’ on the day of the show. Sadly, Volpone doesn’t live up to the billing - a situation almost as frustrating as those phone calls (almost). The outstanding Goodman, whose Volpone was a delightful mix of preening arrogance and cheery wit (and had a real twinkle in his eye), did his best to drive proceedings along, but it was an uphill battle that even he couldn’t win. Annette McLaughlin’s Lady Politic was the only other portrayal to catch the eye, and both would have needed chisels to get something out of the wooden performances of Orion Lee (Mosca) and Matthew Kelly (Corvino). The production itself could have done with a little more time in the workshop too. For all the contemporary references - reality TV, iPads, bearded hermaphrodite Androgyno resembling Eurovision winner Conchita, throwaway lines about vegetarians, global warming, the Budget and the Greek economic crisis - Nunn’s production was, for the most part, very much rooted in the past. Not Jonson's seventeenth century but the 1970s, courtesy of a range of inane (at best) and crass (at worst) sitcom-style gags. Very much out of place in a supposedly biting satire, they made it something of a farce in more ways than one Steve Adams n n . Volpone continues to show at the Swan Theatre until Sat 12 September

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Thurs 3rd September MICHAEL ENGLISH Time: 7.30pm

Sat 19th September SING-A-LONG-A FROZEN Time: 11am, 3pm, 6.30pm

Weds 23rd September JOSH WIDDICOMBE Time: 8.00pm

Sat 26th September LOLO WILLIAMS Time: 7.30pm

Wed 30th September DEREK ACORAH Time: 7.30pm

Thurs 1st October THE ILLEGAL EAGLES Time: 7.30pm

Fri 2nd October BLAKE Time: 7.30pm

Sat 3rd October MAX BOYCE Time: 7.30pm

Thurs 8th October JETHRO Time: 7.30pm

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Theatre WEST END Curtain set to close on Miss Saigon Cameron Mackintosh has announced that Boublil and Schönberg’s Miss Saigon will make its final performance at the Prince Edward Theatre on 27 February 2016. Since opening at the theatre in May 2014, Miss Saigon has broken box office records and garnered numerous accolades, including nine awards at the 2015 Whatsonstage.com Awards. Set against the backdrop of the 1975 US evacuation of the city, Miss Saigon tells the story of an American GI and his love for a young Vietnamese woman. Tickets to see the show can be booked online at miss-saigon.com/box-office.

Political farce debuts at The Menier... The Menier Chocolate Factory is to stage the world premiere of Anthony Horowitz’s Dinner With Saddam in the autumn. Award-winning director Lindsay Posner is at the helm of the production. Sanjeev Bhaskar (Goodness Gracious Me) stars as Saddam’s host - a man forced to hide the Iraqi dictator during the onset of the 2003 allied bombing campaign. A political farce in which personal issues merge with politics over the dinner table - and where something sinister is being cooked up behind the kitchen door - Dinner With Sad- dam opens at the Menier Chocolate Factory on 22 September, with bookings currently being taken until 14 November. Nathan Amzi, IIan Goodman and Rebecca Grant join Bhaskar in the production. At the time of going to print, the role of Saddam has yet to be cast. Sanjeev Bhaskar

Zoë Wannamaker in double bill Zoe Wannamaker is to appear alongside John Dalgleish and Ken- neth Branagh in a new production of Terrence Rattigan’s Harle- quinade, which opens at The Garrick Theatre in October. Rattigan’s classic is being brought to the stage by the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company and sees Wannamaker take on a dual role during every evening performance. As well as playing Dame Maud in Harlequinade, she will also perform Rattigan’s dramatic monologue, All On Her Own, prior to the main show. A powerful, atmospheric play written for television by Rattigan in the 1960s, All On Her Own has never previously been seen in the West End. Speaking of having Wannamaker on board, Kenneth Branagh said: “Zoe is a brilliant comedienne and a great tragic actress too. In join- ing us for the Rattigan comedy we seized on the opportunity to let her show us the dramatic side of a playwright also known as ‘the English Chekhov’. The rarely seen All On Her Own provides a fabulous woman’s role, and makes for an intriguingly balanced double bill.” Bookings are now being taken for Harle- quinade and All On Her Own, which play in rep at The Garrick Theatre from 17 October to 16 January.

Extended booking for Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon, the award-winning musical which pays homage to The Kinks, has extended its booking at the Harold Pinter Theatre until 16 April 2016. Adapted from Joe Penhall’s book and featuring music, lyrics and original story by Ray Davies, the show celebrates the music of one of the most popular bands to come out of the 1960s. The production has wowed audiences and critics in equal measure since it opened at the venue in October 2014.

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Released from Fri 7 Aug

The Gift CERT 15 (108 mins) Starring Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edger- ton Directed by Joel Edgerton (USA/Australia) Simon and Robyn (Bateman, Hall) are a happily married couple whose lives are turned around with the arrival of a friend from Simon’s past. The un- wanted visitor (Edgerton) insists on bringing the couple gifts, but their meaning is not entirely welcome. The actor Joel Edgerton (Exodus: Gods And Kings, Kinky Boots) makes his directorial debut with this thriller - from his own screenplay.

From Thurs 6 Aug

Fantastic Four CERT tbc Starring Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Toby Kebbell, Reg E. Cathey, Tim Blake Nelson Directed by Josh Trank (USA) The future of our planet is under threat. Again. So Mister Fantastic, the Human Torch, the Invisible Woman and The Thing team up to do battle. We’re talking a reboot of the 2005 film, which grossed $330million worldwide. This one cost $120million, so it better swamp the multiplexes and fight off all comers. The cast here is not so much stellar as Max CERT 12a (111 mins) talented, with Miles Teller (from Whiplash, Divergent) stretching himself in new directions Starring Josh Wiggins, Lauren Graham, Thomas as Mister Fantastic, the superhero with biologically elastic capabilities. Haden Church, Dejon LaQuake, Robbie Amell, Jay The director is Josh Trank, who brought us the intelligent, often thrilling ‘found footage’ Hernandez Directed by Boaz Yakin (USA) thriller Chronicle (2012). In 3D. Based on real events, this is the remarkable story of a Belgian Shepherd called Max, trained to assist the US Marines in Afghanistan. When his trainer, Kyle (Amell), is shot, Max is traumatised, and because he will not respond to anybody else, he is to be put down. However, Max turns out to respond to one other human: Justin, Kyle’s brother... Of course, Max is anything but mad.

Manglehorn CERT 12a (97 mins) Starring Al Pacino, Holly Hunter, Harmony Korine, Chris Messina Directed by David Gordon Green (USA) Al Pacino got terrific reviews for this drama, in which he plays an eccentric, small-town locksmith in Texas still mourning an unresolved relationship of twenty years ago. The director, Green, received raves for his earlier films George Washington, Prince Avalanche and Joe. From Wed 12 Aug

Man From U.N.C.L.E. CERT 12a (126 mins) Starring Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Jared Harris, Hugh Grant Directed by Guy Ritchie (USA) Most cinemagoers will be too young to remember Robert Vaughn and David McCallum as Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin, but they were jolly cool secret agents back in the 1960s. Guy Ritchie’s large-screen adaptation returns to the Cold War of the Swinging ’60s and has attracted a very sexy cast. Here, Solo and Kuryakin team up to stop a criminal organisation from swamping the globe with nuclear weapons. It may be a Holly- wood movie, but the subject is as English as James Bond. And, incidentally, U.N.C.L.E. stands for the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement. We knew you’d want to know. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Film - Aug.qxp_Layout 1 23/07/2015 14:32 Page 2

FilmNEW RELEASES

Released from Fri 14 Aug

Absolutely Anything CERT 12a (86 mins) Starring Simon Pegg, Kate Beckinsale, San- jeev Bhaskar, Rob Riggle, Eddie Izzard, and the voice of Robin Williams Directed by Terry Jones (UK/USA) As an off-the-wall experiment, a gaggle of unorthodox aliens decides to confer a disen- chanted, human school teacher (Pegg) with the ability to do absolutely anything. With Terry Jones behind the camera, the film has a strong whiff of Monty Python, with vocal cameos from Jones, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle and Michael Palin.

From Wed 12 Aug

sports doctor (Hader) whom she happens to be writing about - and starts to take a sec- Pixels CERT 12a (106 mins) ond look at the notion of monogamy. Starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, The director previously brought us The 40 Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad, Brian Cox Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up. Directed by Chris Columbus (USA) Mistress America CERT 15 (84 mins) You’re not going to believe this, but the Starring Greta Gerwig, Lola Kirke, Heather world is under attack. This time the Lind, Cindy Cheung aliens have taken exception to a time Directed by Noah Baumbach (USA) capsule sent into outer space by NASA, Having co-written France Ha (2013) together, in particular video-feeds of classic ar- real-life couple Noah Baumbach and Greta cade games, which they interpret as a Gerwig now embark on this screwball com- declaration of war. So, in keeping with edy set in New York. Gerwig plays Brooke, a the games, the aliens launch models for human firecracker who juggles a frenetic life their various assaults based on Pac-Man, of aerobics, interior design and social Space Invaders and their ilk. So, in order media. And her new stepsister, Tracy (Kirke), to fight back, President Will Cooper didn’t even see her coming... The American (James) enlists the help of his childhood critics loved it. friends, all of whom were rather good at saving the earth at their local video game arcade...

Paper Towns CERT 12a (109 mins) Released from Fri 21 Aug Starring Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Justice Smith, Austin Abrams, Halston Sage Directed by Jake Schreier (USA) John Green wrote the 2012 novel The Fault The Bad Education Movie CERT tbc In Our Stars, which was turned into a hugely Starring Jack Whitehall, Harry Enfield, successful film last year. His Paper Towns Mathew Horne, Sarah Solemani, Jeremy Irvine, Iain Glen was published in 2008 and concerns the Directed by Elliot Hegarty (UK) search for Quentin’s next-door neighbour and first love Margot, who loved mysteries The Marlborough-educated comedian Jack so much that she became one. The London- Whitehall actually wrote the screenplay to born supermodel Cara Delevingne plays her. this spin-off of his TV series Bad Education. He reprises his role of Alfie Wickers, the worst teacher to Trainwreck CERT 15 (125 mins) grace the British Starring Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Tilda Swin- educational es- ton, John Cena, Brie Larson tablishment, Directed by Judd Apatow (USA) who decides to You may not have heard of Amy Schumer, take his class on but she’s big news in the US. She is the star a school trip to of Comedy Central’s Inside Amy Schumer Cornwall after sketch show and now has her first starring they’ve finished movie vehicle with this, which she wrote her- their GCSEs. In- self. She plays Amy, a magazine writer who evitably, may- is used to putting herself about. She then hem ensues. starts to have ‘feelings’ for a successful

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Vacation CERT 15 (99 mins) Starring Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Leslie Mann, Chris Hemsworth, Beverly D'Angelo, Chevy Chase Directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein (USA) Older viewers may recall the madcap es- capades of the Griswold family in National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) and National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) - and maybe even their four sequels. Now Clark Griswold’s little boy Rusty is all grown up and takes his own family cross-country to visit the wonders of the theme park Walley World, before it finally closes. Rusty is now played by Ed Helms, best known as Stuart Price in The Hangover tril- ogy. Expect some naughty bits.

Good People CERT 15 (88 mins) Starring James Franco, Kate Hudson, Tom Wilkinson, Omar Sy, Anna Friel, Sam Spruell Directed by Henrik Ruben Genz (USA) N.B. If you stumble across a large cache of somebody else’s money and don’t tell anybody, the likelihood is that you will invite more trouble into your life than you can handle. At least, in the movies. And that’s what Released from Fri 28 Aug Strange Magic CERT U (99 mins) happens to Tom and Anna Wright (James Featuring the voices of Alan Cumming, Evan Franco, Kate Hudson), an American couple Rachel Wood, Kristin Chenoweth, Maya living in London up to their ears in debt. Rudolph, Alfred Molina, Elijah Kelley 45 Years CERT 15 (95 mins) Directed by Gary Rydstrom (USA) Starring Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay, Geraldine James, Dolly Wells More fantastic chicanery from the imagi- Directed by Andrew Haigh (UK) nation of George Lucas, this animated fantasy is, in his words, aimed at “twelve- Kate and Geoff Mercer are planning their year-old girls.” However, unlike Star Wars, forty-fifth wedding anniversary when an un- Strange Magic is also a musical and is expected discovery threatens to torpedo the set in the opposing worlds of fairies and celebration, not to mention the couple’s mar- bog creatures. Inspired by A Midsummer riage... Both Ms Rampling and Mr Courtenay Night’s Dream, the film was a critical and won best acting gongs at this year’s Berlin commercial disaster in the US. Film Festival.

American Ultra CERT tbc Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, To- Gemma Bovery CERT 15 (99 mins) pher Grace, Connie Britton, John Leguizamo, Starring Fabrice Luchini, Gemma Arterton, Bill Pullman Jason Flemyng, Mel Raido, Isabelle Cande- Directed by Nima Nourizadeh (USA) lier, Elsa Zylberstein, Pip Torrens Directed by Anne Fontaine (France/UK) Mike Howell (Eisenberg) is a drug-addled government ‘sleeper’ agent who has be- Having taken the title role of Posy Sim- come a liability. But when the powers-that-be monds' cartoon heroine Tamara Drewe decide to terminate him, he proves to be too (loosely based on Far From The Madding well-trained to eliminate. Pot luck may have Crowd), Gemma Arterton now segues into something to do with it. the title role of Simmonds' other famous liter- ary distortion. She plays Gemma who, with her husband Charles Bovery (Flemyng), Hitman: Agent 47 CERT tbc moves to a small farm in Normandy. A local Starring Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware, Zachary baker and Quinto, Ciarán Hinds, Thomas Kretschmann Flaubert fan Directed by Aleksander Bach (USA/Germany) (Luchini) is in- Fresh off his success as Peter Quinn in trigued by the Homeland, Rupert Friend replaces Timothy couple’s simi- Olyphant as the immaculately attired assas- larity to the ficti- sin of the video game fame. Here, he teams tious Charles up with a woman (Hannah Ware - from TV’s and Emma Bo- Boss and sister of the singer Jessie Ware) to vary. And he help her track down her father. The late Paul knows the story Walker was originally due to star as the doesn’t have a eponymous agent in this reboot. happy ending... www.whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Film A-Z Aug.qxp_Layout 1 23/07/2015 14:33 Page 1

don’t let us spoil the plot tures of Minnie Goetze, a Shrewsbury, Shropshire, the Masrani Global Cor- for you. Let’s just say punchy teen growing up Mon 3 - Wed 5 Aug poration decides to create FilmA-Z LISTINGS there are long work hours, fast in the countercultural a hybrid dinosaur, the In- really horrible step-sisters haze of 1970s San Fran- Frankenweenie PG dominus Rex. Of course, All films are currently on general release and a rather dashing cisco. Stars Bel Powley, The story of a young sci- it’s all a terrible mistake... unless otherwise stated. For full listing prince. This version actu- Alexander Skarsgård and entist called Victor Stars Chris Pratt and Frankenstein (Tahan, from information, including times and dates, ally adheres more to Dis- Kristen Wiig. Showing at Bryce Dallas Howard. ney’s classic 1950 Warwick Arts Centre, I Am Legend), who brings Showing at Ludlow As- visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk cartoon version than Coventry, Mon 24 Aug, his pet bull terrier, Sparky, sembly Rooms, South Charles Perrault’s original Tues 25 & Thurs 27 Aug; back to life, the film is ac- Shropshire, Tues 4 - Thurs Aliens 15 The Burning 15 folk story. Starring Cate mac, Birmingham, Sat 22 - tually a feature-length ver- 6 Aug & Sat 8 Aug In this sequel the planet A mysterious man Blanchett and Lily James. Thurs 27 Aug sion of a short Burton from Alien (1979) has emerges from the Argen- Showing at Warwick Arts made back in 1984. Fea- The Legend Of Barney been colonised, but con- tinean rainforest only to Centre, Coventry, Sat 8 - Eden 15 turing the voices of Char- Thomson 15 tact is lost. This time, the witness a poor farmer Sun 9 Aug The latest film from ac- lie Tahan and Frank Unlike Sweeney Todd, the rescue team has impres- being killed by mercenar- claimed French filmmaker Welker. Showing at mac, Demon Barber of Fleet sive firepower, but will it be ies sent to requisition his Clouds Of Sils Maria 15 Mia Hansen-Løve (The Birmingham, Sat 8 Aug Street, Glaswegian barber enough? Starring Sigour- land. Taking the dead Twenty years ago, the ac- Father Of My Children, Barney Thomson stum- The Gone Girl 18 ney Weaver and Michael man’s daughter with tress Maria Enders (Juli- Goodbye First Love) stud- bles into serial murder by Nick Dunne, on his fifth Biehn. This is an outdoor them, they retreat back ette Binoche) made her ies a young Parisian DJ accident. Stars Emma wedding anniversary, re- event. Showing at mac, into the jungle. Using his name playing a young caught up in the explod- Thompson and Robert ports the disappearance Birmingham, Sat 22 Aug innate knowledge of the woman who drives her fe- ing dance music scene of Carlyle. Showing at mac, of his wife. Then, as a forest, the mysterious male boss to suicide. the 1990s. Stars Félix de Birmingham, Fri 7 - Thurs media frenzy builds Amy 15 man heads off in pursuit. Here she’s agreed to star Givry and Pauline Etienne. 13 Aug around the gone girl, sus- Bafta-winning documen- Showing at mac, Birming- in a revival of the play, this Showing at mac, Birming- picion starts to fall on Nick Looking For Love 15 tary maker Asif Kapadia ham, Tues 4 - Thurs 6 time portraying the older ham, Sat 8 Aug, Mon 10 - himself... Stars Ben Affleck This new documentary focuses his attention on Aug; Warwick Arts Centre, woman, with her original Thurs 13 Aug and Rosamund Pike. from filmmaker Menelik the career, life and death Coventry, Wed 5 - Thurs 6 part played by a Holly- Eden Reborn 18 Showing at Forest Arts Shabazz (The Story Of of Amy Winehouse, the Aug wood star with a predis- London-born singer-song- position for scandal. Not for the easily queasy, Centre, Walsall, Fri 7 Aug Lovers Rock, Burning An writer. Again, the reviews The Butler 12a this eco-feminist reimagin- Illusion) combines music Interestingly, the latter is Inside Out U have been exemplary - al- The Butler is loosely ing of the Myth of Eden in and performances with in- embodied by Kristen Largely set inside the though Amy’s family are based on real events. The response to Ted Hughes’ timate interviews explor- Stewart. Showing at The brain of an eleven-year- none too happy with the Butler in question works Theology has been de- ing relationships within Old Market Hall, Shrews- old girl, Inside Out’s five film. Showing at Warwick at the White House and scribed as a cannibalistic the UK’s black British bury, Sat 8 - Mon 10 Aug protagonists are the emo- Arts Centre, Coventry, until it’s through his eyes that sex metaphor and likened community. Showing at tions that dominate her Thurs 6 Aug; Festival Dray- we see many of the major Cobain: Montage Of to the work of Angela mac, Birmingham, Fri 21 - actions: Joy, Fear, Anger, ton Centre, Market Dray- historical episodes of the Heck 15 Carter. Showing at mac, Tues 25 Aug Disgust and Sadness, ton, Shropshire, Fri 14 twentieth century. Starring The first ever, fully autho- Birmingham, Sun 23 Aug each given its own voice. Love & Mercy 12a Aug; Ludlow Assembly Forest Whitaker and rised documentary tracks Far From The Madding But there’s more to this Brian Wilson was the co- Rooms, South Shropshire, Oprah Winfrey. Showing Kurt Cobain from his earli- Crowd 12a set-up than meets the founder of The Beach Mon 17 Aug at Forest Arts Centre, Wal- est years through the The last time Thomas mind, as Joy and Sad- Boys and this is his story. sall, Thurs 27 Aug height of his fame with Ant-Man 12a never-before-seen home Hardy’s immortal 1874 ness get lost! Showing at His younger self is played Ready for a new fran- movies, animation and novel was adapted for the Malvern Theatres, until by Paul Dano, his older chise? Here comes Ant- revelatory interviews from screen was courtesy of Thurs 6 Aug; The Old Mar- persona by John Cusack. Man - aka Scott Lang his family and closest the modern-day, thinly ket Hall, Shrewsbury, It was not an easy life. (Paul Rudd). Scott Lang is WATCH confidantes. Showing at disguised Tamara Drewe Shropshire, until Fri 14 - Showing at Warwick Arts actually a conman who Warwick Arts Centre, (2010), with Gemma Arter- Thurs 27 Aug; The Court- Centre, Coventry, Fri 7 - comes by a suit that en- THE FILM Coventry, Mon 10 - Tues ton. Thomas Vinterberg’s yard, Hereford, from Sat Thurs 13 Aug; Festival ables him to shrink yet 11 Aug version is strictly of the 29 Aug Drayton Centre, Market become incredibly costumed variety, set in Drayton, Shropshire, Fri 21 Iris 12a strong. With the new TRAILERS AT Danny Collins 15 Victorian England. Carey & Mon 24 Aug The last film by Albert technology at his pincer Danny Collins (Al Pacino) Mulligan, as the fêted whatsonlive.co.uk Maysles (Grey Gardens, Magic Mike XXL 15 tips he decides to reform is an ageing rocker and Bathsheba Everdene, has Gimme Shelter) is a won- The former male stripper his ways and join up with still lives the part. Then he received rave reviews for derful portrait of nonage- ‘Magic Mike’ is back, this the entomologist Hank comes across a letter writ- her performance. Matthias narian style icon Iris Apfel. time to compete in a strip- Pym (Michael Douglas) to ten to him by John Schoenaerts, Michael One of the most recognis- ping convention in Myrtle save the world. Showing Lennon forty years previ- Sheen also star. Showing able characters amongst Beach, South Carolina - at The Courtyard, Here- The Choir PG ously and decides to at mac, Birmingham, Sun New York's fashion elite, his last hurrah. Expect six ford, from Fri 21 - Fri 28 A troublesome eleven- change his ways... In- 16 - Tues 18 Aug Iris is a singular woman packs galore. Stars Chan- Aug year-old orphan ends up spired by a true story. Also at the National Boychoir stars Annette Bening and The Forgotten Kingdom whose enthusiasm for ning Tatum and Matt Back To The Future Part Academy. However, even Jennifer Garner. Showing tbc fashion, art and people Bomer. Showing at The II PG though he can sing well, at The Roses Theatre, Atang leaves the slums of shows no sign of slowing Courtyard, Hereford, from Marty McFly has only just he rebels against his privi- Tewkesbury, Tues 4 - Fri 14 Johannesburg for his an- down. Showing at mac, Fri 28 Aug gotten back from the past, leged classmates and the cestral land of Lesotho, to Birmingham, Fri 28 Aug Aug; The Old Market Hall, Manglehorn 12a when he is once again school’s exacting choir bury his estranged father. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Jurassic World 12a Al Pacino plays a lonely picked up by Dr Emmett master. Stars Dustin Hoff- Stirred by memories of his Fri 7 - Thurs 13 Aug The continuing story of locksmith whose life is Brown and sent through man and Kathy Bates. youth, he falls in love with the Costa Rica theme transformed by a new ro- time to the future. Marty's Showing at Light House The Diary Of A Teenage his childhood friend and park, a somewhat differ- mance in this magical job in the future is to pose Media Centre, Wolver- Girl 18 discovers the mystical ent place than it was love story from acclaimed as his own son, to prevent hampton, until Thurs 6 Based on Phoebe beauty and hardships of twenty-two years ago. director David Gordon him from being thrown in Aug; Ludlow Assembly Gloeckner's graphic the people, before facing However, in spite of every- Green (Joe, All The Real prison. Stars Michael J Rooms, South Shropshire, novel, adapted for the his own bittersweet reck- thing now running Girls). Also stars Holly Fox and Christopher Tues 18 & Thurs 20 Aug screen and directed by oning. Stars Zenzo smoothly, visitor rates Hunter. Showing at mac, Lloyd. This is an outdoor Marielle Heller, The Diary Ngqobe and Nozipho have declined. So, in an Birmingham, Fri 21 - Thurs event. Showing at mac, Cinderella PU Of A Teenage Girl charts Nkelemba. Showing at effort to sex the place up, 27 Aug; Warwick Arts Cen- Birmingham, Sat 1 Aug Once upon a time… Oh, the coming-of-age adven- The Old Market Hall,

FOREST ARTS CENTRE, WAL- ODEON TELFORD ODEON TAMWORTH Worcestershire CINEMA Box Office SALL 01922 645 555 0871 224 4007 0871 224 4007 ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE OMH SHREWSBURY 01527 577330 Shropshire 01743 281281 Warwickshire Birmingham SHOWCASE 0871 220 1000 MALVERN THEATRE VUE CINEMA Star City 08712 CINEWORLD, SHREWSBURY WEM TOWN HALL ODEON COVENTRY 0845 287 2146 CINEWORLD Broad St, B’ham 0871 200 2000 01939 232299 0871 224 4007 240 240 THE NORBURY THEATRE, 0871 200 2000 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, Staffordshire ODEON NUNEATON DROITWICH SPA CINEWORLD Solihull Black Country MUCH WENLOCK 0871 224 4007 08444 777 1000 0871 200 2000 CINEWORLD W’HAMPTON 01952 728 911 CINEWORLD, BURTON-UPON- SHOWCASE, COVENTRY TRENT 0871 200 2000 WAREHOUSE, ELECTRIC, B’ham 0871 200 2000 FESTIVAL DRAYTON CENTRE, 0871 220 1000 0121 643 7879 THE STAFFORD CINEMA, KIDDERMINSTER LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CEN- MARKET DRAYTON VUE, LEAMINGTON SPA 01562 747773 EMPIRE 0871 471 4714 TRE, W’HAMPTON 01902 01630 654 444 STAFFORD 08712 240 240 716055 0207 438 9580 VUE, WORCESTER MILLENNIUM POINT THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY PICTURE HOUSE, STRAT- 0871 224 0240 0121 202 2222 ODEON MERRY HILL, DUD- 01743 234 970 FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, FORD-UPON-AVON 0871 902 THE ROSE’S THEATRE, MAC 0121 446 3232 LEY 0871 22 44007 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS LEEK 01538 386 112 5741 SHOWCASE, DUDLEY 01584 878 141 STOKE FILM THEATRE, 01782 TEWKESBURY ODEON 0871 224 4007 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE 01684 295 074 0871 220 1000 411188 COVENTRY 02476 524524 REEL Quinton 0121 421 5316 MAJESTIC, BRIDGNORTH 01746 761815

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tre, Coventry, Fri 28 - Mon Mr HolmesPG Shropshire, Mon 3 - Weds Self/Less12a Rooms, South Shropshire, Theebtbc 31 Aug; The Old Market Just when you think 5 Aug; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Damian is a healthy Thurs 13 & Sat 15 Aug Set in western Arabia in Hall, Shrewsbury, Shrop- they’ve tried every angle Thurs 6 - Tues 11 Aug; young man who, thanks 1916, using mostly non- Song Of The SeaPG shire, from Fri 28 Aug on Sherlock Holmes, The Old Market Hall, to pioneering medical sci- professional Bedouins, An Irish youth discovers along comes a new inter- Shrewsbury, Shropshire, ence, has the conscious- Theeb (meaning ‘wolf’) Marshland15 that his mute sister pretation. In this version, Fri 14 - Thurs 20 Aug; War- ness of a wealthy dying tells the story of two broth- Like a Spanish True De- Saoirse is a selkie who Holmes is retired and suf- wick Arts Centre, Coven- aristocrat transferred into ers from a family of pilgrim tective, this period cop must find her voice and fering from dementia but try, Sat 15 Aug, Mon 17 - his body. Inevitably, guides who live a tradi- thriller from writer/director free supernatural crea- still resolved to solve a Tues 18 Aug though, there is a clash of tional Bedouin life during Alberto Rodriguez follows tures from the spell of a fifty-year-old case. Starring interests... Stars Ryan a time of radical industrial two ideologically opposed Ruth And Alex12a Celtic goddess. Featuring Ian McKellen.Showing at Reynolds and Ben Kings- change.Showing at mac, detectives in the moody When Ruth and Alex first the voices of Brendan The Old Market Hall, ley.Showing at The Court- Birmingham, Sun 30 - Andalaz swamplands, moved to Brooklyn, it was Gleeson and Lisa Hanni- Shrewsbury, Shropshire, yard, Hereford, Fri 21 & Mon 31 Aug forced to come together the 1970s - years before gan. Showing at Artrix, until Thurs 6 Aug; Festival Thurs 27 Aug to find the perpetrator of a gentrification, and years Bromsgrove, Tues 11 - Drayton Centre, Market The Third ManPG series of brutal attacks on before they would realise Thurs 13 Aug; Ludlow As- Drayton, Shropshire, Sat 1 Shaun The SheepU Writer Holly Martins trav- two local teenage sisters. that they won't always be sembly Rooms, South Aug; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Shaun, the sheep, first ap- els to Vienna looking for Stars Javier Gutiérrez and able to climb several Shropshire, Mon 17 - Tues Tues 4 - Wed 5 Aug; The peared in Aardman Ani- his friend Harry Lime. Raúl Arévalo.Showing at flights of stairs to get 18 Aug & Fri 21 Aug; The Roses Theatre, Tewkes- mations' stop-motion Upon his arrival, Holly mac, Birmingham, Fri 14 - home. So the couple opt Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 14 bury, Fri 7 - Tues 11 Aug; Wallace and Gromit car- learns that Harry is dead. Thurs 20 Aug to put their apartment on - Thurs 20 Aug; Warwick Ludlow Assembly Rooms, toons and then landed his Soon, Holly finds that the market and over one own series on CBBC. Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat there’s more to Harry’s MinionsPG South Shropshire, Mon 10 weekend, they discover Now he makes it to the 22 - Sun 23 Aug; The Old unfortunate demise than Having destroyed all the - Wed 12 Aug that finding a new apart- big screen and leads his Market Hall, Shrewsbury, what lies on the surface. masters that they’d previ- Paddington15 ment is starting a whole flock astray when he and Shropshire, from Fri 28 Like all film-noir, no one is ously served, the minions A film about the loveable new adventure! Stars his woolly cohorts end up Aug who they appear to be, set off to find someone bear with a penchant for Diane Keaton and Mor- in the Big City.Showing at not even the dilapidated equally evil to assist. So Spy 15 marmalade. Starring gan Freeman.Showing at Forest Arts Centre, Walsall, city itself. Starring Joseph they attend a villain’s con- Director Paul Feig made a Hugh Bonneville and mac, Birmingham, Fri 14 - Thurs 27 Aug Cotten and Orson Welles. vention and latch on to star of Melissa McCarthy Sally Hawkins.Showing at Sat 15 Aug & Tues 18 Aug Showing at Warwick Arts Scarlet Overkill (Sandra in Bridesmaids and The Forest Arts Centre, Walsall, Slow West15 Centre, Coventry, Fri 7 - Bullock), who’s planning Samba15 Heat and now casts her Tues 25 Aug This pocket-size Western Sat 8 Aug to take over the world. Samba is a charismatic with a poetic heart sees as CIA analyst Susan Showing at The Old Mar- Queen And Country15 Senegalese dishwasher Kodi Smit-McPhee play- Cooper. When two of Timbuktu12a ket Hall, Shrewsbury, Celebrated British director who has been living ille- ing Jay Cavendish, a love- Susan’s colleagues are in Nominated for an Oscar Shropshire, until Thurs 13 John Boorman brings us gally in France for ten struck Scottish teenager trouble she volunteers to for best foreign language Aug; The Courtyard, Here- a sequel to his 1987 years. When the authori- who, in 1870, travels to go undercover so as to film, Timbuktu is the story ford, Sat 1 Aug; Artrix, drama Hope And Glory. ties catch up with him, a Colorado in search of his avert global catastrophe. of a simple cattle herder Bromsgrove, Tues 4 - Here, it’s ten years after fragile immigration volun- true love, Rose. Along the Good ol’ Susan. Also and his wife and what Thurs 6 Aug; Festival Dray- the events of the first film teer takes on his case and way he hooks up with stars Jason Statham and happens to them when ton Centre, Market Dray- and Bill Rohan is called an unexpected romance Silas, a bounty hunter Jude Law.Showing at the Malian city of the title ton, Shropshire, Tues 4 & up for National Service in begins. Starring Omar Sy who’s both a blessing and Ludlow Assembly Rooms, is occupied by Islamic Ji- Thurs 6 Aug; Ludlow As- the shadow of the Korean & Charlotte Gainsbourg a curse. Also stars South Shropshire, Sat 1 hadists. Set in 2012. Star- sembly Rooms, South War. Stars Callum Turner. Showing at The Roses Michael Fassbender. Aug; Artrix, Bromsgrove, ring Abel Jafri and Shropshire, Fri 7, Mon 10 - Showing at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues Showing at Light House Weds 12 - Thurs 13 Aug; Hichem Yacoubi.Showing Thurs 13 Aug Theatre, Tewkesbury, until 4 Aug Media Centre, Wolver- The Courtyard, Hereford, at The Old Market Hall, Mon 3 Aug; Ludlow As- hampton, until Thurs 6 Fri 14 - Thurs 20 Aug Shrewsbury, Tues 11 - sembly Rooms, South Aug; Ludlow Assembly Thurs 13 Aug

DVD NEW RELEASES Hot Tub Time Machine Insurgent 12a 2 15 In this, the second install- This comedy sequel sees ment of the Divergent tril- the gang this time trans- ogy, Tris Prior continues ported into the future, in her fight against the total- their trusty magic hot itarian state that governs tub, to save the past. a dystopian Chicago of Starring Rob Corddry, the future. Starring Shai- Craig Robinson and lene Woodley. Clark Duke. Released 3 Aug Released 3 Aug The Water Diviner 15 In this historical drama Russell Crowe plays the father of three boys who went missing during the Battle of Gallipoli and who subsequently travels to Turkey to find them. Released 10 Aug

The SpongeBob Movie U Woman In Gold 12a Leo Demidov, a dis- Far From The Madding The Good Lie 12a graced intelligence agent Here, the jolly yellow sea Based on a true story Crowd 12a Based on true events, this in the Stalin-era Soviet sponge joins forces with of a Jewish octoge- The last time Thomas is the story of a brassy Union who takes it upon his adversary, Plankton, narian (Helen Mirren) Hardy’s immortal 1874 American woman who as- himself to investigate the to help retrieve his pre- who, with the help of novel was adapted for the sists in the relocation of killings. Based on the cious ‘Krabby Patty’ for- an American lawyer screen was courtesy of four young Sudanese 2008 novel by Tom Rob mula. The villain of the (Ryan Reynolds), the modern-day, thinly refugees. Starring Reese Smith. Also stars Gary piece - a pirate named takes on the Austrian disguised Tamara Drewe Witherspoon. Get Hard 15 Oldman. Burger-Beard - is played government in order (2010), with Gemma Arter- Released 31 Aug by Antonio Banderas. When millionaire busi- to reclaim a portrait Released 24 Aug ton. Thomas Vinterberg’s Released 3 Aug nessman James King stolen from her family version is strictly of the (Will Ferrell) is sent down by the Nazis. costumed variety, set in for ten years for tax eva- Released 3 Aug Victorian England. Carey sion, he’s not sure he’s Mulligan, as the fêted ready for prison. So he Child 44 15 Bathsheba Everdene, has hires Darnell Lewis received rave reviews for Filmed in the Czech Re- (Kevin Hart) to help pre- her performance. Matthias public, this hard-hitting pare him for a life behind Schoenaerts, Michael thriller takes as its sub- bars. Released 10 Aug Sheen also star. ject a spate of child mur- Released 31 Aug ders. Tom Hardy plays

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Lichfield Fake Festival Beacon Park, Lichfield, Sat 15 August The UK’s only touring tribute festival stops off in Lichfield this month. The hugely popular Fake Fes- tival concerts take place across the country, with each show featuring three top UK tribute bands. This Beacon Park gig sees Jamiroquai tribute Space Cowboy, Kazabian and Bon Jovi Experi- ence all taking to the stage. Local support bands are invited to perform before the professionals take over. A kids’ entertainment zone, food traders and a li- censed bar also feature.

V Festival Weston Park, Shropshire, Sat 22 - Sun 23 August Taking place simultaneously in Essex and Stafford- shire, V Festival continues to be one of the most popular events on the pop festival circuit. Boasting an extensive music line-up across four main stages over two days, the festival annually features some of the biggest names in the music industry. World-renowned US DJ Calvin Harris takes the limelight at this year’s event, appearing on the Vir- gin Media stage on the Saturday evening, whilst English rock group Kasabian headline the Sunday night. The 2015 line-up also features Olly Murs, Stereo- phonics, Sam Smith, The Script, Hozier, Ellie Goulding, George Ezra, Tom Jones, Clean Bandit, Annie Mac, The Kooks, Paloma Faith, Nero, Jessie Ware and Example.

Calvin Harris Shrewsbury Folk Festival West Midland Showground, Shrewsbury, Fri 28 - Mon 31 August Having grown considerably in both reputation and stature since its debut at the town’s Quarry Park in 2006, Shrewsbury Folk Festival is now undoubtedly one of the country’s top events of its kind - a status endorsed by Bellowhead’s Jon Boden, who rated it in the Sunday Telegraph as one of his five favourite festivals. Offering a lot more than just great music, its relaxed atmosphere provides a perfect environment in which to meet like-minded people. And with dozens of workshops to enjoy, there’s plenty to keep people of all ages entertained. For the more energetic, the dance tent provides the perfect place in which to participate in ceilidhs and to watch dance displays. The children’s festival and circus tent, meanwhile, are certain to keep youngsters amused, while young folkies are invited to get involved in Re- folkus, the festival’s very own youth festival. Headliners this year include singer-songwriter Kate Rusby (pictured), Quebec-based group La Bottine Souriante, Richard Thompson OBE and Sharon Shannon, an Irish musician best known for her work with the accordion and for her fiddle technique. An Oysterband ‘special performance’ is also on the bill, as well as Steve Knightley, O’Hooley & Tidow, Amadou Diagne, Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita, Dawes, Spooky Men’s Chorale, False Lights and Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

The Dawes Richard Thompson Sharon Shannon Bridgnorth Music And Photo credit: Ron Sleznak Arts Festival Various venues around Bridgnorth, Fri 28 August - Sun 6 September Now in its tenth year, this ten-day event is the biggest free festival of its kind in Shropshire. Music, comedy, art, dance, film and poetry all feature, with events taking place at various locations throughout the town. Delta Rhythm, Minerva, Voodoo Sioux, Defy All Reason, Martyr de Mona, The Troy Redfern and Bufferfly Stone all feature amongst this year’s line- up.

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Armin Van Buuren & Billy Bragg - Lakefest, Croft Farm Waterpark Fusion Festival The Chemical Brothers, Cofton Park, Birmingham, Fri 28 - Sun 30 August Fri 28 - Sun 30 Aug, Following the success of the previous two festivals, Fusion is this Daresbury, Cheshire BEERMAGEDDON Line-up month back at Cofton Park for a third outing. Run in association with includes Rannoch, Capital FM and in support of the Prince’s Trust, the 2015 incarnation Mpire Of Evil, Tyson certainly boasts a poptastic line-up. Dog & Heavenwood, Fri Teenage heartthrob Justin Bieber headlines the Friday evening, dance 28 - Sun 30 Aug, Stoke act Rudimental take the Saturday top slot and McFly and Busted fu- Prior Country Club, Bromsgrove sion McBusted close festivities on the Sunday night. The Vamps, FUSION FESTIVAL Line- Clean Bandit, Tinie Tempah, Labrinth and Gorgon City also feature in up includes Justin the line-up. Bieber, McBusted, Rudi- mental & Tinie Tempah, Rudimental Fri 28 - Sun 30 Aug, Cofton Park, Birming- ham Belle & Sebastian, cludes The Hawklords, SHREWSBURY FOLK FES- James & Metronomy, Son of Man, Dr Has- TIVAL Line-up includes Thurs 3 - Sun 6 Sept, been & Glow People, Richard Thompson, La Portmeirion Fri 11 - Sat 12 Sept, Bottine Souriante, Kate MOSELEY FOLK FESTIVAL Stoke Prior Sports & Rusby & Sharon Shan- Line-up includes The Country Club, Broms- non, Fri 28 - Mon 31 Monkees, Spiritualized, grove Aug, West Midland Idlewild & Anna Calvi, WHITWELL FESTIVAL OF Showground, Shrews- Fri 4 - Sun 6 Sept, MUSIC Line-up includes bury Moseley Park, Birming- Eddie & The Hot Rods, GREENBELT FESTIVAL ham Seven Little Sisters, Line-up includes Duke WELFEST ON THE Maelor Hughes & Black Special, Pascuala Il- MEADOW Line-up in- Thorn, Fri 11 - Sun 13 abaca, King Porter cludes The Loose Cov- Sept, various locations Stomp & Worry Dolls, ers, The Vooz, Souled around Banbury Fri 28 Aug - Mon 31 Out 2 Funk & Matt BROMYARD FOLK FESTI- Aug, Boughton House, Eaves, Sat 5 Sept, Syn- VAL Line-up includes Northamptonshire der Meadow, Warwick- Breabach, Gerry Colvin Shropshire shire Band, John Doyle & BELBROUGHTON BEER BETLEY CONCERTS Line- SEPTEMBER Sharon Shannon, Fri 11 AND MUSIC FESTIVAL Festivals Listings up includes Tom Jones, - Sun 13 Sept, Brom- Total Access Live & Col- Line-up includes yard Clutching At Straws, WORCESTER MUSIC FES- For full listing information on festivals, labro, Fri 14 - Sun 16 THE KENILWORTH FESTI- Leatherat, Mitchell Jinks TIVAL Line-up includes including dates and line-up, visit Jul, Betley Court Farm, VAL Line-up tba, Thurs & The Busby Babes, Benjamin Dallow, Bleak Cheshire 3 - Sun 6 Sept, various www.whatsonlive.co.uk Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Sept, Zero, The Barefoot Ban- THE NORTH SHROPSHIRE venues around Kenil- Hartle Lane, Worcester- dit & Constructor, Fri 18 CAJUN AND ZYDECO BIG worth Aug, Croft Farm Water- shire - Sun 20 Sept, various WEEKEND Line-up in- FESTIVAL NO.6 Line-up AUGUST park, Tewkesbury ONBOARD THE CRAFT venues in Worcester REWIND NORTH cludes Jimmy Breaux, includes Grace Jones, Line-up FESTIVAL Line-up in- includes Soul II Soul, Randy Vidrine, Rough Chowder & The Hotfoot BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR The Human League, Specials, Fri 14 - Sun Line-up includes Within The Boomtown Rats & 16 Aug, Welshampton, Temptation, Trivium, Kim Wilde, Fri 7 - Sun 9 North Shropshire Rob Zombie & Black Aug, Capesthorne Hall, LICHFIELD FAKE FESTIVAL Label Society, Thurs 6 - Cheshire Line-up includes Bon Sun 9 Aug, Catton Hall, STRAWBERRY FIELDS Jovi Experience, Kaz- Derbyshire FESTIVAL Line-up in- abian & Space Cowboy, BULLDOG BASH Line-up cludes Bombay Bicycle Sat 15 Aug, Beacon includes Permageddon, Club (DJ Set), Mista- Park, Lichfield Easydread, TBone & jam, Mark Knight & THE GREEN MAN FESTI- Sky Valley Mistress, Jaguar Skills, Fri 7 - Sat VAL Line-up includes St Thurs 6 - Sun 9 Aug, 8 Aug, Cattow Farm, Vincent, Super Furry Shakespeare County Leicester Animals, Hot Chip & Raceway, Stratford- FARMER PHIL’S FESTIVAL Slowdrive, Thurs 20 - upon-Avon Line-up includes Dr Sun 23 Aug, Glanusk LAKEFEST Line-up in- Feelgood, Ferocious Park, Brecon Beacons cludes Embrace, Ash, Dog, 3 Daft Monkeys & THE JUST SO FESTIVAL Billy Bragg & The Magic Talisman, Fri 14 - Sun Line-up includes Seas Numbers, Fri 7 - Sat 9 16 Aug, Gatten Farm, Of Mirth, Formidable Vegetable Sound Sys- St Vincent - Green Man Festival, Glanusk Park tem, Patch and The Giant & Backyard Burn- ers, Fri 21 - Sun 23 Aug, Rode Hall Park- land, Cheshire PERSHORE JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up includes Kevin Grenfell’s Jazz Giants, John Hallam and Remi Jazz, Gypsy Fire, Digby Fairweather’s Half Dozen, Fri 21 - Sun 23 Aug, Pershore College, Warwickshire V FESTIVAL Line-up includes Calvin Harris, Kasabian, Stereophon- ics & Sam Smith, Sat 22 - Sun 23 Aug, Weston Park, Staffordshire PRESTEIGNE FESTIVAL Line-up includes Fenella Humphreys, Matthew Taylor, Navarra Quartet & Nova Music Opera, Thurs 27 Aug - Tues 1 Sept, Powys CREAMFIELDS Line-up includes Avicii, Tiesto,

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 43 A Great Day Out - Coventry Transport.qxp_Layout 1 23/07/2015 14:01 Page 1 A Great Day Out - Coventry Transport.qxp_Layout 1 23/07/2015 14:01 Page 2 A Great Day Out Coventry TRANSPORT MUSEUM

Several years in the planning, the relaunch of Coventry Transport Museum has proved to be well worth the wait, mixing exciting new elements with the best of the old to create a fully immersive experience. A journey through the museum begins with a look at the transport industry’s history. The story starts in the nineteenth century, when a slump in the previously booming weaving industry led entrepreneurs to seek new business. Upon entry to the museum, visitors are greeted by steampunk and Monty Python-inspired animations of Coventry innovators like James Starley, all waiting to tell their tales. By the early twentieth century, Coventry was a world bike-making capital, and interest in the budding motor industry soon followed. It’s said that the first Rover car was built in the canteen of the company’s cycle factory. Fascinating facts like these nestle among the vintage photos and lavish artwork adorning the walls, printed in period styles to suit their surroundings. The historical section ends with a Coventry-made black taxi - which you can hop inside to enjoy a video tour of the city today - and the We Love Coventry wall, a work-in-progress to be completed by visitors. Passing by work and leisure vehicles, including unique items like a Sky Blues tour bus and a restored 1916 Maudslay lorry, you’ll discover the Innovation & Future area, where highlights include glimpses of modern car construction, a state-of-the-art driverless model, and projects by local university students. There’s also a glittering Jaguar room, the bright lights and sparkling floors of which complement the gleam- ing surfaces of the new F-Type and C-X75. Finally, there’s the Supersonic section - complete with sleek metal walls listing record-breaking speeds. Here you'll find the Thrust cars from the original museum, now joined by a huge K-Nex model of their successor, Bloodhound SSC, which aims to reach 1000mph. Choose from three simulations, including a revamped 4D version of Thrust’s journey, and an animated look inside Bloodhound. Interactive elements throughout reveal the industry’s broader impact, Try on turn-of-the-century clothes, from the Rational Dress Society's fight for practical clothing for female cyclists, through to mass immigration, factory closures and environ- test your skills as a World War Two mental concerns. Try on turn-of-the-century clothes, test your skills as a World War Two fighter pilot, cast your vote on the Ryton Plant clo- fighter pilot, cast your vote on the sure and design your own supersonic car. Brilliantly conceived, the relaunch brings Coventry’s past, present and Ryton Plant closure and design future vividly to life, showing a new side of the city to visitors and residents alike. your own supersonic car.

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 45 A Great Day Out - Blists Hill.qxp_Layout 1 23/07/2015 13:58 Page 1 A Great Day Out - Blists Hill.qxp_Layout 1 23/07/2015 13:58 Page 2 A Great Day Out Blists Hill VICTORIAN TOWN

One of ten award-winning museums that make up the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Blists Hill: Victorian Town offers visitors the chance to step back in time to the days of Queen Victo- ria. Set over fifty-two acres, the museum has plenty to offer and is very much an interactive experience. The town has all you would ever need - if you were Victorian, that is.

There are general drapers, blacksmiths, a pharmacy (also home to a particularly gruesome dentist room) and the bank, where you can exchange your new money for old and try to manage with pounds, shillings and pence. Don’t worry, though - these Victorians can manage our modern monies, but unsurprisingly they don’t have any cash machines. Wherever you shop or visit there are costumed demonstrators and town characters, all of whom are ready to take the time to chat and tell you their character’s story. It’s living history and very engaging. If you’re curious about something in particular, just ask; the players are very knowledgable about their particular roles and the circumstances their characters lived in. You’ll always hear an interesting story or some gossip about another resident of the town. And very often you’ll get to have a good laugh too - Victorians weren’t all stuffy! Thankfully they also liked food and drink just as much as we do - so if you’re feeling peckish, pay a visit to the fried fish dealer and enjoy tra- ditionally cooked fish and chips (they’re delicious!). Alternatively, pop into the New Inn - not only do they serve a fine ale, they also have a tearoom upstairs with some healthier eating options! And if you fancy something sweet, pop to the bakers - alongside the fresh baked bread there are tasty buns and biscuits to enjoy - or head to the sweet shop, where you can grab a bag of traditional favourites. Give yourself plenty of time to stroll through Blists Hill as there’s so much to take your attention, including the shire horses (horse-and-cart rides), blast furnaces, the cottage gardens and the doctor’s room. Be sure to stop off and see the winding engine - an amazing example of Industrial Revolution ingenuity - and pay a visit to the photographer’s, where you can don Victorian clothes and have an old-style photo taken. There’s also a funfair to enjoy - complete with carousel, chair-o-planes and game stalls - the funicular train and the clay mine ride. Blists Hill is a great experience that makes for a fun day out for all ages. And with so much to do, including a full programme of daily events, you’ll more than likely find yourself wanting to go back for more. No two visits are the same, and you can even get a yearly pass which allows you not only to visit Blists Hill as often as you like but also to check out the other museums managed by the trust. For more information, visit ironbridge.org.uk.

A great experience that makes for a fun day out for all ages.

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Summer In Southside Feature Davina.qxp_Layout 1 24/07/2015 10:48 Page 1

feature Celebrating the arts in the great outdoors. Enjoy...

SUN SAT 29 & 30 AUG

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Birmingham’s Southside district once again plays host to a selection of free outdoor theatre this month. Dance, circus and music performances are programmed during the bank holiday weekend (Sat and Sun only).

Artists confirmed to appear include Australian Dolly is a made-to-scale interactive puppet company Ployglot. Their show, Tangle, sees who loves to munch leaves, nibble hats and them engaging children and their families in have a good old poo! Presented by VIP the activity of creating a giant weaving Puppets, this walkabout act offers plenty of playspace from coloured elastic. interactive fun for all the family.

Other show highlights include acrobatic Commenting on the event, Birmingham action from Mimbre, a street theatre Hippodrome’s Director of Creative company whose latest comedy-packed Programmes, Graham Callister, said: “This production, Bench, explores ‘the dance of year’s Summer In Southside offers audiences life’. a packed programme of fun as the streets around Birmingham Hippodrome are taken Broadcasting live on 69.9FM, meanwhile, is over by a mix of live street theatre, comedy, Bramble FM’s rock roadshow, featuring in- dance, puppetry, visual arts and music. We’re the-moment improvisation and a soundtrack looking forward to welcoming back the of world-class music presented by two thousands of visitors who attended last ‘architects of idiocy’ - Maureen Clarke and year’s event in Birmingham’s most vibrant Lesley Beauchamp. and diverse district.”

Fresh from Glastonbury is Dolly the Giraffe. For a full programme of events and artist information, visit birminghamhippodrome.com.

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Hidden Stories Thinktank at Millennium Point, Birmingham, until Wed 30 September The fourteen members of Thinktank’s Young People’s Forum Ignite have teamed up with local artist Matt Reeves to create this art installation. Featuring a unique sculpture and model planes suspended on wires, the presentation forms part of Thinktank’s Summer Of Flight attraction.

Portrait Prize Exhibition RBSA Gallery, Birmingham, until Sat 22 August The RBSA has teamed up with the charity Changing Faces for the latest incarnation of its Love Is Enough biennial exhibition. The charity offers emotional Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, until Sun 6 September and practical support to the one million-plus people in the UK who have a condition, injury or ill- Citing both Andy Warhol and William Morris as significant influences on his work - which ness affecting their appearance. Part of the exhibi- explores socio-political aspects of contemporary culture - artist Jeremy Deller has here tion shows how portraiture enables everyone to curated an exhibition designed to compare and contrast the interests and ideas of the explore with confidence their response to disfig- two men. Love Is Enough brings together significant and iconic works by both artists, urement. including some rarely seen pieces. It also features archival material owned or made by Warhol and Morris that sheds light on their influences and working practices. The exhibition is open to all artists and offers top cash prizes worth over £3,000.

At Home With Vanley Burke Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, until Sun 27 September ‘The Godfather of Black British photography’ has had the entire contents of his Nechells flat transported to Ikon for his latest exhibition. The distinctive interior of Vanley Burke’s flat is an embodiment of his compulsive acquisi- tiveness. Displaying a vast collection of printed material, clothes, records, ornaments and countless other items, it provides an invaluable insight into Britain’s African Caribbean communities. Commenting on the project, Vanley explained: “This flat is many things. It’s an archive, it’s a gallery, it’s my home, it’s where I collect a part of our history. History is part of a lived experience. It’s those objects which might look so insignificant, so kitsch, but to a lot of people they contain so much information about how their parents lived.” www.whatsonlive.co.uk 51 Visual Arts Region 1 August.qxp_Layout 1 23/07/2015 14:26 Page 3

Showcase of contem- 1920-60 A snapshot PREVIEWS LISTINGS porary jewellery from through the lens of VisualArts VisualArts School of Jewellery Modernism, this latest Artists in Residence Barber exhibition For full listing information on Visual Art and staff members, explores the work of Further exhibitions exhibitions, including times and dates, until Thurs 10 Sept, two under-appreciated visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Pure Bar, Birmingham British artists, until Sun NAUTICAL CRAFT EXHIBI- 27 Sept, The Barber Institute, Birmingham Sound System Culture MITRA SABOURY: IN RESI- ideas to the traditional TION Works by contem- DENCE Exhibition show- beach hut, until Mon 31 porary designer/makers JACQUES NIMKI: The Drum, Birmingham, created in response to SEEN/UNSEEN A new Thurs 6 August - Fri 7 September casing how the artist Aug, Rugby Art Gallery uses her body as a & Museum the sea and coast, until permanent installation Sat 12 Sept, RBSA featuring more than This exhibition forms part of a national tour ‘sensual and sentient’ WAY OF THE WARRIOR Gallery, Birmingham three hundred barely celebrating reggae sound systems in key tool to explore architec- Exhibition of arms and visible works referenc- cities throughout the UK. Featuring photo- ture and the built envi- armour from historical THE STORY OF CHIL- ing plant drawings, until ronment, until Mon 3 movies, including DREN’S TELEVISION graphs, audio recordings, archive film Sun 27 Sept, Ikon Aug, Grand Union, Gladiator, Last Samurai FROM 1946 TO TODAY footage and a variety of other memorabilia, Gallery, Birmingham Birmingham & War Horse, until Sat Fascinating exhibition the presentation also provides visitors with DAVID GEORGE RBSA A 5 Sept, Worcester City which takes a look at AT HOME WITH VANLEY the opportunity to interact with Heritage HiFi, selection of oils and Art Gallery & Museum some of the shows and BURKE Exhibition show- characters that have casing the entire con- a vintage-style sound system custom-built for watercolours of recent LOVE IS ENOUGH: ANDY excited and delighted tents of the artist’s flat the project. travels to Cornwall, WARHOL AND WILLIAM youngsters across the in Nechells, north-east France, Cuba, Portugal, MORRIS Exhibition decades, until Sun 13 Birmingham, until Sun Ibiza and Wales, until bringing together signif- Sept, Herbert Art 27 Sept, Ikon Gallery, Sat 8 Aug, RBSA icant and iconic works Gallery & Museum, Birmingham Of Time And The Railway Gallery, Birmingham by both artists, includ- Coventry mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, FAY NICOLSON: OVER AND ing some rarely seen TAKEHISA KOSUGI: until Sun 20 September OVER PURE FORM Solo pieces, until Sun 6 THE DAN PEARSON SPACINGS Exhibition fea- Mid-Wales-based artist Robert Davies' previ- exhibition showcasing Sept, Birmingham WILLIAM MORRIS turing three of the how the artist plays Museum & Art Gallery MEADOW Dan Pearson’s artist’s sound installa- ous creative endeavours include a FIFA cen- commission comprises tions, involving every- with the physicality of FROM ‘RED’ ELLEN TO tenary project with Brazilian football legend a mown parterre (a for- day materials and radio images and possibilities OSWALD MOSLEY Pele and an assignment with the BAR Honda mal garden) based on electronics, until Sun for formal and material Portraits of inter-war the designs of leg- 27 Sept, Ikon, Formula One team. transformation through politicians by Edmund endary English design- Birmingham Robert's latest project saw him take to the repetition, until Sat 8 Knapp, until Sun 6 er William Morris, until driver's cab of a train for the purpose of pro- Aug, Grand Union, Sept, The Barber JULIE BROOK: PIGMENT A Birmingham Sun 13 Sept, Compton ducing a film about the passage of time and Institute, Birmingham compelling video work Verney Gallery, shot in a cave in ROB LECKEY ARBSA A SUSAN STOCKWELL: SEA the changing landscape of England and Warwickshire Namibia in 2013, and display of harbours, MARKINGS Exhibition Wales. The film, shot across a long period of LOVE, LIFE & LAND- featuring three himba boats, cities and land- inspired by the RSC’s time, takes the viewer on a journey from SCAPES Featuring women extracting red scapes using acrylic summer 2015 season German romantic prints pigment, until Sun 27 nighttime in Birmingham to sunset in paint and inks, collage of plays and the world & drawings from the Sept, Ikon, Birmingham Aberystwyth, along the way shifting from late and mixed media, until of sixteenth century Barber’s collection, Sat 15 Aug, RBSA, Venice, until Sun 6 HIDDEN STORIES An art summer into the bleakness of winter. until Sun 13 Sept, The Birmingham Sept, Royal installation created by Barber Institute, ARTRIX SUMMER EXHIBI- Shakespeare Theatre, local artist Matt Reeves Birmingham TION Contemporary Stratford-upon-Avon and Ignite (Thinktank's THE ARTS AND CRAFTS Young People's Forum) works selected by a CANNON HILL ART HOUSE: THEN AND NOW until Wed 30 Sept, team of Young Curators SCHOOL SUMMER SHOW Exhibition tracing the Thinktank at Millennium led by Artrix Learning Showcase of end-of- origins, legacy and Point and Engagement Co- year work by Cannon enduring appeal of the ordinator TC Hill Art School stu- THE HISTORY OF US: A historic arts & crafts Peppercorn, until Sun dents, until Sun 6 Sept, STENCILLED (SORT OF) movement and its fasci- 16 Aug, Artrix, mac - Midlands Arts HISTORY OF THE HUMAN nation with the creation Bromsgrove Centre, Birmingham RACE, BY STREET ARTIST of the home, until Sun Spray-painted with PORTRAIT PRIZE EXHIBI- ALIEN INVASION Meet 13 Sept, Compton stencils and offering an TION This biennial event iconic lifesize charac- Verney, Warwickshire unconventional view of sees RBSA team up ters from Star Wars: THE HART SILVERSMITHS: the past, this is our his- with the charity Chewbacca, Yoda and A LIVING TRADITION tory as seen through Changing Faces. Part the Dark Lord himself, Exhibition which tells the eyes of street artist of the exhibition shows Darth Vader, until Sun 6 the story of the tradi- Pahnl, until Sun 4 Oct, The Arts And Crafts House: how portraiture can Sept, Forge Mill Needle tion, skill and way of life Herbert Art Gallery & reveal the richness and Museum, Then And Now of the silversmith, until Museum, Coventry diversity of faces, until Worcestershire Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Sat 22 Aug, RBSA Sun 13 Sept, Compton SIR TERRY FROST R.A WALKING THE RAINBOW: until Sun 13 September Gallery, Birmingham Verney, Warwickshire (1915-2003): A LEAMING- EARLY YEARS ACTIVITY OF TIME AND THE RAIL- TON LAD This exhibition, The historic arts & crafts movement and its GREEN FINGERED Solo SPACE Delve into a WAY Robert Davies’ film in the year which marks exhibition by Gemma world of colourful pos- ‘fascination with the creation of the home’ is about the railway line the centenary of the Marmalade, until Sat 29 sibilities, where the light investigated in this new exhibition. between Birmingham & artist’s birth, includes a Aug, BOM (Birmingham sparkles and textures Taking a look at the work and ideas of John Aberystwyth, until Sun large number of works Open Media), Dudley and materials inspire 20 Sept, mac - which haven’t been dis- Ruskin and William Morris, the display Street, Birmingham young imaginations to Midlands Arts Centre, played before, until Sun explores how subsequent generations of PHILIP POTTER ARBSA soar, until Sun 6 Sept, Birmingham 11 Oct, Leamington designers created new ways of living and Drawing inspiration Herbert Art Gallery & Spa Art Gallery & working. from natural and syn- Museum, Coventry THE MODERNIST FACE: SMITH, DOBSON & Museum The exhibition, which has been devised as a thetic forms, Philip JEWELLERY EXHIBITION explores relationships BRITISH PORTRAITURE 9 EVENINGS: REDUX series of encounters between historic and to culture, landscape contemporary works, includes new commis- and body in this display sions by Rosa Nguyen and landscape & gar- of sculptures, until Sat den designer Dan Pearson. 29 Aug, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham MADE AT MAC: CERAMICS An exhibition of course participants’ work, until Mon 31 Aug, mac - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham BATHING BEAUTIES: RE- IMAGINING THE BEACH HUT FOR THE 21ST CEN- TURY Celebrating archi- tectural design & bringing imaginative new Wendy Ramshaw’s Room Of Dreams - Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

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Fay Nicolson: Over And Over Pure Form - which ordinary Media Centre, GARDEN EXHIBITION Solo series of small-scale Grand Union, Birmingham Birmingham people Wolverhampton exhibition by Viv Astling sculptures & drawings have been represented WENDY RAMSHAW’S RBSA, Mon 24 Aug - that reference time as in art during the twenti- ROOM OF DREAMS An Sat 5 Sept, RBSA measured by the sun, eth and twenty-first cen- installation made up of Gallery, Birmingham moon & tides, Mon 31 turies, until Thurs 31 many parts, from small JO NADEN RBSA Solo Aug - Sat 24 Oct, RBSA Dec, Birmingham jewels in frames to exhibition featuring a Gallery, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery large, freestanding fur- 20TH CENTURY BRITISH niture, until Sun 22 May STUDIO CERAMICS A dis- 2016, Birmingham play of seventy-eight Museum & Art Gallery Museums & Art Galleries pieces of studio ceram- HIROSHIGE’S JAPAN: 53 ics made by twenty- Birmingham LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CENTRE STATIONS OF THE TOKAI- WOLVERHAMPTON nine potters working in ARTIFEX Sutton Coldfield DO ROAD Famous series 01902 716055 England and Wales from one of the great 0121 323 3776 during the twentieth BARBER INSTITUTE THE NEW ART GALLERY masters of Japanese WALSALL 01922 654400 century, until Thurs 31 landscape print, Sat 1 0121 414 7333 Dec, Birmingham Aug - Sat 21 Nov, BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & RED HOUSE GLASS CONE 01384 812750 Museum & Art Gallery Wolverhampton Art ART GALLERY INHERITING ROME Gallery 0121 348 8000 WOLVERHAMPTON ART Exhibition which uses CASTLE GALLERIES GALLERY 01902 552055 Fresh look at Billy Birmingham MAGGIE KITCHING RBSA 0121 248 8484 Kluver’s seminal 1966 money to explore and Display of prints drawn ART IN THE PARK: KERN question our deep-seat- GRAND UNION Warwickshire art, performance & BABY BY FAYE CLARIDGE directly from life using ed familiarity with the 0121 643 9079 COMPTON VERNEY GALLERY technology pro- This enigmatic new vinyl relief and etch- gramme, until Sat 17 Roman Empire’s ings, Mon 10 Aug - Sat IKON GALLERY 01926 645500 commission by artist imagery, until Sun 24 0121 248 0708 Oct, Vivid Projects, Faye Claridge for the 26 Sept, RBSA Gallery, HERBERT ART GALLERY Jan 2016, The Barber RBSA GALLERY COVENTRY 02476 237521 Digbeth, Birmingham grounds at Compton Birmingham Institute, Birmingham 0121 2364353 AN ENGLISHMAN ABROAD Verney takes on the PAULA HAMILTON ARBSA LANCHESTER GALLERY, THE CLIVE BEARDSMORE Exhibition examining form of an exaggerated A display of ‘garden STRYX GALLERY, DIGBETH COVENTRY GIFT [email protected] 02476 888248 the changing focus of sculptural emblem of The 2015 interven- works’ which, owing to pilgrims and the coun- folklore, until Sun 13 tions into the Garman Paula’s background as WHITEWALL GALLERY MEAD GALLERY WARWICK tries which their pilgrim- Dec, Compton Verney, Ryan Collection is a a textile artist, are rich 0121 200 3328 02476 524524 ages have taken them Warwickshire selection from a sub- in colour and design, ROYAL PUMP ROOMS to, until Sat 31 Oct, stantial gift of artworks Mon 17 Aug - Sat 10 Black Country 01926 742700 CHINESE COLLECTION RE- donated to the gallery Worcester City Museum DISPLAY Consisting of Oct, RBSA Gallery, BANTOCK HOUSE RUGBY MUSEUM & ART by a private collector, GALLERY 01788 533201 & Art Gallery over one hundred Birmingham WOLVERHAMPTON Clive Beardsmore, until 01902 552195 STILL WITH US: THE objects spanning over Sun 24 Jan 2016, The P CLOSE: SMALL PRINTS STORY OF YARDLEY three thousand years, EXHIBITION Collective BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY Worcestershire New Art Gallery, Walsall 01902 552507 PEOPLE IN WORLD WAR until Sun 13 Dec, exhibition showcasing a WORCESTER CITY ART MENTAL SPACES An ONE An exhibition that Compton Verney variety of print-making BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS GALLERY 01905 25371 celebrates the lives of Gallery, Warwickshire ongoing project con- techniques & styles, MUSEUM, DUDLEY taining work produced 01384 812745 some of the people in BIRMINGHAM PEOPLE Mon 24 Aug - Sat 5 Yardley during World by local artists affiliated Sept, RBSA Gallery, DUDLEY MUSEUM & ART AND CHANGE IN THE to The Asylum Art GALLERY War One, until Sun 1 INNER-CITY Display Birmingham Nov, Blakesley Hall, Gallery, until Sat 2 Apr 01384 815575 exploring the way in 2016, Light House STONES @ HOME IN THE

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Summer At Thinktank Thinktank, Millennium Point, Birmingham, until Sun 27 September Birmingham’s popular Thinktank science museum is hosting a Other activities include arts & crafts and daily Planetarium shows. packed programme of activities and events for children to enjoy Visitors can also explore Birmingham’s ‘Spitfire story’ in the brand throughout the summer holidays. Among them is Science Busking - new Spitfire Gallery, take part in Spitfire storytelling sessions and get presenting plenty of scientific curiosities - Meet The Experts sessions hands-on in special Spitfire model-making workshops (every Monday - where scientists and engineers provide a fascinating insight into and Wednesday, charges apply and booking recommended). their groundbreaking research - and Explore Your Universe, which The outdoor Science Garden, meanwhile - complete with giant-sized takes place each weekday and explains the science behind every- exhibits - is open daily and free to enter after 3pm. thing from atoms to astrophysics. For more information, visit birminghammuseums.org.uk/whats-on

Battle Of Evesham Festival Various locations throughout Evesham, Sat 1 - Sat 15 August It’s seven hundred-and-fifty years since the Battle of Evesham and Simon de Montfort’s bloody defeat by the army of King Henry III. Despite the defeat, de Montfort is hailed a hero - he fought for the people - and the Battle of Evesham Festival aims to celebrate this legacy. The festival features a packed programme of activities, including medieval cooking, falconry displays, archery, dancing and a ‘scary’ ghost tour. There’s also the chance to learn more about the battle itself via history talks and weapon and armory han- dling. The event culminates with a battle re-enactment over Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August. Western Motorhome Show The Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Fri 14 - Sat 16 August The Western-themed Motorhome Show returns to the Three Counties Showground this month. A huge exhibition area features over three hundred traders, numerous new and pre-owned vehicles and accessories galore, including specialist western memorabilia. Western re-enactments and living history displays also feature. Evening entertainment includes performances by Arizona Storm, the Martin Ruddy Band, Texas Tornados, the Farmer Dan Band, Nashville Numbers and, on the Saturday night, the Stephen Smyth Band. The Saturday also features the Waylon Jennings tribute show and Kelly O’Brien’s Dolly Parton tribute. There’s line dancing tuition available across all four nights of the event too, presented by show favourites the Jolly Stompers. For a full line-up and more information, visit westernmotorhomeshow.co.uk

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Events PREVIEWS Art In The Park Jephson Gardens, Royal Leamington Spa, Sat 1 - Sun 2 August After a hugely successful first year, Art In The Park makes a welcome return. This year’s line-up includes over eighty artists, eleven bands, and special performances from Motionhouse Youth Dance Company and the Pauline Quirke Academy. The event also celebrates the opening of the award-winning RHS Chelsea Garden. Clay pot making, flora and fauna-inspired screen printing and t-shirt designing feature among the hands-on activities available to enjoy.

The Festival Of Quilts NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 6 - Sun 9 August Bringing together a unique blend of exhibitors, galleries, practical workshops and in-depth lectures, the Festival Of Quilts is Europe’s largest celebration of patchwork and quilting. Catering for everyone from the complete beginner to the professional maker, the event hosts over one hundred-and-forty ‘quick & easy workshops’, master classes in the Quilt Academy and lectures from some of the best-known names in quilting. Commenting on the show, Jonathan Burton, Portfolio Director, said: “The Festival Of Quilts offers a truly inspirational showcase of quilt-making, with the finest skills on display. It’s a place for beginners through to professionals to share ideas, learn new skills and meet with others who’re equally passionate about the world of patchwork and quilting.”

painting and singalong songs to the muse- Worcester Festival Circus In The Garden um’s cobbled streets. There’s also the Various locations, Worcester, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, chance to enjoy a falconry show, go face-to- Sat 15 - Mon 31 August Mon 10 August face with a variety of creepy crawlies and Seventeen days’-worth of drama, exhibitions, The National Festival Circus is pitching its enjoy local theatre company Fizzog’s pan- film, live music, street theatre, sports activi- big top in Birmingham Botanical Gardens tomime version of Alice In Wonderland. The ties and workshops are here brought togeth- this month. Unleashing slapstick clowns, panto is being presented as part of the er in Worcester’s biggest summertime cele- gravity-defying equilibrists and super-speedy museum’s one hundred-and-fiftieth anniver- bration. As usual, the popular festival - which jugglers, the show also features ‘magic by sary celebration of the publication of Lewis has grown year on year since its debut in the bucket load’ and looks set to offer a live- Carroll’s much-loved children’s classic. 2002 - will end with a suitably large bang (or ly day out for the whole family to enjoy. several, to be precise), courtesy of a sky- lighting firework display on the South Quay. The Great Joust Warwick Castle, Sat 1 - Sun 31 August The Jousting Knights are back! The grounds of Warwick Castle are alive throughout August with the thundering sounds of fear- less knights on horseback, their bravery, skill and agility being tested to the limit in an outdoor arena next to the River Avon. The show runs twice daily and is included in the price of admission to the castle. Summer Holidays Mini Activities Heritage Motor Centre, Warwickshire, Alien Invasion At Forge Mill Tues 4 - Thurs 13 August Forge Mill Needle Museum, Bromsgrove, Wed 12 and Wed 19 August If you like Minis and you’re also looking for ways to entertain your children during their Forge Mill Needle Museum is preparing for summer holiday, the Heritage Motor Centre an alien invasion. To coincide with its is definitely the place to head for. The Creatures From Outer Space exhibition, the venue’s range of Mini-related summer activi- museum is hosting alien science workshops. ties includes Lego Technics - offering visitors Children can get involved in a whole range the opportunity to build their very own Minis of activities, including making gooey alien and race them on the Heritage track - and slime, bouncing alien eggs and launching Wheelie Lego Wednesdays, which sees par- rockets. Family Night ticipants racing against the clock to become One of the highlights of the event is the use Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, the fastest car builder in the Midlands. of NASA space navigation equipment to try Sat 15 August Family craft sessions, and detect life elsewhere in the universe. meanwhile, provide the Due to the popularity of the workshops, An evening of old-fashioned fun is on offer at the Black Country Living Museum this month chance to build a Mini to advance booking is recommended. take home. Other Forge Mill summer highlights include as Family Night returns. Featuring a jam- packed line-up of activities, the sixth incarna- Oh, and while you’re Day Of The Daleks (9 Aug), which sees the there, don’t forget to Charity Dalek Squad taking over the muse- tion of this annual event brings games, pan- tomime, Punch & Judy, storytelling, face explore the centre’s very um. own collection of Minis!

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Events PREVIEWS The Color Run NEC, Birmingham, Sat 15 August Organisers of the Color Run are promising participants it will be the most enjoyable five kilometres they’ve travelled in a very long time. Less about speed and more about ‘enjoying a colour-crazy day with your friends and family’, the event sees its participants doused in coloured powder at every kilometre, ensuring they’re all the colours of the rainbow by the time they cross the finish- ing line. If you fancy giving it a go, be sure to wear a white shirt for the event - it’s obligato- ry!

Festival Of Imagineers Coventry City Centre, Mon 3 - Sat 8 August A diverse range of arts-based activities and performances awaits visitors to Coventry’s second Festival Of Imagineers this month. Working in partnership, Imagineer Productions and Culture Coventry take over spaces at various city centre venues (including the Coventry Cathedral Ruins, Millennium Place and Broadgate) to offer a series of free experiences for people to sample. British Showjumping National There’s also the chance to explore hidden spaces and inventions across the city, including Championships the underground slipper baths. Budding inventors can enjoy Merel Karhof’s wind-powered knitting machine and join Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, Tues 11 - Sun 16 August Coventry Makerspace to make LED festival badges. Other event highlights include: Imagineer Productions’ new performance, Come Fly With Me; The British Showjumping National the regional premiere of Pif-Paf’s Planetary - a brand new piece of aerial theatre; Acrojou’s Championships this month comes to The Wheel House, a contemporary circus experience housed in a hand-built structure; and Warwickshire for the first time. The event is Godiva, in all her glory, aboard her cyclopedia. one of the summer highlights on the British For full festival events and times, visit imagineerproductions.co.uk showjumping calendar and features the prestigious International Stairway League final (Sunday 16 August), at the end of which engine can be seen in weekends, Sat 1 - Sun the British Showjumping National Champion LISTINGS action. Due to the 9 Aug, Brockhampton will be crowned. Events unpredictable nature of Estate, Herefordshire A new addition to the calendar, the the Newcomen and to WILD WEST CARNIVAL Stoneleigh Horse Show, is running in con- For full listing information on Events, avoid disappointment, Grab your chaps, cow- including times and dates, visit please check running boy hat and boots and junction with the championships and is set to details with the muse- join in all the fun of the make a big impression. www.whatsonlive.co.uk um prior to travelling, wild Wild West, until The event offers plenty of competitions, Sat 1 - Sun 2 Aug, Sun 9 Aug, Hatton Memorial Aboretum, Black Country Living Adventure World, indoor performances, hospitality and shop- Staffordshire from Museum, Dudley Warwickshire ping opportunities for visitors to enjoy. 1940S WEDDING 17TH CENTURY WEEKEND THE BATTLE OF EVESHAM SAT 1 AUG WEEKEND A wartime And just to make the day even more appeal- The past is brought FESTIVAL A packed pro- wedding experience ing, entry to the show is free. back to life with food gramme including fal- EVENING SCENIC with live music, danc- For more information, visit and music, Sat 1 - Sun conry displays and SPECIALS A scenic ing and costumes, Sat 2 Aug, Moseley Old ghost tours, along with bsnationalchampionships.co.uk evening ride with the 1 - Sun 2 Aug, Upton Hall, Wolverhampton a battle re-enactment, added option of tradi- House & Gardens, THE COUNTRY FAIR Join Sat 1 - Sat 15 Aug, tional fish and chip Warwickshire the town’s residents on Various locations supper, Sat 1 Aug, POETRY FESTIVAL Enjoy the Green at this new around Evesham Severn Valley Railway, the talents of poets event based on a SUMMER ACTIVITY DAYS: Bewdley, Nr including Ashley Victorian country fair, HUNT FOR BUGS & MINI Kidderminster Hutchings, ‘The 52 Sat 1 - Sun 2 Aug, BEASTS Grab a bug- FAMILY SATURDAYS Free project’, Chaucer’s Blists Hill, Ironbridge, hunting kit and see family activities, Sat 1 Canterbury Tales, free Shropshire what you can find, Sat Aug, Ikon Gallery, poetry events and read- ULTIMATE STREET CAR 1 - Fri 21 Aug, Croome Birmingham ings plus workshops The fastest, hottest, Park, Worcester MK1 CORTINA OWNERS from the poet in resi- largest and loudest SUMMER HOLIDAYS AT CLUB LTD DISPLAY dence, Sally Goldsmith, modified car festival in COVENTRY TRANSPORT Featuring over fifty Sat 1 - Sun 2 Aug, Europe, Sat 1 - Sun 2 MUSEUM Fun activities members of the MK1 Various locations in Aug, Santa Pod for all the family to Cortina Owners club Stratford-upon-Avon Raceway, Northampton enjoy, Sat 1 - Fri 28 with their cars, Sat 1 ART IN THE PARK A Games Through The Ages THE BADDESLEY BOOK Aug, Coventry Aug, Coventry weekend of art, creativi- FAIR 2015 A large selec- Transport Museum Shakespeares Birthplace Trust, Transport Museum ty, inspiration and fun tion of new and sec- TUDOR THREADS AND Warwickshire, Sat 1 - Mon 31 August MGF20 Celebrating with over eighty artists, ond-hand books for STUART SEWING Sat 1 - twenty years of the live bands, workshops, Take a trip back in time to play some of the sale, Sat 1 - Sun 9 Aug, Sun 30 Aug, Moseley MGF, Sat 1 Aug, theatre performances popular games of yesteryear; at Baddesley Clinton, Old Hall, Heritage Motor Centre, and demonstrations Shakespeare’s Birthplace mark the 600th Warwickshire Wolverhampton Gaydon, Warwickshire from acclaimed sculp- EXCAVATE! SUMMER OF LEGO CITY DEEP SEA anniversary of the battle of Agincourt; have a BENTLEY DRIVERS CLUB tors, painters and ARCHAEOLOGY A chance EXPLORER Get hands-on go at Tudor favourites like quoites and log- The largest gathering of craftsmen, Sat 1 - Sun to get involved in the and build a Lego sea Bentleys in the club's 2 Aug, Jephson gits at Mary Arden’s Farm and take a swing archaeological digs tak- creature this summer, annual calender, Sat 1 Gardens at the tin-can alley at Anne Hathaway’s ing place over the sum- Sat 1 - Mon 31 Aug, Aug, Silverstone NEWCOMEN IN STEAM Cottage. Plus many more activities on offer mer, with a special National Sea Life Circuit, Northampton The only full-sized opportunity to help with Centre, Birmingham throughout Shakespeares Birthplace. PLANT HUNTERS FAIR working replica of the the digging at the AUGUST ACTIVITIES Sat 1 Sat 1 Aug, National world's first steam

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Racing Circuit FORD FAIR The annual Events LISTINGS Ford Fair visits Silverstone, Sun 2 Aug, For full listing information on Events, Silverstone Circuit, including times and dates, visit Northampton www.whatsonlive.co.uk TEDDY BEAR ZIP WIRE Take a cape for your teddy and fly them - Mon 31 Aug, RAF CROOME'S DISCOVERY down the zip wire, Sun Cosford, Nr LOG BOOKS Join the 2 Aug, Croome Park, Wolverhampton journey of discovery Worcester TOP FIVE OF THE '50 around the park, using GUIDED WALK OF HIMLEY THINGS TO DO' Family a log book, Sat 1 Aug - HALL Sun 2 Aug, fun outdoors, Sat 1 - Sun 6 Sept, Croome Himley Hall & Park, Mon 31 Aug, Wightwick Park, Worcester Dudley Manor, Wolverhampton SUMMER OF FUN EXTRAORDINARY THINGS GAMES THROUGH THE Featuring the return of ABOUT TREES Sun 2 AGES Take a trip back in the Rory The Lion Aug, Priory Park, time to play some of Show, a bigger and Dudley the popular games of better Thomas Land BUDDING BAKERS Easy yesteryear. At and all the usual rides, Peasy Cookery will be Shakespeare’s Sat 1 Aug - Sun 6 Sept, on hand for baking and Games Through The Ages - Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Stratford-upon-Avon Birthplace, mark the six Drayton Manor Theme decorating workshops, hundredth anniversary Park, Tamworth, Staffs Sun 2 - Thurs 6 Aug, of the battle of SUMMER HOLIDAY Eastnor Castle Deer Tues 4 Aug, Priory NEC, Birmingham SHOWS Part of the Agincourt and try out FAMILY ACTIVITIES Park, Herefordshire Park, Dudley JUST DESSERTS Cooking Donington Classic archery and swordplay Explore over two hun- CROOME'S OUTER EYE- DINOSAURS AND tips for an Edwardian Motorcycle Festival, Sat in the garden; have a dred cars whilst com- CATCHERS: PANORAMA MONSTERS WEEKS feast, Fri 7 Aug, Croft 8 - Sun 9 Aug, go at Tudor favourites pleting fun and interac- TOWER Explore inside Masks, mobiles, pup- Castle, Herefordshire Donington Park Racing like quoites and loggits tive family activities, Sat the outer eye-catchers pets and clay, Tues 4 - SUMMER ACTIVITY DAYS: Circuit at Mary Arden’s Farm; 1 Aug - Sun 6 Sept, which are only open at Fri 8 Aug, Hartlebury POND DIPPING See what TRANSIT VAN CLUB RALLY take a swing at the tin- Heritage Motor Centre, certain times of the Museum, Worcester creatures you can find Sat 8 - Sun 9 Aug, can alley at Anne Gaydon, Warwickshire year, Sun 2 Aug - Sun 4 FASHION WEEK in the lake, Fri 7 Aug, Heritage Motor Centre, Hathaway’s Cottage; SUMMER OF Oct, Croome Park, Comparing the extrava- Croome Park, Gaydon, Warwickshire enjoy games from WWI ARCHAEOLOGY - INDIANA Worcester gant outfits worn by Worcester BRITISH RACING TRUCKS England like tiddly- BONES TRAIL Explore wealthy Victorians to WATTLE & DAUB Truck racing is back those of the common winks, hopscotch and the excavations on the Week Commencing Activities for children in after a twenty-six-year skittles at Hall’s Croft; estate, Sat 1 Aug - Sun townsfolk, craft workers the garden, Fri 7 Aug, break, Sat 8 - Sun 9 play Tudor parlour 6 Sept, Brockhampton MON 3 AUG and street paupers. Greyfriars House & Aug, Silverstone Circuit, games like draughts Estate, Worcestershire Guests are invited to Garden, Worcester Northampton and a seventeenth cen- PLAY LIKE AN WOLVERHAMPTON dress up for the occa- VW CAMPER AND BUS CASTLE SMALL PUPPET tury version of Hazard EDWARDIAN Play SPEEDWAY Monday sion and enter the daily SHOW Family activities THEATRE Discover the at Harvard House, Sat Edwardian and wartime night is race night... Fashions Of The 1900s for VW bus enthusiasts, inhabitants of the pup- 1 - Mon 31 Aug, fete games, Sat 1 Aug - check out all the action competition, with on- Fri 7 - Sun 9 Aug, pet theatre, Sat 8 - Sun Shakespeare's Sun 6 Sept, Croft from the track, Mon 3 the-spot prizes for the Eastnor Castle Deer 9 Aug, Anne Birthplace Castle, Leominster Aug, Ladbroke best outfits, Tues 4 - Park, Herefordshire Hathaway's Cottage & THE GREAT JOUST The SUMMER HOLIDAY AT Stadium, Sun 9 Aug, Blists Hill, DONINGTON CLASSIC Gardens, Stratford- jousting knights return, MAD A chance to Wolverhampton Ironbridge, Shropshire MOTORCYCLE FESTIVAL upon-Avon Sat 1 - Mon 31 Aug, design a part of the WW1 DISCOVERY DAY SUMMER HOLIDAYS MINI One of the biggest MILITARY SKILLS Sat 8 - Warwick Castle MAD Marbles Wall, Sat Join uniformed officers COLLECTION ACTIVITIES classic racing events in Sun 9 Aug, Moseley LIGHTS, CAMERA, 1 Aug - Mon 7 Sept, on a detailed tour of the Fun interactive Mini Europe with five hun- Old Hall, Nr ACTION! An action- The MAD Museum, museum’s WWI trench activities for all the fam- dred racing machines Wolverhampton packed summer of Stratford-upon-Avon system, Mon 3 Aug, ily, Tues 4 - Thurs 13 expected on track over KIDDERMINSTER ARTS magic, movie sets and BIG BRUM OPEN TOP BUZ The Staffordshire Aug, Heritage Motor the weekend, Fri 7 - FESTIVAL The town cen- more! Bring your pic- TOURS A chance to see Regiment Museum Centre, Gaydon, Sun 9 Aug, Donington tre and parks around it tures to life with thau- Birmingham in all its TRIAL & PUNISHMENT A Warwickshire Park Racing Circuit come to life with music, motropes and watch as glory, a look at its histo- look at the medieval HONDA RON HASLAM EVENING SCENIC theatre, street perform- the images appear to ry, iconic landmarks justice system, Mon 3 - RACE SCHOOL The Ron SPECIALS Scenic ance, film, urban art, move, Sat 1 Aug - Wed and beautiful architec- Tues 4 Aug, Goodrich Haslam Race School evening ride with the workshops, exhibitions 2 Sept, Black Country ture, starting and end- Castle, Herefordshire offers the experience of added option of tradi- and installations, Sat 8 Living Museum, Dudley ing in Victoria Square, ACTIVE AFTERNOONS riding on an internation- tional fish and chip - Sun 23 Aug, SUMMER HOLIDAY Tours run every Craft and outdoor activ- al racing circuit, Wed 5 supper, Sat 8 Aug, Kidderminster Town FAMILY FUN Join the Saturday and Sunday ities, Mon 3 - Tues 4 Aug, Donington Park Severn Valley Railway, Centre summer of fun at to the end of Aug, Moseley Old Hall, Racing Circuit Bewdley, Nr MONSTER TRUCK Cadbury World, Sat 1 September - excluding Wolverhampton BURWARTON SHOW Kidderminster NATIONALS The battle to Aug - Wed 2 Sept, the first Sunday of the MEDIEVAL TOYS AND Annual agriculture SATURDAY NIGHT find the ultimate Cadbury World, month, when a special GAMES Discover all the show featuring live SPECIAL Run What Ya Monster Truck National Birmingham Museum Heritage Bus games and toys which arena events, displays, Brung till late, track Champion. Racing and SUMMER CERAMIC DROP- tour will operate, Sat 1 kept children in livestock and heavy open from 9.30am to freestyle mayhem, as IN WORKSHOPS Aug - Sun 27 Sept, medieval times enter- horses, exhibitors and 8pm with evening seen on TV, plus a host Personalise a ceramic departs Victoria tained, Mon 3 - Fri 7 competitions, Thurs 6 entertainment and of Mega Machines and mug with brightly Square, Birmingham Aug, Kenilworth Castle, Aug, The Showground, camping, Sat 8 Aug, horsepower for all coloured designs using A THOUSAND FANCIES - Warwickshire Cleobury North, South Santa Pod Raceway, ages, Sun 9 Aug, Santa on-glaze painting, or TAKING THE AIR WITH TREE SPIRITS An explo- Shropshire Northampton Pod Raceway, create your own crea- JANE A summer collec- ration of the Onny RECYCLED JEWELLERY NGS OPEN GARDEN A Northampton ture out of clay. The tion of costumes from Meadows with craft Join artist Lisa one-hour private tour RUN WHAT YA BRUNG summer holiday work- romantic televised dra- activities, Mon 3 - Fri 7 Broughton and make led by the senior gar- Santa Pod Raceway in shops at Coalport mas, Sat 1 Aug - Sat 31 Aug, Shropshire Hills your own jewellery out dener and the Park & Northamptonshire China Museum are held Oct, Berrington Hall, Discovery Centre of unused materials, Garden Manager, Sat 8 offers the cheapest and from 11am until 1pm Leominster FESTIVAL OF IMAGINEERS Thurs 6 Aug, Museum Aug, Charlecote Park, most accessible track and 2pm until 4pm. A CAR RALLIES AT Imagineer Productions of the Jewellery Warwickshire time in the UK. Run museum admission COSFORD Sat 1 Aug - is working in partner- Quarter, Birmingham MODELS IN THE YARD Sat What Ya Brung offers ticket is required to Thurs 31 Dec, RAF ship with Culture SHIVER ME TIMBERS! 8 Aug, Chedhams Yard, you the chance to take take part in the work- Cosford, Nr Coventry to create the Pirate-themed family Stratford-upon-Avon your car or motorcycle shops. Workshops are Wolverhampton second annual Festival fun, Thurs 6 - Fri 7 Aug, AN EVENING WITH STEVE out on the famous an additional £4 per RARE PLANTS FAIR Sun 2 of Imagineers, taking Wightwick Manor, PARISH AND FRIENDS quarter-mile dragstrip item, Sat 1 Aug - Wed 2 Aug, Castle Bromwich place in locations Wolverhampton The former motorcycle and test its perform- Sept, Coalport China Hall Gardens, across the city centre, THE FESTIVAL OF QUILTS racer discusses his ance limits in a safe Museum, Ironbridge, Birmingham Mon 3 - Sat 8 Aug, Bringing together a career in racing, Sat 8 and legal environment, Shropshire NATIONAL CAR RACES Coventry City Centre unique blend of Aug, Donington Park Sun 9 Aug, Santa Pod HORRIBLE HISTORIES: The British Automobile PERFECT PUPPETS Make exhibitors, galleries, Racing Circuit Raceway, Northampton WICKED WARWICK New Racing Club (BARC) is your own string puppet, practical workshops ST. THOMAS' CHURCH HEREFORD & WORCESTER for 2015, the Horrible one of Britain’s leading Mon 3 - Sat 8 Aug, and detailed lectures to CHOIR IN THE SINGING ANIMAL RESCUE DOG Histories bring Wicked organising clubs and Herbert Museum and create the biggest cele- CAVERN Sat 8 Aug, SHOW, classes for all Warwick back to life, brings two days of rac- Art Gallery, Coventry bration of patchwork Dudley Canal Tunnel dogs available, with Sat 1 Aug - Sun 6 Sept, ing to the circuit, Sun 2 SPORTING FUN AT PRIORY and quilting in Europe, and Limestone Mines entry only £1 per class, Warwick Castle Aug, Donington Park PARK Multi-sports fun, Thurs 6 - Sun 9 Aug, VJMC CLASSIC CLUBS Sun 9 Aug,

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SHREWSBURY FLOWER LISTINGS SHOW As usual both Events days’ proceedings cul- minate in a massed For full listing information on Events, bands arena finale and including times and dates, visit a spectacular firework display, Fri 14 - Sat 15 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Aug, The Quarry Park, Shrewsbury Brockhampton Estate, range of activities for all WESTERN MOTORHOME Worcestershire the family to enjoy, Mon SHOW A large exhibition CLASSIC VAN AND PICKUP 10 - Fri 14 Aug, Aston area showcases new SHOW A brand new Hall, Birmingham and pre-owned show purely for light SCIENCE WITH A BANG motorhomes. commercial vehicles, Featuring slime making Accessory stands and including vans, pickups and mini rockets, Mon three halls of country and campers, Sun 9 10 - Fri 14 Aug, music entertainment for Aug, Heritage Motor Shropshire Hills campers also features, Centre, Gaydon, Discovery Centre, Booking in advance is Warwickshire South Shropshire recommended, Fri 14 - NORTON FEST Over one SUPER SHAUN’S Make Sun 16 Aug, The Three hundred-and-twenty- your own Shaun the Counties Showground, five Norton motorcycles Sheep character to take Malvern on display, Sun 9 Aug, home, Mon 10 - Sat 15 SOUNDS OF THE 60S Coventry Transport Aug, Herbert Museum Head back to the 1960s Museum and Art Gallery, - the decade it all start- P6 OWNERS CLUB Coventry ed for the Severn Valley Knights And Princesses - Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire NATIONAL SHOW PIRATE FESTIVAL Put on Railway. Featuring National P6 Owners your best pirate outfit Friday & Saturday night Birmingham BMW CC NATIONAL Deer Park, Club Rally celebrating and join in all the family concerts with big head- TEDDY BEARS PICNIC AND FESTIVAL Featuring old Herefordshire the V8 Engine, Sun 9 fun, Mon 10 Aug - Sun liners, Italian Job Minis CARTS AND WHEELS Sat and new, classic and BLACK COUNTRY Aug, Heritage Motor 6 Sep, Hatton at the Engine House, a 15 Aug, Chedhams modern, and the VOYAGES Mon 17 - Centre, Gaydon, Adventure World, fashion show and stalls, Yard, Stratford-upon- biggest collection in Thurs 20 Aug, The Red Warwickshire Warwickshire guest DJs at Avon Europe, Sun 16 Aug, House Glass Cone, DAY OF THE DALEKS The STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD Kidderminster and a BRITISH RACING & Heritage Motor Centre Stourbridge Charity Dalek Squad & CONSERVATION TOUR 1960s mini-bar, Sat 15 SPORTS CAR CLUB The Gaydon, Warwickshire AWESOME ARCHAEOLOGY invade the museum, Behind-the-scenes tour Aug, Severn Valley Mighty Mini LET'S GO FLY A KITE Take Victorian adventurer Sun 9 Aug, Forge Mill of the Conservation Railway, Bewdley, Nr Championships is one your own, buy or make Professor Erasmus Hyll Needle Museum, Studio, Tues 11 Aug, Kidderminster of the most popular a kite to fly, Sun 16 and his assistant, Ted Redditch Birmingham Museum THE COLOR RUN Run the club events in motor- Aug, Croome Park, Lavender, lead the digs BREAKFAST CLUB And Art Gallery colourful 5K course sport, Sat 15 - Sun 16 Worcester in the castle grounds, Monthly social gather- ANIMALS WEEK Make solo - or even better, Aug, Silverstone Circuit, SUNDAY BRASS AND Mon 17 - Fri 21 Aug, ing open to all, Sun 9 your own headbands, take your friends along, Northampton CHURCH FETE Featuring Kenilworth Castle, Aug, Shelsley Walsh, snappers and origami, Sat 15 Aug, NEC, CHAMPIONSHIP a brass band and Warwickshire Worcester Tues 11 - Fri 14 Aug, Birmingham CHALLENGE Second visit church-style fete, Sun DEADLY SPECIMEN CLASSIC CAR AND Hartlebury Museum, RUN WHAT YA BRUNG of the season from 16 Aug, Eastnor Castle SCULPTURES Make your TRANSPORT SHOW Worcester Santa Pod Raceway in Avon Tyres/TTC Group, Deer Park, own deadly creature Featuring over one hun- BLISTS HILL AT PLAY Northamptonshire Sat 15 - Sun 16 Aug, Herefordshire from craft materials, dred vehicles dating Victorian leisure time offers the cheapest and Shelsley Walsh, Mon 17 - Sat 22 Aug, back to the 1920s, on the Green, Tues 11 - most accessible track Worcestershire Week Commencing Herbert Museum and arena attractions, the Sun 16 Aug, Blists Hill, time in the UK. Run IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE Art Gallery, Coventry popular autojumble and Ironbridge, Shropshire What Ya Brung offers WOODS TODAY Fun MON 17 AUG ARTIST TALK: ROBERT a trade area, Sun 9 HONDA RON HASLAM you the chance to take woodland activities for DAVIES Join artist Aug, Shugborough RACE SCHOOL The Ron your car or motorcycle all the family, Sat 15 - WOLVERHAMPTON Robert Davies for fur- Historic Working Estate, Haslam Race School out on the famous Sun 16 Aug, Moseley SPEEDWAY Monday ther insight into his film, Stafford offers the experience of quarter-mile dragstrip Old Hall, Nr night is race night... Of Time And The WW1 DAY AND riding on an internation- and test its perform- Wolverhampton check out all the action, Railway, a piece of EDWARDIAN FETE AND al racing circuit, Wed ance limits in a safe MINI IN THE PARK Mon 17 Aug, Ladbroke work that was eighty-six FAIR Step back in time 12 Aug, Donington Park and legal environment, Bringing together thou- Stadium, days in the making, to the early 1900s, Sun Racing Circuit Sat 15 Aug, Santa Pod sands of classic Mini Wolverhampton Tues 18 Aug, mac, 9 Aug, The ALIEN SCIENCE Make Raceway, Northampton and new Mini owners to WW1 DISCOVERY DAY Birmingham Staffordshire Regiment gooey alien slime and FAMILY NIGHT celebrate Britain’s most Join uniformed officers PIRATES CHILDREN'S Museum bouncy alien eggs, Celebrating the one iconic car, Sun 16 Aug, on a detailed tour of the WORKSHOP Featuring a EXOTIC ANIMALS Talks Wed 12 Aug, Forge Mill hundred-and-fiftieth Santa Pod Raceway, museum’s WWI trench treasure hunt and the and displays of creepy Needle Museum, anniversary of Lewis Northampton system, Mon 17 Aug, chance to make your crawlies, Sun 9 - Thurs Redditch Carroll’s Alice in BONSAI DEMONSTRATION The Staffordshire own cutlass, eye patch 13 Aug, Eastnor Castle RECYCLED BUNTING Join Wonderland, the muse- As well as the bonsai Regiment Museum and hat, Tues 18 Aug, Deer Park, designer Gilly Page to um comes alive with display, experts will be BOUNCE AND BOING Selly Manor, Herefordshire make your own bunting themed entertainment on hand to answer Inflatable obstacle Birmingham out of recycled fabric, and characters, Sat 15 questions, Sun 16 Aug, course and bouncy HISTORY WEEK Including Week Commencing Thurs 13 Aug, Museum Aug, Black Country Birmingham Botanical castle, Mon 17 - Thurs Egyptian amulets, of the Jewellery Living Museum, Dudley Gardens 20 Aug, Eastnor Castle Aztec masks, Viking MON 10 AUG Quarter, Birmingham COVENTRY TRANSPORT SUMMER HOLIDAY WORK- MUSEUM CLASSIC CAR CIRCUS IN THE GARDENS SHOPS Fun creative BREAKFAST CLUB A Featuring plate spin- workshops to help chance to show off ning, juggling and all explore the exhibitions, your classic car and/or the fun of the circus, Thurs 13 Aug, Ikon motorcycle, Sat 15 Aug, Mon 10 Aug, Gallery, Birmingham Coventry Transport Birmingham Botanical SHIVER ME TIMBERS! Museum Gardens Pirate-themed family COVENTRY CAR DAY A FAMILY FUN DAY All- fun, Thurs 13 - Fri 14 display of over one weather afternoon rac- Aug, Wightwick Manor, hundred-and-twenty- ing, Mon 10 Aug, Wolverhampton five Coventry-built cars, Wolverhampton SUMMER ACTIVITY DAYS: Sat 15 Aug, Coventry Racecourse PLANT IT, GROW IT, EAT IT Transport Museum ACTIVE AFTERNOONS Decorate your very own BATTLE PROMS PICNIC Craft and outdoor activ- plant pot, plant some CONCERT The UK’s pre- ities, Mon 10 - Tues 11 seeds and take it home mier classical picnic Aug, Moseley Old Hall, to watch them grow, Fri proms, with Spitfire, Wolverhampton 14 Aug, Croome Park, cannons, cavalry and TERRIFIC TUDORS The Worcester fireworks, Sat 15 Aug, castle is brought back KNIGHT SCHOOL A Ragley Hall, to life as a Tudor chance to learn the art Warwickshire palace, Mon 10 - Fri 14 of sword fighting and JEWELLERY QUARTER Aug, Kenilworth Castle, combat skills, Fri 14 HERITAGE WALK Sat 15 Warwickshire Aug, Greyfriars House Aug, Museum of the PLAY ON THE PARK A & Garden, Worcester Jewellery Quarter, www.whatsonlive.co.uk 63 Events August Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 24/07/2015 08:38 Page 11

Northampton ASTON MARTIN OWNERS Events LISTINGS CLUB A James Bond paradise featuring over For full listing information on Events, twenty classic Aston including times and dates, visit Martins, Sun 23 Aug, www.whatsonlive.co.uk Coventry Transport Museum runes and Roman are- Burke, Fri 21 August, DRIVE & DINE - TRUCK nas, Tues 18 - Fri 21 Ikon Galley, FEST An exclusive drive- Aug, Hartlebury Birmingham out event for owners of Museum, Worcester FULL BEAM FILM classic cars (over thirty A VICTORIAN CHILDHOOD FESTIVAL A drive-in festi- years old), Sun 23 Aug A brand new event for val showing Annie Hall Coventry Transport 2015. Meet on the vil- and The Big Lebowski, Museum lage Green to learn Fri 21 Aug, Green BUSES FESTIVAL 2015 about a Victorian child- Street, Kidderminster Over one hundred hood, Tues 18 - Sun 23 VW ACTION All things buses and coaches of Aug, Blists Hill, VW with racing, RWYB, all ages, Sun 23 Aug, Ironbridge, Shropshire show’n’shine and much Heritage Motor Centre, SUMMER HOLIDAY more, Fri 21 - Sun 23 Gaydon, Warwickshire JAGUAR COLLECTION Aug, Santa Pod RETRO RIDES Sun 23 ACTIVITIES Family activi- Raceway, Northampton Aug, Shelsley Walsh, ties that explore the EVENING SCENIC Worcester Jaguar Collection, Tues SPECIALS A scenic MAD SCIENCE Crazy and 18 Aug - Thurs 3 Sept, evening ride with the fun experiments by the Mad Scientist, Sun 23 - Heritage Motor Centre, added option of tradi- Oliver Twist Weekend - Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire Gaydon, Warwickshire tional fish and chip sup- Thurs 27 Aug, Eastnor PEPPA PIG Peppa Pig per, Sat 22 Aug, Severn Castle Deer Park, Aug, Dudmaston Northampton Celebrating rare-breed and George in the gar- Valley Railway, Herefordshire Estate, Bridgnorth, EVENING SCENIC animals and the skills dens, Wed 19 Aug, Bewdley, Nr Shropshire SPECIALS A scenic of Tudor rural workers. Birmingham Botanical Kidderminster Week Commencing LET'S GO FLY A KITE Take evening ride with the Watch traditional craft Gardens KIDS DISCOVER RAG MON 24 AUG your own, buy or make added option of tradi- demonstrations and HONDA RON HASLAM RUGGING Join the crafty a kite to fly, Wed 26 tional fish and chip sup- join in with animal- RACE SCHOOL The Ron folk to learn how to Aug, Powis Castle and per, Sat 29 Aug, Severn themed activities, Haslam Race School make a mini rag rug, KNIGHTS & PRINCESSES Garden, Powys, Mid Valley Railway, including ferret roulette, offers the experience of Sat 22 Aug, ACADEMY Hands-on Wales Bewdley, Nr falconry, and sheep riding on an internation- Birmingham Back to medieval activities in SCARECROW MAKING Kidderminster walking. The craft mar- al racing circuit, Wed Backs the academy for bud- Take along some old SECOND HAND BOOKS ket will be selling local- 19 Aug, Donington Park IDENTIFYING METAL ding knights and clothes and join in with Sat 29 Aug, Chedhams ly produced handmade Racing Circuit OBJECTS AND ARTEFACTS princesses, Mon 24 - this fun scarecrow-mak- Yard, Stratford-upon- products, including ALIEN SCIENCE Make Sat 22 Aug, Chedhams Fri 28 Aug, Kenilworth ing activity, Wed 26 - Avon stained glass orna- gooey alien slime and Yard, Stratford-upon- Castle, Warwickshire Thurs 27 Aug, Forge A WALK WITH BATS ments and gifts, hand- bouncy alien eggs, Avon HERE’S ONE WE MADE Mill Needle Museum, Ecologist Rebecca made chocolates and Wed 19 Aug, Forge Mill FUNCUP CAR ENDURANCE EARLIER Create any- Redditch Collins leads a nature jewellery, Sun 30 - Mon Needle Museum RACES The Fun Cup thing you want in a BEETLEMANIA BROOCHES walk in search of bats, 31 Aug, Mary Arden's ALPINE GARDEN SOCIETY offers excellent value, classic Blue Peter-style Make collage prints Sat 29 Aug, Croome Farm, Stratford-upon- LECTURE Thurs 20 Aug, packed grids and excit- workshop, Mon 24 - Sat inspired by insects with Park, Worcester Avon Birmingham Botanical ing racing, Sat 22 Aug, 29 Aug, Herbert Adrienne Craddock, SUMMER IN SOUTHSIDE SIEGE! The castle is Gardens Donington Park Racing Museum and Art Thurs 27 Aug, Museum Birmingham’s under siege as the FAMILY FUN DAY Thurs Circuit Gallery, Coventry of the Jewellery Southside district once forces of Simon de 20 Aug, Castle FULL BEAM FILM CREATE A CASTLE Quarter, Birmingham again plays host to a Montfort fend off the Bromwich Hall FESTIVAL A drive-in festi- CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP CHILDREN'S FACE selection of free out- attack of Prince Edward Gardens, Birmingham val showing Dirty Get creative by making PAINTING A chance for door theatre. Dance, in the Civil War, Sun 30 DECORATIVE Dancing and Night Of your own castles and youngsters to learn the circus and music per- - Mon 31 Aug, DREAMCATCHERS Artist The Living Dead, Sat 22 crowns, Tues 25 Aug, art of face painting, formances are pro- Kenilworth Castle, Louise Mary leads this Aug, Green Street, Selly Manor, Thurs 27 Aug, Selly grammed over the Warwickshire family craft session on Kidderminster Birmingham Manor, Birmingham bank holiday weekend. ALICE IN WONDERLAND making dreamcatchers, THE TIME TRAVELLERS' BUG HOTEL MAKING AND THURSDAY LATES For a full programme of WEEKEND Celebrating Thurs 20 Aug, Museum IRONBRIDGE QUEST An HUNT Make a bug hotel A stroll around the gar- events and artist infor- one hundred-and-fifty of the Jewellery interactive adventure and hunt for butterflies, dens with live music mation, visit birming- years of Alice In Quarter, Birmingham taking over Enginuity Tues 25 Aug, and local performers, hamhippodrome.com, Wonderland with a SPACE ALIENS and the Museum of Brockhampton Estate, Thurs 27 Aug, Erddig Sat 29 - Sun 30 Aug, treasure hunt around CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP Iron, Sat 22 Aug, Herefordshire Hall, Wrexham Southside, Birmingham the castle and grounds, A chance to get cre- Coalbrookdale Museum DRIVING SCHOOL A SUMMER HOLIDAY WORK- THE SEIGE OF Sun 30 - Mon 31 Aug, ative with recycled of Iron, Ironbridge, chance to receive theo- SHOPS Fun, creative BROCKHAMPTON The Sir Eastnor Castle Deer materials to make Shropshire retical and practical workshops to help John Savile Household Park, Herefordshire aliens and space rock- 750 MOTOR CLUB 750 tuition and guidance explore the exhibitions, perform the seige of ets, Thurs 20 Aug, Selly Motor Club champi- from experienced com- Thurs 27 Aug, Ikon Brockhampton at the Week Commencing petitors and instructors, Manor, Birmingham onship car races, Sat Gallery, Birmingham moated manor house, MON 31 AUG SUMMER HOLIDAY WORK- 22 - Sun 23 Aug, Tues 25 Aug, Shelsley SHIVER ME TIMBERS! Sat 29 - Mon 31 Aug, SHOPS Fun, creative Silverstone Circuit, Walsh, Worcester Pirate-themed family Brockhampton Estate, workshops to help Northampton PIRATE WEEK With skull fun, Thurs 27 - Fri 28 Herefordshire ROLLING MILL explore the exhibitions, SCOPE FESTIVAL OF & crossbone flags, Aug, Wightwick Manor, OLIVER TWIST WEEKEND DEMONSTRATION Thurs 20 Aug, Ikon SHOW JUMPING Sat 22 - treasure maps and Wolverhampton Characters from Originally used to Gallery, Birmingham Sat 29 Aug, pirate hats, Tues 25 - SUMMER ACTIVITY DAYS: Charles Dickens’ Oliver amend and resize iron SHIVER ME TIMBERS! Staffordshire County Fri 28 Aug, Hartlebury POND DIPPING See what Twist come to life in a bars, the Rolling Mill is Pirate-themed family Showground Museum, Worcester creatures you can find special themed event, a typical Black Country fun, Thurs 20 - Fri 21 MECCANO EVENT See JUNIOR DRAG RACING in the lake, Fri 28 Aug, Sat 29 - Mon 31 Aug, hand rolling mill from Aug, Wightwick Manor, some amazing working FUN DAY A fun day for Croome Park, Blists Hill, Ironbridge, around the 1900s, Mon Wolverhampton Meccano models and all junior racers aged Worcester Shropshire 31 Aug, Black Country KNIGHTS & PRINCESSES find out more about the eight to seventeen. SUMMER BARBEQUE SCARECROW DAY Meet a Living Museum, Dudley ACADEMY Hands-on versatile building sys- Featuring junior drag PARTY Enjoy a glass of whole host of scare- WOLVERHAMPTON medieval activities in tem with the Telford bikes, junior dragsters PImms punch and a crow characters. Have SPEEDWAY Monday the academy for bud- Meccano Society, Sat and junior funny cars, night of rhythm & a go at building one night is race night... ding knights and 22 - Sun 23 Aug, Blists Wed 26 Aug, blues, Fri 28 Aug, Park yourself and enter check out all the action, princesses, Thurs 20 - Hill, Ironbridge, Santa Pod Raceway, House Hotel, Shifnal, Forge Mill's competi- Mon 31 Aug, Ladbroke Fri 21 Aug, Stokesay Shropshire Northampton Shropshire tion, to be judged by Stadium, Castle, Craven Arms, PEAK PERFORMANCE TEDDY BEAR'S PICNIC & 1940S GAMES AND VE the Mayor of Redditch, Wolverhampton South Shropshire TEST & TUNE DAY RWYB PIRATE FETE Take along DAY CELEBRATIONS Fri 28 Sun 30 Aug, A DAY IN THE COUNTRY ARCHAEOLOGY DAY See with maximum track your teddy bear for a Aug, Greyfriars House Forge Mill Needle Demonstrations of what you can discover, time for serious enthu- picnic, treasure hunt & Garden, Worcester Museum, Redditch everything rural, with Fri 21 Aug, Greyfriars siasts. Car clubs, per- and fun and games, OCTO BRITISH GRAND MULTI-PERIOD LIVING crafts and countryside House & Garden, formance specialists Wed 26 Aug, PRIX MOTORGP The HISTORY WEEKEND Sun activities, Mon 31 Aug, Worcester and individuals all wel- Birmingham Botanical MotorGP Paddock is 30 - Mon 31 Aug, Avoncroft Museum, LITERATURE Poetry come, Sun 23 Aug, Gardens back at Silverstone, Fri Harvington Hall, Bromsgrove evening with Vanley Santa Pod Raceway, MAGICAL MUSIC Play the 28 - Sun 30 Aug, Kidderminster lion a tune, Wed 26 Silverstone Circuit, CRAFTY BEASTS 64 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Eating Out August region one.qxp_Layout 1 24/07/2015 11:52 Page 1 Eating Out Cantonese food at its best in Harborne It was halfway through the dim sum platter at Henry Wong that I realised I’d never before eaten really good Cantonese food. The slow-cooked chilli ribs, panko-crumbed wasabi prawns, crispy won tons and delicately sweet prawn dumplings (£15.75) politely but firmly knocked the socks off every greasy takeaway that masquerades as authentic Chinese. The quality of the cooking explains why this mainstay of the Harborne food scene has sur- vived for some thirty years. That, plus the exemplary service. We rolled up an hour late due to a booking con- fusion. Unfazed, the hostess was all warm wel- comes and smiles. With a chilled riesling pushed into my hands, I relaxed to the soft tones of Wong’s resident lounge singer as she worked her way through the great American songbook. So discreet was she that my partner hadn’t realised that the music was live and taking place right behind his chair. Belfry restaurant gets hole in one... Back to the food. The honey pepper chicken dish For starters (ranging from the meat. featured deep-fried nuggets of joy, full of pepper REVIEW £6.50 - £13.50), I opted for Special mention must go flavour without head-blowing heat (£10.95). They grilled scallops served with to the plentiful range of worked well with the fried beef with black bean As four-time host to the minted pea puree and vegetable side dishes, (£9.50) and baby pak choy (£9.50), which came prestigious Ryder Cup crispy chorizo. Beautifully priced at a reasonable £4 fresh and green and crunchy. The Shanghai fried Championship, The Belfry tender and oozing flavour, each. rice with pak choy and mushrooms (£5.25) was Hotel & Resort takes pride the smokiness of the scal- What the dessert menu another revelation, full of flavour whilst retaining in its reputation as one of lops was offset perfectly by was arguably lacking in that fluffy lightness of perfect steamed grains. the world’s top golfing des- the fresh, sweet-tasting imagination, it more than Dessert isn’t something you expect with Chinese tinations. Riding high off flavour of the minted pea made up for in flavour and cuisine. At Wong’s, however, you can choose a the back of its recent puree, both of which were strength of execution. Both chocolate mousse - expertly styled into a choco- £26million refurbishment, complemented beautifully my warm chocolate fon- late-framed pyramid - or ice cream macaroons. the venue has repositioned by the rich kick of the dant with vanilla ice cream Or, of course, banana fritters, hot and crispy and itself in the gastronomic crispy chorizo topping. and my partner’s crème smothered in caramel. landscape following the My partner’s choice of gar- brulee with summer berries Henry Wong isn’t cheap - but with cooking of this appointment of culinary lic chilli prawns with grilled and macaroon (priced at quality, nor should it be. The dining room would heavyweight Glen Watson ciabatta bread, rocket £7 each) were executed to benefit from some colour, I feel, to break up the as Chef Director. leaves and charred lime perfection. tasteful shades of taupe and beige. Entering the spacious sur- was equally impressive. If you’re looking for some- This is just the kind of neighbourhood restaurant roundings of the immacu- The richness of the garlic thing a little bit different, try that everyone wants in their own town. For a lately finished Ryder Grill, a butter and prawn was com- one of The Belfry’s ‘liquid grown-up yet relaxed evening out, put Henry first glance at the restau- plemented by the sharp desserts’. Wong on the go-to list. Helen Stallard rant’s newly introduced A and zesty kick of the My visit to the Ryder Grill Food: n n n n n La Carte menu revealed an charred lime and chilli. exceeded my expectations. The venue is surely one of Service: n n n n n extensive choice of freshly A main course of marinat- ed duck breast with the Midlands’ top dining Ambience: n n n n n prepared dishes, ranging caramelised risotto and a destinations and a worthy Overall value n n n n n from chargrill classics like radish and coriander salad addition to The Belfry’s OVERALL n n n n n Chateaux Briand to sea- sonal specialities such as (£24.50) raised the bar for already world-class facili- Henry Wong 283 High Street Birmingham herb-encrusted Cumbrian a second time. This was by ties. Katherine Ewing B17 9QH Tel. 0121 427 9799 lamb and tuna tartare with far the finest example of wasabi. duck I’ve yet tasted in a Food: n n n n n There was also an option restaurant. Tender and suc- Service: n n n n n of vegetable wellington culent, it was accompanied Ambience: n n n n n served with tenderstream by an impressive Overall value n n n n n broccoli, tomato and red caramelised onion risotto. OVERALL n n n n n pepper coulis. Choosing from the ‘char- As a former consultant to grill’ menu, my partner was The Ryder Grill the great Albert Roux, equally enamoured with The Belfry Hotel & Resort Watson’s menu displays the twenty-eight-day aged Sutton Coldfield real respect for his ingredi- Scotch beef sirloin with red B76 9PR ents, painstakingly sourced wine sauce (£29.50) - both Tel. 0844 980 0600 from across the UK for in terms of the generosity both freshness and quality. of portion size and the unsurpassed tenderness of

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 65 Eating Out August region one.qxp_Layout 1 23/07/2015 14:08 Page 2

MINT Yew Tree Retail Amantia - Birmingham LISTINGS Park, Stoney Lane Restaurant Yardley, B25 8YP 0121 789 8908 For full listing information on restau- MOUNT FUJI The Bullring, rants, including opening times and B5 4BH 0121 633 9853 type of cuisine, visit: www.whatson- NUVO BAR 11 Brindley Place, B1 2LP 0121 631 live.co.uk 1600 B5 4RT 0121 622 5669 OPUS 54 Cornwall St, B3 2DE 0121 200 2323 Birmingham CHUNG YING CENTRAL 126 Colmore Row, B3 3AP THE ORIENTAL The Mailbox, 128-130 AALTO RESTAURANT Hotel 0121 400 0888 La Tour, Albert Street, Wharfside St, B1 1RQ Birmingham, B5 5JT CHUNG YING GARDEN 17 0121 633 9988 Thorpe St, B5 4AT 0121 718 8000 PEACHY KEENS 1741 0121 666 6622 AIR RESTAURANT LG Coventry Road, B26 Arena, Bickenhill Rd CIELO 6 Oozells Square, 1DS 0121 764 5519 0844 338 0333 Brindleyplace, B1 2JB PENNY BLACKS 0121 632 6882 BALCONY BRASSERIE The Mailbox, 132-134 WAGAMAMA Brindley upon Avon, CV37 7LT 55 Sidbury, WR1 2HU Selfridges on 4, The COAST TO COAST 9 Wharfside St, B1 1XL Place, Birmingham, B1 01789 264804 01905 611120 Bullring, B5 4BP Brindleyplace, Broad 0121 632 1460 Street, B1 2HJ WATERS ON THE SQUARE MALLORY COURT Harbury BRAMBLINGS Hither Green BANK 4 Brindleyplace, PICCOLINO Lane, Leamington Spa, Lane, Redditch, B98 9BE B1 2JB 0121 633 4466 COTE The Mailbox, 9 Brindleyplace, B1 2HS Chad Square, Hawthorne B1 1RX 0121 631 1587 Rd, Edgbaston, B15 3TQ CV33 9QB, 01926 330214 01527 406600 BAR ESTILO 10-114 0121 634 3055 MATRICARDIS 97 High St, Wharfside St, The CUCINA RUSTICA 24 PITCHER & PIANO BRIDGE INN Plough Road, Henley in Arden, B95 5AT Mailbox, B1 1RF 0121 Ludgate Hill, B3 1DX Brindleyplace, B1 2HP Droitwich, WR9 7NQ Warwickshire 01564 792735 643 3443 0121 233 2277 0121 643 0214 01905 345874 MERCHANTS BARAJEE 265 Broad EASTZEAST 167 Broad POPPY RED Arcadian 7 SQUARE 7 Old Square, Swan Street, CHADDESLEY RESTAURANT Warwick, CV34 4BJ Street, B1 2DS 0121 643 Street, Birmingham, B15 Centre, Birmingham, B5 Warwick, CV34 4RA Brockencote Hall Hotel, 01926 403833 6699 1AY, 0121 643 4808 4TD 0121 687 1200 01926 411 755 Kidderminster, DY10 4PY NUMBER SIX Castle Street, 01562 777876 BELLA ITALIA 102 New EDMUNDS 6 Brindley PURNELL’S 55 Cornwall NO. 9 CHURCH STREET Warwick, CV34 4BP Street, B2 4HQ 0121 place, B1 2JB 0121 633 St, B3 2DH 0121 212 Stratford upon Avon, THE CHASE INN Chase Rd, 01926 497663 643 1548 4944 9799 Warwickshire, CV37 6HB Upper Colwall, Malvern, BERLIOZ Burlington FIESTA DEL ASADO 229 PURNELL’S BISTO 11 01789 415522 ONE ELM 1 Guild St, WR13 6DQ 01684 Hagley Road, Stratford-Upon-Avon, 540276 Arcade, New St, B2 4JQ Newhall Street, B3 3NY, AGRA PLACE 12 Abbey Birmingham, B16 9RP CV37 6QZ 01789 404919 CHESTERS 0121 633 1737 0121 2000 1588 Green, Nuneaton, CV11 51 New St, 0121 445 9331 Worcester, WR1 2DL BLUE GINGER 32 Poplar, RAJDOOT TANDOORI 78 - 5DR 024 7635 0515 PREZZO 1-3 High St, FLEET STREET KITCHEN Warwick, CV34 4AP 01905 611638 Rd, Kings Heath, B14 79 George St, B31 1PY THE ALMANACK Abbey Fleet Street, Islington 01926 475867 CROWN & SANDYS 7AD 0121 444 0999 0121 236 1116 End North, Kenilworth, Gates, B3 1JH 0121 236 RESTAURANT 23 Main Rd, Ombersley, BLUE MANGO Regency THE RECTORY 50-54 St CV8 1QJ 01926 353637 34 0100 Hamilton Terrace, Holly WR9 0EW 01905 62025 Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS Paul’s Sq, B3 1QS AUBERGINE 32 Smith St, ITIHAAS 18 Fleet St, B3 0121 605 1001 Walk, Leamington Spa, EWE AND LAMB Hanbury 0121 633 4422 Warwick, CV34 4HS 1JL 0121 212 3383 CV32 4LY 01926 422422 Road, Bromsgrove, B60 BLUE PIANO RESTAURANT RED PEPPERS 117 01926 400 086 JAMIE’S ITALIAN Middle Wharfside St, B1 1RF RISTORANTE DA VINCI 50 4DN 01527 871 929 AND BAR 24-26 Harborne THE BELL Alderminster, Mall, Bullring Shopping Earlsdon Street, Coventry, THE FIG TREE Rd, B15 3AA 0121 454 0121 643 4202 Stratford-upon-Avon, 99 Church 6877 Centre, B5 4BE SAN CARLO 4 Temple St, CV5 6EJ 024 7671 3554 Street, Gt Malvern, WR14 0121 270 3610 CV37 8NY BUONISSIMO 1 Albany B2 5BN 0121 633 0251 01789 450414 ROBBIE’S RESTAURANT 74 2AE 01684 569909 JIMMY SPICES Regency Smith Street, CV34 4HU Rd, Harborne, B17 9JX SHIMLA PINKS 215 Broad BLUE BISTRO 21 Spon St, FUSION BRASSERIE 0121 426 2444 Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS St, B15 1AY 0121 633 01926 400470 Hawbridge, Stoulton, 0121 643 2111 Coventry, CV1 3BA 024 CAFE OPUS 1 Oozells 0366 7622 9274 ROOFTOP RESTAURANT Worcester, WR7 4RJ Square, Brindleyplace, LAS IGUANAS Arcadian @ The RST, Waterside, 01905 840647 SIMPSONS, 20 Highfield CARLUCCIOS 13 Waterside, B1 2HS 0121 248 3226 Centre, Hurst St, B5 4TD Stratford-upon-Avon, Rd, Edgbaston, B13 Stratford-Upon-Avon, THE INN AT STONEHALL 0121 622 4466 CV37 6BB 01789 403449 CAFE SAFFRON 3DU 0121 454 3434 CV37 6BA 01789 267424 Stonehall Common, Wolverhampton Road, LASAN 3-4 Dakota SAFFRON GOLD Market St, Worcester, WR5 3QG THE SLUG AND LETTUCE, CATALAN 6 Jury St , Oldbury, B69 4RR Buildings, James St, St 01905820462 Brindley Place, Warwick, CV34 4EW Westgate House, 0121 552 1752 Paul’s Square, B3 1SD Birmingham, B1 2HL Warwick, CV34 4DE KING CHARLES II King 0121 212 3664 01926 498 930 CARLUCCIO’S The Water’s 0121 633 3049 01926 402061 Charles House, New St, THE LOFT LOUNGE THE CHURCH STREET Edge, Brindleyplace, STRADA 109-111 THE SAXON MILL Worcester, WR1 2D 143 Bromsgrove St, TOWNHOUSE 16 Church B1 2HP 0121 633 9262 Wharfside St, The Coventry Rd, Guys Cliffe, 01905 22449 B5 6RG 0121 622 2444 Street, Stratford-upon- CENTENARY BAR & Mailbox, B1 1XL Warwick, CV34 5YN L’AMUSE BOUCHE 51 THE LOST & FOUND Avon, CV37 6HB 01789 BRASSERIE Broad Street, 0121 643 7279 262222 01926 492 255 Graham Rd, Malvern, B1 2EP 0121 245 2080 8 Bennetts Hill, B2 5RS TAILORS 22 Market Place, WR14 2HU 01684 0121 643 9293 TGI FRIDAYS 180 Hagley COOMBE ABBEY Brinklow CHI BAR & GRILL 61 Road, Edgbaston, B16 Warwick, CV34 4SL 572427 LOVES The Glasshouse, Road, Coventry, CV3 2AB Newhall Street, B3 3RB 9NY 0121 454 1930 024 7645 0450 01926 410590 LE BRASSERIE 5 Lower 0121 233 3150 Browning St, B16 8FL THAI EDGE 7 Oozells Sq, CROSSED KHUKRIS GURKHA THE TREVELYAN Warwick Mill Street, 0121 454 5151 Kidderminster, DY11 CHIMICHANGA 41 Mill Lane B1 2HL 0121 643 3993 115 Abbey Street, Rd, Stratford-upon-Avon, MECHU 47 - 59 Summer 6UU 01562 744976 Arcade, Touchwood, TURTLE BAY 81-91 John Nuneaton, CV11 5BX 024 CV37 ONR 01789 295252 Solihull, B91 3GS 0121 Row, B3 1JJ 0121 212 MAEKONG THAI 12 1661 Bright Street, B1 1BL 7634 4488 THE VINE INN 86 - 88 West 704 0749 St, Warwick, CV34 6AW Worcester Road, METRO BAR & GRILL 73 THE VAULTS Newhall EDWARD MOON 9 Chapel CHUNG YING 07873 219005 Bromsgrove, B61 7AE Cornwall St, B3 2DF Place, Newhall Hill, Street, Stratford-upon- 16-18 Wrottersley Street, 01527 578888 0121 200 1911 B1 3JH 0121 212 9837 Avon, CV37 6EP 01789 WARWICK SPICE 24 Smith 267069 Street, CV34 4HS 01926 MASSALLA LOUNGE 35 EGO 29 The Square, 491736 Broad St, Worcester, Kenilworth, CV8 1EF ZIZZI 85-87 Regent WR1 3NH 01905 01926 864463 Square House, Parade, 729955 THE ENCORE Bridge Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 MUG HOUSE Claines (EST 86) Stratford upon Avon, 4NL 01926 432532 Lane, Worcester, WR3 THE DINNER CLUB CV37 6AB 01789 269462 7RN 01905 456649 A RECIPE FOR FINE FOOD AND GOOD COMPANY FINEST CATCH B’ham Rd, ON THE ROCKS 44 Henley in Arden, B95 Worcestershire Worcester Road, 5QR 01564 793783 ANAKARALI 47 The Bromsgrove, B61 7AE SINGLE? FIVE RIVERS 20-22 Victoria Tythings, Worcester, WR1 01527 882412 Terrace, Leamington Spa, 1JT 01905 21412 PARADISE BALTI 7 Lower For the more discerning CV31 3AB 01926 431999 ANGEL CHEF 1 Angel St, Mill Street, Kidderminster, unattached person, age 40+ HIGH PAVEMENT BAR & DIN- Worcester, WR1 3QT unattached person, age 40+ DY11 6UU 01562 60479 ING 3 High Street, CV34 01905 731131 PORTWAY ITALIAN, Events weekly include dining out, dinner dances, black tie 4AP 01926 494725 ANUPAM 85 Church HELP OUT MILL Heather Alcester Rd, Redditch, balls,theatre, parties, weekends away and holidays abroad. Street, Malvern, WR14 B48 7HT 01564 824794 Rd, Shakerstone, 2AE 01684 573814 Nuneaton, CV13 0BT ROSADOS’S 2 Finstall Rd, BACCHUS 44 Worcester Aston Fields, NOT A DATING AGENCY 01530 260666 Road, Bromsgrove, B61 INDIA RED 25 Abbey Bromsgrove, B60 2DZ 0TA 01527 877557 01527 889948 (Day) (Eve/W-end) Street, Nuneaton, CV11 01244 677030 /01244 548816 BENEDICTOS 34 Sidbury, SAFFRON BISTRO 15 New 5BX 024 7634 2090 Worcester, WR1 2HZ LE BISTRO PIERRE Swans St, Worcester, WR1 2DP 01905 21444 01905 610505 www.thedinnerclubuk.com Nest, Bridgford, Stratford BINDLES BAR & BRASSERIE

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READ THE REVIEWS ONLINE whatsonlive.co.uk grand_whatson FP Aug:Layout 1 24/07/2015 12:11 Page 1 Great Theatre at the Grand!

THU 3 SEPT FRI 4 - SAT 5 SEPT TUES 8 - SAT 12 SEPT

West Bromwich Operatic Society are extremely proud to present

Music by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER Book & Lyrics by DON BLACK & CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON Based on the film by BILLY WILDER

An amateur production by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd

SUN 13 SEPT SAT 26 SEPT WED 30 SEPT - SUN 11 OCT

TUES 13 OCT WED 14 OCT THURS 15 OCT CERI DUPREE EYEcons

Box Office 01902 42 92 12 BOOK ONLINE AT www.grandtheatre.co.uk